The Nation , March 21, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

EFCC arrests OSOPADEC chair OS TEO TARXS G T E LA ECUULT over alleged N61.63b fraud OS FA NEWS PAGE 5

•Anti-graft agency probes multi-billion naira contracts

PR DE

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2071 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

GE A P 11

N150.00

THE CONTROVERSIAL CAPITAL MARKET PROBE

Secret memo shows SEC offered panel N30.4m Committee chair, members quit Commission defends Oteh

CBN to probe banks over scam

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NY bank found wanting in the ongoing pension probe by the National Assembly will be sanctioned, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned yesterday. It plans to send examiners to the affected banks to determine their level of involvement in the alleged fraud.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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ORE missiles were fired yesterday in the battle of integrity between Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) boss Ms. Arunma Oteh and lawmaker Herman Hembe.

A secret memo showing that SEC initiated the move to sponsor the controversial public hearing with a N30.4m budget surfaced in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may quiz three SEC commissioners and members of the House Committee on Capital Market, who are probing the collapse of the once lucrative capital market.

Some letters and memos by SEC and the House Committee provided an insight into how the deal was struck.

A March 9 memo by the Senior Supervisor (CA) in SEC, Hassan Mamman, to the DG of SEC, reads: “RE-PUBLIC HEARSEE ALSO ING ON THE NIGECAPITAL MARPAGES 2&3 RIAN KET “Please, recall that the commission received a letter of invitation from the leadership of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market inviting the management of the commission to a public hearing on the Nigerian Capital Market slated for March 13 – 30, 2012.

“The leadership of the Committee had also earlier advertised the hearing in some national dailies in which other stakeholders were also invited alongside the commission Continued on page 4

WE SAID SO •Yesterday’s front page story announcing the impending fate of the committee’s chairman

Business Page 11

Fiancee thanks Muamba’s fans

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•Ms Oteh

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Ms Oteh has never consumed a meal worth N850,000 ... The highest charge for food was N83,400 on March 24, 2010. This bill was in respect of an official dinner hosted by the SEC with a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria.

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HE FIANCEE of Fabrice Muamba’s fiancee has thanked well-wishers for their prayers as the player’s condition improves in hospital. The Bolton midfielder is in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest during the Trotters’ FA Cup quarter-final at Spurs.

The hospital on Monday confirmed the 23year-old can now recognise family members and respond ...

Sports Page 24

•Hembe

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I want it to be on record that Zuma corruption I demanded for no bribe and case for review took no bribe; rather, I fought SOUTH African court has ruled that back efforts by the SEC DG the decision to to expose us to inappropriate drop corruption charges President Jacob influence. I hereby disqualify against Zuma can be reviewed. myself and urge the House to The charges were dropped weeks before the 2009 withdraw the entire commit- just election which led to Mr Zuma becoming presitee from further conducting dent. the investigative hearing.

Foreign Page 62

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•EDO SLASHES PAYE BY 40% P57 •OSUN RAPE TRIAL CONTINUES MAY 2 P10

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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NEWS THE CONTROVERSIAL CAPITAL MARKET INQUIRY

How stock market crashed T

HE capital market has lost nearly 45 per cent of its market capitalisation or more than N5.4 trillion in the last 48 months as it struggles with low investors’ confidence, liquidity crunch, global economic and financial crises and banking reforms.

The market with the aid of massive foreign and domestic investments attained landmark growths between 2005 and March 2008. Aggregate new issues by corporate organisations rose from N412.7 billion in 2005 to N1.34 trillion in 2007.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose from N2.5 trillion in 2005 to N12.1 trillion in March 2008.

But the boom was largely fuelled by malpractices. Investigations by financial services authorities showed that issuers and operators manipulated share prices to sell overvalued stocks to unsuspecting investors. Many banks were found to have used their deposits to pump up their subscriptions and hoodwink investors into taking loans to buy pumped up shares.

With prices of several stocks on artificial pricing, what started as a portfolio rebalancing by foreign investors to cover their exposures in the wake of the global economic recession snowballed into a free fall in Nigeria. Market capitalisation plummeted to N4.99 trillion in 2009.

The market has since then remained largely on the negative despite appreciable recovery by many fundamentally-flawed markets including the United States of America (USA). Initial optimism that greeted the change in the leadership of the capital market regulatory institutions nudged the market in 2010 with the benchmark All Share Index (ASI) returning 18.9 per cent in 2010.

But following the inability of the leaderships of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NSE to achieve harmonious monetary and fiscal framework and overt endorsement of the nationalisation of three quoted banks, the market suffered a reversal last year. Investors lost N1.4 trillion last year as aggre-

WHAT THE LAW SAYS: •Regulate investments and securities business in Nigeria.

•Register and regulate securities exchanges, capital trade points, futures, options and derivatives exchanges, commodity exchanges and any other recognised investment exchange.

•Regulate all offers of securities by public companies and entities.

•Register securities of public companies.

•Facilitate the establishment of a nationwide system for securities trading in the Nigerian capital market in order to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets.

•Act in the public interest having regard to the protection of investors and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and to this end establish a nationwide trust scheme to compensate investors whose losses are not covered under the investors protection funds administered by securities exchanges and capital trade points.

•Protect the integrity of the securities market against all forms of abuses including insider dealing.

•Review, approve and regulate mergers, acquisitions, takeovers and all forms of business combinations and affected transactions of all com-

panies.

•Call for information from and inspect, conduct inquiries and audit of securities exchanges, capital market operators, collective investment schemes and all other regulated entities.

•Call for, or furnish to any person, such information as may be considered necessary by it for the efficient discharge of its functions.

•Intervene in the management and control of capital market operators which it considers as failed, is failing or in crisis including entering into the premises and doing whatsoever the Commission deems necessary for the protection of investors.

•Enter and seal off the premises of persons illegally carrying on capital market operations.

•In furtherance of its role of protecting the integrity of the securities market, seek judicial order to freeze the assets (including bank accounts) of any person whose assets were derived from the violation of this Act, or any securities law or regulation in Nigeria or other jurisdictions.

•Prevent fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to the securities industry.

By Taofik Salako

for sustained recovery and a stable market.

One of the main areas of focus is the strengthening of the institutional capacity of SEC including human capital, technology and process. The SEC has begun implementing key recommendations. On technology, significant investments have been made to enhance technology platform. Since it began retooling, the commission has increased its cost efficiency, minimised its turnaround-time, automated a number of its process, and enhanced its communication channels.

Given the importance of demutualisation to the global competitiveness of the NSE, SEC has also taken steps to prepare the framework and guidelines. The commission set up a committee to examine issues surrounding the demutualisation of the Exchange; The committee submitted its report last month.

It is expected that demutualisation will reposition the NSE to provide a fairer, more efficient and more transparent system of operation that will enhance liquidity, improve price discovery and institute good corporate governance which are essential features of an effective Self Regulatory Organisation (SRO). It will bolster investors confidence and enhance international competitiveness of the Exchange and invariably the market. The increased operational efficiency, enhanced profile and heightened competitiveness which will accrue to the Exchange from this exercise will significantly augment capital market reforms and foster growth.

gate market capitalisation of all quoted companies dwindled from N7.914 trillion to N6.533 trillion.

Nearly all indices at the NSE were in the red. Total trading value dropped by 20 per cent to N634.92 billion.

Average daily transactions also declined by 19 per cent to N2.68 billion.

Last year, the market fluctuated largely downward. However, recent gains have impacted positively on the overall market position with a year-to-date positive return of 1.33 per cent.

However, following a comprehensive diagnostic review that involved several reputable institutions including Accenture and United States of America's Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), the SEC has taken some initiatives that would form the vital building blocks

THE SEC MEMORANDA 2

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The House, As part of its oversight functions, the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions set out last week to probe the “manifest causes of near collapse of the capital market”. It had barely started its job when it ran into a storm over alleged bribery.

Now the probe panel is being probed, while another committee has taken over its job.

VICTOR OLUWASEGUN reports ‘Donation’ or ‘bribe’?

HE documents speak for themselves. Their contents vary from the weighty bribery allegation made by Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Arunma Oteh against the Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Herman Hembe.

Last Thursday, members of the audience in one of the committee rooms of the House of Representatives were stunned when Ms Oteh accused Hembe of demanding N44million bribe from her to fund the committee’s assignment.

Did Hembe make such demand? If he did, in what capacity did he do it?

Was he acting on behalf of his colleagues? Or was Ms Oteh up to mischief? Yesterday, more light was shed on the bribery saga, with the sudden emergence of some documents from SEC, purportedly approving N30million “in support” of the committee’s work. From the documents dated March 1, 9 and 13, it seems that the suggestion to fund the committee came from the SEC. In the purported extracts of the minutes of the 63rd meeting of the Board of SEC held on March 12, N30 million was approved to support the public hearing on the capital market by the committee.

The minutes were signed by E.K Aiggbekaen.

The document dated March 9 signed by Hassan Mamman purportedly recommended that N30, 418, 800 be approved for the committee.

What then led to the present misunderstanding? How did a proposed donation become a bribe? What brought about Ms Oteh's outburst last week? Was she pushed to the wall to do what she did? No matter, the episode has taken its toll on Hembe, Ms Oteh, the House and SEC. For now, the House under the leadership of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal is in the public eye over this scandal.

The House, yesterday, took steps to salvage its image. But it was a huge disappointment for many who were expecting fireworks at the committee's resumed sitting. The siting did not hold following the chairman's and members withdrawal yesterday.

A new panel headed by Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi will now handle the job. The members are: Rose OkojiOko, Yakubu Dogara, Usman Abdullahi, Toby Okechukwu, Ini Udoka, Buba Jubril and Bimbo Daramola.

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How it all started Hembe fired the first salvo last Wednesday when he told Ms Oteh: “You are not fit to regulate the sector.”

He accused Ms Oteh of profligacy.

Ms Oteh, he said, has been spending money as if it is going out of fashion since assuming office one year ago.

He said Ms Oteh spent N850, 000 on food in a single day, despite the regulation establishing a ceiling for

expenses. He also accused the SEC boss of spending N30 million on hotel accommodation in eight months.

“You stayed in a hotel for eight months and spent over N30 million.

In one day you spent N85, 000 on food at the hotel; the other day you spent 850,000 on food. These are the things we should look at to see how you will regulate a market that is collapsing.”

Hembe also accused Ms Oteh of fraud, saying she compromised SEC’s regulatory role by recruiting Charles Ughele and Titi Olubiyi of Access Bank as SEC’s advisers.

“I cannot believe that Access Bank can just send somebody to your office like that”, he said, adding: “Somebody can rightly say he is a spy. There is no way we can be better. It smells of fraud.”

Apparently enraged, he declared her “incompetent to hold the exalted position of SEC DG.” “You must submit your academic certificates and all documents regarding the engagement of the Access Bank staff to this committee,” Hembe added.

‘A Kangaroo court’ Barely concealing her anger, Ms. Oteh said: “This is a Kangaroo court.”

She alleged that the committee was pursuing an agenda beyond its mandate.

Ms Oteh denied that SEC’s partnership with Access Bank affected the commission’s integrity. The commission, only benefiting from the bankers’ she said is “experience.”.

She said their remunerations were being paid by their bank and not SEC, adding that the decision to employ them was right. “Yes we don’t have the right capacity in that area and he (Charles) has come with that.”

Ms Oteh alleged that not only did the committee demand N39million from SEC to fund its assignment, its chairman requested for N5 million from her also barely 24 hours before the sitting started.

She said she turned down both requests, hinting that this may be the reason why Hembe and the committee are after her.

Ms Oteh also accused Hembe of collecting funds for a first class ticket for a trip to the Dominican Republic to attend a capital market conference last year but never did.

“Mr. Chairman, I question your credibility to preside over this probe.

On 20th October, last year, you were given a cheque, to travel to the Dominican Republic to attend a conference, you need to tell Nigerians whether you attended the conference yet you did not return the cheque.

Can you tell Nigerians that you returned the money when you did not travel?

“Would I now say that because SEC was approached to fund this hearing, that the committee has no competence to do its job, the same way that you questioned my competence as DG? Everyone at the venue 0.28 Conference Room venue of the hearing listened with rapt atten-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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NEWS THE CONTROVERSIAL CAPITAL MARKET INQUIRY

a probe and bribery scandal THE NEW TEAM

Handle claim with maturity, Senate tells Reps

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•Tukur El-Sudi

•Buba Jubril

•Rose Okoji-Oko

•Yakubu Dogara

•Usman Abdullahi

•Toby Okechukwu

•Ini Udoka

•Bimbo Daramola

HE Senate yesterday spoke on the bribery allegation against the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions.

It said it believed the House leadership will handle the matter with maturity.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told reporters in Abuja that the House would use its internal mechanism to deal with the issue.

Abaribe said the committee members did the right thing by stepping aside to allow the probe to continue on a clean slate.

The members’ action, he said, might have been premised on the dictum that “he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

He said: “We have internal institutions to use to resolve such issues when they arise. That is the reason why we really have the Committee on Ethics in both chambers of the National Assembly. We think matters of that nature will have to go to this committee.

“Of course I understand that the committee has on its own removed themselves from that investigation.

That is as it should be.

“There is an adage that anybody who desires equity must come to equity with clean hands and when there is any perception that you are not going there with clean hands, of course, you will have to remove yourself from it and let the process continue.

“We think that the matter is being given the appropriate attention as it ought to be in the House of Representatives.

tion.

“This has been a Kangaroo court.

Not even in Idi Amin’s Uganda did we have this type of public hearing, she said.”

Ms Oteh added: “You had implied that as a regulator, that by having people on secondment from the private sector, it could undermine the capacity of the regulatory functions of the commission. In asking the SEC to contribute N39 million for this public hearing, don’t you think that you are undermining your capacity to carry out your duties?

“I do not think that it is appropriate for you to have gathered information from the SEC and without even asking us to verify that information, to respond to that issue; you already made the judgement that you made; we are trying to build a democracy.”

She went on: “You also requested that we should provide at least N5million, that was a day before this public hearing started.

“I have raised issues regarding the credibility of the chairman, but that has not been addressed.

“I will like to say to the Nigerian people that I do not think that I am given a fair hearing.

“I was told upon my appointment that whenever you try to fight corruption, corruption will fight you back.

“What I did not know was that this would come from the House committee, “Ms Oteh said.

Reps allege distraction An apparently stunned Hembe said he hoped Ms Oteh’s allegation was not meant to shift the focus of the hearing. He said: “I can swear on my father’s grave that I did not collect any money from SEC. Since I started this work I have not even written a note to SEC for one day.

“You made allegations that Prof Ndi Okereke who you have issues with is related to the Deputy Speaker so the House cannot be said to be fair and that will be taken into consideration, to check whether in doing what we are doing today we have been affected by such bias. The public is also watching.

“If what I am doing is because of the fact that I have collected money from SEC to go on overseas trip to study and I didn’t go, the public will take note. But if it is the wish of mem-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

“Everybody would be concerned but the fact is we have internal procedures to deal with such issue.”

On the claim that the National Assembly is under heat over some of its probes, Abaribe said such insinuations existed only in the minds of those making them.

He said: “There is no heat against us from the media.

We pass resolutions on some agencies now mobilising people to discredit what we did.

“We will not leave them (agencies) alone. It cannot be business as usual. Nigeria has gone so low so much that we have to continue to ask hard questions. We do not go out to seek anybody’s support to do our work. Agencies can help us to build capacity.”

On the non-implementation of probe reports, he said, the question should be directed to the Executive arm of government.

The role of the National Assembly, he said, is to expose corruption and pass its findings to the appropriate agencies for implementation.

He insisted that if the authorities empowered to implement the recommendations of the National Assembly fail to do their work, Nigerians should ask them why.

The Senate, he said, has adjourned plenary till March 27 to allow its Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other committees to concentrate on the FCT budget.

He said the FCT committee would use the period to prepare the reports it would bring to the Senate.

bers of the committee that I respond to the issues, I will go ahead and respond to the issues. I will respond to the issues as much as I can.”

A member of the committee, Olabiyi Oyebola, intervened, saying: “I hope this is not a ploy to distract us from achieving the main objectives of this public hearing. Please let this not be a ploy to distract us from achieving the main objective of this hearing. I believe that we have representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) here.

“The issue of corruption or no corruption we should put it aside. They are here and they will write their reports. I think we should concentrate on the major issue here. Let’s see how we can forge ahead with the hearing and achieve something before the end of the day.”

Hembe interjected: “ I want to say firmly, in support of what you have said, that the issues of bias or corruption raised by SEC DG can be taken up by EFCC. The committee invited the EFCC and ICPC, so they can write their reports.

“Strong issues of corruption have been made against me. Strong issues of corruption have been made against the committee. So it is our hope that you will investigate me deeply and investigate the committee too. I give the permission to do that and that is my ruling (hits the gavel). We will proceed with the business of the committee.”

Oteh ‘not a glutton’ In some documents sent to reporters yesterday, SEC denied that Ms Oteh spent N85,000 on food.

A statement signed by Obi Adindu, Communications Adviser to SEC, entitled: “Frivolous allegations against Ms Oteh- the real facts,” gave a pointby-point-reaction to all the allegations made against Ms Oteh.

The statement reads: “Aware of the sensitivity of the capital market to information, we have generally exercised restraint despite the use of some media publications by some vested interests to tarnish the reputation of the DG and the SEC. “These facts are provided to avoid creating room for persons pursuing personal vendetta to damage the

reputation of our Director-General, to diminish the authority of the apex regulator to fight market infractions and to undermine the integrity of our market.

“At the public hearing, several frivolous and false allegations were made against the SEC and the person of Ms Oteh. Ms Oteh has never consumed a meal worth N850,000 nor has she ever submitted such a bill to the SEC. The bill referred to at the public hearing related to Ms Oteh’s hotel expenses during her stay at the Hilton following her assumption of duty. ”We have reviewed her hotel expenses during her stay, and the highest charge for food was N83,400 on March 24, 2010. This bill was in respect of an official dinner hosted by the SEC with a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria to provide technical assistance to SEC Nigeria. The bill for the official dinner was charged to her room, and therefore the SEC’s account. This was a single incident, and was not a personal affair. Hilton’s billing records can corroborate this.”

SEC said the DG’s stay in a hotel before getting her rented accommodation was in line with the terms and conditions of her employment verbally communicated to her on January 7, 2010 and confirmed in writing on January 11, 2010.

“At the time of Ms Oteh’s assumption of duty as SEC DG, she had no home in Abuja.

“The official policy of the SEC is to provide official accommodation for the DG. Pending the provision of such residential facility, the DG is lodged in a hotel. Ms Oteh, however, voluntarily left the hotel before an official residence could be provided, unhappy with the lack of privacy at a hotel accommodation and for security reasons”.

Frontline economist Bismark Rewane described the probe as “not a public hearing but a lynch mob."

He wondered why the panel did not ask all SEC commissioners who were in office during the meltdown what they did to address it.

“The level of discussion was pedestrian, primitive and absurd. Investors are never profected because they have taken risk, which can give then returns or otherwise. It is only the depositors that are protected," he said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

NEWS Govt warns against wrongful deportation of Nigerians

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•From left: Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Prof. Cleopas Angaye; representative of the Economic Commission for Africa, Miss Jennifer Ajisomo (in front); chairperson, Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa, Ms Nnenna Nwakanma; Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, and President, Open Source Foundation for Nigeria, Mr Dele Ajisomo, at the Fifth African Conference on Free and Source Software and the Digital Commons in Abuja ... yesterday

Three dead in Kano Boko Haram attack

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HREE persons were feared dead yesterday when gunmen struck at Freedom Radio Junction, Sharada Quarters, shooting into a crowd.

Residents described the attack as another serious dimension to the wave of violence associated with the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The incident, which occurred at about 6.30 pm, sent residents into fear and apprehension as they scampered for safety following sounds of sporadic gunshots.

Eyewitnesses said guns boomed for more than 30 minutes, forcing people to run helter-skelter.

“Two gunmen on a motor bike stormed the area at about 6:30 this evening. They shot into a crowd playing cards. They must have sighted men in police uniform,” a witness said, add-

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ing: “About two civilians and one policeman lost their lives.

I believe a number of people must have been injured as there was pandemonium when the incident occurred,” said a Sharada resident who pleaded anonymity.

Confirming the incident through a text message, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said: “Gunmen on motorcycle attacked and killed two civilians and injured one at a joint of cardplaying along Sharada by Freedom Radio junction.

“Suspects fled immediately before the arrival of the police patrol teams. Investigations commence.”

Men of the Kano Joint Task force cordoned off the area

last night.

Also yesterday, the sect foreclosed returning to the round table with the Federal Government on how to end its insurgency.

It cited what it called insincerity on the part of the Federal Government as the reason.

The group, in a teleconference with reporters in Maiduguri, said: “Almighty God has told us repeatedly that the unbelievers will never respect any proposal for dialogue.”

Abdu Qaqa, the spokesman of the group, said the government has shown that it was not willing to keep the promises it made in the media over its willingness for dialogue.

Qaqa said the sect will continue with its Jihad.He said: “We would never respect any move for negotiations between our group and the gov-

ernment never again.

“Not long ago, President Goodluck Jonathan made a public statement urging us to come forward for dialogue.

He also said we should make our demands clear with a view to resolving the protracted problem in the country.

“The first condition we gave was the need for unconditional release of all our members. There was initial meeting between us and the government and in the process, one of our members, Abu Dardaa, was arrested in Kaduna.

“Since then, we never trusted the government.

However, following endless plea by some notable Nigerians whom we have enormous respect for, we resolved to give dialogue another chance.

Continued on page 61

OREIGN missions in Nigeria yesterday got a food for thought from their host – the Federal Government.

They were warned against the deportation of Nigerians without following the appropriate institutional and legal framework.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru conveyed the message at a parley with the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government has nothing against deportation provided it is done with dignity and decency.

He also told the Foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners to urgently provide special reception halls for visa applicants, decrying the way Nigerians queue up in the rain and in the sun for visas.

His words: “Let me state here that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not opposed to the deportation of Nigerians who no longer have the rights to remain in the countries from where they are being deported, especially after they might have exhausted all local remedies.

“We, however, insist that this deportation should be done within the appropriate institutional and legal framework and with dignity and decency. We have indeed signed MOUs with some countries of the world and are ready to take similar actions with interested countries.”

While urging Nigerians all over the world to be law abiding and not abuse the hospitality of their hosts, he said: “It is a cardinal principle of Nigeria’s foreign policy to promote and protect the wel-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

fare of Nigerians. We will not abdicate this responsibility to our citizens all over and in all circumstances.”

On the need for conducive environment for visas applicants in the country, he said: “Missions that have not erected special reception halls for visa applicants should do so, in order that Nigerian visa applicants will not have to queue in the rain and hot sun when they apply for visas at embassies.”

He also accused some foreign missions in the country of breaching the proper channel of communication with the Federal Government.

Ashiru said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains the official channel of communication between government and accredited missions. My ministry will ensure that requests for assistance are treated expeditiously. I shall therefore take a deem view of missions who flout this established channel of communication.”

The minister also disclosed the country has received trade and economic delegations from different countries, urging them to continue in that spirit for the mutual benefit of the populace.

He condoled with the government and people of Italy and United Kingdom (UK) over the death of their kidnapped nationals during a rescue attempt as he called for the support of international communities in the fight against terrorism since Nigeria has decided to tackle the challenge.

Tanzania High Commissioner in Nigeria Dr Msuya Mangachi who spoke on behalf of the envoys, agreed the rights of foreigners should not be trampled upon. He, however, insisted such foreigners must obey the laws of their host countries.

Secret memo shows SEC offered House Committee N30.4m Continued from page 1

to the three-week long event.

“The department had suggested to the management the need to support this great effort of the National Assembly to finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Nigerian Capital Market.

“We were then mandated to approach the committee with a view to finding out the areas where such support is required.

“The committee welcomed this development and accordingly forwarded a budget estimate for the public hearing (see attached).

“In view of the above and in pursuit of the commission’s statutory responsibilities to the Nigeria Capital Market and in furtherance of our mutual relationship with the National Assembly as major stakeholders in the capital market, we hereby recommended the sponsorship of two items only from their budget as follows: •1, (C) Live Coverage: N26, 203,800 •2, Secretariat needs: N4, 215,000 Total: N30, 418,800 “Submitted for Management’s consideration and approval of N30,418,800 only being part sponsorship of the upcoming public hear-

Panel Chair Hembe, members step down

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EMBERS of the House Committee probing the collapse of the capital market and activities of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) quit the contentious job yesterday.

Herman Hembe, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and other Institutions and other committee members threw in the towel to disqualify themselves from the assignment.

They stepped down over allegations that Hembe demanded N44 million bribe from SEC Director-General Ms. Aruma Oteh.

But Hembe alleged Oteh tried to influence the committee’s probe of her commission with N30 milliom bribe.

The Nation yesterday reported exclusively that Hembe would quit the committee’s chairmanship following

ing by the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions to identify the manifest causes of the near collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market”.

Earlier in a March 1 memo, Mamman sought the permission of Ms. Oteh, to open discussion with the committee on how it could partially sponsor the public hearing.

“RE-PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET The memo also reads: “The

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Oteh’s weighty allegation.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal announced an eight-member ad-Hoc Committee to continue the investigation.

Besides, Hembe’s case was referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

The Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, Gambo Musa, who was part of Hembe’s 30-member committee, will not be in the committee to investigate the bribery allegation.

The proposed two-week public hearing by Hembe’s committee to “identify the manifest causes of the near collapse of the capital market with a view to finding lasting solution”, went off course when Oteh alleged the committee chair demanded a N44 million

commission is in receipt of a letter of invitation from the leadership of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market inviting the management of the commission to a public hearing on the Nigerian Capital Market slated for March 13 - 30, 2012.

“Before then, a paid advertisement by the committee was sighted in some national dailies in which other stakeholders were also invited alongside the commission to the three-week events.

bribe from her commission.

The House has nonetheless vowed to get to the root of the rot in the capital market.

The new committee is headed by Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi (PDP, Taraba).

Minority Whip Samson Osagie (ACN, Edo) will temporarily chair the Ethics and Privileges Committee. The inauguration of the ad-Hoc Committee followed Hembe’s request to step down to clear his name.

Hembe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State.

Before the day’s business began under the point of order, Hembe sought the approval of the House to step down with other committee members.

He alleged that the SEC chief who attempted to bribe the Committee with N30 million.

“In view of the commission’s role as the apex regulator of the Nigerian Capital Market and in consideration of the existing cordial relationship cultivated over the years between it and the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, we find it appropriate for the management to assist the committee by co-sponsoring this three weeks long event.

“It is our considered opinion that doing this will be of immense benefit to the

Continued on page 61

nation’s Capital Market by further creating a more conducive atmosphere to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Nigerian Capital Market.

“If the above suggestion is acceptable to management, the committee may be approached on your directives, to find out the possible areas for the support.

“Submitted for your consideration and further directives.”

Investigation showed that the SEC had responded to a

February 28, invitation letter to its director-general by the committee.

The letter signed by the Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Femi T. Ogunsanya, reads in part: “In accordance with Sections 62, 88 and 89 of the Constitution and Order XIV, No 8 and 9 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders (2011) the House Committee on Capital Market and other institutions have been mandated by the House of Representatives Resolution (HR.103/2011) of votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 14th December, 2011 to conduct a three-week public hearing to identify the manifest causes of the market’s near collapse with a view to funding lasting solution.

“By extension of the above, the committee therefore resolved to invite the public, and all stakeholders in the financial/stock market sector to the three-week public hearing commencing from Tuesday 13th to Friday 30th March, accordingly.

“On this note, I am directed to invite you to be part of the proceedings. You are also expected to submit 30 hard copies and two soft copies of memoranda to the Clerk/ Committee Secretariat on or Continued on page 61

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

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

5

NEWS

Mother-of-four in trouble for ‘helping desperate Nigerians stay in UK’ They worked as a pair organising fake marriage for Nigerians desperate to stay in the United Kingdom (UK). Their business boomed, latching them $26,000 from just six 'weddings' alone. The bubble burst when they were found out. Now, the duo of Andzelina Surmaj, a Polish and Milan Cina, a Czech, have been jailed for the illicit act

A

FIXER who recruited women at a school gate to become ‘brides’ for sham marriages to illegal immigrants was ‘on the run’ yesterday after failing to turn up in court for sentence.

Polish mother-of-four Andzelina Surmaj was due to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court together with her accomplice, Czech national Milan Cina, 38.

Both acted as brokers, charging illegal immigrants thousands of pounds for arranging bogus weddings to European Union (EU) nationals so they could stay in the United Kindom (UK).

But Surmaj failed to show up in and was jailed in absentia.

The pair, both Roma gypsies, previously admitted their part in arranging six sham marriages in East Lancashire and Manchester between December 2008 and July 2009.

It is thought they could have been involved in about 40 bogus ceremonies in all.

Surmaj, 30, targeted fellow eastern European women desperate for money whom she met at the gates of Whetley Primary School in Bradford where her children were pupils.

The scam involved already married women getting wed, with interchangeable brides and witnesses, some already related, at multiple weddings and likened to ‘the plot of a bad soap opera’ by one immigration official.

Photos had to be taken to support their Home Office applications to stay

in the UK on the grounds of marriage - the pictures revealing the fake smiles and cringing hugs as complete strangers from eastern Europe and western Africa tied the knot.

Surmaj and Cina even acted as witnesses to some weddings - and were caught on camera lurking in the background at several ceremonies.

Passing sentence, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “It is clear from the evidence in this case, this was a well organised commercial enterprise designed to defeat the immigration laws of this country.

‘You were both responsible for arranging multiple sham marriages in return for substantial sums of money, being paid by Nigerian men, some of that money was then paid on to the Czech women who were persuaded to take part in these sham marriages.”

Surmaj, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, admitted assisting unlawful immigration by organising four bogus weddings.

Unmarried Surmaj, who has been in the UK for 12 years, also admitted giving a false address at a sham wedding where she was the bride at St Peter’s Church in Newbold, Rochdale, and possessing a fake Czech Republic ID card.

Cina, from Bradford, admitted assisting unlawful immigration by jointly organising the four sham weddings with Surmaj and also pleaded guilty to acting as a witness at another ceremony.

•From left: Milan Cina, Nigeria's Adegboyega Adekunle and Surmaj at a sham wedding

A warrant was issued for Surmaj’s arrest”.

Concerns were first raised by local clergy at two churches, St Peter’s and St Andrew’s, both in Accrington, east Lancashire in late 2009.

But once Surmaj and Cina felt the vicar was becoming suspicious they moved churches, also targeting All Saints in Clayton-le-Moors in Lancs and St Peter’s in Levenshulme, Manchester.

A ‘routine check’ by the UK Border Agency on one suspect wedding soon uncovered an ‘unusual demographic pattern’ of weddings in the Accrington area between West Africans marrying eastern Europeans.

Further inquiries revealed there were 44 ‘marriages of doubt’ - with investigations still on-going.

Up to now, 18 of those weddings have been investigated and 36 individuals charged with 86 separate offences.

Border Agency investigations led them to Surmaj and Cina as the ‘fixers’.

The pair promised the brides, nor-

mally the EU nationals, between one and two thousand pounds, with the illegals charged up to £4,500.

The scam netted the pair around £26,000 from just six weddings alone.

Surmaj recruited, at the school gates, Alena Kurejova, who was already legally married, and Ingrid Gulasova both vulnerable, unemployed women with children to feed and very little money.

But after the weddings took place the ‘brides’ all had trouble actually getting their cash off the pair and eventually received hundreds, rather than thousands of pounds - which encouraged them to talk to Border Agency investigators.

Surmaj, an unemployed single mother, claiming for her four children, aged from 15 to 12 months, who lived in a detached three-bedroom bungalow she rented in Bradford, was arrested in March 2011.

It is thought she first claimed political asylum to come to the UK around 12 years ago because of her gypsy status - as did Cina, who used

Nigeria, home of luxury cars, champagne

Man stabbed to death in former Nigerian heavyweight champion’s UK home

A

MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal stabbing during a party at the home of former boxing world champion Herbie Hide. The boxer’s original name is Herbert Okechukwu Maduagwu. He was on August 27, 1971 in Owerri, born Imo State Capital.

Revellers looked on in horror as Tafadzwa Khan - known as Taffy was knifed up to three times in the chest when fighting broke out at the troubled sportsman’s £1.5million mansion.

It is believed the ‘gentle giant’ may have been trying to break up a fight.

Up to 300 people travelled from across the country for the party at the isolated country mansion in Bawburgh, on the outskirts of Norwich.

Devout Christian Kahn, 25, was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after.

He is thought to have been knifed in front of several witnesses during a row in a bar area beside the indoor swimming pool at the luxury home.

He is then believed to have staggered outside with at least one knife wound to his abdomen and collapsed on a patio area.

Police believe up to 300 people attended the party at the £1.5million manor house which Hide built around 15 years ago in Long Lane, Bawburgh near Norwich, Norfolk.

Detectives confirmed that Hide, 39, was not at the party at the time of the stabbing, but was thought to have been at his home earlier in the evening.”

Scott Higgins, 17, who lived with

Mr Khan at the YMCA hostel in Norwich, said: ‘He was a lovely geezer who always had a smile on his face.

“I heard that a full on fight kicked off at the party and Taffy went to calm things. He is the sort of guy who would have wanted people to just chill and settle down.

“But an hour later this guy came back with a knife and stabbed him three times in the chest. He was a big lad, but he didn’t stand a chance against a knife.

“All hell then broke loose and the guy who did the stabbing managed to get away.”

Detective Superintendent Julian Gregory of the Norfolk and Suffolk Police Major Investigation Team confirmed that Hide, who won the World Boxing Oganisation (WBO) world heavyweight title in 1994 and 1997 was not a suspect.

Police received a 999 call at 12.07am on Sunday to say that a man had either been shot or stabbed at the fivebedroom home, which also has its own gym and disco area.

Scores of crime officers launched a forensic search of the house as daylight broke and the property was sealed off while officers scoured the scene for evidence.

Khan is thought to have been born in Africa, but grew up in Norwich.

He is believed to have lived at the YMCA for almost five years.

He was jobless, but he described himself on Twitter as being a “lyricist poetic rapper and MC”.

Higgins added: ‘He was a very popular guy. He loved to keep fit and did a bit of boxing and kick boxing. He went to the gym every day

three different identities in the UK, according to the Border Agency.

He claimed he felt sorry for desperate Nigerians because of the poverty in their homeland - but this was dismissed as ‘nonsense’ by the judge.

Outside court, UK Border Agency investigator Kelly Rosenthal said: “I do believe we are scratching the surface with these two. I don’t believe this is where their criminality ends.

We uncovered other documents, in other eastern European names, the types that need to be sent to the Home Office. I don’t believe the offending stops here.”

Of those who took part in the sham weddings and already dealt with by the courts, all have received jail sentences, some suspended, ranging from 12 months to two and a half years, with recommendations that some be deported when they have served their sentences.

Surmaj was jailed for three years and eight months in absentia.

Cina was jailed for five years.

•Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

•The late Khan

and kept really healthy.”

Several friends of Khan fought back tears as they left flowers, balloons and candles in his memory at a makeshift shrine outside the YMCA in St Giles St, Norwich.

A friend who only gave her name as Jade, 20, said: ‘If someone was in trouble, he would always help them out. He was a really nice bloke.”

Detective Superintendent Julian Gregory, from the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: ‘We are in the early stages of our investigation and working to establish the sequence of events which led to this man’s death.

“Police family liaison officers have been assigned to work with next-ofkin.

“A large number of people are known to have been present at the property at the time and while we continue our efforts to identify and speak to all party goers. “I would urge anyone who left the scene before speaking to police to contact

•Hide

Norfolk Constabulary as soon as possible on 101.”

Detective Superintendent Gregory confirmed that a police armed response team was initially sent to the house because of fears that firearms were involved.

Paramedics found Mr Khan unresponsive when they arrived and tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at 12.44am.

Police say the victim died from a single stab wound, but had multiple injuries.

Police immediately cordoned off the house which is on nine acres and erected a white tent at the spot where the victim was found.

Officers took the names and addresses of around 100 people who were still at the party and statements were taken from those who witnessed the stabbing.

A white forensic tent was erected on the patio to preserve possible clues at the spot where the man was found stabbed.

NIGERIA is the new Eldorado for producers of luxury cars and champagne.

Although 80 per cent of Nigerians live on less than 1.50 euro per day, a small percentage of the population are millionaires.

But given that there are 160 million people the total figure is rather large.

One example is Victoria Island, the chic neighbourhood of Lagos, the economic capital of the country, which contains one of the world’s high concentrations of the super-rich.

Germany’s Porsche having noticed the phenomenon has just opened a dealership, which will join those of Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and other luxury car brands.

Currently, explains Julian Hardy, general manager of the local branch of the German car group, “200 Nigerians own a Porsche and we expect that we will soon come to sell 300 cars a year.”

These will include above all the 911 models and more sensibly given local roads, the Cayenne 4x4, which is a must for politicians, businessmen and managers.

To achieve its goal, Porsche intends to open a dealership in the capital Abuja, a better city for sports cars, Abuja has more modern and less congested roads than Lagos, where drivers are very likely to remain stuck for hours in traffic, regardless of whether they are at the wheel of a Porsche or a more mundane Toyota Corolla, one of the country’s most popular cars.

Nigeria’s emergence as a promising nation for producers of luxury goods is demonstrated by the success of high fashion, starting with France’s Louis Vuitton. Then there is champagne.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

6

NEWS

•Dr. Agunloye ...yesterday

•Dr. Agunloye

•Dr. Agunloye

PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Why Ondo must be reclaimed by genuine progressives, by Agunloye

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ORMER Minister of Power and Steel Dr. Olu Agunloye yesterday spoke on the push for power shift in Ondo State by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), stressing that the Sunshine State must be reclaimed by genuine progressives in the next governorship election.

The former university don and exboss of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) chided the ruling Labour Party (LP), which he described as “a party in hard labour for three years”, adding that “governance by scheming” by Governor Olusegun Mimiko has been counter-productive.

Agunloye, who is eyeing the governorship on the platform of ACN, aligned with the views of patriotic elements in the Southwest that regional integration could be fast-tracked, if all the governors in the region are produced by ACN. He said the governor has shown ingratitude to patriotic democrats who stood by him for 21 months and beyond when he was in court fighting for the restoration of his stolen mandate.

Agunloye berated Mimiko for re-

•’LP is party in hard labour’

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor and Musa Odhoshimeke

pressing a section of the media, pointing out that he had a virulent attack against “Adaba Radio”, which played a critical role in his ascension to power.

The governorship aspirant spoke on politics in Ondo State and his governorship ambition when he visited the Lagos Office of Vintage Press Limited, publisher of ‘The Nation He was accompanied by the members of his campaign organisation, ‘Omoluabi Platform”. The team was received by senior editorial members, including the General Manager, Training and Development, Mr. Soji Omotunde, Vice Chairman of Editorial Board, Mr. Tunji Adegboyega, General Editor Mr. Kunle Fagbemi, Editorial Board Member Mr. Kunle Abimbola and Group Political Editor Mr. Bolade Omonijo.

Agunloye lamented that many progressive politicians joined LP in 2007

‘There must be a paradigm shift. There must be a shift from continuity to change.

We must change from wastage to ‘omoluabi’.

We must remove mistrust from governance’ before they thought it was Action Congress (AC), recalling that Mimiko himself may have declined from joining the party so that the impression would not be created that he was teaming up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to fight former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He dissected the Mimiko Administration, saying that it has not performed to expectation. The aspirant said the administration was wasting public money on frivolities, adding that many personal assistants are being appointed by the governor from a section of the state.

Agunloye said: “There must be a paradigm shift. There must be a shift from continuity to change. We must change from wastage to ‘omoluabi’.

We must remove mistrust from governance”.

Chiding the administration for lack of prioritisation, he added: “How much money has been spent? Where has the money gone to? Markets are being built. We did not elect Mimiko as Babaloja of Ondo State. Market is the work of local government. So pe r cent of the market stalls are not being used, either because they are far or people are still used to other means.

“Major priorities in Ondo are not planting of flowers and beautification of bus stops. Government is not involved in wealth creation, but wealth annulment. While Ajasin embarked on industrialisation, Mimiko is engaged in window dressing. Money is being spent and wealth is not being created. They are spending money in the wrong direction. They are just consuming.

“We need to create wealth. We need to go back to agriculture. Hospitals in Ondo State are bad, inspite of claims

Customer sues bank over ‘illegal withdrawal’ A CUSTOMER of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Miss Ivuoma Ochiedike yesterday urged a Lagos State High Court, Lagos Island, to order the bank to pay her N315,228 allegedly withdrawn from her savings account by an unknown person.

She asked for N5million being general damages she suffered “by reason of the defendant’s negligence,” cost of the action, accrued interest on the account , 21 per cent interest on the sum until judgment is delivered and 10 per cent interest until debt is paid.

Ochiedike claimed she opened a savings account with the bank at its branch at 21 Road, Festac while working with the mobile giant, MTN Nigeria.

She said she discovered when she checked her balance on October 11, 2008 that N315,228 which she was saving for her post-graduate studies had been withdrawn by someone in Enugu State.

An officer of the bank told her she had only a minimum deposit of N1,528 and that she could not make any further withdrawals.

“The Branch Manager told me if I had an SMS alert, it should have alerted me early enough, given the number of withdrawals made to my account,” Ochiedike told the

EFCC arrests OSOPADEC chair over alleged N61.63b fraud

•Bank: Claimant ‘conjured the fraud’

By Joseph Jibueze

court.

She alleged that the bank never refunded the money, not told her the outcome of an investigation they said they would conduct.

Her lawyer, Chimezie Chinaka, said in her statement of claim: “The non-provision of any sort of security measures by the defendant gave the predator the leverage he/she needed to harvest the claimant’s hard-earned savings for a very long time, until the claimant discovered it by accident, albeit too late.

“At the time the claimant entered into banker-customer relationship with the defendant, the defendant did not inform the claimant that it had abdicated its sacred role as the custodian of its customer’s funds.”

Ochiedike claimed she has suffered emotional stress, constant headache, depression and general body pains as part of the physical and psychological symptoms of what she has gone through in UBA’s hands.

“Her present heath situation has seriously affected her job appraisal and prospects, given her frequent visits to the hospital,” her lawyer said.

But the bank denied any liability in the loss, and said Ochiedike’s claims are “misconceived, gold digging, frivolous and indeed a ploy to use the judicial process to amass unwholesome benefits.”

UBA said the claimant should have requested for SMS alert, alleging that she made the withdrawal herself.

“All SMS alerts are provided to customers upon application of the customer. It is not in the mouth of the claimant to ascribe liability on the defendant for her own negligence.

“The claimant knows the whole truth about this claim but has been economical with it.

The fraud is purely identity fraud and the claimant conjured it, connived and conspired with the perpetrators of the act.

“The investigations were still ongoing when the claimant took this pre-emptive action to make the world believe that she was swindled whereas she executed the fraud on her account.

“We, therefore, urge the honourable court to dismiss the suit with costs against the claimant,” the bank added.

Justice Morenike Obadina adjourned till May 8 for continuation of trial.

by government that Abiye Clinics are spreading health. This is a government under hard labour. Ondo State has been under hard labour. There has been no progress”.

Agunloye urged members of the ACN to build the party into an enviable platform ahead of the poll. He noted that people have expressed worry about the large number of governorship aspirants under the platform.

Explaining the entry of many chieftains into the race, he said “not only are people fed up with the LP government, there is the pervading feeling that ACN is the winning party”.

Agunloye, is, however, sure that once the governorship candidate emerges, any rancour would become more manageable.

The former minister said that he is fit for the governorship on account of his wealth of experience, popularity and integrity. He stressed: “I am on ground. I am a the bridge between the old members of AD and new members of ACN. I have pedigree and I am known for good record, I have experience and I am competent. I am a loyal partyman.”

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Ajimuda

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday said it has arrested the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission, (OSOPADEC), Mr Debo Ajimuda over alleged N61.363billion fraud.

Ajimuda, who initially re-

sisted arrest, was later picked up from hiding.

According to a source in the commission, Ajimuda was “smoked out” by EFCC operatives in Akure, Ondo State .

The source said: “Ajimuda and two officials of the oil Commission are wanted by the EFCC over a case of alleged criminal diversion and embezzlement of public funds.

