The Nation March 2, 2012 by The Nation

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VOL. 7, NO. 2052 FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

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Ojukwu: Tributes galore

•Vice President Sambo (third right) with from left Deputy Speaker Hon. Ihedioha, Flight Lt. Rawlings, Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu, Chime, his wife, Clara and Akpabio ... yesterday. Below is the family of the late Ojukwu. SEE ALSO PAGES 6&7.

•Prof. Soyinka ... yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Jonathan, Gowon, Rawlings, Soyinka, Anyaoku pay respects

HERE seems to be no doubt he died a hero and a “man of the people”, considering the array of dignitaries who came to wave a final bye to him. Going by the moving tributes, the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwumeka OdumegwuOjukwu, deserved it all. Enugu, the Coal City from where he once governed the now defunct

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Southeast Region, was throbbing with visitors. The ceremony at the Okpara Square is a prelude to the interment, which will take place today in his home town, Nnewi, Anambra State. The Square, named after the premier of the now defunct Eastern Region, Chief Michael Okpara, had

been filled to capacity as early as 7am. The crowd came from every part of the country. Vice President Namadi Sambo represented President Goodluck Jonathan. He led the tributes. Former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who described Ojukwu as “bosom friend”, received a long-drawn ovation when

they were called to deliver their tributes. Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon was absent, attending an “important engagement in the United States”. He sent a representative who read his tribute. Others at the ceremony include Ojukwu’s childhood friend, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero;

former Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Amb. Ralph Uwaechue; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; National Chairman of ANPP Dr. Ogbonnaya

JTF kills four Boko Haram men

Governors split over PDP chair

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northeast Caucus of the Governors Forum is split over the choice of the party’s National Chairman. The battle for the seat has pitched governors against party leaders. Governors Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) are said to be consulting governors in the other five zones for support. The National Convention of the PDP will hold on March 24 to elect a chairman. Some of the aspirants are former Governor of the now defunct Gongola State Bamanga

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Muhammed Tukur; PDP National Publicity Secretary Prof. Rufai Alkali; former Minister of Commerce Idris Waziri (Taraba); former Minister of Agriculture Shettima Mustapha; PDP National Secretary Musa Babayo; former Minister of Agriculture Adamu Bello; former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) Gambo Lawan(Borno) and former Bauchi Governor Adamu Mu’azu. Also in the race are a former Special Adviser to the President •Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, Chairman BUA Group, and Mr Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing on National Assembly Matters, Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, during the signing of $160 million civil construction Continued on page 4

Continued on page 4

and other infrastructure between Julius Berger and BUA Group being part of the $500 million reconstruction work of Okpalla Cement in Abuja ... yesterday

OUR Boko Haram men have been killed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the troubled Borno State capital where the sect’s members have been burning schools in a new approach to their increasingly violent insurgency. Borno State Commissioner for Education Musa Inuwa Kubo, said seven schools - including two yesterday - have been burnt down in the last few days. Thousands of children Continued on page 4

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VOL. 7, NO. 2052 FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

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Ojukwu: Tributes galore

•Prof. Soyinka ... yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Jonathan, Gowon, Rawlings, Soyinka, Anyaoku pay respects

From Chris Oji, Enugu

JTF kills four Boko Haram men

Governors split over PDP chair

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Continued on page 4

and other infrastructure between Julius Berger and BUA Group being part of the $500 million reconstruction work of Okpalla Cement in Abuja ... yesterday

•AGRIC P17 •SPORTS P23 •BRAND P29 •SOCIETY P25 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS Continued from page 1

•National Mathematics Competition Awardees, display their medals at the inauguration of National Mathematical Year, in Abuja ... yesterday

Soldiers kill four Boko Haram men in Borno Continued from page 1

have been left without schools in the middle of their term. “The destruction of schools in Maiduguri is a great setback to the state,” Inuwa told Reuters. “It is really a sad development because the schools belong to the people and the poor are suffering as a result of the destruction,” he lamented. The JTF said it gunned down four Boko Haram members in Maiduguri on Wednesday. JTF spokesman, Lt Col Hassan Mohammed, spoke while parading the body of one of the sect members at Bayan-Quarters area, where he was killed while driving in a Volkswagen Golf taxi car at about 6:30pm on Wednesday. He said the sect members might have been out for a deadly operation, given the heavy arms in their possession. Lt. Col Mohammed described the day’s operation as

“a bad day for the sect”. Their refusal to stop at check points, Lt Col Mohammed said, prompted soldiers in the JTF to trail them; “and as they made attempt to escape, our men did not waste chance to bring them down”. As a result of Boko Haram activities and the reaction of the security agencies, at least 10,000 people have fled northern Nigeria for neighbouring Niger and Chad to escape a military sweep targeting Bokon Haram members, officials said yesterday. Niger’s government said at least 10,000 of its citizens had returned from northern Nigeria over the past six months, and the International Organisation for Migration said more than 800 Chadians had returned in recent days. The influx of people into Niger, a landlocked desert state that is also dealing with tens of thousands of refugees from Libya’s war and a rebellion in northern Mali, could worsen an expected food

shortage there this year. “According to statistics, we’ve seen from the police, we have 10,000 Nigeriens that have returned on their own since the start of violence in Nigeria,” said Boube Yaye, Niger’s permanent secretary in charge of Nigeriens abroad. He added that at least 13 Nigeriens living in northern Nigeria had been falsely arrested in the sweep, and appealed to Nigerian security forces to show restraint. Qasim Sufi, of the International Organization for Migration, said returnees to Chad, including many children who had been enrolled in Koranic schools in Nigeria, were fleeing soldiers targeting Boko Haram members in their villages. “They’re all saying the same thing, that it is getting very bad in their villages,” he said. The United States yesterday issued a travel warning on Nigeria following violent crime committed by armed gangs and militants wearing police uniforms, the U.S. State

Department said. The State Department’s travel advisory warning said: “Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remain a problem throughout the country.” The advisory noted that Boko Haram took responsibility for a series of attacks in February that killed dozens of people and left many more injured. The State Department said kidnapping remains a security concern as well. Five U.S. citizens were kidnapped in Nigeria last year and another was abducted from his vehicle in January. The advisory said foreigners shouldn’t travel to areas designated as conflict areas by the government as Abuja may likely consider such activity illegal. “The state of emergency gives the government sweeping powers to search and arrest without warrants,” the State Department warned.

Senator Abba Aji, a former Minister of FCT, Bunu Sheriff and a lawyer, Ibrahim Birma. In the last one month, it has been difficult for the PDP governors in the Northeast to reach consensus on one of the aspirants. Following the stalemate, the governors have separately started wooing their colleagues in the rest five geopolitical zones for support for their favourites. While the Governor of Taraba State is backing Amb. Waziri, Yuguda appears to be more comfortable with Babayo than his (Yuguda’s) predecessor, Mu’azu. Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo of Gombe State is supporting Alkali. Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako is not sure whether to back Tukur or allow the state to retain the slot of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which it is presently occupying. It was also learnt that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who was supporting Birma, may have tactically withdrawn in the spirit of reconciliation to back Tukur because of his 2015 presidential ambition. A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The governors are split over who to back every governor has his own candidate and this has made it difficult for the zone to endorse a candidate. “For instance, the Taraba State governor, who said his state is disadvantaged, was the first to seek support for his candidate at a session of the PDP Governors Forum. In fact, after the session, a Northcentral governor bought into Suntai’s project and started rendering. But Taraba State was shocked when other governors began to show interest in the seat. “So, the centre in the Northeast is not holding as expected. When naturally they

Governors split over PDP chair should have looked forward to either Borno or Yobe states for the next chairman, the Boko Haram menace has been a major challenge in selling good candidates, like Gambo Lawan and others. “The governors from the zone are presently reaching out individually to their colleagues in other zones for support for their candidates.” It was learnt that two of the governors have been shuttling Southsouth and Southwest to canvass support for their candidates. Responding to a question, another source said: “A natural leader in the zone that could assist to solve the impasse on consensus is ex-VicePresident Atiku Abubakar. “But the former VP has stayed away from the murky politics because of his 2015 presidential ambition. We can all understand his game plan because if any candidate he opposes is eventually made the national chairman, that will be the end of his presidential ambition.” On Nyako, the source said: “Adamawa State has to choose between PDP national chairman and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation being occupied by a citizen of the state, Isa Bello Sali. “This is a dilemma for Nyako who got re-election support from Bamanga Tukur and Sali.” As at press time, there were fears among the aspirants that the Presidency may bow to pressure to anoint a candidate. Although party leaders are reading the lips of President Goodluck Jonathan, there were strong indications last night that a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, may co-ordinate lobbying for the Presidency’s anointed candidate.

Jonathan, Gowon, Rawlings, Soyinka, Anyaoku pay respects Continued from page 1

Onu; former Commonwealth scribe, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. Also there were Governors Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Peter Obi (Anambra); Theodore Orji (Abia) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi). There were also Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and FCT, Bala Mohammed, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; former Foreign Affairs Minister Ike Nwachukwu; former president, World Igbo Congress, Dr. Kalu Kalu Diogu; Senator Jim Nwobodo; Senators Chris Ngige, Andy Uba, Ayogu Eze and Gilbert Nnaji; Minister of Power Barth Nnaji and former governor of Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Several other members of the National Assembly and ministers were also there. Before the tributes, an interdenominational service was led by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga, who was as-

He was a great man, say Ekwueme, Obi, others

HE body of the late Ojukwu was moved to Anambra State yesterday from Enugu ahead of burial today. At the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital, it was another opportunity for another round of tributes. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Governor of Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Chairman of Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke were there to receive Ojukwu’s body which arrived at 4:12p.m in a NAF 570 helicopter. Atop the casket, draped in the greenwhite-green national colours, were military boots. Seven ball bearers bore the casket. It was a riot of colours as various groups wore different colours of Ojukwu’s mourning dress. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu, led the pack. Thousands of mourners, mainly youths, MASSOB members and school pupils waited for hours to receive the remains which left Awka around 6:45 sisted by the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma. The sermon was read by the Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, Bishop Samuel Uche. The first lesson of the service,

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi and Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

pm in the helicopter for Nnewi. Ekwueme, said the late Ojukwu was his personal friend of 67 years, adding: “When the call is sounded, all must hear, and for him, the call has been sounded. “Among his legacies was his request for justice and equity in Nigeria, the search for a Nigeria where every citizen will have a sense of belonging, where no citizen will feel that he is unequal before the law.” Like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was President of Nigeria, the late Ojukwu was born in Zungeru, grew up in Lagos where his father lived and had his secondary education there, therefore he has a combination of Northern birth, Western up bringing and Eastern parentage. Ekwueme urged the late Ojukwu’s family to take heart, adding that Ikemba lived a good life and was a man of history. “They should be comforted, as the Bible says. As Christians, they should not grieve like people without hope.”

taken from Isaiah 41 verses 1020 was read by little Chineme Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The second lesson, which was taken from 2 Corinthians 5 verses 1-10 was read by Senator Ben Obi.

Literary icon and the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Eze Chukwuemeka Ike said: “Ojukwu offered leadership at a time we were in a greatest state of despair. When we were coming back to the East, there were broken hopes and the people were poor and we came together to defend our people and Ojukwu provided leadership. We came here to honour him because he made the Igbo man a character that you cannot ignore anywhere in the world.” Governor Obi said: “Ojukwu was a complete and great Igbo man. He was a maker of history. Ojukwu came, saw and conquered, leaving behind legacies that are unparallel by pettiness.” Anambra Deputy Governor Emeka Sibeudu, former Minister Oby Ezekwesili and Dozie Nwanna, among others also spoke in Awka. Commercial activities and vehicular movements were grounded in the commercial city of Onitsha as members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) enforced a sit-at-home order in honour of the late Ojukwu.

In a homily which was visibly appreciated by Soyinka, Monsignor Obiora Ike said Ojukwu was “vilified, dishonoured but today he is dead and being celebrated”. He then queried, “Why must

somebody die before his greatness is recognised?” President Jonathan said Ojukwu’s life epitomised sacrifice and love, adding that his achievements made him a great man.

Jonathan said the late Igbo leader did things worth reading and writing. He recalled how Ojukwu accepted a leadership role that most critically defined his place in the history of the country. According to him, Ojukwu’s love for his people made him to become an advocate of a united Nigeria after the end of hostilities in the country. Jonathan said the contribution of the late Igbo hero in the political sphere of Nigeria could never be overlooked. Gen. Gowon said the late Ojukwu would be remembered for his courage and unwavering desire to fight for justice and fair play for his people. He said Ojukwu loved Nigeria so much, adding that he wanted to opt out over perceived injustice to his people. The former head of state, who was represented by Prof. Ben Mareiere, the Southeast Co-ordinator of Nigeria Prays, said Gen. Gowon would visit Ojukwu’s family on his return from the United States. Rawlings regretted that those things that led to the Nigerian Civil War are still with us, causing pains and hardship for the people. Continued on page 59

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS EMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011) NEW YEAR MESSAGES

• A cross-section of Anambra State traditional rulers at a programme for Ojukwu in Awka...yesterday

•From left: Senator Ben Obi, Senator Agboti , Dr. A. B. C. Nwosu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Justice Chukwudifu Oputa in Enugu…yesterday

• Jerry Rawlings laying a wreath for the late Ojukwu... yesterday

• Chief Jim Nwobodo and Governor Godswill Akpabio in Enugu... yesterday

• Lt. Colonels bearing Ojukwu’s body... yesterday

PHOTOS: OBI CLETUS, NAN AND AFP

21-gun salute, tributes for a ‘great leader of men’

Ojukwu’s death a big loss, says Emir of Kano

HE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, yesterday said the death of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu was a great loss to the black race. He spoke at the Enugu residence of the late Ojukwu. The Emir, a long standing friend of the deceased, described Ojukwu as a great Nigerian, who struggled relentlessly to champion a just and united nation anchored on justice and equity. The Emir said his struggle in Nigeria should be understood in the contest of emancipating his people. He explained that events in Ojukwu’s life provided a long frame work to actualise a better understanding, peace and harmonious co-existence. He said he was impressed by the

• Vice-President Namadi Sambo laying a wreath for the late Ojukwu... yesterday

•Emir Bayero

love and care Governor Peter Obi extended to the late Ojukwu while he was on sick bed. Obi thanked the Emir for personally coming to console not only the family but the government and people of Anambra State . Obi said the death of Ojukwu calls for total re-examination of the nation’s life, saying there was need to build a just and egalitarian Nigeria,which the late Igbo leader devoted his entire life.

OLDIERS fired a 21-gun salute at the funeral of Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu yesterday as Nigerian leaders paid last respects to the man whose 1967 declaration of Biafran independence sparked a civil war. Hundreds of armed soldiers and security forces were deployed on the streets of Enugu during the funeral service. Forty-five years after he tried to split Nigeria, Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s casket was draped in the national colours of white and green at the funeral service in the city of Enugu, attended by thousands. President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to participate in Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s burial in Nnewi today, according to his spokesman. Ex-Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku said

•The late Ojukwu

Odumegwu-Ojukwu “in all his entire life he dedicated himself to the

pursuit of good of his people. He was a rare symbol of courage”. The Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Callistus Onaga, presided over the service, attended by about 2,500 people. Hundreds of participants in the ceremony wore traditional dresses or t-shirts on which OdumegwuOjukwu’s portrait was emblazoned with inscriptions such as “You Live In Our Heart,” “Great Leader” and “National Hero”. Leaders, such as Sambo and state governors, laid wreaths in honour of teh Oxford-trained hero, who died in November in Britain at the age of 78 but his body was only flown back on Monday. His remains will be interred today in his hometown, Nnewi, which gave him the traditional title Ikemba.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS EMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

A rebel with a cause

The late Chukwumeka Ojukwu did not just call out his people for war. He was a rebel with a cause, writes Prof. Wole Soyinka in this tribute

“H

•Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime and his wife... yesterday

• Governor Peter Obi laying a wreath for the late Ojukwu in Enugu.

• Minister of Defence Haliru Bello, Minister of Health Prof. Chukwu Onyebuchi and Minister of Interior Abba Moro...yesterday

• Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Emeka Anyaoku

•Bianca Ojukwu and her children...yesterday

PHOTOS: OBI CLETUS

AVING mandated me to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name, that Eastern Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic, now, therefore I, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOj4kwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters, shall, henceforth, be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of The Republic of Biafra.” With these words, on May 30 of the year 1967, a young, bearded man, thirty-four years of age in a fledgling nation that was barely seven years old, plunged that nation into hitherto uncharted waters, and inserted a battalion of question marks into the presumptions of nation-being on more levels than one. That declaration was not merely historic, it re-wrote the more familiar trajectories of colonialism even as it implicitly served notice on the sacrosanct order of imperial givens. It moved the unarticulated question: “When is a nation?” away from simplistic political parameters - away from mere nomenclature and habitude - to the more critical arena of morality and internal obligations. It served notice on the conscience of the world, ripped apart the hollow claims of inheritance and replaced them with the hitherto subordinate, yet logical assertiveness of a ‘people’s will’. Young and old, the literate and the uneducated, urban sophisticates and rural dwellers, citizen and soldier - all were compelled to re-examine their own situating in a world of close interrelations and distant ideological blocs, bringing many back to that basic question: Just when is a nation? Throughout world history, many have died for, but without an awareness of the existential centrality of that question. The Biafran act of secession was one that could claim that its people had direct and absolute intimacy with the negative corollary of that question. Their brutal, immediately antecedent circumstances ensured that they could provide one or more truthful and urgent answers to the obverse of the question, which would then read: When is a nation not? Chukuwemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, thrown by Destiny onto that critical moment of truth as a leader, became the voice, the actualising agent of their overwhelming recognition. He heard the answers given to an interrogatory that proceeded from gross human violation, and he responded as a leader. In so doing, he challenged the pietisms of former colonial masters and the sanctimoniousness of much of the world. He challenged an opportunist construct of nationhood, mostly externally imposed, and sought to replace it, under the most harrowing circumstances, with a vital proposition that answered the purpose of humanity -which is not merely to survive, but to exist in dignity. The world might cavil, the ideologues of undialectical unity might shake their head in dubious appraisal and denounce it as reckless adventurism. This, however was his reading, and even the most implacable enemy would hardly deny that his position transcended individual judgment, that it rested firmly on the collective will of a people who only awaited, and demanded the decisiveness of

‘

The errors of Biafra are what we hear plenty of. Only rarely, with dismissive condescension, are rightly attributed those achievements against overwhelming odds that gave rise to that ancient adage: Necessity is the mother of invention, or even - Sweet are the uses of adversity. There were indeed cruelties here also, on. Biafran soil, as on her opposing side, and there was needless prolongation of human suffering

‘

•Soyinka

responsive leadership. Even today, many will admit that, in this very nation, that question remains unresolved, that more and more voices are probing that question, that all over the world, certainly within our own continent, multitudes are braving impossible odds, conceding immense sacrifices to contest the facile and complacent answer which proposes that whatever is, is divinely ordered, thus conferring the mantle of divinity on those whose spatial contrivances, called nations, continue to creak at the seams and consume human lives in their millions. Their mission is to preserve a sacrosanct order that was never accorded human legitimacy, as if it is not the very humanity that grants authority to the cohesion of any inert piece of real estate and thus, only such humanity contains, and can exercise a moral will, in designating it a habitable and productive entity that truly deserves the designation of - nation-being. Humanity must be allowed to make its errors. Indeed, errors are the unregistered provisions in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are however degrees and qualities of errors, and the most lamentable of these are those that proceed from the lack of courage to interrogate whatever humanity has merely happened upon, or has been imposed upon us as thinking humans, failure to accept the resultant clamour, and the antecedents, of this clamour for change. This is what constitutes a primal error, a deficiency in responsive capabilities, a condition of mental enslavement. Change is not an absolute however, but is acknowledged to be the product of human curiosity, observation, creativity and transformative intelligence. Nor should change imply, of necessity, the destruction of what is viable, what amplifies the virtues that already make us human, or bind us together in a common pursuit of the amelioration of existence. Where stagnation, retrogression, or diminution of those very virtues, those very progressive qualities that make even self-fulfillment possible, stare a people in the face however, then, surely, the imperative of Change becomes irresistible, and its horizons exert the pressure of

inevitability. That immense call fell upon the shoulders of our comrade Chukwuemeka, and he responded in the manner we all know, for better or ill, but he was not found wanting in the hour of decision. The errors of Biafra are what we hear plenty of. Only rarely, with dismissive condescension, are rightly attributed those achievements against overwhelming odds that gave rise to that ancient adage: Necessity is the mother of invention, or even Sweet are the uses of adversity. There were indeed cruelties here also, on. Biafran soil, as on her opposing side, and there was needless prolongation of human suffering. Biafra became a byword for paranoia. There were policies that pushed Biafra deeper and deeper into a self-dug bunker, from where the world became a blank surrounding, closing in, despite apertures that were clearly visible to many, even from within. A leader must accept responsibility for all such failings, with perhaps the meager consolation that, throughout the history of conflicts, and especially of conflicts based on a righteous perception of wrongs, such has been the fate of the beleaguered. But it would be a greater injustice from us if we fail in the apportionment of the positive, such as a rare inspirational leadership that held a people together and aroused an unprecedented level of creative adjustments, of practical inventiveness, the like of which has yet to be recorded on our continent. What a pity that policy and suspicion have led to the squandering of such bequests! The regrets, individual and collective, the triumph of the dominance of human spirit, no longer matter to the man whose passage among us we are gathered here to commemorate, any more than the very questioning of structures of human co--habitation. He who lived to embrace, to share bread implacable enemies, is no longer with us, yet he remains among us. We celebrate the fact that, in his lifetime, bitterness did turn several pages towards the chapter of reconciliation but - has it truly brought mutual understanding? Let us reflect on that question carefully today yes, a full half-century later as we bid goodbye to one who did not flinch from the burden of choice, but boldly answered the summons of history. As the saying goes, the rest is also - history.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS Tukur vows to return PDP to the people From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja A National chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bamanga Tukur yesterday vowed to return the party to the people. He spoke at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja after submitting his nomination form. Tukur, who is the Chairman of the African Business Roundtable, said he is not bothered by the number of candidates gunning for the position. Some leaders are backing Tukur. They are former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, former PDP Chairmen, Barnabas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali. Others include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Kema Chikwe. Those, who also endorsed Tukur’s nomination, include Senator Abdul Ningi, Babayo Nafada, and Chief E. K. Clark. Tukur said he would go along with the decision of the party if it decides on a consensus candidate.

15 years after, Supreme Court frees cannibal

IFTEEN years after he was sentenced to death by hanging, Edet Obeten Mbang yesterday walked home a free man. In a short Judgment delivered by Justice Mahmud Mohammed, the Supreme Court discharged and acquitted him of complicity in the October 7, 1989 murder of one Baba Okoi. The panel agreed with the appellant’s counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya that Mbang was not guilty of the offence as charged even though he participated in the eating of the human meat of the deceased. Mbang and three others were convicted by a Cross-River State High Court, Ugep Division, on June 19, 1997. The other convicts are Obeten Leko Essien, Mbang Efoli Mbang and Fidelis Onen Obeten. Murder is covered by Sections 306 to 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code. The Prosecutor said Okoi

From Kamarudeen Ogundele and Kehinde Ore was killed on October 7, 1989 and his “human meat” was “butchered” and “shared” by the appellant and his Co-Accused persons”. He described the appellant and his co-accused as members of Enyim Society, whose purpose is to kill human beings, share and eat their meat. According to the prosecution, all the accused and the deceased attended a funeral ceremony on the day of the murder where the Enyim War Dance, otherwise called “Kojo” dance was performed. He said the appellant witnessed and participated in the killing of their victim. During the trial, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered 17 exhibits. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the appellant made a no case submission which was overruled by the trial High Court on January 15, 1997. The appellant and his co-ac-

cused were called upon to open their defence but they relied on the case of the prosecution. Upon hearing the Final Addresses of counsel for the appellant and respondent, the trial court, in a considered judgment delivered on June 19, convicted them for the said murder. Dissatisfied, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, Calabar in Cross-River. Before the appeal could be heard, the appellant’s counsel applied to withdraw the appeal for want of merit. Although his application was granted, the appeal was dismissed. But the Supreme Court remitted the case back to the Court of Appeal, to be heard on its merit. Upon hearing the appeal on its merit, the Appeal Court on March 16, 2006, unanimously dismissed the appeal and affirmed the Judgment of the trial court. Unhappy with the Judgment, the appellant returned to the apex court through a

Notice of Appeal of June 12, 2006. In his brief, the appellant’s counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya argued that Okoi died before hic client had any contact with his body. He cited a confessional statement of the appellant where he stated that he was invited by one of the accused; Onowa Enang Onen to his home that he had a meat to share only to discover that the meat was the body of a man without the head. “There is no doubt from the foregoing that the unambiguous evidence before the court was that the deceased, Baba Okoi, had been killed before the appellant came into the scene. It was therefore no more possible to kill an already dead man. The fact of the death shows that someone else different from the appellant killed the deceased. There was no act or omission on the part of the appellant directly causing the death of the deceased. There was no evidence of any intent, whether com-

NIMET to Nigerians: expect normal rains From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adebowale Adenike, Abuja

ACN urges SON to fish out importers of adulterated diesel THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday praised the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for raising the alarm over adulterated diesel in circulation. In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party urged SON to follow up on its discovery by taking remedial action to save the public from the effects of adulterated diesel. It also said those responsible for importing adulterated diesel must be fished out and brought to justice to serve as a deterrent. ACN said it should not be difficult to identify those responsible for the heinous act, since there is a cabal that has cornered diesel importation into the country. The party said: ‘’According to SON, most of the diesel in circulation in the petroleum product market is mixed, to varied proportion with kerosene, and the diesel being sold by all the 21 frontline filling stations sampled by the organisation was highly adulterated, mostly with kerosene at alarming rates of contamination ranging from 15 per cent to 65 per cent. ‘’This revelation is disturbing, to say the least, considering the effect such adulteration will have on diesel-powered generators and vehicles, and the resultant implication for the economy, especially because most businesses depend on generators to power their operations.”

mon or not by the appellant to kill or to do a grievous bodily harm or to do an act or make an omission likely to endanger the life of the deceased while pursuing an unlawful purpose”. He cited Supreme Court decisions in Aighoreghian & Anor V The state (2004), JSC (Part 1) 65 at Page 93-94; 98-99 per Niki Tobi JSC; State V Ogbubunjo (2001) JSC (Part 1) 90 at PP 95-96 per Onu JSC; Aigbadion v State (2000) 4SC (part 1) at 75, Durowode v The State (2000) 12 SC (Part 1) at 16 and Ahmed V The State (2001) 12 SC (Part 1) 135 at 148 lines 2540 per Kutigi JSC, to support his argument. “In the peculiar, though unfortunate circumstances of this case, the death of the victim was not caused in any way by the appellant and neither was there any evidence of a common intent by the appellant and the other accused to kill the victim.., with the intention of eating his flesh”, Oyesanya added.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola flanked by Business Consultant, Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP), Prof Wale Omole (left) and Babajide Iyiola, during a Three-Day O-REAP Technical Review Workshop 2011, at the International Trophical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State…yesterday

Akure LP leaders, supporters defect to ACN

VER 2,000 Labour Party (LP) leaders and supporters in Akure South Local Government of Ondo State yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The defectors were mainly from Shagari village, a suburb of Akure. Among them was former LP women leader, Mrs. Mary Bankole, Elder Adamu , Tayo

From Ojo Damisi, Akure

Michael, Banji Fasuan, Elder Wole Oluwafemi and Mrs. J.I Kukoyi. Others are Kolawole Solomon, Mrs. Caroline Dike, Mrs. Kola Elijah, Pastor James Aro, Gabriel Owolabi, Mrs. Akin Folarin, Mrs. Akingbade and Mrs. Adedayo Tope. The leader of the defectors, Elder Adamu, said: “We took

the decision in solidarity with our leader and former Special Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Planning and Strategy, Saka Lawal.” He described the former Mimiko’s aide as God-fearing, a grassroots mobiliser and a man of integrity who contributed immensely to the emergence of Mimiko as governor. The new ACN members la-

mented that the ruling LP administration has neglected them in terms of provision of social amenities, stressing that the village lacks potable water, stable electricity and good roads. They wondered why the present administration celebrated third year anniversary when many residentswere deprived of dividends of democracy.

Orji, Kuku condemn North’s comment on derivation formula

ORTH’S call for a review of the derivation policy drew more flak yesterday from Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Kingsley Kuku. Orji told Northern leaders to look inward to develop resources in their domain. Kuku urged the North to stop insulting the South by saying that the 2012 capital votes were skewed. Orji and Kuku spoke even as the Niger State Governor, who doubles as the chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum (NGF), Babangida Aliyu, clarified his position on the derivation policy. Aliyu said he has no problem with what the oil-producing states get as derivation funds but clamouring for a national plan to fight poverty in the North.

•Aliyu seeks national programme against poverty Yomi Odunuga, Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

According to him, the revenue sharing formula is creating two countries within the same country, saying that the region cannot develop if one part is rich and the other is impoverished. Speaking at the flag-off of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Computation in Nigeria, in Minna, the state capital, Aliyu said most people misunderstood him for his remark about the imbalance derivation has caused in the system. He said: “I am not fighting derivation. It has been there since independence, all we are calling for is a national plan to fight poverty in the North. “It must be a concerted and

well-thought out plan, but people misunderstood me. We cannot have one part of the country rich and the other poor. We cannot create two countries in a country where one part is poor and the other part is rich. “If we don’t do something formally for the North, we will have a section of the country in abject poverty, while another section will be rich.” But Orji told reporters in Abuja that the revenue formula had favoured the North over the years. His words: “Niger State who is talking of of Continental Shelf, every state is blessed with one thing or the other. You don’t carry the blessing of one state to the other. If oil has come to the Niger Delta, preference should be given to the states in terms of

sharing the revenue accruing from there because they also suffer the degradation and pollution that come from the exploitation of oil. “So, anything that is naturally endowed in any state, the state that owns that mineral should as a matter of fairness and equity, enjoy it. But I am not saying it should not go to other states. It should go for development. But the immediate state that suffers the degradation should first of all be developed with the money that comes out from the resources before moving the money elsewhere.” Kuku said the North should praised the Southsouth for embracing the amnesty programme, a development he noted returned the country on the path of unity and progress.

IGERIANS were yesterday told to expect normal rainfall pattern this year. The Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuforom said rains would begin between late February in the South and last week of June in the North. The Director General spoke during the presentation of the 2012 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) and Nigeria Climate Review Bulletin in Abuja. He said the rainfall prediction will vary from 300 to 1, 100 millimeters in the North and 1, 200 to 2, 700 millimeter in the South. His words: “We are expecting normal rainfall pattern this year as our prediction is showing for now. We are not seeing anything unusual presently but it is not just the rainfall that cause havoc but the habits you have around us.”

Jonathan greets Adeboye at 70 From Vincent Ikuomola. Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated the General Overseer of the Redeemed Chrsitian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye on his 70th birthday. The President, in a letter described Pastor Adeboye as a truly inspirational leader who has dedicated his life to service in the Lord’s Vineyard . He also described the phenomenal growth of the RCCG as a clear testimony of God’s hand upon the pastor’s life and his productive leadership qualities. The President also praised the General Overseer for spiritual and prayerful support to the nation’s leadership at all levels. He said: “As you attain the highly symbolic landmark age of three-score-and-ten today, it is with profound joy that I write on behalf of my family, the government and people of Nigeria, to express very warm felicitations to you.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS

How Nigerian schoolgirl used Facebook to plot manslaughter in UK A

TEENAGE girl who plotted the killing of a schoolboy on Facebook before kicking him in the head as he bled to death was facing jail yesterday. Victoria Osoteku was 18 when she armed a 20-strong mob who ‘hunted down’ and hacked to death the 15-year-old boy at a railway and Underground station in front of horrified rush-hour commuters. Sofyen Belamouadden was punched, kicked and stabbed to death in a ‘brutal and merciless murder’ planned on Facebook after a feud between pupils from two rival schools erupted into violence. A-level pupil Osoteku, who loved ‘beef’ – slang for a fight – had rushed out of school during the lunch hour that day to buy a set of knives for £3.99 from Argos which were later used to stab the defenceless boy at least nine times. The schoolgirl, who had never even met the victim, handed out knives to a pack of teenagers aged between 15 and 18 who went to Victoria Station in London after school armed with a terrifying arsenal of weapons. These included a Samurai sword, flick knives, metal bars and extendable batons, which were used to batter the GCSE pupil with ‘indescribable aggression’. The victim was chased into the station and surrounded in the ticket hall by the gang screaming: ‘We are going to **** you up.’ He collapsed after being stabbed nine times in the lungs and chest in a ten-second attack in front of hundreds of passengers on March 25, 2010. As he lay on the ground, Osoteku was captured on CCTV moving in to launch a final kick to the head before running off, leaving him to bleed to death. Sofyen, a pupil at Henry Compton School in Fulham, West London, was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him. Yesterday Osoteku, now 19, wept as she was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm after a five-month trial at the Old Bailey. But the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of murder after a week of deliberation. To the fury of the victim’s family, prosecutors said they would not

‘

Victoria Osoteku was one of those who set up and organised the confrontation that led to the death. Her responsibility for the death is very great indeed, even though it was others that delivered the final fatal blows that led to Sofyen Belamouadden’s death • The late Belamouadden

pursue a re-trial because of the extraordinary length of time the trial had taken in which the defendant gave evidence for a staggering 21 days. Sofyen’s father Abdeslam said: ‘I am very disappointed that the Crown decided not to pursue the murder charge considering the central role that she played from beginning to end. ‘With everything that we have been through, we are very unhappy with the decision.’ It can now be revealed that Osoteku, who was studying drama and sociology at A-level, loved fighting and violence. Besides listing ‘beef’ among her interests, on a social networking site she posted pictures of herself in her school uniform with the words ‘Missy Maffia’ and ‘Bang Bang’ written underneath. Born to Nigerian parents in Peckham, South-East London, Osoteku’s upbringing was deeply troubled.

