The Nation March 4, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

...86 D AYS TO GO DA

•AND •Tinubu petitions NBC over AIT’s documentary MORE •Oyo APC rejects Accord’s claim on violence ON PAGES 4,5&8 •Appeal Court clears Jonathan to contest election •AIG urges Port police to check illegal arms importation

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3143 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Auditor-General queries N2.3tr Excess Crude Account deductions

Govt to pay oil marketers N185b to end fuel scarcity From Nduka Chiejina and Chioma Onyia, Abuja

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F

UEL queues may soon disappear, with the government agreeing to meet marketers’ demands.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said yesterday that the costs incurred by the marketers, their fees as well as interest and Foreign Exchange (forex) differentials would be paid.

To get the marketers, who have not been importing fuel to take it easy, a meeting between them and the minister has been scheduled for today.

The minister said the government had packaged some iniContinued from page 4

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala

HE 2012 Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) report has questioned the deduction of N2,308,749,174,308.54 Excess Crude Oil/PPT/Royalty from oil and gas revenue before the balance was paid into the Federation Account.

The query came on the heels of the inability of the Auditor General to obtain a legal authority for the creation of the

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Excess Crude Oil/PPT/ Royalty Account.

Of the total deductions, N477,448, 498,6 19.22 was drawn in favour of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and N377,264, 685, 789.54 in favour of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) got N1, 454,035, 989,899.78.

House of Representatives Committee on Public Account (PAC), acting on the report on the account of the Federation of Nigeria for the year ended 31st December 2012, said the deductions were in contravention of section 162(1) of the 1999 Continued from page 4

•INSIDE: SHARE FRAUD VICTIMS FUND COMING P25 NIGERIA, OTHERS SEEK OPEC TALKS P25

Anti-Jega plot crashes as Presidency hits dead end Jonathan: no plan to change INEC boss Reps: Jega, polls schedule stay

SHAME OF A NATION

From Yusuf Alli, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

L

EGAL experts have told the Presidency the bitter truth about Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega — he cannot be sent on terminal leave.

There are two reasons for the legal opinion.

They are that: •no law or regulation compels political appointees to proceed on terminal leave; and •the timing is “inauspicious and not strategic”.

Faced with the legal obstacle, the Presidency may have dumped the option of asking Jega to go on leave.

Besides, President Goodluck Jonathan has said although he has the power to remove Jega, the INEC chief has not done anything to warrant his removal.

A top government official yesterday said Jega will not be removed or asked to go on leave.

But the comment of the supervising Minister of Information, Mr. Edem Duke, has caused disquiet in the cabinet.

Some ministers believe that Duke’s “inexplicit response to questions on Jega’s fate” last Friday has been heating up the polity.

WILL THE Duke said although the CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON President has no plan to sack Jega, ‘’this is not to say that, if APRIL 15, LAST

?

YEAR EVER RETURN?

Continued from page 4

•People waiting to fill jerry cans with fuel at a filling station in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Naira devaluation caused fuel scarcity, says PPPRA •SEE

•APC: looting of $12b gas fund, subsidy debts are causes

PAGES 4&5

•POLITICS P56 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •LIFE P43 •FOREIGN P60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

2

MAY 29 ...86 DAYS TO GO

NEWS

Why Jega •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola inaugurating the Maidan-Aina-Agiliti road, in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA)...yesterday. With him are: Works & Infrastructure Commissioner Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (right), Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Mr. Afolabi Bamishe Kazeem (second left) and Baba Oja-General, Ketu, Mr. Sulaimon Adeyemi. SEE ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH OF THE EVENT ON PAGE 10.

Activist lawyer Femi Falana writes on why Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega cannot be removed under any guise. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) warns of the consequences of sacking the professor of political science few days to the rescheduled polls.

B •From left: Globacom's State Manager (Ogun), Mr. Gbolahan Olajide; Chairman, Lisabi Festival Committee, Chief Rasheed Raji; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Globacom's Head, Business Support, Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo at the 2015 Lisabi Festival news conference at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State...Monday.

•Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Bayo Adekanmbi (left) and General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Richard Iweanoge at the presentation of the beneficiaries of the 2015 Resolution Promo in Lagos. With them are the beneficiaries: Yetunde Jack (second left), Otoide Quincy (middle) and Funmi Fatona (second right).

•Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhil (right); Director, Port Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC, Mrs. Ebigbeyi Maureen (middle) and the agency’s Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Mainasara Ogochukwu at a news briefing by NAFDAC on the seizure of containers of fake drugs and arrest of a syndicate specialised in the forgery of NAFDAC documents at the Oshodi Office of the agency in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM.

EFORE the simulated postponement of the general elections scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, Chief Edwin Clark and some ethnic champions had called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega.

On account of the closeness of the group to the Presidency, not a few Nigerians believed that the Federal Government had decided to fire the INEC helmsman.

In his last media chat, President Goodluck Jonathan dismissed the rumoured plan to sack Prof Jega. He, however, said that since he appointed the chairman and members of the INEC team, he could fire any of them at will.

Since last week, it has been widely reported that Jega may be asked to proceed on terminal leave any moment from now. Having regard to the national embarrassment which greeted the removal of a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (as he then was) last year, the attention ofthe President ought to be drawn to the limit of his powers with respect to the removal of the INEC chairman.

Pursuant to Section 155 of the Constitution, Prof Jega was appointed the INEC chairman by the President on June 24 , 2010, following the confirmation by the Senate. Section 155 of the Constitution provides that the INEC chairman shall occupy the office “for a period of five years from the date of his appointment”.

Since the appointment is for five years, certainly the term of office cannot be abridged by a pre-retirement leave of three months.

As the appointment enjoys constitutional flavor, Jega is not occupying the office at the pleasure of the President.

In other words, the President lacks the power to hire and fire the INEC chairman. Under Section 157 of the Constitution Jega can only be removed from office during his term of office by the President on an address supported by two thirds majority of the members of the Senate.

And the reason for the removal has to be based on evidence of his inability to perform or discharge the functions of the office due to infirmity of mind or body or misconduct. Since the Senate is not likely to endorse Jega’s sack, it has been reported that the Presidency is toying with the idea of sending him on terminal leave.

Jega, who is a professor of political science at the Bayero University, Kano was granted leave of absence by his employer, the council of the institution, following his appointment as INEC chairman in June 2010.

.Dr. Jonathan

Since Jega is on secondment to the INEC, he cannot be treated like a civil servant. Those who have cited the provision of the civil service rules which requires public officers to proceed on a three-month pre-retirement leave have failed to realise that the circular has to be read subject to Section 154 of the Constitution which stipulates that the INEC Chairman shall hold office for “a period of five years from the date of his appointment”. In the circumstance, Jega’s appointment cannot be validly determined until June 23, 2015.

In Independent National Electoral Commission v. Musa (2003) 10 WRN 1 at 125, the Supreme Court held that “The Civil Service Rules are not a legislation per se as provided by the Constitution, nor subsidiary legislation, as they are not made under any enabling Act or Law. These limitations are emphasised by Rule 01001 of the rules which provides in respect of some categories of public office holders that: ‘… these Rules apply only to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in so far as their conditions of service and any other law applicable to these offices are concerned.‘ “ In view of the above categorical pronouncement of the Supreme Court, it is indubitably clear that the provision of the Civil Service Rules on threemonth pre-retirement leave is inconsistent with Section 155 of the Constitution which provides that the INEC chairmen shall remain in office for “a period of not less than five years”.

In the hierarchy of the superiority of laws the provisions of the Constitution take precedence over other laws or circulars. Indeed, section 1(3) thereof states that any law which is inconsistent with the Constitution is null andvoid to the extent of its inconsistency. To that extent, the provision of the Civil Service Rules on terminal leave is inapplicable to the tenured appointment of Jega. Even in the case of Mr. Sanusi, the Presidency claimed that he was not removed from office but placed on suspension to facilitate investigation. That was the explanation adduced for removing the CBN governor via suspension without going through the Senate. But with respect to Jega, the President lacks the power to investigate, suspend or send him on terminal leave.

To confirm the autonomy of the INEC, Section 158 of the Constitution stipulates that in exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, the

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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MAY 29 ...86 DAYS TO GO

a can’t be sacked, by Falana ‘

Having commended the INEC for conducting the 2010 general elections and the governorship elections in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states, the President cannot find any justification for the planned removal of Jega .Prof. Jega

INEC “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any authority or person.”

Some have cited the case of Prof Maurice Iwu, who was sent on leave prior to his removal by President Jonathan. Unlike Prof Iwu, who had

.Falana

retired from the university when he was the INEC chairman, Jega is still in the service of Bayero University. By the provisions of the Universities Miscellaneous Act, the retirement age of university professors is 70 years. Since Jega is 58 he would not retire from

the public service until he attains the age of 70 in 2027. In the conditions of service of university staff, there is no provision for pre-retirement leave but sabbatical leave; leave of absence; annual leave; casual leave; vacation leave and maternity leave (for female

‘

lecturers). As a public officer cannot go on pre-retirement leave twice, it will be absurd to ask Jega to go on terminal leave as INEC chairman in 2015 and then as a retiring professor in 2027.

As Jega is not a civil servant, the

Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF) lacks the power to direct him to proceed on terminal leave. Indeed, the pre-retirement leave applicable in the civil service does not apply to a tenured appointment.

In a circular dated August 11, 2010, titled “Clarification on Pre-retirement Leave”, the HoSF was reported to have said that “I am to further inform you that paragraph 1 of the circular clarified that the content of the circular is only applicable to core officers who run their civil service to thirtyfive (35) years of service or sixty (60) years of age and not a definite tenure as is the case under reference.”

In the light of the authoritative pronouncement of the HoSF on the matter, it will be preposterous and illegal to direct Jega to proceed on terminal leave in any manner whatsoever.

In the light of the foregoing, if the President goes ahead to sack Jega, he would have confirmed that the government has contempt for the rule of law. The President owes himself a duty to resist the pressures to remove Jega from office on March 24. Changing the leadership of the INEC barely four days to the presidential election is likely to truncate the fragile democratic process. Having commended the INEC for conducting the 2010 general elections and the governorship elections in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states, the President cannot find any justification for the planned removal of Jega.

Futility of ‘big lie’ strategy by PDP against Tinubu

“I

F you tell a lie that’s big enough, and you tell it often enough, people will believe you are telling the truth, even when what you are saying is total crap”, Richard Belzer wrote in his book UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don’t Have To Be Crazy to Believe.

From time immemorial, dishonourable men have thrived in politics by peddling fabricated and concocted lies and half- truths. And while truth and sound principles will eventually outshine falsehood and opportunism, those who deal in such stock record some successes, albeit temporarily, at the expense of the people striving to bring some difference to politics.

Sir Winston Churchill was therefore right when he observed that “a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on”.

These charlatans and opportunists are champions of the ‘Big Lie’ theory endorsed and popularised by Adolf Hitler and his chief propagandist, Joseph Goebbels and simplified in Richard Belzer’s book referenced above.

This is the strategy now adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apparatchik in their futile attempt to politically lynch Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Their grand plan which is not new is to discredit him and other honourable men in the progressive fold in the belief that if the same big lies are repeated over and over again, people will begin to believe them and their targets will become discredited thereby truncating efforts to wrest power from the clueless and inept PDP politicians.

They adopted this strategy in Ekiti State.

They deployed it in Osun State and are now employing it fully as the national elections approach. A manifestation of their desperation is the recent churning out of unsubstantiated allegations both on television and in the social media against Tinubu, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and a host of APC leaders. Of note is that they seem to have gone into overdrive in their circulation of outlandish accusations of inordinate wealth and property acquisition by Bola Tinubu.

These politicians turned blackmailers who are clearly of the PDP brand are identifiable. They must not be left to roam free and get away with libel and their criminal activities in character assassina-

By Alfred Omolewa

tion. Tinubu and the APC must approach the courts of the land and, with the decorum and formalities afforded by the rules of courts, put them to the strictest proof of these allegations.

Because of their cowardice, they work as faceless persons. However, they have now been uncovered. The Fayoses, Fani-Kayodes,Mimikos and the Olisa Metus of this world. They have also recruited many into their ranks using slush monies. They go by phony names and acronyms shielding their cowardly sponsors.

In the past, these characters made allegations against Tinubu and went ahead to orchestrate his arraignment before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). It is a matter of record that all the charges against Bola Tinubu were quashed by that tribunal.

Several other allegations against him remain in the realm of speculative rumour, with no evidence to back them up.

In the latest round of falsehood being circulated in some sections of the media, a list of “purported choice properties said to belong to a chieftain of the APC is being peddled. Those behind this list do this without regard to whether the properties in the list in fact exist.

Their story admittedly describes them as ‘purported choice properties’, and raise doubts of ownership by stating ‘said to belong’!!! How irresponsible and how manifestly mischievous!

For the records and for the avoidance of doubt, it is clear that these allegations are totally false and baseless and this attempt to play on our people’s collective ignorance and emotion is sad.

The ‘Big Lie’ strategy of the propagators of these lies is about to come to an end. Because he who alleges must proof, these attackers must face the law and provide incontrovertible proof.

The Tinubu-inspired 25-year development plan of Lagos helped lay the foundation for the infrastructural renewal, revenue breakthrough and related reforms in Lagos. No elected governor, past or present today in Nigeria equals the vision, vigor and vitality Tinubu brought to governance. Today, Lagos is a national and global model of good governance thanks to Tinubu and his party.

Indeed, the falsity of the accusations against Tinubu and Fashola by the faceless would be apparent to independent and fair minded citizens if, in the absence of the opportunity for formal proof and denial otherwise afforded in re-

sponding to identifiable accusers, and with the benefit of seeing through the ‘Big Lie Strategy’, they consider: ·Whether accusations of secrecy bordering on the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law of 2007 are valid and reasonable when: (a) the law is available for public scrutiny in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette Extraordinary No. 37 Vol. 40 of May 18, 2007; (b) the law, in fact, documents the benefits payable to retired public officers instead of arbitrary payouts; and (c) the approach agrees with internationally acceptable practices including the model in the United States (U.S.) under the Former Presidents Act, Presidential Transition Act and Former Presidents Protection Act. · Whether there is, in fact, a property on Oyinkan Abayomi that has served as Guest House to the Lagos State Government since 1979? · Whether the outlandish value of the properties listed in the publication is not arbitrary, unsubstantiated and indicative of the mischievous actions of desperate political operatives. · Whether reputable publicly traded organisations with internationally sanctioned codes of corporate governance such as Oando Plc and UACN Plc would engage, without obvious consequences, in such shady deals as described in the publication. · Whether the fact that I share a common surname with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oando Plc is not being used as a fodder to feed damaging conspiracy theories and score cheap political points at the expense of the truth. · Whether the relocation of the Ikosi Road campus of the Lagos State Polytechnic to its permanent site at Ikorodu was not in fulfillment of the Master Plan for the institution. · Whether it is not lazy and outlandish to suggest that every major property developer in Lagos State is fronting for him. Are most of these developments not funded by facilities from the banks? · Whether the matters relating to Federal Government properties in Lagos State are not presently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and whether there is any shred of documented evidence substantiating the accusations concerning the old Federal Secretariat. · Whether sharing a surname with a doctor working at the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital is sufficient to reasonably conclude that I personally

own the unit. Is that not laughable in itself?

The truth of the matter is that the detractors do not understand Tinubu and the progressives with their style and innovative approach to governance. Not because they are incapable of doing so, but because the years of waste and charlatanism presided over by these same detractors have become conditioned to their tired, regressive and destructive approach to governance, wealth management and infrastructure development.

Tinubu is a trailblazer and represents that new progressive and aggressive generation of managers, who, having won the confidence of their people to occupy political offices, have embarked on new methods of financing projects. This group has fully tapped and developed the potentials of Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. By so doing, being able to complete and embark on projects that only decades of reliance on federal allocations would achieve. Yes, private sector people benefitted but the benefits were legitimate and the people got value. And, what is more, it accords with international best practices.

The APC approach to governance in Lagos has empowered the private sector players. It has led to the creation of jobs and opportunities for ordinary citizens. Citizens have gotten value and are positioned to continue to get long term value. This approach has in fact, reduced corruption and waste in governance.

Do the PDP detractors know these? Yes, they do. Why, then, are they falsifying the records and creating and spreading malicious innuendos? Because they want to play on the people’s readiness and tendency (justifiable by years of disappointing governance) to believe that all politicians are corrupt and that any new agenda is an avenue to siphon funds. It is evil, devilish, criminal and morally reprehensible for our detractors to attempt to take advantage of our people in this way.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the objectives of the publishers of these otherwise defamatory articles are to malign the person of Tinubu and attack the viability of the APC platform, to manipulate the people and impede the progress of the Progressives. It is an act of desperation and politically motivated character assassination carried to its highest and nauseating level against Tinubu.

Like it failed in the past, this attempt again will kiss the dust.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

NEWS AG queries N2.3tr Excess Crude Account deductions

Fed Govt to pay oil marketers N185b to end fuel scarcity Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

constitution.

It says: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘The Federation Account’ into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the government of the federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the FCT”.

The report also discovered payment of various sums of interests to the Federal government’s Excess Proceeds of PPT/Royalty Account accruing from fixed term deposits that could not be established.

It was also reported that $219,247,398 .77 was credited to the FGN Excess Proceeds Crude oil sales account while and $443,844,581.47 was credited to PPT/Royalty Account as interest on fixed term Continued on page 59

•President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving the Letter of Credence from Indonesia Ambassador Harry Purwanto at the State House, Abuja…yesterday.

tiatives to address the marketers’ concerns.

“Specifically, we have taken the following steps: we’ve reached an agreement with the marketers’ union on the N185 billion balance of their payment. As part of this agreement, we are paying not only the costs they’ve incurred and their fees but also interest and forex differentials.”

In addition, the minister said the Debt Management Office (DMO) had been instructed to issue Sovereign Debt Notes (SDNs) to cover N100 billion out of the N185 billion agreed upon as balance for the next payments and that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had also given approvals for the banks to issue letters of credit.

The government, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said, “is very concerned about the fuel queues which have appeared in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country”. “The Petroleum ministry and NNPC have worked very hard to reduce them to the barest minimum. We sympathise with Nigerians whose lives are being disrupted by the queues and assure them that we

Naira devaluation caused fuel scarcity, says PPPRA

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HE Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) yesterday claimed that the fuel scarcity being experienced in parts of the country was caused by the two rounds of Naira devaluation carried out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The PPPRA said the devaluation was carried out by the CBN between November 2014 and last month.

Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Farouk Ahmed, defending the agency’s 2015 budget before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), said the devaluation caused huge confusion in the oil sector as his agency did not know the exchange rate to use for payment on fuel importation.

He noted that as a result, marketers could not deliver

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the cargoes of fuel expected from them because they were not sure of the exact delivery cost due to the devaluation.

He added that as a result of the measure, the old template used for paying the marketers was no longer useful.

Ahmed explained that the PPPRA sought the CBN’s advice before it could eventually draw up a new template.

The crisis, he said, had eventually been resolved as the Budget Office on Monday approved payment for outstanding bills that the marketers are being owed.

He noted that the matter was resolved after a meeting of the Ministry of Finance, the PPPRA and other agencies.

Ahmed said: ”The recent

events have to do with the delay in the arrival of cargoes.

Non-arrival of cargoes made it difficult for petroleum motor spirit (PMS) to be delivered. What actually complicated it was the devaluation of naira - two times. The first one that took place on November 28 devalued Naira from N155 to N168 to $1. The second one that took place on February 18 brought the exchange rate to N199 to $1.

“These two developments brought a lot of confusion into the oil sector. Marketers were not sure of the actual delivery cost. We had to draw a new template as advised by the CBN. The delay we have now is caused by the November devaluation. But the reality is that the policy is clear now.

The Minister of Finance, PP-

PRA and other agencies are working closely to ensure that outstanding bills are paid.

And that one had been done now. Yesterday, (Monday) we got an approval from the Budget Office for payment of all outstanding bills. We have adjusted the template now. We have to put the exchange rate at the interbank rate. Now, we have a direction.”

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to appear before the committee to give its own account on the fuel scarcity.

The NNPC chiefs’ absence to appear prompted Committee Chairman Senator Magnus Abe to say: “We invited the NNPC to come and defend their budget, they didn’t show up. They don’t even have the respect to give any response to the invitation. We

•Ahmed

are directing the clerk to reinvite the NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline Product and Marketing Company (PPMC) and all refineries.

“All of them must appear before this committee on

are working hard to end them as quickly as possible.”

She said the fuel crisis was “due to a mix of factors, including disruption of pipelines and logistical issues and they are being attended to urgently.”

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala pointed accusing fingers at those she described as unpatriotic marketers who have refused to cooperate with the government. She did not, however, name such marketers.

She said: “It is clear that while the union and most members have been cooperative, some of their members are not. Some of these people have even refused to open Letters of Credit (LCs) to facilitate their payments. We salute the union and the members who are working hard to end this unfortunate situation.

As for those who are working in the other direction, Nigerians should ask them what their motives are.”

To end this unfortunate situation as quickly as possible, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said, “the Petroleum ministry and NNPC are taking strong action to improve supplies in this election season”.

“I’ve been speaking with Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and they’ve assured me that they are working hard to increase supplies and more are on the way.”

She said 40million litres was been distributed in Lagos yesterday with 86 trucks already in Lagos “and another 86 trucks heading for Abuja. Other parts of the country are also included in the plans. So the situation should improve soon.”

The minister said contrary to some speculations, the fuel queues were not caused by payment issues. “We paid the marketers a total of N320.8 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in two installments last December.

“This underscores the fact that we are taking payment of marketers very seriously indeed.

We’ve been in constant touch and talking with the marketers and a week ago we reached an agreement with them on their core concerns, which we have addressed.”

Continued on page 59

Anti-Jega plot crashes as Presidency hits dead end No plan to remove Jega, says Jonathan

Continued from page 1

it is time for INEC chairman to naturally exit his office, then the natural course of public service rule will not take place when he has reached the age of retirement or exhausted his tenure.”

According to a source, the legal advice emphatically said “political appointees are not subject to terminal leave”.

The source added: “I think we have been having this apprehension on Jega’s fate because of the politics which beclouded non-renewal of the tenure of exINEC Chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu. “I think in managing Iwu’s exit, those behind it did not look at the legality of the process in asking him to proceed on leave.”

The source also said the Presidency was advised against allowing Jega to go on terminal leave because the “timing of the agitation is inauspicious and non-strategic”.

A top government official said: “President Goodluck Jonathan will not remove or ask Jega to proceed on terminal leave. He has told the nation of his position and he will stand by his words.”

At INEC, however, a woman National Commissioner is still

T

HE chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega will not be removed as being insinuated in some quarters, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

The president denied plotting the removal of the electoral umpire chairman, saying he had not discussed such an issue with anyone. President Jonathan spoke in an interview with Al Jazeera on Monday.

He said: “Except somebody is insinuating that the INEC chairman has done something wrong, you cannot change an officer except the person has done something wrong. Government does not wake up, whether at the state or federal level; the president or a governor does not wake up and change somebody, especially INEC, which is a very sensitive body.

“So, for me to change the INEC chairman, people, both Nigerians and non-Nigerians, will ask questions. We cannot wake up and change the chairman. I have never

feeling bad that she was linked to the plot against Jega.

“The National Commissioner has been psychologically disturbed that she is being associated with treachery.

“Were it not for pressure, she would have addressed the press with some commissioners on why they are standing by Jega,” a source said.

By Wale Ajetunmobi

discussed this with any human being on earth about changing the INEC chairman.”

Jonathan also re-assured Nigerians that elections will hold as scheduled, dismissing rumours that the Federal Government was plotting another postponement of the general elections.

“I don’t think so,” Jonathan responded when asked if he believed the polls would be shifted again.

The President added: “I believe the elections will be conducted as scheduled by the INEC. That is, national election will hold on the 28th of this month. I don’t see why we should postpone again because I am quite impressed about the successes going on in the North.

“There is a misunderstanding about postponement. In 2011, we conducted elections; we had Boko Haram. The fact is that, within this period, somehow, the level of build-up of the Boko Haram was quite

Duke’s comment is said to have caused disquiet in the cabinet.

“Everyone is disturbed that Edem Duke was not circumspect enough because as a Minister of Information, he ought to know that the press will take note of what is said, intended or unsaid,” a source said, adding:

serious. And from all indications, the signals the security agencies got showed that people are trying to use them to disrupt the elections. In 2011, there was no such signal. If you disrupt elections in number of states, especially for the presidential election, it would affect declaration of results.

“The security service did not want to take any chance. They did not tell Nigerians that they must rout Boko Haram 100 per cent before the elections could be conducted. But, they want to degrade Boko Haram to the extent that, they will not have the strength to disrupt the elections. That is the key thing.”

Jonathan said he believed the military operations in the Northeast would weaken the strength of the Boko Haram, which he said would make the election peaceful. The President denied that he stepped up the fight against insurgency because he was afraid he could lose the presidential election, saying:

“No one is happy that the story about Jega has been bordering on alleged plot to remove or ask him to go on terminal leave by the President.

We believe as cabinet members, we should also not heat up the polity or create an image crisis for this administration. If you have noticed, the debate on Jega’s fate heightened after

Continued on page 61

Duke’s briefing last Friday.

“Not all members of the cabinet approved of Duke’s comments, which left a few things hanging.”

Jega has shelved today’s meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC).

Instead, the INEC chairman has deployed all National Com-

missioners and the 37 REC in 12 states for the mock election taking place on Saturday.

The states selected are: Ekiti and Lagos(South-West); Anambra and Ebonyi(South-East); Delta and Rivers(South-South); Kano and Kebbi(North-West); Bauchi and Taraba(NorthEast); and Niger and Nasarawa(North-Central).

The mock election will be used for “field testing of the functionality of the Smart Card Readers”.

A National Commissioner said: “All National Commissioners and RECs are going to take part in the mock election which we are using to measure our preparation for the general election.

“The session between INEC chairman and RECs will now hold next week to enable the commission to consider the report on the mock election.”

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said we cannot play the ostrich with the plot to scuttle the elections.“It is clear that some people are not interested in a Continued on page 59

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

5

NEWS Power supply dips to 2,886.87MW From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (second left) and All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof Yemi Osinbajo (second right) during the party’s campaign in Sagamu.

APC: theft of $12b gas fund, subsidy debts caused fuel scarcity T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed the fuel scarcity on the alleged looting of the $12 billion domestic gas fund and President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure to pay fuel subsidy.

It said lack of payment of subsidy and cost of interests on bank loans has made it impossible for marketers to import refined petroleum products.

In a statement in Dubai yesterday, its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Jonathan administration decided to divert attention from those problems by accusing the opposition of being responsible for the scarcity.

The party described the accusation as “a most laughable and irresponsible by a sitting government that always so eager to blame everyone, but itself for the nation’s woes”.

It noted that the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had, in February, promised to pay the N264 billion owed to the marketers as subsidy along

with the accrued interest.

APC noted that the failure to meet this obligation has made it impossible for the oil marketers to finance another round of products importation.

The party said: ‘’The truth is that this profligate government has run Nigeria aground, and the oil sector, whether upstream or downstream, has particularly suffered hugely. The quantity of petroleum products that was imported has almost been fully consumed, without fresh products being brought in to augment supplies that have now fallen well below re-order level ‘’The implication is that in addition to worsening power supply, crumbling prices of oil at the international market, weakening Naira and unprecedented corruption. Nigerians, who routinely provide their own electricity to power their homes and business, now have to face another round of government-imposed hardship with the ongoing fuel scarcity.”

It said the fuel crisis would not have reached the stage it was had the $12 bil-

lion domestic gas project fund not been looted under President Jonathan’s watch.

“This is because, with the project being executed, many vehicles, cooking stoves and generators would have been converted to use gas to reduce the importation of PMS, diesel and kerosene; and gas would have been available to fire the gas turbines at power stations while more power would have been delivered to the national grid,” it alleged.

APC accused President Jonathan of sabotaging the domestic gas project started by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with the $12 billion cash call provisions for gas development for domestic power generation, which the party alleged was looted under President Jonathan’s watch.

“Late President Yar’Adua made the first allocation of $1.5 billion for this project in 2009. The amount was not spent at the time of his death in 2010. However, direct outlays through annual cash calls continued to be credited to the project account so much

so that by December 2014, $12 billion had been accumulated in the same account.

“Had this project been successfully implemented as envisaged, had the funds made available for the project not been looted by the cabal that is holding Nigeria by the jugular, power generation would have improved with uninterrupted gas supply to power the turbines at power station, while the domestic consumption of PMS, diesel and kerosene would have reduced, with an increasing number of vehicles, cooking stoves and power generators being converted to use gas instead of PMS, diesel or kerosene,’’ the party said: It also criticised the Jonathan Administration “for its inability or unwillingness or both to secure power installations from contrived sabotage”.

“For a Federal Government that is in control of one million people under arms (military, police, civil defence corps, etc), and one that has spent in excess of N4 trillion on security, there is no

P

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

dent Jonathan has been doing.

“I want to commend not only the President, but also members of the Federal Executive Council, who have opened the eyes of Nigerians to know that so many things have been done in the different sectors of the economy.

“It was as if people did not know these things because the opposition took over and they kept saying PDP was doing nothing. Yet, in four years of the President’s tenure, he has achieved far more than any President had ever done in the history of our country.”

He noted that the next election, particularly the presidential elections of March 28, will be about performance and issues.

“Nigerians have since gone above the level of tribalism

and ethnic or religion differences. God put us together in this country and He knew that we are a multiplicity of religions and tribes.

“God brought us together.

So, we believe in the unity and oneness of this country. The same way we came together in 2011 and voted for President Jonathan, that is the same way we are returning him based on the fact that he has performed creditably and that the PDP has discharged its responsibilities to Nigerians to the best of its ability based on available resources,” Akpabio said.

He said the party also met with its governorship candidates to explain to them the essence of mobilising their subjects to ensure that they collect their PVCs. The governor added that the meeting also dwell on in-

Alleged missing N30trn: SERAP sues Okonjo-Iweala THE Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been sued in court by a civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), over her “failure to provide information about spending of the alleged missing N30 trillion.

The money, SERAP said, “represents some accruable income to the Federal Government in the past four years.”

The suit filed at the Federal High Court Ikoyi followed a Freedom of Information request by SERAP to Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala dated February 2, 2015.

The originating summons with suit was filed on behalf of the organisation by SERAP Senior Staff Attorney, Olukayode Majekodunmi.

The suit followed disclosure by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, that over N30 trillion had been missing, or stolen, or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged under the minister’s watch.

AIG warns ports police against illegal weapons’ importation

2015 polls: Jonathan, PDP governors meet RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state governors and governorship candidates on Monday night brainstormed on how to ensure victory for the party in March 28 and April 11 polls.

The Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

He said: “The party is strategising on how to not just win election, but ensure that we win peace. It is very clear now that the opposition is in disarray. I am sure you have all seen that.

“Propaganda can only take you up to a limit after which the reality becomes the norm.

Today, Nigerians are much more aware of what the PDP administration under Presi-

justifiable reason why power installations could not be secured against sabotage,’’ APC said.

The party said the real saboteurs and those who have pushed Nigeria to another sorry state of fuel scarcity were those who have stolen the money earmarked for gas gathering, processing and transportation for domestic power production, saying: “Nigerians know who and where those people are”.

It said Nigerians must be wondering whether those who accused the APC of being behind the fuel shortage had their heads properly screwed to their bodies, because the accusation marked a new low in the sad saga of the Jonathan Administration. ‘’They (Nigerians) must be wondering when the APC took over the running of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), when the APC took charge of subsidy payment and why the opposition should become the easy scapegoat of an ineffectual, clueless, incompetent, visionless and thieving government. Absurdity has no other meaning,” APC said.

ELECTRICITY supply by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which has been on a steady decline since last week, fell to 2,886.87 Megawatts on February 28.

According to statistics published on Ministry of Power’s website yesterday, energy sent out fell from 3,063.23MW on February 25 to 2,886.87 MW in the period under review.

The situation, which the ministry’s Deputy Director (Press), Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, blamed on routine gas pipeline maintenance by Seplat Limited, culminated in the loss of 175.36MW. He said: “Honestly, the last one I had was as a result of this maintenance work on the gas pipeline by Seplat.”

From 3,623.11 MW of February 23, the market degenerated 3,063.23MW on February 25 from where it further dipped to the current 2,886.87 MW.

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

T •Dr. Jonathan

ternal reconciliation in the party.

“After the major primaries that we had, we need to reconcile people so that everybody can move in accord. I can tell Nigerians today that the party is poised for victory. The PDP is very ready to win. I am happy that the people are listening because in those days, I kept telling them that their propaganda cannot win a war.

The propaganda has reached a point.”

HE Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, Kalafite H. Adeyemi, has warned policemen on duty at ports to ensure that no illegal weapons are shipped into the country ahead of the rescheduled general elections.

AIG Adeyemi gave the directive when she visited officials of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and port policemen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

She was on an official tour of Eastern Ports, including Rivers, Onne, Warri and Calabar ports, to appeal to security operatives to ensure adequate security to avoid any loophole that could make importation of illegal firearms through the ports possible.

The police chief said: “The importance of this visit cannot be complete without giving notice that no election can take place in the absence of viable service.

“The success of 2015 general election rests on our shoulders in being vigilant. Therefore, all efforts should be geared towards avoiding criminal elements from using our ports to bring in weapons and dangerous materials for use to cause violence during the elections.”

The visitor expressed gratitude for the cordiality that had existed between her men and officials of the NPA and pledged to strengthen it to ensure the environment was safe for business activities and growth of the economy.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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NEWS Appeal Court clears Jonathan to contest election From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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HE Court of Appeal in Abuja held yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan was qualified to contest the next presidential election.

The court held that Jonathan had never taken the oath of office as elected president, except in 2011 and could not be said not to be qualified to further stand election.

In a unanimous judgment by a five-man bench, the court held that President Jonathan could not be said to have taken the of office as President twice before now, because he became President after the death of President Umar Yar’Adua, not through election, but by mere constitutional provision.

The judgment was on an appeal filed on April 16, 2013 by Cyracus Njoku, who challenged the March 13, 2013judgment

by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi (then of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but now of the Court of Appeal).

Justice Oniyangi had dismissed Njoku’s suit and held that President Jonathan was eligible to contest in 2015.

On whether Njoku has locus standi to initiate the suit, the appellate court agreed with Justice Oniyangi’s finding that he did not by virtue of the fact that the case was speculative and imaginary, and that none of the reliefs conferred any benefit on him.

Justice Datijo Yahaya, in the lead judgment, upheld Justice Oniyangi’s finding as to the eligibility of President Jonathan for the next presidential election.

•From left: British Military Training Team Leader, Brig. Jonny Bourne; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah and Chief of Training Operation (Army), Maj.-Gen. John Ewansiha, at a seminar in Jaji Kaduna...yesterday.

‘APC ’ll create jobs, wealth’ F T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that the party will implement its economic recovery policies to create employment for jobless youths and wealth for the citizenry.

Its vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, spoke yesterday while addressing Niger Delta youths in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He said the implementation of a national economic recovery policy was the surest way to secure jobs for millions of the nation’s jobless youths and a deliberate policy of APC towards a national economic recovery.

As part of the economic recovery plan, he said APC government would grant tax incentives to employers with as low as 10 employees.

He said this would be done to encourage employers of labour to keep their employees, expand their business and employ more people.

Prof. Osinbajo, who addressed youths from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa on the theme: “Secure the future: Discussing Change with the youths”, at Amazing Grace Events Centre in the state capital, said over 80 per cent of the nation’s youths were not

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

positively engaged because of the failings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration over the years.

He noted that the youth population in Nigeria was larger than the population of some African countries and that it would take a determined government like the one to be led by the APC to device and implement wellthought-out policies aimed at creating gainful employments for millions of youths.

The APC vice presidential candidate told the gathering that the future of Nigeria rest on what the nation does with its youths today.

The party, he promised, would secure “the future of Nigeria by positively engaging the youths across the nation”.

Once in power, Prof. Osinbajo assured, the party would secure at least 20,000 jobs per state for the Nigerian youths in the first instance.

He identified technology as one major area of growth the party would employ to secure jobs for Nigerians.

He added that the party would establish major technology incubation centres from where Nigerians would get involve in direct production of computers, smart-

phones and other related accessories as was the case in APC-controlled Osun State.

He said the APC government at the centre would build industrial parks, encourage out-sourcing of jobs, introduce entrepreneurial training into the nation’s education to enable the youth to become self-dependent and become employment generators on leaving school instead of depending on government alone.

According to him, the party would also establish Energy Academy, where professionals for the energy sector would be trained.

He noted that a seriousminded government should be able to identify great potential, where jobs for the people are created and secured.

On national power problem, Prof. Osinbajo said the APC government would decentralise power generation issues as was being done by the APC government in Lagos State, where he said certain areas were identified and efforts made by government to provide steady power for them.

The party’s vice presidential candidate noted that if conscious efforts were taken and power provided for business clusters, they would allow firms to retain their employ-

ees, remain in business, employ more people as well as pay tax to the government.

“The retail business, sports and entertainment sectors of the economy have been taken care of by the party with a view to providing jobs for the youth and progress for the nation,” he assured the youths.

Prof. Osinbajo said Nigeria’s problem was not all about the falling price of crude oil in the international market, but about corruption under the PDP-led government in last 16 years.

He said those opposing the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, were doing so out of fear for his anti-corruption posture.

“We will put a government in place that is ready to fight corruption. The reason they are afraid of Buhari is for fear of arrest to stop corruption. We will check misgovernance across the country,” he stated.

The Edo State Deputy Governor assured the Akwa Ibom State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, that winning the governorship election of Akwa Ibom Stare was a possibility.

He reminded him and the Akwa Ibom people that it was thought impossible to remove PDP from Edo State, adding that was a history now.

Tinubu petitions NBC over AIT documentary

By Seun Akioye

ORMER Lagos State Governor and All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has petition the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), seeking sanctions against the Africa Independent Television (AIT) for broadcasting “derogatory and offensive” documentary against him.

The petition by his lawyer Olatunji Abayomi asked the NBC to restrain the AIT and any other media organisation from producing or reproducing the “defamatory documentary”.

Abayomi said the documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilon”, which aired on AIT between March 1 and 2, violated paragraphs 3.1.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.5 and paragraphs 5.2.1 – 5.2.22 of National Broadcasting Commission Code.

The lawyer, who described the documentary as “extremely libellous”, said the NBC should act swiftly to safeguard its integrity and secure the reputation of the media.

He noted that even though AIT wrote “sponsored” on the documentary, the television station did not reveal the identity of such sponsors, an indication that it has something to hide.

“The said documentary is offensive, derogatory, unethical, destructive, and politically motivated to serve the interest of the anonymous ‘sponsor’. You may wish to particularly note that although AIT wrote “sponsored” when broadcasting the documentary, it never during or after the broadcast revealed the “sponsors”, an indication that AIT had something to hide,” Abayomi said.

Customs boss restates ban on roadblocks

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HE Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, has restated that the ban on roadblocks and checkpoints by men of the service in the hinterland within the country is still in force.

Abdullahi restated this when he received the Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said officers of the service could only intercept vehicles in the hinterland based on credible information, either that the vehicle carried contraband or smuggled goods.

He restated his stand on banning of roadblocks because “it is not dignified and it is not in our character to mount roadblocks in the hinterland.

“Our job is at the border; it is 40 kilometres radius within the border area where our officers are allowed to mount road blocks to check whatever goods that are brought into the country.

Falana gives Fani-Kayode ultimatum to apologise to Osinbajo

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AGOS-based lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has given the Director of Media, Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, seven days within which to tender apology over statement credited to him, disparaging the person of the vice presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the party’s National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Falana, in a letter addressed to Fani-Kayode dated February 28, 2015, said he would proceed to court in line with Prof. Osinbajo’s instruction to seek appropriate legal remedies for dissemination of defamatory statements published in the media, if Fani-Kayode fails to retract the statement and tender apology

By Adebisi Onanuga

to the APC presidential running mate at the end of the seven-day ultimatum, which took effect from February 28, 2015.

The lawyer demanded from Fani-Kayode an “immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatory publication and apology on four television channels and four national newspapers circulating in all parts of Nigeria, including every one by, or in which the statement was published, carried or covered and for damages in the sum of N2 billion”.

Fani-Kayode was reported to have published a statement titled: “APC is selling a dummy to the whole world; Tinubu is the real candidate”.

Falana said the statement by

Fani-Kayode contained multiple allegations, including that Asiwaju Tinubu had an “ungodly plan” to seize the presidency of Nigeria by subterfuge and that Prof. Osinbajo was the “stooge” of the APC National Leader.

Fani-Kayode was also said to have alleged that Prof. Osinbajo made a secret oath with Asiwaju Tinubu to be his surrogate as vice president for a period of six months to be followed by his resignation.

It was said that “the statement was initially disseminated on Channels TV’s frequency, 614.60 MHz (Channel: 39 UHF) and as such, disseminated to an audience of over 20 million people estimated

by Channels TV as its viewership.

“In addition, and in furtherance of your enterprise,

you additionally published the content of the statement by other means, including print and online media. The statement has since been subject of wide coverage by multiple newspapers in their print and electronic editions, as well as news platforms that operate exclusively online.

“As it were, the statement has now been published and circulated to an undetermined number of people in Nigeria and internationally outside Nigeria”.

The erudite lawyer added that the statement made by Fani-Kayode was also published in the Punch newspaper of February 28, 2015, adding that the reportage of the statement in an online news service, The Will, was presented under the headline,

“PDP Campaign Alleges Tinubu Plots to Take Over Presidential Power from Buhari” and posted on February 27, 2015.

“In your press briefing, with premeditation, deliberation and articulation, you falsely announced to “the whole world” what you described as “a sinister plan by the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist on our dear nation an evil, ungodly, wicked and ruthless agenda” through the candidature of Prof. Osinbajo (SAN) in the event that the APC wins the election”.

Falana said Fani-Kayode’s characterisation of Prof. Osinbajo as a “stooge” in context “suggests that he is complicit in a fraud against Nigerian people; is participating in a

device that constitutes subterfuge and lacks integrity, in concert with others characterised as evil, insensitive, wicked, selfish and desperate; that Prof. Osinbajo’s intention is inconsistent with his publicly acclaimed and validated record of competence, honesty and integrity.

“That Prof, Osinbajo who is a pastor, professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria has engaged in conduct that is incompatible with his faith, role/ethics as a senior and respected lawyer.

“It is clear that the entire publication was a vicious, wicked and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public”, he stated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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NEWS N1.2b contract for Ekiti carpenters From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has awarded a N1.2 billion contract to make chairs and tables in public schools to the Carpenters and Furniture Makers Association.

Fayose said the gesture was to empower local artisans and grow the local economy.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the association yesterday, Fayose said the action was part of his administration’s stomach infrastructure agenda.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo, Fayose said the project, which is a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project, covering six local government areas.

He said: “This is an empowerment project. We are awarding the furniture aspect of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project to these local furniture makers.

“The project covers six local governments. The project would cost the government about N1.2 billion.

This gesture by the governor is a first. He did this to make good his promise to empower local contractors and artisans.”

Ekiti varsity workers protest A unpaid arrears CTIVITIES at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) have been paralysed by an indefinite strike.

All workers unions are protesting the non-payment of January and February salaries.

Lecturers, under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), were the first to begin the strike on Monday before being joined by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).

The strike has turned the

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

university into a ghost town.

Commercial drivers are feeling the impact of the strike because of low patronage.

On the campus yesterday, lecturers’ offices were shut.

The university teachers vowed they would not return to the classrooms, until their salaries were paid.

The EKSU-ASUU Chair-

man, Prof. Olufayo Oluodo, said the lecturers had to stay away from work because non-payment of their salaries had made life difficult for them.

Oluodo said: “For now, I am at home and members of the union are also in their homes because we can’t be going to work when we are being owed salaries.

“Our members have no money to run around. We have not been paid this

year.

“We have made our position known to the university authorities and we have written to the government on the matter.

“We have met with the deputy governor to resolve the matter and another meeting with government has been slated for tomorrow.”

SSANU Chairman Kolawole Falade and NASU Chairman Tope Akanni said they were on strike to press home their demand for the payment of their twomonth salary arrears.

Stop victimising teachers, Fayose advised

A

LL Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of victimising teachers, who are perceived enemies of his administration.

The party said victimising a section of the populace on the basis of partisan sentiment is not a mark of dispassionate leadership.

Reacting to reports of selective transfers of some teachers to remote communities, APC’s Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatubosun said such action by the governor was an abuse of power.

“We are worried that shortly after he was sworn in, Fayose started marking

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

down all the ‘enemy-teachers’ he perceived as not supporting him, for punishment.

What we have now is taking authority to transfer teachers from the Teaching Service Commission and placing it in the hands of his Special Assistant on Internal Security, who goes around schools pointing those to be transferred and telling them the reasons for that punishment,” Olatubosun said.

APC spokesman also accused the governor of alleged plans to downsize the state work force after election promises to enhance workers’ welfare and pro-

vide jobs for the youth. He said it was callous to plan retrenchment of workers after refusing to pay their two months salary.

His words: “We now know the reason why the governor called workers to a meeting at Ekitiparapo Square where he told them that it would be difficult to pay their salaries starting from March.

“The question is, what is the governor doing with the allocations and savings made through cuts in running grants, sacking of permanent secretaries and abolition of social security scheme for the elderly, traffic management agency and Peace Corps running into

millions of naira, particularly as he runs a lean government of a four-member cabinet “Ekiti workers have now seen through the tricks of the man who calls himself the friend of workers. We warned the workers against supporting a man who would take them to the black market.

“As seen in the Ekiti election rigging tape, the world now knows how the governor got his purported victory after which he rallied workers to defend a fraudulent and illegitimate victory.

He is now punishing the same workers with unpaid salaries, punitive transfers and plans to retrench.”

19 parties sign peace deal From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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INETEEN political parties in Ondo State yesterday signed a peace accord. The parties include: Accord; Action Alliance (AA); African Democratic Congress (ADC); African Peoples Alliance (APA); Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Alliance for Democracy (AD); All Progressives Congress (APC); Citizen Popular Party (CPP); Hope Democratic Party (HDP); Kowa Party (KP) and Labour Party (LP) Others are Mega Progressives People Party (MPPP); National Conscience Party (NCP); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN); Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA); Social Democratic Party (SDP); United Democratic Party (UDP) and United Progressives Party (UPP).

Police Commissioner Isaac Eke described peace as the bedrock upon which democracy thrives in the world.