“Ajimuda claims to have spent N61.363billion between 2001 and 2011 but this is said to be a far cry from the over N100billion received by the commission within the same period.

“The petitioners alleged that the projects claimed to

have been executed by the Commission were either abandoned or do not exist at all.

“The focus of EFCC investigation is to recover all contract documents and payment details in respect of all jobs executed. It is also to verify whether the jobs were actually executed.

“Ajimuda, who initially resisted arrest was smoked out of his hiding by the anti-graft agency. He is being taken to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja for interrogation.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest.

He said: “He is with us to clarify some issues.”

Japan lifts child health with N1.24b

T

O boost child survival programmes in Nigeria, the Japanese government yesterday approved a grant of JPY 600 million (approximately N1.24 billion to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu witnessed the signing ceremony and the exchange of notes between the Japanese Ambassador to Ni-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja geria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji and the UNICEF Representative , Dr Suomi Sakai in Abuja.

Shoji said the grant is for polio- eradication, strengthening cold chain system including routine immunisation and support for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Weeks (MNCHWs) in Nigeria.

According to him, Japan is

committed to fighting against infectious diseases and eradication of polio in Nigeria with the cooperation of UNICEF. Japan’s financial contribution for fight against polio in Nigeria, he said, amounts to more than 7 billion Yen, (about N14 billion).

He said: “Today, I am absolutely honoured to be here once again to sign and present a check of 600 million Yen which is approximately N1.2 billion.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

7

NEWS

Senate queries N4.73b resettlement votes for FCT indigenes T

HE Senate yesterday queried the N4.73 billion ear-marked for resettlement and compensation of indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as contained in the 2012 FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill.

Senate President David Mark raised the query in his contribution to the debate on the general principles of the money bill.

He noted that it was embarrassing that 35 years after the creation of Abuja, Nigerians are still talking about resettlement and compensation of indigenes of the area.

He noted that it was either the issue had not been adequately dealt with or there were fraudulent activities involved in the resettlement

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

and compensation of indigenes.

Mark asked the committee on FCT to look into the matter to avoid a situation where funds were budgeted for the same purpose every year.

He said: “It is actually an embarrassment that 35 years after the establishment of Abuja we are still talking of compensation and resettlement of indigenes of Abuja.

“I think truly either we have not seriously addressed the issue or there is a big fraud in it and I think the committee must look into this and make sure that in

2013 we are not talking about compensation for Abuja indigenes.”

On revenue generation Mark said: “I have not seen any aggressive revenue profile.

“They have not shown that they are going to generate enough revenue internally and Abuja is in a position to do that much more than any other city today.

“They have to embark on serious taxation and because of the calibre of people who move into Abuja, if they carry out enough taxation, they should be able to generate enough revenue.”

Also speaking on the

budget, Chairman Committee on FCT Smart Adeyemi said efforts are on to improve the FCT’s internally generated revenue.

Adeyemi, who represents Kogi West, lamented the lack of laws to enforce the payment of tax in the FCT. He said: “People own property in Maitama, Wuse, Asokoro from that alone we should be able to generate between N25 billion and N30 billion annually.

“The amount will be enough for us to meet the few areas that require resettlement and compensation.

“Once there is enough internally generated funds, FCT administration will be in a position to meet the challenges of paying compensation.”

Health workers lament decay From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) yesterday decried the decaying primary healthcare facilities in the country.

Its President, Ayuba Wabba, at a briefing on the union’s 2012 Week, said the development has made primary healthcare not to be able to cater for up to 20 per cent of its targeted patients.

This in turn, he said, has increased pressure on secondary and tertiary facilities, which are now made to treat simple ailments like malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia.

He stressed that the primary healthcare has failed to live up to its projection as the bedrock of Nigeria’s health care policy.

The health week would hold from March 25 to 30.

T

How tech can improve FCT, by minister

T

HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, has said promoting the utilisation of locally sourced raw materials and patronage of local good and services will boost the revenue drive of the FCT. Mohammed spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the FASTECH week.

He said as the nation moves towards technological ad-

From Kehinde Ore, Abuja

vancement, it is indeed time to showcase “what we have, if we will continue to remain relevant among developed nations.”

The minister, who was represented by the Secretary for Education, Kabir Usman, said the showcase will assist the FCT in attaining technological and scientific know-how and competency.

ICPC urges unity against corruption

By Wale Adepoju

T

HE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has said there must be a collective fight against corruption in Nigeria.

According to its Directorof Education, Mrs Rashidat Okoduwa, everybody must be in involved to rid the country of corruption.

Mrs. Okoduwa spoke at a one-day stakeholders meeting of ICPC and some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) under the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) in Lagos.

She said Nigeria needs sacrifice from its citizens to reduce corruption, adding that a corruption-free country, which everybody desired, would not come easily.

“If you don’t believe in the project Nigeria, you cannot be involved in anti-corruption campaign because it involves financial and moral commitment,” the director said.

‘Pass Disability Bill into law’

By Evelyn Osagie

•Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha flanked by the Chairman House Committee on Environment, Uche Ekunufe (right) and Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change, Eziuche Ubani at a Stakeholders Interactive Session on Vehicular Emission Control organised by the committee at the National Assembly in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Fire destroys Nsukka timber market

B

ARELY 24 hours after a mysterious fire razed the timber market in Enugu, a similar event has occurred at Nsukka Timber Market.

Property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

It was gathered that the fire ravaged the mills section and destroyed machines said to be the nerve centre of business in the market.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Eyewitnesses said the inferno started about midnight.

They said there was blackout at the time of the inferno and no power generating set was on.

The eyewitnesses said the fire could be the handiwork of saboteurs.

A trader, Paschal Nwogbo, was said to be the

worst hit, since his two giant machines powering the biggest mills were burnt down.

He told our reporter in tears that he relocated to the mills from the Enugu Timber Market.

He put the cost of the two machines at N8 million.

Nwogbo said one of the machines had been undergoing rehabilitation and that the exercise ended yes-

terday.

He said he suspects sabotage as nothing was supposed to start a fire at the mills at the time the incident occurred.

Two other victims, Ebenezer Idoko and Oliver Ishiwu, lost timber worth millions.

The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government, Tony Ugwu, could not be reached for comments.

We’ll fund govt schools, says Tambuwal From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

•Tambuwal

T

HE National Assembly will ensure that there is adequate funding for Federal Government colleges and unity schools in next year’s budget, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has said.

Tambuwal made the pledge yesterday when a delegation of a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Girl Child Concerns (GCC), visited him.

The Speaker said despite the paucity of funds, the National Assembly would give special consideration to Federal Government owned schools in next year’s budget.

He said: “There is lot of decay in public schools as rightly captured in the poems presented by the pupils, but the good thing is that a lot is being done by government to address the challenges.

“The legislature is willing to support organisa-

‘There is lot of decay in public schools as rightly captured in the poems presented by the pupils, but the good thing is that a lot is being done by government to address the challenges’ tions that promote good values and girl-child education in the country.”

Tambuwal assured that the House was committed to ensuring that children, particularly the girl-child, have access to qualitative and affordable education.

He promised to sponsor 20 students annually through secondary school for the rest of his life.

The founder of GCC, Dr. Mairo Mandara, said the intervention efforts of the organisation has recorded great success.

She said it was yet to do enough in curtailing the ever increasing numbers of out of school children, particularly girls in northern Nigeria.

Among the delegation were pupils of LEA Primary School Jabi and Tittsat Global School, Wuse 2, Abuja, who presented poems to the Speaker.

In the poems, they called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to resuscitate public schools.

A

S the world marks the Down Syndrome Day today, the Down Syndrome Foundation in Nigeria (DSFN) has called on the government to pass the Disability Bill into law.

According to the DSFN President, Mrs Rose Mordi, as long as the bill is not passed, disabled people will continue to suffer discrimination.

She called on the government to look the plights of the disabled. The WDSD is celebrated on March 21.

The date, 21/3, signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of Chromosome 21, which causes the genetic condition known as Down Syndrome.

The United Nations (UN) is marking this year’s edition with a conference at its headquarters in New York, today.

The conference will be presided over by the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon. The Board chairman of Down Syndrome International (DSi), Penny Robertson, will be welcoming experts from across the world, who will be speaking on the theme Building Our Future.

Nigeria will be represented by Mrs Mordi who will be speaking on Changing Society Attitudes - From Neglect and Institutionalisation to Protagonist and Living in the Community Nigeria.

NUJ: fast track probe of NNPC, SEC

T

HE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the Federal Government to fast-track its probe of some government agencies, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and make the report public.

The union, at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, appealed to the government to address the

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

deplorable state of roads in the country.

In a 11-point communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the National Secretary, Shu’aibu Usman Leman, the union said the Ministry of Labour and Productivity has approved its new constitution and the document will be used to conduct its national elections on May 24-27.

UITH to begin kidney transplant

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HE University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), in collaboration with the International Society of Nephrology and Sheffield University, United Kingdom (UK), will soon begin renal care and kidney transplant.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, said this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

He said training of personnel and investigations on the unit were being concluded.

The CMD, who said the unit would become operational before the end of the year, added that the hospital had perfected arrangements to start constructive and plastic surgeries as part of measures to improve its revenue generation drive.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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CITYBEATS Yaba budgets N2.2b

By Emmanuel Oladesu

YABA Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has budgeted N2, 284, 612, 681 for the year.

While total recurrent expenditure is N1,394, 912, 681, capital expenditure is N889,700,000, representing 55.4 percent of the budget.

The chairman, Jide Jimoh, assured that when approved, it would fast-track the implementation of developmental projects in the area.

He told the councillors and community leaders that his administration would improve on road construction, street lightening, school rehabilitation, re-invigoration of the primary health care, poverty alleviation, security, and provision of social services.

Jimoh said the achievements in the first 100 days of his second tenure showed that Yaba LCDA is on course. He listed some of the achievements to include purchase of a 350 KVA cabin super-silent Mikano generator for the headquarter, internet services at the secretariat, classroom rehabilitation, and financial support for the aged.

The chairman lamented that the misunderstanding between the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the council slowed down the council’s drive for internally-generated revenue in the last fiscal year.

‘Colour of the year emerges’ The CAP Plc, a subsidiary of UACN Plc and licensee of Akzo Nobel, has unveiled Tea Dance as the Dulux colour of the Year.

CAP Plc’s Managing DirectorPlc, Mrs Omolara Elemide, said the company will not relent in inspiring its customers and stakeholders.

She said: “We understand the power of colour and the positive effect it has on our moods; hence, we will not relent in educating and inspiring our customers and stakeholders anytime such an opportunity arises.”

Elemide said it is an opportunity to drive home the firm’s deep knowledge of the colour business.

Tchidi Chikere parts with wife HUNKY movie director Tchidi Chikere may have parted ways with his wife, Sophia.

The marriage it was learnt crashed last Wednesday after what Tchidi’s publicist simply called “irreconciliable differences.” The marriage was blessed with three sons.

“The couple, who have been trying to make things work for nine years will be calling it quit.

They reached this painful decision after several break-ups and efforts to make the marriage work failed,” the publicist statement said.

The statement said that Chikere will continue to provide fatherly support for his children and remain best friends with his ex-wife in the interest of their three boys.

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Alleged sex with dead woman: Police arrest man H

OMICIDE detectives at Panti, Yaba are interrogating a 28-year old man who allegedly had sex with a corpse.

The suspect, Nura Mustapha, was arrested two weeks ago, after police operatives from Ojo Police Station Alaba-Rago, caught him in the act It was gathered that the suspect had brought in the deceased to the hotel alive. Both of them arrived around 9pm the previous day.

A hotel attendant identified as Matthew, who admitted booking the couple into a room at Green Star Hotel, a popular haven for Hausa settlers and traders in the area, disclosed that when the management discovered that the lady had died, they tried to take her corpse away but the suspect persisted.

Rather than allow the hotel workers to remove the corpse, the suspect continued to his sex romp with the deceased.

The workers later invited the police to arrest the suspect.

It was gathered that as at the

By Jude Isiguzo

time policemen got to the scene, the suspect was still having sex with the deceased.

The policemen who arrested him said, “As soon as we got the compliant from the hotel management, we rushed to the scene of the incident. Unfortunately, we experienced the shock of our lives when we saw Nura on top of the lifeless body having sex with her.

We had to drag him from the corpse before he realised that people were watching him. It was a terrible thing for such a young man to sleep with a corpse maybe for ritual purpose but we do not know”.

Police investigators identified the corpse as that of one Faith Akin, from Ondo State, who had came to Lagos earlier in the year to visit her mother.

The Hotel attendant who booked the room for Nura said the suspect is a regular visitor to the hotel.

“We have a lot of customers coming with different girls to the

hotel but on that fateful day, the customer (Nura) came in about 5.00 pm and booked the room, after about 9.00pm, he brought in this lady and they stayed the night. Early the next day, before I would hand over to the morning staff, I went round to check the rooms, that was how I saw the lady (Faith) lying down. I went on to touch her, but there was no response; I called out to Nura but he did not answer. It was when I came back the second time after I had informed the manager that I saw the customer (Nura) sleeping with the corpse again. I tried to call his attention, but he did not respond, I went to inform the police,” Matthew said.

A police officer who requested anonymity said Nura was oblivious of police presence when they caught him in the act .

Nura confessed to the police that he used a sex enhancement drug before having sex with the deceased.

The corpse was still in the mouth despite her seeming lifelessness. Nural continued because

the drug caused him to have delayed ejaculation.

“He kept the sex act on even when he discovered that she was dead, so as to relief himself,” another source said.

Investigations revealed that young ladies become easy prey for unsuspecting men at the TIV yam market at Alaba-Rago. It was learnt that Faith was picked up at the Tiv yam market by Nura, before she met her untimely death

Man, 71, petitions Fashola over illegal demolition

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71-year old business man Chief Binjo Onasanya, has petitioned the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola over the illegal demolition of his building. The house is situated at 42, Adebisi Awosoga Street, Dopemu, Lagos.

Onasanya alleged that the building was on March 5, demolished by one Mr. Bunmi Ikuomola and Duro Ikuomola. He said he bought the land from the Oniwaya family on the strength of a Supreme Court judgment delivered in SC/86/87, Ikuomola vs Oniwaya.

He said: “In the judgment, the Oniwaya family was declared as the owner of the parcel of the land at Onilekere, Dopemu. He added: “After the execution of the judgment and the eviction of the late Mr. Omolere Ikuomola from the land, I, like several others, bought the land at 42 Adebisi Awosoga Street from the Oniwaya family-i being part of the land adjudged in SC/86/87.”

Onasanya stated that he had been in possession of the property from the date of purchase and installed tenants on the premises. “I have obtained a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of same. I also have obtained an approved building plan from the Lagos State Government.

“After I and the occupiers have settled on the land, Omolere Ikuomola family filed another suit; No. ID/611/2005, claiming that certain portion of the land in respect of which execution was obtained, does not form part of the Supreme Court judgment. That case is still pending in the High Court of Lagos State, as final judgment has not been given in the case,” he explained.

He alleged that on December 13, the policemen from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, invited my

By Miriam Ndikanwu

tenants to the police station on the strength of a petition written by Mr. Duro Ikuomola, alleging that he fraudulently acquired the house.

“In a demonstration of lawlessness, Mr. Duro Ikuomola and Bunmi Ikuomola immediately, after leaving the police station, mobilised thugs to the site and broke all the roofing sheets. I immediately notified the police at Alagbon before whom the petition was pending. The police did not maKe any arrest,” he alleged.

While the petition was still pending at Alagbon hoping that the police would be neutral, Onasanya said that the Iuomola family on January 15, allegedly took a bulldozer to the house and demolished it.

“I am shocked and traumatised by this act of barbarism, exhibited by these men. I urge you to look into the matter. I have lost confidence in the police. There’s a pending case in court, which has not been concluded and I am therefore, surprised that while the case is pending, my adversaries will take

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ONTESTANTS in the ongoing Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol season II are sitting on hot seats as one more contestant gets evicted reducing the number to four to compete for the star prize in the show. Honey Adum, the Guitar man is the latest evictee on the show, leaving behind Najite, Stephen, Mercy and Joe Blue.

Honey, who made it to the Top 12 stage after his performance of ‘Stuck on You’ by Lionel Richie, said that being a part of Nigerian Idol has had a great impact on him.

“It was a fantastic journey being on the show. I see music in a whole new light now and I have really improved in the way I do a lot of things, especially the way I relate with people. Although I did not win but what I came here for has been accomplished. Etisalat definitely gave me the platform to show Nigerians and the world my talents,” he said.

Speaking at the show, Head Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Elvis Daniel, said that the show has

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

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

the law into their hands,” he stated.

Governor Fashola after investigating the authenticity of Onasanya’s title document has directed the state Task Force on Environment and Offences (Enforcement Unit) to wade into the matter.

The taskf orce has pulled down a new fence erected by yet to be identified person, while several properties belonging to the tenants of the building were left in ruins right inside the debris of the demolished structure.

Nigerian Idol: Honey leaves the stage

•Honey on stage

reached its peak with the contestants now down to four. “People can no longer predict who would stay or leave the show. It is increasingly getting exciting every minute,” he said. He advised the contestants not to lose focus be-

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

• Police Commissioner, Umaru Manko

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.

cause their friends have been evicted, but rather have faith in their performances and work harder.

Six winners of the second raffle draw of the Live Your Life like an Idol promo were also presented with their prizes at the show. Daniel urged members of the audience, viewers and fans to keep voting for their favorite contestants so as to help them live their dreams. He further said that fans who vote as many times as possible for the contestants have the opportunity to win big at the end of the show. The prizes for the voting fans include Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Samsung Galaxy Notes, BlackBerry Bold 9300, iPods Nanos, Etisalat Gaga smartphones and a Hyundai car.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

9

CITYBEATS

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Fire guts UNILAG building

‘Set me free or he will kill me’

By Chukwuemeka Adeyemo

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N inferno yesterday razed the Physics and Mathematics departments of the University of Lagos, Akoka.

Eyewitness said the fire started at about 6.00am and was noticed by one of the School porters attached to the Physics department.

The porter was said to have drew the attention of the UNILAG fire department to the inferno.

The fire it was gathered actually started from the of the head of Department of Physics (HOD) before spreading to other affected areas including the Mathematics department.

It was learnt that though the UNILAG fire department got to the scene early, they could not salvage the situation.

Their vehicle broke down on their way and when they eventually got to the scene they had no water-hydrant to battle the fire.

The source stated that, it took the combined efforts of the fire fighters from neighbouring YABATECH, Union Bank, Lagos State Fire Service and the students to put out the fire.

But before that could be done, the fire has razed the entire lecturer offices at Physics department.

Confirming the incident, the

•The building on fire...yesterday

By Jude Isiguzo

Assistant Registrar, in charge of Information, Kingrobert Emukpoeruo, stated that the cause of

the inferno could not immediately be ascertained.

The state Police spokesperson, Joseph Jaiyeola, said investiga-

tion to ascertain the cause of the fire has begun. According to him, security has also been beefed around the campus.

Arowolo’s murder: Stepmother admits strained relationship

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RS Adetoun Yeside Oyakhire, stepmother to Titilayo Omosoje Arowolo, the lady banker allegedly murdered by her unemployed husband, Akolade Arowolo, yesterday told a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, that the marriage was strained before her murder.

A depressed Mrs. Oyakhire who was the fifth prosecution witness, in an emotion ladden voice, gave a vivid account of the harrowing relationship that existed between the deceased and her husband within their two years of marriage.

She told the court presided over

by Justice Lateefat Okunnu, that the last time the deceased came running home in January 2011, she told her father she was tired of the marriage and wanted to file for divorce.

According to her, the deceased told the family that her house help caught her husband in bed with another lady and that she reported Akolade to his mother before coming to her father’s house.

The witness who was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, told the court that her father, before going back to Kano, told her she must not go back to her husband’s house.

The stepmother said that Titilayo however went back to her husband when he came in April to beg and asked for forgiveness

•The Arowolo couple before the tragedy

By Adebisi Onanuga

adding “I think he succeeded in convincing her that he is a changed person.”

In another account, she said that three months after their marriage, they had a quarrel.

“I can’t remember how it start-

ed, but I remembered that Kolade chased her round the house with a knife. She was still breast feeding her baby then. He succeeded in snatching the baby from her and took her to his mother at Ejigbo.”

She said that Akolade’s mother later brought the baby back to Titilayo in her father’s house.

In yet another account, the step mother told the court that there was a time Akolade threatened to throw the deceased from a top floor and that her father advised her to report the threat at the police station for documentation, “but I am not sure she did.”

Earlier, the fourth prosecution witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Titus Ogbonna, had told the court that based on the investigation he conducted, he was certain that Akolade Arowolo murdered his wife, Titilayo Omosoje Arowolo.

He stressed that he based his conclusion on the findings in the investigation he conducted into the matter.

ASP Ogbonna who was under cross examination by the counsel to the defence, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku, also told the court that there was enough circumstantial evidence linking Arowolo to the death of his wife, Titilayo.

“Everything I reported are based on what the people told me and as a result of what I saw at the scene of the crime” he said.

Hausa/Yoruba clash: Police set up peace panel

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AGOS police boss Mr Umar Manko yesterday led senior police officers to a peace meeting with leaders of the warring Hausa/Yoruba communities in Mile 12 area.

It was gathered that the meeting was to find a solution to the crises in the area which has become a regular occurrence.

By Jude Isiguzo

Those in attendance include the leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities, market leaders, youth leaders and the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officers in charge of the area.

It was learnt that the CP appealed to all parties to embrace peace.

A six-man panel was also set up by the CP to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The panel is to work hand-inhand with the police and other security agencies to ensure that such crises in the area will become a thing of the past.

Although peace has returned to the area, heavy police presence is still

on ground to forestall any further breach of peace.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, however, told our correspondent yesterday that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umaru Manko, along with senior police officers had held a meeting with leaders of the warring youths.

A HOUSEWIFE Chiyere Egemkonye has prayed the Mushin Customary Court to dissolve her seven year old marriage to Innocent Egemkonye. She said divorce is the only way left for her to stay alive.

Alleging constant beatings with attendant serious injuries, Chiyere said her husband’s attitude has shown that there is no more love in the union.

But there was drama in the court when her husband who was present, pleaded and professed his undying love for his wife. He said he was not ready to give up on the marriage contracted in Amakama village, Abia State, under the native law and custom.

Chinyere however, said the court should dissolve their marriage with immediate effect before Innocent kills her.

She pointed out that her husband once urged their landlord to eject her and also threatened to return her to her parents in Abia State. She accused him of not taking proper care of her and their only child, Emmanuel.

Egemkonye in his own evidence accused Chiyere of lying.

According to him, his wife is fond of threatening him with cutlass any time they had misunderstanding. He alleged that she threatened him recently when he visited her parents in December.

The president of the court, Dr Abayomi Ipaye told both parties to go back to their families to resolve their differences; he however adjourned the case to April, 26 2012.

NAFDAC seizes N78m fake drugs

By Paul Oluwakoya

NATIONAL Agency For Food Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has seized fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products in some electronic warehouses at Alaba International Market, Lagos.

The Director of Enforcement Mr. Garba Macdonald, who spoke at a press conference said the seizure includes anti-malarial drugsMaloxine and Amalar tablets. He put the value of the seized products at N78.1 million.

According to him the antimalaria products seized include 40 large packages of Coartem tablets, 37 cartoons of Waipa tablets.

Other drugs include 28 cartons of Zinnat tablet used for antibiotic, 70 cartons of Pentwin injection for Opiod analgesic and 10 cartons of Cytotec tablet for ulcer treatment.

Macdonald said: “The agency is presently intensifying effort to track the owner of the consignment, one Mr. Christopher Obi, of shop D48 and warehouse lockedup shop S48 Alaba International Market, Ojo. He added that no arrest has been made so far as no one came to claim ownership of the drugs.

NAFDAC operatives had to break into the warehouse to gain access to the drugs, he said, adding that the offending products were discovered when the place was evacuated Meanwhile the agency said it has seized another consignment of suspected fake drugs believed to have been manufactured in China and concealed in cartons.

He added that the drugs were covered with sacks in such a way that they would not be easily detected.

“The suspected fake pharmaceuticals were imported by the Managing Director of l. Obinaco Investment Nigeria Ltd, of Plot 395, Mile 2 Oshodi Expressway, Lagos” Macdonald said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

NEWS Alleged rape: Victim rejects demand to expose her body

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EARING in the case of the alleged rape of a 23-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member by the Alowa of Ilowa in Osun State, Oba Adebukola Alli, continued yesterday.

The victim burst into tears during cross-examination, when the defence counsel, Taofeek Tewogbade, asked her to show her private part to the court to prove that it was bruised.

Prosecution counsel Biodun Badiora objected to the demand.

Badiora said: “My Lord, all what my learned friend was saying was to annoy my witness. Section 228 of the Evidence Act forbids any question that appears to insult or annoy the witness. It is the duty of the doctor to examine the witness and that of the police to investigate. I do not know why the counsel is asking her to show her private

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

part to the court.”

Justice Jide Falola sustained Badiora’s objection.

He said: “The question was raised for her to exhibit her nudity yesterday (Monday) and she told you she cannot. You can ask another question that will not provoke her passion. She has no picture of it and she cannot exhibit her private part to the court or in the chambers.”

Alli alleged that the victim demanded N50,000 after the intercourse, but he gave her N20,000.

But the victim said: “I never asked the Oba for money. He threw a bundle of N200 notes at me and I rejected it. Then he took the money into his room, came out naked and raped me.”

The case was adjourned till May 2.

Women back Senator

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WOMEN’S group in Ondo State, G.39 Women Wing, yesterday supported the governorship aspiration of Senator Ajayi Boroffice of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

President of the group Mrs. Jumoke Ibrahim said women in the state are behind Boroffice and are ready to vote for ACN in the coming election.

Mrs. Ibrahim said any politician who moves around with his wife as Boroffice does can be trusted.

The treasurer of the group, Mrs. Yemi Momoh, said: “In view of the senator’s remarkable achievements in the areas of youth empowerment, loans and scholarships, we are supporting his aspiration.

“He is the only man that can chase away the incumbent governor, who is hellbent on turning the state into his personal estate.”

Boroffice thanked the women for their support and pledged not to let them down.

He said the issues of women and youths have always been paramount to

•Boroffice From Damisi Ojo, Akure

him.

The senator said if a woman has a business and is happy, the household will be at peace, because she would take care of the home front.

He said, if elected, he would build more technical schools, where even graduates would be taught how to set up their own businesses.

Boroffice’s wife, Olasumbo, said she would empower women, noting that “women are the backbone of the home”.

•Oyo State Deputy Governor Alake Adeyemo (middle); Commissioner for Works Yunus Akintunde (left); and Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Gbolagade Busari at the inauguration of Olomi Bridge in Ibadan...yesterday

We’ll deal with disgruntled elements, says Oyo •’Why we want to rebuild Agbowo shopping complex’

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HE Oyo State Government has warned members of the Caretaker Committee set up after the purported sack of the state leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against disrupting the peace in the state.

In a statement, the governor’s Media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, described the group as illegal and unknown to it.

Adedayo said security agencies have been alerted to deal with any individual or group “working for the opposition” to disrupt the peace in the state.

He said the government had been meeting with the union’s leaders and they have shown understanding with the government on the state’s financial position.

The governor’s spokesman said the current salary table is 92 per cent of the state’s income and the Internally Generated Revenue only covers 25 per cent of the wage bill.

He said: “It is only disgruntled elements that could have acted contrary to the union leaders’ position. Government will deal with anybody that constitutes him/herself into a clog in the wheel of the state’s progress.”

Adedayo urged civil servants and the public to go about their normal businesses without fear.

He reminded members of the caretaker committee that they were civil servants before assuming whatever position they are and should not engage in acts that would jeopardise their careers.

Adedayo also spoke on why the government wants to rebuild the Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said facilities at the complex are decaying and the dilapidated structures have become an attraction to hoodlums.

The complex was built by the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige in 1983.

Adedayo said when the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration came into power, it set up a committee headed by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Ajiboye

Omodewu, which recommended the rehabilitation of the complex.

He said: “In line with the transformation and reformation agenda of the present government, we decided that the current state of that foremost shopping complex is unacceptable to us.

“The infrastructure has collapsed completely. The property has not been renovated since 1984. The centralised air-conditioning system is moribund. Owners of the shop make use of individual generators, with its hazardous implications. The toilets are bad and stinking.”

Adedayo said the State Housing Corporation proposed N209 million for the renovation, but the bill was not agreeable to the government because the annual revenue generated from the complex was slightly above N20 million. He said the government decided to seek private investors and it has been meeting with various investors.

Adedayo said one of the investors intends to turn the complex’s high-rise building into a luxury apartment, renovate the shops, provide boreholes and activate the fire-fighting station at the complex.

On March 2, the government gave a six-month quit notice to the tenants.

Adedayo said the present tenants would be given priority after the renovation.

NOA sensitises Ekiti residents

HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State has begun a sensitisation in the 16 local government areas on security awareness, truancy among pupils, bush burning and sanitation.

State Director Dele Morakinyo, in a statement, said the orientation and mobilisation officers

T

are addressing people in schools, places of worship and other public places.

He said it is important for everyone to be security conscious, so as not to be taken unawares.

Morakinyo said several issues stunt socio-economic development and urged residents to be agents of change.

•Fayemi

•Mrs. Ezekwesili

•Amaechi

society, because without direct citizen participation, the legitimacy of our political institutions will continue to decline.

“I believe that political leaders, be they politicians or young activists, should worry because their ability to lead effectively is being undermined by the desertion of the average citizens from the public space, deepening the crisis of legitimacy in our state.”

Amaechi said Nigeria’s political structure is responsible for the high level of corruption in the country.

He said many leaders who are seen as bad are people with good intentions, but are hindered by the structure.

Amaechi said education is a major way to tackle corruption, but lamented that primary education still remains in the hands of local governments, which lack adequate fund and manpower.

For Nigeria to develop like neighbouring Ghana, he said Nigerians must continue to discourage corruption.

Ezekwesili, who spoke on “Benchmarking Economic performance over the past half-century”, said good governance is the only way to promote the growth of any nation.

She said systematic corruption has taken away the collective vision of Nigeria and urged youths to fight it.

Fayemi, Amaechi, Ezekwesili urge youths on transformation drive

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OVERNORS Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Minister of Youth Development Bolaji Abdulahi and World Bank Vice-President for Africa Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili have urged youths to contribute to the nation’s transformation.

They spoke on Monday at a symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders organised

by The Future Project and First Bank at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

Speaking on: “The challenge of responsible leadership: How can a successor– generation do better”, Fayemi said youths cannot afford to stand aloof and expect the desired change to come.

He said they must “move from idealism to pragmatism” to achieve this.

Fayemi, who made a

By Nneka Nwaneri

strong case for the grooming of the younger generation for successive and responsible leadership, decried the desperation of some politicians “to do virtually anything to capture and retain power as a guarantee to the national cake.”

He said “this prevailing theatre of the absurd has greatly impaired our nation’s journey to national greatness.”

Fayemi said: “Where there is no deliberate and carefully planned succession process in political leadership, there can be no hope for sustained development. The Singaporean experience provides us with a good example. Singapore’s systematic and painstakingly planned political succession sharply contrasts with succession in most new democracies.”

The governor attributed the failure to groom responsible leaders to the subversion and collapse of public institutions, especially the university system, under the military rule in the last 20 years.

He said this made political positions accessible to the highest bidder, “no matter how ill-prepared and integrity-deficient they were.”

Urging youths to play their roles in the political process, Fayemi said: “If citizens choose not to play a part in the process of developing our communities and our country, we will get the politicians we deserve, allow the hijack of the political realm by special interests and ethnic jingoists who are keen to promote their narrow agenda.

“This is why I want us to focus more on the making of leaders and citizens in a good

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

AMCON to refinance N1.7t bonds

By Collins Nweze

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HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is planning to refinance its N1.7 trillion ($11 billion) three-year bond. The bonds came with maturities of between seven and 10 years.

AMCON Chief Executive Officer, Mustapha Chike-Obi, told Reuters that the corporation had launched a road-show in Lagos to meet investors and would make trips to New York, Boston and London next month to invite foreign investors to buy the new debt.

The AMCON last April listed N1.7 trillion bond issues to buy Non Performing Loans (NPLs) from the books of banks in the country. It was meant to take-off NPLs valued at N2.2 trillion from the books of all the banks.

The listing was meant to put some earning assets on the books of banks, especially the rescued ones, which have sold the largest chunk of NPLs to AMCON. AMCON has, since December 2010, issued bonds in several tranches to banks in exchange for NPLs on their books.

Analysts said AMCON could trade the bonds to interested investors for cash or discount it at the Central Bank discount window or sell it to other banks at the interbank market for cash. The banks will also be able to compare the returns they get on the AMCON bonds with new risk assets they seek to create.

Also, the new listings will have a liquidity impact on the banks as they will now have earning assets instead of the current non earning assets they are holding.

The corporation could also allow the bonds backed by shares to be borrowed for “short selling” purposes, a process that will help deepen the capital market, and provide a two-way directional trading in shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

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 lending-22.42% 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

There will be a review at the end of June of all the transmission and distribution contracts and the ones that are not performing will obviously be dropped and given to performing contractors.

-Emmanuel Uduaghan, Gov of Delta State

CBN to probe banks involvement A in pension scam

NY bank found wanting in the on-going pension probe by National Assembly would be sanctioned, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned yesterday.

To this end, it plans to send examiners to the affected banks to determine their level of involvement in the alleged scam.

The CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed this while answering questions from reporters at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja after keeping its benchmark interest rate – the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) on hold at 12 per cent.

He said: “As far as the pension probe is concerned, we are waiting for the report. We will certainly send examiners to the banks and any bank that we find involved in these things will be dealt with. ”We have asked for the report but we have not received any formal report on the probe and the level of involvement of the banks.”

Sanusi, however, said he had discussions with the finance minister. “I told her that at the

• Retains interest rate at 12% From Nduka Chiejina, Asst. Editor

time she concludes her report, if there is any indication of any bank that is involved, we would like to take it up and we will take action.”

On the reported stress test to be conducted this year, the CBN governor said there was no truth in the story. He, however, said Nigeria would undergo a financial system stability assessment programme with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the entire financial system. “ The assessment tries to highlight what the vulnerabilities are, looks at what we have done so far and gives us ideas of what we need to do to further protect the financial system from shocks,” he explained.

On the cash-less Lagos initiative, Sanusi admitted there are challenges, which are be-

ing addressed.

On the increased budget recently passed by the Senate, he maintained that the increased budget will not have significant effect on the economy.

The CBN governor also defended the bank’s decision to adopt the Chinese currency the Renminbi - as a reserve currency, saying the principle of diversification of resources is always good.

Meanwhile, experts, as reported by The Nation on Monday, had expected rates to remain at 12 per cent.

Sanusi said the committee also decided to retain the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Minimum Liquidity Ratio (MLR) at eight per cent 30 per cent.

“In light of the above and considering the clear impact of previous tightening on the rates of inflation and exchange rates up to February 2012 ... the committee unanimously decided .. (to) retain MPR at 12

per cent with an interest rate corridor of plus or minus 200 basis points,” he said.

He noted a “resurgence of an inflationary threat to the economy” from higher fuel prices, among other things.

But he said last month’s inflation had been moderated by several factors, including “a re-allocation of spending by consumers caused by a rise in fuel prices (in January)” and “a slow down in fiscal spending and ... strengthening of the naira.”

Inflation rate to 11.9 per cent eased last month as the removal of fuel subsidies had a more muted impact on prices than forecast, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

The governor said the MPC was also concerned about the rising level of domestic debt and its sustainability, as shown by the average debt service to revenue ratio of 17.6 per cent in the last three years.

This rising domestic debt profile the MPC believes “would likely have a negative impact on domestic interest rates and the flow of credit to the core private sector, among others. Although debt to GDP ratio last year stood at 17.8 per cent, the Committee noted that the percentage of debt service to government revenue was a high 19.1 per cent in the same year.”

The CBN was advised to maintain its clear focus on price stability as “it is not evident that a moderation in February is sufficient to establish a trend, and warrant a reversal of monetary tightening,” Sanusi said.

The Committee, however, commended the fiscal authorities for the discipline being introduced into government spending, the tightening of fiscal controls and the renewed focus on spending on capital projects.

The bank raised rates to 12 per cent in a surprise move late last year to support the naira currency after a broader sell-off of riskier assets hit currencies across much of Africa.

ANPP rejects Senate’s anti-strike bill • It is evil, says Onu From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

T

• Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Tunde Fowler (middle) briefing the press on tax compliance in the state at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday. With him are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abimbola Shodipo (left); Commissioner for Finance, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru and Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Lagos gets power to prosecute tax offenders

T

HE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, has granted the Lagos State government the executive fiat to prosecute tax offenders in the state under the Personal Income Tax Act. Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Justice, Mr Lanre Akinsola, disclosed this yesterday at a briefing on tax compliance in the state.

“Last week Thursday, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice granted approval to the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye, to prosecute tax defaulters or evaders. This means that if you don’t pay your tax, you will go to jail and will not be liable to hold any public office position,” he said.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He said any person or corporate organisation that fails to submit tax returns for last year by the end of this month has committed an offence.

Earlier, while justifying why Lagos needs to increase its internally generated revenue that was N16billion monthly last year, the Special Assistant to the Lagos state Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abimbola Sodipo, said the challenge was funding the 106 new projects to be executed by the state.

He said available data show that out of the 20million population of the state, eight million are workers but only 2 .7million pay tax, while 5.3million do not.

Noting that Lagos has adopted advocacy, enlight-

enment, awards and recognition, among others, to encourage payment of tax, he said: “Now we are moving to a vigorous enforcement level. We will prosecute and refuse to listen to any concessions or waivers.”

Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Tunde Fowler, said the days the state relied on Abuja for much of its revenue are over.

He said funds from the Federation Account accounted for only 51.14 per cent of the state revenue for 2007 while it decreased to 37 per cent last year.

He said if every taxable person pays his tax in the state monthly internally generated revenue would increase to N20billion and this would help to build more infrastructure.

He explained that in the

government’s proactive effort to ensure compliance with the taxation policy, a total of 610 companies were sealed up between 2010 and 2011 with N1,334,519,040.73 billion recovered.

Fowler enumerated the various punishments for failure to pay the Personal Income Tax.He said failure by a banker to render returns, books, documents and information on demand within seven days attracts a fine of N500, 000 for a corporate body and N50,000 for an individual, while failure by banker to render information about new customer within 7 days attracts N500, 000 for corporate body and N50, 000 for an individual.For an employer of labour, the PITA states that failure to deduct or remit tax will attract 10 per cent of tax not deducted, plus interest at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Rate.

HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday expressed disappointment with the Senate over the bill to suppress strike by organised labour in the country.

Its National Chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, stated this when he received the National Association of University Students, in Abuja. He said it is very disturbing and that it must be stopped.

This consideration came on the heels of the bill, which Senator Heinekken Lokpobiri recently sponsored to make it unlawful for trade unions to embark on any strike without obtaining the permission of the different unions through a ballot.

Onu, who described the bill as ‘evil’, said: “I have invited leaders of major political parties in the country to a meeting. We also have observed that the National Assembly is making effort to further amend the Trade Union Act whereby before the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) can protest whatever they do; not like they must have to be backed by all the industrial unions making up the component. We believe that this is very disturbing and worrisome because this is coming shortly after a situation where organised labour had to protest a policy that was not properly talk through which is the removal of fuel subsidy.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

German agency to spend 20m euro on SMEs

MONDAY - FRIDAY

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

T

HE German International Agency for Co-operation will spend over 20million euro in the next years to promote pro-poor growth and small-scale enterprises in Nigeria.

The programme, entitled: SEDIN will assist to increase income generation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Head of SEDIN Programme, Christian Widmann, disclosed this at an interactive session with reporters in Abuja.

He said the SEDIN scheme is in line with the agreement between the Federal Government and Germany, which had been in existence since 1974.

He said: “As part of the bilateral agreement between the Nigerian and German governments, the German government has initiated a programme aimed at promoting sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

“We are going to spend more than 20million euro for three years. The programme, which is known as Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria Programme (SEDIN), is being implemented by the German Agency for International Co-operation, Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

“It focuses on expanding employment opportunities and increasing income generation for Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) through an improved business environment and better access to financial services.

“SEDIN is implemented at the Federal, state and local levels of Niger and Plateau states while implementation will commence in a third state in a few months time.

“The programme is in line with Nigeria ’s Vision 20:2020 to belong to the 20 largest economies in the world.

NEPC regrets NIMASA’s refusal to remit 10% profit From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Nigerian Export Promo tion Council (NEPC) has ex pressed disappointment over the refusal of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to remit 10 per cent of its profit to the council.

The Executive Director, NEPC, David Adulugba, who stated this during the visit of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, said NIMASA’s contribution would have gone a long way in solving the funding issues in the agency. He appealed for assistance from the Senate Committee to ensure that NIMASA complies with the directives to enable the agency carry out its statutory functions effectively.

• From left: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma; Director, MTN Foundation, Mrs. Aishatu Sadauki; and Master Adamu Abubakar, a beneficiary of Phase 3 of the MTNF Scholarship Scheme during the presentation of certificates to beneficiaries in the Northern Region in Abuja ... yesterday.

Industrial centres to get regular power next year

I

NDUSTRIAL centres in the coun try will have regular power supply from next year, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said.

He disclosed this during an investment forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday.

He noted that the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, had said that, from 2013, the country would have enough power to direct to industrial centres.

This, he said, according to a statement, was part of efforts aimed at industrialising the economy.

He added: ”The move will reduce production costs and make Nigerian manufactured goods more competitive in the global economy.

“The idea is to make sure that the industrial centres have uninterrupted power supply, at least during the day, until the problem

• Trade between Nigeria, Brazil hits $6b of the power sector is totally fixed. The Ministry of Power has identified nine cities, and the pilot has started in one city already.”

Aganga said the Committee on the Review of Nigeria’s Trade Policy had also submitted a report/draft strategy that would lead to the birth of a workable and result-oriented trade and investment policy in the next few weeks.

He said this, in addition to the Doing Business and Competitiveness Committee, and the Committee on Investor-Care, which were inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan, were part of efforts aimed at “improving the Nigerian business and investment

climate, and making the country the hub of trade and investment in Africa, and globally.”

Also at the forum, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil, Mr Vincent Okoedion, disclosed that trade between the two countries hit $6billion last year, noting that, the trade was in favour of Nigeria.

He, however, said the trade was in oil and oil products, adding that “we want to see the trade diversified to non-oil products and that is why the government is doing all it can in that regard.”

The Director, FIESP (one of the leading industrial federations based in Sao Paulo), Mr Newton de Mello, said Nigeria and Brazil had so many things in common, adding that there should be further collaboration between the two countries to see to increased investment flow.

Notore mulls N160b IPO for new plant

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OTORE Chemical Indus tries Limited plans to raise more than N160 billion through an initial public offering (IPO) in the first quarter of 2013 as the fertiliser company embarks on an ambitious expansion programme that is expected to more than double its capacity.

Managing Director, Notore Chemical Industries Limited, Mr Onajite Okoloko, yesterday in Lagos said arrangements were on for the IPO and the company would have completed all requisite preoffer processes by the end of this year.

He said the net proceeds from the IPO would be used to finance a

By Taofik Salako and Daniel Essiet

brand new fertiliser plant, with a conservative estimated at $1 billion.

Okoloko said the new fertiliser plant was part of the expansion programme to augment the current attainable capacity of the existing plant of 750,000 metric tonnes.

He said the Notore’s fertiliser plant acquired from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (‘BPE’) in 2005 has shown significant performance improvement since its successful rehabilitation. The plant now has a capacity of 350,000 metric tonnes of ammonia per annum, 500,000 metric tonnes Urea per annum and

650,000 metric tonnes of blended NPK. According to him, the company has exceeded its production targets and is working on a financing programme to align with improved production.

Okoloko, who noted that local fertiliser production falls short of the one million current effective demand and potential demand of 3.5 million metric tonnes, said the new fertiliser plant would be significantly larger than the current 750,000 metric tonnes - capacity plant, putting the company in good stead to surpass local demand and further encourage utilisation of fertiliser.

‘Only 58% Nigerians have access to potable water’

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HE Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has said only 58 per cent of Nigerians have access to potable water, while 38 per cent have access to effective sanitation.