• Miss Osoteku

At the age of two, her father Abiodun took her and her threeyear-old sister away from their drug addict mother Ebunolowun, who has serious mental health issues and has been sectioned a number of times. For a number of years, she was shunted between her aunt and a hostel before her father, a painter and decorator, remarried when she was five. Osoteku told the jury that she suffered daily beatings at the hands of her stepmother. At the age of eight she was taken into care and placed with foster parents. Classmates described her as a bully who was always egging others on. One said: ‘Victoria was at the forefront – she was a bit of a bully.’ But the schoolgirl claimed to be a kind person. On her internet profile, she wrote in poorly spelt English: ‘Im a black independent women who cares for all my

bedrins and all fam. but every 1 is ke fam to me. Im a joka thats loves a joka .and im rely kind and fast to kick wid.’ During her trial, Osoteku attempted to pin the blame on others, sobbing as she claimed she had tried to stop them. She said she was frozen in shock as the attack unfolded and ‘nudged’ the victim with her foot ‘to see if he was OK’. But Mark Heywood, QC, prosecuting, said she was ‘at the heart’ of planning on Facebook and through BlackBerry and text messages for the attack. He said: ‘Victoria Osoteku was one of those who set up and organised the confrontation that led to the death. ‘Her responsibility for the death is very great indeed, even though it was others that delivered the final fatal blows that led to Sofyen Belamouadden’s death.’ The killing was provoked by ‘simmering tensions’ between pupils at

Alleged N1.2b theft: Ex-bank chief urges court to stay proceedings

FORMER bank chairman Alhaji Olapade Mohammed, yesterday urged a Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, to stay proceedings in a N1.2billion theft charge against him. He is trying to halt the case pending the hearing and determination of an appeal he filed at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, challenging the charge. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him and Director of AKS Steel Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Sanni Mohammed. The “stolen” money is said to be property of AKS Steel, a Joint Venture Company, where Olapade is the chairman. Justice Steven Adah threatened to issue a bench warrant for their arrest if they fail to come to court yesterday to take their plea, but they failed to appear and brought an application instead. Their lawyer, Mr Olabode Olani-

By Joseph Jibueze

pekun said: “The accused persons have lodged an appeal against mandating their presence in court and against issuing a bench warrant for their arrest. “This morning (yesterday), we filed a Motion on Notice for stay of further proceedings in this charge which has been served on the prosecution. “As we speak, the record is in the process of being transferred to the Court of Appeal,” he added. EFCC said the two, with others at large, also laundered various sums amounting to N297. 7million belonging to the company by transferring it to Dubai and subsequently India “without board’s resolution authorising the removal of the funds.” The agency alleged they “knew” the sums “represented the proceeds of crime, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said money.” EFCC also accused them of forg-

ery of a board resolution which was filed at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). According to the agency, one of the forged documents allegedly increased “unilaterally 3.250.000 shares of AKS Alloy PVT. Ltd” and reduced the status of another company named Shinning Star from majority to minority shareholder in the Joint venture Company of AKS Steel. The document was presented to CAC for filing, with the intent that it may be acted upon as genuine, EFCC alleged. They were also accused of deceit and cheating by fraudulent means, as well as converting to their own use the Certificate of Importation of 500,000 dollars. The agency said the alleged offences were committed between January 1, 2006 and March 23, 2009 in Lagos. Justice Adah adjourned till March 15 for hearing of the application.

‘

a sixth-form college in Ladbroke Grove, West London, and teenagers from the victim’s school over the Underground station, which was regarded by both as ‘home territory’. A day earlier there was a fight between the two groups over a girl in the station, which left one youth with a bloody nose. That night Osoteku became the ‘focal point’ of discussions about recruiting ‘troops and weapons’ as the pupils plotted their revenge. Police believe she ‘got a kick out of stirring everyone up’. The day after the murder Osoteku went on a school trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum where she boasted about her role in the killing. It was said she was ‘gloating she was with the boys, she kicked him, they used a samurai sword and cut his neck and back’. Osoteku, of Deptford, South London, will be sentenced at a later date with others convicted of the killing. •Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

‘Ibori has brought shame on Nigeria’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

• Ibori

HAIRMAN, Conference of Speakers of States’ Legislature, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has said the former governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ononefe Ibori, who pleaded guilty in a London court for money laundering, has brought shame on Nigeria. Salaam, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Goke Butika, said the admission of guilt by the former governor shows that he truly committed the offence.

He said: “The fact that the former governor met his waterloo in United Kingdom over money laundering and fraudulent activities which have cost the nation several billions of naira has shown that much is wrong with our judicial and investigative mechanism.” Salaam, who doubles as the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, expressed disgust about the way Mr. Ibori escaped to Dubia when he still had a case with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). He said Ibori’s case should be a challenge for the country’s leadership on the shortcoming of all security agencies. Salaam urged the country’s antigraft agencies to double their efforts in fighting corruption before many more convictions are secured abroad. Salaam, who said it was wrong for Nigerians to start jubilating over the case, said Ibori’s case was a big shame to the nation, which should call for sober reflection.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Transportation is one of the biggest problems facing Nigerians. But with the concerted effort of the states and local governments, the transit buses would help ease the problem. -Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

Banks plan disabled friendly branches From Nduka Chiejina, Asst. Editor

HE Central Bank of Ni geria in conjunction with the Bankers’ Committee is working on a policy that will ensure that every bank has in every town, at least one branch that is disabled friendly. Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed this yesterday when members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja. “At the last Bankers’ Committee where we talked about women, I told them we are going to come up with a policy that will make sure that every bank has in every town at least one branch that is disabled friendly. We will not ask them to restructure every branch but in Abuja there should be a branch, in Kano a branch, in every city a branch, in Lagos, you go to Ikoyi, Victoria Island or Ikeja, in each of those areas at least every bank must say this is our disabled friendly branch.” “The banks have to make all the changes that they need to and this has already been announced to them at Bankers’ Committee. We just have not yet finalised the regulation that we are going to issue’” he said. As part of the CBN’s affirmative action, the governor said that the apex bank is also looking out for and actively recruiting qualified people with disabilities. The CBN he said “will not sacrifice merit, if you have a first class degree like everybody we will not take you, but if you are qualified and handicapped, we will do our best to bring you in. In this regard, the CBN has made an employment offer to one of the victims of the United Nations bomb attack who lost both legs.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.7% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

• CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPD), Barrister Danlami Basharu, Secretary General, JNAPD), Honourable Dandison Hart, during a courtesy visit to the CBN ...yesterday

Unspent funds: AGF probes bank accounts of MDAs

HE Accountant Gen eral of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Jonah.O. Otunla, is probing the accounts of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs’) in respect of their unspent funds as at December 2011. Unspent personnel and overhead funds were expected to have been returned to the Treasury by December 2011 by MDAs. Unspent capital budget is expected to be utilised by March 31 or the cash returned to the Treasury. The AGF, in a letter to banks dated February 15 requested for the bank accounts balances of Federal Government Ministries,

From Nduka Chiejina Asst. Editor

Departments and Agencies as at December 31, 2011. The letter reads: “I wish to request for a list of bank accounts maintained by Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in your bank as at 31st December, 2011 in both soft and hard copies. “Your submission should state the Title of the Account, Purpose, Agency, Current Balance, Status (Active or Dormant), whether authorised by OAGF and any other information. “Your response is expected latest by 29th Feb-

ruary, 2012. Meanwhile, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.” It was signed by AGF. Many banks are yet to submit the requested documents to the AGF on the pretext that they are still collating the data. Mr. Hassan Dodo, spokesman of the Office of the AGF, confirmed that the AGF was indeed investigating the account balances of all the MDAs to determine those that have complied with the directive to close their recurrent expenditure on December 31, 2011. Dodo added that some

MDAs had partially complied with the suspension of their recurrent expenditure for 2011, noting that N23,794,879,316.50 have so far been remitted to the Sub Treasury of the Federation (STF) by some MDAs. These remittances represent a partial compliance with the directive by the MDAs as the Federal Government was expecting to receive over N200 billion at the end of last year. Dodo could not give specific details as to when the remittances were made. He said the MDAs were remitting their unspent recurrent expenses everyday.

Fed Govt carpets Shell over domestic gas

HE Federal Govern m e n t is displeased over Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited’s handling of supply of domestic gas to power Itorogu and Ughelli power projects in Delta State. Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke expressed the displeasure when a delegation of Shell officials led by its out-going Chairman, Malcom Brinded visited President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential Villa yesterday, in the company of Andy Brown, the in-coming chairman and the company’s Managing Director, Mutiu Summonu and Ian Craig. The minister, who brought the delegation to the Presidential Villa, also said that the government has been able to extract commitment to up work in that direction. She said: “Some of our concerns, which we have expressed to them and to Mr. President, lie in the area of domestic gas and the integrity of the gas plants. That of course is a major concern because we must provide sustainable and adequate volume of gas to the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP)

• ‘Why we’re not building refineries’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

power plants if we need to move forward in the manner that the government intends to in terms of power supply. “So, we have expressed our very stringent concern in this regard and also balancing domestic gas output. Shell has assured us in this meeting with Mr. President that they will up the supply and production of gas in the western axis and that they will take very seriously, our major concern with the domestic gas supply in the western axis in which Shell is predomi-

nant. “We have already held a major power retreat in the last 10 days from which we are expecting some very potent solutions to the spillages in gas in the western axis and we will be looking at the output of that retreat in the next 24 to 36 hours so that we can move on in a very aggressive manner in closing the gap on our gas supplies particularly from the western axis. This is a major concern for us and we are taking it very seriously.” Meanwhile, Brinded said Shell was not investing in refineries in the country be-

cause it is not a viable business. “We are not investing because essentially there is a surplus of capacity of refineries in the world and actually is a global business. “There is surplus of refinery capacity, which essentially means many refineries in the world run at a loss. This also means one can get refine products back again and pay very little for it to be refined,” he said. Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan challenged Shell to actively participate in the Federal Government’s efforts at infrastructural development, especially in the power sector.

N111b 2019, 2022 bonds raised

HE Federal Govern ment raised N111 bil lion ($703.73 million) at a bond auction on Wednesday, its second this year, with yields on the 2019 bonds marginally higher than at its previous auction, while yields fell on its 2012 bonds, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday. The debt office, according to Reuters news, said it auctioned N35 billion each in the 10-year bonds due to mature in 2019 and 2022. It issued an additional N41 billion in 2022 maturity paper in a non-competitive sale.

Agric ministry targets $256b From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adebowale Adenike, Abuja

IGERIAN Agricul tural Sector is ca pable of generating $256 billion annually by 2030, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesian has said. The Minister also revealed that the sector would have annually raked in $10 billion into the government’s coffer if Nigeria has not relented in the production of cocoa, cotton, oil palm and groundnut as being done in the 1960s. Adesina disclosed these yesterday during a meeting with the Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources from the 36 states of the country in Abuja.

Guided liquidation approved for NITEL

HE National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved ‘guided liquidation’ as the strategy for the privatisation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd (NITEL) and its mobile arm, M-TEL. This was in view of the huge liabilities of both firms. At its first meeting for 2012, which took place at Presidential Villa, Abuja last Monday, the body also approved that the Technical Committee (TC) and

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Legal Committee (LC), two standing committees of NCP, work closely to determine the modalities for handling NITEL/ MTEL’s guided liquidation. The spokesman, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh made disclosure these in a statement yesterday. The council also directed

that all liquidators that have unresolved disputes with the BPE be excluded from the process for the appointment of a liquidator for the NITEL/MTEL transaction. Nwokoh recalled that at its last meeting on December 15, 2011, the NCP had considered the presentations made by the management of NITEL and MTEL on the way forward for both companies. He added that the NCP

had directed the management of NITEL and MTEL to submit detailed financial reports and other relevant information on the proposals for the resuscitation of both companies to the Technical Committee of the NCP; and tasked the Technical Committee to consider the submissions by Nitel/Mtel management and submit its recommendations to the next meeting of NCP.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

PROGRAMME

SHELTER

3,000 farmers to benefit from World Bank project

Akpabio begins 920 housing units Akwa Ibom

Cross River 16

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012 HE event would have been tagged unwholesome cultural interaction. Some would have termed it clash of cultures. That was when Stanley Meets Muthesa, a poem that depicts the corruption of African culture due to its contact with that of the Western. That was in the yesteryear. In the modern era, exchange of cultural ideas and programmes has become the norm and a means through which countries help one another in their quest for development. The later played out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and the Federal Polytechnic Oko both in Anambra State where students from Xiamen University China exhibited their rich cultural heritage. Some Nigerian dance troupes were also present to display the rich culture which the country boasts. The displays were awesome. The audience, including Nigeria’s former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and his brother Prof. Laz Ekwueme who is the traditional ruler of Oko Kingdom in Orumba North Local Government Area, were literally immersed in the razzamatazz. With the popular Nigerian Nkpokiti Dance Group from Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area also in attendance, the atmosphere became more frenzied. Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, described the event as marriage of cultures between Nigeria and China. Before performing at Oko Federal Polytechnic, the troupe had been at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Interestingly, the two institutions operate Confucius institutes. The Acting Local Director, Confucius Classroom, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Mrs Christy Okoye, told Newsextra that what

Page 15

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

•From right: Prof. Ahaneku (standing); Dr. Muo; Dr. Ekwueme; his wife, Beautrice and Registrar, Mr. Nwokolobia

Fusion of cultures in Anambra Ekwueme, monarch praise initiative From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

gave rise to the unique gathering was the success recorded by the visionary and pragmatic leadership of the institution’s Rector Prof. Godwin Onu. Onu has, on November 5, 2010, introduced and inaugurated Chinese language and cultural centre, with affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. This, she said, is aimed at accessing Chi-

nese language and culture teaching and learning facilities in the institution. She said: “With an eye on industrialisation, Nigeria sees China as a bride and we are taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by HANBAN, the headquarters of Confucius Institute. Language barrier is a river that must be crossed. “HAN BAN, which is one of the institutions in China, has provided the bridge. Some of us have the

privilege of attending training workshops in China sponsored by HANBAN and today’s occasion is another dream come true.” She said that Confucius classroom is growing with two regular classes of students, adding that about 10 students are ready for the second stage of the course. “We have an annex at Etti Computer Institute Nanka where one of our students is teaching some 30 others. “Our prayer is that culture will

spread faster. The culture of diligence, perseverance, resourcefulness, faithfulness, grace and orderliness are all embedded in the philosophy of Confucius the great teacher who the Chinese strongly believe in. “Music is a universal language. It is good medicine for the soul and we are here to allow the Chinese and Nigerian musical balms soothe our souls.” Prof. Joseph Ahaneku of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka told Newsextra that Nnamdi •Continued on Page 50

Abia awards N7.6b road contracts

•Governor Orji

HE Abia State Government has said it awarded contracts for the construction of roads and the rebuilding of some parts of the Ohafia military barracks to the tune of N7.6b to several construction companies, even as it disclosed that it recovers, on monthly basis, the sum of N20m being salaries of ghost workers. Speaking with journalists in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Don Ubani said that the construction work cuts across

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

the three senatorial zones of the state. He said that the government decided to rebuild some parts of the Ohafia military barracks because of the enormous security efforts the soldiers are making since they came into the state by helping to check the excesses of kidnappers and other criminal activities. He said: “The state Executive Council has approved the reconstruction of roads, car park, parade

ground and other auxiliary structures at the army barracks, Ohafia to a construction company to the tune of N1.4b because of the good work the soldiers are doing in the state in terms of security.” According to the commissioner, the Ururuka-Ndiolumbe-Umuahia Road which cuts across five local government areas of the state is also one of the roads whose contracts were awarded for reconstruction and that will cost the sum of N210m. Ubani disclosed that the state government has been able to re-

cover the sum of N20m monthly from ghost workers after several months of verification exercise, which the state governor, Theodore Orji directed to be carried out to curb the various means through which the state has been losing money. He said that the verification exercise which is still ongoing has been able to throw up about 558 staff who could not be identified, adding that when they are identified they will be made to face the •Continued on Page 50

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Akwa Ibom begins 920 housing units

3,000 farmers to benefit from World Bank agric project

•Governor Imoke

O less than 3,000 farmers in Cross River State have been selected to benefit from the 150 million dollars (about N23.70 billion) Commercial Agriculture Project being funded by the World Bank in five states. The number, according to Commercial Agriculture Development Association (CADA) in the state, is still way off the 10,000 farmers targeted for the programme in the state. The association’s chairman, Mr Owali Ilem, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar that the group was vigorously searching for eligible farmers for the programme.

Council flags off immunisation

HE national immunisation plus days has been flagged off at the Agege Local Government in Lagos State . The event which took place at the Primary Health Care Centre Dopemu in the council officially launched the administration of free polio vaccines on children between the age of 0-5 years. Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the local government, Hon jubreel Ayodeji Abdulkareem, expressed his delight at seeing the large turn-out of mothers who are already enlightened on the necessity to adequately immunise their children and wards against all childhood killer diseases. The council chief stated throughout the duration of his first term in office till now,

the Local Government had participated in all national immunisation plus days and he can therefore confidently say that Agege Local Government is free of all polio virus. Both the World Health Organisation representative, Alhaja Shafau and the state health facilitator Alhaja Ayilara used the opportunity to educate mothers on the importance of immunisation, stressing that it is only when the children are healthy and well that mothers can focus on their businesses and careers that the dream of a healthy and wealthy society is achieveable. The local government medical officer, Dr Mrs Bankole Adekunle, urged all parents to always make their children available at all times the opportunity arises.

Senator condemns pipeline vandalism

ENATOR Olugbenga Obadara has condemned pipeline vandals terroristing residents of the Journalists Estate at the Arepo, Ogun State. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) pipeline runs through state. Some vandals who stormed the place recently fired gunshots sporadically at buildings; residents scampered for safety . Obadara said: “It is so sad the some people will be sitting at home and what they think about is to destroy the assets of government when we are talking of development, the action of the vandals was really cruel.” He added: “For vandals coming to vandalise the pipelines laid by NNPC to siphon fuel illegally is a threat to the economy. I will like you the residents to formally complain to the Commissioner of Police and copy my office as your representative then we can take it from there.” He expressed dismay at the harrowing experience of the residents saying: “Imagine if 50 people can load themselves and come through the riverine area to molest, destroy and maim people.”

Cross River Ilem said CADA selected cocoa, rice and oil palm production for the project in 2011, adding that the World Bank approved 59 “sub-projects” in cocoa and rice only. He said nothing was approved initially for oil palm production because of the bank’s ban on investment in it. He, however, disclosed that the prohibition on oil palm production by the bank had been waived and approval had been given for five projects in its production and an additional five for cocoa. “So, as it is now, we have 10 new approvals from the World Bank, bringing to 69, the total of projects currently on in the state for the agriculture programme. “We have also sent 52 new proposals for approval and we are projecting that between now and March, we will increase the number of proposals to 68. We want our farmers to be seriously engaged.’’ Ilem also disclosed that CADA collaborated with the World Bank to construct rural roads in communities where the agricultural projects were located, adding that plans were on to construct more roads under the collaboration. “We have done about 23 kilometres of rural roads which are all linked to various communities where we have our farms. “These roads are in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Biasse Local Government Area, Ikom Town, Yala Local Government Area and a few other places.’’ He lamented that the project was facing challenges of power supply to the farms and insufficient land to carry out some activities.

•From left: Chairman, Oriade Local Government. Hon Ibrahim Tunde Sanusi; Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government. Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Leader ,Amuwo Odofin Legislative Council, Hon Wasiu Bello and Hon Akeem Adesina Agbelesa during the Amuwo Odofin Local Government 2012 Budget presentation at the council secretariat.

HE Enugu State government has distributed 300 mini buses to mission and public secondary schools in the state. Distributing the 18-seater buses in Enugu,the state capital, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Simon Ortuanya, said they would facilitate the movement of students’ question papers during examinations and attendance to sporting activities and debates. He described the event as historic, adding that it would further motivate the schools. “I have peculiar privilege to perform the

•From left: Gbagada Gemeral Hospital Deputy Medical Director, Dr Kunle Dauda, Alhaji Danielu Amzat, Mrs Tinuola Olupitan, Mr Tayo Bright, Chairman Governing Board of the Hospital, Dr Tokunbo Oluwole, chief Tunde Temionu, Mrs Tinuke Ogundipe and Dr Bola Abejide during the Free Medical Screening on hypension and diabetes at the Shukura Yam Market, Mile 12 Lagos

Briefly

War against sub-standard products slow,” he said. The coordinator said the council was working with state attorneys-general and commissioners for justice for the provision of lawyers for the council to handle cases in the proposed mobile courts. Tamunokonbia said the council in the zone impounded fake and sub-standard goods worth N9 million in Anambra in 2011. He said 56 cases of consumers, who were shortchanged by sellers of some products were handled and settled by the council during the period. He, however, complained that the council’s activities in the zone had been hampered by logistic problems and called for government assistance in that regard.

Church holds crusade

•Senator Obadara (left) Somuyiwa listens at the event.

THE Mountain of Solution and Revival Mission a.k.a Covenant chapel in conjunction with Gabriel Ifeanyichukwu Onyeisi World Evangelistic Outreach will hold a four-day open air crusade with the theme: “The King of Kings” from Wednesday,March 7 to Sunday March 11, at 16/21, Ademola Street, Agodo last bus stop by Cele-Egbe bus stop, Ikotun, Lagos.The programme is to commemorate its annual 40 days of prayer and fasting. The

Akwa Ibom lake that would drain water from the stadium, the Tropicana Entertainment Centre and Ring Road 3 into a stream in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. Enoidem, who pledged to partner with the press, described the media as “a vital ingredient for the sustenance of any society. “My understanding is that the press is also an arm of government, the fourth institution in the development of any society. “We need to work with the press not for it to praise us but to criticise us and keep us focused.’’ Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the

Correspondents Chapel, Mr Inemesit AkpanNsoh, praised the leadership of the ministry for its efforts in the building of a new governor’s lodge, e-library and a banquet hall during the first tenure of the Godswill Akpabio administration. Akpan-Nsoh described the ministry as “the engine room of the uncommon transformation agenda of the state government’’. He said that the chapel was grateful to the commissioner for his media-friendly posture. Akpan-Nsoh pledged that the chapel would remain fair and critical in the reportage of the activities of the ministry and urged the commissioner to remain focused toward meeting the yearnings of the people.

Don urges leaders to be Enugu donates buses to schools creative, dynamic Enugu function of the formal handover of buses to principals of schools in Enugu State. “The government of Enugu State in its pursuit of better and quality education for our people approved the purchase of 300 buses for public schools in the state . “These buses will facilitate movement of principals even when it comes to exams, movement of question papers, attendance of competitions like quiz and debates and general motivation of the school,’’ he said. Reacting to the distribution, Mr Ben Enemo, the President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Enugu State chapter, expressed gratitude to the government for the huge investment in education. He recalled that Governor Sullivan Chime on February 6, 2009 made the promise to buy buses for schools during an interactive session with principals of secondary schools. “On behalf of ANCOPSS, Enugu State Branch, we pledge to reciprocate this gesture through improved productivity and efficiency in our different schools,’’ the president said.

Council chief seeks cleaner environment

THE Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has concluded arrangements to establish mobile courts to prosecute manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit and sub-standard products. Its South-East Zonal Coordinator, Mr Tam Tamunokonbia, disclosed the plan in an interview with journalists said that the mobile courts would ensure quicker dispensation of justice for arrested suspects. “We usually arrest producers and sellers of fake and sub-standard goods and hand them over to the police for prosecution but the process of prosecution has been very

HE Akwa Ibom State government has started building 920 housing units under its mass housing scheme, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, said. The commissioner made the disclosure in Uyo when the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom council, paid him a courtesy visit. Enoidem said the houses would be spread across the three senatorial districts with Akwa Ibom North-East having 520 units, Akwa Ibom North-West, 200, and Akwa Ibom South, 200 units. He explained that Akwa Ibom North-East would have 520 houses because it was closer to Uyo, the state capital. The commissioner said apart from Akwa Ibom South, where construction had yet to take off, the construction had started in the other two senatorial districts. He said that work at the Olympic-sizestadium in the state had begun, adding that land had been acquired to create an artificial

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

By Musa Odoshimokhe

The senator said the matter would receive the attention of the authorities particularly now that government is doing everything possible to make the country safe. He urged theresidents to take preemptive measures by being security conscious at all times because the situationcalls for that. Replying, the chairman of Journalists’ Estate Resident Association, Gbayode Somuyiwa thanked the senator for finding time to attend the monthly community development meetings despite his tight schedule. He said it was because of the vandals problem that a security expert, Abiodun Opawole, the Chief Executive of Tom Salem Security Services was brought to educate the residents on how to make the estate safe. He urged the government to build a flyover bridge and construct road breaks at the junction of the estate because of the danger that the place poses to residents especially as the road was one of the busiest in the country.

crusade holds from 5pm daily and anointing for prosperity service on Sunday 9am. Speaking on the programme, the host Senior Pastor Gabriel Ifeanyichukwu Onyisi said, the crusade is a mandate from God and it run for three consecutive times this year .He added that it is set apart to bring real changes or solution to the lives of Nigerians. ha Highlights of the event include powerful ministrations, healing, deliverance, prophecies and breakthroughs.

HE Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, has charged residents of the council to cooperate fully with the Private Sector Participation(PSP) operators in his area. He made this call during the last environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State . “The government of Lagos State has out-lawed the operation of the cart-pushers because of the danger they pose to the society, the best alternative is for the residents to carefully bag their refuse for the PSP operators to park without any difficulty. Any one that patronises the cart pusher is the enemy of the society”, he concluded. He further appealed to the residents to ensure that refuse are not dumped inside the drainage as the effects of climatic change brings about devastating flooding, even in places where they were never seen before. “The panacea against dangerous flooding is for the raining water to flow without any inhibition, if you dump the refuse inside the drainage there is the likelihood that it will block the channel, which will invariably lead to flooding. The citizens of Lagos State, especially Mushin Local Government area, were charged to cultivate clean culture without any prompting”. The residents of number 142, Isolo Road, Mushin were punished for refusing to pay the PSP operators for the past three years. The wife of the state governor, Mrs Abimbola Raji Fashola, wives of Lagos state officials, the council chairman and other top officials were in Mushin to observe the exercise. In her remarks, her Excellency remarked that the level of compliance to the exercise. The areas inspected are:Sule ShadowStreet Adefuwa Street, Adeoye, Igbo-Owu, Iyana-Isolo and others.

Imo

HE Acting Vice-Chancellor of Imo University, Owerri,Prof.B. E.Nwoke says a country can only make progress if its leaders possess positive, constructive, dynamic, creative and effective leadership qualities. Nwoke made the statement at the inaugural lecture on “Effective Leadership in the 21st Century”, presented as part of the reception organised in honour of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Owerri on Tuesday. Nwoke said many countries were facing leadership crises because those holding public positions were not true leaders. He said the world needed leaders who would lead their generation effectively. “Worldwide, in all continents, we are facing leadership crises. Our greatest need now is positive, constructive, dynamic, creative and effective leadership. “We may have many people filling administrative positions but you will quite agree with me that we need sincerely leaders who are able to do the job more effectively in our generation,” he said. The lecture held at the newly constructed Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, Owerri focused on the habits people must acquire to make effective leaders in the 21st century. Nwoke described habit as patterns of behaviour that involved three overlapping components, namely knowledge, desire and skills. He said leaders should be proactive, put first things first, seek to understand their subjects rather than seek to be understood as well as engage in synergy.

•One of the roads inaugurated by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Mr Ademorin Kuye in Oriade Local Council Development Area.

Enugu IGR hits N7b

HE Enugu State Economic Planning Commission, said on Thursday in Enugu that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rose to N7 billion in 2011 from N1.7 billion in 2007. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. Dan Onyishi, made the fact known in an interview with newsmen. He said that based on the ongoing economic reform in the state, the government could collect a revenue of N8 billion for the year 2012. “Last year, we got about N7 billion, this year again, we are projecting for N8 billion which is based on the reform going on. “The IGR has maintained close to 40 per cent increment starting from 2007. As at 2007, it

Enugu was 1.7 billion, from there it moved to seven points. “So we have been moving and even with the movement, we are not satisfied because if you still look at it, it is still less than 20 per cent of the total revenue profile which is not healthy for us. “Our vision is by 2020, we should be able to hit close to 50 per cent so that we should be able to pay salary and run the government with IGR.” Onyishi said rather than collect external loans, the Enugu government had paid out its counter-part funds in furtherance of the World Bank-assisted projects in the state. “We’ve not borrowed any money other than World Bank supported projects. We try to manage our internal loans. “If we have gap, we try to borrow internally and within the budget period, we try to pay off.

Conference By Charity Williams

•Mrs Fashola (second left) HonAdepitan (middle),his wife, Rachel are (left) and other council officials in Adeoyo Street, Mushin during the exercise

HE Back to Bible conference will hold from March 14 to March 16 at Christian Pentecostal Mission headquarters in Lagos. Discussions will centre on how to build spiritual life and mould Christian character. The conference tagged: Parttakers of divine nature, will be co-coordinated by the church workers ministries from Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. According to the General Overseer Rev. Dr Obiorah Ezekiel, the word of God is renewed every morning, admonishing Christians to be partient and grow from strength to strength. Ezekiel said: “Back to Bible conference has no end, it is in exhaustible; spiritual life cannot be seen with the physical eyes. Christian life is an exemplary life that should manifest good values for non-believers to see. Referring to the title, he challenged Christians to continue to study the Bible daily until they are approved of God. The programme will involve registration of names, tree accommodation and feeding throughout the event .

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

How Nigeria can utilise agric Kebbi begins fertiliser sale potential, by Japanese envoy T

HE Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Rynichi Shojim, has said the agricultural sector is not fully functional reviving the sector. The envoy spoke when he visited the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani, in Abuja. While describing the sector as a basic industry, he said it has the potential to create wealth, provide employment annd boost the economy. His words: “Agriculture in Nigeria is not fully functional and there is a risk in it but it will present new opportunities, which means you can improve in important ways of agriculture in Nigeria and it can be reinvigorated. “Agriculture is a basic industry which is supposed to contribute to nation building and economic development. It is a powerful sector that can create employment,

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

wealth and reduce poverty.” He commended Tijanni for his initiative in transforming the sector through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). Shojim restated his government’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government in various areas of partnerships. He said the Japanese government can be of immense assistance in rice post harvesting and marketing. He added that the Grant Assistance for Underpriviledged Farmers (2KR) scheme presented to the minister would help to aid Nigeria towards food sufficiency. The scheme is a support provided for purchasing agricultural equipment such as machinery and fertiliser to help underpriviledged and small-scale farmers improve their self-suffi-

ciency ratio of food crops. Earlier, Tijanni said whatever supports rendered by the Japanese government would be adequately put to use. He said the government is committed in realising its promises for Nigerians. The minister noted that the ministry was looking forward to areas of private sector involvements particularly in terms of seedlings and equipment to really achieve success in its various value-chains. According to Tijani, he said the government was making plans to ensure that Nigerian rice competes with other nations of the world. However, the minister called for more collaboration with the Japanese government through its embassy in Nigeria. He said the staff of the embassy could support the ministry in coordinating whatever interventions the embassy was willing to offer to the development of the country’s agricultural sector.

HE Kebbi Government has started selling 90,000 bags of assorted fertiliser, seedlings, pumping machines and chemicals for this year’s dry season farming. Deputy Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, who launched the sale in Jega, said each bag would sell at N1,700 to genuine farmers. He said committees would be set up in local government areas to ensure that the improved seedlings, insecticide and chemicals were sold at the determined price and only to genuine farmers. He said efforts would be made to ensure that 80

per cent of the population engaged in farming were supported. Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Sani Kanya, said extension workers will be trained to assist farmers to ensure that they derive maximum benefit, including economic gains and food security from their efforts. He said modalities will be worked out to ensure that one extension worker assisted 800 farming groups in line with international standard. A cross section of the farmers that the fertiliser will be made available in remote areas.

Council spends N5m on irrigation

ABURA Local Government in Jigawa State, spent N5.7 million to construct 125 tube wells to boost irrigation farming, its Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, has said. He explained that the council, in collaboration with the Hadejia/ Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, under Fadama irrigation development scheme, constructed the wells for farms in various communities. He said the effort was to complement those of the state and Federal Governments in the drive to ensure food security and improve agriculture through irrigation farming. The council boss noted that each well was constructed for N45,000 in 128 villages.

He said it started with a pilot project at Kuzunzumi village where the council provided the farmers with water pump generators. Ahmed said the council was encouraged to expand the project to various villages that had Fadama in their areas. “The council, therefore, contacted the Hadejia/Jama’are River Basin Authority for the support and professional guide it obliged,’’ he said. He said Dankarda, Garungudunya, Insharuwa, Kuzunzumi, and Rafintsamiya were among the benefiting communities. He commended the Authority for its support and encouragement.

Association bans poly bags

•Snake yam on display at an agric exhibition at Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Don advocates insemination to increase livestock A DON, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has advocated the use of artificial insemination technology to increase livestock production. Speaking with The Nation, Adeloye, who is of the Animal Production Department, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), said artificial insemination represents an important development in helping infertile animals to bear young ones. According to him, there is a huge demand for livestock products given increasing population and income. The production response in variuos livestock systems, he explained, is linking with science and technology to help increase animal numbers. To this end, Adeloye said the use of conventional livestock breeding techniques would be responsible for increases in yield of livestock products. He said optimising the use of insemination is fundamental to good incubation. He said rapid population growth would continue to be an important impediment to achieving improvements in food security. In Uganda, Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (MUCAES) has announced that it has successfully completed its pig artificial

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

insemination trial? The trial led to the production of 12 piglets. The piglets were produced by a pig belonging to a local farmer with the first delivery recorded in November. Other inseminated pigs are still under gestation. The project, funded by the Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), at an estimated cost of $60,000, has been going on for two-and-a-half years at the Makerere University Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) as a pilot project to evaluate the performance of artificial insemination technology in pigs. Head of the Department of Agricultural Production, Dr Denis Mpairwe, told reporters that although artificial insemination is practised in other places, Ugandan farmers faced limitations such as limited access to quality and disease-free boars to fertiliser the females, the high cost of raising male pigs and a lack of technical know how to detect heat periods and insemination. “The challenge in Uganda is freezing the semen for use in fu-

ture and what we have done is to use fresh semen,” said Mpairwe. “Another challenge is how to raise the boar since it is expensive and when the sow comes on heat, you have to look for the boar which (is free from) African swine fever, a deadly disease in pigs.” He said the research team led by Prof. David Mutetika embarked on testing the artificial insemination technology to help piggery farmers in the country. A boar stud has been set up at the Agricultural Research Institute to collect, examine, package and distribute good genes to piggery farmers and roll out the technology to farmers. Researchers said other strategies will involve the promotion of: rearing high quality breeds of pigs through careful selection of good boars; building farmers’ capacity to detect the females on heat; record keeping and proper feeding to boost farmers’ productivity. They noted that they have succeeded in training boars for semen collection and the making of a local dilutant that is able to keep boar semen for four days. Pig farming is widely practiced in the country by a number of homesteads both on a small and large scale and official figures indicate that there are about 3.2mn pigs in Uganda.

