The Nation March 28, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Ekiti NULGE chair, four others die in road accident Sport No fracture for Wigan athletic’s star Victor Moses Business Maevis ‘ready for probe’ as unions back govt action

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VOL. 7, NO. 2078 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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JTF arrests five suspects over German kidnap Boko Haram kills Qaqa’s father Troops gun down two in Borno

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IVE suspected Boko Haram members, including a Mauritanian linked to North Africa’s branch of al-Qaeda, are being held by security agencies over the abduction of a German - Edgar Fritz.

Four of the suspects were arrested last week in a raid on a store owned by the Mauritanian in Kano. The fifth was picked up in a separate raid by the Joint

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

Task Force (JTF), security sources told the AFP yesterday.

News of their arrest came on the heels of a report that detained Boko Haram spokesman Abu Dardaa’s adopted father had been killed. Dardaa is popularly known as Abu Qaqa.

Qaqa’s foster father, Abdullahi Bello, a retired

Deputy-Comptroller of Prisons, was killed Monday evening in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

He was killed alongside his friend, also a retired prison officer,, while performing ablution ahead of the sunset (Magrib) prayers at Bello’s residence, Baya Quarters.

The news came also amid reports that the JTF yesterday killed two suspected Boko Haram members trying to

escape from custody in Maiduguri.

“Guns and a laptop were recovered in the store and the documents found in the computer, including an AQIM operation manual, showed that the suspects are linked to AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magrib) and were involved in the kidnap of the German engineer in January,” one of the sources said while recounting the store

raid.

Edgar, an engineer, was kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano in January.

AQIM said last week it was holding the German and that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, a private news agency in Mauritania said.

The Federal Government has come under intense pressure over the kidnapping as well as violence blamed on

the Islamist group.

It also faced criticism after a failed bid to rescue an Italian and a British hostage earlier this month.

The hostages were killed by their captors before they could be rescued in a joint operation with British security forces.

Bello, who hailed from Kogi State, was said to have Continued on page 4

Mali: Senators seek sanctions S ENATORS were divided yesterday over a motion on the possible deployment of soldiers to restore the toppled democratic government in Mali.

But they resolved to call for sanctions on the military junta.

Captain Amoudou Sanago led last week a coup against the constitutional government of President Ahmadou Tounami Troure in the West African nation or not.

Ssome of the lawmakers pushed for immediate military intervention in Mali to

•Mark

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

restore constitutional order; others felt that such measures might be counter-productive.

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (Cross River Central), moved a motion of urgent national importance on “the Wednesday March 21 coup in Mali and the elections in Senegal”.

Proponents of military intervention argued that the military junta in Mali should be told in clear terms that unconstitutional takeover of governments is no longer in vogue.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), said the mutiny in Mali should be condemned.

Abaribe said the Federal Government should be encouraged to stand firm while accessing the country’s influence in the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) to restore peace and order in Mali.

He described as more worrisome that information that the military junta in Mali has been trying to make peace with the Tuareg rebels in the Northern part of the country.

Abaribe alleged that the mutineers may have enjoyed Continued on page 4

•From left: Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu, President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, CEO, GTBank Plc Segun Agbaje and MD/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank Sola David-Borha at the Ogun State Investors’ Forum in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital ... yesterday

Okonjo-Iweala confident From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

F •From left: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Suleiman Barau; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Phillips Oduoza; and German Chancellor’s Representative for Africa Gunter Nooke at the Africa Investors’ Conference in Berlin Germany ... yesterday.

INANCE Minister Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala is confident of clinching the World Bank presidency – if the process is free, fair and transparent. She was endorsed for the job yesterday by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and South African President Joacob Zuma.

Continued on page 4

•OSUN, OYO ARE LAUTECH’S JOINT OWNERS, SAYS SUPREME COURT P8

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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NEWS COUNTDOWN TO TINUBU @ 60

‘Stop campaign of calumny against Asiwaju’ •Osun ACN greets national leader

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left), Justice Funmi Atilade (left) , Justice Ayo Philips and Dr Muiz Banire at the 99th Founder's Day anniversary of Ibadan Grammar School Old Student Association held at Oduduwa Crescent GRA, Ikeja... yesterday.

•Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris at a book launch at Kofar Mata Central Mosque in Kano.

PRESSURE group, the Defenders of Democracy (DOD) has condemned an alleged campaign of calumny against former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu.

The group, in a statement, said the story in an online news site that N1 billion was to be spent on Tinubu’s 60 th birthday was mischievous.

The group said the report is the continuation of an earlier report that “Asiwaju Tinubu has suffered a stroke and was bed-ridden.”

It said: “The figure of N1 billion they mentioned, where did they get it? What is the source?

They should provide a list of contributors, facts and evidence. It is not enough to make wild allegations and walk away. Nigerians must begin to exact from the online sites the truth and be sick and tired of being served mere rumours, innuendoes, half-truths and sheer blackmail.”

DOD advised Tinubu haters, whose only past time is character assassination, to “desist from their wicked past time of spite as it contributes nothing positive to the society.”

It noted that Tinubu’s Committee of Friends planned a befitting 60th birthday for the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) without involving any government.

The group said: “We reliably gathered after a thorough fact finding that these friends and former colleagues met several times and pulled together resources towards the realisation of the project. They met severally and laid our plans, mindful of the austere times, the mood of the nation and the need to use Tinubu’s birthday as another opportunity to contemplate the realities on ground in Nigeria.”

The ACN in Osun State has

congratulated Tinubu on his 60th birthday.

In a statement by the party's Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the ACN said that Yoruba people throughout the world will forever remember the gallantry of Asiwaju Tinubu in the battle to save Yorubaland.

In an eulogy to the National Leader, the ACN, Osun State declared: "You, our beloved Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought the monsters of so-called mainstream politics to a halt in 2003 and held on to Lagos. "You engaged them in fierce, sometimes even bloody, battle from 2004 to 2011 and crushed them; "First, you helped to retrieve Edo and Ondo states from them; then you restored the glory of Yoruba in Ekiti; and brought Osun back into the family of the Virtuous: after which you fought with everything you have to win back Oyo and Ogun states into the great family of Yoruba progressives.

"But for God and you, our beloved Asiwaju, these victories would have been impossible.

"These and more of your outstanding deeds make today so special to us. It is the celebration of your victory over the consortium of evil that ravaged Yorubaland from 2003 to 2009.

"We believe that there is still a remnant of the serpent that is lurking around to inflict harm on our people. But with you still fighting, the serpent head will be crushed.

"Asiwaju, God will stand with you for us, and we, the good people of Osun State and our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aragbesola will stand by you solidly to fight the Amulumalas who want to destroy the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in this part of the country.

"Happy birthday, our great leader."

Lagos lawmakers praise Tinubu •Special session for ex-Lagos governor today •The National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the ACN Chairman in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomole during Asiwaju Tinubu’s visit to Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care Home...yesterday PHOTO: MOSES OMOSEHIN

• Chairman, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Babatunde Oke and winner of Spelling Bee competition and one-day Chairman, Miss Bolanle Ogunenika

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S former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu celebrates his 60th birthday tomorrow, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have commended him for his uncompromising stand on constitutional democracy and for touching the lives of the people.

Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Rotimi Abiru and Hon. Abdulbaq Ladi Balogun representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun 11 constituency gave the commendation yesterday in a chat with The Nation.

According to Abiru, “Tinubu stands shoulder high above all his political contemporaries in his uncompromising stand on true federalism, fiscal federalism and welfarist programmes for the masses.

“He single handedly fought the democratic dictatorship of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to a standstill and through his doggedness Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and the progressives have recovered the South West and are in the process of integrating the region for the betterment of its citizens”, Abiru said.

While praising Tinubu, Ladi Balogun described Tinubu as “a

By Oziegbe Okoeki

man of the people who believes that things should be done the right way. He believes that constitutional democracy must thrive, and he believes in touching people’s lives,” he added.

Ladi Balogun stressed further that Tinubu is somebody everyone wants to associate with because of his political belief and interest in the wellbeing of the people.

They both wished him a happy birthday and God’s protection and direction to navigate the murky and dangerous terrain of Nigerian politics.

The Assembly will hold special parliamentary session today to commemorate the 60th birthday of the former governor.

The National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is expected to be present at the chambers for the session.

Other dignitaries expected at today's sitting include: Governor Babatunde Fashola and other Exco members, party officials and chieftains, family members, traditional rulers and other well wishers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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NEWS

60

COUNTDOWN TO TINUBU @ 60

Tinubu celebrates with physically challenged • Says Nigeria’s problem is lack of compassionate leadership

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T was a joyous moment for children of Modupe Cole Memorial Home, Yaba and Betheseldar Home for the Blind yesterday, when former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, visited them to celebrate his 60th birthday.

The visibly excited children went wild when the celebrator accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, arrived the homes. They danced freely to entertain guests.

The Conference of Local Government Chairmen of Lagos State, the organiser of the event, donated a 18 seater bus, electricity generating sets, cartons of cornflakes, milk, custard and so on to the physically challenged children.

Also joining Tinubu to celebrate, were ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and Lagos State Chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale.

Tinubu commended the chairmen for donating the items to the physically challenged children in commemoration of his birthday, saying the nation’s problem is lack of compassionate leadership.

Tinubu said: “Let me thank the principal and staff of this home for their dedication in giving care to these children, some of whom were picked from the dustbin and have been given life by Modupe Cole Memorial Home. What is wrong with our country is lack of compassionate leadership, people who think

•Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, Home...yesterday

By Miriam Ndikanwu

and care on behalf of children of Mr. and Mrs. nobody.”

The celebrator, who said his entire salary throughout his stay in of-

exchanging pleasantries with children of the Modupe Cole Memorial PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

fice as the governor of the state was donated to orphanages, urged the chairmen to be paying the temporary employees of the home . He said: “You can adopt them in group and contribute monthly to their salary.”

He also assured the home’s managers that he would assist further through the Bola Tinubu Foundation.

“I want to say thank you for this reception and also to say let compassion exist at the federal level. The

Federal Government can do better to give succour by building physically challenged schools all over the country, but if you make cases for child abuse, against child trafficking and for sons and daughters of Mr. nobody and you are far away in Abuja, I want to say we should have a special session outside Ministry of Education, because these special children have the same right as that of the president of Nigeria.”

Chairman, Conference of Local Government Chairmen, Sulaiman Akeem said the chairmen were motivated to donate the items on behalf of Tinubu to the less privileged because the conference felt that the best way to celebrate an icon was not by wining and dining.

He said: “We feel that people who are the creation of God should not be left behind in the celebration. We should let them know that the society has not forgotten them.

“We are truly celebrating a man who has touched lives. He is a man who cares for Nigeria’s democracy.

He could have chosen the side of comfort but he did not.”

Akeem said Tinubu showed that he was rugged when he confronted the Federal Government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he withheld the allocation to councils in the state .

“He is resilient in the enthronement of genuine democracy. Whatever beautiful things Lagos is enjoying now, he laid the foundation,” he stated.

Speaking, Ajomale hailed the council chairmen for donating to the poor to mark Tinubu’s birthday.

Praises for ex-governor VICE chairman of Lagos State Market Development and Management Board, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, yesterday wished Asiwaju Bola Tinubu many more years of service to humanity.

She described Tinubu as an accomplished professional in politics, a consummate politician, pro-democracy activist, great organiser, philanthropist, and believer in the concept of the family of man.

She said: “He is a detribalised Nigeriann and he is not a religious bigot. A great manager of men and material resources, his achievements as governor were legendary.

“More heartwarming is his belief in the abolition of poverty and assurance of prosperity and progress for all. The greatest lesson we have learned from his lifestyle is that he accommodates all and believes in the worth of individuals. However, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a lover of excellence, merit, standard, hardwork, diligence, efficiency and high productivity. All these virtues he has also taught his children and youths he has mentored.”

Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Mr. Ademorin Kuye paid glowing tribute to Tinubu, saying that he is the architect of modern Lagos. Highlighting his achievements as governor, he said his successor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has continued to build on the concrete foundation in the last six years.

Kuye added: “Tinubu mad impact in all areas-education, health, transportation, revenue generation, local government system, poverty alleviation, employment generation, rural development, and security.”

•A cross-section of local government chairmen at the Modupe Cole Memorial Home...yesterday

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Associates condemn report on N1b birthday budget

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SSOCIATES of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday denied the allegation that N1 billion has been earmarked for his 60th birthday, adding that no local government chairman has been compelled to cough out money for the ceremonies.

The chairman of the Planning Committee, Sir Pius Akinyelure, told reporters in Lagos that the online report by Sahara reporters was a figment of hyper-active imagination.

With him at the press briefing were other committee members; Mr. Ayo Opadokun and Chief Folabi Salami, an engineer.

Dismissing the report as a ruse, Akinyelure, added: “I am a professional, an accountant, an auditor. I will not allow that extravagance. We have done this birthday before when

•CODER hails Jagaban

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Senator Bola Tinubu was 50. Our committee, which is not made up of politicians, will not be involved in a jamboree”.

Salami, who frowned at the report, said: “Adversaries of the great politician are fueling rumours and falsehood out of political envy because Tinubu’s popularity is soaring”.

Opadokun lamented that the quality of journalism was falling, wondering why the over-zealous reporters could not leave out in the face of lack of evidence to substantiate their claims.

He said: “The online medium should have been a credible source, but Sahara reporters are doing a lot of damage to the profession of jour-

nalism. What they claimed has not happened. It can never happen, and it will not happen. It is a stupid thought.”

The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) yesterday congratulated the former Governor.

The Head of Administration of CODER, Deji Sule-Odu, in a statement in Abuja, described Tinubu as a “detribalised Nigerian, a lover of the masses, a visionary leader,and the beacon of the survival of democracy in Nigeria.”

The statement reads : “It is heartwarming to join the entire civil society groups in Nigeria, the great Nigerian masses, the downtrodden, and all genuine democrats, in wishing the greatest democrat of our time, a dogged believer in the rule of law, the defender of the sanctity

of the ballot box, and the promoter of the national well-being, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a well deserving happy glorious birthday at 60!

“To us all, in the civil society, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinibu has been a source of hope and pride in the Nigerian democratic process, and a major force, who has strongly and boldly refused our great country, Nigeria to be turned into a one party, pariah state.

“Over the years, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has personally mobilized and led Nigeria to insist on the sanctity of the ballot box, through the electoral reform.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified some key recommendations of the Justice Mohammadu Uwais panel report on the electoral reforms, which are capable of strengthening the Nigerian democracy, and the entire Electoral system/process.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

NEWS JTF arrests five suspects over German kidnap Continued from page 1

•World leaders led by President of South Korea Lee Myung-Bak front (centre) and US President Barack Obama wave during the family photograph of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Okonjo-Iweala confident of getting World Bank job Continued from page 1

The former World Bank Managing Director and Coordinating Minister for the Economy told reporters in Abuja last night that she has secured the backing of the African Union (AU) chair Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia and the ministers of Finance of African countries.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala who spoke while flagging off her campaign, called for an open, fair and transparent process to select the next World Bank president.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said she was in Abidjan yesterday for an extra-ordinary session of ECOWAS leaders, adding that Presidents Alasaan Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and Jacob Zuma of South Africa, alongside ECOWAS leaders,

endorsed her candidacy.

According to her, the commitment of World Bank’s shareholders to creating a level playing field has brightened her chances of clinching the job.

She, however, noted the emerging economies and the less developed economies “will see what happens from there, if the process is not open, fair and transparent.”

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the “competition from the United States and Colombia, but demanded a fair and honest competition.”

There are many emerging market economies in support of her candidacy, she said, but would not mention them.

“Leading her campaign is former Minister of Finance Dr. Mansur Muktar, who also holds a very senior management position in the World

Bank and the director of International Relations of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Africa, she said, is excited about her nomination and “sees it as their nomination and very significant for the continent because it has never happened before. The entire continent is in support.”

The minister put forward her candidacy on the demand of African leaders “with the very strong goodwill and support of President Goodluck Jonathan, who was called by many leaders in the continent to release her for the job.”

She insisted that her passion and commitment to the country remains unwavering, even as she expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support as well as the tremendous support from all over the world.

Giving an insight to her vision for the World Bank if elected president, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala spoke of plans to build “an institution that is swifter and nimbler to combine the strength of World Bank, groups to help developing countries create jobs for teeming numbers of unemployed youths, a World Bank that can deploy it huge financial and material resources to confront unemployment in emerging markets and less developed countries.”

“I would build an institution that can work fast to support countries during market volatilities, to work on the big problems that developing countries have.”

All these, she argued could be achieved, given her wealth of experience. In the event of her emergence, Dr. Okonjo-

Iweala maintained the current reforms of transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration will be carried on in her absence because Nigeria has capable people to push the reforms through.

Giving the reasons for Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination, Dr. Muktar said the wide range of her “impeccable credentials qualifies her to offer leadership for the World Bank.”

He said the Group of 20 (G20) developed economies last year proposed a selection that is fair and merit-based, which he said are what is bolstering Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s supporters to push for her candidacy.

“Her supporters,” Muktar said, “are asking for an open, fair, selection process and looking forward to a positive outcome in this regard.”

Senate calls for sanctions on Mali junta Continued from page 1

the backing of al-Qaeda to dislodge a democratically elected government.

The implication, he said, is grave to Nigeria because of its closeness to Mali.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) advised the motion should not be all talks without action.

To him, Nigeria should use military action to restore constitutional government in Mali, should diplomacy fail.

He urged the Federal Government not to wait until the United States, Britain or France intervenes in the Malian crisis before taking action.

Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe State) warned of the looming danger in Mali, if action is not taken, urgently.

The former governor stressed the need for the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS) to take a decisive action to prevent al-Qaeda from taking over the country.

Senator James Manager (Delta South) said mere condemnation of the coup was not enough.

The junta must be told in

clear terms that what they did is unacceptable, he said.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) said the military junta should be pushed out.

But Senator Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna State) cautioned on the use of military action, saying it was important for the Federal Government to put its house in order before assisting others.

He said: “If we put our home in order, it will be enough safety net for other countries to take us seriously and when we say ‘stop’ they will stop.”

Senator Sani Sale (Zamfara State) also cautioned against military action.

According to him, this country’s military has been overstretched.

To avoid the Malian experience, he said the military should not be further stretched.

Senate President David Mark urged ECOWAS to come together to tell the military junta in Mali that unconstitutional government is no longer the order of the day.

Mark, who described military coup as an aberration, said that the junta in Mali should be asked to go and if

they fail to go, they should be forced to leave.

He lauded the statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff General Azubuike Ihejirika that there will be no more coups in Nigeria.

Mark said Nigeria should start the campaign for the junta in Mali to go and “if they refuse to go, “we should intervene to restore constitutional government in that country.”

Ndoma-Egba, in his lead debate, urged the Senate to note that on March 21 a group of soldiers, led by Captain Amoudou Sanago, surrounded the Presidential Palace in Bamako, Mali and announced that the military had overthrown the democratically elected government of President Ahmadou Tounami Troure, barely two months to the constitutional end of his term.

He noted that Captain Sanogo tried to justify the intervention on the failure of Troure’s administration to forcefully address the Tuareg insurrection in the North.

Ndoma-Egba expressed concern that the development in Mali may disrupt the plans to hold elections in April in the country considered as

Africa’s example of a thriving democracy.

The Senate Leader observed that the documents of the AU, ECOWAS, the United Nations (UN) and other international and regional bodies to which Mali and Nigeria are signatories reject forceful and unconstitutional change of government.

The development in Mali, he said, has precipitated a refugee crisis in the country, thus worsening its fragile, aid - dependent economy and vulnerable security situation.

He urged the senate to resolve to treat the development in Mali as an insurrection or mutiny, rather than a coup.

The prayer that the Senate should unequivocally condemn the attempt to forcefully and unconstitutionally change the democratically elected government was also adopted.

Also the prayer that the senate should demand the restoration of the democratically elected government of President Troure by the mutineers was immediately adopted.

However, the prayer that “failing to restore the govern-

•Ndoma-Egba

ment of President Troure within seven days, President Goodluck Jonathan should recall Nigeria’s envoy to Mali and close Nigeria’s border with Mali” was rejected.

The Senate also resolved to urge ECOWAS, AU, UN and other international bodies to impose sanctions on Mali, should the junta fail to restore power within seven days.

The senators agreed to congratulate Senegalese President-elect Macky Sall on his victory at the March 25 presidential run-off elections.

“We will congratulate the people of Senegal for faithfully upholding democracy,” the senators said.

just returned to his house, located some metres away from the demolished enclave of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

He was said to have been out of the state for a long time. “The gunmen came and shot him and his friend as they rounded off their ablution at about 6.30pm,” a resident said.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) explained that the resumption of the house-to-house search by its troops in some flash spots of Boko Haram attacks within the metropolis was aimed at fishing out the sect’s members and providing security for residents.

Spokesman of the task force, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa said in a statement: “What you are seeing (movement of troops to some areas and search of houses) is a normal routine patrol conducted by the JTF in areas considered as flash points. Targeted and deliberate cordon-and-search were been carried out in some selected locations in Abbaganaram, Budum and Jajeri.”

Lt.-Col. Musa advised residents not to panic by the presence of JTF patrol vehicles and troops, even as he urged the people to continue their legitimate businesses “unmolested and support the task force in its efforts to maintain law and order”.

He also noted that the search-and-cordon would be continuously applied.

In a statement, Lt.-Col. Musa, said: “Following a tipoff, a special operation was conducted that resulted in the arrest of a notorious commander of Boko Haram who was involved in recent attacks in Maiduguri.

“He was arrested with his lieutenant in Jajeri area of the city. They attempted to escape when being moved to detention facilities and were shot by JTF troops and they bleed to death before they got to the hospital.”

“Their bodies have since been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) morgue. A pump action gun, two bows and arrows, three machetes and a mobile telephone handset were recovered from their hideout,” Lt.Col. Musa said.

The JTF spokesman said the incident occurred at about 1:30pm yesterday, even as he added that some suspected bandits were killed by the JTF, which was responding to a distress call.

“The JTF responded to a distress call during which they engaged a group of suspected armed bandits, who robbed some houses in EYN Farm Centre, Kachalari Maiduguri city,” Lt.-Col. Musa said.

According to him, in the shoot-out with the bandits, two were gunned down by the military and the others fled. Lt.-Col. said three locally-made pistols, 15 rounds of assorted ammunition, four machetes and a telephone handset were recovered from the bandits.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

NEWS

Ibru’s widow’s suit reassigned to new judge

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HE Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has reassigned the suit filed by Maiden, widow of the late former Minister of Internal Affairs, Alex Ibru, to another judge, Justice Mohammed Liman for hearing.

The reassignment followed the withdrawal of the former trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, who returned the case file to the Chief Judge on account a petition by the plaintiff, praying that the case be transferred.

The plaintiff had expressed its displeasure in Justice Okeke’s continued handling of the case.

The suit, a winding-up petition she filed on behalf of Omamo Investments Corporation, is against Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc which owns the popular Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

No date has been fixed by the new

By Eric Ikhilae

judge for the commencement of hearing in case.

At the last hearing, Mrs. Ibru stunned all when she relived her late husband’s last moment, revealing an existing feud between the deceased and his brother, Goodie over some issues.

She is, by the suit, seeking to wind-up the Tourist Company, on ground of alleged indebtedness.

At the last proceedings in the case, She stated in the winding-up petition that Omamo Investments, on deferent occasions between 2003 and 2009 lent to the Tourist Company, US $7.1m, N610m, N381m and N19m, which debt the company has allegedly been unable to repay till date.

Mrs Ibru who claimed to have made several demands on the respondent to no avail, prayed the

court to wind-up the company for allegedly being insolvent.

She stated that the respondent “has failed beyond resuscitation, has insufficient assets to meet its liabilities, does not have the capacity to meet the conditions for which it was incorporated and has suffered a total erosion of its capital base.

“The respondent is both cash flow and balance sheet insolvent and has not been carrying on effectively, the business of hostelling and catering.”

She averred that the whole substratum of company is gone and it is impossible to carry on the essential purpose for which it was formed.

She prayed the court to wind-up the Tourist Company under the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C20 LFN 2004 and appoint a provisional liquidator in the person of the President of the Chartered Accountants of Nige-

ria (ICAN) or his nominee.

The respondent has denied Mrs. Ibru’s claim and asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that it is incompetent, disclosed no reasonable cause of action and constitutes a gross abuse of the process of court.

In a preliminary objection filed by its lawyer, Onyebuchi Aniakor , the Tourist Company argued that no grounds, as provided for by law, has been disclosed by the petitioner to justify the commencement of a winding-up proceeding against it.

It argued that the petitioner has equally not shown that the alleged indebtedness, the subject matter of the petition, was due for payment or payable by the respondent.

The respondent contended that as against the petitioner’s claim, no demand for payment on the alleged indebtedness has been made on it.

•Vice-President Namadi Sambo welcoming the President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religion Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran during his visit to the Presidential Villa... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

Why I didn’t renew my tenure,

by Ex-PDP chairman Baraje

T

HE immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, said he did not seek renewal of his tenure because of his respect for the zoning policy of the party.

He however asked the new National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to be firm in enforcing party discipline to succeed in office.

Baraje, who made the submission while fielding questions from some select journalists in Abuja , said he decided to lead by example instead of being a sit-tight leader.

He said: “Another tradition that has endured is that of adherence to the party’s constitution on term limit. A few pundits were thinking when the time comes, I was not going to leave or would be asked to carry on but I said that I’m not in that class.

“The constitution must be followed and Section 7.2 of our constitution emphasizes zoning and since I’m not from the zone which the chairman is to be selected, so why should I struggle for that?

“And I think that it’s a very good example for other members of PDP to follow. What we are trying to do is to ensure that we lead by example.”

The ex-PDP National Chairman said he did his best to keep the party together and resolve all cases in court.

He said: “When we came, we inherited about 109 court orders in 2008. By the time I was finishing my tenure as National Secretary, with the collaboration of our legal adviser and other members of

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

NWC, we had drastically reduced these court orders to about 50. As at today, I think we have only 7 court orders that are genuine ones.

“So in the light of these, my experience as the National Chairman with the collaboration and support of members of PDP has been very fulfilling and I can describe my tenure as very peaceful.

“One of the major things I took from my predecessor, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, who is the present Minister of Defence, was that we had set out some vision to keep the party together. One was to ensure free, fair and credible elections and we had this together in the primary elections that brought President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan into power and with that, it led to the free and fair election of April 2011.

“So when I came in, I also insisted and carried on with the tradition and one major thing I did was to ensure transparency and a level playing field for all elections. I ensured that elections were not done under any “hush-hush” arrangement but under the visible eyes of the camera.”

Baraje urged his successor, Bamanga Tukur, to enforce party discipline.

He said: “I am going to charge the incoming executives to consolidate on all the achievements we have been able to attain so far in deepening internal democracy at all levels of the party.

‘457 Nigerians in Brazilian jail’

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

NO fewer than 457 Nigerians are serving different jail terms in Brazilian prisons, according to the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora.

The members of the committee led by Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed concerned at the circumstances that warranted their imprisonment, adding that many of them were jailed for drug-related offences. Many of the prisoners are from Lagos State, prison authority told the legislators.

Among the inmates is a 72year old woman, Fausat Aosede, who complained to Dabiri that a Nigerian called Patience requested her to assist in carrying her bag to Lagos, unmindful of the content. She said she was surprised to later find out that she was made a drug courier.

The Director of Immigration at the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, Dr. Izaura Miranda, who led the legislators to the prisons in Sao Paulo, lamented the rise in the number of Nigerian prisoners.

The law makers, who were conducted round the prison facilities called for prison reforms in Nigeria so that prisons can be a reformative home.

Dabiri told reporters in Lagos that the committee was concerned about the plight of the prisoners, although they are in good prison environment. She said the committee donated consumables to the inmates, with pleas that they should turn a new leaf in the prison.

She added: “We also held meetings with cross sections of Nigerians in the cities visited and one complaint that came up was that the Consulate is far from where they reside. While the Nigerian Consulate is in Rio de Janerio, many Nigerians reside in Sao Paulo.”

Police Fraud Unit shake-up sparks fear

By Jude Isiguzo

•Fake number plates and vehicle particulars seized from the syndicate... yesterday

SSS investigates Licencing Office over fake vehicle particulars

By Jude Isiguzo

S

TATE Security Service (SSS), has begun investigating activities of officials of the Lagos State Licencing Office over the circulation of fake vehicle particulars and number plates.

The command said it decided to take this step after a large quantity of fake vehicle licences and number plates were seized from a syndicate.

The state director of SSS,Mr Achu Ben Olayi, said the investigation has become necessary as the command is suspecting an insider collusion.

He explained that with the way the faked documents are looking like the original, there was need to uncover those behind the criminal act.

Olayi said: “The service based on intelligence report and sustained monitoring uncovered the hideout of members of the syndicate that specialises in processing fake vehicle licences and other restricted government documents.”

He said six suspects were arrested at the hideout located at 18 Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba. Olayi explained that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

FEAR has gripped police officers at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), over a possible reorganisation of the unit.

The re-organisation may affect over 100 police officers and men who have been discovered to be engaging in alleged corrupt practices.

It was gathered that the planned redeployment of policemen is at the instance of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

A senior police source said: “The new CP has finished with the compilation of the names of oficers and men to be re-redeployed and it will soon be released.”

According to a source, the CP was directed to re-deploy all affected policemen to other states.

The source said: “How can a policeman stay in a particular office for ten years? Why will any officer not want to work in another department if that officer is not corrupt? The reorganisation has really become necessary.”

Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin confirmed that the place would be re-organised.

He noted that it would no longer be business as usual.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

NEWS Labour unions criticised From Vincent Ikuomala, Abuja

T

HE outgoing Permanent Secretary of the State House,Abuja, Tunji Olaopa, has challenged labour unions to set an agenda for government rather than embarking on incessant strikes.

Olaopa spoke at a valedictory session organised for him by the State House Management Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Olaopa urged the labour unions to emulate their counterparts in developed nations by setting a standard and an agenda for government.

The Permanent Secretary, who has just been posted to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, said it was the economy and the citizens that suffered the greater loss anytime the unions strike .

He, however, blamed the incessant strike in the country on lack of experts to mediate between labour unions and government.

Governors advise corps members

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his Kwara and Bayelsa states counterparts, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Seriake Dickson, have advised corps members to be security conscious.

They spoke at the passingout from a three-week orientation programme in their states.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youths,Sport and Special Needs, Stephen Kola-Balogun, Aregbesola assured the 2,275 corps members of adequate security.

He urged them to be vigilant and security conscious.

Ahmed called on the corps members to embrace his ad-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

T

HE Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), has transferred the prosecution of Fidelis and Noel Anosike to the Lagos State Directorate of Prosecution(DPP).

The brothers are Directors of Folio Communications Limited, owners of Daily Times Nigeria Limited.

They were sued for allegedly stealing N1.7 billion belonging to Daily Times.

At the resumption of trial yesterday, L.A. Sanusi of the office of the DPP told the court that Adoke had, on March 8, transferred the file on the Anosike brothers to his office for prosecution.

Sanusi said the Federal

AGF transfers trial of Anosike brothers to DPP

By Adebisi Onanuga

Ministry of Justice transferred the file to the DPP a few weeks ago and that the file was voluminous.

He asked for an adjournment to enable his office study the file.

“In view of the volume of documents, I am asking for an adjournment to enable us study it and take the necessary steps,” he said.

The Anosikes’ counsel, Norrison Quakers, objected to the transfer.

Quakers told the court that it was unconstitutional for the AGF to transfer the matter when there was a pending application before the court. “ The transfer has confirmed the argument in our application that the charge is incompetent and that the authority to prosecute was not the right authority.

“It is unconstitutional for the Ministry of Justice to transfer the matter to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice

because it is against the criminal procedure rules”, he said.

He,therefore, asked the judge to strike out the charge, adding that the DPP cannot take over the brief at this stage.

Justice Habeeb Abiru, however, declined to strike out the matter and reminded him that Adoke had a valid fiat from the Lagos State Attorney General to prosecute the matter.

Justice Abiru adjourned the matter till April 30 .

ministration’s entrepreneurship policies.

He advised them to be actively involved in the antiHIV/AIDS campaign and urged monarchs, local government chairmen and security agencies to protect the corps members.

Dickson told the corps members to shun violence and be matured in their areas of primary assignment.

He urged monarchs not only to provide adequate security of life and property but to also provide corps members’ welfare needs.

Eastern Naval Command gets new FOC From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

R

EAR Admiral O. B. Ogunjobi has assumed office as the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Speaking during a parade to mark the end of his tenure, outgone FOC Rear Admiral Usman Jibril said all operational ships he inherited were still operational.

He said the operational ships improved the skills and professionalism of the officers and men.

Rear Admiral Jibril said despite available limited resources, the command has performed well.

Ogunjobi hailed his predecessor for his efforts, and promised to do his best to lift the command higher.

NIWA awards N9.3b contracts From Mohammed Bashir Lokoja

T

HE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has awarded six contracts at the cost of N9.3 billion for the construction of a port in Lokoja and jetties at Degema and Okirika, among others.

Its Managing Director, Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua, made this known yesterday during the contracts signing in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. He said the contract was awarded to different indigenous firms.

According to him, the contracts include the dredging of the channel on Orashi River from Uguta Lake to Degema in Imo State. He said the contract will also cover shoreline protection, dredging and reclamation works along the dredged channel of River Niger in Delta, Edo and Kogi states as well as procurement and installation of security gadgets.

The NIWA boss called on the contractors to adhere strictly to specifications in the contract papers and deliver the job on schedule.

School wins UNICEF competition

A

PRIVATE secondary school, Rainbow College, has emerged the best in Africa and third in the world in an online spelling, mathematics and science competition organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Pupils of Rainbow College in Magba, Ogun State, participated in the UNICEF World Education Games between March 5 and 8.

They were among the 1.75 million pupils who competed in the 14 –18 year olds’ category at three levels worldwide.

The result, published mid March, placed the school tops

From left: Director, Centre for the Study of African Culture and Communication, Catholic Institute of West Africa Rev. Joseph Fawiraw, Prof Andrew Moemeka, former Managing Director, The Nigerian Tribune , Felix Adenaike and Guest Speaker, Prof Cecil Blake, at the Prof. Alfred Opubor International Conference on Community Media in Ibadan ...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

FoI Act not for personal details, says Dabiri-Erewa

T

HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, yesterday said the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was not designed to seek personal details of individuals.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, a proponent and one of the sponsors of the Act, told reporters in Abuja that the Act should not be abused by Nigerians in seeking personal vendetta.

He faulted an attempt by an Abuja-based lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, to abuse the Act to seek the medical records of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Ajulo wrote to the governor’s personal physician asking him for his boss’ medical records within seven days or face legal action.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

In the purported letter, Ajulo claimed that Aregbesola’s actions, since he assumed office, suggested he was mentally unstable.

But Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said the purported ultimatum given to the physician amounted to abuse of the FOI Act. She cited Section 16 (a) of the FOI Act, dealing with the Medical Worker - Client Exemption, as part of the broad category of issues that are exempted under the Exemption of Professional Privileges and other related matters.

The lawmaker also said such a request indicated the

use of the instrument of the FOI to promote a personal political agenda.

The lawmaker said the letter was insulting to the collective intelligence of all and could make Nigerians lose respect for the law.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said: “FOI is not to request for documents that are personal to people. My medical records, just like my account statements, are personal.

“Using the Freedom of Information Act as the basis for such request amounts to a total abuse of the FOI law,” she said.

She described Ajulo’s request as frivolous, noting that the governor remains one of the best in the country.

“It is pertinent to note that

Aregbesola has exhibited the highest degree of brilliance in his private and public conduct.