Ochekpe, who spoke while briefing the press on the World Water Day in Abuja, and at the launch of Safe Water for Africa (SWA), in Lagos, said the government cannot achieve this alone and, therefore, called for collaborative efforts of the private sector.

She said: “Our target is to attain the Millennium Development Goal (MDA) of covering our population with good potable water to

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie and Franca Ochigbo

drink. We are specifically focusing on completion of abandoned water projects and repairs of basic water infrastructure, such as handpumps and motorised boreholes.”

In Lagos at the event hosted by Coca-Cola, Guinness, Nigeria Bottling Company, and TY Danjuma Foundation, Mrs. Ochekpe, criticised the states and local governments for not doing enough in providing safe drinking water for their people and called for urgent redress in that direction, saying it is regrettable that over 1,000 hand-

pumps provided by the Federal Government have been allowed to waste and deteriorate by state governments.

She said the government would repair the over 1,000 hand-held water pumps to ensure that many people have greater access to safe water While commending the partnership for the projected investment of over $10 million in the provision of safe water to manycommunities across the nation, she said the government will remain focused and resolute in providing technical assistance as the need arises.

She called on other partners to join the league by contributing in a

meaningful way in the provision of water for the majority of the people.

The Managing Director of CocaCola Nigeria Limited, Kelvin Balogun, said they were moved by the plight of the majority of people who do not have access to good drinkable water, saying his company provided $1 million to support the project. Also, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Devlin Hainsworth, donated $1 million to the project.

The Executive Director/CEO, TY Danjuma Foundation, Ms Thelma Ekiyor, while listing the projects they have undertaken, announced a pledge of $250,000.

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

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

08.00 18.00

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

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

13

ISSUES At a time, it was normal for commercial banks to accept third-party cheques from microfinance institutions; not so anymore. Reason: The potency of such cheques is not guaranteed. Though a few banks have changed their position on the issue, the development will impinge on the operations of MfBs, reports AKINOLA AJIBADE.

• Some Microfinance banks.

MfBs face extinction

M

ICROFINANCE banks have been grappling with various challenges.They are tackling bad debts, management ineptitude, weak corporate governance structures, faulty accounting procedures, insufficient capital and corruption.

Others are poor skills, loss of confidence and inability of operators to properly understand the concept of micro financing.

Of note is the low-level of confidence in the banks, which were

established to cater for small income earners. This has been the major challenge facing the 898 microfinance banks. The issue has affected their operations of the banks, as well as their relationship with many stakeholders in the financial industry. Customers and many stakeholders have had bitter experiences caused by the poor performance of the banks. Even the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s reform package for the sub-sector has not made much difference.

In recent times, commercial banks have been rejecting thirdparty cheques issued by customers of microfinance banks on grounds of low credibility.

The banks insist that the cheques issued by MfB customers should be guaranteed before they can be accepted. This has generated a controversy, igniting debates among industry observers who believe that such actions are not good for a • Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

14

ISSUES

MfBs face extinction • Continued from page 13

sub-sector that is battling to survive.

Prior to this, the relationship between the two banking segments was healthy. The two groups have been dealing with each other amicably well; though they have their differences as contained in the Acts establishing them.

But the relationship began to crack after the discovery of discrepancies in the books of many microfinance banks in 2010. The discovery has not only culminated in the revocation of the licences of 224 microfinance banks, but has further exposed the inadequacies of such operators. The result is apathy which many Nigerians have towards the banks.

Many now doubt the integrity of MfB operators, accusing them of mismanaging their funds.

The Nation learnt that the level of confidence in the banks has waned such that people are wary of engaging in sensitive transactions with them, as well as the fact that some commercial banks have lost confidence in the activities of MfBs, and do not accept third party cheques from their customers.

Some of the commercial banks argue that the inability to mitigate the risks could well pose a threat to their continued existence. The banks seem ready to deal with systemic and operational risks to forestall a re-occurrence of the crisis that culminated in the CBN’s audit of 2009.

Below are issues that have cropped up since the last quarter of 2011 when commercial banks started rejecting third-party cheques issued by MfB customers.

CBN’s position on thirdparty cheques rejection The apex bank is insisting that due process must be followed in all transactions among banks. The banking watchdog said anything short of due process would defeat the objective of the reforms put in place two years ago. It said the reforms are anchored on integrity, sound risk management, good corporate governance and a pragmatic approach to solving various banking crises. It said no stone would be left unturned to achieve these objectives. The CBN said the need to rebuild confidence in the industry is important, adding that operators must work in tandem with the objectives of the regulators.

On the issue, its spokesman Mohammed Abdullahi said confidence building is critical to the growth of the industry. He said banks couldn’t just stop accepting the third party cheques from the customers of microfinance institutions, if there was no need to do so.

He said banks are trying to avert risks as much as possible, adding that they would not like to do anything that contradicts regulatory provisions.

“Banks cannot reject third party cheques if the accounts on which the cheques are supposed to be drawn from are well funded and the mandates are verified,” he stated.

Commercial banks’ position By regulation, commercial banks are depository institutions.

They collect funds from individuals/ entities, warehouse the funds

and charge interests on them.

Also, the banks are conferred with the power to clear cheques on behalf of their customers.

They engage in inter-bank clearance of cheques, among other responsibilities.

However, the banks have been rejecting third-party cheques issued by customers of MfBs. According to them, microfinance institutions are insolvent and would not be able to meet their operational challenges. This, they said, made them to start rejecting third party cheques drawn in favour of microfinance banks, as well as those drawn in favour of their customers, directors and shareholders. The banks requests for collateral before accepting thirdparty cheques from MfBs. The Nation gathered that banks are asking for Federal Government Treasury Bill and/or Fixed Term Deposit before they will accept third party cheques from any microfinance institution.

An official of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no financial institution would run the risk of transacting businesses that would impinge on its operations. The source said it is the duty of commercial banks to clear instruments, such as cheques for MfBs, adding that the privileges must not be abused. He said there are cases whereby MfBs do not have enough money in their accounts, and still want their cheques to be honoured.

“How do you expect a commercial bank to accept or honour cheques that would have serious implications on its businesses?

For a third party cheque to be accepted by the commercial bank for transactions, the owner of the account must have sufficient money in his account,” he said.

MfBs’ reactions The Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMs), Lagos State Chapter, Olufemi Babajide, confirmed that commercial banks were discriminating against MfBs. He said the law governing banking allows Nigerians, individuals and corporate entities to open accounts in any bank of their choice, arguing that the law does not provide that individuals, groups and entities should be discriminated against on issues relating to opening of bank accounts.

Babajide said the affected banks gave no reason for rejecting such cheques, adding that the association has notified the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about the development.

He said: “The commercial banks have not given us any reason for rejecting our third-party cheques.

As a matter of fact, we have re-

• Babajide

• Ajayi

‘The commercial banks have not given us any reason for rejecting our third-party cheques. As a matter of fact, we have reported the issue to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for necessary actions. We are still waiting for CBN to do something on the issue’ ported the issue to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for necessary actions. We are still waiting for CBN to do something on the issue.”

He added: “CBN has not responded to the complaints of the MfBs in writing. But, I guess the issue has been discussed at the Bankers’ Committee meeting and appropriate steps have been taken on the issue. The reason is because some of the banks have promised to accept the cheques from us, after we wrote to CBN on the issue.

“For instance, Sterling Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc , have agreed to assist microfinance banks in clearing third-party cheques to foster growth. Prior to the conclusion of merger of Intercontinental Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, Intercontinental Bank gave us conditions to meet before it could accept third- party cheques from MfBs. One of the conditions is that the bank will not accept cheques written to pay Customs’ fees or dividends.

He said the issue is having serious implications on the activities of microfinance banks, urging

CBN to quickly wade into the matter.

Also, the Managing Director, Sapida Microfinance Bank Limited, Lukman Oyebanji, said commercial banks were rejecting third-party cheques issued by customers of microfinance institutions to forestall problems.

He said some third-party cheques were stolen or cloned, adding that the commercial banks will bear the consequence if such cheques are not detected in time.

“I think commercial banks are looking for all possible means of averting troubles relating to the clearing of third-party cheques from the microfinance banks.

Now, the banks want all the cheques that would be sent to them for clearing to be written in the name of the concerned MfBs. “We were mandated to fill indemnity form so as to indemnify the bank that whenever there is a problem with third-party cheques, such MfB will bear the consequence,” he stated, adding that some banks are ready to clear it, but the concerned microfinance banks must have substantial deposit in its correspondent bank, so that if there is

‘I think commercial banks are looking for all possible means of averting troubles relating to the clearing of third-party cheques from the microfinance banks. Now, the banks want all the cheques that would be sent to them for clearing to be written in the name of the concerned MfBs’

a problem with the cheque, the bank will deduct from that deposit.

Implications Microfinance banks are struggling to survive due to the harsh economic climate. This implies that the banks would face more challenges unless commercial banks accept their third-party cheques for transactions to rebuild confidence in them.

Microfinance banks are going to experience a flight in customers/ investors to commercial banks, low development, and erosion of liquidity. Also, the lending capacity of the banks would reduce further.

Microfinance banks will experience a flight of customers/investors to commercial banks, low development, and erosion of liquidity. Also, the lending capacity of the banks would reduce further since they are not having enough money to lend.

According to operators, the rejection of third-party cheques will have serious implication on the operations of microfinance banks.

They said the development would aggravate the problems of the banks, since they rely on micro credits to survive.

The Managing Director, Gold Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Lanre Abiola, said the issue must be handled with all seriousness to avert more troubles for the banks.

Abiola said the microfinance institutions are small parts of the banking institutions, advising that the banks must be made to survive. He said confidence is being threatened in the sub-sector, adding that the issue of rejection of third-party cheques will affect the operations of the banks.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

15

BUSINESS NEWS

Fed Govt inaugurates committee on new industrial policy

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HE Federal Government has inaugu rated a committee to formulate a new industrial policy that would drive the nation’s industrial revolution.

The Committee, headed by Mike Kwanashe , a Professor of Economics at the Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria, is expected to submit the draft policy document in the next two months.

Membership of the committee is drawn from the public and private sectors, including Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and leaders in various sectors of the economy.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, stated that one of its terms of reference is identifying factors militating against the implementation of previous industrial policies.

He said: “Other terms of reference are: formulation of sector specific policies based on areas where the country has comparative and competitive advantages, propose po-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

lices for the patronage of locally manufactured goods.

“Identify ways of enhancing the utilisation of raw materials for the production of intermediate and finished goods and propose specific policies for SMEs and Free Trade Zones, stating that Nigeria’s industrial sector has experienced some setbacks for some time and has been afflicted by weaknesses arising from inefficiencies in the provision of public utilities.”

Aganga explained that the energy crisis, excessive import dependence, lack of clear strategy for areas where we have competitive and comparative advantages and poor sectoral linkages are some of the factors that have exacerbated the problems of the sector, adding that these afflictions have manifested in low capacity utilisation, low contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , depleted financial base, high production costs and unemployment. The situation could be attributed to the fact that Nigeria’s industrial development efforts since inde-

pendence have been ad-hoc without a clearly defined pathway with definite targets and timelines,” he stressed.

He noted that the new policy would provide the framework for fast-tracking the country’s industrial revolution by attracting investment into specific areas of the economy, especially where the country has competitive and comparative advantages.

MAN President, Chief Kola Jamodu, said the formulation of the new industrial policy was critical to achieving economic transformation through industrialisation.

This initiative, he said, couldn’t have come at a better time than now. The new industrial policy will help to fast-track Nigeria’s march to industrialisation. It promised to to support the initiative.

‘Nigeria tops oil expatriates’ pay table’

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typical oil and gas executive in Nigeria earns nearly half a million dollars a year, chalking up the biggest premium for working abroad over salary levels in Britain, research released on Monday showed.

“Whilst Lagos is an exciting and well established place to work for expatriates, oil and gas companies recognise that the incentives have to be high, because life as an expatriate in Nigeria is so different from countries with broader industries and higher standards of living,” Helen Di Mauro, a partner at the Curzon Partnership, said. Oil industry executives in

Indonesia can expect a premium of 40 per cent in Indonesia, 35 per cent in Ghana and 30 per cent in Libya, Kurdistan or Egypt, the research found A typical senior oil and gas employee in Nigeria, will receive a supplementary country premium worth 45 per cent of base pay, taking the total salary to $454,400 a year, a study by the Curzon Partnership recruitment consultants, showed.

This trumps packages for executives working in Libya or Iraq, who could expect a total salary of around $354,900, the research found.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

17

MONEY

AMCON seeks advisers for nationalised banks T

HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is searching for advisers that would guide it through the process of disposing the three nationalised banks.

AMCON’s Managing Director, Mustapha Chike-Obi, who disclosed this to The Nation, said the body has requested for reputed firms experienced in banks’ sales to render their services in that regard.

He said several applications are already being processed and the corporation will choose the best for the job at the end of the day.

The affected banks are Mainstreet Bank, Keystone Bank and Enterprise Bank.

Chike Obi, who spoke from London, said the advisers are expected to work with the boards and management of these banks by exploring all options for securing their stability and long-term growth, institutionalise best practices and good corporate governance at each of the banks, in furtherance of AMCON’s desire that the interests of all stakeholders are respected.

The appointment of advisers in the financial sector is not new. In 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appointed seven institutions to act as financial advisers to the eight rescued banks. The advisers are Deutsche Bank, Chapel Hill

• GMD Keystone Bank, Oti Ikomi

Stories by Collins Nweze Denham, Stanbic IBTC Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Kola Awodein & Co, KPMG Professional Services and Akintola Williams Deloitte. The apex bank said it acted so as to ensure the stability and soundness of Nigeria’s banking industry.

Presently, AMCON is working on getting the prospective local and international buyers that will pro-

• GMD Mainstreet Bank, Faith Tuedor-Matthews

• GMD Enterprise Bank, Ahmed Kuru

tect shareholders’ and stakeholders interests to invest in the three banks.

Obi said AMCON will not influence the process, but would be guided by the advisers. It is still not clear the criteria the advisers will set for the prospective investors. However, the AMCON CEO assured that the corporation will provide a level playing field, for local and international investors

jostling for the banks.

He said the CBN will have to approve any transaction involving the sale of any of the nationalised banks.

“We will have a level playing field, everybody will have equal chances to invest. But the Central

Telcos begin infrastructure support services for banks

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• From left: Mr Daniel Akujobi, Chairman, Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial (DOAM) Foundation; Mr Ebiyemi Pinnick, Vice-Captain, Golf Section, Ikoyi Club 1938; Mr Tim Ayonmike, winner of the 2012 DOAM Foundation Charity Golf Tournament and Mrs. Sotonye Akujobi at the cocktail/prize presentation ceremony of the 2012 DOAM Foundation Charity golf tournament held in Lagos.

Bank directors push for review of boards’ said he agrees with the findings of HE Governing Council of the report that directors are underBank Directors Association salary scheme paid and overworked. “I know of Nigeria (BDAN) has called

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for a framework that would enable it, the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) and their consultants decide remuneration for boards of banks. The body said this has become exigent to harmonise the disparities that exist in the remuneration plans of different banks.

BDAN said the Council has also decided to play a pivotal role in proposing a credible framework for the remuneration of non-executive bank directors. The framework will take cognisance of similarities and differences in contextual characteristics of the banks in the country, reflect the renewed responsibilities of the board of a bank and also evaluate best practices of contemporaries in other nations.

A survey conducted by FITC and BDAN has indicated that non-executive directors of banks in Nigeria are poorly paid. Presenting the report at a business luncheon organised by the association for

banks’ chairmen, FITC Managing Director, Mrs Lucy Newman, said: “From FITC findings, remuneration payable to the non-executive directors of banks are mostly fixed by each bank. This is probably a reason for the distinct concern among the respondents, that their remuneration be increased.”

BDAN President Sonny Kuku said it was very clear that bank directors are very poorly remunerated, especially for the level of work they do.

He said the report would be sent to all the banks through their chairmen, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with the hope that it would be the basis for determining directors’ remuneration in the banking industry.

Receiving the report on behalf of banks’ chairmen, Chairman, Diamond Bank PLC, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe,

how much time directors spend to do the work. I can confirm that from personal experience”, he said.

Former Managing Director, FITC, Oladimeji Alo said participants at a seminar for directors had once suggested a benchmark for what the fees of non-executive directors of banks should be. He said the participants tried to index it at that time with the pay of chief executives offices and executive directors, and that it should be based on time commitment of directors to the job.

Former Vice President, BDAN, Chief John Odeyemi also affirmed the findings of the report saying the duties of banks’ directors are huge, and such enormous duty should not be compensated with small remuneration. He charged banks’ chairmen to use the survey effectively because when bank directors are well remunerated, Nigeria and the banking industry would be better for it.”

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will have to approve the transaction. So far, investors have shown interests in these banks,” he said. Chike-Obi had hinted that AMCON will exit the three nationalised banks in 2013.

Industry watchers said the resolve of AMCON to speed up the resolution of the issues of the three nationalised banks was largely necessitated by the determination to bring to a closure the banking reforms initiated by the CBN, a process which had to be delayed repeatedly.

The AMCON boss also said the process of selling nationalised banks started in February. He said the process of selling the banks will run its full course, and will take between 12 and 18 months to be completed. He said several investors have indicated interest in buying the banks.

The licences of the affected banks were revoked by the CBN, because they failed to meet the deadline for their recapitalisation. AMCON subsequently injected N679 billion into the three banks, to bring them to the right capital adequacy levels and strengthen them to meet their obligations to depositors.

ELECOMMUNICATION firms (Telcos) have begun the implementation of the infrastructure support needed for seamless cash-less banking services.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had engaged the services of MTN, Airtel and Globacom to bridge the infrastructure gap in the implementation of the policy.

For instance, Airtel is already advising its customers to recharge their phones at ATMs, POS terminals, Quickteller.com, etransact.com, Airtel website and any easy recharge vendors. Other telcos are also working out processes that will enable them key fully into the cash-less banking initiative.

The CBN said in a statement that it partnered the telcos to enable it get dedicated lines for electronicbacked transactions in delivering services to the people.

He said the target of the apex bank is to achieve 95 per cent POS availability in the course of implementing the cashless banking policy adding that the telcos will be viable and reliable partners in the implementation of the cashless policy.

The apex bank said it intends to deploy 375,000 PoS machines by the

end of 2015. It also plans to attain a benchmark for PoS penetration of 2,200 PoS per 100,000 adults. Currently, the penetration is 13 PoS per 100,000 adults. The apex bank is using Brazil as a benchmark and hopes that by 2015, it should be able to get to the Brazilian standard of 2,200 PoS machines per 100,000.0 “The CBN is also mindful of the infrastructural and the security challenges posed by this ambitious programme. We have gone into partnership with some telecommunication companies with the approval of the NCC while ensuring that structural impediments such as interoperability of payments, among others are addressed,” it said.

Moreover, the CBN has consistently explained that government sources are not enough to finance infrastructural development, and therefore, is exploring other options, such as Public, Private Partnership (PPP) and Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT). The apex bank has also approved a Development Finance Department that will work with stakeholders in the finance and infrastructure development sectors, to draft an Infrastructure Finance Policy for the country.

‘African financial markets underdevelop’

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HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said despite reforms in many African countries, their money and capital markets remain shallow. The IMF said domestic money and capital markets in Nigeria and most subSaharan African countries remain underdeveloped and shallow, offering mostly short term instruments.

In a statement, the global financial body, said stock market capitalisation remains low, while private securities markets are largely underdeveloped. The IMF stated that the shallowness and lack of depth of hedging instruments in African financial markets likely accentuated short-term exchange rate movements.

Therefore, foreign exchange markets offer a limited array of forward hedging instruments, reflecting in part the concentration of foreign exchange receipts in the hands of the public sector, through

aid or commodity exports.

Nabil Ben Ltaifa, Stella Kaendera and Shiv Dixit of the African Department, IMF, in their submission Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Exchange Rates and Policies in subSaharan Africa observed that the currencies of many sub-Saharan African countries, like those of many emerging and developing economies, offered large depreciations with the onset of the global financial crisis.

Although, while in most countries, above-trend inflation mitigated the real effect of nominal depreciation, Nigeria registered a significant (over five per cent) real depreciation in its currency in recent times. The trio observed that exchange rate volatility increased significantly compared to the position before the global financial crisis.

Volatility was generally higher with respect to the dollar but broadly less vis-a-vis the euro.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

18

MONEY

Sanusi: Corporate governance, risk management improving

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ANKS are putting in place best practices in the areas of corporate governance and risk management practices, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has said.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of Kola Awodein & Co, a financial services advisory firm, Sanusi said aside improvement in critical segments in the banking system, there is also a new mindset and awareness in the industry hinged on observance of standard best practices.

Sanusi, who spoke on the theme: Nigerian Financial System: Regulatory Trends, Opportunities and Challenges, disclosed that a number of banks have returned to profitability, improved their balance sheets and resumed lending to the private sector.

He also said Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which stood at $34.6 billion as at March 8, is ranked 44th globally, and fourth in Africa by size.

The reserve is equivalent to about nine months of import cover for the country and has fluctuated between $31 to 35 billion in major parts of last year.

According to him, additional liquidity of more than N1.7 trillion has been injected into the banking system through the issuance of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds even as progress has been made in re-directing credit to the power sector and Small and Medium Scale En-

• $34.8b reserves ranked fourth in Africa

By Collins Nweze terprises (SMEs) at single digit interest rates, thus reducing the level of unemployment in the country.

The high growth rates recorded in the last five years have not been inclusive, thus perpetuating already high unemployment and poverty levels.

The CBN boss said corporate governance has been strengthened with the bank CEOs serving for a maximum tenure of 10 years. Nigerian banks are now key players in the global financial market with five of them falling within the top 20 banks in Africa by Tier 1 Capital and among Top 1000 banks in the world.

He said the CBN has helped moderate the spread between the lending and deposit rates, from 12.2 per cent in 2010 to 9.7 per cent as at end-December 2011. This has contributed to macroeconomic stability and a stable inflation rate of 10.3 per cent as at December 2011.

He said through the Shared Services Initiatives being championed by banks, the number of ATM’s is expected to increase which should reduce the cost of operations and promote e-banking scheme. According to him, as at February 2012, there were 21 deposit money banks and 816 microfinance banks, totaling 6,605 bank branches. Ratio of bank branch to total population is

24,224 persons which indicates a high level of financial exclusion and that’s why the regulator is bent on banking the unbanked.

“Significant progress has been made in the agricultural sector with significant room for growth and profitable financing. We have started to tackle our power issues, the resolution of which would be a game-changer for our already significant economic growth,” he said.

He said while there were challenges to financial system stability following the impact of the financial crisis, the CBN has been able to effectively avert the systemic collapse of the banking system. There has been significant improvement in our regulatory oversight and risk management practices across the financial sector even as the regulator is poised to seek out more opportunities to continue the implementation of its reform agenda.

“We seek the help of all players in the industry as well as the general populace in embracing these reform measures to minimise any challenges posed and ensure their continued success. Consolidating the gains of the reforms will require continued adherence to good corporate governance, professionalism and compliance to global best practices,” he said.

Local banks face credit crunch BANKS are having difficult times accessing credit from international lenders as the European credit crisis deepens, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment and research firm has said.

According to its Diamond Report and projections for 2012, the firm said evidence suggests that a number of Nigerian banks have witnessed reduced credit lines from their international partners on account of the growing need for liquidity of major European banks following mounting sovereign default risks.

However, it said such occurrence, would not have a debilitating impact of the overall health of the sector as a whole, though it did not rule out potential impacts on the liquidity of trade finance focused lenders. “We expect Nigerian banks to weather the looming storms as local funding conditions remain strong and unchanged since the commencement of the European debt crisis. With a largely “home grown” funding base and relatively underleveraged balance sheet, Nigerian banks look set to ride the curve even with regulatory oversight at an all-time high level,” it said in a statement.

It explained that given the precarious state of the global economy and the high probability of contagious impacts on emerging economies through their relatively fragile financial markets, attention on the ripple effects of drastic slowdown in global financial intermediation is imminent.

Skye Bank deploys improved PoS terminals FOR seamless operations in the new ‘Cash-less economy’, Skye Bank Plc has concluded plans to roll out improved Point of Sale (POS) terminals into the market. The product, the bank said in a statement, will ensure 24 hours uninterrupted operation. This is in addition to its efficient fund transfer services as well as mobile and internet banking facilities.

The Group Head, E-Channels, Chuks Iku, who disclosed this, said the dual SIM PoS terminals would be deployed to merchants, hospitals, hotels and retail outlets to facilitate payment for goods purchased and services rendered.

He said all the bank’s merchants and retail outlets have been profiled for Point of Sale (PoS) terminal deployment based on market segments, value and frequency of transactions to boost the Cashless project. Explaining the competitive edge that the dual SIM PoS will have over the other terminals, he said if one SIM is down, the other would power the terminal and ensure continuous operation daily.

According to a statement issued by the bank, Iku said large corporates and high net worth individuals would be availed of its fast and efficient funds transfer service which can be initiated and concluded from the comfort of the sender’s office.

Under the funds transfer service, he said distributors, retailers and other large organisations could wire money to manufacturers using a very secure code provided by the bank thereby reducing the risks associated with cash handling.

Diamond partners Visa on product

• From left: Regional Head, Domestic Bank, Ecobank, Mrs Bimpe Benson, left, Managing Director, Mr Jibril Aku and Executive Director, Domestic Bank, Mr Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, during the launch of Ecobank Advance Account in Lagos..

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

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National Assembly to give green light on IDB Similarly, a consultant to the HE Islamic Development loans for states bank, Dr Sola Ogunjobi said the Bank (IDB) will not grant

loans to state’ governments, unless approval comes from the National Assembly, its Executive Director, Mr Gambo Shuaibu has said.

Shuaibu, in a statement, said the development is aimed at ensuring that due process is followed on the issue of granting and implementation of foreign loans. He argued that loans of such status must not be granted unnecessarily, adding that certain processes must be followed.

Said he: “We have a number of states asking for loans from us. The process of getting the loans approved depends on the National Assembly. Clearance must be sought from the National Assembly because it is external burrowing. He said the bank has an international status like the African Development Bank (ADB), adding that it has been providing facility for countries in Africa to foster growth. He noted that the bank has been supporting projects in mem-

By Akinola Ajibade

ber states, stressing that Nigeria is one of them.

Shuiabu said a long-term lending arrangement is being put in place for states to ensure growth.

He said the bank has developed a working programme aligned with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, the bank has been granting loans to develop capacity in the member’ states. This, he said, is evident in the granting of loans to three schools in Kaduna State and Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Shuiabu said the bank has been talking to governments on the issue of infrastructures such as power, claiming that power is key to the growth of any economy.

He said the need to develop capacity became imperative to stimulate growth of institutions in the private and public sector respectively.

bank has an affiliate called as Islamic Corporation Fund (IDB) through which it has financed businesses in Nigeria. Ogunjobi, said companies have leveraged on the fund to access funds for growth. He said the bank has used the fund to finance small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as support strong business initiatives in the country. He said Dangote Group is one of the beneficiaries of the bank’s facility adding that the fund has been used to purchase equipment for companies to facilitate growth.

Ogunjobi said countries such as Togo, Gambia among others are members of IDB, adding that many countries have benefitted from the bank in recent times. He said IDB is a multilateral organisation tasked with the responsibility of growing the economy of member’ states, arguing that it approaches issues from the context of growth and development, and not on religious basis.

VISA has partnered with Diamond Bank Nigeria to launch a premium card service that provides customers with increased credit card capabilities, convenience and rewards.

A statement from Visa said the offering brings the first diamondembedded card to Nigeria and the African market. Aptly named the Visa Diamond Card, this card forms part of Diamond Bank’s private banking proposition known as Diamond Privilege, a service that caters to the needs of high net worth individuals.

The product, which is available to Privilege Banking clients by special invitation only, holds an authentic certified diamond which demonstrates the level of thought and detail that has gone into its design. The card was conceptualised to offer added value to Privilege Banking clients, allowing them to transact with ease whilst getting rewards in return.

Ms. Akpo Daniyan, Head of Corporate Communications for Diamond Bank, said: “We named it the Diamond Card because true to its name, it has a real diamond in it. Our clients deserve the very best and so we wanted to do something special. Working with our partners, Secure ID and Visa, we added a real diamond stud and implanted the Diamond Bank name with real platinum. Our customers who already have this card tell us how proud they are to use it.”

Edo lifts technicians with N30m THE Edo State Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, Mr Osikhena-Boih Donald has said the state government has set aside over N30 million to co-ordinate the automobile technicians in the state.

He made this known when members of the National Automobile Technician Association (NATA), visited him at Benin City on Monday.

According to him, the state government attaches much importance to the development of artisans in the state because it bridges the gap between the rich and poor given the service it is rendering in the society.

“Artisans in the automobile industry have significant roles to play in the development of the industry. Hence, the state government has set aside this sum of money in this year’s budget for the coordination of artisans in the state.”

He said the government has initiated a deliberate policy aimed at the coordination of artisans to incorporate it into organised private sector. And already a law has been passed by the state assembly to that effect and accented to for its proper implementation.

“I want to reassure you that there will not be further delay in ensuring that the coordination of artisans in the state is given its needed support. So there is need for you to cooperate with the ministry and work towards the realisation of the objectives of the coordination of artisans in the state” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

The Banks Win, Again

Fuel price revenge?

•How come pro-subsidy states are suffering from pre-strike prices?

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FTER the surreptitious removal of fuel subsidy in the early hours of January 1, Nigerians went wild because it took them by surprise. So successful were the protests that the Federal Government was forced to reduce the pump price from N141 to N97, even if without the consent of the labour unions and the civil society organisations that led the protests.

Nonetheless, transportation costs and prices of food and other essential commodities that had gone up never came down. Also, petroleum products became scarce in some parts of the country. Indeed, as of today, motorists in some places in the South-East and South-

‘The question that is being raised now is: How come it was the areas which hardly participated in the protests against the hike in fuel price that now suffer either from fuel scarcity or astronomical price of fuel? Is it that these areas could more easily be ignored than those states and cities that raised the blood pressure of the Federal Government up to a boiling point?’

South and some parts of the North still buy fuel at between N125 and N250, instead of N97 per litre.

This situation calls for a thorough examination and reflection because in these areas, people were largely not seen to have protested against subsidy removal in January. In the East, and in Enugu especially, protesters were muzzled by the governor who, like many other governors in the zone, wanted more money from the hike in fuel price.

In the North, especially in Abuja, Kano and some cities, the impact of the mass protests was felt. Historically, Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria and one of the most sophisticated states in the South West, has always been the centre of activities. Observers would wonder why the protest should be the most severe in Lagos, followed by Abuja and Kano, Ilorin, Kaduna, Akure, Benin, Osogbo, Ado-Ekiti but very little, if at all, in the South East and South South.

One of the reasons for the success of the protests may be the cosmopolitan nature of these cities, especially Lagos.

Abuja is the nation’s capital and seat of government; yet it staged protests second only to that in Lagos. Protests in Kano were sporadic, and people were confused whether the Boko Haram had aided the protests there. Throughout the period of protests, these were the states that gave the Federal Government headache, as those in the South-East and South-South literally went to sleep.

As of today, some parts of the country, especially in the South-East and South-

South and parts of the North, have started to experience fuel scarcity and astronomical increase in fuel price. The question that is being raised now is: How come it was the areas which hardly participated in the protests against the hike in fuel price that now suffer either from fuel scarcity or astronomical price of fuel? Is it that these areas could more easily be ignored than those states and cities that raised the blood pressure of the Federal Government up to a boiling point?

Now, there is a looming disaster as the government may be hell bent to return fuel price to N141. So, the divide-and-rule strategy that leaves fuel price at the official N97 per litre in some places and far higher in other places, coupled with the crippling scarcity of the products in some places could be a way of preparing the minds of Nigerians for what the government has seen as the inevitable.

We, however, hope not.

For now, it appears that people will have to be satisfied with whatever hardship they get from fuel scarcity and exorbitant price of fuel in those areas that went to sleep when other concerned citizens rushed to town to join the protests, in spite of the impediments put in their way by security men, especially the police and the army. Perhaps, Mother Nature has reckoned that those who were indifferent to the mass protests against the removal of oil subsidy should not benefit from its partial or total reversal and so should continue to suffer in silence.

Cheap publicity •Jonathan’s amazing disclosures on Boko Haram to the foreign press

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AST week, a Canadian newspaper, Toronto Star, published an article by one Jonathan Power, who was described as “an international affairs writer.” The piece, with the headline, “Terrorism casts pall over Nigeria’s progress”, said the country’s fight against terrorism may not be under control as the government is claiming. The article was prompted by the recent killing of two foreign hostages in Sokoto in northwestern Nigeria by suspected terrorists.

According to the writer, “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.”

It was the most graphic and intimate statement so far by the country’s President on the Boko Haram menace. It revealed the kind of paranoia that pervades government circles as the Islamic fundamentalist terrorist group remains a thorn in the flesh. In a sense, the President’s suggestiveness was a breach of security. The import of his words also showed that the president feels helpless in the face of persistent attacks by the group. According to President Jonathan, “It is not the same as the civil war. We knew the enemy and where he was. Now we don’t.”

The extremist Boko Haram movement continues to operate like a faceless

group, and defeating it appears a tricky business. Violent tactics have not paid off in dealing with the problem, and the article considered the possibility of buying off the terrorists as it was done in the country’s Niger Delta where, until recently, fighters terrified the people, including expatriate oil workers kidnapped for ransom. President Jonathan argued that “The Delta militants had to be part compensated for the large amounts they were making from oil bunkering.” To go by this statement, “buying off” will not be used with Boko Haram.

Power’s interview with the president showed how easily foreign journalists have access to our leaders. Many of them would rather speak to the outsider than to our own journalists. It is an age-old complex that afflicts those at the helm of affairs in the country. They believe in the power of foreign media, while underrating the local ones. Usually, the objective is image laundering, which they may not readily get from the local media.

For example, in the article by Power, he said: “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 mettle of the President who otherwise is making great strides with his domestic economic and social policies.”

Imagine! See who is saying that President Jonathan is doing well economically and socially. It is a clever

way of selling the president. Nigerians do not feel the same way. The economic and social policies of the government cannot be praised in the light of the pervasive hardship in the country.

Poverty is high, standard of living is low, and no one is secure in the country.

What is the profile of Toronto Star? Let us reverse the situation. How easily can a Nigerian journalist get to interview the head of government in Canada?

Granting such an interview to Power amounted to a putdown of the local media. Top government officials should not only be willing but eager to talk to the local media on matters of importance to the country rather than seeking cheap publicity through the foreign media.

‘Power’s interview with the president showed how easily foreign journalists have access to our leaders. Many of them would rather speak to the outsider than to our own journalists. It is an age-old complex that afflicts those at the helm of affairs in the country.

They believe in the power of foreign media, while underrating the local ones. Usually, the objective is image laundering, which they may not readily get from the local media’

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AST week was a big one for the banks. On Monday, the foreclosure settlement between the big banks and federal and state officials was filed in federal court, and it is now awaiting a judge’s all-but-certain approval. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve announced the much-anticipated results of the latest round of bank stress tests.

How did the banks do on both? Pretty well, thank you — and better than homeowners and American taxpayers.

That is not only unfair, given banks’ huge culpability in the mortgage bubble and financial meltdown. It also means that homeowners and the economy still need more relief, and that the banks, without more meaningful punishment, will not be deterred from the next round of misbehavior.

Under the terms of the settlement, the banks will provide $26 billion worth of relief to borrowers and aid to states for antiforeclosure efforts. In exchange, they will get immunity from government civil lawsuits for a litany of alleged abuses, including wrongful denial of loan modifications and wrongful foreclosures. That $26 billion is paltry compared with the scale of wrongdoing and ensuing damage, including 4 million homeowners who have lost their homes, 3.3 million others who are in or near foreclosure, and more than 11 million borrowers who are underwater by $700 billion.

The settlement could also end up doing more to clean up the banks’ books than to help homeowners.

Banks will be required to provide at least $17 billion worth of principal-reduction loan modifications and other relief, like forbearance for unemployed homeowners. Compelling the banks to do principal write-downs is an undeniable accomplishment of the settlement. But the amount of relief is still tiny compared with the problem. And the banks also get credit toward their share of the settlement for other actions that should be required, not rewarded.

For instance, they will receive 50 cents in credit for every dollar they write down on second liens that are 90 to 179 days past due, and 10 cents in credit for every dollar they write down on second liens that are 180 days or more overdue. At those stages of delinquency, the write-downs bring no relief to borrowers who have long since defaulted. Rather than subsidizing the banks’ costs to write down hopelessly delinquent loans, regulators should be demanding that banks write them off and take the loss — and bring some much needed transparency to the question of whether the banks properly value their assets.

The settlement’s complex formulas for delivering relief also give the banks too much discretion to decide who gets help, what kind of help, and how much.

The result could be that fewer borrowers get help, because banks will be able to structure the relief in ways that are more advantageous for them than for borrowers. The Obama administration has said the settlement will provide about one million borrowers with loan write-downs, but private analysts have put the number at 500,000 to 700,000 over the next three years.

The settlement’s go-easy-on-the-banks approach might be understandable if the banks were still hunkered down. But most of the banks — which still benefit from crisis-era support in the form of federally backed debt and near zero interest rates — passed the recent stress tests, paving the way for Fed approval to increase dividends and share buybacks, if not immediately, then as soon as possible.

When it comes to helping homeowners, banks are treated as if they still need to be protected from drains on their capital. But when it comes to rewarding executives and other bank shareholders, paying out capital is the name of the game. And at a time of economic weakness, using bank capital for investor payouts leaves the banks more exposed to shocks. So homeowners are still bearing the brunt of the mortgage debacle. Taxpayers are still supporting too-big-to-fail banks. And banks are still not being held accountable.

– New York Times

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: One of Nigeria’s major undoing is the tendency to give political slant to everything, whether or not it is related. Nothing, without a certain political undertone is assessed on merit or deemed true. This has literally become a standard by which every situation is analysed, often times without contextual platform.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), recently raised what many considered a critical observation/point in the modus operandi of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and consequently advised the federal agency to review its operation in conformity with its primary responsibility which is road safety.

Fashola, who spoke at the state‘s motor-park health awareness initiative was of the view that such initiative would strengthen the capacity of the commission to ensure safety on some of the roads that have remained death traps. He said the commission at present has only focused mainly on printing number plates and issuing licences

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Chidoka’s frustration and that such activity of the agency would not significantly reduce cases of accidents on the roads which ironically, should be the preoccupation of FRSC. Fashola further suggested that the commission should be involved in a lot of safety advocacy to constantly sensitise drivers on the need to drive safely while being mindful of other road users. He would also charge the commission to engage in articulating a sound transport policy for the Federal Government by ensuring that roads are safe for use.

Unfortunately, rather than see the message in the governor’s admonition and redress the anomaly in the safety operations of

the agency, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Osita Chidoka, considered Fashola’s call an affront and an attempt to disparage the federal government, especially his leadership.

At the 11th Special Marshal National Summit held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Osita described the comment by Fashola as unfair and that it reeked of ignorance. “It is an unfair comment

by Lagos State Governor. I believe he doesn’t have the fact of what he is talking about. He talked about trauma centre, but he didn’t know that FRSC has 38 road sides’ clinics across the country. That, our ambulance came with the largest fleet of ambulances in Nigeria”

On the issue of new number plates, Chidoka explained that the rationale behind the idea as very simple. His words: “we looked at the Nigerian roads and we thought that part of the ways to build a safe system is to be able to know the vehicles and the owners of the vehicles so as to make it possible for enforcement. Our challenge is that the state government ought to have sold this plate number and give it to FRSC to input into the national data base. That was not done. So, we have so many years of vehicles without registration and accurate data of the driver. So we do not know the population of vehicles in Nigeria, we do not know the owners of these vehicles and that

Reversing the decay at Abuja stadium

S

IR: There is no gainsaying that Nigerian government and its officials have penchant for waste. The evidence of this abounds in the way we utilize public resources. Public edifices and utilities are often treated with disdain. One of such is our stadia.

These recreational monuments are built with enormous resources but are hardly maintained after completion. Sports are under the concurrent legislative list hence as there are national stadiums, there are also state owned stadia as well as township sporting arenas. Before the construction of the Abuja National Stadium between 2000 and 2003, there was National Stadium, Lagos which alongside Liberty Stadium in Ibadan provided play ground for many international football and other sporting competitions either being hosted by Nigeria or in which the country is participating. Today, these stadia no longer host sporting fiestas but have turned to pepper soup joints where night crawlers now feed their stomachs rather than a place where spectators come to watch beautiful games. The reason for this negative

change of fortune for these sporting centers is not far fetched; the facilities there are not being maintained.

I was grieved on Friday, March 16 when African Independent Television (AIT) featured as its ‘Big Story’ the current deplorable situation of our Abuja National Stadium, an architectural masterpiece built at the cost of $360 million in 2003 to enable Nigeria host the Eighth All African Games.

The AIT ‘Big Story’ reporter showed footage of a stadium in decay less than 10 years after construction. The stadium has not had light for upward of six months! The pitches have gone brown because the sprinkler meant to daily wet the stadium grass has no electricity to power it. The toilets stink because there is no water to maintain sanitation and hygiene within the stadium complex. With lights out, the security of the facilities is compromised as they are susceptible to vandalisation by hoodlums. The facilities are also rusty due to under-use as the stadium hardly witness patronage either by athletes or spectators. At a

point, part of the stadium was being rented out for religious services.

Yet, but for occasional international matches involving Nigerian football teams, the gigantic sporting complex hardly ever see any action all year round.

It is imperative for Nigerian sporting authorities viz. National Sports Commission, Federal Ministry of Sports, Nigeria International Olympic Committee, all sporting associations and federations to come together to find a lasting solution to the ongoing rot at the Abuja National Stadium and indeed all the stadia in Nigeria.

Part of the problem, I learnt, is inadequate subvention to the stadium to enable the managers carry out routine maintenance of the facilities. Something drastic and urgent has to be done to redeem the current appalling situation on ground at the Abuja National Stadium. The stadium can be concessioned out or privatized for better management. It can otherwise be commercialized so that the complex starts to generate resources, at least, to maintain itself. The importance of sport as a

unifying factor, money spinner, means of recreation and employment generator cannot be over-emphasized. Sport business is a multi-billion dollar enterprise and Nigeria should tap into that. This architectural masterpiece must not be allowed to go the way of other Nigerian national stadia. A stitch in time saves nine.

• Jide Ojo Abuja

makes the enforcement very difficult.

“That is why we can’t have cameras on the road. Even if we capture your number, we don’t know how to go about getting you.

So, we decided to bite the bullet. To think about a way we can creatively solve this problem and we thought that one of the ways is to change the plate number.”

It is sad that one cannot tell where the fleets of Chidoka’s emergency centres are located. What is, however, visible is effort by states to prune down the rate of accidents on the roads through the creation of emergency centres and Fashola is a quintessential example of this.

Chidoka’s defence on the issue of number plates is absolute claptrap.

It is an initiative that would bring more hardship to the Nigerian people and take undue toll on their purse. Whatever is wrong with the old number plates, he is yet to convince anyone, even within the agency.

It is clear that Chidoka lacks the requisite ingenuity to steer innovation in that critically allimportant agency. His attempt to insult the governor of Lagos would only expose his ineptitude and defeatist approach to operations.

Chidoka at his level should know that it takes more that hurling insults at others or defending the indefensible to make any difference or carve a niche for oneself. He, by no standard, belongs to the class of Fashola and as such, should learn to accord both the office and person of the governor the deserving reverence.

• Chris Nwabueze Lagos

Change of police uniform, misplaced priority

S

IR: The Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar has also joined the league of Nigerian leaders with misplaced priorities through the introduction of a new police uniform for the Nigerian Police Force.

Of what benefit is a new uniform on an average Nigerian Police officer when he cannot afford the basic necessities of life or take care of his household despite serving his fatherland?

This is a decision the Acting IG

needs to rethink before implementing; otherwise funds will be committed to it and the nation will not have any tangible result to show for the money spent.

My appeal to the Acting IG is to seek and focus on how to improve the quality of life of an average Nigerian Police officer in diverse ways:remuneration, health, shelter, insurance, livelihood and many others must be guaranteed.

• Paul Oluwalere Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos.