HE National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has banned the use of polypropylene bags for packaging. In a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Lagos, the association called on farmers to change to jute bags for packing and storing raw cashew nuts. The association said cashew packed in polypropylene bags coming to Lagos for export will attract a fine of N20,000 per tonne. The stakeholders admitted poor harvest practices by farmers and attributed the problem to lack of adequate information on good harvest and post-harvest practices. Some of the constraints, the association identified, included the

harvest of immature nuts, plucking of unripe cashew from the trees and the difficulty in peeling. The association recommended adequate extension and training for the farmers to help them adopt best practices. The meeting decided that foreigners should not be allowed at the farmgate to avoid over heating the market and breach of value chain. Consequently, the stakeholders decided a fine of N50,000 per tonne on any errant foreign trader. It was recommended that regular workshops be held for farmers to educate them on the proper handling of cashew to achieve better quality standards.

Lagos agribusiness expo coming THE Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operatives, Skills Enhancement Centre (SENCE) and Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) are holding an agribusiness exhibition from March 29 to March 30.

Chief Operating Officer, SENCE, Mrs. Ogo Ibok, said the exhibition entitled: Agriculture the new frontier: Access to information on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, will take place at the City Hall Lagos.

Govt empowers more youths in agric THE Lagos State Government is empowering more youths in agriculture to boost food production and job creation in the state. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operative, Dr Olajide Basorun, stated this while addressing the agricultural youth empowerment scheme(AGRIC-YES) course IV applicants. Addressing over 1,500 youths that applied for the scheme, Bashorun represented by the Programme Manager, Agric Development Authority ADA, Mr Kayode Ashafa, said the scheme has produced graduates who are doing well in various areas in the agric industry. Bashorun said the vision of the project is to produce farmers in the areas of poultry, fish farming, beekeeping and all season vegetable farming production. He said the scheme is designed in three phases.The first phase of six months is a full-time intensive training of class study and practicals on a demonstration farm. The second phase is also six month intensive

training in reputable and viable commercial farms. At this stage, the permanent secretary said the interns are housed and made to work on the commercial farms before launching themselves into the real world of farming. He said 200 trainees have graduated from this stage while course three set is undergoing internship.The third phase, according to Basorun, is the final exit phase where successful trainees are settled in farms “here successful interns will be supported by the state government with take-off grants and linkage to the Lagos Micro Finance Institution (LASMI) for credit assistance. It is projected that with the production of 200 graduate farmers from the institute in a year, the state would have been able to produce not fewer than 1,000 elite farmers in the next five years”, he stated. With 320 hectares of land the Agric Yes project is engaging, equipping and empowering youths in Lagos through agriculture.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Rick Santorum vs. JFK

Ibori’s fall • A man who escaped our inept court system suffered conviction in a foreign land

“

E was never the legitimate governor and there was effectively a thief in government house. As the pretender of that public office, he was able to plunder Delta State’s wealth and hand out patronage.” That was prosecutor QC Sasha Wass’ impression of the man, James Ibori, former governor of Delta State. And it was quite apt, and sad. The British police had accused Ibori of stealing $250 million (£160 million) during his eight-year rule as governor of the state. The former governor was arrested in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then extradited to London where he is standing trial in London’s Southwark Crown Court, for a 10-count charge of laundering $250million (about N37.5billion) and conspiracy to defraud. The money, which he used to sustain his lavish lifestyle, belonged to the Delta State government. The fact that Ibori could not even be faithful over little things is unfortunate. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his plea to guilty during the trial on February 27, admitting that he laundered the money through some offshore companies. In his bid to become governor, Ibori, 53, had given a false date of birth and despite the fact that he had been convicted, at least twice in the UK, he still claimed he had no criminal record. Whereas not only does Mr. Ibori have a criminal record, he is indeed a double convict; on one occasion, he was sentenced alongside his wife, Theresa, (nee Nakanda) by a British court on

January 25, 1991. A year after his conviction before the Crown court at Isleworth, Mr. Ibori, who is an elder of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was back in court again, this time at the Clerkenwell magistrate’s court, in London where he was, on February 7, 1992 convicted on one count of handling stolen goods. It is instructive too that his wife, Theresa, his sister, Christine, his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, and his London solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, all accomplices, had been convicted of money laundering. Tragic, you would say. But that is the story of this man who once bestrode Delta State like a colossus. Ibori lived life to the full; little wonder he was called ‘The sheikh’ in his days as governor. But Ibori is only a metaphor for Nigeria’s collapsed system. Nigeria is one of the few countries where a man with such a sordid past could have aspired to and indeed clinch the prized post of chief executive of a state. The irony of it all is that it was not as if he was never caught or tried in Nigeria; but the country’s judicial system is such that allowed him to go scot free because of a technicality that one is not sure if it was one of the head or that of the heart. An Asaba court that tried him freed him because it was not sure if he was the James Ononafe Ibori that was once convicted or not! But the British legal system is too sophisticated for that kind of sophistry. Ibori’s conviction demonstrates the rottenness of our judicial system. Since public appointments should

naturally be for people who are found worthy not just in qualifications but also in character, how come Ibori was able to scale security checks in the country? This is most regrettable; it is particularly sad that such a person could also become governor here. These are the kind of people giving Nigerians a bad name outside and are probably responsible for the extra security checks Nigerians are subjected to abroad. Our consolation however lies in the fact that finally, Ibori will pay for his disgraceful conduct, as he is expected to be sentenced next month. But he is not alone; there are many other Iboris in public offices in the country. We hope they would learn their lesson before it is too late.

‘But Ibori is only a metaphor for Nigeria’s collapsed system. Nigeria is one of the few countries where a man with such a sordid past could have aspired to and indeed clinch the prized post of chief executive of a state ... Our consolation however lies in the fact that finally, Ibori will pay for his disgraceful conduct, as he is expected to be sentenced next month’

Death of a humour merchant

• James Iroha, alias Giringori, was a parable of a neglected genius

T is a striking irony that he who brought so much laughter died such a miserable man. We are talking of Nigerian star comedian James Iroha aka Giringori Akabogu, who passed on February 28, aged 70 years. Iroha was the creator of the now rested television drama, The New Masquerade which ruled the screen in the early ‘80s on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network. The TV play started as a 15-minute radio programme known as The Masquerade at the then East Central State Broadcasting Corporation, Enugu. After it was adapted for TV, it captivated a national audience for almost two decades. In the drama, Iroha, who hailed from Abia State, played the lowly role of a Calabar houseboy with all the linguistic nuances. The play had a mix

‘The actors and actresses of today need to learn from the discipline and devotion of an artiste like Iroha. In other climes, Iroha would be immortalised for his services to drama. He would be remembered as a hilarious performer who gave all to his craft. It is a pity that art was not enough to give him a good life. As he returns to his maker, we wish him a peaceful rest from his earthly labours’

of ethnicity and reflected the issues of the day, often in a satirical way. Iroha gave 40 years of his life to acting, but died a pauper. He was afflicted in both eyes by glaucoma and cataract, and had undergone several operations at home and abroad with no success. In a defining moment, he was reported to have said recently, “I’m almost begging for food. I need money to pay rent, buy my medicine. Now there is nothing between poverty and me. I’m just nose-to-nose with poverty.” Before his death, he cried out for rehabilitation, saying he was broke. And to think that he was a retired Director of Programmes at the Abia State Broadcasting Service! It was a tragic picture. Iroha was one of the forerunners of the Nigerian movie industry, which is today known as Nollywood. But while the latter-day artistes have recorded financial success, Iroha’s generation has not been so fortunate. The New Masquerade was a plus for local content in TV programming in the country. It was a household name nationwide, attracting viewers from all walks of life. It promoted unity in diversity with its representative cast, and was full of earthy humour. It is regrettable that there is a dearth of such programmes on TV at the moment. The show should have provided a foundation for local content development on TV. These days, the foreign soap operas have taken over the TV, with all the

cultural implications and gaps. And it is lamentable that corporate sponsors would rather fund these foreign shows than help to develop local content. Huge sums of money are budgeted for the foreign soaps to the disadvantage of local programmes. This corporate support would have taken care of the local artistes, and prevented the kind of fate that befell Iroha. It is high time the corporate world focused on meaningful contribution to the local arts scene so that accomplished artistes like Iroha don’t end up in penury. Iroha’s death further diminished the original cast of The New Masquerade. Gone are Christy Essien-Igbokwe (Apena) and Claude Ake ( Jegede Sokoya). These were fine artistes with a high sense of professionalism. Their passion for work was impressive and laudable. In spite of the fact that they made little or no money from the stage, they kept faith till the end. The actors and actresses of today need to learn from the discipline and devotion of an artiste like Iroha. In other climes, Iroha would be immortalised for his services to drama. He would be remembered as a hilarious performer who gave all to his craft. It is a pity that art was not enough to give him a good life. As he returns to his maker, we wish him a peaceful rest from his earthly labours.

ENNEDY famously defended separating church and state. The GOP candidate argues he went too far. It’s a testament to the power of John F. Kennedy’s comments about religion during the 1960 presidential campaign that his words make current presidential candidate Rick Santorum want to throw up. Kennedy’s Catholicism was an issue for some voters, who evidently feared that he would put the pope’s dictates above the American people’s. That prompted Kennedy to declare, in a speech to a group of Protestant ministers two months before the 1960 election: “I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute.... I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish; where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source; where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials; and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.... I believe in a president whose religious views are his own private affair, neither imposed by him upon the nation or imposed by the nation upon him as a condition to holding that office.” This declaration of independence from the Vatican was so persuasive that the idea of any Catholic candidate being beholden to the pope today seems ridiculous. Just ask Santorum, a Catholic who’s never had to venture into Baptist country to reassure nervous clergymen. Nevertheless, Santorum argues that Kennedy went too far. Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,”he explained why Kennedy’s stance makes him nauseated: “I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is antithetical to the objectives and the vision of our country.... Kennedy for the first time articulated the vision, saying, ‘No, faith is not allowed in the public square. I will keep it separate.’” Perhaps Santorum ought to read the speech again. Nowhere did Kennedy say that he wouldn’t listen to faith-based arguments or that he’d freeze church leaders out of the White House. What he said was that the president shouldn’t be beholden to the dictates of his denomination’s leaders. That’s fully consistent with the 1st Amendment, which not only assures the free exercise of religion but also bars Congress from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.” Santorum approaches the issue from a different perspective, but his position isn’t inherently at odds with the one Kennedy expressed five decades ago. Kennedy tried to reassure people of different faiths that their views wouldn’t be dismissed simply because they weren’t Catholic. Santorum is saying that religious people’s views shouldn’t be dismissed simply because they are religious. That’s not to say the two men’s religious views were similar, or that their views led them in similar directions on policy. Kennedy ran as a liberal in the Franklin D. Roosevelt tradition, stressing such social issues as civil rights, a higher minimum wage and healthcare for seniors. Santorum’s social agenda focuses on opposing abortion, gay rights and federal funding for Planned Parenthood, among other conservative Christian priorities. There’s also a fundamental difference between arguing that no one religion ought to control governmental decisions, as Kennedy did, and arguing that people of faith shouldn’t be excluded from them, as Santorum does. The risky part of Santorum’s position is that policymakers will align themselves too closely with the beliefs of a particular segment of the population — the religious group with the most clout. That’s the complaint of the Anti-Defamation League, which noted Monday that the Founding Fathers “were not hostile to religion; many of them were deeply religious. Their goal was to protect individual religious liberty — including the liberty of those in the religious minority.” As a Christian, Santorum’s faith is comfortably within the American majority. But how would he feel about faith and government if he were Jewish or Muslim? Or more to the point, how would he feel about a community with a large Muslim population that elected a city council that decided to open its meetings with an Islamic blessing or adopted a few ordinances based on Sharia law? We suspect he wouldn’t be so sanguine about religion in politics in that case. – Los Angeles Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: Your editorial titled “Shell: Let Charity Begin at Home” refers. I want to draw attention to two points in said article; first, the misleading title given to the article and second, the place of Shell to call attention to the matter of oil spills and theft. The title itself is misleading. It suggests, in line with common understanding of the phrase that Shell should perform as if it had some stake in the long term development of the area and the protection of its natural resources. It does not, regardless of the sections of its organisations dedicated to community relations and the recent statement made by its Executive Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Ian Craig. The reason they do not have the empathic capacity when it comes to cleaning up in Nigeria is because of us. We live in a nation ruled by persons who are rather happy with the status quo. The story on “The Menace of Oil Theft” in this news-

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Re: “Shell; Let Charity Begin at Home” paper, made it very clear. The Joint Task Force arrested some individuals suspected to be in the business of illegal refineries, oil theft and oil bunkering. The report goes: “the suspects were paraded but ever since nothing has been heard about them”, “similarly, some Chinese and other nationals were reportedly captured with an undisclosed quantity of illegal crude oil, but what happened to the suspects afterwards, was not made public”. When we Nigerians adopt a laissez fair attitude to our policies and our laws, those who come from without will join us in our machinations. It is ridiculous to

think Shell should adhere to international standards. They adhere to national standards that is all they have ever needed to do. The second point is the statement: “It is therefore not in Shell’s place to point accusing fingers at this time”. Regardless of whether or not anything has been done about the 40,000 barrels of crude oil spilt off the coast of Nigeria last December, as of December 2011, Shell was the largest company on the FTSE, with a market capitalisation of £149.2 billion. It is a private company that has maintained market dominance by being the best at what it does. Nigeria is a country riddled with

structural inefficiency, religious handicap and corruption. Once the envy of Africa, it has been run into the ground by mismanagement. It has no public institutions to speak of and the limited amenities that support this fractured system are provided by private companies. If anyone is in any position to make comments about the state of our infrastructure it is a body that holds itself accountable to its shareholders. The Nigerian government on the other hand have repeatedly proven to be our neo-colonial masters. Without private institutions, who will bring our plight to govern-

Address the root of Niger Delta agitation now

IR: Since 1958 when oil was first collected in commercial quantity, Nigeria has become rich with oil money. It has gotten to the extent that Nigeria is now the largest producer of oil in Africa and is seen as a strategic force on the continent. But the question to ask is what has happened to the goose laying the nation’s golden eggs? What can be said of the level of environmental pollution and poverty prevalent in the Niger Delta region? And what is the government doing to salvage the situation? The problem in the Niger Delta started in the 60’s when the people started to experience neglect. It was during this period that Isaac Boro, one of the forefront leaders of the struggle against the marginalisation of the Niger Delta, rose up. He wanted a state to be created out of the defunct Eastern Region in the hope that it would allow the people control their resources. The government did not listen to him and then he attempted to secede. He was arrested by the gov-

ernment but was released during the Civil War to fight for the Nigerian side and was killed in battle. After his death, the people continued in their state of despondency until Ken Saro-Wiwa came into the scene in the 90’s. Saro-Wiwa, who was an environmental activist, did not encourage the use of violence. He created the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and sought for every peaceful means necessary to fight the Abacha regime in order to stop the environmental pollution in the land. He was however unjustly hanged on November 10, 1995 alongside eight other Ogoni activists. And so the government succeeded in silencing the voice of the people. But not for long, as the frustration of the people led them to turn from peaceful means to the use of arms. The people gathered in the hometown of Boro in 1998 and they made a declaration and from then on militancy began and soon criminality crept into their activism. Since then,

various regimes have applied different solutions but have they gotten it right? The Yar’Adua administration after discovering that a crackdown on militants was not the solution and seeing that Nigeria was losing a lot of money to militant operation thought it wise to introduce the amnesty programme and people from various strata congratulated Yar’Adua for finally solving the Niger Delta crisis. But then again, is the crisis really over? Has this struggle that Boro and Saro-Wiwa led ended simply because militants were pardoned? In my view, amnesty is not the solution, as it amounts to dealing with the symptoms and not the source. The problem will continue no matter how many militants are sent abroad for education, as there are still millions of potential militants left behind in the creeks. Therefore, the government should now begin to pay attention to what Boro and Saro-Wiwa agitated for. The rehabilitation and development of the Niger Delta should begin in earnest.

The government should create a workable plan that would ensure that the Niger Delta region is totally rid of pollution. Environmental pollution in the region can be likened to a man who goes to receive something from his neighbour and ends up messing up his home and that same man keeps coming back and expects his neighbour to keep on receiving him with open hands. Therefore, oil multinational companies must be put in check so they do not continue polluting the environment. Industries should be established in the Niger Delta and they should also get 50 per cent of their resources through derivation. If these are done, jobs would be created and these youths who are called militants would become employed. Their lands and waters would become clean, thereby allowing them the opportunity to go back to agriculture. The Niger Delta would be placed on the world map, peace would reign and Nigeria would be the better for it. • Obia Vincent University of Lagos.

ments who will listen? Our elected leaders have got to where they are by means which leave them incapable of meaningful progress. Our religious leaders are comfortable in the knowledge that God will provide, as He has no doubt, already provided for them. Our educated elites, the ones fortunate enough to see too much, have given up. They either flee for dear life or stay to suck the blood of this country till it’s all dried out. In such circumstances every voice shouting for structural efficiency and development should be listened to. In answer to the question, “why should things be different here” I say things shouldn’t be different, but will continue to be, as long as we allow it. Shell builds affordable housing, schools and social areas for staff. What appears to be a virtual Eden is merely a response to poor infrastructure. They provide constant electricity and running water to these communes, a feat that seems to have surpassed the Federal Government. In short, they have reinvested in their company. But not by traditional means, no; they build infrastructure in a land they view as lawless. They insulate their people from Nigeria because they have very little faith in our Police Force, government or legal system. Nonetheless they are not gods. If there are oil spills, they will sure as hell try and get away with it. Whether this is right or wrong is not in question. The system they work within gives them the opportunity to get away with it and they jump at it, given how much is already being spent on the unnecessary creation of these islands. The Nigerian government, that hilarious representative of the Nigerian people, is the principal owner of ALL of the major upstream companies operating in Nigeria. They own 55% of Shell Nigeria, 60% of Agip, 60% of Mobil and 60% of Chevron. Logic dictates, for this fact alone, more than anyone else they should be held accountable. • Iyowuna Willie-Pepple, Rivers State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012 16

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Reality Bites I

Hogs tale (2)

Olatunji Ololade

N time, what youth deems to be crystal, age will find to be dew. Apology to Browning, but at no time has his rational thought attained greater realism than the present age. This age that we live in, we claim, is the age of the Nigerian youth. Thanks to the “wasted generation,” they have learnt to tell us what we love to hear: that we are the proverbial bastions of hope and sureties of a better tomorrow – even as they abort our dreams of bliss and we feed on the fetuses as hope, today. Such is the magnitude of duplicity we excite. In spite of the falsity we inflame, we have learnt to live for the benefits of the trifling and maleficent. And when the glitter begins to dim and the applause of the gallery begins to peter out, we recline to do what we have learnt to do best; we mount our soap boxes and curse the times; we blame everybody and everything but our-

‘Like the “wasted generation,” we seem to accept and joyously celebrate the ridiculous and passionate belief that somewhere between men and cattle, God created a tertium quid, and called it Nigerian’

selves for the emptiness we personify, always. Just so hollow and ineffectual are our lives today that for the most part, our wantonness and insatiable lust for wealth smothers that towering humanity that we ought to live for. “Wealth at all cost…Craftiness above sweat!” becomes the mantra and mighty levers by which we seek fulfillment and perpetuation of the Nigerian dream. Thrift and toil and saving that were once unimpeachable sureties to dependable hopes and fresh possibilities are today, guiding principles of the “weak” and “slothful” according to the 21st century Nigerian youth. Today, we seek the benefits of the chase and scorn the chase, except in infinite circumstances in which we pervert the context of the pursuit to chance on success. We elevate material prosperity as the touchstone of all successes and already the fatal might of this persuasion consumes us overwhelmingly, replacing the finer type of Nigerian youth with vulgar fortune hunters. That is why today, our banks are riddled with youthful bankers adept at stealing and fleecing poor, unsuspecting customers of their hard-earned savings. That is why today, our offices are plagued with promising youths able at adding limitless zeros to the back of every numeral with a Naira sign. That is why today, our podiums reverberate with the footsteps and platitudes of cunning and undeniably lazy youths remarkably versed at regurgitating stolen anecdotes to their

ASTOR Adeboye “has made big plans to save your soul, “writes Newsweek, a prominent US-based international newsmagazine in 2008, when he was named one of the world’s Top 50 Global Elites. At 70, a milestone age that he attains today March 2, there is no suggestion that he is about to relent on that effort. To say Adeboye is a true man of God is well known and stated already. But he is also one man of God, who deliberately and constantly elevates the God, more than the man. In the interest of full disclosure, let me state from the onset that I am a Parish Pastor of one of the thousands parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God around the world. But I write here in my personal capacity to pay tribute to the General Overseer of the church who has touched and continues to touch millions of lives including mine. Let us briefly highlight some exemplary virtues that his life represents, starting with his legendary humility. My very first experience of seeing Pastor Adeboye was at the University of Ibadan in the mid-90s, when he came to minister at the Chapel of The Resurrection. As he proceeded into the chapel alongside other ministers and aides, I was asking, where is the man? His Danshiki successfully concealed the influence and accomplishments already well noted in his life and ministry then. Daddy G.O., as many of us fondly refer to him, keeps in his office, an old photo of himself when he was new and very fresh in church leadership. At that time no one knew him as such, those were the leaner times. Then Adeboye, (as he refers to himself in public speeches), was only a hopeful promise packaged in a controversial order from the late redoubtable founder of RCCG, Pa. Josiah Akindayomi. The photo is left there to remind him regularly, the story goes, of his humble background, helping him to remain as humble as possible. In 2004, here in New York, the church held its annual North American Convention and some of us were involved in the several areas of planning. I still remember how Adeboye needed to get a new shoe and gave clear

intellectually challenged peers at random. Today the promising youths that we are, parade ourselves as willing muscles for devious politicians and criminal masterminds with a “master plan.” Such promising youths we have amongst us whose ministries traverse “Advocacy,” “Mentoring” and whatever fancy title aptly befits their “Ministry.” What are they advocating? Who are they mentoring? In pursuit of what? Money…maddening stacks of craftily earned money. Need I mention the doctor, nurse, journalist, internet scammer, accountant, policeman, and student whose hearts dangerously skip at the mention of every speedy shortcut to the good life? The tragedy of today’s youth lies not in our catastrophic unity in pursuit of devastating fortune and selfdestruct, but in our perpetual inclination to delude ourselves by subscribing to the farce that we are the next best hope to happen to our ailing fatherland. A broad wave of disillusionment and darkness yet hangs above the silver linings we desperately hope to succeed our darksome clouds. Yet with precision and unfaltering devotion, we work ourselves up into such a state in which we can only see the volcanic flare of our destructive acts as glitters of grandeur. Just some few months back, during the April general elections to be precise, certain characters were erroneously identified as youth leaders amongst the nation’s youth and they were therefore, courted by the ruling class. The objective was to win their support and eventually, the overwhelming goodwill and patronage of the Nigerian youth. They did win their support and apparently, the patronage of a major percentage of the Nigerian youth.

Today, we reap the benefits of self-deceit. It hardly matters if President Goodluck Jonathan and company are everything we thought they would be or they promised to be – we get what we deserve. We deserve the incumbent administration. And come 2015, we shall elect such characters that we deserve. Today it makes little difference what we think or dream, we lack the will and beaming brightness of morality to actualize it. The ferment of our striving towards self-realization is to the order of the universe like a cog within a wheel: beneath our brazen display of will are smaller but like problems of ideals, of tact, of leaders and the led, of poverty, of courage and cowardice, of tribalism and corruption, of order and subordination, and, through it all, the problem of selfdeception. Very few of us know of these problems, and the few that are intelligent enough to know are too unintelligent to do anything about it; and yet here we are, awaiting a miracle, a messiah or another martyr to sacrifice on our altar of hollowness and self deception. In the thick of it all, we suffer the slow, steady disappearance of a certain type of Nigerian,—the hopeful, faithful, dependable patriot with incorruptible honesty and dignified humility. Never in the history of this potentially great nation have we witnessed such decadence as we have now. The Nigerian youth, despite our clamour for change, are caught in the vicious grip of our innate will. Our agitations for change are simply whimsical, their cadences and deployment for change are wholly determined by the promontories of our vanities, the ancient axe of fate and nemesis of humanity.

Pastor Adeboye at 70 By Laolu Akande instructions that the shoe must not exceed $30! If any of the aides around planned to outwit him and get a “better” shoe, he gave the clincher-he has to see the receipt! This is one of the reasons I am personally convinced that Adeboye is not using a private jet today because of the luxury it connotes. It was purely a decision based on need and easier access for a global evangelical itinerant like him and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, a woman of virtue in her own standing. What about Pastor Adeboye’s integrity? There is no point to represent that he is perfect. But he is a tireless pursuer of it. I will give two quick illustrations. After the Redeemers University for the Nations, RUN was established, Pastor Adeboye brought in a world-class academic and administrator, Prof Oyewale Tomori, one of the best products of the University of Ibadan Virology department and College of Medicine. As soon as Tomori took charge, Adeboye heaved a sigh of relief and yielded the control and management of the place to Tomori, the governing bodies and Council. Those who think access or relationship to RCCG pastors and leaders could influence the way the university would operate soon found out that the G.O. himself was acting in tandem with university regulations, limiting his role to that of the Visitor. Some church ministers, leaders and their relations lost their jobs in the school because they were found wanting and not up to the task. Those who think the G.O. will intervene to stretch university policies and apply double standards found out he will not meddle. Influential leaders who kept approaching the school for all kinds of favours against regulations and who kept dropping the G.O’s name to influence decisions, soon discovered that the university management was truly free to manage the school. The story is told of how

a relative of a very senior pastor was fired for dereliction of duty. And when a confidential secretary/typist was asked to type out a letter of dismissal, the secretary was shaking and reluctant seeing the name of the notable person involved. She then was warned to either type promptly or else two letters of dismissal would be due! That dismissal stood. I was also personally present in the US where the General Overseer personally took responsibility for the failure of a church project to which many members had contributed funds and resources- over a billion in naira. The project failed because of the arrant mismanagement of some officials put in charge. Before the G.O. spoke, someone who knew I am a journalist sent me a package of documented details on the mismanagement perpetuated by some of the officials involved and I was worried at the extent of carelessness and wrangling by those charged with implementing the project. But when the G.O. stood up to take responsibility and apologised to the people, even offering to personally repay all those who had contributed, I relinquished my investigation and my fears were dissuaded. Of course the people involved were also relieved of their roles in the project. Finally I want to highlight, Pastor Adeboye’s willingness to aggressively promote people under him. Then, Engineer James Fadele, the former top designer of Ford Motors in Michigan, USA, and a well-known business owner relinquished his career and sold his business to take up the leadership of the church here in the US and Canada. Fadele, himself an inspiring leader tells of how Adeboye encouraged him to start a church in the basement of his home then in Michigan in the mid-90s.

Like the “wasted generation,” we seem to accept and joyously celebrate the ridiculous and passionate belief that somewhere between men and cattle, God created a tertium quid, and called it Nigerian. But uncomplicated as they are, our wanton inclinations have become virtually intolerable by even you and me. Our clownish, simple strivings that at the outset, made us tolerable within our limitations, have manifested as excruciating yokes choking us all, to the death. Hence we cry out and predictably direct our anger and grief at the wrong culprits: the ruling class. Why should we continue to attack and blame President Goodluck Jonathan and company for the shamefulness that our lives depicts? We should be ashamed to lay the death of our hopes, unalterable poverty among other things at their doorsteps knowing that like us, they are caught in a similar vortex of wantonness, mental and psychological handicaps. Even the whole world knows that the ruling class as we have it now, merely constitutes a tangle of thorns and forest shrubs; in time, they will wither and die off – if we cannot man up and clear them over. Our talk and dream is to become such men and women of character that Nigeria is yet to herald but behind our talk and fantasy lurks an afterthought and unavoidable reality of our inability to become the men and women of character that Nigeria deserves. We are no better than our “wasted” elders. For all the genius and vaunted depth of our self-styled youth leaders, the best we could do is rehash the idiocy and incapacities of our ruling class. Surface meets surface. • To be continued…

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Daddy G.O. corroborated the story in one of his many interactions with pastors and ministers here, that he had been asking RCCG members in the US to “start something.” But many did not want to take the plunge, but Fadele did. Pastor Adeboye, then personally joined Pastor Fadele to make posters and paste them around when they started the first house fellowship of the church in the USA. Today there are over 500 RCCG parishes in the US and Canada. Besides, the church also owns a massive camp in Dallas, Texas, its North American headquarters, where another Redemption Camp is now being developed. One is not unaware of some critical views regarding Pastor Adeboye, but a birthday tribute is no right place or time to address them. Those issues would not escape public review and dissecting, since Daddy G.O. is clearly today a national and global religious elder-statesman. But what people will ultimately discover after all the intellectual scrutiny, I suspect, is Adeboye’s truly humble heart, a profoundly gracious disposition, and a depth of wisdom There is however a humble but urgent request: Let Pastor Adeboye raise his voice, a powerful and influential voice for that matter-more often on national issues like he did last year when he warned that the elections must not be rigged! •Akande, is a New York-based reporter

‘Let Pastor Adeboye raise his voice, -a powerful and influential voice for that matter-more often on national issues like he did last year when he warned that the elections must not be rigged!’