He said no credible leadership could emerge in an atmosphere of rancour, violence and chaos.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Segun Agbaje hailed the parties for abiding by the rules and regulations guiding the electoral laws.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko said politicians’ actions before, during and after the elections were major determinants to peaceful elections.

Mimiko, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Kola Ademujimi, implored parties to be sportsmanly by accepting whoever wins the election, most especially if the conduct of such election is credible.

Youth programme in Alimosho

A

GROUP, Peculiar Youth International Initiative, in conjunction with Alimosho Local Government, is organising a teenage grooming programme, titled: “Life as a Teenager”.

It is scheduled to take place at the local government secretariat hall tomorrow by 10am.

Expected at the event is a motivational speaker, Comrade Awa Bamiji, who is the executive president, Bola Ige Centre for Justice and national coordinator.

Omatseye donates books to LASU

By Everistus Onwuzurike

T

HE Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Sam Omatseye, has donated some books to the students of the Lagos State University (LASU).

The donation was made to students of the Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication at the school campus.

Adedeji Badejo, who represented the columnist, said the books were Omatseye’s contribution to enhance the reading culture of students.

Badejo said: “Out of the benevolence of Sam Omateseye, he is donating 150 copies of his book, In Touch, to LASU students.

“The book comprises articles of his column on the back page of The Nation.”

The Dean of the faculty, Dr Rotimi Olatunji, thanked the donor and promised to use the books to enhance learning and performance.

‘Vote out PDP’

T

•Osun State Governor State Rauf Aregbesola (second right); Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori ; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gboyega Famodun (left) and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kolapo Alimi at a campaign rally for APC candidates at Ilie, Olorunda Local Government Area...yesterday.

Ambode promises tax relief, leave bonus

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HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has explained further the issue of leave bonus for civil servants.

Speaking at an event in Eko Club, Surulere, Ambode said: “What existed prior to 2010 was the Harmonised Salary Scheme (HSS) where leave bonus was paid as a lump sum in July, September and December because salary items were broken down into Basic, Leave Bonus, Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance etc.

“But under the Consolidated Salary Scheme (CSS), which is higher than the HSS by 25 per cent, no differentiation is made on items and leave bonus is monthly as

part of the salary.

“This explains why there is no leave bonus being paid separately to civil servants.

However, since it seems that the people prefer the lump sum payment, the way to go is that the leave bonus component could be deducted monthly and paid as a lump sum when it is desired.

“Based on the agreement between the union and the government, the leave bonus that is paid monthly would be deducted and paid as a lump sum in the month that you want.

“In essence, the salary would reflect a reduction to the tune of that amount. I am not against this and would support the workers in how they want their leave bonus paid.”

On the controversy surrounding his resignation from the civil service at 43, the APC candidate said he is not surprised that people were finding it difficult to believe this because it’s an unprecedented gesture.

He said he had enjoyed the grace of God to have been able to attain the peak of his career at an early age becoming a permanent secretary at 37, auditor-general of local government 12 years later and accountant general of the state at 43.

“Having served as accountant-general for six years, the job became monotonous and was no longer challenging.

And I felt that the only way I could break the record in the civil service was retire before 50. It was more or less like a

•Ambode

record for me.

“I gave the mandatory three-month notice before retirement and was never called back to answer any question on my tenure nor indicted for fraud. In fact, Governor Babatunde Fashola wrote me a commendation letter.”

The APC candidate promised tax reliefs to all deserving Lagosians if elected.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has told President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the conscience of voters cannot be bought with money.

The party, however, encouraged Lagosians to take the money being offered by the PDP but urged them to vote out a government that has not bettered their lot in 16 years.

Its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, urged Lagosians to be suspicious of the President’s romance with the Southwest in the run-up to the rescheduled election.

He alleged that the President has been organising bazaar under the guise of meeting with interest groups.

“If the ruling PDP has done the needful, its landmarks, and not bribery would have spoken for its candidates.

“It is an admittance of failure for the Jonathan regime that made more money from the huge oil boom than the four preceding regimes combined, but with nothing to show for it.

“Lagosians, and indeed all Nigerians, must reflect what Nigeria will look like if PDP comes back to power and cleanses the treasury and waits till the next election to bribe voters to once again vote for it.

"For over one week, President Jonathan has been permanently holed up in Lagos, where he is meeting religious, ethnic and tribal groups."

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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NEWS Why Yoruba will reject Jonathan, by Southwest APC From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC), Southwest Zone, yesterday described last week’s summit by some Yoruba elders and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders as “the gathering of strange bedfellows”.

It said it was a futile effort to promote a bad product.

The party, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Ayo Afolabi, said those championing President Goodluck Jonathan’s cause in the Southwest are aware that they are in the minority.

The party listed reasons why Yoruba would not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 28 election, saying he has squandered the confidence the Yoruba reposed in him since 2010.

The statement reads: “Those championing Jonathan’s cause in the Southwest know they are in the minority and that is why, despite purporting to be acting in Yoruba’s interest, they held a conference that was not open to the public.

“It is insulting and delusional for them to think they can decide for Yoruba people .

“Also, that Tony Uranta and Peter Obi attended a ‘Yoruba summit’ in supervisory role from the Presidency is another addition to the list of insults to the Yoruba nation from the Jonathan administration.

“Jonathan candidacy is unsellable. Southwest people will speak with their votes on March 28.

“As it was in 2010, when Nigerians were united across ethnic and religious divides against bad governance; so will it be on March 28 when they will choose Muhammadu Buhari.”

Symposium tomorrow

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WEEKLY newspaper, Mail Express, will tomorrow in Lagos hold a symposium on “The Role of Media in Achieving Violence-free Elections in Nigeria”.

A team of eminent scholars and journalists, including President of the Guild of Editors Femi Adesina, The Nation’s Editor at Large Segun Ayobolu, Goddy Nwazuruike, Dr. Dapo Thomas, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe and Titilope Akosa, will speak at the event.

‘Caution your husbands’ From Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

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HE wife of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mrs. Angela Folarin, has urged women to caution their husband against thuggery.

Mrs. Folarin spoke yesterday after collecting her Permanent Voter Card (PVC) at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akanran, Ona-Ara Local Government Area.

According to her, no political office seeker will allow his child to be a political thug or get involved in any activity that would cause violence and disorder in the state.

She said there was a need to maintain a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the general elections.

•From left: Son-in-law Kunle Taiwo; daughter Mrs Yinka Taiwo; another daughter Hon Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; son, Deji; son-in-law Hakeem Bakare and daughter Mrs Tosin Aloboh Bakare at an evening of tributes by sportsmen and women of Lagos State for the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

‘We’re not responsible for Ibadan violence’

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday denied claims by Accord that its supporters attacked Accord members at a rally in Odinjo, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Two people died and scores others were injured when thugs attacked an Accord rally oranised by a House of Representatives candidate, Gbenga Adewusi and a candidate for the House of Assembly election, Ademola Ige. The APC said the political violence was a supremacy battle between thugs supporting one of the candidates and hoodlums in the area.

The party, which called on security agencies to prosecute the perpetrators, emphasised that the pride of the Abiola Ajimobi-led administration was the peace it worked hard to achieve in the last four years.

APC Chairman Chief Akin Oke said Accord was quick to blame the APC for the violence, when it was aware that its supporters and a group of hoodlums clashed in a battle for supremacy.

Ladoja: we’ll not tolerate violence against our party

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HE governorship candidate of Accord in Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, has said his party will not tolerate any violence against its supporters.

Two people died and scores others were injured when thugs attacked an Accord rally oranised by a House of Representatives candidate, Gbenga Adewusi and a candidate of the House of Assembly, Ademola Ige. Ladoja urged the police to ensure that justice was served so that his party supporters will not die in vain.

The Accord candidate spoke at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where eight Accord members were being treated.

Ladoja assured that his party men will wait for the police to arrest all the perpetrators.

He said the Odinjo event was a meeting and From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

The APC Chairman said none of the eight suspects arrested is an APC member, adding that none of them confessed to be an APC supporter.

He said APC is a party of peaceful people who are constantly working for the peace and progress of the state.

Oke said: “It is regrettable that the organisers of the rally

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

not rally as previously published in the media.

“We do not think that this will have any setback on our campaign. Our party is a masses party. The people have made up their minds to vote for Accord and they cannot be deterred.

They cannot scare us.

“I cut short my holiday because of this dastardly act. It is not acceptable to us and we have told all the security agencies that we shall not tolerate violence against our people. The security agencies should ensure that justice is served.

“How can a sane person shoot anotherhuman being? It is barbaric and totally uncalled for.

The governor should not provide selective security for his party men alone. We appeal to the police to ensure that justice is served.”

and the Accord leadership are quick to blame our great party for the incident which, we understand, has been turned to another mantra by the opposition to make a mince meat of APC’s peace mantra in the state.

“As a responsive party, we feel pained each time the agents of darkness achieve their goal of puncturing the prevailing peace and tranquil-

ity in the land by sponsoring violence.

“The rally could have been held to disrupt the peace since organisers deliberately refused to obtain police permit or even inform any security agency as required by law.

“The fact that only the two Accord candidates were present at the rally, speaks volume.

“We have it on good author-

Fashola: vote incumbent candidates AGOS State Governor with track record Babatunde Fashola has

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said the track record of incumbent candidates seeking re-election should be the basis upon which Nigerians should cast their votes.

According to the governor, incumbent candidates had enough time to prove their mettle when they were in office, pointing out that newbies making fresh promises are deceptive.

Fashola spoke at the inauguration of a network of nine roads in Maidan-Aina-Agiliti area of Mile 12, Kosofe Local Government Area and 18classroom block in Aiyedire Ajibola Senior High School, Ketu.

He urged the electorate to reject politicians doling out foreign currencies and other incentives, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was involved in this trend to induce the electorate.

Challenging President Goodluck Jonathan, Fashola

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

said he had failed in keeping the promises he made in 2011.

“Has he done the Lagos Airport Road? He is back again promising you this and that. A government that has spent six years should be presenting its track record and achievements, instead of making empty promises again. Beware of them.

“If you collect dollars, know that you have collected your security, your roads and your infrastructure.

“It is demeaning, degrading and insulting that anyone who has made promises to come back and offer you money.

“Tell them your dignity and your vote cannot be bought with naira or dollars.”

The governor said the road project was evidence that his administration was keeping

faith with the slum regeneration and urban renewal plan.

“I was here in 2007 and this place was taken over by flood. The only source of movement from Kosofe to Maidan was by canoe. You were all very unhappy and asked for culvert and jetty.

“I said no, since you pay your taxes, I promised to give you a first-class bridge and you have it today. This is for me the value of democracy, where you can hold politicians accountable,” he said.

He emphasised that all politicians should keep their promises; otherwise they would not be eligible for reelection.

On the new classroom blocks, he said any government that must discharge its responsibility must do so for the welfare of its children.

“They must be taught survival skills. Build facilities and prepare them for what

•Fashola

they want to do in life.

“If you work in a place where you cannot be proud to invite children to come and visit you, then there is a problem. It elevates teaching, self esteem and pride of a teacher to say boldly that he is a teacher.

“Every school will get grant for annual maintenance All the money that would have been used to build schools and infrastructure, they are sharing it in dollars. Remember that while somebody brought dollar at the last minute, somebody has been under the sun for eight years.”

ity that the fracas which ensued during the rally was instigated by a supremacy battle between two groups of miscreants-one belonging to the campaign train of Akeem Ademola Ige and the other belonging to some urchins at Odinjo.

“We also got wind of a clandestine meeting which was held among some leaders of the PDP, Accord and Labour Party, where it was agreed that APC members would be attacked.

“We make bold to say that no APC member was involved in the mayhem. We are using this medium to warn the opposition against further breach of peace.”

Ido-Osun presents memo on disputes From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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DO-OSUN Community in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State yesterday presented a memorandum before a Commission of Enquiry on Communal Clashes and Land Disputes set up by the government.

Appearing before the Justice Oyejide Falola-led commission, the Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, tendered several documents, which were admitted as evidence.

The monarch, who was among three witnesses on the side of Ido-Osun, told the commission that Ede and Osogbo have always caused problem for his people.

Oba Adedapo, who said the two communities because of their size and population were threatening his subjects, thanked the government for setting up the commission.

The traditional ruler lamented that Ede took the compensation paid by the state government for the land where the M.K.O. Abiola Airport was situated by deceiving the government that it was the original owner of the land.

The monarch noted that he was not after the money paid to Ede but he wanted the state government to recognise that the land belong to Ido-Osun.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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CITYBEATS L Lagos hands over Maidan-Agiliti CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday handed over the Maidan-Aina-Agiliti network of roads and bridge in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, stating that the successful completion of the project is a promise made and kept.

The Governor spoke before cutting the tape to open the road and four others including Oremerin/Ibikunle, Oniyanrin, Ajanlekoko- Oluwo and Adeyeye.

He described the Maidan- AinaAgiliti roads as another evidence of slum regeneration and urban renewal.

“I was here in 2007 and 2008 and have been here every year until we came now. It was overtaken by flood. Canoe was the only means. They asked to make them boxed culverts and to make them a jetty and somebody said the community has been separated from Kosofe for over 50 years,” he said.

According to him, the new roads and bridge has brought prosperity to all the people in the area, with the traders commuting easily with their wares and Landlords also enjoying an increase in rate of properties due to the new roads.

Governor Fashola said the project represents the value of democracy where voters can hold politicians responsible for the promises that they made to them.

He said: “Our work is not finished, for the 800 metres stretch remaining that the residents want us to complete, let us make a promise here today that if you vote for all my party candidates at all levels during the general elections, I assure you that we will come and finish that road. It is social contract, you want something, I promise you that I would do it.

“You stand in the sun and in the rain and you will vote. Once you finish voting, be sure that you will see me in the sun and in the

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LAGOS High Court will on Friday decide whether to stop the coroner inquest into the last September 12 Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) collapsed building.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu reserved ruling yesterday after hearing a suit brought by SCAN’s founder Prophet Temitope Joshua and its board of trustees against the coroner, chief magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

She deferred the ruling, which was initially billed for yesterday, to enable the parties address her on whether the coroner is a “juristic” person that can sue and be sued.

Justice Okunnu said she raised

roads, bridge

•The Maidan-Aina-Agiliti road. INSET: Residents of Agiliti... yesterday

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

rain and I have been there for the last eight years. Because I always remember that you voted for me in the sun, you stood in the rain, I cannot hide under the canopy when it is my turn to fulfil my part, you have fulfilled your vote. That is why today you are seating down under canopy while I am in the sun. This is the real opportunity for you to show that you are the masters.”

The Governor warned that if the people fail to change the Government at the centre now, the Dollar that is now exchanging for over N210 may go as high as N300 to One Dollar, adding that instead of the Federal Government providing a solution to the ongoing fuel scarcity, it is accusing the All Progressives Congress of being responsible for it.

He thanked the Special Adviser on Works, Ganiyu Johnson

who commenced work on the project and the Commissioner for Works, Dr Femi Hamzat who completed it, all the staff who worked on the project and the main contractors, Messrs CCCEC for a job well done.

Speaking earlier, Dr Hamzat said the new roads include Ibikunle Oremerin, Oniyanrin, Ajanlekoko- Oluwo and Adeyeye and have all been designed to handle flooding that comes with opening of Oyan Dam in the area.

He added that the Bridge which is 300 metres length is also heavily fortified with 364 piles and can last up to 300 years, just as the roads have been provided with service ducts to prevent cutting for laying pipes.

He urged the residents and the Community Development Associations (CDAs) to take ownership of the roads and bridge.

According to him, the roads and bridge are constructed with tax payers’ money.

Ruling in Synagouge’s case Friday

By Adebisi Onanuga

the issue because she considered it vital to the determination of the case.

The parties will address the court on the issue before its ruling on Friday.

SCOAN is praying the Justice Okunnu to suspend the inquest and the coroner’s invitation to Joshua to testify, pending the determination of his suit against Komolafe.

It is seeking to bar coroner from exceeding his jurisdiction on

the inquest into the death of unknown persons in the collapsed building.

No fewer than 115 people mostly South Africans died in the incident.

When the case resumed yesterday, SCOAN’s Chief Security Officer Mr Sunday Okojie told Chief Magistrate Komolafe that the church “is a secure haven”.

According to the CSO, the buildings within the church premises have always been under security surveillance before and after the September 12 incident.

Before the incident, security personnel and officials were deployed on their respective duty posts and in all the entrance and exit points.

He said there was no side of the premises that was left unsecured.

He told the court that Visitors Coordinators (VCs), a team in his department, was assigned to visitors and guests, adding that the jurisdiction of the VCs are not restricted, hence they have access into guests’ rooms to ensure their safety.

The church, he said, has two entrances adding that for security

•Pastor Temitope Joshua

reason, only one was now left open after the incident.

I became impotent after sleeping with my wife, says man

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THE last time I slept with my wife was the last time my manhood functioned.

On that day, my wife gave me a special treatment when I returned from work which led us to our bedroom. Surprisingly, during lovemaking, I had a terrible attack. I fell from the bed and excreted on my body. I thought I was going to die because it was like magun (charm) was placed on me.

As I speak, it’s been three years since I slept with any woman. I am impotent.”

These were the words of a 67year-old pensioner, Asimiyu Olayinka, who pleaded with the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos yesterday to dissolve his 26year-old marriage to Fatimo, who he accused of adultery.

He said: “I married her solely because my second wife was troublesome. I wasn’t even bothered

•‘He beats me for sex’

By Basirat Braimah

she had two sons from her previous marriages because when I met her, she was the best woman in the world. She took care of the seven children I had from my previous marriages. The problem started when I retired in 2005. She stopped listening to me likewise our children. Our first daughter dropped out of secondary school because I asked her to repeat a class and her mother was not in support.

“My wife is fond of entertaining men at the frontage of our house which I am strongly against. At my age, I still fetch water and wash my clothes. I never believed she could engage in extra marital sex until I saw her

walk out from a hotel with a colandlord in our neighbourhood.

She was shocked to see me but I greeted her. It’s been one year since I stopped asking about her movement. It is painful I can’t do anything as a man. I don’t even know the reason she left her previous marriages. There cann’t be peace in our home except we part ways.”

Mrs Olayinka, a 54-year-old food vendor, described her husband as violent.

She said: “Since we got married, I have never achieved anything. He never bought me a wrapper but he complains each time I am in a new outfit. I am surprised he said he is impotent because the last time we slept with each other was February 2014. The night he fell from the bed and defecated, he was drunk.

I washed his faeces in the

midnight. He didn’t see me in a hotel with another man. I really don’t know why he is saying all this.

“I was even ashamed when he said he caught me in a hotel with another man in the presence of our children. My husband is violent. Whenever he is ready to sleep with me, he beats me with a towel. He is the landlord of the house we live but he doesn’t cater for our children’s upkeep. There was a time he disconnected the light of the room I sleep for a year. It was until my first son invited four elderly men to plead with him that he reconnected it.

He gives me N600 to prepare soup for myself and the 10 children. We still had issues before we came to court. I will say he was smart enough to bring our case to court because I am also fed up.

I just want N200, 000

compensation from him and I want him to take responsibilities of our last daughter’s education.”

Their first son, Abdul’razaq, who was in court said: “My father is always drunk. This issue has been on for over 10 years. There was a time my father told me my mother was committing adultery; I had to monitor her movement for two days but there was no evidence. There is unity among the children but our parents keep fighting. I will be glad if the court reconciles them because this is the time our father needs care.”

The marriage produced three children.

The court’s president, Chief Awos Awosola, gave Olayinka two days to re-consider a divorce.

He ordered him to rent an apartment for his wife and to give her N350, 000 as compensation.

The case continues tomorrow.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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CITYBEATS F

IRE yesterday gutted Igbosere Magistrate’s court 13 in Lagos about 20 minutes after the visit of the Chief Judg, Justice Funmilayo Atilade.

The court which is on the top floor of the JCI Taylor Complex, caught fire after an air-conditioner blew its fuse.

Justice Atilade and her entourage were in the court as part of her familiarisation tour.

Although the fire was quickly put out by the fire fighters, the inferno disrupted activities as litigants were evacuated from the premises and the gates locked.

Three security workers tried to put out the fire, but failed because of the heavy smoke.

One of them was said to have been rushed to the hospital after suffering

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Six suspected cultists arraigned for robbing woman

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Fire razes Lagos court room minutes after CJ’s visit •The Igbosere Magistrate Court

By Precious Igbonwelundu

suffocation.

Describing the incident

File copy

as minor, the AttorneyGeneral, Ade Ipaye, said the court would resume sitting today.

The cleaners, he said would clean the court for normal business to resume.

Court fixes judgment on N1.9b subsidy fraud charge

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HE Court of Appeal in Lagos has fixed judgment in an ap-

peal filed by some oil marketers seeking to quash the N1.9billion subsidy fraud charge suit filed against them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred the charge against Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi and Ontario Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Ikeja High Court. They were accused of defrauding the Federal Government of N1.95billion through the Petroleum Support Fund under the guise of import-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ing 39.2 litres of petrol.

The defendants were arraigned on a nine-count charge of altering, forgery, conspiracy and obtaining property by false pretences.

Last October 10, Justice Okunnu dismissed their application challenging her jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Dissatisfied, the marketers headed for the appeal court to quash of the charge.

Justice Okunnu threw out their no-case submission because the prosecution had said enough to warrant explanations by the defendants.

Justice Okunnu held: “It is

only when there is nothing linking the accused to the crime committed that it becomes unfair to put the accused through trial. The question now is, has enough been said to warrant at least an explanation by each defendant? Enough has been said to warrant explanations and answers by the defendants” At yesterday’s proceedings, the panel headed by Justice Amina Augie after taking arguments from opposing counsel fixed judgment.

The appellants’ counsel led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Prof.

Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) and

J.A. Badejo, (SAN) are challenging the high court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Olanipekun urged the appeal court to allow the appeal and set aside the high court’s ruling.

He argued that the charge sheet revealed that the offences were based on importation of fuel into the country, stressing that only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to hear the matter.

EFCC lawyer Rotimi Jacobs urged the court to dismiss the appeal since the high court has concurrent jurisdiction with its Federal counter-part to try the matter.

Lagos graduates 11, 000 beneficiaries of skills acquisition

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O fewer than 11,176 persons have completed their sixmonth training in vocational and skills acquisition under the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Poverty Eradication Programme.

They participated in the third phase of the state’s expanded economic empowerment programme. Over 30,000 graduated in the first two exercises. The ceremony was held in Lekki and Apapa.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

said the programme is aimed at reducing poverty through the training of youths, men, women and young graduates in entrepreneurial skills.

The exercise, she said, is meant to make the trainees self employed rather than continue seeking white collar jobs.

Mrs Orelope-Adefulire said the earlier beneficiaries were provided with tools of their vocations.

She called on the organised private sector to partner with the state govern-

ment in its efforts at alleviating poverty and reducing crime and menace of unemployment through economic empowerment and entrepreneurial skills development.

Orelope-Adefulire said the programme was designed in such a way that the poor electricity supply in the country would not be a barrier when they set up their businesses, saying: ‘’all the programmes are such that you don’t need electricity, shop, or so much capital to start. With little amount of capital, the beneficiaries can start off in the

•Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Sulaiman Yusuf (right) presenting the Appointment letter to one of the newly employed teachers, Mr Mayowa Isaac at the council secretariat, Ejinrin... yesterday

corner of their bedroom and start making money.”

Wife of the Vice-presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Bolanle Osinbajo, hailed the state government for the initiative.

IX persons, – Lasisi Rasheed, 21; Bamolu Niyi, 23; Tope Oyebola, 26; Michael Kalu, 24; Ugunna Aruchi, 19 and Ebuka Frank, 21 have appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s court in Lagos for allegedly robbing a 28 year old business woman, Bunmi James.

The defendants were said to have beaten the woman after obtaining IPhone 5 and N680, 000 cash from her on February 23 at 11pm in Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, on her way from work.

They are said to be members of Buccaneer and Bird (Eiye) fraternity at Alaka Street in Surulere.

The defendants plead-

By Rukayat Jimoh

ed not guilty to the fourcount charge of conspiracy, felony and robbery.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Eti Nkankuk told the court that the defendants committed an offence contrary to Sections 295 and 42 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

The defence counsels, Ali Abba and Babatunde Awotunbo, applied for the bail of the defendants in the most liberal terms.

Magistrate M.O. Isaac granted the defendants N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum following the application of their lawyers, Ali Abba and Babatunde Awotumbo.

The case was adjourned to March 23.

Sales rep charged with N286, 500 theft

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27-year old man, David Biola, has been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for an alleged N286, 500 theft.

The defendant was brought to court on a two-count charge of conspiracy, stealing money and wristwatches under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

He was alleged to have committed the offence between December 23 and February 2 at Groceries Supermarket Hedges and Smith along Admirality Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Prosecuting police Sergeant Daniel Ighodalo told the court that the defendant stole N244,

By Precious Igbonwelundu

500 cash and three Michael Kors wrist watches valued N42, 000 belonging to one Oluwatoyin Kowobari.

He said the defendant was arrested after a customer returned one of the watches he sold to him.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant lied that he did not know what happened to the wristwatch until the day the customer returned it.

The defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum by Magistrate O. M. Ajayi.

The matter has been fixed for March 23.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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NEWS Communities kick as oil pollutes Bayelsa river From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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EIBOU Deep facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), is discharging crude oil into Ogboinbiri River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa, State.

Residents of Ogboinbiri and neigbouring communities said a leakage from the facility had curbed their fishing activities.

The residents, who depend on the river for drinking and domestic uses said that crude oil had been pouring into the river unabated for over a month.

The situation, it was gathered, had compelled the residents to resort to sachet water.

It was gathered that the surface of the river was covered by crude deposits flowing down the waterways.

It was learnt that KemeEbiama, Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbaruan, Ukubie, Lobia communities were worse hit.

The Chairman of the Keme-Ebiama Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Columbus John-Bull, said the spill had deprived them of their source of drinking water.

“This major spill started a long time ago like a small leak but has turned a serious issue by February 15 at the Seibou 2 facility of Shell at Ogboinbiri.

“The spill first affected rivers in the Ogboinbiri axis before spreading to other communities; the volume of crude oil was really heavy.

It has covered the whole of our river. It was so devastating that our people could no longer go to the river and take their bath or fetch drinking water. Due to the heavy pollution and resultant scarcity of drinking water, the cost of water sachet in the community rose from N10 to N30.

Most of our people cannot afford the sachet water at that price.We are very much worried of what the situation might lead to considering the recent outbreak of cholera in some communities in the local government area,” JohnBull said.

Bayelsa traders Amaechi:APC ‘ll turn around Nigeria escape death

•Governor condemns Jonathan’s silence on Okrika violence

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IVERS State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum Rotimi Amaechi has assured Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidency under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will turn around the country’s fortunes.

He said the challenges facing the country would adequately be addressed.

Amaechi spoke in Degema, Obonoma and Abonnema communities in Degema and Akuku-Toru local government areas during APC ward-to-ward campaign.

He criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for not taking a decisive action on the shooting which disrupted the APC rally in Okirika, Rivers State.

He said: “This election is

not about brother, it is about your stomach. The President can afford, if dollar likes, dollar can get to N300 to N400 to a dollar, the President can afford it but you can’t afford it. Now they tried everything possible to stop the dollar from losing control. They couldn’t because the economy will determine whether the dollar will lose control or not and the economy has done that already.

“Another one is fuel.

They have done everything possible to pay for fuel. They can’t pay. The money is not there. Now there is fuel crisis. If they win, they will abandon you completely because they have no solution to the problem.

“The first solution to the problem is a new government. Are we going to win?

The answer is yes. We have

not started campaign. We will start campaign by the end of this week. We will see the crowd again that will frighten the President. Nigerians want change. Things have got to change.”

He decried the poor state of the federal road in Kalabari area, assuring the people that Gen. Buhari, if elected President, would fix the road and bring other democratic dividends to the state.

“See your road. I sat with the President with Kalabari chiefs two years ago and I said, ‘allow me take this road’. The President said ‘no’. You can see the road, next rainy season; you cannot drive into this place unless you change the President and if you change the President, then the new President can fix the road, not the Rivers

State government. It’s a federal road. It’s important everybody understands that the road into Kalabari is a federal road and I asked for permission to fix the road and the President said no and he has refused to fix it.

If he likes Kalabari people, why has he not fixed it?”

He urged the people of the state to vote Gen. Buhari as President on March 28 and Dr. Dakuku Peterside as governor in the state on April 11.

Amaechi added: “The President heard about shooting in Okrika, he has done nothing. If you want your life to be cared for, then allow Buhari to come. The only way Buhari can come is for you to go and vote APC on that day. If Jonathan likes Kababari people, why did he reject Odein Ajumogobia and Tonye Cole?”

Policeman’s son arrested for illegal recruitment of Immigration applicants

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IGERIAN Immigration Service (NIS), Rivers State Command yesterday arrested a 27 year-old man, Etom Moses, a son of a police officer, for parading himself as a recruitment agent of the NIS. Etom, a native of Asarama in Andoni Local government Area of Rivers State was arrested at Rumuokoro, in Obio/Akpor Local Government.

The suspect was paraded at the State Comptroller’s office, in Port Harcourt. He said he had been assisting applicants with the online application since the recruitment started, adding that he only demanded N1,000 from applicants and not N1,800, as claimed by the NIS. Etom said: “I printed immigration forms and banner to serve my customers better. This is not the first time I have been assisting people with the recruitment exercise. I am a student; I want the service to forgive me; I don’t collect much from them; I only collect N1, 000 and not N1, 800.”

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

The State Comptroller, Mr. Mike Longe said as far as the ongoing recruitment is concerned, the service has no third party or agent, but it is strictly an online exercise.

He said for the suspect to boldly print an immigration recruitment form with the service logo, a sign banner, showed that people who were not educated enough would believe him.

Longe noted that the outcome of the last recruitment exercise made the NIS decide not to engage any third party or agents but to ensure that applicants were recruited through online means.

“Recently the public relations officer of the service came on air to warn people about fraudsters and it was •The suspect with the banner...yesterday stated that nobody had been contacted to act as a middle the service. cannot help their own chilman in this exercise. It was “We are warning the pub- dren or extended families. It for this reason that we ar- lic to know that the NIS has is strictly an online thing. So rested a young man who has not, and will not have a third it is deceitful and unlawful printed forms and banners party on the present recruit- for anyone to assume an and recruiting people into ment exercise. Even officers agent of the service.”

Police parade pastor, others for alleged rape in Akwa Ibom

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60-year-old pastor, Udo Job, has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for raping a 14 years old daughter of his patient who visited his sick father at his home where the father is receiving herbal treatment.

Job, who also doubles as a traditional healer, was said to have sent the young girl’s mother to the market and lured the young girl into his room where he forcefully raped her.

Briefing reporters yesterday at the Akwa Ibom Police Headquarters in Uyo, the Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong, who was represented by Assistant commissioner Mike Okoli, also narrated how 11 youths, who gang raped a 19 year old Effiong Adiaheyo in an open market at Esit Eket were arrested by the command.

The youth, according to Achong, later took the nineteen year old Adiaheyo to their room and continued their illicit affair.

The culprits mainly secondary school pupils of National High School Esit Eket, in an interview with reporters confessed to the crime.

Also paraded was Iniebehe Ebong who accosted and overpowered Promise Jeremiah aged 10 years on her way to the stream to fetch wa•Pastor Udo Job...yesterday

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

ter, tied her legs to a tree, sealed her mouth and repeatedly raped her into unconsciousness before abandoning her to die.

Promise was later rescued by a good Samaritan who took her to hospital.

In the same vein, one Keneth Victor Udofia aged 20 and Ifiok Mark aged 29 were also in a Police net for defiling nine year old happiness Emmanuel Edet a native of Ikpat Akpan Village in Nsit Ubium Council area of the state.

On that fateful day, happiness was sent to buy kerosene by her mother when she was whisked away by the duo to their room where they gang raped her severally before throwing her out.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday also paraded Sabbath Christian Ezekiel who delivered twins and hurriedly sold out one citing poverty as her reason.

Speaking at the state Police Headquarters Uyo yesterday, the nursing mother who collected N90,000 from the transaction from Umoh Godwin Akpanam and Imaobong Samuel said she sold out the child to be able to train the other baby.

The buyers, Umoh Godwin Akpanon and Imaobong Samuel agreed told reporters they bought the child.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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CORES of traders escaped death yesterday at the popular Opolo market, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after a trailer rammed into the market following a brake failure.

The Opolo market, as most other markets in Yenagoa metropolis, is located on the MbiamaYenagoa road.

The Nation has in a series of articles highlighted dangers of roadside markets in different parts of the state.

The Opolo incident occurred a few weeks after two persons died and about eight others were injured in a similar incident that happened at the Swali market.

It was gathered that in the Opolo accident, one person was injured while few vehicles parked on the road were damaged.

Eyewitnesses said many traders owed their lives to the vehicles parked along the road which acted as a wedge to the crashing trailer.

The driver of the trailer which was said to be carrying building materials fled the scene immediately.

“But for the vehicles parked along the road, the accident would have been very tragic. Many people would have died today. The trailer failed brakes and hit a Hilux van carrying some toilet materials. This made the Hilux to tumble twice”, a source said.

Fire razes building in Ughelli From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

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TWO-STOREY building was razed at Ughelli, Delta State yesterday.

The fire was said to have started when an electricity generating set at a bank explode and engulf the top floor the two-storey building adjacent to it on Ughelli market.

The top floor of the building was said to be housing a shopping mall and residential apartments.

It was learnt that it took the intervention of youths and a combined efforts of the TRANSCORP-Ughelli Power Plc and the Ughelli Fire Service to prevent the fire from enveloping the bank and other buildings around.

A source said property worth millions of naira was destroyed by the fire .

A trader, Mr. Igho Igben, said: “While we were battling to quench the fire using soap and water, it extended to some jerry cans of diesel by the generator, and this now fueled the fire more, which has affected part of the bank and extended to the building housing my shop.

“If not for the timely intervention of the fire service men, it would have been a different ball game entirely.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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SHOWBIZ Etcetera goes hard on Genevieve, others

Bobbi Kristina’s family shooting reality show

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sit-down interview and claimed she did crack with Whitney. Tina and Shayne are also the ones who fought at a hotel near the hospital. She hit her son Shayne with a bottle. It’s unclear if that will

Between MI and Club Quilox

be on the show.

It appears that they have not shot video in the hospital, but reports say they have regular debriefs at home on camera where they talk about the tragedy.

• MI

By Ovwe Medeme

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WARD-winning Nigerian rapper, Jude Abaga, aka MI is presently unhappy with popular night club, over the treatment meted out on him recently.

The music entrepreneur made this much known in a series of tweets when he said that he was ‘disrespected’ at the luxury night club which he visited on Saturday, February 28.

According to information, the rapper was hosted at the popular monthly ‘One Nite: Live and Unplugged’ gig where he was also billed to perform. As revealed by his tweets, it looks like all didn’t go too well while he was at the night club, located on Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos. He also stated he might not be visiting the popular night club ‘anytime soon’ However, the management of the club was quick to respond to the rapper’s tweets with an apology, urging him to forward his complaints to the club authorities via e-mail.

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rented apartment. Etcetera said it is hard to believe that someone of D’banj’s status could actually be thrown out of his house.

He also stated that Iyanya had been evicted from the mansion he allegedly bought while Wizkid’s car hasn’t been paid for and Oritse Femi doesn’t look the part of a N200m house owner “even with all his body cream.”

On Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, he said: “I shivered when I saw in some blogs over the week that Genevieve just bought a house in Ghana for a whopping $4m. This will go down as the grandmother of all lies told so far. Genny baybay, you should have asked yourself if there’s any house worth $4m in the whole of Ghana,

• Etcetera

except you bought the Ghana National Theatre, which by the way may not be worth $4m.

“These lies are getting dumber by the day. The worst thing that can happen to any man is believing his own lies.”

Wole Ojo, Bhaira McNwizu play couple in new flick

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OTABLE Nollywood stars, Wole Ojo and Bayray McNwizu, will feature as a couple in a new movie, Wages, due for release at Easter.

Produced by Seun Oloketuyi and Bola Adebayo the film provides an x-ray view of couples’ early years of marriage in modern society. It particularly highlights intrigues associated with four different couples in their first two years of marriage.

In a chat with The Nation, Oloketuyi, who is also the CEO of Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards which is in its seventh year, said, “The movie explores different aspects facing young couples in today’s modern world.”

By Joe Agbro Jr

Directed by Jamal Bola Mogaji, other cast of the movie include Belinda Efah, Tomiwa Sage, Tope Tedela, Yvonne Jegede, Alexx Ekubo, and Bola Adebayo, who is also a co-producer.

Contrary to the trend where by new Nollywood movies go to the cinemas immediately after the premiere, Oloketuyi said the movie “is going straight to DVD.”

Court upholds Pretty Okafor’s position as PMAN head

Toyin Aimakhu makes debut in English language movie XPLORING new frontiers, Yoruba movie actress, Toyin Aimakhu, has landed her first role in an English language movie, starring alongside If I Dance singer, Tekno Miles. The popular actress is currently on set of the movie which is titled Super Star.

The upcoming movie also stars comedian Ushbebe and veteran actress Rachel Oniga. The movie is produced by Tony Abulu who produced the 2013 Nigerian movie Doctor Bello.

Toyin, who plays Tekno’s mum in the movie made headlines recently when rumours of separation from her actor husband, Niyi Johnson emerged.

By Ovwe Medeme

• Bhaira McNwizu

OBBY Brown’s family is grieving over the dire circumstances surrounding Bobbi Kristina, and may be shooting a reality show around their travail.

Sources connected with the production told TMZ that Bobby’s two sisters, brother and their kids are shooting the show about their lives, and part of it will chronicle Bobbi Kristina fighting for her life.

Bobby’s lawyer told the news medium his client will not appear on the show.

Bobby’s sisters have a history. Leolah is the one who went on the record blaming Ray J for Whitney Houston’s death, claiming he fatally fueled her cocaine habit.

Tina is the one who did a

E is increasingly becoming popular for his controversial write-ups, but many have come to see Nigerian artiste, Paschal Ejikeme, aka Etcetera, as an attention seeker.

Usually, the singer-turnedwriter expresses his disdain for what he terms celebrities’ world of fantasy.

This time, his attack was directed at artistes such as D’banj, Wizkid, Genevieve Nnaji, Iyanya and Oritse Femi. “Again, I’m going to go out on a limb here to talk on a subject that may not be very popular or nice to Nigerian celebs, especially the guilty ones. I have said it severally that just because someone is a celebrity doesn’t mean they are smart,” he began, citing the purported D’banj’s debts and story of his possible eviction from a

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has issued contempt charges against members disobeying an earlier ruling, declaring Pretty Okafor as Interim President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

In its recent judgement, the court ruled that henceforth,

only the Interim Government industry’s database in Nigeheaded by Pretty Okafor has ria; issue of the Media Disthe mandate to run PMAN’s tribution Network (MDN), affairs for the next 18 months aimed efficient and diligent after which a Delegates Con- technical management of ference will be convened for the structures of the music fresh elections. industry and acquisition of Major opposers of Okafor’s a replicating plant and solid position had filed a counter mastering equipment to enmotion seeking to set aside sure efficient control of the the ruling, but were absent in piracy menace. court on February 16, 2015, The team was said to have when the case came up for also paid a courtesy visit to mentioning. the Registrar of Trade Unions For 34 years, PMAN has at the Federal Ministry of been embroiled in different Labour and Productivity to crisis of leadership, which acquaint the Registrar, Mrs N. have rendered the association Mborgu with its activities. inactive.

Top members of the Interim Government who visited the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja recently were received by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

Some of the discussions held at the meeting include the PMAN Biometric Identification Card scheme for all musicians and stakeholders to form part of the • Pretty Okafor

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

CAN of worms •The allegation that the Jonathan campaign gave CAN at least N6 billion bribe does the image of Nigerian Christendom no good

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OVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi, the director-general of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign, first made the allegation: that the Jonathan campaign had bribed the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to prevail on Christians, on religious basis, to vote against Gen. Buhari.

CAN denied the charge. That mere allegation also made an obviously embarrassed Pastor Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, to warn whoever received bribe from Jonathan to return it, or risk being consumed by the fire of God. Shortly after, however, Kallamu MusaDikwa, a Maiduguri-based pastor, restated the allegation, further claiming the alleged bribe money was indeed N7 billion, and not N6 billion, as Governor Amaechi alleged. He claimed the Jonathan campaign handed over the money to CAN, which then proceeded to share the money N3million per CAN branch nationwide.

Pastor Musa-Dikwa, who claimed he was neither for nor against Jonathan and Buhari, claiming both were not good enough for Nigeria, said he fell out with CAN because of its alleged itchy fingers.

He recalled a visitation from CAN-Americas, who came on a compassionate visit to Boko Haram victims, and donated US$ 50, 000 to aid the comfort and rehabilitation of the victims. But to his dismay, Pastor Musa-Dikwa claimed, CAN gave the local CAN only N100, 000 and allegedly pocketed the rest! He went further to claim that when the N7 billion bribe scandal broke, “I (sent a) text (message) to the leadership of the CAN to repent or be exposed.”

But Sunday Oibe, the public relations officer (PRO) for the CAN northern chapter, denied the allegation as ridiculous, claiming it was a fib by alleged mischief makers to rubbish the image of CAN. Ifyou-Tarka-me-I’ll-Daboh-you fashion, Emmah Isong, Cross River State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) chairman, also claimed Governor Amaechi allegedly bribed 500 pastors to support Gen. Buhari. Joseph Tarka and Godwin Daboh (both dead) were involved in mutual bribery allegations, in a big scandal, under the Yakubu Gowon regime in the 1970s.

Still, Bishop Isong’s intervention is not clear. If indeed Amaechi bribed CAN as he alleged — and the Bishop did not say CAN refused the alleged bribe — are we now to believe CAN was also game in the Amaechi allegation that the body received from Jonathan N6 billion, or indeed N7 billion as Pastor Musa-Dikwa also claimed, insisting that the conduit for the money was through the National CAN, headed by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor?

Whatever the truth in these allegations and counter-allegations, Christendom Nigeria must be sorely worried about its image. A politician, no matter how highly placed (as President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Amaechi are in this particular case) can be charged with a bribefor-vote allegation. It definitely is not right but he could claim some electioneering cover. Besides, even the best of politicians are still politicians — and politicians, as a bloc, are nobody’s moral paragon worldwide.

But to accuse the men of God of racketeering in campaign season slush funds — and also go to the extent of using the alleged money to poison the minds of their members against fellow Nigerians

on strictly religious basis? It is a CAN of worms indeed, and the founding fathers of this Christian body will be thoroughly ashamed; while succeeding generations would look back and damn the present CAN, long after this period of madness has passed.

President Jonathan is at the centre of this grievous allegation. Alleged bribery of voters is bad enough. But the real danger is a president perceived, for electoral purposes, to be driving a religious wedge between Nigerian Christians and Muslim.

That will surely blight his memory, whatever happens on March 28. Still, CAN and the whole body of Nigerian Christians should fervently pray that this little rascality of sweet money secretly changing hands does not land Nigeria in big religious trouble. No country ever survives a religious war sane.

Whoever CAN chooses as its president is its business. But even the body should by now be questioning the wisdom of Ayo Oritsejafor as president. His era of scandals has brought CAN nothing but odium among right-thinking Nigerians, Christian or Muslim.

‘It is a CAN of worms indeed, and the founding fathers of this Christian body will be thoroughly ashamed; while succeeding generations would look back and damn the present CAN, long after this period of madness has passed’

Sack Mbu now

•If he were not a cop, he should have been in a dock

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OLICEMEN in civilised climes are taught to be well comported in their interface with the populace. This is essential because they are peace enforcers and cannot afford to be seen as bullies of the citizenry that they are paid to protect. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) ordinarily should be civilised even though the acts of misconduct of some men and officers like Joseph Mbu, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, have called to question the faculty of the police to discharge its constitutional duties.

We owe nobody apologies for concluding that with a top officer like AIG Mbu in the force, that otherwise invaluable institution is fast losing its established essence. The reason is not farfetched.

Recently, Mbu was reported in the media to have said that for every one policeman killed, he would kill 20 civilians in

‘We consider as a sad commentary that the InspectorGeneral of Police has not deemed it necessary to call Mbu to order. The truth is that the likes of Mbu should not even be in the force because he and his ilk constitute a serious threat to the society’

return. We had thought that he was quoted out of context but in a crass display of impunity, the top cop, again, repeated last week in the media that it matters not the number of people that policemen under his command could kill in self-defence.

Mbu was at his rampaging best while speaking with journalists at the inauguration of the Olorunsogo II Power Station

by President Goodluck Jonathan in Olorunsogo area of Ogun State when he declared: “I still stand by what I said…The number I kill is immaterial because a policeman is also a human being… And what I said is very clear: that if any violent group attacks my policemen, my policemen should attack them violently.’’

We recollect that Mbu had said in widely condemned outbursts while addressing his men at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta: “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them, but don’t shoot first.

If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.”

The scary deductions from Mbu’s unprofessional statement have dire consequences on what to expect from policing during the forthcoming elections and even beyond. It also shows how insignificant the police leadership holds human lives that the constitution deems sacrosanct. The police as an institution is saddled with prevention or quelling of riots

and not to cause further conflagration through indiscriminate killings. The country is presumed to be running a civil government and what is expected of the police in a democracy, at critical moments, is to get suspected criminals apprehended and later arraigned in a court of law where judgment will be passed. Contrary to Mbu’s irrational position of canvassing for resort to kangaroo justice where he said; ‘Is it not when the person is alive that he is coming to give evidence?’; we state that times over, witnesses to murder cases, and not victims of murder, had secured conviction in the courts in the past.

Since Mbu resumed in Lagos, he has demonstrated that he has come to intimidate, harass and possibly kill rather than do strict police duties, as his statement had confirmed. As a commissioner of police in Rivers State, he left the ‘Garden City’ as a controversial cop before he was rewarded with a promotion and a new posting to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Obviously, he has not turned a new leaf in Lagos, as he was once reported to have locked-up a ticket officer of the Lekki Toll Concessionaire Company for daring to ask his convoy to pay toll at its gate. What impunity!

We consider as a sad commentary that the Inspector-General of Police has not deemed it necessary to call Mbu to order.

The truth is that the likes of Mbu should not even be in the force because he and his ilk constitute a serious threat to the society.