“His administration in Osun State has been initiating commendable programmes and policies, which promise to bail the people out of the many years of retardation.

“How then, can anyone say that his conduct suggest mental instability?

“We must insist that some people cannot come and tarnish the FOI which all dedicated Nigerians fought for just because of their selfish political ambitions.”

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said the trend, if allowed to continue, could jeopardise the potency of the FOI law.

Court okays N1m fine on PPMC for failure to clean up spill

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

in Africa and third in the world.

Rainbow College and second-placed Portrex Technical High School, South Africa were the only two African secondary schools among the top 50 in the competition.

On the world stage, Campaka Schools, Malaysia came first, St Patrick’s School, Dominican Republic, came second, while Rainbow College came third.

Senior Headteacher Mrs Christiana Ebiai said 17 pupils, who also participated in the world math competition organised by the UN agency, were among the best.

•Cautions Abuja lawyer over moves against Aregbesola

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has upheld the N1million fine imposed on Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) for failing to clean up and remediate oil impacted sites in 12 communities.

The spill occured on June 6, 2009 when the ship, J.S. Amazing, was loading Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty at Ijala, Warri.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by NOSDRA’s Head of Public Affairs Unit Henshaw Ogubike, the Agency said the failure of PPMC to clean up the spill within a stipulated time was in contravention of Section 6(3) of the NOSDRA Act. The statement reads: “Delivering judgment on March 22, Justice I.N Buba upheld the submissions by the NOSDRA counsel and ruled among others that: ”The PPMC was in breach of Section 6(3) of the NOSDRA Act when it failed and refused to

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

clean up and bio-remediate the impacted sites.

“The Agency had power under its enabling Act to impose the fine of N1million on PPMC and order it to pay same to NOSDRA. “The PPMC was liable for the damages done by the spill and ordered to clean-up and bio-remediate all the impacted sites.

“Apart from the PPMC’s refusal to pay the fine imposed by NOSDRA over the spill from the ship J.S Amazing, which made NOSDRA to sue it, the company has also failed, refused and neglected to remit the sum of N21.5million for failure to report oil spillage at its system 2A pipeline at Eko-Amukpe, Delta State and N40million for the ones that occurred at its various sites in Kaduna and its environ between November 5 and December 4, 2011.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

7

CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

‘Why Coca Cola endorsed Banky W’

Lagos to get 236 days of L ‘heavy rainfall’

AGOSIAN were told yesterday to brace up for 236 days of a “heavy rain” fall this year.

Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello told reporters at Alausa, Ikeja, that the prediction was made by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), using the Seasonal Rainfall Predictions Instrument.

He said the expected rainfall intensity would be like that of last year, which was 1279mm of waters with a marginal error of 50mm.

Bello said: “The natural phenomena that controlled the 2011 rainfall are still in force and as such it has been predicted that rainfall will commence from March 22, with a margin of error of four days. To a large extent we will agree that this prediction is true as the rains have started in Lagos.

“It has also been predicted that

By Miriam Ndikanwu

the end of the season for 2012 is November 12 with a margin of error of two days; with between November 10 and 14 as probable days.

“The total length of rainy season for the year is approximately put at 236 days with a margin of error of two days. Like last year, Lagos will experience heavy rainfall with serious intensity.”

He assured residents that the government had designed pre, mid and post-rain programmes to combat expected rain water and reduce flooding.

The massive clearing of drain, dredging of primary and secondary channels, lining of many earth

channels and the introduction of resident drainage maintenance officers in local councils in the state are parts of efforts by the government to cope with the rains, he said.

“But little can be achieved without the collaboration of Lagosians.

No nation can promise a flood free state, it can only reduce it to the barest minimum.

“We appeal that Lagosian should desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drain around homes and building of structures on drainage alignments must stop,” he said.

Bello said with the work done by his Ministry, water on the road after every rain should not last for

Stories by Akande Victor

•Bello

more than two to 24 hours.

He said in places where drainage constructions were going on, the contractors had been mandated to open up the channels when it is raining and cover them after the downpour.

“We are also advising that people who don’t have to be out during the rains should stay at home,” he said.

Man suspected of killing, raping sister in-law

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29-year-old man has allegedly killed his sister in-law while trying to rape her in a forest in Epe, Lagos.

Ime Titus reportedly raped 19year-old Blessing John twice even after her death.

Titus was said to have trailed Blessing to her father’s farm where the incident occurred.

Titus, who is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, has confessed to the illicit act, blaming his action on his mad love for Blessing.

Narrating how he raped and killed Blessing, Titus said: “I just moved to Lagos from Akwa Ibom State to look for job when I met Blessing. She is my inlaw as uncle is married to her elder sister. As soon as I set my eyes on her, I fell in love with her, but I kept it to myself until

•Titus

By Jude Isiguzo

I could not bear it any longer. I went to her to declare my love for her, but she turned me

down. I kept pestering her, but she refused blatantly that she did not love me; this got me angry,” Titus said.

Despite Blessing’s refusal to date him, he said he devised means to rape her.

“I did not intend to kill Blessing, but my feelings for her were very strong. So after monitoring her movement for some time, I discovered that she goes to the farm to uproot cassava in the evening with her father. That day, I trailed her from her house to the forest; she was alone and did not know I was following her.

When she got into the dense forest and there was no one in sight, I ran ahead of her and grabbed her and started declaring my love for her, but she turned me down; I was very angry and I grabbed her

dress. She started struggling with me but I took a big stick and hit her on her head, she slumped immediately. I bent down over her and removed her skirt and had sex with her. All the while, she did not respond but I still had sex with her a second time but I did not know she was dead; I thought she was just unconscious,” Titus said.

Upon discovering that Blessing was dead, Titus ran into the forest and hid there for four days. He came out of hiding when he became hungry and reported himself to his family who handed him over to the police.

Blessing’s remains were discovered by her father. Her body has been deposited at a mortuary and the case transferred to the homicide section of the SCID for further investigations

Akolade is not a Pastor, says slain banker’s stepmother

M

RS Adetoun Yeside Oyahire, stepmother of slain banker Titilayo Arowolo, has told a Lagos High Court that she was not aware that the deceased’s husband, Akolade Arowolo, is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Under cross examination by Arowolo’s counsel, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku, Mrs Oyahire said she did not know the accused as a youth pastor with RCCG until after Titilayo’s death.

Arowolo is standing trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu for allegedly stabbing his wife to death on June 24, last year, at their 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos home.

Mrs Oyahire, who was earlier led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olabisi Odugbesan, said the couple’s relationship was strained because of their incessant quarrels.

She said when Titilayo’s body was found, one of her eye balls was dangling from its socket.

“When I made statement to the police I was still too disturbed to remember everything I saw in details, but I remember later that there was blood on the wall and the floor.

“When I saw her lifeless body I started screaming and shouting.

One of her eyeballs was dangling

By Adebisi Onanuga

outside the eye socket,” she said, adding that she also saw a large opening on the upper part of her left breast and a substance that looked like a part of her flesh scooped on the bed,” she said.

The witness said her relationship with Titilayo was cordial, adding that she always counselled her to be a good wife and always put her marital problems before God. Mrs Oyahire denied ever calling the deceased ‘Thatcher’, saying she took after her husband in calling her by her pet name “Azoje girl”.

“I never called Titilayo ‘Thatcher’ but I loved to call her by the pet name my husband called her-’Azoje girl,’ she said.

“I visited the couple’s house several times. I can’t remember anytime the defendant has given me things and I don’t think of him as generous. I can’t remember Kolade ever taking my children out or giving me money.

“Except for the day he came with Titilayo to our house and I told him I liked the shirt he was wearing and he said he would take it to the laundry and bring it back,” she said.

Another witness, Solomon Ailoyen, also led in evidence by Mrs. Ogungbesan, claimed that on the day of the incident, a green Honda Accord car was found parked at the roadside in Aswani area of Lagos.

SEQUEL to last month’s appearance of Banky W on the screens and billboards as the new face of Coca Cola Open and Win campaign, Toyin Nnodi, the product’s Brand Manager, says “the singer’s music has put so much happiness into the hearts and homes of Nigerians.”

Nnodi added: “His positive energy and cool attitude are attributes that the Coca-Cola brand readily identifies with. We are happy to have him assist us in putting big smiles on our consumers’ faces.”

The singer, songwriter, producer, writer and Chairman of Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) was signed for an undisclosed amount for three months.

Feelers have it that the deal is good.

Known as the face of Samsung, and a voice for Hennessy, Mr. Wellington, his real name says: “It feels really good when, world-class brands see your image and products, and are willing to key into that and partner with you. It’s an honour to be chosen, and at EME, we can only expect greater things by God’s grace.” Banky W spoke reporters in Lagos with before leaving for the United States where his protégé, Wizkid, will be making major media appearances.

Actor assaulted MEN suspected to be film pirates have beaten up a popular Yoruba actor cum producer, Ibrahim Chatta. The actor is in a private hospital.

Witnesses said Chatta was attacked by men hawking pirated film CDs by the roadside, who thought he brought law enforcement agents to arrest them.

Chatta, said he was on his way to an event, “but because my partner couldn’t see me, I parked my car and crossed the road to call him where he was standing and suddenly, some guys pounced on me. While beating me, they said I had the guts to arrest them for selling pirated movies. I cried that I wasn’t after them, but they continued to beat me mercilessly.”

A peaceful rally is scheduled for tomorrow to draw attention to the development. The rally is the brain child of a coalition called Entertainment Protection Initiative (EPI).The group intends to make a presentation to the Presidency, Chief Justice of the Federation, National Assembly and relevant government agencies.

Corporation lobbies filmmakers

•Arowolo and Titilayo during their wedding

“I was on vehicle patrol with three others on June 24, 2011 when we were called to Aswani junction.

“A green Honda Accord with registration number RK 129AJA was pointed out to me, that it had been abandoned by a man.

“When we looked into the ve-

hicle, we saw blood stains on the steering wheel with the key still in the ignition,” he said.

The vehicle, according to him, was later driven to the Aswani Police Station.

Justice Okunnu adjourned hearing to April 24.

THE Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has written to stakeholders in the motion picture industry, urging them to showcase their works at this year’s Festival du Cannes in France next month.

In a letter to Guild heads in Nollywood, Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director of NFC, said the corporation has secured a pavilion at the Marche du film (Film Market) of the festival, to provide a home for practitioners and stakeholders to showcase Nollywood, its potentials and investment opportunities.

“We wish to inform you that the 65th edition of the Festival Du Cannes comes up from 16th – 27th May, 2012 in Cannes, France.

The Festival will once again bring together leading players in the global film industry, film commissions from different countries and lovers of film to network, and share valuable industry lessons,” the letter reads in part.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

8

NEWS Judiciary workers on strike From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

THE Oyo State High Court at Ring Road, and the Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court, both in Ibadan, the state capital, were deserted yesterday as judicial workers began an indefinite strike over the minimum wage.

The workers, under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), vowed to sustain the strike until the government accedes to their demand for an enhanced salary structure.

As early as 7am, entrance to the premises of the High Court and those of the Magistrate Courts were locked by JUSUN officials.

Workers, who had resumed for work, were ordered out, as lawyers, judges and magistrates were prevented from entering the courts’ premises.

Mr. Ademola Ayoade, the Oyo State branch Chairman of JUSUN, told reporters that the strike was to end the controversy surrounding the minimum wage.

The union leader said though the government had complied with the N18,000 minimum wage structure, he added that only workers within Grade Levels 1 to 6 were beneficiaries.

“If you can increase the salary of workers from levels 1 to 6 from N9,400 to N13,000 and later N18,000, then with what percentage are you going to increase that of workers on Levels 7 and above?” he queried.

N44m alleged scam: Public hearing fails to hold From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

THE public hearing on the near collapse of the capital market, which was to resume yesterday in Abuja, did not hold.

Though the Chairman of the new ad hoc committee, Ibrahim Tukur El Sudi, did not give reason for the development, it was gathered that the hearing may take about a week to resume.

The new committee was given 21 days to turn in its report after it was reconstituted, following the discontinuation of the probe by the Herman Hembe-led Committee on Capital Market and Other Institution.

House of Representatives spokesman Zakari Mohammed told reporters last week that the time frame the committee was given would officially begin yesterday and not from March 20, when the committee was constituted.

A National Assembly source, who spoke in confidence, said the delay might not be unconnected with the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The source said: “It could be the result of the involvement of the EFCC because the key actors have been going to their office for questioning. Obviously, this may affect the attendance and the committee did not want any excuse that would cause delay once it gets started”.

Supreme Court affirms Osun, Oyo states’ joint ownership of LAUTECH T

HE protracted dispute between Oyo and Osun states over the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, has ended as the Supreme Court held on Monday that the school is jointly owned by both states.

The dispute had resulted from an alleged move by former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala to unilaterally manage the institution, claiming that his state owned it.

The apex court, held that “the Governor of Oyo State could not, within the provisions of of Section 2 and 15 of the Ladoke Akintola Unviersity of Technology Law, 1990 (as amended), unilaterally take any decision on the appoint-

By Eric Ikhilae

ment or otherwise of the Principal Officers, personnel, finances, fixed and floating assets of the University of Technology, without the agreement, concurrence and express permission of the Governor of Osun State”.

The court, in the judgment dated March 22, declared as null and void, all steps, actions, directions orders and commands unilaterally taken and or issued by the Government of Oyo State on the ownership of, running, properties and functions of the school’s organs, without the concurrence

and agreement of the Osun State government.

It restrained “the Government of Oyo State by itself, Governor, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, or any officer or organ deriving title or authority from them, from taking any further step to give any directive or instruction contrary to the provisions of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Law, 1990 (as amended), in particular, the joint ownership structure of the university”.

The apex court directed that both states should mutually run the school’s administration.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria

(CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, delivering his judgment, upheld the terms of settlement agreed to by the two states.

The two states were in a long drawn battle over who had the authority to run the university.

This led Alao-Akala to approve some appointments in the university, including that of the office of the Vice-Chancellor, when the tenure of the holder of that office, from Osun State was yet to expire..

When the matter came up on Monday, counsel for Osun State, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said the two states had found a common ground and had re-

FoI law ‘ll strengthen democracy in Ekiti, says Fayemi

E

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ing the fact that vibrant press, in advanced democracies, is sine qua non to responsible and responsive government.

“I really want our press to be engaging and take deliberate efforts to shun playing to the gallery, no matter how attractive such an easy way-out may appear. It is very painful when some sections of the press choose to align with a few mischievous individuals or groups to wage unnecessary and unwarranted wars of attrition against perceived enemies in and/or outside the government.”

The governor urged the people, including those in the diaspora, to shun rumours and unguarded partisanship.

He urged journalists to “take advantage of the FoI law and legitimately seek information on any area of governance they feel they are in the dark about, even as there is information about government’s activities on the state’s w e b s i t , www.ekitistate.gov.ng”.

Fayemi added: “This government has deliberately put itself in the court of public opinion to make available to the public required information on how we administer the state and its resources.

“By the provisions of the law, we have removed the cov-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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•Fayemi (left); Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funminiyi Afuye and Ojudu…yesterday

er under which unscrupulous public officials hide to perpetrate heinous crimes against the state and waste its commonwealth.

“The law is centrally aimed at making access to public information less stressful, unmitigated and consequently any move by any public official to conceal such public information as required is a criminal act in the eyes of the law with dire consequences as many as may be pronounced

by the law court.”

Senator Babafemi Ojudu urged the government to remove perceived encumbrances to enable the FoI law take firm root in the society.

He said the public would face hurdles in accessing useful information from the government with the presence of agelong impediments, such as the Official Secret Act, the Evidence Act, the Public Complaints Commission Act, and the Statistics Act, among others.

Police uncover ritualists’ shrine in Ogun

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HE Ogun State Police Command yesterday said it has uncovered a shrine in Ewualase village, Ogijo, near the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mosinmi depot, in Saganmu Local Government Area.

Police Commissioner Ikemefunna Okoye said the shrine was patronised by “ritualists and fraudstars”.

He said: “The Ogijo Divisional Headquarters, through a very high-level intelligent gathering, heard about the operations of the people found at the shrine.

I gave them directives and they swung into action that eventually led to the arrest of two people at the shrine.

“For now, all we can say is that they are using this place for either rituals or to

•Policemen at the shrine...yesterday From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

defraud people, or both. I can assure you that we are going to do a very thorough investigation on their activities.”

The police chief addressed reporters during an on-thespot assessment of the shrine.

Oyo threatens ‘no work, no pay’ over workers’ strike •ACN urges workers to return to work

•Senator urges states to remove obstacles to law KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said the domestication of the Freedom of Information Law (FoI) would strengthen democracy, especially among the state’s political class.

Advising the media to be dispassionate in reporting events and activities of the government, the governor noted that the FoI law would aid transparency and accountability in the governance of the state.

Fayemi spoke at the celebration of the state’s Correspondents’ Week organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Christ’s School Alumni Centre, AdoEkiti.

He praised the media for objective reporting of events in the state, noting that his administration passed the FoI law to show that it has nothing to hide from the people.

The governor urged journalists to avoid petty biases or alignment with those who wage unnecessary wars against real and imaginary enemies within and outside the government.

Fayemi noted that in advanced democracies, vibrant media is essential for responsible and responsive governments.

He said: “There is no deny-

solved to forge a common ground in the interest of the institution.

The court ordered that “the governor of Oyo State could not, within the provisions of sections 2 and 15 of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Law, 1990 (as amended), unilaterally take any decision on the appointment or otherwise of the principal officers, personnel, finances, fixed and floating assets of the university without the agreement, concurrence and express permission of the governor of Osun State.

“That the Oyo State government could not dissolve, abrogate, annul, tamper with or revoke the provisions of the law setting up the LAUTECH.”

He said two suspects arrested in connection with it would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.

Ikemefunna urged the public to volunteer useful information to the police on the activities of criminals, adding that the police need

the support of the public to succeed.

“Policemen are not magicians; we can only work on information available to us.

So, anyone with useful information on how the state can be safer should please come forward with such,” he said.

HE Oyo State Government has said the workers’ strike, under the aegis of the Oyo State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, is illegal.

A statement yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Akin Olajide, said the continued strike was illegal and that those who refused to return to work would not be paid.

This is coming as the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) urged the workers to accept the N19,987 minimum wage offer from the state government.

A statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Mr Dauda Kolawole, advised the workers to appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s sincerity on the matter.

According to ACN, the interaction between Ajimobi and the workers was unprecedented in the history of the state.

It noted that the governor demonstrated openness and sincerity by presenting the financial data which proved that it is impossible for the state to fund the new pay package the workers are asking for.

The statement said the government’s offer, which is based on 92 per cent of the state’s total revenue, is a confirmation that Ajimobi wants the best for Oyo State workers within the limited resources available.

The party urged the workers to consider the governor’s promise that their income would increase as government revenue increases, based on the strategies for achieving the increase from next month. The government has presented its plan to increase revenue from April.

The statement reads: “Governor Ajimobi has proved his commitment to the welfare and total well-being of the workers in many ways since the inception of his administration. First, he moved Oyo State workers from the least paid in the Southwest to a much higher level. He also approved training for workers and has started upgrading facilities in ministries to ensure that workers perform their duties in an encouraging environment.”

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NEWS Ogun school wins debate on Boko Haram menace

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UPILS of Access International Schools, Magboro, in Ogun State, yesterday met with their counterparts from Caleb International Schools, Magodo, Lagos, and debated on the menace of the Boko Haram sect.

The debate was the maiden edition of schools’ debate organised by MITV to update students and viewers about events around the world.

At the end of the debate entitled: Unemployment is the Cause of the Boko Haram Menace, Access International Schools came first, having spoken against the topic.

Erem Amarachi, the Head Prefect of the school, who opposed the motion, listed some of the causes of the Boko Haram menace. These include ignorance on the part of the youth and ethnicity.

“Also, the issue of political elite using the youths to perpetrate evil is another factor responsible for Boko Haram and not necessarily unemployment. If it was unemployment, why are the southern youths not also engaged in such act?” she asked.

The highpoint of the event was presentation of prizes and award of certificates to the winning school.

The Chairman of Access Schools, Dr Jonathan Akpan told The Nation that with the victory, the school was positioned as one of the leading schools with good learners’ intellectual development in Nigeria.

Oyo ACN warns PDP

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HE Oyo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned its Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart for holding a parallel congress that ended in a crisis.

In a statement by ACN spokesman Dauda Kolawole, the party wondered how the PDP’s two congresses held in Ibadan would foster unity.

ACN decried the unwarranted attacks by the

Oyo State PDP spokesman on Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who he said has been working hard to develop the state.

It noted that Oyo residents now enjoy better times, advising enemies of progress to desist from causing disharmony.

The party urged the state PDP to concentrate on how to clear its mess, especially on the allegations of misappropriation levelled against former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala.

Osun ACN berates new Southwest PDP leadership T HE Osun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has criticised the new leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest.

The party described as ridiculous and disappointing the composition of PDP Southwest top leadership which emerged from the party’s elections at regional and national levels.

In a statement by the ACN Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, on the recent congresses of the PDP in Osun State and Abuja, ACN said the new leaders of the PDP were “ex-failed operators in government and those who had been rejected

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

in their constituencies and declared by courts of records as illegitimate occupiers of Government Houses in the Southwest”.

ACN queried: “How can we expect something special or different from these people, judging by their antecedents?”

The party noted that the situation was worse in Osun State, where the new chairman of the PDP would be better off leading “a motor park executive rather than a political party that prides itself as Africa’s largest”.

Oyinlola when they were governors of Ekiti and Osun states, the ACN said both men were only being haunted by their past.

The statement added: “If they have done well, the records would show it. But if they have abused their offices, they will have to face the music. No matter how loud they cry wolf, the law will catch up with the fraudulent, whatever their shields or pretences.

“The PDP elected Oni of Ekiti State and Oyinlola of Osun State as National ViceChairman and National Secretary, after they had been declared illegitimate beneficiaries of the peoples’ mandate in Ekiti and Osun states.”

It said the Southwest leaders in the PDP National Executive have failed in their primary constituencies, falling below the standard the region is reputed for.

“Quality people generate quality thinking, which translates into good governance,” the Osun ACN said.

ACN wondered how the new PDP leaders would enhance good governance, either for the Southwest or the country.

Reacting to the allegation

by Segun Oni, the new National Vice-Chairman of the PDP in the Southwest, that the ACN plotted against him and Prince Olagunsoye

Ajimobi to communities: use Corps members for transformation YO State Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi has urged the state’s communities and agencies to tap from the abundant talents and skills of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the social and economic transformation of the state.

The governor praised the Federal Government for its initiative to utilise the NYSC scheme in rural transformation through Primary Health Care, Education, Rural Infrastructural Development and Agriculture.

Ajimobi spoke at the closing ceremony for this year’s Batch ‘A’ Corps members’ orientation at their temporary orientation camp in

O

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Iseyin.

Represented by Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, the governor hoped the corps members serving in the state would be useful in those key areas for rural development and manpower needs.

He applauded the efforts of the management of the NYSC at ensuring that the abundant skills and talents inherent in the corps members are harnessed for the social and economic transformation of the society.

The governor noted the new development would help “in returning the NYSC

scheme to the path of fulfilling its original mandate of delivering service to the country and rural development, while also serving other purposes of national integration and youth empowerment”.

Ajimobi said: “My administration recognises the critical role the NYSC plays in the integration and rural developmental efforts of our society despite our security challenges, and so, we are ever determined to give necessary support both morally and financially to the scheme here in Oyo State.”

The governor restated his administration’s commitment to the completion of

•Ajimobi

the NYSC permanent orientation camp.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Dapo Adesina, urged corps members to be security-conscious and avoid unauthorised journeys.

He advised them to participate in activities that would strengthen Nigeria’s unity and corporate existence.

Council residents urged to pay taxes HE Caretaker Chairman of Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State, Major Tajudeen Awe (rtd), has urged the residents to pay their rates promptly.

He said paying their tax to the government is a civic duty which the residents and the government would benefit from.

Awe addressed reporters in his office, saying taxes

T

From sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

and other levies are the bases on which an administration’s performance is anchored.

According to him, prompt payment of the taxes and levies is a demonstration of people’s civic responsibility.

The council chief noted that the current unimpres-

sive conduct of the residents towards taxes’/rates’ payments has been a major hindrance to the development of the council.

He said: “The local government, under the current administration, wants to do more, if the people could be more responsive to the payment of necessary taxes and rates.

“I am ready to institute certain development moves

in various localities, if the people would support the council. Without this, these programmes may not be possible.”

Urging residents to avoid hostility towards revenue collectors, who would visit their shops and market stalls with receipts to collect their levies and rates, Awe added that the “payment of tax is a civic duty of a responsible citizen”.

Fashola faults special courts

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AGOS State Governor Babatude Fashola (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to equip the judiciary instead of establishing a special court for corruption trials.

The governor spoke in Lagos at the anniversary lecture of the late eminent lawyer, Kehinde Sofola (SAN), entitled: The Role of Lawyers in Creating a Better Nigeria: Can Special Courts Expedite Justice and Tackle corruption?

He noted that the solution to corruption is not the creation of a spe-

By Jeremiah Oke

cial agency to tackle each problem.

Fashola said: “Creating another agency for every problem is not necessarily the solution to the problem, because the court has different divisions which can handle those cases. For instance, in the Lagos High Court, we have the Land Division, Criminal Division, Family Division, among others. To me, that is the acceptable practice. And if you look at the special courts we have created, you see how they have quickly moved away from their original purpose.”

Fashola described the late Sofola as a leader worthy of emulation, adding that he did not compromise on any issue that might negatively affect his image.

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said.

He said unless anti-graft agencies perform their duties honestly and diligently, the nation cannot move forward.

According to him, as the nation continues to go down, it is high time the Federal Government fought corruption vigorously to save the nation’s future.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Customs, FRSC move against smugglers From John Ofikhenua, Owerri

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LANS are underway for the Nigeria Customs Service to link up its car importation data with that of the Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC).

This strategy is geared towards plugging financial leakages related to smuggling of vehicles and security issues, it was learnt yesterday.

The Superintendent of Customs, Feteh Feteh disclosed this while presenting a paper entitled: ‘Single Window’ in Owerri at the Customs Media Relations workshop.

If the two agencies link up their data, it will become difficult for vehicles smuggled into Nigeria to be registered by the FRSC, said Feteh.

He, however, added that the registration will be electronically driven to make it impossible for smuggled vehicles to be registered by the corps.

In his description of Single Window, Feteh noted that it is a concept or facility, which allows parties to run trade and transport toward standardised information and document with a single entry point.

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service will in December, this year terminate all its services that are rendered by Service Providers.

Besides, Feteh noted that the Service has introduced the Enhanced Proper Clearance Procedure at the Abuja Airport, which has in six months of operation culminating in revenue increase from N256million to N1.6 billion.

We are very pleased with the Swedish companies. They are leading manufacturers of some of the major mining equipment like drilling rigs.

- Mohammed Sada, Minister of Mines and Steel Development

Unions back Maevis pact termination

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NIONS in the aviation sector yesterday backed the decision of the Federal Government to terminate the concession agreement between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and Maevis Limited.

Maevis installed the automated operations management system ( AOMS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Unions’ support for the termination of the pact came hours after Maevis said it had not received any invitation from neither the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) nor Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The unions: Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE), as well as the Trade Union Congress( TUC), spoke through the ATSSSAN National President, Comrade Benjamin Okewu.

He said besides the termi-

• Concessionaire: We’re open to probe

By Kelvn Osa-okunbor

nation of the contract, the government must go ahead to examine the discrepancies in the contract sum, which was pegged at N3.81 billion in 2007 but has risen to over N6.8 billion, despite partial installation of the AOMS infrastructure at the Lagos and Abuja airports.

Okewu explained that according to the terms of the agreement, Maevis was supposed to have installed the AOMS equipment at the Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports simultaneously, a feat he said the concessionaire could not achieve after four years of operations.

He said the inability of Maevis Limited to keep to the terms of the agreement makes its claims bogus, adding that the equipment designated for the two other airports were vandalised by FAAN during the takeover of operations at the Lagos International Airport at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Executive Director, Marketing, Maevis, Mrs. Tokunbo Fagbemi, said the company was ready for probe of its transactions.

“We have not received any invitation from either the EFCC or ICPC. We are not afraid of any investigation by anybody and will be willing to cooperate with any probe of our dealings and transactions with FAAN. We are of the view that this is just a diversionary tactic on FAAN’s part to muddle up the real issues and the illegality of their action.

“They have gone through this route before and have failed because their petitions cannot hold against the fraud proof automated system of revenue collection and remittance. This automated system can be accessed by authorised FAAN operatives, which includes the MD and Director of Finance of FAAN. The system automatically generates invoices and collects payments and no one physically collects

cash at Maevis. You can speak to the banks on the operation of this system because they also warehouse the entire system for collection. The entire configuration for collection and remittances of revenue was done with active input and approval of FAAN management.

“We are a reputable company and have always upheld the principles of accountability, honesty and corporate governance in our dealings with our clients and various stakeholders. We have had extensive dealings with so many local and international affiliates and have given none of them any reason to doubt our integrity. And we have been doing good business since inception. We are fighting a just cause and are on the side of truth. We have invested heavily into ensuring that Nigerians and all other visitors to the country enjoy their transition through the airports concessioned to us through the PPP arrangement seamlessly through an effective management of the infrastructures and facilities at the airport,” she said.

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

B

RITISH soap and sham poo maker PZ Cussons has issued a second profit warning in less than four months, blaming a hit to sales from social unrest in Nigeria, its biggest single market.

Shares in the maker of Imperial Leather soaps and Carex anti-bacterial hand washes according to Reuters news were down 10.2 per cent at 1001 GMT yesterday after it said profits in Nigeria over the last two months had been affected by a continuation of economic and social tensions.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, accounts for 30-40 per cent of PZ Cussons’ total revenue.

“Given the importance of Nigeria to the group, the impact of the continuing tensions in the country will be significant, resulting in the group’s overall (year to May 3, 2012) performance being some way below expectations,” the firm said.

PZ Cussons highlighted the continuation of social instability in northern Nigeria which has directly impacted sales, and the removal of a fuel duty subsidy in January that has hit consumers’ disposable income and led to higher transport costs and port disruption, affecting both sales and costs.

Despite its current problems in Nigeria the firm expects the removal of the fuel duty subsidy to be beneficial for the medium term macroeconomic health of the country.

Nigeria, Commonwealth countries partner

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

PZ Cussons blames Nigeria for second profit warning

From Franca Ochigbo and Frances Ajewole, Abuja • Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua (left); Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transport, Nebolisa Emodi and Chairman, InterBau Nigeria Limited, Nathaniel Okechukwu, during the inspection of the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State ... yesterday

Deployment of meters: NERC accuses PHCN of sabotage C HAIRMAN, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, yesterday accused the management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) of thwarting the deployment of meters to customers.

Speaking in Abuja at the meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of the power generation companies, he noted that NERC has strong evidence to prove that distribution companies (DISCOs) prefer estimated billing to meters because it offered them the opportunity to over bill their customers.

The meeting was in preparation for the announcement of new tariffs which billed to take off on June 1. ”We have cases of people

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

who pay even more than companies for residential.

Even though they have meters, they (distribution companies) don’t go and read these meters. I see no reason somebody living in a three bedroom flat will be paying say N3,000 a month and another with similar flat and appliances will be paying N30, 000.

That is what we call crazy billing. Otherwise it becomes a cheat on the people.”

But Amadi pledged that the new tariff known as Multi Year Tariff Order 2 (MYTO II) would be propoor and business friendly.

He added that performance-related conditions would be set for DISCOs before they are allowed to implement the new tariff.

“The poor are going to pay less. We can look at N3 to N4 per kilowatt hour for poor people,” he said.

He explained that the poor are those customers who are on residential class 1 of the tariff order, who consume less than 50kilowat hour per month.

The residential class 2, which constitutes about 85 per cent of the customers, will have 11 per cent increases in their tariff while the commercial and industrial customers would have higher increase in their tar-

iff and they will be paying N16 to N26 per kilowatt hour.

He, however, read the riot Act to the DISCOs, saying: “This is not a windfall tariff. Even after June 1, when the MYTO 2 tariff will officially commence, no DISCO will collect one dime except they receive a certification from us. That means there are conditions that must be met before the new tariff can be implemented. One is metering.

“We are going to go round to inspect the DISCO to access how much improvement they have made in terms of metering, and if you can meter everybody, we expect you should come up with a standardised framework for billing.”

N

IGERIA would partner other Commonwealth countries in the development of the nation’s non-oil sector, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said.

He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Regional Workshop on Export Competitiveness Strategies in Abuja yesterday. Eight countries are participating in the three-day event. They are Nigeria, Singapore, Kenya, Cameroun, Sierra Leone, Rwanda , Gambia and Uganda Aganga, who was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, said the Ministry had embarked on some reforms to improve Nigeria’s business climate, adding that the target of the Ministry is to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness ranking from its present 133 out of one 183 countries to a modest top 30, over the next three years.

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BUSINESS NEWS

‘Nigeria to save N258b yearly if bakers use cassava’

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HE use of 40 per cent cassava flour by local bakeries would save Nigeria N258 billion yearly, Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

He disclosed this in Lagos while presenting the UTC bread made with 40 per cent cassava flour.

To this end, he said the government will work with the National Assembly to introduce a bill to promote 40 per cent cassava

By Daniel Essiet

in bread initiative as well as provide incentives to encourage local food firms to adopt the formula.

He said the promotion of the use of cassava by local bakeries, which was part of Federal Government’s Agriculture Transformation Action Plan, would make the nation self-sufficient in food production.

The Minister said there will be a national orientation for bakeries across the country to promote the 40 per cent cassava input.

He said the government’s decision to substitute wheat flour with cassava in bread production was a policy in the right direction as it would discourage wheat flour importation, and encourage farmers to produce more cassava.

Adesina noted that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with an annual production of 35million tonnes of the commodity. He lamented that the country had been spending N635 billion annually on the importation of wheat. In addition, he said the cassava was produced and marketed without value addition.

According to him, Nigeria should not be an im-

porter of wheat flour for bread production since cassava could serve as an alternative. ”Nigeria is the only country which does not produce wheat but eat 100 per cent wheat.

We have to start processing what we produce instead of eating always imported things, making farmers of other countries happy, while the farmer of Nigeria is sad,” he said.

The Managing Director/

Chief Executive,UTC Plc, Mrs Foluso Olaniyan, said her company has made transition into the production of 40 per cent cassava flour bread.

She said the initial challenge was getting supply of high quality cassava. This, she explained, has been solved following the government’s efforts to boost the production of the crop nationwide.

Fitch compares Nigeria with newly investment grade sovereigns

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ITCH Ratings’ Head of Africa/Middle East sovereigns, Richard Fox, has compared Nigeria’s current sovereign debt metrics to those of Emerging Markets (EMs) that have recently made the transition to investment grade (IG).

He made the comparison in a presentation on Nigeria’s Debt Capital Markets.

Since 2004, seven EMs according to Reuters news, have moved up the rating scale from Nigeria’s current ‘BB-’ level to the lowest investment grade ‘BBB-’rating. The most recent was Indonesia in 2011; the others are Azerbaijan (2010), Brazil (2008) and Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Romania and Russia (2004). Of the seven, four are oil producers to varying degrees.

The three notch upward movement has typically taken between six and eight years, which makes it a plausible ambition for Nigeria in the context of its Vision 2020.

Among the key indicators that Fitch uses to assess sovereign creditworthiness, three stand out as being well outside the range of experience of recent newly IG EMs: per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reserve cover and governance (the latter measured by the World Bank’s governance indicators). These areas, according to Fitch, represent Nigeria’s biggest challenge to improving its rating, as highlighted in its previous research. Of the three, re-

serve cover is the most susceptible to rapid improvement, particularly at current high oil prices.