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

ODAY, he returns to mother earth, the final abode of all flesh. If only we were more conscious of our mere dust nature, the world would be a far more peaceful and beautiful place to be for all in the brief while we take this stage. Today, the body of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi, the man who virtually wrote his own history, will be returned from whence it came and it will revert to manure, which we are. But he was truly a great man and I have tried to distil here below, some of the qualities that stood him out as an Iroko and not just any other tree in the forest: ONE: Bookishness, high intensity, intelligence: many would jump to the fact that Emeka was born with golden spoons dangling from his mouth thus could not have turned out any other way. Wrong. We have seen princes become paupers; besides, Emeka Ojukwu was not the first son or only son of his stupendously rich father, Louis. In fact he was a child of circumstance whom Louis sired in error in one of his amorous escapades. Why then was it that it was Emeka that became the leader of men? Apart from providence being at play, young Emeka was said to be very bookish and intense as a boy. One proof of this was that by 1944 when he was admitted into King’s College, Lagos (KC), he was the youngest in a class that averaged 14-year-olds. So while you clutch your i-pad and Blackberries, remember, reading has not become an entirely worthless exercise. TWO: Vision of leadership: A man without a clear vision of his environment, his circumstance, his position, his epoch, his era can be said to be at best, partially sighted. Some of Ojukwu’s contemporaries at KC were the late Allison Ayida and Phillip Asiodu. Great men in their rights but the best they rose to become were super Permanent Secretaries. While their sights were apparently set on taking over the civil service of an emerging Nigeria of their time, Ojukwu was clearly seeing his place as a leader of the new black nation. That is vision of leadership. This explains why Ojukwu joined the army after Oxford when he could have joined the civil service or taken over his father’s enormous business empire. I want to wager that if Ojukwu did not join the army, he probably

RUTH can be brutal, yet therapeutic. This is one reason why we hope that truth will emerge from the just concluded Senate probe on the petroleum subsidy scheme. More importantly, that it will not be another talk-shop or smokescreen. When it comes to public issues, Nigerians have little faith in probes. We often perceive them as comic reliefs to assuage anger or dramatic distractions with communiqués that get conveniently lost in some dusty archives or the dark recesses of our minds. The reality is that Nigerians are tired of shams and halftruths that parade as the real thing. Our survival as a nation depends on it. A people cannot survive as a nation when there is a great disconnect between the government and the governed or when people feel their pain is simply a semi-colon in the longer paragraph of their national history. Indeed, even before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources began the fuel subsidy probe, Nigerians already felt taken for a ride. Besides President Goodluck Jonathan’s argument that fuel subsidy had become unsustainable since it cost the nation some N1.3 trillion in 2011, no one has cared to explain how we got this figure in the first place. No one is explaining how subsidy rose from N623 billion in 2010 to the N1.7 trillion quoted by the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi. It took a nationwide protest that cost the nation much more than we were trying to save for the Senate Joint Committee to take a closer look at the oil sector. Even so, the absence of reliable data at the hearings implied that someone is either being economical with the truth or reading the same script from a different page; like two Siamese twins sleeping on the same bed and dreaming different dreams. In addressing the total cost of the 2011 fuel subsidy for instance, Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke said it was N1.4 trillion as opposed to the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s N1.3 trillion, and CBN Governor, Sansui’s N1.7 trillion. Given the strategic portfolios of each of these personalities, who do Nigerians take as presenting the truth? Similarly, at the hearings, Nigeria’s daily petroleum consumption rate stood at figures which were dependent on who was giving the answers. Allison-Madueke for example said it was 52 million litres; the NNPC Group Managing Director, Austen Oniwon, 35m litres; the PPPRA, 24m litres; the Finance Min-

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8055001684 email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

You too can be Ojukwu: A 10-point manual would have joined the leading political party of the day. Whoever you are, whatever your station, please ask yourself what really your vision is. THREE: Strong will, energy: Ojukwu played rugby and squash among other contact sports. As a rich kid, he needed not to have got into the rough of rugby. It was either that he had natural energy or he built up one. Ojukwu defied his father to go into the army instead of the path Louis had carved for him to go rule the federal civil service. He simply had more vision than his father and he also had the will and energy to drive it. FOUR: Bravery, courage:When it was time to lead his people; when the time called for brave and courageous men, Ojukwu stood up and answered the call.” When the call is sounded all must answer HERE!” That is from the good old school song of King’s College (up school). FIVE: Non-tribalistic: He was at home everywhere; he was a cosmopolite and because he had no tribal tendencies, he was able to pick up languages easily. He could so easily switch from English to French to Hausa, Yoruba then back to Igbo. Though born and bred outside Igbo land, he was not alienated from his people. Are you carrying a tribal baggage that limits your scope or do you go seeking the essential humanity in every man? SIX: Charisma and presence: Ojukwu’s

greatest attributes may have been his infectious personality and overwhelming physical presence. There was hardly any dull moment around him, it was said, and his presence was magnetic. Do you have a toxic personality that makes people wish they were anywhere else but around you? SEVEN: Oratory: what is a leader who cannot stand before his people and hold hem spell bound with mere words that issue forth from his mouth? A plumber perhaps? We all remember Ojukwu today as one of the greatest podium artist of all time. In fact it could be said that his forte was in public speaking. He seemed to have courted the stage and craved the podium. You could argue that it was natural to him but he was also thoroughly grounded in knowledge for that is the fount from which beautiful oratory gushes. EIGHT: Generous and good hearted: In all the accounts about Ojukwu, nobody has said of him to be mean or to harbor wickedness in his heart. It was always reported that he was generous even in the time of crisis, especially to his friends and allies. Over the ages, it has been proven that that there is nothing like a good and generous heart in winning over a people. There are handy examples: Late M.K.O Abiola, Ibrahim Babangida, Orji Uzor Kalu and Bola Ahmed Tinubu are noted for their generousity and good heart no matter

Oil subsidy probe: another smokescreen? By Josephine Efe Akarue ister, 40m litres. The inconsistencies and conflicting figures create the impression that truth is up for sale. It makes it difficult to build a convincing case to the public on the need to make sacrifices to purge the rot in the system through fuel price deregulation. It creates a problem of credibility when issues that concern our collective destiny become reduced to a game of numbers. Even an enquiry on the audit report on the Nigerian oil industry carried out by KPMG firm, produced unclear answers. The questions Nigerians seek answers to are not many. Stripped of all adjectives, they stand on one point: does our survival as a nation depend on government’s deregulation of fuel price? If we do not have answers on the production capacity of our local refineries, since we have the following answers: NNPC, 30%; PPPRA, 20%; DPR, 13%; Petroleum Minister, 15%; how can we know if we are doing well or not on the economic scale? When government officials give conflicting figures on the amount paid out as subsidy to marketers, how can they justify even with the best of intentions, the deregulation of petroleum price before the masses? Let’s take a quick look at the issues. During the hearings, we got to know that there is really no such thing as a subsidy account. At best, the Petroleum Minister refers to it is a virtual account, just as the NNPC says there is no such account in existence as the lay man will look at it. The PPPRA says the account is a technical one, and the CBN Governor says no subsidy account exists with it. But the Finance Minister says it exists but not with a bank. Once, kerosene was regarded as the alternative source of fuel for the under-privileged. That is no more. Today, the real and imagined scarcity of the commodity has placed it above the reach of the masses. The Minister of Petroleum says this is because the aviation industry uses it as fuel, whilst the NNPC says it is because there is no subsidy so it has over stretched its resources and the PPPRA says it’s not prop-

erly deregulated. So whose word do we take for the truth? Perhaps we would simply have resigned our fate to chance if all at stake were a mere difference in opinion. But the implications run much deeper. Committee chairman, Senator Magnus Abe (PDP-Rivers), expressed concern on revelations that a logistics company, Knightsbridge Nigeria for instance, got three allocations within the last two years starting from 2010 and imported about 75 thousand metric tonnes of fuel. Knightsbridge Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Enahoro, admitted that the company had no storage tank and no filling stations. He was asked what qualified his company for the allocation when it was mandatory for marketers to own tank farms of at least 5000 metric tonnes and be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as oil companies to qualify. Enahoro’s response that he was ignorant of the criteria the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) used in granting the allocation leaves room open for more questions. His answer, “All we did was to write an application to the PPPRA and we were given the license,’’ begs for more explanations. Can a company at that level really apply for something without any guidelines on merits or standards for qualification? Of course his company is not the only odd fish in the kettle. But can anybody apply to play in a game without a proper understanding of the abiding rules? We may never know. Still, one thing the probe revealed is, according to the Conoil Executive Director of Marketing, Biodun Wahab that “the access and exits were too free with little or no measures to check the system.’’ Indeed, in 2006, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over supplied the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company [LPRC] one million barrels of crude oil. According to the report, the Nigerian and Liberian governments through the NNPC and LPRC had entered into a contract for the sup-

what other flaws they may have. What manner of heart do you have? NINE: romanticism: Ojukwu was a romantic; some would even say a wit bohemian. Whether this is a positive or negative human trait is subject to debate but it sure is a bye product of having a good heart. He was a ladies’ man but then he could not be anything else for all the ingredients are copiously mixed in him. Because life is not an unremitting battle field, romance (and everything in between) is a soothing interlude. It is for this reason that Ojukwu had first, his Njideka who was fabled to be even prettier than Angela (Onyeador), his second and lastly, Bianca, the queen of his greying years and the envy of men, old and young. Ojukwu had wives that made lesser men salivate, and that is not a metaphor. Do you spare a moment for romance; you have only one life, remember? TEN: Egoistic, proud: Ojukwu was nobility and pride and ego are parts of that realm. Again Ojukwu was not the perfect specie of humanity. There is no such person. Ojukwu had his flaws aplenty and so many mis-hits and derailments. One such example was lending credence to the leperous Abacha regime. Second, he fought the war with Ndigbo; it could even be said that the won it with them. But after the war, he could not provide the requisite leadership to take his people to the next portal. Yet, he was a great man, who refused to be content with a cameo role. His was the path of the thunder. LAST MUG: EFCC appeals against Ibori: Ha, ha, ha: five solid years after a jankara High Court in Delta State declared James Ibori free of all the 170 charges brought against him, EFCC now wants to pursue the matter in the Appeal Court. This is a comic country. This matter reminds of the Halliburton bribery saga. While over half a dozen Americans who offered the bribe are in jail, Nigerians who enjoyed the illicit porridge are walking free and ruling us. Thanks to our honorable Attorney-General Mohammed Adoke, SAN, who has declared that the crime did not take place in Nigeria. Please note that a highly corrupt class of people can never wrought transformation. They are only clowning about. ply of 10,000 barrels of crude oil per day for a year to the government of Liberia through Addax Oil Company. Addax however, ended up lifting an excess 1,002,796 barrels. To date, the money for the excess crude was neither remitted nor accounted for. Thus, when Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, argues that the national fuel subsidy management is “a clear case of institutionalised corruption” designed to deceive the government and the public; he may not be far from speaking the truth. Otherwise, how could a Federal Ministry of Finance restrain the Nigeria Customs Service from checking the documentations of vessels bringing fuel into the country? He queries. The claims, counterclaims and buck-passing, have left the public more confused. Perhaps, Wahab’s recommendation that sanity would return to the system only if key players and actors were made to face the businesses for which they were licensed, needs a second look. Perhaps his claim that Conoil had collected only N46.3 billion from subsidy reimbursement so far, may get debunked some day. We may still get to know why Nigeria prefers to export its crude to fixing its refineries; why we prefer to export only to import at a higher cost for the refined product. What will happen if for once, we look inwards and tell ourselves the hard truth that we do not need to send out our crude for refining when we can do it here? What will happen if the key players get to know that it is no longer business as usual, but business with integrity? What if our children ask us tomorrow why they are paying a price for the crude oil they never benefitted from? We may never know. Our collective destinies rest on one thing: Truth. Shall it ever emerge? • Akarue writes from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

‘The inconsistencies and conflicting figures create the impression that truth is up for sale. It makes it difficult to build a convincing case to the public on the need to make sacrifices to purge the rot in the system through fuel price deregulation’

Pg. 41

Pg. 24

By Ade Ojeikere, who was in Kigali

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

‘We started as friends and ended up in marriage’ Benin City, the Edo State capital, was agog recently as the Benin Royal Family gave out one of its daughters, Princess Ozeikeke Erediauwa, to the Editor-in-Chief of National Daily, Mr Sylvester Ebhodaghe, at a lavish wedding ceremony, attended by eminent personalities in the society. OSAGIE OTABOR writes

•The couple Sylvester and Princess Oze flanked by Governors Oshiomhole (right) and Uduaghan

ROM Ekenwan Road, Benin City, Edo State, venue of Believers Loveworld Inc a.k.a Christ Embassy, where the wedding was solemnised to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’oba Erediauwa, the whole Benin City was locked down. The traffic gridlock was unusual. Everyone in the ancient city knew that the King’s daughter was wedding. From the peasants to the noveau riche, governors to the governed, everyone wanted to have a glimpse of what was going on. Palace chiefs of various classes and positions looked resplendent in their traditional apparel and paraphernalia of their offices. To all, were the Omo n’Oba not a king, the expression of happiness would have been readily noticeable in him. Although he was represented by the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, the monarch nevertheless was happy in giving out his daughter in marriage. The ceremony began on Friday with the performance of traditional rites within the palace while invited guests were treated to good music by musicians such as Ambassador Joseph Osayomore; the Victorious Gospel Band, led by a couple, Deacon and Mrs. Palmer Omoruyi; the Igbabonelimi traditional acrobatic group

from Ubiaja and other entertainers from across the state. The following day, His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, represented by the Crown Prince, took his sister, Princess Ozeikeke, dressed in white, sleeveless, flowing wedding gown with a white pair of shoes, to the altar where he handed her to the man of her dreams, Sylvester, for wedding vows. Officiating minister, Pastor Tom Amenkhienan, reminded the couple of the importance of the union, family, peaceful and harmonious co-existence between couples. The cleric urged them to imbibe the virtues and patience of Christ as well as make Christ the pillar of their home and marriage. “When you continue to be in Christ who has always been your foundation, the storm will come, but because Christ is your foundation, you will never be shaken. Someone asked me the other day why wicked people live long and refuse to die, and I said it’s because God is giving them a long rope to repent, but if they refuse to repent and die in their sins, then the hottest part of hell will be reserved for them. “That is why on this occasion I will give kudos to my Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. A few years ago, before he

became Governor, Edo State was like an abandoned project site, but today Edo State is alive and working again. There is a new breath of fresh air. I am not a politician, I am not in PDP or ACN. I am in Jesus party and it is because I am in Jesus party that I see the truth and say the truth. Oshiomhole is working, Oshiomhole has worked and Edo is working again. So Comrade Governor, I thank you very, very much. When the Comrade Governor came up, I thought he only knew how to talk, but now we know he talks and works,” he said. After the church ceremony, the couple was conveyed in a white, ceremonial, limosine Hummer Jeep to the reception which held at the palace ground and was anchored by Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, who was assisted by a stand up female comedian known as Tatafo. The groom, who was clad in a navy blue, long suit with a white sleeve-shirt, white waist coat and white tie, told journalists that they met in a very strange and difficult circumstance. His words: “We started as friends before it led to marriage. Oze has brought so much happiness into my life. She is the best thing that has happened to my life.” Dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion. They were led by the

Governor of Edo, Comrade Oshiomhole; who was joined by his Delta and Akwa Ibom states counterparts, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio; Anambra State governor was represented by his Commissioner of Information, Chief Maja Umeh; three former governors of Edo, Rivers and Anambra states, Chief John OdigieOyegun; Dr Peter Odili and Mrs Virgy Etiaba; two former ministers, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr. and Prof Dora Akunyili; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Uyigue Igbe and some lawmakers of the state. Others included the former InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Mike Okiro; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees Member, Chief Anthony Anenih; former Executive vice-chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; and the Iyase of Benin Kingdom (the traditional Prime Minister), who led some palace chiefs to the ceremony. Chairman of the occasion, Dr Uduaghan, advised the couple to learn to blossom their union in patience, love and understanding. He said: “There is nothing I can really tell you about marriage than to be very patient with each other. As those of us who have been in marriage often say, experience is the best teacher.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY •Continued from page 25

•Prince Eheneden Erediauwa and his wife •Wives of the Oba of Benin

•From left: Governor Uduaghan; Chief Anenih and Prof Akunyili •Dr Odili and wife Mary

•From right: Nweke (Jnr); Odigie-Oyegun and other guests

•Some traditional chiefs

•Ambassador Ehenede Erediauwa

•Sons of the Oba of Benin

•Mother of Governor Oshiomhole, Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY Sympathisers, family, friends and colleagues thronged the Erin-Ile country home of the late former Kwara State Commissioner for Information Olatunji Oladepo to pay their last respects, writes ADEKUNLE JIMOH

Glorious exit for ex-Nation man Oladepo

HE funeral service for the late former Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Olatunji Oladepo took place at the First Baptist Church, in the ancient town of the Ibolos. The ace journalist, who was a former staff member of The Nation, passed on two weeks ago in Abuja after a brief illness. He was 56. He was survived by wife Abigael and five children - Olaniyi, Adeyinka, Olakunle, Oluwasayomi and Moyinoluwa. The late Oladepo's remains were later interred at the First Baptist Church Cemetery, on Ilemana road, in Oyun Local Government Area of the state. Dignitaries at the event included former deputy governor of the state, Simeon Sayomi; former AttorneyGeneral of the state, who incidentally was Oladepo's colleague, Chief Titus Ashaolu; Bishop David Abioye; Dare Babarinsa, the deceased's classmate at the University of Lagos and his best man during his wedding in 1984 and the Managing Director/Editor-inChief, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspapers, Mr Victor Ifijeh. Others are the Managing Editor, Northern Operation, The Nation newspapers, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, also a former editor of The Punch; Mojeed Najeem, Olajide Omolara of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State. Others are representatives of the state government and the Information ministry, where he held forte from 2001 to 2003. His uncle, Chief D. O. Akanji said God is a sovereign whom one cannot question. "I am not disposed to write this. As my younger brother, he would have been the one to write a tribute at my burial. However, after much pleading, I finally succumbed to do this," Chief Akanji wrote. He added: "He had a terrible experience that could have taken his life earlier. Armed robbers attacked and pumped bullets into his abdomen, yet he survived it. He was involved in a plane crash with some of his colleagues on a visit to some of the company's outfits and he survived it. "At the home front he was always

The widow Mrs Oladepo

Cross-section of the deceased’s family

•Former Kwara State Deputy Governor, Deacon Simeon Sayomi and his wife Rebecca

out to see to the welfare of everybody. God really endowed him with the spirit of giving. He encouraged me as the head of the family. I will miss him. Where will I get a replacement for him? God, you know all things!" In his emotion-laden oration, Ifijeh described his late friend and colleague as a thorough bred professional. "It is difficult to speak about my friend. It is a reality that is confronting us. Oladepo was an accomplished journalist, a man who distinguished himself wherever he worked," he said. "He distinguished himself at the National Concord that the people at the helms of affairs recognised him as a budden talent. At NewsWatch, he distinguished himself as a reporter and writer of repute. This earned him the sobriquet 'investigator, policeman, SSS’ that became his second name. "As the former group news editor

of ThisDay newspapers, he had the unblemished record of serving as the longest news editor till date. He believed in God. One who believed that God's plans and purpose for man cannot but be. He believed that with hard work and abiding faith in God come promotion," Ifijeh said. The Nation newspaper helmsman described the deceased as a simple person. "He shunned ostentatious lifestyle. He served government with dignity, honesty and fear of God. He left the position untainted while many of his colleagues are being hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for misdemeanour or the other," Ifijeh added. In his brief sermon taken from Proverbs 20: 12, 22: 1, Bishop Abioye of the Living Faith Church (Winners' Chapel) said life is beyond mere existence, noting that life is a privilege and not right.

•Cross section of traditional rulers

"Life is a gift from God so that man can give back to the world. Life is not worth living if it is not contributory and service. There are problem creators and solvers. In the past nine to 10 years when the late Oladepo and I became more intimately committed in the pursuit of community development, I realised he was a problem solver. All will be remembered not by their fame but the good name they bequeath," he said. Also speaking, Mr Babarinsa said "Wale's life was an open book ... We take solace in the fact that in the long run, we are all dead. We have the certainty that we shall wake up after this inevitable earthly experience, into the great light in Christ." Mrs Abigael Oladepo said the deceased "represented the true meaning of selflessness, honesty and responsibility." "As a father and husband, he was always there to care, discipline and guide us right at all times. His vir-

tues of diligence, absolute honesty and truth remain amazing. He always said, 'there is nothing like diplomacy. It is either the truth or lie.' "With a friendly demeanour, you lightened any and every atmosphere. You are my hero. I thank God, however, in the absolute knowledge of spirit and mind, that even in physical death, you live on - here on earth and more importantly,in heaven- singing halleluyah to the king of kings." In their joint oration, the children of the departed journalist said: "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. In you, this scripture is fulfilled. You have left us with the most cherished inheritance of wisdom, honesty, diligence and how to be responsible, capable and godly at all times. You live on, your work lives on. We are encouraged, driven by the quality of life you lived and continue to live."

BIRTHDAY

AWARD

A business tycoon Mrs Adenike Izevbigie flanked by her husband Kenneth Izevbigie and mom Mrs Felicia Yesufu during her 50th birthday at the Golden Heart Hall, Ota, Ogun State

•From left: Education Director, Queensland Academy, Lillian Adenike Okudoh; awardee, Mr Akinlola Akinyelure; his wife, Doyin and President, Apostles of Peace Society, Mr Siyanbola Oladapo, during Apostles of Peace Society of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Isolo, Anniversary thanksgiving in Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Farewell to a ‘rare gem’ On February 10, Idanre, the hilly town in Ondo State, witnessed a funeral carnival, when the late Mrs Dorcas Olowolabi, mother of Yemi Olowolabi, former Chief Press Secretary to former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, was buried in style. OLUKOREDE YISHAU writes.

•Son of the deceased Mr Olowolabi flanked by Dr Agagu and his wife Funke

•Daughter of the deceased Mrs Ronke Ademujimi and Tunde Akinseye

•Otunba Adebayo (left) and Chief Akinyelure

HE rites of passage for the late Madam Dorcas Olowolabi started in the early hours of Thursday, February 9. Family and friends staged a gregarious procession from the General Hospital, Idanre. Led by skilled undertakers and trumpeters, the procession danced through Broad Street to Oja Idale junction before detouring to the Olowolabi's family house on Okejebu Street. After moments of merry go round in Okejebu, the gleaming casket bearing mama's remains was placed in a decorated canopy amid pomp and pageantry. The lying-in-state was an emotional moment of mourning and appreciation. Torrents of praises flowed even in the throes of grief. In diverse tongues and several songs, community folks extolled the virtues of a mother like no other. In the twilight of the lively Thursday, clergymen and choristers from Saint Paul's Anglican Church, Idanre presided over a charismatic service of songs; a service of Psalms and incisive sermon. Venerable Solomom Amure, in his flowing black cassock, urged the deceased's children - all clad in white dresses, to emulate the selfless life of their mother. The well-attended service of songs paraded high profile guests and accomplished indigenes of Idanre Kingdom. Some of them included Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Ondo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Niran Sule-Akinsuyi; his counterparts in Information and Employment, Labour and Productivity, Hon Taye Akinyele and Mr Kayode Akinmade; Ambassador designate, Colonel Roland Omowa; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Princess Tola Aworh; and former Chairman of SUBEB in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye. There were others such as top socialite and businessman Chief Olu Akinyelure; Chairman of Media Link Outdoor Advertising, Chief Babu Akinbobola; President of Club 66 of Idanre, Chief Biyi Akinseye; former Deputy Director of Press at the Presidency, Chief Eric Teniola. The exciting funeral service also had

•Colonel Rowland Omowa (left) and Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor Dr Ademujimi •Mrs Olayinka (left) and Mrs Fayemi

•From left: Chief Akinbobola; Chief Henry Olofingorite; Mr Olamiti and Oloye Lekan Alabi

in attendance, Senator Olorunnimbe Farukanmi; Oloye Lekan Alabi; Hon Niyi-Jones Akinyugha; Chief Biyi Akinseye; veteran journalist and former editor of Nigerian Tribune, Mr Folu Olamiti; former Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Mr Femi Agagu and Special Adviser to the President on International Relations, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi. They all came to honour one of mama's children, Yemi Olowolabi, former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Ondo State Governor now Chief Executive Officer of Red Carpet Communications. Some of the guests led by Governor Mimiko went inside the family house to commiserate with Mama's widower, Pa Lawrence Olowolabi. At the dawn of Friday, February 10, the bell tolled for Mama. Her remains were lifted by colourful pall bearers who also put up delightful razzmatazz as she

began her final journey. As the extensive motorcade cruised towards the church, neighbours, bystanders and onlookers watched and waived their hands in utter amazement. Mama was conveyed in sleek hearse, a 2011 model of Cardilac, which zoomed to the church in style and splendour. At the entrance of the church, the fully automated hearse was a spectacle. At the push of a button, the casket came out unassisted. The Ajiboye Bell pallbearers pulled some stunts in the church premises. They were led by a medical doctor, Dr Babatope Ajiboye. The casket was wheeled into the sanctuary amidst hymns and rhymes of comfort. Mama's children occupied the front rows. They commanded all attention with their striking wine and cream Alari Aso Ebi. It was an entertaining service with engaging presentations of melodious choruses. Charming on the pulpit, Venerable

•Mrs Sayo Olowolabi

Amure read mama's biography. Soon, he climbed the divine altar again, this time for a brief but edifying homily. Next was thanksgiving. It was done with poise and panache. The deceased's children and their spouses did a regal dance on the altar. They were later joined by hordes of celebrities, including Dr Agagu, his wife Olufunke, Chief Olu Akinyelure and other high profile guests. The service drew to a close, and mama's remains were committed to Mother earth at the church cemetery. And celebration continued at the L.A Field, Idanre, where Queen Ayo Balogun was on the band stand. Captivating mix of pink, purple and gold held sway under the expansive marquee; to which elegant and gorgeous guests arrived in droves. The funeral banquet sparkled with flamboyance and trendy styles. From the flair of jewelries to the fair of headgears, Idanre witnessed an uncommon showcase of high-flying

fashion. And as the beat went on, almost everybody danced to the irresistible songs of Ayo Balogun. Talk of great meals and chilled drinks, the supply was limitless. Every table had a fair share of the fun as wine, cream, spirits, champagne and chapman flowed uninhibited. Also, the combined effort of bouncers and policemen kept the canopy safe and protected from the wiles of miscreants. Top guests at the reception were deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka; wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; former Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Chairperson of SUBEB Princess Oladunni Odu; Head of Service of Ondo State Ajose Kudehinbu and other distinguished Nigerians. Indeed, it was one funeral that shook Idanre to its foundation. It could not have been otherwise. Mama Olowolabi was a rare gem who gave her all to train her children. Though she died at 75, all her six children were fully and firmly established before she died. Olowolabi, who runs the Red Carpet outfit, paid glowing tribute to his mother: “Mama kept no secrets and called no one enemy. She lived in a blissful world bereft of bitterness and suspicion. She was just a simple woman who lived in a complex world... She was an accomplished mother and charismatic believer in divine ordinance. She converted her flaws to virtues, her sins to strengths and her travails to triumphs.” Her other children agreed that their mother was a gem and a mother of inestimable value.

29 FRIDAY, MACRH 2, 2012

Vol 3 No. 141

To many people outside the marketing communications industry, advertising business is all about glamour, fun and entertainment. But to key players in the advertising business, there is no business that is more intellectually tasking, administratively challenging, and creatively stimulating than advertising. One of the leading lights in the sector, Kolawole Ayanwale, Group Managing Director, CentrespreadFCB, underscores this fact in an interview with WALE ALABI. A past president of the Association of Advertising Agencies in Nigeria (AAAN), Ayanwale speaks on issues related to integrated marketing communications.

‘Why some advertising agencies fail’

clients on contract executed, paucity of funds for businesses and inadequate regulations. Advertising is a business of talent, unfortunately, there are not enough talents and the available ones are poached by banks and telecoms sector. If we put an account executive on a job, the client takes him or her over. No agency, no matter how it tries, can compete with some clients like telecoms, banks and some multinationals in retaining talents and yet we are not producing enough talents. Also, there is no university in Nigeria that is training people on advertising.

Checks and balances

In Brazil, advertising is thriving now not because they are magicians but because they are supported by their government by law. Their incomes are guaranteed by law and there are certain things you cannot do by law. I know that APCON is working on ACAPIA and by the time it is signed and given flesh, a few of our practices will be regulated better. ACAPIA is an industry initiative responsible for how business should be done, involving all stakeholders like the media, the client and the agencies.

The beginning

ENTRESPREAD was incorporated in 1982 and it started business in December of the same year. The business which started as a simple idea between friends some 30 years ago has become one of the most sought after, providing result-oriented integrated marketing solutions to clients across various industries in the country today. It has been able to achieve this through hardwork, creativity and commitment to excellence.

Our problems

The vision and mission

The Centrespread vision is to be a leading marketing communications outfit of international standards, dedicated to professionalism and committed to adding value to our clients’ business. We also aim to remain among the top three integrated marketing communications outfit in Nigeria by consistently offering services that provide competitive advantage to our client’s businesses; creating a secure and enabling environment for our people and maximising returns on investment for our stakeholders.

Expansion drive and affiliation

Since then, the Centrespread group has given birth to six other subsidiaries. And these include: DKK, our second line advertising agency, FCBRedline, our public relations arm, Kontactpoint Limited, our out of home agency, Mediamore, the media independent brand, Impact, the experiential marketing firm and DraftFCB Interactive, the digital services agency of the group. As a group,

•Ayanwale CentrespreadFCB is an affiliate of DraftFCB Worldwide. DraftFCB is a member of the Interpublic Group, a leading communications agency in the USA and number one in South Africa. We are partners with an organisation whose expansive pool of human resources and in-depth knowledge of advertising makes for success.

Challenges in advertising

The advertising industry, which has been seriously hurt by the recent economic meltdown, is also facing other challenges, such as drought of talents, delay payments by

Lack of structure in some organisations made it almost impossible for some agencies to attract money for business. The advertising industry here also operates in a close circle without much information, especially on pitching and billing. This is a problem with us as Africans and partly, the orientation of managers in different agencies. It pains me today when I remember that first generation advertising agencies like OBM and Grant are no more. These were agencies ran by some of the brightest and had produced some of the brightest minds in advertising today.

Future of advertising in Nigeria

I wonder why people fear for the future of advertising in Nigeria. Despite the challenges facing advertising now, I’m convinced the sector will survive because there is no short cut. Advertising is the oil with which the wheel of manufacturing and service industry can move. For us at CentreSpreadFCB, we are making arrangement to be listed on the floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange very soon, just as we would be celebrating 30 years in business early 2013.

US honours Procter & Gamble

NITED STATES Consul-General in Nigeria, Joseph Stafford, has held a reception in honour of Procter and Gamble Nigeria - for winning the US Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). The award was presented to the firm by the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in Washington DC. It recognises the important role US businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens and their contributions to improve lives. According to US State Department, P&G Nigeria was recognised for the firm’s corporate and brand CSR programme under the Live, Learn and Thrive platform, to improve local communities’water supply through education and purification technology; provision for a safe and healthy working environment; supporting the health and wellbeing of new and expectant mothers and children through mobile clinics; and innovative educational programmes for teenage girls. “We are very proud of the company’s commitment to Nigeria and its consumers,”said Stafford. He added that the award sends a strong signal of the US State Department’s

commitment to further corporate social responsibility, innovation, exemplary practices, and democratic values worldwide. Procter and Gamble, Managing Director, West Africa Manoj Kumar, said: “We are very humbled by this award, especially the fact that it is focused on improving lives. This is the core of our purpose as a company and this is what leads everything we do in Nigeria. For 20 years P&G brands (Pampers, Ariel Always, Vicks, Bonux, Gillette, Duracell, Oral-B and Safeguard) continue to improve everyday life in small but meaningful ways and many have become leading household names in Nigeria. We are expanding across Africa with Nigeria as our business hub for the entire West and Central Africa region”. He added: “This award belongs not only to us – we are very fortunate to work with strong partners who share our vision of touching and improving lives. P&G Nigeria is pleased today to highlight and celebrate our distributors, our agencies, our suppliers and our nonprofit partners such as UNICEF’s Sponsor A Child, Society for Family Health and Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP). These organisations have implemented and are, indeed, still delivering truly excellent work that brings

•From left: Kumar, Aderoake Oshinduro and Stafford at the reception in Lagos.

P&G’s purpose to life everyday in Nigeria.” He also commended Ambassador McCulley and

other officials of the US Embassy in the country, for their support to P&G.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Brandnews The transition, he says, was smooth for him. From television,Mr Peter Igho became Director-General of the National Lottery Commission (NLC), the agency responsible for regulating lottery. In this interview with our Abuja Bureau Chief, YOMI ODUNUGA, he speaks of the commission’s challenges and how lottery can be used to transform society.

‘Lottery is not gambling’ H

OW far has the commission gone in its public enlightenment drive on the positive side of lot-

tery? We have continued with one of the key areas of the enlightenment which is to let Nigerians know what lottery can do and the need to run all perspectives of lottery with integrity and transparency. Many of the operators have been out there participating in lottery as we speak without really knowing whether they are authentic or not. Many operators have been carrying out lotttery not knowing the rules of such operations and the need to get licence to do that and permission to participate in the lottery in the first place and when they do, many of them don’t even know that there are specific rules that bind the operations of lottery. How easy is it for the media to identify an authentic lottery certificate from the fake ones before going ahead to advertise the lottery? We have established a website and also call points where people can call to verify. But, one thing that is very crucial is that we have our stamp and logo and our certificates which we also show to the media houses. It is almost like the NAFDAC number; we want to get to a point that if you do not see our NLC number then, clearly, that person is illegal. We, on our own part, will be printing regularly the list of legal operators and illegal ones. In the country today, most of us do not know the difference between lottery and what, in the local parlance, is called tete or ‘try your luck.’ How will you define your lottery? Lottery is different from gambling. Gambling is a game of chance that is organised between the person that organised it and the person who plays it and it benefits no one apart from the two persons who play it. Lottery is what has been used across the ages to raise money for good causes world wide. It is that game of chance that makes the difference. In Niger Republic when they wanted to introduce lottery, the first thing they did was to ban all gambling activities. What I want to mention is that there is a different regulator regulating gambling and a different one regulating lottery. In Nigeria, many people that have played gambling have given lottery a bad name because many that have participated in lottery have been duped or scammed. But lottery is that element of chance that has been used from ages to raise money all over the country, all over the world. Has the Lottery Commission been able to make any headway in terms of impacting on lives from the little it has made so far? Of course, As I said, with the little time that we have been there, we have been able to raise over N2 billion for good causes. Now, government is supporting us fully and assisting in terms of budgetary allocation. When we started here, it was just a two-room office. Today, we have over 20 offices around the country so that we will be able to capture every corner that every operator is and we are discovering them and every place we got to, we found so many illegal operators. Many of them don’t even know that you

need to get a permit before you can operate. They just think that they should collect people’s money and go home. Now, we have licencees and many of our licencees also go round the country to establish their presence so that they can begin to capture all the open or virgin territory in this country. We have a population of over 150 million and if you take about 50 per cent of that at the rate of N100, you are looking at a revenue of N200 billion. This is the revenue that is out there that has not been captured because there is no serious regulator. How has it been to monitor lottery activities especially in the telecoms sector? What we have done is that we have been able to identify various forms of lottery. There is what we call the promo lottery. Many of these companies like the banks, manufacturers which wake everyday to say they want to reward their clients or customers and if we write to them, they would say they are not doing lottery; that we shouldn’t come to them. But we have taken the trouble to explain to them and many of them are now aware that there is a difference between a promo that rewards the customers and promo that is lottery based. Simply put, if you say ‘buy one meal and get one or two meals free,’ everybody goes to buy it and gets what has been promised. There is no problem about that. However, if you say ‘buy one meal’ and there will be a draw and from that draw, the winner will now get a car or 20 cartons of milk or whatever, it is now a game of chance and prizes will be given. Somebody has to regulate that to ensure that there is transparency so that there is no distrust between the two of you. I am glad to say that many of them now understand; I now say if you don’t want to come to my territory, simply do BOGOF (Buy One Get One free) and everybody goes to buy and get one free or register your SIM card and you will get N10,000 worth of airtime, but if you say ‘register your SIM card’ and you stand to win N1,000,000, who makes that draw? Who decides who wins that? You are now in my territory and you must play by the rules of lottery. You have spoken about a large sum of money that could be made from lottery but have you given a thought to a meaningful disbursement of the funds for the good of many? The Act that sets up the National Lottery Commission also created another organisation called National Lottery Trust Fund. All revenues collected for good causes are sent to that Trust Fund and that Fund is headed by a chief executive and it is responsible to a board of eminent Nigerians selected from around the country known for their pedigree, in terms of their integrity to supervise the

• Igho

re-imbursement of that board as it is done everywhere else in the world. In the next few months, we are going to be seeing what they are going to be doing with the money. Right now, we are in the age of technology because nobody will want to do a paper lottery, but you must go online as an operator to monitor all your own operators so that, in your own office, you can monitor all the terminals because the terminals are tied to your own server in your office. So we must put that in place before we allow you to operate and once you do that, I also have my server at our head office and you must tie your server to my own, so that whatever you do, I see it from here. So, these are the things government is helping us put in place. Does the commission have adequate manpower to monitor lottery activities in a vast land like Nigeria? That is why we must also support the staff with technology. Once every operator has that server, anybody can play from anywhere and we will be able to know the number of people that played and where they played from. So, we are trying to create integrity and transparency and once that is there, you can imagine Nigerians will support whatever they see is good and positive and once you come and get our permit, we will stand by you to say you are legitimate. But you can only do that if you have integrity and transparency. We must monitor you to see that you are doing the right thing so that we will be able to commend you and we have done that so many times. We will also publish it in the newspaper to say that we watched the lottery played by this organisation and that it was run with integrity and transparency and we want to commend them and advise Nigerians to follow this organisation. In the end, we bring you value and credibility. Looking at your antecedents in the make-believe world of television and drama, how convenient was it for you to accept a job that has to do with lot-

‘Lottery is what has been used across the ages to ‘ raise money for good causes world wide. It is that game of chance that makes the difference...It is that element of chance that has been used from ages to raise money all over the country, all over the world’

tery? Were you a bit hesitant? I have told this story several times and I will say it again. When I was appointed, a friend sent me a text that I needed to go for deliverance as I was entering a dangerous territory. But, fortunately for me, my life in broadcasting prepared me for many things because I don’t go into anything without investigating or doing research. So, the moment I knew I am going to come into this territory, I went to educate myself by travelling to China and India at my own cost. So I came into this job with happiness and joy that I would be bringing value to Nigerians through their pockets. As I said, I was going to reinvent the will. Lottery is something that has been done worldwide to raise money to help Nigerians and I am glad that God has used me now to be able to educate Nigerians and put me in place to support government to fetch an alternative source to oil money especially now that there is a lot of hardship. Nigerians need whatever they can get to augment what they are doing. I can assure you that I am a happy man that am here helping to create this line that will help Nigerians What are the challenges? When I came, there was virtually nothing on ground and there was this huge ignorance. But I am glad that we are heading towards a success story. As I speak now, we are helping in educating Nigerians. We are making some progress. We raised the licence fee. When I came here, it was just N10 million for licence and one of the first things I did was to raise it to N50 million. People thought I was mad, but today, we have 20 applicants. So, we are winning. Is it safe to assume that, with all the money accruing to the Commission, there is adequate fund to run it? Nobody ever has enough funds but I can say that I am happy. When I came here, there was no budget, the place was just there and they got allowances every month. Now, we have been able to have self-accounting. We are now a recognised commission; we are part of the budgetary provision and support. Few days ago, we defended our budget at the National Assembly. Government has recognised that it has something of importance and of value and we are also getting that government’s support. Each of our offices now covers three states and as we speak, not one has a vehicle or bicycle to move around. But luckily as I said, we are now getting support from government and we are going to be putting those key elements in place like servers and so on. Is there anything you want Nigerians to look out for when they are involved in lottery? First of all, confirm any lottery scheme you hear about whether it is legitimate. In other words, has it got any permit from the NLC and once you do that, you can’t go wrong. I also implore Nigerians to always ask questions, check our website, and call our help lines. On the other part, when you participate, we have a responsibility to protect your interest. It does not matter whether it is N1 you put, we must make sure that, if you win, you get what you were promised. We have also discovered situations where some people claimed they won prizes when they did not. So, where needed, we also protect the stakeholders. Most importantly, everybody who comes in should come in knowing that we are involved in something that is used to raise money for charity and to help Nigerians. Therefore, we must do it with integrity and transparency. Once we do that, the sky is the stepping stone for us to hit high.