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

So much to steal: Triple the Social Services Budgets; wheelchairs and artificial limb factories

W

E are a pariah country eating ourselves and our future. It will not be the ‘Sovereign National Conference’ people or the Tony ‘progressives’ who will Marinho destroy Nigeria where there is so much to steal. It will be those who serially pilfer and pauperise the economy of N151b pension funds, Ibori’s £250m and Nasty NASS perhaps demanding money under false pretences from SEC and other probe targets. We pray to God but we greedily prey on pensioners, school children and even physically and mentally challenged.

What is a donation? What is the budget for donations?

Is a donation a gift on behalf of self or position, or government or the citizens of Nigeria? Should a First Lady, a chairman, Police Officers Wives Association or the Governor or CBN Governor make ‘a donation’ or ‘a contribution on behalf of Fellow Nigerian Citizens’? Why should the physically or mentally challenged need a ‘maybe’ visit of a busy governor’s wife on ‘UN Day for the Physically Challenged’ to receive the ‘donation’ of a life changing wheelchair or Braille books? Shame! Why is the wheelchair not in the social services budget –purchase of 500 wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks for the blind and 500 leg braces or 500 artificial limbs? Is it so that people can steal? If every LGA purchased 100 wheelchairs annually we would not beg NGOS and donors for our ‘wheelchair’ rights. In fact we would have a factory making wheelchairs and mobility aids in Nigeria.

Remember that governments consider the needy child only slightly above prisoners. While the officers in the social services do a fantastic job, their budgets need to be tripled so they need not use their own salary to cater for a lost, abandoned, needy or trafficked child. Nigerian child labourers, aged 6-15, work illegally on unsupervised government school classroom building projects watched

by ‘lucky’ students in class. All such criminal contractors employing child labour should be reported by supervising architects and engineers, ministry officials and undercover social services workers and charged to court. Why does government add extra burden on the social services to make them go begging in the public space for wheelchair money? It is shameful especially with the massive fraud revealed daily in the media from the probes. One wheelchair, the cheap Nigerian type, is around N10,000 and, is cheaper than a full petrol tank in a government jeep or a meal for the Minister near Ladi Kwali Hall. The nationwide sitting allowances are N8.4b.

Of course you have to pay people for leaving their jobs for government committee meetings but not people supposed to do that job like ‘s-elected’ politicians in NASS attending a NASS committee or Probe. They should not expect to be paid twice, sitting when their bottom has already been paid millions monthly already just to sit still in the NASS. That N8,400,000,000 would buy 84,000 wheelchairs.

Suppose governments still refuse to do the right thing and still refuse to include mobility devices in their budgets? In that case, a continuation of the bad past, perhaps it is time that our big men and even bigger women in all these committees form ‘The of Federal Committee Chairpersons and Members Association 2012’-aka FACCAMA-2012. This new body should not follow the bad example of NASS by greedily seeking a pension scheme for a few years work. No, rather FACCAMA-2012 should stand up and take a stand and ‘donate’ 10 or 20 or 50% of the sitting allowances towards the mobility of our physically and mentally challenges Fellow Nigerians for the year 2012. Such a donation will shame government into fulfilling its responsibility and mobilise thousands and free thousands of social workers and careers at home from the constant need to cater for those new beneficiaries of a wise policy change in Nigeria- the total care of the less privileged. Actually we make them less privileged by our arrogant two legged actions. We make it difficult for them to get four wheels. We look down on them giving them money when they need substitute legs to get on with

their lives. Our buildings do not have wheelchair access.

In this strange world, the healthy are the worst enemies of the physically challenged. Among the worst enemies of the needy in Nigeria is the class called the politician who takes so much from the system but gives back so little. Can you imagine what it is like hobbling past a wheelchair shop knowing you cannot ever get one. Do you know that wheelchairs wear out, just like bicycles and cars and need replacement?

Boko Haram is bombing a way into Nigeria’s history books, other evil organisations are spreading their dragnet of terror and our unbridled road crash rate led by the massive and murderous okada mayhem combine to make more innocent Nigerians lose limbs. Faced with this massive loss of limbs, it is urgent that governments set up a multidisciplinary Mobility Support Strategy, involving universities, polytechnics, engineers, medical specialists, physiotherapists and social workers before we are all left immobile. We need to embrace factories, like the Indian/ Rotary ones in Abeokuta General Hospital and Lagos Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital and also make modern wheelchairs and limbs -electronic and mechanical. These are technical job creation opportunities that will aid social service delivery. Citizens, demand that ‘social service budgets must be tripled and include mobility aids and more social service funds’ –not ‘more donations’, please.

‘Faced with this massive loss of limbs, it is urgent that governments set up a multidisciplinary Mobility Support Strategy, involving universities, polytechnics, engineers, medical specialists, physiotherapists and social workers before we are all left immobile’

Go, Hembe, Go!

I

HAD earlier slated a different issue for treatment this week.

As it turned out to be, nothing could have been more appropriate for this column this week than last week’s show of national shame between Arunma Oteh, Director-General, DG, of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and Herman Hembe, Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions. The bubble burst on the second day of the investigation by the House of Representatives of the SEC when Oteh, the hunted, if I may be permitted to put it that way, suddenly turned the hunter.

The ground for the ‘volcanic eruption’ was laid the previous day when the committee said it had discovered that Oteh had spent N30 million on hotel accommodation in eight months, following her appointment in January 2010. In one day, she reportedly spent a whopping N850, 000 on food, while on another day, she spent N85,000. The committee also said that it found out that she engaged two members of staff of Access Bank to work as special advisers in SEC. The two members of staff were reportedly paid allowances equivalent to those of a director in the Federal Civil Service while simultaneously drawing their salaries from Access Bank till date.

The committee held the view that having two staff of Access Bank working in SEC could compromise its ability to regulate the market effectively because the bank is a key player in the market. It noted that the development also raised the question of the competence of Oteh

to administer SEC. However, the hearing took a dramatic turn the following day (last Thursday) when Oteh questioned Hembe’s integrity. She alleged that in October 2011, Hembe had collected money and a first-class ticket from SEC on the excuse of travelling to the Dominican Republic to attend a conference on capital market. She accused Hembe of neither making the trip nor returning the money to the coffers of SEC. A visibly angry Oteh then asked: “Can you tell Nigerians that you returned the money when you did not travel? Would I now say that because SEC was approached to fund this hearing (but declined), the committee has no competence to do its job, the same way that you questioned my competence as DG?” Oteh also recalled her long-drawn battle with the former DG of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike. She told the panel that Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker of the House, is a nephew to Okereke-Onyuike. She added that Ihedioha’s wife also worked with the Abuja office of the NSE. She then added the caveat: “This sitting has become a kangaroo court. Not even in Idi Amin’s Uganda did we have this type of hearing.” The entire session was tense with Oteh and members of the committee exchanging words again and again.

However, in his reaction, Hembe said the allegations were “deliberately made to derail the objective of this hearing.” He then referred the allegations to the Economic and

“If invariably he (Hembe) is found wanting, he should not only step down from the leadership of the committee and the committee itself, he should also voluntarily take his exit from the ranks of honourable men and women in the House. He certainly does not belong there”

Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for investigation. “These are allegations and I invite the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate them. You should be ready to produce the evidence of the requests I made to you, but this hearing must go on,” Hembe said, as he overruled Oteh.

On the allegation of approving “illegal” recruitment at SEC, Oteh denied endorsing such. Oteh also disowned the documents in possession of the panel, which seemed to have indicted some of her decisions.

She said, “None of the documents before the committee came formally from SEC; this is a great concern to me”.

What transpired between Oteh and Hembe was nothing new in the history of probes or scandals in Nigeria, especially in the National Assembly. It is an open secret that for many years, the members of the National Assembly have used their privileged position to either browbeat or intimidate hapless Nigerians.

Similarly allegations of members of the National Assembly demanding for gratification one way or another in the name of carrying out their “oversight functions” have been reported in the past. It is like such shameless antediluvian tactics being employed by these ‘honourable’ members have become the norm. While one can say that some of the members could be above board, many of them have put up certain behaviour in the past which tends to put to question their “honourable” status.

In this present case, going by the revelations so far, I believe the committee, particularly Hembe, their Chairman, may have had an axe to grind with Oteh. One would have expected the committee to adopt the prevailing “front- loading” system

currently used in courts whereby all the allegations against Oteh could have been communicated to her long before the hearing so that she could at least respond to them well ahead of the hearing. The committee could then carefully study her response and then take her through some logical questioning.

If Hembe could doubt the competence of Oteh who parades a good number of credible educational credentials, work experience, exposure and all that to the point that he requested her to come forward with her credentials, nothing could be more insulting, derogatory and provocative than that. But like they say, everything works for good. If Hembe had not travelled this shameful path, we would not have had any knowledge of the underhand dealings that preceded the open hearing.

Why will SEC sponsor a hearing that was meant to rubbish its leadership? From what has transpired so far, it can be safely deduced that the probe itself was a ‘kangaroo’ arrangement designed to humble and humiliate Oteh because all the allegations seem to be targeted at her. It got to a stage where the panel could not even differentiate the functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria from SEC. Such polished ignorance could have been avoided if the probe itself was genuinely set up to look into the activities of SEC and not to witch-hunt anyone.

One would have expected Hembe to respond to Oteh’s allegations on the floor of the panel’s sitting, but he carefully chose to refer the issue to the anti-corruption agencies. That was a rather clever way to escape public scrutiny of the issues at stake.

Without prejudice to what the outcome of the investigation by the anti- corruption agencies will be, and that is, if the matter is given the urgent attention it deserves, I wish to commend Oteh for standing up

Dele Agekameh to the “shenanigans” of the committee going by the revelation so far, particularly the Chairman of the committee.

In the final analysis, while I will not overlook the inherent recklessness in some of Oteh’s actions as DG of SEC vis-à-vis the incredible hotel bills, lack of due diligence and all that, what happened at the sitting last week has cast a dark shadow on the committee’s probe.

No matter the outcome, Nigerians will be in perpetual doubt of its credibility. This should be a lesson for the future. It all boils down to a familiar refrain: “Those who come to equity must come with clean hands”. That is why the most honourable path to thread in this matter is for Hembe to disqualify himself from this panel, at least, pending the outcome of investigations into the allegations levelled against him. And if invariably he is found wanting, he should not only step down from the leadership of the committee and the committee itself, he should also voluntarily take his exit from the ranks of honourable men and women in the House. He certainly does not belong there. So, go, Hembe, go!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Well spoken, Segun. But the truth is that Boko Haram cannot be tamed by any force outside Islamic North that midwived its birth. Jonathan’s approach is, understandably, weak because of its religious nature. Let our Islamic leaders speak to their children/followers with one voice about their true position on forcefully Islamising the whole nation.

Their silence has helped Boko Haram more than any money has.

From Rev. E.U. Okpala Kaduna’

• Ayo Salami

For Olatunji Dare The time to talk is now to see if the Orkar option can be implemented democraticaly.

Anonymous Re: “A time to talk”. Boko Haram is destroying lives and properties in the North, militants are blowing up filling stations in the Southsouth, while the rest of the country is under the firm control of kidnappers, armed robbers and ritual killers. In spite of these setbacks, Nigerians are struggling daily to make a decent living out of a structured mess! Some are of the opinion that we should not talk because everything is under control. We are yet to see anything being controlled. The signals on the streets is such that, unless we sit down and talk about re-structuring our co-habitation, the roof of ‘house’ Nigeria will come crashing on Nigerians sooner than we think! We need to talk, and the time is now. From Kayode A., Abeokuta.

I quite subscribe to what I call Okar’s prophecy rather than his error in the implementation. Anonymous It is better for us to sit down and talk the way forward for Nigeria. It is now or never.

From Fred O. The time to talk is now. About what? The truth is that the neo-colonial social system bequeathed to us by the founding fathers and mothers is dead. Why is the bourgeois class still protecting its remains? From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna A time to talk about what? The only problem of Nigeria is corruption, theft and no drastic laws to curb them as in China and other countries. In this ‘Stone Age’, what you journalists are paid to write about is nonsense. Anonymous A time will come when we will stop buying these mis-informing tabloids and they will go the way of Daily Times.

Anonymous A national colloquium is now imperative to address the inadequacies of the present Nigeria which is obsolete. Our inability to reap large economic resources bestowed on us by nature has limited us to monocrop economy. Religious intolerance has led to the death of many. We need a special platform to address all these issues and not the NASS. I agree that its outcome will be subject to a referendum. Nigeria is already divided into six prospective nations; let us give it the required teeth through a plebiscite. Thanks for the writeup “A time to talk”. Let us do it now or never. From Emelumba Ven The time to talk is now! O yes! I think President Goodluck and his folks in Abuja are scared to allow such an opportunity, believing bats and stones will be thrown and the heavens might fall. Nay, talking will let us forge on and we’ll emerge stronger not the federation we are faking which is not taking us anywhere. From Dare O., Owo Ondo state Re: “A time to talk”. I personally do not

subscribe to this jamboree we call sovereign national conference. Whatever grievances we may want to discuss can be passed through our representatives in state and national assemblies for thorough deliberation, then the President, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice will sit side by side and broadcast to the nation on the two-month deliberation. People could send in their opinions during the deliberation. Talking through SNC is unnecessary as money will be spent.

Rancour will breed. Lanre Oseni, Lagos.

Is it really time to talk? Let there be reprisal attacks in the South and total confusion and darkness all over Nigeria before we talk; at least, we shall then grope in darkness and talk to those we cannot see. It is not yet time to talk. Jare. Anonymous Thanks for your write-up. There is nothing wrong in talking but I think our problem is more of attitude. Can a national conference solve it? I like reading you! From Sadiq O. The term “talk is cheap” will never make sense to the antagonists of a national discourse. Why? It is because they are presently at the ‘dinning table’ and cannot be bothered with ‘distractions’.

May they be wise enough to join the rest of us in prayer: that when it happens, let it be ‘YUGOSLAVIA!’. Regards. From Olu. You got it alright as usual in your article “A time to talk”. As it is, we either talk now and mend the broken pot, or refuse to talk and allow the pot to be shattered beyond redemption. We have waited for too long and may suffer for too long at the end. From Dr. Mustapha, UNIJOS ”A time to talk” is well loaded. A word is enough for the wise. Convening a national conference is non-negotiable.

Well done, have a great day and remain blessed. From Isaiah J. K. Your piece in The Nation of March 13, makes an excellent reading. Those opposed to a sovereign national conference for whatever reasons, mostly very selfish ones, are only deceiving themselves. Nigeria is most likely to disintegrate without a sovereign national conference than with one. We must not pretend and deny the fact that this country is at the brink of collapse. We do not need prophets or experts to tell us. This country will fail if we keep on pretending that nothing is wrong with us. From S. Egberibin

I dare say the major challenge facing Nigeria, aside poverty of leadership, is the North - core North is giving the country headache: a particular section of the country holding Nigeria to ransom. From Laide Owadusi

For Segun Gbadegesin Sir, have we ever benefited from any NASS probe? They use it to enrich themselves and sleep. Voting PDP last April was the saddest thing that happened to Nigeria. From Edo Osa Don, Benin.

Thank you, immensely, for your piece titled “Secularism Matters”. It is the best articulation of issues concerning Muslim/ Christian crises in Nigeria. Generally, analysts using their basic humanity values to judge, always assume poverty is the only prism adoptable to explain, not justify, the mindless killings by Islamic sects! Why have there been no such killings of Muslims originating from Christians?

Their poor never rise up originating killings! Why? No sponsors. Christian evangelism is by persuasion not violence.

Islam promises reward to killings of ‘kaffirs’ but not so in the Bible. Today, in Nigeria, we hear a deceiving chant “Islam is a religion of peace”. My reply? Only agreed by southern Muslims! And, of course, northern Muslims look down on them. Southern Muslims are educated. It is not a sin to them! God bless. From Akin.

Can a poor person afford to buy a car not to of buying several and planting bombs in them to attack churches and innocent citizens? Also, if western education is evil, they should avoid using things related to the western world such as cars, bombs and clothes. Boko Haram came, because some of the northern leaders believe that they are born to rule, that was why they said they would make this country ungovernable. So, in order to achieve their aim they resort to violence. Anonymous Poverty should be separated from Boko Haram’s grievances. If they were hungry they would have said so. At least, those who have passion for human life would have put food on their tables daily; the money their sponsors spend on their deadly mission is enough to turn their lives around. I think they are just hatching the egg evil adherents of Islam laid over the years against Christianity. But they should

‘Boko Haram is destroying lives and properties in the North, militants are blowing up filling stations in the Southsouth, while the rest of the country is under the firm control of kidnappers, armed robbers and ritual killers. In spite of these setbacks, Nigerians are struggling daily to make a decent living out of a structured mess!

Some are of the opinion that we should not talk because everything is under control. We are yet to see anything being controlled. The signals on the streets is such that, unless we sit down and talk about re-structuring our cohabitation, the roof of ‘house’ Nigeria will come crashing on Nigerians sooner than we think’

• Jonathan

know that even if they kill all Christians, sands on Nigerian soil will sing JESUS. From Rev Enobong Bolaji Anani, Cross River Well spoken, Segun. But the truth is that Boko Haram cannot be tamed by any force outside Islamic North that midwived its birth.

Jonathan’s approach is understandably weak because of its religious nature. Let our Islamic leaders speak to their children/followers with one voice about their true position on forcefully Islamising the whole nation. Their silence has helped Boko Haram more than any money has. From Rev. E.U. Okpala Kaduna.

I believe Christians should begin massive attacks on mosques and the nonsense will stop, period! I am not particularly keen about unity. The North knows what it wants. Anonymous A good and frank analysis except for the fact that you forgot to point out, emphatically, that Boko Haram and their sponsors should know that they are igniting a fire that will consume all of us with no one left to implement and practise Sharia in Nigeria. Common sense should guide them. From Ayuba, Jos. Why is religion making a lot of noise in a bourgeois Nigeria? Because the capitalist economy needs it to dampen down the pain and poverty it is creating for the majority. Religion is a drug that can kill the pain but, does it heal? No! From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna I commend you for your piece entitled “Secular matters”. However, we indigenes of the Niger Delta area are not Niger Deltans but Delta Nigerians. We are Nigerians like Eastern, Western and Northern Nigerian. Also, if Nigeria is a secular state, the government should hands off issues about subsidies on pilgrimages. From Okpodu Thank you so much. Your piece on secularism matters is apt. We need to decide whether we want to live together or not; the law has to define clearly the relationship between the state and religious establishments. A situation where some states in the North spend a lot of money building mosques and sponsoring religious activities is unhealthy in a secular state. Other religions are not given similar treatment; in some cases, they are not allowed freedom of worship. We need to frankly and freely talk about all these at a SNC. Thanks! Anonymous I quite agree with your point. Let us call a spade, a spade. What we are suffering from, is the disease of extreme and radical religiosity. If a policy of nonaccommodation of such an act is not implemented soon, the entity called Nigeria may disappear from the map. From Mrs. D. I am of the opinion that the recent accident that took the IGP Haruna and others should be probed. After all, Boko Harams in the force might have planted a bomb in plane. From O. Charles.

OLANREWAJU loaned to FC Luzern Fiancee

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•Siasia missing in action •Samson Siasia

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE

Gbolahan Salami boostforEnyimba

Pg. 24

•Ex U-23 star recovers from injury, ready for Dolphins tie •Ayo Saka, Maduabuchi still out

Falcons battle Banyana in test game

Pg. 41

HEALTH

CAPACITY

BENEVOLENCE

Government moves against meningitis

Agency ends training on trafficking prevention

Foundation gives water, generators to communities

Jos

Kaduna 27

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

38

Imo

40

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Agency backs women in Shea butter production

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•Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide

HE Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has given N15m worth of equipment to 500 women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to help them in the production of Shea butter. The AEA provided the equipment in partnership with the FCT administration.

The women are in three communities, namely, Nuku, Rimba and Rubochi in Abaji and Kuje Local Government Councils of

From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adebowale Adenike, Abuja

the Territory.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the One-Village One-Product agricultural project and commissioning of Shea Butter Processing Centre in Abaji, Abuja, the Managing Director of AEA, Ms Altine Jibrin said the initiative was to create jobs for rural dwellers in the FCT. She said the plan aims at iden-

tifying abundant local products in each of the villages in order to develop them for both local and international markets.

Her words: “So much has gone into this project aside from the human factor but so far if I am to approximate it, because it started from 2011, it cannot be lesser than N15 million.”

Ms Jibrin added that the introduction of FCT micro-finance banks would further comple-

ment the agency’s effort in promoting entrepreneurship and reducing poverty.

Inaugurating the equipment, the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide said the project was part of the administration’s commitment to develop women through the Women in Social Enterprise Programme (WISE). She added •Continued on Page 26

K

ANO State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has found a good way to engage the state youths and boost their earning power. His administration came up with a first aid and capacity building training programme. Under it, youths are being trained to administer medicine on the injured, particularly in rural areas. Already, 400 trainees have graduated from the first phase of the programme. Another 200 who have completed their training have received N5,000 from the state to help them set up their smallscale businesses.

On his return to power on May 29, 2011, Kwankwaso said he would offer the youth, especially those in the rural areas, a new deal.

To achieve this, his administration established the Kano State Lafiya Jari Scheme to train and re-train youths in administering first aid, and also enhance their capacity in other health issues.

The government also promised to provide additional N100,000 worth of drugs to the participants with which to start their businesses in the rural areas.

At the presentation of the N50,000 cheques, Kwankwaso who was represented by his Special Assistant on the scheme, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Yammedi, reiterated his resolve to ensure that citizens in the rural areas have access to primary health facilities.

“Even though we have hospitals at the rural areas, we are not unaware of the fact that our people suffer a great deal to get drugs for temporary diseases like headaches and fever,” he said.

“We are presenting this N50, 000 cheque to the participants to enable them go back to their localities and rent shops for small-scale patent medicine business. When this is done, we will move round to inspect all the shops and then stock them with relevant medicines.

“Already, the state government has earmarked N100, 000 each for the participants. This

•Trainee graduates of the programme

New deal for Kano youths 400 graduate from health scheme 200 start off with N5,000 From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

money would be used to purchase medicines for them through the scheme. We are not going to give them in cash to avoid mismanagement.”

Hon. Aliyu urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and committed to their business, adding that with the quality of training they

received at the centre, “it will be foolhardy for any of you to go out of his or her way and mismanage the fund, because doing this would amount to not only destroying your future but betraying the government and people of Kano state,” he stated.

Governor Kwankwaso also reminded the beneficiaries that part of the money provided by the state

government for them to establish the business is repayable after three months from the commencement of their business, “so this will tell you that this progarmme is not a jamboree but part of government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and ensure good health. When you renege on the agreement, you are blocking the chances of others to benefit. I once again urge you to make judicious use of the facilities •Continued on Page 26

•Kwankwaso

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

26

•Children of Pastor Adegboyega Memorial Primary School, Ketu, Lagos

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

FRSC, others move to save children from accidents T

O prevent children from being hit by vehicles, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Education have begin the distribution of reflective jackets and hand bands to pupils of public schools in the state.

The programme to be replicated across all the 775 local government areas in the country is being handled with the respective state goverments.

The commission and the Ministry of Education (in Lagos) are doing so in collaboration with the Children Accident Preventive Initiative (CAPI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), with support from public-private partnership.

The Lagos Sector Commander of The Federal Road Safety Commission Mr. Jonas Agwu, who led the team

By Adejo David

distributing the items, promised that the initiative will continue throughout the country in educating guardians, parents, children, as well as road users and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on ways of using the reflective jacket and hand bands in order to reduce, if not eradicate, road accidents involving children.

Also speaking at the presentation, the national coordinator of Children Accident Preventive Initiative (CAPI) Elder Steve Akujobi pledged his organisation’s support in replacing the reflective jackets and hand bands with

new ones every year.

Responding, the Grand Patron of the programme Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola of the Apostolic Church praised the initiators of the programme. He spoke during the distribution of the items at Pastor Adegboyega Memorial Nursery and Primary School Ketu.

He said: “I am very grateful to the initiators of this wonderful programme which started at the Apostolic Grammar School and Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School.

“The location of the schools along •Continued on Page 27

•Continued from Page 25 at your disposal.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Amina Garba who obtained a certificate on Food Hygiene described the programme as timely.

She showered praises on the Kwankwaso administration for, “carrying the masses along.

“I graduated 14 years ago; I had no job, but this time round, Kwankwaso has wiped my tears away. I can now set up my own chemist and take adequate care of my children and family. I remain grateful to Kwankwaso for remembering people like us. He is bringing governance and democratic dividends to the doorsteps of the hapless masses in the rural areas and this is quite commendable,” she further stated.

Also, Dauda Suleiman, a beneficiary, told Newsextra that the capacity building and empowerment programme will help him and his people.

“I will set up a chemist for myself and help the people of my locality who before now trekked for several kilometers to get drugs like Panadol,” he said.

“I will also evolve a strategy of how to pay back what the government has given to me. Insha Allah, I will make good use of this opportunity and make sure that people around me benefit from it. Since Kwankwaso has touched my life, I am bound to touch other peoples’ lives.”

Agency backs women in Shea butter production •Continued from Page 25

that women have remained burden bearers to their families, necessitating support for the project.

Akinjide said she is personally committed to Shea butter production, and that the administration is committed to the project. She said that there are ongoing talks with the Central Bank Governor,

•Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan (second right) and other officials jogging during the jog-for-life exercise

New deal for Kano youths

Sanusi Lamido, to look for areas of financial assistance.

“Financial support will be provided including trainings, marketing and machinery so that the product can be of international standard,” she said.

President of Rimba Shea Butter Cooperative Society, Mrs. Anthonia Sima said the project would enhance sales and create wealth for her and their family.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

27

FRSC, others move to save children from accidents •Continued from Page 26 the expressway might have informed the distribution of the items to their pupils first. The reflective jackets and hand bands will go a long way in reducing road accidents among the children. I thank the FRSC and the Federal Government for introducing this programme in our schools. I will approach the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for more sponsorship of the programme so that other schools would benefit.”

The head teacher of Pastor Adegboyega Memorial Nursery and Primary School Mrs. Funmilayo Adetayo promised to help the children to keep the reflective jackets and hand bands safe, even as she promised to ensure they put it on at all times.

She said: “I will organise training for the children’s parents on how to make good use of the jackets and bands.”

The Principal of Apostolic Grammar School Mr. Samuel Oyeniran charged students of both the junior and senior secondary schools to always put on the reflective jackets and

T

HE chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos Hon. Ibrahim Tunde Sanusi has said that the focus of his administration is to evolve policies and programmes that will touch the lives of the people in a more rewarding way. He also promised that his administration will carry out more development projects in every part of the area before the end of this year.

He made the promise at the inauguration ceremony of one of the projects the council had completed.

He added that “while campaigning for my second tenure in office, I promised the people that I would embark on more people-oriented projects. I also assured them that any part of the council that never benefited from our development drives would get one development project or the other. I pledged that I would work hard to upgrade all link roads on the upland area of the council for ease of movement.”

Judged by the numerous development projects which the council had completed and inaugurated recently, stakeholders have unanimously agreed that the council chairman has shown sufficient commitment to ful-

hand bands as they will help in preventing them from being involved in road accidents.

At Oregun Secondary School Pastor Solomon Kpandei who represented Senior Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre, said: “This is one of the numerous community and social responsibility programmes Daystar Christian Centre is carrying out. We will continue to do this as long as God gives us the grace.”

Mrs. Dolapo Lufadeju of Oregun Junior High School and Mrs. Folashade King of Oregun Senior High School expressed their gratitude to all the organisations that are involved, providing and distributing the reflective jackets and hand bands.

The children too thanked the organisers for the gesture.

The next day, the campaign moved to 3rd Avenue Primary School FESTAC Town Lagos and Sanya Grammar School Agege.

The reflective jackets and hand bands were beautifully designed with the FRCS logo, shining material in green colour and the donors’ name inscribed. They bear the words ‘Be Seen, Be Safe.’

Accidents among children was on

•Lagos Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Jonas Agwu (middle) flanked by Pastor Gabriel Oladele (third right); Mr Gabriel Oyetunji (left) and other officials with children of Pastor Adegboyega Memorial Primary School, Ketu, Lagos. the increase last year as about 42 per cent of the accident cases in the country in 2011 involved children, according to the Southwest coordinator of Children Accident Preventive Initiative Comrade Ben Aduba said.

He disclosed that most road accidents occur due to reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, children crossing the roads without looking at both sides of the road as well as the driver not seeing the

children cross the roads, among other issues.

He said that about seven million reflective jackets and hand bands are expected to be distributed to school children all over the country.

Council promises more development

By Chinaka Okoro

filling his promises to the people.

Penultimate week, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kuye Ademorin had opened for public use the more-than-one kilometre Saibu Road and some ultra-modern toilets in some markets in the area which were built by the council.

Again, the council has achieved another feat as it has constructed and officially opened yet another roadthe Olasanoye Road-for public use.

In a speech at the event, Hon. Sanusi expressed his happiness for the opening ceremony which he said was a manifestation of the enduring commitment of his administration to serve the people in a more rewarding manner.

Noting that in less than three weeks when the council inaugurated some projects which included Saibu Road and conveniences in some markets, it has completed yet another project

ready for inauguration.

He recalled that Olasanoye Road had been partially done but became too bad and impassable. He said the plight of the people compelled him to construct the road.

Sanusi said: “In view of the overriding need to assuage the plight of the people, we embarked on the construction of the road whose opening ceremony we have gathered here today. The very poor soil and sub-soil condition of the terrain informed our use of the expensive interlocking stone paving. We promise that in few weeks time, we shall complete and inaugurate more people-oriented projects.”

On the primary health centre (PHC) in Ijegun, Hon. Sanusi regretted that the centre is not serving the purpose for which it was established because it is malfunctioned.

He disclosed that though the centre was built by the Federal Government, “in view of its dilapidation and disuse, we wanted to rehabilitate and upgrade it so that it will be able to

serve the people, the central government refused because it claimed ownership of the centre. He, however, said that the council is liaising with relevant authorities to enable it to rehabilitate the centre for the benefit of the people.

He advised the residents not to turn the road to parking lots or mechanic workshop, saying “these roads and other facilities we are putting in place are for us all.”

While declaring the facility open, the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kuye Ademorin expressed satisfaction with the level of development in the area, which he attributed to the council chairman’s uncompromising commitment to making life bearable for the people.

He praised the chairman for a job well done, even as he said: “I have seen the terrain and I believe that he must have gotten good counsel from his engineers to use the inter-locking paving stone in constructing the road for this kind of road.”

The commissioner congratulated the residents for having the road built for them, even as he noted that “with the construction of the road, their properties must have appreciated in value and the tenants or the occupiers are now living under a new status because they are moving from a tarred road to another tarred road.

But remember that you have to help

the government to continue this good work by paying your taxes and levies promptly.”

Advising the residents, he said that the benefits of the newly constructed road would be better appreciated if it is not turned to car park lots and mechanic workshops.

He further advised the community development association in the area to regard the facility as theirs and should not allow any resident to turn the road to a mechanic workshop, adding that it should also ensure that the drainage is not silted up.

The commissioner stated that “for peace to prevail in the community there is urgent need for security. We have to be security conscious. We should report any suspicious move to the council. This will ensure the protection of lives and properties in the area.”

The chairman of Landlords,’ Tenants’ Association of Olasanoye Road, Mr Benson Akinro praised the council chairman for constructing the road.

In a chat with Newsextra, he disclosed that the residents of the area had experienced serious hardship because of the awful state of the road, adding that members of the community had to send its representatives to the council secretariat to plead with the chairman to help them construct the road to enable the residents to have access to other adjoining streets.

For peace to prevail in the community there is urgent need for security. We have to be security conscious. We should report any suspicious move to the council.

This will ensure the protection of lives and properties in the area

•Hon. Kuye (middle); Hon Sanusi (right); Vice-Chairman Gbolahon Dauda (left); Mrs Rosemary Uneanya, Information Officer and Hon.Jimoh Moruf, Chief Whip, Legislative Council (second right)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

28

Kaduna

T

• Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (left) being installed as the Otunba Atayese of Bauchi by the Oba of Yoruba in the state, Alhaji Ahmadu Adebisi in Bauchi

HE Kaduna State government has announced what it described as a multi-dimensional prevention strategy to check the outbreak of CerebroSpinal Meningitis (CSM) epidemic in the state this year.

The Commissioner for Health,Mr Turaki Kalik, told journalists in Kaduna that residents were being sensitised through public enlightenment on the preventive measures.

Kalik said that adequate medical and health personnel, as well as drugs and vaccines had also been mobilised to control, treat and manage the disease wherever an outbreak was reported.

He said that residents should report any suspicious outbreak of “communicable diseases’’ to the nearest health facility to prevent an epidemic.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to ensure that they kept their environment clean and to stay in well ventilated rooms to avoid contacting the disease.

“The state government will successfully tackle the spread of CSM in the state because

Yola residents worried over dusty weather

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ESIDENTS of Yola in Adamawa State have expressed concern over the ravaging hazy weather occasioned by the prevailing dusty and hot season.

The high humidity and dusty weather experienced in the last five days had made life almost unbearable for them.

Haze is a typical geographical feature during dry season, producing misty dust in the air space across the Sahel and Sudan regions of the Northern states.

Devastating pollution resulting from the dusty weather often exposes the inhabitants to airborne diseases.

The situation had forced residents to use improvised respirators to help them in breathing and to protect them from contagious respiratory infections.

Adamawa Malam Hashimu Buba, a resident, said he uses cotton mask to cover and protect his nose from the dust.

“I use mask to cover my nose and protect myself from infections. The dusty weather makes it difficult to breath,” Buba said.

Mrs Lydia Raphael, a housewife, said she now swept her home twice a day due to the dusty weather.

“The dusty weather penetrates rooms, kitchens and it often becomes dirty. You must always clean your home to stay healthy,” she said.

Dr Abubakar Umar, a medical practitioner, advised the residents to take precautionary

measures to guard against infections.

He said: ‘Respiratory tract infections, such as asthma and pneumonia are common during dusty weather. It is good to use nose air filter and always wash to reduce the health risks.”

Kaduna moves against meningitis of the proactive measures evolved by the political leaders and the experts in the field,’’ Kalik further said.

Kalik said that the anticipated early rains this year could also bring relief to residents as the hot season that normally served as haven for CSM would be shortened.

The commissioner, however, called for the understanding and support of the people, especially traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and NGOs, to keep off CSM from the state.

He said that proper public enlightenment campaigns through traditional institutions, faith based groups, media and the civil society would be intensified to ensure complete success of the programme in the state.

Kalik said that the state’s “rapid response team’’ would be on stand-by to handle reported cases of meningitis before it reached an alarming stage.

He said that the team successfully treated more than 2,100 cases in 15 local government areas last year.

The cases were recorded in Kaduna North, Giwa, Igabi, Kudan, Birnin Gwari, Kagarko, Kubau, Kauru, Ikara, Jema’a, Lere, Makarfi, Sanga, Kajuru and Chikun local government areas.

No fewer than 17 lives were lost in the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in the affected 15 local government areas between January and April 2011.

NULGE backs council autonomy

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HE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has scheduled March 29 to begin its awareness campaign for the autonomy of local governments in Edo State.

The National President of NULGE, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

Khaleel said that the clamour for constitutional restructuring was due to agitations from its members for the review of some sections of the 1999 constitution, to stand the test of time.

He said that the campaign was in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s drive to ensure that all Nigerians in the 36 states of the federation were educated on the importance of the proposed amendment.

According to him, for over a decade now, NULGE has been agitating for the restructuring of the local government system in Nigeria.

He said these agitations were based on the imposition of undemocratic structures such as

caretaker committees to run the affairs of the local government, contrary to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

“Considering the basis of our agitation for local government restructuring, NULGE has observed that the interventionist policies of the Federal and state governments, with respect to local government administration demonstrate clearly the structural inadequacies and imbalance in the 1999 constitution.”

The president of the union said that the concept of bringing governance closer to the people through a third tier participatory form of government had not been actualised in Nigeria.

Khaeel said that the lack of capacity of local governments to fulfill the aspirations of their communities was caused by the lack of resources and inappropriate fiscal base.

Other reasons he listed included the state governments’ usurpation of power to raise internal revenue and the manipulation of the joint state/local government account.

•Hon Remi Gbadegeshin, Ejigbo LCDA Secretary to the local government congratulating the newly elected president of Jakande Estate Oke-Afa Association at the inauguration ceremony of the new executive

Water scarcity forces pupils to abandon classes

‘How to stop rural-urban drift’

A

CALL has gone to all levels of government to develop the rural areas to stem rural-urban drift. The advice was given by the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Gerry Okolie in an interview with journalists.

Okolie explained that it is the level of development in the rural communities that determines the advancement in the country.

As a result, power and development must be made available to the people at the grassroots.

These, he said, have been denied the people for long as a result of corruption. He said: Our local government has refused to develop as a result of corruption, lack of sacrifice, lack of political will and lack of commitment.”

The commissioner emphasised that since the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha came on board, the story has changed with the provision of more facilities in the rural areas.

“As at today, this administration has opened up to 15 Kilometre road in all the 27 local government areas of the state. The implication is that 405 roads are under construction in Imo State as at today. There is massive road work in the state. This is not politics and everybody is invited to verify this claim,” he said.

He spoke of the need to give people at the grassroots a sense of belonging so that they can be part of governance.

“In the past, people did not have access to government. There was a disconnect between the government and the people. Today, that

widened gap has been narrowed. We now have community governance in which the Eze is the chairman; there is a secretary, community speaker as the representative of the government, the youth leader and women leader. These constitute the community governance committee to be supported with the personnel of the local government as director of accounts, administrative officers, works and planning to which direct subvention will be given to each community this time round to start attending to their own development.”

On how to address the problem of unemployment at the local government level, he said: “We have 537 autonomous communities in Imo State now. Each of these must have a city hall, health centre, big market, a school, and a courtage industry.

With all these in place, what we need now is to retrain our people. This involves retraining the people so that they can work in those areas. When we have 27 housing estates, 27 general hospitals, 27 ministadia, 500 housing schemes in each of the local government areas, our youths would have employment opportunities.”

•Mr Okolie

N acute scarcity of water has forced hundreds of primary school pupils in Lamurde, Adamawa State to abandon classes so that they can search for water.

The situation has been critical for school children in Nbamoto Village of Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as they spend their day searching for water.

The situation had also forced many families in the affected area to rely on unwholesome water from ponds for their drinking needs.

This is because most open wells in the area have dried up.

A resident of the village, Mr Yohanna Bulus, said the situation had also forced

A

•Governor Yakowa

NUJ condemns harassment of journalists N IGER State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and men of the Department of State Security Service (SSS) are heading for collision course, following the incessant harassment of journalists at all government and private functions.

Expressing the union’s displeasure in Minna recently, the State Chairman of NUJ, Mallam Iliya Garba, said members of the council have been subjected to intimidation and harassment by the SSS in the course of discharging their constitutional responsibility, as they were locked out at the venue of the meeting, under the guise of security.

Reacting to the ill treatment meted out to some journalists at the Peace forum meeting of some northern elders at general Abdulsalami Abubakar’s Maizube Farms on the outskirt of Minna, the Niger state capital, the chairman said that journalists in the state have continued to face harassment from some overzealous SSS operatives in the state.

The statement said : “The treatment meted to journalists by SSS operatives at the gate of Maizube Farms along Bida road where former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar had conveyed a peace forum comprising mainly of Northern elders to proffer solution of the problem of insecurity in the region on Thursday is hereby condemned.

“The union is very disturbed because this

Cleric hails don’s promotion • From left: Mr Obi Onyeka; Mrs Taiwo Aliu, Mr Shaileendra Sharma, GM, WWCV; Mr Enrico Liggeri, MD Prizer; Mr Innocent Udeh; Mr Uzoma Peter and Mr Sunil Gupte, MD WWCV at the key distributors meeting of World Wide Commercial Ventures (WWCV) in conjunction with Pfizer at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos

37

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

A

SENIOR Lecturer at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Luqman AbdurRaheem and Grand Sheikh (Mufti), Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I has congratulated Dr Ishaq Lakin Akintola on his conferment recently as Prof of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the Lagos State University (LASU).

The duo said it is an academic title well deserved considering Lakin’s antecedents and remarkable feats in Islamic knowledge and human rights.

AbdurRaheem who is also Amir, The Muslim Congress (TMC) described Akintola as a worthy mentor.

“As responsive academic, Prof Akintola has provided inspirational impetus to Muslims, engendered peace by his intellectual discourses on the pages of newspapers and electronic media. Besides, he stimulates economic growth and development in Nigeria by his scholarly, well researched and prompt press releases devoted to critique of socio-economic and political policies of governments at all levels.

We shall never forget his Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Friday Question and Da’wah Embassy,” the don said. He urged all other Muslim academics in the Nigerian tertiary institutions to emulate Professor Lakin’s humility, simplicity, doggedness and concern for the plight of the Nigerian people irrespective of their ideological and religious inclinations.

Sheikh Shafi’I believed the conferment is long overdue.

“You cannot fault his scholarship; he is gifted, exceptionally brilliant and always committed to a just cause. Prof Akintola’s humanitarian gesture is extraordinary. Unlike other human rights activists, Prof Akintola is not religious bias; he always fights for people’s rights irrespective of religion and tribe,” he said.

Adamawa many people in the area to spend the night at the pond waiting for the water level to rise so that they could get some.

Yohanna explained that the community had forwarded several complaints in this regard to the local and state governments.

“We officially forwarded our complaint to the local government authorities and the state government, but up till now nothing has been done to solve our water problem,” Yohanna said.

Also confirming the development, a primary school teacher in the area, expressed concern over the situation and said that the search for water had crippled school activities.

“Many children are either not coming to school or they come very late because they are

•Governor Nyako busy searching for water and the situation is affecting school activities,” he said.

He said that some class rooms were forced to be closed due to the absence of pupils.

Niger

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

trend of barring journalists from discharging their duties in the guise of national security is a negative development for our democracy and it is our utmost conviction that journalists in the state have been carrying out their duties in a civilised manner and in comportment with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and professional ethics.

Briefly

FCTA to reposition urban affairs dept THE Federal Capital Territory Administration says it will look into the functions of the FCT Urban Affairs Department with a view to restructuring it for better service delivery.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Mr Muhammad Sule.

The statement said that the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, disclosed this after a meeting with the staff of the ministry.

It said the restructuring would be in line with global standards as it concerned emergency management.

The statement said that the activities of the Urban Affairs Department should be able to cover the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the territory as against the present 250 square kilometres of the city centre.

“If care must be shown to those residing in the Abuja city centre, such care must be extended to the Area Councils as well as the satellite towns,’’ it said.

•From left: Mrs. Uche Okwudili, Mrs. Jumoke Akinkoye, vicar of the the Church, Ven. Gbenga Oniye and Lady Ada Chukwudozie during the Mothering Service of All Saints Anglican Church, Festac Town, Lagos

‘Spelling Bee, a tool for talent discovery’

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HE wife of the chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Mrs Omolabake Olabinjo, has described the annual Spelling Bee completion as a tool to discover talents .

“This kind of competition will assist in discovering hidden talents who can promote both the image of our council, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.

Mrs Olabinjo, represented by Mrs Tomiwa Sholesi-Mustapha, affirmed her determination to partner with corporate bodies to promote education in the council.

“Our administration will endeavour to

By Arije Amidu

identify with interested individuals and corporate organisations who can contribute to the meaningful development of our youths,” she said.

She said the competition will help to further improve the state of education in the local area.

“The organisers of this competition are commended, especially for the development of our youths in Ojokoro and Lagos State in general,” she stated.

NOA urges security consciousness

By Musa Odoshimokhe

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•From right: Supervisor for Education Mrs Foluke Kolade-Oseni; Mrs Sholesi-Mustapha; Mr Ade Oshatuyi and Sharafadeen Lawal at the event

HE Head, National Orientation Agency, Apapa Office, Mr Segun Onaderu has urged residents to pay more attention to what is happening around them, if they must nip in the bud security challenges.

Speaking at a sensitisation programme organised by the agency in collaboration with the Apapa Local Government Area, Onaderu noted that if the people failed to pay attention to what happened around them, they were exposing themselves to security risk.

He said: “This period calls for vigilance from all of us and without which those who perpetuate evil or commit crime will take advantage of our carelessness to cause security breaches.”