Government and extra time mentality

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IR: The reason why we are still lagging behind in the comity of nations is because our governments, both past and present, have failed to prioritize every given opportunity in ensuring that its citizen’s physiological and safety needs are met. They prefer to be lethargic in governance and waste their time on frivolities till the tail end of their administration before they begin to show seriousness.

Extra time, an additional time needed or given to accomplish a task or project has become a phenomenon in our polity. It has taken over our system and now cuts across every facet of our lives.

The recent postponement of the general elections scheduled for February 14 and 28 respectively to March 28 and April 11 is a good example of an extra time phenomenon.

After reassuring Nigerians repeatedly of its readiness for the general elections, INEC chairman Prof.

Attahiru Jega announced in a world in a press conference that the general elections has been postponed for six weeks. While absolving his commission of any blame, he insisted that the postponement was because the Nigerian armed forces wrote that they could not guarantee security on the scheduled February date as they would be busy fighting the Boko Haram insurgents.

One is forced to ask: why the seriousness this “extra time” and what magic do our armed forces intend to perform in six weeks to dispel the ragtag terrorists which they have not done in six years?

After failing to fulfil its core campaign promises and with less than six weeks to the general elections, the ruling PDP federal government has suddenly realized they are in extra time and have started showing seriousness in all their unfinished projects all over the federation. How possible it would be for these unfinished projects to be completed with less than three months before the May 29 hand over date? Just as it is in football, anything can happen.

Before now, it has always been an easy ride by hook or by crook for the PDP to capture the seat of power; for the first time in our democratic history, an opposition party is going neck in neck with the ruling party in the contest for the seat of power.

This is happening after 16 years of democracy.

Right now millions of dissenting Nigerians are considering the opposition as an alternative government at the centre.

Instead of asking themselves how they got entangled in this web by allowing the wind of change mantra catch up with them, the ruling party and its members have resorted to blame games; they have continued to blame the past rulers and opposition for the myriads of problems bedevilling our nation.

Just as it is done in football, after the normal regulation time without a winner, we have been caught in the web of extra time and March 28, the most anticipated day of the year is the day this extra time will be played. Will the defending champions PDP be able to beat the rising opposition party APC and win the trophy back to back or will APC the underdogs who many never believed will get to the final stage rise up to the occasion and beat the defending champions PDP to the title?

March 28 will tell.

• Joe Onwukeme, Enugu.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Pastor Bosun Emmanuel a close associate of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in his explosive message titled- Wake up Call to the Nigerian Church sought to place the divine seal on why President Jonathan must be re-elected in the 2015 general elections. Although the preacher wants us to believe that President Jonathan is the best thing to have happened to Christianity in Nigeria, but our Lord has forewarned us to beware of false prophets and teachers who are out to make gain of the simplicity of the Christian faith for their personal advancement. The Nigerian church can ask herself; how has President Jonathan fared in defending the cause of Christ in Nigeria?

He spared the rod on Boko Haram for political expediency.

The sect has been used as a political bargaining tool to postpone election and disenfranchise parts of the North East. Boko Haram under President Jonathan has destroyed hundreds of churches and killed thousands of people including

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When false prophets are on the prowl Christians and Muslims.

His government failed to take quick action in locating and returning the Chibok girls, claiming no girl was abducted until international out-cry.

President Jonathan in his own words has ‘Boko Haram members in my government’ yet he still mixes freely with identifiable suspects like Ali Modu Sheriff Like King Ahab, the President has encouraged the rise of false prophets using money and manipulation to pollute the altar of God. CAN has never been this divided, forcing the whole of the Catholic bloc to recede from the

organisation pending ‘when sanity returns to the body’ The President’s Man Friday, Kennedy Opara of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has informed us that from henceforth, Christians would now be sponsored with lottery money to pilgrimage; this does not apply to our Muslim colleagues. We believe this is unbiblical and an insult to the Church.

The Vice President Namadi Sambo claimed PDP is the ‘most Islamic party’ and that Muslims should not vote for a particular candidate because he has a running mate who ‘owns 5000 churches’.

That first family land grab

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IR: Corruption is the abuse of official power or position to acquire a personal benefit.

Corrupt activities include but not limited to bribery and embezzlement. Government or political corruption occurs when an officeholder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. With this as a background, where does one place the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan formed a company, Ebele Integrated Farms Limited, with a capital of N30million with the two shareholders/directors, himself holding 90% and his mother, Madam Eunice, 10%?

It sounds strange that the company applied for farming purposes, a land measuring 94.04 hectares in size and belonging to the Aviation village in Abuja on March 6, 2012 and got it approved and allocated on March 8, 2012 – just within a

space of two days?

Not only that, the conversion of the land to farming distorted Abuja master plan, thereby contravening part of the constitution he swore to uphold. The land grab issue by the first family is not only nauseating but greed-driven; it also raises issues of conflict of interest, thereby breaching the Nigerian constitution, which President Goodluck Jonathan swore on oath, to preserve. His action contravenes the Fifth Schedule Part 1 (Code of Conduct for Public Officers) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 1. Now what has Ekpo Nta, of the ICPC got to say about this?

Because Jonathan took the 94.04 hectares of land, his FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, had to help himself with 40.40 hectares, a land area very close to his boss’s. The President’s media men had the effrontery and pride that after all, former

President Olusegun Obasanjo did similar land grabbing. Two wrongs cannot make any right. If it were to be in a well-organized country, this would suffice to ask President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to resign.

Imagine the irony, the same issues of conflict of interest and conduct inimical to a public office got President Jonathan to relieve Professor Bath Nnaji of his appointment as Minister for Power.

Whereas it is on record that before Nnaji was appointed minister, he was already building a power station in Aba with a consortium of investors. In Jonathan’s case, he was already serving as President before registering Ebele Integrated Farms Limited.

•Chief Amaechi Okiri Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

These statements were made right in front of the President and no statement has been made to deny them.

It is clear to a casual observer that President Jonathan is now Ichabod (the glory has departed- 1 Samuel 4:21). Under him all the gains the Church had made in outreaches to the Northern Nigeria has almost been totally reversed. Church attendance has never been this low.

Hardly can we freely hold open air

crusades in the North anymore.Out of 100 martyrs worldwide, Nigeria accounts for 66 under a Christian president.

The only beneficiaries of this government’s acclaimed Christianity love seems to be the pastors who can be gifted with private jets and billions of naira while the vast majority of the body of Christ lie prostrate reeling under the pangs of terrorism and persecution.

While one cannot tell Christians to vote for a particular person, my commission is to bring this information to the fore so that no Christian would be hoodwinked into the religious trap being set by some religious-politicians.

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• Pastor Emmanuel Kehinde, Lagos

Payback time for Kogi PDP

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IR: I wish to appeal to the people of Lokoja II Constituency comprising of five wards of Oworo, Kakanda, Kupa North, Kupa South and Eggan wards to please shine their eyes and be careful of which party they vote for the coming election.

This is because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which they have been following for over 15years has woefully failed them.

My appeal to the constituents is to look back at the sufferings they have gone through their massive loyalty to the PDP. It is painful that Lokoja II area which provided bulk votes for PDP since 1999, is grossly neglected in terms of amenities especially roads.

One recollects with pains the deceit surrounding the so-called award of contract for the Jama’ata-BudonMami-Abugi-Eggan road which has long been abandoned.

Also disturbing is the AiyetoroGbedde-Iluke-Abugi and Eggan road which was purportedly awarded and which have remained even worse than they were.

My question now is what has the area really gained from a party it has served diligently for about two decades? This is the question our people should continue asking the PDP as they prepare for the elections in the coming weeks.

While we decry the non-performance of the party in our area, I still want to appeal to the leaders in the area including Senator Tunde Ogbeha to change for better.

This is because it appears these leaders are more interested on who becomes a council chairman and distribution of offices rather than caring for the welfare and infrastructure for the people.

As it appears, the people of Lokoja II constituency in Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State may have no option than move to a more caring and result oriented party that will have the interest of our people in mind.

• Alh. Suleiman Abdullahi Lokoja

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

21

COMMENTS

Our Girls; Funeral for murdered ‘Toilet Paper’ Naira; Any resurrection?; Indian budget lessons

O

Tony Marinho

UR girls are still missing since April 15, 2014 and Boko Haram bombs are taking lives daily. The regional armed forces are doing a good job and soldiers are paying the supreme price totally unsung, as usual. Let

us pray.

Ask yourself of this 2015 ‘democratic’ election: How Much, Who, Where, How and Why? How much is spent by parties?

Who is paying? Where is the money from? How does it escape government coffers? Nigerian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and investigative journalists must deliver the truth about the ‘EVIL ELECTION EXTRAVAGANZA’. Go on. Work out the cost of this election, lethal and financial, and provide an ‘ELECTION COST FIGURE’. Nigeria is ripped off as politicians, our servants and employees, shamelessly spend a FRIGHTENING FINANCIAL FIGURE. Today we address this and the prevention of the funeral of the naira.

There is an immeasurable cost in political mistruths rampantly regurgitated without intelligent interrogation by the mindless media. There are deaths and injuries which require monitoring and quantifying by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) so far reporting 58 deaths, including 28 police officers. The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is a dangerous army needing to be demobbed, registered, tagged and all its members’ vehicles numbered for safety and recognition.

NOW HEAR THIS: Apparently National Assembly (NASS) is considering the ‘Budget 2015’. Four items are glaringly missing from the budget which will stop the naira’s death and reverse it towards N150 in the first instance in its resurrection.

First is the question of the ‘NAIRA AMOUNT’ for the ‘SECRET & CORRUPT REIMBURSEMENT OF ELECTION EXPENSES’. Incoming party members will in 2015 generously reimburse themselves and their parties for real and imagined campaign expenses with interest by ‘illegally’ removing budget funds through bogus hyper-inflated’ phantom contracts. This

C

HATHAM House or the Royal Institute of International Affairs, as it is also known, is an independent policy institute based in London. Founded in 1920, it operates from an imposing 18th-century house located at No. 10, St. James’s Square in the heart of London. St. James’s Square is the only square in the exclusive St. James’s district of the City of Westminster. It has predominantly Georgian and neo-Georgian architecture with a private garden at the centre. In its first 200 or so years of existence, No. 10, St. James’s Square, was one of the three or four most fashionable residential addresses in London. The square’s main feature is an equestrian statue of William III erected in 1808.

Chatham House is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Its mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs.

In this regard, the institute offers potential and established leaders drawn from across the world, the opportunity to deepen their understanding of critical issues, propose new ideas and proffer solutions to complex policy challenges and opportunities. There is a historical and symbolical meaning to the name of the organization. No 10 St. James Square, the building housing the organization, had been home to three past British Prime Ministers, including William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, from where the organization simply derives its name.

Over the years, Chatham House has engaged several governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debate and confidential discussions on the most significant developments in international affairs. Each year, the institute runs more than 300 private and public events mostly workshops, conferences and roundtables

cost can be calculated as an important research project by NISER, Political Science Associations and university students by a collation of a count of the cost of millions of items of election as following: The T-shirts and face caps in tens of millions, party clothings, posters- one billion, billboards, newspaper and radio and TV adverts, rent a crowd + organisation x 10,000 events and rallies nationwide and half a million+ bags of rice ‘stomach infrastructure’ and inducements, bribes and ‘gifts’ to ‘show the enlightened party pathway’ to royal fathers, pastors@N7billion, imams@?billion, atheists and hundreds of groups and counter-groups and organisations set up for ‘party activities’. Also estimate the huge legal fees, N15m/SAN and N1-5m/lesser lawyers by some 2011 estimates before the naira fell to toilet paper value, of the endless court cases. The ‘2015 Election Reimbursement Figure’ will be billions and even A TRILLION NAIRA, up to 30% of the budget. The removal of this money will ‘ruin’ the budget even as Due Process and the Bureau of Public Procurement claim to save billions. This is stealing from every baby, child and adult Nigerian.

The second figure missing is the opportunity for savings from an ‘Expected reduction of the political burden on the budget’, from ‘cutting salaries and perks, of all political office holders and political appointees by 50-75%’.

Thirdly is the opportunity for budgetary savings by ‘REDUCING THE NUMBER OF POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS AND POLITICAL APPOINTEES BY 50%’.

Fourthly, the budget misses out the opportunity for savings by getting all such political persons mentioned above ‘TO WORK ‘PART TIME’ AND FOR A SITTING ALLOWANCE’ except for ministers and commissioners.

A word about our current currency collapse. Currency is national pride and currency appreciation is a goal of every leader except in Nigeria where the aim is a weaker naira to get more government naira for fewer dollars. ‘Currency stability’ is a mantra by economists and bankers but what is ‘currency stability’ when your currency has been made into toilet paper? Who needs stable toilet paper? Let our leaders pull our currency back from the brink of this this VERY Nigerian-made instability N210+:$1. If not, in a month or two the same economists will be praising the ‘new stability’ of N210+:$1 and fight any improvement or reversal to a stronger naira. Remember

only the citizen gains from a strengthening naira as the naira buys more dollars. If you are a politician with dollars to change to naira to pay for salaries or elections, then a weak naira gets you more naira for the dollar. A politician with a foreign account will never improve the naira and will applaud the naira collapse because each $1m will buy N210m instead of N150 three months ago. Shamefully, since the time of recently 80 year old Gowon and 90 year old Shagari, happy Birthday to you, and all those in the picture of Shagari@90 ‘Past Heads of State’ responsible for our predicament, it has never been on any Nigerian civilian or military government’s agenda to ‘appreciate the naira’. Since poverty is ‘less than a dollar a day’, the fall of the naira plunges another 30% of the population below the poverty line in shameless ‘largest economy of Africa’. We require to drastically resurrect the naira from the toilet before the economists say ‘stability is better than appreciation’ of the naira. Wanted: A Nigerian leader to Resurrect the Naira –and Nigeria.’

Nigeria and India face similar corruption problems. Any party solving Nigerian’s economic problems and working on the 2015 budget should tune Channel 413 and study the Indian Finance Minister Jailey’s 2015 Budget. Even toilets are budgeted for. NISER, economists, political students and all Nigerians must learn important lessons from the Indian Budget commentaries.

‘Currency stability’ is a mantra by economists and bankers but what is ‘currency stability’ when your currency has been made into toilet paper? Who needs stable toilet paper?

Let our leaders pull our currency back from the brink of this this VERY Nigerian-made instability N210+:$1.

Drama at Chatham House in London and its other affiliate locations worldwide. What keeps the organization on top of global international affairs rating is its convening power which attracts world leaders who have something to say, as well as, the best analysts in diverse fields from across the globe. It is for this reason that the institute is globally revered in terms of its ability and capacity to give a helping hand to policy makers and government legislations so as to improve global economies.

Chatham House hosts high-profile speakers from around the world and also undertakes wide-ranging research. One of the most recent speakers is Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister who spoke on his country’s hostage crisis with ISIS on February 3. So, ordinarily, when on Thursday, February 26, it was the turn of Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to speak at the think-tank institute, it was in continuation of its immeasurable services in international affairs to the global community. It was nothing abnormal.

The Institute was just keeping to tradition. But Nigeria’s desperate politicians will not want to hear anything like that. General Buhari is the presidential candidate of the opposition, All Progressive Congress, a party strongly in contention for the leadership of the country in the rescheduled presidential election slated for March 28.

Buhari spoke on: “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition.” His speech dwelt on the postponement of Nigeria’s fifth general elections since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999. It also touched on the fierce political competition among the contending politicians, the current

‘One sad thing about the melodrama that took place outside Chatham House is that it has exposed the shenanigans of our politicians who are highly intolerant of the opposition while professing that they are democrats’

security crisis facing the country, the severe economic challenges linked to the drop in oil price and the challenges of conducting elections in such a complex environment. While there is widespread speculation as to the reasons for the elections’ delay, there is also widespread acknowledgment of the necessity that the elections should take place as scheduled on March 28 and April 11.

At the end of his speech, Buhari received a standing ovation as he left the conference hall after taking questions from the hordes of reporters who had gathered. The questions centred on his intended policies to chart a new Nigeria and his view on corruption. This interview was conducted within the premises in order to protect the person of the General from the unruly crowd of Pro-Jonathan campaigners who had, by this time, disrupted the peace and serenity outside the building. At the end of the interview, the General and his team were safely led to a waiting security van that took them away from the venue.

However, it is pertinent to note that before the event began on that day, a group of individuals had gathered at several points around the very serene environment chanting and shouting anti-Buhari slogans thereby attracting curious attention from officials and members of the public. It was discovered that the unruly crowd of people were mostly Nigerian and non-Nigerian students brought to the venue in chattered buses from various educational institutions in Manchester, a distance of about 200 miles to London or about four hours drive.

Unfortunately, before Buhari’s appearance last week, the same Chatham House was the platform used on January 22, by Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser, who had no business with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to drop the bombshell that the general elections earlier scheduled for February 14 and 28, may be postponed.

Expectedly, this drew the ire of the

public. All the same, the elections were postponed.

What is baffling in this latest episode is that our politicians have inadvertently exported our traditional but shameful Nigerian factor of renting crowds abroad. You can imagine luring buses load of students with peanuts to come and disrupt such an international event that had the propensity to impact positively or negatively on the image of the country and Nigerians as a people. The funniest part is that these were students who had no idea of what they were “hired and paid” to come and do at the venue as captured on a video recording that went viral in the social media.

In the video, a lady, who obviously was the arrowhead of the whole arrangement confessed on camera that she brought the dysfunctional crowd from Manchester for the organisers of the anti-Buhari rally for a fee and that she was ready to do it for any other group once the bargain was right. The unruly behaviour of the group on that day caused a lot of disruptions to the usual activities in the St. James area on a normal working day. It was such an embarrassing situation championed by those who claimed to be Pro-Jonathan campaign agents in the UK. Good enough, security officials who were unusually invited from the Metropolitan Police to calm the tensed situation were able to maintain order.

One sad thing about the melodrama that took place outside Chatham House is that it has exposed the shenanigans of our politicians who are highly intolerant of the opposition while professing that they are democrats. But it appears that the Pro-Jonathan campaigners are not done yet with their London drama. Last weekend, “Wind of Hope Foundation,” one of the amorphous groups in the ProJonathan campaign, took advert spaces in the newspapers challenging Buhari to a sponsored international debate to be held under the auspices of the same Chatham

Dele Agekameh House. This shows that the ProJonathan campaigners were actually caught napping by Buhari’s outing in London and are so desperate to equal scores with him.

The Pro-Jonathan campaigners should learn to be proactive and not reactionary. After all, when TAN (Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria) was junketing all over the country in the recent past, they had a free reign. All these rough tackles are very demeaning. What the present situation calls for is strategic thinking, proper planning and execution. Nothing more. The beauty of democracy is the opportunity to associate freely and canvass opinions or views without any hindrance. This is exactly what those who practice true and genuine democracy have always preached. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

From what is currently going on in the polity, it is like two trains on high motion, are furiously coming from opposing direction and nobody is saying anything. The only way to avert the looming catastrophe is to allow the people to freely choose their leaders without being coerced, intimidated, blackmailed or arm-twisted in any form. That is how we can guarantee peace and sustainable development in this God-given (not forsaken) country.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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COMMENTS Re: Where is the fire? Refer the above captioned subject matter of yours. Your well crafted treatise reminds me of a literature book of ours in 1967 titled “Joseph Andrews”, where the oddities of men are laughed at without contempt. The exposure and hypocrisies of men in cassocks who were scandals to their profession were choreographed without bitterness while the stages of authority stealing were well satire chronologically without any qualm.

Tunji, yours was a journalistic excellence. However, God dey o! with all ‘dis sharing’ of booties in broad daylight. I dey laugh o!. They shall definitely meet their Waterloo come March 28. From Ch. Ayena Oniayiye, Igbemo-Ekiti.

•Fayose For Olatunji Dare Good work sir, sometimes I wonder if Fayose and Obanikoro or “Koro” as fondly called are actually true sons of Yoruba, because these are people that have no shame, they are blantant liars. I pity thier generations, it does not matter how much money they gather by giving their souls to the devil. And on momah, he is a disgrace to the Nigeria army. What a shameful officer? A loose joint in time of need. Above all, Koro for Minister!

Under President Goodluck everything goes, like father like son. A man with broken promises! here is my prayer; may God pay them back with the same coin. Thank you sir.

From Joe,Port-Harcourt.

I really think this man called Fayose needs deliverance. He should be taken to Mountain of Fire Ministry. From Blessing, Aba We have been deceived for long by the reckless and arrogant PDP stalwart. They can only fool us for some time, but cannot fool us all the time. From Jimabo Dogara Jmabo, KwaliAbuja It is pitiable that the speed at which our leaders forget their oath of office, public trust and good conscience leaves much to be imagined as to where exactly we are headed as a people. I wonder why evidence as cogent as this shouldn’t cause a reawakening from all quarters of the country to the fact that we do really not exist again. Our funeral is either conducted or the reception is ongoing. Maybe at the point of tiding up only then we may know we were long dead, buried and gone.

Why should this fact not be questioned? A word is enough for the wise. Anonymous Re-Annals of Political Debauchery.

Whoever listened to the Meeting-Audio would know that a meeting took place. The meeting was a meeting ‘to intimidate’ their Opponents. It was to harass the APC opponents. It was also to guard against their opponent- APC from moving faster than them, PDP. From their discussion, mention of ‘rigging, snatching ballot papers or/and ballot boxes were never mentioned. However does such explain why Fayemi lost? Finally, tagging the meeting as ‘How Ekiti election was rigged and won by Fayose’ was/is misleading. By and large, the meeting among the participants was/is a bad omen for Nigeria’s polity! From Lanre Oseni.

If Fayose is a Christian let him mark his words because the people he wish dead are his very far senior so he ascended to be governor with cheating without God blessing.

Did he know if he will attain the age of those he wish dead. Anonymous Re-Old warriors, new alliances. Indeed shaky ground because Jonathan used National Conference for his political gain and wasted our resources. Let us wait and see his failure. Anonymous I read and heard all that the governor has said. There is no cause to go into unnecessary argument with people with low mentality. I only wish he retraces his unguarded utterances before it is too late. If it is the wish of the Almighty that Buhari is the next president of this country tens of billions of the likes of Fayose can never be a stumbling block. God blesses Nigeria. From Adeoba Dele Wishing your fellow human being dead in the name of politics is against African tradition, even Christianity and Islam detest it. Fayose is not God, I have been expecting

GEJ, PDP and Ekiti Elders to call him to order.Fayose should not set Yoruba against the North; definitely, Fayose is a disgrace to Yoruba land. From Comrade Rufus Olusesan, Lagos.

I don’t know how Yoruba race known for first class political sagacity allow a Fayose, whose way of life is comparable to a motor park tout become a governor of Ekiti known as a state of Professors. I think Fayose is running against time, knowing that he is likely to end the way of his first journey. From Victor Nwaugo, Imo state Yes, Lugard was right to have described black man as absorbed in the present with no remorse for his past or consideration for the future. Typically, those Yoruba, fooled with the dubious 2014 National Conference “Egunje”, are still sucked in by hope of implementation of the outcome when obviously the conveners are no longer in position to do so. What a wishful thinking because the conference was simply a ruse to capture South-West votes in 20I5.

Furthermore, without regional provisions, which states in South-West except Lagos stand to gain from the fraud? After the Yoruba have been obviously marginalised and maltreated, the world condemned GEJ maladministration full of corruption, insecurity, lack of amenities, impunity a la ‘Ekitigate’ and failure to conduct elections as and when due; why should any Yoruba choose PDP over Buhari/ Osinbajo’s APC? Is the likes of Fayose the pride of the nation? Yoruba ronu o! Anonymous Fayose, Omisore, Mimiko and others are disgraceful sons of Yoruba they are all desperate for power for their selfish interest.

It is quiet unfortunate that Pa Ayo Adebanjo who I regard as a leader among political jobbers that held a meeting in Akure can associate with them. Truth of the matter is that election that brought Fayose as governor was fraudulent, he is looking for a cover because he knows if Gen. Buhari enter, his days are numbered. Whatever utterances he may have made, about Buhari, he is not God, let Fayose mind his words before he truncate our democracy over his selfish interest. He has lost focus to rule Ekiti State. From Gordon Chika Nnorom The press should please stop giving Fayose unnecessary recognition, Fayose is a man to ignore. Mark you, the more you write about him, the more he believes in his rascality.

From Ade Sir if Fayose has a good father, and was trained by same father, he would not be praying for Buhari to die mark my words, Fayose would die before Buhari . From Deji Olarenwaju, Ikeja, Lagos.

Your Article titled ‘Annals of Political Debauchery’ in The Nation newspaper of Feb 24 refers. I believe Fayose has gone insane and deserves pity. Firstly, Yoruba culture abhors insult to elders just as the Holy Bible has spelt out punitive measures of same in the Book of Proverbs. Indirectly, Fayose has cursed himself. Its either he did not receive proper home training or he is already suffering from past misdeeds. In fact, he is a big disgrace to Ekiti indigenes in particular, to Yoruba race as a whole and to democracy.

I see him as a governor with just an atom of intellect. He needs brain and mouth therapy.

He deserves pity. Fayose is tempting God. His supporters need three days vigil for him for God’s full forgiveness. From Mrs. Adenekan The APC manifesto might be very attractive and its campaign message widespread, but that shouldn’t be enough to put fear in Jonathan not to conduct the election. Many Nigerians believe he will still win. But if he losses, definitely he has nothing to lose. He has done the best any leader can do in the circumstances. History will still enter him as

a man who came, saw but did his best in the circumstances he found himself. So the one highest good he can do the nation and himself now is to conduct the poll and hand over to the winner, or win the election and improve upon his track records for the better. Either way, what the average Nigerian is interested in is good government that will ensure for happiness for all, and peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians. From Emmanuel Egwu.

For Segun Gbadegesin Sir, what pains me most is the penchant of taking Nigerians by Jonathan as complete fools and morons. His actions are always at variance with his precepts. He does one thing and says the exact opposite. Is GEJ saying in all honesty that he knows nothing about the several bombings of APC offices and at rallies in Port Harcourt especially his wife’s place? This man is a green snake under a green grass. He had better prepare to account for all Nigeria’s monies wasted by him for his so-called campaigns. From Ndiana PDP and its members’ right from Obasanjo regime have been very problematic, actually.

Yet to portray everything done by Jonathan and the party as satanic, and all about APC saintly, isn’t acceptable. No institution in human government is without its functional defects. Neither PDP nor APC can be said to be exception to the rule seemingly organisational prowess of the APC notwithstanding. After all, unlike PDP that has passed through the fire, APC is yet to be tested. From Emmanuel Egwu.

My dear Prof Gbadegesin, on your article “All things considered (1) “ I say may your pen never dry. Truth is never denied anyone if in his heart asks for it. He will be led into the inner sanctuary where he will come face to face with reality. There’s the saying that when death wants to take a man, it will first make him deaf and blind. This is the case with our president and PDP co-travelers. This is the end. Anonymous Dear Sir, we have read so much about the political gimmick in our country, but I have never come across a more detailed analysis as you wrote on February 27, 2015. Though I’m very close to Gen Buhari, that notwithstanding, it is indeed marvelous and I look forward to reading your next article.

Yours in friendship. From Sadeeq Adamu Adamu For Tunji Adegboyega It is very unfortunate that the leadership of CAN who had been shouting on top of their voice over the abandonment of the victims of Boko Haram actually did not mean well for the victims. How on earth could CAN, which should have been the mirror to which Christians are looking upon should engage in such shameful act? The N7bn should have been used to rehabilitate the Boko Haram victims rather than engage in fruitless exercise. Oritsejafor should understand that leadership is about the capacity to lead and impact on people’s lives; not to destroy their lives. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

That the church is even embroiled in this bribery scandal is enough embarrassment for every Christian with the gift of deep reflection; whether it is true or not and whether the beneficiaries are ever made public or not. But mark this, every genuine child of God knows the true servants of God in this country and they also know those “men of God” who are nothing but servants of men and errand boys of politicians.

Christians in Nigeria know where to turn when they want to hear God’s instructions; they also know those who are megaphones of men hiding behind the pulpit, faithful of

•Obaniko Mammon. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

Re: Where is the fire? Refer the above captioned subject matter of yours. Your well crafted treatise reminds me of a literature book of ours in 1967 titled “Joseph Andrews”, where the oddities of men are laughed at without contempt. The exposure and hypocrisies of men in cassocks who were scandals to their profession were choreographed without bitterness while the stages of authority stealing were well satire chronologically without any qualm. Tunji, yours was a journalistic excellence. However, God dey o! with all ‘dis sharing’ of booties in broad daylight. I dey laugh o!. They shall definitely meet their Waterloo come March 28. From Ch Ayena Oniayiye, IgbemoEkiti.

Tunji, we are not surprised about the N7bn credit to CAN. What happened to that jet in South Africa? Anonymous.

Rather than deny the N6bn bribe, CAN only went into rhetoric. Has any state CAN denied theN3m bribe? The press should keep exposing this mess so that Nigerians will understand.

Anonymous As both a professional and a patriotic Nigerian that you are, help investigate who Musa Dikwa is. Where is he coming from? Must we allow just anyone to work on our collective intelligence with idiotic cooked-up lies against perceived enemies with stories of N7bn? It would be interesting if you could do your findings both on the N7bn and $50,000. What is Musa-Dikwa’s interest in all these? There is God, o! Anonymous Now that allegation of some clergymen collected N6bn to N7bn from the PDP has been opened up, let whoever collected the bribe return it to the government before the anger of God falls on them because it is our collective resources that is meant for national development. If they know that there is no money in the ministry, let them quit pastoral jobs and join politics because they cannot serve God and Mammon at the same time; let them choose one. Nigerians are suffering in abject poverty … You can force a horse to the stream but you cannot force it to drink water. It is very unfortunate that pastors can be after material wealth like this. But they cannot force their worshippers to vote where their mind is not welcome. They know there is God o! From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

God did not call any Nigerian. As a matter of fact, they called themselves to escape the biting poverty and unemployment ravaging the land. If there is any Nigerian called by God, it is Pastor T.B. Joshua. Anonymous.

Really, there is God, o! You said it all in “Where is the fire?” More ink to your pen.

From Dang, Jos. You got it right; the fire is gone contrary to Leviticus 6: 13. It is only in cold braziers that hens lay eggs (Aaro to tutu l’adie n ye eyin si) But I believe God can still find five people in Nigeria on whose intercession He will have mercy on us. Since it has become a curse to preach without owning a jet and fleet of cars, what do you expect? Money for hand, back for ground. From Ayoola Deborah.

It is true some churches may have degenerated but Amaechi is not the right person to make that accusation. Also, note that Jesus did not give a command to bar people from entering the church, rather, he instructed that they should be preached to. Lastly, some pastors may have soiled their hands but God still has faithful pastors standing for truth.

Anonymous.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Investor Protection Fund to share fraud victims coming T HE Investor Protection Fund (IPF) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may in the next two weeks disburse monetary compensations to the first batch of investors who were victims of fraudulent and operational activities by unscrupulous shareholders.

The Nation learnt that the IPF would make its first disbursement this month, probably within the next 15 working days.

The disbursement will formally kick off operational activity of the IPF, which has taken a year to set up its framework. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had in January 2014 approved the rules for the NSE’s IPF. The source said the NSE IPF had concluded arrangements to pay the first batch of compensations.

The Nation had recently reported that the board of trustees of the fund had agreed on operating structures and framework for the scheme, which laid the ground for take-off of disbursement.

Chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, who is a member of the NSE IPF’s board of trustees, also recently confirmed that the IPF would be paying compensations to 343 investors in its maiden payment, although he was silent on the timeline for the disbursement.

He confirmed that the arrangements have been concluded for the payment and the beneficiaryinvestors are currently undergoing the process of identity verification to authenticate that they

By Taofik Salako

are the real owners of the affected shares accounts.

According to him, the board of the NSE IPF has already capped the maximum payment per claim at N400, 000.

The Nation had earlier reported that the NSE IPF could distribute some N130 million to investors based on the claims and the payment rules of the fund.

The Nation’s check indicated that most of the claims were referred to the NSE IPF by the NSE. The IPF rules allow the NSE to submit complaints made to it to the IPF while investors can also directly petition the IPF. Part XIV of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007 requires the Exchange to establish and maintain an investors protection fund to compensate investors with genuine claims of pecuniary loss against dealing member firms resulting from insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of a dealing member firm of a securities exchange or

capital trade points; and defalcation committed by a dealing member firm or any of its directors, officers, employees or representatives in relation to securities, money or any property entrusted to, or received by the dealing member firm in its course of business as a capital market operator.

The NSE’s IPF rules, approved

by SEC, empower the board of IPF to make payment of compensation based on the claim submitted to the NSE and verified by the NSE or claim submitted to the board of IPF and verified by it, according to relevant sections of the ISA. The IPF rules empower the board of IPF to have at anytime a written policy on the maximum compensation payable to an investor who has suffered a loss. The board can review this maximum compensation limit from time to time according to prevailing circumstances at the market.

Compensation would be paid subject to conclusive decision of

the board on the basis of evi--dence that the investor has a claim against a dealing member, duly applied for settlement of its claim from the dealing member; the dealing member was unable or likely to be unable to satisfy the claim within a reasonable period and the investor then, duly applied for compensation from the Fund.

The board of IPF is also empowered to invest the funds with a view to grow the capital base of the IPF. The IPF rules indicates that an investor whose claim is within the maximum limit may be paid the full amount of the loss, after deduction of any amount or value of all monies or other benefits received or receivable by the investor from a source other than the Fund in reduction of the loss.

Besides, where the board is satisfied that in principle compensation is payable but considers that immediate payment in full would not be prudent having regard to other applica-

tions for compensation, or to any uncertainty as to the amount of the investor’s overall net claim, the draft empowers the board to pay an appropriate lesser sum in final settlement or to make a payment on account.

The board may also determine to make a payment on account or to pay a lesser sum where the investor has any prospect of recovery in respect of the claim from any third party or through an application for compensation to any other person or authority.

Compensation would be paid subject to conclusive decision of the board on the basis of evidence that the investor has a claim against a dealing member, duly applied for settlement of its claim from the dealing member; the dealing member was unable or likely to be unable to satisfy the claim within a reasonable period and the investor then, duly applied for compensation from the Fund.

According to the rules, an application for compensation may be rejected if it is not promptly made and in any event within the periods stipulated in the ISA or where the investor is respon-

COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/ troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b

CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

•From left : Executive Director, South, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. U.K, Eke, Cross River State’s Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, Group Chairman, FBN Holdings PLC, Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR, Cross River State Governp’s wife Mrs. Obioma LiyelImoke and the Group Managing Director/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, at the Women Development and Child Protection Centre (WODAC) fundraising dinner held in Lagos...last week.

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THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given approval to additional 42 Bureau De Change (BDC) operators, bringing the total approved operators to 2,586 since the recapitalisation deadline elapsed in July, 2014.

The CBN had last January, published a list of 2,544 licensed BDC firms which it said had complied with its new capital requirements of N35 million as at July 31, 2014.

There were 3,208 registered BDCs in the country before the expiration of the deadline. The CBN had in June announced a new minimum capital requirement of

States groan under N18,000 minimum wage, says analyst

- P26

CBN approved BDCs hit 2,586

By Collins Nweze

N35 million for the operation of BDCs in the country, up from the N10 million it was previously.

In order to ensure that the forex dealers comply with the new capital requirements, the CBN had extended the deadline to July 31, 2014.

The forex dealers were previously given a deadline of July 15 2014.

The apex bank had also stated that interest would now be paid on the mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million, based on banking industry savings account

rate. It among other requirements, also reviewed the mandatory cautionary deposit for BDCs upward to N35 million.

The regulator had pointed out that on the expiration of the deadline on July 31, 2014, that it would cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the new requirements, adding that “only BDCs that meet the new requirements would qualify to be engaged as agent by the licenced international money transfer operators for inward and outward transfer business in Nigeria.

Companies get 20-day deadline to submit annual reports

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Meanwhile, the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has said that the $15,000 weekly sale to each BDCs by the CBN is inadequate to cover operating costs.

“Considering the difficulties that BDCs are currently facing, due to the volume of the weekly sales granted to BDCs as against the associated costs in the business, we are strongly suggesting that the CBN consider increasing the weekly sales to BDCs from $15,000 to $50,000, the Association said in a letter of appeal sent to the CBN Governor.

Oil: Nigeria, others push for extraordinary OPEC meeting

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S oil inches back to $60 per barrel Nigerian, Venezuelan and Ecuadorian officials are leading the calls for an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ministers to haggle over the cartel’s production quota to the wider oil market.

According to Forbes’ report, which quoted a recent article in the Financial Times, Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and OPEC President Diezani AlisonMadueke, expressed open frustration at the attitude of the OPEC kingmakers –Saudis to the current oil market situation. “Almost all OPEC countries, except perhaps the Arab bloc, are very uncomfortable….We are very cognisant of the Saudi position,” she said.

Forbes analysis maintained that the Saudis, and by extension most of the Arab bloc comprising of Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, won’t not give ground in the current almighty tussle for market share.

OPEC ministers are next scheduled to meet on 5 June, 2015 at their Viennese secretariat following the organisation’s international seminar for 2015. Forbes stated that anecdotal evidence I have from reliable contacts suggests that is not changing and for one reason alone – the Saudis won’t have it, and by extension neither would the Qataris, Kuwaitis and Emiratis. So what is the intention of non-Arab members in calling for it?

According to Forbes, first motive is to get a reaction out of the market. For example, after the FT published Alison-Madueke’s quotes, Brent rose albeit for a precious few moments but not nearly as meaningfully as she would have wanted.

Given the supply glut, these things no longer have the impact they used to. Second motive is to put out their blindingly obvious unease to the Saudis, hoping against all hope for a shift in position.

IBEDC appoints Onagoruwa Acting MD

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HE Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC, has appointed Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa as the acting Managing Director. Her appointment which took effect on 27th February, 2015, followed the resignation of the pioneer CEO, Fortunato Leynes.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Angela Olanrewaju, said, “Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa has been appointed officer in charge pending the resumption of the succeeding Managing Director/CEO. IBEDC is one of the survivor companies of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) after its privatisation by the Federal Government. It handles electricity distribution in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara and part of Niger State.

Moulding as a goldmine - P38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

States groan under N18,000 minimum wage, says analyst

THE 36 states are finding it difficult to fulfill their obligations because of what has been described as the “burdensome” N18,000 minimum wage.

Citing the Debt Management Office (DMO) 2014 report, which puts states’ domestic debts, excluding bonds, at N1.71 trillion, FBN capital, an investment and research firm,

Stories by Collins Nweze

said the minimum wage, which was approved in 2011, remains a strain on states’ budgets.

FBN Capital’s Head of Markets Olubunmi Ashaolu, urged states to boost their revenue internally to be able to cope.

He noted that Lagos State “has steadily generated over half of its revenue internally,” adding that the oil price crash

has reinforced the need for state, to up their internally generated revenue (IGR).

In a report titled: “Urgent need to bolster states’ IGR’’Ashaolu said some states are owing salaries because of a drop in their Federal Allocation.

States, he said, may consider

diversifying their revenue base by encouraging economic activities in sectors, such as, solid minerals and fisheries.

The analyst said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data for 2013 revealed that IGR provided 15.3 per cent of the total revenue of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as was the case in 2012.

He said the aggregate IGR grew by seven per cent to N586 billion from N548 billion in 2012. Again, Lagos emerged as the leading state achieving an IGR/total revenue ratio of 53

per cent; Kano, Ogun and Rivers achieved 35 per cent, 31 per cent and 26 per cent. “We stick with the CBN series for ease of comparison although it is dated and several individual states show different (generally higher) percentages,” he said.

He said states’ successful efforts to boost IGR leave them better placed to pursue their capital programmes without overdependence on the oildriven monthly distributions from the FAAC, and to tap the domestic bond market.

Visa, Airtel expand mobile payments

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•From left: Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano; Senior Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Adinweruka; Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo and Executive Director, Southsouth/Southeast, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong at the inauguration of an ultra-modern Donor Agency complex donated to Anambra State government by Skye Bank in Awka.

Why govt introduced e-filing, by FIRS

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HE Federal Government adopted e-filing to simplify tax payment, Acting Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Kabiru Mashi has said.

Mashi, who spoke during a stakeholders’ forum hosted by the FIRS, the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Systemspecs Limited, to create awareness on e-filing, said the target is to sensitise taxpayers on the benefits of electronic tax paying channels.

Electronic filing, he said, is a selfservice system, which enables tax payers to electronically file and submit their tax returns along with accompanying documentations.

Mashi said the platform serves as a means of reducing time and cost of compliance for tax payers and reduces the interface between the taxpayers and tax authorities.

“It provides added convenience for tax payers, who can now sit in the comfort of their homes and offices and upload their tax returns,” he said.

He explained that FIRS is mandated by law to access, collect and remit taxes accruable to the government, saying that in discharging the function, it is also empowered to employ all lawful strategies to enable it fulfill its mandate.

The Executive Director, Business Development, NIBSS, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe explained that the organisations plan to develop an e-solution, a platform that would make it easy to pay tax across every channel in Nigeria.

Mrs Onyejekwe said: “The e-filing is a simplified form of paying tax by individuals and corporates. If you go to the platforms, there are self-assessments. That enables you to assess yourself on what is outstanding and

what is required to pay and how you can make your payment,” she noted.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Systemspecs Limited, Mr. John Obaro explained that prior to the introduction of e-filing, payment of taxes, which was manually done, was very cumbersome.

According to him, the creation of an electronic filing through the Remita platform, a payment engine has simplified tax payment. “A number of our organisations already use Remita to pay salaries, pension funds and others. But now, they are able to make tax payments to the FIRS on the platform. “When they do that through the platform, they don’t need to submit any document again because we are integrated at the back to the FIRS. With e-filing, the manual way of paying tax would be phased out gradually. There would be a period of transition ultimately,” he said.

•From left: Experience Centre Manager, Ikoyi, Heritage Bank Limited, Kufretido Etim; Group Head, Cowry Banking, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Davidson Regha; Founder, the Cerebral Palsy Centre (CPC), Nonye Nweke and CPC Board Vice Chairperson, Hajia Raliat Ibrahim, during the donation of a brand new Hyundai Bus to CPC by the bank, in Lagos.

ISA Inc. and Bharti Airtel are poised to introduce innovative mobile payment services in Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles and Tanzania.

In a statement, they said they would build on the existing capabilities of Airtel’s Mobile Money service, which allows subscribers to use their Airtel Money account to pay in stores and online wherever Visa is accepted.

Additionally, customers can withdraw money and make payments from their Airtel Money account using their Airtel Money Visa companion card.

“Mobile payments can transform the lives of people throughout Africa who commonly have access to a mo-bile phone, but not a bank.

For most new subscribers, this will represent their first payment account and bring some of the latest digital payment advancements into the everyday experiences of Airtel’s customers,” Vish Sowani, Vice President, MNO Partnerships for

Visa said.

They explained that aside everyday Visa transactions in stores, online and at ATMs, Airtel Money can also be used to make micro-payments, conduct fund transfers, purchase airtime and pre-paid electricity, plus Internet bundles - using an easy, safe mobile experience. For example, a bill can be paid without having to travel, wait in long lines, or hold large sums of cash.

“We are excited to embark on the next phase of development for Airtel Money with our new partner Visa,” said Chidi Okpala, Director and Head of Airtel Money Africa.

“We can look forward to further empowering our Airtel Money customers with access to retail, ATM and online payments using only their Airtel Mobile Phone and companion card to manage all their mobile payment needs.”

Visa and Airtel have already launched an Airtel Money Visa Card in Kenya and will roll out services in other markets starting in early 2015.

Heritage Bank inaugurates SME finance scheme

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ERITAGE Bank Limited has announced the launch of the Paris Klub SME (PKS) scheme. The SME Finance Package scheme is designed to support lending to the subsector without core collaterals.

Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, said there is no better time to support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) than now when the survival of the economy depends largely on retail businesses.

He noted that to improve the dwindling economy, a robust SME business environment has to be developed.

“This is why we introduced the Paris Klub SME (PKS) Scheme to support lending without core collateral. We take pride in our hybrid solutions where borrowing customers gain access to more value added services including consulting, business tools and technology.

What we have done is to bring up an innovative idea of how to finance SMEs without collateral. Once we identify the SMEs, we offer advisory services to them, we help them to structure their businesses and also with their cash flows,” he explained.

The bank chief said the lender is currently developing a sponsored interest scheme for the education sector where educational institutions can borrow at low rate subsidised by the scheme manager. “We are also discussing partnership programmes with Venture Capital Firms to introduce debt-equity financing option”, he revealed.

Sekibo noted that one major rea-

son why banks were not funding SMEs was because of the risk involved. “A high perceived risk of lending to the largely unstructured SME Sector is a major issue. More efforts and resources are generally required to effectively monitor loans to SMEs which may result in eating into the bottom-line. In addition, banks also have different risk appetite,” he said.

Speaking on the new SME Financing Scheme, Group Head, SME, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Mr. Bayo Ogunnusi, noted that Heritage Bank is working on several other sector-specific finance schemes in its quest to make SME financing simple. He specifically mentioned the agric sector where a large chunk of the nation’s SMEs operates.

“We have financed a few agric projects and understand the challenges of the sub-sector. However, as a bank committed to improving national growth and development, we are encouraged by the long term potentials of the sub-sector.

We are also leveraging on CBN Agricultural Funds (MSMEDF and CACS) and currently developing capacities to effectively support the agric sub-sector.”

Ogunnusi affirmed that with the ongoing integration of the recently acquired Enterprise Bank with about 160 branches and 400 points of presence, which include ATMs and mini kiosks across Nigeria into the Heritage bank network, the bank’s capacity to grow the retail business sector would be properly enhanced.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

27

MONEY The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wants banks to key into the Islamic finance market for cheap funds following oil prices slump. It has also rolled out new governance guidelines in line with the centralised model of supervision, which is preferred globally, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

Fallen oil price increases drive for Islamic banking W HEN a Muslim cleric told Ahmad Abubakar, a bank customer, that Sharia law forbids paying interest, he returned his N1 million loan from a new generation bank to the lender and turned to the fast-growing industry of Islamic finance.

It is a market that has doubled in size over the past four years and is now worth more than $2 trillion, with demand forecast to soar to new heights.

Abubakar returned the loan just one week after he got the money from his bank. “A cleric told me it is not permissible under Islam to take loans from a non-Islamic bank because they charge interest,” the white-collar worker said.

A few days later, he arranged for a loan from an Islamic bank after paying a $100 service charge. As well as the religious aspect, customers are attracted to Islamic finance by its flexibility, link to real economic activity and its ban on transactions involving speculation or uncertainty, experts say.