SHOPPING

THE NATION

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• LG mobile phone.

Making the right choice of cell phones

• Nokia cellphone

When the global system of communication (GSM) was introduced in 2001, handsets like Nokia 3310, Sagem MC 920 and Motorola, which are today referred to as palasa, were in use. Eleven years on, the mobile phone industry has become more sophisticated. In the place of palasa are now sophisticated handsets which can perform wonders. Where to buy them is as important as what the customer gets, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.

EFORE the introduction of GSM in 2001, mobile communication was ‘strictly’ for the ‘big boys’. Those who had a dial-up landline at home or work were among a privileged few. A walkie-talkie or pager was a revered asset. And the ‘090’ was not for everyone - it was for the ‘rich’. Some even used it as a symbol of ‘oppression’. Then, the country had only one national carrier – Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL). People went the extra mile to communicate through phone. They queued at NITEL stations or designated phone booths to make calls.

But all that is history as the wind of change blew into the communication sector in 2001 with the advent of GSM. At this green state, the telecommunications companies virtually ripped off the public. SIM card went for as high as N20, 000 to N30, 000. Because of the craze for it, it was given the acronym, ‘Go Spend Money’ or ‘General Street Madness’. But with growth and competition in the sector, SIM cards now cost N100 with some free credit, alongside various products for convenience of the consumer. And handsets? With few dealers and manufacturers, there were minimal choices for

• Samsung phone

consumers. Some of the handsets available at inception the Nokia 3310, Sagem and Motorola, Trium, Thuraya, Alcatel, Siemens and Sendo. Besides, they were rudimentary compared to what the market delivers today.

Care for frozen foods?

Who’s for TM Lewin?

Page 32

Page 33

They were mainly designed for voice use and had maybe six or eight apps on the menu including services such as Messages, Phonebook, Settings, Calendar, Ringtones, • Continued on Page 42

Branded table water everywhere Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SHOPPING

Making the right choice of cell phones • Continued from Page 41

Games and the Extras app which had Notes/ To do sub-menu, which some people used to replace their diaries. This gave rise to the cell phone market as manufacturers and vendors began to outwit one another in their bid to get a big share of the market. Here, the whistle was blown for players in the viable business. Enter the manufacturers: Nokia, Samsung, LG and so on; each with its various products and brand strategy to warm itself to consumers. Thus, camera phones became the status symbol for some people. Soon after, the multimedia menu featured video cameras and with the coming of the i-phone, the audio player became part of the standard menu now offered by most handsets. However, in the upper end of the market and with the coming of mobile internet, even more sophisticated apps are offered such as the e-reader, browser, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Java and mobile versions of standard desktop software like MS Word and Excel. With time, there came an influx of China phones. They made waves due to their cheap prices. They also ushered in the dual SIMS. However, they were generally believed to be of lesser quality. This might be the reason for the higher quality and affordable Chinese brand, Tecno, which is receiving good patronage. Competition for global market share among major brands has also brought in more sophistication. The introduction of Blackberry, making internet access easier and more convenient further challenged the other brands to produce phones that would provide all the services offered by Blackberry and even more. But it is not only the manufacturers who are in this battle. The vendors play a major part - bringing the products to the consumer. A lot of people make a living through cell phones. From small scale to large scale, in-

formal to formal shopping, handset is within the reach of everyone and the manner of business transaction has got a huge lift. The cost of running businesses dropped dramatically as mobile phones destroyed most of the transportation and long distances constraints posed to these businesses. Banks jumped in too. With the cashless policy, the mobile phone is able to do everything from simple payments in a shop to transferring money to your kids somewhere. In determining what price to sell, say, banana, chicken, tomato or some other commodity, farmers can use a cell phone to call the market rather than depend on unscrupulous middlemen who might take advantage of them. Cell phone dealership is a viable market which is why many companies have pitched their tents in it. Asides exclusive stores which stock cell phones, special markets have also opened up such as the computer villages at Ikeja, GSM villages on Agege Motor Road, Egbeda Road, Wesminister and China Town, Lagos. There are cell phone sections in almost every market you visit from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and all parts of the country. Ikeja alone, in Lagos, has clusters of cell phone outlets in Opebi, Allen Avenue, Toyin Street, Alade market and almost every street. Stores such as Seaman, Slot, Mega Plaza, Game, PVT and several others brand their outlets to denote class and identity and offer after sale services. Making the right choice, sometimes, is a big task for the shopper. According to an electronics expert, Mr Nahum Shavit, who helped to build the electronics section at the Mega Plaza Shopping Mall, Lagos, always purchase from stores which can offer you quality services.Even if you do not know what to buy, they can adequately advice you. Besides, your money refund is guaranteed if necessary.

Care for frozen foods? Frozen food is a good choice with its advantage of convenience, affordability and easy storage, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

N increase in the number of cold rooms available these days enables people to buy frozen foods at anytime. This has increased consumers’ demand for it. Many, especially the working class, patronise frozen foods for several reasons. They can be stored for a long time without losing their flavour, colour or nutritional value. They can be found in many neighbourhood stores. This makes it easier and time saving for shoppers. It is a profitable business which needs not too much money to begin and involves several delivery systems such as store delivery, home delivery or online delivery. The owner of Saltt Frozens Limited, Citec Villa, Gwan Rinpa, Abuja, Miss Irosa Okodugha told The Nation Shopping that their objective is to help get frozen foods to the door steps of consumers everyday, round the clock. Their services include production, marketing and sales of local and imported frozen foods such as chicken, sausages, lamb, fish, snail, gizzard, frog, kidney, beef, periwinkles, goat meat, with home delivery services rendered round the clock. “Very soon, we would be delivering our products to customers living outside Abuja. We have enough hands and materials. With God’s help we are capable,” she said. A broadcaster, Mrs Mute Olori, said she buys life chicken and turkey once in a while. “I prefer frozen foods. They taste better and most importantly, create time for me to do other things. I stock my deep freezer weekly and I do not have to go shopping all the time. Most times, I have them delivered at my door steps; it pays you know…”she went on. A professor of Science at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr Ajibola Meshida, said: “My family lives outside the country. I live and work alone here in Nigeria like a bachelor. Thus, when I am not on vacation with them, I shop for frozen foods once in a month or in two months. I stock my freezer up with my favourite and I do not have to buy all the time. I love it because I am used to its taste and convenience.” Danabah Nigeria Limited, situated in Kano

State, is a major distributor of frozen foods and home delivery services. Shop 4 U situated in Lagos supplies frozen foods within the hospitality industry. In PortHarcourt is Felipre Frozen foods which supplies frozen chicken. Open Heavens frozen foods sells frozen fish, chicken and meat in wholesale and is a major distributor to cold rooms in Lagos. Also, in Lagos is Akesan Farms Enterprises, a general supplier of frozen foods. Beatrix is also a major distributor of frozen foods on Omuma Road in Aba, Abia State. Soon, they will be expanding their cold room storage facility to accommodate more frozen foods. Balogun Kabir Fish Depot Nigeria Limited distributes frozen fish mainly in Iwo, Osun State. One of the leading exporters of frozen foods in West Africa is Sash Chicken Limited, Kwara State. Owo-feli Nigeria Enterprises sells in cartons and kilos in Lagos. Likewise, Rotomas Nigeria Limited, which mainly imports frozen chicken laps and turkey wings.

• Full chicken

• Blackberry

• Acer-Be Touch- 400 mobile- phone

• Spice-d-90-dual-sim-phone

Tension over suspension of Onitsha Main Market election

HERE is tension in the Onitsha Main Market following the non-conduct of elections into executive positions. Traders are asking for the elections to move the market forward. A member of the incumbent executive and a prospective candidate for the election, Mr Igwebuike Okafor, confirmed this to The Nation Shopping. The election was scheduled for February 6, but was shifted indefinitely, creating tension and uncertainty in the market. The Chairman of the market, Mr Nnamdi Unobuagha, allegedly refused to inaugurate a seven-man electoral committee appointed to conduct the market polls. The tension began when the Anambra State government suggested a strategy for the conduct of the market election different from what is contained in the constitution of the market. The intrusion of the state government into the politics of the market did not go down well with some of the traders. According to Okafor, “it has been the tradition of the market that we select three chairmanship candidates for the chairmanship position in the market after a primary election; but today, the government tells us ‘no more primary election’; thereby making it a free for all affair. “The constitution of Onitsha Main Market Trader’s Union provides that we conduct our general elections in the Union Hall, within the market, but the state government says we must conduct it at a hotel far from the market. “We have screened the prospective candidates as stipulated by our constitution, but the government still said we must be screened further by men of the State Security Service (SSS) and other government agents. “These contrary stipulations do not go down well with most of us – and with all these happenings coupled with the fact that our chairman has refused to inaugurate the seven-man electoral body, show that the election will not take place in a foreseeable future”. • Rayon to printed top. But, the Special Adviser the Governor

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

on Parks and Markets, Hon. Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, said government’s involvement in the election of Onitsha Market was for the interest of the traders. He argued that the government decision on insisting in having the election conducted at a venue away from the market was to avoid bloodshed, which, according to him, was always associated with such elections. He said hotel premises would be a good place where security agents can monitor the exercise. On government’s faulting primary elections already concluded by the traders, he disclosed that the primary election was not contained in the constitution of the market, adding that every eligible trader should be free to partake in the contest for any executive position. He also said men of the SSS would screen traders who aspire for executive positions because, according to him, there were certain standards set for individuals expected to be future leaders of the market. He advised traders in the market to co-operate with the government in their efforts to make the market conducive for trading. Unobuagha, pointed that his action for not inaugurating the electoral body for the market was because of the refusal of the traders to comply with government directives. “I am following government directives, but the traders running for positions refused to return their forms as directed and have failed to comply with certain regulations as stipulated by the owners of the market - the government, for the conduct of the election. This signifies their non-readiness to having the election conducted”, he said. He said further: “I am very ready for the election because my tenure expired on January 31, 2012. There is no provision for tenure elongation, so I cannot stay any further but our traders are not helping matters”. The former Public Relations Officer and Secretary General of the market, said he had gathered enough knowledge in market administration and, therefore, cannot be tossed around by detractors.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SHOPPING • T M Lewin double-cuffshirt for ladies.

Shopping Right with FROM MY MAIL BOX Dear readers,

• TM Lewin Prince of Wales double cuff shirt.

Who’s for TM Lewin? For many who wear formal attires, a shirt matched with pants, tie and jacket and, in some cases, skirts for women, is top in most wardrobes. For some, any good shirt will do; but for others, it has to be a TM Lewin (Thomas Mayes Lewin). Why the preference for this dress shirt? JANICE NKOLI IFEME spoke to shoppers.

S the saying goes, looking good is good business; dress the way you would want to be addressed, many spend a fortune to look their best. Besides, some try to create a style for themselves. Many who dress in formal outfit to the office would mostly opt for suit (shirt, pants, tie and jacket) preferably dark colours. Others simply drop the jacket and wear a shirt over pants or skirt. Some go to the extent of choosing a particular designer shirt to create an identity. You will often see a double cuff T.M. shirt named after the Duke of York or the Prince of Wales. Just like many famous designers around the world, T M Lewin trademark is one many love to be identified with. It sells for between N7500 and N9, 500 in major clothing stores. You can also get it at N6, 500 or N7,000, depending on the place. Some of the places where they can be found are Silverbird Galleria, Twice as Nice, The Palms, Lekki and some shops along Allen Avenue and Opebi, Ikeja. However, they do not represent its London parent company- just doing business. People have different reasons for liking it. It is a matter of choice for those who have the bucks and that of cutting one’s coat according to one’s clothe for others. A shopper, Mr Evans Chuks, said: “I always look out for sales on TM shirts and I had run into a store at Ikeja where I got three shirts for N16, 500. It was clearance sales though. I think it is about the right timing. I love it because it fits perfectly. Besides, you cannot find it on just anybody. For me, I need to create a class for myself. As a corporate trader, I meet VIPs everyday. It is a mark of distinction; not everyone can afford it.” Another shopper, Miss Nancy Ibe, said: “There is nothing special about the shirts other than it has the Windsor collar that is in vogue now. I bought one for my boy friend in the United States last year and it was about $60 on sale”. Mr Jude Otikpo said: “I have been to authorised TM Lewin stores in London. They are always doing promotions on their shirts but always end up costing about £25 each. The last time, I went with my dad. There are prices for the different ranges based on which season they were released”. Mr Tim Nchedo, a student of the Univer-

sity of Lagos said: “Any TM shirt less than N6,000 is most likely to be fake because the cost of TM shirt in wholesale is about N5, 000; by the time you add shipping cost, you will be getting it at almost N6, 000. I bought one last month for N8, 500 from one of those boutiques in Ikeja. I have also bought a second -hand for N4, 300. But for some, it is a different ball game. A shirt dealer, Mr Boniface Okon, said: “How person go buy shirt 9k? chei! They are mad. Does their father own TM shirt? For me, it is original sewn in Aba shirts. They go for N2, 000 if you are my pal but will cost you from N3, 500 if you are not so close to me. We supply anywhere in Nigeria and sew with fabrics of your choice. Nigerian designed shirts are solid. You guys better give it a try instead of these your TM or team manager shirts. Besides, there are better London designers, so I do not know why guys in Naija are TM crazy. Check out Paul Smith, Burberry, Abercrombie and Fitch, Charles Tyrwhitt, Hugo Boss, these are for the biggest boys. But some have a case against T.M. shirts. Mr Johnson Arowolo, an International businessman, said: “They are notorious for shrinkage in the collar. I have also found that they shrink more than any other shirts I own. I always wash them with cold water and air dry them to minimise the shrinkage. Many others and I would recommend sizing up by a half inch. After a couple of washes they will still be slightly on the large size but it is much better than too tight. I have a couple of Lewin shirts that I bought at my natural neck size and they are now unwearable with a tie. T. M. Lewin (Thomas Mayes Lewin) was founded in 1898 when he opened his first shop in Jermyn Street, St James’s, London.Iits founder was one of the first to make the ‘coatshirt’, a shirt won like a coat, fastening the buttons down the front. In 1979, T. M. Lewin & Sons was acquired by the mcKenna family and in 1980, Geoff Quinn. Through direct sourcing, the company grew rapidly since the 1980s. It introduced classic suits in 2005. It supplied the ties for the London 2012. Today, it has 75 stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the last four years, it has started operating through telephony and online.

• T.M. shirt for ladies.

• TM Lewin Duke of York slim fit double cuff shirt.

Thanks for your comments and responses to The Nation Shopping. We do appreciate them and encourage you to keep the link. For those of you who asked questions, I have taken time to reply them and give you adequate information. However, some are answered here in order to be of benefit to others. Please bear with us if your response is not published in this edition. Reasonable comments, questions and answers are published first Friday of every month. Thanks a million, Janice. Dear Janice, You won’t believe it. I have made it a point of duty to always buy The Nation JANICE NKOLI IFEME every Friday because of shopping. It amazes me the intelligent way you pick and handle those sensitive issues about shopping. I have been following your right up a lot and I must tell you that you are a guide to a lot of people. I love a quotation you picked from Alice in wonderland on February 17, where you wrote on getting organised. It says: “if you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which route you take”. You are right. Getting organised requires having clear objectives for why you want to get organised and Thank you, Ebere Eberechukwu, Abakaliki. Thanks for your inspiring tips on shopping right. I must confess that reading your column has helped me a lot. Now, I go to the shops or markets with some excitement because I believe I know a lot to guide me. Thanks to your column. Promise Ibeh, Calarbar Hi Janice I have been reading your articles but I have not been sending comments. I am sending this because it deeply affects me. I mean that piece on getting organised. In fact Janice, I need to get organised. I got inspired to do so after reading your stuff. Thanks Kunle Abayomi, Ibadan. ‘Getting organised’ didn’t come at a better time than this. It is a giving that being organized is the function of the mind, not necessarily the space one occupies or the environment you live in. The manner in which we dress and communicate says a lot about the state of our minds and it invariably translates to the way we organize our individual spaces, be it in the office or at home. I think the first step to being organized is to get our emotions right. Then try to handle things individually by compartmentalizing your thoughts. A popular adage says it all, one step at a time and only then would the motion in the right direction take its full course. Akonjom Bob Agbornsed, Calarbar. Feedback on questions Dear Janice, I am very fat and I do not like it. What kind of food should I shop for? Thank you. Shola, UNILAG. Dear Shola, I like the way you framed your question. It shows that you know exactly what we do in The Nation Shopping-guiding you on how to shop right. No matter your size, it is important that you eat healthy, so you need to shop for healthy food. I recommend fruits and vegetables. You can never go wrong with those. Drink lots of clean water and always exercise. Dieticians always advise that you avoid fatty foods and carbohydrates. If you must eat those, let it be minimal, with more of vegetables. Better to stay off sweets and sugar. Honey and grapes would be okay. You can go for skimmed milk when you want to take milk. Most of all, always exercise. You can even go for health enhancing equipment such as the morning walker, which helps you do your walkout effortlessly. Try out these first and let’s see what progress you make. Thanks for helping people with your write ups. Please how do I know the right electronics to buy? Bose Adebayo Bose dear, You did not mention the particular electronic you wish to purchase, as it would have made me to be more specific in telling you the necessary tips you need to know. However, the most important thing is to know exactly what you want to buy. Get basis information about it. There are so many makes that look alike, so you may need to know the exact one you are buying and also some specific details about it, such as the style of labeling, logo, design and other key details. In most cases, the specifications are always clear and distinct. Most importantly, buy from reputable dealers. This is necessary so that you can also get the after sales services and warranty benefits. Besides, if you are a novice to electronics, it would be wise to go shopping for it with someone who knows and who can tell you the truth. Thanks, Janice.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SHOPPING Have you noticed? The availability of table water at events has taken a higher dimension. Many companies are now in the business. At parties, you see them packaged to reflect the occasion for everyone to know that ‘this’ water was got from’that’ party. Bottled water continues to thrive due to lack of clean potable tap water in the country. JANICE NKOLI IFEME writes.

Branded table water everywhere

LMOST in every culture, accomplishments such as birthdays, graduations and weddings usually call for merriment. These celebrations involve people, music, gifts, food and, of course, water. Nigeria is no exception. Water is invaluable. An adage says water is life. Every where you go, there is water. At first, it was poured in cups and tumblers. Soon, the sachet water, popularly called pure water, came on and now, bottled water, which many expect will be more hygienic. It is now ubiquitous as many companies find it to be a lucrative business. You see it every where you go. Usually, at events, asides flowers on the table for decoration, water is a major item. It is even more interesting when you attend a wedding to see the bottled water distributed to be packaged with a photograph of the couple; or a burial ceremony with the photograph of the departed alongside the water. Or a graduation ceremony with a remark like ‘happy graduation’ written on the bottle, which everyone gets a share of. That is how popular bottled water is. With the majority of houses having no running water whatsoever and while some households can afford to have their own boreholes, these water supplies are sometimes unfit to drink since there are no purification systems. The lack of electricity also contributes to the demand for bottled water, given the need for chilled water. It is not just needed to maintain the biological fluid equilibrium of the human body, but also to keep the surrounding clean to reduce the incidence of water transmitted and related diseases. The branded water market in Nigeria is lucrative and growing fast with excellent long-term prospects. It has been identified as one of the key beverage sectors driving growth. Increasing number of people is opting to consume bottled water and there is a large amount of brands that are presented in both bottles and pouches. Among them are Eva, Ragolis, Pure life, Gossy, SWAN and Aquadana. Others are Veevee, Laquamax, Aquamax, Link, Lily, Lifeline, Lanol, Lamour, Daffins and Angelic Style. Also, Voltic, Zorax, Gateway and Sampyi table water. The list is endless. Spring Waters Nigeria Limited (SWAN) started commercial production of Natural Spring Water in December 1983 with the brand name SWAN, as the pioneer brand of bottled water in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. Eva water brand remains extremely popular and available in retail outlets all over the country.The company’s efficient distribution network and aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns are responsible for its success. The brand’s distribution is built on the back of Coca-Cola’s, so that wherever there is CocaCola, there is also Eva. Pure life, made by Nestle Nigeria comes in 60cl and 1.5 L plastic bottles

Gossy, made by Warm Springs a division of UAC Nigeria comes in 0.75L plastic bottles Eva, made by Nigerian Bottling Company Plc Cocacola, comes in 0.75L and 1.5L plastic bottles. Aquadana, made by Dana group, comes in 0.75L and 1.5L bottles. Laquamax water is bottled fresh at source and is drawn from a 300ft aquifer in an area that has not been exposed to heavy human and industrial presence over the ages. Some factors influencing the market include product development, packaging innovations, economic and lifestyle influences, distribution and prices among others. The major players in bottled water in Nigeria invest in retail census estimates and other retail studies to ensure accurate and sustainable distribution networks. A good distribution network, widespread brand recognition, aggressive marketing, advertising and other market innovations have been employed by these table water companies. Consumer watch It is hot and sunny and you reach for a cold bottle of water. You crack open the seal and as you bring it to your lips, you notice the expiration date – two months ago.You thought the bottle seemed a little dusty. Should you worry? Afterall, water does not go bad. Having a freshness date on a bottle of water makes about as much sense as having an expiration date on sugar or salt. There are several reasons water bottles come with an expiration date. The main one is government bureaucracy: water is a consumable food product. As such, it is subject to laws requiring expiration dates on all consumables. Besides, the expiration date on bottled water has certain benefits for the manufacturer. Although water, does not go bad, the plastic bottle it is contained in could expire and will, eventually, start leaching chemicals into the water. This will not necessarily render the water toxic, but it might make it taste somewhat less than mountain spring fresh. If consumers contact drink companies to complain that the water they bought several years earlier tastes bad, the bottlers can point out that it is their own fault for not drinking it by the expiration date. Furthermore, many companies of bottle water use the same machines they use to bottle sodas and other beverages which do expire and should carry an expiration date. It is easier and more efficient to simply put a stamp on all the bottles (whether needed or not) rather than dedicating a special machine just for bottled water. Expiration dates are usually only one element of a printed code that also identifies the date, bottling plant and other information. Even though the expiration date itself is meaningless in terms of water going bad, the manufacturing information could be useful in tracking down contamination, bottling errors or product recalls.

• Table water with blue seal

• Table water with white seal

Tyres for your car Always go for good quality tyres, as it will help you even if the price is a little higher, writes OZIOMA MBAMALU. S a driver, you cannot neglect the fact that you need to learn about car tyres and everything about cars. You will need to learn the basics such as changing a flat tyre and light bulbs. These are the small things you can do as a driver and the owner of your car. The different brands of tyres available in the market are GTradial, Wanli, Achilles, Goodride, Sonny, Rotalla, Triangle, Michelin and Dunlop. The choice of which brand to use depends on individual preferences and none of them are produced in Nigeria. Michelin and Dunlop tyres which were formerly manufactured in Nigeria, have been moved to Ghana due to unresolved electricity problem which has also driven a lot of manufacturing firms and investors away from the country. The size of tyre ranges from 195/65 R 15, 205/ 65 R 15, 215/65 R 15, 205/60 R 15, 205/55 R 16, 215/60 R 16 to 205/60 R 16, 215/65 R 16, among others.It was gathered that most imported brand new tyres are manufactured in China and last for about three years, unless punctured by an object. They are also more expensive than their tokumbo (fairly used) counterparts whose prices are much less than the price of brand new ones. The tokumbo tyres move faster than brand new ones because they are cheaper. The tokumbo tyre

has the tendency of lasting for about one and half years. And without potholes and bad roads, they could last longer. When a tyre enters a pothole and ruptures or cuts into two, it is automatically condemned. It does not count whether it is new or old, especially when it is on speed, the iron rim gets very hot and if the tyre has expired, this heat could cause tyre explosion. It was gathered that it is very dangerous for a front tyre to explode as it can cause a terrible accident and if this incident happens and the driver of that vehicle depresses the brake with force, the car has less tendency of tumbling immediately, but if the driver is experienced and able to control his anxiety and depresses the break gently, then the car or vehicle can be put under control, stopped and parked gently.There are different types of tyres. The first type is the all season or standard tyre. This is the tyre your car comes with when it comes out of the factory. This type of tyre is suitable for all time usage and it works regardless of wet or dry condition. The material used to produce this tyre is of high quality and the rubber is hard to prolong the life of the tyre. The tread on the tyre is designed to minimise the noise and provide more grip in a wet condition.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SHOPPING

Debating the pros and cons of doing business online Two leading igures in the luxury sector argue the case for and against embracing technology and online selling

For:

Andre Louit Chief financial of luxury leather goods retailer Longchamp

- says that a long illustrious history is no protection against the fast-moving world of fashion

Words _ Clare Gascoigne “There’s been a change in the mindset of the consumer in the past 10 to 15 years,” say Mr Louit. “High fashion brands have changed the way women buy; they expect something new on a regular basis and all the luxury brands are having to cope with this trend.” Luxury no longer simply means the highest quality goods. Developing and maintaining a luxury brand means creating a whole lifestyle image, and technology plays a key part in that he says.

Technology attracts younger customers, but the brand must be protected “The key word in the luxury brands and technology debate is consistency. We have our own history and tradition, and we want to present ourselves in the same way in this new media as we would do in a bricks and mortar store. The story is the same; we’re not changing the way we are. It’s more a matter of form than substance.” Longchamp has embraced technology for nearly a decade, having started selling its folding bag online back in 2003. “We entered the e-business world with the idea of customer is able to pick the shape, the handle, the colour and make it unique,” he says. “It is something different to what happens in a bricks and mortar store, where such an offering would take up space and need someone dedicated to walking you through the process.” Customisation is still a part of the Longchamp website, but it has developed other technology-rich elements, such as videos of ready-to-wear clothes and mini film, Oh! My dog, by choreographer and director Blanca Li, while previous years have seen successful collaborations with

“

model Kate Moss. Facebook and Twitter are also part of the mix, with behind-the-scenes films and interviews with Longchamp’s creative director to explain the “Longchamp” woman, as well as frequently updated comment and product images. “The idea is to show that there is something fresh, it’s not a case of showing one season’s products and then having to wait for the next season before the website changes,” says Mr Louit. Technology is also key to attracting a younger customer, he says. “We have to keep up with this new world, so we need to be presented in a way that is very close to our stores. We use the two to create the brand environment.” Certainly the increasing use of technology does not change the need for a high-street presence. “It goes both ways,” say Mr Louit. “We have customers coming to our stores, who have checked the website at home with their families or friends, and also people coming into the shops wanting to touch and feel the products, but who then go home and buy online at 10 o’clock at night.” But central to the successful use of technology is having the right products, he believes. “You have to have products that appeal to younger customers, otherwise it’s useless.” For Longchamp, it is the folding bag (Le Pliage range) which is often the entry point for new customers; no doubt partly due to its price, which is significantly lower than many of the fine leather bags that are Longchamp staples. “The website is a learning curve for the brand; it showcases bags with higher price points as well as the less expensive ranges,” he says. At the end of the day, technology is simply another channel to amuse and impress customers. What counts is the interaction between the customer and the company. “If the final contact is not right, the all the effort and money spent to get to that point will be wasted,” says Mr Louit, “And it’s exactly the same on the web.”

We have to keep up with this new world, so we need to be found on this media

Against:

Poppy Charles Brand manager at Savile Row tailors H. Huntsman&Sons

- says that when you’ve been in business for more than 160 years, the latest trend is something to be taken with a pinch of salt

“What we do hasn’t changed in over a century,” says Ms Charles “You can’t order a bespoke suit online and you shouldn’t be able to. It’s a personal and unique service.” Savile Row, the iconic home of fine tailoring, has its shop fronts, but to call those who work here retailers is somewhat missing the point. This is part craftsmanship – it takes six years to become a cutter, and that’s only the starting point – part heritage industry – Huntsman’s illustrious clients include Edward VII, Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Lawrence Olivier - and part theatre – the shop, with its leather sofas, roaring fire and pair of stag’s heads left by a customer in the 1920s, would seem a better setting for Downton Abbey’s Earl of Grantham than retail expert Mary Portas. “It’s all rather soulless online,” says Ms Charles. “Customers like coming into the shop; it’s part of the tradition and history of Huntsman. They want to see the familiar faces (each client has a dedicated salesperson and cutter); they come here to be recognised and welcomed. We can explain a lot about who we are and what we do on our website,

A bespoke suit is not altered by fashion and cannot be fitted online but a website won’t make you a cup of tea.” A Huntsman suit is the ultimate in luxury tailoring, taking three or four fittings and on average 85 hours’ work to create. A bespoke suit has its own individually made pattern, and at Huntsman your personal paper pattern goes into the archive and is kept – well, until you no longer need it. “A Huntsman suit is almost sculpted to the body and you have to measure the customer properly to be able to do that,” says Ms Charles. “Endless companies will make you a suit online, but they are not measuring the customer properly.” Though many clients research Savile Row via the net before choosing a tailor, the process of bespoke requires a personal visit, if for no other reason than it would be hard work to click through pictures of the thousands of cloths available. Huntsman makes much of its own

•Culled from raconteuronthetimes.co.uk

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P e o p l e come for the experience and the service

cloth, in conjunction with historic mills, such as Fox Brothers or the Islay Woollen Mill, and customers will wait for a particular tweed to be woven rather than rush into buying. “People come for the experience and the service. Many of the choices in a suit are about communication and people rely on the guidance of a salesperson. Our people are paid to explain face to face. Things haven’t changed in so many respects,” she says. Huntsman does, of course, use technology. It uses email to keep in touch with clients; just under a third of customers live overseas, so email is a valuable means of making contact without having to worry about time zones. The company also now logs customer information electronically, rather than in the magnificent leather-bound ledgers that make up its archive. But sister company Budd shirtmakers has only just joined the 21st century, having made do with a fax until last year. “Technology does make a difference and, by the end of this year, you will be able to buy some items, such as ties and nightshirts, online. But a bespoke suit will last 20 years or more and it won’t change with fashion,” says Ms Charles. “We even offer a ‘Good Look Over’ service, which is like an MOT for suits, to give it a whole new lease of life.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Why brand custodians should leverage on AMAA

IGHT years ago, when the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was launched, artistes, producers and other stakeholders in the nation’s arts and entertainment industry saw it as a positive development for the sector. This was because the awards, set up as a reward mechanism, would serve as a tonic for the much- needed growth in the area. Eight years on, the Awards has not failed to live up to the billing of its founders and the artistes. For example, since it was first staged in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, many in the industry have continued to see this as a platform to leverage on. The build-up to the Awards ceremony has always gingered interests among artistes and their fans; the Awards night has also served as a veritable marketing avenue for individuals and brand owners. For instance, the quality and quantity of attendance have been very strong points that have continued to attract individual and corporate brands to the initiative. AMAA had, in the past few years, been able to attract notable artistes and film makers from even the most unexpected quarters, such as the Northern part of the continent, who now see it as value-adding. AMAA is the largest and most prestigious awards ceremony for the African film industry with business hubs in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. The awards have over 53 countries participating yearly. Established in 2005, hundreds of filmmakers and international celebrities have participated in AMAA’s various programmes. It offers multi-touch points year-long engagement offering both Above-The-Line (ATL) and Below-The-Line (BTL) opportunities for corporate organisations and brands. The highlight of the AMAA, according to its custodians, is the nomination night where nominees for 24 categories are announced and the televised yearly Awards in April, which reaches a cumulative audience of over 50 million viewers spread across Africa and the rest of the world. AMAA in its previous edition have had global, Pan African and indigenous corporate sector endorsements including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Arik Air, Bayelsa State government and numerous other supports. It is, therefore, important to ensure continuity and maintain the standard of excellence AMAA is generally known for and ensure continuity of the project. While reviewing the Awards recently, its initiator and founder, Peace AnyimOsigwe, argued that though the scheme is still in its infancy, it has been able to draw its validation from the transparency of the awards process. “One of the ways the Awards has achieved this is to ensure that every nominee for the awards is physically present at the venue so as to give credibility to the whole process,” she said. The recent introduction of the Business Development Unit of the Awards by the organisers has further underscored the resolve to reposition the Awards to attract the much-needed audience, and enhance brand visibility. For instance, the Head of the newly created Unit, Naomi Lucas, believes the creation of the unit would enhance brand visibility and create the much-needed platform for big brands to leverage on. “AMAA has become a brand and it is imperative to see it as that. The Business Development Unit is designed to explore the business potential of the Award. Besides rewarding African cinema, we want brand owners to see it as a platform they can use to market their brands,” she said. Corroborating this assertion, AnyimOsigwe believes it is time the corporate Nigeria began to explore the potential of the Awards, which had continued to attract a huge number of celebrities from the continent. She believes that a negligible few had used

the awards to create visibility around their brands, a lot of brands have not utilised this opportunity. “With the celebrities it attracts from all over the continent, and the mass audience glued to their television sets while the Award night lasts, it is obvious that any Alisted brands attached to the event will benefit immensely, since it is an opportunity to reach their audience,” she stressed. For instance, the Awards nights, which are always transmitted live on both terrestrial and pay TVs have been able to reach millions of viewers, a number any serious brand would want to leverage on to enhance their fortunes, and the earlier the corporate Nigeria begins to see these opportunities the better for their brands and the nation’s entertainment industry. On some of the brand’s platforms, which include nominees breakfast, Red carpet, live broadcast of the awards, press conference, venue branding, celeb.ends and celeb branding, Lucas said: “Beyond conventional advertising and PR, sponsors can enrich consumer experience by using the AMAA line up of activities to drive experiential engagements and build brand affinity. AMAAs programs have active audience participation and are tremendous for leveraging new products and promotions. “Leveraging on AMAA’s broadcast platform Toyota, Airtel, MTN and other brands with spread across African market can place TVCs on live broadcast, rebroadcasts, promos, because AMAA activities span the entire African continent. We strive to ensure fair involvement of all regions within Africa when scheduling our activities. This provides leverage for brands targeting the African market,”Lucas said.