Onaderu stated that Apapa council was among one of the hubs of business activities in Lagos which needed to be jointly protected from criminal acts and other social vices. He maintained that except the people were sufficiently involved in crime prevention by watching over one another, the society would continue to face problem.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Life

29

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

Fishing in the day, healing at night •Mrs Joel

Mrs Ebi Joel, 53, is a woman of many parts. She goes fishing in the day and heals people at night. Her incredible catches on the sea earned her ‘Fisherwoman’ of the Island.

– SEE PAGE 30

Connecting two worlds through movie

Foreign filmmakers for I-Rep festival

– Page 31

– Page 35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

30

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Fishing in the day, healing at night

•Mrs Joel

Mrs Ebi Joel, 53, is a multi-talented woman who touches many lives with her gifts. She is known for her fishing expeditions. She is also a professional masseur and Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA).

EVELYN OSAGIE, who encountered her, reports.

O

N an Island called Bishopkoji, in the Lagos coastal area, there are many sites that will catch tourists’ attention. Mrs Ebi Joel, 53, a multi-talented woman is one. She is into fishing, a professional masseur and traditional birth attendant.

The journey to the residence of the famed fisherwoman from Bayelsa State began when some fishermen talked with excitement about a certain ‘fisherwoman’ who is renowned for her gargantuan catches. And so began the search for this woman of many parts. She was later found on her way from a special massage session with a client.

For a woman, who has 11 children (seven boys and four girls, all of the same father), Mrs Joel still looks young and energetic. Her first child is 35 and the youngest, five.

From there, the destination was her house. As she led the way to her abode at Idiagbon area of the Island, Fisherwoman, how now? came greetings from all corners.

“You seem to be very popular here,” the reporter commented.

Ah, they know me well o. I be fisherwoman and na wetin dem they call me because of the fish dem wey I dey catch; some men no fit even catch am. Dem dey big well well, she said, explaining why she is called fisherwoman.

As she walked into her apartment in an uncemented building of about four rooms without a kitchen, toilet or bathroom, she called on her daughter who was preparing starch, a famed delicacy of the Southsouth people.

We don get visitor, warm the Owoh soup again, she said with a mind of entertaining the visitor.

Fisherwoman, no worry. I don chop, the reporter declined.

This was around 3pm. Mrs Joel said she cancelled her appointments because of her special client whom she went to massage at home. Na those kind work na im money dey dey inside. Because of you I no go do any work again. I go massage your body before you go. You go like am,she said.

The reporter sat under her massage. It was quite relaxing. Mrs Joel showed what a typical massage session looks like. “I do not need x-ray. My hand is the x-ray.

Once I touch the bone I know where the problem is,” she said as she touched the bones.

As she chatted happily about her life, it was evident that this hard worker is not weighed down by the fact that her children’s father finally broke up with her, perhaps because of the responsibility involved in caring for the large family. She is strong and determined. When

LIVING she is not taking a fishing expedition in her boat at the lagoon, she is massaging bodies or midwifing. Her services are on high demand, so much that on busy days, she takes her bath around 3 and 4 in the afternoon, it was learnt.

“I do not depend on one thing otherwise my children will go hungry. And you cannot kill the man because of money. I do a lot of things. I am a fisherwoman; setting broken bones, massaging and midwifery are my specialty.

All my work have their days of profit. I use the money I get from my works to train my children in school. My first daughter is a caterer.”

Everyday, the early hours welcomes her with chains of clients who either want a massage or to get delivered of their babies. She does all these in her small room. Mrs Joel let the reporter into her secrets for attracting and keeping her customers. Her room is furnished with a bed, TV set and DVD (for her client’s enjoyment). Philanthropy is, perhaps, another major quality that endears her to people. She takes deliveries free, it was learnt. She said she does it for God’s sake.

While others in the area charge between N1,000 and N1,500 for a massage session, she takes between 300

‘I do not depend on one thing otherwise my children will go hungry. And you cannot kill the man because of money. I do a lot of things. I am a fisherwoman; setting broken bones, massaging and midwifery are my specialties. All my work have their days of profit. I use the money I get from my works to train my children in school. My first daughter is a caterer’

and 500. For bone setting, she charges between N6,000 and N10,000 while others demand between N30,000 and N40,000, it was gathered.

“I work at night too. People don’t allow me to sleep.

When labour holds them or broken bone in middle of the night, I pity people a lot, I cannot send them away. Some would come without money; some would even run away with the money,” she said.

She said bone-setting is profitable because of the number of clients. She said she got the massaging skills from her father.

“The job of a TBA is dangerous because of complications. But, I thank God that for the 20 years I have been doing it, all the children I delivered are alive.

The first is married now. Some of her children have taken after her massaging skills,” Mrs Joel said.

She expressed the willingness to learn more skills, saying she is aware that the Lagos State government has a programme for TBAs. “I have heard that the government is training people. I don’t know how to get picked for such training. I don’t have or know how to give the injection they give to women before delivery or how to put drip. I am sure that is what they are talking about which would help me carry out my work. And that is why I do not train others because if they go out and make a mistake, people would ask who trained them,” Mrs Joel said.

For those with the superstitious belief that such work is connected to the power of the sea, she said: “I attend Redeemed Christian Church of God. They call me Mama Redeem. Mine does not belong to Mammy water. The skill of delivery came to me in a vision.”

Mrs Joel also uses her boat as a shopping mall for sailors anchored at sea. And so, most weekends you will find her taking her wares through the heavy current to ships anchored at the banks and at sea. She sells drinks and other products to sailors (foreigners and indigenous ones). There are no drink depots on the Island. And so, she usually rents a speed boat for N3,000, which she • takes to the Mainland to get wares which cost her N3,000.

And sometimes, depending on the pace of business, she makes such trips two to three times monthly. Mrs Joel said, it is worth it.

•Continued on page 31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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The Midweek Magazine LIFELINE

Nigerian woman stabs husband to death over marital dispute

W

HAT initially looked like a normal fight between a Nigerian couple over sex, turned bloody when the wife stabbed the husband several times, resulting in the death of a 42-year-old man at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi.

Rashida Yetunde, 37, allegedly used a sharp knife to stab Maruuf Akinjobi three times in the chest, sending the stoutly-built man down, before stabbing him again and again in the abdomen when the deceased allegedly tried to rape her.

The intestines of Maruuf gushed out as he bled profusely amid wailing for help in their locked room on Tuesday around 10:30pm, the police told DAILY GUIDE. The suspect, after committing the heinous crime, left the man to his fate in the locked room, threw the knife into a nearby bush and fled with her five-year-old son in the dark to avert being apprehended. Some Good Samaritans residing in the same house who heard the dying man crying for help forcibly broke into the room and quickly sent him to hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

Briefing DAILY GUIDE, the Asawase District Police Commander, DSP Nana Kumi, said the stabbed man was initially sent to the police station by his helpers and he was issued with a medical form to visit the hospital for treatment but it was too late.

The police chief noted that the suspect, Rashida personally visited the police station around 4am on Wednesday to report that she stabbed her husband the previous night during a fight. Aware that the man had passed away, the police decided to detain the lady to assist in investigations.

Her five-year-old son with the deceased has been given to the family of the departed husband to take care of. DSP Kumi disclosed that Rashida, during interrogation, said she met the deceased in Benin where he proposed love to her which she agreed to in 2004.

According to her, her late husband, while proposing to her, said he had divorced his wife so he was single. The suspect said some years later, she realised that her husband was befriending her friend who lived with them in the same house at Nima, adding that she also detected that the husband was also having an affair with his ex-wife who resided in Nigeria. Rashida became angry because she thought the husband was cheating on her so she moved from the deceased’s Nima house in Kumasi to live at Asokore Mampong with her five-year-old son.

On Tuesday evening, the suspect was with her son in their room at Asokore Mampong when the estranged husband visited her around 10:30pm. Rashida claimed the husband owed her an amount of money and therefore demanded it.

The husband replied that he was not in the position to pay the money to her at the moment and pleaded that Rashida should allow him to travel to Nigeria on a business trip, promising to settle the debt on his return. The suspect refused to accept her husband’s plea so she held his shirt, insisting that until the husband settled the debt, she would not allow him to leave the room.

Suddenly, a skirmish ensued between the couple and Rashida claimed that her husband assaulted her during the brawl until tempers were calmed down and peace was restored between the two. About 30 minutes after the brawl, Akinjobi pleaded with his wife to have sex with him but Rashida, who was still angry, stressed that she would not allow a man who had just beaten her to sleep with her.

Her refusal to go to bed with him infuriated Akinjobi, Rashida said, adding that the deceased then pushed her against a table in the room and then tried to rape her. She said in an attempt to scare away her husband from raping her, she picked a sharp knife which she used to stab the man on the chest which dazed him and sent him to the floor. She then stabbed him several times in the stomach before fleeing.

Seun Kuti on tour of US

F

ELA’S Egypt 80 Band led by Seun Anikulapo Kuti has embarked on a two-month musical tour of the United States. The band, which departed Nigeria on March 13, will be performing at major concert and festival venues promoting Seun Kuti’s second album From Africa with Fury: RISE. The band opening show is in Austin, Texas at the SXSW, a music exhibition festival. According to the promoters of the event, Seun Kuti is the first artiste to get paid to perform in over 50 years as all artistes have been performing free at the prestigious music exhibition.

Some of the venues the band is expected to perform are New Orleans Jazz Festival, Los Angeles, Centre for Arts, Grass Valley, California, House of Blues, Chicago, Highline Ballroom, New York, Rhythm Foundation, Miami, Coachella-Indio, California and the House of Blues, New Orleans, Los Angeles.

Afro beat fans in the United States are reported to be excited about the tour having watched the Broadway musical FELA currently making waves in Europe and the United States. The band is expected back into the country end of May.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Connecting two worlds through movie

L

OVERS of Nollywood and Bollywood films may not have to wait for long for a film where life’s experiences of the two worlds are represented.

The cross-cultural movie, entitiled: J.U.D.E, has been shot by a Nigerian — Chukwuma Osakwe.

The filmmaker is out with the movie, which he says will bridge the gap between cultures. It will be unveiled at the City Mall, Onikan, Lagos on March 31.

Although a proudly Nigerian movie, as Osakwe will want it to be known, it is a celebration and fusion of the very rich cultures of the two great nations; the first of its kind — the best of both worlds.

Shot on location in Nigeria and India, J.U.D.E. is an emotional story of a passionate young man; his quest, passion, trials, pain and his victory. The character is used by the writer to peg the frustrations young people encounter in their quest to achieve their desires.

He said: “Nigeria and India have so many things in common: from corrupt leaders to power outages, unemployment and a lot of people living below the poverty line even in the midst of plenty. So, the choice of India came as almost natural, which I think is also besides the fact that no one else has done a movie of this kind.”

Osakwe, averse to the recycling of stories that’s typical of Nollywood films, prefers to make films that speak to the world from the point of view of a Nigerian.

Set in Lagos, Nigeria and Chandigarh city in Punjab, India, J.U.D.E is a bi-cultural, political and contemporary feature that underlines the discrimination in class, religion, social standing and race, bringing to the fore, the need to stay determined in the pursuit of excellence.

In the movie, the frustrations (the conflict) came in the scenes where the protagonist has to battle work pressure and visa denials. The protagonist and his Indian counterpart are victims. The protagonist is a victim being tagged a terrorist, because of his country. Other sub-plots are racism, discrimination in class, religion and social standing.

•Lovina Querashi, a key actor

By Evelyn Osagie

FILM Overall, the story leaves a very important lesson – obstacles will surely come your way; it is up to you to determine whether to turn them into stepping stones to glory or let them become stumbling blocks that will mar your dreams for good.

“It is all determination, guts and the will to survive is in every man, but only you can choose which to use. These inspired the the title J.U.D.E,” Osakwe said.

Fishing in the day, healing at night •Continued from page 30

“By the time I finish selling my wares to the oyibo and men on the ship, I would have covered all the expenses.”

Of her vocations, she said fishing is the most lucrative.

It is a lifelong hobby and source of livelihood for Mrs Joel.

“I started fishing when I was four; I have been swimming all my life. As was the custom in my place, they’d put us in a boat and ask us to control it; that was how I began my journey as a fisherwoman. For us then, it was competition to get the best catch. Today, I am into fishing business, but I only sell the fish I catch. Sometimes, I make N50,000 in one week. And all my children know how to ride a boat and fish. Dem be expert now,” she said.

No doubt, she is skilled and knowledgeable. Her prowess came into play when she offered to take this reporter on a fishing expedition. It was amazing how flawlessly she prepares for the expedition. If not for the fright of the heavy current at sea, this reporter would have joined in the expedition.

For anyone intending to go for a low-key fishing expedition, she said: “You must have a boat, paddle, net and a basket built into a large plastic bowl surrounded with hooks, lines and crayfish. Put the crayfish in the hooks; throw the hooks into the water and within an hour draw them up. Anyone wey God put there na im be your own, she said.

On fishing with the net, she said she sometimes goes at night into deeper waters and return in the morning or goes in the morning and comes back at night. She said she is fortunate that she does not have to stay on for days at sea before she makes a good catch.

With all the money she is believed to have made, one expects that she should be living a better standard of life.

She blames it on the government and the lack of amenities in the place. The place lacks electricity and pipe borne water, among others.

She said: Government no try at all. Dem dey give people outside things wey go make their life better like light and water. But dem no give us anything. We dey suffer but na we dey vote pass. For us, this water na our life - without this water

•Mrs Joel

we no go eat. Yet, we no get drinking water for here. At least make them give us water...and road. We dey kill big fish for here but nobody know except some oyibo and some people wey go come buy for we hand with engine boat. Many people dey fear to cross water.To do fish work with this kind my boat no easy o because na hand-pulling and na power you go use. Na dis kind boat many people get. If I get engine I go fit go far go fish and catch many fish. I no dey fit do fishing all the time now because people done pursue de fish dem go far. Make dem helep us.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

BOOK REVIEW Title:

Patriotic Thoughts: A collection of poems

Author:

Yinka Fayemi

Reviewer:

Evelyn Osagie

Publisher:

Derate Nigeria Limited

Date of Publication:

2005

Pagination:

47

Y

INKA Fayemi’s Patriotic Thoughts: A collection of poems is sure to spark off several questions in the hearts of its readers. The 47-page book is basically poetic observations of the author. Readers will discover as they peruse the book that its thematic preoccupations are very much relevant today.

The language is simple; the choice of words is easily accessible. Although the poems do not follow any rhythmic pattern, some of the lines are rhythmic in nature while reflecting on everyday happenings in life which the reader can identify with. To achieve a high effect of musicality, in subsequent collection, the author should maintain a continuous flow of rhythm within each poem.

From patriotic to motivational, didactic and satirising, the work takes its reader into a thought-journey over man’s existence, nation and more. It, in fact, touches all spheres of modern African life. And as one travels with the author, one is faced with salient rhetorical questions over happenings around us...happenings that have remained the same over the years. Thus, it is interesting how a work of art, written about six years ago, could still speak to today’s audience.

As one opens up the 15-poem collection, a hearty overview of the book beckons on the sensibility of the reader. The weighty summary forms the foreword written by Television Continental (TVC) General Manager, Mr Dele Alake, who was former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy. Of the author’s effort, he wrote: “She succeeds marvelously in ‘democratising’ poetry and showing that it is an art form, which is relevant to our daily lives as human beings.”

With the thematic preoccupation and choice of words in her poems, one can see Fayemi is optimistic about her country. She calls for a collective effort in making Nigeria, as she puts it, ‘our dream country’. The author’s thought on Living the Nigerian Dream, one of the poems in the collection, is particularly interesting. In it, she reiterates an unspoken crave for a better nation locked deeply in the hearts of many.

The author ponders thus: “When will it happen...

When will it evolve The Nigerian Dream.... ...We’ve got to have the Nigerian dream The Nigerian dream must be a reality” Nigerians Away is equally appealing. It satirises the dis-

Timeless reflections criminating attitudes of some Nigerians who live abroad who while abroad would rather they are not addressed as Nigerians. She describes them as “white men in black skin. Nigerians away.” After castigating the funny attitudes, Fayemi posits that perhaps: They are battling with shattered dreams They are coming to terms with lost hopes But who says you cannot return home, fellow Nigerians To join hands in building a new Nigeria A Nigeria of our collective dreams” Perchance, seeing that certain things have remained unchanged in the polity, the author ponders aloud about the futility of life in the poem, What Life is really About?

She says: “When I see able beggars on the streets

BOOK REVIEW Title:

The Only Remedy

Author:

Innocent Omozokpia

Reviewer:

Chris Oji

Publisher:

We Wisdom Publishers

Date of Publication:

2005

Pagination:

149

The remedy

“W

HEN the cord that binds a seemingly united family together suddenly gets broken, only time could tell and possibly predict the conse-

quences thereafter.”

The Only Remedy by Innocent Omozokpia opens with a testament of intellectual discovery into the domestic struggle and rivalry in a typical polygamous home in Nigeria. The family gradually descends into the limbo of domestic war as a result of the death of the owner of the household. The first wife possessed and gripped by the unquenchable inferno of hatred and jealousy plots the downfall of the second wife and her children. But at the end justice prevails… and nothing ever remains the same again.

The novel encourages the readers to embrace the virtues of hard work, honesty and humility. These virtues are evidently manifested in the life of the hero, Osarobo.

This theme is clearly reflected in the lives of all the major characters. The novel gives credence to the biblical saying: “whatever a man soweth, that shall he also Reap” (Galatians 6:7). Each character is rewarded according to his labour – good or bad.

When I see the disabled begging for alms...

I really wonder what life is is all about...”

Fayemi also goes patriotic again with Think Ekiti. She enjoins her fellow countrymen thus: “As you admire the hills and the vegetation As you walk the red earth As you behold the rustic scenery...

In the towns and villages Let your heart swell with pride Think Ekiti...”

It is often said that a literary piece should be beyond aestatic, hence, the author speaks out against corrupt politicians in Senator Wokilumo, and slothful public office holders/ civil servants, while calling to attention the plights of the unemployed the country in Millennium Officers.

Visitors to Lagos would find Fayemi’s observation of the mega city in Eko, Our Dear Lagos, an apt description of its cosmopolitan zest. Lagos, she says is: “An exciting city, full of surprises/thrills upon thrills by the second...Never a dull moment...Always on the hyper lane...”

She compares the cleanliness and population of the modern-day Lagos to what it was in the old days saying: “Lagosians look forward to the day.When Lagos will return to the way it used to be...” Although the city is still densely populated, little did the author know two years after she wrote the collection, the move towards making it a megacity would pick up the kind of speed that it has experienced in the last five years. Although more work needs to be done to completely rid the city off its dirt, still, Lagosians are already witnessing the massive transformations which are still ongoing. Perhaps it is what has inspired the new slogan: “Lagos is working, Fashola is working”.

In The Nude Bride and Boosy, the author condemns certain grime values that came with ‘civilization’ – nudity. She calls for sanity; and praises to the high heaven chastity and the marriage tradition in Marital Bliss.

Ori Olori is another interesting metaphoric piece that captures the peculiar nature of women’s fashionable hairdos, relating them to the different races.

Also, she shows her esteem in our ‘mother tongue’ as she promotes its importance of in the poem Mother Tongue, Condemns Tongue. To those who rebuke their children at home when they communicate in their mother tongue, Fayemi says: “To hate the mother tongue is to be naïve...”

The thoughts of the 47-page collection are timeless, raising endless rhetorical question. And as is hoped by the author, may be, some day such reflections will break the sleep of silence in our body polity. Perhaps Fayemi’s Patriotic Thoughts will make patriots of the nation’s unpatriotic hearts some day.

CONFERENCE

Leadership conference holds in Accra

I

NTEGRITY magazine will hold the third edition of its yearly conference at Golden Tulip Hotel, in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, April 28 from 9 am.

According the magazine’s Director of Public Affairs, the event’s theme Leadership and proven integrity, transparency and accountability: The way forward for Africa will be delivered by Dr Foloki Ebibotei, a Senior Lecturer, School of Graduate Studies, University of Winneba, Ghana. Other discussants are Prof Peter Erutor, director, Centre for Research and International Programme (CIRP), Delta State University, Abraka; Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, vice chancellor, University of Ghana and Prof. Atvu Atsu Geores, a Senior Lecturer, University of Togo.

Expected to attend the event are Ghanaian President Atta Mills; and his Nigerian and Liberian counterparts Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Mrs Ellen Sirleaf. He added that awards would be conferred on some Africans who have distinguished themselves in their various fields

POEM

Tears of dark flesh

By Akewusola Habib.

The book highlights the dangers of political thuggery and political hypocrisy while urging the youths to abstain from being used as thugs during elections. The author presents his ideas in a story form in order to give the readers the benefit of entertainment as they flip through the pages of the fascinating book which can comfortably be regarded as a manual for successful living.

The diction is unbelievably simple yet so rich and captivating. The author makes judicious use of carefully selected proverbs, metaphors, idioms and imageries no reader will ever forget in a hurry.

Cheers has been long said For my head.

The weather forecast predicts a Terrible temperature to comprehend.

Tears of revenge flow as My star goes shallow.

Stoning of fruits is old As darks root.

Thanks has no rank Pronounce, it appears every clan.

Several times I ask the mirror, Will my flesh make the nearest Future, My flesh would never turn red I don’t breath in regrets, All, lay on their chest in pretences Not knowing when sleep comes To blend.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

EXHIBITION

Terra Kulture hosts Woman forms, desires

A

•John Momoh

•Emeka Mba

Foreign filmmakers for I-Rep festival

T

OP filmmakers and scholars from France, Germany, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa will join their counterparts from Nigeria for a fourday I-Represent Documentary Film Festival featuring training, workshop and film screening at two venues in Lagos beginning tomorrow.

Participants at the festival, which made its debut last year include Chairman of Channels Television Mr John Momoh; Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board Mr Emeka Mba; Nigerian/German filmmaker Branwen Okpako; German Director Jens Wenkel; Kathrin Springer (Producer, South Africa); Ulla Wessler (DokFEst Munich); Bärbel Mauch (producer, Berlin); Ms. Katarina Hedren; and Professor Jean-Paul Colleyn (Director of Institute of African Studies, Paris).

The festival will run from tomorrow to March 25 at Terra-Culture, Victoria Island, Lagos, and Freedom Park, Broad Street. It is holding in partnership with the Goethe Institut, which is facilitating the participation of international filmmakers who would be presenting films as well as conducting training workshops.

It will feature screenings and discussions at Terra Kulture each day from 10am to 5pm and screenings from 7pm to 11pm Thursday to Saturday and from 10am to 10pm on Sunday at Freedom Park’s outdoor theatre only.

The festival is conceptualised on the framework of Africa In Self Conversation, and it would explore the theme: Democracy And Culture - The Documentary Film Intervention.

As would be deduced from the unprecedented and sporadic people’s mass action that attended the January 1, 2012 removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, a new sense of participation in governance is evolving on the African continent. It is thus increasingly becoming important to explore opportunities open to African filmmakers to bring better understanding and approaches to participatory democracy as a part of African political culture through the medium of documentary films.

The scope of the festival would cover such areas as democracy and demonstrations, new media technology and participatory democracy, and the potentials of the Nigerian films to explore and exploit the documentary format in its production values.

A key subtheme in the 2012 iREP Documentary Film Festival is: Is Nollywood Documentary? This will feature a conversation among filmmakers and the public on the potentials of Nollywood films to embrace the documentary ethics in its operation and outputs. A key area of discourse would be the need to explore the production and distribution potentials and schemes of Nollywood towards achieving documentary objectives.

Prof Jean-Paul Colleyn (Director of Institute of African Studies, Paris) will deliver the keynote tommorrow at 10am. Jean Paul-Colleyn is an anthropologist, filmmaker and professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, France as well as Director of the Centre for African Studies (Institute of African Studies). He has conducted extensive fieldwork research in West Africa; and of the group is engaged in a research project in Mali. He was a producer at Arte TV channel (1988-98); visting professor at New York University (1998-2001); Commissioned Editor of the series ‘The Art of the Myth’ (Arte, 2009-2010); Director of over 30 docu-

FILM mentary films and author of over 14 books and many scholarly essays on documentary films, Art and African Studies and Culture.

Also speaking at the Festival are luminaries with vast knowledge and relevant experience in filmmaking and the media. They include the Chairman of Channels Television, Mr John Momoh, a veteran documentarist and award-winning journalist, Mr Emeka Mba, DirectorGeneral of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and a renowned authority on New Media channels for content management and distribution.

Notable among international Fimmakers participating are Nigerian/German filmmaker Branwen Okpako who will be screening her internationally acclaimed film The Re-education of Obama; German Director Jens Wenkel; Kathrin Springer (Producer, South Africa); Ulla Wessler (DokFEst Munich) and Bärbel Mauch (producer, Berlin).

An important feature of this festival is a producers’ roundtable conference featuring conversation on Strategies For International Co-Production to be attended by documentary filmmakers from Cameroon, Germany, Ghana and Nigeria. It will be moderated by Ms. Katarina Hedren, a key promoter of the Documentary Network Africa Initiative. Ms. Hendren is the former chair of the Swedish based film festival, CinemAfrica, and she works as a translator/interpreter, as well as discussion and workshop moderator/facilitator/designer, film programmer, film critic, and writer with South African producers and directors as well as organisations such as Tri-Continental Film Festival, People to People Conference, Encounters International Documentary Festival, The Goethe-Institut and FESPACO. She is the coordinator of the Mokolo project - an initiative that aims to create a virtual platform for web content relating to African audiovisual industries, thus improving the accessibility and visibility of African audiovisual content and professionals.

The training workshop of the festival will hold at the Freedom Park on Friday and Saturday and it will feature facilitators such as versatile producer of African films, Barbel Mauch from Germany; veteran documentarist and TV manager, Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun; TV documentarist, Cyril Okonkwo; filmmaker, diplomat Ambasssador Yussuf Mamman; and film and photo documentarist, Tam Fiofori and Festival Executive Director Femi Odugbemi.

The festival will be screening over 20 films at Terra Kulture during the day and from 7pm to 11pm at Freedom Park each night. Notable films on the schedule include “LAGOS: Notes of a City” by Jens Wenkel, “Linking Africa” by Michael Grotenhoff, “RedHot Nigeria” by Sandra Obiago, “Espoir Voyage” by Michel Zongo, “And the Chain was Not” by Femi Odugbemi, “An African Election” by Jarreth Merz, “Duniya Juyi juyi” by Abdullahi Yahaya Sa’ad and “The Guantanamo Trap” by Thomas Wallner. The award ceremony will also be staged during which a few well-appointed veteran professionals would be inducted into the iREP/ West Africa Documentary Film Forum’s Hall of Fame in recognition of the selfless service they have rendered the vocation in their individual career journey.

SOLO art exhibition of paintings, Woman forms, desires by Fidel Oyiogu will open on April 9, at the Terra Kulture Art Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibits will address issues that interest women, such as glamour, elegance, beauty, respect and honour in the society.

The opening will be chaired by founder, OYASAF, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, while Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi will be the chief guest of honour. Mr Sammy Olagbaju is the father of the day, while Munzali Dantata is guest of honour.

The exhibition, which will run till April 15, is being sponsored by OYASAF and Nkem Gallery, Lagos.

Mr Fidel Nnamdi Oyiogu is not a stranger to the modern Nigerian art scene. He trained at the famous Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, between 1980 and 1985, where he bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Fine and Applied Art (Painting Major). The Imo Stateborn fine artist won the NYSC grand annual award at the National Art Theatre, Lagos.

Among his recent solo exhibitions are Africa Art Gallery, Seeheim Germany (2008), Augus, solo art exhibition at African Restaurant (adas buka) Lautertal Germany, art exhibition at Ebony Hotels and Restaurant, Stuttgart Germany (June-August 2010), and art exhibition at Savanna Hotels in Lich, (September-December 2010).

In 1987, he was appointed the GM/Chief illustrators at ITMP Investments Limited, Apapa Lagos before moving to The Mail newspaper as Senior Cartoonist / Illustrator – later in the year till 1988. Oyiogu was also pioneer Executive Cartoonist/illustrator at the Champion Newspaper, Lagos between 1988 and 1992.

Some of his major art exhibitions include joint exhibition Our Heroes Past at the National Theatre (1989), Aragon Art Gallery Maiden Exhibition (1990), group exhibition The Way We Are at the National Museum, Lagos (1994), joint exhibition at the Goethe Institut, Victoria Island, Lagos (1992), Nigeria International Management art exhibition (1992), City Hall group exhibition (1993), group exhibition at the National Art Theatre, Lagos (1994), National Museum, Lagos (1996), contemporary Christian art exhibition Jesus and His Works at Salvation Centre GRA, Ikeja (June 1996), Copyright group art exhibition at the National Theatre (1998), and group exhibition Contemporary Art in Africa at the French Cultural Centre, Lagos (1998).

NICO boss loses uncle

A

FRONTLINE Ijaw leader and an uncle to the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Comrade JD Ayakoroma is dead.

Comrade JD, as he was fondly called, a first member, Area Customary Court, Patani, Delta State, died in an accident. He was aged 69. Reports have it that he was killed by a trailer in the accident, which occurred at Adagbabiri, near Sagbama, on the East-West Road. He died on the spot.

The deceased, who was the President of Lay Judges Association, Delta State, was among those who joined the late Isaac Adaka Boro in his struggle to liberate the Ijaw nation in the 60s.

He wrote a book, Rivers State: The Root of all Ijaws, which led to his detention by the then Gen. Yakubu Gowon administration, because the contents of the book were seen by the authorities as inciting and treasonable.

He was later released after concerted efforts by Ijaw leaders; and he was later appointed by then Military Governor of Rivers State, Commander Alfred DieteSpiff, as a pioneer staff of the Nigerian Tide, the state newspaper, since he (JD) had trained as a printer.

JD, a committed trade unionist, was for many years President of the Printers and Publishers Workers Union of Nigeria (PAPWUN), Rivers State, where he contributed immensely to staff welfare. He ventured into the murky waters of politics and was a founding member of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Rivers State.

His death has left a vacuum as he would be missed by the people of Angiama, in Sagbama and Patani LGAs in Delta and Bayelsa states, the entire Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta as well as members of New Jerusalem Church of Christ, where he was a leader.

He is survived by his wife, Akpoebi, and three children (two boys and one girl), Oyinkuro, Ayibaemi, and Tokoni.

•Ayakoroma

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

36

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Blowing to entertain, shooting for records Part of the scenes recorded during an event at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

• PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

• Trupeter

• Cameramen

CELEBRATION

Grand pullout for ‘culture man ’

T

HE former director, National Institute for Cultural Orientation Training School, Lagos, Mr Innocent Itapah, Azuobu has been sent off by staff of the institute in Lagos.

The event, which was organised by the training school, was also a moment to celebrate the out-going director for his immense contribution to the growth and development of NICO. Azuobu until his retirement served as director in four different capacities at various times in NICO. He served in the Department of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Research and Documentation, Administration and finance and, lastly, the training school. He was described as a meticulous and hard working staff of the institute.

•Chisom Mouttoh presenting Azuobu with a gift on behalf of the school

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

38

•Participants and trainers at the end of the programme

A

TRAINING programme begun two months ago on the prevention of human trafficking has ended in Jos, Plateau State. One hundred and eighteen people participated in the programme organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

They were trained on investigation, intelligence, enforcement, law as well as drills and basic computer appreciation.

The training which took place at the Regional Academy for Drug Control, Jos, the training arm of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), drew participants from NAPTIP’s seven zones of Lagos, Uyo, Benin, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kano and Enugu as well as its headquarters in Abuja.

All the participants got their certificates while those who excelled in the training were given awards.

Speaking at the end of the camp,

Agency ends training on trafficking prevention From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, represented by the NDLEA’s Director of Training, Mr. Sunday Mbona, said the officers also participated in “unique courses offered in the Mountain School of the Citizenship and Leadership Training

Centre” in Jos. He urged them to make effective use of the knowledge they gained in the training.

He told them: “The training given to you must not be wasted as you are to uphold our national image and pride in the comity of nations; assist to enhance the human dignity of Nigerians as enshrined in our constitution”.

I commend NAPTIP for their efforts in seeing that this modern-day slavery called trafficking especially of the girl-child is greatly reduced

The Commandant of the NDLEA Regional Academy, Gaura Shedow and the Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Agba, appealed to the trainee graduates to be good ambassadors of the country as they discharge their duties.

The duo maintained that the training has provided the requisite discipline and orientation as well as law enforcement techniques to the participants as they go back to their respective zones knowing that “the criminals we chase are daily devising new means to outwit us,” hence, “we cannot afford to relax in seeking new knowledge in tackling them”.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang appreciated the collaboration between NAPTIP and NDLEA

and urged the agencies to make effort in the fight against child trafficking and drug abuse so as to rescue the youths from self-destruction.

Governor Jang who spoke through the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Olivia Dazyem, further advised them to collaborate with other security agencies and ensure that “this modern crime against humanity” is reduced to the barest minimum not only in Plateau State but Nigeria at large.

“I commend the NDLEA for their efforts in reducing drug intake in the state,” the governor said. “I also commend NAPTIP for their efforts in seeing that the modern-day slavery called trafficking especially of the girlchild is greatly reduced.”

200 Lagos women empowered in soap making

N

O fewer than 200 women and a few men were trained at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital on how to make soap.

Some of the women are indigent while others are living with HIV. The empowerment programme organised by the Great United Sisters International (GUSI), a non-governmentl organisation (NGO), drew participants from Ajah, Lekki, Epe, Akodo and environs.

GUSI said the training will make them independent and as such contribute to the financing of the home.

Medical Director, Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Lagos, Dr Donald Imosemi, said the ges-

Nobody can go hungry after receiving the knowledge of soap making because soap is used everywhere

By Wale Adepoju

ture was a good one to address the problem of unemployment, particularly among youths in the country.

“There people waiting to get a white collar job which may never be. Waiting for the government to provide jobs may mean waiting forever because it cannot provide job for everybody,” he added.

Imosemi said the programme will ensure reduction in poverty, a cardinal point in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) one and two.

He said more than 50 per cent of Nigerians live below N150 daily, adding that empowering the people will reduce poverty and as such solve the issue of health care.

Imosemi said many parents cannot bring their children to the hospital because of money. “Soap making is good because no family can live without it,” he added.

Imosemi enjoined the group to continue to help the poor to get out of poverty trap.

GUSI President, Mrs Gloria Shuaibu said nobody can go hungry after receiving the knowledge of soap making because soap is used everywhere.

She said packaging was essential to ensure proper sale of the soap made by the women, adding that: “If you sell and safe, you are saving for life.”

•Blessing Aluko explaining the process of soap mking to the trainees

Shuaibu said the product must be of high quality as well as the packaging to attract customers, adding that good packaging can only sell the product for a while but the content will make it an enduring product. There is no good packaging that can sell a bad

product for a long time, she said.

She distributed starter packs worth N5, 000 each to 60 participants received, adding that the organisation whose members are 20 with another branch in Abuja.

A resource person and member of the group, Mrs Edna Kpaji sen-

sitized the women on HIV and AIDS. Responding to the gesture, the participants thanked the group for the training, saying more training should be organised to help the needy overcome their financial problems.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

39

P

RINCESS Nikky Ugochukwu who represents Orumba South State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly where she serves as the chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, has shown tremendous love for the downtrodden.

Her commitment to the wellbeing of the less-privileged people has resulted in her empowering the widows, children and other poor people in the state in a manner that has been described as not only a yearly ritual but a monthly affair.

Through her empowerment programme in her constituency, she distributed clothes, and food items, among others to over 10,000 people, including children. This is aside the get-together she organised for children during the Yuletide period when she distributed assorted gifts ranging from clothes, cartons of milk, beverages, soaps and food items, among others to the children.

On where she draws her inspiration from, Princess Ugochukwu said that Governor Peter Obi’s commitment to the welfare of the people has continued to be a source of encouragement for her to do more for the less-privileged people.

Not only that Princess Nikky Ugochukwu has taken it as a responsibility to take care of the needy, the widows and children, she has equally transferred what she referred to as love to even members of her party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Apart from these, the lawmaker has ensured that constituency projects have gone round the 15 autonomous communities in the Orumba South Local Government Area. These are sinking of boreholes and other projects.

Speaking with Newsextra, a 52year-old widow from Ihite Community, Mrs Susana Okoro said

•Some of the beneficiaries

Lawmaker lifts widows, children From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Princess Ugochukwu had been distributing wrappers, food items, and money to the people of her constituency.

This, according to her, had been constant for the past five years. She prayed God to continue to bless the lawmaker in all her endeavours.

The chairman of APGA in the area, Tom Okoli told Newsextra that the lawmaker is the first representative from the area to present materials and money to Presidents-General and members of the party.

Also, the chairman, caretaker committee for Owerre-Ezukala community, Mr Alphonsus Ikegwu told Newsextra that the gesture has almost become a monthly ritual, even as he added that she has been

doing it every Christmas period.

He, however, said that the lawmaker does it at anytime now, not only during Christmas.

Ikegwu therefore appealed to other politicians in Orumba South Local Government Area to emulate Princess Ugochukwu’s effective representation.

Describing the lawmaker as a princess of the people, one of the beneficiaries, a 75-year-old Mrs. Grace Nwafor from Ogboji Community told Newsextra that since her husband died some years back; it is Princess Ugochukwu that has been instrumental to her being alive.

She further said before the lawmaker was elected into the state House of Assembly, she had been sponsoring some of the children in the area going into school.

There is nothing I do for my constituents that I see as too much. Everybody deserves to be happy in life. Moreover, these children are the leaders of tomorrow. If we do not give them that sense of belonging, it will become a painful experience to some of them in future •Princess Ugochukwu

S

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has approved the release of over N339.6m as registration fees for students in tertiary institutions who are indigenous to the state. The approved sum covers two academic sessions.

Governor Wamakko , in a statement signed by the Information and Public Relations Officer, Isa

Nwafor said: “When her father who was the traditional ruler of Umunze then was alive, he was doing the same thing for people and we believe she took after her father who gave hope to the hopeless then.”

For Mrs. Pauline Okeke, a 64year-old widow from Ogbunka, Princess Ugochukwu has been the eye of her family for the past 10 years even when the lawmaker was working as a banker.

She said the people of her area did not know what borehole was until Princess Ugochukwu sunk one in Ogbunka after just one year in the legislature.

Some of Princess Ugochukwu’s achievements in her constituency, Newsextra learnt included attracting a general hospital to Umunze from the state government. Others are sinking of five boreholes; two in Umunze her community, one each in Ogbunka, Nawfia and Umuomaku, rehabilitation of schools, and rehabilitation of dilapidated town hall at Oneh.

Furthermore, the lawmaker has attracted a skill acquisition centre where about 200 youths in Umunze are learning different trades, among other forms of assistance to youths and other indigent people in the area.

Mrs. Theresa Ibe from Umuchukwu told Newsextra that Princess Ugochukwu, like her late father, Igwe M.N. Ugochukwu, is imbued with the virtue of service, adding that she could sacrifice personal gains and comfort to make others happy.

On why she ventured into being parents to the children and the poor and playing the role of husband to the widows, Hon. Princess Ugochukwu said the virtue to assist others is innate in her.

In a chat with Newsextra, she said that she feel pained seeing people created by God suffering, adding that she did not start it when she became a lawmaker, rather, it began when she was a child.

She said: “There is nothing I do for my constituents that I will see as being too much. Everybody deserves to be happy in life. Moreover, these children are the leaders of tomorrow. If we do not give them that sense of belonging, it will become a painful experience to some of them in future.

“On the part of the women, especially the widows, one has to make them think less of their departed husbands. What I’m doing is not because of politics; rather it is the path I chose in life.

“I have not finished serving my people. I still have more to do both now and in future. My promise to them is that I will never let them down”.

N339m lifeline for Sokoto students From Adamu Suleimnan, Sokoto

Shuni which was made available to journalists said that out of the amount, over N 194.625m is for the settlement of basic allowances of

all fresh and returning undergraduates of Usman Danfodiyo University , Sokoto for the 2011 / 2012 academic session.

He also said that over N145m was approved for the payment of the 2010/ 2011 arrears of allowances

•Chairman, Somolu Local Government, Lagos, Hon. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe (second left); his vice, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya (third left); Council Manager, Mrs Kehinde Babatunde (right), and Special Adviser for Budget and Planning, Hon. Temitope Lawal at the council’s 2012 Budget Retreat

for14, 777 students of the state in various Nigerian tertiary institutions.

In a separate statement, chairman of the scholarship board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jelani disclosed that about 4,325 of the benefiting undergraduates are at Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. He urged students to quickly make their personal details, including email accounts available to the university in line with its newly introduced policy of online registration.

He said: “They should therefore forward the same to the committee set up by the board, the fees’ invoice and the university’s clearance for verification and onward release of the stipulated registration fees without further delay,” the statement added.

According to the statement, students in Nigerian tertiary institutions who registered for the 2010 / 2011 session would receive the refunds of the fees paid only when they had presented fees’ invoices and bursary receipts to the committee.

Jelani commended the state gov-

•Wamakko ernment for its commitment to further advance the standard of higher education in the state.

He, however, appealed to the students to justify the state government’s huge investment by being committed to their academic careers.

“The state government will continue to assist the students in their academic endeavours, even as it will bear full responsibilities of registration fees and payment of scholarship grants to students,” he said.

40

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

It is not by my power.... My people have suffered so much and I am only giving back to a community that I’m privileged to have come from

Foundation gives water, generators to communities

F

OUR villages in Ideator Local Government Area, Imo State now have access to potable water, thanks to an organisation known as Uzotex Foundation.

The foundation sank a borehole in each of the villages. It also donated four generating sets to power the facilities.

The villages are Okwaraiheanekwe, Umuduruozokwere, Umuxurunuara and Obinugwu.

The villagers showed their joy as they gathered at the inauguration of the facilities. Tears of joy flowed as their decades-long search for water came to an end.

They hailed the President of the foundation, Mr Festus Mbisiogu, described as a young philanthropist.

Five months ago, Mbisiogu, who is also the President of Good Government Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which is championing the eradication of unstable electricity supply in the country, sunk three boreholes in three different villages. The three villages are Umuikpa, Obiohia and Ugbele.

In December 2011 also, the foundation donated over 100 bags of rice, vegetable oil and some other materials to indigent families in Ideator.

Some of the communities, it was gathered, had existed without potable water for over 40 years.

N

IGERIAN nurses in the Diaspora have advocated an end to discrimination against people with mental illness, even as they urged the Jonathanled administration to discourage the attitude through legislation.

In its advocacy against stigmatising those suffering from mental illness, the nurses, under the aegis of International Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria (IAPNN) spoke in Lagos at the ‘Unveiling of Mental Illness Anti-Stigma BillBoard recently. They called on government at all levels to promulgate laws that will make it mandatory for people not to discriminate

By Jude Isiguzo

Past governments were said to have made promise which they could not fulfil until Mbisiogu put them out of their nightmare.

In every of the benefiting community, men, women and children trooped out in their hundreds to celebrate the landmark event.

Some of the state government functionaries who witnessed the commissioning of the water projects are the Commissioner for Utilities, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Nwachukwu, who represented the state governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Kenneth Emelu, Transitional Committee Chairman of Ideator South, Mr Maxwel Nwokeje, four traditional rulers and the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) in Ideator South.

Dr Nwachukwu noted that the state government and the governor are happy that Mbisiogu is supporting the administration in developmental projects.

He explained that when the Okorocha administration came to power, it decided that it was not going to embark on the award of new water projects but to rehabilitate the existing ones that were abandoned by past administrations.

He said government discovered

•Mr Emelu; Dr Nwachukwu; Mr Mbisiogu and Mr Nwokeje

about 3200 abandoned water projects and has since started rehabilitating them, with some already completed.

Nwachukwu urged the people to support the administration in any way they can as the businesses of governance should not be left to government alone.

“It is a wonderful thing that Mbisiogu is complimenting the efforts of government in the state. We encourage everybody to emulate him so that the gains of develop-

ment would move faster,” he said.

Mbisiogu thanked God for using him to give water to the people of Ideator and promised to do more.

“It is not by my power,” he said.

“My people have suffered so much and I am only giving back to a community that I’m privileged to have come from. Whenever Governor Okorocha remembers these water boreholes, he will ensure that every household in Imo State has potable water. This is part of my effort to support the

governor in his rescue mission of the Imo people. We must continue to pray for him. The governor has declared free education for all; he is building hospitals in all the 27 LGAs, and he is carrying out massive road construction and reconstruction. We cannot leave everything to him”.