Growth of the Islamic finance market globally has continued unabated since last year despite poor recovery in other segments within the world’s financial markets. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) links the rapid growth of Islamic banking in developing countries to its relative resilience to financial crises as compared to conventional banking. Therefore, Sharia-compliant assets are expected to sustain double-digit growth in the coming two to three years.

With Nigerian banks facing cash crunch over oil price fall and increasing need to shore up their capital bases, the time to promote Islamic finance is now. Hence, many people saw it coming when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week, issued guidelines for an advisory body that will oversee Islamic banking in the country.

Impact of the guidelines Islamic finance refers to the means by which corporations in the Muslim world, including banks and other lending institutions, raise capital in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law. With the policy guidelines, the CBN has become the latest regulator to opt for a centralised approach to the Islamic banking industry. It also indicates that Nigeria, home to the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa with over 80 million Muslims, and authorities are trying to establish the country as the African hub for Islamic finance.

Traditionally, Islamic banks have practiced self-regulation when ensuring that their products follow religious principles. But a centralised model of supervision is increasingly being favoured across much of the world.

Countries including Bahrain and Morocco have opted for such a format, which can help to limit differences between products, speed the design of new products and boost investor confidence.

For Nigeria, the advisory body, known as the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts, will be tasked with ensuring all banking products that are designated as Islamic conform to sharia principles.

The guidelines set out minimum requirements for the advisory body, which will comprise a minimum of five members including a CBN official. Members, who will serve renewable two-year terms, must be qualified in Islamic jurisprudence, and are restricted from working for any other financial in-

the Islamic world. But today our ambition is to go further still. I want London to stand alongside Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as one of the great capitals of Islamic finance anywhere in the world,” he said.

Nigeria’s perspective

• Currency box

stitution supervised by the apex bank.

Financial institutions that offer Islamic banking products are already required to have their own boards of Sharia finance experts, who are limited to serving in one institution at a time.

The advisory body will be guided by the principles of Sharia governance issued by the Malaysia-based Islamic Financial Services Board.

Besides Nigeria, global acceptance for Islamic finance is increasing by the day despite initial hitches to its survival. According to Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Islamic finance remained a demand-driven market, with scarce supply, still hampered by a limited range of Islamic financial centers and their various regulatory frameworks.

The rating agency said it believed that regulatory efforts to accommodate Islamic finance and the establishment of additional industry bodies at national levels will take center-stage starting, in 2014. Interestingly, newcomers in the industry – such as Oman, Turkey, and Nigeria, for instance, have started to trace the footsteps of fast-growing pioneers, such as Malaysia.

What experts think An international expert in Islamic finance, Sheik Abdulkader Thomas said deposits from noninterest banking could be deployed into infrastructure funding and other developmental projects.

Thomas, who is an American living in Kuwait, described Nigeria as a huge market for non-interest banking, given its large population base. He said the banking concept is a viable means of gathering huge deposits, adding that although Nigeria’s infrastructure is seen as weakness, deposits from non-interest banking can be used to fix it.

He said: “We have to look at a country like Nigeria from a different perspective. Kuwait has small population, with very high wealth.

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

But Nigeria has very large population. We believe that non-interest banking will be very important to gather savings from the grassroots population,” he said.

He said the billions of dollars in the non-interest banking accounts globally, cannot find its way into Nigeria, rather, the country should generate its own funds to finance key projects and create wealth for its citizens.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Ariyo Olushekun, said prospects for Islamic finance are very bright. He said the finance system has become necessary since a very significant proportion of Nigerian population strongly believe that based on the nature of the capital market and the dictates of their religion, they cannot invest in the market. He said there is therefore, need to develop products that are attractive to these set of investors to allow easy flow of their funds into the market.

“The one that is popular is Islamic finance. Some Christians also do not like certain things, some do not like alcohol, some cannot put their money in companies producing

arms and ammunitions some cannot put their money into companies that are gambling and all that.

So, all these funds are outside the market, we need to bring them in, call them any name. If traditional or Idol worshippers need certain product, develop it and use it to bring their money into the market. The same thing applies to everybody,” he said.

Olushekun explained that these products are limited to any religion, adding that what is important is to improve the depth of the market by introducing products and instruments that will channel funds and savings into the market. This, he said, would allow those who have projects to raise limitless amount of money from the market to execute those projects.

Capital base The CBN guidelines on non-interest banking put the minimum capital base of N10 billion for National Islamic Banks and N5 billion for regional Islamic banks. However, the regulator allows deposit money banks to offer non-interest banking products, using existing structure such as the branches, even manpower.

According to the CBN, Nigeria should not ignore Islamic Finance, which has become household name in Europe and America. For instance, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron recently resolved to make London the global hub of Islamic finance, hence the need for Nigeria to wake up to opportunities the finance system presents.

Speaking at the World Islamic Economic Forum, Cameron expressed his desire for London to be one of the greatest capital of Islamic finance. According to him, steps had already been taken to open up London for more Islamic financing activities.

“Already London is the biggest centre for Islamic finance outside

‘Besides Nigeria, global acceptance for Islamic finance is increasing by the day despite initial hitches to its survival. According to Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Islamic finance remained a demand-driven market, with scarce supply, still hampered by a limited range of Islamic financial centers and their various regulatory frameworks’

Nigeria’s profile as Africa’s most liquid debt market after South Africa has been rising since JP Morgan and Barclays last year, included its bonds in their sovereign bond indices, encouraging greater foreign participation in its debt market. The use of Islamic finance in Africa could grow further as several north and sub-Saharan African countries including Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa and Kenya are laying the legal groundwork to issue sukuk, an Islamic finance bond.

Osun State, Nigeria recently floated the country’s first Islamic bond, taking a major step towards developing an Islamic finance industry in the country. Analysts said the Nigerian Sharia-compliant bond issued by the state while relatively small at $62 million, signaled the start of a trend.

The sukuk is based on an ijara structure, a common leasing arrangement in Islamic finance, which bans payment of interest.

Sukuk have become an increasingly popular investment globally, particularly among cash-rich funds in the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

The CBN has so far registered Jaiz Bank, and has given a licence to Stanbic IBTC Bank to operate some window. Sterling Bank also has approval to operate an Islamic window. This is in addition to the work being done by the National Insurance Commission to promote Takaful, an Islamic insurance product.

Russia example Russian banks are developing their expertise in Islamic finance to help broaden funding sources for local firms hurt by Western sanctions. Though Russia’s Islamic banking sector is still in its infancy, an estimated 20 million Muslims living in the country are seen as a potential source of money, as are cash-rich Islamic funds abroad.

However, the EU and the US are seeking to cut overseas funding to Russian firms over Moscow’s support for the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Banks in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the major markets for Sharia-compliant debt, are wary of becoming tangled in the sanctions. So, some Russian lenders are trying to build their own in-house knowledge of Islamic finance.

State development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB), which has been targeted by the sanctions, is seeking help from Middle East firms to develop its Islamic finance expertise, a spokesperson said, without naming those institutions. “VEB sets as it goal diversification of project financing instruments, and among those considers Islamic finance tools.”

VTB Bank, Russia’s second-largest lender and another sanctions target, is exploring sukuk deals for several of its clients, although some questions remain over the accounting treatment of such transactions, the bank said. “Nonetheless, this remains a current issue, especially given growing interest in Asian markets.”

In December last year, officials from institutions including Moscow Industrial Bank, VEB and SME Bank took part in a trade mission to the Gulf region, with Islamic finance featuring in the discussions.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Companies get 20-day deadline to submit annual reports

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UOTED companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have about 20 working days to submit their audited report and accounts for the immediate past business year to the regulators and the general investing public.

The Nation's check indicated that only two quoted companies have so far submitted their annual reports and accounts, representing less than one per cent of the companies that are quoted on the two boards of the NSE. Forte Oil had blazed the trails two weeks ago while Nestle Nigeria followed last week.

Post-listing rules at the NSE require quoted companies to submit their earnings reports, not later than three months after the expiration of the period. Most quoted companies including all banks, major manufacturers, oil and gas companies, breweries and cement companies use the 12-month Gregorian calendar year as their business year. The business year thus terminates on December 31.

NSE's regulatory filing calendar indicates that the deadline for submission of annual report for com-

Stories by Taofik Salako

panies with Gregorian calendar business year is Tuesday, March 31.

Any company that fails to meet the March 31, 2015 deadline will be liable for both monetary sanction and NSE's "naming and shaming" tagging of non-compliant companies. Besides, compliance with the deadline is generally regarded as a measure of good corporate governance.

However, the NSE can grant general waiver and extension of the deadline while individual company can also apply for waiver and extension of the deadline.

A source at the Exchange said the NSE has seen no reason for any extension or waiver.

The NSE had slammed some N60.2 million as fines on 34 companies for failure to meet deadlines for 2011 audited reports.

With a range of N3.8 million and N100, 000, average fine for the year was N1.77 million.

NSE tags and applies fines on companies that fail to meet earnings reports' deadline. Under the

corporate governance and rules compliance assessment report known as X-Compliance Report, NSE identified four different kinds of tags or symbols to alert investors about the status of each quoted company. These include below listings standard (BLS), the first degree alert level indicating a company that has not complied with post listing rules such as late submission of financial statements, unauthorized publication, and management failures among others.

Also, financial services companies such as bank and insurance companies awaiting regulatory approval will carry the appropriate symbol of awaiting regulatory approval (ARA). Companies that are undergoing a capital reconstruction exercise including supplementary issue, share buyback, split, share reconstruction among others will be tagged with capital reconstruction exercise (CRE) while companies that have indicated that they will be delisting or companies that are being delisted at the instance of the regulator would be flagged with

delisting in process (DIP) symbol.

Market sources said they expected the filing of annual reports to pick up considerably as from this week noting that several companies have been finalising arrangements to submit their reports in time to beat the deadline.

According to sources, several companies are expected to call their final board meeting for the endorsement of the audited report and accounts in the next two weeks.

Already, the board of directors of BOC Gases has indicated that it would meet next Monday to consider the audited accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2014. The meeting is also expected to consider the issue of dividend declaration at the meeting.

Forte Oil had set the trend for earnings release and dividend recommendation two weeks ago. The board of the oil and gas company recommended distribution of about N2.7 billion in cash dividends and 216 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo as bonus shares for the 2014 business year. Shareholders will receive a divi-

dend per share of N2.50 and bonus shares of one share for every five ordinary shares currently held.

The board of directors of Nestle Nigeria last week recommended distribution of N13.87 billion to shareholders as final dividends for the immediate past business year ended December 31, 2014. Nestle Nigeria had earlier distributed N7.93 billion as interim dividends. This final dividend recommendation brought total dividend for the year to N21.8 billion.

A breakdown of the dividend recommendation showed that shareholders would receive a final dividend per share of N17.50, bringing total dividend per share for the year to N27.50. The final dividend is expected to be approved by shareholders at the company's annual general meeting on May 11, 2015 and will subsequently become payable as from May 12, 2015 to shareholders on the register of the company as at the close of business on Friday, 24 April 2015.

The final dividend is being paid from the pioneer profits of the company and as such not subject to deduction of withholding tax.

Nigeria, Angola sign MoU on capital market development

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IGERIA and Angola has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together for the development of the capital markets of the two countries.

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Angola’s Comissão do Mercado de Capitais (CMC), the respective apex capital market regulator for the two countries, signed the MoU on the sidelines of last week’s meeting of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

The MoU covers areas of technical support and information sharing between the two countries and seeks to further facilitate exchange of information on issues of common interest between regulators.

Also, the two countries would collaborate to promote the identification and discussion on specific issues of common interest as well as encourage development of both markets.

The signing of the MoU was wit-

nessed by the IOSCO Secretary General, Mr. David Wright. IOSCO is the global body of securities regulators and its membership regulates more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets in over 100 jurisdictions. AMERC represents a major bloc in IOSCO. Nigeria is a member of the board of IOSCO, the governing and standard-setting organ of IOSCO. IOSCO board consists of 32 securities regulators including securities regulatory authorities of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Ontario, Pakistan, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and the United States.

The MoU came as IOSCO set up a work agenda to strengthen and foster the roles of capital markets as trusted sources of capital with a view to encouraging greater use of capital markets as financing channels for transactions.

•From left: Lawrence FubaraAnga, Partner, Aelex Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators, Mr. Bola Ajomale, MD/ CEO NASD Plc. Mr. BisiSanda, MD/CEO Ernst &Young and Mr. AdeniyiFalade MD/CEO, Crusader Sterling Pension Ltd, Speakers on “Private Equity Exits” organized by NASD Plc. In Lagos

Access Bank's N53b rights issue closes amidst optimism

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APPLICATION list for the N53 billion rights issue by Access Bank Plc closes today amidst optimism that the bank would leverage on its premium brand and recent successes to achieve full subscription. Shareholders of the bank have up till the close of business today to submit their acceptance forms. Also, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will hold its last trading session on the rights issue today.

Access Bank Plc is offering about 7.63 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N6.90 to existing shareholders on the basis of one new share for every three shares held. The rights issue had opened on January 26, 2015.

It is however unclear as at press time if Access Bank will seek for extension of the application period. The bank needs to proof to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that there are exceptional reasons to warrant extension as there were no many public holidays and industrial and civil disturbance during the offer period.

Market analysts said the bank could achieve its target given its underlying value. Analysts at Afrinvest Securities had said Access Bank Plc has strong potential to generate high capital gains and above-average dividend yields to investors.

A review of high-value stocks by the investment firm indicated that the bank's

share price could rise to N11.80 per share over the next 12 months. The 12-month target price represents a capital gain of 71 per cent on the bank's rights issue price of N6.90 per share.

According to analysts, Access Bank could also deliver above-average returns to long-term investors with its dividend yield at 9.5 per cent.

Analysts placed the "buy" ticker on Access Bank, implying that investors are encouraged to take position in the bank as its 12-month return will definitely not be less than 25 per cent.

The net proceeds of the N53 billion offer would be used to upgrade the information and communication technology (ICT) systems of the bank to provide better services and build a more robust ICT platform as well as upgrade the branch network and facilities to serve the growing number of clients and further improve the working environment of staff.

The bank would also use part of the proceeds to further develop its distribution channel infrastructure to provide better and more efficient services to clients while it would also augment its working capital to expand its loan book in its identified sectors of growth in line with its medium term strategic objectives. Access Bank would also use part of

the proceeds to pursue opportunities for international expansion.

In a strategic preview of the bank, the management of Access Bank outlined that the ongoing recapitalization is part of its strategic initiatives aimed at realizing the bank's strategic vision of becoming the world's most respected African bank by 2017 and attain a top three position in any of its chosen market segments, based on all performing metrics.

The bank stated that it would focus on five key broad initiatives over the next the next three years with each initiative targeted at various areas of the bank's operations. These included customer relationship, products, delivery channels, relationship management and product pricing.

The bank stated that its number one priority will be its customers and it will continue to focus on improving and deepening the relationship with the customers by embarking on customer sub-segmentation, which will improve the feedback process and transform the whole customer experience.

Under the superior product initiative, the bank plans to develop superior banking products, which will act as "game changers", tailor-made for specific customer needs.

According to the bank, as the Nigerian banking industry becomes more competitive, it can increase its market share

by developing products that offer better value and by showing a better understanding of individual customer needs.

"The bank is in the process of optimising its services distribution channels. The goal under this initiative is to improve the service delivery channels to customers by providing a wide range of distribution channels, such as mobile banking and mini cash centres, while improving the bank's operational efficiency by rationalising its branch network," the bank stated.

The bank also plans to automate and improve its product pricing to maximize returns and minimise risks, in line with its risk management guidelines. This is expected to boost profitability by improving its return on risk-adjusted capital model for pricing its products and services.

Under the relationship management initiative, Access Bank aims at maintaining and strengthening its relationship with existing customers, while attracting new customers. The bank plans to attract new customers based on trust and the strong working relationship with existing clients.

Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, noted that in furtherance of the bank's objective of ranking as one of the top three banks in its chosen markets, it has identified certain sectors and market segments as growth op-

portunities for the next five years adding that enhancement of the bank's capital base is critical to the realisation of the potentials in the identified sectors.

He outlined that the capital raising is also to stand the bank in good chance in the event of regulatory headwinds.

According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria recently designated eight banks, including Access Bank, as Systematically Important Banks (SIBs). SIBs will be required to have an additional one per cent buffer of tier1 capital above the minimum capital required by other banks.

"These developments make the enhancement of the Bank's capital base imperative for the realisation of its strategic objectives," Oyebode said.

Oyebode noted that the bank has put in place adequate measures to safeguard it against possible headwinds and risks.

According to him, management of Access Bank has broadly categorised the potential risks into risks to the entire banking industry and risks specific to Access Bank. Potential risks to the entire banking industry include headwinds from regulatory changes. The bank has set comfort buffers above regulatory limits to reduce the impact of any unexpected regulatory changes. Potential risks specific to the bank include, but are not limited to, composition of the bank's deposits, loan book concentration, and foreign currency risks.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

PAGE 29

Anytime of the day, the children are constantly on the water either to acquire education or to do business.

Their lives revolve around the Lagos lagoon, and for two days SEUN AKIOYE followed some of these water children to find out what it means to live and work on water.

T

INSIDE

HE waters of the Lagos lagoon around Makoko on Lagos mainland where thousands of Egun people built their homes is hardly still, no thanks to a flurry of human activities like dumping of refuse or doing ones’ toilet directly into the water. But the major reason for this all round activity is the constant movement of hundreds of canoes across the river.

Because the only way to access the Makoko waterfront is by canoe, there is hardly a home without one; the more prosperous families have about two. There are others who rent out canoes to commercial drivers, they have more than three.

So on the river, there is hardly a still moment. Many of the boats are used for commercial purposes, mostly as taxis and are driven by children some as young as five years old. It is hard to find an adult commercial boat driver in Makoko, many of them are engaged in more profitable vocations like building of canoes, as dressmakers, pastors in one of the several churches on the river and the larger proportion of the community are expectedly fishermen.

On the morning of Thursday February 26, 2015 at Jesusemadegbe (Jesus commands) jetty, a canoe pulled to shore. The driver named John or as he is famously known in Makoko, John the deaf pulled up silently and helped his passenger disembark. In the middle of the activities at the jetty, John stood silently.

He did not join the other children in shouting for passengers but waited painfully for anyone who will come towards him.

John was born deaf but some of his mates said he became dumb in his childhood; it is rather difficult to know the truth of the matter. His mates said he is about 12 years old and has been driving canoes in Makoko since he was able to row.

Even though many of his competitors would credit him as the “best canoe driver in Makoko” and he works from sunrise to sunset, John the deaf hardly makes much money compared to his colleagues. This is understandable as even the few passengers he gets mostly cheated him in the transactions.

This is Makoko, a community of about 200,000 people consisting of mainly indigenous Egun people and a sprinkle of Ijaw and Ilaje. Makoko is hidden in the middle of Lagos mainland and it has the reputation of being one of the most deprived and blighted communities in the state. Makoko is divided into two, the waterfront and the mainland.

Amazing tale of Makoko waterfront children •Some children at Jesusemadegbe jetty. Insert Jeremiah Dansu

The mainland economy is largely dependent on the fish caught on the high seas by those who live on the waterfront where there are more than 200 houses built on stilts to accommodate almost 50,000 people including lots of children. These people have little interactions with the outside world; their existence depended on the water. And because of their peculiarities, thousands of tourists visit their community rowing on its dark and usually dirty water.

This is the unusual story of the children who run a part of the economy as fishermen/boys, boat drivers and itinerant sellers; they are called the water children.

The water children: Entrepreneurs, breadwinners About a quarter of the population of Makoko consist of children under the age of 18 years. The high population of children may be due to poverty and on the average a family would have at least six children. The

Relief for Apete residents as Oyo govt rebuilds damaged bridge

Armed thugs sack Ibadan community....

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PAGES 34

large population according to some of the residents could also be attributed to the prevailing profession in the area; fishing, as the children are ready source of labour to prepare and sell the fish caught by their parents.

Thus a large proportion of the children are engaged in some form of economic engagement to help their family. Because they live on the water, the children of Makoko are expert swimmers and canoe drivers. As early as three years or as soon as they

Aborted dream

PAGE 35

are able to crawl into the canoes, they begin to learn how to paddle.

Swimming comes to them naturally and there has been no report of any one of them drowning- at least not yet.

Every morning, young children paddled out to the sea either to attend school or to run errands. Others are also engaged as sellers of food stuff, or of fresh water which is scarce in the community. There are

•Continued on page 30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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THE SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Students of Whayinna wait for a canoe

•Continued from page 29 the fishermen or rather boys/girls too, those who set traps for fishes in the night and return in the morning to check the catch. But mostly, the major vocation of the children of Makoko is commercial canoe driving.

Almost all the children are engaged in this either full time or for those who attend some form of school on part time basis. In Makoko, three names stood out among the drivers: Eustache Avlessi (14), Joachin Noudenanon (15) and Pacome Messou (12). The three are friends and they attend the same school working part time during the week and full time at weekends or during holidays.

Joachin is the most enthusiastic of the trio. He has been paddling since the age of five and considers himself as a supreme swimmer. “There is no child in this community who cannot swim, we learn to swim from the time we were born. Because there is no other way to survive, we learn fishing and how to paddle canoes too.”

Joachin is very shrewd at business, every morning before school, he joins the horde of other children to hustle for passengers. They are mostly his fellow schoolmates and teachers and after the evening lessons he resumed at Jesusemadegbe jetty, picking passengers for N50 and N100. “At the end of the day, I make about N700,” Joachin said. The profit goes into his education.

Eustache runs his business using his mother’s canoe but his business hours are limited because of his school activities. “I start business by 5pm after school and make about N500 per day.

This has not affected my studies be-

cause this is what we do every time,” he said. Like Joachin, his profits go into funding his evening lessons at school.

Pacome fancies himself as the king of the canoe trade. He began commercial canoe driving in 2012 using his grandmother’s canoe and he claimed to have made more money than his classmates. On one occasion, he made N1000 working from morning till night. It was the highlight of his career which he was very proud of. “I made N1,000 which I gave to my grandmother and she used it for my school.”

Pacome works every weekend all day but he is fortunate, many other children whose parents do not know the value of education or cannot afford it simply abandon school and take to full time work. Such is the lot of Monday Lokosu and his siblings.

Every day, Monday paddles his mother’s canoe upstream; fetch five gallons of fresh water which he sells to willing customers. Each trip of five gallons fetches him a tidy N150. This trip is repeated about three times in a day and the proceed goes into feeding his family.

The water schools Every morning in almost all the houses children dressed in school uniform filed by the edge of their stilt houses waiting for transportation to take them to school. This is the time Isaac Usu, a 13- year –old boy who has never been to school makes most of his money.

“I have never been to school because I do not have any money and my parents cannot afford the money for school. I will like to go to the English speaking school so that I can learn Yoruba and English, but now I

•From left: Joachin, Eustache and Pacome in one of thier canoes

•Busines

Amazing tale of Makok cannot go to school because of money,” Isaac told The Nation as he increased the fury of his paddle.

He would stop at a house, pick up a student and move to the next. In this way, he collected five students and deposited them at the various schools.

In one of the trips witnessed by The Nation he made about N200. Isaac has nine other siblings and none is attending school, the money he makes from his boat driving goes into his family upkeep.

The Makoko schools do not follow the same arrangements as can be seen in schools in other parts of Lagos.

Even though, the same curricular is taught to the students, they are modestly adapted to suit the peculiar needs of the children of the river.

The most prominent school on the river is Whanyinna Nursery and Primary School. On a notice board that hangs on the building, the school address is given as Makoko Water Front Yaba and its motto is ‘Virtue and Hard work’.

Whanyinna School is built on a sand filled plot in the middle of the community close to the sea and it has very interesting story. According to the head teacher, Shemede Noah, the school was a donation from some white men who are members of the Yatch Club. The members promised to build the community a school.

That promise was fulfilled in 2008 when a portion of the sea had to be sand filled for two months and the construction of the school costs N3million. After the school was built,

there was the problem of a teacher.

This was when Noah was called in.

“My father is the head of this community and he has 22 children. I am the last born and the only one that was educated, so when the school was built my mother said I should come and help to teach the children as a contribution to my community,” he said.

But that decision didn’t come easy, after his secondary school, he had acquired new friends and had moved to another part of Lagos. Social life has also taken its toll, “It was very hard for me to move back here to the community but I had to do it for my people.”

Noah began with 72 children. It was a tough job convincing the parents to allow their children attend a school instead of helping with fishing or selling wares in the canoe on the river.

But Noah had a trump card: “ I told them that if the parents of the doctors who treat them when they are sick, the lawyers who help them handle their cases had not allowed them to go to school, how will they be able to help us now. I told them about President Goodluck Jonathan who is from our kind of community, education made him become the president.”

Apparently, the lure of their children becoming president and doctors swayed the parents, soon the children increased. Initially, Noah taught them alone getting stipends of about N2, 500 from his father as salary, soon he employed other teachers. Today, there are 239 children in Nursery and Pri-

mary class with nine teachers. Salaries for the teachers-which range between N10, 000 and 18,000- is sourced from donors. Whanyinna is also the only English speaking school in the whole of Makoko waterfront. Noah makes up the school expenses from proceeds from his fishing boats.

But Whanyinna has a problem of space and so two classes are merged into one. For instance, primaries one and two occupy the same space likewise for primaries three and four. But one should not be deceived about the quality of teaching as pupils in Nursery one are already doing sums of addition and subtraction. There are other things which make Noah smile in the darkness of his room at night, 35 of his students are already in secondary school outside the community and at least a good number of them have a prospect of going further to the university. “They have formed an Old Students Association and some are in Denton Secondary School and are doing well,” Noah said smiling.

At 10: am, a loud bell rang and the students ran out forming an unruly line in front of food sellers in the school compound. It was the short break time. Being on water has its advantages, truancy is eliminated, almost. Once the canoes deposited the children in the morning, most of the commercial canoes only return at closing time.

Though Whanyinna is the biggest and the best equipped school in Makoko waterfront, it is not the only

SEUN AKIOYE tells the inspiring story of an immigrant dressmaker who lives in the deprived Makoko a

A dressmaker, the water and his students

Song: “The French greets Bonsour So we also greet you Bonsour The English greets good morning So we greet you good morning In Badagry, they say E ku Irin So we also say Eku irin, se dada ni?”

ERRAD Avlessi’s voice boomed in the middle of several soprano voices as he led a welcome song for his visitor. The song which was accompanied by rhythmic clapping went on for about three minutes with each sentence being repeated. At the mention of “good morning” about 18 girls would kneel at the same time in greeting. This action made the wooden floor shake and it seemed as if the stilts on which the house was standing would give way, depositing its occupants into the Makoko River.

The singing was done in the living room of Avlessi, one of the most prosperous dressmakers in Makoko waterfront, a slum of approximately 50,000 Lagosians. The “choir” com-

J

prised mainly of his apprentices all girls between the ages of 15 and 25 years.

When the singing was over, an apprentice brought a bowl filled with dried fish which was presented to the visitor. This offering was not expected to be refused as that would offend the sensibility of the givers. It was after this offering that a conversation would take place, all the students sat on the floor in rapt attention as Avlessi told his story.

An immigrant story Inside the slums of Makoko, there are many stories of human resilience and determination in the face of daunting obstacles. Makoko itself was not originally a slum, founded in the 18th century as a fishing village, it soon began to attract immigrants, first from Badagry and then from Benin Republic.

The newcomers preferred to set up their dwelling on the Lagos lagoon, enjoying proximity to the sea while

•Hunkpe(middle) and her colleagues at the shop. Insert: Alvessi

engaging in their vocation of fishing.

Soon the poor and the desperate began to come to Makoko hoping for an economic miracle, this was the

pattern over the centuries.

Avlessi arrivedMakoko in 2006 armed with his only worldly possessions, a motorcycle and a sewing ma-

chine. Avelessi was born and raised in Benin Republic and he had been trained as a dressmaker. But business was slow and money hard to come

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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THE SOUTHWEST REPORT

siness girl Vivian

•Students of Etoile Thales

oko waterfront children school. There are about 15 others which are French speaking, but the most prominent ones are Ecole Primaire Privee Thales and the Ecole Primaire Privee Saint Michel.

Eustache, Joachin and Pacome all attend Ecole Thales and are in Primary six. The school which is situated right in the middle of Makoko consists only of two buildings and like Whanyinna is built on reclaimed land. To get to the school, one would have to row along some narrow river course and meander between different houses. Like the other school, two classes share a room and the students are about 150. A flimsy cardboard divided the classes on either side, the black board is suspended by a rope.

Akokogbo Godday Josiah has been teaching at the school since 2008 and has risen to the position of the assistant head teacher. There is a vast difference between the Whanyinna and the French speaking schools. At Ecole Thales, the students speak and study in French. They follow the French curriculum as provided for in Benin Republic where the students usually take their final exams.

When The Nation arrived at the school about 80 pairs of young eyes who descended on the reporter, stood up in unison and ranted several French sing song sentences to welcome the visitor. “Mercie, mercie” the visitor responded which generated loud laughter from the children.

In the class of Primary five and six, an interesting lecture was taking place, the trio of Pacome, Eustache and

Joachin were in the middle of the class discussion. It did not look like a normal class, one that you see in English speaking schools but it’s like a participatory lesson. The teacher asked a question and Joachin raised his hands.

Several hands followed, “moi, moi” they cried.

Akokogbo said the class is preparing for the entrance examination to secondary school in July. The examination will take place in Benin Republic and those who succeeded can proceed to a high school either in that country or in Nigeria.

“We have a secondary school here, it is called Etoile de la Disapora and the lessons are taught in French. There are English lessons too but once you pass that secondary school you will be qualified to either complete your education in Nigeria or in Benin Republic,” he said.

The model that works for the people of Makoko is a complicated but advantageous one. To retain their roots, the children’s primary education is in French, once they master the language, they can proceed to a secondary school and learn English.

By their teenage years, they have been educated in English and French and they speak Egun and Yoruba at home. This way, they are at more advantage than their Nigerian counterparts who speak only English apart from their native language.

The children just returned from mid day break when The Nation arrived at Privee Saint Michel. The school was founded in 2005 and currently has 200

students attended to by four teachers.

The head teacher, Lawrence Sozomey is very proud of his school but quickly admitted it is more of a tutorial class.

“We are French so we have to learn French, before now our children were out of school but now there are more than 15 French schools in this place.

This is not a full school but it is like a lesson,” Sozomey said.

Like the other schools, the Privee Saint Michel combines two classes together and consists of a single onestorey-building linked by a rather steep ladder. But there is another interesting feature of the French schools, students pay N50 for the lower classes and N70 for the upper classes per day as Akokogbo explained “ just for support”. In the evening, students pay N50 for evening lessons. In an average month, a parent would pay N1000 for tuition and N3, 000 for an average term. But there are other little bills to be paid and the real fees may be in the region of N5, 000 to N10, 000 depending on the class. But the teachers consider this as a charity because the fees are mere stipends compared with the quality of education the kids get.

“If they can get quality education for less, why not?” Akokogbo asked.

“I want to go to school, but I have to help my family” The schools in Makoko closed at the same time. This means more canoe activities on the river. It is not unusual for traffic jams to occur as different canoes struggle on the narrow river roads to get to the schools.

Isaac joined in the frenzied driving

towards Ecole Saint Michel. Several children are waiting for commercial canoes, it would cost them N50 to return home.

But there are many others who will be joining their parents canoe, driven by an older sibling, one of such is Eustache and his four siblings. Soon their canoe arrived in front of their house and the kids climbed the steep steps into the house. Another canoe followed behind carrying seven school children, it was paddled by a boy not more than six years old, but he did it with such expertise and dexterity while the kids in the canoe sang.

Singing is an integral culture of the Egun and it is a beautiful sight to see school children singing in a canoe on the way back from school. Eustache and his siblings ate lunch in a hurry and began preparations for the evening classes. Their father, Jerrad, one of the more prosperous dressmakers in Makoko insists they must attend all the lessons available. Soon a lone canoe made its approach, driven by a little girl of about 10 years. Written boldly inside the canoe is Beatrice Agiah. Two bowls were prominent in the boat, one containing fried fish and the other, garri. The boat pulled to a stop in front of the Avlessi home and the girl began to make conversation in Egun. Her name: Vivian Sakar.

Vivian has never been to school and she understands only Egun language.

She also does not aspire to be educated; her parents could not afford the fees.

Her mother and grandmother sell smoked fish and everyday Vivian mounts her grandmother’s canoe saddled with fish and garri which she sells throughout Makoko. The profits goes into feeding the large family,

without the contributions of Vivian, the family may go hungry.

Jerrad said there are hundreds of kids who do not go to school and have no hope of attending one. It simply costs too much, even those who wanted to learn a trade could not afford it, it is even costlier than education. There is only one way out- the boys become taxi drivers and the girls hawk in the canoe. For those whose families could not afford a canoe, they rent for N500 a day. Then it is a race to make enough money to pay off the cost of the canoe and make enough profit for the family.

The Nation caught up with one of the taxi drivers named Stephen. At the age of 14 years, he has never been to school and unlike many others, he is very streetwise and sharp. “Why do you want to know about me,” he asked while he flatly refused to be photographed.

“I cannot afford the fees, we are 12 in our family and none of us is going to school, even though I will like to go to school, but I have to make money for my family to help them. For now, this is what I have to do,” Stephen said in a voice that carried no emotions.

In the evenings, the Jesusemadegbe jetty becomes a beehive of activities, the full time canoe drivers are joined by those who had just returned from school. It was a mad scene, with children jostling for the few passengers at the jetty. John the deaf was there as he quietly waited for a passenger at a corner of the jetty.

Dansu Jeremiah was there too. He has just been admitted into Etoile Diaspora and he did canoe driving in the evenings to make up his school fees. Jeremiah has reasons to work harder than his colleagues because he pays more for his education, but on the evening of Friday 27th February 2015, things have not totally gone according to his plans.

Jeremiah rowed to shore with a lone passenger, she was an elderly woman and appeared to be in a form of argument with the driver.

When she disembarked, she paid N50 and insisted on collecting a N20 balance.

“I didn’t meet the person I went to see and so he (Jeremiah) didn’t have to wait to bring me back, I cannot pay N50,” she yelled.

Jeremiah responded that the standard fare for a round trip was N50, his colleagues came to his rescue too. But the old woman would not back down; dejected Jeremiah offered the woman her fare back, preferring not to collect any. That was one of the hazards of the job, Jeremiah’s friend told The Nation. “Because we are children, the adults always cheat us and it is not fair,” he said, rocking slowly inside his canoe waiting for the next passenger.

o area of Lagos and who has inspired over 40 teenagers to acquire education and find purpose for life by. There was only one way out of his misery: follow the usual migration pattern of first moving to Badagry and then Makoko.

But the economic miracle that he hoped for soon evaporated when the reality of his grim situation and that of his new found home set in. “ I didn’t get any job, all our people here were fishermen so since I was also trained as a fisherman, that was the first job I did,” Avelessi told The Nation through an interpreter.

But the fishing vocation was hard and long and it didn’t bring in the expected financial miracle, he decided against doing the job full time. “I didn’t want to become a full time fisherman because I also trained as a dressmaker. What would be the purpose of my training if I didn’t practice it? That was when I decided to quit,” he said.

At first his clients were known relatives and friends to whom the maxim “Business grows when friends and relatives pay for services” meant nothing.

But as his business grew, he bought a bigger house and his apprentices grew to over 40 students.

A Macedonia call

Everyday more than 30 apprentices crowd into the tailoring shop adjacent to Avlessi’s living room, there are nine sewing machines in the room and only the senior apprentices are allowed to use them.

Avlessi’s students are all illiterates; they speak only the dominant Egun language with a few able to muster some words in Yoruba. This is a big challenge to Avlessi and he decided to teach them how to read and write in Egun.

Classes took place in the front porch and the students learnt in Egun. Then in August 2014, a social worker and journalist, Adeola Ogunlade went to Makoko and met Avlessi. “I went there for a different purpose but as my boat was passing by I came across a group of students learning how to read in Egun. Something inside me just says this may be a Macedonia call which I have to heed,” Ogunlade said.

Ogunlade was to make repeated visits to Avlessi and during one of his conversations; the apprentices indicated that they would prefer learning English. “I decided to get them an English teacher and the salary paid by me. I believe it will be an invalu-

able asset to them if they can communicate in English,” Ogunlade told The Nation.

But finding an English teacher who will be willing to brave the waters of the lagoon to teach teenagers preparatory English was a daunting task.

The first teacher Ogunlade got did not last and the students themselves didn’t appreciate her methods. Then he got another teacher who lived locally and it was a dramatic change for the students.

One of the students is Anu Hunkpe, the most senior apprentice in Avlessi’s shop. She said getting to learn English is a life saving gift for them.

“We don’t know how to thank Mr. Ogunlade because of what he has done.

Now we are leaning English and recently they came and gave us English Bibles which we are all trying to read,” she said.

The students are eager to air their English, they punctuated every sentence with simple English words like “okay, how are you?” But they are far from Eldorado, their needs are enormous and the resources are little. Two weeks ago, Ogunlade bought them the much needed white board and they

were ecstatic. “We need Queens Primer book, we have only one and we want for everyone so that we can practice at home,” Hunkpe said.

The students were eager for a demonstration. They huddled inside the shop and began to recite a part of the Queen Primer: “We go up, I go up, he go up,” they yelled at the top of their voices. It was an emotional sight, seeing adults recite a pre-nursery rhyme with so much glee and happiness. At the end of the exercise, the students gave themselves applause of satisfaction.

Currently, there are 43 students in the class and classes hold twice a week, but it is something that could be more frequent and if this is to be, more resources would be needed. Ogunlade said he is not giving up on them and would continue to source for fund to support their education.

But despite the great strides made by the students, many of them are unhappy and in dire straight. Hunkpe has been due to obtain her freedom over a year ago but could not afford the fees being demanded by her master.

“The money is much, it is about N50,

000 but I don’t even have anything.

That is why I am not able to obtain my freedom,” she said. But Anu was not alone; about seven others are also unable to obtain their freedom.

Toluwanile Atedji also hasn’t been able to obtain her freedom due to lack of funds. After her graduation, Atedji wants to set up a big fashion designing shop somewhere on Lagos mainland while Hunkpe wants to remain in Makoko, sewing clothes for the poor and the deprived.

“Please we need help to raise the funds for our graduation, if anyone can help us we will be very grateful if we can obtain our freedom this year,” they said. As the reporter made to leave, Avlessi gathered his students for a final ritual, it is a song usually reserved for an emotional departure, usually of a loved one. Soon the stilt house was booming with the melodious sound of the song with Avelessi’s baritone playing a prominent part in it.

“We are saying goodbye to our benefactor The English say goodbye The French Aurevour The Egun say Ibowa But we say O dabo

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THE SOUTHWEST REPORT

Residents of Omi Adio, Ibadan, in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State no longer sleep with their eyes closed, no thanks to the armed invasion of their community by thugs laying claim to a large expanse of land cov ering over 40-kilometre radius along the Ibadan-Abeokuta highway. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports that it has been a tale of fear, sorrow, tears and blood for the people since the hoodlums invaded their area in 2013.

Armed thugs sack Ibadan community....

•Olubadan High Chief berates NURTW boss, Odejobi over bloody violence

T

HERE is widespread consternation among residents of Omi Adio, a semi urban community on the western axis of Ibadan, that an army of thugs could have a free reign to unleash terror at will in a city as big as the Oyo State capital with little or no intervention by law enforcement agents.

For more than six weeks, Omi Adio, comprising the main town and its several villages and hamlets has been living in fear as armed thugs allegedly working for an 80-year old man Alhaji Raheem Lanlokun Odejobi continue to terrorise the people over the ownership of a large expanse of land covering over 40kilometre radius along the highway between Ibadan and Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Odejobi is laying claim to the land and other areas already occupied by no fewer than 28 villages and hamlets, as part of his inheritance from his great grandfather who he claimed fought wars against the Egbas over a century ago and gained control over the area since then.

Unauthorised people he claimed sold the land to unsuspecting buyers a situation he now wants redressed by the present occupiers/ owners either renegotiating/repurchasing the land from him or quit the area. And to enforce his position, Odejobi has resorted to the use of armed thugs to force compliance a situation being vehemently resisted by the affected residents.

The faceoff between the thugs and the residents has led to wanton destruction of properties and injuries to many people as the hoodlums insists on carrying out Odejobi’s wish.

The last six weeks have been particularly bad, as many residents said they could not sleep in their houses at night for fear of being attacked, while the farmers among them have kept away from their farms also.

Though, policemen have been having a busy time working to prevent a collapse of law and order in the crisis prone areas of Omi-Adio, the efforts seemed not enough to deter the destructive tendencies of the armed thugs and their principal.

From Apata to Iyaganku police stations and up to the State Police Command headquarters at Eleyele, officers were busy settling matters between the armed thugs and residents of the disputed areas.

Injured persons and some of the thugs who were rounded up by the residents were taken to the police stations on many occasions, but unfortunately the matter could not go beyond the stations as court workers were still on strike. So, the reign of terror and impunity continued as the hired thugs went on harassing and intimidating the helpless people on their land.

“As I speak, some of our people have abandoned their houses because of their bitter experience in the hands of the thugs. Not that the thugs were only boasting, they also beat people up with charms, dangerous weapons, and we watched the victims foaming with fits , while others suffered broken arms and legs. We were told that it is either we pay or we vacate our property where many have been living for over two decades. That’s our predicament and we

•Oone of the ancient 28 villages where Odejobi and his men have asked the people to leave their homes

•The Balogun Olomi of Omi Adio, Chief M.K.O. Adebayo

need you to help us and save us from the hands of Odejobi and his thugs”, a resident who simply gave his name as Sola said.

The matter, according to some of the landlords of the affected areas, started in 2013 when Odejobi stormed the area and started laying claims to a vast expanse of land many of which have been fully developed.

He told the inhabitants to either quit or renegotiate the land, claiming that his great grandfather fought wars against the Egbas and acquired the vast expanse of land, but some trespassers have sold the land out without his knowledge.

Apart from recruiting armed thugs to recover ‘his great grandfather’s land’ Odejobi , it was gathered also contracted the services of the Oyo State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) Alhaji Toafeek Oyerinde a.k.a. Fele through the help of one of the aides of the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, simply called Super to help him press home his demands from the affected landlords.

Homes were forcibly broken into and farmlands with crops destroyed when the armed thugs engaged bulldozers to grade portions of the land and make quick money from the sale of sand and gravel excavated from the land.

This infuriated the land owners and bloody fights among the thugs and

•High Chief Edy Oyewole

residents ensued. These lasted for several days, weeks and months, and all effort by leaders of the town to make peace were rebuffed.

Prominent among the peacemakers were a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola whose village is among those occupying the disputed expanse of land, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Edward Oyewole who is the head of Foko family, Olomi of Omi Adio Barrister Adeyanju Ekanola, the Balogun Olomi of Omi Adio , Chief Mukaila Kayode Adebayo, the Commissioner of Police and a host of traditional rulers.

After successfully taking hold of some portions of the land with houses, Odejobi was said to have sold part of the land in question, precisely 550 acres to a Lagos based land developer, KOBPLAN. Confirming the purchase, KOBPLAN’s Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Olat Bakre told The Nation that every necessary procedure was taken to ensure that the transaction on the land was hitch free. He expressed surprise that some people were linking him with the use of armed thugs to attack innocent residents.

He said” as a developer my intention is to do business and this goes with providing social amenities such as good road network, light, and so on. But, at the same time the people

•One of the farmlands where the thugs have excavated the sand and gravel for sale

Mr Adejumo, Landlord Association Chairman

must pay for the amenities, and if those who have built on the land do not want all these, fine ,I will go and develop where there is no building, after all, it is just on a small percentage of the land that we have buildings.”

In one of the moves to prevent

•Suraju, the eldest son of Alhaji Raimi Odejobi

anarchy and bloodshed in the area as a result of the dispute, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland , High Chief Edward Oyewole made a passionate appeal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state to call to order the state Chairman NURTW Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde to avoid a breach of public

peace in Omi Adio area of Ibadan .

According to a petition entitled “Threat to Public Peace by Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde Fele “ written by Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN, counsel to the Ekerin Olubadan and addressed to Governor Ajimobi, Oyerinde has rebuffed all entreaties

to desist from the illegal acts so as not to jeopardise the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state since the inception of Ajimobi’s administration.

The petition was also copied to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Bayo Ojo. High Chief Oyewole who is the patriarch of Foko clan in Ibadanland, noted that Oyerinde has been acting in concert with Odejobi who has been laying false claim to the ownership of the said land to harass the owners- all of whom had been on the land for very many years undisturbed.

“Your Excellency, the development would have long ago degenerated into a serious crisis with all the attendant catastrophic effect on public peace if not for the fact that our client has been constantly prevailing on the owners of the land not to be provoked by Alhaji Oyerinde’s sheer criminality.

“Your Excellency, there is a limit to human endurance as the land owners are now threatening to forcibly repel the constant attack on them by Alhaji Oyerinde and this would certainly lead to an outbreak of violence if the situation is not urgently nipped in the bud.

“We therefore most respectfully

make a passionate appeal to Your Excellency on our client’s behalf to use Your Excellency’s good offices and urgently call Alhaji Oyerinde to order in the interest of peace and tranquility in the state”, the Ekerin Olubadan said.

The affected villages numbering 28 included Ogbatomi, Obedu, Aba Teacher, Onigbagbo, Aba -Oke, Ago-tente, Aba-Alaraba, Aba Aretu, Elesun Egba, Aba Ogunnde, Aba Lade-Owo, Aba Araba, Aba Ologiri, AbaLogudu, Aba Ogunsanmi, Aba Anisere, Aba Atere, Aba Olokopupo, Aba Ishola Onipako, and Aba Oke-Ado. Others are Aba Ofaka Lufe, Aba Onifade, Aba Laala, Aba Olooya, Aba Akeeye, Aba Laagbe and Aba Eleso.

All efforts to reach Alhaji Oyerinde were unsuccessful as he was said to have travelled by some of his aides who spoke with our reporter.

Speaking as the consenting authority on the said land, High Chief Oyewale who described Odejobi as a trouble maker said on several occasions meetings were held with Odejobi to let him know that he has no claim whatsoever over the land because history did not support it.

High Chief Oyewole who spoke

Home inaugurates borehole, marks 20 years of service to community

T

HE children and family of late Chief (Mrs.) Irene Virginia Willoughby (Nee Liverpool), last weekend inaugurated a borehole for the residents of Ajana Quarters, Ota, headquarters of Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government of Ogun State.

The borehole and other relief materials were given to celebrate the 20 years remembrance of the late Chief Willoughby, founder of Ijamido Children’s Home in Ota. According to one of the late Chief Willoughby’s daughters, who is also the manageress of the nonprofit organisation, Mrs Victoria Abosede Obakoya, the initiative was to appreciate the residents of Ota Community for their support since Mrs Willoughby died 20 years ago.

“It is in this spirit we have decided to give our ‘widows mite’ as a token of our appreciation and love for this beautiful land which God has

been using to honour, bless and lift us, which has become our home, our land and our cradle. That if a child is appreciative of the favour received yesterday, he has positioned himself for more favours” Mrs Obakoya said over 40 years ago, the woman generously endowed with the milk of human kindness, established a home for abandoned babies in Ota. This, she said marked a turning point of hope for the lives of some children who otherwise would have been left to die uncared for.

She said the home was founded

by Late Chief Willoughby in 1958, out of her humanitarian gesture.

Madam Willoughby, according to her, was born in Georgetown – Guyana in the United States of America in 1904, followed her parents, Pa. J.B. Liverpool and Mrs. Elizabeth Liverpool to Nigeria when she was eight years old.

Mrs Obakoya said the late Chief

Willoughby did all her schooling in Nigeria and became a trained Nurse/midwife, after which she worked in so many places within the country until she was brought to Ota by the Local Government to open the maternity centre in 1956.

She started a motherless home in 1958; the home got government’s nod in 1979.

She said over 165 children, including babies, toddlers, school children, students in secretarial institutions, and those learning professional jobs are resident in the home, noting that many children who had passed through the home, are now university and polytechnic graduates, N.C.E. teachers, public relations officers, caterers, business women, fashion designers, and secretaries, etc. She said late Chief Willoughby, spent all her life loving and caring for the less privileged in the society, despite the fact that she had no child of her own.

She gave hope to the hopeless that were unjustly given a raw deal by a society that was not caring enough.

Speaking further, she said some of Mama’s children today are happily married, while some are still attending schools looking forward to a brighter future. “She cared for more than 500 abandoned children in her lifetime. Some of these children today are married and doing well in their different human endeavours. It was a till death-dous-part relationship between Mama Willoughby, her children, and the people of Ota”, she said.

Mrs Obakoya, appealed to the Nigerian leaders to extend a hand of love to the needy and children from poor background and assist the helpless and hopeless children in the society, saying there are fewer homes to come to their rescue.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,

Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun, hailed the late Chief Willoughby for the good initiative, noting that she had given hope to many hopeless in the state.

She said the state government had been giving its support to the motherless homes within the state and would never relent in doing so.

She called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hand in providing long term residential care for the physically-challenged, abused, neglected and abandoned children who could not cater for themselves.

Mrs Sonubi, urged them to do this with love and compassion, saying this can only be met through support and generous giving which will reduce criminals in the society.

Highlights of the event include the launch of a book in the name of the Chief Willoughby and awards to those that supported the home both morally and financially.

at his Molete residence with The Nation said “As head of the Foko family in Ibadanland , I the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland remains the authority from Oluyole, Apata down to the boundary between Ibadan and Ogun state and if anybody wants to be made Mogaji or Baale, I am the one who will assent it .

“Even Odejobi himself was always here in my house, he will prostrate here greeting me in recognition of my position. He was not happy with me because I did not make him the Baale, but the truth is that he is making a false claim (on the land).

“At first I learnt Odejobi gave the job to one young man called Omo Alhaja living at Popoyemoja area.

So, I called the young man and he confessed that it was true Odejobi asked him to help chase people away from the said land, and I told him to stop and hands off. And he did. Later, he came to inform me that the job has been given to NURTW Chairman, Fele and ever since then I have been calling on Fele to see me but he would not come”.

Corroborating High Chief Oyewole’s view, a traditional Chief, the Balogun Olomi of Omi-Adio, Chief Mukaila Kayode Adebayo described the action of both Alhaji Odejobi and the developer who claimed to have bought 550 acres of land as dubious.

He said that the traditional ruler of Omi Adio and his chiefs want peace, and that was the reason for arranging several peace meetings between Odejobi and the land owners on the disputed areas.

He said” what I want you to know is that the Olomi and his Council of Chiefs want peace and since almost one and half years that this problem started we have been working to ensure that peace reigns. The last time we invited everybody from the villages, over 40 villages and we have met twice at the Olomi’s palace. The Olomi was present, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Apata Police station was present, the representative of the Area Commander Iyaganku police station was present, so also was the representative of the Commissioner of Police and operatives from DSS. We had over traditional chiefs in attendance. The meeting was to ensure there is peace. The man (Odejobi) came with his people also and everybody explained from both sides and we thank God there was no problem that day.

“We asked Odejobi the size of the land he is claiming and he said it starts from inside Omi Adio township down to Onidokun to Ogundele Alawo junction up to Ogundele and Akonko areas at the boundary between Oyo and Ogun state now and down to Eleso Bakatari junction and continuing up to the main IbadanAbeokuta road straight to Omi Adio and back again. That area is more than 40-kilometre radius.

“My question to the developer (KOBPLAN) who said he purchased 550 acres of land from Odejobi is ‘can you in Ibadan or anywhere else in Yoruba land purchase that kind of land from a single individual?’

So, that developer who claimed to have purchased 550 acres of land is dubious. For him to say he purchased 550 acres of land in Ibadan from an individual is not possible.

And in this land we have villages that have been in existence for more than 150 years. “ Also, for Chief Akintola SAN , it would be in the interest of peace to stop Odejobi escapades and prevent bloodshed.

He described the Octogenarian action as very strange, capable of breaching the peace and tranquility.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria therefore promised to reach out to the authorities concerned to ensure that Odejobi and his agents were stopped and normalcy returned to the land.

“Our people could no longer walk freely. They usually pounced on our women. They beat them up and harass them. If no one is at home, they will forcefully break the door open and steal everything they (could) lay their hands on. Our people who are working on building site were harassed and beaten to a pulp. We were informed they are working for one Alhaji Odejobi who has been claiming the whole land from Ibadan to Abeokuta without any evidence”, one of the residents, who simply gave his name as Mr Sola said.

The Chairman of one of the Landlord Associations in the area, Mr Nureni Adeyemi Adejumo in a petition to the state Commissioner of Police alleged frequent harassment and violent attack on residents and destruction of property by hired thugs.

While claiming that since the attack started the matter has been reported at the Olomi of Omi Adio Palace, to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Area Commander, Iyaganku Police station, and the state Commissioner of police who had waded into the matter at different times.

“It was on record that sometimes ago the Area Commander Iyaganku Police Station personally came to Omi-Adio on this matter and advised the family of Odejobi to seek legal action if the family has substantial evidence or document to back up their claim, instead of taking laws into their hands.

“But surprisingly instead of heeding the advice of the police officer it has become their daily routine to seek the assistance of thugs who come to our association meetings and homes with dangerous weapons to harass and attack us.

“We have since then been witnessing series of attack and theft in our area both during the day and at night. Sir, we are fed up. And we as law abiding citizens do not want to take laws into our hand, hence this petition, “the residents said through a letter signed by the Chairman and Secretary Igisogba Landlord and Landlady Association, Mr Nureni Adeyemi Adejumo and Mr Moruff Aderemi respectively.

They said many people who had come to develop their property were not only chased away but were thoroughly beaten and wounded by hired thugs.

All efforts to reach Alhaji Odejobi were unsuccessful as he was not available to comment on the matter.

But, his eldest son, Suraju who gave audience to The Nationr, though, denied using armed thugs to harass residents. He restated that those who build on the land fell into wrong hands because the vendors were not the rightful owners.

Odejobi brought maps, and survey plan showing the limit of his claims which he noted were supported by history of the people of Ibadan and Egba in the 18th century.

He challenged anybody who has contrary view on the matter to institute a legal action against him, adding that he is ready to defend his claim before the court of law.

The Oyo state Police Command spokesperson, Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the arrest of two suspects on the matter, but said the matter was settled out of court.

On Alhaji Odejobi, he said there was no former complaint against him, but advised any aggrieved party to seek legal redress since the matter is a civil one.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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THE SOUTHWEST REPORT

Almost four years after a heavy rainfall swept away the bridge linking Apete, a sprawling community on the the residents as the Oyo State government has made good its pledge to rebuild the facility. TAYO JOHSON re

Relief for Apete residents as Oyo govt rebuilds damaged bridge

F

OR the residents of Apete, a suburb of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the last three and half years have been like a hell on earth to them, no thanks to the collapse of the bridge linking their community to the main city.

On 26th August 2011, a heavy rainfall, reminiscent of the Ogunpa flood disaster of the 80s, descended on the ancient city and swept away so many public infrastructure including the bridge and road that connect Apete to the city via Sango/Ijokodo road.

Since then they have been finding it very difficult going to the city and coming back home through that route as they’ve had to either park their vehicles at the edge of the washed away bridge and trek to and from home or take an alternative route which adds about one hour to their journey. Before the bridge was swept away, its took an average of ten minutes to get to the city via Ijokodo,

•The newly constructed bridge

When the bridge which had remained dilapidated for years and suffered neglect by successive administrations in the state eventually collapsed, the Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s government which had just taken office few months back moved in quickly and provided a makeshift bridge for pedestrian use with a promise to fix the bridge permanently.

An alternative route to the city via Ajibode/University of Ibadan road, though longer, was also provided to ease the pains of Apete residents while work continued on a new bridge.

Last December, their wait for the new bridge finally came to an end when the new facility was partially opened for public use and the people heaved a huge sigh of relief.

•The old pedestrian bridge

A community leader, who also doubles as the Olori Apena of Oyo State, Chief Ayoade Adeleke while thanking the Ajimobi administration for making good its promise on a new bridge, said the previous administrations in the state had failed to rehabilitate the three bridges that link Apete community to Sango.

Adeleke said:” If the past administrations had yielded to our plea for quick repair of the bridges, they would not have washed away completely in 2011. We have three bridges; one at Custom, another at The Polytechnic Ibadan second gate and the last one at Oju-Oja, here at Apete. Any time there was rainfall we were not able to return to our homes if we were outside the community or go out to

the city if we were at home. Governor Ajimobi’s administration has really tried for us in this community because it was when he resumed office that the bridges were eventually washed away by flood water and he provided a pedestrian bridge for us as an alternative because the government couldn’t reconstruct the bridges immediately” According to him, before the construction of the new bridge, “life was hectic for us because we had to go and take the other route at Ajibode and the cost of transportation was very high”.

He said the completion of the bridge last December has greatly ameliorated the sufferings of Apete residents and for this they are grate-

ful to the government.

Adeleke further appealed to the government to ensure quick completion of other bridges and the tarring of the road.

Also speaking on their experience after the old bridge collapsed another resident Mr Wasiu Babatunde said: “we spent a lot on transportation and the stress was hell because before the collapse of the bridge the Okada operators were collecting just N30 from Apete to Sango and within 10 minutes you were there, but after the collapse of the bridge, we had to plead with them before they could collect N160 to pass through Ajibode road to Apete and it took over 30 minutes to get there.

“Every day, I spent over N320 on

Samson Oresegun and Dare Adegboye, two students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State ing their fees as and when due. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports on their plight.

Aborted dream

•The plight of two university students ordered to withdraw for owing school fees

T

HEY were filled with joy when they gained admission into the university after several attempts. They had burnt the midnight candles, toiled day and night, studied hard and put in all efforts before they eventually realized their dream.

In the course of their struggle for the elusive admission letter, most of their contemporaries had secured admission into universities, polytechnics and other institutions of their choice but they kept soldiering on.

In 2011, the Federal Government established the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) alongside eleven others and this gave them an opportunity to extend their search for admission into the new institution.

Relief came their way eventually when they secured admission into FUOYE to study Theatre and Media Arts after a seemingly endless search.

With the admission came the fulfillment of being an undergraduate, an opportunity to rub shoulders with brilliant students from all parts of the country and a prospect of graduating with a bachelor’s degree which will prepare them for the challenges of future.

This is the story of Samson Opeoluwa Oresegun and Dare Adebare Adegboye whose dream of graduating from FUOYE in flying colours now hangs in the balance.

The joy of their admission into the university has been short-lived by the decision of the university to throw them out for failing to pay their school fees on time.

Apart from Samson and Dare, The Nation gathered that two other students are affected by the decision of the authorities to wield the axe for paying their school fees late.

The two others whose identities cannot be ascertained at the time of filing this report had since left the institution having lost hope of regaining their studentship. But Samson and Dare are not giving up yet.

The authorities of FUOYE described

•The Federal University, Oye Ekiti

the failure of the affected students to pay their school fees on time as “voluntary withdrawal” which they insist contravenes the university regulation.

In a letter to the students with reference number FUOYE/REGSEN/150/ 180 signed by Mr. O.O. Taiwo, Senior Assistant Registrar/Head, Academic Affairs Unit on behalf of the Acting Registrar, the university said its Senate has approved the recommendation of the Faculty that they had voluntarily withdrawn from the institution.

The letter dated 19th January, 2015 was also copied to the Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Head, Department of Theatre and Media Arts.

It reads: “The Faculty Board of Humanities and Social Sciences at its 13th Meeting held on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 noted that you failed to register for 2013/2014 Academic Session.

“In line with the University regulations which state, among others, that ‘Any student who fails to register up to the end of the late registration period shall be deemed to have unilaterally withdrawn from the University for that semester.

“Consequently, the Vice Chancellor on behalf of the Senate has approved the recommendation of your Faculty Board that you have voluntarily withdrawn from the University.

“On this note, you are hereby advised to submit all University property at your disposal (if any) to the Faculty Officer and vacate the University premises.

“By a copy of this letter, your sponsor is being informed of your voluntary withdrawal from the University accordingly.”

Samson revealed that he had written to the university authorities for temporary withdrawal to attend to his father, a Master Warrant Officer in the Nigerian Air Force, who sustained severe bullet injuries in the line of duty.

This, according to him, was based on the provisions of the university regulations which permits a “temporary withdrawal on account of proven death or illness of the sponsor.”

Upon receipt of a letter from the university asking him to withdrawal for late payment of fees, Samson wrote a letter dated 27th January, 2015 to the Senate through the Dean, Faculty of

Humanities and Social Sciences and the Head, Department of Theatre and Media Arts.

His letter reads: “The Faculty Board of Humanities and Social Sciences, at its 13th Meeting held on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015, in a letter addressed to me, dated 19th January, 2015, decided that I withdraw from the University based on the following statement coined from the University Regulations among others ‘temporary withdrawal from the university shall normally not exceed one academic session. Any student who stays away beyond one academic session granted will be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the university.’

“This was consequent upon a request for deferment for the 2012/2014 Academic Session, sent by me on 27th of October, 2014. I thus appeal for reconsideration as I have never been away from school even during my period of financial constraints.

“My late application for deferment is based on the University regulations among others that states ‘Temporary withdrawal due to financial limitation will not succeed except for proven

death or illness of the sponsor.’

“I have a Master Warrant Officer father in the Nigerian Air Force that sustained severe bullet injuries with complications I never knew of till I went home to see him. This is a verifiable fact.

“I was later advised to write the deferment request as at when I had the school fee and could not pay due to the fact that the payment link on the school portal was closed. Fortunately for me, my portal was opened and I eventually paid but after a week, I got a letter notifying me of the approval which I had already paid for, my portal was blocked.

“I therefore appeal for your help, in saving my academic future, which may also mean saving my life. None of these happened as a result of my irresponsibility. Kindly reconsider my case and readmit me with full benefits due to a bona fide student.”

Speaking with The Nation earlier in the week on the campus, Samson revealed that he was in 300 Level at the time he ran into the rough patch of paying his school fees adding that he only missed paying the second semester fees and didn’t default in paying that of the first.

He explained that even though he could no longer meet up with his counterparts who are now in 400 Level (final year), Samson said he won’t mind going back to 300 Level as he was earlier told by the Dean.

Since his father became bedridden, Samson said his mother, Mrs. Grace Oresegun, who is a teacher in Ogun State has been shouldering the responsibilities of taking care of him and his other siblings.

Samson explained: “I went to the Faculty today, I saw the Dean who directed me to write directly to the Vice Chancellor. I paid the money (school fees) into the school portal which was still open at the time I paid and the portal was shut some days after I had paid.

“I have written to the Vice Chancellor through the Dean but the Dean told me that he doesn’t have the power to do anything. He told me to write to the Vice Chancellor.

“I am supposed to be in 400 Level now, I was asked to withdraw at 300 Level and I even accepted to go back

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

35

THE SOUTHWEST REPORT

the outskirts of Ibadan, to the main city, making vehicular movement almost impossible, relief has come for N reports.

transportation, bearing in mind that I had to pay the same thing every day for my children while going to school and I had been paying that since 2011. But today we are happy that government has partly completed the bridge, and it has really relieved us but we want the governor to complete the bridge and tar the road on time.” Babatunde said.

Also, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), (Okada section), Apete branch, Abiodun Olaniyi explained that the ýchallenges confronted by his members since the collapse of the bridge brought about a great loss to them.

“Our members went through a lot of stress by having to pass through

•A community leader, who also doubles as the Olori Apena of Oyo State, Chief Ayoade Adeleke.

•Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), (Okada section), Apete branch, Abiodun Olaniyi

•The NURTW Chairman, Taxi unit, Apete branch, Mr Ajibola Wasiu

Ajibode road to link Sango. Most of our Okada were snatched by armed robbers, while so many passengers were also robbed or raped too. That alternative road is so long when compared to the Ijokodo road that is just a stone through to Sango. We tried to appeal to government when the bridge was washed away in 2011 but they constructed a pedestrian bridge for the residents.

“But in December last year, the bridge was completed, although there was a rumour thýat it wasn’t the Oyo

State Government that reconstructed it, that a certain influential woman did when she wanted to have her daughter’s wedding, but whoever did it, we are very grateful and we are appealing to the government to tar the road and complete the other bridges” Olaniyi said Corroborating his ýremarks, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Taxi section, Apete branch, Mr Ajibola Wasiu said the hardship encountered by his members and residents cannot

be over emphasised, adding that most of their cars had broken down as a result of the alternative route they were plying to link Sango, this he said brought a great loss to the commercial drivers.

According to him, the bad road at Ajibode turned us into regular customers at the ýmechanic workshops because our cars were always getting spoilt and the little money we made daily were spent there.

Wasiu further said:” it normally takes us 25 minutes to an hour at times

while going through the Ajibode road to Sango, we charged the passengers N100 instead of the normal N50, some complained bitterly but we don’t have any option because of the long distance and it consumes a lot of fuel.

“During this period, Our State union executives met and appealed to the governorý for quick reconstruction of the bridge, while we also received words of assurance from the Iddo Local Government Chairman, they kept to their promise and the bridge was completed in December last year and opened to us. Though we are relieved but we want the government to complete the road too on time” Speaking on the bridge, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Bimbo Kolade, disclosed that the existing contract for the project includes asphaltic tarring of 3.6 kilometres of the road in the first phase adding that government’s plan was to tar the entire road up to Akufo village in the second phase.

Kolade said the tarring of the contract was dragging because of paucity of funds brought about by dwindling federal allocation to the state.

He expressed the commitment of the Ajimobi administration to the completion of the project, stressing that the government regards Apete and surrounding communities as key parts of Ibadan, the state capital, given the huge population and resources in the area.

tate are battling to regain their studentship, having been asked to withdraw by the school authorities for not pay to the previous level as directed by the Dean. It is not fair because we are not equal, fingers are not equal.

“In some universities, you can be allowed to continue with your education but you will not be allowed to graduate until you pay all the outstanding fees you owe.

“I stayed back in Oye trying to gather some money and in fact, I did my Production (course), “Langbodo”, in 300 Level. It was during that time that I was looking for money and the Dean said that our letter was late.

“My mother came during the last examination (second semester) around September. She managed to come with a fractured hand despite her condition. The Dean asked us to write a letter which we did.

“By the time I paid my school fees, I had not been given a letter to withdraw from the university and the university portal was still open.

“I want to appeal to them to restore our studentship, I don’t mind starting all over again from 300 Level because our future is at stake.

“I feel sad, frustrated and painful; it’s like losing in two ways because number one we won’t graduate with our colleagues and number two, we will be sent away empty-handed”.

Dare had a dream to become somebody in life despite being born and raised in poverty.

He knew that the stepping stone to greatness is education and he was determined to get it not minding the fact that all odds are stacked against him in his desire to make it in life.

Dare attended Omowumi Primary School in Modakeke earning his First School Leaving Certificate in 2001.

He proceeded to Opeyemi Comprehensive High School in Badagry, Lagos State where he sat for and passed his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2009.

As a son of a peasant farmer father and a mother who is a petty trader, Dare knew that he had a herculean challenge ahead of him, first to gain admission and second, to finance his studies in an institution of higher learning.

But in spite of the challenges, Dare succeeded in getting his required papers and scaled the hurdles of School

•Shekarau, Minister of Education

Certificate Examination, Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and the Post-UME test, the last barrier to be crossed to receive the much-sought after university admission letter in Nigeria of today.

In the course of pursuing admission in some universities in the Southwest, Dare struggled to raise money to pay exam fees by doing menial jobs like labouring on farms, selling firewood and working as a bus conductor since help was not coming from anywhere.

Having applied to various institutions of higher learning after finishing his secondary education in 2009, luck smiled on him at FUOYE. Without having any godfather or “long legs” to push to push his case, Dare succeeded in gaining admission to the university to study Theatre and Media Arts in the 2011/2012 academic year.

With the hitherto elusive admission now in the bag, how to raise money to finance his studies at FUOYE now posed a serious challenge to the 24year-old.

Since he did not want to be involved in crime, the idea that came to his mind was commercial motorcycling operation popularly known as “Okada” in

•Adegboye

Nigeria. He is not the owner of the bike he uses to eke out a living as he delivers a pre-agreed amount of money to the owner regularly.

On the streets of Lagos in spite of the cold of the morning, the heat of the afternoon and the uncertainty and perils of the night, Dare braved the odds and soldiered on with the target of raising money to sponsor his education in the university.

He struggled throughout the first year which he successfully completed but ran into problems in the second year when the challenges of sponsoring himself proved more difficult.

He could not afford to pay his school fees on time when he got to 200 Level in the 2013/2014 academic year and applied for a temporary withdrawal for a semester for him to devote more time to his okada business to raise money to pay all the needed fees.

But Dare is now cursing his luck for the decision as he has not only lost a session in his 200 Level but has been asked by the university authorities to withdraw for his failure to pay school fees for that session.

His world came crashing when he was handed the letter to withdraw from the university by the Faculty

Officer in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, FUOYE citing his inability to complete the 200 Level Session and his failure to pay the required school fees within the stipulated time.

He was handed the same letter given to Samson and two other students who were caught in the web of the late payment saga.

But the embattled student is disputing the claim in the letter that he had missed a whole session in his second year in the university maintaining that he competed his first semester in the said session and even sat for the first semester examinations.

Dare had in a letter to the Dean which was routed through the Head of Department and dated 20th August 2014 formally applied for what he called “temporary leave” to source for money to pay his school fees.

The letter reads: I, Adegboye Dare Adebare, a 200 Level student of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti with the Matriculation Number TAM/12/0906 humbly apply for a deferment of a session as a result of my parents’ inability to foot my school fees.

“My parents have embarked on numerous tasks to make sure that they source for the money but all efforts proved abortive.

“As such, I hereby plead to the management for a temporary leave of a session in order for me to aid my parents to source for the money.

“I am looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.”

Dare explained that he realized just before the next semester began that he could not raise enough money through his commercial motorbike engagement and other menial jobs he does, to pay his school fees and subsequently wrote the letter to the school authorities to appeal for a deferment of the second semester of that session.

Like Samson, Dare also wrote a letter of appeal to the FUOYE authorities shortly after receiving a letter nullifying his studentship in the university.

The appeal letter addressed to the Registrar reads: “With reference to your letter concerning the withdrawal letter I got from you, I, Adegboye Dare Adebare with Matriculation Number

TAM/12/0906 in the above-named department humbly appeal and request for your consideration on this issue.

“I paid my tuition fees on the 8th of January 2015, and I received your letter on 20th 0f January 2015. With due respect to your honourable office, I notified the University through my department to give me little time to source for the fund.

“I was flummoxed when I got this letter because going by the student’s handbook of information ‘temporary withdrawal shall normally not exceed one academic session, any student who stays away beyond one academic session shall be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the university.’

“I didn’t stay away beyond one academic session Sir; I was meticulously guided by the student’s handbook of information going by the extract in your letter, which says: ‘any student who fails to register up to the end of late registration period shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the university for that semester’.

“Sir, I crave your indulgence and intervention concerning this issue, since I was unable to pay my tuition fees as a result of financial difficulties, I didn’t have access to register. I followed strictly the university’s rule by notifying the authorities on the 20th of August 2014 concerning my temporary withdrawal.

“Please sir, your intervention concerning this issue shall be highly appreciated. I shall be grateful if my appeal is favourably considered. Attached below is the duplicate of my school fees receipt, letter of temporary withdrawal that I wrote to notify the university authorities and the university’s reply that I got.”

Narrating his plight to The Nation, the young man said losing his studentship was painful as he was not involved in examination malpractice, cultism, drug addiction, violence or any other anti-social behaviours.

He said: “I was offered admission to read Theatre and Media Arts by FUOYE during the 2011/2012 academic session.

“In 2014, I had difficulties paying my school fees for the 200 Level Session on time so I decided to ask for a tem-

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

36

THE SOUTHWEST REPORT The strong arm of the law has finally caught a syndicate in Oyo town, Oyo state that specializes in stealing goats. BODE DUROJAIYE reports that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Oyo/Ogbomoso axis have equally smashed a seven-man gang of car snatching armed robbers.

•Some of the recovered vehicles

How SARS bust goat stealing syndicate in Oyo F OR some time now, residents of Oyo metropolis in Oyo State have been under the siege of a syndicate that specializes in the stealing of goats.

The criminal group, comprising able-bodied young men had carried out series of raids in the town and environs around midnight picking up goats after feeding them with a mixture of corn, beans and salt.

The Nation gathered that while the unsuspecting animals were eating this mixture, the criminals who were on standby picked them one after the other and sealed their mouth with tape, to prevent them from making noise. Thereafter, the animals were always packed into a van for onward transportation to Lagos, where the buyers were waiting.

However, nemesis recently caught up with some members of the syndicate when men of the Oyo/ Ogbomoso annex of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), who were on patrol along Oyo/ Ibadan expressway intercepted two vehicles loaded with 40 goats.

One of the recovered vehicles with the stolen goats had a Lagos State registration number DL 135 GGE and was found on the expressway around 2:30a.m with three men inside it.

According to the Officer-in charge of SARS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sola Aremu, suspicious movement of the vehicle compelled his men to go on its trail, pointing out that the moment those inside the vehicle noticed that Police were on their trail, they increased their speed.

“The robber’s vehicle later ran into a big pothole and had a flat tyre.

Before we got there, they had escaped into the nearby bush. We combed and searched everywhere but could not find them. We went back to search the vehicle and found 26 goats with their mouth taped, a locally made pistol, four rounds of cartridges and some wraps of Indian hemp. We took the vehicle to our office, and changed our operational vehicle to make it difficult for easy identification by the criminals.”

DSP Aremu further hinted that on reaching the same spot, his men saw another vehicle with registration number ABUJA BG 372 RSH, which also contained three men making calls inside it.

“Similar thing happened when they saw us, they zoomed off, on a very high speed towards Ibadan.

Unfortunately for them, while attempting to negotiate the bend at Sasa, Ibadan end of the express way, they ran into a deep ditch. They immediately came out of their vehicle

and started firing gunshot at us. In the course of the gun battle one of them was shot dead, while the two others escaped into the bush.”

He added that when the vehicle was searched, 14 goats were found also with their mouth taped, and some wraps of Indian hemp. The vehicle, he said was later towed to the SARS office at Durbar, Oyo town.

And in another crime busting operation, Aremu and his men have smashed a seven-man car robbery syndicate that had been terrorizing Oyo, Ogbomoso[Oyo State], Osogbo [Osun State], and Ilorin[Kwara State] for some time.

Their activities had become so frightening and deadly that scores of residents were reported to have fallen to their bullets, after being dispossessed of their belongings.

The age category of these notorious gang members range between 20 and 25 years, as the sophistication of equipment, as well as arms and ammunitions used in their dastard operations were also worrisome to the defenceless residents.

The Nation gathered that whenever they successfully carried out any operation, the syndicate ended up at a popular hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, to share both cash and other loots, including exotic cars snatched from the people at gunpoint.

In one of their operations, the gang robbed a retired military officer, a Rear Admiral of his exotic Highlander jeep put at a cost of N6.5million, at his residence in Ogbomoso. Other items stolen include two laptops, jewelleries, Iphone, and a bunch of keys. It proved to be their last operation.

The retired military officer reported the matter to the SARS at Oyo town and DSP Aremu and his men swung into action. Acting on intelligence, they busted into one of the suspected criminals’ hideouts in Ogbomoso, where a suspect was arrested with the complainant’s stolen I-phone.

Interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of another ‘’powerful’’ member of the gang, a staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria [PHCN] in Ibadan.

•Continued from page 35 porary withdrawal from the school for the second semester of the session to enable me travel to Lagos and hustle for the fees.

“I submitted the letter to the school authority but was later told that the time I wrote the letter was late.

“Thereafter, I rushed to Lagos to hustle for money by riding commercial motorbike and eventually gathered the money, I promptly paid the school fees for that session into the school’s account in a bank in Lagos, the money was acknowledged by the school account’s unit and a receipt was issued to me online.

“So I thought that I would just have to resume for the new session and restart the 200 Level while my colleagues with whom I was admitted into the school resumed into the 300 Level.

“But just recently, I got a letter advising me to withdraw from the school for failing to show up for academic works and pay school fees for a whole session of the 200 level.

“When I got the letter I promptly appealed to the school authority, clarifying that I had only missed a semester in the 200 Level and not a session because I had attended lectures and sat for exams during the first semester of the said session.

“I also explained in the appeal letter that according to the school regulations, a copy of which I have, I can only be asked to withdraw if I had missed a whole session.

“I also added that prior to missing the second semester of the said session I had written a letter to the authority, appealing for a

The Nation gathered that following another tip off, SARS men were able to intercept the gang’s attempt to carry out an operation in Ogbomoso, as the criminals were arrested while a stolen Camry car, arms and ammunitions were also recovered.

Information gathered from those arrested, later led to the interception and arrest of another ‘powerful’ member of the gang in Ibadan while attempting to escape to Lagos.

He was said to have engaged SARS men in a tough battle which lasted for almost an hour before he was eventually overpowered. One of the SARS men who was injured on his left eye while the gun duel lasted was later taken to the hospital. The confession of the ‘powerful’ member of the gang led to the arrest of leader of the gang, Dapo, popularly known as ‘Dapson’.

About five stolen vehicles, including that of the retired military officer were recovered from Dapo after his arrest at the popular hotel in Ikeja, Lagos by men of the anti-

Aborted dream deferment of the semester to enable me raise funds through self help for my school fees.

“I reminded the school authorities in my appeal letter that I actually paid for the said session later and that my payment was even acknowledged by the school only that my student portal later was shut.

“I pleaded further with the school authorities to temper justice with mercy by reinstating me, considering my pitiable condition of lack of financial support from anyone, but up till the time I am talking to you sir, I haven’t got a reply to the letter of appeal from the school.

“And I have followed up the letter and even got to know that the Registrar and the ViceChancellor have it.

“I am just appealing to the school authorities, relevant bodies and particularly Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan who graciously gave us this university, to kindly reinstate me.

“All I want is to get a degree that would enable me face the future more decisively; I don’t want to lose the opportunity to get a tertiary education. I really desire to be somebody in life.

“The fact that my humble parents could not afford the tertiary education for me has not discouraged me from struggling to get it on selfsponsorship.

“This admission graciously offered me by the school authorities in is my only hope for this dream. I am begging that it should not be withdrawn from me”.

Dare is an incurable optimist who strongly believes that he would regain his studentship.

According to him, his present travail is a temporary challenge that would soon be overcome

robbery squad.

A total of thirteen stolen vehicles were recovered from the gang, while all the notorious gang members were apprehended and currently in custody.

Confirming the incidents, the SARS commander told The Nation that the notorious gang killed a medical doctor at Takie, Ilorin, Kwara State, in one of their operations.

According to him,’’ the medical doctor was about to open the gate of his house after returning from the day’s work when the gang opened fire and killed him. Unknown to him [medical doctor] he was being trailed right from the office, they [notorious gang] took away his two vehicles after killing him’’.

Following the successful bursting of the robbery syndicate and the recovery of the stolen vehicles by SARS, residents of Oyo and Ogbomoso towns trooped out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of the stolen vehicles and heaped praises on the gallant policemen.

as he would continue to appeal to the authorities of FUOYE to temper justice with mercy and grant his request.

“I have not lost hope of rejoining my colleagues in the school to continue with my studies because if there is will, there will be way. I know the value of education and I want to be educated for me to become somebody in life.

“I don’t want my poor background and being less privileged to deprive me of this great legacy of education. Those in my shoes know where they pinch and I strongly believe that I will overcome this challenge.

“I also want to appeal to the Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Prof. Isaac Asuzu and the Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Ojo Rasaki Bakare, to please help revisit our case.

“They are men of integrity and God has placed them in their respective positions to help me. I need their intervention so that my dream will not die and my destiny aborted”, Dare concluded.

But the university authorities maintained that the students’ request to withdraw had violated the university regulations.

Speaking with The Nation in a telephone chat, the Senior Assistant Registrar who doubles as the Head of the Academic Affairs Unit, Mr. O.O. Taiwo said the Senate of the institution had sealed the hope of return of the beleaguered students.

Taiwo maintained that the students failed to register for the session and did not show up in the university saying their action amounted to a voluntary withdrawal.

He admitted that he had not seen the letters written by the students and could not offer any further explanation on their case.

“Taiwo concluded: “I can’t say anything further on their matter, the Senate had taken a decision and that decision is the final.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

37

THE NATION INVESTORS

Shareholders back demutualisation of Stock Exchange

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NIGERIAN shareholders have expressed supports for the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), describing the release of the draft rules for the demutualisation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a step in the right direction. NSE is Nigeria’s only regular securities exchange. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), two weeks ago, released the draft rules for demutualisation of securities exchange.

Shareholders’ leaders who spoke to The Nation said the demutualisation of the Exchange would open up the marketplace for popular ownership and enable minority shareholders who have been part of the growth of the market to benefit from ownership of the market.

Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association (IBZA), Chief Sola Abodunrin, said demutualisation portends good omen for the Nigerian stock market as the NSE can now truly become a national institution in terms of ownership.

National coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said the demutualisation of the Exchange will open up opportunity to minority retail shareholders to be part of the market they had contributed to.

According to him, the demutualisation should be inclusive and should encourage participation by the generality of the people including shareholders that have been major stakeholders in the market.

He said shareholders were in support of a provision in the draft rules for the demutualisation, which limits the maximum allowable equity stake for any individual or entity in

Stories by Taofik Salako

the demutualised exchange to five per cent.

“I think it is good for the shareholders, they should allow everybody to participate in the ownership, we are the growers of the market and we should be able to participate in the fortunes we have created. They should however ensure that nobody, no matter how big you are, should own more than five per cent in the Exchange,” Nwosu said.

President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Shehu Mikhail, described demutualisation as one of the best things to happen to the Exchange noting that it will create opportunities for the general investing public and also for the NSE itself.

Demutualisation is the process of changing a member-owned stock exchange, otherwise known as mutual exchange, to a corporate entity owned by shareholders. In a mutual exchange, the three functions of ownership, management and trading are concentrated into a single group, hence the broker members of the exchange are both the owners and the traders on the exchange and they further manage the exchange as well.

In a demutualised exchange, the three functions of ownership, management and trading are clearly separated. The draft rules by SEC simply defined demutualisation as “the separation of the ownership of the Securities Exchange from the right to trade on such Securities Exchange”.

The NSE has been locked in intense grip of demutualisation with divergent views on the necessity, procedures and timing and other details of the exercise. The released

of the draft culminated a four-year exercise to provide amenable template for the demutualisation.

Established as Lagos Stock Exchange (LSE) in 1960, the stock exchange was conceptualized as a limited by guarantee not-for-profit organisation thriving on the goodwill, reputation and integrity of its members. While Nigeria’s doyen of accounting, Mr. Akintola William, is the only surviving initial signatory to the founding memorandum of the NSE, the membership list of the NSE has always included “the movers and shakers” of the Nigerian economy. Beside stockbroking firms and other capital market operators that are dealing members, members of the NSE currently included Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, Mr. Oba Otudeko, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Mr. Pascal Dozie, Chief Phillip Asiodu, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd.) and Senator Udo Udoma among others. Altogether, the NSE has some 360 individual and institutional members including some 255 active dealing members.

Several State Investment Companies are also institutional members of the NSE, giving the States inputs

into the operations of the NSE. These included Adamawa Securities Limited, Kaduna Investment Company, Kano State Investment and Properties Limited, Katsina State Investment and Property Development Company Limited, Kwara State Investment Corporation, New Nigerian Development Company Limited, Niger State Development Company Limited, Sokoto Investment Company Limited and Yobe Investment Company Limited among others.

According to the draft of the demutualisation rules, obtained by The Nation, no single entity or person or related entities and persons should be permitted to own, directly or indirectly more than five per cent of the equity and or voting rights in the demutualised securities exchange.

Besides, the rules stipulate that the aggregate equity interests of members of any specific stakeholder group such as stockbrokers and broker-dealer in the demutualised securities exchange should not exceed 40 per cent.

The rules, made pursuant to section 313 of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, stipulate that the securities exchange should initiate a process for determining the

accurate list of members of the Exchange prior to the commencement of demutualization.

The process of demutualization of the Securities Exchange should include an exchange of membership rights in the Securities Exchange for ownership of shares in the demutualised Securities Exchange.

According to the rules, strategic investors should be given equity interest in the demutualised securities exchange subject to establishment of the facts that the strategic investor has technical expertise through previous experience in managing other Exchanges and the aggregate number of shares to be offered to the strategic investors shall not be more than 30 per cent of issued and fully paid up capital of the securities exchange. However, if the Exchange is in dire need of funds, it could issue a higher number of shares subject to approval of the Commission.

The rules stipulate that the trading participants who are shareholders of the securities exchange shall with effect from the date of demutualization reduce their cumulative shareholdings in the demutualised securities exchange to not more than 10 per cent within five years.

Mixed reactions trail Avon Crowncaps’ minority acquisition proposal

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IGERIAN minority retail shareholders are divided on the propriety of a proposal by the foreign majority core investor in Avon Crowncaps and Containers (Nigeria) Plc seeking to buy out the minority shareholders in the packaging company.

Many shareholders who spoke to The Nation said the proposed acquisition might be a way for minority shareholders to extract whatever value from the dormant shares citing the stagnant share price and illiquidity in the stock.

Other shareholders however decried what they described as a pattern of attempts by foreign majority core investors to use corporate restructuring to hoodwink long-standing Nigerian shareholders from future participation in their company.

The foreign majority shareholder in Avon Crowncaps, Wilko Corporation, is proposing to acquire the entire minority shareholding in Avon Crowncaps.

Minority shareholders hold some 141.16 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in Avon Crowncaps, representing about 20.64 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares.

The acquisition is expected to be undertaken through a scheme of arrangement under Section 539 of the Companies & Allied Matters Act, 2004 (CAMA). Upon the completion of the acquisition, Avon Crowncaps will become a whollyowned subsidiary of Wilko, who will subsequently delist the packaging company from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Wilko, a private company incorporated in the Bahamas, is pushing for the acquisition as part of restructuring proposal. Under the scheme of arrangement, the minority shareholders would receive N1.90 for each share given

up while the company will thus become a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilko. Avon Crowncaps opens yesterday at the NSE at N1.59 per share, indicating a market capitalization of N1.09 billion for its issued share capital of 683.97 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. Its lowest price over the past one year was N1.44 while its highest price was N1.77.

However, the scheme of arrangement and the acquisition process is subject to approval of the shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting to be convened by an order of the Federal High Court and the subsequent sanction of the court.

The cancellation of the Scheme shares and issue of new Avon Crowncaps shares to Wilko will result in the delisting of Avon Crowncaps shares from the daily official list of the Exchange.

National coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said minority shareholders might consider the acquisition proposal as it offers opportunity to recoup whatever they can from the stock.

According to him, Avon Crowncaps has been illiquid and investors that had wanted to sell in the past could not sell because of poor demand for the shares. The acquisition will provide a window for such retail investors to divest their shares.

He pointed out that investors like him had bought the shares at some N9 per share and had not received dividends in recent years as the operations of the company worsened adding that such acquisition proposal would be considered on the merit of either being entrapped in the stock or taking whatever could be recovered to pursue new opportunity.

Nwosu noted that though Avon

•Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo (middle) surrounded by leaders of major shareholders' association in Nigeria during their visit to Gwarzo in Abuja. They are from left Chief Timothy Adesiyan, Eng. Francis Orji, (second left); Elder Goodluck Akpore (third left) Dr. Faruk Umar (third right); Boniface Okezie (second right) and Chief Sola Abodunrin (right)

SEC reviews audit committee tenure policy

T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reviewing its controversial three-year tenure policy for members of audit committee as part of ongoing efforts to realign the apex capital market regulator’s rules and operations with its vision of market development and integrity.

A circular obtained by The Nation indicated that SEC has suspended the three-year tenure policy, otherwise known as Rule 42 (5)(e) of the Consolidated Rules and Regulations.

According to SEC, the rule has been suspended for 90 days with effect from February 25, 2015. The suspended rule provides that “membership of an audit committee shall be for a term of three years, subject to good performance; provided, that such member shall not be eligible for re-election until the expiration of three years after his previous term”.

SEC stated that the suspension was to allow the Commission sufficient time to enhance the provisions of the rule and align it with best practice. The suspension came on the heels of the meeting of the acting director general of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo with leaders of shareholders’ groups.

Violation of the three-year tenure policy had carried sequential

monetary sanctions. According to the rule, any public company that violates any provision of the rules and regulations on the audit committee shall be liable to a penalty of not less than N100,000 and a further sum of not more than N5, 000 for every day of default.

Shareholders had roundly rejected the three-year tenure rule as a victimization of minority retail shareholders.

They said the rule was in bad faith and was capable of adverse impact on the confidence of retail shareholders in the corporate governance structure.

Shareholders said the restriction was targeted at independent shareholders, who are usually appointed to audit committees. The Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) requires audit committee to be composed equally of directors and independent ordinary shareholders subject to a maximum of six members.

Chairman, Onitsha Zone Shareholders Association, Bishop Goodluck Apore, had flayed what he described as SEC’s contemptuous attitude towards ordinary shareholders noting that shareholders own the stock market and should be treated as such.

According to him, the tenure policy lacked general acceptability

among shareholders and showed lack of consensus-building on the part of the market regulator.

President, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, had called on SEC to reconsider the new amendment and tenure policy pointing out that the restriction appeared targeted at retail shareholders than directors.

According to him, since there is no rule currently restricting directors from consecutive terms of office, SEC should have ensured a level-playing ground by applying the rules on directors’ term of office to shareholders too.

“SEC has not been protective of retail shareholders. They did not consult retail shareholders on this rule and they should go back and reconsider their obnoxious rules,” Nwosu had said.

President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan, described the new amendment as haphazard pointing out that SEC should have instead opted to finalise a comprehensive audit committee charter, which has been in the pipeline since 2008.

He said any new tenure policy on audit committee’s members should apply to directors serving on the committee.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

38

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

The metal processing sector is fairly large, including welding, plasma cutting, bending, machining, aluminum extrusion, castings and forgings. The sector has the potential for increased sales, exports, and employment generation. This has created opportunities for more Nigerian entrepreneurs to explore and make a living. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Moulding as a goldmine W

HEN metal fabrication entrepreneur and Chief Executive, Cliché Limited ,Jude Okpala arrived Nigeria from the United States (US), his first thought was to start running a metal component fabrication and mould making business.

His choice may not be faulted considering his first degree in civil engineering, obtained from Virginia University, United States (US), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. So, for him, combining technology, innovation,with entrepreneurial skill to create successful businesses, is a natural calling.

Inspired by the successes recorded by the Asian tigers, who were determined to change the world at an unprecedented speed, Okpala recalled that as a teenager he was always trying to manipulate technology and equipment, disassembling and assembling them.

Therefore, coming home, and working for sometimes with a private firm, it did not take long for him to realise that so many businesses had challenges sourcing spare parts and appropriate components to run their machines and production lines. He then began the idea of setting up his firm.

Okpala’s chance came in 2005 when his little known company, Cliché Limited, started with modeling and fabricating the otherwise expensive imported industrial spare parts from its small office located at the National Technology Incubation Centre, Agege, on the outskirt of Lagos.

He suddenly realised that there was a huge market for fabricating metal components for air compressors, diesel engines, hydraulic lifts, industrial and automotive chains, machinery and accessories, electrical motors and pneumatic control elements, including building bus bodies. At the beginning, the company had three workers, but the

number has since grown to 20.

Okpala could use scraps to make machinery for any cottage industry, including those for maize, coffee, sugar cane processing, rice machinery, grading maize, mixing feeds, crushing nuts, cutting chaff and multi-purpose mills.

With increased patronage, his company’s production expanded its capabilities, securing contracts for undertaking welding, assembly and powertrain jobs. The company continued to diversify its complement of services with client roster expanding to include public and private organisations from areas of the economy, handling automated production systems, metal sub-components, powertrain material handling, assembly and special machines.

Every mould base has to pass through a verification process to ensure the safety of the machine tools.

Then, environmental control is necessary as machining is carried out in known conditions.

Also, high quality solid carbide cutting tools are used and, finally, qualified staff.

For him, scraps are lucrative commodities. He could turn them into considerable revenues after melting them with other bits of steel and converting scraps into metals for various companies.

Companies, who were importing, eventually contracted him to fabricate for them.

Okpala set the goal of building for himself a reputation as a quality supplier with strong design capabilities and quick turnaround time.

The other target was producing much of all the precision components for industries, industrial pressure gauges, gears, or valves with innovative solutions that can attract big companies as its customers.

Realising that promopt delivery of products was essential, Okpala

•Machinists at work

•Okpala

updated his tools to ensure prompt service to his customers, including ensuring that his designs were quickly made. To stay afloat, he paid detailed attention to quality, and customer satisfaction by diligently following specifications, meeting delivery dates and offering competitive prices.

Most of his clients come to request

that his company produce multipurpose mills for them. What he usually does is to identify companies looking for local firms that can produce highly sophisticated machines and get them to sign him on. The result has made them to respond to demanding projects.

Along the line, he realised that big companies chose to import their parts rather than outsource to local companies. Following this importation, much of their work have reduced.

On his challenges, he said raw material for the mould-base is very expensive and customers require high precision and order larger mould bases on shorter times.

Recruiting and retaining the best people, he noted, has been a major concern a growing organisation faces.

He said turnover of staff has been very high. From 20 staff, the number has reduced to nine.

While he is open to hiring apprentices, he said the company is facing challenges. Retention rates of employees, he said, has been very low as big companies poach his staff.

However, he has done a lot in terms of manpower development, training several youths in fabrication and metal component development.

He has trained people in aluminum and cast iron works.

Raw materials used include scraps; used engine oil, which is used as furnace oil; electricity for metal; sand to make moulds and the liquid metal to get the needed spare parts design.

Despite hard times, the company’s continued success is based on the individual efforts of each and every member of the team.

He said what has kept him going has been the fact that enterprise and resilience spirits are ingrained in him.

He has shown a remarkable ability to survive crises situations by adapting and innovating. He has accepted the competitive challenges faced by manufacturers and diversified his business.

His company may be a small shop specialising in small to medium businesses, but he has been able to operate more like a larger shop due to the highly productive machines that he has.

Young entrepreneurs making fortunes from pineapples Pineapple cultivation has become a veritable business due to its growing market. The demand for the fruit by juice processing firms has increased opportunities for new entrants, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

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HE scramble for agricultural land by real estate coupled with discovery of minerals are taking a toll on arable land as population increases. But a group of vanguard farmers are now rehabilitating some dry and unarable land through irrigation for pineapple cultivation. They are now earning handsomely from it.

One of them is Ezemenaka Johnbosco, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AgroBoscoAgribusiness and Consulting.

He is involved in pineapple cultivation and has made money from it. He said pineapples need a mild and relatively same temperature all throughout the year and grow well on an elevated soil, particularly on dry soil.

He listed the planting materials needed to include pineapllles’ suckers and crowns.

With improved hybrid varieties, he said pineapples can bear fruits within 12 to 16 months, depending on the variety and environmental

condition.

The improved hybrid varieties, Johnbosco said should be acquired six to eight weeks after it was harvested.

Before preparing the soil for planting, he advised, it is good to plant pineapple in a temperature ranging from 65 °F to 95 °F. “Although it can tolerate cold temperatures for a short period during nights,” he noted, “its growth gets stunted and fruits become acidic when it is exposed to lower temperature for a longer time.”

To do suckers and crowns, he said, one must plant them 8 to 10 cm deep in the soil and space them between 80 and 100cm.

His words:”This way requires a space of 25-30 centimeters in a line, 50 centimeters in a two-line and 100 centimeters between two lines rows. This may produce around 44,000-53,000 plants for each hectare.” Irrigation, he stressed, is required for its cultivation in the

dry season.

Acoording to him, care of pineapple plants becomes important to protect them from pests and diseases. Controlling nematodes, he maintained, is necessary because they stunt pineapple growth.

When harvesting, he said, dry season fruits of pineapple mature early as compared to the rainy ones.

“To know if the dry fruits are ready for harvesting, check whether the pineapple’s ‘eye’ is pale green. In the rainy season, fruits turn light yellow at the base and are considered ready for harvesting,”he added.

He has deployed good technique for pineapple farming, which involve the use of land and resources, realising higher yield, net profit, and cultural practices, efficient spray and weed control, improvement in fruit quality, easy and good harvest.

The dream, according to him, is to intensify current activities in the coming years to make it an agro-

industry.

For farmers like Johnbosco, pineapple cultivation can be main occupation with the income earned from the produce enough to maintaining the family A pineapple farmer has to harvest pineapples many times from on farm. Pineapple farms yield best products from July to August. Pineapples harvested between December and January are known as ‘Heiron’.

Johnbosco estimated the cost for cultivating 3,000 stands of pineapple to include N3,000 for of 1 acre of land for a year; N240,000 for purchasing 4000 hybrid suckers; N2,000 for buying two shovels; N750 for three hoes; N6000 for Wheel barrow and N30,000 for labour. He put the total cost at N283,750, adding that there is a possibility of harvesting 4000 pieces of pineapple at once. According to him, a unit of the fruit can be sold for N300 putting the total revenue at 1,200,000.

“Deducting N283,750 from the

•Johnbosco

amount will give one a total profit of N916,250,” he said.

According to him, pineapple cultivation has now become a thriving means of earning good income as a result of the growing pineapple market. The demand for the fruit by the public and the fruit processing units of flourishing in the country has increased greatly. “The only problem is that farmers are unable to meet the ever increasing demand for pineapples,” he said.

He added: “The challenge is that a pineapple farmer has to invest a huge amount of money to engage labourers, plough the land and do the weeding,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

39

BUSINESS AFRICA

Tanzania: Tigo signs money transfer service deal with Vodacom M ILLIONS of M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa customers in Tanzania will soon be sending and receiving money directly into each others’ wallets. This followed the recent signing of a mobile money interoperability agreement between Tigo and Vodacom.

The agreement will see four million Tigo Pesa users exchanging money directly with seven million M-Pesa customers. According to both parties, this is yet another tangible step towards the enhancement of financial inclusion in Tanzania as well as the expansion of the

mobile money ecosystem in Tanzania.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) formulated the mobile-wallet-to wallet standards with support from Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), (standards) which have been the basis of the interoperability discussions between mobile network operators in Tanzania.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Rene

Meza, Vodacom Tanzania’s Managing Director said: “This is a great evolution of the mobile money service in Tanzania. Our customers will soon be able to directly access the money received through Tigo Pesa and use it for whatever purposes they may have without necessarily having to cash it out.”

M-Pesa users can pay for an array of services from their phones. These include; TV subscriptions, Flights, Insurance services, Utilities, Taxes,

School fees, Pension Contributions and Loans to name but a few.

In support of this, Meza added: “M-Pesa has added so much value to the lives of Tanzanians over the past seven years and the fact that this agreement with Tigo will see even more Tanzanians using our services to better their lives is indeed a major milestone. We expect to launch the service by the end of the year and are currently working on upgrading our M-Pesa platform which will see us invest in excess of Tshs 150 billion to cater for the expected growth of users.”

Meza went on to say that the agreement signed between the country’s two mobile operators would allow Vodacom’s M-Pesa users to directly send and receive money to an additional four million Tigo Pesa users across the country at no additional cost or inconvenience to them by the end of the year.

“We are now working to ensure that we have both the technology and requisite resources needed to provide the quality of service that our customers have come to expect from us through the years we are nevertheless excited about the opportunities posed by this new operating model,” Meza said.

Airtel Kenya invests KES 2.5b in 3G network

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• Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of England, Mervyn King and Treasury Secretary, Alastair Darling

KCB bank posts 18% rise in full year pre-tax profit K CB Bank Group has posted 8% rise in full year 2014 pre-tax profit, riding on double-digit growth in balance sheet and non-funded income and positive earnings from all subsidiaries.

During the 12 months ending December last year, profit before tax jumped from (Kenyan Shillings)KES 20.12 billion to KES 23.79 billion, said KCB Group Chairman, Mr. Ngeny Biwott during an Investor Briefing held at a Nairobi hotel last week.

Biwott said the growth was buoyed by a relatively favourable macro-economic environment across the East African region.

“During the period, the region benefited from improved macroeconomic indicators with most economies posting better growth figures, reduced inflation, lower lending rates and higher remittances,” said Biwott.

The chairman also noted that the relative political stability gave

businesses headroom to expand and ring-fence growth while making way for new investments.

“Going forward, we foresee stability across all economies where we operate despite the challenges in South Sudan,” he said.

The Group Chairman announced that KCB will contribute 1% of its pre-tax profits, translating to KES 238 million, to the KCB Foundation. These funds will help the Foundation to support community initiatives in education, environment, enterprise development, health and humanitarian intervention for the year 2015.

KCB Group Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Oigara attributed the impressive results to growth in loans and advances.

“We have continually focused

on investment in innovation and technology, tapping alternative channels such as KCB Mtaani agents, merchants, M-Benki, and pepea.

He said the unique partnership between KCB and Safaricom demonstrates how large corporates can leverage on their strengths for Kenyan people to flourish.

“This year and beyond, the Bank is planning to boost its investment in new business lines, revving up growth in its subsidiaries and expanding its foray in the cashlite economy which is billed as the next frontier for growth in the financial services sector,” he said.

He noted that the bank already has four million customers, saying they long to grow up to ten million.

“We hope to enhance financial inclusion to 10 million customers. If we have to dream, let us dream big,” he said.

Economist urges gov’t to solve power crisis

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N Economist with the University of Ghana, Dr. Eric Osei Assibey said the energy sector is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, therefore, the government should adopt an urgent approach to solving the power crisis.

According to him, the energy crisis being experienced is the most intense and longest in the history of Ghana and government must execute programmes that will solve the problem to improve the living conditions of the people.

Dr. Osei Assibey was speaking on GTV’s Current Affairs programme, Talking Point, which discussed President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address delivered to Parliament last Thursday.

MP for Obuasi East, Kwaku Kwarteng says State of the Nation

Addresses has become an exercise to praise government. This, according to him, does not augur well for the country.

For his par,t Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the President was clear on the strategies to be employed to manage the crisis in the short and long-terms.

He said 1000 megawatts of power will be available by April to tackle the challenges and solve it once and for all by the end of the year. Ghana’s energy sector needs private sector participation for energy sufficiency, the governing National Democratic Congress’ deputy Youth Organiser for the Greater Accra region Godwin Eduzi Tameklo has said.

“Energy generation must be a shared responsibility: I mean pri-

vate sector participation,” he said during a panel of discussion with youth leaders of the various political parties about growing the next crop of leaders for Ghana.

Mr Tameklo said: “At every point in time, what you need is a certain critical partnership between the private sector and the state so that once you have that partnership within the state, you create the enabling environment that a private individual can generate power, feed into the national system, (and if they) know that at the end of the day you’ll get the needed return – once you are able to demonstrate that – you can always get available power.”

Ghana is currently shedding between 400 and 700 Megawatts of power during off-peak and peak periods respectively as a result of a worsening power crisis.

AIROBI - Airtel has announced that it has invested 2.5 billion Kenyan Shillings (KES 2.5 billion) to upgrade its network to enhance indoor coverage and 3G quality in Kenya.

With the growing demand for data services, alongside the increasing proliferation of smartphones, the UMTS 900 Mhz spectrum upgrade project significantly enhances indoor coverage penetration and improves data quality for Airtel 3G network users.

Upgrade of all the sites in Mombasa and Kitale townships have been completed, with Nairobi’s in progress and due to complete soon.

Nokia Networks, one of the world’s leading specialists in mobile broadband is partnering with Airtel for this upgrade project.

“We have invested 2.5 billion shillings in this exercise and plan to continue investing significantly in the network to provide our customers with the best possible user experience across the country. The project will increase the reach and coverage of Airtel’s 3G network, enabling our customers take full advantage of what Airtel has to offer.” said Airtel Kenya’s Managing Director, Mr. El Youssefi.

“With the network upgrade, customers will be better able to take advantage of services such as the recently launched Airtel #UnlimiNet, free twitter on Airtel Internet, Internet.org- free internet powered by Airtel and Facebook, amongst a bouquet of other data services,” he added.

The network upgrade also makes Airtel Kenya’s network 4G

LTE ready.

In November last year, Airtel Africa launched 4G in Seychelles and Rwanda, making the two countries amongst the first in sub Saharan Africa to commercially deploy the 4G network technology.

In India, Bharti Airtel was the first operator to launch the 4G service, making it one of the first countries in the world to commercially deploy this cutting-edge technology.

Airtel currently has the widest 3G footprint in Africa, with the 17 countries that Airtel operates connected to 3G services.

Mobile money law has loopholes, Ugandans complained.

The Governor of Bank of Uganda, Emmanuel Mutebire has admitted that there are loopholes in mobile money regulations, following complaints by members of the public.

Appearing before parliamentary committee on ICT chaired by Vincent Bagire to explain how Bank of Uganda regulates mobile money services, Mutebire said there is need for the law to be clarified and strengthened to back the reguratory role performed by of Bank of Uganda.

He said: ‘’Bank of Uganda has the powers to supervise the mobile money services. However, the duty to supervise its agents lies with the mobile money operators to make sure they conduct the business in accordance with mobile money guidelines.’’

Members of the committee, who included Barnabas Tinkasimire, Noar Byamukama, Miriam Nalubega among others, said they were concerned that many people are losing money to mobile money because there is no sufficient law to regulate the industry.

Tourism stakeholders blame poor business on travel advisories

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OMBASA - Tourism stakeholders in Mombasa have said the British travel advisories issued last year are the reason behind low tourism turnover in the region.

The stakeholders said the British advisories have scared away tourists from another parts of the world who had wished to visit Kenya.

“Many nations around the world have stayed away from Kenya because they tend to emulate what Britain does,” said Sarova Whitesands manager, Raj Jadhav.

Raj said things might get worse if the ministry of tourism does not come in to resolve the situation.

He said at the moment, business in the region stands at 50%, which has affected the realisation of a significant profit margin.

“In 2014, bed occupancy stood at 75 per cent which is a favorable margin with which hotels can operate without having to temporar-

ily shut down or lay of staff until the high season,” the Whitesands GM stated.

Jadhav revealed that he is aware hotels within the south coast have been hardest hit by the low tourist numbers, with many of them being forced to shut down and lay off staff.

The hotelier further added that the Kenya Tourism Board also needs to expand its reach and promote more extensively the Kenyan market as a favorable tourist destination.

He stated that the Whitesands hotel has resorted to advertising in international markets, and increasing productivity through providing bouquet packages.

“Hoteliers are actively engaged in promoting domestic tourist packages as they provide a lifeline for many hotels especially during these trying times when international visitors numbers are down,” he stated.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

European shares dip from seven-year highs, China rate cut lifts Asia

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UROPEAN shares have slipped from seven-year highs, weighed down by merger activity in the telecoms sector, while Asian stocks edged up after China cut interest rates at the weekend.

The dollar hit an 11-year high against a basket of currencies on growing prospects of a rise in United States (US) interest rates from the US Federal Reserve, before giving up the gains as economic data lifted the euro.

US stocks looked to be headed for a steady open, according to index futures SPc1.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 stocks index .FTEU3 edged up at the open but lost steam and was last down 0.4 percent.

French media group Vivendi (VIV.PA) said on Friday it had agreed to sell its remaining stake in the telecoms company Numericable-SFR (NUME.PA) to Altice (ATCE.AS), whose shares were up 6.5 percent.

But falls of five percent in Viv-

endi and seven percent in Greek banks .FTATBNK pressured the market and outweighed any beneficial impact of broadly upbeat euro zone data.

German manufacturing activity expanded further in February as new orders rose, according to Markit’s final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the month.

Italy’s Markit/ADACI PMI showed the first expansion in activity for five months, but French activity slowed further in February.

However, the numbers buoyed up the euro, which reversed early losses to trade up 0.3 percent at $1.1288.

“This could well be coming from the data this morning, but any rebounds at this point will be quite limited,” said Ian Stannard, head of European FX strategy with Morgan Stanley in London.

Against a basket of currencies, the dollar hit a peak not seen since September 2003 .DXY before retreating. It was last down 0.2 per-

cent on the day. The dollar was up 0.2 percent at 119.72 yen.

China, which posted its slowest growth in decades in 2014, cut its benchmark lending and deposit rates.

A survey showed China’s HSBC/Markit PMI had climbed to 50.7 in February - its strongest since July - from 49.7 in January.

An official survey released on Sunday showed the factory sector had contracted for a second straight month in February.

The rate cut helped push Australian shares .AXJO 0.5 percent higher as shares in resources companies, which have prospered on the back of Chinese demand, rose. The Shanghai Composite Index. SSEC closed up 0.8 percent The impact in the rest of Asia was muted. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.2 percent. Tokyo’s Nikkei .N225 closed up 0.2 percent as the yen lost ground against the dollar.

NXP to buy Freescale, creates $40b firm

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HIP maker NXP Semicon ductors NV has agreed to buy smaller peer Freescale Semiconductor Ltd and merge operations in a deal valuing the combined company at over $40 billion.

The deal, announced by the pair late and first reported by Reuters, will make the business the industry leader within the auto and industrial semiconductor markets.

The transaction is the clearest sign yet that semiconductor companies are regaining the confidence required to pursue big mergers and acquisitions at a time when their major clients, such as mobile phone manufacturers, seek to consolidate suppliers.

Freescale also has its chips in consumer products such as Amazon’s Kindle e-reader.

The deal is the fourth semiconductor sector M&A deal this year, and the biggest of these by far.

Last month, Avago Technologies said it would buy wireless net-

Royal Mint unveils new coinage portrait of the Queen

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HE Royal Mint has unveiled a new coinage portrait of the Queen.

It shows a side profile of the 88year-old monarch wearing a crown and drop earrings.

It is only the fifth definitive coin portrait to have been created during her 63-year reign.

Coins featuring the new image will go into production from Monday but will only appear in circulation later this year.

The portrait was designed by engraver Jody Clark, whose design was selected in a competition organised by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, a consultative panel to HM Treasury.

The four official portraits of the Queen that have appeared on coins in the UK during the Queen’s reign. Four official portraits of the Queen have already appeared on coins in 1953, 1968, 1985 and 1998 •From left: President, Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria, Mr. Gbadebo Olamerun; Chief Executive Officer, Inspen Media, Mr. Chuks Okonta; Head, Benefits and Insurance Department, National Pension Commission, Mr. Olulana Loyinmi; Chief Compliance Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mrs. Idu Okwuosa; and Managing Director, Lancelot Ventures Limited, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, during Inspen's Nigerian Insurance and Pension Award in Lagos… on Thursday.

Ireland’s manufacturing sector buoys eurozone output M ANUFACTURING output in Ireland has risen to its highest level in more than 15 years, according to the Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

Accelerated growth in both new orders and production pushed Ireland’s PMI to 57.5 in February.

A figure above 50 suggests expansion.

Overall eurozone manufacturing PMI held steady in February at 51.0.

France’s manufacturing sector contracted to 47.6, the lowest score in the eurozone.

Manufacturing in the eurozone

matched January’s figure, even though new orders rose to a seven month-high.

Meanwhile, lower oil prices have reduced manufacturing input costs, said Markit.

Ireland’s manufacturing growth seems to be resilient, said Investec’s chief economist Philip O’Sullivan, but “any uncertainty ahead of the upcoming UK election - given that Ireland’s closest neighbour has repeatedly been identified by manufacturers as a key source of demand

- is likely to put that to the test”.

Job creation in Ireland’s manufacturing sector reached its highest since May 1998, Markit said.

Greece, France and Austria all saw their manufacturing sectors contract in February.

France’s manufacturing PMI fell as sharp declines in output, new orders and employment weighed on the index.

“France is the most worrying, not just because it trails behind all other countries, but it is also the only country seeing a steepening downturn,” said Markit’s chief economist Chris Williamson.

Rotary offers loans to SMEs

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OTARY Club, Akowonjo District in Lagos says it will continue to grant non-interest loans to small scale businessmen and women within and outside the district.

Speaking during the celebration of its 29th Anniversary, the association’s President, Mr Babatunde Alimi, said the club would not relent in its support for youths, adding that the club’s effort is to support governments’ youths’ empowerment programmes.

He said this became imperative

because this was the strategic role played by the club to enhance the masses’standard of living.

He said polio eradication, enhanced literacy level and provision of sessions between the club and masses would continue to rank as priority in the club’s effort towards discharging its responsibility.

Alimi said: “Rotary Club of Akowonjo being one of the Rotary’s numerous chapters in its almost 600 districts across the world was established 29 years ago.

“We have championed the building of the Akowonjo/Dopemu

bridge, construction of drainages a in Karimu Laka Street, constructed several boreholes in the environs, granted non-interest yielding refundable loans to small scale businessmen and women, and just last year we donated 10room toilet facility worth N5 million to teachers and pupils in the environ.’’

He added: “Recently, we donated medical consumables and drugs worth N5 million to Alimosho General Hospital Igando.

“We will not relents in our efforts to supports the government and the people.‘’

working company Emulex Corp for more than $600 million, while MaxLinear said it would buy Entropic Communications Inc for $287 million. In January, Lattice Semiconductor said it would buy Silicon Image for $600 million.

“Financially this deal make sense. By being bigger you limit the impact of the product cycles and volatile end markets,” said RBC analyst Doug Freedman.

Freescale shareholders will receive $6.25 in cash and 0.3521 of an NXP share for each Freescale share. The purchase price puts Freescale’s value at $11.8 billion, with a total enterprise value of $16.7 billion including debt.

The companies expect the deal to close in the second half this year.

NXP will fund the transaction with $1.0 billion of cash from its balance sheet, $1.0 billion of new debt and about 115 million of its shares. Freescale shareholders will own about 32 percent of the combined company.

Jody Clark with new coin Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark said he hoped the design was a “fitting representation” The winning image by Jody Clark The Queen had final approval of the winning image.

Mr Clark, 34, said: “I hope that I’ve done Her Majesty justice and captured her as I intended, in a fitting representation.

“The news that my design had been chosen was quite overwhelming, and I still can’t quite believe that my royal portrait will be featured on millions of coins.”

Adam Lawrence, chief executive, Royal Mint, said the change of royal portrait made 2015 a “vintage year” for UK coins.

He added: “Capturing a portrait on the surface of a coin demands the utmost skill, and is one of the most challenging disciplines of the coin designer’s art.”

Brooks to join Murdoch-owned Storyful

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ORMER chief executive of News International, Rebekah Brooks, is to be re-hired by Rupert Murdoch.

She is expected to begin a new role at News Corp-owned media agency Storyful that will focus on new avenues for digital and social media.

Sources told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that no announcement was imminent and Ms Brooks’salary was “still being worked out.”

The role is likely to be based in the United Kingdom(UK) but involve frequent trips to Dublin, where Storyful is based.

Ms Brooks is the former editor of the Sun and now defunct News of the World newspapers.

She was acquitted last year of

charges related to phone hacking during her time as editor of both newspapers and perverting the course of justice.

The revelations that journalists at the News of the World hacked the phone of missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler in 2002, ultimately led to the demise of the 178 year-old newspaper in 2011.

Storyful is an Irish social media news agency founded by former RTE current affairs presenter Mark Little and bought by News Corp in 2013 for £15million.

Chief Executive Rahul Chopra, who joined Storyful from News Corp as part of that takeover deal, only took up his current position in December, replacing Mr Little, who became director of editorial innovation.

Sony, Microsoft display mid-range smartphones at World Fair

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ONY and Microsoft have opted to unveil mid-range smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Trade Fair in Barcelona.

Microsoft indicated it would wait until the release of Windows 10 to announce a new flagship, despite its high-end Lumia 930 dating back to April, last year.

Sony’s Xperia Z3 is less old, having launched in September. But the firm had previously refreshed its top model roughly once every six months.

Sony said its focus was on “broadening its customer base” at this time.

The companies’ decisions to leave more high-profile launches until

later has one immediate benefit: the flagships do not risk being overshadowed by Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which was unveiled on Sunday evening.

Sony M4 Aqua The M4 Aqua is waterproof despite a capless microUSB port Even so, one expert said the importance of the fast-growing midrange market should not be underestimated.

“It’s much harder to win over people at the high-end than the mid-tier, and it costs more money to do so, especially if you’re not one of the top few handset brands,”said Carolina Milanese, chief of research at KWP ComTech.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

43

Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

The Pathfinder: Beyond a glimpse of Tinubu – PAGE 15

My dad, by ace music writer – PAGE 16 Makinde’s son

•Mabogunje

‘Life is interesting because I married my friend’

-SEE STORY ON PAGE 14

‘Save my – PAGE 49 boy with shattered hip’

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Life is interesting because I married my friend’ Like a butterfly with beautiful colours, Mrs Toki Mabogunje shines in many fields. Besides being VicePresident of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she is a lawyer, broadcaster, consultant and poet. Her play work was staged last year at (FESTINA) the Festival of Nigerian Plays. Mrs Mabogunje’s support for the arts earned her the NANTAP 2014 Personality of the Year for World Theatre Day and Cultural Ambassador; she will be passing on the medal to her successor this month.

Although she has received several awards for her passion and dedication to excellence in business and the arts, she is most proud of her role as a wife and mother, who co-authored a book with her 19-yearold son. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, Mrs Mabogunje shares her experience in marriage, business, literature and theatre.

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HO is Mrs Toki Mabogunje?

Toki Mabogunje is a woman who trained to be a lawyer. I was called to the Nigerian Bar 33 years ago. I am the oldest of four children; I have two brothers and a sister. My father who passed on some years ago was a medical doctor; he was the Chief Pathologist for Lagos State. My mom was 80 last year. She was a teacher and school administrator, who worked in the public service (state, federal) and in some international schools. I am married to Mr Oluseun Mabogunje, an engineer, and we have two sons - Deji and Damola.

My early years were at American International School where I had my elementary education. When I got into junior high, my parents thought I was becoming too “unNigerian”, so to speak; so, I was moved to Holy Child College to “Nigerianise” me. I left there to the University of Ife, where I studied Law. I started worked in the Federal Ministry of Justice for nine-and-a-half years; left and went into broadcasting for about eight years before I left to start a consulting firm, TMC (Toki Mabogunje & Co.).

Growing up

There were many things. I grew up in a house where both parents were working professionals who didn’t differentiate between boys and girls. I belonged to football clubs, and was always the goalkeeper because they said I didn’t know how to play. I grew up, learning how to stand up for my right. My father could not stand discrimination. And when it is time to cook, we were all in the kitchen so all my brothers are domesticated. My father was very domesticated – he cooked. My mother tells me that when she married him, he taught her all the Yoruba dishes she learnt to cook because she’s from Cross River State.

In our house, to some extent, democracy was practised. In those days, our TVs were black and white; and we had very few choices; so he would have us vote which station to watch and if we were going out, where to eat lunch.

And, sometimes, when he tries to insist on a place, we would say “No, we want to vote”.

(Laughs.) For my parents, it was always the quality of the education; I wouldn’t be where I am today if they didn’t invest in my education. I have come to the conclusion that the American education played a very major part in who I am today – I am very “unNigerian” in my thinking and behaviour. In the American education, volunteerism was key – so doing things for the good of everybody became a second nature.

Literary voyage

I started writing very early. My father always encouraged us to explore our talent. So, I, as a mother, grew up encouraging my children’s talent. Deji, my first son, is an excellent artist and the second, Damola, who is a science student, is a poet. He has just published his second book, titled: Season for All Things by Kachifo. It hit Nigeria in December and would soon be on the bookshelves.

I lost my first collection, which was about 10 years old, when my parents moved house at age 17 – that has remained a sad episode in

INTERVIEW my life. So, when I got married, I swore to myself that if I could be lucky enough to have a child who can write like me, I would not lose that child’s poems. But then, he would do it on scrap papers all: I started collecting from age six. Incidentally, that was the same age I started writing.

One day, while I was cleaning my filing cabinet, I noticed my very fat file of poems and that of my sons and thought of publishing. I, then, called Prof Femi Osofisan, who encouraged me on, that it would be a unique publication. That was how I pulled it all together. It was published in 2009, by then Damola was 19 years old. It is titled: The duet, it is my fifth, but the first that is mine. It features poems, spanning 10 to 19 years of my son’s life and mine is five years: so in one collection, you get the opportunity of seeing things from the eyes of a child and a matured woman. And some of the subjects in the book are similar, like love, war and politics. Before then, I have been contributing to other collections – three in the United States and one in honour of Wole Soyinka at 70 which incidentally got me involved with the Nigerian literary sector.

My stint with the theatre

Now, that was an adventure. After the book was published 2009 and I thought I was done until 2011 while I was preparing for my birthday. I was able to mark my 50th in a very significant way. The then Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Lagos Chapter, Mr Williams Ekpo, masterminded the elaborate stage performance of The Duet featuring dance, drama, poetry recitation and songs. He put together a 46-man cast made up of a composer, who converted some of the poems to contemporary songs; professional singers; the dance troupe and the actors. They were able to translate our 36 poems of the collection into something I couldn’t imagine; and took my love poems, written at different times and reason, strung them together and turned them into a story. That got me transfixed. The play, which was endorsed by the Sickle Cell Foundation, PEN and CORA, had on Saturday two performances and a command performance on Sunday. We ended up raising N2.6million after deducting costs.

Last year, the work was put on stage during the Festival of Nigerian Plays (FESTINA) when I was appointed the 2014 Personality of the Year for World Theatre Day and their Cul-

•Mr and Mrs Mabogunje and family

BIODATA Toki Mabogunje is a business development consultant. Over the last 26 years, Mrs Mabogunje has been involved in commercial and business enterprises from both public and private sector perspectives. Her move to the private sector, provided her with the opportunity to attain a well-rounded perspective of business enterprise in the Nigerian environment. She worked as Group Head, Legal and Corporate Affairs for a start up broadcast enterprise, which grew into a global business concern known as MINAJ Media Group.

She has a degree in Law from the University of Ife, Nigeria, a Masters in International Business Law from the University of Exeter, England, Executive Management Training in Strategic Organisation and Management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Training in SME policy development from the International Labour Organisation’s Training Centre in Turin, Italy and Training in Value Chain Development at MDF in the Netherlands.

As Assistant Legal Adviser to the Ministry

of Defence and later Senior State Counsel in the Mercantile and Industrial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Mabogunje was involved in public sector policy formulation, regulation and monitoring of commerce and industry nationwide. She provided legal advice to the Federal Government in its cross border business negotiations with other governments and commercial enterprises worldwide.

Mrs Mabogunje is the founder of Toki Mabogunje and Co. (TMC), an 11-year-old firm of business development consultants. She is the Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She gives back to the community by volunteering her time to the cause of various NGOs. She was conferred with an award for her 10 years of service to Fate Foundation in 2010 and an award of excellence by the Ghana Business Women Association, among others.

Mrs Mabogunje has interests in non-fiction literary pursuits, writes poetry, and has co-written The Duet, a poetry book with her son, which has been staged at MUSON Centre and FESTINA.

tural Ambassador for the year. Whenever they appoint such personalities, they always put their work on stage. I will be giving up the title to the next person this month; and they might stage it again to close my term. The first play was focused on Bakassi; last year’s was on Boko Haram. So, I spent the whole of 2014 as Cultural Ambassador.

really have problem coping anymore. I used to have the issue of work-life balance. And it was tough. You know if you are on employment and a mother and wife, you’d have to work hard to ensure the balance. But I have gone past that stage – I am on the expressway now. But I must say it is not easy for any woman to be a working mother. When I started having children, I had to choose what was more important to me – the convenience of going to school in the neighbourhood or the quality education they’d get. That was why I began my career in the Civil Service because they close early and I would be able to have time for my children. I remember while the kids were growing up, I decided they needed to have as certain skills, like learning music.

That meant I didn’t have any Saturday – there was always one lesson or practice that they are involved in. Do you know what! They are adult now and I am so proud of them. And I now have the privilege of seeing what our sacrifices have resulted in. It is a thing of pride, and indeed God’s grace, that I now have the

Coping as business executive, lawyer wife and mother

I have already collected my certificate of freedom. My two boys have finished school. I don’t

‘I lost my first collection, which was about 10 years old, when my parents moved house at age 17 – that has remained a sad episode in my life...Having staged my own play, I now realised you can’t make money from this thing, you have to have sponsorship or have the money to sponsor it. There is need for Nigerians to understand that you need to invest in this sector’

•Continued on Page 15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

45

The Midweek Magazine

A

BOOK on the life, times and politics of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, titled: The Pathfinder, will be released this month to coincide with his birthday.

Written by Taiwo Ogundipe, a journalist, and published by Topseal Communications Limited, the book is a well-researched and detailed account of Tinubu’s early years and education, his professional career as an accountant, his political activities and twoterm tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

Ogundipe said he wrote the book to highlight the essential Tinubu, document his struggles and accomplishments, and show the value of his political wizardry, especially in the context of nation building.

The book provides insight into the background that shaped a political figure who has come to represent progressive politics in Nigeria. The Pathfinder has a particular relevance at this juncture in the country’s political development.

According to Ogundipe, the book is not all about the virtues of the political icon as it also reflects the other side of his person. He said the book is very instructive at this stage of the nation’s democracy considering the input of Tinubu to the democratic growth.

‘It is also a veritable resource for those who want to read about Nigeria’s political development.’

He recalled that Tinubu was excited when he saw the first draft of the book and photographers used because he has lost some of such photographs to the army invasion of his house during the General Sanni Abacha administration.

“Importantly, Mr. Dele Alake was one of the first of Tinubu’s aides that I shared my early draft with. He provided meaningful contributions in drawing up the book outline and press clippings that helped fleshup the book,” Ogundipe said.

Tinubu is in the forefront of a critical and possibly defining political battle for the country’s redemption from the forces of retrogression and rot. The book is lucid and engaging, which is enriched by Ogundipe’s journalistic background. It is unprecedented as a penetrating deeply enlightening portrait of a personality whose history has so far been largely presented superficially.

Ogundipe brings a unique perspective to

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

The Pathfinder: Beyond a glimpse of Tinubu

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

BOOK this book which is well positioned for use by anyone who is interested in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Ogundipe is also the author of the widely acclaimed The Hurricane, a biography of the late General Murtala Muhammed, with the foreword written by the ex-President, General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd). The

international edition of The Hurricane has just been published and released in February 2015

by Amazon, the USA publishing giant.

Obasanjo wrote in his foreword to The Hurricane: “The book is a good research work on the person of the late General Murtala Muhammed. It is a well-outlined piece of writing on the life and times of the late Head of State who was indeed a personal friend and a professional colleague in the Nigerian Army. The Hurricane has effectively captured the historical perspectives of the work of the General, depicting his effort to bring about discipline and sanitisation of the military and the Nigerian civil society.”

Ogundipe attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication in 1983. He has a distinguished career in journalism. He started as a reporter with The Democrat Newspapers, Kaduna, after which he joined ThisWeek magazine as a senior reporter. He thereafter moved to the Daily Times as a senior writer and ran a popular column in the then widest circulating newspaper, Sunday Times. He later joined The Concord Press as an assistant editor and edited the Midweek Concord. He eventually became a member of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspapers and pioneered a very popular column in ThisDay on Sunday. He is an Associate Editor with The Nation.

Ogundipe is also a talented television and film writer/producer. He has created, written and produced zone highly rated programmes on the network service of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the African Independent Television (AIT), notably SPACS, a detective series and MAGNATE, a soap opera. He is working on the biography of the late televangelist, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya of The Fountain of Life Church.

‘Life is interesting’ •Continued from Page 14

luxury of seeing that all our sacrifices as parents have produced wonderful products we are proud of what kind of men they’ve become. And I can trace everything to the things I did when they were younger.

My 30-year marriage experience

It has been pretty interesting. My life’s journey has been very interesting, even more so, because I am married to someone who is a good friend; and because we support each other. Creative people are non-conformist, so you have to have a certain kind of patience when you are married to someone that is creatively inclined. But when you have a partner who supports and help you realise your goals and dreams, then life becomes interesting and really great. I think he would say to you I brought the salt and pepper into his life. Married to a creative person like me means that you’d never know when I’d throw in something in that would make our lives more interesting.

But there is always a give-and-take involved; and it never stops. You’d continue to give and take through life. I stayed in the Civil Service for nine-and-the-half years also because my husband was building his business.

So somebody had to be working short hours, do the school runs and take less than what he/ she is worth in salary in order that other person can grow their business. Also at some point in MINAJ, I wanted to know more about

R

ENOWNED playwright, Prof Femi Osofisan will be leading playwrights from across the country to the capital city of Kwara State, Ilorin. They will be attending a conference on playwriting, tagged: 2nd Playwrights' Confab.

About 200 delegates are expected to attend the event, which begins on Friday to run till Sunday, March 8, according to the organisers.

The conference is a follow-up to its first edition held in 2012 at the Obafemi Awolowo

•A Boko Haram scene of her play at FESTINA

the business of broadcasting. Going for a course in the field meant I had to live my husband in Nigeria and go to the US for three years. Now, without a supportive husband, how does that happen? In our case, we knew what we were looking for, for our sons. Already our oldest son was getting ready for the university - it was a perfect timing.

The economic viability of the arts

It is viable, but the arts sector is not viable in itself; its viability of the arts is in a different kind of framework. All around the world, the arts have always been supported by those who

have money. In the developed world their creative industry is where it is because the business world has always put money into the arts.

Having staged my own play, I now realised you can’t make money from this thing, you have to have sponsorship or have the money to sponsor it. There is need for Nigerians to understand that you need to invest in this sector. It looks as if more money is made upon the demise of the creative person: their work becomes invaluable when they die. Vincent van Gogh died a penniless man but money is being made after his death.

Playwrights' conference holds in Ilorin University, Ile-Ife that brought together 136 participants.

This year's edition, which will hold at Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, has as host Kwara State University and the Vice Chancellor, Prof AbdulRasheed Na'Allah will be the chief host.

The conference, its convener Prof Osofisan said, is holding in line with the decision taken

to make the Confab a biennial affair, adding that it is a gathering of professional workers in literary and dramatic creativity, where common problems and challenges are discussed.

"Let me emphasise again that this is not an academic meeting (we already have SONTA for that); and it is not meant either to compete with ANA. Pertinent to the above, we will also welcome suggestions about topics you wish

Ayakoroma, others for Jos Festival Theatre THEATRE

P

LAYS by Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Adinjoyi Ojo Onukaba and Sefi Atta will feature at this year’s annual Jos Festival of Theatre from March 10 to 14.

Ayakoroma’s Castles In The Air, Onukaba’s Body Parts, Atta’s Last Stand, Jacinto Benaventure’s The Bonds of Interest and August Wilson’s King Hedley II are the five plays alongside a pre-festival play to be staged a few days to the opening of the festival.

The theme of the festival is: Telling Untold Stories...making a difference through the arts.

According to the organisers, the festival will include arts management workshops that will focus on proposal writing, directing and acting classes. The workshops will be facilitated by theatre professionals based in the city of Jos. Castles in the Air exposes traditional prejudices on mixed marriages between diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. Aminu and Stella are promised the sum of N10m if they get married within a year and give birth to a son. The race is on, but is the two of them ready to join the race? Body Parts is the story of a group of young men who out of being unemployed create jobs for themselves by hawking their vital organs to the highest bidder. There is a strong demand for kidneys and they have very healthy ones to sell. But there is a snag as they sell to someone who has a history with their family dating back thirty years.

Last Stand, premiered at the Terra Kulture, Lagos last November and it is the story of a family torn apart by the will of their dying patriarch, a retired military General. Who does he leave his estate to? The designated heir is not interested in the wealth and that leaves the estate open to a fight between two wives, a dead wife and their children.

The Bonds of Interest is the story of two young men who live their lives duping people. They extend this by getting a lot of services on credit. They then plan the ultimate scheme – one of them is to marry the daughter of the wealthiest man in the city in the hope that when he dies they will inherit his wealth, pay off their debts and live happily as respected men of the society. The plan backfires as the one pretending to fall in love actually falls in love. Being chased by the law and their creditors, they decide to split up but these further compounds their woes as the daughter in question decides not to let go.

King Hedley II depicts life in Pittsburgh in 1985. King Hedley II is out of jail. He comes back home, gets married and tries to live making his own rules. He lives with his mother and his wife whom he would very much love to see get pregnant. She eventually gets pregnant but decides to have an abortion as she would not want to have a child who would not know his father. His mother’s lover of thirty years appears and decides to formally marry his mother but before this happens, he asks her to tell King Hedley II who his real father is. Unfortunately, he had killed his father during a row over some gambling debts. On the day, they decide to get their marriage license; all the secrets, which she had taught she will take to her grave come tumbling out with disastrous consequences.

The festival is receiving support from the US Mission, Nigeria, Grand Cereals Limited and a host of corporate and individual supporters.

•Ayakoroma

us to discuss at the Confab.

Participant will be required to pay a fee of N5,000 for registration. However, the organisers say, "there is also an additional N5,000.00 which was decided at the last conference as a regular membership fee to be paid by all members. Those, who have not, would be expected to pay is N10,000."

Payment should be made to: B. A. Osofisan, Account No.: 0694244874, Access Bank Plc, Ilorin.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Ace music writer and Odessa File colunmist Olutade Makinde, 71, was a committed and selfless journalist. In this tribute, ODUNAYO OGUMOLA writes on the life and contributions of the late Makinde to entertainment journalism.

My dad, by ace music writer Makinde’s son

H

IS death shocked his family members, professional colleagues, kinsmen, friends and associates.

He was his lively self till about 11.00 pm on Friday when he hosted many friends and guests who came to pay their ‘homage’ as usual.

The story changed about one-and-a-half hours later when he suffered some breathing problems and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead about three hours later.

That was the story of prominent entertainment journalist Mr. Olutade Makinde who died at 3 am penultimate Saturday. He was 71.

Many people who saw him some days before his death could not believe that the journalism icon was gone.

Since the news of his death broke, sympathisers have been trooping to his residence on Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti to pay their last respects.

Makinde is a big name in entertainment journalism.

He worked hard to promote musicians, theatre arts practitioners, film makers and others.

The late Makinde contributed immensely to the careers of artistes, such as the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the late I.K. Dairo, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Shina Peters, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kollington Ayinla, Oliver de Coque, the late Rex Lawson, the late Eddy Okonta, Sir Victor Olaiya, Dele Abiodun, the late Hubert Ogunde, Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya), and Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala).

These artistes respected him and used to consult him on issues concerning their careers because he was an authority in the field.

His homes in Lagos and Ibadan were a

•The late Makinde

TRIBUTE Mecca for the artistes, with some of them sleeping in his house because of the closeness.

The late journalist worked at New Nigerian and Daily Sketch both rested, where he dazzled on the entertainment desk.

He rose to the pinnacle of his career as Editor of The Entertainer newspaper which was a big hit in the early 90s.

The late Makinde was also a columnist with the Nigerian Tribune where he ran a popular column known as ODESSA FILE for about seven years.

His son, Tade, described his late father as a committed and selfless individual who pursued any cause he believed in with vigour.

Tade, Head of Entertainment Desk at Nigerian Tribune, said the “Fountain of Knowledge” sobriquet of Ekiti was the brainchild of his late father.

He said: “I should be proud of that legacy.

After Ekiti State was created and they were looking for a sobriquet for the state, it was my father that came up with the idea of ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ which has since been adopted.

“My father was not in journalism for awards or prizes but to make his mark and for the cause of expressing himself and pushing his ideas.

“In his Odessa File column, he wrote an article which influenced the decision of President Olusegun Obasanjo to give Ekiti a senior cabinet position, which resulted in Prof.

Tunde Adeniran being appointed Minister of Education.

“He also wrote an article on the Ewi throne of Ado-Ekiti which made Obasanjo to send an emissary to the Ewi. As a journalist, he always told me to do what is right and expect nothing in return”.

Tade explained that though his father had been practising journalism before he was born, the highlight of the late septuagenarian’s career was his editorship of The Entertainer when the weekly sold 500,000 copies.

He said after his father retired from Daily Sketch, he published a magazine Variety Entertainment for about five years before being forced out of business soaring cost of newsprint.

Tade also revealed that his father pioneered voting through newspaper coupon to determine the best performer in the music industry.

The first of such awards through voting determined by music fans saw the emergence of Sunny Ade as the King of Music. The music legend was crowned by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in 1977.

“My father came up with the idea of voting to determine who is the best musician or artiste of the year by cutting coupons from the newspapers. These coupons through which interested readers voted were counted at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo who is a neutral person.

“Sunny Ade came first, Ebenezer Obey came second, Dele Abiodun came third and Fela Anikulapo came fourth after the coupons through which people voted were counted,” Tade added.

“My father used to tell me that people fear you because of the power of the pen but the moment you leave the profession, people will no longer give you the respect you used to command while in the profession.

“He made friends as a journalist and that is why people came here to pay homage to him even after he retired and was serving as a consultant to people who needed his services.

“He used to tell me that don’t expect anything in return and he told me to always make friends and never to pursue money.

“He also used to say do your best and get on because you are the voice of the people.

My father also used to say publish and be damned.

“He was a selfless individual who used his influence in the media to assist people to get jobs, admissions, connections with people in high places. He was an unusual individual and we shall all miss him”, Tade said.

Pa Makinde, who was born on August 25, 1943 will be buried on March 13.

have promoted the books and their authors and in collaboration with the Arts Institute, University of Port Harcourt, 5 of these books have been adapted for stage and performed.

Through the PHWBC programmes, 73 writers both aspiring and established have been celebrated and promoted on the national and international stage. Many more writers have had their works showcased and introduced to a wider audience, through the publication of two books; ‘Nigerian Literature; A Coat of Many Colours’ (I and II). These books are a compilation of 100 authors in Nigeria and their work. Another 2 publications, 100 Years Around Port Harcourt and I00 years Around Nigeria were a result of 600 secondary school students and 60 teachers from around Rivers State and Nigeria, participating in a writing exercise to commemorate the centenary of the city and that of the nation.

In a bid to get the community involved 4 book donation drives were embarked upon, here the general public was invited to donate new or

fairly used books for the benefit of indigent communities. Through this exercise over 6000 books were received and 6 ‘seed’ libraries have been planted in the city to benefit orphans, prisoners, out of school children among others.

Rainbow Book Club has also taken the reading campaign to the world stage by participating in 4 International Road Shows showcasing Nigeria’s rich literary heritage.

Twice the project was represented at the London Book Fair (2013 and 2014), and also present at the Cape Town Book Fair and at the world’s biggest book fair, the Frankfurt Book Fair. In all these tours, Nigeria’s literature and authors were exported to these countries by organising events with Nigerian authors and also selling their books.

As Port Harcourt counts down to completing her tenure, mechanisms are in place to leave a lasting legacy whose ripple effect will benefit generations to come, not only in Port Harcourt or Nigeria but the continent as whole.

A legacy of possibilities

I

N less than two months from now (April 23), Port Harcourt, Rivers State will hand over its World Book Capital title to Incheon, South Korea, which won the 2015 UNESCO World Book Capital. A city has only a year in which to implement its agenda for books as outlined in the bid that won it the coveted title.

After the highly publicised opening ceremonies last year it is stock taking and evaluation of the impact of the Port Harcourt Book Capital project whose ambition is to create an army of change agents informed and empowered through reading.

A visitor to most parts of Port Harcourt since April last year, will be greeted by big colourful signs declaring ‘Port Harcourt World Book Capital: Partner School.’ As part of the programmes for children and youth, with a view to developing their reading and language skills, 200 book clubs have been set up in 100 schools. Working with both public and private schools, the clubs cater to senior primary as well as Junior and Senior Secondary School students and have a total of 2,500 students as members.

At the primary level, the club members read a book a week while those at the secondary level read a book a month. These books were carefully selected and range from timeless classics to African folk tales as well as contemporary literature.

The books that are read during the club meetings are donated to the school and on completion of a club meeting are kept in the school library. As a result, a total of 66,500 books have been donated to the libraries of the 100 schools participating in the programme. This means other students who are not part of the book clubs also enjoy these great stories. It also means the book clubs can continue to run after the World Book Capital year.

To man and monitor the book clubs, 300 teachers, making an average of three teachers per school were trained on how to run and coordinate the clubs. They are assisted by a team of volunteers. About 100 volunteers have been trained to handle different aspects of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital (PHWBC)

•A cross section of teachers at a training.

From Damilla Menezor

PROGRAMME programmes, including coordinating and running book clubs. These trainings have equipped the volunteers, who are mainly young university graduates and the teachers, with skills on how to setup and run book clubs which skills they can now use to earn an income for themselves.

Adults were not left out of the reading campaign, the book-of-the month programme, which highlights 12 outstanding books in the 12 months of the PHWBC year is the equivalent of the adult book club. Every last Sunday of the month, students, writers and the general public meet at the Hotel Presidential to hold conversations on the book in focus. These discussions are followed by a drama performance which is usually based on the book being discussed. Through this programme we

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

47

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

D

AVID Sopuruchi Chibuzo is not a happy teen. He dreams of being not just a pastor, but an evangelist who would traverse the world, breaking strongholds and converting souls. But, he risks not fulfilling his dreams.

David has cerebral palsy (CP). A fall during seizure has left him with a dislocated hip and shattered bones. Thus, he needs N5 million for brain and hips surgery at Vikian Specialist Hospital in India.

CP is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills. It is caused by brain damage that occurs before or during a child’s birth, or during the first three to five years of a child’s life. According to studies, about 50 per cent of children with CP have seizures, where abnormal nerve activity disturbs the functioning of the brain.

David’s ordeal started in 1999, when he was just nine months old. He and his two siblings were diagnosed of cerebral malaria, but David’s case proved more severe.

He was in coma for eight days after which he was resuscitated but at that point things had gone awry; he had lost his memory and since then, living has been a struggle for him.

At 17, David cannot live a normal life like his peers; he still lives like a baby under age one – usually aided to do his activities.

He is unable to perform a simple function as helping himself to the restroom and it pains him that as a teenager, he still depends on his parents and siblings to help him with all activities of life.

Every little opportunity he gets, he tells you of his dream of being a pastor, how his present predicament is standing in the way and how he wished he could be well and save his family of their suffering. And everywhere you find him; there is always his Bible by his side. Although unable to pronounce most of the words, he still clings to it.

Recounting how it happened, his mother, Mrs. Christy Chibuzo said: “David was born hale and hearty on August 7, 1998. As at nine months, he had started to hold things to stand and move about the house like every normal baby. But one Monday in May 1999, his two older siblings took ill and were admitted at Oredugba Specialist Hospital, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos and were later diagnosed to have cerebral malaria. That day, he was healthy and presented no signs of any illness. But on Tuesday, the doctor in charge called me and said he wanted to place him on malaria treatment because he wouldn’t like what happened to his brothers to happen to him. I obliged and they started giving him injections. It was like that night, the injections brought out all the temperature; if you put wet towel on him, it would dry. So that Wednesday morning, I reported our last night’s experience to the doctor and he said he was going to change his drugs. I agreed and told them that I will come for the drugs after the other two might have been admitted in Havannah Specialist Hospital – a hospital recommended by one of our sisters in church when no impressive improvement was seen in their health.

“On the way, I discovered he was having the same experience his brothers had. By the time we got to Havannah, he couldn’t breathe again; so they took him directly to the theatre and placed him on oxygen and we started praying and after a while, he regained consciousness and they placed him on observation. After two days on oxygen, he started convulsing hard. The drip stopped going, but after 45 minutes, God stopped the convulsion. However, after sometime, he entered into final coma that lasted for eight days. It was just by the grace of God that he survived.

“They even brought surgeons from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who took samples from his brain and spinal cord to check if it was meningitis,. They did all sorts of tests after which they concluded it was CP. At a point, they put drip through his nose from where they fed him. He was not responding to anything apart from needle at the sole of his feet which kept our hopes high that he was alive.

“Having regained consciousness, they started giving him treatment. At a point, he started desiring breast; they said I should give him; they started putting syrup and light pap with raw egg from the pipe.

Gradually, he kept responding and so on the 16th day, they discharged us but at that time, he had lost every memory. He couldn’t even recognise anyone; he was just like a log of wood. We took him home and we were going from home to the hospital,

•David

‘Save my boy with shattered hip’

By Oyeyemi-Gbenga-Mustapha

HUMAN and after sometime, we started going from LUTH, to Havannah and numerous other hospitals that were recommended. That has been the journey so far,” she said.

At age one, Mr and Mrs Chibuzo Onuegbe registered their child at the Children Development Centre (CDC), Surulere, Lagos. There he was taught motor skills and a host of other things but today, David is out of school as a result of the dwindling resources of his parents.

David’s father, Pastor Chibuzo Onuegbe, is a pastor with the Assemblies of God Church, whose income depends on what the church pays; and managing CP is not any easy task for an average income family. Thus, the illness has ended up leaving the family’s purse dry.

Aside from his inability to help himself with anything, David’s case is worsened by recurring convulsions, a symptom associated with CP patients. Each time this happens, the family spends days or even weeks in the hospital, depending on the severity of the attack. Aside the money spent in hospitals, the recurring pains he goes through is pathetic. Sometimes when it happens while alone with his siblings, or mother, all they will do is to watch him groan in pains or left at the mercy of mature male neighbours to help lift him into a car so they could rush him to the hospi-

tal. All these things the family has been shouldering. Though burdensome, what would they do? Stay and watch him groan and die in pain?

“The journey has not been an easy one but God has been gracious. We were told that once a week physiotherapy in LUTH will not solve the problem. So, we had to engage a physiotherapist that came thrice a week and worked on him for seven years.

With the help of the massage, David started learning to hold his neck. We started to teach him how to sit down by putting him in a carton and guarding it with clothes and pillows; we taught him sounds - how to open his hands. Today, his hands are good only that they are a bit weak but he can grip biro and spoon. At a point, he started rolling and they told us it was still part of movement. Then, he started sitting, moving with his buttocks and even attempted to stand by grabbing things,” explained Mrs. Chibuzo.

While the parents were excited about his improvement, another tragedy struck.

David at 15 had a fall while playing with his siblings and this changed the course of the improvement. At first, he showed no sign of injury or pain, but after two weeks, he started screaming with pains and when taken to a General Hospital in Lagos, he was checked and certified okay, but unknown to his parents, his right hip was dislocated.

He kept screaming with pains in the right leg, which in time started to get thinner and shorter than the other.

‘They even brought surgeons from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who took samples from his brain and spinal cord to check if it was meningitis,. They did all sorts of tests after which they concluded it was CP. At a point, they put drip through his nose from where they fed him. He was not responding to anything apart from needle at the sole of his feet which kept our hopes high that he was alive’

The family ever since then has been praying and getting help wherever they could, but the leg situation seems not to be improving. They were advised to go for x-ray, and the result showed that he had a dislocated hip and some broken pieces of bones.

Since then, this young lad had been in severe pain.

At a General Hospital in Lagos, he was given a caliper which was sooner discarded because rather than help improve the situation, it caused bruises. They were then referred to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi. From Igbobi, they went to a hospital at one of the Army cantonments in Lagos. There, the doctor said they could not handle such a situation and referred them back to Igbobi.

It was at Igbobi that they got the highest discouragement ever. They met a surgeon who said he could carry out the surgery for a million naira, but said he had a 50/50 survival chance and his parents agreed. When they came back at the next appointment day, he chased them out “like dogs”, asking if they could not see that the leg was irredeemable.

However, a little ray of light came their way when one of their members, who went to India for heart-related surgery, took the x-ray with him. There a team of experts examined it and assured that they could correct the problem. They had also consulted other hospitals, but have settled for Vikian because of their known records in surgery success.

According to medical analysis done by the Indian doctors, David has got a good chance of recovery. The brain surgery will work to completely eradicate the seizure attacks, leaving it with greater chance of correcting all the imbalances caused by the attacks, while with the hip surgery, David might be able to walk with time. But in all, the severe pains this young lad is feeling will be completely gone.

With respect to this hope, the Onuegbes are passionately appealing to whomever the story of David has touched to come to their aid in their quest to save the life of their son.

“This issue has drained our resources and also put us in debt, yet we cannot afford to keep watching him groan in pains. He has been recommended for multiple surgeries abroad, which is estimated at N5 million and my family cannot afford it. We are therefore, passionately pleading with all whose heart God will touch after going through the agonies of our boy to please assist us with whatever amount God has laid in your good hearts to support us with the surgical operations,” appealed Mrs. Chibuzo who fought to hold back tears.

Should you want to support David in his battle for survival, you may render your support through this bank account: Onuegbe Chibuzor N. Account No: 2018357079; First Bank of Nig. Plc. Or call any of these mobile numbers: 08033284171, 08035137845 or 08085853139.

POEM Insurgency shame Olamilekan Andu

The plangent vociferation of the Northeasterner torments my soul.

My sleep has taken flight for the anguish of Boko Haram victims.

My nights have been consumed by the distant wailings of orphans living with strange families.

My humanity has been violated by the slaughtered innocence of hapless girls dispersed asunder by brainwashed ragtag terrorists.

My heart bleeds for youths running errands in Sambisa Forest for the abductors of their future.

My days are pensive with unanswered queries about who is in charge in my country.

I have grown weary of fanciful peroration of government officials: ‘we will soon end insurgency’.

The taste of lies must be sweet in the ears of the conscienceless.

Who is enjoying the perfidious oration of the godless politician dancing Azonto and shedding

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Colleagues hail NIPR chief

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HE Chairman of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, the worldwide body of public relations institutes and associations, Prof Anne Gregory, has praised the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) President, Dr Rotimi Oladele, for his support for the global body.

Quoting a letter from Gregory, a statement by the Coordinator of International Collaboration of the NIPR, Mr Kunle Ogedengbe, said she thanked Oladele for the support of the NIPR. Gregory said: “I’m writing to thank you personally for your continual membership and support for the Global Alliance. Our continued alliance presents a unique opportunity for public relations and communication professionals to think, speak and act together to raise the status of our global profession.”

“Last year has been exciting. We have continued to build a vibrant, global professional community more able to realise its potential and in a stronger position to achieve the recognition it deserves.”

•Dr. Oladele and Prof. Anne Gregory

By Dada Aladelokun

EVENT While emphasising that more of these could not have been done without the support of the NIPR, she underlined the success of last year’s World Public Relations Forum

in Madrid, Spain where Oladele chaired one of the sessions.

Gregory said: “It was wonderful to see your association represented among those delegates” of 750 from 65 countries in Madrid.

She thanked Oladele for being in Madrid and underlined the need for public relations practitioners to be leaders not just in building communicative organisations but also in contributing to society as the hallmark of the Madrid Forum with the theme: Communication with Conscience.

The Global Alliance, Gregory said, the organisation initiated several projects last year, adding that these projects would be moved forward this year.

The Global Credential is an international team of committed volunteers comparing professional qualifications and educational standards from around the world including Nigeria; Global GAP Survey, a comprehensive study on how public relations and communication management are evolving in different parts of the world including Nigeria; and The Association Leaders’ Workshop where different public relations institutes in the world including Nigeria meet and share knowledge for the growth and development of the profession with the next meeting being Milan, Italy this June.

Gregory said NIPR made these global activities possible, adding that Nigerians membership of the Global Alliance by is vital to the advancement of public relations globally.

Enterprise Challenge opens for entries

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HE British Council, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Zenith Bank are organising an online competition tagged ‘Enterprise Challenge’ is open for entries. This year’s competition is open to Nigerians within the 18 to 35 age bracket.

It is an online competition which seeks to give young, brilliant entrepreneurial minds the opportunity to further develop their skills in this area and bring their innovative ideas to the fore for possible future development.

Interested participants can check out the competition rules and regulations and criteria for qualification will be available on the British Council, Nigeria’s corporate website from May 31, 2015; enquiries can be sent to eduk.enquiries@ng.britishcouncil.org.

Last year, a total of 10 finalists (Nigerians based in the United Kingdom and at home) battled for the top two spots and Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Yammama emerged winners of the competition. They have since had the opportunity to meet with and be mentored by one the UK’s foremost entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson.

Eseoghene Odiete is an award winning young female fashion entrepreneur and the brain behind Hesey Designs, (an African inspired accessories label).

Nasir Yammama just concluded his postgraduate studies in creative technology at Middlesex University in London and he is currently developing an agricultural themed mobile application which he hopes to launch before the end of the year.

Other prizes won by the top two include, a five day entrepreneurship foundation course at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa and a business support grant of N1,500,000.00 for each individual. The grant will be used to either support an already existing business or develop a business idea.

Foundation sponsors 5001 displaced children

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•Bente working on a painting

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FTER four years in Lagos, a Norwegian artist, Bente Vindik will tomorrow offer art collectors and enthusiasts a parting gift of a solo exhibition titled A Nordic view of Nigeria. The event holds at the Quintessence Gallery, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Bente, who will return to Norway in May is eager to share her artistic experiences via the exhibition that will feature 16 paintings of birds, people, environment and sceneries.

At a sneak preview of her works, Bente said it is a mixed feeling for her, but she is happy to share her experiences through the art.

“I enjoyed the life here. I am impressed by the people I encountered all these years.

I just wanted to show my art works before leaving,” she said.

Some of the paintings include The Past, which captures a fading memory of slave trade on the West coast of Africa showing a

A Nordic view of Nigeria

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART disappearing ship on the ocean. Independent is a painting of a young woman who exudes confidence and pride as an African. Enriched with bold colours and strokes, the viewers cannot but take a second look at the female figure despite showing her back side only.

Also for display is a painting of two colourful birds facing each other. The work, according to the artist, is one of such views captured while looking through the window.

Little wonder she said ‘from my window I see out on the canopy of the remains of the forest that once covered our part of Ikoyi. I see colourful birds that inspire me

to recreate them on canvas but not like a photo.’

To her, the many colours of Nigerian dresses give her inspiration that sometimes lead to non-figurative image in her head.

“There is activity everywhere and that energy is also inspiring. The colours and energy of Lagos gets transformed into images. Some may see only colours in my pictures. Fir it is so connected to what inspired me that I see both colour and images,” she said.

Until coming to Lagos, Bente was in Angola for three years during which she participated in exhibitions in Luanda, Angola. She studied Art History at the University of Bergen, Norway, Art Design at Telemark University College, Norway.

A Nordic View of Nigeria will run till March 14.

ELIEF came the way of over 500 displaced children in one of the Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Yola, Adamawa State.

The Modupe Ozolua Body Enhancement Foundation has sponsored the education of children between the ages of one and 14 at the Lamido Lawal Model Primary School, in Girei Local Government Area (LGA), of the State.

Following a visit, the team discovered the children were not in schools unlike some camps where temporary schools are provided.

At that point, the foundation immediately provided funds for school uniforms, shoes, books, writing materials, boards, writing chalk, rulers and hired teachers amongst the displaced Nigerians at the camp to commence teaching the children. The foundation has also taken up the responsibility of paying the teachers monthly salaries. All the children between nursery and primary six ages at the camp are beneficiaries of the foundation’s benevolence.

Last Wednesday, the items were presented to the students at a ceremony, which held at the camp. The first lady of Adamawa State, Mrs Hasana Ngilari, who gave appreciation speech, joined in distributing the school materials to the pupils.

Ozolua thanked the governor, the first lady, officials of state SEMA and other relief organisations that have worked tirelessly towards providing different forms of assistance to displaced Nigerians all over the country.

She informed the displaced families that they should be hopeful because God has not forgotten nor forsaken them. She also told the children that their destinies are not tied to a refugee camp, so they should not feel they can’t be as great as they wish to be.

Ozolua said the Body Enhancement Foundation’s sponsored school programme is part of the organisation’s rehabilitation plan for the internally displaced Nigerians, which will impact all camps in Nigeria.

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BUSINESS EXTRA NAHCO aquires free trade zone licence • Floats $500m subsidiary

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• From left: Director-General, National Automotive Council, Aminu Jalal, Aganga; and National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, during the stakeholders’ review meeting on the auto policy, in Abuja ... yesterday.

Auto policy: Fed Govt, stakeholders agree on implementation T HE Federal Govern ment, vehicle manufacturers, dealers and Licensed Customs Agents, among other stakeholders, have agreed to the full implement of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan in line with global best practices.

The stakeholders agreed that the sustained implementation of the policy with periodic reviews to suit the economic needs of the nation, was in the interest of Nigerians and the Nigerian economy.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said the extensive stakeholders’ consultations and collaboration has afforded the Federal Government the opportunity to access the level of progress so far recorded in the implementation of the policy with a view to addressing major challenges facing players in the sector.

Aganga, who spoke after a meeting with members of the National Council of Managing

• 10 more auto plants coming

Directors of Licensed Customs Agents in Abuja, yesterday, said with the level of success so far recorded, 10 more auto plants have finalised plans to begin operations in Nigeria before the end of the year.

He said, “Within the past one week, we have been holding consultative meetings with stakeholders in the automotive industry, including all the vehicle assemblers across the country and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents.

“This is to review the current level of the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan; to assess the level of progress made so far; to understand the challenges facing the players in the sector and what we need to do differently.”

He explained that since the commencement of the implementation of the policy in July 2014, there have been series of consultations, aimed at ensuring that everyone is carried along so that government can fast-track the implementation of the policy and achieve the overall objectives of the policy in terms of job creation, industrialisation, local content development and reduction of pressure on our foreign exchange due to massive importation of vehicles into the country.

Aganga, who expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made so far with the implementation of the seven-month old auto policy, said the government and operators in the sector are focusing on local production of vehicle component

parts in order to create more jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.

He said: “From the stakeholders meetings we have held so far, I must say that we are particularly encouraged by the level of interest and enthusiasm being shown towards the new automotive policy by Nigerians and also by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

“The bottom line is that everyone is saying that so far, we have exceeded our expectations. If anyone had told us that about 22 OEMS would sign into the new auto policy in less than one year of its implementation, we might not have believed it. Currently, we have about four of them that are assembling vehicles in Nigeria.

We are expecting another 10 OEMs to start assembling cars in the country before the end of this year.”

U.S. Firm to invest $1b in Nigerian mortgage sector

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GLOBAL investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, with interests in asset backed mortgage securities is set to invest $1billion (about N200 billion) in the Nigerian mortgage sector.

The firm plans to build 10,000 houses in Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Enugu and Abuja within the next one year.

Representative of the firm, Mr Jack Heffernan, who doubles as the Managing Director of the

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

firm’s Debt Capital Markets division, signed an MOU with Professor Charles Inyangette, CEO of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) in a ceremony presided over by Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala said that the entry of such an important player into Nigeria’s mortgage sector is yet an-

other signal that the Jonathan administration’s vision of making affordable housing available to Nigerians is earning the confidence of serious international investors.

She said that the prospects of achieving the core vision of the NMRC which is to get young Nigerians convenient access to the means of owning their own homes is becoming increasingly achievable. ”Cantor Fitzgerald’s

presence in Nigeria shows that our mortgage strategy is attracting the right kind of attention from the right kind of people around the world and this will deepen, diversify and ultimately reduce the cost of mortgage and housing in Nigeria”, said OkonjoIweala.

Mr Hefernan described the NMRC as “exactly the right business model to bring liquidity to Nigeria’s housing sector”.

Unbundle NIMASA, Agbakoba urges govt

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ORMER president of the Nigerian Bar Associa tion (NBA) and legal luminary, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba has urged the Federal Government to establish a Maritime Bank to boost activities in the maritime and shipping sector of the economy.

Agbakoba, while addressing journalists yesterday in his Lagos office, yesterday, said the situation where the Federal Government is reaping bountifully from the ports without any corresponding development in the sector is unacceptable.

He wondered why the Cabotage vessel Finance Fund (CVFF)

By Oluwakemi Dauda

has not been disbursed by the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) and called for the establishment of a Maritime Bank to boost activities in the sector. He said cabotage enforcement is a huge job that must be taken away from NIMASA. NIMASA, Agbakoba said, has too much burden as it is presently constituted, hence, the need for the agency to be unbundled for it to perform efficiently and effectively. “I still hold the view that NIMASA should be unbundled. NIMASA

was first the National Maritime Authority (NMA), and, then, it swallowed the Government Inspector of Shipping. Even in the original NMA Law, there were too many things inherent in itthere was cabotage, ship development, cargo allocations.

Safety and security was the Government’s Inspector of Shipping, but NIMASA swallowed it,” he said.

Agbakoba, who equally pointed out that NIMASA took over the duty of permanent representation of Nigeria at the International Seabed Authority, regretted that not until NIMASA took over, maritime safety and security issues were

better handled when these were the responsibilities of the Government Inspector Shipping.

“In the old days, maritime safety and security issues were handled at 88 Marine Road (Apapa, Lagos). They had the skills to protect our waters. The second step was to assist them by creating a Coast Guard to patrol the waters. Somehow, NIMASA felt they were the ones entitled to do maritime safety and security. So, Government Inspector of Shipping died and NIMASA took it over, with the consequences that we can now see. It hasn’t worked because they are dealing with far too many issues,” he said.

AHCO Aviance has acquired a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) licence, the Managing Director, Norbert Bielderman, has said.

Bielderman told The Nation at the sidelines of a Nigeria Cargo Summit organised by NAHCo in Lagos, that the firm has also established a subsidiary with a five-year business investment plan of about $500 million.

The summit brought together stakeholders in the air cargo business to deliberate on issues affecting air cargo business in Nigeria.

He said NAHCo shareholders have benefited from uninterrupted dividend payout for the last 10 years and that the ground handling company recently won an award for achieving the feat despite the challenging economic environment.

He attributed the uncertain business terrain to developments in the political economy.

He said NAHCo would work very hard to sustain the feat it has attained through hard-work, improved efficiency, cost management strategies and revised revenue structure.

He commended NAHCo staff for their dedication, commitment and loyalty, adding that loyal employees are the company’s greatest assets.

Bielderman promised to continually develop and sharpen their skills to support the industry needs business, adding that NAHCo has

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

budgeted the sum of $200,000 for training of staff this year.

NAHCo, he said has initiated the process of employing 100 Passenger Services Agents (PSA) next quarter training after the mandatory compliance training scheduled for overseas for one month on-the-job training.

According to him, “Our 2015 budget has accommodated employee training provision of $200,000.00. As we all know that aviation is a knowledge based industry with its high technical and safety needs and requirements, we have chosen to reinforce our commitment to staff training.

“We have initiated a process to engage 100 Passenger Services Agents (PSA) next quarter who after the mandatory compliance training will travel overseas for one month on-the-job training at a high brow international airport.

This further assures our client airlines of our unflinching commitment to service excellence. Upon employment, these new talents will also replace our aging workforce as identified globally as an industry strategic need”.

He added that as a strategic growth initiative, NAHCo has upgraded its Cargo Department into a division for improved efficiency and better service delivery this year.

Firm inaugurates aviation fuel plant

A

N integrated Aviation Fuel Company, CITA Petroleum Limited, yesterday in Lagos, inaugurated a 1.8 million litres fuel storage plant for local and international airline operators flying the Nigerian airspace.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Ogunbangbe, said the project is in line with the company’s long-term mandate to serve the operators better and further play a leading role in the industry.

He said the firm which was insured with over $500million, boasts of high standard fuel filtration processes, is represented in major airports in Nigeria and renders consulting services for upstream operators.

Ogunbangbe said the firm operates in Ibom International Airport in Uyo, AkwaIbom State, adding that it is going to enjoy exclusive rights in the airport for 10 years.

He said the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, Cross River State, Owerri International Air-

By Akinola Ajibade

port, the Enugu Airport and others are other places where the company is presently operating.

He said CITA’s goal is to become the first Aviation company in Africa, ading that to achieve this, “we have decided to start recording successes from Nigeria by consolidating bringing in new innovations and providing capacity development programmes within and outside the country. We have been rendering technical services to Onshore and Offshore companies to make a competitve edge in the industry,’’ he stated.

Ogunbangbe said the firm has provided $10,000 grants to a Federal University to conduct a reaearch on microorganism, noting that Harvard University in United States is carrying out a research in which ovee 2,000 companies in Nigeria are being considered or examined using all known veritable parameters.

GE completes Port Harcourt refinery project

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ENERAL Electric (GE) has completed the supply and installation of three 25 megawatts (MW), trailer mounted TM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines at the Port Harcourt refinery in Nigeria.

In November 2013, Genesis Electricity Limited, an independent power pro-

ducer, signed a 20 year power purchase agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the installation of the GE TM2500+ units at Port Harcourt. The agreement also included the future modernisation of two more Nigerian refineries.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 03-03-15

SEC, NFIU move to forestall terrorism financing, money laundering there is more to it and it is ECURITIES and Ex Stories by Taofik Salako important that we collabochange Commission Capital Market Editor rate to organize workshop (SEC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence relevant stakeholders has for market operators espeUnit (NFIU) of the Economic become necessary given the cially the fund managers and Financial Crimes Com- important role SEC plays in and the stockbrokers, that mission (EFCC) would work the financial system and the deal with collection of together to check the inflow need to police the market money,� Gwarzo said.

Director, Nigerian Finanof illicit funds into the Ni- and ensure that activities are in the best interest of the Ni- cial Intelligence Unit gerian economy.

(NFIU), Usani Francis, said Both SEC and NFIU met gerian financial system.

He added that SEC is will- the unit seeks to cooperate yesterday in Abuja as part of the commitment to stronger ing to work with the NFIU with all stakeholder agento build capacity through cies to carry out its duties working relationship.

Acting Director General, workshops or training ex- effectively.

He pointed out that the Securities and Exchange ercise for compliance officCommission (SEC), Mounir ers noting that the respon- need to increase the level of Gwarzo, said the Commis- sibilities of a compliance collaboration has become sion is ready to work with officer goes beyond knowl- necessary given the fact that all relevant government edge of the relevant laws terrorism can only thrive agencies and stakeholders to that govern their opera- when the terrorist have access to funds. ensure strict enforcement of tions.

He said it has been now “The compliance officers all applicable laws against money laundering in the thing is a new thing in the been identified that terrormarket, I am not sure it is ists now use other sources Nigerian Capital Market.

According to him, the need more than five years since to move money aside the fifor collaboration with all we introduced it. But I think nancial institutions.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 03-03-15

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MONEYLINK Skye Bank backs women entrepreneurs

NDIC boss predicts economic slowdown

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IGERIANS should expect a slowdown in the nation’s anti economic activities for 2015, if the current slide in the oil price at the international market continues and country’s crude oil production does not decline, the Managing Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umar Ibrahim, has said.

This is even as the total Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) has risen to N668.702b as at 31st December 2014, the NDIC boss noted.

Ibrahim, while presenting the 2014 budget implementation and 2015 budget proposal to the House Committee on Banking and Currency chaired by Jones Onyereri explained that the prevailing economic situation does not look promising.

“The prevailing economic situation portends difficulty in balancing the fiscals which may cause the

• Deposit Insurance Fund hits N668.702b From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

government to further borrow more money from the domestic market.

“This tendency has already led to the devaluation of the country’s currency, the naira, with its attendant effects on inflation and consequently a reduction in the purchasing power of Nigerians,” he said.

He disclosed that the average inflation rate for 2015 is estimated at 9.00 per cent as against 8.0 per cent for 2014 fiscal year, adding that the discount rates on Treasury bills may hover between 10.75 percent and 14.30 percent while FGN Bonds may fall between 15.54 percent and 15.85 percent respectively.

On the total DIF, Ibrahim said it has

risen to N668.702b as at 31st December 2014, a figure representing an achievement level of 113.17 percent over the budgeted N509.813 billion for the year under review.

The breakdown showed that deposit money banks (DMBs) contributed N602.397b; Microfinance Banks/Primary Mortgage Banks Institutions contributed N66.186b while non-interest financial institutions contributed N0.119b.

According to him, banking industry remained adequately capitalised with an average capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 15.92 percent at the end of December 2014 as against 18.1 percent at the end of August 2013 using the Basie 1 capital adequacy framework. He however, noted that the decline was largely due to increase in Risk Weighted Assets.

FirstBank finances Petrolog’s Dive Support Vessel

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IRST BANK of Nigeria Limited yesterday joined stakeholders in unveiling a brand new ABS classed Dynamic Positioning (DP2) Dive Support Vessel ‘DSV Vinnice’ built by Petrolog Group and financed by the bank.

Speaking at the event held yesterday in Lagos, FirstBank Group Managing Director/CEO, Bisi Onasanya said the lender acted promptly, when the proposal for the project was brought to it.

He said: “FirstBank moves at the speed of light in support of viable infrastructure projects.

We promptly gave approvals for the transaction. We sent a team to South Africa where the vessel was built.

That is the speed at which we work today. When we get involved in a project, no other bank is allowed.

Our chief risk officer was involved

Stories by Collins Nweze

to ensure that we are funding the right project”.

The bank chief said the lender not only provided the funding, but also insured the project through the FBN Insurance Brokers along with other insurance firms. He said that the lender stands ready to support local industries in line with its commitment to the Local Content Development Act (LCDA) of the Federal Government.

“At FirstBank we are delighted to be a part of this milestone achieved through avowed support for indigenous participation and advancement of the local content policy of the Federal Government in the nation’s oil and gas sector, especially the upstream subsector,” he said.

This feat, he said, further demon-

strates the bank’s commitment to systematically increasing the capability of corporate customers and other operators in the national economy.

He commended the Petrolog Group for staying the course over the past three decades, growing into a renowned multinational private indigenous oil servicing brand with diversified operations on four continents.

The Executive Chairman, Petrolog Group, Dr. Vincent Ebuh said the vessel is another milestone in the contribution of his firm, to the development of oil and gas industry. He said the company has grown over the years, and expanded to Canada, Venezuela, Costa Rica and is working hard to promote the LCDA of the Federal Government.

•Skye Bank CEO Timothy Oguntayo

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KYE BANK Plc has pledged to provide women entrepre neurs and professionals with advisory and technical support services to advance their enterprises.

The bank’s Executive Director, South South/South East, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong, broke the news at an in-

teractive session with women in business organised by the bank in Lagos, yesterday.

Ekong noted that women were known to be better business managers than men, citing the low default rate among female borrowers compared to their male counterparts. She said women were not known for diverting loans to other uses other than what they are meant for and assured that the bank would work to ensure that customised products and banking solutions are developed for them.

She noted that women in business have been shying away from taking loans to expand their business owing to ignorance and absence of collateral facilities and other factors.

She also said the forum would enable the bank to know how to prepare the businesswomen to qualify for loans.

Barclays Africa eyes Nigeria licence

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ARCLAYS Africa Group has applied for a Nigerian bank ing licence and wants to take over the Egypt and Zimbabwe units still run by its parent company, it said yesterday after reporting higher profits.

Reuters said that like other South African companies, banks in the continent’s most advanced country are setting up operations in sub-Saharan Africa to tap growth from the robust economies there and hedge against stagnating growth at home.

The lender said it was in talks with its British parent to take over the two African operations left out of a 2013 all-share deal that saw it acquire eight country subsidiaries on the continent.

Zimbabwe and Egypt were ex-

cluded from that arrangement because of political crises at the time.

“We would be keen to acquire those two countries into the portfolio, but it has to be done at a competitive price,” Chief Executive Maria Ramos said.

Barclays said businesses outside South Africa contributed 19 per cent of Group revenue, just below the 20-25 per cent the company is aiming for by 2016. Growth in Africa was key to Barclays, an analyst said.

“Bedding down Africa will be the big driver in the five big markets,” said Patrice Rassou, head of equities at Sanlam Investment Management, referring to South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and Botswana where Barclays aims to be a top-three bank.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 23, 2015

Inflation: December

8%

Monetary Policy Rate

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$33.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91

Tenor Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 03-03-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

NASCON 6.36 IKEJAHOTEL 3.93 TRANSCORP 2.70 UBCAP 1.40 JB ERGER 44.00 ZENITHBANK 17.85 STANBIC 24.71 DIAMONDBNK 4.07 NB 143.00 NAHCO 4.52

C/PRICE

CHANGE

6.80 4.29 2.85 1.47 46.20 18.74 25.94 4.27 149.99 4.74

0.44 0.27 0.15 0.07 2.20 0.89 1.23 0.20 6.99 0.22

LOSERS AS AT 03-03-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

UACN AIRSERVICE LEARNAFRCA PORTPAINT CONTINSURE HONYFLOUR GUARANTY DANGCEM 7UP ACCESS TOTAL

38.36 2.00 1.21 3.83 0.88 2.97 24.19 153.00 154.50 6.50 140.01

C/PRICE 35.94 1.90 1.15 3.64 0.84 2.86 24.01 152.00 154.00 6.49 140.00

CHANGE -2.42 -0.10 -0.06 -0.19 -0.04 -0.11 -0.18 -1.00 -0.50 -0.01 -0.01

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

19 Feb

20 Feb

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

Transaction Dates

Amount Offered in ($)

Amount Sold in ($)

T-bills - 364

13.92

03/02/2015

500m

499.93m

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

3/12/2014

400m

399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

56

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

A group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youths, ‘I am Ready’, has begun a campaign against further postponement of the general elections. It involves the creative use of a special banner that is 600 feet long, believed to be the first of its kind in Nigeria. The group is also mobilising to take their future in their hands by voting for change. JOSEPH JIBUEZE writes.

N

O longer content with sitting on the fence, youths have realised that their future is in their hands. In the All Progressives Congress (APC), they see a party that can secure their future. The party has demonstrated in some states that good governance is possible. Therefore, the youths believe in the candidature of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

To help realise this dream, a group of APC youths under the umbrella of ‘I Am Ready’, has kicked-off a nationwide campaigning around the country, urging Nigerians to join in actualising the change they desire. They speak against voter apathy. But most importantly, they are campaigning against a further postponement of the elections, saying that Nigerians are ready to vote.

The group, which uses the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, Victoria Island, Lagos, as its operational base, is deploying a special campaign strategy to drive home its message. It uses a 50-metre (600 feet) banner, which is usually held by at least 300 people. It is unique in its design and concept. The group has taken the banner to various parts of the country, with onlookers marveling at its length.

The National Leader, Tola Adekunle-Johnson, said the group is also driving a social media campaign to mobilise at least, one million signups to demand that elections must hold on March 28 and on April 11.

Other leaders of the association are Head, External Relations Omowonuola Okunnu; Head of Finance Dr Wale Oyebanji; Mobilisation Coordinator Akintunde Ewasoye; Social Media Coordinator Dotun Adebayo; Administrative Manager Titilayo Fatoyinbo; Strategy and Planning Coordinator Korede Oluwole and Head of Media Relations, Kingsley Binitie, among others.

Adekunle-Johnson said ‘I Am Ready’ is receiving a massive response. He warned that youths would resist any attempt to fur-

•From left: Ewesoye, Oluwole, Binitie, Fatoyinbo, Adekunle-Johnson, Okunnu and Dr Oyebanji, during one of the campaigns in Lagos.

‘No to further polls shift’ ther shift the elections or force Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, out of office in whatever guise before his tenure ends.

As I speak to you, the campaign has been activated in four Northern and two Southeast states, including Ogun and Lagos. Over 600,000 people have signed up to say ‘we’re ready’ for the election.

We have people calling us from outside the country to join the campaign.

“Prof. Jega should please be left alone to conduct this election.

We’re sensitising the people.

We’re not going to stop until elections are held. We’re not confrontational. We’re only saying don’t shift this election again since, according to the army, the security situation in the Northeast is improving. We’re confident the elections will hold, but I’m more confident that Buhari and APC would come out victorius at the centre because people are tired of bad leadership.”

According to him, 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration has been a waste, adding that the party has realised how low its stock has fallen.

“PDP is scared of so many things. First, they did not want the elections to hold so as to buy more time. Now, they are afraid of Jega who was once their best friend.

“From what we hear, they want Jega to dance to their tunes, but

the man is not cooperating with them, so obviously there is nothing else they can do than to instigate his removal. But Nigerians will resist it. And I want to believe the president is a gentleman and will not do that which is detrimental to Nigeria’s unity.”

Ewesoye said the youth, cannot fold their arms and watch from the sidelines; they must come out and vote. “We can’t fold our hands as young people. If we don’t stand for what we believe, who is going to stand for us? If we stay silent, the government may feel that we’re probably satisfied. That is why this group of young professionals came together to form the ‘I Am Ready’ movement.

“We believe in Gen. Buhari’s cause. No matter what people say, we need change in this country.

People refer to his past, but we’re in a democracy now, not military regime where one man calls the shot.”

Adebayo, whose job is to ensure that the group’s programmes are live on the social media, said thousands have been signing up on its website, saying ‘No’ to further shift of the polls.

“I believe in the change that Nigeria needs. If you see the APC manifesto, they are the first party to have a social welfare plan like it is abroad. That is what we need.

The PDP government has not been able to implement any social welfare system through which

you can not only help people who are in poverty, but create employment,” he said.

Fatoyinbo said, Nigerians wanted an end to insurgency, corruption, unemployment, poor infrastructure and even recurring fuel scarcity.

“We were ready for the election before it was shifted, but this time around, we will not stand for further postponement. The youth deserve better. And we know that it’s the APC government that can give make it happen through Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo. By God’s grace, we know that we have a future if they win. Every sector needs a change, and that’s why we can’t wait for March 28 to come,” she said.

Oluwole believes it takes three major parties to hold a successful election – the electoral umpire, the government and the electorate, and one party should not be allowed to frustrate the others.

“We the electorate are ready.

Two weeks ago, INEC said it had achieved 75.9 per cent PVC distribution. By now the figure would have increased. It is in the news that soldiers are recapturing towns previously occupied by insurgents. So there should be no more excuse.

“Our campaign is also to help prevent voter apathy. Some may have lost interest due to the postponement. So we’re urging those who don’t care any longer to come on board. So our activities are mo-

‘We were ready for the election before it was shifted, but this time around, we will not stand for further postponement. The youth deserve better. And we know that it’s the APC government that can give make it happen through Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo. By God’s grace, we know that we have a future if they win’

tivational,” he added.

Dr Oyabanji said even previously undecided voters have decided to vote for Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo. “They’ve seen what has happened in the last six years and there is no point deceiving ourselves. If we want to tell ourselves the gospel truth, what we need now in Nigeria is change, not continuity. We don’t want a government that is corrupt and has a high level of impunity. We don’t want a government that is clueless, that cannot secure its citizens or provide employment.

“We know what Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo stand for. During the Buhari regime, he refused to take the IMF loan, and banned importation of unnecessary goods. That alone helped us not to devalue our currency. This is someone who was head-of-state and chairman of PTF but does not own a filling station today. From his antecedents, you can tell that this is the man we need at this point in time. Prof Osinbajo as well is a man of integrity and brilliance.”

Binitie said, people were ready to vote APC. He added: “From the reactions we have received, PDP’s days in government are numbered. There is high level of excitement everywhere we have been to. People can’t wait to be liberated from 16 years of misgovernance and maladministration at the centre.

People will not stand another postponement.

“People know change is imminent despite the delays. APC has proven that it can deliver. Everyone can see Lagos and other states controlled by the party. Its leaders walk their talk, and the flagbearers are men of proven integrity and experience, who live by example. That is why I am part of this change movement. We are ready.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015

57

‘

Ekiti indigenes are recognised for their academic prowess and knowledge. But, today, education as an industry, is not doing well as it used to. People outside the state are not happy with the comments of the governor on Buhari

...

86 D AYS TO GO ...86 DA

‘

Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, who represents Oyo South District in the Senate, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Accord Party last year. In this interview, the lawmaker, who is seeking re-election, explains his relationship with Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his expectations at the general elections. He spoke with OSEHEYE OKWUOFU.

‘I supported Ajimobi’s second term bid’ W HY did your relationship with Governor Abiola Ajimobi suffer a set-

back?

Governor Abiola Ajimobi and I enjoyed a robust and cordial relationship even before we came together in the same party. We started on a very friendly basis. We came closer when we found ourselves in the same party. We were both gunning for the same position and we had the same goal as at that time. We were both aspiring for our party’s ticket to run for the governorship of Oyo State. Despite everything that happened then, I still related well with him and worked in tandem with him for the realisation the goal of the party: to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. From day one, I have nothing personal against him or anybody. Indeed, we still relate well on a personal level.

Was there any agreement within the party that Ajimobi should do only one term, to give room for you to realise your ambition as governor?

Although Ajimobi had said he would do only one term on several occasions, I never for once expected him to do only one term. I expected that naturally, he would aspire for another term. Indeed, I had assured him on several occasions in public and private that I intended to sup-

ported him for his second term, if he carries out the party’s programme and policies. That is, making the people of Oyo State happy with our party and his government and provided our party members are equally happy with him, for carrying them along and running an inclusive government.

But, he did not do the needful by carrying the people of Oyo State along. We as members also expected so much from the government. But, he did not run an inclusive government, as expected. He was not comfortable with normal way of party democracy; he has more or less been running a oneman show. Before we parted ways, I noted this severally in private and public discussions and in the presence of our party leaders and elders, but nothing changed.

Why were you not able to iron out these differences?

We had so many interactions, both formal and informal and we had so many meetings at the instance of our leaders. We had over nine formal meetings, some called by our departed leader, Alhaji Lam Adesina, who chaired meetings in respect of this matter and subsequently we had different meetings with the party leaders. Even when Lam Adesina was on his hospital bed, other party leaders were trying to broker peace between us. It

is not just me alone, but also with other party faithful who felt that he was not carrying everybody along.

A lot of people were grumbling, because they were not happy.

Many of them could not say it to his face, but some of us who felt that we owe it a duty to him, to the party and the public felt it is our duty to tell him that he is not doing the right thing. Some of us went round the nooks and crannies of this state, knocking on people’s door, banging on people’s gate and asking for their vote on the premise that I belong to a party that will run a government that will take care of their needs. So, having made so many promises across the length and breadth of Oyo State, I cannot but be held to my word of promise. So, it is not a matter of only him been responsible to the people of the state, I saw it as a collective responsibility because this is the party in whom we all invested, laboured to serve the people, and I believe nobody should rather desecrate or bring any harm or rupture to that platform. I thought I owe a duty to him as a party colleague and somebody whom I share a great relationship with till now, so a lot of meetings were held and some situations were reviewed on both sides and some positions were arrived at, but nothing changed. So, when it became very

obvious that these meetings, conferences and whatever will come to nothing, I felt that there was no point in flogging a dead horse.

Can we consider this as Ajimobi’s style of governance or is it a case of an external influence at work?

I don’t know his intention, but all I could see is that what he was doing and the way he was doing it was not in the best interest of the people and our party. I felt dutybound to speak up because the platform upon which he is standing belongs to all of us and nobody should do anything to make it less useable in the future. Those of us who have ears of the ordinary man on the street, those of us who are still accessible were hearing what the common citizens of Oyo State are saying. I am not saying the governor have not done anything right; of course, he has done commendable things, but at the end of the day what matters is the people; the people should be the centre-piece of any activity, policy, of any action and the policy of the government. A sovereign depends on what the people gets out of the system, out of the policy. When the people thinks they are being disregarded, ignored, brutalized and uncared for, then it is our duty to tell the governor in whom we all repose our common trust and to

•Lanlehin

whom we all gave our common heritage to look after. So, I did tell him the truth, but nothing happened and so I just have to stop.

What are other things you have against the governor?

The issue of demolition of shops, structures and all that contributed towards negative feelings of our people towards the government.

One is not saying that there should not be any development, every society craves development and every development also comes with some pains, some challenges and sacrifices. But, it must be balanced. You must not inflict irreparable damages to our people in the name of development; he ignored human capital development and he ignored the existence of our people in the name of beautifying the environment and developing the place.

Group warns against Interim Govt PRO-DEMOCRACY group, Nigerians United for Democracy (NUD), has cautioned the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against any act that could truncate democracy. It said President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to set up an Interim National Government. This, the group said, would spell doom for the country.

NUD said that it would mobilise Nigerians to protest against Interim National Government and further shift in the election dates.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the State Convener of the group, Comrade Saka Waheed, berated President Goodluck Jonathan governance.

Waheed noted that the new election dates are not sacrosanct, adding that there were indications that the Chairman, Independent

A

•Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal making a point when he received members of the Civil Society Groups, at the National Assembly. With him are: Mr. Festus Okoye (left) and Mr. Clem Nwankwo.

E

KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has been urged to face governance instead of creating confusion.

The ex-chairman, National Action Council (NAC), Otunba Segun Kolawole, gave the advice against the backdrop of calls by the governor that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was fit to run.

Kolawole, who is from Ekiti State, said such calls bring the state and its indigenes into disrepute, among other odium.

He recalled that Fayose promised to turn a new leaf from his old ways, adding that the governor also said so during his swearingin last year. “But, what is happening shows acts of immaturity by

‘Fayose should stop creating confusion’

By Joseph Eshanokpe

the governor. Every one can go to the hospital. What is wrong with Buhari doing so? If Fayose is asking Buhari to swear with the Koran, I ask: ‘Can he (Fayose) also swear with the Bible that he had not gone to the hospital? Doesn’t Buhari need treatment or medical check-up after the long campaigns?

At 72, I think Buhari does and it is not too much, if he did go for treatment.’’

Kolawole urged Fayose to note that no condition is permanent in life, adding that he should not be disrespectful to Buhari as if their ways would not cross again. He

cited the immediate past governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was asked to probe his predecessor Segun Oni. He said, at the moment, both Oni and Fayemi, are in the same party.

“Fayose should think of tomorrow,’’ he advised.

Kolawole said the governance is so enormous that Fayose should not have time for frivolities. “Ekiti indigenes are recognised for their academic prowess and knowledge. But today, education as an industry, is not doing well as it used to. People outside the state are not happy with the comments of the governor on Buhari. No

doubt, Ekiti people love Fayose.

But he should not waste the goodwill they have for him. He should focus on how Ekiti would develop by bringing in new ideas and how he could move the education sector forward.

“He should try and promote the unity of the state by working for its peace. The state has many resources. He should try and focus on these. He should remember the grassroots where are no hospitals, good roads, among others. Also, if only he can focus on agriculture, this would boost the revenue of the state. I pray that God would help him,” he added.

National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Atahiru Jega, was planning to further shift the election dates.

According to him, “INEC appears not to have fully prepared for the election and recent statement by the INEC Chairman that only the service chiefs could guarantee the conduct of elections in Nigeria was an indication that the elections may still be postponed.”

Waheed said that the rights activists across the country have resolved to mobilise students, artisans and others to protest against further shift of election dates.

He warned INEC not to postpone the elections again for any reason, saying “any attempt to postpone the election will not augur well as the human rights community will fight the anti democratic forces in the country to a standstill.”

Waheed called on the National Security Adviser and all security chiefs in the country to sign an undertaking that the elections would hold as scheduled and that contrary action should be treated with disdain.

Besides, the Rights Activists also warned the military against participating in the forthcoming general elections, saying the military have no role to play during elections.

Waheed who demanded a credible poll, which would be acceptable by all Nigerians and the international community, stressed that the Presidency and INEC have no reason to postpone the elections again.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

58

NEWS Buhari, Atiku condole with Obaigbena

Nyako seeks court’s leave to sue CJ

By Joseph Jibueze

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

F

ORMER Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos for leave to apply for an order of mandamus against its Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

The order of mandamus is to compel him to release the case file in Nyako’s suit seeking to nullify his impeachment.

The plaintiff had filed the suit alleging breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing by the seven-man investigation panel, which indicted him of 16 counts of gross misconduct leading to his impeachment on July 15 last year.

Adamawa State House of Assembly, the chairman of the investigation panel, Buba Kaigama and Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba are the respondents.

Nyako had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed to probe Justice Auta for allegedly stalling judgment.

He said Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of the court’s Yola Division heard parties in the suit on February 2 and adjourned till February 12 for judgment, only for the chief judge to call for the file.

But the court’s Chief Registrar, Mrs Rosemary Oghoghorie, said on February 17 the case file was not seized but that Justice Auta only called for it to clear a petition dated February 3 sent to him by a party in the suit.

“Until the case file is treated, it will not be released.

The judge handling the case has not responded to the petition and until that is done, the case file will not be released. That is the right procedure to follow,” she said.

Senator backs card reader From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

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HE lawmaker representing Jigawa Central, Senator Abdulmumini Hassann Zareko, has supported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for planning to use card readers.

He was addressing reporters at the Jigawa State Police Command headquarters after signing a peace accord.

Zareko said using card readers would ensure credible elections.

He said any effort that would facilitate the conduct of free and fair elections should be supported.

According to him, “INEC has just confirmed to us that 96 per cent of the registered voters have obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” adding that the commission is ready to use them in conducting the elections.

The lawmaker said: “ INEC has confirmed that over 80 per cent of the eligible voters have received their PVCs. The commission is still working to ensure 100 per cent distribution. There is no reason anybody should oppose the use of card readers.”

He hailed the efforts of the Inspector General of Police in initiating the peace accord, “which is aimed at asking candidates to sign an undertaking to ensure a peaceful conduct of the elections.

•From left: Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Customs, Trade and Tariff, Mr. Akinade Adewuyi; DCG, human resources, Mr Ibrahim Mera; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro; Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi; DCG, enforcement, investigation and inspection, Mr. Tahir Musa and special assistant to NAN Managing Director, Mr Obiora Chukwumba, during a courtesy visit to CGC's office in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram displaces 1.65m Nigerians, says AGF

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HE Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), said yesterday that the Boko Haram insurgents have displaced about 1, 650,000 Nigerians.

He said he issued advisory to Boko Haram and those involved in the conflict, on the legal consequences of the unlawful use of children in armed conflict.

Adoke said the Federal Government would hold accountable, those found culpable “for this crime and other crimes, such as abduction, rape, maiming, forced displacements and sexual slavery.”

He said the elections were shifted to provide security and avoid disenfranchising 24million Nigerians.

Adoke, who spoke at the 28th Session of the United

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Nations Council on Human Rights in Geneva, said the government was disturbed about the increasing use of child-soldiers and underaged female suicide bombers.

The text of the AGF’s address was made available to reporters in Abuja by his office.

He said: “Nigeria’s experience in combating terrorism and insurgency perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in the Northeast and our common borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon demonstrates the relevance and potency of international cooperation and solidarity in tackling this scourge.

“Since the insurgency began, close to 650,000 Nigerians have been internally

displaced in the Northeast; and another one million as refugees in neighbouring countries, such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger. This situation has posed grave humanitarian situation in the affected areas, including the neighbouring countries.

“We note with satisfaction, the recent successes achieved by security forces and the increased level of cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels to raise a multi-national force of 8,700 involving Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin by the African Union, with support from our global partners.

“My delegation believes that this initiative offers valuable lessons for the global community. In this regard, I cannot overemphasise the need for increased financial and material sup-

port for the multi-national force as well as the internally-displaced persons and refugees.”

Adoke said the Federal Government was worried about the increasing use of child-soldiers and underaged female suicide bombers.

He added: “Mr. President, another disturbing trend in the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group is the increasing use of child-soldiers and under-aged female suicide bombers in the perpetration of crimes against the civilian population.

“Boko Haram has killed Christians and Muslims; bombed churches and mosques and have detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on soft targets in civilian populated areas.”

Minimah: Army ‘ll regain more territories soon

T

HE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has assured that more territories under the Boko Haram sect would soon be captured and the war against terror won.

He said the successes recorded in the last few days followed joint operations between the Nigerian forces and their Cameroon, Chad

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

and Niger counterparts.

The Army Chief spoke yesterday at the opening of a five-day seminar for operational level officers of the Nigerian Army by the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT), at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna.

According to Gen. Minimah, “at the end of the seminar, the Army is expected to generate more capacity to gain more, recover more territories. It will help our army to perform better and be more professional.

“It is gratifying to note that our drive in retraining, in conjunction with the valued

partnership, is beginning to yield greater results. The ongoing counter-terrorists campaign in the Northeast, coupled with the awakening of Cameroon, Chad and Niger forces, has boosted our successes, leading to the liberation of more communities hitherto under the siege of Boko Haram terrorists.”

Don’t be used to intimidate voters, Aregbesola tells Army

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has called on the military and other security agencies not to allow themselves to be used to intimidate voters, before, during and after elections.

The governor gave the advice when the General Officer Commanding II Mechanised Division, Ibadan, Maj.Gen. Sanusi Muazu, visited him at the Government House, Osogbo on Monday evening.

Aregbesola noted that the traditional role of the military was the protection of territorial integrity of the country and ensuring an atmosphere where democracy must thrive.

The governor added that military and other security institutions must ensure that they were not used to harass civilians during the elections as it was done in Osun during

‘It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be deployed during elections’ the last August 9 governorship election.

He said: “It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be deployed during elections as instruments in harassing and intimidating the citizens’ freedom and liberty, and bully them for partisan and selfish interest of gaining electoral advantage.

“During the last governorship election here, security agencies were unprofessionally utilised to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes were used to pay their salaries.

“Our victory was due to the steadfastness and resolute de-

termination of our people to assert and defend their rights.

“Some security agents in connivance with the opposition obviously did all they could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate.

“Security agents wore the same identical hand band to carry out their acts but the popular wish of the people prevailed,” the governor told the GOC and his entourage.

He urged him and other security personnel not to tolerate any instruction or order that will compromise their professionalism during the forth-coming general elections.

Major-General Muazu assured the governor that mili-

tary would not in any way intimidate or harass the electorate during the March and April elections.

He held that people under the coverage area which include Osun should sleep with their two eyes closed before, during and after the elections, noting that the military will provide the necessary support for other security agencies.

He said: “We will do everything possible to ensure that security is provided. We cannot do otherwise than to protect civilians. It is the taxpayers’ money that we depend on.

We will do everything to make sure that lives and property are well-protected.

“It is a familiar terrain that we are in. I have served in the region in various capacities. I can as well charge the people of Osun to sleep with their two eyes closed because the election will be free, fair and credible with the provision of adequate security.”

THE presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have sent a message of condolence to the Publisher of ThisDay, Nduka Obaigena, on the death of his brother, Azubuike.

A statement yesterday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) quoted Gen. Buhari and Alhaji Atiku as saying that the late Obaigbena passed away when the country was looking up to the services of Nigerians in the diaspora to assist in developing the country.

The statement reads: “The demise of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena is an unpleasant development at this point when our country is looking up to the services of young Nigerians, who have made remarkable landmarks in their fields of endeavour.

Biometric capturing of Abuja IDPs begins soon From Grace Obike, Abuja

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HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will soon begin the biometric capturing of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the FCT. The exercise is to ensure that only genuine IDPs, who have been displaced by the insurgency in the Northeast, benefit from the relief materials provided by the administration.

FEMA’s spokesperson Josie Mudasiru said the Director, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, made the statement at a media chat in Abuja.

She said: “The FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, in conjunction with its stakeholders, will begin the biometric capturing of the Internally Displaced Persons in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The Director, FEMA, Alhaji Idriss, said this in his office during a media chat. He said despite the huge expenditure towards providing relief for IDPS, there are still complaints from some quarters that the relief materials are not getting to them, hence the need for biometrics.”

940,000 PVCs distributed in Kogi From James Azania, Lokoja

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has distributed 940, 000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Kogi State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hussain Pai, spoke yesterday in his office when commenting on the PVC collection.

He said the commission had achieved 71 per cent PVC collection, adding that 29 per cent were yet to be collected.

Pai said 1,317,000 PVCs were received by the commission, out of which 940, 000 had been collected and 370, 000 were yet to be collected.

59 THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

NEWS Anti-Jega plot crashes as Presidency hits dead end Continued from page 4

free and fair election.”

Tambuwal, who spoke when he received a delegation from the Situation Room Advocacy also condemned any move to install an interim government which he said will amount to a coup because it has no place in the constitution.

Also yesterday, the House of Representatives sounded a note of warning to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the danger of removing the INEC chairman before the general elections.

To show its seriousness, the threatened to initiate court action within the country and at the International Criminal Court (ICC), over supposed plots to remove Jega and shift the March 28th and April 11th elections.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Hon. Ali Ahmad, Chairman House Committee on Justice, The “Motion on threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangements for the 2015 general elections” was seconded by Hon. Goni Bukar The House urged “the political class, government of the federation and of states and security agencies to heed the warning of imminent and present danger associated with any interference with the existing schedules of the general elections”.

It said it will “hold personally accountable at domestic judicial forum or at the International Criminal Court “ any person or Organisation that foists on INEC any decision or action whatsoever, including unconstitutional attempt to remove the current INEC chairman, that has the effect of making it impracticable for the elections to hold on 28th March and 11th April, 2015”.

Arguing the motion, Ahmad said the initial postponement of the general elections for six weeks due to security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence.

He expressed concern on the possibility, threat and insinuation to precipitate actions that would cause further alteration to the status quo arrangement and regulation of the general elections Ahmad said: “That such threats to tamper with the status quo may take several forms including , but not limited to, illegal removal of the current INEC Chairman.

“That there is already documented evidence from several sources that any change in status quo arrangements, especially removal of the INEC chairman, presents a possibility of violence and would occasion the sowing of seeds of a major crisis,” he said.

The lawmaker said civil society organisations and lawyers,

including usually reticent Senior Advocates of Nigeria have sounded “a note of warning” and threatened a “showdown”.

According to him, such removal will be unconstitutional, “given the decision of the Supreme Court that removal of the chairman or members of such an independent electoral body as INEC pursuant to S.157 (1) of the Constitution can only be achieved when two things happen, viz: (a) for his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or ( b) for misconduct, as determined by 2/3 majority of the Senate ( Governor of Kwara State v. Ojiabor. 2007).”

Ahmad said such deliberately induced violence “ may snowball as it did in 2011 postelection period into widespread or systematic attack, persecution, arson, murder, thereby amounting to serious crimes of concern to the international community, as contained in Article 5 of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

However, the Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, objected to the motion, saying that it was “totally speculative” at best and should not even be entertained, not to mention being passed.

His objection was overruled

by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who called for a voice vote. It was unanimously passed by members.

N2.3tr illegal Excess Crude Account deductions queried Continued from page 4

deposits.

In addition, $221,219.79 was credited to the FGN Excess Proceeds of crude oil sales account while $453,803.13 was credited to PPT/Royalty Account as interest on ordinary deposits.

However it was noted in the report that “The authority for placing the funds which yielded the above interests in deposit account was not made available as requested.

“The banks where the deposits were made, principal sums deposited, tenor and rate were also not made available for audit verification as requested.

“During the examination of the statements of the Bank for International Settlement Account of FGN Excess Proceeds of PPT/Royalty Account, the AGF also observed that “an amount of $500m was debited into the account on the 29th August 2012 and described as interest on fixed term deposit.

“The nature/type of transactions that resulted to the debit interest of the above amount was not known.”

Also in the report, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC was queried by the Accountant General of the Federation to provide explanation for the flagrant attitude of withholding domestic crude sale revenue.

The NNPC was indicted in the report for failing to remit revenue from domestic crude oil sales totaling N936,027,634,479.81 as well as

$998,881.77 interest earned on the Joint Venture Cash Calls in 2012.

It was also queried for failing to reconcile all arrears of JVCs since inception to the tune of $1,664,986.15 and N171,303,701 being arrears for year 2012.

Furthermore, queries were also issued on the $75.055,277.32 outstanding crude oil trade debtors; unauthorised movement of $50m from NNPC joint venture cash call account with JP Morgan Chase to another foreign bank account on February 28th, 2011 without any mandate or authority for the movement, as well as accrued interest of $1,249,999.99.

N30,259,561,402.73 was also a subject of query for NNPC over deduction of subsidy as well as N260b deducted at source by NNPC for petroleum subsidy fund (subsidy).

The oil corporation was also queried over N229,740,438,597.27 subsidy as reflected in the account of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) approved for NNPC without budgetary provision for the corporation in the Appropriation Act, resulting into extrabudgetary spending on subsidy by NNPC during the year.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) was also queried in the report over $706,880,265.22 unpaid by 21 oil companies as royalties on oil.

The Accountant General of the Federation has been informed to recover the out-

standing royalties.

On its part, the Accountant General of the Federation, in the report was queried to explain the difference of N41,856,530,921.54 as well as pay back total sum of N1,901,213,713,587.07 into the Federation Account, out of which N1,132,619,890,792.96 is for joint venture cash calls (JVCs); N260b is for petroleum subsidy; N477,448,498,619.22 is for excess crude sale and N31,145,324,174.89 under remittance of revenue deducted at source by NNPC from the revenue proceeds in accordance with Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

In the report, the Accountant General of the Federation was asked to explain why the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) failed to share N385,908,800,442.40 to the three tiers of Governments out of the total net receipts of N5,682,942,672,167.61 after deducting cost of collection for the year 2012.

It was also observed that Federal Government share of N146,635,051,546.35 was paid directly to a separate SURE-P CBN Account in violation of the Constitution that provides that Federal Government’s share from the Federation Account should be paid directly to Consolidated Revenue Fund.

This was followed by a query on the transfer of the sum of N319,943,121,222.87 to SURE-P from the Federation Account, out of the total sum of N426,590,828,291.16 approved for the programme.

Naira devaluation caused fuel scarcity, says PPPRA Continued from page 4

Thursday. All of us have our roles in the Constitution. The letter should contain a strong warning that NNPC must never repeat this before the committee.

“NNPC has never agreed to bring their budget for discussion. This is the same problem

we have every year. I’m disappointed that after we agreed on this issue last year, we are still back to it.”

A member of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, said it was ridiculous that the NNPC still had the audacity to ignore the committee’s invitation in spite of ”this acute shortage we have throughout this

country.” “ We know that NNPC has been spending money without appropriation. But then, courtesy demands that they honour our invitation. They are doing their work. We are also doing ours. With all the sad story of NNPC, they still have the guts to treat us with disrespect,” Goje said.

60 THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS EU moves to end Ebola virus, alleviate impact

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UROPEAN Union (EU) met yesterday in Brussels to discuss concrete steps to tackle the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Already, EU has mobilised •1.2 billion to fight the disease which has killed over 5,000 people in West Africa in the last one year when the sub region experienced an outbreak of the disease in Serria-Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria.

Nigeria was able to contain the disease imported by a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer.

The EU conference with the theme “Ebola: from emergency to recovery” aimed at sus-

•Union mobilised 1.2b Euros From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

taining the current momentum to prevent further spread of the virus.

The president of Guinea, Liberia and Sierria Leone ? are expected to be co-chair at the conference alongside EU, UN, AU and ECOWAS. The aim is to bring together key players to prepare the actions needed to bring down to zero the prevalent of the killer disease.

Besides, the meeting according to a press statement issued

by EU in Abuja was expected

to come up with measures to help ?the three West African countries recover from the effect of the epidemic on their people and economies.

According to EU Commission’s president, Jean-Claude Juncker “to end Ebola and ensure sustainable development in the affected region is the best way to honour the memory of the victims.

He also announced that EU have mobilised •1.2 billion for the fight against the disease, and we will continue to help until we win the battle against Ebola.

High Representative/ Vice

President Federica Mogherini further added: “Ebola is a challenge that we must continue to tackle collectively, quickly and for the long term, also to help make sure that no other epidemic will have such a devastating impact in the future. Today is the time to do so: we have the opportunity and the responsibility to be effective in our development aid; to promote good governance and invigorate regional cooperation, with its political, diplomatic, humanitarian and financial tools, the EU is part of the solution and a partner.”

66,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, says UN

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O fewer than 66,000 Nigerians have become refugees in neighbouring Cameroon as a result of Boko Haram insurgency, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) official said yesterday.

Adrian Edwards said 41,571 of the Nigerian refugees had already been verified by the UNHCR. The regular briefing was chaired by the Director of the UN Information Service in Geneva, Corinne Momal-Vanian, and was attended by the Spokespersons for the World Health Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Refugee Agency.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Edwards stated that Cameroon’s far North region witnessed a new influx of refugees over the weekend following clashes in northeast Nigeria between regional military forces and insurgents.

According to him, the Cameroonian authorities said about 16,000 Nigerian refugees entered the country during the weekend, and were reportedly caught amid ongoing violence in villages along the border.

Edwards said UNHCR was working with Cameroon to relocate the refugees as quickly as possible away from areas of active conflict to a transit site at Kousseri,

which lay 90 km from the border and 370 km north of Minawao where there was an established refugee camp.

“Because of conflict between military forces and insurgents happening on the Cameroonian territory, UNHCR did not have access to border areas where refugees had arrived. Together with humanitarian partners, including the World Food Programme, International Medical Corps, IEDA Relief and Public Concerm, UNHCR was ready to conduct screening at the transit site and to provide emergency assistance in health, nutrition, water, and food for new arrival”, he said.

LENT Theme: ‘Dead bones’ shall rise again!

Text:”... prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived...” (Ezekiel 37:10)

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HEN a terrible thing happens, human beings are quick to erroneously conclude that it is a case of hopelessness and wrap it up fast that the end of the road has come.

As a follow up to that, occurrence of a bad event brings the identity of real friends out because when things are good or when one occupies a position of influence or benefit, litany of ‘friends’ hover around the ‘corridors of power’ but when an untoward thing happens, those ‘friends’ are very quick to condemn, destroy, malign and of course ‘borrow the feet of an hare’.

It is however instructive to note that besides the fact that God uses bad times to unveil true friends, He many times uses trials as an ingress to launch His children to a higher level because with God it is never over (Romans 8:28). He is the One that can “... make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

In John 12:24, Jesus Christ said that before a seed can yield lots of fruits, it must first die. At that point of temporal death, it is normal for friends to ‘show their true colours’, while honest friends stand to provide understanding and support, insincere friends bring out their sublime nature, speak vile words and even elope thinking that it has ended. Job, in his moment of ‘death’, experienced same with his wife and trusted allies respectively. When things were good with Job, his wife and friends were there to fellowship with him and enjoy the goodies of his blessings. The moment things turned aslant with him however, his wife asked him to curse God but his friends sat with him, sprinkled dust on their heads and mourned with him. ( Job 2:9-13). After their true personalities have been fully revealed, the Almighty God, who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Isaiah 49:15-16) restored Job such that his latter end was better than his beginning. ( Job 42:12-16, 8:7) From the story of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37, God brought Ezekiel to a valley of not only dry and lifeless bones but bones that have been dismembered. God asked him a seemingly illogical question that “... Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3a). The response of Prophet Ezekiel that “God thou knowest” could probably be out of knowledge that God can do all things or predicated on his decision not to be rude.

It is common knowledge that bones that are dead don’t have hope of life again but it is worthy of note that the Almighty God has the capacity to do all things (1 Samuel 2:6-7). God therefore gave Ezekiel unambiguous instructions and when he complied as was asked to do, the unbelievable happened; dry bones were joined together and rose up as an army (Ezekiel 37:4-10).

Beloved in Christ, there is no end of the road with God. In Job 14:7-8 God promised that, “... there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground”. God promised in verse 9 that, “.. through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” There is surely no bad case with God. The Almighty God who with a command released life to the rotten flesh and bones of Lazarus who was dead for four days can do anything (John 11:39-44; Luke 1:37).

Have you lost your benefactor or your marriage is on the brink of complete breakdown; have you lost your job or you are on the verge of losing it; is it that your close friends have turned against you like Job or you are terribly sick and doctors

have even lost hope of your recovery like the woman with the issue of blood (Mk. 5:25-34); are you in debt and there is no way of redeeming your indebtedness like the wife of the deceased son of the prophet (2 Kings 4:1-7) or is your life bent such that things aren’t going well with you, like that afflicted woman and you are the subject of demeaning comments among friends (Luke 13:11-13); are you being haunted by the society that you are getting past the age of marriage or conception or there is none to help you like the man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9).

Is your income insufficient to meet your expenditure and you are unable to meet your obligations? Have you lost any of your priceless possession with no Insurance backing to mitigate the loss? The good news for you is that as the Lord lives, your predicament is a “comma” and not a “full-stop”. The Almighty God shall arise for you and the story of your life shall change for good. He has promised to restore the years that the devourers have destroyed and stolen (Joel 2:25). Beloved, that grave situation is not your abode, it is a temporary domicile and you are going to rise up again. God is going to make you eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord.

The word of God to you at such a time is that He “....will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel....... And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord (Ezekiel 37:12-14). When God visits your valley of dry bones, not only will you live but all your entitlements shall be returned to you. No wonder the Psalmist said that “when the Lord restores the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream dreams” (Psalm 126:1).

It is for such a purpose that Jesus Christ came to the world brethren, “.... that He might destroy the works of the devil”. (1 John 3:8). The thief (the devil) came to kill, to steal and to destroy but our Lord Jesus Christ came so that we can have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Beloved, you have a hope of bouncing back. You have hope of bouncing back in a bigger way and enjoy eternal life when your sojourn is ended here. It therefore doesn’t matter how terrible things are with you now, don’t loose hope because it has not ended. “Weeping may endure for a night’, says David, ‘but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). This season is your morning of joy and none can hinder your bouncing back.

What you need to do to enjoy His power of restoration is to destroy the membership card and all alliances you have with the devil, his agents and sin; and change to Jesus’ side, make a commitment not to go back to your past ways, identify with Him openly, allow your walk, work and talk to tally with His and then call His attention to what you are passing through. As He lives who never fails, you shall arise and shine; God will bring your light out and His glory shall be risen upon you, darkness of the earth and gross darkness of the people shall not have dominion over your life again. When God has finished with you, unbelievers shall see your light and take direction cum coverage from your light. Not only that, you shall be so important that Kings and rulers shall regard you as a very important person in the society- Halleluyah! ( Isaiah 60:1-3 paraphrased.)

Prayers: Oh Lord, breathe upon my dry bones during this season and restore all my lost grounds, in Jesus’ name.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2015

61

NEWS

Jonathan wades into Ebonyi crisis

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FIVE-member governors’ panel constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the crisis in Ebonyi State met at the State House, Abuja, yesterday for hours.

Members are Governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom).

They were mandated to resolve the face-off between Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State and his deputy, Dave Umahi, which has split the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Umahi is believed to be championing an impeachment move against Elechi, with the support of majority of members of the House of

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Assembly.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting in Abuja, Suswam said the solution to the crisis had almost been found.

He said Elechi did not storm out of the meeting, but left at the end of the meeting to catch a flight home.

Suswam said: “I don’t think he (Elechi) stormed out of the meeting. We ended the meeting properly, and I believe he had a flight to catch, so he was rushing.

“Yes, the Ebonyi problem was one of the issues discussed. We have almost found a solution to that problem. The meeting ended peacefully. I don’t think

Elechi stormed out of the meeting. I think the governor was rushing to catch a flight.”

He said the meeting also discussed the general elections.

The governor said PDP was sure of victory and dismissed insinuation that some candidates were campaigning for themselves without campaigning for Jonathan’s reelection.

He said: “I don’t think that is true. People have ways of campaigning. As a senatorial candidate, there is no way I can be campaigning for my seat alone without campaigning for the President.”

Elechi, who left the Presidential Villa with Umahi, refused to answer reporters’ questions.

Umahi, the PDP governor-

ship candidate in the coming elections, urged Elechi to respond to the allegations levelled against him by the House of Assembly, instead of embarking on a smear campaign.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki yesterday, he asked the governor to defend himself on the eight-point impeachment notice and refrain from pointing accusing fingers at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and himself.

The statement signed by Abia Onyike, Umahi’s director, Media and Publicity, said it was clear that Governor Elechi had a running battle with the Assembly for a long time over several issues, which the House described as bordering on constitutional breaches.

Fire guts goods worth millions From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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IRE yesterday gutted the Police Officer’s Wives Association (POWA) shopping complex on Bende Road, Umuahia.

Traders lost goods worth millions of naira in the early morning inferno.

Nobody died in the fire, which was said to have started from one of the shops upstairs in a complex close to the Umuahia Police Area Command and Central Police Station.

One of the traders said the fire started about 3am, adding that he was alerted by another trader and he and his wife rushed to the scene.

He said when they arrived, fire fighters were already there, “but it is unfortunate that they did not stay up to two minutes because they complained that their vehicle was cutting gas.”

The trader said the fire fighters left, promising to return, but they did not come back.

He added that if they had returned, some of the shops and goods would have been salvaged.

The source said: “If we have committed fire fighters in this town, some of these shops would have been saved. The attitude of the fire fighters leaves much to be desired.”

Twenty-two shops located upstairs were destroyed.

Although the cause of the fire was unknown, sources attributed it to electrical fault in one of the shops upstairs.

One of the traders, a nursing mother, was said to have stocked her shop on Monday, a few hours before the fire.

She reportedly lost everything.

Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident.

He said the command was investigating the cause of the fire.

ALGON hails Ugwuanyi on court NUGU State chapter of victory the Association of Lo-

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•From left: Former Executive Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale; Chairman, Welders Association, Amuwo Odofin branch, Olarinre Abu; Chairman, Fashion Designers Association, Amuwo Odofin branch, Eniola Adeolu; Chairman, Vulcanizers Association, Amuwo Odofin branch, Afolabi Akeem and Chairman, Professional Carpenters & Furniture Makers Association, Amuwo Odofin, Ayodeji Akinsehinwa, at an interactive session convened by Comrade Adewale with the artisans in Amuwo Odofin Local Government on PVC collection and support for APC candidates in the elections, held in FESTAC Town, Lagos.

No plan to remove Jega, says Jonathan •Continued from page 4 “(The notion) is out of ignorance in the political environment. People say anything, especially if the ruling party is going to the left, they will want to go to the right.

They must find anything to tell you.”

Jonathan admitted that the military initially lacked weapons to match the insurgents’ arsenal, but noted that the government had taken delivery of sophisticated weapons to fight the terrorists.

He said: “From the beginning, we have been saying that we lack certain weapons to confront Boko Haram

because of the nature of the terror environment. Now, we have been trying to get these weapons. At least, we have received up to 60 to 75 per cent of these (weapons) and I believe we are reasonably equipped to confront Boko Haram.”

On the belief that corruption has worsened under his administration, the President said people had different perception about the level of corruption and playing politics about his administration’s drive to fight graft.

He admitted that corruption still thrives in government, but said people must differentiate stealing from corruption.

“If you look at the perception of corruption or

perception index, people talk about corruption now because it has become a political issue.

And when you promote something to a level of politics, of course it would blow out of proportion.

“Yes, we have corruption cases…we have cases of people stealing; no doubt about that. I always say that, call a thief a thief. I am not saying that we don’t have this element of corruption or stealing. If you start from the former Central Bank governor, who initially said that $49.8 billion was missing; $49.8 billion is a lot of money. What is the budget of this country for God’s sake?

“Our budget has been a little over N3 trillion. Federal

Government’s budget is about $18-20 billion a year and you are saying we lose $49.8 billion.

If today we lose $49.8 billion, federal and state governments will not pay salaries. I don’t know how he came about that figure. The next moment he changed from $49.8 billion to $12 billion. The next day, it was $20 billion. Up to this time, I don’t know which is the correct accusation. The Senate set up a committee and they used consultants; they looked into it and said over $2 billion that could not be properly balanced.

They did not say that somebody stole it. No evidence to say it was stolen but that it was not properly balanced.”

Buhari group faults Jonathan’s endorsement

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HE Buhari Campaign Organisation, Arewa Community chapter in the Southwest, has faulted the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election by Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation and the Hausa living in the zone.

It said: “No amount of cash from the Presidency can buy the conscience of the people.”

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

In a statement by its coordinator, Alhaji Ali Idris, copies of which were made available to reporters in Ibadan yesterday, the Buhari Campaign Organisation cried out for what it described as “the whopping amount being spent by President Jonathan to mobilise people for his re-election.”

The statement alleged:

“Hundreds of millions of naira was shared among the hired crowd of people mobilised to Asaba, the Delta State capital, at the weekend, under the pseudo name of Hausa groups, to create an erroneous impression of endorsing Jonathan’s continued Presidency.”

Describing as self-serving, the roles allegedly played by some Afenifere leaders and northern elite in the en-

dorsement, the group urged those concerned to check their conscience and work for the interest of greater Nigeria, saying it would not be in their best interest to mortgage the nation’s future for monetary consideration.

The body remarked that Afenifere was looked upon as a leading light in the country and enjoined the panYoruba group not to erode its integrity.

cal Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has congratulated the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his victory in a suit challenging the authenticity of his candidature.

The association, through a statement by its Chairman, who also chairs Enugu East Local Government, Mr. Cornelius Nnaji, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and an indication that the PDP would win the coming elections.

ALGON thanked the indigenes, PDP members and supporters for their prayers and support while the case lasted and assured them of its collaboration with the party to entrench internal democracy, the rule of law and the principles of justice, equity and fairness.

Nnaji, who was elated by Ugwuanyi’s popularity and acceptability, noted that the

From Chris Oji, Enugu

judgment vindicated PDP’s position that Ugwuanyi was elected as the governorship candidate of the party at the primary election on last December 8.

He urged Senator Ayogu Eze and other aggrieved aspirants to accept the verdict in good faith and support stakeholders to ensure victory for the PDP. The ALGON chairman praised those who contributed to the victory, especially the national leadership of the PDP, the state leader of the party, Governor Sullivan Chime, other leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others, and urged “Ugwuanyi to remain steadfast and focused in his resolve to sustain the tempo of the PDP-led administration of Governor Chime through continuity and consolidation of the four-point agenda, if he is elected.”

Christians urged to collect PVCs

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

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HRISTIANS in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have been advised to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The President of the Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum (PCLF), Dr. Adefunmilayo Akitoye-Braimoh, gave the advice at Apa in Badagry during a sensitisation programme organised for Christian leaders.

The occasion was also used to inaugurate the group’s leaders.

Mrs. Akitoye-Braimoh said with their PVC, Christians would liberate themselves from corrupt politicians.

According to her, the coming elections were important for Christians and they should be interested in exercising their franchise by obtaining PVCs. Dr. Akitoye-Braimoh, who is also the senior special assistant (SSA) to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on Christian Religion Matters, said churches had been praying for the nation, “but Christians must go beyond prayers by picking up their PVCs to vote good leaders.”

She enjoined those who had obtained their PVCs not to sell them, to avoid trading away their future.

The Executive Secretary of Badagry West LCDA, Mr. Joseph Agoro, while assuring residents of the co-operation of his government, said residents, who have not collected their PVCs, should do so.

He promised to ensure victory for the APC candidates in Badagry.

His words: “I encourage you all as Christians to participate in the coming elections. As you obtain your PVCs, I urge you to shun double dealings and dubious characters.

Don’t join the bandwagon because we need you to sanitise the system.”

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

63

SPORT EXTRA Moses Simon makes Gent proud with only goal

•Mose Simon

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OSES Simon Ajala scored the only goal of the game as KAA Gent kept the pressure on leaders Club Brugge at the top of the Belgian Pro League standings to four points, with a 1-0 win over Waasland-Beveren on Sunday at the Freethiel Stadium.

The Nigerian Ronaldo poked home the winner twenty four minutes from time after benefitting from Laurent Depoitre's assist.

Ajala took his goal tally in the league for De Buffalo's to six from six appearances since he joined them from Slovakian Super Liga outfit Trencin in the winter transfer window.

In the past, English Premier League pair, Liverpool and Tottenham were reportedly chasing the youngster. Ajax Amsterdam and Heerenveen also registered interest in his services However, he opted to join Gent in order to aid his development and be ready for the challenges that lies ahead of him.

Ajala is set to be the subject of bids from top European clubs in the summer transfer window.

He is tipped to become the next Nigerian wide man to make his mark in Europe and follow in the footsteps of Victor Moses.

Ajala is owned by the famed GBS Academy, the same Academy that produced dashing winger Ahmed Musa, who is now at CSKA Moscow.

Mikel to return for Chelsea in April

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IGERIA international midfielder John Obi Mikel is now expected to make a return to competitive football for Chelsea next month.

According to Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, the Nigerian midfielder could become available for selection in three weeks after recently undergoing surgery due to a knee injury.

But the Chelsea boss' premise is hinged on a balance of "optimism and pessimism" that the 27-year-old could return without a hitch.

•Mikel

“Mikel had a little surgery. I was expecting him to be out for about a month and one week has already gone.

“So I would say, with not too much optimism or pessimism, Mikel to play in the first week of April,” said Mourinho.

The midfielder has missed a number of matches for Chelsea including the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend since his last appearance for the Blues in a league match at Aston Villa on February 7.

L

Siasia wants NFF, Keshi crisis resolved

AST week, former Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi acknowledged receipt of a new contract from the Nigeria Football Federation.

Keshi was, however, livid with its contents and subsequently described it as a slave contract.

The Big Boss was unhappy with several clauses inserted in the deal and duly went on to voice his sentiments.

"From the clauses I have seen so far, I don't know what words to use but the contract can be described as a slave contract,” Keshi said.

It is still unclear if Keshi will accept the deal or whether the NFF would seek for an alternative coach for the Super Eagles.

The seeming impasse between Keshi and the NFF has predictably divided public opinion but former head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, Samson Siasia wants the “issues sorted out” quickly.

“This is between the federation and Stephen himself. I believe that if both parties sit down (and have discussions), they will be able to sort out their issues.

“If that is done, they will be able to continue to build Nigerian football. I would not want to talk more about

•Keshi

this because it is really not my problem.

“But as a Nigerian, I just want to wish them the best of luck so that hopefully, they will be able to resolve their issues,” Siasia told

supersport.com.

Keshi was appointed Nigeria’s head coach in 2011 and his contract ran out in 2014. He was sacked midway through Nigeria’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

NFF says no elections yet in Anambra, Akwa Ibom FAs

T

HE Nigeria Football Association (NFF) says as far as it is concerned, no elections have taken place into the executive boards of the Football Associations in Anambra and Akwa Ibom States.

A statement released by the association on its website on Tuesday quoted Ibrahim Gusau, a member of the (NFF) executive committee in Abuja as saying that elections had yet to be held in the two states.

It dismissed reports sent in by some elements from the two states to the effect that elections were held. ``There have been no elections in Anambra and Akwa Ibom States. In the case of Anambra State, what we have is the issue of factionalisation, which we believe will be resolved in a few days,’’ noted the statrment. ``As for Akwa Ibom State, the NFA sent a letter to the FA to postpone the election that was scheduled for Feb. 28, because we received several petitions from various stakeholders, who complained of being disenfranchised as the electoral process lacked transparency.``In view of the above, we state categorically that no election has taken place in the two states.``Presently, our record shows that elections have yet to take

place in Adamawa, Yobe, Enugu, Anambra and Akwa Ibom States, ’’the NFA stressed.

Agent confirms Haruna's loan to Hoverla Uzhhorod

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REG Keenan, the CEO of Aspire Management and worldwide representative of Lukman Haruna, has exclusively informed SL10.ng that his client has agreed terms with Hoverla Uzhhorod.

The Dynamo Kiev midfielder will remain on loan at the Avanhard Stadium until the end of the 2014-2015 season. ''Yes I can confirm that Haruna has gone to Hoverla Uzhhorod on loan until the end of this season, ''said Greg Keenan of spiremanagement.com to SL10.ng.

•Haruna

qualifying campaign.

The NFF however performed a dramatic detour before offering him a new contract despite the Super Eagles’ failure to reach the 2015 AFCON.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘One sad thing about the melodrama that took place outside Chatham House is that it has exposed the shenanigans of our politicians who are highly intolerant of the opposition while professing that they are democrats’ VOL.10 NO.3143

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

OR a self-styled “humble Muslim fundamentalist”, his use of the occasion of presenting his then three newly published books two years or so ago to honour a long-serving elderly Catholic priest in Minna, the Niger State capital, couldn’t have seemed more incongruous.

But then Malam Abubakar Gimba, OFR, technocrat, best-selling author (Sunset for a Mandarin, Witness to Tears), banker, newspaper pundit, and essayist, was not your stereo-typical Muslim fundamentalist.

The word fundamentalism has since assumed pejorative connotation, Islamic fundamentalism even more so. The fundamentalist is generally viewed as an irrational animal who wishes to return to or replicate the past, whereas the Islamic fundamentalist is invariably equated with political activism, fanaticism, terrorism and anti-Westernism, etc.

Gimba, who passed on last Wednesday at age 63, was none of these. On the contrary, he was liberal-minded in the best sense of the word, a pacifist and honesty and humility personified.

It was a mark of his liberal-mindedness that he chose the presentation on May 24, 2012 of his three books to celebrate the immeasurable contribution the Very Reverend Father Jeremiah Derry O’Connell had made to education in the state.

O’Connell was an Irish Catholic priest who has lived virtually all his adult life in Niger State.

For nearly 50 years the reverend father helped to establish schools in the state, notably Saint Fatima Secondary School in Minna and Saint Maryamu Secondary School in Bida, taught in them and administered them. Today, at 79, he remains the humble principal of Government Secondary School, Minna, the name which Saint Fatima was changed into when governments took over denominational schools in Nigeria in the late sixties.

In his characteristic humility, Gimba chose the relatively bare Assembly Hall of O’Connell’s school when there were pushier venues in the state to celebrate the man who had arguably contributed to Western education in Niger State more than any other individual. It was a mark of the high regard citizens of the state, at home and in diaspora, had for Gimba as the inviter and O’Connell as the celebrant, that the large hall was packed to the brim and virtually the state’s Who’s Who, including former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the state’s governor, were in attendance.

In his tribute to O’Connell, Gimba likened

RIPPLES OPPOSITION RESPONSIBLE FOR FUEL SCARCITY–PDP Chairman

••• in fact the OPPOSITION must have brought in EBOLA!

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Gimba: Honesty and humility personified

•Gimba

the priest to Mary Slessor of Calabar and Mother Theresa of Calcutta, India. What he cherished most about him, he said, was “his quiet perseverance and wholehearted commitment to the education of our sons and daughters of every religious parentage and parental status, without any intrusion from the enthusiasm of his pastoral calling. This is the hallmark of an honest, great man.

Father O’Connell is a symbol and an embodiment of the spirit of what should be.”

What Gimba said of O’Connell was indeed true of the man himself; as a technocrat for 12 years at the end of which he retired in 1987 as permanent secretary in his state, as an executive director of Union Bank Plc for four years, as chairman of the alumni association of his alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as member of its council, as president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and in every assignment he was given, Gimba practiced what he preached with dedication and honesty.

In one of the tributes that have since been paid to the humble but great man, he was credited with being the pioneer chairman of

the council of the Niger State owned Ibrahim Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, his hometown. Actually, he was much more than that; he built the university.

When Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, then governor of the state decided to found it, he entrusted its building solely to Gimba and gave him a blank cheque to boot. Kure could not have found a better person than Gimba who preached and practiced the principle of leadership as enunciated by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), a principle he discussed in a chapter in A Matter of Faith, one of the three books he presented in honour of O’Connell, namely the principle that each and every one of us must exercise leadership responsibility whatever our station in life, whether as ruler, husband, wife, even slave.

Few human beings would have carried out that assignment as Gimba did; not only did he carry out his brief diligently, he never enriched himself in doing so. Today, IBBU is one of the best state universities in the country, in spite of its relative neglect by the state’s current administration.

In the last 15 years I have, as a reporter and columnist, read quite a lot of articles on innumerable subjects from our newspapers and magazines. Of the lot three have left the greatest impression on me for their precision, eloquence and the profoundness of their insight into Nigerian politics.

These are “Yorubaland as a riddle” by Femi Osofisan, a professor of Drama and columnist at the defunct Comet (December 17, 2000), “Jonathan and the Corporate Area Boys” by Eniola Bello, aka Eni-B, the managing director of Thisday and a leading back-page columnist of the newspaper (Thisday, May 30 2011), and an open letter Gimba wrote to President Olusegun

HARDBALL

E

VIDENCE of an ugly mind thinking ugly thoughts for ugly purposes could be seen in the reaction of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to the appearance and performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London on February 26. Buhari’s lecture was fittingly titled “Prospect for Democracy Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s transition”; and he glowed impressively during the question and answer session that followed Fani-Kayode, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisation, showed an unconscionable capacity for uglification when he reportedly alleged that the APC paid for the Buhari event, suggesting that it was devoid of credibility. How much was paid? Surprisingly, Fani-Kayode provided no clue.

According to Fani-Kayode, “There are some interesting facts about the Chatham House outing that Nigerians should know. The event was organised only two days before it took place and well after Buhari had arrived in London.” This is simply untrue and should raise questions as to why he chose to twist the truth. In reality, Buhari’s itinerary, which in-

Fani-Kayode’s ugly colour cluded the Chatham House engagement, was publicised ahead of his trip to the UK. So, what was Fani-Kayode saying, or trying to say?

This is the kind of conscienceless constitution that attracts astonishment. This is the kind of talk that diminishes the country internationally. It is noteworthy that a former British High Commissioner in Nigeria and the event’s chairman, Sir Richard Gozney, said: “Chatham House is more independent than anything you can imagine. It is entirely neutral, it has no political stands. That is why it is a favourite venue for people from across political spectrum to give their view because they get open hearing here.”

Perhaps more importantly, Gozney said of Buhari on the occasion: “When I visited you in Kaduna when I was High Commissioner in Nigeria, two things struck me. One was the modesty of your lifestyle, which is very striking for a Nigerian politician. The second thing was your clarity of thought and

DELE AGEKAMEH

Obasanjo in the Daily Trust of August 27, 2001.

How I wish I could reproduce each of them because of their relevance to our politicaleconomy today. But since for want of space I can’t even summarise them without doing injustice to them, I can only plead with the reader to search for them and read them.

Osofisan’s piece was an analysis of the abuse of ethnicity by our politicians in the struggle for power and how this has held us back as a nation. Eni-B’s was an account of the first dinner President Jonathan hosted in the State House, Marina, for the top echelon of Corporate Nigeria. The picture he painted of the obsequiousness of our business moguls in the presence of power would only make you feel sorry for Nigeria and it explains why our economy is in a terrible mess.

If Osofisan’s and Eni-B’s articles provided us with insights on why our politics and economics are in such sorry state, Gimba’s open letter to Obasanjo possessed the greatest foresight to date of the huge mess we are in today.

In that letter, written at the time the Oputa Panel Obasanjo had set up in 1999, ostensibly to heal the wounds of past wrongs in the country, started sitting in 2001, Gimba pleaded with Obasanjo as a self-proclaimed Born Again Christian, to forgive the wrongs that had been done him and focus instead on genuine reconciliation in the land.

“The Holy Bible” Gimba said, “fully endorses reconciliation when it says (Corinthians 5:19) ‘God (the Most High) was in Christ...reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them and has committed to us the word reconciliation.’”

He then concluded his open letter with the parable of the rejected cornerstone, again with a quotation from the Holy Bible. “Think about it,” he pleaded with Obasanjo. “In particular, (think about) Psalm 118:22 ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’ Your Excellency, Mr. President, you were once rejected. Then the Lord restored you to His Grace. Now you are our chief cornerstone. You must do the Lord’s will.”

No matter how hard he tries, Obasanjo cannot disclaim the main responsibility for the mess we are in today because, far from heeding Gimba’s call for him to do God’s will, he chose to do his own; throughout his eight years as president, settling scores for real and imagined wrongs was apparently his main guiding principle of state policy.

Gimba must have died a sad man that his prophesy came to pass. May Allah grant him aljanna firdaus.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above speech and we look forward to hearing such clarity from you today as you talk to us.”

These positive dimensions of Buhari’s personality drawn from a first-hand interaction with him, and highlighted by a possibly objective observer, deserve serious contemplation in the countdown to the country’s presidential election controversially rescheduled for March 28. If Buhari represents “modesty” and “clarity of thought and speech”, and his major opponent, President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, by popular opinion, stands for the arrogance of power and unintelligibility, the choices before the electorate are sharply and usefully delineated.

In an important sense, the contentious poll shift is not without blessings, which most likely include Buhari’s Chatham outing. The postponement probably necessitated the public relations masterstroke, which was unanticipated by agents of ugliness like FaniKayode. Those who calculated that they would possibly benefit exclusively from the rearrangement are understandably enraged by the proof of miscalculation. Their effort to paint an obviously successful promotion in ugly colours is quite revealing of their colourless character.

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