But although Nigeria’s reserves have risen by around USD2billion this year, they are not rising as fast as in the majority of big oil exporters.

Other external data such as the current account and net external assets are comparable to those of newly IG sovereigns. The exception is commodity dependence, reflecting the dominance of oil revenues. Although some newly IG oil exporters have had even higher oil dependence, this has been compensated by a stronger international reserves cushion against oil shocks.

Part of the explanation for the improved trend of reserves this year is the authorities’ actions to reduce forex demand for refined petroleum imports, including the partial reduction in the petroleum subsidy earlier this year.

The reduction in the benchmark oil price in this year’s budget, albeit partially reversed by the National Assembly, was also a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, although the Federal Government’s budget deficit and consolidated government budget surplus are within the range experienced by newly IG countries, they are not as strong as some of the major oil producers when they made the transition to IG notably Azerbaijan and Russia.

Increased fiscal savings

Dangote shines at trade fair

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ANGOTE Group has stamped its presence at the on-going 23 rd Enugu International Trade Fair as its subsidiaries dominated activities at the opening of the trade exhibition.

According to a statement, consumers thronged the pavilions of the Dangote Group of Companies as the group displayed an array of products tailored to meet different consumer needs.

They were also offered wet and dry sampling to arouse their interests.

Companies from the group that are exhibiting at the fair include Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Flour Mills, Dangote Agrosacks,National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), Dangote Pasta, Dangote Ce-

ment, Dangote Noodles and Dansa Foods Limited.

A major attraction at the Group’s pavilion is the Dangote Restaurant, which is offering a wide range of the delicacies prepared from products manufactured by companies under the group.

The restaurant offers delicacies such Dangote Noodles, pasta, Alkama (wheat meal) and Danvita.

A range of fruit drinks from Dansa are also on offer at the restaurant.

The statement added that participants and exhibitors at the fair are flocking to the restaurant for their daily meals.

Visitors are also given free drinks from the Dansa stable for tasting.

in Nigeria’s new sovereign wealth fund will be a key driver of Nigeria’s rating.

Nigeria’s stable and robust GDP growth of more than seven per cent since 2009 compares well with the record of newly IG sovereigns and is even more creditable given its reliance on the non-oil sector. However, struc-

tural reforms planned in the electricity, oil and agriculture sectors, will be crucial if growth is to be diversified and sustained closer to double digits, in order to close the large gap in per capita income. Even with a likely substantial increase in nominal GDP this year due to the rebasing of the national

accounts, Nigeria’s per capita GDP will still be outside the range enjoyed by the newly IG countries when they became IG. Nigeria’s inflation rate is also still on the high side - in low double digits compared to an average of 7.5per cent for newly IG sovereigns and a range of five per cent to 12 per cent.

By contrast, Nigeria scores much better on the government debt ratio which, despite creeping up, at a little under 20 per cent of GDP is lower than the 26 per cent average for newly IG sovereigns.

Nigeria’s ability to finance itself domestically, in its relatively well-developed domestic capital market, is also a major strength.

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POLITICS The South Korean news agency, Yonhap, had an interview with President Goodluck Jonathan during the Nuclear Summit holding in that country. He addressed the import of developing nuclear technology for energy purpose.

Jonathan: why we want improved ties with South Korea W HAT is the significance of the second Nuclear Security Sum mit in Seoul?

Of course, South Korea’s hosting the second one is very significant. It is one country that is using nuclear power in energy sector. Also, it has technology to use the nuclear power in so many ways. So, for them to draw vision for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is good. It shows that Asian countries are working. It (summit) is quite significant.

What sort of achievements or breakthroughs do you expect at the nuclear summit?

Summit in principle is not just science forum. It’s purely administrative. So we are not going to (discuss) technology and missile. But essence of the summit is discourage countries not to use nuclear weapons. Discourage them so they will never use. And make sure that the world is using peaceful use of the nuclear energy and not exploit them (for) attack (and) for destructions.

What does Nigeria in particular want to accomplish at this summit?

We are also into nuclear technology. We also want to use nuclear power in agriculture. We need (nuclear power) centres for the use of nuclear energy. This summit helps you to (use) guidelines and law to control the use of transportations and nuclear power.

You are scheduled to hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday. What do you expect from these talks?

I am not sure if it’s bilateral. We had that mind initially. Because the country (South Korea) is talking with 54 heads of state, it’s difficult to go bilateral. We have many South Korean companies that have invested in Nigeria. Daewoo is one, for 30 years in Nigeria. It’s the country that has a lot in relationships. We (emphasise) bilateral economic relations.

How would you view the level of cooperation between Nigeria and South Korea? How can ties between the two countries move further forward?

So far, relations are good. Nigeria is a country with lots of natural resources.

‘In terms of security challenges, we have some parts of country that have experienced terrorist attacks. But it doesn’t affect the whole country. We are in reasonable control.

We have the belief that by the middle of this year, in terms of security of individual, we will have control. (The danger) is limited to some parts of the country. It doesn’t extend to other parts of country’ • Jonathan

South Korea, on the other hand, is industrialized. So, if the two countries come together, they can really enhance development. Nigeria is a major player in the oil industry. We have a lot companies in the oil industry, (involved in) exploration and exploitation. So, there are mines offshore and onshore.

What areas would you want to further develop cooperation?

(South) Korean companies like Daewoo have been here (in Nigeria) for over 30 years. Different platforms such as oil mining and offshore mining. They are heavily

involved in that area. In other general areas like general telecommunications, companies, such as LG are involved. They have been doing very well. (South) Korea has developed from nothing. They have to commit. I believe any country that is committed to excellence and work hard, issues of corruption are reduced. They also have to make sacrifices. Citizens have to make sacrifice. If you are not into sacrifices, you cannot move forward. I see Asian nations made a lot of sacrifices.

Political stability is important for foreign investors. In terms of recent attacks, what measures are being taken?

There is one key area that I want to emphasise. Nigeria is a green area for investors. Before this time, during the military rule, you don’t know who would be the next president. When a new government comes, there is a new policy and those policies are not attractive to investors. Basically from 1999 to date, we have established democratic government. I am the President during the transition. Before I took over, I was vice president. The President was very ill and people thought there would be militaristic intervention.

Today, we conducted election. Politically, we are stable. For investors, Nigeria has strong law and media. No president can just change laws that can affect investors.

Especially, we encourage investors.

In terms of security challenges, we have some parts of the country that have experienced terrorist attacks. But it doesn’t affect the whole country. We are in reasonable control. We have the belief that by the middle of this year, in terms of security of the individual, we will have control . (The danger) is limited to some parts of the country. It doesn’t extend to other parts of country. Other areas and the public sector have been opened up. Agriculture, production, raw materials, and (other) sectors have been opened. Not just in private airlines but airports, terminal buildings in other sectors. The oil sector has been opened from the beginning. We have very few chemical companies. It’s an area these companies can invest. Before, telecommunication was a monopoly until 2002. Telecommunication has been opened up to other countries. More Korean companies can invest in all aspects.

Which economic sector do you want to draw more investment?

I want investment in power sector. For now, we are quite low. We want (South) Korean investors.

Recently, you asked for an approval for a plan to borrow $7.9 billion for a pipeline project. Has there been any progress in the plan?

We need a lot of investment in pipeline development. We have to convey to parliament that huge investment is needed for hundreds of kilometres.

Ilaka: No going back on reconciliation in Oyo PDP Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Oyebisi Ilaka spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the defection of members of Accord led by Senator Rashidi Ladoja to PDP.

D

OES it not amount to political har lotry for you to leave PDP for ACN and ACN for Accord and now Accord for PDP ?

Definitely not. There are dimensions to it.

There is no party that is really ideologically driven. Parties exist in Nigeria solely to contest elections. I was a member of the PDP. There were certain issues I had with the leadership. Instead of fighting, I thought I should leave the party for another because I wanted to contest the election. I moved to ACN. But I met the same problem in ACN. So, all of us who have issues with the PDP had to move to Accord. The outcome of the election showed that we fragmented our votes in the PDP. The way forward is to come together to provide a viable opposition to the ACN in Oyo State.

What has changed in the PDP that made you to return to the fold?

We are having a different kind of dialogue that is based on sincerity. Those of us from Accord are having an agreement with the PDP. If dialogue had taken place before the election, there would have been no need for us to go into Accord Party. We perceived the tyranny of the few over the many in the PDP. Since we have a shared vision and goal, I think the time is ripe for us to come together.

Who are the people returning to the PDP from Accord; Ladoja, you and Accord legislators in Oyo State?

The entire party is returning to the PDP. After the elections political parties knew that none could claim superiority. We had an agreement with ACN to move the state forward. It broke down, irretrievably. No single party had dominant influence. We concluded that, if we couldn’t work with Party A, we could work with Party B. That led to the consummation of relationship between Accord and PDP. How would the defection of Accord members to PDP change the political calculation in the state?

Most of us have already crossed into the PDP. We are reckoned with at the local government and we are working on a dialogue process, using the outcome of the 2011 elections to work out a sharing formula. Agreements are being made on ward basis, local government basis.

Is the timing of the defection appropriate now that PDP is holding congresses?

We are participating in the congress from ward to the national level.

Are you saying that party positions are now being shared between PDP and Accord Group in PDP and could you shed light on the sharing formula?

We know the results of the elections. Where they won, they will take the chairmanship and cede the vice chairmanship to us. There is a working agreement and it is being honoured. Implementation will depend on the peculiarities of each ward and local government.

In the PDP family, this is not an anathema. We belong to the same political family. We are childern of one father, but we have different mothers. When there is disagreement over party matter, it does not mean that the oneness of the party does not exist.

Do members of Ladoja Group have regret that power shifted to ACN? We had the numerical strength to wrestle or retain power. PDP was the dominant party. But there was no reconciliation. For that short time Accod Party performed so well. It would have teamed up with the PDP, if there was reconciliation.

Why can’t Ladoja Group continue to build Accord Party, instead of defecting back to PDP? Accord Party has been in existence before Ladoja moved in. It still remains what it used to be. But the Ladoja Group in Accord has moved to PDP. Our strength in Accord is our integrity. That we are bringing back to PDP.

• Ilaka

Are you saying that factionalisation is over in Oyo PDP? There is work in progress, dialogue in process. We have a better dispute resolution mechanism in place now. We now have a common interest to protect. What is binding us together is more than what can divide us. We have learnt our lessons. We come from the school of hard knocks. We are more focused.

18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Security documents •Plan to print them locally is a welcome relief

C

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) reported move to stop the printing of security documents abroad, though not new, is commendable. It is shameful that security documents such as bank cheques, among others, are still mostly being printed overseas, over 50 years after the country’s independence. But now, the CBN, in order to underscore its determination to carry out this policy has directed that only security printing firms with functional domestic outfits should, after June 30, 2012, be accredited under the Nigerian Cheque Printers Accreditation Scheme (NICPAS).

However, is the Nigerian government serious about this policy?

This question becomes pertinent because the antecedent in this regard

‘We believe that the CBN must not waver in its present resolve to ensure that security documents are no longer printed offshore. Its supervisory department must ensure strict adherence by banks and allied institutions to this policy. This is a good idea that should be supported to succeed.

It will boost our economy, generate employment for Nigerians and ensure confidentiality for our cherished documents’

was slipshod. On paper, the NICPAS was a noteworthy scheme. It was initiated to improve automated cheque clearing, ensure reduction in the incidence of fraud and the encouragement of localisation of security printing operations.

Surprisingly, of the current 14 security printing companies that are accredited to print cheques for banks in the country, only three are truly local operators. The remaining are offshore accredited printers that are getting the large chunk of security printing jobs in the country. Most of them are based in the United Kingdom; there are two in South Africa and one in Ghana.

The cheque printing domestication initiative is part of the Federal Government’s local content enhancement policy geared towards stimulating indigenous entrepreneurship and the economy in general. The official directive given in 2006 that foreignbased accredited printers must domesticate their operations within two years was, sadly, not complied with despite the extension of time that was also granted its take-off since that time.

This official admonition, akin to what happened in the past, that offshore security companies operating outside the country and without any evident plan to domesticate their operations will not be considered for reaccreditation from July 1 might be ignored - worse still, without sanc-

tion. We recollect that Professor Charles Soludo’s directive in this regard was not implemented until he left the position of CBN governor.

Sadly, till today too under Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the matter remains a recurring decimal.

Expectedly, this ugly trend should not continue so as to be able to show the outside world that we run a serious government that would not brook any nonsense from any company or institution, whether local or foreign. The present decision should be pursued to the letter.

We are aware of the enormous challenges that might impede the smooth implementation of the directive, especially the huge capital requirement needed for relocation of these foreign companies’ sites, but this is worth its while in view of the huge patronage from the country.

Moreover, the existing local security companies obviously may, in some cases, lack the capacity to cope with the ensuing high job demands.

Despite these, we believe that the CBN must not waver in its present resolve to ensure that security documents are no longer printed offshore.

Its supervisory department must ensure strict adherence by banks and allied institutions to this policy.

This is a good idea that should be supported to succeed. It will boost our economy, generate employment for Nigerians and ensure confidentiality for our cherished documents.

Obnoxious Railway Act •Review of 57-year-old law will facilitate economic development

T

HE proposition by the Federal Government to develop a modern railway gauge from Lagos to Ibadan is a welcome development. In the same vein, the decision to review the 57-yearold Railway Act, if done to decentralise the ownership of the railway lines would greatly benefit the nation’s economy. The federal and state governments have paid dearly in the absence of functional railway across the country. Indeed, lives and investments of Nigerians have also not been spared by the over-concentration on the highways, in the absence of rail transport. So we earnestly hope that these proposals will be actualised as soon as possible.

We note that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, being the major gateway from the nation’s busiest ports at Apapa and TinCan Island in Lagos has been the hardest hit by the neglect of our railways. Interestingly, during the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, there was fanfare when a so-called Public Private Partnership was announced by the Federal Government for the modernisation of that road. While every now and then, the private firm concerned regales Nigerians about a grandiose plan to rebuild the road, nothing concrete has been achieved; and the result is that what passes for a modern highway has turned to a death trap for the unwary road users.

That experience may encourage Nigerians to dismiss the railway proposals as political gimmick, more so as they would ask; how can a government that has been unable to get a road project off ground, now deliver on a more capital intensive

rail line? While such pessimism is based on the many unfulfilled promises of the Federal Government in the past, we think that amending the 1955 Railway Act to allow for a decentralised rail sector should be pursued vigorously. The option should be to open up the sector to private capital, and also state and regional governments’ investments. Many Nigerians have not forgotten how the General Muhammadu Buhari government frustrated the Lagos State administration’s initiative to build a metro line in Lagos in the 1980s.

The present Governor Babatunde Fashola administration’s determination to develop a railway line from Okokomaiko to Lagos shows what can be done when a government is determined to deliver on its promises. Such effort can be replicated across the country if the Railway Act is amended so that state governments can, as of right, develop modern rail lines. We recall also that the south-west states have indicated interest to develop a modern railway to service the region; so, if the act is amended to allow a decentralised ownership, it will provide the impetus for such plans as well as in other zones in the country.

Now that the transport minister, Senator Idris Umar, has made the Federal Government’s plans public, it is time to walk the talk. He must put in the public domain the government’s plan of action to realise the laudable objectives. If truly a proposed bill, worked out in harmony with the Bureau of Public Enterprises, is with the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, then the minister must make

haste, as lives and properties are wasted as heavy duty vehicles and cars compete on our dilapidated roads.

Our hope is that when the bill is presented to the National Assembly, there will be opportunity for public input to ensure the realisation of a modern railway act to replace the one enacted by the colonial government in 1955. To continue to delay action on this obnoxious law is to compound our woes in the transport sector. While also furthering the plans by the ministry, the cost of building the Lagos-Ibadan modern rail line must be subjected to due process.

The proposed sum of $1.5 billion for developing the modern gauge is a princely sum, and Nigerians will insist on value for money.

‘The decision to review the 57year-old Railway Act, if done to decentralise the ownership of the railway lines would greatly benefit the nation’s economy.

The federal and state governments have paid dearly in the absence of functional railway across the country. Indeed, lives and investments of Nigerians have also not been spared by the over-concentration on the highways, in the absence of rail transport. So we earnestly hope that these proposals will be actualised as soon as possible’

Pope should urge greater freedom in Cuba

P

OPE Benedict XVI should use his trip to Cuba to try to persuade President

Raul Castro to show more respect for human rights.

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba this week is clearly intended to be a pastoral mission, not a political one. Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the island’s patron saint, the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, it is timed to help revive interest in Catholicism in one of Latin America’s less devout countries and to draw followers to the church.

But we hope Benedict’s visit will serve another objective as well: to persuade President Raul Castro to abandon his crackdown on dissidents and show greater respect for human rights. Dozens of Cubans have been rounded up in recent weeks, including key members of the Ladies in White, a group of relatives of political prisoners who hold weekly protest marches.

And 13 others who camped out in a Havana church to demand a meeting with the pope were detained.

Some critics have expressed concern that the Catholic church is already too cozy with the regime in Cuba, and that Benedict’s trip will strengthen Castro, lending moral authority to a government that has been a repeat violator of human rights. But that doesn’t have to be the case. In recent years, the church has worked behind the scenes, and in 2003 it secured the release of dozens of dissidents. On this visit, the pope is scheduled to meet with Castro, which means he’ll have the opportunity to suggest that allowing Cubans greater freedom wouldn’t undermine the communist regime. While he’s at it, he could push for the release of some political prisoners who are ill, along with American Alan Gross, a subcontractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development who was arrested and convicted in 2009 for bringing communications equipment to Cuba’s Jewish community and sentenced to 15 years.

Benedict’s trip isn’t expected to produce the same kinds of reforms that followed the last papal visit in 1998, when Pope John Paul II met with then-President Fidel Castro. After all, that’s the trip that led to the official restoration of Christmas on the island.

Benedict lacks the charisma and political influence of his predecessor, who was seen as a champion of social justice in much of Latin America. John Paul repeatedly spoke out against human rights abuses and the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.

Benedict should exercise whatever power and leverage he has with Castro to help not only Catholics, but all Cubans who are silenced by force or fear.

Los Angeles Times

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: In 1994, the late General Sani Abacha and his deputy, General Oladipo Diya organized a Constitutional Conference to chart a new course for Nigeria. Both Abacha and Diya got their foot soldiers and recruited them to traverse the political landscape to cajole eminent Nigerians to participate in order to gain legitimacy.

Professor Jerry Gana went to the East and Diya went to the South West.

While Prof Jerry Gana succeeded in convincing Dr Alex Ekwueme and company to participate, General Diya could not convince any serious first class leader in Yoruba land to participate. Reason: Yoruba leaders figured that General Abacha was just trying to buy time to consign Chief Abiola’s June 12 mandate to history, with that conference. When it became obvious to Diya that no eminent Yoruba would listen to him, he resorted to blackmail and intimidation and boasted that he will create new leaders for the South West.

He went ahead and recruited mediocres and small-minded elements. They went to the conference but the rest is now history. But the most significant features of the power game that time was that all those people Diya recruited are today unknown, unsung and unremembered in the history of Nigeria.

Another significant aspect of the power game was what the late Chief Bola Ige said when Diya thundered that he will create new leaders in Yorubaland. “Leadership”, he said, “is earned through long history of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to service to humanity”. With those words, Chief Bola Ige con-

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Asiwaju @ 60: leadership earned signed Diya’s scurrilous drivel to the dustbin of history.

While Diya and company were looking for what to eat via Abacha’s constitutional conference in 1994, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in London campaigning for the reversal of the grave injustice meted to Chief MKO Abiola. It is now 18years on and while Diya is hardly remembered, Asiwaju continues to move from grace to grace, from honour to abundant honour and from blessing to amazing blessing.

But the success story of BAT’s political career is not a one day job. He has fought many wars, faced many bullets and risked his life to be where he is today. He has faced raw persecution, fought attempts to tarnish his name and dampen his fighting spirit but he continues to persevere.

From the fierce eight years battle with former President Obasanjo on Lagos 37 LCDA’s, to the many legal battles he waged against an octopoidal federal government on true federalism, to the nearly 10 years of battle to reposition his party, South West and Nigeria. BAT has seen it all in Nigeria’s chequered history. From repeated threats to his life to the Code of Conduct Bureau Tribunal ambush, to a well oiled effort to paint him black before the masses for his daring political exploits, Tinubu has walked through mines triumphantly without being hurt.

His victories over his numerous foes teach a lesson in faith, perseverance, doggedness, commitment, persistence and belief. BAT, a paragon of quiet efficiency, was once described as a political character in the

mould of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo divinely blessed with a third eye to locate men and women of unimpeachable virtues and used same for the good of the commonwealth.

He has a lot of enemies who cannot resist the great envy of his rising political clout and these eternally wish he could be made to disappear from the landscape for them to flower. But he has survived their fear-driven angst and their feelings of insecurity to emerge as a leader Nigeria cannot do without. No wonder political scientists are still studying how he routed PDP rigging machine in the South West and beyond in a four years of fierce war, even with the array of incumbency power, a threatening federal structure, a beguiled sitting president .

OOU and its unending crisis

S

IR: For how long will this problem last? Every blink of an eye takes the students and staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye to another world of instability and unhappiness.

The lingering crises have become something more dangerous and thus needs holistic approach if the govern-

ment wants the school’s glory to be back.

Wherever elephants fight the grass suffer. The situation has now degenerated to the point that OOUites are taken as pariahs. Meanwhile, this is a school where parents and guardians pay through their noses to send their wards to.

This is pathetic. No one will want

to waste a period of four/five years and at the end of the day someone somewhere will rubbish the certificate.

The introduction of politics into education by the past administration in Ogun State cannot be forgiven by the students. Sacking of professors, merging of departments and so on were the order of the day. Since then,

Impediments to Nigeria’s intelligence gathering

S

IR: The place of intelligence gathering in any society is one that cuts across all lines. The significance of Intelligence is not one restricted to clandestine operations in times of conflict alone but also during times of peace. The fact is that societies that are peaceful can only remain peaceful through consistent intelligence in order to monitor and sustain the social-political-economical and psychological progress of a state. In other words, it takes effective and timely intelligence to keep the peace.

Nigeria’s Intelligence community such as the State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) can learn from the

BAT, I know always presents a very calm disposition in the face of adversity. That allows him to marshal out his defence and once he delivers his punch, the enemy lies flat on his back. He retraces steps, assembles his arsenals and pushes forward without looking back. BAT commands respect and fanatic following in Nigerian politics. He is close to the common man and makes him the centerpiece of his politics. He fights for all but finds tremendous lift in fighting the oppressor for the oppressed. He lives his life for others.

He lives to serve and he serves to live!

At 60, Asiwaju has matured to become one of the few leading lights in the Nigerian sphere. He has become a political colossus through dint of hard work and deft deployment of scarce strategies and he has earned every accolade he gets today as the quintessential leader of men, a lodestar and a guiding light in the nation’s disturbed march to full nationhood. Happy birthday Sir and may God continue to keep and preserve you for the good of this nation.

• Joe Igbokwe.

Lagos

histories of the establishment and management of foreign intelligence services. For example, The United States learnt from the British Intelligence Service and Special Operations Executive in establishing the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in 1942 before it was disbanded in 1945 and later came to be known as the CIA. The US military also established the National Security Agency (NSA) in 1945 working closely with their Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) under close supervision by the US Defence Department etc.

Aggressive steps must be taken to ensure vigorous coordination within and between the police and security services. Thus all security branches (intelligence, operations,

and political) in Nigeria should have both military and civilian staff working hand in hand.

The nature of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria complicates any already existing constraints hindering effective intelligence gathering in the country. The challenges facing the intelligence community here at home are further compounded by the issue of popular support. That is, how to obtain the support of the population-support not only in the form of sympathy and approval but in active participation in the war against terrorism. This is important because the acquisition of information from the people is a key aspect of counter insurgency strategy for govern-

ment units combating elusive terrorist. The population will not play an active role in the war against terrorism in the midst of corruption, infrastructural decay and insensitivity by the same government officials who claim to be fighting for the people. And the population will not go out of their way to provide valuable information to agencies such as the Nigerian Police already disliked due to the corruption, distrust, inefficiency, and human rights abuses that plague the Force. If the population fear retribution from these groups, civilians will not cooperate with officials and provide valuable information.

• Bulus Nom Audu Wuse 2 Abuja,

various ills have been reverberating in the school.

When Senator Ibikunle Amosun merged TASUED with OOU, agitation ensued. Unless the state wants to lose its maiden citadel which is OOU, its decision to merge TASUED with OOU remains necessary.

Just last week, the non academic staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University held a very serious protest where they fried bean cake to celebrate the demise of the living vice chancellor, Olawale Olaitan.

They also danced through carrying coffin.

My question is that, did the problem start with this VC? I believe that the system, not an individual is faulty.

For instance, people need to be convinced if the removal of the VC will bring the problems to an end.

NASU may be right with their claims but the problem- if the VC can be allowed to say his mind- is beyond what he or his removal can solve.

Thus there is need for the Ogun State Government to remove sentiments and wade into the crises to save OOU from cankerworms and eternal injury.

Our school needs government attention.

• Muritala Omikunle OOU, Ago Iwoye.

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

NASS probity, probes and oversight costs: Can NASS be trusted? Judicial Reforms

N

I G E R I A shares N620.8 billion and claims to be poor. Yes, poor in leadership. No, not poor in pocket. We have a 13-year in power Tony government ‘discoverMarinho ing’ that text books are important in education but still does not provide books for its children in school-just N17-20b.

In 2012, 13 years of government, no electric power for four days, nationwide. Please find out from your parents who, as head of NPA, took $5million from NPA in the 1970s to buy a ship in his name?

The oppressors of the North and Nigeria are that ‘wasted generation‘, which refuses to hand over the next generation of good Nigerians, north and south. You see them, bending over, on walking sticks, nodding asleep in the Senate after a lifetime of ruining Nigeria. Someday someone will die in the Senate chamber, slumbering in his seat in the service of his country and get a state burial, all expenses paid for his trouble. It is clear to all Nigerians that the Senate is the new Sleeping Chamber for geriatric high Nigerian government officials. It is the ‘New Nigerian Retirement Camp’ with ‘retirement emoluments’ ‘oversight’ over fleeing national pension funds.

The House of Representatives is close behind.

Public hearings are good for the public, no matter how little comes out of them. It can get dirty in the Representatives probes and the ‘quality’ of members is revealed by their conduct. But whose agenda is being played out?

No one should ever forget just how many millions per month these NASS guardians and oversight people in green and red chairs have arrogated to themselves even as they venomously criticise others. Is it N15-27m per quarter? Did you hear of any members of other parties rejecting their jumbo pay? No matter how many appellations of ‘Distinction’ and Honour’ they arrogate to them-

selves, they are hardly saints and in no position ‘to cast the first stone’.

Most Nigerians have heard the rumours that ‘nothing goes for nothing’ in NASS. It will take more than a NASS blustering denial to convince a sceptical people of its dignity. True probity demands that individuals for ‘confirmation’ or companies before NASS being forced or voluntarily making contributions to the NASS chairmen of committees and membership before, during or after ‘confirmation’ or ‘oversight activities’ or for travel should be made to publish such and deposit such information separately with the anti-corruption ombudsman, the NASS budget office, ICPC and EFCC. The NASS has a responsibility to Nigerians to be seen to be clean. The members certainly earn enough already.

Even EFCC and ICPC officials, the watchdogs, should declare any contributions from anyone, anywhere. There is a rumour that members of NASS are ‘offered’ or expect financial assistance/inducement to perfume their oversight functions in the field and they receive handsome gifts in cash and kind when they visit anywhere for oversight. It is up to the NASS to put in place machinery to record such or to refute the rumour if it is malicious.

However, if it is well founded, NASS should change and wash its dirty linen clean, cast off the toga of corruption and come clean and lives within its greedy means.

NASS should cut its salaries and allowances and not increase them before it has no country to make laws for.

We have been given yet another bombshell from the judiciary which insults our intelligence as a country with a so-called proud and long tradition in the law but still struggling to become a nation. On NTA last week, a High Court judge presented disgraceful statistics to the Senate and the nation. Such statistics should be published monthly or at least quarterly nationwide. Perhaps the judiciary is not yet computerised so we do not even know where particular cases are, with which judge, at what stage and in which court. And this huge lapse in an ITC age.

These statistics should be on the local judiciary website and notice board at every court and collated at LGA, State, Zonal and federal level and in the ‘Monthly NBA State of the Nation Report’, for all divisions of the judiciary so we can see what is going on, or rather, what is not going on in the justice system. What are these statistics? The learned judge ‘revealed’ that horrifyingly, there are over 2,000 cases for seven judges, 15,000 for 10 judges, 10,000 cases for three judges in different parts of the country.

What a country? And even the judiciary says ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. We have talked about judicial reforms since independence. Where are the reforms? Simple dictaphone, stenography and video of cases, all well proven alternatives to longhand recording and used for 50 years in America, are still ‘nuclear physics’ in Nigeria. Are we mad or just malicious? Recently we were told that to get a Supreme Court judgement can take as long as 23-25 years for determination of the average, non political case. Judges may need cars, but they also need computers and computer operators.

As well as more judges, the quick introduction of court stenographers and video operators will speed up trials and create jobs for over 10,000 to be trained for a month and ready by the next court year. Who is afraid of the quick dispensation of justice? Who was afraid of the cell phone, speedy clearance of cheques, trains? Who are resisting judicial reform for the Nigerian judicial system to be dragged into the 21st century?

‘As well as more judges, the quick introduction of court stenographers and video operators will speed up trials and create jobs for over 10,000 to be trained for a month and ready by the next court year’

Confidence-building in the Police

M

UHAMMED Abubakar left no one in doubt that it will no longer be business as usual when he took over the mantle of leadership of the Nigeria Police.

Wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself, Abubakar has often rubbed it in that the police under him will be reformed to face contemporary challenges facing the nation. One of such challenges is the Boko Haram’s menace that has wreaked havoc in the northern part of the country. Another one is violent crime especially kidnapping and armed robbery prevalent in nearly every part of the country.

Since the Boko Haram insurgency started in mid-last year, more than 1,200 Nigerians have been dispatched to their untimely graves.

This figure was released recently by Oluseyi Petinrin, an Air Chief Marshal and Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, while speaking to newsmen at the venue of the meeting of the Defence Chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which was held in Abidjan, capital of Ivory Coast. In his words, “Boko Haram has killed over 1,200 people in Nigeria, including Christians, Muslims and most internationally remembered was the bombing of UN House in Abuja that killed about 23 people.”

It was obvious that the interview with the CDS may have been conducted before the gruesome killing of Chris McManus, a Briton, and Franco Lamolilara, an Italian, by elements suspected to be Boko Haram members. The two men who were working for a construction firm, B. Stabilini, in Birnin Kebbi were kid-

napped by gunmen in May 2011 and kept incommunicado for more than nine months. The duo were later shot and killed by their captors when a combined Nigerian and British forces stormed the kidnappers’ hideout located in a suburb of Sokoto, Sokoto State on Thursday, March 8.

The killing of the two men sparked off a diplomatic row between Britain and Italy which accused the former of not carrying it along during the planning and execution of the botched rescue attempt. Besides, the unfortunate incident has brought the activities of the Boko Haram sect once more into international attention with a global outpouring of grief.

The wave of condemnations and arrests that followed the killing of the expatriates was still smouldering when the graduation ceremony of assistant commissioners to deputy commissioners of police promotion course took place at the Police Staff College, in Jos. The acting Inspector-General of Police used the occasion to emphasise that his administration “will not tolerate officers running away from criminals.” Abubakar said that the force would henceforth hold officers responsible for attacks on police formations in their domains. Hear him: “Of a particular worry is the increasing number of police officers killed in the line of duty. You can’t afford to run away when there’s trouble. Post sufficient men around your stations and when there’s problem, face it squarely, you don’t run away. Then, the enemy will think twice before attacking you.”

Abubakar, who was represented

‘It is high time the police authorities did something to preserve the lives of our policemen rather than sending them to their early graves through poor equipment and improper training’

at the event by the DIG ‘E’ Department, Abdulrahman Akano, said his goal was to make officers and men of the force “more competent, more confident and more efficient” in the art of modern policing. He said he had declared a state of emergency in training and made it a central focus under his leadership. He later announced that about 20,000 officers, who were due for promotion, would be promoted. Earlier, while addressing the gathering, John Morenike, Assistant Inspector-General and Commandant, Police Staff College, expressed disgust at the current “total or near lack of confidence in the ability of Nigeria Police to face security challenges, particularly the Boko Haram menace.”

There is no doubt that the choice of the graduation event to embark on confidence building among the top rank of the police hierarchy in charge of operations by the IG is very strategic. These are officers who will be saddled with the responsibility to map out strategies to combat crime in their various formations on their return to their duty posts. And in recent times, criminals have been riding roughshod over the police. The major reason for this is that while the criminals have become more dynamic in their mode of operations with modern, up-to-date and sophisticated weapons, the police have continued to rely on outdated and antiquated weapons to fight back. In most instances, due to the superior firepower of the enemy, many a time policemen have had to vote with their feet. Sometimes too, when it is rather too late to flee crime scenes, the criminals have often made mincemeat of policemen who are brutally killed while their rifles are carted away by the criminals.

This situation has emboldened the criminals further as they now carry their offensive to police stations and police barracks which they often overrun with ease or minimal re-

sistance. During such raids, suspects are freed, while arms and ammunition are removed from the stations.

The frequency of the attacks in recent times has become worrisome.

Besides raiding police formations, the criminals have also formed the habit of raiding banks, other financial institutions and Bureau de Change in search of money with which they sustain their devilish operations. Again, policemen posted to these banks on guard duties either take to their heels or are callously mowed down by the rampaging band of armed robbers.

One thing is that telling the policemen to live up to expectations by standing their grounds in the face of assault by criminals may not be enough. The IG needs to match words with actions. It is an open secret that the police are not properly equipped. Their salaries, pensions and other conditions of service, including accident or death benefits, are as deplorable as they are appalling. In a situation like that, only a mad policeman or anyone on suicide mission can stand in the face of the superior firepower of criminals.

The reference to modern policing has become mere sloganeering since what the police, as presently constituted, are doing is an archaic form of policing. Modern policing requires very sophisticated crime detection and crime-fighting equipment. Certainly, it is not the type of method or equipment with which they have been fighting crime or should I say attempting to fight crime. Crime cannot be fought with bare hands or in a situation where intelligence gathering is nil and there is obvious lack of appropriate communication equipment.

However, the IG’s decision to declare a state of emergency in training and make it a central focus under his leadership is laudable. One important thing is that emphasis should be on who is the trainer. Our

Dele Agekameh policemen need to be exposed to overseas training or training programmes undertaken by tested, proven and season crime busters who are available everywhere outside our shores. In addition, there is the need to research into the trend of crimes in order to understudy the modus operandi of these criminals as well as provide adequate strategies to nip their nefarious activities in the bud using modern technology.

Above all, police welfare packages such as accident and death compensation should be properly reviewed to correspond with the demands of modern policing. When one hears what the families of deceased officers who died on active service get at the end of the day, one would be forced to shed tears. Benefits aside, the policemen should be properly kitted and insulated from callous killings by better armed and ‘wellmotivated’ criminals.

It is high time the police authorities did something to preserve the lives of our policemen rather than sending them to their early graves through poor equipment and improper training. It is only when this is done and other necessary things are put in place, that we can reach our goal of modern policing in Nigeria.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

History will always vindicate the just

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EADERSHIP and Patriotism are two intertwined virtues most at times precariously misplaced in myopic assessment. Literally speaking, a leader may simply be referred to as a person who leads his people, or in the case of a product or contest, that brand or competitor is always ahead or outshines others.