Mbisiogu noted that one of the objectives of the NGO is to stop women and children from trekking for almost two kilometres to get water.

‘Don’t discriminate against people with mental illness’

By Paul Oluwakoya

against them.

Mr. Adebowale Sodipo, Global President of IAPNN said: “It is a call on the government to introduce legislation protecting people with mental health problems from discrimination, create a flexible, rights-based structure of welfare benefits responsive to individual needs and adequately fund a comprehensive range of mental health

services, including medical and social care.”

According to Sodipo who was the guest speaker at the event, “it is time we accepted those who are affected by mental illness into our society without prejudice, with respect and without any stigma,” noting that “the days of restraining the mentally ill with ropes and shackles like cows are over.”

In his speech, the President of IAPNN in the United Kingdom, Mr. Dele Kolapo called for a change of

attitude in dealing with psychiatric patients, adding that there have been lots of cases about discriminatory treatments and systemic barriers against the mental health patients.

He said: “We need a change of attitude by government, professionals and the public through a programme of activities to redress the problem of social exclusion. The shift from institutional care to community-based care is still fairly recent and people have not had the experience of living and working with people with mental health problems in an open way. In the UK, the prejudice is at the extinct.”

In a chat with Newsextra, Mr. Dele Kolapo warned that “demonising” the mentally ill individuals will exacerbate their ailment, stating that any form of discrimination against them causes increased distress, increased medication and often leads to suicide attempt. “So I urge people to end mental stigmatisation,” he added.

Reiterating the commitment of IAPNN to end the discrimination, he said: “The association is set to embark on training of nurses and those who come in contact with psy-

chiatric patients on how to manage violence and aggression. We are also set to provide psychological support to other organisations that deal with traumatised citizens in times of crisis like flooding, fire out break, bereavement, loss of property and others.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba (FFNPH), Dr. Raman Lawal unveiled the billboard and seized the opportunity to appeal to organisations, corporate bodies, federal and state governments as well as well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the hospital to fight stigmatisation.

He noted that the hospital runs lots of friendly outlets on the public’s daily needs in its fight againt stigma.

“Our message is that Nigerians should change their perception about psychiatric hospital and patients. They should stop discrimination in employment, financial services and housing. Our hospital is home for visitation any time in the day all in the bid to fight stigmatisation of patients. We have a viewing centre, laundry and event centre,” he said.

The association is set to embark on training of nurses and those who come in contact with psychiatric patients on how to manage violence and aggression •Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Rahman Lawal flanked by Mr Sodipo (left) and Mr Kolapo

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

As Southwest governors forge ahead in their integration agenda, there is the fear that a slight political difference among stakeholders in one of the states in the zone portends a transcient drawback, reports Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

Who is against integration agenda in Southwest?

T

HE lopsided federal arrangement is a collective threat that should ordinarily unite progressives in the Southwest. Regional integration or collaboration, it is believed, is the first step towards the economic rejuvenation of the farflung region. However, suspicion in the zone among the leaders played itself out at the presentation of the ‘Development Agenda for Western Nigeria’ (DAWN) by Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) at the City Hall, Onikan, Lagos.

It was reminiscent of the Second Republic experience. Between October and December 1983, there was tension between the three Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) governors; Chief Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo), Alhaji Lateef Jakande (Lagos), Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Ogun), and the lone National Party of Nigeria (NPN) governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo over the management of Oodu conglomerate. The NPN forces wanted the assets to be divided among the states. But UPN governors resisted the option.

The DAWN presentation was chaired by the banker and politician, Mr. Fola Adeola. At the ceremony were Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos State), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun). Ondo State Governor Olufemi Mimiko, who was absent, was represented by his Environment Commissioner, Mr. Sola Ebiseni.

Also at the event were Senators Ayo Fasanmi, Bola Tinubu, Sola Adeyeye, Femi Lanlehin and Babafemi Ojudu; Chief Bisi Akande, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, and some traditional rulers from the zone.

Five out of six governors in the region belong to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Mimiko belongs to Labour Party (LP). There is no evidence to show that there is a sharp

disagreement between the ACN governors and LP governor about the prospects, challenges, merits and constraints of regional integration.

However, the political difference is still a set back.

At the summit organised by the Vintage Press Limited at Ibadan, stakeholders pointed out that successful implementation of the agenda may be predicated on political unity. Experts suggested that only progressive governors who share the same platform can effectively engage the challenges in an atmosphere of oneness.

In Lagos, the cracks on the political wall widened. Ebiseni fired the first salvo, when he raised serious objections to some historical misrepresentations in the DAWN blueprint. Many believed that the remarks paled into a book review. The commissioner lauded the ARG’s effort. But he said that the group missed the point when it stated that oil was first discovered in Oloibiri.

He said the golden egg was first sighted in Ilaje area of Ondo State by white men who could not commence exploration because of the outbreak of the civil war. In Ebiseni’s view, the state should have been more projected in the compendium.

Previously, ARG had gone round the region to present the document to the executive and legislative arms.

However, sources said that the delegation met a brick wall in Ondo State. Although Governor Mimiko had reiterated support for the initiative, it was difficult for the ARG team to present the blue-print to him and the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, despite the fact that it was relatively easier to brainstorm with their counterparts in other states. Efforts to do so failed in Akure, the state capital.

Ebiseni’s speech trailed those of Governors Ajimobi, Amosun, Fayemi and Fashola. But it preceded Aregbesola’s remarks. The Osun

• Aregbesola

state governor, like other Action Congress(AC) leaders had stood behind Mimiko during the battle for the restoration of his stolen mandate. Naturally, AC leaders expected more political interaction, intimacy and understanding between them and Mimiko.

Aregbesola brought the political gap and differences into the fore in his speech. He evoked passion as he recounted the cost of the restoration battle in the Southwest, especially the fierce fight between ACN and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd). He observed that since reality had dawned on the region that it must take its destiny in its hand, it must forge a bond of unity. Put succinctly, Aregbesola said that Southwest states should come under the same political umbrella to present a common front for development.

In response to Ebiseni’s comment about certain omissions or inaccuracies in the DAWN, the governor observed that, if Mimiko had agreed to team up with them, despite repeated overtures, that would not have occurred. Therefore, in line with the wish of his party, Aregbesola submitted that it would be in the interest of the development agenda that ACN should gain control of Ondo State.

At that point, Ebiseni interrupted the governor. To statesmen, politicians, government officials and security agents, that amounted to a breach of protocol. But others overlooked it since Ebiseni was representing his governor. First, the commissioner jumped up from his seat on the high table, but he was calmed down by Adeola and other governors who asked Aregbesola to quickly round off his remarks.

Aregbesola said that he was not done yet. When the chairman urged him to hurry up, he threatened to invoke his executive powers. At the mention of invocation of executive power by the Osun governor, his Lagos counterpart, Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, adjusted himself on his seat. When the commissioner, who was being pacified by people on the high table, sat again, he kept pointing fingers at Aregbesola, indicating his objection to the governor’s remarks. Ebiseni’s protest was met with a loud condemnation by the audience. Indeed, the hall had become divided.

However, Bankole tilted support towards Ebiseni, saying that “power is transcient”. He said elected official would enjoy a permanent tenure.

Two other speakers; Tinubu and Lagos lawyer Femi Falana, intervened as moral voices. Tinubu chided Ebiseni for playing the self-imposed role of a book reviewer, adding that he should have exercised maturity and character expected from men on the high table. The former governor said that, if an aide is sent to deliver the message which a slave should bear, the onus is on him to deliver it as a son. Then, he dwelt on the urgency of faithfully implementing the document with sincerity, warning that delay could be dangerous.

Falana supported Aregbesola’s view. His grouse was that certain people who supporters the killers of prominent Yoruba leaders during the dark period were given opportunity to address the audience. He said these people had nothing to contribute to the agenda.

Falana alluded to the philosophical dimension of the initiative, saying that it critical to the implementation of the agenda. He said a line of demarcation is required between the genuine lovers of the Southwest and the enemies of the region, who are estranged from the legitimate vision and aspirations of the zone.

Revenue formula must change in favour of states, says Orji The Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, has been in the news, joining debate on national policies. He speaks in this interview on the direction of state policy in Abia State in his second term. UGOCHUKWU EKE was at the session.

• Orji

Y

OUR colleagues from the North are calling for a change in the revenue sharing formula, do you subscribe to that?

Yes, I subscribe to a change in the revenue sharing formula in the country, as it will give more funds to the states and local government areas across the country. Once the revenue formula is changed and more funds come to the various governments, the rate of development will in-

crease How did you tackle kidnapping in the state, because at a time it looked like the state was going to collapse under their threat?

Do you need to remind me of that dark period? The security system in the state collapsed and things got very bad as economic activities stopped in the state, but I believe that God used it for us to atone for our sins. Let me use this forum to praise the security agencies that operated in our state at that point in time and special thanks must go Mr President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the order he gave that made the military to move into the state and the clerics for their powerful prayers that helped to save the state. I want to tell people now that our state is now the safest state in the country and when the history of kidnapping will be written in this country, Abia State will be a case study.

It seems that your government does not have the will power to demolish houses in the state to give the state its true aesthetic value?

Let me tell you, that my government will not hesitate to demolish any building that is situated on the waterway to save the cities from total collapse, because if the drains are blocked, the roads we have built will not stand the test of time.

We have just opened up the big drainage system in Aba that has been blocked for about 20 years and along the line we found out that a church has been built across the drainage, forcing waste water. We have called the owners of the church for a meeting to find a way for water to move into the Aba River, but if there is no way out, the church must be demolished. Also we have the same with the mosque in Aba where people have built stalls on the waterway, when we made efforts to remove the stalls, the Muslim community resisted. We have called their leaders for a meeting as the demolition exercise will not affect their mosque, but only the market stalls around the worship centre.

Your government has built about

210 health centres across the state, are they fully equipped to function?

I have given directive to all the 17 local government chairmen in the state to ensure that they open up all the health centres, because they have been equipped. It is not only the health centres that we have built, we have built diagnostic centres in Aba and Umuahia while a dialysis centre is being added to the one in Umuahia to stop our people from travelling long distances for such treatment. As we get older, we need such places for our health problems.

We are also building more structures for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital at Aba, children centre at Amachara general hospital; we are doing a lot in the health sector and will still do more as I intend to govern healthy people and not dead people.

How have you, despite the lean resources of the state, been able to run the administration?

The magic is prudent management of our lean resources from the federation account and we make up the

rest with internally generated revenue. After paying the workers, whatever is left goes to infrastructural development like roads, building of houses, hospitals.

It was bad before now when we used to get just about N2 billion, while our wage bill will take about 90% of what we get from federation account. However, now, we are getting about N3.2 billion and our wage bill is N1.8 billion.

When we came on board we were getting quite a small amount from the internally generated revenue, but now we are getting about N350 million every month, which has been helping us to fund some of our projects. Let me use this forum to make it clear to everyone that this administration has never borrowed money from any bank, which is why the national assembly has commended us. We inherited N29 billion debt which we have been servicing, and there are also debts which the past elected local government chairmen incurred and we are also servicing that, including garnishee orders.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

44

POLITICS Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central District in the Senate, has a heart of gold. Long before her election last year, she had been involved in uplifting the youth and the vulnerable. Last week, she presented a ground breaking Bill in the Senate towards ensuring social security for the elderly. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR reports the session.

A senator’s thought for the elderly W

HEN she stepped into the Senate that day, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu looked her usual self. As she exchanged pleasantries with other Senators, no one would know that she was about making history. All that changed soon after as she presented a Bill to introduce social security for the elderly.

It was a bold move and it was hailed by many, even though some wondered where the funding would come from. Many countries across the globe strive to take good care of elderly persons perhaps due to the appreciation that they need assistance.

The appreciation may also be borne out of the knowledge that as people grow older, there may come a period when they can no longer cope with the challenge of living on their own.

As a result, most countries take steps to ensure the safety and well being of the elderly by enacting laws to prevent the abuse and exploitation of the elderly.

Indeed, many argue that one of the major indices of development is easily reflected in the extent to which a country takes care of the needs of senior citizens in the twilight years of their existence.

Findings show that New York is one of the states in the United States that has implemented numerous elder care laws to ensure that the needs of senior citizens are met.

Though there are some social security measures in Nigeria, no agency is specifically designated for the care of elderly persons.

Most importantly, while schemes such as Nigeria’s pension system try to provide for elderly citizens who once worked in the formal sector, a much greater number of elderly Nigerians who contributed to the country’s economy through the informal sector appear to be completely forgotten and neglected.

Senator Tinubu took what has been described as a “bold step” by National Assembly observers on March 8 to present and argue a bill that seeks the establishment of an agency for the care of elderly persons in the country.

The significance of this development is further emphasized when one considers the views of those who note that over the past ninety-eight years since Nigeria ’s amalgamation in 1914, no significant legislation has

ever been put in place to address the needs of elderly citizens.

Most Senators and analysts came away from the Senate session after listening to the general principles of the bill as espoused by Senator Tinubu, convinced that the time has indeed come for concrete action to be taken to protect elderly persons in the country.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu who is Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity and a member Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) did not leave the Senators in doubt about what she aimed to achieve through the bill.

The lawmaker who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber brought her robust knowledge of charity work to bear in her mastery presentation of the general principles of the bill.

Entitled “A Bill for an Act to establish the National Social Security Agency charged with the responsibility for among other things, providing financial assistance to elderly persons in Nigeria and for other related matters,” principally aims to bring succour to the long suffering elderly persons in the country.

Senator Tinubu reminded the Senate that for ages, the cultural norms of Nigerian society accorded much respect to old age. She regretted that the laudable trend has been substantially reversed in modern times.

The Social Security Bill, she said, comes in the face of growing inadequacy in customary/family support system and increasing poverty among the elderly.

The Bill, she added, is founded on moral principles of helping the vulnerable in the society and on constitutional principles, which recognises that government must direct its policy towards ensuring old age care and protection of the aged against moral and material neglect.

The lawmaker spiced her argument by referring her colleagues to relevant sections of the Constitution including sections 16(2)(d), which provides for suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, old age care and 17(3)(f), which stipulates that children, young persons and the aged should be protected against any exploitation whatsoever and against moral and material neglect.

“The Bill seeks to establish social security for elderly Nigerians whose

labour had contributed to the Nigerian economy particularly in informal sectors, such as, the rural agrarian sector and who have no income to sustain themselves in old age.

“Many of the elderly have spent their productive years serving the nation and yet face poverty in twilight years because existing provisions of the Pensions Reforms Act, National Health Insurance Scheme Act and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Act do not apply to them.

Nigeria, a nation that came into being with the 1914 colonialist amalgamation of the erstwhile Lagos colony and other parts of what was then the Southern Protectorate with the Northern Protectorate will be marking her first centennial anniversary in 2014.

Throughout this period, there has never been any significant legislation for social safety nets to protect millions of frail but struggling elderly citizens.

It is in the light of this, that this Bill is being sponsored,” she submitted.

For her, the importance of social security for the elderly cannot be overemphasised.

“One of Nigeria’s goals is to become one of the world’s leading economies by the year 2020.

“Most of the world’s top 20 economies have functional social protection systems.

“Without actualizing such scheme for Nigeria ’s huge and socio-economically vulnerable population of ageing citizens, we may be unconsciously sustaining some of the indices that rank us low on human development,” she explained.

She believed that addressing the existential challenges of elderly persons would be a significant step towards redressing some of the country’s society’s collective challenges.

“The establishment of a National Social Security Agency to provide financial benefits for the elderly, who have no income or any form of income-generating investment is not to discriminate against income earners and pensioners but to fill in, a lacuna, by providing financial assistance to the excluded,” she maintained.

The lawmaker insisted that the seventh Senate’s historical achievements should include the creation of the agency to ameliorate the plight of the elderly citizens.

She continued, “Distinguished Senators by supporting the Bill you will be giving expression to the yearnings of

• From right: Special Adviser to the President on Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, Senator Hope Uzodinma, former PDP National Vice Chairman and National Publicity Secretary aspirant, Olisa Metuh and former Aviation Minister Mrs Kema Chikwe at the PDP Southeast caucus meeting... Tuesday PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

• Tinubu

‘The time to act is now. Rather than spreading our resources and ourselves thinly, a focussed and impactful social security scheme such as this that targets a very vulnerable segment of our population will be a decisive step forward and in line with the 7th Senate’s avowal of being on an historic mission’ many Nigerians especially that of our former President, Umaru Yar’ Adua who set up the Dr. Yakubu Gowonled National Working Committee on Social Security Policy.

“Among other recommendations it made in 2009, this committee called for the establishment of social security for elderly Nigerians.

“Mr President, my respected colleagues, the time to act is now. Rather than spreading our resources and ourselves thinly, a focussed and impactful social security scheme such as this that targets a very vulnerable segment of our population will be a decisive step forward and in line with the 7th Senate’s avowal of being on an historic mission.

“Let us all rescue the elderly from the pitiable vicissitudes they contend with. I believe that addressing this aspect of the broader dimensions of empowerment will also attract more divine mercies for our great nation.”

For those who feared that the country might not be able to fund such an agency, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, disagreed.

Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary believed that the time has come for the country to take a bold step to cater for her elderly.

He said, “I believe we can afford it if we reorder our priorities. I believe we can afford it if we cut cost, cut waste and cut corruption. We can take care of our elderly and our youths if we are able to cut unnecessary costs.”

Ekwermadu added that establishment of the agency would also assist the country to reduce crime in the society.

Addressing concerns about the reality and workability of the Bill, Senator Tinubu said, “my bill is very simple, very explicit in the sense that we are looking at the vulnerable elderly citizens in the society, the ones that other schemes have not taken care of.

“You gave the pension scheme and a lot of national social security schemes and it is not even affecting their situation.

“We are talking about those in the agrarian sector, those that used their strength to feed the nation and when they are old, what strength is left?

“Some of them don’t even have young ones to take care of them; some have young ones who are jobless that they can’t even take care of themselves not to talk of taking care of the elderly.

“But what this Bill is proposing is for them to have a bit of financial assistance.

“You know when money is involved, relatives can take them in because a regular income is coming in and they can live the rest of their days in peace of mind, not worrying when the next meal is going to come and just wishing for death.

“I do a lot of charity work and I understand what I have presented to the Senate.

“But I am glad that the President of the Senate was able to see through the Bill to appreciate what the Bill is all about.

“That is why he said during his deliberation that it is high time Nigeria stepped up efforts and get a national social security system working.

“This Bill seeks the establishment of an agency concerned more about elderly citizens that are vulnerable.”

Senator Smart Adeyemi said: “I believe that it captured the essence of the need for us to provide and care for the elderly.

“Once the agency is established it will equally minimize corruption in the country because when people are assured of their old age that the state can cater for them, to a large extent, they will be patriotic.

“The problem we have in Nigeria today is that everybody is afraid of their old age, everybody is afraid of tomorrow because there is no social security in place to cater for people when they are tired and no longer in active service.”

The Chairman of the Media Committee of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe also supports the initiative. We support anything that is done to support our aged. Let us hope that the Bill will help us to begin to set up a social security network in Nigeria”, he said How the National Assembly handles the Bill will, no doubt, go a long way in defining the disposition of the lawmakers towards the senior citizens.

THE NATION WEDESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

45

DISCOURSE Text of the speech delivered by Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the matriculation and inauguration of Adeleke University, Ede.

The purpose and power of education I

T gives me great pleasure to be here today to witness the matriculation and inauguration of one of the nation’s newest universities and of course, the latest in the State of Osun, Adeleke University, Ede. I congratulate the pioneer students and entrust them to the virtues of gentility, patience and forbearance that would lead them to life’s loveliest destinations. The angels shall firm your feet on the soil of the earth of this university and God shall shelter you and your lovingly supportive parents beneath His everlasting guidance and atop the comfort of His riches. As for us, the mere well wishers, our favours with God shall never wane and the treasures of our lives shall be God’s love and favours.

But before we move on, let me explicitly express the courtesy of my personal highest esteem to Dr. Adedeji Adeleke for bringing this university to this community and indeed the State of Osun. All those who laboured for this university to come alive and stand firm in glory shall ever be blessed at home and abroad.

Learning is life’s most precious breath that fashion intellect into beauty. Truth is, without knowledge that is cultured by sound education, we may never be able to understand the meaning of the fleeting instants of life’s joyful living, including the appreciation of the teachings of the scriptures nor indeed fathom the interpretation of the awesomeness of the infinite powers of God that calmly supervised creation plus the motions of our very existence.

I am saying, ladies and gentlemen, that without education, the sweetness of life that human knowledge flatteringly bestowed on our everyday life would have vanished and ignorance, as the purest vandal, would begrudge us all and it had swiftly become the first awareness of the darkness of our ruinous experiences of life.

Please, be rich in wisdom with the fact that education is everything. Whoever tells you anything else does not know what he’s talking about. Education is by far way ahead of everything else in our life’s journey. Nothing comes close, nor can anything match it.

And so all important is learning that it is only wealth tyrants cannot despoil. The more we try not to learn and be educated, the more our individual space and personal prestige shrink. Unless we all wish to cloak ourselves in the shadow of confusion, learning is the dawn of life and its light. It is the intrinsic goodness toward all things. We all must eternally comply with learning and education or perish in the bottomless pit of shame and self pity.

We hold it as irrefutable truth that no society can hope to move forward except on the basis of the highest standards of education for all. This is even more so for a society like ours that remain steeped in unacceptable levels of ignorance and despicable poverty.

I must congratulate again all the matriculating students for a still stronger reason – the choice they have made to be here today. Those who have opted for education have chosen life. Those who conversely reject knowledge are doomed to the consequences of ignorance. Education is the most significant immaterial aspect of the culture of a people. It is the means by which the past and the future are brought to the present. It is by education that all the accumulated values, wisdom, knowledge and experiences of the past are systematised and transmitted in an intelligible way such that patterns are identified and similar challenges can be confronted in a rational manner. Therefore, it is in the education of a people that we recognise their past and assuredly determine what they will be in the future. More importantly, it is through education that a society renews and reinvigorates itself.

But education is more than simply cramming one’s brain with information garnered from books and laboratories,

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important and needful as these may be. Education is about character building, as the Chancellor and the authority of this university fully understands the universal principle that education is about character building, hence the credo of this institution that elegantly put it all together thus: “Education, Excellence, Character”, words which simply apply to the philosophy of work and morale of the entire citizenry and government of the State of Osun. We welcome this delightful symmetry and appreciate the understanding that this institution, by rich wisdom, shall let light invade darkness and exclude extreme confusion by permitting integrity to sustain all the motions of its delectable growth and developments.

Those of my generation are aware of the value transmission in Yoruba indigenous education. Ise loogun ise (work is the antidote to poverty) which remains an admirable admonition that resonates. The charge then is ‘Mura si ise ore mi, ise lafi n’deni giga’, meaning, “Strive, it is hard-work that breeds success and nobility. This profound Yoruba idiom is an imagery of success as strictly a product of hard work.

This is the archetype embedded in the Yoruba sub-consciousness which resonates all through my growing up and education years. It is my wish therefore that our education system be reoriented towards value transmission instead of mere assimilation of facts and figures which barely enables the student to obtain a bland certificate. Let it be beyond mere rhetoric the saying that the certificate is being awarded after the graduate has been ‘found worthy in character and in learning’.

Let me now pointedly say, with all sense of responsibility and due humility, that we in the Government of the State of Osun have demonstrated our commitment to rehabilitate and re-model our educational system from the primary to the tertiary level, and have pursued these twin objectives

pro-actively in our relatively short time in office.

For the past 10 years, applications for admission into universities alone have gone past the one million mark and for which government universities could absorb not more than 50,000. For that reason, we welcome the participation of the private sector to complement our valiant efforts, especially when in the case of Adeleke University, we note that the promoter and now Chancellor of the University, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, and all members of the Governing Council of the university are as fabulously committed to the pivotal ideals of excellence that match the moral compass that drives the apparatus of government power in Osun State.

It is now time for me to turn my attention to the young men and women who have been blessed with the historical challenge of being pioneers in this university. Don’t ever listen to what people say, dear pioneers. It is not easy to be a pioneer but then it is not easy to be distinguished. To be a pioneer, for all surplus reasons, is to be a thief of time. Often, a pioneer must obtain advancement by the strength of his bones and of his muscles plus the hunter’s wit of his brainy awareness and striving powers of endurance to achieve survival and triumph. A pioneer travels in darkness all the time and there is no one with a lantern walking ahead of him, cutting down wooden thorns. But once his motion has steadied and he has survived, he is admired by even colleagues, envied by teachers, feared by the multitudes and respected by the myriad students coming from behind. You are all heroes and heroines already!

But before you rejoice in that exalted “hero’s status”, you must do the work. University work shall bemuse you as much as awaken your sharp and perhaps doubtful senses.

Remember always the child of who you are and let this reality walk by your side and ahead of you. Surround yourself with purpose, aim high and march on with hope.

Never forget the fact that Adeleke University is a feepaying institution. As your parents make roaring sacrifice to give you good education, let the secret of your gratitude be your devotion to your studies and make peace with purpose that makes you discover your calling as a complete student with both wisdom and ambition for a great future.

I must let you know also of the dangers of the allure of a university, especially the freedom and ample liberty of its ambience. Freedom comes with great responsibility. The temptation is high to wear freedom like the cloak of maliciousness and inexorably embark on that path that is ruinous of self and society. In our recent past, universities have become dens of examination and certificate racketeers, extortionists, murderous gangsters and women of easy virtues. You must therefore remain focused and resolutely shun this highway to hell. The expectation from your parents and society at large is that you will emerge from this institution to take up leadership positions and change our complex world for good. Do not disappoint them.

I must not end without letting you know this. University education, though universal in nature, is never provided in vacuo. As a private university, this institution must carve a niche for itself and avoid the pitfall of being a generalist. A 21st Century university must have an appreciable area of specialisation through which it makes significant contribution to human development. There are many areas of needs yawning for attention in science, medicine, ICT, liberal arts, management sciences, agriculture etc. A jack of all trades is never a master of any.

Adeleke University has given us more than a cupful of joy and we, the government and peoples of Osun State, shall not pour it out. The angels of God shall fill the cup with the brew of fine scholarship and alluring enlightenment.

Again, I welcome you all and thank you for kind attention.

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•From right: Gov Peter Obi; Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Macjohn Nwaobialu and the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Mike Egbebike during the inspection of the ongoing work at the Sacamori drains, Onitsha.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

47

THE NATION

INVESTORS Core investors opt for recapitalisation M

AJORITY shareholders in several quoted companies have initiated steps to bridge equity financing gaps and reduce dependence on bank loans by injecting additional funds into their firms.

Against the background of investors’ apathy and deteriorating pricing trend at the capital market, several core investors that hold decisive votes of the quoted companies, have opted for rights issue, which allows existing shareholders to recapitalise their firms.

Rights issue gives the first right of refusal to existing shareholders and thus preserve existing shareholding structure. It however provides window for new investors to buy into the company through rights trading on the secondary market.

Two rights issue are currently in the market, as core investors and other sundry shareholders in Niger Insurance and Vono Products, seek to inject about N2.2 billion into the companies. Vono last week opened application list for a rights issue of 525 million shares at N1.60 per share. Niger Insurance is raising N1.34 billion through a rights issue of 2.677 billion ordinary shares at 50 kobo per share. Crusader Insurance had in January concluded a N2.26 billion convertible debenture rights issue.

Last year, rights issue made up 37 per cent of new issues during the year. Six rights issues were floated in contrast with nine private placements and one preference shares issue, totaling N141.78 billion.

Market analysts said the growing list of rights issues early this year underscores the preparedness of core investors to refinance their companies as well as the undervaluation of several companies at the stock market.

According to analysts, rights is-

Stories by Taofik Salako

sue implies significant financial commitment by the core investors.

Vitafoam Nigeria, which holds 24.96 per cent equity stake in Vono Products Plc, is expected to put up additional N210 million to back up recapitalisation of the recuperating foam and bedding company. Other significant investors in Vono at the last filing were Enterprise Bank and BGL which held 5.56 per cent and 7.37 per cent.

A reliable source said Vitafoam Nigeria indicated firm commitment to picking up its rights while

it may also acquire additional shares if there were any renounced rights’ shares citing the new management business review which showed that Vono has immense potential to complement Vitafoam’s market share in the West African market.

Excelsior Shipping Company, which holds 52 per cent control equity in Flour Mills of Nigeria, had played the major role in ensuring the 100 per cent success of the N25 billion rights issue of the flourmilling company last year.

Market analysts said they expected more companies to file for

rights issue given the high gearing ratios of several quoted companies, which interest burden could stifle returns to shareholders in the period ahead.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr Tunde Oyekunle, said the recourse to rights issue was a sign of confidence of share holders in the prospects of their company, especially the core investor, which would provide the larger chunk of the required capital.

He added that the weak state of the capital market has left core investors with little option then to pick up the gauntlet.

Economist and securities advisor, Sterling Capital, Mr Sewa Wusu, said the market scenario and timing did not favour public offer, particularly given the recent experiences and loss of value by most investors.

“We are seeing more of rights issues because the core shareholders are ready to inject more funds to their company and still maintain their current holdings. The rights issue avenue will also give the existing shareholders the right to purchases new shares at a discount to the current market price,” Wusu said.

•From left: Director, Membership, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Sola Joseph; National Treasurer, Ijeoma Enekwa; Registrar /CEO, Sunday Adeyemi; Vice-President, Sunday Korode and President, Abiola Popoola, at the inuguration of a multi-million naira electronic library at the National Secretariat of CIPM in Lagos.

‘How banks, others manipulate share prices’

F

ORENSIC investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have detailed sharp practices and unethical methods used by banks to manipulate their share prices and hoodwink unsuspecting investors.

Speaking on findings of forensic investigations by SEC, its DirectorGeneral, Ms Arunma Oteh, said banks were found to have popped up their shares’prices to sell their shares at higher prices during the 2004-2007 primary market boom.

She said the banks engineered over-valuation of their stocks on the stock exchange prior to accessing the market for capital.

She stated that there were instances of financing the purchase of own stock in the primary market to create a semblance of huge investor appetite for such stock through shell companies.

“There were also instances of ‘pump and dump’, a market manipulation method wherein own stocks are purchased to push up price and public appetite. The own stocks are subsequently sold at premium when its valuation peaks.

Since such pricing is not based on fundamentals, natural corrections would follow and the stock price would plummet,” Oteh said.

She added that SEC’s forensic in-

vestigations also uncovered evidence that there were manipulative transactions in the stock of listed companies outside the floor of the exchange.

She blamed the lax regulatory framework at the time for the scale of infractions, pointing out that regulators then were neither sufficiently prepared nor well-positioned to monitor and sustain the explosive growth in the capital market.

According to her, emphasis on risk management and corporate governance did not evolve commensurately to support the fast growth. Invariably, capital raised

by the banks went into speculative lending to the oil and gas sector, and unregulated margin finance to brokers, and individual investors which fuelled an asset bubble.

She said the asset bubble laid the foundation for the crash of the market.

“When therefore the global financial crisis triggered large portfolio outflows as international investors exited the Nigerian capital markets to address challenges in their home countries, stock prices started to decline, prompting margin calls and local investors who were unaccustomed to huge and persistent declines started to panic, fueling

more sell orders, further depressing prices and eroding investor confidence. The situation was exacerbated by the huge borrowing and margin finance exposure of individual investors, brokers and banks,” Oteh said.

Between 2007 and 2009, the market lost over 70 per cent of its value.

By 2009, new issues had dropped by 93.5 per cent to only N85.9 billion from the peak of N1.3 trillion in 2007.

She, however, assured that ongoing reforms in the capital market would strengthen the institutional capacities of the regulators as well as the corporate governance processes within the quoted companies.

Gross Premium N6.23b Profit after tax N1.29b PORTLAND PAINTS & PROD Turnover N641.2m Profit after tax N44.24m UTC Turnover N988.10m Profit after tax N85.57m SKYE BANK Gross Earnings N66.47b Profit after tax N7.86b GOLDLINK INS

Gross Premium N2.97b Profit after tax N434.5m NEM INS Gross Premium N6.25b Profit after tax N1.46b ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY Turnover N866.05m Profit after tax N136.8m INT. ENERGY INS Turnover N3.50b Profit after tax N579.2m

Forecasts H1 June 2012 DIAMOND BANK Gross Earnings N24.01b Profit after tax N2.44b NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Turnover N26.85b Profit after tax N4.01b CAP Turnover N2.30b Profit after tax N468m UACN Turnover N31.01b Profit after tax N2.63b UPDC

Turnover N6.27b Profit after tax N920m CCNN Turnover N6.64b Profit after tax N579.05m TRANS-NATIONWIDE Turnover N310.26m Profit after tax N27.26m TANTALIZERS Turnover N1.25b Profit after tax N13.06m TRANSCORP Turnover N1.89b

Profit after tax N1.03b C O N S O L I D A T E D HALLMARK INS Gross Premium N3.89b Profit after tax N275.1m AIICO Gross Premium N6.17b Profit after tax N1.62b LAW UNION & ROCK Gross Premium N3.90b Profit after tax N434.03m CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

48

THE NATION INVESTORS

Shareholders want financial crimes court for securities’ frauds

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HAREHOLDERS have called on the National Assembly to

promulgate a law establishing a special financial crime court to deal with crimes on securities markets to stem the tide of infractions and shore up investor confidence in the market.

In a position paper presented at the ongoing public hearing on capital market by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Capital Market, shareholders under the auspices of the Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), said a special adjudicatory framework is needed to deal with specific cases arising from the securities market.

Over the past three years, between 2009 and 2011, the average number of complaints yearly, stood at 882, while an average of complaints were resolved yearly.

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ADBURY Nigeria Plc has said it will now distribute its audited reports and accounts and other related documents in electronic format rather than in paper form.

It said the decision to use compact disc to distribute information to shareholders was part of its desire to ensure the sustainability of environment and align with inter-

By Taofik Salako

Cases ranged from non-remittance of share sale proceeds, unauthorised sales, non-refund of offer funds and manipulation of dividends and returns.

President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar, said financial crimes need to be treated with urgency and depth of knowledge that require specialisation, noting that the inhouse mechanisms of the capital market regulators have been overwhelmed by the number of cases and lack of enforcement power in some instances.

According to him, for the market to gain confidence of investors, brokers, who sell clients’stocks without their consent should face a special financial crime court that would dispense of the case in the shortest possible time.

“Justice delayed is certainly justice denied. It is not enough for a broker to be suspended. What we want is our money. Even though the SEC had assisted many investors in getting their money back, but the assistance was limited to those who petitioned the commission. There are still cases relating to hundreds of millions of Naira that have not been resolved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange,” Umar said.

He advocated a framework that limits direct participation of banks in the capital market, urging that banks should not be allowed to invest in the capital market directly or at worst should limit their participation to not exceeding 10 per cent of the total loan portfolio of the bank.

According to him, banks should not give loans for the purchase of its shares to avoid double losses to

the institution in case of any crush in the market and no bank should be allowed to take shares as collateral for share loan so as to protect depositor’s money.

He decried the practice of giving waivers to some firms to list their shares by the NSE, noting that such waivers in the past contributed to meltdown in the market.

“When Transcorp Plc was listed, it did not operate for the minimum number of years required before companies were listed. Does anyone wonder why Transcorp shares are where they are? Therefore, the Committee must enforce the requirement of minimum number of years required and the profitability of the company before it is listed,” Umar said.

He added that efforts must be made to reduce the costs of listing and new issues on the Nigerian market pointing out that there were

investors wishing to list their companies or use the market to raise funds, but the costs discourage them.

He said financial services’ authorities and legislators must also move to curtail the unhealthy proliferation of shareholders associations, warning that companies nowadays find it difficult to conduct annual general meeting due to the struggle by different associations for corporate benefits.

Umar, who sits on the boards of many quoted companies, called for setting up of a joint committee comprising stakeholders in the market to revisit the issue of unclaimed dividend trust fund.

He urged capital market regulators to live up to high corporate governance standards they expected from quoted companies in order to enhance their persuasive power and moral authority to lead the change.

Cadbury goes for e-audited report national best practice.

According to the company, to ensure fairness and equity, shareholders will be given the option of requesting for a paper copy of these documents by exception, if they determine that they do not want to receive same in a CD format.

The company said the CDs would provide a more convenient and timely way to access information on the company as well as contribute to the sustainability of its environment and the ‘Goinggreen’ campaign.

Cadbury noted that CD could conveniently be stored for a

longer period than is achievable on paper while CD will reduce production cost and, ultimately, improve the profitability of the company.

According to the company, the CDs, which will be posted to all shareholders via their registered addresses, will contain the annual

report and accounts, the notice of meeting, a proxy form and an edividend form.

The results will also be published on the company’s website while in line with its usual practice, the notice of meeting will be published in the newspapers.

What we are doing to strengthen capital market, by SEC

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HILE the impact of the global financial crisis and the subsequent stock market crash was devastating for the Nigerian capital market, the development has given the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) an opportunity to reposition the market to play a pivotal role in capital formation and the development of the economy.

Following a comprehensive diagnostic review that involved several reputable institutions, including Accenture and United States of America’s Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), SEC has started implementing several initiatives that would form the vital building blocks of a world class market.

One of the main areas of focus is strengthening of the institutional capacity of SEC, including human capital, technology and process. It has also begun implementing key recommendations. On technology, significant investments have been made to enhance technology platform.

Since it began the retooling exercise, the Commission has increased its cost efficiency, minimised its turn-around-time, automated a number of its process, and enhanced its communication channels. Specific investments include in this area include building of a shared technology system for common services and capacities.

By this, all Zonal offices and Head office are connected over a secure Wide Area Network (WAN).

This singular achievement, enabled the Commission to transition from an analogue organisation to a fully digital institution. To complement the network inter-phase, the Commission procured work tools such as workstations, laptops and operating software for staff across all zonal offices. Handheld work tools have also been issued to eligible staff with full access to official emails to enable staff function from offsite locations.

The Commission now boasts of a fully equipped Network Operations Centre, from where all the Commission’s networks are moni-

tored.

To address human capital and skills gap, the Commission injected a crop of fresh and technically competent professionals into the organisation. After a thorough and rigorous recruitment exercise named “Young Professionals’ Programme”, the SEC in December last year, engaged 52 young professionals comprising lawyers, economists, accountants. This is intended to fortify the personnel strength, and add vigour to the activities of the Commission.

Besides, the Commission has continued to leverage on its strategic relationships within International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) as well as with the US SEC and others to deliver relevant training in the critical mandate areas and grow the capability of staff to enhance market efficiency, oversight and professionalism. Furthermore, discussions are at advanced stages with institutions such as Oxford University, Guarantco and Financial Services Volunteer Corps, among others, to take advantage of capacity building opportunities being offered by the institutions. The Commission is also currently reviewing the business model and operational framework of the Nigerian Capital Market Institute to be able to effectively deliver on its mandate of providing training and other capacity building services to Nigeria and by extension the West African sub - region.

In governance and internal control, SEC believes it must hold itself to highest standards if it is to demand same from the market it regulates. The Commission invested in an Enterprise Resource Planning System to automate its administrative and financial management processes. This will ultimately enhance internal control, reduced overhead and improved efficiency.

Also, to strengthen the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), SEC had intervened in 2010. A new management team put in place after this is currently introducing positive changes to the process, technology, regulation and more importantly

the governance of the Exchange.

Recognising the potential of the market, the management of the NSE has set a target market capitalisation of $1trllion by 2016 along with the introduction of five new products in five years commencing last year, a target which the SEC fully endorsed. The new management met its last year’s target with the introduction of the Newgold Given the importance of demutualisation to the global competitiveness of the NSE, SEC has also taken steps to prepare the framework and guidelines. The Commission had set up a committee to examine issues around demutualisation of the Exchange, which has just submitted its report last month.

It is expect that demutualisation will reposition the NSE to provide a fairer, more efficient and more transparent system of operation that will enhance liquidity, improve price discovery and institute good corporate governance which are essential features of an effective Self-regulatory Organisation (SRO). It will bolster investor confidence and enhanced international competitiveness of our exchange and invariably the market. The increased operational efficiency, enhance profile and the heightened competitiveness which will accrue to the exchange by this exercise will significantly augment our overall capital market reforms and development agenda in particular and the economy in general.

SEC is also collaborating with the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Investment and Agriculture and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the privatisation of Abuja Securities and Commodity Exchange (ASCE). Given its importance to the growth of the national economy, privatisation would align the structure and operations of the ASCE with the agricultural transformation agenda of the federal government.

To ensure that corporate governance practices in Nigerian public companies align with international best practices, a new corporate governance code was issued

by the SEC and became effective in April last year. The code is quite extensive and covers all aspects of corporate governance. Companies are expected to periodically file their level of compliance with the code with the SEC. Currently, over 135 of the 198 listed companies have signed up for full compliance with the new code which will no doubt promote transparency and accountability in public companies.

In relation to efforts to improve corporate governance, periodic disclosure of financial information and the quality of such information have improved in recent years as a result of enhanced monitoring, enforcement and the requirements for higher quality information disclosure from public listed companies by SEC and NSE. In the last three years, SEC sanctioned 187 companies for non-compliance with financial disclosure requirements, while the NSE also delisted about 10 companies in 2011 for noncompliance with its listing rules.

To improve disclosure in prospectuses, SEC in the last few years has also introduced a number of new rules and rules changes.

The Commission is also working with various stakeholders to improve liquidity in the market.

Apart from new listings, SEC believes that the formal take-off of market making, security lending and short selling will improve liquidity in the market. The Commission recently approved the NSE’s rules on market making, short selling and securities lending. Other measures being taken to improve liquidity include attraction of more institutional investors, reduction of transaction cost and introduction of electronic offers.

While SEC has continued to encourage NSE on its new product initiatives, SEC on its part is designing a framework for the introduction of Sukuk (Islamic bonds) in the Nigerian capital market to provide issuance variety. SEC is also working to expand Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) such as Ethical and Islamic Funds, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) among others.

Besides, the Commission believes that that new listings are critical to

•DG, SEC, Arunma-Oteh

the development of the Nigerian stock market and it is determined to ensure that sectors of the economy which are under-represented on the exchange are encouraged to participate. This measure will transform the Exchange into the primary barometer for measuring the economy as exemplified in more advanced economies. Besides encouraging private companies to list on the Exchange, the Commission has also engaged the Bureau of Public Enter-

prises and the Federal Ministry of Power, on the listing of state owned enterprises scheduled for privatisation under the federal government privatisation agenda.

Ultimately, privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector could see as many as 17 power generation and distribution companies filing for Initial Public Offers (IPO) in due course.

SEC has also declared its zero tolerance for market infractions and, indeed, any act which could undermine the integrity of the market. Recently, the Commission took various enforcement actions against operators and issuers with respect to inadequate filing of periodic returns and other market infractions.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

51

INSURANCE

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Insurance law is weak, says NAICOM

HE law regulating insurance, is weak. It needs reworking, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, has said.

He told The Nation that the law is not as strong as it is in other parts of the world.

He said a major condition for the development of the insurance business is a healthy legal regime, adding that the industry may likely get a new insurance regulatory regime before the end of 2013.

He said: “The current legislations are not only weak, but sometimes difficult to enforce. The present regulatory framework is ‘compliance-based’ rather than being a ‘frame-work’ as is the case in most advanced jurisdictions. This arrangement hardly gives the commission the capacity to take regulatory initiatives in urgent and critical situations.

“It is, therefore, desirable that the various pieces of legislations con-

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

stituting the existing legal framework should be consolidated. The Insurance Law Review Committee appointed by the Federal Government to review the existing insurance laws completed its assignment since 2010. The draft revised Consolidated Insurance Bill is ready for passage to the Legislature by the Executive. Depending on the agenda of the National Assembly the country may expect a new insurance regulatory regime before the end of 2013.”

Daniel noted that in spite of the limitations on the regulatory legislations, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has continued to provide leadership and roadmap for the industry in the relevant areas through the issuance of regulatory guidelines, circulars and letters.

He noted that as part of commission’s efforts at achieving a meas-

ure of efficiency, it has since 2011 ceased issuing guidelines. Instead, the guidelines now exist under the following heads: Oil and gas, AntiMoney Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), risk management, claims management, micro insurance and takaful insurance.

He noted that another major challenge facing the industry is poor corporate governance, adding that although this may be considered as a problem for companies in Nigeria and elsewhere, there has been renewed interest in the corporate governance practices of modern corporations since 2001.