‘One of the ways the Awards has achieved this is to ensure that every nominee for the awards is at the venue so as to give credibility to the whole process’

Any Time Money (ATM)

T is popular. It is everywhere. It is a source of revenue generation for some organisations, and, the man who invented it never thought it would be this popular and lucrative too. At N3 million per machine, some executives have made quick but quiet dough from the sales and buying of this machine. On a trip, after all is said and done with 10 or more machines, an executive makes more money in a week than a professional footballer in the Nigerian Premier League makes in a month. But, tell me, is that why the machine is so attractive to the extent that some ‘die-hard’ South Africans take pleasure in bombing this machine? Nigerians have not got to that level yet, but instead of bombing it, we occupy it. We buy it. We sell it. We sweat it to produce cash. The machine is a magician. It fills our need, our need to hold cash, to fondle cash, to feel secure in its quiet, reassuring presence. It is magical. No, not cash; the machine. It is its ability to come to your rescue any time you need cash that some creative Nigerians have changed the name of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) as you have known it to Any Time Money (ATM). Why not, it fits that description, as the machine spews cash any time, 24-7. But with a proviso, if you do not deposit cash in your bank account, as they say in street parlance, ‘nothing for you!’ At that point you would see its other side. Then, you would know that it is heartless. It is ruthless. It is pitiless. It does not have an affiliate. No matter who is at the helm of affairs, if it is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the banks or Independent ATM Deployers (IADs), the machine wins. The ATM is always a winner. Is it because crisp cash is lodged in its belly? Anyway, either the banks have the core competences to deploy and manage ATM or not, the machine wins. Either the IADs are licensed to manage the ATMs in Nigeria, the machine wins. What the CBN says does not matter anymore. The machine wins. Though the machine has no say in the matter, the CBN has the final say. In its final statement, the CBN have declared that the banks and IADs can go ahead to deploy ATMs. However, before making this volte-face, the CBN had directed the banks to hand over the management and deployment of ATMs to the IADs. From the lethargic manner the banks responded, it was obvious the banks were unhappy about the CBN’s directives. This was also evident in the mouse-and-cat game that played out between the banks and IADs, which stalled ATM capacity in Nigeria for

over two years. Of course, you could guess the winner. The banks have the power: They own the machines. The IADs only manage the machines. It is like a case of a landlord and a tenant. Ultimately, the landlord wins, and in this case, the banks. Well, the IADs also have the licence to deploy, manage and own ATM network. But, looked at with hindsight, how many IADs have the wherewithal to roll out thousands of ATMs in one day or in one month? The banks can do this. Where would the IADs get the money to deploy network of ATMs across the country? From the banks’ vault. Who signs the cheque? The bank manager. Who gets lucrative off-sites? The banks. Who gets to dine and wine with the site-owners? The banks. You see, whoever deploys ATM in Nigeria, the banks or IADs, the machine wins. Again, from the perspective of CBN’s Modalities for Off-Site ATM Operations/Deployment, one could not but agreed that the CBN took the decision in line with its cashless society objectives. Bearing in mind the role of ATM deployment and availability in ensuring a smooth implementation of the new cash policy, it is good to have the two parties roll out the machines. Is that your stand? Okay. However, wouldn’t it be better to have each party play in its strength zone? Since the banks and IADs have the license to deploy off-site ATMs, wouldn’t be beneficial to share responsibilities by asking the banks to rollout the machines (cash power) while IADs manage (competence) the machines? Is the CBN thinking about this idea when it said the banks have the option to engage IADs in the deployment, maintenance and support of off-site ATMs? Let us touch South Africa. SparkATM System, the second largest off-site ATM management company in that country has over 1,000 ATMs on its network. This shows that the IAD and Independent Service Organisation (ISO) business model works. Similar IADs in Nigeria, such as ATMC, Chams Access and Coporeti Support Service have not been so successful. Why the IADs business model has not been successful in Nigeria is known to the CBN. The regulatory body can make it work. It has the competence. It has the personnel. But does it have the courage? What is your suggestion? This is it. It would not matter who deploys the machine in Nigeria. You would still have any time money in every corner of the country. That way, you win, and the ATM wins too. And the loser?

• Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second right), his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (right) Christopher Okagbue, overall winner of Gulder Ultimate (left), its anchor, Bob-Manuel Udokwu (second left) and Ibrahim Olanrewaju (Omo Mummy), third left, when the Gulder Ultimate Search team visited the governor at his office in Ibadan.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Human Relations Executive - Owolabi Afolabi *Operations Executive - Isiaka Hassan *Creative - Oluwaseyi Sulaimon*Front Office Executive - Blessing Nkeanya * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Drumbeat Media and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper. Corporate Suite: 20 Akinremi Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY

The golden ‘boy

A businessman, Gbenga Obisesan, turned 50 last Tuesday. Friends and family gathered to celebrate with him in Lagos. SEYI ODEWALE was there

T first, nothing suggested that a thanksgiving service was going to hold at the church that Tuesday morning. Only a handful of people were seated in the church when the service began, but about 15 minutes after, the auditorium became almost full. This was the scenario at the St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ogudu, Lagos last Tuesday when Mr Emmanuel Olugbenga Obisesan, who marked his 50 th birthday with a thanksgiving service. The service, which kicked off at 11am with few friends and wellwishers, suddenly witnessed a large congregation a few minutes later. To those who came, attending Gbenga’s party was worth it, notwithstanding whether it fell on a work day when everyone was expected to be in their various offices. With the rendition of the Anglican hymn: “Praise my soul the King of Heaven” as the opening hymn, the service progressed and other aspects of the service like the preparation; collect for purity; Gloria excelsis; summary of the law; confession of sins and the collect were observed. As part of ministering the word, Psalm 103 was read by one of the officiating ministers while Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippians was read by the celebrator. Other scriptures such as the St John’s gospel, Chapter, 15 verses 1-11, by another minister of God. This was followed shortly by a short but powerful sermon by the Archdeacon of Ogudu, Ven Sam Olajide In his sermon the priest thanked God for the life of the celebrator, which according to him, is exemplary and godly. He then urged him to give endless thanks to God for the grace of being alive to see the day. “You need to thank God for the grace given to you over the years,” he advised. Throwing a poser to the congregation on why the people gathered, Rev Olajide, who answered his own question, said: “We are here to rejoice with our brother, friend and son on his 50th birthday ceremony. Children of God, it is a thing of joy.” Drawing the attention of the congregation to pages eight and nine of the programme, the cleric noted that the celebrator should not only show gratitude to God with his lips, but with his body and soul. “Bless the Lord oh my soul; and forget not His benefits,” he quoted from the scriptures. He noted that when the celebrator introduced him to his father what went through his mind was that 50 years ago, people rejoiced with the celebrator’s father that a son was born just as people rejoiced with him at the church 50 years after his birth. “When he introduced his father to me this morning, I thought that people rejoiced with Baba just as we are doing now with you. Fifty years to Baba is like yesterday. And all the story of 50 years can be told in just a few minutes. That is why the Bible said that our life is like the breadth of our palms,” he said. “If you can think deep,” he said, “you will know how to give thanks.” He urged him to remain in the Lord as that is the only way to be perpetually happy in life. “The only way you can be happy

•Mrs Olamide Obisesan (left) and Mrs Damilola Obisesan

•The celebrator with his wife Mopelola

•Mrs Dolapo Oluwasola (left) and Bunmi Amatosero

•Mr and Mrs Dele Adeniji

•Senator Akinfenwa

•Ven Olajide

•Mr Dokun Alagbe (left) and Dr Fatoki Dele

and your happiness remains permanent is to remain in the Lord. With my little experience in life, I have realised that money cannot sustain happiness and joy derived from money is momentary,” he pointed out. Shortly after, the Holy Communion was administered to the celebrator and other communicants. The two-hour service ended with guests and friends of Gbenga, as he is fondly called, moving to the MKO Abiola Gardens Estate, beside the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja for the reception. On the band stand was a Juju musician, Sir K., who played nice danceable tunes to guests who were already seated. Some of them opted for the party as the thought of not meeting the service informed their choice. Decked in different eye-catching attires delectable ladies and gentlemen trooped to the open arena within the estate where the large white canopy provided cover for all who came. With the tables and chairs draped in white and blue, and arranged to accommodate about 300 guests, the setting was not devoid of class.

Gbenga looked splendid in his immaculate white flowing Agbada lace dress and a blue cap to match. His wife, Mopelola, appeared exceptionally gorgeous in her Iro and Buba dress and a befitting heard gear. His two children equally made fashion statements in their sky blue lace Iro and Buba with royal blue head gears and pairs of peeped-toe shoes of the same colour. With guests relishing a well cooked variety and tasty cuisine served by courteous waiters and their female counterparts, everyone agreed that Gbenga could not have settled for the less. In his testimonial about Gbenga, the former Commissioner for Education in the old Oyo State, and a former member of the Senate, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, spoke glowingly about the celebrator whom he referred to as his son. “Somebody else should have been called upon to say a word or two about Gbenga. I mean somebody of his mate, because I am like a father to Gbenga. His father and I are mates from Erin-Ijesha. So, Gbenga is my son. I know him right from his birth.

•Mr Olutoyin Odeseye and wife Olujimi

“Gbenga is one of the few young men I respect. I respect him a lot. He is very respectful, honest, humble and brilliant. He is very reserved, if you see him among friends, you hardly will know him. You hardly will see him shouting or boasting; that he is celebrating today is a thing of joy to me,” he stated. Senator Akinfenwa, who was the father of the day, noted that a lot of the guests had to cancel one appointment or the other for them to attend the party. “This is because he epitomises all that is good; he is a good Christian from a good Christian family. He deserves to be celebrated,” he ex-

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

plained. One of his friends, Vincent Omovusu, said he had known Gbenga for about 20 years and his impeccable character has always stood him out among the crowd. “He has always been a gentleman, honest and straightforward. I have known him since 1992-93, when he was a stock broker and paper importer. We came together to do the marketing and that was how we became friends,” he recalled. The officiating ministers, who attended the event included Ven Ayo Omoje from Erin-Ijesha, Osun State; Rev Canon Arowobusoye and the two priests who represented Rev Arowolo.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY

•From left: Mrs Margarret Oguntala; Dr Olusegun Ajayi and Mr Kunle Ogunbanjo

•Ajifowobaje (left) and Makinde

Honour for the Glo man

•From left: Mr Titi Omo-Ettu; Mr Morufudeen Odetokun and Mr Aderetan

The Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) last Sunday decorated Globacom Project Implementation and Maintenance Manager Mr Adekunle Makinde as its 15th Chairman. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was at the Lekki Oxford Hotels venue of the investiture

HE weather was friendly last Sunday. It was Mr Adekunle Sunday Makinde, Globacom Project Implementation and Maintenance Manager’s date with history. He was sworn-in as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). Makinde, an Electrical and Electronics Engineer, could not have wished for any other day. He revelled in joy all through the event. He was joined by his pretty pregnant wife Modupe, also an Electrical and Electronics Engineer with bias for Telecommunication Marketing. The hall of Lekki Oxford Hotels, venue of the investiture, was well-decorated. The setting of the tables and chairs in white silken material showed the classy nature of the event. There were beautiful women at the entrance, humbly ushering guests to their various seats. With the recitation of the National Anthem, opening prayer and recognition of dignitaries, the floor was open for the business of the day. The association received a commendation from the Globacom chief, Mr Folu Aderibigbe who chaired the occasion. He expressed delight to be part of the NIEEE history. His speech was a mixture of praises for the engineers and unpaid advertisement for Globacom. He said the celebrator, Makinde, has played a significant role in the telecoms industry. “The leadership qualities of Makinde, he said, have never been in doubt. His ability to lead by example is a key success factor in ensuring team cohesion and unwavering focus on performance targets.” Aderibigbe urged members of NIEEE to continue playing positive role towards the growth and development of the engineering profession in the country. The out-going chairman of NIEEE Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje gave an emotional valedictory speech. He thanked God for keeping the members alive to witness the historic day. “Today, we see change in action within the NIEEE. The only constant in life is change. This is a phrase I have used repeatedly during my tenure as Chairman of the institution; mainly because in my opinion that phrase best describes the rapid

innovation in all spheres of our profession,” Ajifowobaje said. He did not end his speech without informing the members of the challenges ahead. His words: “If we were to tell ourselves the truth, you would agree with me that the challenges facing engineers on both the local and foreign fronts formidable. It would appear that with each passing year the few opportunities for Nigerian Engineers to prove their mettle are being taken away and offered to foreigners. What we seem to forget is that those foreigners coming into the country with varied level of experience were given opportunities in their home countries to acquire their professional experience.” He hailed the founding fathers and past chairmen of the institution for laying a strong foundation that ushered in continuous success. Ajifowobaje thanked members of his cabinet for their selfless service and commitment towards the development of the institution. Shortly after his speech, some executive members of the NIEEE were given award for their tireless efforts. The plaques were presented amidst cheers. Afterward, the moment many a guest has been waiting for. The celebrator, Makinde was called to the podium. Looking attractive in pink shirt, black suit and a bowtie, he was all smiles. Theguestskeptonclappingandhisintimidatingcitation was being read. He was decorated by Ajifowobaje and they exchanged handshake. Other executive members were also sworn-in. Makinde described the day as one of his happiest moment. “This is indeed the day the Lord has made and I am exceedingly glad for His favour and love on me and those dearer to me,” he said. He equally thanked his parent for not sparing the rod to make him becoming something in life. “Many times, these parents seem wicked and uncaring to us. As we get older and become wiser, we then begin to understand that correction and discipline is an act of love,” he said. He saluted all past Chairman and executive members for contributing their quota to the NIEEE success story. He did not end the speech without thanking his wife, Modupe for standing by her through thick and thin. There were goodwill messages and presentation of gift items.

•From left: Mr Akin Akintola; Chief Sunday Makinde and Pastor Makinde Amos

•Mr Victor Oyedu (left) and Mr Emmanuel Akinwole

•From left: Mr Wasiu Adedoyin; Daniel Okogie and Ajibade Hafeez PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY

Rotary International District 9110 held a dinner and ballroom dance to raise funds for its projects last Friday at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

A ball for the needy

ED by the District Governor of 9110, Mr Kennedy Ejakpomewhe, members of the Rotary Club stormed the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos to raise funds for its projects. It was a ball, and guests were in their best. The hall wore colours of the club blue, white and gold. The guests danced to classical oldies supplied by the Shagene Band. The members sang their anthem, gleefully as the danced and clapped to its melodious tunes. Popular Yoruba actor, Yemi Shodimu, anchored the event. Chairman, Organising Committee and immediate past President of the Rotary Club of Agege, Okey Mojekwu, welcomed the guests. He said the event serves as an avenue to reach out to non-Rotarians and preach the gospel of Rotary to them. The Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator for Africa, Joshua Hassan, who gave a lecture, thanked the members for their support over the years. He charged them to to assist the people. The governor said the night was to appreciate people and the stakeholders. Ejakpomewhe enjoined members not to relent in doing well. Though having worked hard over the years, Ejakpomewhe encouraged them to enjoy the evening and relax as they think of something tangible to do for the club. “At the end, we want to urge our friends to support the Rotary Foundation because it’s about giving water to those who are thirsty, seeing yourselves clothing pupils who have no uniforms, seeing yourself providing desks and chairs for pupils, and giving artificial limbs to those who have lost theirs and improving the lives of people living in the community and no joy compares to that,” he said. Others who attended the event were the Governor of District 9140, Mr Yinka Babalola; 9110’s immediate past governor Dende Shoga; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties, Dr Aderemi Desalu, who also represented the governor of Lagos State; and former vice chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Grace Alele Williams, among others.

•From left: Dr Desalu; Mr Ejakpomewhe and wife Marytime and Prof Akinsete

•Prof Alele-Williams (left) and Prof Femi Sowemimo

•From left: Chike Madueke; Cecilia Ekanem-Madueke and Ify Ejezie

•From left: Mrs Rebecca Mojekwu (left) and Eva Ezealah

•Gbenga Oba and Miss Sarah Effiwatt

INAUGURATION

•The Olugbo of Ugboland Oba Fredrick Akinruntan (right) and Deji of Akure Oba Adebiyi Adesida at the innauguration of Deji as the chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas in Akure

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

AWARD

•Dr Nicola Busacca (left) receiving an award of Humanitarian Service from Dr Obi Ezeaku during the NOA-FCT Excellence Award in Abuja

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

SOCIETY Deputy Leader of Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State Saliu Aregbe Babatunde and his lovebird, former Miss Aminat Babatunde, a beautician, held their Nikah last Sunday. CHINAKA OKORO was there

HE expansive Alhaji Yinusa Akinola Memorial Hall at the Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State had never witnessed such an unprecedented sea of heads. But the hall is large enough to accommodate the crowd. The coolness of the hall was soothing enough to calm the effect of the scorching sun on the skin of the guests as the Nikah, an Islamic wedding, between Deputy Leader of the council Hon Saliu Aregbe Babatunde and a beautician, former Miss Aminat Babatunde, progressed. The giant air conditioners and ceiling fans aided the comfort the hall provided. And the hall, painted in cream was decorated in style. The tables and chairs were decorated in green and white silky material. Each table had beautiful ornamental flowers on it. The plinth was elegantly decorated in green. Ox-blood velvety materials drop from the ceiling to the floor. There was a long stretch of a red carpet from the entrance of the hall to the dais. The groom, Saliu, was dressed in light brown lace, brown cap and a pair of brown shoes to match. The bride, Aminat, spotted the same fabric with a colourful headgear, same as the Ipele on her shoulder. The cake was a marvel to behold as it had four levels with the topmost in all green. It was decorated with green and purple ribbons. The Quran recitation was taken by 10-yearold Abdul Samad. Officiating minister, Chief Imam of Arrahman Central Mosque Ijegun-Egba, Lagos, Imam Abdurrahman Adeyemi, who spoke mainly Arabic and Yoruba languages,

emphasised the role of a husband in a marriage. Imam Adeyemi urged husbands to be sincere in their dealings with their wives. The cleric enjoined the groom to actively contribute to the development of the home by playing his rightful roles towards the upliftment of the family. “Saliu, you must show necessary love and care to your wife by ensuring that she is happy always. Likewise for you Aminat, exhibit love, care and tenderness to your husband,” he said. The groom said he was lucky to have Aminat as a wife, adding that he was attracted by her unequalled calmness and her ability to heed advice. “Her ability to adapt to any unsavoury situation and her respect for people. But the quality that thrills me most is her ability to pray unceasingly,” he said. For the bride, a Lagos-based beautician, her husband’s love, cares and gentle nature attracted her. “I feel confident when I am with him. I thank Allah for giving him to me as a husband,” she said. Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Ibrahim Sanusi; member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Ramotallahi AkinlolaHassan; Secretary to the Local Government, Kareem Sunmola; former council chairman, Prince Saliu Sekoni; Moshood Badmus; Alhaji Funmi Okunnu; Imam Ismail Abdul Ramoni; Imam Abdul Ganiyu Olowola; Akeem Agbelega; Rita Arabome-Odofin; Arafat BabsOlorunkumi; Moruf Jimoh; Idris Lawal; Ibrahim Aban; and Mr William Kunle Stowe.

‘Saliu, you must show necessary love and care to your wife by ensuring that she is happy always. Likewise for you Aminat, exhibit love, care and tenderness to your husband’

‘We’ll have a happy home’ •The couple Aminat and Saliu

WHEN CONOIL PLC REWARDED CLIENTELE IN LAGOS

•From left: Head, Corporate Communication, Conoil Plc Mr Abiodun Azeez; Managing Director Lubricants, Mr George George and Head, Retail Lubricants Mr Ajay Pandey Ajay

•Head, Technical Services and Product Development Mr Yinka Adejumo (left) and Mr Bola Agoye

•From left: Glo Ambassador Mrs Ego Ogbaro; Mr Emma Ogbonna and Mr Mohammed Salaudeen

•Mr Raji Koul (left) and Mr Sheetal Mia

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Justice Dahiru Musdapher assumed office as head of the judiciary when the political scene was charged. Correspondent KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE examines developments under the Chief Justice in his first six months and the task ahead before he bows out in July.

Musdapher and the challenge of change T

HE tenure of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu is one that will not be forgotten in a hurry by many followers of events in the judiciary. His assumption and exit from office were dogged by controversy. While the debate that attended his ascendancy could not be blamed on him as it was due to the absence of a sitting president to swear him in, the acrimony that marked his exit was largely his making. First, it was the quarrel between him and the suspended Court of Appeal President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, on alleged interference in the Sokoto governorship election appeal between the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate, Maigari Dingyadi and Governor Aliyu Wamako of the PDP. The confusion was brought to the public glare by the surreptitious plan to elevate Justice Salami to the Supreme Court. He sparked off another row with members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) by his decision to swear in new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) on August 26 during the Bar’s National Conference. The practice was that new silks are sworn in to herald the new legal year. Despite numerous appeals, the former CJN refused to yield to a new date; hence the directive by the NBA leadership to its members to boycott the ceremony. The dust raised by the members who defied the association’s directive is yet to abate. On assumption of office, Justice Dahiru Musdapher realised the enormous challenges he inherited.

Corruption At the special session of the Supreme Court held on September 19 to mark the beginning of the 2011/ 2012 Legal Year, the NBA and Justice Musdapher, who was then Acting Justice agreed that all was not well in the judiciary. While the CJN lamented the public perception of pervasive corruption among judicial officers, NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN) regretted that “the credibility and image of the justice delivery system has been severely dented”. The NBA boss observed that “there are question marks on the ability of the judicial system to deliver justice rooted in the universal principles of the Rule of Law and constitutionalism”. But the Acting CJN said Nigerians should not lose sleep over the worrying trends as efforts were on to remedy the situation. He promised to raise a Judicial Reform Committee for a broad overhaul of the administration of justice. The 29member committee headed by Justice Muhammad Uwais recently submitted its report. Justice Musdapher said: “Though we have always done our best, I feel it is honourable to admit that things are not as they ought to be. As it stands today, it appears that the society we serve is not entirely satisfied with our performance. Hard as it may be to accept, we feel it is less important to focus on whether this assessment is fair or not. The important thing is for us to transparently come to terms with the prevailing realities, accept

the gap in expectations, and do our utmost to bridge it.” Daudu said: “There is a growing perception, backed by empirical evidence, that Justice is purchasable in and it has been purchased on several occasions in Nigeria. We are reaching the point in time where accusations of corruption in the system will be at its loudest. The various Election Tribunals are in the process of delivering judgments. The Court of Appeal is beginning to deal with interlocutory appeals and some final decisions in some governorship disputes. “No wonder assassinations, unresolved killings and terrorism are on the rise in Nigeria. The root cause is the failure to provide authentic, credible and indeed realistic justice to Nigerians. The Acting CJN, who warned Judges to sit up or face removal from office, challenged the public to go beyond mere allegation against judicial officer and urged them to back their claims with empirical evidence. “Accordingly, it is very important to ensure that those who abuse the privilege of judicial authority are exposed, expunged, banished and punished”, Justice Musdapher said “I feel it is necessary at this point to strongly advise that those who cannot sustain the true allegiance to their judicial oath and abide by all the demands of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers to bow out immediately. I urge you to realize that there is no middle ground and no space on the bench for those adjudged to be unworthy arbiters of truth. The choice is simple and our resolve is absolute-”Plata o plomo” (Gold or Lead). Henceforth, there shall be zero tolerance to judicial corruption or misconduct. On the strained relationship between the Bench and the NBA, which became evident during the tenure of Justice Katsina-Alu on the circumstances leading to the suspension of the Appeal Court President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, Justice Musdapher appealed for understanding in tackling the many challenges facing the judiciary. Warning against abuse of the legal process that results in deciding cases on the basis of technicalities, the CJN said: “Similarly, we are deeply concerned that irrespective of concerted efforts to stem the tide, most cases are still decided on the raw basis of technicalities rather than the substantive issues placed for our determination. Procedural laws are meant to regulate the conduct of proceedings and ensure that the process for the attainment of justice is fair and equitable. “Therefore, the strict application or invocation of these rules cannot be allowed to stand on the path of

“The new rules also include payable fees/security for costs as prescribed by the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and further deposits as cost for service of notices/other expenditures.

Plea-bargain for corrupt politicians, officials and holding charge

•CJN Musdapher taking oath of office

substantial justice. I hereby urge all Judges to realise that stringent application of procedural rules and technicalities that do not lead to the attainment of substantial justice is clearly against modern trends of adjudication. This reality is akin to observing table manners and still rising from dinner with an empty stomach. This trend must be reversed. “Significantly, we are of the view that Section 233 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) must be revised to compulsorily require leave of the Supreme Court before an appeal may lie from decisions of the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court Rules and the Supreme Court Act are also being scrutinized for possible amendments towards ensuring improvements in judicial efficiency”. This is one amendment that could be expected from the CJN before he bows out.

New practice direction In line with his promised reforms, the CJN on November 1 issued a new Practice Directions on Election Ap-

peals to the Supreme Court. He acted in line with Section 233 (2) (e) and Section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended; Order 10 Rule 2, Supreme Court Rules, 1999 (as amended) and by virtue of all other powers enabling him. The 11-point ‘directions’ which is to be observed in the Supreme Court when hearing election appeals from the Court of Appeal, cover, among others, procedures and filing regulations for notices of appeal, rules of service on notices and records of proceedings. “It also contains timing regulations for Oral Briefs, filing and service of written Briefs of Argument, guidelines on Cross-Appeals and Respondent’s Notices including duration for arguments, length of briefs, written submissions/or replies. “Of particular radical review, Cross Appeals (or Respondent’s Notices) are now not only to be argued together with the appeal as one case, but they are also to be disposed of within the same time allotted for the case.

‘Though we have always done our best, I feel it is honourable to admit that things are not as they ought to be. As it stands today, it appears that the society we serve is not entirely satisfied with our performance. Hard as it may be to accept, we feel it is less important to focus on whether this assessment is fair or not. The important thing is for us to transparently come to terms with the prevailing realities, accept the gap in expectations, and do our utmost to bridge it’

Also at the Fifth Annual General Conference of the Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, the CJN also brought to the front burner another issue militating against the dispense of justice-Plea bargain and holding charge. Justice Musdapher minced no words when he rejected plea-bargain for corrupt politicians and public officers, describing it as “a novel concept of dubious origin”. “It has no place in our law-substantive or procedural. It was invented to provide soft landing to high profile criminals who loot the treasury entrusted to them. It is an obstacle to our fight against corruption. It should never again be mentioned in our jurisprudence”, he said. Justice Musdapher blamed Judges who grant holding charge against suspects to law enforcement agencies while looking for evidence to nail them. He said: “Every legal practitioner is familiar with this term by which citizens are dumped in prison by a Court which lacks jurisdiction to try them. It is largely responsible for the congestion in prison across the country.” The CJN cautioned Judges to avoid granting injunctions against law enforcement agencies in favour of accused persons. This, he said, may not serve the best interest of justice and the fight against corruption.

Code of conduct for Judges At the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja, Justice Musdapher emphasised that the Nigerian Judiciary is in urgent need of radical surgical reform. “We must rise above the daunting challenges of today and restore hope and confidence in the judicial system. The importance of a credible, efficient, independent, impartial, honest and virile judiciary in building a stable democratic nation cannot be overemphasised; it is indeed a necessary pillar of constitutional democracy and a necessary ingredient towards building a peaceful and decent society. Lamenting the numerous challenges confronting the nation, Justice Musdapher said perhaps in the commonwealth nations, none is as burdened encumbered, harassed, inundated and overstretched with political cases and disputes as much as the Nigerian Judiciary. He, however, assured that Nigeria can boast of having produced some of the finest crop of Judicial Officers in the Commonwealth. In July, Justice Dahiru Musdapher is expected to bow out. Does he have enough time to carry through his reforms? What footsteps would he leave on the sands of time? In four months, it will be time to fully review Musdapher’s tenure.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Fusion of cultures in Anambra •Continued from Page 15 Azikiwe University took the initiative, adding that it would be good if there is an exchange of cultures between Nigeria and China. Former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme told Newsextra that any body or country that fails to associate with China will be making a great mistake because, according to him, the country has opened up its economy. He described the initiative as a good thing to have happened to UNIZIK and Oko Federal Polytechnics, adding that the experiment is not only good for the people of Oko or Anambra State but the entire Nigerians. He said he was happy for the initiative, noting that in 1982 when he

visited China, the quantum of development the country has recorded now was not there, even as he stressed that today, the country boasts good industries and is a major force in global economy with good standard of living. Ekwueme further stated that the exercise would provide easy communication and cross fertilisation of cultures of both Nigeria and China. Also, the traditional ruler of Oko Community Laz Ekwueme, a Prof. of music told Newsextra that anybody watching the displays by the Chinese should be happy. He described the chorography of the Chinese Troupe as wonderful; stressing that Nigeria should have its own artistic displays everywhere in the world. However, the monarch lamented that the funding of such troupes in Nigeria would be difficult because of what he described as the mental-

ity of Nigerians, adding that it would be a good idea if something like this of Nigerian origin exists in other countries of the world. The performance of other dance troupes added colour and excitement to the event. Troupes such as ethnic dance from Yunnan called bamboo groove in the rain, dance and painting to the ancient tune, “moon lit river in spring,” puppet show” butterfly lovers” among others including Nigeria’s Nkpokiti Dance Troupe entertained the audience.

•Qiao Huadan (Vivacious ladies from China)

Abia awards N7.6b road contracts •Continued from Page 15 full wrath of the law for both impersonation and fraud. The commissioner pledged the determination of the state government in ensuring that the NNPC Osisioma depot which has been closed down for many years is reopened, adding that he has directed that there should be a meeting between the governor and the traditional rulers from Ukwa West Local Government Area. Ubani said that during the meeting which comes up soon, it will address the issues of vandalism of

oil pipe line, illegal bunkering and any other illegal business that goes on along that route which have been hampering the processes of reopening the NNPC depot. The commissioner for Finance, Nick Eleri also spoke at the briefing and used the forum to disclose that this year’s budget was not designed to defraud the people as is being insinuated by some people. Eleri said that the sum of N122b budgeted for this year has no contradiction or differences, “but if there are differences, they were not meant to defraud the people as the budget is not only balanced but designed to rebuild and transform the state.”

•Nkponkiti dancers at the event

We’ll reduce loss of sight in Ogun says Amosun’s wife

IFE of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun has expressed her determination to partner with stakeholders to reduce loss of sight in the state, saying she desired to always “support life-saving initiatives and taking care of the less-privileged people who have little or no access to quality healthcare.” She spoke in Ijebu-Ode during the flag-off ceremony of free eye screening exercise and distribution of drugs, eye drops, eye glasses to the less-privileged people from the state’s 20 local government areas. Mrs. Amosun said eyesight is something that many people often take for granted. Dubbed Ogun State Free Eye Camp, Mrs. Amosun explained that 1, 000,000 Nigerians are suffering from cataract, a purely curable cause of blindness, even as she noted that Ogun State has limited facilities and exorbitant rate forces people to resort to negligence or unsafe traditional methods which leads to loss of sight. She said: “We are passionate about the health of the people in all the nook and cranny of Ogun State, especially the less-privileged sections of our society. Eyesight is something that can easily be taken for granted. That is why we have stepped up our awareness campaign to reduce loss of sight in the state. We consider it an honour to be in the position to make

•Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (left), giving eye glasses to a beneficiary, Madam Kadiri Oriyomi during the flag-off ceremony of the Free Eye Camp for the less privileged in Ijebu-Ode a real and lasting impact in the lives of our people. “It is our belief that every citizen in Ogun State deserves good health and we are committed to making the

Eyesight is something that can easily be taken for granted. That is why we have stepped up our awareness campaign to reduce loss of sight in the state

right partnerships to support the current Ogun State administration’s aim to provide quality healthcare and increased access to free surgeries. By this, we shall fulfil our desire to empower our people to take control of their health and live more fulfilled lives.” Mrs. Amosun said she is partnering with the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, Enpee Group, Purechem Industries Limited and other like-minds to prevent continuous loss of sight in the state and ensure that sight-restoring surgeries are performed within a specific period of time.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS

ACN aspirant attacked in Ondo

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirant in Ondo State Chief Awodeyi Akinsehinwa-Apata has been attacked in Araromi-Obu in Odigbo Local Government by suspected political thugs. Some of his associates who were in a convoy were returning to Akure, the state capital, from a meeting when the incident occurred

By Emmanuel Oladesu

on Monday evening. Akinsehinwa told our correspondent that one of the vehicles was damaged beyong repair, adding that the two associates, who sustained injuries, have been taken to the Lagos State University Hospital (LUTH) for treatment. He said the incident has been reported to the police.