In our political parlance, it is usually taken for granted that the emergence of one actor above others in a political contest automatically conveys on that personality the leadership status.

Perhaps, some form of cloud has impaired us from knowledge of a necessary ingredient consequent upon which a leader can be said to emerge. One of the compulsory ingredients is patriotism.

The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary simple defines a patriot as one who loves and who is ready to defend it against an enemy. It therefore makes it mandatory that for a true leader to emerge, he must be one not given to political pornography but exudes the love for his community, area, state or country as the case may be. He must be able to see beyond the day, and must resist the urge to jump ship because the crowd is going in a particular direction.

Leadership comes with challenges and for a lily-livered person, a confused scenario may create or lead to dire consequences. Moses suffered that fate in spite of all his efforts, commitment and service. His inability to resist the pressure of the people he ordinarily should possess more knowledge than, cost him his honour in the Promised Land. True leaders should not be scared of taking decisions that are in the best interest of their followers especially where such leaders have the mandate to take such decisions.

Who would have imagined the recent outpouring of emotions and praises for the departed Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu some 30 or 40 years ago?

The monuments of post-humus dirges have indeed thrown in the arena the much talked about leadership issues in Nigeria. From the announcement of his passing on to eternal glory on November 26 to the internment of his remains on March 2, it had been bountiful harvest of eulogies from all corners of the country. Nigerians were glad to even hear the belligerents in the nation’s Civil war accept that what the Ikemba who was once branded a “rebel” did when he did it,

By T. A. Orji and under the circumstances then was to fight injustice against a people and not to fight his country.

The instances are littered of nationalists who made sacrifices and commitment and gave in their youth, time and resources to a cause, yet no one appreciated them until many years after they had left the scene. Cases are legion with leaders, no one gave any chances for their actions and whose memories were later to evoke appreciation.

The great Zik of Africa and Pa Obafemi Awolowo with others remain the doyens of our nationhood. Upon their roles to gain an independent country is our national anthem couched with the phrase ‘the Labours of our heroes past not to be in vain”. Yet, they were not spared while they were with us.

A renowned writer in his attempt to x-ray the problem with Nigeria which he blamed on leadership- the Nigerian style, had posited that the basic element of the country leadership misfortune is the seminal absence of intellectual rigour in the political thought of our founding fathers, and further diminish our demi-gods by accusing them of exhibiting poverty of thoughts in the biographies.

Such was the kind of gratitude Nigerians sometimes show to their leaders while they are still around. Any wonder then that the men vilified attracted the longest dirge upon their demise from mother earth?

But what lessons are there for us? For today’s leaders, the guiding principle I believe and rightly too, is for us to maintain an equilibrium in our service to the masses. This is achievable if we can, in the submission of Chinua Achebe, be bold to rise against social injustice and the cult of mediocrity in our service to our people by bringing merit in service back to our political agenda.

We do not profess to any monopoly of knowledge neither are we to show that we are made in the mould of the wife of Ceasar who is without blemish and can do no wrong. We do not advocate that as a leader, he or she is infallible, thus not receptive to corrections. No. That is only the prerogative of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

As long as we are human creatures, we will definitely make missteps owing to flawed views or even beliefs. It

now resides in our ability to distinguish our vision from the dungeon of intransigence and make the right move. What is important according to a thinker is not to be defeated in thought or actions but to forge ahead bravely.

Corrections and criticisms should not evolve as a vocation but for the overall interest of the people whose mandate the leader holds. No. Neither is he a person who merely mouths highly sanctimonious, papal and salutary doctrines without matching it by his own actions. He must be ready to do that which will get him a deserved place in history which may be recalled during or after his lifetime. No matter whose ox is gored, the leader must show example, since example they say is better than precept.

Unfortunately, today we have almost a near saturated criticism bank where professionals have emerged, and the return-on-investment, so rewarding. Anybody I mean anybody can say whatever enters his mouth once he is satisfied in his pocket conscience he has insulted a leader, whom ordinarily generations from his lineage cannot stand up to by any standards and ramifications. Again, that is the sacrifice as those who are scared of heat, don’t go the oven.

The ugly aspect is that the ultimate goal even among the so-called critics who become willing tools in the hands of vicious opposition is to, if possible derail the train and collaterally compound the challenges of the leader as well as the sufferings of the same masses they pretend to protect.

They apply their “jobs” as tools for blackmail and “settlement”, at the expense of the masses welfare. Woe upon you a leader that dares to call their bluff. Yes their hell will be let loose, albeit for a period.

But that will not stop the determination of any selfless leader to etch his name in gold. Any leader who is able to utilize his opportunity in his service to his people would have justified his conscience that he had done his bid. The impact may not be immediate, but with an eye on the next generation rather than the next election, the end will justify the means and vindication will be certain. In the words of a renowned writer, “a leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t want to go, but ought to be. The consolation here is that ultimately, history will vindicate the just.

• Orji, Governor of Abia State, wrote from Umuahia.

When silence is golden

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NE principle that remains constant in journalism is the sacredness of facts. No matter how stunning or attentiongrabbing a report or feature is, if it lacks factual existence, then it has no basis in journalism and must be disregarded. In other words, columnists and other senior writers in the media are under strict responsibility to respect facts. This responsibility can never be taken lightly.

On Tuesday, March 20, The Nation columnist writing under the, ‘Law and Public Power’ column attacked the person of the Minister of State for Education, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

The first observation reading the article is the fact the column which is technical in nature had deviated from its primary responsibility. The columnist, Gabriel Amalu, rather than dwell on legal matters for which the column was created, completely deviated and used the column as a platform to promote personal interests and attack a personality without proper research and verification.

The Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is known in the Federal Ministry of Education as a strict public official not interested in frivolities. His interest lies in the total revival of basic education in Nigeria, touching all critical areas in this sector. Since July 14, 2011, Wike has driven the process of revival of basic education with the commitment and dedication that has attracted commendation and respect

By Simeon Nwakaudu from all stakeholders.

Unlike the writer attempted to portray, the Minister of State has never been involved in any frivolous foreign trip. All trips that he has been involved in were necessitated by their relevance to the overall objective of reviving technical education in Nigeria. Most fundamentally, these necessary trips are at the expense of the countries visited by the minister.

The South Korean trip which the writer sought to use as his platform to heap insults on the minister was at the instance of the Korean government.

The Nigerian government spent no funds on that trip. The Korean government through its Korea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA, had extended invitation to the minister to carry out high level bi-lateral discussions on its investments in the nation’s basic education sector.

KOICA was represented at the meeting by its President, Park Dae Won. The Korean government needed commitment on the part of Nigeria’s education sector at the highest level of administration, hence the invitation extended to the Federal Government. The Minister through his negotiation with KOICA convinced the Korean Government to invest in the construction of vocational and technical schools in Katsina, Lokoja and Adamawa. He has secured land for the Korean government to build a comprehensive model school in

‘The Minister understands the scarcity of resources to execute very laudable projects outlined for the revival of basic education. In a world where no country is an island, the minister is building international partnership to promote the nation’s interest’

Abuja. A teachers’ training school will also be constructed by KOICA in Enugu.

During the bi-lateral meeting at KOICA headquarters, the minister put forward the request for the construction of four new model technical colleges across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. This request received the favourable response of the KOICA leadership who declared that the process for siting and kick-starting the schools should commence. The minister also met with the Director General of Korean International Bureau of Cooperation, Dr Youmi Suh. The bureau has asked the Federal Ministry of Education to nominate universities and schools to partner with Korean universities in areas of research and curriculum development.

Aside the Korean government, the Minister of State has worked out direct investment by the governments of China and Japan in the nation’s basic education sector.

The Chinese government has completed the construction of a model school in Abuja, with another four still under construction. The Japanese government is sponsoring the capacity building of our Mathematics and science teachers.

The Minister has liaised with the Canada government and Danish teachers association to help in the training of Nigerian teachers in Canada, while the Danish teachers have visited the country to embark on the training of teachers. It may interest Amalu to know that KOICA of Korea sponsored the training of the nation’s critical education administrators. They accepted to sponsor the training of close to 40 selected teachers who will also train other teachers when they return.

This training programme which the minister secured is to take place in April.

The Minister understands the scarcity of resources to execute very laudable projects outlined for the

revival of basic education. In a world where no country is an island, the minister is building international partnership to promote the nation’s interest.

One other issue that Amalu breezed through is whether or not the minister has been visiting schools in Nigeria. To date, he has visited 30 out of the 104 federal unity colleges. In each of these schools, he met with school administrators, teachers and students, shared ideas with them and laid the foundation for the revival of these schools. All these visits were unscheduled.

Administrators and teachers are now on their toes across the nation.

These visits have been in the public domain through reports by the electronic and print media. Quite shocking that Amalu never came across any of these reports in the print or electronic media.

Wike did not visit these schools alone. He invited the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to visit the federal unity college in Sokoto State.

Also, the chairman House Committee on Education, Rt. Hon. Farouk Lawan visited the Federal Government College, Kano alongside the minister. In both instances, the legislators admitted that they would participate actively in the revival of basic education.

To us, the most fundamental achievement by the Minister of State for Education is the reform of the budgeting process for the funding of projects at the unity colleges.

Beginning from this year, the Federal Government will commence a phased rehabilitation of selected unity colleges. In the past, paltry sums were shared across the board with no impact on the schools. This year, 30 schools will be rehabilitated and this process will continue till 2015. Federal Technical Colleges and Federal Government Girls Colleges will feature prominently in the rehabilitation fashioned out by the

Federal Ministry of Education.

The minister met with governors when the states were not forthcoming with their counterpart funds for the release of Universal Basic Education funds. Since building that synergy, the states have drawn their funds up to 2011.

The backlogs of funds have reduced drastically. The impact of this achievement on the overall development of basic education is massive.

Nobody in this country will say that he is not conversant with the minister’s commitment of getting Almajiris off the streets of Nigeria.

In the last one month, he has personally supervised the construction of these schools. Out of the 400 earmarked, the Federal Government will hand-over 100 to different states in June. The minister has been directly involved in advocacy to improve mass literacy through his meetings with Emirs.

He believes that mass literacy is the only practical solution to insecurity.

Similarly, the minister has taken the lead to promote boy-child education in the South-east.

For Wike, reviving Basic Education will not be complete without a functional inspectorate division. He personally worked for the renewed funding of the Federal Inspectorate Division to monitor schools and projects. This is the first time since 2008 that the inspectorate division will get budgetary allocation to carry out its functions.

The writer clearly betrayed his interest through the title of his essay, ‘Minister Wike’s globetrotting and other issues’, when the piece to a larger extent dwelt with ‘other issues’ than with the Minister of State for Education.

Public Officers who perform their duties diligently need encouragement and not distraction.

• Nwakaudu is Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education.

HEALTH

FACILITY

AID

Wamakko intensifies anti-polio campaign

Cottage industries for council headquarters

Plateau widows get help

Sokoto

27

Zamfara

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

28

Jos

38

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Jobs for 10,000 FCT youths

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•Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA is set to employ 10,000 youths from the six Area Councils under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE).

The programme is a federal government initiative to use the fuel subsidy to create jobs.

Under it every state and local government is expected to de-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

sign its own programme using its portion of the subsidy funds to provide employment.

The FCT Minister of State Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide said 3000 youths would be given jobs in the first phase of the scheme.

Akinjide spoke at a forum in Abuja where she was repre-

sented by her Special Assistant on Area Councils, Alhaji Ibraheem Aminu Ibraheem.

By the end of June all the 10,000 youths are expected to be fully employed, Ibraheem said, adding that the benefiting youths would be selected from all the wards of the six Area Councils.

The Special Adviser who explained that the programme is

part of the empowerment initiative of the FCT administration, described it as a good development which will provide jobs for all the youth in the Area Councils.

While stating that about 15000 applications have been received so far, the Minister’s aide added that some of the youths when employed would be deployed to some departments of FCT administration like parks and other recreational facilities as well as construction companies.

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ESIDENTS of Tes-Ugbenyi in Benue State want the state governor, Gabriel Suswam to build a modern primary school to replace the only one in the community which has thatch for roof.

Tes-Ugbenyi is in the Saghev district of Guma Local Government Area and is only one and a half hours’ drive from Makurdi, the state capital.

The community whose population is put at 70,000 also lacks potable water. There is no secondary school either, but it is the poor state of the primary school that worries the residents most.

For more than 40 years some pupils of Anglican Primary School, Tse-Ugbenyi have been squatting and learning in three thatched classrooms.

The residents are predominantly farmers growing rice, groundnuts and maize. The primary school lacks almost everything. The desks are no better than split logs of wood held together with a few nails. But even those desks are old and falling apart.

The few teachers in the school are poorly motivated but even what they get is the sacrifice of the residents who sell their farm produce and bring in the proceeds for the upkeep of the teachers.

Newsextra visited the community and found out that the only school in the area is managed by the Anglican Church, Makurdi Diocese.

Some of the pupils aged between five and six squat on the dusty floor to learn.

A resident, Mr Oryiman Ugbenyi told Newsextra that the fact of the school’s continued existence is largely the singular effort of the Anglican Church, which is committed to giving the children some basic education.

Ugbenyi lamented that the community has been neglected by successive administrations in the state.

“It is like we are not part of Benue,” he said. “There is no single borehole in this area. Our children learn on the bare floor, and sometimes we ask whether there is any government at all in the state.”

Ugbenyi said the fact that the chairman of State Universal Basic

•The thatched primary school

Community takes infrastructural woes to Suswam Residents lament government’s absence ‘Our only primary school is thatched’

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Education Board (SUBEB) hails from the local government has had no positive impact on the school. There are other prominent people from the council area including the Speaker of the state Assembly, a Permanent Secretary and a Minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administra-

tion.

On how the school is managed, Mr Terlumun Igbayuhe, a teacher who is also a resident, told Newsextra that the peasant farmers contributed money to buy chalk and a stipend to the teachers.

Igbayuhe explained further that once the children learn ABC and 123, they are transferred to standard schools in the towns for further education.

An elder in the community, Tor Dwem appealed to Newsextra to tell the Benue State government to take over the school, build better structures and post qualified teachers to the community.

Attempts to speak with the SUBEB boss, Dr David Tsevende, proved abortive as he told Newsextra that he was not ready to speak with the press.

•Suswam

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

26

Lassa fever: Lawmaker sensitises constituents

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HE lawmaker representing Apapa-Iganmu II constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh Wahab, has urged residents to always keep their environment clean. He said a dirty environment promotes the outbreak of Lassa fever disease.

He stated this at an enlightenment campaign on the disease, held over the weekend. He said he decided to educate his constituents about the deadly disease and guard against its outbreak in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The lawmaker said: “I am com-

•Jimoh

M

ORE patriotism and unity are required to overcome the Boko Haram menace, a former governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar, has said.

Lar, who was the pioneer national Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described those terrorising the nation in the name of Boko Haram as foreigners sponsored by unpatriotic Nigerians.

He said Nigerians need to be more patriotic and work together.

“If we destroy Nigeria our country, we will have nowhere to run to and no country will want to accept us as refugees due to our dense population”.

Lar was speaking in Jos after visiting the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) headquarters and St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church which were recently attacked by members of the Boko Haram.

He warned those bent on destroying the country’s unity to

By Oziegbe Okoeki

pelled to organise this enlightenment campaign not only to educate and create awareness on the Lassa fever scourge, but to also recommend best preventive practices against this killer disease.

He stated that its outbreak can result in dire consequences not only in Apapa-Iganmu, but for the whole state.”

The scourge, the lawmaker added, is becoming prevalent and “that is why I organised this enlightenment programme to address the people about the disease because prevention is better than cure,” Jimoh said.

He said a clean environment is key in the prevention of the disease because the Lassa virus is carried by the soft-furred rat which lives and breeds in dirty environment.

Jimoh however, assured that Lagos State government has put machinery in place to stop the menace of the disease.

“The ministries of Health, the Environment and even the Local Governments have been empowered by Governor Babatunde Fashola, to take adequate measures to reduce to the barest its outbreak and effect.

He advised that government officials be contacted immediately the symptom of the disease is discovered in anyone as the chance of survival according to experts is about 15 percent.

•Some residents at the event

Dr Olusegun Mayegun who spoke at the event said, a city without good drainage, sewage and housing system is inviting Lassa fever because such city inadvertently creates a habitation for rats.

“When you live in an unhealthy environment, you are inviting rats and Lassa fever,” Maiyegun said.

He said Lassa fever is a viral infection that is often fatal. The name he said came from Lassa village, Borno State where the fever was first discovered in 1969. The virus is carried by the soft-furred rat, mastomys natalensis, and is characterised by high fever, muscle pain, ulcers of the mucus membranes, headaches,

hemorrhaging and heart and kidney failure.

The mode of transmission of the virus from rats to humans is suspected to be via contamination of foodstuffs and water with rodent urine and faeces. The period from infection with the Lassa virus to the appearance of symptoms is usually seven to 18 days.

How to stop Boko Haram, by Lar From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

have a rethink, adding that Nigeria is not a failed state where anyone can wreak havoc and get away with it.

Lar who chaired the federal government’s committee on peace in Plateau State, stressed that the report the committee submitted to the government, if implemented, would “provide solutions to our problems as a country”.

He urged Nigerians, irrespective of religion or political affiliation, to unite and fight terrorism.

At the COCIN headquarters, Lar informed the leadership of the church that he was devastated to see the church he laid its foundation in 1980 being targeted for the dastardly act.

He recalled that it was at COCIN that the likes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Balarabe Musa the late Abubakar Rimi, MKO Abiola and others worshipped, despite their different religious backgrounds.

Chief Lar who was accompanied by his wife Mary and other dignitaries maintained that those perpetrating evil in the country do not wish Nigeria well and should be caught and punished according to the law.

Also at the office of the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, the elder statesman commiserated with the church over the St. Finbarr’s attack and urged the church to be strong and pray for lasting peace.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe condoled with families of victims

•From left: Onidogo of Idogo land, Oba Saheed Adewale Olubiyi; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi at the inauguration of Idogo Community Town Hall

who lost their lives in the suicide bomb attacks in the two churches.

Visiting the COCIN President, Rev. Soja Bewarang and Parish Priest of St. Finbarr’s, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Umoren, the Minister through her Special Assistant, Prof. Dimis Mailafiya, said Christians should not lose hope but be vigilant and trust in God even as the federal government is doing everything possible to put a stop to the security challenges facing the nation.

Responding, the leaders of the churches expressed shock at the apparent hatred for the churches which have given so much to the society in terms of education, health care, community develop-

ment, among others.

The COCIN President said the church has been in existence for 107 years, with 200 tribes as members and has made positive impact on the North. He wondered why such an institution would be attacked in a region to which it has rendered profound service.

He thanked the elder statesman for the visit and stressed that the church would continue to pray for peace.

The clergymen maintained that the recent incidents were meant to make Christians sad and angry, but in the spirit of forgiveness, the church has turned from anger to praise and thanksgiving because Christ has overcome all.

If we destroy Nigeria our country, we will have nowhere to run to and no country will want to accept us as refugees due to our dense population

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

27

Sokoto intensifies anti-polio campaign

S

EQUEL to reports about noncompliance with the government’s directive on immunisation against the polio virus in some parts of Sokoto State, the state government has stepped up efforts towards eradicating the virus.

According to a release by the State Primary Healthcare Develop-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

ment Agency a copy of which was made available to Newsextra 33 wards in the state have been identified as being are non- compliant.

This was contained in an update on the virus by the Polio Eradication

There is predominant non-compliance in 33 wards across some local government areas of the state as well as non-compliance among the elite, especially in metropolitan areas of Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela and Wamakko local government areas •Governor Wamakko

Initiative (PEI).

According to the document, elite and civil servants in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela and Wamakko local government areas had shown no serious commitment towards eradicating the disease.

The document said: “There is predominant non-compliance in 33 wards across some local government areas of the state as well as non-compliance among the elite, especially in metropolitan areas of Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela and Wamakko local government areas.”

Listed in the document as challenges confronting the scheme are inadequate commitment to the programme by the local government administration, inadequate supervi-

sion of the programme at all levels and low caliber of Immunisation plus Days personnel which it said resulted in poor team performance.

As a solution to the problems, the document suggested that the state Governor should inaugurate State Task Force on Polio Eradication with specific terms of reference, a meeting with all stakeholders in accordance with the “Abuja Declaration” and for local government areas to ensure adequate funding of PEI programme.

Recall that four cases of wild polio virus were recorded in four local government areas in 2010; 10 cases in five local government areas in 2011 and one case in 2012 which was recorded in Kwanni area of Sokoto South Local Government Area.

New projects boost Lagos infrastructure

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TOTAL of 156 capital projects have been approved for execution this year by the Lagos State government. The sum of N58.7billion was voted for the new projects.

The approval has helped to allay fears that the Babatunde Fashola administration was slowing down after winning a second term.

The concern was heightened with yet so many dilapidated roads in some areas across the state, slow pace of some ongoing projects as well as a seeming silence on finished projects which ought to have been put to use.

The approval of the projects reassured residents that the governor remained committed to the fulfillment of his campaign promises.

Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment, Pensions & Training, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase who broke the news about the approved projects to journalists at a press conference, which the State Tenders Board (STB) addressed in Lagos House, Alausa, said the projects approval was carried out under a transparent process.

Oguntuase who also chaired the board, explained that a total of 170 projects were submitted from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), noting that 156 scaled through the process for approval with a total valuation of N58.7 billion from the 15 different MDAs. She said a total N36 billion has been voted for the construction and rehabilitation of some major roads across the state, listing such roads to include the rehabilitation of the much dilapidated Meiran Road Phase I in Alimosho area at a cost of N1.15 billion.

Oguntuase said road construction has taken the lion’s share of the approved funds, with 62.7 percent set aside for it.

She also mentioned about 33 housing other projects which she said have been approved at a cost of N3 billion along with another set of 41 blocks of 12 flats each, which she said, “will be constructed in Alimosho under the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) arrangement. We are giving the housing sector priority, and different schemes have been initiated”.

Oguntuase further named three blocks of 36 units flats for the Lagos State Ownership Mortgage Schemes at Shitta and Surulere and construction of 12 blocks of 144 units each,

•The Repository of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) INSET: Fashola inaugurates the office complex. With him are members of his cabinet and other officials Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Scheme 11, which was named after trained police drivers to the state

By Miriam Ndikanwu Ben Akabueze, said the benefits of the late Oba Yekini, Elegushi of police command. the new projects are huge.

Ikateland and five residential quarBello said this administration had which the commissioner explained, He said the projects “will generate ters built for High Court Judges of also inaugurated the Falomo On“have been considered for award at a minimum of 20,000 new jobs of dif- the state at 3 Glover Road, Ikoyi.

Ramp Bridge in Ikoyi, where he said, Shoguro part of Lagos under the State ferent strata. But in the long run, it He added that this “does not include Development Property Corporation will increase to 30,000,” which he housing schemes”, which he said, the governor assured Lagos residents at different levels that he was com(LSDPC) arrangement”. said, would be generated both di- were inaugurated in Epe, Ojokoro, mitted to developing more critical There is also another set of eight rectly and indirectly.

Apapa and Ikorodu among others infrastructural projects. rural projects, which she said have Special Adviser to the Governor on under this dispensation.

Another interesting project, which been awarded for execution “at a sum Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello who also Bello cited World Bank assisted of over N706 million. The projects commented on the development, mini-water works at Iponri, which was completed under this dispensa“include the rehabilitation of micro- said the catalogue of the new projects, will supply one million litre per day; tion, is the Oshodi Waste Transfer water schemes at Igborosun, Badagry which the state tenders board re- Maternal and Child Care Centre in Loading Station that was unveiled and Araromi; construction of bridge leased, was a picture of what will Gbaja with 110-bed capacity; open- about three months ago.

The station has a capacity to treat at Igbogun Ode-Omi Road and pro- happen across the 20 local govern- ing of the 49 kilometre Eti-Osa - Lekki curement of 25 transformers to boost ment areas (LGAs) and 37 local coun- – Epe Expressway and ultra-modern 1000 metric tonnes, according to Commissioner for Environment, Mr. rural electrification”. cil development areas (LCDAs) in Admiralty Circle Plaza as well as Tunji Bello, and is a fulfillment of a She also mentioned the construc- the state.

Maternal and Child Care Centre in promise to contain waste in Oshodi tion of Aradigun-Iworo-Ajido (Phase Bello explained that the situation Ajegunle in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local area.

I)-bridge section (1) in Badagry Local however does not suggest that the Government.

At the inauguration, the commisGovernment at a cost of N3.5 billion; Fashola administration has not been Also in a bid to combat crime and rehabilitation and upgrading of doing much as perceived by some criminal activities, the governor also sioner said the station “is the second in the series of 20 transfer loading Bakare/Salami Shuaibu/Adaranijo critics. handed over security equipment stations,” which the state governand Onisemo Street, which would He said the governor has since in- worth millions of naira to security gulp N1.45 billion; and the construc- auguration for a second term on May agency to help in policing the state. ment plans to set up to improve waste tion of the Ariyo-Ira Road-Muwo- 29, 2011 implemented and executed Among the equipment handed over collection efficiency from the point Tedi Road Phase II in Ojo Local Gov- a reasonable number of capital include 10 Armoured Personnel Car- of generation within the catchment area of Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, ernment. projects in different parts of Lagos riers (APCs), 50 patrol vans, a mo- Anthony, Mafoluku, Mile 2, AmuwoOguntuase explained that to ensure metropolis. bile workshop, 200 bullet proof vests, Odofin, Okota and Ilupeju among total success in execution, residents “The evidence is all over the state, 100 Walkie- Talkies and 300 newly others. must be involved through the vol- despite the fact that most of the untary payment of their taxes, say- projects were awarded during the ing that this commitment is key to first term.” developing critical infrastructure He listed such projects to include which the state requires. the recently commissioned Lagos Also, the State Commissioner for State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), new Office of Public Defender (OPD) and Lagos Security A total N36 billion has been voted for the Command and Control Centre.

In February too, the governor inconstruction and rehabilitation of some major augurated the over 2.7 kilometre roads across the state, listing such roads to include road at Sangotedo. The road was renamed Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie. the rehabilitation of the dilapidated Meiran Road Besides, the special adviser also Phase I in Alimosho area at a cost of N1.15 billion mentioned the handing over of about 90 housing units in Lekki

Caption for Pix One:

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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Cottage industries for council hqtrs

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•Governor Abubakar

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HE Zamfara State government has approved the establishment of one cottage industry in headquarters of each of its 14 local government areas in a fresh move to set a pace for gradual industrial development.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,Alhaji Hassan Zurmi, told journalists in Gusau that the state government was determined to implement its industrialisation plan for speedy development.

He said government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions would commit about N2 billion for the establishment of the

Taraba to spend N23m on arts festival

HE Taraba State government has approved N23 million for the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to organise the first Taraba Festival of Arts and Culture (TARAFEST 2012).

Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Commissioner incharge of the ministry, disclosed the approval in Jalingo in an interview with journalists. He said that the event, which is going to be the first ever cultural fiesta in the state, would take place between April 11 and April 15, in Jalingo.

The commissioner explained that the festival was aimed at showcasing the arts and cultural heritage of the people of the state.

According to him, it will attract cultural displays as well as artefacts from various troupes across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Taraba Bello said: “This event is going to be a celebration of our unity over the years.

“And also to deepen the ties of our people through the display of their rich historical heritage via dances, songs, culinary taste, arts and other aspects of our diverse custom.”

Bello said that it was in line with the aims of the festival that government approved the reorganisation of the state cultural troupe to meet modern challenges.

He pointed out that more facilities would be provided, while a fresh group of dancers would be recruited to enhance performance and output.

NGO to rehabilitate prisoners

Zamfara cottage industries in headquarters of each 2012 fiscal year.

The commissioner said arrangements had been concluded for the signing of memorandum of understanding between the bank and the state government.

He said that this would kick-start the initiative, and expressed the hope that the industries would begin production early next year.

“We realise that Zamfara is blessed with multiples of mineral and other resources that could facilitate economic development of any society.

“And we are poised to harness them for economic transformation and selfreliance,” he said.

Zurmi said a survey of the raw materials available in the local government areas had been conducted so that the relevant industry that could utilise such raw materials would be established.

“Our idea of establishing the industries in the rural area is aimed at checking rural-urban drift and providing job opportunities for our teaming youths,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state government was targeting the creation of at least 20,000 jobs in 2012 through the establishment of the cottage industries.

He also said that the state government had planned to have a Made-In-Zamfara goods exhibition in April in an effort to showcase its industrial potential and attract investments into the state.

A •Senator Bala Mohammed

Kano partners private firm on revenue T HE Kano State government and a management consulting firm have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote marketing services in the state.

The Managing Director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KNUPDA),Alhaji Isyaku Mukhtar signed on behalf of the state government while Mr Chris Parkers, the Managing Director of the consulting firm signed for the company.

The KNUPDA chief said the partnership agreement would facilitate improved revenue generation for both the state and the local government councils.

He added that the agency would represent both the state government and the eight local councils in Kano city and environs, comprising Kano Municipal, Nassarawa, Fagge, Gwale , Tarauni, Kumbotso, Dala, and Ungogo.

Monarch urges govt to invest in culture T HE Ojomu of Ajuwon in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, Oba Tijani Akinloye, has urged government to invest in the cultural heritage of the country to prevent it from extinction.

Akinloye gave the remark during the celebration of Ogongo festival in his domain at the weekend. He noted that Nigeria culture was fast taking a peripheral position instead of the vantage place it was placed in the past.

The festival which was last held 10 years ago had to be revived because of the blessings associated with it. This, according to him, would now be held every two years as the community’s effort in projecting the rich cultural heritage of the country.

He said: “Ogongo festival is celebrated for 14 days; it is usually a deity of the youth. The festival is remarkable because it will unify the people no matter their political or social leanings, that is why every son and daughter of this community is present to mark it.”

The royal father explained that most cultures in Nigeria have been allowed to take the back seat for took long, a process that had reduced their importance. He, however, thanked the government of Lagos State for the priority it had given to culture and advised other tiers of government to show

By Musa Odoshimokhe

the same commitment.

Similarly, the President of Ojomu Youth Forum, Ibrahim Eleshin remarked that now that the festival would be celebrated in every two years, the youth would do their best to keep it alive.

He stated that the festival had repositioned the youth in their drive to serve their fathers faithfully. This had necessitated the remarkable progress the community had made in its developmental stride.

“This festival has done a lot of things for Ajuwon community as we have been more united in our efforts to make good things happen to this community. We have people from different parts of the country residing here who are enjoying our brotherly love.”

He called on the Ministry of Culture to enlist the Ogongo festival as one of those recognised by the government.He urged government to invest in culture because it was capable of attracting both local and international patronage.

Kano

Mukhtar, who identified outdoor advertisement as one of the areas of collaboration with the consulting firm, expressed optimism that the agreement would yield fruitful results.

In his remarks, Parker said he was impressed with the pace of development in the state and assured of the company’s determination to live up to expectation.

Fidau

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HE final burial rites of Alhaja Adebisi Abusatu Adeyemi,who died at the age of 70, will take place on Saturday, March 31, at her residence, 26 Alaba Street Mushin. She was a prominent community and religious leader as well as an astute politician.

She played a prominent role in Mushin politics for many years. The fidau prayer will start by 4.00pm. Social reception will follow immediately at the same venue.

Abuja According to him, the trainees will be equipped with relevant skills in information and communication technology, tailoring, photography, fishery, snail rearing as well as carpentry.

He said the centre would also be used as a training ground for young secondary school leavers, undergraduates, graduates, youth corps members, individuals as well as corporate organisations.

The NGO chief called for support from relevant stakeholders in the provision of beddings, foodstuff, clothing and other necessary equipment required for skills acquisition.

In his remark, Mr Shaibu Ozigi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, praised the NGO for its role in the rehabilitation and integration of prisoners in the country.

He said the rehabilitation and integration programme was a step in the right direction considering the relationship between returnee prisoners and crime control.

Ozigi commended prison authority for its effort in ensuring that prisoners were empowered before being reintegrated into the society.

He assured that the Federal Government would not relent in its efforts to improve prison conditions in the country in order to be a reformative centre.

‘Endure hardship ‘

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HRISTIANS have been urged to reflect the very divine nature of God in their relations with their neghbours and be ready to endure hardship.

This admonition was given by the General Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission, Rev Obiorah Ezekiel at the Back to Bible conference in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme Glorious Divine Nature, he said Christians should take up the real nature of God to be able to make exploits for Him. He said: “But of you will come good words that will reflect the goodness of God. Christians must become epistles, the living word and the gospel that men can see. This is because it is a necessity for Christians to carry the divine nature of God”.

• Chairman, Mushin Local Govt Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan (middle) with the Best Chairman in grassroot development plaque. With him on the right is the Chairman, Mainland Local Govt Area, Hon. Oladele Adekanye and the Chairman, Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Are, Hon Adebanjo Bell, at the Radio Lagos Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja. The event was organised

by Facts and Potential Magazine.

US varsity to run distance learning in Africa

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HE American Liberty University , United States of America has concluded arrangements to run distance learning degree programmes across Africa.

According to the Director, ALU African Programme, Dr. Akin B. Ogunsakin, the programme is an excellent method of reaching both young and adult learners. Because of the competing priorities of work, home and school, young and adult learners desire a high degree of flexibility. The structure of ALU distance learning gives students the greatest possible control over the time, place and pace of education.

He highlighted the vision of the programme as a facilitator of educational development in Africa towards transformation through a synergistic utilisation of current researches, relevant curricular offerings, responsive extension services, continuing education and further professional development.

While the mission clearly defines its purpose within the context of quality education, research, and training programmes, it explains whom American Liberty University serves and what it intends to accomplish in Africa. He stressed further that the mission would be fulfilled through

innovative education that responds to the needs of African populace and involves active, engaging, challenging, and relevant learning experiences offered in a variety of delivery modes utilising a distance learning methodology.

Ogunsakin said further that the primary concept of American Liberty University distance learning programmes in Africa is to foster the extension and provision of education services to the nontraditional students. This concept will give opportunities for reading, studying and training to young people and adults.

He stressed further that the programme is predicated upon the principles of goodwill and service to truly help individuals actualise their educational dreams and aspirations as well as obtain qualitative university degree that is accredited and recognised beyond the shores of Africa According to the education icon, today’s ever growing numbers of people mostly are not satisfied with Nigerian education system and are trying to obtain quality education in order to meet the demands of contemporary society.

Coronation

•From left: Human Resources Officer, Iba Local Council Development Area, Mrs F.O. Oshin; the Council Manager, Mr Victor Layeni and Chairman, Princess Ramota Adeyeri Oseni during Workers Forum held regularly at the council secretariat

Cleric preaches humility, service

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•Oba Akinloye (middle) speaking at the event

NON-Governmental Organisation, Integrated Prisoners Care Initiative, has pledged to rehabilitate and integrate 200 prisoners between April and December to reduce incidences of returnee prisoners.

The National Coordinator of the NGO,Mr Nduagu Nathan, made the pledge in Gwagwalada,Abuja, at the launch of the NGO’s Bridge-Gate Centre for rehabilitation of discharged prisoners.

He said the centre was put in place to improve the lives of erstwhile prisoners by addressing their emotional and psychological traumas, with a view to avoiding a return to their old ways.

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HE General Overseer of the Pentecostal Canaanland Mission, Ajao Estate, Lagos, Pastor Nick Medo-Uwa has called on Nigerians, especially those who have been blessed materially, to imbibe the virtue of humility, just as he said that the Boko Haram insurgency bedeviling the country will soon be a thing of the past.

Speaking at the ordination of 11 deacons and deaconesses, and the Church’s first Elder, Pastor Medo-Uwa said: “People should come down from their thrones and render service to humanity”, and noted that the Bible says that “He that humbles himself, God will exalt.”

He urged every Nigerian to use whatever position he or she finds himself to serve God and man, adding that “in everything there is a reward for you from God.” On the security situation in the country, the Pastor urged the government to make better use of its intelligence gathering system, saying that the Boko Haram insurgency is political rather than religious as being portrayed.

He expressed the belief that the insurgency will soon be a thing of the past, saying: “these are challenges that will come and go. In little time from now, we

won’t be talking about Boko Haram anymore.

God will defend his people.”

On their part, the ordained ministers expressed happiness and willingness, promising not to relent in spearheading spiritual assignments in the church forthwith.

Mr Peter Etiobhio, who was ordained as the first Elder of the church said: “It’s an exciting time for me and it’s a big moment for the church.

I feel very happy and satisfied at the calling. I am highly honoured.” Etiobio said he has been serving the lord for over 40 years and will continue to serve him. In the same vein, Mr George Okosun, who has been in the ministry for the past seven years e x p r e s s e d happiness at being ordained a minister of God. “I feel fulfilled and I pray that God will give me the grace for total commitment and dedication to serve Him • Pastor Medo-Uwa more”.

The late Abusatu Adeyemi

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HILD rights advocates, under the auspices of the Niger Delta Child Rights Watch (NDCRW) Project, has called for urgent action against rape of the girl child in Nigeria.

According to NDCRW, rape is a serious criminal offence, yet one of the most hidden crimes in Nigeria. “It is often left unreported because of the stigma and shame associated with the crime, and due to lack of investigation we by the police. The Nigerian government must take responsibility for this heinous crime so the children of Nigeria can be kept safe,” it has noted.

NDCRW is a coalition of child rights groups which covers four states in the region such as Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa and Rivers.

The coalition includes the Nigerian NGOs Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRC), Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), and Stepping Stones Nigeria Child Empowerment Foundation (SSNCEF).

According to the Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) Advocacy Officer, Dr Emilie Secker, an alarming number of cases involving the sexual abuse of girl children over the last six months has been documented by the Niger Delta Child Rights Watch (NDCRW) Project.

NDCRW Child Rights Officer in Port Harcourt, Mr Michael Gbarale, stated that he had personally investigated 18 cases of rape including a girl of 13 who was raped by a group of boys; a man who sexually assaulted sisters aged only 6 and 3 years old; and a girl of 10 who was raped at gunpoint. He claimed that only

THE Salemo Olorombo town in ObafemiOwode Local Government Area of Ogun State is to have a new monarch after a lull of 20 years.

The coronation of High Chief AbaluGaniyu Odebiyi is slated for April 8 by 10am at Salemo Oloromba palace along Lotto Road Ibadan Expressway.

Expressing happiness at the event, Chief Odebiyi said: “I am delighted and elated that God counts me worthy to fill the stool that has been vacant for many years now. I promise to serve my people with all my heart”.

Group seeks action on child rape victims

By Evelyn Osagie

two of these 18 cases had been charged to court.

He noted that a major bottleneck is the lack of government welfare services available to these children, whose cases are taken up by NGOs providing them with medical care and counselling following such horrific ordeals.

He urged the government agencies charged with child’s welfare to seek out and support such rape victims. “It should be their key priority in assisting children who have been raped. And they should develop the necessary services,” he said.

NDCRW Project Officer in Calabar, Ese Edoja-Ibor, also noted that the rape of children is an appalling crime prohibited under the Child Rights Act and international human rights law. She said: “The Nigerian government has a duty to make sure all offenders face justice. Sadly, most matters of rape are not investigated by the police effectively. In most cases the perpetrators offer money to either the police or to the victim’s family, leaving the child without any recourse to justice.

•Mrs Ronke Osho, Director of Press and Public Relations, representing Commissioner for Information and Strategy, handing over the key of a motorcycle donated to Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area to the dispatch rider to mark 1200 days of Prince Segun Adetola in office. She is being assisted by the chairman.

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Council chief spends N1m on widows’ empowerment

HE Chairman of the Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon Sofola said that he had personally donated N1 million to 100 widows in his council area in the last two months. Sofola said that the gesture was to enable them to cater for themselves and their immediate families.

He said that each of the widows got N5,000 monthly, adding that the grant would continue until the council trained the women to be able to invest.

“I am not using the council’s money to fund this programme; I am using my personal money as my own little contribution to the development of the society.’’

Sofola said that the council would soon train the widows on some skills to enable them to be

independent.

“The council has concluded plans to train the widows on soap making, beans cake making, tailoring and petty trading to enable them to be self reliant.

“We will not just end it in training; we will give them financial support to enable them practise what they are trained for.

“I believe in training people to make their own money rather than giving them money because it will be very difficult for one to be giving all the time.’’

On youth empowerment, he said the council set up a committee to determine the most suitable empowerment for both the literate and illiterate youths in the area.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Dike’s dialogue between past, present

Day Odia gathered Nigerians for country’s sake

– Page 31

– Page 35

•Aremo Osoba

‘My next reporting assignment’ ‘My journalistic experience was sweet and sour! I had my good times, of good stories, of achievement, and I had lots of setbacks, – SEE PAGE 30 damage, provocation, blackmail...’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

At 71, Aremo Segun Osoba is passionate about journalism. He is renowned for his feats as a journalist. A book on his media voyage, entitled: Segun Osoba: The Newspaper Years, was presented to the public last week in Lagos. What is the secret of this celebrated reporter who became governor of Ogun State? In this exclusive interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, Aremo Osoba relives his journalistic voyage and more.

‘My next reporting assignment’

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OUR career as a journalist and politician was characterised by triumphs and travails. How would you react to some of those challenges at 71?

Over the years, I have learnt to ignore a lot of the travails that came my way in the course of my growing up as a journalist, and in my life as a politician. For example, there is loose talk and all kinds of gossip that the ‘three musketeers’ — the late Peter Ajayi and Felix Odunaike and I — were security agents. Even Sowere, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, accused me of being a CIA agent. I thank God I made a good name from being a good reporter. A lot of people, who are uninformed, wonder why I should have so much contact and strong relationship with powerful people. This is borne out of the fact that I lived all my life as a reporter.

As a celebrated journalist who later became a celebrated politician, how did your contacts with the high and mighty form the person you are?

The contacts are the foundation of my success. I’d give examples of some of them and how we came to meet them. For example, General Aliyu Gusau, a highly celebrated and successful security operator – it was Odunaike who first met him when he was acting governor of Ogun State in 1976. At that time, he was a Brigade Commander at Abeokuta. And they have mutual respect for each other till today. General Abdul Mohammed, the first head of the then National Security Organisation (NSO), now Department of State Security Service (DSSS), was a teacher in Ilorin, in the same town with Peter Ajayi. In the early 60s, they decided to leave teaching. While Peter went into journalism, Gen Mohammed became a soldier. Alhaji Gwazo (another top security personnel) was a young officer in Kano in 1962 when Ajayi was a local newspaper editor. That was how they came to know each other. Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a first-class police officer and later Head of SSS, came in contact with me when I was arrested in 1967, which was the security arm of the police. He was the one who interrogated me as a young officer; he was very decent in his approach and very professional. And from then we became friends. Shinkafi’s wife was a young girl when I was living at Yaba. We developed mutual respect, personal relationship, with no monetary connection of any kind. We did not base our relationship on the gains that we were going to make from them.

Also, many people don’t know that General Ibrahim Babangida and I, Ike Nwachukwu, Air Marshall Abass, Air Marshall Bello, Isiaku Ibrahim were all young men enjoying ourselves in Lagos in the 60s. And as they became generals in the military, we became generals in our profession. Those who don’t know the background and history of these relationships gossip and make loose talk, saying: ‘Osoba is a security agent’. I am used to people making insinuations out of ignorance and stupidity.

You were in the newsroom when the Nigeria Media recorded its ‘Golden Age’. What, in specific terms, made that era the Golden Age? Commitment, respect for the ethics and norms of the profession. And lastly, journalism must be in your blood. It’s in my blood. It is in the blood of all those who stayed in the profession, not those who veered out and went into other arms of the profession. You must be in love with the profession. It is crucial. Then, you won’t feel the pain, frustration and rigours of practising the profession. Because there are many frustration and risks – your life is at risk all the time.

Which of the challenging episodes during active practice can you call to mind?

There were many. But the one I would give as an example was when the government of General Yakubu Gowon sent troops to close down Daily Times one evening. I had left active reporting. After the sack by security agents of the entire building, they decided to arrest Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who was then chairman, Editorial Director; his deputy, Chief Laban Nnamme; the editor, Prince Henry Odukomaiya. They did not touch any other personnel but descended on me who was running the entertainment paper of the group, which was then called The Lagos Weekend. The arrest was not the big story.

We were taken to Divisional Police Headquarters on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. Alhaji Jose was given a room, Laban was given a room. Prince Odukomaya ended up in the same cell used by notorious robbers – Oyenusi and co. And when the policemen told us that we were in Oyenusi’s cell, rather than feeling bad that we were locked up, the journalistic instinct in us made us laugh it off and said to ourselves: ‘This is an interesting experience; a good story for some other day!’

•Aremo Osoba

PHOTOS: ISAAC AYODELE

INTERVIEW And I am going to tell that story in my memoirs which is still coming.

Congratulations on the launch of your biography which is to celebrate your years in active journalism. How would you describe the journey through those years?

My journalistic experience was sweet and sour! I had my good times, of good stories, of achievement, and I had lots of setbacks, damage, provocation and blackmail. But, in all, God has been very kind to me. I am not the best reporter. There are greater journalists alive. Sam Amuka is a man who has founded two major national newspapers, and both are still alive today – The Punch and The Vanguard. Alhaji Lateef Jakande is the oldest living journalist for now. Alhaji Alade Odunewu is over 80. At the age of 77, Sam Amuka is still

There are greater journalists than myself who still need to be celebrated. I thank God for what has happened with the book. But that would spur me to insist on us celebrating greater journalists that are still alive who are greater than myself. That would be my next reporting assignment.

practising - he is the oldest practising journalist in Nigeria.

There are greater journalists than I who still need to be celebrated. I thank God for what has happened with the book.

But that would spur me to insist on us celebrating greater journalists who are still alive and greater than I. That would be my next reporting assignment.

Will it be different from this book that was launched?

This one is a biography. I am working on my own memoirs which would be an autobiography. And then, there would be plenty of stories for everyone to read.

As a news manager during the military era that was characterised by much travails for the media, how were you able to handle censorship?

It would be interesting to know that I worked under Generals Buhari and Idiagbon, particularly when they enacted Decree 4, a law that curtailed the practice of journalism. And it was that Decree 4 that sent Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor to jail. Like Alhaji Jose titled his book, Walking a tight rope, whether you are running a newspaper under a military or civilian regime, we are, everyday, walking a tight rope. I still cannot explain how God directed me to manage The Daily Times under military regime to profitability; and how as managing director I went into the dock to be a defence witness for Irabor and Thompson. It was a risk that should have earned my sack the following day. But I managed to escape.

One has to be very innovative. The ownership of The Sketch after the rigging of the 1983 general elections, came under NPN headed by Governor Omololu Olunloyo in Oyo State.

What we did to balance stories about the then UPN government of Ogun and Ondo and the NPN in Oyo was to divide the paper into two or three parts as the case may be. We would put the story of the day on one side of the paper, put the NPN propaganda, although the UPN never bothered us; •Continued on page 31

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•From left: Dike, Obi of Onitsha, Achebe, Dr Obiora, Mrs Vicky Agili

•Dike

Dike’s dialogue between past, present

D

ESPITE the initial hitches, the collectors’ preview of Ndidi Dike’s Unknown Pleasures and Competing Tendencies was a huge success. Midway into the session, almost half of the total exhibits on display have been tagged. The presence of His Royal Highness, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, in company of Chairman, EKO Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Amaechi Obiora and Emeka Maduegbuna added royalty to the guests that included Chief Frank Okonta, Mr Sammy Olagbaju and Mrs Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, among others.

“I see the works as very impressive and quite innovative.

From her personal and previous works, both mediums she has used and style she is exhibiting, I think reflect versatility as an artist. And creative zeal is driving her further and further to new frontiers, challenging everybody else in the art world to work harder.”

This remark, by the Obi of Onitsha at the preview, set the tone for the opening of the exhibition at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, the following Saturday. Unknown Pleasures and Competing Tendencies featured about 37 artworks, from installation to painting and mixed media, which are results of long periods of experimentation and deep reflection on the potential of forms, materials and textures.

According to her, much of the materials in the new work are the result of many excursions, since 2004, to Owode-

VISUAL ART

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

Oniri (metal-market) in Lagos. “I began collecting objects, often in bulk, that I responded to either physically or emotionally, and I would store them to incubate in my studio. I was always careful never to force myself to make immediate use of the materials rather I embraced a more intuitive approach—employing them only when I felt that it was appropriate,” Dike said.

But, until now, history and mankind (slavery in particular) have been her concern. In her Waka Into-Bondage: The Last ¾ Mile held at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, four years ago, Dike highlighted the cause-and-effect dynamics that gave rise to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. With similar zeal and determination, the 1984 University of Nigeria, Nsukka-trained artist explored both the physical possibilities of the medium as well as the aesthetics. In fact, her exploration of foreign and used objects reveals the unknown pleasure in them. She illustrates the competing tendencies in the various contrasts and conflicts between materials and space as well as the realities in the society.

Permeations, a large piece, is a strong example that illustrates competing tendencies as various materials are forced to co-habit, with forced boundaries merging within limited

space on board. This scenario can be found in immigrants who either get absorbed in new hybrid cultures and identities in modern cities across the globe.

One other major piece is Convergence, an installation made from adire stencil suspended by nylon fishing lines with circular metal weights that pulls the composition together visually. Painted in off-white gold the stencils, which bear different designs the adire stencils dazzle as they swing either way, thus revealing the age-long motifs on the nation’s popular fabric, adire. The artist has therefore succeeded in ‘fabricating new narratives that foreground unexpected connections between disparate concepts such as textile traditions, abstraction, craft, industrial design and consumerism.’

“I was not simply interested in using materials as a means of depiction or representation, but instead I wanted to first emphasize the physicality of the medium itself. I wanted to create objects that could be entered on a visual level first before lending themselves to relevant forms of narrative and critique—this is not unlike how I developed an interest in the unknown materials I use—first aesthetically, and then after periods of research, I begin to appreciate them for their critical potential. The drama, freedom and calculation associated with working on a large scale are inspiring and bring about a new dynamic in the final conclusion of the finished work,” Dike noted.

The exhibition, which closed on Monday, featured works such as Competition, Study, Pulse, Thirty six states, Terrain, Meditation and Allure.

‘My next reporting assignment’ •Continued from page 29 we would do something a bit for them on the other side.

And if you turn to the back page, we now put one of the best stories as lead. We became very innovative in the designing of the pages and in balancing the stories that came our way.

That is the only way you could be sure of survival. You must be professional, innovative, and think ahead; be proactive to survive. It was not necessarily under the military alone. Even civilian governments are intolerant of criticisms. One must also be objective. When we carried stories that were offensive to the government, we balanced it with their reaction.

With the advent of social media and online publishing, will newspaper business face extinction, given the decline in circulation?

The newspaper will never die. It may go from the era of digital to a level where it will be circulated free of charge.

The way we are going, the newspaper of the future will survive on advertisement. In the same way, it will get to a stage in telecommunications that calls will be completely free. And the communication network will survive on advertisement also. The capacity of the modern day technology is not being utilised to its minutest level. I don’t think

we are using up to 10 per cent of the facilities in the cables that are being laid and the satellite systems that we have.

Take for example, in spite of e-mails and BlackBerry, we still communicate through post and couriers such as DHL. The newspaper will still be there.

When that time comes, what will become of the journalist?

We will still be in existence. It was Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye who said that, even in heaven there will be journalists because there will be information dissemination even among the saints. So, journalism will be forever.

What is your take on the FOI Act and how much professionalism will it bring into Nigerian journalism?

It is not going to make any difference in professionalism.

But, we must not abuse it. I am happy about it. It is we, particularly the soft-sell, that must learn to behave. I am not happy with the way some soft-sell and internet media use their opportunities to blackmail people into submission. It is unethical and unprofessional.

What advice do you have for practising and aspiring journalists of our time?

Firstly, they must be dedicated and learn to commit everything in them to the profession. In our days, we deliberately didn’t join some of our colleagues who believed in what we,

then, tagged ‘brown envelope’ journalism. The reward of being steadfast and honest is immense. I never knew that I would get to be editor, not to talk of being the managing director of Daily Times because my editor then was under 30.

What was the scooter to you then? And was it like the mobile phone to a reporter now?

In my days, owning a scooter was like having a car. It is not now that you have okada (motor bike). I had the best of the scooter then. Vespar was a newly introduced product to Nigeria. So, having a Vespar then was like having a car. And to have a telephone then was an elitist thing, limited to highlyplaced government and business people. It's part of being adventurous that I went to apply for a telephone line from the then Post and Telecomm Organisation (P&T); which turned out to be a major breakthrough. The number then was 4300. It was very rare for somebody at my level to have a telephone. It is the journalistic blood in me that was driving me into all these things. You would not believe I rode my Vespar motor cycle from Lagos to Abeokuta Road to Ota for the Tafawa Balewa story. I rode the scooter into Benin Republic then, to cover the story of the Nigerian who ran away after the coup of January 1966. I have the spirit of adventurism in me. You have to be an adventurer as a journalist.

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Group battles insecurity with Let’s Go Jive

T

HEY describe themselves as the fast, stylish, adventurous messengers of God. Their inspired dance steps are creative and entertaining. The dance and mainstream entertainment group, Jive Angels, comprising iTom, T1K, Flex and Creator, the only lady in the group, shows a mastery of gospel dance entertainment. Their debut song and music video, Let’s Go Jive, will definitely lift one to the zenith of happiness and excitement. And this, they said, is a weapon they would use to tackle insecurity and violence, especially the menace of Boko Haram.

“The situation of insecurity and violence in our country is a problem we want to address through our music and our performances. We don’t want people to remain in their sad or angry state.

Whatever crime that is being perpetuated from groups like Boko Haram is being done because they are not happy. Our song, Let’s Go Jive, can make a change. They can forget whatever is making them sad and go ‘jiving’. We also want to empower the youth - we know that most Boko Haram members are youths - and we want to inspire them and others.

We want to motivate them to leave violence and take up the responsibility of nation-building,” they said.

Starting out in 2003 as members of a choir group at the Delta State University in Abraka, Creator caught the vision and sold her idea to the others who were really inspired. She is the most vocal of the group.

“I started the vision and the other members were my neighbours, classmates and all that. T1000 (T1K) was introduced to me by an uncle who knew him to be doing something similar to what I had in mind.

That was how we started,” Creator said.

What stands Jive Angels out is their eccentric and colourful appearance: crazy hairstyles and designs that are mind-blowing. They will surprise you by telling you they complement everything. Each reflect a colour with a meaning. What inspires it, they were asked.

“Our inspiration for our looks came from our quest to be different and unique; the idea came from T1K who said we should put colour in our hair. We deliberated on the idea and saw that it was a very good one. So, we implemented it. The most important thing about the colours is that they have meanings. Yellow of C-Flex’s hairstyle represents uniqueness; T1K’s has green which represents productivity, richness, abundance and nature; Creator’s pink represent’s beautyand mine is purple, representing royalty, honour. I thought

•Jive Angels

By Evelyn Osagie

MUSIC about who we are as Christians; we are a royal priesthood,” iTom said.

‘The situation of insecurity and violence in our country is a problem we want to address through our music and our performances. Our song, Let’s Go Jive, can make a change’

Attributing their inspiration to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church, the group said they want to use their debut single to make Nigerians happy.

“As Jive Angels, we are just saying everybody should celebrate through the song Let’s go Jive . If you watch the video, you see colours, happiness and excitement. We want to celebrate and make people happy - in short, let’s get excited. You will also see people who were looking sad getting happy.

We are saying that no matter what you are going through, you can dance away your sorrow. And the dance step we used is simple so that everybody can jive, dance and be happy,” she said.

Farewell Sister dazzles London

F

•A performance of Farewell Sister

arewell Sister, a classical and poetic play by UK-based Nigerian, Efemena Agadama, has emboldened the exploration of literary devices, and the beauty of language in theatre. Its language and style has left the audience dazzled at its first performance at the New Diorama Theatre, in London.

The play brings a heightened plot structure that steadily flows like the beat of classical music tones. It goes up, erupts and suddenly falls at the end of the play.

There are songs and chants that add up to its classical form. Farewell Sister tells the love story of Amina, a Muslim, and Andrew, a Christian, who meet in London and want to get married.

Their religions are a burning bridge that they are not expected to cross. They brave it when Amina goes home to meet her family to console her brother over the death of his wife. Her brother, Suleiman, had lost his wife after a doctor forgot a pair of scissors in her womb during a surgical operation.

The wife went for a second operation to remove the pair of scissors but she even-

By Joseph Jibueze

PERFORMANCE tually died. Amina feels helping her brother to recover will soften his heart to accept her marriage with Andrew. She’s wrong. She does not know that time and events have changed Suleiman, her brother.

She visits her family in Zamfara State and opens up to her mother and brother of her resolve to marry Andrew. Horror sets in and her life is at risk.

Unknown to Andrew that horror was at hand in Zamfara State, he surprisingly visits Amina there, the last straw. Out of anger and error, Suleiman kills both of them. He regrets it but the dead can’t be returned to life.

Farewell Sister is a new play by Agadama and has continued to receive critical acclaim. Other works by Agadama, a Mass Communication graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, are Drumbeats for Darkness (published by Rateda Press, Warri) and Draw No Blood (by Raider Publishers, New York).

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Gendered Nigerian art, criticism

“I

FEEL that you did not represent either what we have discussed regarding my work, or what is written and depicted in the files I sent you. Nor did you convey the sensitivity or any empathy or even pathos needed to raise the awareness that you claimed to be aiming for. With the greatest of respect, I feel your article conveyed a voyeurism from a dispassionate academic perspective and an exploitation of the subject to your own ends.”

—Numero Unoma.

The quote above raises the question: what is the professional relationship between the artist and the art historian? It also complicates the responsibility of the artist and the historian in a developing political environment.

Artists and art historians are conjugal bedfellows.

Historians have no moral, professional, or ethical right to tell artists what to do. But neither is any artist positioned to instruct the historian on what or how to write and think about art. Historians and critics who impose their tastes on artists, or dictate to artists are frustrated when artists pay them no attention.

But critics and art historians are not trained to simply quote artists. Historians do not regard the words of an artist as the gospel truth or the absolute frame of reference for discussing art works. Once made, a work becomes the cultural property of the world, and the artist loses control over its meaning or interpretation.

It is crucial for historians to listen to what artists say.

But artists’ pronouncements are no more than raw materials for art historical analysis. Writers subject artists’ remarks to analysis, just as writers critically analyse art works.

It behooves artists to read art historical narratives and peruse writings about their works. But such writings are simply articulated reflections and translations from the visual language of art to the literary language of criticism.

Art historical writings are subject to discussion and analysis because they are proffered opinions. Howbeit informed by the scholarly parameter from which the historian is reading art, art history projects personal and cultural biases. Art historiography is the discipline that evaluates art historical writings just as art history studies art.

Art is a foreign language that must be carefully read and translated by the visually literate. The mere possession of a pair of eyes does not invest anybody with the skills of reading art, just as the possession of a mouth does not guarantee the ability to speak a language. Only those who have taken the time to learn a foreign language can understand it, whether the language is visual or phonetic. An artist, by the virtues of his or her training as a producer of expressive culture, is not always skilled to be a reliable reader of art objects.

When the judgment and reading of art by the art historian corresponds with the intention and purposes of the artist, the result is mutually blissful. But it often happens that the writer and the artist move in divergent philosophical directions, which might cause rupture between these conjugal partners. Neither party is right or wrong: an artwork is the proverbial elephant that feels like a wall, a tree trunk, or a snake, depending on whether you are describing the side, the legs, or the trunk of the pachyderm. To declare an art historian wrong for making a creative reading of an art work is as problematic as forcing an artist to adopt a specific style or treat a particular subject that the critic prefers or finds engaging.

Because she took exception to my reading of her work, Número Uno, the Nigerian feminist photographer quoted above, called me. From her perspective, I represent patriarchy and all the evils accumulated within that hegemony system: unbridled power, insensitivity, irresponsibility, and gender domination. I apologised profusely, and implored her to temper her anger. She declared, “I am not angry. I am only speaking passionately. Those of you in diaspora have no idea what we have to face as residents of this country. If you live in Nigeria, and experience the hardship that women endure daily, you will better understand my work. It is wrong to lump women’s issues with lesbian issues merely by virtue of the fact that we are all female. As a whole, they are two COMPLETELY different areas of concern, whether practically or intellectually….”

She agreed with my view that lesbian artists are women too. But her concern is that “it’s dangerous to proclaim lesbian ideas here. It may get you killed. You don’t know what it means to live in a homophobic place like Nigeria.”

That I spent the first 36 years of my life in Nigeria did not matter, she said. “It is not the same as being permanently resident in Nigeria now. I used to come to Nigeria five or six times a year before I returned to settle

•Houria Niati’s No to Torture, an oil on canvas triptych

By Moyo Okediji

VISUAL ART here. The experience is not the same. Until you face the daily grind here, you cannot have any idea of what I am talking about. You don’t know what it means to be a woman. My feminist issues are different and do not include struggling for lesbian rights. This is not the United States. You already have your own agenda, and you are not listening to me.”

I was listening, but I also know that one feminist voice does not speak for all. Although she is a sovereign on her own rights. Nigeria cannot operate as a disconnected island as long as her citizens interact with others in the world, and the country benefits from the charters of the United Nations.

I insisted that it is the responsibility of enlightened Nigerians—including Numero Unoma—to raise discussions around difficult issues. Otherwise the country would remain in the quagmire of conservative and religious morality of the vocal majority, which suppresses the aspirations and needs of its silent minorities. I informed her that I just received a catalogue of pictures of lesbian processional marches from Zanele Muholi, a South African artist who organized and led the marches.

“South Africa is different and that artist (Muholi) is a lesbian….My work has nothing whatsoever to do with gay and lesbian issues, rather violence against women in a heterosexual sense, though following our debates, I will add an image that addresses violence against lesbians, since as you rightly pointed out, they too are women….While I have gay and lesbian friends in the United States and Europe, I do not have any here and it is a terrible disservice both to me and to anybody associated with me to insinuate that they may be lesbian, even merely verbally, but certainly in print.’

But artists are at the frontiers of culture. Is it not within the constituency of artists using the cutting-edge medium of photography to tackle the controversial matters of the politics of the human body? She sees things differently, and replied, “I have close friends who are gay and

‘South Africa is different and that artist (Muholi) is a lesbian….My work has nothing whatsoever to do with gay and lesbian issues, rather violence against women in a heterosexual sense. Though following our debates, I will add an image that addresses violence against lesbians, since as you rightly pointed out, they too are women….While I have gay and lesbian friends in the United States and Europe, I do not have any here and it is a terrible disservice both to me and to anybody associated with me to insinuate that they may be lesbian, even merely verbally, but certainly in print’

•Nike Davies-Okundaye’s Aladire.

lesbian… But that does not position me or even incline me to take on their cause or crusades. These they must fight for themselves, just as I am dealing with the myriad of heterosexual women’s issues. That is not to say that I do not take a stance when I am witness to a situation of persecution….There are burning BASIC issues to be tackled for heterosexual women and their offspring, the future of Africa—things like hunger, illiteracy, health issues like fistulas, and employment to mention but a few. These I deem worthy of investing my time and energy in, while the issues of my lesbian sisters seem less a matter of the survival of Africa at this moment and should really be fought first and foremost by the lesbians themselves and of course anybody who feels strongly enough inclined to channel their resources into this as a priority over other issues.”

As an art historian, my constituency includes women artists of all persuasions and styles, ranging from the political paintings of Algerian Arab artist Houria Niati, to the conservative Oshogbo cultural productions of Nike Davies-Okundaye, and the cosmopolitan oil paintings of Etso Ugbodaga-Ngu, the matriarch of contemporary Nigerian art. As Ugbdaga-Ngu instructed me when I was her graduate student at the University of Benin, “An artist must stand up for his or her beliefs. You will not please all the people all the time. You may not even always please yourself. But an artist must honor his or her conscience without fear or favor.” The same rules apply to an art historian.

• Okediji writes from Texas, US

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Day Odia gathered Nigerians for country’s sake Celebrated poet Odia Ofeimun recently clocked 62. But it was not just a day for merrymaking when friends and fans gathered in his honour in Lagos. His spirit of activism was evident; instead of partying, they talked about What is true about true federalism and more, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

F

ROM when he was a little boy, Odia Ofeimun had a burning desire. “The only thing I wanted was to be a poet,” he said. And, as he grew up, he worked towards realising that dream.

At 62, the activist poet is still bent on living his dream – a dream he said would not be complete without Nigeria. Over the years, he had also become passionate about his country. He is campaigning for a re-orientation and change. Hence, you would find him constantly saying: “This is an eminently saveable country that we can all save together. Nigeria is beautiful.”

Indeed, only a man so passionate about his country would invite friends and fans from all walks of life to brainstorm on a way forward for his ‘beloved Nigeria’ on his birthday at the Muson Centre, Lagos. And so, the evening turned out to be one of discourse, sober reflections, dance and drama and more. The occasion also served as a book presentation. Three of his books – A House of Many Mansions, Taking Nigeria Seriously and Nigeria, the Beautiful – were presented. Guests were also treated to a sneak preview of his new dance drama entitled: Itoya: A dance for Africa.

Reorientation, taking Nigeria seriously and becoming change-agents formed the thrust of the evening.

The event revisited salient issues confronting the polity that are constantly swept into the coffers of silence, such as ‘the true nature of federal character’, ‘sovereign national conference’, the constitutional provisions: are they for the benefit of the common man, amalgamation and others.

With the theme What is true about true federalism, the notable banker, Chief Fola Adeola, chaired the discourse which attracted dignitaries from the arts, academia and business. With his calm and calculated nature, he steered the discourse maturely. The panelists included Chief Francesca Emmanuel, celebrity acting couple Olu Jacob and Joke Sylva, Justus Esiri, Prof. Kole Omotoso and Prince Omooba Yemisi Shyllon. Panelists took turns to examine the theme.

Some of the panelists, such as Omotoso said there is nothing true about true federalism, observing that federalisms are created to faint gerrymandering. He said amalgamation is the problem with Nigeria.

On her part, Chief Emmanuel noted that Nigeria’s strength is in its diversity. She urged: “We should come to love and accept Nigeria and stick together, in strength is unity. She commended Ofeimun’s love for his country, saying: “It appears he is the only one seeing beauty in Nigeria. He keeps insisting that Nigeria is beautiful”.

The session was followed by the colourful performance of Itoya. It had the spectacle, electrifying dance steps and the philosophical lacing that characterises Ofeimun’s dance dramas. This time, the historical dance drama meaning “I can’t tell all the suffering I have been through”, reiterating the preoccupations of the day. He brought some of the issues onto the stage, offering those present an opportunity to learn from Africa’s history; and urging them to take their destinies into their hands.

At the end of the event, guests praised Ofeimun for rekindling the patriotic spirits in the hearts of guests.

The Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), AJ Dagga Tolar said the activist poet has challenged writers to use their writings to create change. “We cannot continue to throw the blame on amalgamation and think that that is the solution. As writers, Ofeimun has challenged us to refocus our art to directing the discourse of society. We have a stake in the political process and our views as philosophers can bring about change,” he said.

But for Ofeimun, it was more than that. It was all about becoming change-agents. He said: “We have a great country to build. We can start from where we are to change Nigeria. It is possible to change all the provisions in the constitution; if we choose to do so. We don’t need a sover-

O

•Ofeimun presenting a book to Prof. Omotoso

•A scene in Itoya.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

LITERARY eign national conference. Every year, Hornbill House stages a dance drama. We have added the discourse to it. And what better way to present the African story – Itoya. This is our story. It is not quite a complete story. You can actually

complete it. What we need to do is to add to that story.”

For those who missed his last performance, Ofeimun is bringing his campaign to Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos tomorrow when he will be staging Nigeria the Beautiful written and produced by him and directed by Felix Okolo.

Grillo Pavilion fiesta celebrates Uche Okeke

NE of Nigeria's foremost artists, Prof.

Uche Okeke is the star of this year's Grillo pavilion visual art fiesta opening on April 7, at the Grillo Pavilion, Ikorodu, Lagos.

The festival, which is in its fourth edition, will showcase selected works by Okeke as well as a lecture by Prof. Ola Oloidi of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The Grillo Pavilion, a dedicated space for the celebration of excellence in visual art, practices, houses the private art collection of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, and was launched in 2009 with a visual art fiesta of works by Prof. Yusuf Grillo. In 2010, it

CELEBRATION was the turn of Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, followed by Prince Demas Nwoko in 2011.

Expected at the fiesta are Prof. Yusuf Grillo, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, Chief Segun Olusola, Chief Torch Taire, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Prof. JP Clark among others.

Speaking at an interactive session with arts writers in Lagos, Gbadamosi said plans are underway to host a mid-year fiesta that would celebrate David Dale, a foremost artist and stained glass specialist. "The

Grillo Pavilion is planning to host a mid-year fiesta this year and David Dale would hopefully be the star to celebrate," he said.

On why the fiesta has not attracted new audience from the politics and business sector, Gbadamosi explained that the process of attracting such elite to the fiesta is on-going and quietly yielding results but noted that art collecting has become a trend among the Lagos elite. "We are moving them in that direction. One needs to assure them that art works are worth investing in and that it is a future investment alternative," he said. The fiesta is being curated by Mr. Mike Omoighe.

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POETRY

My tiny little secret

By Ibrahim Yusuf

•From left: Otunba JK Randle, Mrs Edna Soyenuwo, Mrs Mariam Akpata, Kanitz, Driesch and Marc-Andre Schmachtel, at the presentation ceremony in Muson Centre.

Germany donates instruments to MUSON

T

O support the growth of Muson School of Music, the German government through the Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Walter von den Driesch, has donated a set of instruments to the Muson Centre, Lagos. The diplomat described the instruments as prerequisites that are, undeniably, a must in a music school. The presentation was made shortly before a three-man baritone concert featuring Obinna, Olumide and John-Paul.

Speaking at the presentation, Driesch charged the management of Muson Centre to make good use of the instruments and observe maintenance requirements to sustain their life span.

He noted that the gesture would mark the beginning of cooperation between the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) and the Consulate-General of Germany for the cultural benefit of both nations.

He said the support came at the instance of the artistic director of the Muson Centre, Maestro Thomas Kanitz, who did not only convince the German Consul-General of the

MUSIC Stories by Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

need to renew its membership of the Muson but also to support the school through the provision of basic prerequisites that are lacking.

“Maestro Kanitz approached the Consul-General to assist in his successful work by providing some of those basics lacking and desperately missed: Just simple items such as violin bows or fiddle sticks, strings, colophony, mouthpieces, drumsticks and more, equipment unfortunately not available in Nigeria.

“With these put at the disposal of the students only his job here in Lagos could be oriented towards tangible success and as a matter of course, my Consulate-General upon approval by German Foreign Office in Berlin complied with the requirements specified by Kanitz,” he said.