“In a bid to stem the observed poor corporate governance practice in the insurance industry, and in line with international best practice, the commission in 2009 introduced a code of good corporate governance for the industry. The Commission is aware that corporate governance issues are at the core of regulation

and supervision hence will continue to ensure that good corporate governance is restored to the companies,” he said.

An underwriter, who pleaded anonymity, who also believes the industry needs a new legislation, said the industry’s legislations should be collapsed into a single law to be regulated by NAICOM. He noted that NAICOM should be empowered as the industry’s regulator. It should undertake the regulatory functions, adding that a situation, in which Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) and Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) claim self-regulatory powers, is wrong.

He noted that a situation where practitioners struggle to keep to different laws from NAICOM, NIA and NCRIB will continue to create problems, unless efforts are made to bring all operators under a regula-

‘Most equity holders have no policies ‘ BOUT 70 per cent of shareholders in the insurance sector do not believe in the business and do not have other policies except the compulsory motor vehicle policy, The Nation has learnt.

President, Nigerian Shareholders’ Renaissance Association (NSRA), Mr Olufemi Timothy, said shareholders do not buy policies due to the attitude of insurers.

He said: “We, shareholders, are Nigerian too. What affects others also affect us.Most of the insurance companies are not sure of what they sell. They cannot market their products to convince us that they will deliver without excuse. There is lack of trust in their promises to clients. ”To improve their operations, they should advertise more, on the benefits on short term investment products.”President, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) Mr Oderinde Taiwo, said: “Most of the operators are not proactive. There is a misconception that insurance is for corporate organisations and the rich alone. To convince the masses, insurance marketers should be proactive and edu-

A

•From left: Former Military Administrator, Taraba State Rear Admiral Ambrose Afolahan; Resource Person, Lagos Business School (LBS), Mr Bayo Rotimi; Deputy Director, Naval Education, Nigerian Navy Navy Commodore Aminu Almu; Managing Director Royal Exchange Finance and Investment Limited, Mr Hosea Boman and Group Managing Director Royal Exchange Plc, Mr Chike Mokwunye at the Royal Exchange Finance and Investment, workshop on financial management for executives in Lagos.

170,000 employers remit employees’ contributions

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BOUT 170,000 employers have remited the deductcions from the workers’ salaries, The Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mohammad Ahmad, has revealed.

In a statement over the weekend, he said the commission is seeking an amendment to the Act establising the organisation to enable it deal with errant employers.

He added that the commission has sanctioned some stakeholders such as publishing thier names to defer them from withholding deductions, noting that the strategy is working.

Ahmad said as at the end of March 6, a total of 5.01 million employees had registered under the CPS in the private and public sectors.

He noted that the breakdown showed that the public sector comprising the Federal and State Governments had 31 per cent and 23 per cent while the private sector had 46 per cent.

He noted that PenCom has also concluded arrangements to engage the services of debt recovery agents with the mandate to recover un-remitted contributions and interest penalties from errant employers for the account of RSA holders, in line with the provision of Section 11(7) of the PRA 2004.

Ahmad, who also expressed misgivings on the level of compliance

by states and local governments, said 19 states have enacted their pension laws, 15 others are at various stages in their legislation processes having forwarded their bills to the commission for review, while two states are yet to commence any action towards adopting the Compulsory Pension Scheme (CPS). He said the National Council of States had, at its meeting of August 2006, unanimously agreed to implement the CPS for their civil servants, adding that consequent upon the resolution to adopt the CPS by the states, the commission in conjunction with the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service and the House Committee on Pensions paid courtesy visits to 14 governors to encourage them to key into the scheme.

He said despite the sustained efforts of the commission, several constraints had been identified as militating against the effective implementation of the CPS in the States. These challenges according to him are that the PRA 2004 does not make it mandatory for states and local government areas to adopt the CPS, slow legislation processes by some states with attendant delays in passage of the relevant bills on the CPS, the CPS is not considered as a priority by some states while some see it as an additional burden to set aside funds

rather prefer to accumulate arrears and pay in piece-meal. He said: “Lack of commitment by some States that have enacted their pension laws leading to failure to remit monthly pension contribution or only affect partial remittance of the contributions to the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of their employees. This resulted in the accumulation of huge arrears of un-remitted contributions. In fact, the accumulation of arrears also affects the Defined Benefits Scheme as operated by the states.”

tor which is NAICOM. He said premium rates being paid to arrange insurance contracts, should not be fixed by any association, adding that fixing insurance premium rates is not in the interest of the consumers.

He encouraged the insurance regulator to move beyond issuing rules by ensuring that operators are complying with the laws guiding the practice of insurance in the country.

He called on NAICOM to encourage the insurance operators to partner with other operators in the financial services industry, to boost insurance penetration which is still abysmally low.

He said it is high time insurers partnered with the bankers to increase the level of insurance penetration in the country, adding that insurers can leverage on banks to reach their over 25million customer.

Ahmad said as part of PenCom’s supervisory mandate, it had cause to impose sanctions on operators in respect of a number of issues which include failure to render returns promptly and inability to send RSA statements to contributors.

He noted that in serious cases of weak corporate governance, the Commission had intervened to remove directors and takeover the management of the affected operators to safeguard the pension assets.

cate the people of the need to possess insurance.

Secretary, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Mr Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said some shareholders have policies, if not personal, they would be through business or associations, adding that insurance companies still have to educate their clients more on the understanding and dos and don’t of their policies, to reduce the worries on claims. Several knowledgeable investors know the importance of insurance and they do buy it.

The Managing Director of Sovereign Trust insurance Plc, Mr Wale Onaolapo, said low awareness is one of the reasons a very large percentage of the populace is not insuring as they ought to, adding that considering the population and the level of commercial activities in the country, insurance business ought to be thriving more than it is doing.

He outlined how the industry’s awareness campaign should be done, adding that the industry’s practitioners should try as much as possible to sensitise people around them on the need to embrace insurance as an integral part of their lives in as much as they are daily confronted with different kinds of risk while they go about their businesses.

“The education should be on a basis of each-one-tell-one, every opportunity we have as practitioners in interacting with the public and customers alike should be used to spread the gospel of insurance.”It is our duty to ensure that the negative perception that most people harbour against this very noble profession be reduced drastically for greater patronage.

“There must be a deconstruction of the mental inertia that has characterised the insurance landscape in the country,” he said.

Key to wealth, by expert

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OOR financial and investment management can lead to poverty, the Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc Mr Chike Mokwunye, has said.

Mokwunye, who disclosed this in Lagos, said personal finance and investment management remains the panacea to mitigate poverty. He noted that it is worrisome that as important as financial planning is, most people sometimes do not give it the desired conscious attention.

He said: “This lack of attention to personal financial management contributes to some extent, to the poverty level around us because, no matter how much one may be financially blessed, poor financial and investment management may

result, in the long run, to losses and consequently, poverty, especially after years of active service.

“The question is not whether we have the potential to change our financial future, but rather how we unlock our full potential. What we need are the keys to unlock our full potential.”

He noted that in the light of the recent global meltdown which resulted in many investors losing their entire investment, investors are confronted with the challenge of identifying the right investment channels, making the right choices from a plethora of alternatives and minimising the risk of failure.

A lecturer with Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr Larry Osa-Afiana,

urged investors to properly articulate their investment, adding that creating a financial plan remains the heart of a good financial planning.

Managing Director, Royal Exchange Finance and Investment Limited, Mr Hosea Boman, said the global economic recession has impacted investment quest greatly.

He said many people are now wary to invest as they are yet to recover their lost in the recession. He said prospective investors should now leverage on the expertise of professionals to enable them invests well.

He said the company has developed products that have the wherewithal to help investors grow their money without hassle.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

52

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

How to make money importing from China

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OODS manufactured in China are the cheapest in the world. This is because the cost of labour and raw material input are about 80 per cent cheaper than in other countries.

For this reason, importing goods from China is exciting for many sellers from across world. This is because one can buy some goods cheap and sell them at 400 per cent profit margin.

Chief Executive, Service Forts Resources Limited, Efe Imiren, who has been in the import business for more than five years, is spearheading a campaign to get more Nigerians involved in selling made-in-China goods. She said indigeneous importers stand to make the highest profit by importing from China compared to other countries.

The other discovery is that Chinese goods exported to the United States, are gaining ground. They are as competitive as ones manufactured in America.

Having passed through US products quality screening rated as one of the toughest in the world, the products are penetrating markets in different states of America. This gives confidence to entrepreneurs such as Imiren, who has been in the import business for some time.

Stories by Daniel Essiet

If one is looking for a way to build a lucrative business with minimal capital investment, she said importing from China is it.

She has imported gift items, new technology products, to name a few. Imiren and other Nigerians have imported merchandise worth millions of dollars from China and made a whole lot of money. There are hundreds of containers coming from China to Nigeria. Those who bring in the products sell them at enormous markups in their stores. The challenge is how to find hot products in China that are selling like hotcakes that everyone wants.

The Service Forts Resources Limited boss said hot products such as tyres, flour, light bulbs which people want are produced cheaply and at the highest quality in China.

For instance, one can import guitar picks and sells them cheaper than anybody else does.

The secret, according to her, is getting the best prices, the fast delivery times and the highest quality of products.

Worldwide, importers have found that Chinese suppliers are best suited for cheap generic goods. They are manufactured there, so one won’t find cheaper anywhere else.

These include pocket bikes, scooters and generic electronic goods. These goods do not have to have a brand name to sell well and they can be purchased wholesale at very good prices if one is serious about importing from China. It is possible for one to sell products one bought in China on the Internet through online auctions before the container ever landed. The most attractive aspect of the business is that one could make five to 10 times more money than a retailer could on a normal mark up which averages around 40 per cent. It won’t take long for one to realise that one could make a substantial profit importing highly desirable and saleable items not available in Nigeria.

Imiren is holding a workshop to expose entrepreneurs to strategies on how to approach suppliers efficiently, ask the right questions to get results, find and select profitable products, find suitable and reliable suppliers in China, negotiate prices and terms and using the internet to source for foreign firms in China. One can start with N100, 000.

She said import business can be a great way to earn money either full time or part time. With the proper training and guidance, Imiren, described as Nigeria’s

‘Honey business is sweet’

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HE growth of the honey market has led to a positive development. It is bringing supplemental income and hope to many.

One entrepreneur in the subsector is Ademuyiwa Adesoji, Managing Director, Honey-man Nigeria. He is a beekeeper. Since he found success in the hives, Adesoji has got enough space to house more bee hives.

He discovered honeybees keeping after searching for alternative ways to make money. Since going fulltime, he told The Nation, he has turned it into a very profitable operation. During the normal beekeeping season, he makes more 60 per cent profit.

He said beekeeping doesn’t require acres of land or a lot of time to operate.

With N20,000 and a small piece of land, Adesoji said prospective investors can start the business.

Four square feet of land is the minimum requirement for a beehive and a small plot of 20 square feet can ac-

commodate about 20 to 40 beehives.

No strenuous labour is required. In about six months, he said one can make the first harvest of honey.

To raise bees as a profitable venture, one must learn all it takes to be a beekeeper.

Adesoji seeks to nurture small farmers ready to create a profitable business.

Through training, seminars and strategic support, Adesoji wants to help more Nigerians become self employ. He will train them to establish beehives, cultivate them and collect the honey. They will be able to process tonnes of honey.

Adesoji, who has operations in Lagos and Ibadan, said the honey industry is capable of creating thousands of employment opportunities for vulnerable youth.

He sees the potential for beekeeping boosting the country’s economy.

He has better insight in the market and marketing, and contacts with enterprises and entrepreneurs

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Stakeholders Harmonisation Meeting in Abuja, Onwualu explained that the huge investment in the oil sector was responsible for transforming the sector into a major source of revenue.

Onwualu said if a plant such as jatropha and a few other raw materials available in Nigeria could be properly harnessed, they could generate massive revenue for the country.

“There are many commodities in Nigeria.

If you look at all the commodities we have in this country, just take two or three of them, they can give us m o r e m o n e y than crude oil”. The only thing is that we have invested a lot

information marketing queen, said it is easy to become succesful in the industry.

The prospective importer starts by choosing an item made in China which he considers highly saleable. He contacts the manufacturer for samples, catalogs, price lists, and then ask for prices if one orders by the bulk. The importer would not need to travel to China. He does this in the privacy of his “home office” using an Internet connection.

SMEDAN boss laments limited access to ICT

T •Adesoji

linked to the honey value chain.

Adesoji said farmers need the government to provide the enabling environment for them to create a robust and sustainable industry. He urged the government to promote policies and conditions that will allow the honey industry to grow.

Adesoji’s ambitions seem to have no bounds. The future is promising for all the actors involved in the cluster.

Jatropha, others can generate more revenue than oil, says expert WO or three raw materials in the country can generate more revenue than crude oil for Nigeria, Director-General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Prof Peter Onwualu has said.

Speaking at the Jatropha

•Imiren

in oil exploration and we have not invested in all the other commodities.

“Jatropha is also one of those commodities, and for us to be part of the global phenomenon, we have to look at the entire value chain.”

According to Onwualu, jatropha is an excellent biofuel crop which can easily grow anywhere in Africa, including the desert. He commended the Jathropha Stakeholders Association for working hard to harness the potentials of the material in its quest for an alternative source of energy.

The RMRDC director-general decried the postulations associating government with the primary role of being the driver of the economy.

He said it was the responsibility of the private sector to drive the economy with the government functioning as the facilitator4re.

He identified the energy sector as the most important sector of the economy, adding that the quest for a viable alternative source of energy using jatropha was a welcome one.

Onwualu pledged that the council would continue to support the association and spoke of the need for the enlightenment of as many Nigerians as possible on the importance of the plant.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the convener of the meeting, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Omosebi, said the purpose of the meeting was to harness the efforts of all stakeholders involved in jatropha processing.

HE Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar, has lamented the limited access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and practice, a situation which restricts innovation in the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Umar, represented by the Head of Inspectorate Department of the Agency, Mr Jethro Atukpa, stated this while receiving a team of the Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS) at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

Commending the body’s efforts at bringing innovation to the educational system in the country, he expressed concern that the environment was not yet conducive for ICT use. He, however, expressed optimism that the situation could be turned around with the combined efforts of SMEDAN and other ICT-related organisations.

“I believe that on our part, SMEDAN in collaboration with other relevant organisations, we can surmount our ICT challenges through training on the rudiments of ICT in hardware, software and web technologies to produce a broader scope of development to the country in general,” he said.

As part of the initiatives of the SMEDAN in providing access to ICT, the director-general informed the visiting students that the agency established the Graduate Entrepreneurship Training Centre on ICT (GET-IT Centre), which was renamed ‘Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (LIFE). The centre

equips students, graduates, jobseekers and entrepreneurs with ICT skills to enable them to run their businesses in a modern and efficient way.

Earlier in his remarks, the National President of NACOSS, Mr Adanigbo Segun, of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, said the aim of their visit was to seek collaboration with SMEDAN towards the development of Nigerian youths in the field of ICT as well as to intimate the Agency on some of the programs of the organisation.

He noted that organisations around the globe are fast changing, with leadership becoming more challenging, hence no organisation or country can afford to live in the past. “We, therefore, urge SMEDAN to assist us in our ‘Nationwide Institutional Training’ and ‘ICT4Teens Empowerment Program’, two of our programmes which focus on students and youths development.

We believe that with the right ICT and entrepreneurship training, the youths would be empowered and their chances of self-reliance would be increased.”

He added that another advantage of their strategic partnership with SMEDAN would help to push the Nigerian local content to the internet through the use of new software being developed by members of their association. This way, the youths and their talents would be exposed to a larger community of ICT experts and users. ‘’Furthermore, the ‘can-do’ spirit of this dynamic, energetic and enthusiastic group can form the next digital army to liberate this nation from apparent skill-deficiency,” he noted.

N1.5m loans for traders

T

HIRTY petty traders in Lagos Island have benefited from the N1.5 million loan cour-

tesy of the Rotary Club of Lagos.

Each of them received N50, 000. The loans are to be paid within six months.

The club’s President, Mr Gbolahan Ayodele, said the loans were given without collateral and would help the indigents, who cannot access funds from banks to set up businesses. “We raised the money from public spirited individuals who are willing to give a little from what they have to help the needy,” he added.

On how the money was disbursed, Ayodele said it was based on certain criteria. He said the beneficiaries were required to complete ap-

By Wale Adepoju

plication forms endorsed by a guarantor.

He warned the traders against misuse, promising to ensure that more loans are extended to them if they repay the one that they have received.

Ayodele said market leaders will monitor the beneficiaries to prevent misuse. To this end, he said a sixman committee to monitor compliance and report to the club. Responding, the leader of the market, Mr Munirudeen Bakare, said the gesture was appreciated, saying the committee will ensure that beneficiaries repay the loans at the appropriate time so that others traders can also benefit.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-3-12

Access Bank lists 5b Intercontinental Bank’s shares

F

IVE billion shares that arose from the acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc by Access Bank were yesterday admitted unto the official list of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the name of Access Bank Plc. The shares represent the holdings of Intercontinental Bank’s shareholders that were exchanged for Access shares after the former was acquired by the latter year.

The listing of the shares was responsible for difference recorded by the two key indicators at the NSE. Market capitalisation of all quoted companies appreciated while the AllShare-Index reduced marginally.

Market capitalisation of listed equities improved by 0.24 per cent or N16 billion

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

to close at N6.662 trillion while the index reduced by 0.26 per cent or 53.91 points to close at 21,006.30 points.

Major bank stocks dominated losers’ table leaving the total number on the flip side at 24. Union Bank led the list with a drop of N0.21 to close at N4.05 followed by Bagco, Red Star, IPWA, Ikeja Hotel and First Bank with price drop of N0.08, N0.11, N0.04, N0.06 and N0.43 respectively.

Other banking stocks on the table were Wema Bank, Access Bank, Diamond Bank and Zenith Bank.

Moderate volume recorded in Oando, Guinness, PZ Cussons, and Unilever also contributed to the

drop.

On the gainers’ side, UACN led with price gain of N1.52 to close at N31.97 followed by Okomu oil’s gain of N1.09 to close at N23.05. Also on the green table were Presco, UPL, CCNN, FCMB, Paint company, Japaul, UBA and May & Baker.

Zenith Bank was the most actively traded stock on the floor with 27.88 million shares, valued at N361.51 million in 256 deals. Access Bank, GT Bank, Niger Insurance Right Issue and United Bank for Africa were other equities that recorded significant volume.

In all, investors traded 231.930 million shares worth N2.681 billion across 3,976 deals. The Financial services sector contributed the largest chunk of 166.865 million shares worth N.138 billion followed by Consumer Goods, Conglomerates and Services with 28.984 million shares, 13.383 million shares and 8.481 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-3-12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

T

CBN disburses N144b Power, Aviation Fund

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it had disbursed a total of N144.6 billion under its Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF) as at December 31, 2011.

The banking sector regulator disclosed this in a chart titled: “Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF) Disbursement of Funds in 2011” posted on its website yesterday.

From the data, the apex bank disbursed N85.61 billion for 12 projects carried out in Aviation and N55.9 billion for 10 projects executed in the Power sector, making a cumulative N144.6 billion for 20 projects.

The CBN data showed that as at September 2011, the apex bank, had approved a total of N187.17 billion for 21 projects processed by the African Finance Corporation (AFC)- the technical advisers, and disbursed N114 billion. Also under the PAIF initiative, a total of

Stories by Collins Nweze

30 applications valued at N222.50 billion were received and processed by AFC. Under the Power and Aviation Intervention Fund, the CBN made available the sum of N300 billion to stimulate credit to the domestic power sector and the troubled airline industry. The amount was part of the initial N500 billion intervention fund sourced to catalyse financing of the real sector of the Nigerian economy. The objective of the initiative was to help finance badly needed power projects and to allow banks to refinance loans to the heavily-indebted airline industry.

The programme operates in such a way that borrowers will be able to access the fund at an interest rate of seven per cent payable on a quarterly basis, including all charges in order to refinance existing loans and leases and pro-

UK relaxes tax law to boost investment climate

T

HE United Kingdom is cutting the main rate of corporation tax to make the economy more investor friendly. Last April, the rate was cut from 28 per cent to 26 per cent and by 2014 it will reach 23 per cent - the lowest rate in the G7 and fifth lowest in the G20.

The country is also raising personal allowance to £8,105 in April this year, saving basic rate taxpayers up to £126 a year and taking many out of tax altogether.

A statement from the Wale Adebajo, Communication Manager Press & Public Affairs Unit, British Deputy High Commission said the government is implementing supply-side reform to rebalance the economy away from government and consumer spending towards net trade and invest-

vide working capital for the two sectors. The fund is managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) while the AFC serves as the technical adviser to the fund.

As part of efforts towards unlocking the credit market and to ensure that credit flows to the real sector of the economy, the CBN made available N200 billion for re-financing/re-structuring of banks’ existing loan portfolios to the manufacturing sector and SMEs. The objective of the fund was to fast-track the development of the manufacturing sector by improving access to credit by manufacturers, as well as improving the financial position of the DMBs. The type of facilities under the fund include long-term loans for acquisition of plant and machinery, refinancing of existing loans, resuscitation of ailing industries, working capital and refinancing of existing leases.

Ecobank unveils ‘Advance Account’

E

COBANK Nigeria Plc has launched ‘Advance Account’ to cater for the needs of its working class customers. Speaking during the launch of the product in Lagos, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Jibril Aku said it gives salary account holders immediate credit. He said the product will further strengthen the relationships the bank has with its salaried customers and open up new opportunities to grow its customer base.

“We don’t believe that as a spontaneous credit demand, you can borrow all the time. But if you have longer term needs, the bank has products that can cater for that.

When we say it offers financial freedom, we mean we can advance you for paying for your rates, school fees and other urgent needs such that you don’t have to go to

World Bank: Illegal logging generates $15b yearly This it said, will foster international and domestic cooperation among policy makers, law enforcement authorities and other key stakeholders, and make better use of financial intelligence. “Every two seconds, an area of forest the size of a football field is clear-cut by illegal loggers around the globe. Countries can effectively fight illegal logging through the criminal justice system, punish organised crime, and trace and confiscate illegal logging profits,” it said.

T

HE World Bank has said that estimated $10 to $15 billion is lost to illegal logging annually. Mostly controlled by organised crime, this money is untaxed and is used to pay corrupt government officials at all levels, it said.

The bank said in a statement that the new report provides policy and operational recommendations for policy makers, forestry and law enforcement actors to integrate illegal logging into criminal justice strategies.

The report tagged: ‘Justice for Forests: Improving Criminal Justice Efforts to Combat Illegal Logging’ said that to be effective, law enforcement needs to look past low-level criminals and look at where the profits from illegal logging go. By following the money trail, and using tools developed in more than 170 countries to go after dirty money, criminal justice can pursue organisations engaged in large-scale illegal logging and confiscate ill-gotten gains.

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

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

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

UACN OKOMUOIL PRESCO UPL CCNN FCMB PAINTCOM JAPAULOIL UBA MAYBAKER

Current Before

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

30.45 21.96 9.35 3.29 4.73 3.70 0.72 0.70 2.63 2.08

31.97 23.05 9.81 3.45 4.96 3.87 0.75 0.72 2.69 2.12

1.52 1.09 0.46 0.16 0.23 0.17 0.03 0.02 0.06 0.04

UBN BAGCO REDSTAREX IPWA IKEJAHOTEL FIRSTBANK LIVESTOCK EVANSMED UAC-PROP RTBRISCOE

O/PRICE

4.26 1.70 2.39 0.87 1.39 10.40 1.00 0.54 10.90 1.20

C/PRICE

4.05 1.62 2.28 0.83 1.33 9.97 0.96 0.52 10.50 1.17

150m

150m

150m

155.8

29-2-12

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 • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE

CHANGE

0.21 0.08 0.11 0.04 0.06 0.43 0.04 0.02 0.40 0.03

Date

138m 113m

LOSERS AS AT 20-3-12 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 20-3-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

friends and relations when you need money,” Aku said.

Head, Assets & Liabilities Products, Ecobank Nigeria, Nike Kolawole described the product as financial freedom for employees that want to have access to credit to meet urgent and pressing needs.

According to her, the product allows customers to secure loans for rent payment, payment of school fees, shopping, travel and other pressing needs. She said the product is part of efforts toward providing excellent services for its customers.

However, she said that the target market is confirmed employees of approved corporate names, local corporate, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), public sector, educational institutions and faith-based institutions.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

ment. It said government is also committed to rebalance and strengthen the economy and to support families.

It said that government wants to create the most competitive tax system in the G20, make the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business, encourage investment and exports as a route to a more balanced economy and create a more educated workforce that is the most flexible in Europe.

It said that the economic situation is the greatest challenge the government faces. “It is important to remember that we are getting Britain back on track, tackling the deficit, restoring economic confidence and stability and building strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

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 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

57

NEWS Bayelsa PDP backs Tukur From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

A

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant, Bamanga Tukur, has received the blessings of party supporters in Bayelsa State.

Tukur visited the state with former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu.

At the Government House, he met with Governor Seriake Dickson.

Dickson said members of the party would support whoever President Goodlcuk Jonathan supports.

Tukur is believed to be Jonathan’s candidate in the

race for Wadata House.

“We have selected our delegates for the March 24 convention in Abuja and we will vote for the most experienced contestant.

“As far as we are concerned, we stand where the President stands.

“As a businessman, as an in-law and as a Bayelsan, we want to inform you that we are building a new state from the ruins of the past.

“Use your business connections to invest in the state, because there are endless opportunities here,” the governor said.

Navy gets third headquarters From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

T •Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) talking to Apostle William Omoregie (middle) and Apostle Paul Ozuzu during a thanksgiving service at the St Joseph's Chosen Church of God, Benin

Edo restores teachers’ allowance,

T

HE Edo State Government has restored the old Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA).

At a meeting with executives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) yesterday, G o v e r n o r A d a m s Oshiomhole told the teachers of government’s plan to implement the new tax regime of 40 per cent reduction in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from next month.

The governor said the government’s plan in restoring the old TSA was to motivate the teachers and make the profession attractive.

His words: “We have looked at the whole thing. I appreciate the challenges on your part.

“I know that the TSA is supposed to be 27.5 per cent

A

slashes PAYE by 40 per cent Oshiomhole hails First Lady

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has hailed the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, for providing the right leadership for women and championing the cause of peace in the country.

The governor spoke in Benin City when the Women Advocacy for Peace, Edo State Group visited him yesterday.

He stressed the need for peace in the country.

of the basic salary, but then as things are, what I am able to pay you now is the old structure and we will still wait to see if things improve in the future.

“But right now, even this is tough but because I gave my word I want to try and keep my word, so that next

“We appreciate the First Lady for mobilising women to focus on the need for peace.

“We will collaborate with her office on this project because if the state is not safe, we cannot have foreign investors,” he noted.

According to him, the government has done a lot for the security agencies in the provision of vehicles and logistics to ensure that they are well equipped to provide security for the people.

time when I give my word, you can trust me.

“The present tax you are paying will be reduced. Obviously, you will have more money in your pocket.

“We want to re-introduce in monetary terms, not in percentage wise, exactly the same amount that you were

enjoying before it was suspended.

“That amount you enjoyed, not the percentage would be used.

“It would be a special allowance and it would take effect from April 1 and it would be reflected in your April salary,” he noted.

Airhiavbere’s kinsmen to vote ACN

GBODO Community in Egor Local Government, home town of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate,Charles Airiavbere, has said nobody in the community would vote for the PDP. The Chairman of the community, Daniel Abu, said this yesterday when the community received the two transformers promised by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He said: “We are overwhelmed by the governor’s humanitarian disposition.

“The promise was made last Friday, about four days ago and today, two 500 KVA transformers have been delivered.

“It is therefore very clear that a man who cannot develop his hometown despite many years in the corridors of power cannot also develop the state.

“I will like to say that today in Agbodo, it is a taboo

for all sons and daughters of the community to cast their votes for any person other than the comrade governor in the July 14 election.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Samson Abu, who made the presentation on behalf of his boss, said from the delivery of the transformers it is evident that the governor fulfils his promises.

A youth leader, Sunday

Ikponwosa, an elder, Onaiwu Osaro and the community Secretary, Bright Ogiewonyi, hailed the governor for fulfilling his promise.

“This is the first time we are seeing a governor who has fulfilled his promise.

“We want Edo people to do what they did to President Goodluck Jonathan by voting for Oshiomhole, irrespective of his party because he is a performer,” Ikponwosa said.

Sylva’s ex-aide condemns invasion of home

F

ORMER Chief Press Secretary to former Bayelsa State Governor Doifie Ola has condemned the invasion of his home by the government’s task force.

He said in a statement yesterday that 10 men, including armed policemen, invaded his Edepie-Yenagoa home on the pretext that they were members of the state’s task force.

Ola, who denied being in possession of government property, queried the men’s motive.

He argued that he ought to have been notified of the visit.

The ex-Press Secretary,

•Govt: we are investigating

By Eric Ikhilae

who expressed his unflinching loyalty to the former governor, deplored the actions of the men who claimed to be members of the task force established to recover government’s vehicles.

He said: “There were three cars parked in the premises.

“My aides refused to disclose my whereabouts, the team insisted on leaving with two of the vehicles. “ My aides refused, and the team threatened to remove the cars forcefully.

“After a shouting bout, my House Manager brought the

key of one of the cars and the documents showing the name of the owner, who is a serving lawmaker.

“The government team forcefully left with the car and my House manager, with a threat to come back to tow another car.

“My aide and the car were taken to the Government House and ‘detained’ for about three hours.

“The lawmaker went to the Government House to retrieve his car; my house manager has since returned.

“I find the invasion of my house by government agents

preposterous and illegal.

“I don’t have any government vehicle in my possession.

“My training, background and ethical orientation do not permit me to keep what does not belong to me.”

But Governor Seriake Dickson’s spokesman Daniel Iworiso-Markson could neither deny nor confirm the allegation.

He said: “Ola has made an allegation which the government will investigate.

“The governor is not only a lawmaker but a law enforcement man.

“He is not one who will allow the rights of another to be infringed upon.”

HE Navy has established a third naval command headquarters in Bayelsa State.

Known as the Central Naval Command, with headquarters in Brass, the command will also cover other states such as Delta, Edo and Kogi.

The Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, made this known when he visited Governor Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa.

He said the Central Naval Command was carved out of the Western Naval Command with headquarters in Lagos and the Eastern Naval Command with headquarters in Calabar.

Olutoyin said the area, which is about 300 kilometres, covers the coastal states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and the inland state of Kogi.

The headquarters will also complement the activities of other security agencies in the area.

Other benefits of the establishment, he added, would be the attraction of infrastructural development in the state.

Book on Benin monarch for launch

T

HE city of Benin, Edo State, will host visitors on Saturday when a book on the Oba of Benin will be officially unveiled at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre.

The book entitled: “The Glorious reign Of Omo N’oba Erediauwa”, contains more than a dozen essays

that attempt to highlight some remarkable events in the reign of the monarch.

It was written by Prof. G.I Akenzua and published by Inter Press.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, who also coauthored the book, Victor Osarewen said the Benin monarch has made tremendous contributions to nation building.

Imoke sends 15 names to Assembly From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

C

ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has sent the names of 15 nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation for appointment as commissioners.

In a letter containing the names, Imoke said the request was in pursuance to Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The letter also indicated that the constitutional provision that required that appointments should recognise the diversity of the people of the state had been met.

‘Bakassi has been abandoned’ From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

P

OLITICAL leader of the Bakassi people of Cross River State Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has bemoaned the plight of the people.

She said they have been abandoned since they were displaced by the ceding of their land to Cameroon.

Speaking with The Nation in Calabar on Monday, Ms. ItaGiwa said relevant authorities should take responsibility for the proper resettlement of the displaced persons.

She said: “Why are we being marginalised? Why are we being trampled upon? Why have we been disenfranchised within the Nigerian nation to which we rightly belong?

“Is it our fault that our ancestral homeland was ceded to a foreign nation without any consultations? Why are we homeless?”

21 convicted for piracy

T

HE Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) said it has secured the conviction of 21 persons for piracy from last year till date.

It said 126 other suspects were arrested for the same offence in the period under review.

NCC’s Head of Enforcement Augustine Amodu, who spoke to reporters in Benin, said pirated items worth N3.1million were seized by the commission

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

when it raided hideouts of some pirates in Warri and Ughelli in Delta State.

Amodu said the suspects were involved in pirating compact discs and cable networks.

According to him, “It’s not business as usual, we are out to eradicate piracy.”

“Broker pirates use booster and smart cards to send signals to illegal subscribers numbering over 300 and collect money. “

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

58

NEWS Court refuses Goje’s, others’ applications to quash charge

By Eric Ikhilae

A

FEDERAL High Court in Gombe, Gombe State, has refused applications by former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje and four others seeking to quash the charge against them.

Justice Olaide Babatunde Quadri in a ruling yesterday held that a prima facie case has been established against the accused persons by the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

According to a statement

by EFCC’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity Unit, Wilson Uwujaren, the court also held that they must face trial based on the charge already before the court.

The court upheld the positions of the prosecution, saying the EFCC has the power to prosecute the accused persons in view of the provisions of its establishment Act. It further held that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case.

The ruling was on the two applications by Goje and others seeking to quash the 18-count charge brought against them by the EFCC. Goje, Aliyu ElNafaty, Sambo Tumu, S.M. Dakoro and S.M. Dakoro Gombe (a company) are charged with offences bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

Lead defence lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), had while arguing the applications, contended that it was not within the powers of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute them on offences of money laoundering.

He argued that the charges as constituted and filed by the EFCC were dead on arrival. He noted that Goje, in counts 1 and 7 of the charges, relating to the offence of conspiracy, was portrayed to have conspired with himself, a fact he claimed was not possible from the point of law.

The judge has fixed May 8 for the commencement of trial.

Boko Haram: JAMB to protect T candidates N

Nasarawa/Benue to set up panels

HE Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde, said yesterday that the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies have been engaged to provide security at the centres and ensure a hitch-free examination.

He said members of the House of Representatives did not summon him over

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Grace Iyabo was also Miss Fasanu Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adamolekun Grace Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. AdoOdo/Ota LGEA, Ogun SUBEB and general public should take note.

any issue, adding that he did not say that JAMB would not conduct exam in any state.

Briefing reporters on the preparedness of JAMB for the third edition of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scheduled for Saturday, Ojerinde said the examina-

tion body would move away from troubled areas, especially in Borno State, to other areas to conduct the examination.

He said 1, 503, 931 candidates registered for the 2012 UTME, the highest so far since JAMB was establised.

This year’s UTME, according to Ojerinde, will hold simultaneously in 375

•Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (second right); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi (left); new Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, AIhaji Ibrahim Maishanu (second left) and outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, during the visit of the new CP to the Governor shortly after his resumption in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

Atiku raises alarm over intruder

B

ARELY a week after a man climbed a telecoms mast to protest the non-payment of N17 million debts allegedly owed him by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, another unidentified man was said to have attempted to force his way into Atiku’s Kaduna residence yesterday.

A statement by Atiku’s media office said the intruder banged persistently on the entrance gate, demand-

PUBLIC NOTICE BELLO

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

towns in Nigeria and six foreign centres, namely: Accra in Ghana, Buea in the Republic of Cameroon, Cotonou in the Republic of Benin, London in the United Kingdom, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Johannesburg in South Africa.

Prof. Ojerinde said JAMB recently met with the Acting Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar and he assured of his readiness to cooperate with the examination body in the conduct of the UTME.

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ing to see the former VicePresident.

The statement added that policemen at the gate had to call for reinforcement before they could overpower the man.

“After his arrest, three copies of the Holy Bible, a rosary and some cash were found on him. Further investigations at the Anguwar Rimi Police Station in Kaduna revealed that the

man was suspected to be a serving Army captain and the military authorities, when contacted, confirmed this.

“There were, however, indications that the intruder allegedly absconded from the Army two months ago.

It was not immediately clear what the intruder’s motives were, but the former VicePresident said he was embarrassed by the two events. He was worried whether they were sheer co-

PUBLIC NOTICE THE GATE OF ZION MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Rev. (Mrs) Patience Ime Ekanem Mr. Sebastian Okon Pastor Idara Ime Ekanem Engr. Ime Ekanem Pastor Uwem Umoh Evang. Emem Udom AIMS AND OBJECTIVES” 1.

To preach the good news and evangelized the world 2.

To prepare souls for Christ Coming Any objection of the above should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigre Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publications.

Signed: REV. (MRS.) PATIENCE IME EKANEM

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

College, Jos on Monday night by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.

A source said the gunmen arrived at the college about 12:30am and shot at the policemen on duty. The officers manning the gate were

said to have prevented the gunmen from entering, and in frustration, they shot the policemen, injuring two.

Three others who escaped, reportedly called for a reinforcement, forcing the gunmen to flee.

The two injured officers, whose names could not be confirmed, are receiving

ASARAWA and Benue governors have resolved to set up ad-hoc committees comprising traditional rulers and council chairmen in border areas, to stem communal crises.

Addressing reporters at the end of their meeting yesterday in Lafia, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said henceforth, sanctions would be applied on traditional rulers and community leaders in whose domains violence erupts.

He attributed the incessant crises in the border communities to criminals who connive to steal cattle and rob people.

The adhoc committees, according Suswam, shall henceforth be responsible for the surveillance of the area with a view to identifying criminals who have fuelled the crises through dubious acts.

He said the decision was part of an interim measure to guard against the tide of violence at the border communities.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa called for proper scrutiny of vigilance groups in the affected areas, saying their activities might have also contributed to the rise in violence.

Kano police nabs murder suspect From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

K •Atiku

incidence or something more sinister,” the statement said.

Boko Haram suspects shoot policemen in college invasion

WO policemen are now in critical condition at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Jos, following an attack on the Police Staff

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

treatments at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano, Jos. Reporters were not allowed to see the victims who were said to be in critical condition.

A source in the college told The Nation that the gunmen left a message that they would attack the college again after amassing more weapons to overpower the police.

ANO State Police Command has arrested a 20- year-old man, Auwalu Muhammad, over the alleged murder of a lady in Sabon Gari.

The police said they are yet to establish the identity and other relevant details of the victim who was allegedly murdered at 7, Middle Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.

A statement yesterday, signed by the Public Relations Officer, Magaji Musa Majiya, said the police, acting on a distress call, caught the suspect on the scene of the incident.

Majiya said the police recovered a ‘bloodstained knife’ from the suspect as an exhibit, adding that the accused confessed to the crime during preliminary investigation.

The police also said they have arrested robbers that specialise in dispossessing people of their cars on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway and Abuja–Lokoja-Kaduna Highway.

Senator bemoans killings in Kogi

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SENATOR representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Nurudeen AbatemiUsman, has condemned the incessant killings in Ebira land.

The senator made the condemnation in the wake of the killing of Jaguda Ichogudo by unknown gunmen.

There has been a resurgence of assassinations in the district, which led to the ban on commercial motorcyclists from 7pm.

Among the victims of the mysterious killings are traditional rulers, an Imam, a pastor, businessmen, a technocrat and others.

In a statement by Michael Jegede, his Special Assist-

ant on Media, Abatemi-Usman, while urging security agents to stop the killings, warned that nobody should take advantage of the current challenge to cause violence.

The statement said: “Everybody must remain calm, while the law enforcement agents should carry out their investigation to un-

ravel the mystery behind the killings. Any group or person found unleashing violence in respect of the current situation will be severely dealt with. Nobody will take us back to the dark days in Ebira land. We must strive to sustain the peace in our land, to usher in development. These killings must stop now.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

59

NEWS Anambra councils’ tenure extension rejected

Osun sets aside 1,000 acres for rice

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

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GROUP, Ngige Legacy Restoration Agenda, has condemned the extension of the tenure of local government transition committees by the Anambra State House of Assembly.

In a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Okafor Vinpaul, the group accused the state government of deliberately stalling the conduct of council elections.

It said the non-conduct of council polls in years has hindered development at the grassroots.

The statement said: “The extension of the tenure of the transition committees by the House of Assembly is an indication that government is not willing to conduct the election in the near future, if not throughout the span of the present administration.

“Many of the people appointed to run the affairs of the councils are government rubber-stamps. They are not accountable to the people and are there to do the bidding of their paymasters.”

Orji dispenses kerosene in Umuahia From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has flagged-off the pilot scheme of the direct sale of kerosene to the public at N50 per litre.

The initiative, which is being facilitated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Capital Oil, is to make kerosene available to the public.

Flagging-off the scheme at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Orji said the scheme would solve the problem of kerosene scarcity.

He said 56,000 litres of kerosene was on ground and more was still expected.

The governor said the scheme would be launched in other local governments on a rotational basis and urged people in other councils to be patient.

He said security agents would ensure discipline during the sale and urged the people to conduct themselves with decorum.

Orji said his government means well for the people and will continue to be responsive to their needs.

Mr.UdechukwuOhaegbulam of NNPC said the company is determined to make life easier for the people.

Nnanna Egwuonwu of Capital Oil pledged to work with NNPC to ensure that people get kerosene at the official pump price.

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•Civil servants protesting the non-payment of the minimium wage in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital...yesterday. The State Government said the commiittee that ordered the protest lacks legal recognition and anyone who disrupts the peace in the state will be punished.

Striking unions bar VC, Registrar, others from OOU campus

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HE crisis rocking the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago–Iwoye, Ogun State, worsened yesterday as a coalition of three unions barred the Vice–Chancellor, Prof. Wale Are Olaitan; and the Registrar, Mr. Olufemi Oyewole, from entering the campus for three days, over the alleged nonpayment of salary arrears.

The industrial dispute by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non–Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), which began last Thursday, has paralysed administrative and academic activities

in the university.

The Nation observed yesterday that the Vice- Chancellor, who was declared a persona non grata, the Registrar and the Deputy ViceChancellor could not enter the campus because of the fear of being molested by the protesters.

Olaitan’s office and that of the Registrar located in the Administrative building were barricaded by the workers, who placed a tractor, a water tank, woods and palm fronds at the entrances.

The unions alleged that the three and a half-month salary arrears had been released by the state government, but the school’s man-

agement allegedly spent it on a road project abandoned by the Ogun State Roa Maintenance Agency (OGROMA).

In a statement, the Joint Action Committee of the three unions called for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.

It accused them of fraud and gross incompetence in the administration of the university.

The unions alleged that the management spent N57 million on furnishing a rented apartment for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, instead of using the money to build permanent residences.

The VC was also accused of “purportedly spending

N20 million monthly on security “in a peaceful university environment.”

Comrade Egberongbe Taiwo (SSANU) and Comrade Ajewole Raymond (NASU) urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to remove the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar and constitute a Governing Council for the institution.

Egberongbe and Raymond told The Nation that they would not call–off the strike, which entered the fifth day today, until their demands are met.

The Nation repeatedly phoned the VC and the university’s spokesman, Mr. Sam Oyeleye, for comments, but they did not answer the calls.

Two monarchs preside over Obosi festival

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HERE was tension at Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State at the weekend, as two monarchs presided over the IteOgbo cultural festival.

The two contenders to the throne, Igwe Chidubem Iweka and Igwe Chimezie Anene, celebrated the festival, with parties loyal to each faction paying loyalties and performing the traditional rights at the palace of the

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

monarch of their choice.

The development contradicted the state government’s claim that the kingship crisis in the community is over.

The government had issued a Certificate of Recognition to Igwe Iweka.

Speaking with reporters in his palace, Igwe Anene regretted that the government issued a certificate of recognition to Igwe Chidubem,

even though the case is pending in court.

He said the community has been polarised into two factions and urged the government to withdraw the certificate until the court determines the legitimate candidate for the throne.

An indigene, Chief Omezie Chukwurah, said the larger percentage of Obosi people would remain loyal to Igwe Anene, who he said is the legitimate

Obi inspects projects

Chime loses mum From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Enugu State Government has announced the death of Governor Sullivan Chime’s mother, Mrs. Theresa Ekpeluchi Chime.

She died on Monday at a private hospital in Enugu, after a brief illness.

She was 87 years.

Burial arrangement will be announced by the family.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Obi

ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has assured the people that the Obibia Bridge

on Enugwu-Agidi–NTA and 10 similar projects will be completed before the rainy season.

He spoke yesterday while inspecting the project.

Obi expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and said he would continue to monitor them personally.

The governor debunked the rumour that the Obibia Bridge is a “death trap due to some structural defects”.

He said the bridge has no defect and warned the originators of the rumour to stop

peddling falsehood.

Obi said the bridge was built according to specifications.

A representative of the firm handling the project, Mr. Agman Bou Khzam, said the bridge would be ready before Easter.

The governor also inspected the Ogbonabo Bridge on Okpuno Awka–Isuanocha Road.

He said the reconstruction of the adjoining road has been incorporated in the contract.

monarch.

Chukwurah warned that those trying to undermine the process of choosing a king to satisfy their selfish interests will incur the wrath of the gods.

Mr. Emeka Orizu said he was opposed to the installation of Igwe Chidubem because of the circumstances surrounding his emergence.

Orizu said two families constitute the royal families of Obosi, namely the Umuokwasala and Umuezeagu families.

He said: “After the reign of Eze Iweka II from Ezeobodo, a sub-family of Umuezeagu royal family, Igwe J. Nwakobi from Umuokwasala family ascended the throne and reigned till his death in 2011.

“It became the turn of Umuezeagu to produce the next king and the family presented Igwe Anene.”

But Igwe Chidubem said his emergence reflects the wish of the people. He said the only people opposing his emergence are the immediate family members of his opponent.

THE Osun State Government, through the Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QIIP), has prepared 1,000 acres of land in Osuntedo, Ejigbo Local Government Area, for rice farming.

The acres of land will be distributed to members of 20 farmers’ co-operative societies.

This is one of the initiatives of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration to ensure food security.

The government’s target is to produce 2,000 metric tonnes of rice this year.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Wale Adedoyin led a team of officials of the ministry to inspect the land on Monday.

State QIIP Coordinator Dele Ogundipe said each of the farmers’ co-operative societies would be given a minimum of 50 acres.

Ogundipe said 500 acres have been cleared manually. He said tractors would till the land before they are handed over to the farmers.

Adedoyin, who was accompanied by the State Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. Dauda Ajisekola, and an engineer from the ministry, Mr. Musa Oladapo, expressed satisfaction with the work done.

He said the land would be ready before the rainy season.

The commissioner called on other local governments and communities to make land available to the government for agricultural purposes.

Abia moves to resolve conflict with Ebonyi From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

THE Abia State House of Assembly has directed the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Police to liaise with their Ebonyi State counterparts and restore peace in border communities.

The incessant clashes between the border communities of Lokpa, Abia State, and Ameze Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, have claimed several lives.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Deputy Speaker Allwell Asiforo Okere said the directive became imperative to end the bloody clashes.

On other resolutions passed by the House, Okere said the state Director of the Fire Service, Mr. Victor Gbaruko, has been summoned to educate members on the capacity and challenges of the organisation.

He said they have urged the executive to domesticate the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The Deputy Speaker said the House has begun the amendment of the Physical and Infrastructural Development Fund Law, with a view to making the levies payable daily, monthly or yearly.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

60

NEWS

The lake where Apagun’s body was found

Jonathan sued over 2015 race

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ESPITE the ban on campaign for 2015 poll, President Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday sued at an Abuja High Court by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, over the status of which term he is serving in office.

The suit followed a declaration by the President last week that he is serving his first term in office.

The applicant, is, however, claiming that Jonathan is running a second term in office and cannot be a candidate in 2015.

He also said the President cannot swear to an Oath of Office thrice in the light of Section 137(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

Those joined in the matter are the President (first respondent), the PDP (second respondent), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third Respondent.

But the PDP refused to be served the originating summons yesterday, claiming that it has no National Secretary or National Legal Adviser in place.

The applicant however, through his counsel, Mr. Osuagwu Ugochukwu, raised two questions for determination by the court.

These are: •Whether Section 135(2) of the Constitution which specifies a period of four years in office for the President is only available or applicable to a person elected on the basis of an actual election or includes one in which a person assumes the position of President by operation of law as in the case of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan •Whether Section 137(1) (b)

By Joke Kujenya

•Jonathan From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

of the 1999 Constitution which provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections applies to the 1st Defendant who first took an Oath of Office as substantive President on May 6, 2010 and took a second Oath of Office as President on May 29, last year.

This is the second time that Njoku will take the President to court.

He had in August 2010 attempted to stop PDP from allowing Jonathan to participate in the PDP presidential primaries of January 2011.

Njoku, from Zuba Ward in Gwagwalada Area Council and with PDP registration number 1622735, had urged the court to ask the PDP to respect its principle on zoning formula in line with Article 7.

2(c) of the party’s constitution.

He said the declaration of Jonathan (third defendant) to contest the presidency on the PDP platform was contrary to Article7.2(c) of the PDP 2009 Constitution (as amended).

But the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Lawan Gummi dismissed the zoning suit.

Ekiti police commissioner takes seat •Oyo police chief to fish out Tokyo, Auxiliary

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NEW Commissioner of Police (CP) for Ekiti State Command, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, yesterday assumed duty.

He was deployed from Niger State. Maishanu succeeds Mr. Olayinka Balogun, who has been redeployed to Edo State.

Speaking with reporters at the Police headquartres in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Maishanu pledged to implement the reforms agenda of Acting Inspector-General Muhammed Abubakar.

He said its a new age of discipline in the force and officers in Ekiti would do everything to consolidate this attainement through conducts that dignify the force.

The CP also promised to ensure better policing of the state and its citizens.

Mr. Balogun urged the CP to see corruption within the Force as real and institute measures to check it.

The former CP said he never made unholy requests for money from any of his lieutenants during his 15month stay.

He urged the CP to put in place policies that would motivate officers to give their best, adding that his good working relationship with his subordinates was a factor in his fight against crime.

Olayinka said: “I never demanded money from any of my subordinates or ask them to make money on my behalf. This I think, is one of the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

ways to check corruption.”

In Oyo State, police chief Tambari Mohammed vowed to fish out the two factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka TOKYO) and Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxilliary).

Mohammed made this known when he visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Tokyo and Auxilliary were declared wanted last year by the Oyo State Police command following killings of innocent persons and members of the union on June 5, last year. Several properties were also destroyed in the crisis that rocked the union for over two years. The two leaders have been in hiding since.

The CP frowned at the inability of the command to arrest them almost a year after, asking: “Are they dead?

The police boss stressed that the only option available to the duo was to willingly surrender themselves and state their case.

The commissioner assured the state government of his readiness to work in line with the transformation agenda of the government, but solicited for cooperation.

Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, who received the CP and his team on behalf of the governor, expressed delight at the pledge made by the CP to partner with the state government in its avowed determination to make life more meaningful for the residents.

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HE drive to the Transit Lodge Rockbeach Lake Toria Day & Night Mini Golf, OkeMosan, Abeokuta in Ogun State, could pose a dangerous venture for a first-timer. The signpost is what indicates directions to the various sections of the Mini Golf.

It is on the right handside of the new Secretariat buildings. But a drive to the right takes the visitor on a lonesome gamble. The golf course is said to be located in a sloppy area a few metres to the artificial lake.

Fish are also bred and sold at the lake for golfers and guests. Parked on one end of the resort is a police truck to ward off unwanted visitors. The place has three sections of waters.

The first is a shallow pond which has a canoe on the sandy shore. The second is a little narrow water. And the third, bigger than the other two, is the water in which the late Apagun reportedly plunged.

•The controversial lake...yesterday There is also a recreation centre seated on a hilltop which has a bar, conference centre and a unique staircase that leads to the golf course in the event that visitors do not want to take the trouble of walking down through the regular entrance and exit.

The other end of the resort also leads to close-by villages though access is said not to be granted.

“Apagun used to come here every day,” said the guide who took the reporter to the resort.

•The road to the lake

PHOTOS: JOKE KUJENYA

Court takes direction in suit against Wada March 23 FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Abuja, will on Friday take a direction in the two consolidated suits against Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.

The winner of the January 2011 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jibrin Echocho and a party chieftain, Oyebode Makinde are asking the court to quash the swearing-in of Wada as governor.

Echocho had won the PDP primary before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed elections in five states including Kogi.

The action followed an Abuja Federal High Court’s verdict, which held that the tenure of the five governors is beyond May 29, 2011 having won re-run elections.

When the commission released a new date for the election, Kogi PDP conducted an-

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From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

other primary election in September in which Wada emerged as the winner.

Wada eventually won the governorship election defeating the candidate of the Action Congres of Nigeria (ACN), former governor Abubakar Audu.

For close to six hours yesterday, parties could not agree on various issues.

Although the plaintiffs did not oppose the application for extension of time by the INEC and the PDP, Wada’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN) told the court of his application to stay proceedings.

Justice Donatus Okorowo will on that day rule on whether to take the motion for stay separately or jointly with the substantial suit.

Uche told the court that he

had filed an appeal at the court of Appeal, Abuja, against the decision to consolidate the suits.

He urged the court to allow him move his motion for stay of proceeding separately from the substantive suit.

According to him, any attempt to lump the motion for stay of proceeding with the substantive suit would deny him fair hearing and will render his motion nullity.

Counsel to Makinde, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) and that of Echocho, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) opposed the application.

Reminding the court that it had earlier granted accelerated hearing, the plaintiffs urged the court to hear the motion for stay and the substantive suit together.

Olanipekun described the motion by the governor as a ploy to delay and frustrate ear-

ly hearing of the case.

Iziyon argued that time was of essence and crucial to early determination of the case.

He said that mere filling of a notice of appeal did not constitute as stay of proceeding and urged the court to hear the motion and the main issue together.

Before adjourning till Friday, the Judge ordered the INEC to file and serve its processes before Thursday morning.

Granting accelerated hearing in the case, the Judge had pointed out that the action is of constitutional importance and it is important that the issues be determined expeditiously.

He also abridged the time for filing of processes.

He ordered the Plaintiffs to file and serve, if any, other sundry and outstanding issues within three days, the Defendants have seven days to respond, while the Plaintiffs have three days to reply on point of law.

PDP chair: Court urged to stop Bamanga Tukur

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HERE is a legal move to stop the ‘favoured’ national chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur from the National Convention.

An aggrieved member, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has taken the party and Tukur to a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The originating motion brought pursuant to Order 3 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the court was made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja.

The defendants are Tukur, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first to third defendants.

According to the Plaintiff, Tukur is not fit to lead the party having been allegedly expelled in 2001 for anti-party

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja activities by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

He maintained that he has failed to regularise his re-entry processes as stipulated in Article 10 (b) iii of the PDP Constitution.

“The first Defendant (Tukur) willfully and deliberately neglected and refused to attend the Adamawa State ward Congress of the PDP in breach of Article 9 (1) of the Constitution of the second defendant (PDP)”, he added.

The plaintiff is praying for: •An order declaring the first defendant (Alhaji Bamanga Tukur) as incompetent to be voted for or otherwise vie for any elective post in the second defendant (PDP) since the first defendant is not a valid member of the second defendant.

•An order of the court declaring the first defendant as unfit person to stand in or contest any elective post in the March 24, 2012 National Convention of the second defendant.

•An order of court restraining the firstdefendant, his privies and or agents from further parading the first defendant as a chairmanship candidate of the second defendant pending the determination of this suit.

•An order of court restraining the second defendant, his privies and agents whatsoever from taking any further step at recognising, and or facilitating the candidacy of the first defendant for purposes of any election or otherwise whatsoever pending the determination of this suit.

Butressing his point, the plaintiff cited Article 10 (c) of the PDP Constitution which

says, “Any party member who loses his membership for reasons other than non-payment of annual subscription, may be readmitted on the recommendation of his state chapter made to the national working committee, which is subject to the national working committee, which is subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee”.

He listed those expelled alongside Tukur on May 31, 2001 based on a disciplinary report assembled by the Iro Dan Musa committe to include four former members of the PDP Board of Trustees which are late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Asheik Jarma and Chief Don Etiebet.

Others were former National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ibeshi; his deputy Gbenga Olawepo and Vice Chairman (South-South), late Marshal Harry.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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NEWS

Panel chair, members step down Continued from page 4

While regretting that his integrity was called to question by Ms. Oteh, who labelled the committee a “kangaroo committee”, Hembe backed his claim with three official SEC internal memoranda.

He threatened to seek compensation through judicial assistance to restore his public perception, which he said has been damaged by the allegation.

Saying that the incident of March 15 was rather unfortunate, Hembe noted: “Rather than answering questions on serious matters put to her, she chose to proceed on the voyage of false accusation against my person and went ahead to declare the entire committee a kangaroo committee.

“I stand before you this morning to reaffirm my innocence regarding the allegations made against me by the Director-General of SEC. “I want it to be on record that I demanded for no bribe and took no bribe; rather, I fought back efforts by the SEC DG to expose us to inappropriate influence.

“I think it is in the interest of protecting my integrity because my integrity as a person has been called to question, which has further affected the integrity of the House as a whole. In order to put this matter to a stop because it has attracted tremendous media attention, there is need for me to make clear statement as to the fact that I am innocent on this matter.

“This is distortion and it is incumbent on me to say that

contrary to the ploy the Director-General of SEC` made, it was she, via the memo I have here that made an overture, trying to propose that she gives us N30 million. The memo was signed and even the Board of SEC approved that request.

“I made this statement so that my name will be cleared.

This is the truth and in the interest of fairness and fair play, I humbly say we disqualify ourselves, as a committee, from going on with that probe.

“On that note, my point is that I made no attempt to collect any bribe but rather worked hard to resist the temptation of being offered any bribe.”

Hembe vowed to defend his integrity. He said: “In my innocence, however, I am aware of the impact of this false allegations on public perception, and as a legal practitioner, I am conversant with the principles of law and in the exercise of judicial or quasi judicial functions, it becomes inappropriate to continue to preside when allegations bordering on pecuniary interest are made against your person.

“As I earlier indicated my willingness to submit myself to legal scrutiny, I hereby re-

affirm that position. I here and now add that I am ever willing to submit myself to the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. I hereby disqualify myself and urge the House to withdraw the entire committee from further conducting the investigative hearing.

“I remain persuaded; however, the resolution of the House to investigate the Nigerian capital market remains most commendable and timely and should be carried to its logical conclusion.”

Hembe served notice of his next action, saying: “I still reserve the right and liberty to go to court, not only to obtain a judicial stamp of innocence, but to receive full compensation for the obvious damage these false and spurious allegations have caused me.”

Chief Whip Ishiaka Bawa (PDP, Taraba), in a motion immediately after Hembe’s speech, moved to back the withdrawal as well as the need to continue with the investigation, in addition to the investigation of Hembe’s committee on the allegations of the SEC DG by the Ethic and Privileges Committee.

Tambuwal said the House had just survived another chal-

lenge, emerging stronger in its stride to bring transparency and accountability to bear in governance.

Tambuwal said: “This morning (yesterday), we passed through yet another challenge which, though not unusual in the democratic process, has subjected this institution to further refining.

These challenges are necessary for the strengthening of our democratic institutions.

“This is no doubt a responsibility which is hazard prone.

However, as I have stated elsewhere, these hazards notwithstanding, it is a duty from which we cannot and must not abdicate.

“Let me assure Nigerians, once again, that we are totally committed to the fight against corruption and shall deploy all energies available at our disposal to fight this war. The old saying that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going will continue to be our guide.

“I also wish to assure Nigerians that in fighting this war, we recognise that we must, like Caesar’s wife, be above board and suspicion. For the avoidance of doubt and the benefit of those who may be uninformed, all Committees of the House have constitutional backing.”

Osoba’s biography for launch

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MEDIA biography of the former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, will be launched tomorrow at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

The biography, titled: “Segun Osoba:

The Newspaper Years”, was written by Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe, two celebrated journalists and authors.

The event will attract politicians, publishers, journalists and personalities from all walks of life.

Fed Govt redeploys 14 Permanent Secretaries •Two appointed From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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OURTEEN Permanent Secretaries were yesterday redeployed by the Federal Government.

Two new ones were also named in a major shake-up announced though a statement signed by Mr. Tope Ajakaiye, a deputy director (press & public relations) on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of Federation (HOCSF), Alhaji Bello Isa Sali.

In the posting, Alhaji Sheidu Ozigis moves from Interior to Niger Delta Affairs, while Prof. Nicholas Damachi goes from Education to the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Emmanuel Ogbile, formerly at Lands, Housing and Urban Development, goes to State House, from where Dr. Tunji Olaopa moves Labour & Productivity, while Mr Linus Awute of Defence moves to Interior.

Dr Ben Ibe of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation is redeployed to Education, while Mrs. Ibukun Odusote moves from Power to the Environment, from where Alhaji Mohammed Bashar moves to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (Common Service Office).

Mr Anthony Ozidinobi moves from Labour and Productivity to the Federal Capital Territory, while Dr Dere Awosika of Science and Technology goes to Power.

Alhaji I. Mahe of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Political Affairs Office) moves to Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

Mrs Rabi Jimeta, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Special Duties) goes to Science and Technology while Alhaji Atiku Kigo, formerly of Niger-Delta Ministry moves to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Mrs A Daniel Nwaobia of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is now Permanent Secretary, Culture, Tourism and National Orientation.

The newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Alhaji Aliyu Isma’ila Numan, who is posted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Political/ Economic Affairs Office), and Mr. Ossi George Afamefuna, who is deployed to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Special Duties).

The statement said urged the completion of all handing and taking over formalities before Friday.

Secret memo shows SEC offered House Committee N30.4m Continued from page 4

•Ogun State Governor Ibikule Amosun (second right); the celebrator and Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Lateef Adegbite (second left) ; Adegbite’s wife Similola and Prof Abdul-Fattah Mabadeje at Adegbite’s 79th birthday in Lagos... yesterday.

before 12th March, 2012 in Committee Room 19. 2nd Floor, White House, House of Representatives Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

“You are also expected to attend and take this Public Hearing serious as a core regulator of the Market.

“As we partner to bring lasting solution to the Capital Market’s near collapse, please accept the Committee’s best regards to your esteem office.”

The Committee at the SEC’s instace, later sent a N35,719,490 bill needed for the hearing and how it would spend the money, to SEC. The breakdown is as follows: PUBLIC HEARNG: (1) Publicity—(a) Advert in Newspapers) Business

Three dead in Kano Boko Haram attack Continued from page 4

These people said they would intercede between us and the government; they said they have the capacity and we trusted them. Unfortunately however, the opportunity was messed up.”

“In fact, we have closed all possible doors of negotiation. We would never listen to any call for negotiations.

Let the government forces do whatever they feel they can do and we too would use all the wherewithal at our disposal and do what we can.

If the government thinks arresting our members will discourage us from launching onslaught, then let them

continue arresting and killing our members.

“We strongly believe that Almighty Allah will give us the power to catch and prosecute government forces. We are optimistic that we would dismantle this government and establish Islamic government in Nigeria.”

He challenged the government, saying “let the Federal Government and its agents do what they can; and we in return, would also do what we can. The noble prophet Mohammed was also tried and tested during the war of Uhud. He persevered and at the end of the day, he emerged victorious. The fact

is that, we don’t have an element of doubt in our minds that one day, we would surely emerge victorious from this onerous encounter.”

He, however, called on all Muslims in the North to fight for the restoration of the Caliphate of Usman Danfodio, which “the white man fought and fragmented,” claiming that; “the white man killed prominent Islamic clerics and Emirs and also replaced the white Islamic flag with the Union Jack.”

Qaqa said: “We want all our people to come together and restore our lost.” He said they could not continue to wait on Dr. Datti Ahmed’s

peace move.

Dr. Datti Ahmad and his people have intimated us that they would make attempt and find a platform on which we would meet with the government agents and find solution to the crisis.

Datti also assured that he will get back to us on what transpired between his group and the government. We gave him our conditions.”

On the government doubt about Ahmad’s group representing it, he said there was no need for it for “we are really involved in the moves made by Ahmad because they gave us adequate assurance that they have the capac-

ity to deliver.

“However, they (Datti and Co) have seen how deceitful the Federal Government is.

As far as we are concerned, we know that the Federal Government will not live up to its responsibility.

The spokesman advised the media to keep to their professional calling, noting that all journalists should not to be deterred by the threat by the so called faction of the sect but “journalists must also adhere to the ethics of their professional calling because, all over the world, everybody knows the role of a journalist. Journalists must remain courageous”.

News(N1,001,000); Daily Trust(N1,001,920); Punch(N998,800); Vanguard(N1,001,960); and Tribune(N1,601,560). Sub-total= N5, 605, 240.

1(b) Advert in television stations: Channels (N745, 250.00); AIT (N715, 200.00); and NTA (N785, 000). Sub-total= N2, 245, 450.

1( c) Live coverage: Channels (1hr)—N4,550,000; AIT(2 hrs) –N12, 993,800; and NTA(3hrs)—N8,660,000. Subtotal= N26, 203, 800.

B. Secretariat Needs: (a) Official reporters(N500,000); (b) Technical crew(N300,000); (c) Postal Services(N350,000); (d)Stationery( N250,000); (e) Cards N15,000; and (f) N250,000.

As at press time however, it was gathered that the EFCC and the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges might quiz the DG, all the three Commissioners in SEC, and the Chairman of the House Committee, Mr. Herman Hembe any moment from now.

A reliable source said: “The EFCC is presently conducting preliminary findings by looking at correspondences between the House Committee and the SEC. “Investigators have also been liaising with the hotel where Otteh allegedly incurred N30million bill.

“The key players might be invited by Friday or early next week for interaction.

“Already, some commissioners in SEC have expressed willingness to testify before the EFCC and the House Committee.”

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Syrian opposition accused of human rights abuse

Tornado destroys 50 homes in San Antonio SEVERE weather hammered the Midwest and South from Minnesota to Texas including a tornado that touched down in San Antonio, where at least 50 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Residents across this broad region were bracing for flooding Tuesday after the severe weather brought heavy rain and hail that is anticipated to continue for the next few days. With the storm system slowing significantly, tornadoes are becoming less likely but flash flooding becomes a major concern, forecasters said.

The slow-moving weather pattern will bring thunderstorms with heavy rain as it moves over the same area, according to the National Weather Service, which said that some locations will receive a foot of rain by midweek.

The NWS reported that the tornado touched down 25 miles southwest of San Antonio on Monday evening, and that parts of the city and surrounding areas were under a tornado warning. Although some were trapped inside their homes, no fatalities were reported by early Tuesday morning.

Mexico hit by strong earthquake A LARGE earthquake has struck near Acapulco on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake had a magnitude of 7.6 and put the epicenter at 15 miles (525 km) east of Ometepec, in Guerrero state.

Witnesses said buildings swayed in the capital, Mexico City, sending office workers rushing out onto the streets.

It was not immediately clear whether the earthquake had caused any significant damag20 March 2012 .

Spanish ex-regional head jailed THE former regional head of government of Spain’s Balearic Islands has been jailed for corruption.

Jaume Matas, who is also a former Spanish environment minister, was given a sixyear sentence.

He was found guilty of using public money to pay a journalist who wrote articles praising him, the court said.

The verdict is part of a wider scandal that has also seen the king’s son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin, testify in court.

Mr Matas, who belongs to the centre-right Popular Party of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, was convicted of fraud, falsifying official documents, embezzlement and influence peddling.

He was regional president of the Balearic Islands for two stints - between 1996 and 1999 and then from 2003 to 2007.

U

•An explosion site in Kerbala

A

45 killed in Iraq bombings

T least 45 people have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks across Iraq, officials say.

Two car bombs in the predominantly Shia city of Kerbala killed at least 13 people.

Another car bomb near police headquarters in the northern city of Kirkuk killed another 13 people, most of them officers, police said.

The attacks come ahead of next week's Arab League summit to be held in the capital, Baghdad.

Security forces in Iraq have been placed on high alert in the run-up.

The attacks also coincide with the ninth anniversary of the beginning of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The summit is seen as the country's return to the regional stage following the withdrawal of US troops in December.

The BBC's correspondent in Iraq, Rami Ruhayem, says such coordinated campaigns have become a recurring nightmare in the country, and show that the security forces remain fatally flawed.

Parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi said the "brutal, crimi-

nal" attacks were part of efforts by al-Qaeda to "derail the Arab summit, and keep Iraq feeling the effects of violence and destruction".

Such co-ordinated bombing campaigns have become a recurring nightmare in Iraq, and despite all the talk about training, equipping and rebuilding them, the security forces remain deeply flawed.

The government has a quick answer to who stands behind the attacks - al-Qaeda. But there has been little explanation why all the security measures seem to fail so often, and so spectacularly.

Almost every province in the country, except the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north, was affected by the wave of bombings.

Security forces say they did manage to discover and defuse two car bombs in Baghdad, but in a day like this, such limited success is likely to go unnoticed.

An MP for the Shia Dawa party, Haider al-Abadi, said the perpetrators wanted to "show that democracy in Iraq doesn't work".

South Africa to review Zuma’s corruption case

•Zuma

A

SOUTH African court has ruled that the decision to drop corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma can be reviewed.

The charges were dropped just weeks before the 2009 election which led to Mr

Zuma becoming president.

The court agreed with a request from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) to challenge the decision.

The judges said judicial reviews were the “best guarantee against tyranny, now and in the future”.

Mr Zuma is facing increased criticism from some members of the governing African National Congress (ANC) ahead of its decision in December on whether to retain him as its leader for the next election, scheduled for 2014.

The ANC candidate would be the strong favourite to

become president.

The corruption charges relate to a controversial $5bn (£3.4bn) 1999 arms deal, which led to Mr Zuma’s financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, being convicted of soliciting a bribe in 2005.

After Shaik’s conviction, Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president before being charged himself.

Mr Zuma has always denied any wrongdoing and last year announced a government inquiry into the deal.

Backing the DA’s request for a judicial review into the National Prosecuting Au-

thority decision to drop the charges against Mr Zuma, the judges wrote that the concept “means that none of us is above the law”.

“It is a concept that we, as a nation, must cherish, nurture and protect. We must be intent on ensuring that it is ingrained in the national psyche. It is our best guarantee against tyranny, now and in the future.”

The DA also wants the prosecutors to reveal why the charges were dropped.

At the time, chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe said that phone-tap evidence suggested the investigation had been manipulated for political reasons.

Pakistan’s parliament panel seeks NATO’s apology

A

PAKISTANI parliamentary commission has demanded an unconditional apology from the US for a Nato air attack that killed 24 of the country’s soldiers.

The commission - set up to review relations with Washington in the aftermath of the November attack - also called for an end to US drone strikes.

The attack on the border post marked a low point in US-Pakistan relations.

The heightened tension it created led to Pakistan blocking supply routes to coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Washington last year

talked of “regret” over the cross-border air strike launched from Afghanistan but has yet to offer a formal apology, to the anger of many in Pakistan.

It has, however, acknowledged that there were mistakes made by Nato troops.

The Pakistani parliament will begin discussing the panel’s recommendations next week. The panel described the Nato raid as a “blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

National Security parliamentary committee chairman Raza Rabbani told par-

liament that Pakistan should demand an unconditional apology for the “condemnable and unprovoked” Nato attack.

He said that if supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan are resumed, they must be taxed.

Experts estimate Pakistan could earn as much as $1m a day from this arrangement.

Mr Rabbani insisted that parliament should approve any future use of Pakistani bases or air space by foreign forces.

The committee called for an end to US drone attacks inside Pakistan, while simulta-

neously reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terror and extremism.

US officials say that drone strikes are highly effective against militant groups.

But they are hugely unpopular in Pakistan, where they are seen as a violation of sovereignty and the cause of widespread civilian casualties.

The Pakistani government officially objects to the drone strikes, and politicians criticise them in public, but correspondents say many attacks have been carried out with the tacit approval of the country’s leadership.

S campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says elements of Syria’s armed opposition have carried out serious human rights abuses, including kidnapping, torture and execution.

The group says the “brutal tactics” of the government cannot justify abuses by armed opposition groups.

HRW calls on the opposition leadership to speak out and condemn those abuses.

It made the statement in an open letter to the main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council (SNC).

According to HRW, abuses include kidnapping for ransom, detention, and torture of security force members, government supporters, and people identified as members of pro-government militias, called Shabiha.

HRW says it has also received reports of executions by armed opposition groups of security force members and civilians.

“The Syrian government’s brutal tactics cannot justify abuses by armed opposition groups,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW. “Opposition leaders should make it clear to their followers that they must not torture, kidnap, or execute under any circumstances.”

Italy tackles labour law reform

P

PRIME Minister Mario Monti of Italy has begun tough talks with unions on labour law reform in what is seen as a test of his ability to rescue the economy.

The unions have fiercely defended a rule which protects workers in larger companies from being sacked.

Mr Monti proposes to soften Article 18 while offering employers incentives for hiring workers permanently.

His reform is meant to boost jobs and competitiveness while shielding Italy from the eurozone debt crisis.

However, the leader of the left-wing CGIL union, Susanna Camusso, accused the government of seeking to make it easy for employers to sack workers.

The CGIL is involved in the talks in Rome, along with the more moderate CISL and UIL. Mr Monti’s technocratic government wants a deal by the end of this week but has said it is ready to defy the unions and push the reforms through parliament if no agreement is reached.

The labour rules have been blamed for creating a two-tier system familiar across southern Europe, where older staff monopolise protected positions and the young are either left unemployed or stranded in precarious short-term contracts, Reuters news agency notes.

Corrado Passera, the Italian industry minister, said an agreement was “within reach”.

Mr Monti argues that Italy has a “dual” labour market that gives too much job protection to regular, salaried employees in companies with more than 15 staff but virtually none to those in small firms and on temporary contracts.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

63

NATION SPORT AHEAD 2012 OLYMPICS

How NSC killed more participation in Canoeing •Akinyemi set to fly country's flag

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IGERIA’s chances of participating in more than one slot in the rowing and canoeing sport at the London 2012 Olympics holding

By Stella Bamawo in July was reduced due to funds constraints.

Heineken boosts Lemeridien Open ….Restates Commitment To Golf Development

I

N ITS determination to consistently raise Nigeria’s profile in the game of golf, Heineken, the premium beer brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries plc has once more thrown its weight behind the fourth edition of LM Open Golf tournament which teed off at the prestigious LeMeridien Hotel Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The hugely successful tournament held over the weekend, came to a thrilling climax with Mr. Prince Eddie Peters writing his name in gold as the only player that played Hole-inone, i.e. playing from the teeing ground straight to hole, in the tournament.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the tournament Emete Tonukari, Public Affairs Manager-East, Nigerian Breweries plc said the reason behind the

sponsorship remains Heineken’s unwavering commitment to development of golf and other sports in Nigeria. “Heineken, a world class beer has decided to associate itself once again with the game of golf, an international sport.

The NationSport gathered that the National Sports Commission did not deem it necessary to release funds for other athletes to go for qualifiers for the biggest global sporting event.

However, Jonathan Akinyemi has qualified for the only slot for Africa in the K1 Slalom event of the London 2013 London Games.

In order to achieve this feat, the Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation has put in place various phases of training and competitions for the athlete.

Akinyemi whose mum is British is, however, personally footing bills of expenses incurred in the course of qualifying for

this slot, while he goes on his training tours across the globe with a personal physiotherapist.

The Gold medallist at the 2011 All Africa Games held in Mozambique is expected to participate in the Cardiff Championship, International Federation(ICF) World Cup 1 Cardiff, Euro Slalom Championship, Surrey and the International Canoe Federation(ICF) World Cup 11.

Meanwhile the President of the Federation Rear Admiral Fbi Porbeni has commended the federal government for releasing funds for preparations for the release of funds for Akinyemi's preparation at the Olympics.

Expatriate Technical Director not the best –Amodu

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ coach Shaibu Amodu has faulted the move by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to name an expatriate as the Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation.

The former Eagles’ Coach described the move as not in the best interest of Nigerian football adding that it was ‘retrogressive’ and one borne out of inferiority complex.

Belgian Tom Saintfiet has been penciled down as candidate favoured for the post after meeting with the federation recently in Abuja.

Amodu, one of the newly appointed NFF technical instructors, expressed his disgust yesterday at the on going CAF B License Coaching course.

His views echoed the position of the Supervising Sports Minister Bolaji Abdulahi, who has already ordered the NFF board to end the pursuit of Saintfiet. The board is

Team Nigeria athletes pick qualifying tickets in Morocco, Dubai •Abdullahi congratulates athletes

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HE prospect of Team Nigeria athletes posting an overall good performance at the London 2012 Olympics Games gets brighter by the day as more and more athletes continue to pick qualifying tickets for the Olympic and Paralympics Games.

At the just concluded Africa/ Oceania Wrestling Championship in Marrakech,

Morocco, three other wrestlers joined Sinivie Boltic 96 kg Freestyle who had earlier qualified for the London Games at the Wrestling World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

The trio are Blessing Obaladudu 63 kg Freestyle, Amarachi Favor 72 kg Freestyle, and Adebo Dick 84 kg.

For the Paralympics table

tennis event, Egbinola Oluade has qualified for the games in the Men's Class 3 ,Adisa Tunde Men's Class 9, and Alabi Olufemi in the Men's Class 10 category.

In Powerlifting, the following athletes are London bound Tasie Eberechukwu Roseline 40Kg, Obiji Adaure 82Kg, Orji Precious 82+Kg, Nwokorie Ivory 44Kg, Oyema Esther 48Kg, Ejike Lucy 52Kg, Falodun Omotola 60Kg, Nnaji Victoria 67.5Kg, Olufemi Ayo

Alice 75Kg, Anozie Grace 82.5Kg and Joy Onaolapo 52Kg. Others include Orumezie Joy 130kg, Jegede Bambo 80Kg,Taiwo Owolabi 67.5Kg, Nnajiofor Chinonso 60Kg, Obichukwu Christian 52Kg and Adesokan Yakubu 48Kg. Also London bound are Ulonnam Anthony 56Kg, Ibrahim Abdulazeez 90Kg and Obioma Aligekwe 100+Kg. In the Wheel Chair Tennis Alex Adewale and Wasiu Yusuf will also fly the Nigerian flag in London.

By Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

•Amodu expected to meet and name a new technical director next week.

But Amodu said the Nigerian coaches can protest if they feel strongly against the development of naming a foreigner and force the board to reverse its position.

“The announcement can be reversed and if we feel strongly about it, we can protest. The desire to give that position to a ‘white man’ is a mistake we have always done in the past. We always show respect for a white man. It is a generic problem borne out of inferiority complex”, Amodu said.

“History has not taught us a lesson which is why we going from appointing a foreigner as a technical adviser to technical director. We have to define what he is coming to do that we cannot do. We can’t bring in a foreigner to fill a vacuum that should be reserved for one of us. Besides, I can’t understand why they interviewed only one person”. the former Eagles coach exclaimed.

www.thenationonlineng.net

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2071

‘Oteh might have secured public sympathy, but that in my opinion does not make her a saint. She did not even deny she frittered away N30 million as hotel bills in eight months or over stayed in the hotel beyond the statutory 28 days.’

JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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OMORROW will mark an important day in the media calendar of this country as two younger colleagues of mine and Nigerian Journalism’s tag team, Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe, make the first public presentation of their book on the reporting career of Aremo Segun Osoba, titled OSOBA: The Newspaper Years. Osoba is arguably the country’s most successful reporter since Independence over 50 years ago. Apparently in keeping with its now long tradition of book serialisation, Vanguard has published excerpts of the book in recent weeks.

Until lately Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Awoyinfa and Dimgba have spent several years working on the book. Their record of transforming The Sun into one of the country’s top newspapers and their painstaking research on the subject should make the book a must read not only for media professionals. It should also attract anyone with an interest in the connection between media and politics.

Six years ago when the subject celebrated his 65th birthday I paid him a tribute for his excellence in journalism. At the risk of boring the reader, I thought I should revisit the tribute as we celebrate the man once again at Muson Centre, Lagos, tomorrow. Here’s an edited version of the piece: For me the greatest Nigerian journalist since independence is Alhaji Isma’il Babatunde Jose, who rose from the ranks to edit the Daily Times and eventually turned the company into the most successful media business in Nigeria to date. Under Jose, the Daily Times of Nigeria grew into the largest stable of newspapers and magazines in Africa, with 15 publications including the Daily Times, Sunday Times, Lagos Weekend and Spear. Towards the end of his career in the early 70s, the Daily Times alone had an average daily circulation of 225,000, which is widely believed in media circles to be about half the entire circulation of today’s newspapers and newsmagazines.

No compliment to Jose’s great skill and integrity in successfully managing Daily Times of Nigeria could have been better than the one the rival New Nigerian paid him in its editorial of March 11, 1976, following his forced departure from the company after the Federal Government acquired 60% of the company in September, 1975.

“The retirement of Alhaji Babatunde Jose, erstwhile Chairman and Managing Director of the Daily Times Group of Companies,” said the New Nigerian, “is sad news. For Alhaji Jose had been part of the industry for as long as most newspapers-men can remember. He has given a generation’s service to his beloved profession and reached the top by hard work and ruthless business drive… He laid down certain standards and tried to maintain them.

Above all he ran an efficient and profitable business.”

The story of Jose’s departure from Daily Times is the stuff of great works of fiction; the lies, the half-truths, the betrayals by trusted

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Osoba Reprise

•Osoba

subordinates and all that. That story has been told by the great man himself in his 1987 book, Walking a Tight Rope: Power Play in Daily Times, and corroborated by even his traducers at the time. I will therefore not bore you with its details suffice it to say that most of the principal actors in it are still alive today.

These actors include Areoye Oyebola, then editor of Daily Times and Jose’s designated successor as Editor-in-Chief, Gbolabo Ogunsawo, editor of Sunday Times and popular columnist in the paper and Jose’s designated successor to Oyebola as editor of the Daily Times, and, no price for guessing right, Segun Osoba himself, as deputy editor of Daily Times and Jose’s editor designate of Sunday Times. Another key player was then Brigadier-General Olusegun Obasanjo, the second-incommand to General Murtala Mohammed as head-of-state following the bloodless coup against General Yakubu Gowon in July 1975.

What triggered Jose’s departure was the July ’75 coup itself. As Jose narrated in his book, on the very day of the coup it became his lot, along with Osoba, to produce the following day’s edition. Both Oyebola and Ogunsanwo, as the most senior editorial

staff, were simply not available to do their job.

Impressed, on the one hand, by Segun’s resourcefulness and courage in defying the solders’ dusk to dawn curfew, to help produce the newspaper and, on the other hand, disappointed that Segun’s senior colleagues had shirked their responsibilities at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, Jose decided to promote Oyebola sideways and appoint Segun as editor of the daily ahead of Ogunsanwo. “I see myself in Osoba,” said Jose in Walking a Tight Rope, “the way Cecil King sees himself in me.” Cecil King was one of the last of Britain’s newspaper barons who sought to establish newspapers in Britain’s colonies. King’s Mirror group was the principal owner of Daily Times.

Naturally displeased by Jose’s action, the two, along with several others, including Henry Odukomaiya, the deputy chief executive of the newspaper division, counter-attacked. Among other things, they petitioned the authorities accusing Jose of tyranny and monopoly of the ownership of the paper. Jose and his nominees, they alleged, owned and controlled about 54% of Daily Times.

“Oyebola and Ogunsanwo”, Jose said in his book, “were obviously displeased. They attracted sympathisers and went to complain to the new military rulers. They wanted the revolution that swept Gowon out of power to sweep me out of power.”

They succeeded, thanks to the sympathetic hearing they got from the new military rulers, more specifically from Obasanjo. Jose himself did not help his own case when he rejected Obasanjo’s plea to rethink his changes in the editorial leadership of the company and when he stood his ground against publishing an article by Chief Harold Sodipo welcoming the new regime. Sodipo had gone to Obasanjo to complain about Jose’s refusal. Jose said he refused to publish the article “because Harold had always welcomed all new governments, Balewa, Gowon and the new one.”

If Oyebola and Company succeeded in sweeping Jose out of power at Daily Times, they also paid a price; unlike Jose who only felt honour-bound to leave, Oyebola and Co. were dismissed from their editorial chairs when a subsequent investigation by the authorities established that they told half-truths against Jose and were derelict in their duties.

As a casualty of that historic massacre at Daily Times, a massacre that triggered the decline of the newspaper, Segun did not waste time mourning his loss as perhaps the shortest serving editor of Daily Times; he sat on the powerful editorial chair for barely four months from August 1975. Instead of mourning, Segun moved on to become the most successful General Manager of the Kwara State Nigerian Herald. There, along with his friend, Peter Ajayi, the editor, and one of Nigerian journalism’s “Three Musketeers”, (the other two being Segun himself and Felix Adenaike, who managed Sketch at one time and had worked at Daily Times before then), they turned the paper into one of the most formidable in Nigeria, at one time beating the older New Nigerian into third place in circulation. This was in the aftermath of the Dimka coup attempt in which General Murtala Mohammed was killed in February 1976.

After serving as the General Manager of Herald between 1976 and 1978, Segun moved onto Sketch as managing director for five years from 1979. He finally capped his journalistic career by returning to his alma mater, the Daily Times, as managing director between 1984 and 1989.

Two years later in 1991, he followed the footsteps of those illustrious fathers of Nigerian journalism, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Bisi Onabanjo, to become the governor of his native Ogun State.

This was during the transition programme of military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. The programme, as we all know, came to grief in August 1993 when Babangida was forced to “step aside” following widespread agitations against his cancellation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which his friend, Chief M.K.O. Abiola of the SDP, seemed set to win. General Sani Abacha, Babangida’s Minister of Defence, brought his erstwhile boss’s transition to an end when he staged a coup against the interim government of Ernest Shonekan that Babangida had cobbled together before stepping aside. This was in November 1993.

The rest, as they say, is history. Abacha’s sudden death in June 1998 ended his attempt to transform himself into a civilian president.

He was succeeded by his Chief of Defence Staff, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who then organised the shortest transition programme and the most voluntary transfer of power in Nigeria’s history.

Segun once again contested the general elections of 1998 as the governorship candidate of Alliance for Democracy for Ogun State and easily won. Then came the debacle of 2003 in which all but one of the AD Governors in the party’s South-West stronghold lost their seats to the ruling People’s Democratic Party. Segun was one of the five casualties.

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RIPPLES

HARDBALL

UN TELLS NIGERIA TO FORGET VISION 2020 —News

That maritime concession: The devil is in the details

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Yes....ours is FICTION 2020

HE Federal Government should be forgiven for squirming over the maritime deal it has entered into with Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, whose popular alias or nom de guerre during the 2008 Niger Delta puny war was Tompolo. The government itself has not come out openly to confirm that the concessionaire, Global West Vessel Specialist Agency (GMVSA), is one and the same with Tompolo, perhaps the most celebrated and taciturn militant to emerge from that war.

But the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the face of the federal government in the concession deal, has come out to offer an explanation of what the strategic concession of part of Nigeria’s waterways means.

Debunking allegations that the concession effectively meant handing over the security of the relevant waterways to Tompolo’s company, as alleged by some people who feared that the responsibility of the navy was being usurped, NIMASA explains: “The staff of

GMVSA are not going to bear arms. That is the responsibility of the Navy. The company is not going to bear arms. It can only provide expertise. It is to provide platforms. It is to provide security boats. It is to provide equipment required to carry out surveillance of our territorial waters.” If NIMASA says a significant part of the job does not involve naval duty, well, we have to take the agency’s word for it and proceed to re-examine our comprehension of the English language.

More interestingly, NIMASA also says that GMVSA will invest about $103 million in the venture and will only get paid after exceeding NIMASA revenue projection using 2010 or 2011 as benchmark. If GMVSA does not collect fees under the NIMASA Act exceeding the benchmark, it will get nothing, the agency says. If the company exceeds or matches target, in order to recoup its investment, it will get 50 percent of the revenue. Too many devils are crawling all over the details.

What is clear from the NIMASA explanation is that GMVSA is believed to be so capitalised as to

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

be capable of investing over $100m in the project. Perhaps the newspapers that reported the NIMASA explanation forgot to tell us how much the maritime agency made in either 2010 or 2011. When they fill in the gap for us, we would probably understand better how sensible and patriotic both the agency and concessionaire are.

Indeed, neither the government nor NIMASA should squirm. They must not think we are so slothful as not to see the rampaging devils in the details, or so witless as not to know that the concession is merely working from the answer to the question, or so indifferent to the nation’s security problems in the Niger Delta as not to appreciate that ex-militants need to be pacified? Concessions do not have to be clear and transparent in the Niger Delta. Militants are quiet by and large, oil is flowing, and we are still awash in petro-dollars. It’s a win-win situation; and for crying out loud, let the chips fall where they may, and let the devil, if he wishes, make his permanent dwelling in the details.

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