The politician who narrated his ordeal, said: “We were coming from a political meeting when the thugs barricaded the road at Araromi-Obu, threatening to deal with us. They damaged our cars. In fact, one of the vehicles cannot be repaired again. They beat our people and wounded two of them. I have directed that they should be taken to LUTH. It was a case of intolerance”.

Firms to get tax cut as lawmaker unveils job plan

OMPANIES that employ job seekers during the Surulere Job fair will get tax rebate, Minority Leader of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila has said. He spoke in Lagos while unveiling plans for the Surulere Job Fair slated for March 9 and 10 at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu. The Fair is the brainchild of the Femi Gbajabiamila Foundation, designed to enable job seekers to meet job owners and employers seeking more competent employees. Gbajabiamila said:” It was borne out of the need to get youths who are very motivated and competent off the streets. There is need for these youths to be gainfully employed otherwise there will be chaos in the land. What is the point when you go to the university to study and you cannot be gainfully employed thereafter; it makes no sense at all”. He added: “The tax rebate that will be given to the companies is real; the president already said it while presenting the budget; that means that it has already been budgeted for,

By Mercy Michael

all that needs to be done now is for these companies to come in their numbers and employ. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will also be there to do the calculations needed to make this happen”. On the future of the noble initiative the Lagos-born lawmaker said: “It started with me been in the House, so it will continue even when I am out of office. I came up with this idea because it is a fulfillment of my promise to the people of my constituency but I suddenly realised that it is beyond my constituency that is why it is open to everybody. It is not for Lagosians alone, as long as you are a part of the Lagos population; you invariably affect the economy of Lagos. “Our primary focus here is to reduce unemployment, so we will cut across the indigenes and non-indigenes. We started it as the Surulere Job Fair but by next year it will be the Lagos Job Fair. “The job fair is a novel idea

that I’m experimenting. It is bore out of the need and desire to assist people from my constituency who are in the job market and are frustrated out of not being able to find work. I realised during my campaigns in April, everywhere I went to make a campaign or to rally support for people to vote for me, there was one common request, and that was employment both from the youths, from parents, everybody. And that put me in a very difficult situation because I’m not an employer of labour, I’m a legislator, I don’t employ people. It is not my responsibility. It’s a difficult task for me. I made promises that I will do my best. I hope that other States will see what we are going to do and try and adopt this idea. As much as I desire to do this on a larger scale, I cannot do it alone. I am not born to discriminate, if you take one person from the job market, you will at the long run affect a lot of people. As long as you reside in Lagos irrespective of where you hail from, be it Calabar, Kano, Anambra e.t.c, you are part of the Lagos population, so it is open to everybody”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 2-3-12

Investors lose N237b in February

INVESTORS lost some N237 billion in February as the downtrend at the Nigerian stock market worsened, pushing the average year-to-date return to -2.93 per cent. The benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI)-a common valuebased index that tracks price changes of all quoted companies, posted a negative return of 3.60 per cent in February. ASI dropped from its opening index of 20,875.83 points to 20,123.51 points. Besides being the gauge index for the stock market, ASI doubles as the country index for Nigeria and the broad measure of its stock market performance. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies also dropped by 3.60 per cent from month’s opening value of N6.579 trillion to close February at N6.342 trillion, representing a loss of N237 billion. The equivalent of the decline rates of ASI and market capitalisation showed

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

that the loss of N237 billion was actually due to depreciation in investors’ value rather than some other possible reasons such as delisting. Also, the NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE, declined by 2.06 per cent from 936.78 points to 917.47 points, reflecting the losses suffered by several highly capitalised cement, breweries, manufacturing and banking stocks. With the exceedingly bear market in February, average year-to-date return at the stock market for the first two months of the year stood at -2.93 per cent. Market analysts said the actual loss would be in double digit, citing the current inflation rate of 12.6 per cent and the monthly average prime lending rate of 16.75 per cent. The Monetary Policy Rate (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stands at 12 per cent. Meanwhile, the stock market recovered slightly yes-

terday as aggregate market capitalisation improved from N6.342 trillion to N6.364 trillion. The ASI also appreciated from 20,123.51 points to 20,193.40 points. With nearly three gainers to one loser, the market was overtly bullish. Oando Plc topped the gainers’ list with addition of 94 kobo to close at N24.20. Nigerian Breweries rose by 90 kobo to close at N92. Julius Berger Nigeria added 67 kobo to close at N20.53. PZ Cussons Nigeria chalked 60 kobo to close at N24.10. Cadbury Nigeria gained 41 kobo to close at N8.74. First Bank of Nigeria gathered 32 kobo to close at N11.11, while Okomu Oil Palm rose by 30 kobo to close at N21.80 per share. On the downside, Guinness Nigeria led the slackers with a loss of N10.90 to close at N209.10. Flour Mills of Nigeria lost N2.88 to close at N54.87. Presco dropped by 39 kobo to close at N8.50. Union Bank of Nigeria slipped by 33 kobo to close at N6.37 while Avon Crown Caps dropped by 28 kobo to close at N5.37 per share. Total’s turnover stood at 556.22 million shares valued at N3.82 billion in 4,031 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 456.86 million shares worth N2.20 billion through 2,153 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 2-3-12

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

MONEY LINK

Regional banking has paid off, says Wema CEO

EMA Bank Nigeria Plc has made significant progress after it adopted a regional banking structure two years ago, Managing Director/CEO, Segun Oloketuyi has said. The bank chief said after a critical review of the operations of the bank, it was clear that the decision of the bank to adopt a regional structure has paid off bountifully. He said the choice of south west and south-south geo-political zones as a business territorial has culminated in efficient deployment of resources with its attendant profitability. Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Oloketuyi said the bank’s adoption of a regional status under the banking industry’s new licensing scheme was part of a wide range strategies geared towards reposi-

By Collins Nweze

tioning the institution. With presence in 12 states of the federation and Abuja, the bank, he said, is in a vintage position to engage in all banking services. According to him, the bank’s sophisticated information technology system ensures that its customers transact their banking activities from across the country. He said that the improvement in the bank’s service offerings enables customers to bank online, real time including money transfer, check balance, payment for services through their mobile phones and computers from the comfort of their homes on a 24 hour basis. He said before the restructuring, subsidiaries of the bank contributed not more than 10 per cent to

French accounting firm debuts

company’s strategic positioning for the emerging African business in financial services. More importantly, he is also targeting the increasing French companies’ interest in Nigeria’s oil and gas, manufacturing, telecommunication and the water sub-sectors,” source said. The firm, unlike other subsisting accounting firms, does not intend to partner with any local financial advisory firm but to operate at the second tier of the Nigerian Financial services sub-sector. He said that operating in the second tier was part of it strategic plan toward asserting itself in the first tier market controlled by KPMG, Ernst and Young, Akintola Williams. The first tier accounting firms, he said controls about 80 per cent of the financial services needs of companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

AZARS International, a French accounting firm, has commenced operations in the accounting and auditing services sub-sector of the economy. Mazars is an international, integrated and independent organisation, specialises in audit, accountancy, tax, legal and advisory services. The French accounting firm according to a statement, had already hired a former managing partner of Akintola Deloitte, Mr Olumuyiwa Coker to establish the structures. The company, which is expected to take off in April had engaged some of the best and proven Nigerian professionals. The Mazars’ entrance would provide a new competition in the nation’s financial services and advisory market. “Mazars’ entrance is part of the

ment policy, which lays emphasis on excellence and training, remodelling of the head office and its branches, performance assessment mechanisms and prudence in fund management Mr. Oloketuyi revealed, have combined in building a new Wema Bank. He said Wema Bank is not bothered by what is going on at Wema Bank Securities Limited since the later is no longer for a subsidiary of the bank. It would be recalled that one of the customers of securities firm recently obtained a court judgment authorising winding down of the financial house as to enable the customer recover his money.

its net earnings. The bank chief said the new management has reduced Non Performing Loans (NPL) to five per cent; recovered over N40 billion of the bad loans; sold a little over N40 billion of the NPL to the Asset Management company of Nigeria (AMCON) from which it got about N37 billion. He said that with the average age of staff of the bank 29 as opposed to 47 in 2009, the new team is more purposeful in driving the vision of the board and shareholders which is, among other things, to transform the bank into a first class financial institution driven by service excellence and profitability. The combination of new recruit-

World Bank pledges support for agric

HE World Bank Country Di rector, Ms Marie Francoise has assured the Federal Government of the bank’s support towards realising the nation’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) on the various agricultural produce. Ms Francoise disclosed this during a visit with some delegates to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina while unveiling the Bank’s proposed support for the value-chains. In a statement issued in Abuja, the World Bank envoy noted that apart from other democratic functions, the institution is ready to partner various sectors of the nations economy especially agriculture. However, she stated that while the World Bank considers potentials of Africa Nations in agriculture, the bank has been adopting

• Sees reduction in poverty From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adebowale Adenike, Abuja

measures in order to checkmate any incidence of food shortages and rise in food prices across the globe. “The World Bank is strategically supporting prioritised areas as regards agriculture transformation in rice, cassava, cocoa, cotton and aqua culture farming currently being embarked upon by the Nigeria’s Government,” she said. The Director commended the minister for the effort made in achieving the value chain initiative towards making agriculture a business and assured him of the World’s Bank continued financial and technical supports to Nigeria at all times. Meanwhile, the World Bank has said that in every region of the de-

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

AIRSERVICE DANGSUGAR CADBURY INTBREW CUTIX HONYFLOUR UBA ETERNAOIL GOLDINSURE PRESTIGE LIVESTOCK FIDSON STERLNBANK

O/PRICE

1.40 3.65 8.33 5.52 1.44 2.06 2.71 3.55 0.64 0.64 1.08 0.87 0.98

C/PRICE

1.47 3.83 8.74 5.79 1.51 2.16 2.84 3.72 0.67 0.67 1.13 0.91 1.02

Current Before

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m 400m

313.5m 443m

250m 400m

150.8 150.7

03-8-11 01-8-11

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

CHANGE

0.07 0.18 0.41 0.27 0.07 0.10 0.13 0.17 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.04

Rate (N)

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

Parallel Market SYMBOL

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 2-3-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

veloping world, the percentage of people living on less than $1.25 a day and the number of poor declined between 2005 and 2008. This across-the-board reduction over a three-year monitoring cycle, the Bank said, marked a first since it began monitoring extreme poverty. It said an estimated 1.29 billion people in 2008 lived below $1.25 a day, equivalent to 22 per cent of the population of the developing world. By contrast, in 1981, 1.94 billion people were living in extreme poverty. The update draws on over 850 household surveys in nearly 130 countries. 2008 is the latest date for which a global figure can be calculated. This is because, while more recent statistics for middle income countries are available, for low-income countries newer data are either scarce or not comparable with previous estimates.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

• Oloketuyi

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

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% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 121.14 98.48 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,667.03 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,229.15 193.00

9.08 1.00 121.00 98.24 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,664.47 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,040.23 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE

LOSER AS AT 2-3-12

• AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND SYMBOL

FLOURMILL AVONCROWN GUINNESS UBN PRESCO JAPAULOIL FCMB CONTINSURE ETI UNILEVER

O/PRICE

57.75 5.65 220.00 6.70 8.89 0.74 4.32 0.78 11.00 29.02

C/PRICE

54.87 5.37 209.10 6.37 8.50 0.71 4.15 0.75 10.98 29.00

CHANGE

2.88 0.28 10.90 0.33 0.39 0.03 0.17 0.03 0.02 0.02

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS Lagos Speaker, aide arraigned for alleged money laundering

•From left: Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; General Manager, Ekiti State Traffic Management Authority (ESTMA), Charles Fasugba; and Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa during the flag-off of ESTMA in IseEkiti...yesterday

Court remands ex-Osun commissioner, others in prison custody A MAGISTRATE’s Court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday ordered that a former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Moses Adetoyese Ojo, be remanded in prison custody. Ojo, who served in the administration of ousted Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was arraigned for allegedly defrauding the state of N60 million while in office. Two others, Mr. Olaleye Olanipekun (36) and Mr. Isaac Ayoola (38), were also ar-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

raigned for allegedly conspiring with him to commit the offence. The accused allegedly conspired to obtain a property by false pretence; unlawfully withdrew N60 million from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Osogbo branch, on the pretence that

the money would be used for projects of the Osun State Government; induced the bank into paying the money to Strong Passion Concept Nigeria Limited as a loan on the guise that the loan was guaranteed by the state government; and stole N60 million belonging to the state government. Defence counsel Mr. Tewo

Lamuye applied for the bail of the accused on the grounds that they were not accused of a capital offence. Magistrate Olusola Aluko refused the accused bail and told Lamuye to make a formal bail application before the next hearing. He ordered that the accused be remanded in Ilesa prison. The case was adjourned till March 19.

Oyo Assembly passes N172b budget

HE Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the 2012 budget into law. It reviewed the budget from N163,626,014,000 to N172,533,937,225. The budget is made up of N77,504,497,225 recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure of N95,328,440,000. The Assembly increased the estimated budget presented by Governor Abiola Ajimobi by N8,907,923,225.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Presenting the report of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, the Committee Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Olaleye, recommended that the estimated budget be reviewed. Olaleye said the allocation of more funds to capital expenditure by the executive would facilitate greater development in the state.

He said N2.9 billion has been allocated for the improvement of the state’s Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES-O). The Speaker, Madam Monsurat Sunmonu, said: “After the Second Reading, the House referred the Bill to the Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation Committee, of which other standing committees became its sub-committes for detailed consideration of the

estimates of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). “The outcome of the rigorous exercise is a new budget size of N172,533,937,225, made up of N77,504,497,225 Recurrent Expenditure and N95,328,440,000 Capital Expenditure. This gives a difference of N8,907,923,225.” Madam Sunmonu ordered the Clerk of the House to prepare a neat copy for the governor’s assent.

Suspected bank robbers arraigned in Ondo

IX suspected robbers, who allegedly invaded a new generation bank in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on November 22, 2011, were yesterday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure. They are Ikechukwu Maduagwu (20); Adewale Adeolu (30); Fayemi Olubusuyi

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

(39); Mukaila Raji (30); Ropo Adeleye (45) and Dele Olokpa (40). The suspects, who had earlier confessed to the crime, were arraigned on a threecount charge by the Police Prosecutor Zakari Ibrahim. They were accused of murdering Tunde Adebo, Tunde

Obisesan, Atolagbe Sunday and Bankole Olowoyelu (a security guard attached to the bank). The suspects and others at large were also accused of armed robbery, stealing N30 million as well as handsets, and illegal possession and use of arms, such as AK47 rifles, rocket launchers, chain bullets, dynamite and

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs). Defence counsel Azeez Ajagba urged the court to restrain men of the State AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) from torturing his clients. Magistrate Johnson Adelegan ordered that the accused be remanded in SARS’s custody and adjourned the case till May 5 for hearing.

Ondo primary, secondary teachers begin strike

HE Ondo State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday began an indefinite strike over the nonpayment of the 27.5 specific allowance of teachers. The State Government condemned the strike. In a statement, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Taiwo Kolawole, said the government did not breach any agreement on the payment of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Specific Allowance. She said the government

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

and the union signed an agreement on October 20, 2011, to initiate the payment by March 2012. The agreement reads: “That whereas the NUT shall suspend immediately the strike embarked upon by teachers in public schools in Ondo State, the state government shall initiate, by March 2012, the payment of the Teachers Specific Allowance of 27.5 per cent. “That the 27.5 per cent shall be calculated on the ex-

isting salary structure in the public service.” Mrs. Kolawole said: “It is clear that the decision of the NUT to embark on another is premeditated and has political undertone. “The agreement remains sacrosanct. Accordingly, government hereby directs members of the NUT to suspend the ongoing strike and resume work immediately, else, they will be deemed to have abandoned their duty posts.” The state chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Sec-

ondary Schools (ASUSS) dissociated itself from the strike. It said: “The agreement we signed with the Ondo State government is still subsisting. The negotiation on the minimum wage is still in progress and we are watching to see how it affects the interest of secondary school tutors. “That all secondary school tutors should go about their normal academic activities without any fear of molestation or intimidation because no strike has been declared by ASUSS.”

AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji was yesterday arraigned for alleged money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Speaker and his Personal Assistant, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi, who were arraigned on an amended 20count charge before Justice Okechukwu Okeke, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. While Ikuforiji got bail on self recognition, the Clerk of the Lagos Assembly, Mr Segun Habiru, stood as surety for Atoyebi. This is coming almost a month after Justice John Tsoho, whom the case was earlier assigned to, withdrew. Tsoho said his action was on “personal grounds.” Yesterday, the court room was filled with lawmakers. Supporters of the Speaker besieged the court, but were not allowed into the premises. EFCC’s lawyer Godwin Obla informed the court of the existence of a charge against the accused persons and requested that it should

By Eric Ikhilae

be read to them. The defence team, led by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), did not object to the request. The charge was read to the accused and they pleaded not guilty. After the arraignment, Oyetibo urged the court to grant bail to the accused persons on self recognition, the Speaker being the third citizen of the state. Obla did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to attach conditions to Atoyebi’s bail. Justice Okeke granted bail to Ikuforiji on self recognition and directed that someone stands as surety for Atoyebi. Trial will commence on March 26. Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are being accused of accepting payments, amounting to N273,303,780 from the Assembly without going through a financial institution, an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 16 (2) (b) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The offence was allegedly committed between April 2010 and July 2011.

Five police officers collapse at parade for retiring Ogun CP

IVE police officers, including the Parade Commander, simply identified as Iyang, collapsed yesterday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during a pull out parade organised in honour of the retired Police Commissioner, Mr. Nicholas Daaru Nkemdeme. They were revived by health workers from a Police Ambulance stationed at the venue. In his valedictory speech, Nkemdeme said: “Anything that has a beginning must have an end. Retirement is not a time to sleep, but a time to awaken to the beauty of the world around you and the joy that comes when you cast out all negative elements that can cause turmoil in your mind and allow serenity to prevail.” Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Lagos, Mr. Chris Ola,

•Man electrocuted From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

were at the ceremony. Also yesterday, an apprentice electrician, Mr. Bola Ige, fell off an electric pole and died. It was gathered that Ige was electrocuted in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, while trying to rectify a fault. His boss, simply identified as Shina, was in tears. He said: “I did not ask him to climb the pole. I only instructed him to repair the faults identified in the customer’s house. He had no business climbing that pole.” When The Nation visited the scene, Ige’s body was on the ground, about three metres from the pole. He was bleeding and foaming in the eyes, nose, ears and mouth. His body was later evacuated by the Rapid Response Squad in a Toyota Hilux van marked PF 5385 OG.

Oyo deploys 7,000 youths in sanitation, traffic management

F the 20,000 cadets employed by the Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O), 7,000 were deployed yesterday. The youths, who went through a two-week training at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Iseyin, were formally registered at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. They were deployed in the Works, Traffic, and Environment sectors to maintain and enforce traffic and environmental laws. Coordinator of the scheme Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, who is also the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said the cadets had been properly trained.

Adekanmbi said the cadets were deployed in the Works and Traffic and Environment sectors to manage traffic, ensure cleanliness and prevent acts that can cause flooding. He said: “The cadets will be dressed in maroon and gold overall clothes and will have their respective areas, ‘Works and Traffic’ and ‘Environment’ boldly inscribed at the back of their uniforms.” Adekanmbi said the remaining youths would soon be invited for training and afterwards deployed in the Education, Agriculture, Health and Emergency Services sectors. He warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and encroachment on road setbacks and drains.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS Community supports Oshiomhole

HE Igbo Community in Edo State has assured Governor Adams Oshiomhole of support in his second term bid. The community made this pledge when it visited the Government House, Benin City, yesterday. President-General of the Igbo Community Union Sir Luke Abbas, who led the delegation, praised the administration for the wonderful job it is doing. He said: “This administration has transformed Edo State with road construction; hospital re-construction, provision of modern schools, reduction of schools fees in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and other tertiary institutions.” Abbas said the community would support the governor on July 14 like it did in 2007. The Igbo leader appealed to Oshiomhole to provide a venue for the Igbo to mourn their leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The community presented a branded vehicle for campaigns and promised to brand members’ vehicles during the campaign. Oshiomhole thanked the community for its support and prayers.

JTF officers, policemen killed in Bayelsa

HE Commanding Officer of the Brass Command of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and two naval officers were killed yesterday in an attack at Brass Creek in Bayelsa State. Also, some marine policemen were killed at Nembe Creek yesterday. The incident, which reportedly occurred at about

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

10am, took place when the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col A. Malik, and the naval officers were ambushed at Ogbia waterside. Only four bodies of the marine policemen were found. Sources said other bodies were still inside the water. Police spokesman

Egwavon Emokpae said: “The marine policemen were patrolling the waterways when gunmen opened fire on them.” The JTF Media Coordinator, Lt Col Timothy Antigha, said the officers were coming from Brass to Ogbia. But he didnot confirm the death of any soldier. “I cannot confirm the

Provost canvasses change of name

HE Provost of the College of Physical Education, Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government, Delta State, David Whawho, has urged the government to change the name of the school to College of Education, Mosogar. Whawho made the appeal when the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, visited the college.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

The provost said if the institution is converted to the status of a college of education, it would attract more students. He said the major problem facing the school is its nomenclature, adding that the public believes it is a place where sports men and women are trained.

Varsity inducts 63 pharmacists From Osagie Otabor, Benin

IXTY-three graduates of pharmacy of the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State yesterday took their oaths administered by the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN). The graduates are the first set of pharmacists produced by the university. Administering the oath, PCN Acting Registrar Mrs. Gloria Abumere said the induction would address the paucity of pharmacists in health care delivery in the country. Mrs. Abumere urged the pharmacists to help halt the declining trend in the health indices in the country, and be current with international best practices. In a keynote address, a former Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Osita Idemili, said Nigeria was off the mark in pharmaceutical services as there are only about 16,000 pharmacists in the country.

UNIPORT student killed

UNIVERSITY of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) student was on Wednesday killed during an attack on a first generation bank in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Over 10 robbery suspects used dynamites to force open the vault of the bank, carting away an undisclosed amount of money. The identity of the student could not be ascertained. A source close to the ViceChancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “One person

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

suspected to be a student (of UNIPORT) was using the bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) when he was killed by the robbers.” Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said only one person was injured’ in the robbery, insisting that he was not aware that anybody was killed. Ugwuegbulam said policemen, especially those of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), are on the trail of the robbers.

Bayelsa markets shut for Ojukwu

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

GBO in Bayelsa State yesterday closed their shops to honour the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. They moved in a carnival-like procession around Yenagoa and converged on the Peace Park, where speeches were made in honour of the late war lord. The state’s President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Gabriel Kalu Idika, said: “This is a man who has laid a legacy worthy of emulation. He was an example of service to humanity, he always thinks of what he can do for his People and humanity, not what he will gain from his People.” He urged Ndi Igbo “to declare March 1 a work-free day as a mark of respect and honour for the deceased.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and an octogenarian, Pa Osabuohien Igharo, when the governor visited Ikhuenuro community which was devastated by rainstorm… yesterday

Man allegedly kidnaps own grandmother

MIDDLE-AGED man, Kelvin Esosa Osagie, has been arrested for allegedly masterminding the abduction of his 90 year-old grandmother, Madam Victoria Aiwerioghene. Madam Aiwerioghene was reportedly abducted in July at her home at IkpobaHill in Benin City. She was taken to Eghosa Street in another area, where she was kept inside a wardrobe for six days. The abductors allegedly demanded a ransom of N20million. Osagie was arrested, following a confession by another suspect, Fred Nosa Omoruyi. Omoruyi was charged with conspiracy to kidnap and remanded in custody. Police spokesman Ms. Titilope Otukoya said Omoruyi told investigators that Osagie arranged the

Six remanded in Warri

IX persons were on Wednesday remanded in custody by the Warri Magistrate’s Court for the alleged murder of five policemen. They are Joshua Akpobome, Wenefo Okojie, Akpos Moses, Ndubuisi Okafor, Felix Ereujero, and Dominic Ebuka. The police claimed that the suspects allegedly killed Assistant Superintendent Michael Okprakpor; Inspector Emmanuel Okoh and Inspector Asekhamen Satto. The suspects were accused of conspiracy and murder an offence punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code C21, laws of Delta State (2006). From Osagie Otabor, Benin

kidnapping of his paternal grandmother. She said: “Officers and men of the Zone 5 Intelligence unit sprang into action, rescued the victim and ar-

Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Calabar

ESIDENTS of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, are counting their losses, following a rainstorm in the city on Wednesday. The storm pulled off roofs, flooded homes and uprooted trees. Across the city were fallen electricity poles,lines as well as collapsed fences. No one was killed in the storm. The situation has led to blackouts in most parts of the city. An official of the Power

•Ekere and Arase at the event… yesterday

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

The police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Oghwedo, also alleged that the accused and others at large killed Sgt. Emmanuel Ernest, Cpl. Abu Isah, Cpl. Enerst Ubong and stole their rifles. Oghwedo said the killings were carried out at various locations, including the Maciver Roundabout, Emebiren Street, Ojajugbe, Edjeba and Oghara. The police also accused the suspects of being responsible for many of the robberies in Warri in the last three months. Magistrate E.O Odjugo ordered that the case file should be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution.

rested a suspect, Fred Nosa Omoruyi, who has been charged to court. “Omoruyi gave the name of the master mind of the operation as Kelvin Esosa Osagie.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the storm knocked out most of their equipment. He said: “We are working towards restorating power supply as soon as possible.” The botanic garden of the state forestry commission was affected. The chairman of the commission, Odigha Odigha, said he was thankful no life was lost as some workers were on duty that night.

death of any soldier yet, no confirmation yet.” The Navy Commander, Brass Area, M. Bugaze, also said he could not confirm any death. Bugaze said he was still searching the creeks to know details of the incident. “People are missing in action; we cannot say they are dead,” he said. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Lt. Col. Bernard Ebipai, said: “One military officer and two naval ratings were attacked with other passengers in a boat at Okpoma junction of the Brass-Ogbia route of the river. “We cannot confirm if they were killed,” he said. The government has denied that there were multiple explosions in the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the reported dynamite explosion was false. “The story is not only malicious but a farce. “The truth is there was no explosion. “What was misconstrued as an explosion were mere knock-outs thrown around by youths celebrating the defeat of the English national team by their Dutch counterpart in an international friendly match.” “Bayelsans should ignore the report and go about their businesses without any fear.”

“The police arrested Osagie and will charge him to court after investigation is concluded.” She said the police was still searching for the other member of the gang.

Police partner Akwa Ibom lawmakers

HE Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Solomon Arase, yesterday called on members of the House of Assembly to use their constituency offices as information centres. Arase said this would help the police to gather effective information on crime detection and prevention The police boss spoke in Uyo, the state capital, at a workshop organised by the police in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He said the workshop would create a formal interaction between the police, traditional rulers and local government administrators. The commissioner said the state version of Neighborhood Watch would have a new name, ‘Community Crime Watch’. Governor Godswill Akpabio urged stakeholders to partner with the police to secure their communities. Represented by Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Akpabio said the need to engage stakeholders in the communities was necessitated by the current security challenges in the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS

Police transfer eight suspects to Abuja

Tributes for Ojukwu Continued from page 4

He regretted that Gen. Gowon could not be physically present to read his tribute, saying he told Jonathan when they met abroad to advise the ex-Head of State to attend the funeral rites of the late Igbo leader. He said there was need to digest Gowon’s tribute. Soyinka said, “He who lived to embrace, share bread and salt with his once implacable enemies, is no longer with us, yet he remains among us. We celebrate the fact that in his lifetime, bitterness did turn several pages towards the chapter of reconciliation but – has it truly brought mutual understanding? Let us reflect on that question carefully today – yes, a full half century later – as we bid goodbye to one who did not flinch from the burden of choice, but boldly answered the summons of history. As the saying goes, the rest is also history.” Chief Anyaoku described the death of Ojukwu as a low point for everybody who graced the occasion. The late Ojukwu, he said, was dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. He described him as a lone star who will remain so for a long time. Anyaoku said the late Ojukwu would continue to dwell in the hearts and minds of Igbo and Nigerians, adding that death only took his flesh, not his ideas. Chairman of Governors Forum and River State Governor Rotimi Ameachi said the history of Nigeria could never be complete without a chapter being dedicated to the late Ojukwu. According to him, though the adversaries of Ojukwu

won the Civil War, the ex-Biafran leader and his people won politically as Igbo are no longer taken for granted. The late Ojukwu, Amaechi added, was a freedom fighter who ended up creating history. To Rawlings, the late Ojukwu was a man who stood for equity, peace and justice. “General Ojukwu, who in the midst of adverse circumstances chose reconciliation as a first option,” he added. The former Ghanaian leader spoke as guest speaker at the night of tributes organised by the members of the Sports Club, Enugu. “As a young respected leader of his people, he had to lead sacrificial war that eventually brought to reality to all Nigerians and sowed the seed of unity in Africa’s most populous and ethnically diverse country,” Rawlings said. He said some of the events that caused the Biafra War are similarities to today’s socio-economic disparities in Nigeria, emphasising that it was only when Nigerians appreciated the “sacrifices persons like Gen. Ojukwu and Gen. Yakubu Gowon had to make in securing peace and unity that would put in place a proper conciliatory posture for Nigeria”. He noted that while Gen. Gowon fought on one side of the war to save Nigeria’s unity, Ojukwu fought on the other side to protect his people. Rawlings recalled that as a young boy growing up in those days, the people in Ghana never seemed to understand the seriousness of the BiafraNigeria war, until they heard the news that the boxing legend, Dick Tiger, was to be conscripted into the armed forces to fight on the side of his people.

Ex-ICPC boss, others intervene in Kwara judiciary crisis

HE pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has stepped into the crisis rocking the Kwara State judiciary. Others who have intervened are former Grand Khadi of the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice AbdulKadir Orire and ex- chief judge of the state, Justice Saka Yusuf. Members of the state branch of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) two weeks ago embarked on a strike to protest the reinstatement, by the Supreme Court, of the sacked Chief Judge, Justice Raliat EleluHabeeb. The three men meet with the CJ on Sunday. A former Justice of the Supreme Court and the first indigenous judge in the state, Justice Saidu Kawu, was said to have urged them to broker a truce between Elelu-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin Habeeb and the workers. The former Appeal Court president said this yesterday in an interview programme: , “The Platform”, hosted by Radio Kwara. He said he hoped that the three men would convince both parties to settle their differences. Akanbi said he taught the CJ at the Law School, while she was also a pupil of Justice Orire at Baboko, a school in Ilorin, the state capital. His words: “Justice Kawu, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the most senior judge who retired in the state and the first indigenous judge in Kwara State, summoned us- my humble self, the Honourable Grand Khadi, Justice AbdulKadir Orire and Justice Saka Yusuf (former Chief Judge) to see what we can do. Of course, we cannot keep quiet when things are going wrong.”

HE Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has directed the Bauchi State Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba to transfer the eight suspects arrested on Sunday in connection with the attempt to bomb the Church of Christ of Nigeria (COCIN) at Miya Barkatai in Toro Local Government of Bauchi State to Abuja. Police Public Relations Officer Hassan Mohammed told reporters yesterday that the suspects have been ordered to be transferred to Abuja based on the directives of the IGP. The suspects, Bulus Haruna, Yohana Ishaya, Philip Danaka, Joshua Ali, Daniel Ayuba, Danjuma Sabo, Simon Gabriel and Bakem Audu were earlier transferred from the Toro Divisional Police Station to the State Criminal Investigation

•Suspect’s absence stalls trial in Bauchi From Austine Tsenzughul

Department (SCID). Police recovered a bomb from one of the suspects. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has debunked the claim of the police that the arrested persons were attempting to bomb the church, saying those arrested were those that had a disagreement over the relocation of the church before the post-election crisis during which the church was set ablaze. The absence of one of the three Boko Haram suspects has stalled the trial of the three accused persons charged with unlawful possession of firearms and conspiracy to breach peace, at the Federal High Court, Bauchi. In December last year, the

Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice filed fresh charges at the Federal High Court, Bauchi against the wife of a Boko Haram suspect, Sa’adatu Nasiru. Charges were also filed against Haruna Garba and Aminu Lawan. It was gathered that Aminu Lawan, who was said to be a member of the Boko Haram, was alleged to have been set free by a leader of the sect, Nasiru Abubakar and two others last March at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where he was receiving treatment from injuries he sustained during his arrest by the police. When the case was called yesterday, only two of the three accused persons were present. Aminu Lawan was

absent for the third time. Counsel to the two accused persons Idris Jibo prayed the court to grant them bail. However, he was unable to secure bail for his clients as the suspects could not be presented by the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Justice M.T. Salihu last December, during their first arraignment, ordered the Federal Government to produce the accused persons in court. Counsel to the Federal Government Alex Adama requested the court to give him more time, saying he has just returned from a trip outside the country. Justice Salihu adjourned the suit till March 20 to enable the Federal Government amend the charges and make proper arraignment.