Akeredolu’s Apollo Eleven lands in YABATECH

A

FTER several attempts, the Head of Graphics Department, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr Sola Akeredolu, will on April 4, mount his first solo art exhibition, Apollo Eleven at the Art Gallery, School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

The photography exhibition will feature 45 photographs that capture everyday experiences on the roads, streets and beaches of some locations in Lagos, Ibadan, and Agbarha-Otor in Delta State.

Though presented in its raw and unedited format, the collection focuses on several societal issues, such as environment, nature, transportation, childhood, women, modernity and traditions. At a level, some of the photographs appear like contrasts as well as a reminder to the change processes the people

(To Rekiya ... with warm affection from IB) I’ve a secret, A tiny, little secret ...

I met this girl A cute ebony-looking girl Oh dear! She looks drop dead gorgeous!

And yes, I think curvaceous For her, my heart went pitter-patter And yes, I think my blood rose on higher-higher Her smiles, so refreshingly inviting Irresistibly arresting And yes, I think so enticing!

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!

Where’s Cupid?

That errand boy of love Please, don’t play stupid Nor hide and seek ‘Cos methinks, I’m sick I think, very terribly sick In love!

In love with this cute-looking damsel Pray, I think we both gel!

Cupid, please don’t play stupid!

Run you to her Say me well to her!

Tell her, Cupid please tell her She occupies a special space Here in my heart Please assure her Very well assure her This is not some damn comic act Give her glad tidings of my cravings Blessed assurances of feelings so benign Please assure her Very well assure her These are emotions I truly can’t of her deny!

CELEBRATION

Prophet marks birthday

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HE spiritual leader of Love of Christ Chapel International, Prophet Adeniyi Peter Olowoporoku, will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow.

The event will hold at the church premises at Lisabi Hall, No. 110 Herbert Macaulay Street, Ebutte Metta, Lagos.

•Olowoporoku

WORSHIP

Worship for Change holds in Lagos •One of the photographs

VISUAL ART and society have undergone.

Take for instance, transportation in rural areas which has evolved from horse riding or bicycle riding to automobile. Also, the dominant high-rise buildings of the modern city such as Lagos contrast with the low level architecture in Ibadan.

Aside that, photographs such as Oshodi is a reminder of the old Oshodi before the reconstruction in 2009 by the

state government. This is a major documentation of the environment by the artist.

At a preview session, Akeredolu said he ventured to promote creative photography because commercial photography might continue to be at the centre stage of patronage. He noted that everywhere he goes he takes his camera as it allows him to see beyond the ordinary. To him, photography is like a third eye.

“I have enjoyed this field of communication across the years. I have used and enjoyed

different types of cameras in the last two decades and they have done wonders in my life.

I have also enjoyed fraternising with photographers and grown to enjoy works of photographers across the globe,” he said.

The photographs on show talk about his experiences that traverse womanhood, entertainment, nature, landscape and childhood. Among the exhibits for display are The horse, Our women, Sunset, Seafood, Oshodi scapes, Gangan and The trumpeter.

The Redeemed Christian Church (RCCG), Jubilee Christian Centre, will hold Worship for Change tomorrow in Lagos.

EXHIBITION

Cultures opens at Henriemoweta Centre

A

GROUP art exhibition entitled Cultures will hold on April 28, at Henriemoweta Art Centre, beside Hotel New Castle, Anthony Village, Lagos.

The exhibition, billed to run till May 6, will feature mixed techniques by various artists.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Who takes the first shot?

A public show of power or might?

An official of the LASTMA squaring up with a traffic ‘offender’ in Lagos.

• PHOTOS: NNEKA NWANERI

•ANA executives on a visit to Gimba

•ANA President receiving a gift from Governor Aliyu

Authors’ one small step. . .

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HE national executive of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has visited the former ANA President, Alhaji Abubakar Gimba, in Minna, the Niger State

capital.

The team was led by Prof. Remi Raji.

On the delegation were the Vice-President, Denja Abdullahi; General Secretary B. M. Dzukogi and the Publicity Secretary (North), Richard Ali. Also present with the EXCO was the Niger State Chapter EXCO led by Al-mamun Mallam and the newly elected Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter, Usho Smith Adawa, who came with awardwinning journalist and former Kaduna State Chairman, Sumaila Umaisha.

A patron of the Niger State Chapter, the dramatist Alhaji Yahaya Dangana, was also on ground.

The visit began at the Niger State Government House where the ANA President was warmly received by Governor Babangida Aliyu, his Chief of Staff, Prof.

Kuta, the SSG, Mr Daniel Shashere and top government functionaries including mem-

LITERATURE bers of the State House of Assembly.

Raji noted that the immense contributions the state have added to the story of Nigerian writing, from being the birthplace of notable literary figures such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Abubakar Imam Kagara, Abubakar Gimba and Ben Okri to the more recent and practical support the governor has extended to the Niger State Chapter.

He also noted the contributions of Dr. Aliyu and the Niger State Government to national ANA activities such as funding the first Northern Nigerian Writers Conference and the 2009 National Convention. Also noteworthy, said Raji, was the Muazu Babangida Aliyu Literary Colloquium held last year.

Raji urged the Niger State Government to partner with ANA in funding the new Nigerian Writers Series—a publishing effort to increase the quality of Nigerian writing, which is one of the key items on the Harmonised Manifesto of this executive. The Governor

expressed his appreciation for Niger being the very first state to be visited by the new executive adding that the reading culture was in decline and all stakeholders needed to “go back and see how our children can be made to fall in love with books.” Governor Aliyu said the two most formative books he had read were African fiction, No Past, No Present, No Future by Yulisa Amadu Maddy and Ferdinand Oyono’s The Old Man and the Medal both of which he read as a young man. He also appealed to ANA to help fight against the twin evils of poverty and corruption, saying “if you cannot save us, you will need to save our children. Inculcate in our children that it is only where you sow that you shall reap. I believe that responsibility should be that of Nigerian writers (ANA).”

He also promised to partner with ANA in the Nigerian Writers Series and asked his Chief of Staff to work with ANA and get back to him. He specifically noted that the series must explore the themes of poverty and corruption. Gifts were then exchanged by both parties.

The visit was to assist the principal flag-off of the HillTopArts Centre, a project by the ANA National General Sec-

retary, B. M. Dzukogi, in synergy with the state chapter of ANA. The Art Centre is a newly renovated building with beautiful murals on the walls, comprising a main hall with a stage, an arts studio, a computer centre to house internet facilities and a library. Dzukogi, who received the EXCO to the Centre, gave a brief history of the Centre from its beginning in the late 90s, its abandonment when he left the school to take up an appointment at the IBB University, to its present rebirth.

The Principal, Mallam Attahiru, expressed delight at hosting the ANA EXCO, stating that this was the very first time such an August presence was being hosted by the school. The students treated the EXCO to a Tiv cultural dance, a choral composition and a poetry performance.

Raji stressed the need to integrate the arts into the school curriculum.

The team also made a stop-over at the College of Education, Minna, which got the first “institutional member” of ANA. The Provost of the College, visibly thrilled about the visit, donated N200,000 to ANA to aid its efforts in the development of writing in indigenous languages.

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Plateau widows get help

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IDOWS in Plateau State have been urged not to neglect the education of their children.

The advice was given in Jos by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Olivia Dazyem while her Ministry in collaboration with the State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion provided financial grants and clothing to 85 widows of fallen heroes in the state to enable them start small scale businesses.

Dazyem stated that the effort is aimed at improving the economic well-being of the widows.

“We as a government have taken a stance to ensure the widows do not engage in demeaning acts in a bid to cater for their families hence, the widowhood vocational training centre in Mangu will receive a boost this year.”

“Also, two other skills acquisition centres in the northern and southern zones will be established to take care of the training needs of women especially widows in the State”.

However, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Paul Wai encouraged the women not to lose hope but rather strive with the little help to contribute to the development of the State.

Meanwhile, an orientation was given to the widows by Mrs. Jessica Obadiah of the Country Women Association of Nigeria

E

GBIN town near Ikorodu, Lagos State, often referred to as Nigeria’s Power City, is already wearing a new look.

Why? The community which hosts the thermal power station, is counting down to its Eibi Festival. The festival will be celebrated between March and April this year.

The organisers said the annual fiesta would attract tourists from all over the world, and will feature the display the best of African cultural heritage.

The monarch of Egbin own, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin, will use the festival to

•Widows From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

(COWAN) on how to invest the grant given to them.

She advised them not to compromise their business with pleasure but stay focused and ensure that the gesture is not wasted.

Responding, three widows, Mrs. Rifkatu Musa, Mrs. Agnes Giwa and Hajia Salamatu Ibrahim expressed their appreciation for the gesture.

Mrs. Musa said, “I am very happy and I believe other widows here feel the same. I have been going through a lot since the death of my husband. Right now,

I am frying and selling akara.

With this grant, my business will receive a boost and my children’s fees would be paid”.

Giwa said: “The gesture is a dream come true because my business has been down and I have been thinking of ways to revive it”.

With the money give, she said,

Community prepares for feast

By Wale Ajetunmobi

celebrate his second year in office. He ascended the throne in April, 2010.

However, rather than the usual display of wealth during such ceremonies, Egbin community intends to use the feast to project the African traditional religion and culture. This is with a view to correcting the wrong notions

•An interactive session with farmers in Yola

of Nigerian youths, and foreigners, who see African culture as sub-standard, demeaning and archaic. The festival is tagged: “Reconnecting the youths with African cultural values.”

Oba Oyebo, in a statement from his office, said: “The festival is coming at this time because there is the need to bring back African cultural values, which hitherto, played a significant role in the training and upbringing of the

African in those good old days.

With it, he was recognized as an African wherever he was on the surface of the earth. Today, however, the situation has changed.

Many African youths no longer value that culture as a way of life for the Africans. Instead, they have imbibed lots of foreign cultures which have only helped to place them neither here nor there in their identity as people from the Black race. There is therefore the need to have several media within which to correct the erroneous impressions about African culture. This festival will be one of them.”

The Eibi festival will commence in March and ends in April, and it is geared, according to the traditional ruler, towards peace and prosperity in Egbin and its environs. The whole programme is expected to start on the Akono market with men going to the Jigbo forest to perform the traditional rites.

Among features to be witnessed at the festival include the Jigbo masquerade which comes out in the morning of the Akono market day with the women and youths awaiting the arrival of the masquerade. The men from the concave then return with Jigbo masquerades dressed in palm fronds and multi-coloured dresses as a symbol of terrestrial blessings. There are also the periods of wild celebrations in the entire community which run for weeks till the Anosi market day.

Sango-Jigbo is one masquerade to be watched with excitement as it will surely trill the crowd with

“I sell kunu and I use to measure few mudu at a time but now, I will buy more measures and the turnover would be better”.

Hajia Ibrahim, with tears of joy, expressed gratitude, saying, “our husbands have sacrificed much for this country and we should not be neglected and our children left to suffer”.

The festival is coming at this time because there is the need to bring back African cultural values, which hitherto, played a significant role in the upbringing of the African its antics. It is he that brims fire like the revered Sango. So is Akatampo, yet another masquerade. Among other spectacles of the festival is the Jigbo, which is the Ikirodo of Epa masquerade, with all his colourful and attractive dressing.

Other features include the women and youths’ woro dance and homage paying ceremony to the monarch, the Epa dance and their somersaulting competitions in various categories, Eluku, Okooro, Agemo, Pako, the Ose’dun of the Olowa Oko and Awo-Opa Ijinla fraternity ceremonies.

It should be noted that Egbin Town enjoys a reverence status among other towns with the Awo Opa as it is referred to as the head of the seven ‘Etigbos among the Ijebu speaking communities of Nigeria.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

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Council holds public hearing on illegal parking

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ORRIED by the avoidable deaths resulting from accidents caused by indiscriminate parking on roads in the area, the Oriade Local Council Development Area has organised a one-day public hearing on the issue.

At the event held at the roomy Chief Yinusa Akinlola Memorial Hall at the council’s secretariat on Thursday, the guest speaker, Professor Adeniyi Abolade of the Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University Ojo noted with regret that most people now park their vehicles permanently on the roads of Oriade and its environs.

Abolade, who is a visiting Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, recalled an experience when one of these articulated vehicles or trailer developed fault along one of the roads at 11 in the night. He said there was no caution sign to warn other motorists of the danger. He further disclosed that the following morning, a car had run under the trailer and the driver dead.

Stating what results when any one parks his/her car indiscriminately, Professor Abolade said that some of these unsavoury experiences were creating an opportunity for either mild or deadly accidents; the road is being damaged thereby cutting short its lifespan, the environment becomes filthy, the environment is also rendered insecure as hoodlums could use the parked vehicles to launch attacks on innocent citizens, valuable man-hours are lost when one is trapped in a traffic jam due to indiscriminate parking, among others.

He praised the council for the proactive action it is taking to stem what he called “this uncomplimentary situation.” He pledged he would support the enforcement of the laws,

By Chinaka Okoro

even as he urged other stakeholders to support the council to make the initiative work.

In his speech the chairman of the council, Hon. Ibrahim Babatunde Sanusi said the danger inherent in indiscriminate parking on the roads could not be over-emphasised and underscores the day’s event which aimed at sensitising the public on the determination of the council to face the menace head on.

He hinted that if the situation is not addressed with dispatch, time would come when the entire roads in Oriade LCDA would be impassable.

He identified lack of parking lots in individual and corporate premises and lackadaisical attitude of our people in terms of non-prompt removal of broken down vehicles on the roads as some of the major causes of indiscriminate parking.

He said that indiscriminate parking has several effects such as avoidable accidents which lead to loss of lives and valuable properties, men of the underworld using the vehicles as hideouts to carry out their nefarious activities, loss of manhour, energy and time, some abandoned vehicles are converted to refuse dumps which make the environment grubby, blockade of free flow of traffic which makes emergency movement impossible, and some others.

Proffering solutions, the council chief stated that some of the ways out of the situation are public hearing or sensitisation of the people on the dangers of indiscriminate parking of vehicles, committed enforcement of relevant laws by the authorities, stipulating fines for individuals and corporate bodies found cul-

•Participants at the event pable of flouting the laws, and arrest of offenders by the enforcement unit of the council who will hand them over to the police for prosecution.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Leader of the Legislative Arm of the council, Hon. Akeem A. Agbelega said that as legislators at the grassroots level, he and his colleagues know what happens in the neigh-

Our local transport operators are so naïve to the extent that they are only after how best they could use the road to the detriment of other road users. The activities of our danfo drivers are so despicable so much so that they need serious and urgent attention •Sanusi

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EMBERS of the Oko-Oba Abattoir community have participated in a workshop on food safety procedures, entrepreneurial development and management skills.

The training was organised for butchers by a non-governmental organisation, Help Above Poverty Foundation (HAPF) in collaboration

bourhoods as well as feel the pains of the people as a result of indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the roads, hence the public hearing on the issue.

He said the council is more concerned about easy and free movement of people and services, even as he added that the council’s efforts in that regard are complementary to what the state government has on ground.

He regretted that “our local transport operators are so naïve to the extent that they are only after how best they could use the road to the detriment of other road users. The activities of our danfo drivers are so despicable so much so that they need serious and urgent attention.

“In the same manner, we are as well concerned about the unwholesome attitudes of motorcyclists, tricycles operators who constitute nuisance on the roads as they park without caution to either discharge or pick their passengers.”

In an overview of the bill, Hon. Rita Arabome-Odofin the Majority Leader of the legislative council explained that the bye-law is meant to curb the excesses of motorcyclists who operate indiscriminately, inculcate in the okada operators the need

Butchers given new skills

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

The HAPF Project Director, Mr

Lanre Bakare, said the workshop was to provide entrepreneurial skills and effective small business management acumen to the low income earners to enable them be job creators.

“Our mission is to re-create highly

•From left: Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Adefunke Odutola; Dr Afolabi, Mr Bakare and Mrs Kolawole at the event

mobile and economically advancing butchers with focus to grow the Nigerian economy for better tomorrow.

Notwithstanding the current level of poverty in the country, we shall strive to make impact at the state and national level of the economy by advocating for better society through economic empowerment of the low income segment of the society for better family system,” he said.

The trio of Dr Abiodun Afolabi, Mr. Goke Adeyemi and Mrs Khadijat Kolawole, enlightened the participants on food safety procedures and management tips, enterprise development, importance of business name registration and its benefits for butchers as small business owners.

Kolawole enlightened them on the requirements for registering a business and the need for professional advice when necessary.

“This is something we have been looking forward to for a long time now; a kind of seminar that will open the eyes of our members to what obtains in other parts of the world. It is indeed an eye opener for a lot of us that participated in the workshop.

“We are grateful to the organisers and will expect that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives would

to obey traffic control lights and other traffic laws.

On enforcement, the Majority Leader disclosed that the bye-law would be enforced by the Nigeria police within the jurisdiction of the council, the traffic officers who are members of staff of the council and Man O’War Nigeria under Amuwo Odofin zonal command.

The fines range from N5,000 or three months imprisonment, N10,000 or six or one year imprisonment for offenders.

Some of the personalities who attended the pubic hearing were Hon. Ramotalai Olanrewaju member Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahon Dauda Vice-Chairman of the council, Lt S.K. Haruna who represented the Commander NNS Wey, Alhaji Olaewe former member of Federal House of Representatives and chairman community development committee, all members of the legislative arm Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mr A.U. Abubakar the Divisional Police Officer Onireke Lagos, Mr Ige Adima Divisional Police Officer Satellite Town, Mrs Bukola Dalumo Council Manager, Alhaji Kareem Sunmola Secretary to the local government, among others.

We shall strive to make impact at the state and national level of the economy by advocating for better society through economic empowerment of the low income segment of the society for better family system be involved in the nearest future so that the members of the Abattoir community will be given the necessary assistance in form of soft loans to invest in our business,” the representative of the Chairman of Irepodun Butchers Association, Alhaji Rahmon Niniola said.

Also speaking, the representative of the Women Leader of the community, Mrs Yetunde Omole, commended the organisers, saying that lack of management skills is one of the major problems facing members of the Abattoir community.

She called on WAPA to actualise the poverty alleviation programme by providing financial assistance to the women.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

What now seems a developing Okpekpe community never had social amenities like tarred road, electricity and good schools…The community has been illuminated by electricity and Oshiomhole is constructing a standard road to Okpekpe

Oshiomhole lights up a kingdom

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HE people of Okpekpe Kingdom in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have marked the tenth anniversary of their monarch, His Royal Highness, Apa Peter Abalumhe Osigbemeh with much happiness.

They said the community has witnessed peace and development under his reign.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole also hailed the monarch, saying there is a divine touch in his kingdom.

“That the people are rejoicing is the best evidence that God has blessed your reign,” said the governor.

Under Osigbemeh’s reign, the kingdom was connected to the national electric grid, ending years of darkness. This pleased the people a great deal.

That was why the people of Okpekpe turned out en masse on March 10, 2012 to show gratitude to God for His mercies and protection, and to Oshiomhole and Osigbemeh for caring and ensuring that peace reigned in the kingdom.

Apart from Oshiomhole, no other governor of the state accepted to construct a road to link the Okpekpe kingdom with its adjoining clans such as Weppa-Wano and Uzairue.

In his homily, Rev. Fr Richard Enegbuma narrated the developmental profile of the community. He recalled that what now seems a developing Okpekpe community never had social amenities like tarred road, electricity and good schools.

The cleric, however, said that the community has been illuminated by electricity and Oshiomhole is constructing a standard road to Okpekpe to break the jinx.

He said: “I wish our forefathers were here to see this.”

Prior to 2011 when Oshiomhole

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ESIDENTS of Lagos State have been assured that by 2015, the state government would produce rice in large quantity that would make it unnecessary to import the item again.

The Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Olajide Basorun, said this at the 2012 pre-season training organ-

From John Ofikhenua, Okpekpe

commenced work on the road, it was difficult for the people of the community to access their neighbouring communities. Making reference to this challenge in his address, Osigbemeh recounted how his co-traditional rulers in the state were “wondering whether he had a crane that towed him through the hilly, narrow and dangerous road.”

This, according to the monarch, made it a herculean task for any of them to pay him a visit. He, however, explained that despite the uncomplimentary circumstance, he never despaired, as he made efforts to remedy the situation. The monarch stated that before his ascension to the throne, he single-handedly sponsored a group of boys to maintain the OgbonaOkpekpe Road for a year to make it passable.

He added that he wrote a letter to the then Minister of Works and Housing, Chief Tony Anenih requesting that the Federal Government should construct the road for ease of movement for the people.

Unfortunately, he said, the minister turned down the request on the grounds that the project did not fall under federal roads. The community did not give up its demand for a tarred road which it said would act as catalyst for development. On how the community received respite from the terrible bad road, Osigbemeh said: “A saviour in the person of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole came to our aid in 2011 and approved the construction of our road from Igodo to Okpekpe.”

Continuing, he added: “Within a short while, I actually saw bulldozers on the road. The only way to thank

•Royal fathers: HRH Peter Osigbemeh, HRH Aidonogie of South-Ibie, Oba Kelvin Idanesi II and the Olokpe of Okpe, HRM Oba ID Ogu II at the event the governor is to vote for him for a second tenure. Even if you are blind, you can see it. I want you, my subjects, to vote en masse for our Comrade Governor. I also wish to announce that the renovation of Okpekpe Secondary School by the state government has started.”

Oshiomhole who does not believe in taking the credit and gratitude alone, advised Osigbemeh to direct his gratitude to the Benin monarch and the people since, according to him, it was mostly the votes of the people and the support of the Oba of Benin that brought him to Government House.

He said: “I want to have the full attention of His Highness that the person you should appreciate is the Oba of Benin and the good people of Benin Kingdom. “This is because the votes

that brought me to office were those of the people who voted massively for me and the great support from His Royal Majesty.

“Despite its expertise in rigging, the PDP could not defeat us in Oredo; the PDP machine couldn’t defeat us in Ikpoba Okha. The PDP rigging machine couldn’t defeat us in Egor. And it is the people’s steadfastness that made it possible for me to be here. In trying to appreciate what has happened here, you must convey your gratitude to the Oba of Benin.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Aidonogie of South-Ibie Oba Idanesi 11 also thanked Governor Oshiomhole for opening up the community with a modern road that now makes it possible for most of the traditional rulers to visit Okpekpe with ease.

He traced the affinity between the South and North Ibie where Okpekpe is located to when the Ekahle migrated from Benin to settle in Ibie Nafe and eventually proceeded to settle in the present location. He therefore sought solidarity among the South and North Ibie people, especially now that the access road is no longer a challenge.

People from all walks of life came to grace the occasion among who were representatives of the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, the Okumagbe of Weppa-Wanno, the Olokpe of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Joseph Eghabor, HRM Oba ID Ogu 11 and other traditional rulers, Edo State Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Boih Osikhena Donald, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Elizabeth Jemitola, Catholic Priests, former Executive Director Nigeria Television Authority Mr Grace Egbagbe and others.

Lagos to produce rice in large quantity by 2015

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

ised by the Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority, a parastatal under the ministry.

The theme of the training is: “La-

gos State Transformation Agenda, The Role of Frontline Extension Agents In Sustainable Food Production”.

He said a rice processing factory has been established at Imota in Lagos State.

•Laying the foundation stone of an ultra modern maternity complex at Holy Rosary Hospital, Onitsha by the Gov of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi...at the weekend PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

“It will soon be inaugurated.

We want to stop the idea of importing rice. This country is blessed with arable land. We can produce rice even in commercial quantity. The Babatunde Fashola administration attaches importance to agriculture.

“It is unfortunate that agric land has been encroached upon by some people in Lagos. Consequently, there is shortage of agric land in the state. This is the reason why the Fashola administration has decided to acquire agric land in other states to produce food and cash crops,” Basorun said.

He urged extension agents attending the training to assist Lagos to realise its dream of becoming the food basket of the nation.

According to him, farming is the only vocation a person can easily combine with other professions.

“As a civil servant, lawyer, doctor, etc you can as well be a farmer.

Agriculture is a good source of revenue for the government and a means of livelihood for individuals.”

Basorun said Eko Farmers’ Mart would soon be established all over Lagos where fresh farm produce would be sold to consumers at a cheap rate.

“This will help farmers to sell their produce and at the same

time enable the masses to buy foodstuffs at cheap prices. There is need to register farmers in Lagos because they are stakeholders in the value change my ministry is introducing,” he added.

The permanent secretary noted that agriculture is a major vehicle for job creation, poverty alleviation and revenue generation if given priority.

He stressed that the current administration in Lagos has increased the budget of agric by 1,000 per cent to prove that it is committed to developing the sector.

The Programme Manager of the Lagos State Agric Development Authority, Mr. Kayode Ashafa, said the extension agents should impart the knowledge they would gain during the training to farmers.

He said the average age of farmers in Lagos is 50 years, adding that if care is not taken, in the next 10 to 20 years, there may be dearth of farmers in the state.

“This is why the Fashola administration is striving to make agriculture attractive to the youths. Our youths should be encouraged to go into agriculture.

Instead of roaming the streets, complaining that there is no job, they should go into farming to eke a living,” Ashafa added.

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THE NATION INVESTORS

‘Our N20b REITs present opportunities for all’ SunTrust Savings and Loans Limited is raising N20 billion from the capital market through a Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). In this interview with Collins Nweze, the Managing Director of the company, Muhammad Jibrin, says the trust scheme present immense opportunities to diversify investors’ portfolios and jumpstart the growth of housing sector.

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HY is SunTrust floating the N20b REITs? Primarily, there is an acute shortage in the supply of funds for the housing sector.

Due to its capital intensive nature, housing development can hardly be financed from the private savings of intending homeowners and real estate developers, without recourse to providers of finance. In the recent past, most homebuilders sought finance from informal sources such as traditional thrift societies, co-operatives, friends or family.These sources generally did not require collaterals, relying more on third party guarantees, peer pressure as well as moral suasion to ensure repayments. However, they generally lacked the size of funds required for large-scale impact and wide coverage, since beneficiaries had to be acquaintances. In addition, new loans could not be made until existing loans had been largely repaid.

The traditional system of securing housing finance for most Nigerians is through the accumulation of savings, sometimes augmented by borrowings from relations and friends. In such situations, construction often occurs incrementally as funds become available over time. Many city dwellers have had to construct their houses in this manner, living for many years in what amounts to a progressive building site, because of the lack of an efficient housing finance system.

SunTrust hybrid REITS is a closeended unit trust fund promoted by SunTrust Savings and Loans Limited towards taking advantage of the investment opportunities in the real estate and mortgage sector of the economy. REITS provides individual, retail as well as institutional investors with an unprecedented opportunity to gain access to strong returns from the thriving real estate sector in Nigeria.

The SunTrust REITS aims to deliver capital appreciation by in-

vesting in a strategic mix of real estate properties that command superior quality rents, excellent mortgage assets and money market instruments. A potentially high level of income and low levels of volatility in addition to the attractive returns on real estate investments make investing in the REITS an attractive alternative to traditional income investments, which can expose investors to high levels of volatility and minimal dividend.

The Fund is governed by a Deed with First Trustees Limid as the Trustees. A total of 400 million units are being offered for subscription at the launch of the REITS. The REITs aims to raise an initial amount of N20 billion by way of units trust and invest the proceeds in real estate and real estate related assets.

What do investors stand to gain from the REITs? Because the global credit crisis and resulting recession has had a significant impact on nearly all asset classes following share price declines, property securities present a compelling opportunity for investors with a long-term investment horizon. Current dividend yields are hovering near 40 per cent well in excess of yields available on government bonds. In addition, real estate price appreciation over time has historically allowed investors to offset the effects of inflation while receiving a meaningful dividend income stream.

In our view, REITs presents a compelling opportunity for both addressing the housing crises and to those investors particularly pension funds who have a long-term investment horizon and are able to withstand near-term volatility associated with the uncertain credit and macro-economic environment.

In addition, REITs provides a platform to invest in real estate without actively owning a property, thereby providing an avenue for diversification of portfolio and achieving long-term capital appre-

ciation. REITs can create shareholder value through acquisitions and development, resulting in share price appreciation which has approximated the long term inflation rate and gives investors the advantage of a common stock owner as, typically, they are traded on the stock exchange.

Why has the development of the housing sector recorded minimum success?

Over the past few years, a number of residential estates have come up in the major cities of Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, developed mainly by private developers. The strong demand of the residential homes, which are usually multi-family and single –family units, is evident of the inadequate supply of housing in the country. Until recently, housing development had been largely in the hands of government developed by the Federal Housing Authority and the state housing corporations.

These schemes have recorded limited success because they have been inadequate and a times offer plot owners possibility of developing their houses at their own pace and through personal savings, usually, over five to 10-year period. In this process, the housing shortage is not immediately addressed while direct and indirect costs to the owner-developer rise due to price inflation.

Lack of long term funding for construction finance and an efficient mortgage market, even on medium term basis (that is up to fiveyears), has been a limiting factor to the development and expansion of the housing market. It has also restricted demand and has in fact skewed hosing development to high and upper middle-income units with little, if any, lower middle income and low-income units available, on a scale that is expected to meet the 16million shortage, in the market. A consequence of this is the continuous expansion of slum and squatter settlements in major cities. The

development of secondary mortgage market, including Real Estate Investment Trust Schemes and a verily primary mortgage system is the most feasible solution to the problems facing the housing sector.

Real Estate Investment Trust Schemes (REITS) is a lynchpin for developing the housing sector on a large scale and an avenue that will provide investors with excellent and stable returns. Through REITS, a large pool of funds, particularly from the Pension Funds, can be generated and channeled directly towards developing large number of residential real estate, subsequent upon which mortgages can be originated and mortgage bank securities created in the market.

What opportunities abound in the housing sector?

Various estimates put the demand for decent and affordable housing in Nigeria at between 14 and 17 million homes - a huge housing market by any standard.

That is more than 10 per cent of the population. The pressure is particularly evident in the major urban centers, notably Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, etc, where huge supply gaps persist; and in some cases continue to widen.

This trend is expected to remain high in the foreseeable future due to among other factors the high rates of new household formation - population growth rate is estimated at 3.2 per cent, based on the 2006 national census report. Therefore by 2025, Nigeria will be 255million people based on the 140 million NPC figures of 2006; average GDP will be six per cent over the next five years; the real estate sector accounts for only five per cent of Nigeria’s GDP despite urban population rate of 36 per cent (Estimated 51 million Nigerians living in urban areas based on the 2006 Census Report); The other factors include the high rates of urbanisation and rural-urban migration; the need to replace dilapidated housing stock;

•Jubrin and the popularity of real estate development as a lucrative investment capable of yielding superior returns, particularly with the recent decline in the capital market.

How will you describe the market situation now?

There are numerous challenges, but the sector here continues to receive widespread attention with favorable investment opportunities and that is where the PMIs like Suntrust come in, with residential development dominating the activities of the industry, and this is largely due to the significant shortage in urban housing and the corresponding high rents and favorable payment terms for owners who as you and I know demand rent at least one year in advance with a minimum of two years advance payment, for new tenants.

Obviously, finance constitutes a major constraint to the development of the sector. Many of the housing corporations in the states and agencies established for housing provision usually source their funds from the money market, the commercial banks, at market determined rates.

The effect of this is high cost of housing, which consequently impacts negatively on the hopes of Nigerians to own their houses at affordable prices.

It is in the light of the above scenario that maximum advantage of the capital market be explored to provide a steady source of finance to the housing sector on a long-term basis.

This can be done through several instruments; one of such is the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

SEC repositions market to boost economic growth

•DG-SEC, Arunma Oteh

S

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been involved in numerous engagements geared towards meaningful economic growth and development in Nigeria.

As the main regulatory agency for the capital market, SEC supervises the primary market for fresh issues in collaboration with the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). SEC guides the pricing and timing of primary

issues, to ensure that the capacity of the market is not exceeded, and that each issue is fully subscribed to, as much as possible.

The capital market is a common feature of every modern economy and is reputed, among other things, to perform critical capital allocation functions which promote growth and stimulate orderly economic development. In many advanced countries where capital markets correlate directly with the economy, the capital market is viewed as the primary gauge for the economy’s performance. The success or otherwise of a country’s economic programme is anchored on the performance of its capital market operations.

Capital markets with adequate depth play an essential role in economic development since they are the principal platform through which low cost funds to finance medium to long term projects on infrastructure and other important projects that transform economies are mobilised. Such markets are characterised by high investor confidence, market integrity, efficient processes, adequate product offerings, sound regulatory framework, strong and transparent disclosure and accountability regime and good corporate governance.

The All-Share Index rose from 100 units in 1984, the base year to 1,107.60 in 1992, and to the 10,000 mark in 2001, before rising to 20,128.94 in 2003, 23,844.45 points in 2004 and by 31 December 2007, jumped to 57,990.22. Market capitalisation closed at N13.29trn in 2007. By the end of 2005, the number of listed securities stood at 288. Today, there are over 300 listed securities on the stock exchange. Until the NSE hit a downturn in the second quarter of 2008, it had been a long bull-run which made it one of the most profitable exchanges in the world.

Whatever gains it recorded up till then were, however, wiped out fast within two years. By 2009, it had witnessed a 34 per cent decline, making it the world’s worst performing equity index, according to Bloomberg. In the first three weeks of 2009 alone, the NSE recorded 14 percent fall in capitalisation, the world’s second largest in share price depreciation after the Qatar Stock Exchange, which lost 18 per cent within the same period.

However, post-global financial crisis, the Nigerian market outperformed a number of global markets. Nigeria’s decline of 16 per cent in market capitalisation should be viewed in the context of

a 22.8 per cent stock market decline in China (SSEA), 16.3 per cent in Brazil, 22.6 per cent in India, 48.9 per cent in Egypt, 26 per cent in Italy, 30.3 per cent in Argentina, 18.4 per c ent in France.

Over the past two years, SEC through its reform has been implementing some game changers to help return the bulls to the market and restore investors’ confidence.

Regulation will guarantee safety of investment in the market and this is what every investor desires.

Given the importance of the fixed income market in providing long term funds for the economy and in the quest to deepen the capital market, the Commission embarked on measures to develop this sector of the market through introduction of rules such as those on book building and shelf registration among others. These initiatives have shortened the average issuance period and improved the price discovery process for bond issues and other issuance. To facilitate the development of the bond market, a bond resident adviser was engaged for a period of 18 months through an IFC/ESMID programme. As a result of these efforts by the SEC, bond issuance by sub-national and corporates has increased.

The Commission has taken a num-

ber of steps to strengthen Collective Investment Schemes through more regular on-site and off-site inspections of the schemes as well as transfer of fund assets to custodians to better safeguard the assets. It has also strengthened trustees’ oversight of the schemes and initiated the formation of an Association of Fund Managers, as a trade group. In addition, the Commission holds periodic meetings with the association and has made extensive overhaul of rules on Collective Investment Schemes which have improved the operation of such schemes.

Furthermore, the Commission took some actions against erring fund managers and trustees. The various actions of the Commission have improved confidence in CIS schemes resulting in the flotation of more schemes in different ways. As at February, this year, there were 43 registered Collective Investment Schemes with a net asset value of N85.3 billion.

The schemes included bond funds, equity funds, balanced funds, ethical and Islamic funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) as well as Private Equity Funds. These provided investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolio.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

52

MONEY

Four banks declare N652b gross earnings F

OUR banks’ results reported in the last two weeks showed combined gross earnings of N652.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Zenith Bank led the packs with N244.1 billion, followed by GT Bank with N188.8 billion, Access Bank made N138.9 billion while First City Monument Bank (FCMB) secured N80.3 billion, to make the cumulative figure.

The banks have all released their result to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) even as more announcements are expected from the remaining banks in line with the common year end policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The plan was designed to enhance the regulator’s hand-on knowledge of the banks’operations, the complexity of their risk profile and to provide real-time and continuous evaluation of their operations.

The result details showed that Zenith Bank recorded modest growth across major income lines.

Gross earnings were up by 26.8 per cent from N192.5 billion in 2010 to N244.1 billion in 2011. Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Profit After Tax (PAT) were at N60.7 billion and

Stories by Collins Nweze N44.2 billion while net margins stood at 133 basis points lower than recorded in 2010.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment and research firm, insists that the market will pay more for the bank’s impressive profitability profile, high asset quality and consistently lower than average risk ratios in the medium to long term.

GTBank audited result shows gross earnings of N188.8 billion, as against N153.9 billion in the comparable period of 2010. Profit after tax and extra-ordinary item stood at N52.6 billion compared with profit after tax of N38.3 billion in 2010. The Net Asset Value stood at N238.7 billion compared with N210.8 billion in 2010.

Analysts described the result as “showing impressive growths in top and bottom lines”. Their review indicated that the bank outperformed the gross earnings target by 4.1 per cent net earnings. The bank also recorded improvement in profitability metrics as its net margin came in at 27.9 per cent up by 300 basis points yearly. The bank proposed a final dividend of

85 kobo, a yield of about six per cent of current market price.

The result upbeat continued with Access Bank with audited result for the year ended December 31, 2011 showing gross earnings of N138.9 billion as against N91.1 billion in the comparable period of 2010. The Net Asset Value stood at N197 billion compared with N175.3 billion in 2010.

Similarly, PBT and PAT for the lender surged by 25.6 per cent and 51 per cent to N20.3 billion and N16.7 billion. The result, however, showed a decline in the bank’s PBT margin from 17.7 per cent to 14.6 per cent while its net margin stayed relatively flat at 12 per cent.

For FCMB, the trend changed to negative. Although the bank’s audited result for the year ended December 21, 2011 shows gross earnings of N80.3 billion as against N62.6 billion in the comparable period of 2010, but loss after tax stood at N9.9 billion. PAT was N7.9 billion in 2010. The negative profit was largely on the back of N32.5 billion cumulative impairment charge taken by the bank last year.

Analysts insist that the bank’s

• GMD Zenith Bank, Godwin Emefiele

• GMD FCMB, Ladi Balogun

imminent scale addition from its acquisition drive portends significant cost synergies for the bank’s funding sources and geographic reach. “We, however, place our target price under review as we look

to adjust our forecasts for the lender, pending further clarity on the drivers of these recent earnings performance, as well as progress on the acquisition of FinBank,” Afrinvest said.

Bad credits killing finance firms, says credit bureau

B

• From left: Business Development, eBusiness Manager, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Francis Nwoboshi; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Brett Goschen; and General Manager, Mobile Money Marketing and Strategy, Mr Usoro Anthony Usoro, at the signing of an MoU on Mobile Money partnership between MTN and Stanbic IBTC in Lagos ... at the weekend.

‘E-pensions, supplies, others to save costs’

T

HE take-off of the electronic payment to suppliers, taxes, salaries and pensions by the government will save it billions of naira, experts have said.

They further said it will promote transparency and accountability in governance and increase internally generated revenue (IGR) for the country.

Such an option would have stopped the alleged N700 billion fraud at the Pension Unit of the Office of Head of Service of Federation and other wastes in some government agencies.

In a statement, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which initiated the process, said e-payment is also expected to ensure confidentiality of information for both the government and the public.

The regulator said there is the need to further enlighten and carry along stakeholders in the implementation of e-payment to suppliers, workers and pensioners. Such a campaign is expected to create the needed awareness that will enable

the government to reap the desired results from the project.

To make the exercise a success, the apex bank has, in collaboration with key stakeholders, developed the National Payments Systems Vision 2020 (NPSV 2020). It is a subset of the Financial Systems Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020).

Expectedly, beneficiaries are to open an account or e-purse with a bank, verify the details of tax agencies, employees, pensioners and suppliers at the request of the employers and other banks. They are also expected to acquire basic epayment infrastructure, activate selected e-payment solutions, train relevant staff on the use of the new system before starting its use.

Once the process is completed, the beneficiaries would stop manual cheques, mandates, schedules for payments. They are also to endorse compliance charter and send copies to the Central Bank.

The CBN said the progress made by the Federal Government in the e-payments of salaries to wokers

and contractors/suppliers, the growing acceptance among the citizens of innovations, such as the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and mobile telephony and commitment by the banking community to improve the supporting infrastructure for seamless electronic payments were encouraging.

Other e-services being fine-tuned in the country is the e-dividend. It is sponsored by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It allows dividends to be paid simultaneously to shareholders through the Nigerian Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) bulk services.

With that, shareholders do not need any dividend warrant. It was introduced because many shareholders, especially the small ones, are not collecting their dividends.

Already, the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) said 16 Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have keyed into the service, while 18 are bridging the infrastructure gap and securing needed funds to start it.

ADLY loans and abuse of lending guidelines by operators have been tipped as the major source of problems facing finance companies in the country.

Managing Director, CRC Credit Bureau, Tunde Popoola, told The Nation that majority of the finance companies affected by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licences revocation threat never had anything to do with finding the true identities of their borrowers from credit bureaux.

He said the operators, who already know they are not following the CBN directive, book loans at random without recourse to any law.

Other analysts insist that deposit money banks involvement in retail banking and the presence of grassroots banking (microfinance banks) have cornered large portion of finance companies businesses.

Finance houses are expected to get directly involved in the businesses of the borrowers, and can bridge long gaps between commercial banks and their customers because approvals are faster, but risks higher. They charge higher interest rates because aside equity funding, their other capitals are borrowed from banks since they are

not deposit taking banks.

The high cost of funds for the firms, plus poor corporate governance and risk management processes led to the CBN order requiring the 47 inactive or closed finance firms to submit evidence of their existence and/or operations, or lose their operating licences.

The banking watchdog said the affected finance companies had closed shop, ceased to operate, or abandoned finance company business.

The order came after the regulator carried out routine examination on the 106 finance companies under its supervisory purview, with 55 found to be actively engaged in the finance company business and four others undergoing restructuring. The CBN, in statement, said only the 59 finance firms with CBN licences are the institutions approved to carry on finance company business in the country.

The CBN had last year said it would start comprehensive reforms of the finance houses subsector this year. The regulator said the sector, still wallowing in neglect and lacking clearly defined operational structure, has been relegated to the background in recent years.

FirstBank unveils dual currency Visa Card

I

N its commitment to ease epayment for its customers, FirstBank Nigeria Plc has introduced a Visa debit card, that can be linked to both naira and dollar accounts of the customer.

The product, which in array of its e-banking tools, is Chip and PIN enabled that give users online real-time access to their funds. The card can be used to make payments through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of sale terminals and web merchants.

In a statement, the bank said Europay, MasterCard and VISA EMV- Chip and PIN card have the highest security guarantee for customers’ transactions based global best practices.“The dual currency card, which can be linked to both naira and dollar accounts, when you in the country or abroad.

It has a life span of two years and is used anywhere VISA logos are displayed,” it said.

The bank explained that the card has a three digit number on the reverse of the card for additional security for web transactions,

adding that the hologram on the right hand is an additional security feature, which assures you of the authenticity of the product.

According to the bank, the product is easy, convenient, has portable access to funds and is accepted at over 29 million locations and for cash withdrawals at over 1.8 million ATMs in over 200 countries worldwide wherever its logo is displayed.

The product also has a daily ATM withdrawal limit of N100,000, and maximum daily POS transaction limit of N500,000 locally while daily ATM withdrawal limit of $1,000 when used abroad. It said the product is highly secured, EMV compliant and can be received within 72 hours of completing necessary documentations.

“It is a highly secure and EMV compliant card produced with global standard that is easy payment solution for online/web purchases, can be linked to both naira and dollar accounts as well as enjoys promotions targeted at Visa cardholders worldwide,” the bank explained.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-3-12

Unilever, UACN Group to pay N9.5b dividends •Market slips further

U

NILEVER Nigeria Plc and UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Group, two major conglomerates on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday announced they would be distributing about N9.5 billion to shareholders as cash dividends for the immediate past business year.

Unilever Nigeria distribute N5.30 billion, almost 96 per cent of its net earnings, to shareholders while the three quoted companies under the UACN Group-UACN, CAP and UACN Property Development Company (UPDC), will distribute a total of N4.19 billion.

The board of Unilever Nigeria indicated that shareholders will receive a dividend of N1.40 per share as the company submitted major performance highlights indicating appreciable growths across key indicators.

Under the UACN Group, CAP would be paying the highest dividend per share of N1.60 while UACN and

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

UPDC would pay N1.50 and 65 kobo respectively.

Altogether, UACN would distribute N2.4 billion while UPDC and CAP would distribute N896 million and N894 million respectively.

The board of UACN Group said it was still awaiting the final audited report and accounts from the auditors, assuring that it will provide details of key fundamentals immediately it received the report.

Audited report and accounts of Unilever Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed that turnover rose from N46.81 billion in 2010 to N54.72 billion in 2011. Profit before tax closed 2011 at N7.98 billion as against N6.15 billion recorded in 2010. Profit after tax also increased from N4.18 billion to N5.49 billion in 2011.

The conglomerate’s shareholders’ funds improved to N9.66 billion compared

with N8.34 billion in 2010.

Meanwhile, the downtrend at the Nigerian stock market continued yesterday as the benchmark value index slipped further by 0.40 per cent, cutting the year-to-date return to 0.89 per cent.

The All Share Index, which tracks values of all equities, dropped from 21,000.14 points to 20,916.02 points. Aggregate market value of all equities dwindled to N6.633 trillion as against its opening value of N6.661 trillion.

Total Nigeria topped the slackers’ list with a loss of N8.14 to close at N154.77.

UACN followed with a loss of N1.56 to close at N29.79.

PZ Cussons Nigeria lost 91 kobo to close at N24.09.

Unilever Nigeria dropped by 50 kobo to N31 while Zenith Bank lost 45 kobo to close at N12.30.

On the upside, Okomu Oil Palm continued to ride on the back of its N4 dividend per share as it chalked up the highest gain of N1.21 to close at N25.41. Guinness Nigeria followed with a gain of 97 kobo to close at N230. Cadbury Nigeria added 57 kobo to close at N12.12 while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company rose by 31 kobo to close at N7.75.

Total turnover stood at 406.3 million shares valued at N3.11 billion in 4011 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-3-12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Cash-less: embassies, diplomatic missions get waivers

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted waivers on penalties to embassies, diplomatic missions, multilateral and aid donor agencies in the country on cash withdrawal and deposits with regards to the cashless project.

A circular from the CBN addressed to all banks, cash-in-transit companies, payment system service providers, switches, card acquirers, issuers and processors as well as the general public.

The circular tagged: ‘Industry Policy on Retail Cash Collection and Lodgment as it Affects Specialised International Institutions,’ was signed by CBN Acting Director, Banking and Payment System Unit, Gaius Emokpae. He

Stories by Collins Nweze

explained that Nigeria is a signatory to several treaties, which exempt these institutions from all fees and charges from host country. He said sovereign states do not impose financial penalties on other states.

“As a matter of international practice, sovereign states do not impose financial penalties on other sovereign states. This prompted the CBN to extend cash withdrawal /deposit to these institutions.

“The CBN therefore exempts all embassies, diplomatic missions, multilateral and Aid Donor Agencies in Nigeria from penalties and charges on cash withdrawal and

deposits, regarding the cashless Nigeria project,” the circular said.

The apex bank had earlier granted exemptions to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal and state governments on lodgments for accounts operated by them, for the purpose of revenue collections only.

It reiterated that the cash-less policy applies to transactions conducted in branches of banks situated in Lagos State only for now, even as the implementation of the newly approved processing charges by deposit money banks in Lagos will commence on April 1, 2012. The charges are subject to review every six months.

The recent review of the cash-

less policy increased daily cumulative cash withdrawals/lodgments limits of N150,000 and N1 million to N500,000 and N3 million on free withdrawals and lodgments by individual and corporate customers respectively.

The CBN has also reviewed downwards, the processing fee for withdrawals above the limit for individual customers from 10 per cent to three per cent. The processing fee for withdrawals above the limit for corporate bodies was also reviewed downwards from 20 per cent to five per cent.

The processing fee for lodgments above the limit for individual customers was equally reviewed downwards from 10 per cent to two per cent, while the pro-

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

cessing fee for lodgments above the limit for corporate bodies has also been reviewed downwards from 20 per cent to three per cent.

Fed Govt to guarantee bonds for infrastructure

T

HE Federal Government plans to guarantee bonds sold by companies involved in large-scale road, rail and power projects, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The framework for “issuing the sovereign guarantees is still being fine-tuned,” Patience Oniha, Executive Director in charge of Market Development, told Bloomberg News. She didn’t give details of the companies that may benefit from the debt guarantees.

Power supply in Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is less than half demand, causing regular blackouts in the country. President Goodluck Jonathan plans to sell six power plants and majority stakes in 11 power- distribution companies to end a state monopoly.

Debt guarantees will enable companies to fund projects that “they may ordinarily have been unable to

embark upon due to inability to access large and long-term capital required,” Oniha said. The programme is “intended to be used as a means of supporting private sector operators who are involved in projects that have large macroeconomic benefits either alone or in partnership with the government.”

Sovereign guarantees will reduce the need for the government to borrow directly from capital markets, Oniha said. The Finance Ministry said in its December budget plan it will borrow N794 billion on the local capital market in 2012. The DMO twice postponed its monthly bond auctions this year as borrowing costs increased. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised its benchmark interest rate by six percentage points to a record 12 per cent since September 2010.

“In view of the high interest rate

environment, occasioned by tight monetary policy stance, a moderation in government borrowing would be positive,” CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi said on March

Keystone Bank promotes 995 staff

I

IN keeping with its promise of rewarding hard work and excellence, the management of Keystone Bank has promoted 995 of its workforce. The promotion exercise which is the first by the bank since it commenced operations in August last year, is the result of the 2011 yearend appraisal exercise and is in furtherance of the bank’s ‘Let Rebuild’ initiative which it adopted for 2012.

In announcing the promotions, the Managing Director, Oti Ikomi, said “the bank will continue to drive a culture of meritocracy and reward deserving staff” stating that “ only

staff eligible for promotion were recommended.”

Ikomi, through a statement, said the exercise was done to ensure that the bank upheld a promotion exercise that was transparent, fair and of equitable, adding that supervisors, alongside Management and Executive Committee of the bank held calibration meetings to determine the top performers to be promoted.

“In the end, performance scores, promotion readiness, demonstrated competencies at the next level, available vacancies and tenure were the criteria used to arrive at the list of

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 Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS 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

GAINERS AS AT 27-3-12 SYMBOL

OKOMUOIL CADBURY AIRSERVICE LIVESTOCK BAGCO INTBREW PAINTCOM IKEJAHOTEL NAHCO PRESTIGE

113m

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

24.20 11.55 1.85 1.05 1.70 5.65 0.89 1.36 7.44 0.64

25.41 12.12 1.94 1.10 1.78 5.91 0.93 1.42 7.75 0.66

1.21 0.57 0.09 0.05 0.08 0.26 0.04 0.06 0.31 0.02

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

5.00 162.91 31.35 3.25 4.12 3.31 3.75 1.52 1.14 0.72

C/PRICE

4.75 154.77 29.79 3.09 3.92 3.15 3.57 1.45 1.09 0.69

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

Current Before

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

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%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

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

Date

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

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

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

0.25 8.14 1.56 0.16 0.20 0.16 0.18 0.07 0.05 0.03

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 27-3-12

CCNN TOTAL UACN VITAFOAM SKYEBANK UBN ETERNAOIL CUSTODYINS STERLNBANK JAPAULOIL

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

the 995 top performers who were promoted,” he stated.

The staff, most of whom have not been so recognised in the last four years and more, Jkomi explained, were those in the Executive trainee to Manager cadre, adding that other promotions from Senior Manager upwards would be announced upon board approval in line with corporate governance.

He said the bank is also expected to absorb eligible staff from its partner organisations who will undergo a conversion exercise in the course of the year.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

The yield on Nigeria’s $500 million of Eurobonds due 2021 was at a record low of 5.4 per cent yesterday, 80 basis points lower since the beginning of the year.

20. Government debt stood at 17.8 per cent of gross domestic product in 2011, while the ratio of debt-service to government revenue was 19.1 per cent, he said.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 1,177.37 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 99.76 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.89 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,666.70 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.24 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,137.57 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 1,160.06 99.49 0.72 1.08 0.88 1,663.73 7.84 1.33 1.80 6,953.84 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

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56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

57

NEWS

3,000 Fulani move to Cross River •Communities to govt: relocate them

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VER 3,000 Fulani from Katsina Ala in Benue State are taking refuge in Utanga, Obanliku Local Government of Cross River State, following their displacement as a result of communal clash.

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) arrived Utanga with thousands of their livestock, mostly cattle.

The IDPs are now settling in about four camps.

Some of them, who spoke through interpreters, said hundreds of their people and cattle were still on their way from Benue State.

Governor Liyel Imoke directed the State Emergency Management Agency

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

(SEMA) to intervene immediately.

Presenting relief materials to them yesterday , SEMA’s Director-General Vincent Aquah assured them of safety.

He advised them to be law- abiding.

The Director-General said discussions between Cross River and Benue states were on to resolve the crisis and return them to their home as soon as possible.

Aquah, who also addressed the host communities, advised them to accommodate the ‘vistors’ for the short period they were likely to stay.

But the communities have alleged that the people were dumped in their localities by the Benue State Government.

The clan heads of Utanga, Bagga and Besenge said the IDPs were brought in by armed soldiers without their knowledge.

They said the people should be taken back to Taraba State, if the Benue State Government feels it can no longer accommodate them in Katsina Ala, where they were originally domiciled.

According to them, the IDPs, who were brought into the area at midnight, came with about 25 herds of cattle which have started grazing on their farm lands.

They called on the government to come to their aid as their presence is a security threat.

The chairman of Obanlikwu Local Government, Benjamin Ambe, described them as a security threat.

A spokesman for the displaced persons, Wakili Shede Abdullahi, who spoke through an interpreter, Yusu Usman, Chief Imam of Obudu Central Mosque, said they fled their home in Takum, Taraba State, because of inter-ethnic war between Fulani and Tiv and that they initially moved to Katsina Ala, Benue State, from where they were forcefully moved to Obanliku.

Army parades impersonator

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HE 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday paraded a middle-aged man, identified as Abba Ibrahim, who has been on trial for alleged impersonation.

The Army alleged that Ibrahim was in possession of military uniforms and weeds, suspected to be cannabis, when he was arrested.

Parading the suspect yesterday, the Brigade spokesman, Lt. Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said the suspect was picked up by the patrol team with army uniforms of different ranks.

Iliyasu said: “On March 13 at about 2am, Ibrahim was arrested by men of 2 Brigade on patrol at Woji area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This patrol team handed him over to the Military Police here in the barracks.

“He was arrested in a Toyota Highlander, Rivers AH 866 BRR, in which some military items were recovered in the car.

“Consequently, his house was searched by the military police investigators and some weeds suspected to be

•Capt. Sonny Samuel (left) and Lt. Col. Aminu Illyasu displaying the uniform used by Ibrahim ...yesterday PHOTO:NAN From Clarice Azuatalum, Port Harcourt

cannabis were recovered.”

The spokesman said the suspect, who hails from Biliri Local Government of Gombe State, was enlisted into the Army as a member of the 31 Regular Recruitment in 1991 but left in controversial circumstances.

He said in December 2008, Ibrahim, fully dressed in military attire with the rank of army captain, was arrested in Ahoada Local Government in a vehicle loaded with substance suspected to

be cannabis and was handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He was still on trial before the latest arrest.

“Abba in 2003 was courtmartialled by the Army at 82 Division for allegedly shooting and maiming a civilian.

“Consequently, Abba left the army in questionable circumstances.

“Since his exit, he is alleged to have been engaged in several criminal acts, ranging from escorting vehicles from Cotonou in Benin Republic and sales of sub-

stances, such as cannabis, using army uniform of different ranks to evade police arrest.

“In 2004, he was arrested by soldiers around MTN office in Port Harcourt while escorting a car in army uniform and was handed over for further investigation but there was no feedback.”

Ibrahim said he engaged in impersonation for easy movement of cars to his customers to raise money to pay off his lawyer since the Army could not provide one for him in his on-going case.

Ekiti NULGE officials die in road accident

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IVE persons, including the Ekiti State Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ayo Afolalu, died yesterday in a road accident.

The accident was said to have occurred on the BeninAkure Road, near the Nigeria Institute for Oil-palm Research (NIFOR), when the Honda Accord conveying the Ekiti NULGE officials collided with an oncoming lorry while attempting to avoid a faulty vehicle on the road.

Afolalu was travelling with his driver, Ojo, Personal Assistant Lucas and two Corps members attached to his office.

It was gathered that the officials were on their way to Benin, the Edo State capital, to attend the second Special National Delegates’ Conference with the theme:”Restructuring the Union and Local Government Autonomy”.

The incident caused confu-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin and Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

sion at the venue of the conference when the news broke.

Delegates already seated for the event cried and left the hall.

NULGE National President Ibrahim Khalee later adjusted the time for the commencement of the conference from 11am to 2pm.

The Unit commander of

the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Toll Gate Unit Command, Benin, Olusesan Taiwo, said the bodies had been deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital(UBTH) morgue.

Ekiti State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ayodeji Aluko confirmed the incident.

Aluko said a lorry carrying logs rammed into their vehicle and crushed the offi-

cials.

The Public Relations Officer of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Ekiti State, Mrs Nike Olusoji, confirmed the incident, saying two female Corps members were involved.

She said: “The NYSC has informed Governor Kayode Fayemi about the incident.

The scheme is working to investigate the accident and the identities of the corps members.”

Delta Speaker’s brother, others kidnapped

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ARELY a week after the Delta State Police Command rescued a woman and her three kids from kidnappers in Effurun, the younger brother of the Speaker of theHouse of Assembly, Victor Ochei, an Indian and two others were yesterday kidnapped at various locations in Asaba, the capital.

The Speaker’s brother was said to be on his honeymoon.

The Indian, working with Asaba Aluminium Company, was said to have been

forcefully taken away from his house on Biose Matthew Avenue, off DLA Road, by the gunmen.

The kidnappers were said to have trailed the Indian ,who was returning from work and bundled him into their waiting car.

However, circumstances that led to the others been abducted were still sketchy and their identities unknown.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said officers are working to arrest the hoodlums.

Tukur to Jonathan: focus more on economy

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EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur yesterday assumed office with a wishlist. He wants President Goodluck Jonathan to play less politics and focus on growing the economy.

Tukur fired darts at other parties, saying they “sit in one room and pick their officers”.

Tukur, who took over the reins of office from Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje yesterday, said his team would ensure that Jonathan is not distracted by partisan politics, adding: “The need to turn the economy around should be the President’s major concern.”

“We have come to help the President to focus more on the economy than partisan politics,” he said warning members of the new National Working Committee (NWC) not to use their positions to further their political careers.

According to him, the mission of the NWC is to transform the party, which he promised would provide a level playing field for all.

He said: “We have come to be those neutral referees the PDP needs right now. We have come to ensure that both the executive and the legislature are on the same page, which is to make Nigeria great economically, socially and politically.

“My support staff and I will never use this office as a platform for launching political careers. They are here to work to turn the PDP into a great party and help the government turn the economy round.

We will help to implement the party’s manifesto and we will not operate below the radar”.

Earlier in his address, the immediate past chairman, Baraje charged Tukur and his team to render selfless service to the party, stressing that the PDP is the only party that has

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

imbibed democratic principles in the conduct of party and general elections.

According to him, the party has devolved power to its state and local government chapters, a development, which he said, has allowed the party to function independently at all levels. He said any attempt to reverse the trend would be resisted.

Baraje said: “PDP remains the only party to beat in terms of bringing forth internal and external democratic elections.

The other parties sit in one room and pick their officers. I call on other parties to emulate the PDP”.

He assured the new leadership team that the outgoing members of the NWC would continue to make their services available to the party whenever they are required to do so.

Baraje urged Tukur and his team to appreciate the contributions of the past leadership to the party’s development and to continue from where they stopped.

He said the party was bound to face challenges, pleading that efforts must be intensified to engender internal democracy.

Others who assumed office yesterday included Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (National Secretary); Sam Sam Jaja (Deputy National Chairman); Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary); Kema Chikwe (National Women Leader); Sixty-year-old Garba Ciza (National Youths Leader).

Among party chieftains present at the event which took place at the PDP national secretariat were two of its former national chairmen, Senators Ahmadu Ali and Barnabas Gemade.

EU, NBA, CJN disagree over abolition of death penalty

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HE European Union (EU), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher yesterday disagreed over call for the abolition of death penalty.

While the EU called for its abolition, the NBA said the call was premature.

The NBA President, Mr. Joseph Bodunde Daudu (SAN), told the European Union officials and the Lawyers without Borders who are jointly making the call that what Nigeria needs most now is orientation against crime and not abolition of death sentence.

Daudu claimed that the call for death penalty abolition was ill-timed in view of the rampaging activities of the Boko Haram sect that have led to untimely deaths and severe injuries of innocent Nigerians.

He advised the EU and the lawyers to direct their energies to re-orientate the criminally-minded Nigerians to stay out of crime and allow peace to reign.

However, the EU Head of Political Governance and Democracy in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Allan Munday, stood his ground.

He advocated for life imprisonment instead of death penalty as being practised in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

The union vowed to engage lawyers for all the ac-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

cused persons standing trial in all the cases that prescribed death penalty.

Munday pleaded with the Federal Government to see reason with the union and phase out death sentence in the country’s law books, adding that the effort would not be stopped until their aims are achieved.

He argued that most advanced countries of the world have abolished death penalty.

Daudu, who condemned the use of torture to obtain statement from the accused persons, objected to the outright cancellation of death penalty for murder cases.

“How would you feel if your family member is among those so far killed by the Boko Haram sect? In our law, there are offences that prescribe death penalty and I believe what the European Union should do is to re-orientate Nigerians against crime.”

Justice Musdapher told the conference that as far as Nigeria is concerned, death penalty remains in her laws and shall remain so until the National Assembly amends the constitution.

Speaking through his Special Assistant, Mr. Hadiza Sontali Sa’eed, the CJN said the constitution remained the supreme law for the country and prescribed death penalty for some offences.

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

NEWS Reps slam Ecological Fund Office

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HE Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Funds Office, Mac John Nwaobiala, has said he has no details of the total earnings of the office from the Federation Account from 2007 till date.

He added that the office was not in control of its funds or remittances to states and local governments, and neither was the office involved in the payment of contractors handling projects for the office.

Nwaobiala, who appeared at an investigative hearing by the House Committee on Environment into the utilisation of ecological funds, yesterday, drew the ire of members of the committee when he said

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

he was unaware of the accumulated earnings of the funds since 2007.

Chairman of the committee, Uche Ekwenufe, had decried the failure of the Ecological Funds Office to furnish the committee with key documents necessary at the hearing.

“We wrote to you over a month ago, yet you could not furnish the committee with the statement of account of the Ecological Funds, details of the accumulated funds to the office since 2007 as well as total amount received from 2007 to date.”

Don’t be deceived, Edo SSG urges HE Secretary to Edo students State Government, Dr.

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Simon Imuekemhe has urged students in tertiary institutions to resist any form of inducement capable of influencing their choice of candidate in the July 14 governorship election.

Imuekemhe spoke yesterday during the presentation of the public service award of excellence on him by Association of Etsako Students University of Benin (UNIBEN) and University of Benin Teachin Hospital (UBTH) chapter said: “Oshiomhole has shown eve-

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHIDIEBERE This is to inform the general public that CALISTUS CHIDIEBERE is one and same person as EZE CALISTUS CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

rybody that Edo State can be taken to the next level and I want to tell you as students that you should not allow anybody to deceive you. Don’t allow anybody to buy your votes but use your votes to determine the future of the state. I want you to carry this enlightenment to the various communities and villages.

“Again, do not allow anybody to cheat you. You must insist that your votes should count and you must protect it.

Do not allow any fake result.

“It is usually very delightful for young people to be associated with development and that is why we encourage this association to grow. I have watched many of you grow and that is the prayer of fathers to contribute and watch children grow.”

A •Elumelu

Alleged N5.2b fraud: Court frees Elumelu

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday freed Ndudi Elumelu of complicity in the alleged N5.2 billion Rural Electrification Agency (REA) fraud.

Elumelu was the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power at the last National Assembly.

The court, presided over

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

by Justice Garba Umar, while delivering ruling on an application filed on behalf of Elumelu who was listed as the eighth accused person held that the proof of evidence attached to the charge established no link with the accused person.

According to him, subjecting Elumelu to the rigours

of trial would amount to further abuse of court process.

Justice Umar struck out the counts in the charge affecting and relating to Elumelu and subsequently discharged him.

However, the court held that others on trial with Elumelu have cases to answer on the strength of evidence before the court.

Driver remanded for allegedly defiling passenger

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MAGISTRATE’S court sitting in Ilorin has remanded a commercial driver in custody for allegedly defiling a 20-year-old woman.

The accused, Toyin Imam, was remanded at the Federal Medium Security Prison, Mandala, Ilorin.

He was alleged to have raped his passenger for three days at different locations in Ilorin.

Imam also allegedly stole his victim’s money and mobile phone.

The accused was brought to the court after police investigators arrested him, following a complaint lodged by the victim at the “A” Division Police Station.

According to the complaint, the 20-year-old lady boarded Imam’s vehicle, a Toyota Previa with registration number KWARA XC 115 FUF, on March 18 in Ondo,

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Ondo State, heading for Ilorin. She paid the N2,200 transport fare.

The victim claimed she was not familiar with Ilorin and asked the accused to assist her locate her destination in Karuma.

She alleged that the accused later seized her mobile phone and drove her inside a bush where he raped her. He also took her N3, 000.

The victim alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she did not succumb and thereafter took her to Maraba terminus where he raped her again.

“He also took me to Odota area and kept me there for three days after which I shouted for help. It was there that some policemen from Adewole rescued me,” she alleged in the complaint.

In the Police First Information Report (FIR), the accused confessed to the alle-

gations.

When the matter came up, police prosecutor Corporal Sanni Abdullahi objected to bail on the grounds that police investigation was not yet concluded.

Magistrate Mercy Abikoye refused to take the plea of the accused for lack of jurisdiction, but ordered that he should be remanded in prison.

The case will come up for mention on April 16.

Kaduna laments infrastructural decay in schools

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ADUNA State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Bashir Ibrahim Sakadadi, yesterday lamented the poor condition of infrastructure in most of the state-owned science, technical and commercial colleges.

Sakadadi, who spoke

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ja’afaru Saidu, said it was sad that the schools, which were supposed to train pupils in science and technical subjects and prepare them for external examinations, did not have qualified teach-

ers.

He said Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa is committed to renovating and rehabilitating schools to improve their standard, adding that the ministry is seeking the permission of the governor to employ qualified teachers.

Police: Embassy report of gunfire mistaken

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HE Police yesterday insisted what the United States (U.S.) reported as gunshots near its Embassy in Abuja were fire works.

They said there was no evidence of gunshots as claimed by the Embassy.

“We believe there were shots fired in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy. The Nigerian authorities have two individuals in custody. We refer you to the Nigeria Police for further information,” embassy spokesperson Deb Ma-

cLean said.

Police, however, said no one was arrested.

There were reports of confusion in the diplomatic zone and the U.S. Embassy’s claim was investigated and found to be incorrect.

Abuja Chief Judge warns lawyers against fraud •Releases two from prison

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HE Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Mohammed Lawal Gummi, has threatened to report fraudulent lawyers to the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

He issued the threat during a visit to the Kuje prisons yesterday in Abuja, where he released two inmates for lack of diligent prosecution.

Gummi, who was shocked at the number of inmates awaiting trial, said a proposal had been made to enhance quick dispensation of criminal justice.

The Chief Judge said he might begin to discharge accused persons if the prosecutors were not serious in pros-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

ecuting their cases.

One of the accused persons released yesterday, Mohammed Wa, told Gummi that he had spent about five years in custody awaiting trial.

Another inmate who was released, Francis Vincent, said he had spent more than two years in prison without prosecution.

Gummi frowned at the attitude of some lawyers who collect legal fees from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice without appearing for the accused in court.

“I may have to report some of the lawyers involved in this kind of practice to the disci-

•Gummi

plinary committee of the NBA. How can you collect legal fee, appear once or twice in court and abandon the accused person? It is not a good law practice.”

The FCT Controller of Prisons, Kasali Yusuf, said Kuje prisons is currently accommodating 535 prisoners, out of which 102 are convicts, while 433 are awaiting trial.

Kebbi Acting Governor sacks SSG, HOS

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HE Acting Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Habibu Jega, yesterday sacked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmad Sama and the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Ahmed Bunza.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sole Administrator of Kangiwa Local Government, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, has since replaced Sama as the SSG after being sworn-in by Justice Zakari Gulma in Birnin Kebbi.

Alhaji Buhari Haladu also replaced Bunza as the new Head of Service.

Before his appointment, the new Head of Service was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technical Education.

He will be sworn in today. No reason was given for postponing his swearing-in.

After the swearing-in of the new SSG, Jega thanked Sama and Bunza “for the tremendous services they have rendered to the state while in service.”

59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 , 2012

NEWS KPMG report ‘fake’, says Pension HE Pensions Reform Task Force Task Team (PRTT),

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which was set up to probe alleged mismanagement of pension funds in the country, has said the report by renowned audit firm, KPMG, was fake.

KPMG had produced a forensic report which alleged that the task force looted the pension funds.

But the task force said it was yet to receive any such report for critical examination.

It said the clarification was imperative because of a national publication on March 26 which reported that the reform team looted the pension fund, according to the KPMG report.

Describing the report as incorrect, the PRTT drew attention to the bureaucratic structures for expenditure control and auditing in the police pension office.

These include processing of payments and submitting e-payment schedules to the banks where pension funds are domiciled. The rigorous procedure, it said, makes it impossible for anyone in the team to loot the funds.

A statement by the PRTT

Lagos ACN to Omisore: you’re frustrated political opportunist

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

spokesman, Hassan Salihu, on behalf of the team’s Chairman Abdulrasheed A. Maina, reads: “The attention of the Pension Reform Task Team has been drawn to a publication of the Daily Trust of March 26, that it looted the pension funds, according to KPMG. “The Pension Reform Task Team is not aware of any KPMG forensic report that says it looted pension funds.

Till date, nobody has given the Pension Reform Task Team any such KPMG report. Hence, it is a fake KPMG report.

“Another hole of lies backing the report is the saying that Mr. Maina approved for Prof Oladipo Afolabi, the former Head of Service of the Federation. This is very funny and a cheap lie. How could a Deputy Director, who reports to the Head of Service of the Federation for an assignment he assigned to him, approve for Head of Service? Maina does not approve for the Head of Service. This could be verified.”

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HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore is a frustrated political opportunist, who was finding comfort in uttering inanities to cover his frustration.

The party urged Omisore to keep his peace and “mourn the end of his selfish politics” instead of making statements that show his frustration.

In a statement in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe, the party said the recent interview granted ThisDay by Omisore showed that he and his ilk were “finished”.

It urged Omisore to go on to political retirement because his ilk would not be allowed to infest the nation’s politics again.

The statement reads: “The interview revealed the dis-

‘We know that Omisore is finding it hard to outlive the sudden death of his politics of the stomach’ tracted, disturbed and troubled mind of a man that was primed to be a thug; who, when he found himself in an exalted office as the deputy governor of Osun State, debased and reduced the office to the extent that he was ignominiously removed from office. That he waited to be compensated with a Senate seat while still serving time in detention for the alleged murder of Chief Bola Ige, shows that Omisore is a classical impostor that has no place in an orderly and well governed society.

“That he was routed out of office last April, after he saw his carefully constricted house of cards as the next Osun State governor go up in flame, was enough to provoke the kind of anger and frustration he ventilated through the interview.

“The name ‘Omisore’ conjures a reprehensible image of a hired roughneck and a thug; such a shallow understanding of politics is bound to end in the shallow political grave Omisore has ended. His penchant to get flippant with words and make ludicrous claims is only a symptom of his frustration.

“We know that Omisore is finding it hard to outlive the sudden death of his politics of the stomach, with which he and his partners in electoral fraud and impunity infested and looted the South West before their rustication recently.

We know that Omisore is a

Ex-Works Minister, others face new fraud charge From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed new charge against former minister of works, Senator Hassan Mohammed Lawal and others standing trial in the alleged N75 billion fraud.

They are to face amended 49 counts bordering on money laundering.

Those charged alongside Lawal include Dr Adeogba Godwin Ademola, Digital Toll Company Ltd, Dave Enejoh and Okala Philip Yakubu.

Others are Thahal Paul, Swede Control Intertek Ltd, Proman Vital Ventures Ltd, Eng George Ghanem, Wise Health Services Ltd and Abbey Building Society.

Counsel to EFCC, Wahab Shittu said the ingredients of the charge are the same with the earlier one.

Justice Adamu Bello had at the last sitting struck out a preliminary objection raised by Lawal, for lacking in merit.

Upholding the submissions of Shittu, the Judge held that the ex-minister only wanted to hide under technicalities to escape trial adding that his innocence could only be proved during trial.

Lawal had challenged the competence of the charges against him claiming that from the evaluation of the proof of evidence supplied to the court by EFCC, no prima facie case was established against him.

In the objection argued by his counsel, Isaq Ibrahim (SAN), the accused argued that the Federal High Court cannot try him because the alleged offence did not fall under Money Laundering Act. Similar motion was also filed by Wahab Toye on behalf of Dr Adeogba Godwin Ademola who was the second accused person in the trial.

The matter has been adjourned till May 21.

Rights group faults INEC, others over conduct of 2011 polls

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RIGHTS group, the Human Rights Monitor, yesterday expressed worry over the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and the Ministry of Justice to punish electoral offenders during last year’s elections.

The leader of the group, Mr. Festus Okoye, who led a team on an advocacy visit to the secretariat of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Abuja, urged political parties to support the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission and the use of electronic voting system in future elections.

Okoye said Nigeria should to stand firm to break the cycle of impunity on electoral fraud, adding that no

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

progress can be made in sustaining democracy when people ascend to power through subterfuge.

Presenting a report of a study conducted by the group on the progress made in the prosecution of electoral offenders, Okoye regretted the lack of commitment in tackling electoral offences.

“If political parties and politicians agree that electoral offences are one of the issues that must be tackled, we really surprised that they are soft-pedalling on the enacting a law backing the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission (EOC) and use of electronic voting system, “he said.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right) with Hon. Justice George Oguntade rtd (left) and Mr. Kayode Sofola SAN (middle) during the Kehinde Sofola (SAN) Fifth Year Memorial Luncheon with the topic: “The Role of Lawyers in creating a better Nigeria: Can special courts expedite justice and tackle corruption?” at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos...yesterday

frustrated politician who has watched as his house of cards collapsed with the rustication of the impostors that were imposed to drag South West politics to the mud by the erstwhile Obasanjo government.

He is now a desperate loose cannon who finds sounding irritable, rash and unguarded in his use of words as sufficient comfort to cushion him from the cold political exile he had been sentenced to.

“Shifty characters like Omisore are bound to have their one minute in the sun, where like the robots they are, they engage in the dance of shame that characterized the era the Omisores and other impostors reigned in Osun State. Because they were placed on power by the sleight of hand of their master, they saw their commission from the prism of despoliation, which was why no achievement or worthy monument survived their brief reign.

Omisore is a bad footnote in the politics of the South West and Nigeria and that is why, like a rolling stone that gathers no moss, he opens his mouth shamefully to demonstrate to the entire world his nuisance value.

“But we note that the careless deployment of words and use of thuggish means is one notable character of Omisore.

We all know how this roughneck became the hit man of the impostors as their short reign lasted and this was after his notorious involvement in the issues relating to the murder of Chief Bola Ige. We want to remind him that the Bola Ige case is not closed and that one day, he would be called to answer for his involvement in that treacherous art.

“We want to let Omisore know that he is a finished product that will never ever be allowed to infest the South West and national politics. This is a fact he must live with for the rest of his life.”

WAEC is beacon of integration, says Jonathan

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the West African Examination Council (WAEC) is an invaluable beacon of regional cooperation and integration.

The President spoke in Abuja when he opened the 60th annual meeting of the examination body.

WEAC operates in four English-speaking West African countries: Nigeria, Serria Leone, The Gambia and Ghana.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, said: “You stand as an enduring example of exciting possibilities that lie in wait for us in our region, if we muster the requisite vision and

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

political will to leverage on the huge potential that abound.”

He noted that Nigeria had always been at the vanguard of sub-regional and regional cooperation.

Jonathan praised the management of WAEC for keeping to the vision of its founding fathers alive, urged it to champion the cause against examination malpractice.

“Your council cannot afford to spare any effort in the fight against the spectre of examination malpractice,” he said.

Group calls for prosecution of OSOPADEC chair, Speaker, others A

GROUP, Abena Campaign Organization (ACO), yesterday called for the prosecution of the embattled chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Debo Ajimuda, and other indicted persons, over the alleged N61.63billion fraud at the commission.

The group hailed his arrest, saying it confirmed the state auditor’s report and its earlier claim that the present administration was fraudulent.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, ACO said the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Olusegun Mimiko administration was wasting the state’s resources on frivolities.

The statement, by the group’s Publicity Secretary Kayode Ojo, said it would continue to demand accountability from the government.

The statement reads: “How can Ajimuda purchase 25 exotic cars when the citizenry are wallowing in abject poverty?

“The financial status of Dr. Mimiko’s appointees and personal friends, within three

years, is worrisome. They are bourgeois.”

The group said the House of Assembly’s alleged financial recklessness and rascality showed the level of corruption in the state, adding that the legislature, which is meant to be the watchdog to regulate the activities of the executive, has failed in its duties.

The group added: “How can the house management spend N25 million to print 2012 calendar and fumigate the assembly complex with N2.5million?

The group urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to beam their searchlight on other agencies performing the function of local governments as well as the Ministry of Special Duties that award contracts and also act as tenders board.

It alleged that Fountain Construction Company (FCC), which was handling the Adesida-Oyemekun road repairs, was the same contractor in charge of Arakale dualisation project with the self-acclaimed “friend of the governor”, Soji Bello, as its Vice-Chairman.

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NEWS Fed Govt needs $2.5b for water, HE Minister of Water says Minister Resources, Mrs. Sarah

T

Ochekpe, yesterday said the Federal Government needs about $2.5billion to be able to provide access to potable water for at least 75 per cent of Nigerians She said only 58 per cent of Nigerians presently have access to potable water.

But she also said that the government may soon regulate construction of boreholes nationwide to preserve the nation’s ground water.

Ochekpe spoke at the 20th Edition of the Leadership Forum of Nigerian Pilot in Abuja She said: “In terms of access to potable water, we have coverage of about 58 per cent of Nigerians and 30 per cent for effective sanitation. These are figures for 2010 but we have commissioned a consultant to assess the coverage for 2011.

“Our target by 2015 is to have coverage of 75 per cent for water. From the MDG projection, we need about $2.5billion to be able to provide access to potable water for 75 per cent of our population.”

On Lake Chad, the Minister admitted that it has sunk 2,000 square kilometers in the last 40 years.

She added: “From about 27,000 square kilometers in the past 40 years, Lake Chad has sunk into about 2,000 square kilometers. For us in Nigeria , that is quite alarming.

Text of an address by his eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), at the public presentation of the book ‘Ile-Ife: the source of Yoruba Civilization’ at the Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife.

From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

“There are about 57,000 hectares available for irrigation but with the water challenge in South Chad Basin, they could only do about 10 per cent of the land now. So far, Nigeria has committed about $5million for studies on Lake Chad . The report of the studies is almost ready for consideration by the Summit of Heads of States of Lake Chad Commission.

Mrs. Ochekpe said the Federal Government may soon regulate construction of boreholes nationwide to preserve the nation’s ground water.

The Minister said: “It is true that in 2025, we have the likelihood of water crisis and that is why we are talking about it now. With climate change, water is evaporating at a fast rate and we are talking about Integrated Water Management.

“With Climate Change, we don’t expect that the volume of water we have will be big.

But, in the world over, the strategy that is being put forward for Integrated Water Management for all countries to adopt.

“In Nigeria, we already have Integrated Management Commission that is supposed to serve as the regulator, in terms of the use of water.”

‘Our history, record of our struggle’

•Sultan Abubakar

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ET me start by expressing my deep gratitude to the Ooni of Ife for his kind invitation and several reminders to attend this undoubtedly great occasion. I am particularly glad to be here not just to listen and learn, but also to witness an epoch in the history of the Yoruba people. I come from a culture and tradition that has great respect for books and which places a high premium on learning. As many of you may know the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate together wrote over three hundred books and tracts. I therefore feel very comfortable with both the occasion and the location.

The history of a people represents a key component of their identity. It brings out their origin, their exploits and their relations with other peo-

ples and delineates their culture and values. We have a lot to learn from our pre-colonial history, particularly the appreciation of those values and precepts that inform the frame of mind of the majority of our people. Our post-colonial democratic institutions will do well to take into account these values which still dominate our socio-cultural environment.

Your Excellencies, your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Guests, please join me in congratulating the book’s author, Prince Adelegan Adegbola, a renowned Journalist, who has been widely acknowledged as Custodian of the history and culture of the Yoruba people, for his hard work and dedication, in coming up with this masterful work. We commend him most sincerely and we earnestly call upon other writers and intellectuals to emulate the worthy example of Prince Adelegan Adegbola and to bring to light more of the hidden treasures of our history and culture.

Distinguished guests, the history and culture of our people, precious as they are, must not also be left as the preserve of the elders. We must endeavor to disseminate this knowledge especially among the younger generation. It is in connection with this important task that I wish to call upon the Federal Government, especially our educational agencies, to re-introduce the teaching of

history as a compulsory subject in our Primary and Junior Secondary Schools . A situation where by the majority of our school age population is totally disconnected with its past, and the cultural norms and values it embodies, is not only counter-productive but portends great danger to the development of the country.

Our future leaders must be imbued with a clear understanding of the history of our diverse peoples, their character and identity and the value systems which mediated their societal life. We can only ignore this vital aspect of nationbuilding at our own peril.

Your Excellencies, your Royal Highnesses, we must also understand our history as the record of our collective struggle to interact with each other, and to understand and accommodate one another.

The ancient State of Katsina for example, because of these dynamic interactions, was aware of the developments in Yoruba land as early as the seventeenth century. One of its most erudite scholars, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Umar Al- Kashnawi, popularly known as Dan Masani, who died in 1667, wrote the history of Yoruba land, under the Arabic title of Azhar al-ruba fi akhbar Yuruba. It is now presumed lost. Similarly, the Nupes and several other peoples also interacted actively

and for several centuries with Yoruba land, thereby producing a complex web of relationship which subsists up till today. The point we wish to raise is that the interaction and the inter-relation between our various peoples, was not created

by Lord Lugard in 1914. It goes much deeper. We must re-enforce these sturdy historical foundations if we wish to build a virile nation.

Finally, I wish to state that the triumph of history and its attendant glories, should always serve to strengthen our efforts in uniting our people and in bringing peace and harmony. We must strive to acknowledge the universality of our common humanity and the favors which God Almighty has bountifully bestowed on us. We must always remember the noble words of the Holy Qur’an when it says: “O Mankind, we created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other (not that you may despise one another).

Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things) [Qur’an 49:13].

With these words, I thank you immensely for your kind attention. I wish you all a successful Ceremony.

Wassalamu Alaikum

NDIC denies owing failed banks’ depositors

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HE National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has denied owing depositors of failed banks.

The corporation, in a reaction to a report said it has performed its function creditably well.

The statement signed by its Head, Communication and Public Affairs, H. S. Birchi noted that “as one of the nation’s financial safety-net participants, the Corporation has since its inception in 1989 been very much alive to its statutory mandate and committed to depositor protection. It has also been contributing to the safety, soundness and stability of the financial system; as such, the case of the 13 banks closed in 2006 was no exception.”

The statement reads: “At the completion of the bank consolidation programme in 2005, the 13 banks mentioned in the article had their licences revoked by the CBN following their failure to meet up with the CBN N25billion recapitalisation requirement. Consequently, rather than face outright liquidation, NDIC adopted the Purchase & Assumption (P&A) as a failure resolution option to protect the interest of depositors with the exception of Fortune Bank and Triumph Bank whose shareholders challenged the revocation of their banking licences in courts. In addition, the Federal Government, through the CBN, provided blanket guarantee to all private sector depositors.

“Under the P&A arrangement, the deposits of all the private depositors of 11 of the13 affected banks were transferred to four (4) of the 24 healthy banks which met the CBN recapitalisation requirement and also showed interest in acquiring part of the assets and as-

By Wale Ajetunmobi

suming part of the liabilities of the affected banks. The healthy banks acquired the respective closed banks through competitive bidding.

“The NDIC paid the insured portion of the depositors’ funds which were transferred to the assuming banks, thus guaranteeing their continuous transactions with the assuming banks. This gave the affected depositors easy access to their funds without conditions. For being one of the 11 banks, the defunct Gulf Bank was acquired by UBA Plc and all the deposit liabilities were assumed by the UBA. It is therefore very unfair to claim that any depositor of the defunct Gulf Bank had lost his/ her entire deposit. In addition and as a result of the blanket guarantee provided to all private sector depositors, a total sum of N66.757 billion had been paid to those depositors as dividend through their respective assuming banks. Besides, out of the 48 banks whose licences were revoked by the CBN since 1994, NDIC had successfully handled the liquidation of 45 as at December, 2011.

“Furthermore, the Corporation had commenced payment of the insured sums to the affected depositors of the defunct Peak Merchant Bank, Triumph and Fortune Banks in order to reduce their agonies before the litigations brought by their shareholders were concluded. A total of N26.29million had been paid to depositors of the defunct Fortune Bank, the sum of about N2.5 million had been paid to insured depositors of Peak Merchant Bank while another sum of N1.63million had

been paid to depositors of the erstwhile Triumph Bank as at the end of December 2011.It is therefore a misrepresentation of the facts to say that the NDIC did nothing to address the travails of the affected depositors and also pretended that the Corporation was not restrained by the suits from paying depositors of the bank.

“Besides, as we speak, all the depositors whose names are genuinely in the deposit registers of any of the 11 closed banks and they are yet to file their claims are free to do so in the respective assuming banks listed above.

“For the NDIC therefore, the issue of depositors of failed banks appealing to it for the payment of the insured sums in the event of failure of any bank has never arisen because the Corporation has always been up and doing in prompt payment of insured deposits.

“On the issue of the N12billion, it is instructive to state that the Federal Government did not at any time set aside N12billion or any other amount for the purpose of payment of the depositors of the 13 banks closed in 2006.It is also worthy to note that the Corporation had since 2010 increased the maximum insured amount from N200,000 to N500,000.00 to depositors of failed deposit money banks (DMBs)and from N100,000 to N200,000 to depositors of microfinance banks (MFBs) and primary mortgage institutions (PMIs).For depositors whose deposits fall above the insured sums, the Corporation usually arrange to settle their balances as liquidation dividends from the proceeds realised on the sales of physical assets of the failed banks and recovery of loans owed to the failed banks and not from any fund set aside by the Federal Government.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

Desperate Attempts by Benue ACN to malign Gov. Suswam T

By Cletus Akwaya

erfa Taga’s syndicated feature with the title “Governor Suswam’s Certificate Forgery Saga”, which has been published in some national dailies, is part of the grand design by his sponsors, who are obviously remnants of the fast decimating opposition political camp in Benue state to soil the good name of the Benue state Governor, Dr Gabriel Torwua Suswam. The warped calculation by the sponsors of this article is to impugn the governor’s hard- earned reputation, having lost out at the Benue Election Petitions Tribunal.

In recent times, the opposition elements in Benue politics have chosen to sponsor some dirty jobs against Governor Suswam in the Nigerian media under several faceless groups. On some occasions, they adopted the identity of “concerned Benue Youths” while on other occasions, they bear the identity of “Concerned Benue Professionals” or such similar faceless organizations. We need not consult the gods to know that the syndicated feature under reference is yet another appearance of the opposition parties in the state. Given this background, there is a strong temptation to ignore the sponsored articles, which appeared in some national newspapers earlier this week. However, doing so will leave the public with no other alternative than accept the tissue of lies churned out in the said article, hence this intervention.

To begin with, the author of the piece who goes by the name “Terfa Taga” is of doubtful identity. Our investigations have shown that there is no such person as Terfa Taga.

In any case, the likes of Terfa Taga have featured serially, in such clandestine manner in the past, authoring one malicious report or the other, against Governor Suswam.

Those ‘ghost’ writers were later discovered to be handiwork of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Benue state. In this instance too, it is obvious that Terfa Taga is a fictious name or a hireling of the ACN, if at all he is in existence.

The article by Taga was at best an exercise in narrative recital as nothing fresh was contained in the boring piece other than the same old unfounded allegation of certificate forgery. For the purpose of clarity, I have elected to separate the issues poorly canvassed in the hogwash article under the following subtitles.

Certificate Forgery Allegation: Contrary to the claim by Taga, the baseless certificate forgery allegation brought against Governor Suswam by his political foes has never dominated political discourse in Benue, talk less of the country in the last two years as Taga would like us to believe.

Those residing in Benue can attest to the fact Governor Suswam has a clean academic record. He attended all has his schools in Nigeria and has numerous classmates at every level and his teachers at every level are also very much available, just as the records to attest to his outstanding academic performance in the various schools he attended.

It is necessary to restate that Dr Gabriel Suswam attended Government College Makurdi and graduated in 1982 with six credits in one seating at the SC/ GCE O level. One of his classmates is Rt. Hon David Iorhemba, the Speaker of the Benue state House of Assembly. There are many other classmates of the governor who passed out of this school who can attest to his academic achievement. After his secondary school education, Governor Suswam was at the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi and then proceeded to the University of Lagos where he graduated in 1989 with LLB. He also obtained the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at University of Abuja. He also attended the University of Jos where he got his LLM and PhD. The allegation by one Chidozie Ukpabi that he forged WAEC result for Suswam in 2005, sixteen years after he graduated from the University and at which time he was serving his second term in the House of Representatives is lacking in credibility. Suswam for sure did not and would not have asked anybody to forge his WAEC result in 2005 or any other time since he did not need such for University education or a pre-condition to contest election, seek employment or political appointment.

The whole allegation of certificate forgery emanated from one Chidozie Ukpabi, who had in several newspaper interviews confessed that he carried out the forgery, yet when he was arrested and brought before the former Inspector General of police, Mr Ogbonnaya Onovo, he could not identify who was Dr Suswam among the seven persons that were in the IGP’s office at the time. The question is how did he come about the dirty job if he could not identify the person he claims had asked him to forge the certificate?

In order to clear his name against the public confessional statements made by Cidozie against him, Suswam petitioned the Inspector General of Police in 2010. On the strength of his petition, Ukpabi and one Dan Eka, Editor of Power Steering Magazine, which published the offensive article accusing Suswam of forgery, were arrested and are facing trial in an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone2. Contrary to the claims

by Taga, this case is being heard despite all the delay tactics deployed by counsel to the accused to frustrate the course of justice. The matter came up on March 19, when an officer of the Legal department in the National Headquarters WAEC, Lagos, Mr. K U Anyim appeared before the court and tendered the WAEC result of Suswam, which agreed with the one earlier tendered by Mr Chahul, the Principal of Government College Makurdi, where Suswam graduated. There was no drama of any kind in the proceedings of the day witnessed by scores of reporters such as Taga mischievously presented in the syndicated material under reference.

In the article, the writer arrived at the highly controvertible conclusion that Suswam could not have been offered admission to read Law at UNILAG because he did not have a credit in English. Unknown to him however, Suswam had written the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination(IJMBE) on completion of his programme at the SBS Makurdi, the equivalent of Higher School Certificate(HSC) and obtained ten points which qualified him to gain admission to study Law in any Nigerian University. To imagine that the University of Lagos would admit any student in the 1980s without the requisite qualification to read Law is to exhibit high level ignorance about the excellent academic tradition of the University of Lagos.

From the foregoing, it’s obvious that the constant refrain to this issue of certificate

forgery by the tiny clan of opposition politicians in the state and their agents is simply intended to soil Suswam’s rising political profile, which has become a threat to the ambition of some of the older politicians in the state. Fortunately, it was Suswam who approached the Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja to seek justice. He is confident that given the solid evidence adduced by prosecution, he would have justice at the end of it all and the long arm of the law will catch up with those who have sought to tarnish his reputation on this matter.

Terver Kakih’s Case Against Suswam: Mr. Terver Kakih, a completely unknown political jobber in Benue political circles had from the blues appeared as the only aspirant in the gubernatorial primaries in January 2011 to challenge Governor Suswam who had been endorsed as the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). At the state congress of the party, Kakih secured only six votes against 972 votes polled by Suswam to clinch the PDP’s governorship ticket.

In furtherance of the plot by his sponsors following his humiliating defeat at the primaries, Kakih headed to Federal High Court in Makurdi to challenge Suswam’s qualification for the governorship ticket on the same old allegation that Suswam had forged his WAEC O/Level certificate. When the case came up, Kakih challenged the integrity of the presiding Judge to handle his case. On the basis of his petition, the presiding Judge disqualified herself from the case and the matter was transferred to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja for reassignment. It was later assigned to the Federal High Court Jos but later brought back to Makurdi, where trial has since commenced. It is, therefore, gross distortion of facts for Taga or anybody to insinuate that Governor Suswam did not want the case heard. The records of the court show clearly that Suswam’s lawyers have never been absent in court since the matter was instituted.

From the trial so far, the ACN does not see any future in Kakih’s suit hence the resort to the infamous path of media propaganda.

Steve Ugbah/Daniel Saror Election Petitions: Prof Steve Ugbah and Senator Daniel Saror were the governorship candidates of the ACN and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in the last general election. The duo had challenged Suswam’s election at the Benue state Election Petitions Tribunal. After a windy legal battle, the cases were eventually dismissed by the Tribunal following a Supreme Court ruling which outlawed the Tribunals from entertaining election petitions on the expiration of the first 180 days.

During the trial of the cases however, Prof Saror who appeared as a witness before the Tribunal disappointed even his supporters when he could only tender newspaper cuttings as evidence that Governor Suswam forged his GCE certificate. This was after he had boasted severally that he had strong evidence of substantiate his allegation. Since his disastrous testimony in defunct Tribunal, Saror has remained a laughing stock before the Benue political elites especially from the opposition camp for his embarrassing inconsideration to be married to falsehood at the age of 70.

In the case of the ACN, Prof Ugbah’s allegation was thrown out because the Tribunal ruled then that the issue of certificate forgery was a pre-election matter which should not be the business of the Tribunal. In both cases, Suswam did nothing to frustrate the work of the Tribunal as a democrat and responsible citizen who believes in the principle of the rule of law. If anybody frustrated the work of the Tribunal, it was the ACN whose lawyers stole the exhibits from the Tribunal registry in order to manipulate the evidence already tendered before the Tribunal when it became clear that victory was not anywhere in sight.

Desperation of ACN Leaders in Benue to Access Power: Still leaking its wounds of defeat at the Election Petitions Tribunal, ACN leaders have not hidden their frustration. Their plot to access power through the backdoor in Benue has hit the rocks on many occasions. The ACN has carried out series of violent protests, destroyed property of PDP members in its avowed declaration to make the state ungovernable with the ultimate aim of forcing Governor Suswam out through unorthodox methods. The resort to sponsored media propaganda is perhaps the only avenue left for the defeated ACN to vent their frustration. It is thus, easily discernible why some faceless individuals like ‘Taga’ would be used to further that unholy propaganda agenda of the ACN. Unfortunately for the ACN and its opposition co-travellers, Governor Suswam has remained focused, resolute and fiercely committed to provision of the basic and the much- needed infrastructure such as water, roads and rural electrification, to the people of Benue state. He has assured the good people of Benue that he would not be distracted by the destructive activities of the opposition camp. The desperation of ACN been heightened by the soaring popularity of the Governor since the end of the Tribunal case with the daily defection to PDP of ACN members in the state.

In conclusion, it is necessary to state Governor’s readiness to carry every one along in the task of bringing about speedy development of the state. The willingness of the Governor to embrace everybody is a rare opportunity for the opposition to join hands with Governor Suswam for the transformation of the state. The resort to sponsorship of vile propaganda does not and can never change the reality that Governor Suswam still remains the governor of Benue state and that he will continue with his people-oriented administration till the expiration of his tenure in 2015 by the special grace of God.

Dr Cletus Akwaya, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Suswam sent this article from Makurdi.

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www.thenationonlineng.net

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2078

‘In effect, they want to buy us because they have provided the wherewithal for us to work. Once we refuse to do their bidding we run into trouble. It is a carrot-and-stick thing.’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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N probably the most controversial article in his career as a pundit, Sam Omatseye, the prize winning Monday columnist of The Nation and chair of its editorial board, wrote a piece in the June 6, 2011 edition of the newspaper which provoked the ire of the old Yoruba Establishment like no other since the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo decades ago. The article, entitled “Awo family without an Awo,” went into the heart of Yoruba politics in all its implications for Nigeria’s politics.

“In the past decade, under this Republic,” Omatseye said in the article, “they (meaning members of the Awo family) have blended with the wrong crowd... They are Awolowos but not Awoists. They have stabbed their father in the back. They have committed ideological genocide.”

Omatseye’s “wrong crowd,” was, of course, members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) widely regarded as an off-shoot of the “conservative” National Party of Nigeria which ruled Nigeria during the shortlived Second Republic (October 1979 to December 1983), in much the same way as the now virtually moribund “progressive” Alliance for Democracy (AD) was regarded as an off-shoot of Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which, in turn, was an off-shoot of his Action Group (AG) on whose platform he became the first premier of the old Western Region and Nigeria’s first opposition leader in the First Republic.

Under the current republic, whereas PDP, under General Olusegun Obasanjo, won the first presidential election in 1999 at the end of the 16-year second military rule, the AD retained the stranglehold, first AG, and then UPN, had on the politics of Yorubaland.

Then in the 2003 general elections President Obasanjo did what almost everyone thought was unthinkable; apparently using all the tricks he learnt in his career as a successful army general he lured the AD into a deal in which it would not only not field a presidential candidate of its own. It would even campaign for him. In return, he was to allow AD still rule the roost in the Southwest states of Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Oyo. AD delivered on its promise in the presidential election. Then in the true hallmark of military deception, Obasanjo landed the AD with a haymaker that knocked it down and out in the governorship elections that followed; the party was left standing only in Lagos State under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, easily the most powerful opposition politician in the country today and the man whose 60th birthday tomorrow has received widespread media coverage – with notable, but predictable, exception of Tribune.

Not a few Nigerians believed Obasanjo’s routing of the “progressive” AD from the Southwest under the banner of the “conservative” PDP would have been as easy as it seemed without the support of the Awo family. The Awolowos may be the first to deny it, but it is highly significant that since 1999, Tribune, the family’s long-running newspaper, has failed to live up to its old tradition of principled, even if sometimes reckless, opposition to the government at the centre.

Obviously it was this apparent shift in the politics of the Awolowos Omatseye was re-

RIPPLES WE’LL FLUSH OUT BOKO HARAM , says Army Chief

and what are you waiting for, sir?

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Tinubu at 60

•Asiwaju Tinubu

ferring to when he talked about their stabbing their long departed patriarch in the back.

Perhaps it was his manner of saying it which was somewhat acerbic, as anyone who has read his controversial piece is likely to agree. Perhaps it was the sacredness in which the Yoruba held – and still hold – the Awolowo name. But Omatseye’s piece brought down virtually the Yoruba Who’s Who not only on the columnist’s head like tonnes of bricks. They also descended likewise on Tinubu. The way they saw it - and some said it - the pen may have been Omatseye’s but the hand was definitely Tinubu’s.

“I am sure that Omatseye, like his sponsor” said Chief Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State and a beneficiary of Obasanjo’s rout of AD in the Southwest, “doesn’t know the virtues of good family background....” (Tribune June 9, 2011).

No less uncharitable than Alao-Akala was one Olaitan Ladipo. Under the title, “This is one rascality too many,” Ladipo called both columnist and his alleged sponsor all manner of names in his response published on June 12, 2011 in the Sahara Reporters. “All through the article,” he said, “one thing is

clear – the pen is Omatseye but the hand is definitely Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

So intense was the backlash that Omatseye’s piece provoked from the old Yoruba Establishment that Tinubu eventually felt obliged to apologise to the Awolowo family.

However, not every Yoruba, of course, agreed with the Awolowos and the Awoists - or what is still left of them since the venerated old man passed away - that Omatseye’s article was a gratuitous piece of sacrilege. Tayo Odunlami, a columnist with The News magazine, was one such dissenting voice.

“Honour and the Awolowo name should go in one,” he said in The News (June 20, 2011). “That was Papa Awolowo’s mantra. Once honour is disengaged from the name, as in any name, the name is gone. Pray where is the long-venerated Awolowo honour?... It was time someone told them the truth about their treacherous flight from the lofty ideals that Chief Obafemi Awolowo set for the Southwest.”

The crime of Asiwaju Tinubu in the eyes of the Awolowo family and those of the old Awoists seems obvious; as a Yoruba leader who virtually alone saw through Obasanjo’s subterfuge in 2003 and almost single-handedly returned the Southwest to its tradition of “progressive” politics of opposition to conservatism at the centre beginning from 2007, he apparently believes he is the rightful heir to Awolowo as THE Yoruba leader.

In the eyes of the Awolowo family and the Awoists, Tinubu does not have the personal discipline, the education and the vision of Awo to wear the sage’s cap.

But it seems the rejection of Tinubu by the Awolowos and the Awoists is more out of envy than out of his personal inadequacies compared to Awo. Envy that through a combination of his grasp of grassroots politics and the goodwill he has cultivated with the media as a successful proprietor and with the judiciary in the way he turned that of Lagos State into one envied by others in the country, including the federal judiciary, he has been able to straddle Yoruba politics in a way that no Yoruba politician since Awo himself had.

Tinubu was, of course, not the first to attempt

HARDBALL

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UNDAY’S run-off election won by opposition candidate Macky Sall was another close shave in Senegal’s interesting history of deliberately threatening its own progress. When in 1980 Leopold Sedar Senghor, the country’s founding leader, relinquished the presidency before his fifth term in office expired, he was not exactly the most popular politician in Senegal. He was still a philosopher and poet alright, and his intellect was undoubtedly still acclaimed. Indeed, once he announced his retirement after 20 years in office, his reputation was restored, and the country was thankful that he eventually did the right thing. His successor, Abdou Diuof, as if tarred with the same brush, spent four terms of five years each in office, and didn’t vacate power in spite of domestic troubles and rebellion in the country’s Casamance region to the south. He was, however, gently admonished by Senghor to leave office after losing election to Abdoulaye Wade in 1999.

Diouf had wanted to contest the validity of the election result.

Wade, a long-standing opposition politician during the Diouf presidency, won the 1999 presidential election partly because he campaigned against unlimited presidential tenure. But once in power, he felt more com-

Senegal’s delicate stability fortable approving a seven-year term renewable only once, rather than a five-year term also renewable once. Worse, he also managed to persuade the constitutional court to creatively interpret the tenure system in such a way as to permit him a third term in office. The ensuing dispute arising from this misinterpretation of the tenure system marred the February 2012 election and cost six lives.

Senegal has never witnessed military incursion into politics, even as the country’s politicians and electorate have struggled to sustain this reputation. During every succession, the country’s commonsensical approach to politics had seemed ready to come apart at the seams and looked disturbingly certain to cause bigger trouble than its size presupposes. But every time, it managed to pull back from the brink. The February election and the March run-off should serve as a reminder to the country of 13 million people and its leaders that Senegal is yet to enjoy a democracy that cannot be threatened by the sort of malfeasance perpetrated by Wade.

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

wearing Awo’s cap. Alhaji Lateef Jakande, aka Babakekere (an allusion to his image as Awo’s heir-apparent), the “Action Governor” of Lagos State in the Second Republic and an even more successful newspaper proprietor than Tinubu, tried but failed, brought down, by, among other things, an undeclared personal feud with the late Chief Bola Ige, the Oyo State governor at the time, over who should succeed Awo. Chief Ige too tried, after Babakekere lost some of his credibility over his participation in the Abacha military regime that was much derided by the Awoists. But then Ige’s own participation in the PDP government of Obasanjo as a senior minister was, almost literally, like the kiss of death to his ambition.

Not least of all Obasanjo himself has tried to replace Awo as THE Yoruba leader. But in this he seems to have met his nemesis in Tinubu who was able not only to see through his subterfuge in 2003 but was also able to withstand the wily general’s attempt to cripple Lagos State financially and thus cripple Tinubu politically by withholding the federal allocations to the state’s local governments.

With his success as the most pre-eminent Yoruba politician since Awo, the prognosis of his politics beyond Yorubaland looks good at the not-so-old age of 60. Unlike the Awoists, he has shown a willingness to give and take to forge a politics of consensus at the centre as he demonstrated in his willingness to concede so much to the weaker CPC in the failed attempt to forge an alliance of his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), with that of General Muhammadu Buhari’s CPC, an alliance which many Nigerians believed would have given the ruling PDP a good fight if it had been successful.

The Awoists do not, of course, believe Tinubu is a committed politician in the mould of Awo. “The problem with Tinubu and others,” said Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a leading Awoist and one of Tinubu’s most trenchant critics, “ is that they have a private agenda of their own that is not consistent with our own philosophy as taught us by Awolowo.” (Sunday Vanguard, December 12, 2010).

Adebanjo did not spell out those personal agenda but right now it seems the Yorubas have no better option than Tinubu in countering what many of them obviously regard as the PDP menace in the Southwest.

There is no better testimony to this than Adebanjo’s declaration of support, presumably on behalf of other Awoists, for how Tinubu has been able to check Obasanjo’s politics in the region.

“We are all politicians,” he said in the Vanguard interview in question, “and all that he (Tinubu) is doing now I am in support – to get rid of Obasanjo.”

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above Had the 85-year-old Wade sensibly declined to contest the February election and limit the presidential tenure to two terms of five years each, he would have earned greater respect.

Sadly for his reputation, he lost by more than 65 percent of the votes. But the reputations badly savaged by Sall’s victory belong to the dithering ECOWAS/AU and their undemocratic and inappropriate mediator cum head of observer mission, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The regional bodies ought to have firmly prevailed on Wade to step down; instead, they pussyfooted. Obasanjo ought to have given wise counsel to the disputants in the election; instead he suggested a despairing compromise that sought to reward Wade with two more years in office. Senegalese aptly booed him and reminded him Senegal was not Nigeria.

West Africa is fortunate to have Senegal serve as a poignant reminder of what a peaceful and democratic society should look like, and how it should moderate and mediate political conflicts.

This is a reputation Senegal and its leaders must strive to sustain in the coming years. Mr Sall has promised to tackle domestic troubles, including the Casamance revolt, and secure two terms of five years each for the presidency. He must redeem his promise and nurture Senegal into greater stability that passes muster.

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