•Niger State Governor Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu flanked by British High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Andrew Loyd and Minister of National Planning Dr. Shamsudeen Usman at the flag off of the state’s Gross Domestic Product Computation in Minna…yesterday

‘Jos suicide bombing: our member was mistakenly killed’

HE Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) and family of the late Joseph Adams Ashaba have said some angry youths mistakenly killed the deceased, thinking he was a suicide bomber, whereas he was a member of the church. The late Ashaba, believed to be one of the suicide bombers who attacked the church headquarters, was killed by some youths immediately an explosion occurred in the church on Sunday. The church was attacked about 7:30 am by suicide bombers, resulting in the death of five people. Thirty people were injured. The Boko Haram sect had claimed responsibility for the attack. The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, codenamed, “Operation safe Haven” said contrary to the belief that the angry youths killed one of the bombers, they mistakenly killed a member of the COCIN. The victim’s family and leaders of the COCIN said

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu and Marie-Theres Peter, Jos

“the angry youths mistook a member of the church for a suicide bomber and killed him.” Wife of the deceased Mrs. Liatu Joseph Adams Ashaba said: “One of those killed that day was my husband, Joseph Adams Ashaba. He was a loving husband. “My husband was a member of the COCIN. We were

at the church for the morning service. Five minutes after we arrived at the church, an explosion occurred. There was confusion as people ran helter-skelter. “I couldn’t find my husband. Later we discovered his corpse in a mortuary and we were told that he was mistaken for a bomber and killed.” Rev. Aaron Indirmbita and Rev Stephen Hosiah Gondip, who represented the COCIN president, said: “The mistak-

en identity occurred because the late Adams was found near the place where an explosion occurred and he was mistaken for a suicide bomber. “We have found out he was not a bomber. He was a member of our church and was mistakenly killed.” The church apologised to the victim’s family and promised to be responsible for his funeral which takes place today.

NDLEA impounds N120m heroin

DESPERATE attempt by a Pakistani drug cartel to bring into Nigeria 13 kilogrammes of high grade heroin has been foiled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Operatives of the anti-drug agency attached to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, aborted the plot yesterday with the prompt arrest of a 35-year-old Pakistani with

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

parcels of brownish powdery substances that tested positive to heroin hidden inside his luggage. The heroin, described as high grade, has an estimated street value of about N120 million. NDLEA chief Ahmadu Giade vowed to make drug trafficking unprofitable through regular drug seizures. He said: “Drug trafficking

is attractive to criminal cartels because of the huge profit, but we are determined to make it unprofitable through regular drug seizures, arrest and prosecution.” According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, the suspect, Syed Waseem Ahmed Buhari with Pakistani International Passport number BT3347071, arrived aboard a Qatar Airways flight.

Supreme Court accepts amended appeal against Yuguda

HE Supreme Court yesterday accepted the amended Notice of Appeal and Appellant’s brief of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and its Bauchi governorship candidate, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama. Maitama is challenging the April 26, 2011 victory of Governor Isa Yuguda of the Peoples Democratic Party

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja (PDP). The panel, headed by Justice Mahmud Mohammed, also abridged the time for the respondents to file their briefs. The respondents are the PDP, Yuguda, his deputy, Alhaji Sager Aminu Saleh and

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Counsel to Yuguda, Saleh the PDP, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and INEC, Hassan Liman (SAN), had objected to the appellant’s motion. Fagbemi said the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which is the foundation of the appeal, is a nullity be-

cause reasons for the decision were given outside the 60-day allowed in the constitution. He added that an incompetent notice of appeal cannot be amended. Explaining the amendment, the appellant’s counsel, Olawale Akoni (SAN), said Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act should be invoked so that the apex court

could hear the appeal. Justice Mohammed granted the relief sought by the appellant. He ordered that the Notice of Appeal and the brief should be served on the respondents. Granting the order for abridgment of time, the court gave the respondents till Monday to file their reply and fixed hearing for the

same day. In the notice of appeal, the appellants posited that both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal erred in law when they failed to nullify Yuguda’s victory based on the uncontroverted evidence of the 1st to 3rd respondents and non-compliance with Section 177 (c) of the 1999 Constitution.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

NEWS Jonathan raises panel on polio •UCH sets up special unit on Lassa fever

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication. Jonathan said the government has increased the funds voted for polio eradication from $17 million to $30 million to strengthen the Kick Polio Out campaign. He said: “It is embarrassing that Nigeria is still a sanctuary of wild polio and we are becoming a threat to other countries, considering the fact that polio is a disease we can conveniently eradicate. We do not need rocket science to eradicate polio. It is simple vaccination.” The committee, led by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Alli Pete, is to focus on the most vulnerable wards, local governments and states and monitor their progress monthly. Members of the committee are: Mr. G. Dantang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health; Mr. N. Elumelu, Chairman, House Committee on Health; Dr. Ado J. G. Muhammad, Executive Director/ CEO, NPHCDA; Dr. Salma Anas Kolo; Dr. Hassan Hussien Adamu; Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf; Alhaji Muhammed Nasidi Danladi; Abdullahi Maigwandu and Abubakar D. Aliyu. Others are: Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Samba; Alhaji Muhammed Kabiru; Dr. Hide Idris; Dr. Sunday Nwangele; Dr.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Mansur Kabir; Mr. Asishana Okauru; Emir of Bama Alhaji Umar Elkanemi; Bishop Sunday Onuoha; Dr. David Okello; Dr. Suomi Sakai; Mr. Busuyi Onabolu and Hajiha Maryam Othman. The minister said the committee would get the job done. Also yesterday, OYO State recorded its first case of the deadly Lassa fever. This prompted the University College Hospital (UCH) to set up a special unit for the disease. One of the two patients admitted in the hospital was said to have tested positive to the disease. The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Temitope Alonge, said an Emergency Response Committee has been set up to curtail the disease. The CMD, who marked his one year in office allayed the fears of the public, saying UCH is on top of the situation. Alonge said the management has written to the Federal Ministry of Health to inform the authority about the reported cases of the disease. He said: “As I speak to you, we have received drugs from the Ministry of Health for the treatment of the disease and the necessary gadget to kit our personnel as part of the preventive measures. We are fully equipped to handle the disease.”

How Gringory died, by son

CE comedian and radio/television script writer, Chief James Iroha, alias Giringory Akabogu of the famed New Masquerade, died last Tuesday after a brief illness. His second son, Chiemela , said he “fought hard to live, but could not pull through”. Chiemela said his father suffered a relapse after he returned from India two weeks before his death. He said: “Following the relapse, my father was taken to a private hospital at Onitsha, where he died on Tuesday at 7.45am. “His body has been taken to a mortuary at Umuahia.” Chiemela debunked a media report that his father died in penury. He said the publication is

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

“false” and “malicious.” Chiemela thamked the Abia State Government for its support in the battle to save his father. He said: “Two of my siblings and I have taken in the footsteps of our father.” Governor Theodore Orji has commiserated with the family. In a statement by his media aide, Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji described the exit of the humour merchant as “a painful loss to Abia, Ndigbo and Nigeria. Orji said the late Iroha used the New Masquerade to correct some ills in the society He prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Reps decry delay in Anambra erosion projects

HE House of Representative’s Committee on the Environment has decriedthe delay in the execution of erosion project at Oko and Nanka sites in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. They warned contractors to sit up. The four-man committee, led by the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Mr. Uche Ekwunife, spoke yesterday when it visited erosion sites in Sakamori/ Nwangene, Onitsha, and Nanka/Oko. The Sakamori/ Nwangene projects were awarded to BENJAF International Limited at N1.2 billion, while the Nanka project was awarded to

RHINO Maritime services and construction limited at N1.170 billion. Governor Peter Obi had earlier opened the Sakamori/ Nwangene drainage, but it blocked again. Ekwunife warned that any contractor that is not on site when the team visits again would be sacked and blacklisted. He said: “This is a huge contract and we are not going to tolerate any delay. “People’s lives are being toyed with we are not happy with what we are seeing. Chairman, Nanka Erosion Committee, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, said the house of the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme is at the verge of being swept away by erosion.

Policeman killed in Ebonyi cult clash

POLICE Corporal, Mr. Felix Nwaokol, was yesterday killed in a clash between two cult groups in Community Secondary School, Oshiegbe in Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State. His colleague, Constable Daniel Obome, was injured. Police spokesman John Eluuh told reporters at the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki that on receiving infor-

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

mation about the clash, a team from the command was deployed to the scene. Eluu said the cult groups, on sighting the police, opened fire and killed the corporal. He said the constable, who was shot in the the arm, is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

The spokesman said 11 suspects have been arrested. He said: “Yesterday morning, we received information of a clash between two rival cults groups. Both groups were students of Community Secondary School, Oshiegbe Umuezokoha in Ezza North Local Government. “The Divisional Police Officer of Ezza North sent a patrol team to quell the matter, but just as the team got to Os-

hiegbe, gunmen opened fire on the team and shot dead a police constable. Corporal Felix Nwaokol and Daniel Obome were shot.” It was learnt that the DPO sent an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and another team to restore calm to the area. Eluuh said none of the cult members was killed and assured residents of their safety.

•The collapsed building...yesterday

Two-storey building collapses in Anambra

HREE people were yesterday feared dead as a two-storey building collapsed on the OnitshaEnugu Expressway in Anambra State. The incident occured at noon in front of Lento Aluminum Company in Awka, close to Consolidated Construction Company (CCC), as residentsgathered to receive the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu -Ojukwu at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square. It was learnt that thousands of sympathisers left the Ekwueme Square for the scene. Officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by Dr. Nwabufor Ijezie; the police

•Three feared dead command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); National Security and Defence Corps (NSCDC);and workers of CCC were mobilised for a rescue mission. One of the workers on site, Friday Awo, said of the 15 people on the scene, seven escaped. He said he escaped with four others because they had gone out for lunch. Awo blamed the first contractor handling the project. He said construction, which was inintially halted, started again on Monday with a second contractor.

Governor Peter Obi’s Special Adviser on Housing and Urban Development Chief Lawrence Chinwuba described the incident as unfortunate. He regretted that the incident occurred the day the late Odumegwu-Ojukwu was being honoured. Chinwuba said: ‘’We were at the Alex Ekwueme Square when I was called and when I came, I saw the people trapped.“ He said the building could have collapsed as a result of substandard materials. The special adviser said

the number of casualities could not be known at the moment. Ijezie told reporters that about 15 persons were trapped, with four persons injured. Those injured and rescued were taken to the General Hospital, Amaku in Awka, by FRSC and SEMA officials. Ijezie halied the people for their prompt response despite the activities for Ojukwu’s funeral. A structural engineer, Christian Ezenwafor, said the incident occurred following the imposition of a 16mm rod on a lighter 12mm rod,which was used at the beginning.

Ogun East ACN backs Amosun on TASUED

•Amosun

EADERS of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ogun East Senatorial District have dissociated themselves from reports that the zonal party is unhappy with the decision of the State Government to merge Tai Solarin Universi-

ty of Education (TASUED) with the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). Ogun East ACN Chairman Falilu Sabitu said the report is false. He spoke at Itoro Hall in Ijebu-Ode after the party’s meeting. Sabitu said although the zone planned to hold a meeting in Ijebu Ode to deliberate on party issues, the meeting was postponed. He said: “While it is true that a meeting of some party members was held at Idowa on February 26, the said meeting was not and could not have been the meeting of the Ogun East District, because the district’s meeting slated for this venue was cancelled.

“Even at that, at no time at the said meeting was the government’s decision on TASUED condemned. “Of course some individuals expressed some divergent views about a number of issues, including the TASUED issue, ACN as a democratic organisation will continue to respect the rights of individual members to hold opinions about any issue. “However, as a disciplined party, we will not tolerate a situation where an individual or a group hide under a mask to project personal opinion as official position of the party. “The signature list attached to the purported communiqué was the atten-

dance list at the meeting and it has no bearing to the distorted conclusion, insinuation and innuendos being promoted for personal agenda. “For the avoidance of doubt, the ACN leaders and elders in Ogun East Senatorial District fully support the various policies of the Amosun-led government in several sectors, including all necessary steps taken to revamp the education sector.” House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Tola Banjo; Mr. Remmy Hazzan; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Muyiwa Oladipo were at the meeting.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Reps to probe HYPADEC budget From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE House of Representatives is set to investigate the non-implementation of N352, 570,637 appropriated to the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) in 2010. The lawmakers have, however, warned that impeachment may be invoked, if flagrant flouting of the Appropriation Act persists. The House has directed its Committee on Power, headed by Patrick Ikhariale, to investigate the matter and report back within four weeks. Sponsor of the motion, Ibrahim Ebbo (Peoples Democratic Party PDP Niger) said despite being a creation of the constitution in 2010, the agency has been undergoing systematic discrimination by the Executive. He said the commission, through the Appropriation Act was allocated N352.5million last year, yet no concrete action was taken by the implementing ministry to utilise the fund.

NEWS

ICC issues warrant on Sudan’s Defence Minister over Darfur HE International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant yesterday for Sudan’s defense minister, the third senior regime official sought by the court for alleged involvement in atrocities in Darfur. The court announced it wants Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein arrested on a warrant containing seven counts of crimes against humanity and six war crimes including murder, persecution, rape and torture. The charges cover 41 different incidents, the court said. Prosecutor Luis MorenoOcampo asked judges for the warrant in December, saying Hussein is among those who “bear greatest criminal responsibility” for atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region from

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

•Taylor

HE verdict in the war crimes trial of Liberia’s ex-President Charles Taylor will be delivered on 26 April, the United

HE United Nations Security Council is demanding immediate access to Syria for its humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos. Russia and China, who ve-

the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo yesterday assumed office and promised to work towards attainment of the dreams of the Organisation’s founding fathers and making West Africa a leading power for the realization of Africa’s unity. At a brief ceremony to introduce him in Abuja yesterday he charged the staff to assist him in his stride against poverty, injustice and bad governance. He said: “Let us work together against poverty, injustice and bad governance. Let us work hard to build a community which all of us shall be proud of.”

toed two previous Security Council resolutions on Syria, are also backing the call for Baroness Amos to be allowed in. It comes as the rebel Free Syrian Army said it was with-

Nations-backed court trying him has said. Mr Taylor is accused of fuelling Sierra Leone’s civil war in the 1990s by arming rebels. He denies 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is the first international trial of an African former head of state, and Mr Taylor could face a maximum life sentence if found guilty. His trial, at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, relates to his alleged role in the brutal civil war in Liberia’s neighbour,

where he is accused of backing rebels responsible for widespread atrocities. The court hearings in The Hague included a testimony by supermodel Naomi Campbell about a gift of diamonds she had received, as the prosecution accused Mr Taylor of trading in so-called “blood diamonds” to fund rebels. Mr Taylor denies all wrongdoing, describing the allegations against him as politically motivated. If convicted, Mr Taylor would serve a prison sentence in the UK.

South Africa’s ANC expels youth IERY youth leader leader Malema Shots were fired when a caravan of anti-Malema demJulius Malema vowed onstrators brandishing a card-

yesterday to keep fighting after South Africa’s ruling ANC expelled him in a dramatic move seen as clearing an obstacle to President Jacob Zuma’s reelection. The decision by the African National Congress late

Wednesday sparked overnight clashes between Malema’s supporters and rivals in his hometown of Sheshego, in northern Limpopo province, Sapa news agency reported.

Lagos CP retires T a colourful ceremony at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commisioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, yesterday bowed out after 35 years of service. Alkali, who thanked God for granting him the grace to serve the nation, called on officers to use their God-given abilities for the betterment of the nation. According to him, police officers are being paid with tax payers’ money and should serve the nation well. “I appeal to those I am leaving behind to maintain the peace in the Force and have attitudinal changes so as to make the Force a proud organisation,’’ Alkali said.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

He urged the West African youths to share his “enthusiasm and hope for the future of ECOWAS and indeed, the brilliant future of Africa. ECOWAS must be a land of peace, unity and progress.” He paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of ECOWAS and those who sometimes sacrificed their lives to build the Community over the past 37 years of its existence. Specifically, President Ouedraogo expressed his profound gratitude to the government and people of

The court said in a statement that judges believe Hussein “made essential contributions to the formulation and implementation of the common plan” to attack Darfur by coordinating “national, state and local security entities and through the recruitment, arming and funding of the police forces and the Militia/ Janjaweed in Darfur.”

Admit Valerie Amos into Syria, says UN

New ECOWAS President vows to work for and President African unity Nigeria, HE new President of Goodluck Jonathan, the im-

tive in Darfur. He is accused of overseeing a state-sponsored plan to attack villages in western Darfur. Prosecutors say the attacks were carefully planned, with government troops surrounding the villages, air force planes bombing them and then soldiers, including janjaweed militia fighters, descending on the ruins, raping and killing those who survived the initial onslaught.

Charles Taylor gets judgment April 26

Senate queries NIPP boss

HE Senate Committee on Power yesterday questioned the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) Managing Director, James Olotu, over what they described as “the unsatisfactory supervision of 33KV of the Ikot-Epkene, Afam power project.” The committee was peeved that Olotu has not visited the site since the award of the over • 25.7 million power project contract in 2006. Chairman of the Committee Philip Aduda said NIPP officials should have supervised the contract to ensure that the work was delivered on target. He said there was no doubt that Olotu had enough time to assess the progress of work. Aduda, who said the country was tired of arm-chair engineers, warned that the Senate would not take lightly to situations where projects are deliberately frustrated.

August 2003 to March 2004. Sudan does not recognize the court and refuses to hand over suspects including President Omar al-Bashir, who is accused of genocide in Darfur. His government denounced Moreno-Ocampo’s request for an arrest warrant for Hussein in December. At the time covered by the charges, Hussein was interior minister and the Sudan government’s special representa-

mediate past Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for the warm welcome and support extended to him.

board tombstone with the words “RIP Julius” and “corrupt dictator” descended on the street where he had gathered supporters ahead of the ruling. The pro-Malema camp blockaded the road, but fighting broke out between the two factions and stones were hurled at a police car when it arrived to separate the rival groups, reports said. “We must accept that this is the decision, but that is not the end of the road,” Malema, who has two weeks to appeal his expulsion, said on public broadcaster SABC. “It is still early to celebrate because the road ahead of us is going to be very long and needs men and women... who are very strong.

drawing from the Baba Amr district of Homs, which has been under siege for nearly a month. Activists say hundreds of people have died during the bombardment. Earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it and the Syrian Red Crescent had been given the green light to go to Baba Amr on Friday to deliver food and medical supplies.

Service of songs for late Aluko in Ondo From Damis Ojo, Akure

THE final funeral rites for a renowned Economist, Prof. Samuel Aluko began yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital with the lying-instate of his remains at his Ijapo residence. Aluko, who was a onetime Chairman of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC) died on February 7, in a London Hospital after a brief illness. Despite the heavy downpour which nearly marred the service of songs, scores of friends, family, political associates and professional colleagues were present. The programme was conducted by Chapel of the Annunciation, Archbishop Vinning College of Theology, Akure and directed by its Vicar/Dean Ven. Stephen Fagbemi assisted by the Chaplain Ven. Z.A Adeniji. Various hymns and a special song by Ijapo House Fellowship where late Prof. Aluko served as the leader were rendered.

PUBLIC NOTICE FERTILITY CARE CENTRE OF AFRICA This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Henrietta Williams - Chairman 2. Dr. Wanda Alli Balogun - Secretary 3. Dr. Cosmas Okeke 4. Dr. Jap Okolo 5. Mrs Caroline Ademiluyi 6. Mrs Sherese Ijewere AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide an umbrella for the professional advancement of Fertility Care Centres in Africa featuring Creighton Model Services and NaProTECHNOLOGY; 2. To create an umbrella body for international affiliations by Fertility Care Centres in Africa. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prof. Mike Asuzu - Chairman 2. Dr. Henrietta Williams - Secretary 3. Dr. Enoma Bazuaye 4. Dr. Emmanuel Okechukwu AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide an umbrella for the continuous spiritual formation, professional advancement and social engagement of Catholic doctors in the growth of the local church; 2. To contribute to national development and participation in global public health especially from a Catholic Bioethical perspective. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: SECRETARY

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2012

SPORT EXTRA Odegbami, Oshodi others for NOC, Greensprings’ sports forum

BATTLE OF KIGALI FALLOUT

Five pros face axe from Eagles F

IVE of Nigeria’s foreign-based pros from the Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda are to be black listed, just as disappointed coach Stephen Keshi has hinted on reviewing the number of pros going forward. The foreign-based pros failed to lift Nigeria, who were lucky to run away with

a 0-0 draw in Kigali Wednesday. Chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Green, said at least five of the foreign-based stars will be axed for the Eagles subsequent games as they failed to live up to expectations. A disappointed Green said:

Maigari: Eagles will qualify for 2013 Cup of Nations

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has assured Nigerians that the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, will qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations to be staged in South Africa. Maigari spoke in Abuja as the Nigerian delegation to Wednesday’s qualifying match against Rwanda returned to base in the early hours of Thursday, and against the backdrop of the 0-0 result against the Amavubi Stars in Kigali. “We planned for a win in Rwanda but got a scoreless draw. While we would have preferred to win, there is no need crying over spilt milk. The onus is now on us to prepare hard to win the return leg in Nigeria, and reach the final qualifying round. “I am assuring football fans and indeed other Nigerians that the NFF will put in place all machinery to ensure the Super Eagles not only beat Rwanda here, but also win the final qualifying fixture in Saptember/October. We must be at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa”, said the NFF supremo. On the commendations that home-based players who featured against Rwanda have received from Nigerians and fans elsewhere, Maigari said: “It is a confirmation that the NFF

and Coach Stephen Keshi have embarked on the right path forward. The home boys have been in residential camping for some months now and have had a couple of matches to expose them and give them confidence.

"I am disappointed at the showing of some of our foreign players. Some of them where totally not in this game. "I know and watch every weekend what they do in their clubs and when they get here it’s a different story. Well, with what I saw at least five of these players would not make the return leg." An equally disappointed Keshi has hinted on a possible review of the number of Europe-based players to be invited in future Eagles games. Keshi, who started eight foreign-based stars against Rwanda, did not hide his disappointment with the performance of the players. "I am not very impressed with the performance of some players. I would not mention names but I have learnt a lot from this game," Keshi said

“The home boys gave a good account of themselves and I must commend their guts but all together we have to return to the drawing board and there I would review a whole lot including future invitation of foreign-based players." Taye Taiwo, Joel Obi, Osaze Odemwengie,Dickson Etuhu are believed to have performed below expectation in a game which saw Vincent Enyeama make a last-minute save to keep a clean sheet . Meanwhile, the Eagles were made to wait for close to an hour on arrival due to the inefficiencies of the Nigeria Immigration officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The same situation led to over 40 fans and a journalist missing the chartered flight to Kigali.

2012 CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP

NFF to visit Dan Anyiam Stadium March 6

HEAD of the 2012 CAF Confederations Cup Competition and the expected visit of the CAF inspection team to Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) will storm the Stadium on March 6 to examine the extent of the work done so far and make recommendations on its suitability or otherwise for the competition. Making this known to NationSport in a chat, the Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Comrade Kenneth Emelu commended the contractor handling the project, the Director , Monimichelle Sports Facility Development Company, Ebi Egbe for a just well done but he cautioned that work should be accelerated on the stadium so that the changing rooms, the turf and the seats would be ready before the NFF officials come calling. Meanwhile, the squatters at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri have been ordered to vacate the premises of the

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Stadium with immediate effect so as to allow the current renovation work on it to be completed without distractions. The Imo sports boss, Comrade Emelu handed out the warning when he went to inspect the stadium Tuesday.

The director and managing partner, Monimichelle Sports Facility Development Company, Ebi Egbe who is the contractor handling the project had alleged that squatters and other urchins at the stadium were making the job more hectic for him owing to their saboteur attitude.

ORMER Green Eagles star, Segun Odegbami, is one of the resource persons, while the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi will be the special guest at the one-day sports forum organized by Greensprings School in collaboration with Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). While Odegbami will speak on factors affecting school sports development in Nigeria, Harry McFaul’s paper will dwell on school sports development in Nigeria and the United Kingdom: The successes and challenges while erstwhile national table tennis star and Director of Sports, University of Lagos, Cecilia Arinye will speak on Gender issues in school sports development in Nigeria. The forum will hold at the Union Bank Sports Club in Surulere with the thrust of the gathering being reviving school sports in Nigeria. Also on same day, the Lagosbased school will officially launch its weekend sports academy. Stakeholders in Nigerian sports will be present to proffer solutions to the problems bedeviling school sports. Aside the sports commissioner, the NOC secretary general, Tunde Popoola will also be in attendance with three papers expected to present. A novelty match will also take

•L-R: Lagos Ericsson, TJ Saro, Abdulmumuni Musa and Tade Oyinlola, after a 6-4 win against Ibadan Lead City, during the Lagos Polo Tournament opening held at the club ground, Ikoyi, Lagos

By Innocent Amomoh place between school management/guest and parents. The academy has events like football, basketball, table tennis, tennis, swimming and athletics.

Duke decries neglect of School Sports

ORMER Cross River state governor, Donald Duke has said that school sports is the best option to tackle the decline of sports in the country. He spoke at the final of the IVY League Junior Basketball Tournament held at the America International School Lagos AISL. Duke, who came to cheer his 14 year old daughter, Donna, a member of AISL team noted that Nigeria can only regain top spot in international sports if attention is given to school sports. “Don’t forget that the likes of Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Segun Odegbemi, Atanda Musa etc were picked from schools before becoming icon but over the years we have dumped to schools sports which to me are responsible for our poor performance in major competitions lately. Talents abound in our schools but we lack the capacity to groom and nurture them to stardom” Duke who served as governor of CrossRiver State between 19992007, said there must be a link between the ministry of Education and ministry of sports towards the discovery of hidden talents. “The Education ministry owns and manage schools but they need to collaborate with the sports ministry to tap into this raw talents of this kids” Countries like Australia, Britain, US, Russia have laid a solid foundation which explains why they do well in Olympics and World Championship we have to emulate them by making our schools the bedrock of our success in sports” You have to expose this kids a young age and in ten years time they could become a world champion.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

www.thenationonlineng.net

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

ONSIDER the following propositions: 1. In the wisdom of military and political leaders in the decade before the last, the major purpose of creating states was to make government closer to the people and so effectively impact the lives of citizens for the better. So they created a lot of them. 2. In the last 13 years, the Human Capital Development Index has been uninspiring and unattractive as the majority of Nigerians have continuously fallen below the poverty line. 3. From 1 and 2, we may reasonably infer that the benefits anticipated from state creation have not materialised and individuals and families have been left at the margin. One reason for this is that, with understandable pride in their identities, which they guard with gusto, states have not been able to access the economies of scale associated with large organisations and so have not developed systems that impact the creation of wealth and that provide good jobs for citizens. Of course, this does not eliminate other causes, among which is the corrupted environment of political discourse and practice. 4. Given the inference in 3, at least one solution to the crisis of state viability is for contiguous states to voluntarily integrate their activities, especially in the economic realm and team up for the initiation and advancement of projects in spheres in which they are severally and collectively at advantage. This is what regional integration is about in its most fundamental sense. All other embellishments are either psychological or political add-ons. The question is: who is afraid of regional integration conceived in this way and is the fear justified? Since the legislative summit of the Southwestern states organised by The Nation a few weeks ago, there have been various reactions ranging from unrestrained praise to relentless criticism. The praise is understandable in view of the potentials that regional cooperation in agriculture, transportation, education, power generation, and health promise for the people of the region and by extension, other Nigerians.What is astounding is the backlash from opponents crying foul. Looking at the arguments expressing the fear, it appears that they focus, not on the strength of the economic rationale but what they consider as the danger of the political context of integration. The image of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, rallying the summiteers with the presentation of a Yoruba anthem and a regional flag as symbols of cooperation within the region must have struck the raw nerves of objectors as evidence of the secessionist urge in the Yoruba elite. There was a precedent in recent years. In April 1997, Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America ended its 3rd National Convention with the presentation of a Yoruba Anthem as a symbol of the identity of the Yoruba and their aspirations. With

NO. 2052

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Who is afraid of regional integration?

‘

With economically strong regions or zones, which are able to create wealth, the centre can hope for a big relief from the incessant plea for revenue from the states. And whatever it secures to itself from its statutory power to tax states on their productive outputs in the manufacturing and services sectors can be used for the overall development of the country •Aregbesola

emphasis on cultural unity and the desire for cultural survival and progress, the anthem is as harmless as a dove. But its dovish nature did not protect the Egbe from vitriolic attacks from those whose Nigerian national consciousness has drowned their sensibilities regarding the multi-national (aka ethnic) nature of the country put together by Lord Lugard. It should be understood, however, that we are not in a different category from other multi-national entities across the globe and we know what is happening in those other climes. A not too unfamiliar example is the United Kingdom of Lugard himself where Wales and Scotland have been demanding and achieving more and more autonomy for their peoples. It is therefore amazing that there is still a mindset among some Nigerians that the existence of Nigeria is threatened by the existence of its component parts; that in order to grow the Nigerian tree, we must do away

‘

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘Is it not possible that there exists the Ibori persona in all of us? If given the opportunity, would we have fared better than Ibori? How many of Ibori's ilk do we have in the corridors of power today? How many more are out there on the streets fouling our business space and swaggering off with crude larceny? ’ YOMI ODUNUGA

with its branches. Yet, to take a simplistic example, no one has pointed to a Nigerian culture that is not the culture of a particular ethnic or nationality group. And no one has come up with a Nigerian language that pretends to be anything than the language of a particular ethnic group. Where did we go with WAZOBIA? So why is the proposal for making Yoruba language compulsory in schools in Yorubaland such a treasonable idea that it warrants the censorship of the ultra-nationalist? Does it really matter now that each of the regions of the federation used to have identity symbols, including a regional constitution and coat of arms? Does it matter now that each had what amounted to its own foreign policy agenda effectively pursued by the establishment of regional agents in major capitals, including London? Could the argument be that those symbols of identity were responsible for the breakdown of the

First Republic? Such a thought is not only silly; it is spurious. Regionalisation wasn’t the death knell of the First Republic. Rather we all know that it was the imbalance in the structure of the federation and the attendant desire for the use of federal might to force regions into obedience that was responsible for the original fall. Have we then really learned from that experience? Today, states go cap in hand to the centre for hand-outs, whose source is as uncertain as is its continuous prospect. The Federal Government has on its part not provided an effective leadership in the matter of its stewardship of the national economy. For how is it that even if we limit our reckoning to the last 13 years since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, the country has still not been moved from the bondage of crude oil supply even when it is clear that the oil sector is only a tiny percentage of the economy? In 13 years, the agricultural sector is still in the medieval stage of operations, and we expect the millennial generation to embrace it. It is obvious that even with a focused leadership the center cannot carry the burden of the progressive development of the country without viable component units as partners. But everyone knows that the viability of states is a function of their capacity to generate internal resources and unleash the potentials of their people. It is this missing link that the integration of states into regions is expected to provide. The center must commend the Southwest states for taking the lead with this important initiative. Furthermore, the ultra-nationalist should be thankful to the proponents of regional integration because their move has enormous potentials for strengthening the union. With economically strong regions or zones, which are able to create wealth, the centre can hope for a big relief from the incessant plea for revenue from the states. And whatever it secures to itself from its statutory power to tax states on their productive outputs in the manufacturing and services sectors can be used for the overall development of the country. Finally, in any case, the onus is not on the Southwest states to provide a justification that is acceptable to the ultra-nationalist. Nigeria does not operate a unitary constitution. Even if it is only respected in the breach, we still have a federal constitution which guarantees the right of association not only to individuals, but to states as long as they act within its spirit. I do not see how the movement of Southwest states to integrate their resources to better achieve their goals of promoting the welfare of their people, and by extension, the wellbeing of all Nigerians, can justifiably warrant the ultra-nationalist’s accusation of crossing the line of democratic federalism. •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

RIPPLES

HARDBALL

I DIDN’T PLEAD GUILTY TO CORRUPTION, says Ibori

Senegal run-off: President Wade must be repudiated

That is not what the COURT said

UNDAY’S presidential election in Senegal did not produce a clear winner. The second round in March will. In the first round, President Abdoulaye Wade, 85, faced 13 challengers, about three of whom were at one time or the other prime ministers under him. He needed to score over 50 percent to secure victory for a third term in office, having taken office in 2000 and got reelected in 2005. Instead, he got 34.8 percent of the votes, while his main challenger, Macky Sall, 50, received 26.5 percent. More than any other issue, Wade’s third term ambition was the main focus of Sunday’s electioneering. In fact the third term controversy was weighty enough to draw the half-hearted attention of the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS, which jointly sent Nigeria’s Chief Olusegun Obasanjo both to mediate the crisis and monitor the poll. The mediation collapsed under the weight of insincerity and contradictions, with Senegalese spurning

Obasanjo’s insensitive call for a two-year tenure extension for Wade. If the opposition pool their resources in the run-off, there is no reason not to roundly trounce Wade. Current indications suggest they could, with the second leading opposition candidate, Moustapha Niasse, securing over 13 percent of the vote in the first round and already urging his supporters to repudiate President Wade. Mr Sall, who fell out with Wade over the serial indiscretions of the president’s son, Karim Wade, has promised to tackle the country’s economic problems, particularly soaring food prices, and more importantly ensure constitutional amendments to limit the president to two terms of five years each. For a country famous for its successful elections and political stability, not to talk of being the only West African country where the military had never seized power (since its independence in 1960), Mr Sall’s gesture should attract keen

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

interest. While the AU and ECOWAS’s roles in the election are regrettable, Senegal must recognise it has an illustrious history to preserve. Not only was its founding father and first president, Leopold Sedar Senghor, the nearest in West Africa to the concept of a philosopher-king, being a philosopher and poet, even its second president, Abdou Diuof, was also highly acclaimed as a diplomat and lawyer. Both ceded power peacefully, the former through resignation, and the latter through electoral defeat. It is unfortunate that Wade has appeared to belittle this solid political reputation Senegal has garnered over the decades. Senegalese must now rise as one man to reclaim their country and their proud history. But first they need to shove aside the intransigent Mr Wade. And to do this, the opposition parties must bury their differences and unite – if they are not to be hung separately.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO