The Nation - May 30, 2011

MAY 29, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Fashola to emphasise security Ajimobi promises free education My greatest challenge, by Okorocha More jobs coming in Abia Kwakwanso: Kano treasury empty Priority for youths in Kwara Shema declares N16.7b cash revenue Amosun: I lost 69 supporters ACN goes into prayers in Benue Explosions in Abuja, Bauchi

SEE PAGES 2-4, 6-10, 13, 14 & 58

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1775 MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

INAUGURATION DAY 2011

Jonathan: it’s action time President promises to revive economy and fight corruption

•Lagos State Governor Babatundde Fashola (SAN) taking the oath of office ... yesterday. With him are his wife, Dame Abimbola Emmanuella (second left) and sons.

•President Jonathan taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloysius PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN Katsina-Alu and the Registrar, Mr Sunday Olorundahunsi ... yesterday.

A

BUJA and 26 state capitals were alive yesterday for the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan and 26 governors. Nine of the governors are first timers.

They are: Tanko al Makura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdul Fatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kashim Shetima (Borno), AbdulAziz Yari (Zamfara) and Hassan Dankwabo (Gombe).

Jonathan was inaugurated as Nigeria’s sixth President. He promised to transform the nation, saying all that is needed to have the Nigeria of our dream is hard work and not the short cut.

His inauguration was witnessed by 35 Heads of Government or their representatives at the Eagle Square – a facility built by the last military government headed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. It was the venue of the inauguration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who led Nigeria at the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999. He was in charge for eight years, his successor and Jonathan’s predecessor, the late PRESIDENT’S President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was SPEECH ON also sworn in at the PAGE 6 venue in 2007.

Jonathan took the oath of office then as Vice-President.

The taking of oath and appending of signature - the main event of the inauguration lasted five minutes (from 12.45pm to 12.50pm). Vice President Namadi Sambo took the oath before Dr Jonathan did.

The President, accompanied by his wife, Patience, in a black Limousine, arrived at the venue at 11.04 am.

‘

The time for lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action. But Nigeria can only be transformed if we all play our parts with commitment and sincerity.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

’

He was decked out in his Ijaw attire complete with a black bowler hat.

Dignitaries were driven into the Eagle Square in a Nigerian Army luxury bus at 10.30a.m., with former President Olusegun Obasanjo alighting first to the excitement of the crowd.

Jonathan said: “The moment, is right and the signs to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development are heart-warming.”

The fight against corruption, he said, shall be met by the overwhelming force of all Nigerians collective determination.

All Nigerians, he said must enlist in the fight so that the limited resources of this nation will be used for the growth of our commonwealth.

He said in the interest of justice, equity and national unity, his administration shall actively promote the development of the Niger Delta region, but he added that peace is a necessary condition for development.

Jonathan also promised to always place the

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi taking the oath before the Chief Judge, Justice Badejoko Adeniji ... yesterday. With them is his wife. Florence.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun signing the papers after taking the oath at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta ... yesterday

Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P13 •SPORTS P23 •CITYBEATS P25 •JOBS P43 •MOTORING P53

2

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

•Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony in Abuja ... yesterday.

Continued from page 1

common good before all else in every decision he will be taking.

His administration, he said, portend a new era for Africa as according to him, Nigeria will lead the process for democracy and development in Africa and in particular, Nigeria will support the consolidation of democracy, good governance and human rights in the continent.

Africa, Jonathan said, must develop its vast resources to tackle poverty and under-development.

He also promised not to betray the trust and mandate given to him in the April 16 presidential election.

Said the President: “I know your pain, because I have been there.

Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit.

“Nigerians, I want you to start to dream again. What you see in your dreams, we can achieve together. I call upon all the presidential candidates who contested with me to join hands with us as we begin the transformation of our country.”

At the ceremony were the presidents of Uganda, Zimbabwe, SaoTome and Principe, Liberia, Senegal and South Africa.

Others are: the Presidents of the Republic of Niger, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Cote de’ Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Gabon, GuineaConakry, Mauritania, Namibia, Rwanda, Saharawi Republic, Mali, Togo, Ghana, Gambia, Zambia, Benin and Chad.

Vice Presidents came from the Federal Republic of Korea, Burundi, Gambia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda was there.

So, were the Prime Ministers of Swaziland, Georgia and Ethiopia.

The Mayor of Dallas, United States, was present.

Other former Nigerian presidents and Heads of state present are: Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami

Jonathan to Nigerians: it’s action time WHO IS WHO AT EAGLE SQUARE •First Lady Patience Jonathan •Gen. Yakubu Gowon •Alhaji Shehu Shagari •Chief Olusegun Obasanjo •Chief Ernest Shonekan •Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar •Dr Alex Ekwueme •Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe •Chief Solomon Lar •President of the Senate David Mark, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu •Speaker Dimeji Bankole •Head of Service of the Federation, Prof Afolabi Oladapo •Chief Segun Oni •Chief Edwin Clark, Governors •Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) •Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) •Margatakada Wammako (Sokoto) •Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) •Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) •Ibrahim Idris (Kogi) •Liyel Imoke (Cross River) •Dr Dalhatu Tafida •Minister of Information and Communications Labaran Maku •Chief Ojo Maduekwe •Minister of Women Affairs Mrs Josephine Anenih •former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche.

Foreign Presidents: •President of Mali, Amadou Toure •former Zambian President Dr Kenneth Kaunda •former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings and his wife •President of Ghana John Atta-Mills •President of Congo Joseph Kabila •Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni •President of Sao Tome and Principe, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe •President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf •Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade •Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe •President of South Africa Jacob Zuma •President of Cote’d Ivoire Alasane Ouatara •President of Benin Republic Bonny Yayi •Gabonese President Ali Bongo •President of Guinea Bissau •Rwanda President Paul Kagame •Chadian President Idris Deby •Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo •Congo Braziville President Denis Sassou Nguesso •Saharawi Republic President Mohamed Abdelaziz •Zambian Vice Presidents George Kunda •Burundi Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha •Tanzania Vice President Dr. Mohamed Bilal •Prime Minister of Swaziland Sibusiso Dlamini •Georgia Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri •Mayor of Dallas Dwaine Caraway •Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegu.

Abubakar as well as former Vice President Alex Ekuweme.

Ghana’s former President, Jerry Rawlings and his wife were also present.

Governors, Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto) were also there.

President Jonathan said the time for lamentation was over as Nigeria will hence cease to be a land of promise, but a country where positive change shall continue to take place for the good of the people.

He, however, said the needed transformation could only happen, if every Nigerian is committed.

He urged Nigerians to work towards building a great country which everyone will be proud of, as “this is the hour”.

“The leadership and the followership must strive to convert our vast human and natural resources into the force that leads to a greater Nigeria. The Nigeria of our dreams must be built on hard work

and not on short cuts. Let me salute the Nigerian workers who build our communities, cities and country.

They deserve fair rewards, and so do the women that raise our children, and the rural dwellers that grow our food,” Jonathan said.

“The moment is right. The signs are heart-warming. We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development.

In our economic strategy, there will be appropriate policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises may thrive. Nigeria is blessed with enormous natural wealth, and my Administration will continue to encourage locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy.

A robust private sector is vital to providing jobs for our rapidly expanding population. But this must be a collaborative effort.

“We must form technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. We live in an age where no country can survive on its own; countries de-

pend on each other for economic well-being. Nigeria is no different.

Returns on investment in Nigeria remain among the highest in the world. We will continue to welcome sustainable investment in our economy.

“We will push programs and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses, but we must emphasise mutual benefits and winwin relationships. The overall ongoing reforms in the banking and financial sectors are therefore, designed to support the real sector of the economy.

“To drive our overall economic vision, the power sector reform is at the heart of our industrialisation strategy. I call on all stakeholders, to cooperate with my administration, to ensure the success of the reforms.

“Over the next four years, attention will be focused on rebuilding our infrastructure. We will create greater access to quality education and improved health care delivery.

We will pay special attention to the agricultural sector, to enable it play

its role of ensuring food security and massive job creation for our people.

“The creation of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority will immensely contribute to strengthening our fiscal framework, by institutionalising savings of our commodity-related revenues. With this mechanism in place, we will avoid the boom and bust cycles, and mitigate our exposure to oil price volatility.

“The lesson we have learnt is that the resolution of the Niger Delta issue is crucial for the health of the nation’s economy. In the interest of justice, equity and national unity, we shall actively promote the development of the region. I believe that peace is a necessary condition for development.

“Fellow citizens, in every decision, I shall always place the common good before all else.

“The bane of corruption shall be met by the overwhelming force of our collective determination to rid our nation of this scourge. The fight against corruption is a war in which we must all enlist, so that the limited resources of this nation will be used for the growth of our commonwealth.

“I am confident that we have every reason to look to the future with hope.

“We owe ourselves and posterity the duty of making this country respectable in the comity of nations. Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, will remain committed to the maintenance of global peace and security. We will continue to play an active role in the United Nations. Our role in the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Gulf of Guinea will be enhanced to ensure greater human and energy security.

“Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a new dawn for Africa. We fought for decolonization. We will now fight for democratisation.

“Nigeria, in partnership with the African Union, will lead the process for democracy and development in Africa. In particular, we will support the consolidation of democracy, good Continued on page 3

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

3

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

10 feared dead in Abuja, Bauchi explosions

T

EN persons were feared dead last night in explosions in Zuba, Abuja and Bauchi. They occurred almost simultaneously.

While the explosion in Abuja occurred at the Lagos Park Zuba International Market, the one in Bauchi occurred at an Army Barracks.

Many people were feared injured in the two explosions, although details were sketchy last night: The explosion in

•Vice- President Mohammed Namadi Sambo taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice of Nigeria Alloysius Katsina-Alu (right) and the Registrar, Sunday Olorundahunsi... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, acknowledging cheers from the crowd in Lagos during the swearing-in of the Governor ... yesterday

It’s time for action, says President Continued from page 2

governance and human rights in the continent.

“Africa must develop its vast resources to tackle poverty and under-development.

“Conscious of the negative effect of insecurity on growth and development, my Administration will seek collaboration at bilateral and multilateral levels, to improve our capability in combating transborder crimes. In this regard, we will intensify our advocacy against the illicit trades in small arms and light weapons, which have become the catalyst for conflicts on the African continent.

“All Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad are to accord

this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority.

“My fellow countrymen and women, Nigeria is not just a land of promise; it shall be a nation where positive change will continue to take place, for the good of our people. The time for lamentation is over.

This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action.

But Nigeria can only be transformed if we all play our parts with commitment and sincerity. Cynicism and skepticism will not help our journey to greatness. Let us all believe in a new Nigeria. Let us work together to build a great country that we will all be proud of.

This is our hour.

“Fellow Compatriots, lift your gaze towards the horizon. Look ahead and you will see a great future that we can secure with unity, hard work and collective sacrifice. Join me now as we begin the journey of transforming Nigeria.

I will continue to fight for your future, because I am one of you. I will continue to fight for improved medical care for all our citizens. I will continue to fight for all citizens to have access to first class education.

I will continue to fight for electricity to be available to all our citizens. I will continue to fight for an efficient and affordable public transport system for all our people. I will continue to fight for jobs to be

created through productive partnerships.

“You have trusted me with your mandate, and I will never, never let you down. I know your pain because I have been there. Look beyond the hardship you have endured.

See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit. Nigerians, I want you to start to dream again. What you see in your dreams, we can achieve together. I call upon all the presidential candidates who contested with me to join hands with us as we begin the transformation of our country.

“Let us work together; let us build together; let us bequeath a greater Nigeria to the generations to come.”

Abuja occured at about 8: 35 pm. Zuba is about 10 kilometres to the city centre.

The explosions in Bauchi occurred at the Mami market in Shadawaaka Barracks in the Bauchi State capital.

The barracks houses the 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army and the armoured school.

The extent of damage could not be ascertained last night.

It could also not be confirmed whether people died.

THE MAN JONATHAN •Birth: November 20, 1957 in Otueke, Ogbia Local Government of the then Eastern Region, later Rivers and now Bayelsa State.

•Education: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Second Class Upper Division, Zoology; M.Sc. in Hydrobiology/Fisheries Biology; and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Zoology, from the University of Port Harcourt.

•Working experience: Worked as Education Inspector, Lecturer, and Environmental-Protection Officer.

•Marriage: Married to Patience Faka and they have two children •Political Career: Joined the Peoples Democratic Party in 1998; became Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State on May 29, 1999 to Dr. Dipreye Alamieyeseigha; re-elected as Deputy Governor and sworn in on May 29, 2003; was substantive Governor of Bayelsa State between December 9, 2005 and May 28, 2007; became a running mate candidate to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in December 2006; sworn in as Vice President on May 29, 2007; was granted power to act as Acting President by the National Assembly on February 9, 2010 and became substantive President on May 6, 2010 following the death of Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010; was re-elected President on April 16, 2011; sworn in as •Dr Jonathan ... yesterday President on May 29, 2011.

Colourful display at Jonathan’s inauguration in Abuja

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday took the oath of office at a colourful ceremony in Abuja, the capital city.

It was not a day of long speeches, but an opportunity for the military to show off its ceremonial and combat finesse.

Going by the military display and the colourful match past, one could have easily mistaken the event for a purely military affair.

Six Guards of Honour were mounted - three by the Army and one each by the Air Force, the Navy and the Police.

There were all resplendent in their ceremonial gears.

Jonathan’s arrival at 11.02am got the event underway. Vice President Namadi Sambo arrived at 9.55am.

Many dignitaries, including Heads of State of many African countries and members of the Diplomatic Corps, came in before 11a.m.

Journalists’ ordeal at Eagle Square

B

UT for the quick intervention of Minister of Information and Communications Labaran Maku, many local journalists would have been prevented from covering yesterday’s inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Before Maku’s arrival at 9.20am, MajorGeneral A.K. Ajibade, claiming to be acting on orders from above, had successfully quarantined both local and foreign journalists at the Eagle Square venue even while allowing other dignitaries and ushers easy access into the venue, through the heavily guarded security entrance point.

Barely 10 minutes later, when the security men saw that tension was growing, they allowed the foreign journalists in while ordering the local journalists to stay behind the barbed wire demarcation.

Thereafter, Maku told the security personFrom Sanni Ologun, Abuja

The military parade was a sight to behold. The special parade by the guards of honour kept all in rapt atten-

nel that he would not leave until the last journalist had entered.

As Maku was still trying to placate the security men, by explaining to them that it would be a national embarrassment if journalists, both local and foreign, were barred from the event, they went and ordered out all the local photo journalists and cameramen who had already found their way into the Eagle Square.

Even when the journalists were later allowed in at about 10am, the security personnel still prevented photographers and camera men from going near the podium. Maku intervened again.

Olumide Olusola of Bisi Olatilo Show told our correspondent that his camera was seized three times before he was ordered to leave the venue.

Apart from the security ordeal in and around the venue, every other activity was both exciting and entertaining.

tion and admiration.

Dignitaries were kept on the edge of their seats at the Eagle Square, which was bedecked with the green-whitegreen national colours.

Jonathan went straight to the podium. After the opening Moslem and Christian prayers, and the National Anthem, he rode in an open Land Rover to inspect the

guard of honour.

With him were the Commander of the Brigade of Guards and the leader of the parade, Lt.-Col. Isiaka Owolabi.

After the review of the guard of honour, the President took his seat inside the state box. The guards treated the dignitaries to a delightful match past in slow and quick order.

The Special Drill Squad of the Army performed excellently to the admiration of all as they undertook their drill without verbal commands.

The military parade was followed by a calisthenics display featuring over 150 children. They also held the audience spell bound. The songs and displays emphasised unity, togetherness, oneness and love.

The Air Force as a sign of their unalloyed loyalty to the Commander- In- Chief, flew past in three peer formation.

After his oath of office administered by Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloysius KatsinaAlu, Jonathan again reviewed the guard of honour.

Then, the flags were lowered and new ones hoisted to symbolise the old and the new order.

The Coat of Arms was also presented to the President by the Chief of Army Staff after a solemn ceremony.

The activities of the day were rounded off with by a 21-gun salute that elicited cheers from the crowd.

Because of the limited invitations and the tight security situation, the venue was devoid of the usual rowdiness, which has become synonymous with major events at the Eagle Square. Most dignitaries parked their cars in distant places and joined specially-assigned buses to the Eagle Square. Memorabilia and food hawkers were confined to the far-away Ministry of Finance.

4

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

•Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (left), Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Usman Bayero Nafada and Minister of Defence Adetokunbo Kayode at the Presidential inauguration in •Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) signing after his swearing-in in Abuja...yesterday Uyo...yesterday

•Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire •Ondo State Governor, Segun Mimiko and his wife Olukemi (right) taking her oath of office during her inauguration at the •Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke (left) and his Bayelsa counterpart, Chief Timipre Sylva at the Abuja inauguartion Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos…yesterday. at the Abuja inauguartion

•Former PDP Chairman and Senator-elect Chief Banabas Gemade (left), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

•Former Oyo State Governor Alhaji Lam Adesina and his wife Saratu at the swearing-in of Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium., Ibadan...yesterday

•Ibadan High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun (left) and Chief Ed•Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese Felix Alaba Job (left) and ward Oyewole at the swearing-in of Governor Ajimobi at the Obafemi Anglican Bishop of Ibadan Joseph Akinfenwa at the swearing-in of •Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi taking the oath Awolowo Stadium., Ibadan in Abakaliki...yesterday. With him his wife Governor Ajimobi in Ibadan...yesterday PHOTOS: STATE HOUSE , NAN AND FEMI ILESANMI

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

5

6

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

Jonathan: our decade of development has begun President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech after he took the oath of office for a four-year tenure yesterday.

He promised better years ahead for Nigerians.

M

Y Dear Compatriots, I stand in humble gratitude to you, this day, having just sworn to the oath of office as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of our great nation.

I thank you all, fellow citizens, for the trust and confidence, which you have demonstrated through the power of your vote. I want to assure you, that I will do my utmost at all times, to continue to deserve your trust.

I would like to specially acknowledge the presence in our midst today, of Brother Heads of State and Government, who have come to share this joyous moment with us.

Your Excellencies, I thank you for your solidarity. I also wish to express my gratitude, to the Representatives of Heads of State and Government who are here with us. My appreciation also goes to the chairperson of the African Union and other world leaders, our development partners, and all our distinguished guests.

I want to specially thank all Nigerians for staying the course in our collective commitment to build a democratic nation. To members of the PDP family and members of other political parties, who have demonstrated faith in our democratic enterprise, I salute you.

At this juncture, let me acknowledge and salute my friend and brother, Vice-President Namadi Sambo; and my dear wife, Patience, who has been a strong pillar of support.

I thank her for galvanizing and mobilizing Nigerian women for the cause of democracy. In the same vein, I owe a debt of gratitude to my mother and late father. I cannot thank them enough.

I cannot but pay tribute to our late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with whom we won the Presidential election four years ago, when I contested as his running mate. May God bless his soul.

I also wish to pay tribute to our founding fathers, whose enduring sacrifices and abiding faith in the unity and greatness of our country, laid the foundation for the nation.

We take enormous pride in their contributions. The pivotal task of this generation is to lift our fatherland to the summit of greatness.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, earlier this year, over seventy-three million eligible Nigerians endured all manner of inconvenience just to secure their voters cards, in order to exercise the right to choose those that will govern them.

At the polls, we saw the most dramatic expressions of the hunger for democracy. Stories of courage and patriotism were repeated in many ways, including how fellow citizens helped physically challenged voters into polling stations to enable them exercise their franchise. The inspiring story of the one hundred and three year-old man, and many like him across the country, who struggled against the physical limitations of age to cast their vote, is noteworthy.

Such determination derives from the typical Nigerian spirit of resilience in the face of the greatest of odds. That spirit has, over the years, stirred our hopes, doused our fears,

and encouraged us to gather ourselves to build a strong nation even when others doubted our capacity.

Today, our unity is firm, and our purpose is strong. Our determination unshakable. Together, we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples whether in the North or in the South; in the East or in the West. Our decade of development has begun. The march is on. The day of transformation begins today. We will not allow anyone exploit differences in creed or tongue, to set us one against another. Let me at this point congratulate the elected Governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and those of the States Houses of Assembly for their victories at the polls.

I am mindful that I represent the shared aspiration of all our people to forge a united Nigeria: a land of justice, opportunity and plenty. Confident that a people that are truly committed to a noble ideal, cannot be denied the realization of their vision, I assure you that this dream of Nigeria, that is so deeply felt by millions, will indeed come to reality.

A decade ago, it would have been a mere daydream to think that a citizen from a minority ethnic group could galvanise national support, on an unprecedented scale, to discard ancient prejudices, and win the people’s mandate as President of our beloved country. That result emanated from the toil and sacrifice of innumerable individuals and institutions, many of whom may never get to receive public appreciation for their effort.

Only a couple of days ago, I received an entry on my Facebook page. It was sent by Mr. Babajide Orevba. He wrote to inform me that I had lost a great fan. That fan was his father, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele Orevba. The deceased, the son told me, was no politician, but had campaigned enthusiastically for my ticket. Tragically, overwhelmed by the joy of our victory, he collapsed, and passed on three days later. I pray God Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest.

The success of the 2011 elections and the widespread acclaim which the exercise received was due to the uncommon patriotism and diligence exhibited by many Nigerians, including members of the Armed Forces, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and others. Unfortunately, despite the free, fair and transparent manner the elections were conducted, a senseless wave of violence in some parts of the country led to the death of ten members of the NYSC and others. These brave men and women paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of our fatherland. They are heroes of our democracy. We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences in respect of all those who lost their lives.

In the days ahead, those of us that you have elected to serve must show that we are men and women with the patriotism and passion, to match the hopes and aspirations of you, the great people of this country. We must demonstrate the leadership, statesmanship, vision, capacity, and sacrifice, to transform our nation. We must strengthen common grounds,

develop new areas of understanding and collaboration, and seek fresh ideas that will enrich our national consensus.

It is the supreme task of this generation to give hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak and protection to the defenceless.

Fellow citizens, the leadership we have pledged is decidedly transformative. The transformation will be achieved in all the critical sectors, by harnessing the creative energies of our people.

We must grow the economy, create jobs, and generate enduring happiness for our people. I have great confidence in the ability of Nigerians to transform this country. The urgent task of my administration is to provide a suitable environment, for productive activities to flourish.

I therefore call on the good people of Nigeria, to enlist as agents of this great transformation.

My dear countrymen and women, being a Nigerian is a blessing. It is also a great responsibility. We must make a vow that, together, we will make the Nigerian Enterprise thrive.

The leadership and the followership must strive to convert our vast human and natural resources into the force that leads to a greater Nigeria.

The Nigeria of our dreams must be built on hard work and not on short cuts. Let me salute the Nigerian workers who build our communities, cities and country. They deserve fair rewards, and so do the women that raise our children, and the rural dwellers that grow our food.

HE moment is right. The signs are heart-warming.

We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development. In our economic strategy, there will be appropriate policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises may thrive.

Nigeria is blessed with enormous natural wealth, and my Administration will continue to encourage locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy. A robust private sector is vital to providing jobs for our rapidly expanding population. But this must be a collaborative effort.

We must form technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organisations. We live in an age where no country can survive on its own; countries depend on each other for economic well-being. Nigeria is no different. Returns on investment in Nigeria remain among the highest in the world. We will continue to welcome sustainable investment in our economy.

We will push programs and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses, but we must emphasise mutual benefits and winwin relationships. The overall ongoing reforms in the banking and financial sectors are therefore designed to support the real sector of the economy.

To drive our overall economic vision, the power sector reform is at the heart of our industrialization strategy. I call on all stakeholders, to cooperate with my administration, to ensure the success of the re-

T

•Dr. Jonathan

forms.

Over the next four years, attention will be focused on rebuilding our infrastructure. We will create greater access to quality education and improved health care delivery. We will pay special attention to the agricultural sector, to enable it play its role of ensuring food security and massive job creation for our people.

The creation of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority will immensely contribute to strengthening our fiscal framework, by institutionalizing savings of our commodity-related revenues. With this mechanism in place, we will avoid the boom and bust cycles,and mitigate our exposure to oil price volatility.

The lesson we have learnt is that the resolution of the Niger Delta issue is crucial for the health of the nation’s economy.

In the interest of justice, equity and national unity, we shall actively promote the development of the region.

I believe that peace is a necessary condition for development.

Fellow citizens, in every decision, I shall always place the common good before all else. The bane of corruption shall be met by the overwhelming force of our collective determination, to rid our nation of this scourge. The fight against corruption is a war in which we must all enlist, so that the limited resources of this nation will be used for the growth of our commonwealth.

I am confident that we have every reason to lookto the future with hope. We owe ourselves and posterity the duty of making this country respectable in the comity of nations. Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, will remain committed to the maintenance of global peace and security. We will continue to play an active role in the United Nations.

Our role in the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Gulf of Guinea will be enhanced to ensure greater human and energy security.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a new dawn for Africa. We fought for decolonisation. We will now fight for democratization. Nigeria, in partnership with the African Union, will lead the process for democracy and development in Africa. In particular, we will support the consolidation of democracy, good governance and human rights in the continent.

Africa must develop its vast resources to tackle poverty and under-development.

Conscious of the negative effect of insecurity on growth and devel-

opment, my Administration will seek collaboration at bilateral and multilateral levels, to improve our capability in combating trans-border crimes. In this regard, we will intensify our advocacy against the illicit trades in small arms and light weapons, which have become the catalyst for conflicts on the African continent. All Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad are to accord this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority.

My fellow countrymen and women, Nigeria is not just a land of promise; it shall be a nation where positive change will continue to take place, for the good of our people.

The time for lamentation is over.

This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action. But Nigeria can only be transformed if we all play our parts with commitment and sincerity. Cynicism and skepticism will not help our journey to greatness. Let us all believe in a new Nigeria. Let us work together to build a great country that we will all be proud of. This is our hour.

Fellow Compatriots, lift your gaze towards the horizon. Look ahead and you will see a great future that we can secure with unity, hard work and collective sacrifice.

Join me now as we begin the journey of transforming Nigeria. I will continue to fight, for your future, because I am one of you. I will continue to fight, for improved medical care for all our citizens. I will continue to fight for all citizens to have access to first class education. I will continue to fight for electricity to be available to all our citizens.

I will continue to fight for an efficient and affordable public transport system for all our people. I will continue to fight for jobs to be created through productive partnerships.

You have trusted me with your mandate, and I will never, never let you down.

I know your pain, because I have been there. Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit.

IGERIANS, I want you to start to dream again. What you see in your dreams, we can achieve together. I call upon all the Presidential candidates who contested with me to join hands with us as we begin the transformation of our country.

Let us work together; let us build together; let us bequeath a greater Nigeria to the generations to come.

I thank you! God bless you all!

And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

N

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

7

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

Amosun renames stadium after Fashola promises security Dipo Dina L S •Free education, healthcare coming

By Mariam Ndikanwu and Musa Odoshimokhe

ENATOR Ibikunle Amosun of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday took the Oath of Office as the Governor of Ogun State.

Amosun and his deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, were sworn in at 11am by the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Charles Jacobs, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Amosun was dressed in Aso-Oke, which he said was handed over to his father by his grand-father in 1941.

In his acceptance speech, Amosun renamed the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu–Ode, as Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, in memory of the slain ACN governorship candidate in the 2007 polls.

He also changed the state– owned Gateway Television and Radio to their original names of Ogun State Television (OSTV) and Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC).

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Amosun proclaimed free education in public primary and secondary schools, as well as a reduction in tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.

He promised to build state of the art libraries in each of the three senatorial districts.

Amosun declared free ante and post-natal health care for women and persons above 70 years.

He promised to create 10, 000 jobs within his first 100 days in office.

No fewer than 12 persons, including school children, a female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a masquerade were injured in a stampede at the ceremony.

The incident occurred around 8:56 as the enthusiastic crowd struggled to enter the 33000 capacity stadium.

Those who were trampled upon were left gasping for air, while passers by helped to rescue them.

Security agents manned the gate to control the crowd.

About 20 minutes later, there was a recurrence, when students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, refused to be locked out.

The students and others exerted pressure on the gate, forcing their way in. They fell on themselves and many got trapped in the confusion.

There were cries for help and many were injured as they struggled to break free.

A masquerade was suspended mid air, when his

regalia caught a hook welded to a burglary proof, but was rescued by sympathisers.

NSCDC officials arrested a suspected political thug, who was allegedly caught stepping deliberately on the already trampled victims.

Ogun NSDC spokesman Kareem Olarenwaju said no one died. He said five persons, who were severely injured, were taken to the state hospital and had been revived.

Those at the event included former Governor Olusegun Osoba; ex-Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo; Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Titilayo Laoye- Tomori; ACN National Secretary Senator Lawan Shuaibu; ACN National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire; the late Dina’s widow, Mrs. Adenike; among others.

Former Governor Gbenga Daniel and his deputy, Alhaja Salmat Badru, were not at the event.

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday promised to strenghten security. He urged residents to be law abiding, saying it was a pre-condition for development.

Fahola spoke at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, after he was sworn in with his deputy, Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire.

He said: “If we must equal and exceed the standard of developed societies, and I am certain that we can, then, we must all reach a consensus from today to play by the rules, such as paying our taxes, driving in the proper lanes, trading in the proper and designated places, etc.”

Fashola said his administration will invest in security and be uncompromising in law enforcement.

He said it was easier for people to progress in an orderly society.

Fashola promised to run an inclusive government.

He said: “We understand our limitations as human beings and our inability, sometimes, to fully foresee and accurately predict the encompassing ramification of the implementation of some of our policies and programmes.

“When ever these policies occasion discomfort, I urge you to see them as sincere efforts to make things better. Please, bring your complaints for possible redress to us, without taking the laws into your hands or interpreting those policies as being specifically targeted at any group.”

Fashola said he will not disappoint the people.

The event was attended by former governors of the stateAsiwaju Bola Tinubu; Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Brigd.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd); Brigd.-Gen. Raji Rasaki and Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.

Others present included former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola; governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) Chief J.K. Randle; Council of Obas; Religious leaders; among others.

Fayemi greets Jonathan, Ajimobi, Amosun KITI State Governor

E

Kayode Fayemi has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on his inauguration.

In a statement yesterday, Fayemi urged Jonathan to improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

He urged the President to tackle the various socioeconomic problems and ensure unity in the country.

Fayemi said although Nigeria claims to practice federalism, it still operates as a unitary state.

He urged the President to review the revenue allocation formula to enable states meet up with their

various challenges.

Fayemi also congratulated Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

He said the return of Oyo and Ogun states to the progressives’ fold will facilitate integration in the Southwest.

Fayemi also congratulated Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on his reelection.

He urged all of them to emulate the leadership qualities of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

‘Alao-Akala has no reason to flee ’ •Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (middle) signing the Oath of Office before the State Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Suleiman Kawu, during his inauguration at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square...yesterday.

With him are his wife, Omolewa, son and others.

Ajimobi to restore Oyo’s glory

T

HE Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday said the journey of restoring the glory of the state had begun.

Ajimobi made this known in his inaugural speech, after he was sworn in at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, the state capital.

He froze the bank accounts of the state and the 33 local governments, saying it would enable his administration review the activities of the immediate-past government.

Lamenting the deplorable situation of the state’s economy, Ajimobi promised to rebuild it.

He said Ibadan, which has been the pace setter in developmental initiatives as pioneered by the late Chief Obefemi Awolowo, has receded in recent times.

“Its history of housing the first university, the first stadium, the first sky scrapper and the first industrial estate,

•Osogbo royal family hails governor From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

among others, has been tainted by bad leadership,” Ajimobi added.

He urged the people to support him and conduct themselves peacefully at all times, adding that his administration would not condone lawlessness.

Ajimobi said: “My good people of Oyo State, our journey to restoration has begun.

Today, we begin the journey to restore efficient infrastructure in place of the year-long decay; restore integrity in our public institutions that have been perennially abused and compromised; restore the faith of our people in government, as against the regime of widespread skepticism and fright in the institution of government.

“The policy thrust of our administration shall be guided by the manifesto of our great

party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The priorities of this administration shall thus be human capital development, education, skills acquisition, effective healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, rural development, integration revitalisation, development of agriculture and the agro-allied industry, improved security and good governance.”

ACN leader and former governor of Lagos State,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said he was happy that the state had been taken over by progressives.

Urging Ajimobi to revive the glorious days of Awolowo, Tinubu said: “You have a great name in your late father. Just build on it for the people of Oyo State. You have the company of fellow governors in Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Edo to enjoy. I know it is not easy, but God will help you.

“Make the people the cor-

nerstone of your government. Today is the beginning of the recovery of Oyo State.”

Those at the event included the governors of Osun and Ekiti states, Rauf Aregbesola and Kayode Fayemi; ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Oyo State ACN leader Alhaji Lam Adesina; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi; among others.

Members of Gbaemu royal family of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were also at the event.

Leader of the Osogbo royal family’s delegation, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Adejumobi, prayed for Ajimobi’s success.

Explaining the governor’s relationship with Osogbo, Adejumobi said: “Governor Ajimobi is our own and we are proud of him. Mama Fakeye Oyetola, who hails from Gbaemu’s compound, gave birth to Atanda, the father of Alhaja Sikirat, who is the mother of Governor Ajimobi.”

F

ORMER Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has debunked reports that he has fled the country.

In a statement yesterday, his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said: “We read with dismay, report in a newspaper (not The Nation) that Otunba Alao-Akala has fled the country.

“This is a reckless untruth as he has no reason to leave the country clandestinely. Alao-Akala attended a Thanksgiving Service to mark the successful end of his tenure at the Baptist Convention Ground yesterday, when the publication alleged he had travelled out.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Alao-Akala has not done anything wrong and he remains a free citizen of Nigeria and plans to enjoy a well-deserved rest after a busy four years in Office.

“We hereby call for a swift retraction of the story, failing which our lawyer will be instructed to take all legal steps necessary to seek justice against this smear publication.”

Deaconess dies at 77 EACONESS Isabella Ademola (nee Obianwu) MTH (Edinburgh) is dead. She died on May 21 at 77 years.

Fondly known as “Bella,” she was born on May 4, 1934, to the Obianwu family of Onitsha and Ani Eniang Offiong royal family of Ikoneto, Cross River State.

She was born and raised in Mission Hill, Calabar.

The late Bella’s husband, Dr. G. O. Iketubosin (PHD Pharmacy, London University), died when she was 29 years.

After several years, she remarried a retired Judge of the Court of Appeal, the late Justice Adenekan Ademola.

The late Bella graduated as a Pharmacist from the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. She worked at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and retired as Chief Pharmacist of Jaja Clinic, University of Ibadan (UI).

After her retirement, the late Bella founded and ran Fabia Pharmacy.

She is survived by her brother, Prof. Vidal Nottidge, and three children - Dr. Faye Iketubosin, Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia and Mr. Oladapo Ademola.

D

8

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011 Aliyu foresees tougher second tenure From Jide Orintunsin and Justina Aishana, Minna

GOVERNOR Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has stated that the burden of accountability will be heavier on the elected members who have been given a second term mandate.

He promised to use the fresh mandate given to him by the electorate to correct the identified short-comings of his administration in the past four years.

Speaking yesterday in Minna after taken the oath of office and oath of allegiance administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo, Aliyu said that his second term will be used to justify his reelection by the people.

He said: “While it appeared tough to win the peoples’ trust for the first time in politics, it is even tougher when asking for a second chance and the burden of accountability is heavier once you have been given a second chance to correct your shortcomings.

“This opportunity is a great challenge to prove to the people that we meant well by asking them to give us their mandate from the beginning.”

No office worth a citizen’s life, says Yakowa

K

ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa yesterday said no political office is worth the life of any citizen.

The governor spoke at his inauguration in Kaduna.

The oath of office was administered on him and his deputy, Mukthar Yero and the Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe.

In his speech entitled “A new Dawn”, Yakowa said it was inexcusable that anyone or group should use a democratic process as cover to instigate violent attacks against others.

He said: “No state, ours inclusive, can retain its strength and vitality when the doors of opportunity and potentials are not open to all its people and segments. My victory at

From Tony Akowe, Kanuda

the polls has opened a new chapter of accommodation, hope, inclusiveness and possibility for all people of the state. In a sense, therefore, we are gathered here today to celebrate the strength of our diversity as a gift of God and not an accident of history.

“Going forward from here, we must change our attitude towards each other. We must recognise that violence is the precursor for war and that peace is better than war, as life is better than death. Our watchword must be peace.

“For this peace to have meaning, it must cease to be a mere slogan. Peace must be the cornerstone of our principles and the creed of the faith

we profess individually, whatever that faith may be. Our actions must be consistent with the peace we preach.

“We are now in the crucial phase of implementing programmes and the daunting business of governance, in pursuit of which, other contestants had offered themselves and their ideas. While there was bound to be only one winner for the hard fought race, the fact that aggrieved individuals with complaints over any aspect of the elections can seek redress through legal and constitutional means, gives reason to hope in the efficacy of our democracy”.

He added: “No one should make any mistake or take for granted my determination and resolve to be very deci-

sive. I will use every legitimate means at my disposal, including the full force of the law to deal with any and all acts of destabilization. Kaduna State deserves the chance to quickly pick its pieces and move forward.

“I will be firm and fair in the discharge of my duties. I will be governor for all the people of the state, irrespective of differences in class, ethnicity, religion or social circumstance. The strength of our state cannot be built on narrow interests, but must derive from the sum total of the interests that make up its beautiful mosaic. We cannot ignore genuine cries for redress, not in retribution, but in true reconciliation”.

Amid rumour of possible violence in the state during

Wamakko urges opposition for support From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

S

Ahmed lists youths, jobs as priorities From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

AFTER taking the baton as the new Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed yesterday promised to make youth empowerment and job creation the fulcrum of the programmes and policies of his government.

He spoke of a plan to capture a reliable data on all unemployed youths in the Northcentral state in the first 100 days of his administration with a view to creating employment opportunities.

He assured the electorate that he will not betray the confidence reposed in him, promising to build on the laudable achievements of his predecessor, Dr Bukola Saraki, to whom he paid tribute.

The acting Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman D. Kawu administered the Oath of Office on Ahmed and his deputy at the colourful event which took place at the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ahmed said: “We shall pay serious attention to prompt payment of civil servants salaries and benefits and improved working condition. We shall also complete all ongoing projects as well as open up all rural areas through road rehabilitation.”

At the event were the immediate past governor and his deputy Chief Joel Ogundeji and their wives, the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr Nimota Akanbi and royal fathers.

the inauguration, security to and from the Murtala Square, venue of the inauguration was condoned off 24 hours to the event, with trading prevented. Armoured personnel carrier belonging to the Army and the police were placed at strategic location around the square.

Heavily armed security personnel were also placed at strategic places around the city to conduct stop-andsearch operations on vehicles coming into the town. Invited guests to the ceremony were subjected to through search by security operatives.

All roads passing the Murtala Square were cordoned off and vehicles diverted to other routes, while hundreds of security men were seen inside the square.

•From left: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi;, wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, Ajimobi, National Chairman Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande and Fayemi, shortly before the inauguration of Ajimobi as the governor of Oyo State in Ibadan...yesterday

Kwakwanso: I inherited empty treasury

K

ANO State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso has accused his predecessor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau of leaving behind an empty treasury.

Kwakwanso spoke after he was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Shehu Atiku, at about 11.05am at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

He lamented that the herculean task of meeting the yearnings of the people have been further compounded by the poor financial profile bequeathed to his administration.

In his inaugural speech before excited party supporters, who wore white dresses with red caps, Kwankwaso lamented that the state had been plunged into financial crisis by the Shekarau-led administration.

The governor, who appeared in the same attire like his supporters to symbolise the dress code of the legendary late Malam Aminu Kano, revealed that the State Government House and the Cabinet office alone were allocated between 25 and 38 per cent of the recurrent expendi-

•Shekarau: I left N4.6 billion

Thugs invade, loot Govt House From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

T

HOUSANDS of social miscreants yesterday invaded the Kano State Government House immediately after Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso arrived from Sani Abacha Stadium where he was sworn-in.

They looted properties belonging to the government. Security collapsed.

The invaders forced their way into the State House by pulling down a section of the fence, breaking into the chalets and the residential areas as well as the boys’ quartres reserved for drivers where they made away with sewing machines and boxes of wrappers.

The offices within the premises were not spared. The invaders almost ransacked the press section of the Government House, but for the timely intervention of journalists and policemen .

The thugs overwhelmed the policemen deployed to keep surveillance at the main entrance leading to the Government House. The security men tried in vain to disperse the thugs, even after firing tear-gas canisters.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

tures. This, he regretted, has starved critical sectors such as the health, education, agriculture and water, of the much needed funds.

He frowned at what he called “fiscal irresponsibil-

ity,” saying the manner his predecessor managed the finances in the last eight years, leaves much to be desired.

According to him, Shekarau left for his administration a whopping $209 million foreign loan and over N77 billion Naira liabilities.

He faulted the implementation of the Shariah Law under the immediate past administration, pointing out that the Zakka and Hubsi Commission had no credible arrangement to encourage the people to contribute alms to the agency.

Kwakwanso alleged that the funds committed to hotel bills outweighed the funds injected into the implementation of Shariah over the last eight years.

But, Shekarau said his administration was leaving behind a credit balance of about N4.6 billion and a cash book balance of N5 billion.

He spoke at the handingover ceremony around 8.30am yesterday.

“As at May 27th, 2011, there was a credit balance of 4,361,905,917 and a cash book balance of 5,932,341,273 . Details are in the handing over note.

“The handover documents contain details pertaining to the policy thrust of our administration, the financial report, the pension reforms, and the above all challenges and suggestions on the way forward.”

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko yesterday called on opposition parties to shun personal grudges and join hands with his administration to fasttrack development.

According to him, the future of the state would be shaped by the function of the people, even as he reminded those in opposition that he has left his doors open to constructive criticisms.

Wamakko, who spoke through his Commissioner for Youth Development and Social Welfare noted that such measures would further assist in consolidating democracy. “We will continue to be a listening government to ensure stability in governance”, he said.

Speaking in Government House, Sokoto while addressing youths under the auspices of Leadership and Justice Forum, who were on solidarity visit to him in commemoration of Democracy Day, Wamakko said: “We need to demonstrate our commitment at ensuring socio-economic and moral development of our people by coming together as stakeholders.’’

He noted that “only God gives power to and retrieve same from whom he wishes lets learn to appreciate that by accepting outcomes.’’

He told the youths that it was time for them to re-awaken their individual and collective spirit, imbibe the culture of hard work and shun idleness as leaders of tomorrow.

The governor, however, reiterated his administration’s policy of accommodating objective criticisms saying; “We are a listening system with committed policies and programmes aimed at improving the peoples’ welfare in the state.’’

He urged residents to come with ways of supporting government policies and programmes through the establishment of industries to create job opportunities for the unemployed.

His words: “This will help stimulate the state economically and promote social balance among different class of individuals especially the youths.’’

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

9

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011 Elechi sworn in amidst tight security From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

E

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi was yesterday sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, at the Abakaliki Township Stadium amidst tight security.

This followed reports of plots by miscreants to disrupt the programme.

In his inaugural address titled: “Progress and consolidation with renewed commitment”, Elechi said completion of ongoing projects will be his priority in the first year of his second term.

The governor said a mechanised rice production would be managed by the Ebonyi State Agricultural Development Corporation.

He said there will be renovations and expansion in primary and secondary schools, adding that the number of boarding schools will increase from 27 to 35.

His words: “Although we tried to reduce the number of ministries four years ago, the increasing challenges to our environment demand greater attention so a new ministry of environment will be created.

“Abakaliki, as it is today, is not fit to be called a capital. Proliferation of illegal structures shall be resisted.

“Cooking, roasting and frying of food items by the roadsides shall be prohibited.”

Odili, Ada-George, Amaechi T reconcile HE inauguration of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi brought two estranged former governors, Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr Peter Odili, together yesterday.

It was also an opportunity for Amaechi to show that he has “reconciled” with Odili.

Odili was deputy governor when Ada-George ruled the state; Amaechi was Special Adviser on Student Affairs in that administration.

But during Odili’s eight years in office, Ada-George was away from the state.

Similarly, since October

•’Work will continue in Greater Port Harcourt City’ From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

2007 when Amaechi became governor, Odili has not been frequent in the state.

However, speaking at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt, during an interdenominational service for the inauguration, Amaechi described the day as very historic “not just for my

swearing-in for a second term but for the reconciliation with my political godfather and boss, Dr Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary.”

He expressed happiness at the presence of the Odilis and said: “I can’t forget Dr Peter Odili for helping me to start my political journey.”

He told the people that he

would continue with demolition of structures to give way for road expansion and flyovers.

He promised better human capacity.

“The new government will initiate programmes to build capacity to impart skills and train manpower in basic areas.”

While promising to consolidate on the achievements of his administration in education and health, Amaechi said an irreversible foundation would be laid for the Greater Port Harcourt City.

Orji promises more jobs From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has said his administration will focus on job creation.

Orji spoke yesterday as he took his oath of office at the Umuahia township stadium at 1.35pm.

He said the state can only improve, if a solid economic foundation has been laid, through the economic empowerment of all stakeholders.

His words: “Everyone knows that in 2007 I could not campaign freely to know the problems of the people, but this time, I have seen their problems and the only way to solve them is by tackling them head long.

“I promise the people they are going to see a difference in all facets of the affairs of the state from now on.

“This new mandate given to me is different from the one given to me in 2007.

“This new mandate will bring a new dawn with the focus to perform at the highest level.

“I want to assure the good people of the state that I will deliver on my campaign promises, as we are celebrating the freedom from the hands of those who had privatised the affairs of the state and not celebrating the victory of one party over others.”

•THANKS FOR COMING: Amaechi (right) greeting Dr Odili at the church...yesterday. With them is Odili’s wife Mary

Akpabio: I’ll run inclusive govt

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday promised to accomodate the opposition in his administration.

He was sworn-in by the Chief Judge, Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua, at 11:35am.

Akpabio said his decision to appoint members of the opposition is to show that he is a governor for all.

He promised to concentrate on delivering dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

“I am happy for this great honour to keep serving you as governor for the second term.

From Kazeem Ibrahym,Uyo

“I am not unmindful of the circumstances under which you made your choice.

“For those who did not vote for Godswill Akpabio, be rest assured that we do not hold anything against you.

“I am inviting those who did not vote for me to join me in the next administration to build a greater state that is founded on love.

“I intend also to have appointees in government who are not members of my party in order to show that I am governor for all.

“In the last election, there

was no victor no vanquished.

“Akwa Ibom people won and the victory belongs to Akwa Ibom people.”

He urged the people to support him so that the next four years could be the best in the history of the state.

Akpabio vowed to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people through massive infrastructure development, adding that the creation of the state in 1987 proved that with God all things are possible.

His words: “With the landslide victory at the poll. We buried ethnicity, we buried hatred for ever. Prosperity

D

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

“The time to unite and build the state of our dream is now! A state where the future of our children born and unborn will be guaranteed.”

He noted that the reforms which his administration has carried out had come with some painful consequences.

His words: “When I took my oath of office in 2007,I asked myself, Do I undertake reforms or should I al-

low business as usual? I chose reform. I knew the risk. I knew I wanted to see changes and development in the state. I knew things needed to change and done differently.

“I also knew those used to business as usual were going to resist. I knew they were going to fight .They did fight. Most times dirty.”

Uduaghan recalled the difficult periods when the state was embroiled in crisis arising from agitations

•Opponents at ceremony From Chris Oji, Enugu

ENUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime has promised to make education a top priority in the next four years.

At the swearing in yesterday, which was attended by some loyalists of his embattled predecessor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, the governor said “the season of politics and elections has ended.”

Chime said his administration would monitor the education sector closely to ensure efficient and effective management.

He said although his administration has put a lot of infrastructures in many schools, his second term would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that more are provided.

To his political opponents, he said: “To all our brothers and sisters no matter their political affiliation or persuasion, we are now in the season of development.

“What is at stake now is no longer who won the election. The challenge is that of development. How do we create jobs and wealth for our people? How do we educate our children?

How do we prevent our people from sickness and how do we cure them if sickness occurs?

“We should all come together to build a safe, educated, healthy and prosperous state, where every day basic comfort of life is taken for granted.”

My greatest challenge, by Okorocha From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

•Akpabio

will look back at this time and take a holistic view of all that transpired during the last general elections and they will surely be proud that you all stood on the right side of history.”

Forget partisan politics, Uduaghan urges Deltans R Emmanuel Uduaghan was yesterday sworn-in as the Governor of Delta State.

He took the oath of office administered by the Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Smith, at 9am.

Uduaghan urged Deltans to put behind “partisan politics”, stressing the need for unity to build a future for the next generation.

His words: “Elections are over, the state must move forward. The time for partisan politics has passed.

Chime’s priority is education

by youths in the region, adding that that experience reinforced his administration’s determination to change the state’s economic structure, which was dependent on oil.

He said his administration was poised to end “the culture of government that failed to stimulate investments. That fails to provide mass employment for our youths. That fails to reduce poverty and give people hope in themselves and their future.”

IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said the greatest challenge of his office is building a state of the peoples’ dream.

His intention is to run an administration that would be beneficial to the next generation.

The realisation, Okorocha said, is bedevilled by complex and difficult challenges, adding that all the challenges require great efforts to overcome.

The governor said his inauguration reaffirmed his belief that there is still a bright future for the state, which underscored the fact that power still rests in the people.

“Our vision is clear and our purpose is sincere,” he told a huge crowd of supporters and many folks.

Okorocha added that his administration would focus on education and bring good governance to the people.

“We will build a strong economic base for the people; peace and security would be pursued vigorously.

“The state will be vibrant enough with food for all and free education for every child up to secondary school level and ample gainful opportunities for all. Fees in tertiary institutions will be minimal,” he said.

10

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011 Telephone networks demobilised in Abuja

Amosun: I lost 69 supporters

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

A

S part of the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, major telecommunication networks were demobilised in Abuja to check likely security breaches.

It was gathered that a few days to the inauguration, security agencies stumbled on information on likely security breaches.

Curious text messages, during the countdown to the inauguration on the invasion of the FCT by Boko Haram, also accounted for heavy security arrangement.

It was learnt that the tip-off led to the demobilization of GSM networks in the Federal Capital Territory.

The demobilisation might have been effected in connivance with security agencies.

The demobilisation which became noticeable from 7am was still on as at 6pm.

There were indications that the networks might not be fully free until all foreign dignitaries, especially visiting Heads of State, have left the country.

It was gathered that security agencies took pro-active steps following recent bomb blasts.

•’Dina,hero of democracy’

O

Benue ACN marks Democracy Day with thanksgiving

G

BOKO, the ancestral home of the Tiv people in Benue State hosted yesterday hundreds of supporters of the Action Congress for Democracy (ACN), led by Senator George Akume.

The assembly of the ACN supporters coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Gabriel Suswam and his deputy in Makurdi, the state capital.

ACN members, from all 23 Local Government areas of the Northcentral state, converged on St. Thomas Catholic Church for a special thanksgiving service.

The thanksgiving was organised by the ACN to appreciate God for the election of its members and to pray for the families of those who died during and after the election

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

in which the party is challenging the return of Suswam at the election petitions tribunal.

Attempt by the police to abort the church service failed as the huge crowd which cut across party line overwhelmed the armed police personnel and soldiers, who watched helplessly ACN members took over the streets in Gboko.

The broom-waiving ACN chanted songs in dialect; Ugba nyior ishior chenji, Akume nyior ishior ber.

At press time, a reception was being held at Senator Akume’s Gboko residence where ACN chieftains were billed to address party supporters.

Yuguda donates N20m to families of slain Corps members From Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi

I

F the Bauchi State government keeps its promise, the families of the 10 slain National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members would soon be N20 million richer.

The governor Isa Yuguda-led administration yesterday announced N20 million donations to the families of youth Corps members, who were killed in active service during the postpresidential election violence in the Northeast state.

He offered 30 Hajji/Jerusalem slots to members of their families, scholarships to two of their younger siblings from secondary to tertiary institutions in any Nigerian university.

Yuguda announced the package shortly after being swornin at IBB Square, Ran Road, Bauchi. The low-key ceremony, he said, was as a mark of honor to the 10 slain Corps members and six others, who were killed in the post- election violence.

He added that 600 suspected perpetrators of what he described as dastard act including the suspected killers of the Corps members and others have been charged to a court of law.

The Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Zango administered the oaths of office and allegiance on Yuguda and his deputy, Alhaji Sagir Saleh.

The occasion was witnessed by the six emirs, other traditional and religious leaders, civil servants, politicians and traders who abandoned their businesses to attend the hitch-free event.

Yuguda, who also commended traditional rulers said his administration has approved the creation of more districts, wards and hamlets. He said a law would be promulgated to give traditional rulers sufficient powers to checkmate the growing insecurity.

To end the age-long sectarian crisis in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas, Yuguda said he has approved the creation of the Seyawa Chiefdom, with a temporary headquarters at Marten Giji in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

Kwara appoints SSG, COS, CPS

C

HAIRMAN of the Lagos council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Wahab Oba was yesterday named by the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

Also, a permanent secretary in the liaison office in Abuja, Alhaji Isiaka Gold has been appointed the Secretary

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to the State Government (SSG). The incumbent chairman of Ilorin West Local Government , Alhaji Toyin Sanusi, was named the Chief of Staff (COS), Government House.

In a statement signed by Mr. Oba, the appointments took immediate effect.

• Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) and his Ekiti counterpart Governor Dr. Olukayode Fayemi at the inauguration PHOTO:FEMI ILESANMI of Governor Abiola Ajimobi ...yesterday

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday recounted the challenges he faced in his bid to govern the state. He said three attempts were made to violently eliminate him.

He spoke at his inauguration in Abeokuta.

Amosun, moved to tears, said: “69 of my core supporters were killed.” He said dozens of others were gravely injured in various locations by “hirelings,”.

He vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of the killings do not go unpunished.

He said: “ While we are not bitter and we embarked upon a process of reconciliation and healing, we recognise this could only be achieved through justice and acknowledgement of wrong doing.

“Our administration will therefore do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly acts to justice,” he said.

He recalled that on March 10, 2007, five of his supporters died in one swoop, when he and supporters were ambushed and attacked by spon-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

sored political thugs with guns and matchettes at Adatan Car Wash area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

“These thugs freely used guns and matchettes to attack and kill some of my supporters including the Amosun 5,a group of young supporters of mine who were defencelessly murdered and their bodies cut to pieces and thrown into a fish pond. “ I’m moved to tears each time I remember a scene during the attack. I was shielded by some young people including a policeman who were determined to save my life. One of them was killed in the process.

The governor recalled that the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007, Otunba Dipo Dina , was murdered by gunmen. He charged the security agencies handling the investigation to be professional and ensure that those behind the killing are brought to justice.

Suswam promises poverty reduction, employment

B

EFORE a crowd of supporters from all walks of life, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam yesterday took his oath of office for fresh four-year tenure. He promised to place emphasis on poverty reduction and employment through industrialisation and improvement of agriculture.

Suswam, who made the pledge in his inauguration speech at the IBB Square, Makurdi said his administration hopes to boost the state economy by stimulating the growth of the private sector

through improved power supply.

“It is in view of this reality that government applied to ADB/ADF to finance a study on the Katsina-Ala hydro-electric project at Udura village to produce 1200 Mega Watts of electricity”, Suswam said adding that the state government has impressed on the federal government to adopt coal in generating additional power to the national grid.

The governor said he would revamp ailing industries and privatise or lease

them out as soon as they take off. He said the proposed Mbatiav and Igumale Cement factories would be vigorously pursued.

On education, the governor promised to ensure that more schools benefit from ICT and Science and Technology saying: “We shall continue to pay greater attention in ensuring that the teaching and learning environment in our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions is greatly improved and maintained.”

While pledging continued

attention to the well being of the people, Suswam said priority would be placed in the area of health. He said emphasis will be placed on the provision of drugs, training of additional medical personnel and the building of new health facilities across the state.

“It is gratifying to report that three units at the Benue State Teaching Hospital have been completed and handed over to the management for use by the medical students of our College of Health Science.”

Shettima, Jang, Almakura Gaidam, Shema, Suntai sworn in

A

LHAJI Kazeem Shettima and Alhaji Omar Zannah Mustapha were yesterday sworn-in as governor and deputy governor of Borno State.

Shettima promised to work for the state and restore peace and unity as well as accelerate development during his tenure.

In Yobe State, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam promised to surpass his past achievements.

Gaidam, who took his second oath of office as governor administered by Justice Baba Sajeh Gujba alongside his deputy, Abubakar Danlami Ali at the August 27th Stadium, was elated by the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion.

Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema yesterday began fresh four-year tenure after he was sworn-in alongside his deputy, Garba Abdullahi Faskari.

Shema, who took the oath

•Buhari at Almakura’s inauguration From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri, Fanen Ihyongo, Duku Joel, Damaturu and Isah Idris, Katsina

of office administered by the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi Mahuta, promised to build more on the laudable achievements of his administration in the past four years.

Governor Jonah Jang, after taking his oath of office in Jos, Plateau State, promised to dedicate his second term to teh people. Jang said: “Despite the challenges I faced in the last four years, I was not deterred him from moving the state forward.”

The swearing-in ceremony of Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai of Taraba State yesterday drew an array of dignitaries, including the founding fathers of the state.

But former Governor. Jol-

ly Nyame, who governed the state for 10 years, did not attend the event.

Nyame's absence at the inauguration yesterday did not surprise many.

Though, he was instrumental to the emergence Suntai as he successor, his relationship with his the governor later became frosty and he worked assiduously in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to stop Suntai's re-election at the April 26 election.

Suntai was sworn-in with his deputy, Sani Abubakar at exactly 2:48pm at the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, Jalingo, the state capital.

Justice Adamu Aliyu administered the Oath of Office on Suntai, who promised to do his possible best in moving Taraba forward.

He said: "I, with my deputy, shall do our possible best, within human capability, to add to the develop-

• Suntai

ment of Taraba state. "We shall ensure fairness and justice in the course of running this administration."

Nasarawa State Governor Tannko Almakura told a mammoth crowd at the Lafia Township Stadium, that he would work for the people. The only Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) governor said an end had come for politics of division, pettiness and false promises.

His inauguration was attended by the CPC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

11

12

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

13

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

INAUGURATION DAY 2011 Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his counterparts in Ogun and Oyo states, Senators Ibikunle Amosun and Abiola Ajimobi, received the mantles of leadership at the swearing in ceremonies held in Onikan, Abeokuta and Ibadan yesterday. Expectations are high in the three states about performance. Would they live up to expectations?, Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU asks.

Southwest: New era, great expectations L

IBERTY Stadium, Ibadan, capital of Oyo State and political headquarter of the Southwest was filled to capacity. Yet, more spectators swarmed the historic building outside. Joy was bold on their faces. They danced, hugged, and exchanged banters. Despite the huge crowd, there was no security hitch.

Traditional rulers, opinion moulders, market leaders, politicians, artisans and peasants turned up to witness the inauguration of the governor they voted for in April, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the Pacesetter State.

The titanic governorship battle taxed had taxed him to the brim. From the electoral furnace, he emerged a tougher actor. On the podium, he reflected on the war of liberation, which he said, was premised on the need to wrought the miracle of good governance that had eluded the people of Ibadan, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun for four years.

“I promised to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, intoned Ajimobi, who assured the people about the dawn of the new era. Few months ago, he was struggling to serve as governor. Now in the saddle, he spoke with the confidence of the Ibadan warriors of yore, promising to clear the Augean table, restore public confidence in government and leave behind worthy legacies.

ACN chieftain from Alimoso sub-zone, Lagos, Hon. Remi Adeyemo, who was at Ibadan, could not hide his joy. He said: “I saw a huge crowd that exuded happiness over the legitimate change of government in an atmosphere of tranquility. Collectively, there was the feeling of relief and freedom from bondage and slavery”.

The crowd went into wild jubilation as ACN National Leader’s plane touched ground. The eminent politician left for the state after witnessing Fashola’s inauguration. Senator Bola Tinubu, the Asiwaju of Lagos, was accorded the honour and respect once enjoyed by credible Nigerian leaders of Southwest origin; the late Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo, Adekunle Ajasin and Abraham Adesanya.

It was a great day for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by the frontline politician, Chief Bisi Akande. Simultaneously, Amosun and Fashola were receiving the batons in Abeokuta and Lagos, amid funfair.

People thronged the Egba territory from all the nooks and crannies in lorry loads. A carnival broke out as Amosun and his deputy, the youthful deputy governor Segun Adesegun, former legislator and commissioner, alighted from their four wheels.

Party leaders, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state, his deputy and senator-elect, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye and other consistent progressives who did not compromise their principle during the long period of trial, took their eminent seats.

The hearts of commoners leapt for joy as Adesegun, and later, Amosun, stepped forward for the oath taking. As they waved to the crowd, the people waved back in one accord. Within seconds, the burden of governing a complex and politically conscious state fell on the shoulders of the duo. They were cheered by party faithful and indigenes who would soon demand from them their record of stewarship.

For Amosun, the time to rebuild Ogun State is now. He promised to administer with the fear of God and run a transparent administration. He also said that, as a product of the

• Ajimobi waving at the crowd at the ceremony.

rule of law, he would not depart from the path of justice.

In Lagos, Fashola also fulfilled his destiny.

He was sworn in around noon by the Chief Judge, Justice Inumidun Akande, who gave a speech after the deputy governor, Hon.Tawakalitu Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, took the oath of office. The jurist asserted the clear separation of powers in democracy, stressing that the executive cannot assume the reins without the involvement of the judiciary. Akande urged Fashola, who is a lawyer, to respect these democratic virtues by ensuring the independence of the courts.

At the venue were Asiwaju Tinubu, first military governor of the state, Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, first civilian governor, Lateef Jakande, Olowo-Eko of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and his white cap chiefs, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, state ACN Chairman, Chief Oladele Ajomale, his deputy, Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Speaker of House of Assembly Yemi Ikuforiji, the Yeye Asiwaju of Lagos, Senator-elect Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator-elect Gbenga Ashafa, Hon. Abike Dabiri, hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, Hon. Bosun Jeje and Alhaji Lateef Raji.

When Fashola rose to his full frame, he was the tallest man at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

But he was also the carrier of burden. A politician, Apostle Akin Aina, who spoke with reporters at the venue, said that, he has come to resume his unfinished business in the city

state. “He did not let the state down in his first term and he will not let us down this second term”, he said.

Like he did in 2007, Fashola gave a lot of promises. Lagosians, who now perceive him as a tested and trusted leader, were not apprehensive. He promised to continue his good works in all sectors. The crowd wished him well in anticipation of their fulfillment.

In the Governors’ Forum and Council of State meeting, the Lagos State governor is no more a loner. Reflecting on the success of his party, he said: “Our party’s control of government has grown from one state in Lagos to six states today that includes Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Oyo States”.

Then, he spoke on public expectation about the new era in the Southwest. Fashola said: “In 2007, very few of us were known to you.

But today, we have become like goldfish. we have no hiding place. We understand that you will not settle for less and we are committed to giving you nothing but the best”.

It is an under-statement. Beyond the euphoria of political control and mileage is the challenge of living to expectation, and to the satisfaction of the people of the region, who are thirsty for steady progress.

At the retreat for the ACN House of Assembly members-elect, Tinubu also drew attention to the pending work of development to be done, urging the new leaders of the zone to gird their loins. The former governor said that, in an enhanced atmosphere of electoral sanity, only those who perform well in office can be retained during periodic elections by

‘If they follow the footsteps of Awo, Ajasin, Ige, Onabanjo, Akande and Tinubu, who laid the foundation, which the hardworking governor of Lagos, Fashola, has built upon, success is not far’

voters through their votes.

How the new and old governors would set up a cabinet of talents is a core issue. Party men and women would bombard them with Curriculum Vitae (CVs). Party leaders would mount pressures. If the executive council performs well or otherwise, the governors take the glory and blame.

It is expected that the ACN should work or the people and not their pockets. The greatest offence against the Southwest is financial corruption. Like Awo, they should flee from the canckerworm.

After the inauguration, blaming the sacked PDP governance, as the ACN leaders did during the campaigns, is outdated. Their tenures belong to the past. The region now faces the future with bright hope. Instructively, there will be another assessment in 2015.

Former House of Representatives aspirant Jeje agreed that massive challenges will confront the ACN governors. He said: “They should study how the miracle was achieved in Lagos. They should emulate Fashola, who is now a role model for his colleagues.”

Roads in the Southwest are bad. Many graduates are unemployed. Agriculture is nose-diving. Housing is not easy to come by in urban centers. Education must be defended more than before. The existing health facilities cannot go round. Fighting the infrastructure battle is a big headache. The people are also impatient.

Many observers believe that Southwest ACN governors can still make a difference, if certain conditions are met. Raji, former Alliance for Democracy (AD) Secretary in the state said: “If they follow the footsteps of Awo, Ajasin, Ige, Onabanjo, Akande and Tinubu, who laid the foundation, which the hardworking governor of Lagos, Fashola, has built upon, success is not far.”

Adeyemo shared the view. He said: “With what I saw today at Ibadan, the governor just has to perform. They believe that he is diffferent from Alao-Akala and he cannot afford to disappoint them”.

14

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

•Former governors Olusegun Osoba (Ogun) and Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti) at the inauguration of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta... yesterday

•Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi- Ajagungbade III (left), Otun Olubadan, High Chief Folorunsho Kuye and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at the swearing in of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan... yesterday

•Senator Olabiyi Durojaye (left) and Osile Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso.

•Former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari (left), arriving for the presidential inauguration in Abuja...yesterday

•Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar (left) and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme

•Children entertaining guests at the Presidential inauguration at Eagle Square, Abuja... yesterday

•Former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan in Abuja •Nigerian Navy parading at the Eagle Square venue of the presidential inauguration Abuja.... yesterday

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE, DAYO ADEWUNMI AND NAN

15

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

NNPC, oil majors seal gas pact with PHCN From Emeka Ugwuanyi Asst. Editor

MAJOR milestone toward achieving stable power supply was achieved at the weekend with the signing of two major gas supply agreements with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The agreements involved the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), including Shell, Chevron, Total and Agip.

The Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs), which is under four different components, consists of the NNPC/SPDC/ Total/Agip Sellers’ Representative Agreement; NNPC/CNL Sellers Representative Agreement; Egbin/ PHCN-SPDC/Total/Agip Gas Sales & Aggregation Agreement and the Egbin/ PHCN-CNL Gas Sales & Aggregation Agreement.

They were signed with the NNPC Joint Venture (JV) partners and the PHCN, with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, presiding over the event.

The Gas Supply Agreements, the Minister said, is envisaged to fast-track President Goodluck Jonathan’s stable electricity supply aspiration as the execution of agreements would be able to meet over 70 per cent of the total gas the power sector would need to be efficient.

She described the signing of the agreement as a critical milestone, explaining that the package is significant because it is between PHCN and top players in the gas sector.

A

We must reject the idea.. well-intentioned, but dead wrong.. that the primary path to greatness in the social sectors is to become “more like a business.”

Most businesses.. like most of anything else in life.. fall somewhere between mediocre and good.

- Jim Collins

2011: Fed Govt forecasts N3.348tn revenue T

HE Federal Government has forecast a revenue of N3.348 trillion for the 2011 fiscal year.

This figure is based on the benchmark oil price of $75/ bbl, which is the same as in the original Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly in March.

Minister of Finance, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said: “The purpose of raising the benchmark was to ensure that the deficit was at a level that we could finance without excessive borrowing.”

Details of the 2011 expenditure profile shows that capital expenditure is now N1.147 trillion, which is 22 per cent higher than the actual amount of N936 billion spent in the extended (15-month) 2010 Budget.

This figure is higher than any amount that has actually

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

been spent on capital projects for the last 10 years.

Aganga disclosed that the government’s “New approach to funding the development of critical infrastructure in Nigeria is to involve the private sector, which has the capital and implementation capacity to successfully deliver specific infrastructure services.”

According to the minister, “where necessary, government will support private sector initiatives to develop critical infrastructure by using instruments such as the N50 billion Viability Gap Fund for Public Private Partnerships (as reflected in the 2011 Budget).”

Non-debt Recurrent Expenditure is at N2.425 trillion which is a reduction of N244 billion from N2.669 trillion in the 2010 Amendment & Supplementary

Budgets. This is in line with the Federal Governemnt’s determination to rationalise recurrent spending.

Statutory Transfers have been reduced from N497 billion in the Appropriation Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly in March, to N418 billion in the Amended Budget.

Based on the above, the deficit, the minister said, is now N1.136 trillion or 2.96 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (compared to 4.23 percent of GDP in the Appropriation Bill passed in March), which the minister said brings Nigeria in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which pegs this at three per cent of GDP. Accordingly, domestic borrowing requirement is now N852 billion compared to N1.339 trillion in the original Bill that was passed.

With regards to the implementation of the 2011 budget, Aganga noted that as at 31st of March 2011, N963 billion had been released for capital projects, of which N956 billion was cash-backed. “N936 billion had been utilised by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) resulting in utilisation rate of 97.86 per cent” he said.

Going by this figure, this is the highest ever amount that has been implemented in a 15-month period, in the previous year, N919 billion was implemented.

Aganga however, cautioned that this indicates that government “must be careful and realistic in the preparation of the capital budget given the implications for macroeconomic stability. We want a realistic implementable budget, especially as we are also looking at PPP as an option.”

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N8.1 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation -11.3% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -7.50% Foreign Reserve -$33.86bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 216.9 £ 248.4 $ 153.05 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 245.85 RIYAL 39.3

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

HE negotiation between the Federal Government and labour unions in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have reached an agreement on several key points, it was learnt at the weekend.

A statement of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, made available to our correspondent said: “Considerable progress was made toward the resolution of outstanding labour issues, and agreement was reached on several key points during the negotiations. While agreement has been reached on several key points, the negotiations are ongoing.”

He said the first round of negotiations was completed on May 19, 2011.

According to him, the unions involved in the negotiations are; Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the National Union of Pensioners-Electricity Sector (NUP). The four-day of negotiations were chaired by the Chief Negotiator/Conciliator, Alhaji Hassan A. Sunmonu.

CMD partners Academy on capacity building From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.9/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound

PHCN workers, labour reach agreement

•From left: Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation, Sam Omatseye, receiving a plaque on behalf of the company from President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Kunle Quadri and Chairman, Ikeja District of CITN, Chukwuemeka Eze PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN (middle), during a courtesy visit to The Nation ... at the weekend

NCAA confirms grounding of presidential jet

F

OLLOWING safety concerns raised by the European Airspace Safety Agency( EASA) over the world’s most expensive private jet - Falcon 7X aircraft, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), has confirmed that one of the presidential aircraft has been grounded.

The grounding of the new aircraft, worth about N7 billion, acquired by the government, stemmed from the frequent breakdown of some of the models of the aircraft.

Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, said the only aircraft affected in the presi-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, Aviation Correspondent

dential fleet has been grounded.

Demuren, who spoke through his Media Assistant, Sam Adurogboye, said : “ NCAA has fully complied with the latest Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued

by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Falcon7x aircraft type.

“It is pertinent to point out that this AD affected all Falcon 7x worldwide and the owner of the affected aircraft type in Nigeria has already grounded the one in its fleet. “ There is therefore, no cause for alarm as the au-

thority is on top of it and is not relenting in its efforts to ensure that air travel is safer in Nigeria.”

European authorities had last Thursday banned the Falcon 7X from flying in Europe and other parts of the world over safety issues.

The ban, an Emergency AD by EASA - the agency that regulates Dassault as well as the European aviation industry, took immediate effect from May 27, 2011.

The EASA’s grounding of the worldwide fleet of Dassault’s Falcon 7X executive jets, came hours after one of the aircraft encountered an in-flight

anomaly that could have caused the pilot to lose control.

The EASA directive said the jet, “experienced an uncontrolled pitch trim runaway during descent. The crew succeeded in recovering a stable situation and performed an uneventful landing.”

An analysis of the plane’s Digital Flight Data Recorder and Fault History Database, confirmed the event, EASA said, but the cause of the pitch trim runaway couldn’t be explained.

“This condition, if it occurs again, could lead to the loss of control of the aeroplane,” the EASA notice said.

HE Director-General, Centre for Management Development (CMD), Dr. Kabir Kabo, has said the management is in partnership with all organs of government institutions, including the Academy of Nigeria on capacity building for national development.

Kabo, who said this during a visit by the President of the Academy of Nigeria, Prof Emmanuel Ogwor in Abuja, stated that CMD is pushing to make positive contributions that will move the country forward.

He said: “CMD has the responsibility to research, train and deal with policy evaluation and formation in order to contribute in assisting the country to achieve its objective of an effective and efficient public and civil service.

“In management, there are still issues of skill gaps, scales shortages, scale demerge, which are applied and established factors. The centre is not just a training institute, but also a consultancy centre," he added.

16

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.15 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00 08.00 18.00

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

International Breweries posts N4.7b turnover

D

ESPITE a difficult operating environment for the manufacturing sector, the beverage industry continued to flourish as International Breweries Plc., Ilesa, Osun State achieved a turnover of N4.7 billion in 2010 up by 197.2 per cent on the previous years’ position of N1.6 billion.

According to the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr Gill Martignac,who spoke at the company’s 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Miccom Golf Hotels & Resort, Ada, Osun State, by the end of the second half of 2010, monthly loadings were running at marginally in excess of 50,000 hectolitres.

“However, whilst these growth figures may appear impressive, to achieve this volume it has been necessary to further strengthen the company’s technical, sales and marketing capabilities, devote substantial resources to carrying out aggressive marketing and customer incentives programmes, which have inevitably had an adverse effect on short term profitablity” remarked the chairman.

Martignac told shareholders that nevertheless, overall, the ongoing impact of these various initiatives taken in 2010 has been positive, as could be seen from the sustained level of operations throughout the first quarter of 2011.

Against the backdrop of accumulated debt in foreign currency, which is exposed to fluctuations in exchange rate, the chairman hinted that a proposal for Rights Issue was designed to mobilise funds to settle the indebtedness.

Group laments failure of family businesses

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

ing cognisance of labour concerns.

He suggested that the Bill be posted to the government’s website to enable oil workers and other stakeholders read it. Failure to do that, Ogun said is inviting oil workers wrath as they will go on strike without serving any notice.

The grey areas in the Bill, according to the union include; Security of jobs and benefits for all members, both in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Joint Venture Companies (JVCs) if the PIB goes ahead with Incorporated Joint Venture Arrangement and due diligence and adequate capital for NNPC to take off as “attractive self determined, commercial oriented, globally competitive company.”

They also want the government to provide such investment capital and other enabling policy for the overhauling of plants and assets, buy back

of current liabilities and staff pensions gaps to attract investors to equity participation, joint ownership and technical responsibility.”

It also seeks that NNPC be distinct, separate and free from encumbrances and determined by corporate governance best practice; that the arrangement should free NNPC from cash call obligations and that equity ownership percentage due to host communities be well spelt out in the PIB for direct development of the communities to foster mutual benefit.

Besides, the workers want enduring peace and coexistence, ultimately securing the safety of oil workers, installations and operations.

The association also said it supports downstream liberalisation with a view to fostering private investments, participation and competition along the value chain of refining, storage, marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

12.15 12.45

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. IRS 2. Arik

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Dana

O

IL workers under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the weekend decried exclusion of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) from the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Speaking through their President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, the workers said the exclusion undermines the purpose of the government to ensure that maximum benefits are derived from the nation’s hydrocarbon potentials.

They also lamented the Federal Government’s “refusal of trade unions’ contributions to the PIB. Ogun said the oil workers have made their representations through the legislative and executive platforms. They insisted on further consultation with labour to resolve all grey areas and to forestall likely post-PIB unrest should the bill be passed without tak-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

PENGASSAN threatens strike over Petroleum Bill

By Daniel Essiet

T

•From left: Miss Tina Omoruyi, one of the winners at the Benin zonal draw of the ongoing FinBank Plc savings promo tagged, "Finsplash", receiving her prize from His Royal Highness, Richard Osaigbono Ogunbor, the traditional ruler of Ukhiri-Eresoyen, at the event held in Benin City, Edo State.

CBN directs banks to establish agric depts

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it compulsory for banks to establish Agricultural Department Units and Desks in their head, regional and zonal offices.

The policy, which is in line with the apex bank’s commitment to facilitate lending to the sector to at least five per cent of banks’ total loan portfolio, gave the banks six months from May 26, to comply with the new order or be sanctioned.

The banks are also expected to appoint qualified agricultural graduates and other professionals with relevant experience to handle associated lending activities. The new segments shall comprise of Business Plan Unit as well as Development and Advisory Unit.

In a circular dated May 26 and signed

By Collins Nweze

by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Sola Awoyungbo, the apex bank said banks will be required to develop sound financial delivery system that would serve the needs of farmers and the sector at large; lend to the entire agricultural value chain comprising of agric input supply, production, storage, processing, marketing and other areas of agric development as well as provide advisory services to their customers.

To enforce compliance, the CBN stipulated that each of the deposit money banks shall render returns on its agric business portfolio to its Development Finance Department on quarterly, half yearly and annual ba-

sis on specified forms.

Awoyungbo, said the Department shall be headed by a General Manager or Deputy General Manager, preferably with at least 10 years exposure in handling agric credit, product development, investment banking, risk management and product financing. The units shall be headed by an Assistant General Manager, Principal Manager, or Senior Manager with relevant experience in management and supervision of field staff, while Middle level managers will head the Agric Desks. He said banks will henceforth, establish reliable data base on agricultural finance for use in planning by the government and the private sector.

Union Bank boss makes case for SMEs

G

ROUP Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs Funke Osibodu, has called on the Federal Government to comprehensively address the structural, infrastructural and environmental problems of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector in the area of funds provision.

She made this call at the sixth Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (NASME) Board of Trustees Meeting held in the bank.

The call stemmed from a comprehensive review of the SME sector and the hallowed role it is

widely acknowledged to set the pace for industrialisation of any economy.

Although successive government has over the years come up with various intervention funds to support the sector, she said, the success level has been minimal. In contrast, Nigeria’s SME sector is still regarded as high risk by financial institutions and investors due to the high rate of SME projects.

Osibodu attributed this to the pitfalls associated with schemes as National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme (SMEEIS), and Small and

Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (SMECGS), which emphasised primarily on the provision of funds for which structural, infrastructural and environmental constraints were not comprehensively addressed.

The sector, she averred, is still bogged down with deteriorating macro-economic and environmental problems like unstable inflation, price volatility, uncertainty of demand; inadequate fiscal incentive and framework, unstable and adverse policies, legal framework and taxes, restricted access to credit facilities for upgrade technology, among others.

HE absence of a strong family business class many years after independence is a major inhibition to growth, District Coordinator, South West District 3, Full Gospel Business Mens’ Fellowship (FGBMFI), Mr Fola Aguda, said in Lagos.

He said failure rates of family businesses across the country are rising and declining ventures are found everywhere.

Aguda said there is a need to guarantee the survival of most enterprises for generation yet unborn, adding that this will top the agenda when members of the Fellowship meet in Lagos on June 10 and 11.

The occasion, according to him, is the 2011 Annual Business Seminar.

To be organised by FGBMFI’s South West District 3, Aguda said the programme is billed for Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), MKO Abiola Gardens, Alausa, Ikeja.

The theme is: “Building Trans-Generational Businesses.”

He noted that one of the challenges of Nigeria’s economic development, was the tendency of enterprises to fail after the death of their founders. He said professional practices including merchandising and manufacturing concerns did not seem to have what it takes to survive subsequent generations unlike their counterparts in advanced economies.

Aguda lamented that the nation’s economic development had been without structures, stressing that it was difficult finding indigenous companies, which survived beyond 50 years except those railroaded into the country from abroad.

He said: “At the seminar we will be looking at things that generations after us will take on and still find some relevance .This is the 12th edition of our annual business seminar. In the past, we handled issues about professionalism and building careers ,among others. This year, we thought it would be good to extend or grow it further so that people will begin to think of transgenerational businesses.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

17

ISSUES

• Okobaba, a slum location in Lagos.

Why people live in slums Slums are not a new phenomenon. They are part of the history of major cities following a boom in population. Slums are generally the only type of settlement affordable and accessible to the poor in cities, where the scramble for land is intense. According to experts, slums arise from population explosion and failure of governance. OKWY IROEGBU reports.

• STORY ON PAGE 18

18

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

ISSUES

Why people live in slums C

ITIES keep growing as more people troop there from rural areas. Globally, it is believed that more than half of the world’s population reside in urban areas with more than 90 per cent of the growth taking place in the developing world.

Reasons for urban migration Some people move to new areas because of better job prospects, education, health facilities, or freedom from restrictive social or cultural realities. While some migrate because they are pushed out of their place of origin by factors such as natural disasters or sustained ecological changes, others do so because of low incomes from agricultural ventures in the villages. In comparison with rural areas, urban areas offer dramatically-increased job opportunities. Besides, because urban cultures are often less constrained than those in villages, cities can also offer greater prospects of upward social mobility.

People know what cities can offer them but they also know that they cannot live in the city centre due to the high cost of living in terms of housing and associated cost hence, they resort to having an abode near the city, which in no time develops into a slum. Government failure in terms of city and urban planning is evident in that it fails to plan for those who may not be able to afford the cost of living in big cities but whose services, such as cooks, drivers, house-keepers, office assistants, security men, are needed by the affluent.

Governance Another reason slums develop is bad governance. Governments often fail to recognise the rights of the urban poor and incorporate them into urban planning, thereby contributing to the growth of slums.

In addition, our leaders have proved that they simply cannot respond to rapid urbanisation quickly enough. People are coming to cities far faster than the planning process can incorporate them.

Often, they find their own land and build a shack before the government has a chance to learn of their existence. Emerging satellite towns in big cities of Abuja and Lagos attest to it.

Sometimes, governments take more of a passive approach to urbanisation because they either do not have the planning tools to deal with the rapid urbanisation that is happening, or the tools in place are not sufficiently responsive to the reality on the ground.

A former President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr Remi Makinde, appealed to the three tiers of government to prepare master plans to develop urban and rural centres to check slumisation.

He observed that growth in urban and rural centres were haphazard because of the absence of development plans to control their growth.

“Very few states and local governments have development plans for their urban and rural centres.

All these centres are ‘growing in pains’ because there are no plans to direct their growth and that is why Vision 20: 2020 should guide urban and regional planning,” he said.

Makinde expressed regret over the failure of the various economic

summits convened by the federal and state governments to recognise that all economic development plans should centre on land.

He said each of the economic summits forgot that 80 per cent of economic plans are on land.

“The various blueprints have not given planning its right of place.

For instance, water, dam, electricity generation zones, schools, hospitals, estate developments, among others, are on land which, if not carefully planned, will create slums and cities that grow disjointedly,” he said.

He said planning would add value to land as well as show evidence of an organised city, urban or rural centres.

He advised that urban and rural planning laws should be under the Federal Government concurrent list to make for habitable urban and rural areas.

Makinde disclosed that town planning experts had made proposals to the National Assembly to compel all tiers of government to involve town planners in the preparations of their master plans.

He urged the incoming legislature to look at the proposals because they had already been presented to the National Assembly.

President, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV), speaking on ubiquitous slumisation in major cities states said: “We have reviewed some other contemporary issues like what is happening to the housing crisis in Nigeria where as a nation we have about 16 million housing deficit and the slum dwellings are springing up in virtually all corners of the metropolis.”

President, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr. Kabir Mohammed Yari, said slumisation is a result of lack of planning and absence of infrastructure. He said that slum is basically an informal settlement where people occupy, build and then detour to seek approval.

He noted that what this urban poor do is to build without any approved layout because of the high price associated with the cost of obtaining it. According to him, what they do is subdivide the land and sell. He advised government to discourage slums by providing infrastructure and upgrading the living conditions of the people by making living worth the while in satellite towns of major cities.

• Yari

What can be done to prevent the development of new slums?

There are basic things a government can do to prevent new slums from developing. One is to recognise that urbanisation is going to happen. Sometimes governments believe that adopting alternative policies, such as focusing on rural development, will stop urbanisation. This approach is rarely effective.

Once governments accept the reality of urban growth, the next step is to plan for it and determine where the new residents will live.

Authorities should identify land and plan for its settlement even if money is not available for urban services. Once people settle on that land and feel that they have a right to live there, they will begin to investing in it. Over time, the area will be upgraded.

What do we mean by land rights or secure tenure?

Land tenure is the right of an individual or group to occupy or use a piece of land. It can be via ownership or lease.

Land rights are about confidence in the future. People who are safe from eviction with a sense of longterm stability - whether they own the land or not – are much more likely to invest in their housing or community. Over time, these incremental improvements by residents can upgrade the entire community.

There must also be a clear legal framework behind land rights. Often, slum dwellers face significant

• Adediji

obstacles to owning or obtaining the rights to land. Land markets are frequently dysfunctional, and inappropriate standards or regulations make it nearly impossible for local authorities to find enough well-located, serviceable and affordable land for the residents of overcrowded slum settlements.

In addition, control of land is often connected to political patronage and corruption, making it difficult to get clear information about land ownership, use and availability.

What do we mean by citizenship rights?

Slum dwellers are part of the urban populace, with the same democratic rights to environmental health and basic living conditions as all residents. These rights are often limited by a government’s ability to realise them.

The process of realising the rights of slum dwellers hinges on their capacity to engage actively with the government. It is a question of creating a space where slum dwellers and the government can engage in a dialogue about slums and upgrading their communities.

Through dialogue, the parties can begin to lay out their rights and responsibilities and design programmes that communities are able to respond to. This is an important part of the process; if communities don’t understand their responsibilities or a slum upgrading programme is beyond the reach of the slum dwellers, the programme has a much lower chance of success.

The advantages of slum upgrade cannot be over-emphasised as it

deals with city issues by containing environmental degradation, improving sanitation, lowering violence and attracting investment.

It also has the capacity to improve the quality of living condition, political voice, representation, increased safety and security.

Slum upgrading costs less and is more effective than relocation to public housing. Developing land with basic services costs even less.

It can be done incrementally by the city and by the residents at a pace that is technically and financially possible for both because the truth is that most urban poor are willing to pay for improved services and homes.

Why not tear down the slums and start over?

Sometimes it is necessary to tear down a slum. In some cases, slums are built on land that is unsafe or fundamentally unstable. For example, a slum may develop in dump site where there is heavy environmental pollution that can cause serious health problems.

Slums could also be located on areas that are prone to land or mudslides. In such cases, relocation may be the best option.

Generally, though, slums provide easy access to the city and its opportunities. Most slum evictions occur when local authorities want to remove slums located on prime real estate and turn the land over to developers or other vested interests.

What factors are needed for slum upgrading to be successful?

There are many factors that are needed for a slum upgrading programme to be successful. The two most important ones are strong political will on behalf of government and strong buy-in on the part of communities. There must also be a sense of partnership among all parties.

Moreover, the slum upgrading initiative must meet a real need; people must want it and understand why it is important.

It is also beneficial if upgrading activities are city-wide and involve partners beyond the slums themselves, which is especially important in implementation. There must be incentives for agencies to work with the poor; good communication and coordination among stakeholders; and clearly defined roles for the various agencies involved.

To keep slum upgrading going, there should be a priority in financing and regulations by relevant government agencies.

• Slum location in Makoko, Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Waiver bonanza •These will come to naught unless they are complemented with other measures

T

HE outline of the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s economic policies is finally emerging.

At a parley with the business community in Lagos last Monday, the President – though shorn of specifics – gave a broad inkling of what to expect in the coming months.

He spoke of measures to redirect the economy to make it production-driven as against being import-dependent as currently obtains. He stated that his administration would commit to “absolute support” of policies to discourage importation of products which are either produced or can be produced in Nigeria; he also echoed the now-familiar refrain that Nigeria cannot aspire to join leading economies in the world without transforming into an export-oriented economy.

The President gave hint of a new regime of “waivers”, “incentives” and subsidies soon to be rolled out for the benefits of organisations willing to create jobs and develop the economy. He also made

‘Of significance is that the President’s economic direction is becoming somewhat discernible. While the broad concerns underlying his thoughts provide Nigerians something to chew upon, hard to miss is the internal logic in the strategy which seeks to rev up manufacturing activities while aspiring to bring down the volume of imports and to create more jobs in record time...’

clear that a comprehensive review of extant framework of subsidies and waivers was already in the works.

His preference for import-substitution manufacturing strategy is unambiguous: “I do not believe in a businessman coming with a briefcase and importing fertiliser...we cannot be flaring gas and coming round to import fertiliser. If there is a gap between local fertiliser production and consumption, then the balance should be imported by those who have committed resources to local production of fertiliser.

While drawing upon lessons from China which closed its borders to imports to give its local manufacturers a breather, the President reasoned that while Nigeria may not necessarily toe the same path, she needs to fashion out approaches and methods that take her local circumstances into account.

Of great significance is that the President’s economic direction is becoming somewhat discernible. While the broad concerns underlying his thoughts provide Nigerians something to chew upon, hard to miss is the internal logic in the strategy which seeks to rev up manufacturing activities while aspiring to bring down the volume of imports and to create more jobs in record time, via the government’s “visible” hand of waivers and subsidies.

Aside the pragmatism, the measures being proposed by the President do not strike as anything fundamentally new; the differences appears to be only in approach. There are obviously enough lessons from the past to instruct on the ineffectuality of the planned measures

in the absence of complementary measures to overhaul the nation’s business environment. We have enough examples of how initiatives designed to assist the manufacturers soon morphed into a huge multi-billion naira racket involving bureaucrats, favour-seekers with connections at the highest levels of government, as against the targeted beneficiaries.

Call it waivers or subsidies – our understanding is that these are elements within a broader package of policy.

Without the other elements in place and in the right mix, they become ineffectual.

Point is – we have nothing against waivers and subsidies per se. Local manufacturers need all the help they can get from government. They need protection from unfair, one-sided competition from foreign imports. We cannot however, imagine an incentive scheme becoming an industry where all manner of overnight businessmen converge to draw upon. If the example of cement manufacturers seems any illustration, it is of how ineffectual one-sided measures are, towards advancing the nation’s quest for self-sufficiency.

So, if it must come at all, government must put in place mechanisms to prevent abuse. It must commit beneficiaries to concrete programmes and destination with attached timelines while government also commit to do more towards making the environment for doing business better. As for the gains from the measure, it should not be one-sided. Businesses deserve a new lease; so is the market and larger economy deserving of tangible benefits of better value and new jobs.

National security •This is a serious challenge that requires priority attention CURSORY observation of Nigeria’s socio-political terrain will show clearly that the maintenance of security remains one of the country’s most serious challenges. The fragility of the Nigerian State in this regard is underscored by the temerity with which armed robbers, kidnappers, religious fanatics, community bandits, bomb-exploding anarchists, assassins and sundry other criminals perpetrate acts of violence in utter defiance of the legitimate authorities.

To make matters worse, most of these criminal activities are unresolved and their perpetrators unapprehended, thus considerably weakening the faith of vast numbers of Nigerians in the capacity of the state to safeguard their lives and property.

Plateau and Borno states, for instance, are two states where communal bloodletting inspired by ethno-cultural tensions or misguided religious zealotry has continued unabated. Despite the amnesty programme that has largely restored peace in the Niger Delta, there are intermittent outbursts of violence that underscore the fragility of the peace that currently obtains in the area.

In the run-up to the last elections, there were eruptions of violence leading to loss of lives and destruction of property in different parts of the country, including Akwa Ibom, Niger, Benue and Borno states, to name a few. This lawlessness reached a crescendo after the elections, with the violent upheavals across the North, which resulted in the loss of over 800 lives, including 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and the destruction of hundreds of churches,

A

among other property.

It is thus obvious that President Goodluck Jonathan, who has just won a clear-cut victory at the polls, has his job spelt out for him. It is his primary and most urgent duty to restore the capacity of the Nigerian State to protect all residents within its geographical confines.

Each time acts of mindless violence had been carried out in the past, President Jonathan had always been quick to sympathise with the victims as well as promise the apprehension and punishment of the culprits. Surely, no less is expected of any sensitive and compassionate leadership. Most times, however, nothing has come of such assurances until another round of violence occurs and there is fresh outpouring of presidential condolences and promises. Such a situation devalues the majesty of the presidency and gives the impression that the country’s apex authority is helpless to check criminality and protect innocent Nigerians.

A critical variable in virtually all acts of violence that have undermined the social harmony and stability of the Nigerian State is the failure of intelligence that has made it impossible to take pro-active action to check these disruptive occurrences. There is thus the need for the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the country’s intelligence agencies, to discover where exactly the problems lie, with a view to taking necessary remedial measures. Is it a question of organisational incoherence, poor inter-organisational coordination, low morale, inadequate equipment or lack of requisite modern skills and equipment? The problems can be clinically diagnosed and scientifically addressed to

enable the country’s intelligence agencies respond quickly and efficiently to the ever-increasing security challenges of contemporary Nigeria.

The re-organisation, re-focussing and re-tooling of the Nigeria Police Force to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities is another urgent imperative the President must decisively confront. A situation where armed robbers and other criminals demonstrate superior fire power to the police is clearly undesirable and can only serve to dampen the morale of officers and men of the force.

We cannot also continue to run away from the reality that the current unitary policing structure is clearly inadequate for a supposedly federal society like Nigeria. In the final analysis, enduring security must be predicated on sound socioeconomic policies that tackle the root causes of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

‘Each time acts of mindless violence had been carried out in the past, President Jonathan had always been quick to sympathise with the victims as well as promise the apprehension and punishment of the culprits ... Most times, however, nothing has come of such assurances until another round of violence occurs and there is fresh outpouring of presidential condolences and promises’

Better ways to select an IMF leader

T

HE INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund is a paradoxical institution. A bastion of economic orthodoxy, the IMF lends chunks of its $340 billion in resources to indebted countries, typically on the condition that they eliminate marketdistorting political interventions such as state ownership of utilities or food price subsidies. Yet when the time comes for the IMF to hire its own operational chief — known as the managing director — politics rules.

Oh, sure, after Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s sudden resignation, the IMF’s executive board has promised an “open, merit-based, and transparent” process.

But if the board actually delivers on that pledge, it will be a first. The fund has never chosen a managing director because he was the best candidate, pure and simple. Instead, the board votes according to how much each country or region contributes to the fund, and the United States and Europe pick one of their own since they give the most money. And one more thing: The winner has to come from Europe, because the World Bank’s president has to be an American, and it wouldn’t be right to have both the bank and the fund headed by Yanks. Or so it was agreed long ago, after the great conference in a place called Bretton Woods.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn became managing director not only because of his undeniable political savvy and economic know-how, but also because he was European — and because it was France’s “turn” after a German and a Spaniard. Also, French President Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to get his political rival out of France for a while. An internal IMF report circulated shortly after Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s selection acknowledged “many weaknesses” in the process.

If technical merit were truly the only consideration, the job might go to someone like Israeli central bank chief Stanley Fischer, who has presided brilliantly over that country’s thriving economy. But Israel is not popular in world politics. There are those who argue that it’s time for someone from the developing world to take the reins; on that theory, Mexico has nominated its able Central Bank chief, Agustin Carstens. U.S. and European officials meanwhile appear to be coalescing behind French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, who declared her candidacy on Wednesday.

The campaign for an emerging-market candidate merely substitutes one form of regional politicking for another. China, India, South Africa and Mexico may be driving the global economy, but the fact remains that the United States, Europe and Japan fund the fund. As it happens, the IMF’s current focus is Europe: Its biggest borrowers are Greece, Romania and Ukraine. That might make Ms. Lagarde, also very talented, a better fit than Mr. Carstens.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn did a creditable job in the political and financial aspects of the IMF job. His career’s implosion suggests, however, that there is more to being a good managing director than keeping politicos happy and negotiating bailouts — and that the selection process is not optimally designed to vet for character and other intangibles.

Moribund before the financial crisis, the IMF is once again a linchpin of the international financial system. It needs a managing director equal to the job — whose priorities should include helping the board devise a truly open, merit-based and transparent process for choosing a successor – Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: When in May 2009, the Federal Government signed a concession agreement with Bi-Courtney Limited for the LagosIbadan expressway modernization project, the general consensus was that help was around the corner at last. However, two years after, the hope has given way to despair as the expectations of people concerning the road seems to have been dashed. The age long traffic problem experienced on the LagosIbadan Expressway, particularly at Ibafo and Ogere, has continued to pose a great challenge to the socio– economic development and security of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Having successfully rehabilitated Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 to international standard, the federal government believed that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, unarguably Nigeria’s busiest expressway, could be well managed

by Bi-Courtney. The company was to improve substantially on the current geometric standards of the road. Bi-Courtney was to raise the required funding, largely through equity and long term loans and to a much lesser extent, from revenue generated from the operation of the highway.

As it is, something urgent needs to be done to improve the state of the road. No one knows what is the situation with regards to the FGNBi-Courtney pact; what is sure, however, is that the road is in dire need of attention. Users of the road do not care about who is not doing what but are interested in what should be done and how soon it

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

Who is in charge of Lagos-Ibadan expressway? could be done. What we have on our hands is an emergency that cannot wait for the usual Nigerian style of foot-dragging. If indeed, human lives mean anything to us, the time is ripe for the Federal Government to tackle issues relating to the road head -long.

One thing that is not really clear is who is actually in charge of the road presently. Bi Courtney, the concessionaire seems not to be getting its acts together. The federal government might be working on

the perspective that the road is no longer its responsibility while the Ogun State government lacks the capacity to provide the needed intervention. Indeed, the road is fast turning into a center of un-ending carnage.

The issues involved on the road are multi-faceted. For one, it is in a real bad shape and needs urgent rehabilitation. Second, the nuisance of trailer drivers on the road is becoming quite alarming. They have become a law unto themselves.

Nobody seems to be capable of getting them to act responsibly. On the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, there is one law for other drivers and a different one for the trailer drivers. The indiscriminate parking of trailers on either side of the road is a serious factor in the painful traffic gridlock that commuters regularly suffer on the road. Incessant cases of abandoned vehicles constitute a major hindrance to motorists on the highway.

Building the Akwa Ibom State pyramid

S

IR: A renowned writer and philosopher once said that every society needs a pyramid builder at certain stages of its development. A pyramid that is based on firm structures is a major ingredient needed to change the face of societies. Pyramids do not just emerge. They are built by purposeful men of vision and strong will. Pyramids are one of the earliest forms of massive monumental architecture built by humans. This is why vestiges of the pyramids can be found in Egypt, Magan and Inun civilizations.

Akwa Ibom state was created in 1987 by the Babangida administration. Prior to the developmental revolution that has turned the state around today, Akwa Ibom state with its capital at Uyo was considered as a lacklustre area with little or nothing to excite other Nigerians, talk less the international community. This perception has changed today.

One of the critical success stories of the Akpabio administration is in the area of infrastructural development. Road projects embarked upon by the

administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio will always be a reference point in the country. The quality of the roads is also commendable.

The administration has also embarked on massive electrification projects in the state.

Over 800 communities have now been fully connected to the national grid.

Education, the foundation of development in any society, has been seriously improved. Apart from improving infrastructure in the schools, the state government

Still on ‘Warrant chiefs reborn in Igboland’

IR: The rejoinder to Sam Omatseye’s write-up by one Chukwuma Michael The Nation May 26, presents another example of the never-dying diatribe against the person of Chief Awolowo even after almost a quarter of a century of the great man’s transition and almost half a century after the civil war. His allusion to Awo’s betrayal of Ojukwu, use of starvation as weapon of war, doling out £20 to the richest Igboman, etc etc portrays him as an unrepentant ethnocentric with no sense of

S

Of no less importance is the location of the international headquarters of many religious bodies along the axis. Even though they have evolved strategic means of traffic control to ensure free flow of traffic during their programmes, efforts need to be intensified to improve on these traffic management strategies.

There must be a timeframe known and acceptable to Nigerians for the completion of this road if the federal government must convince the people that we are in a new dispensation with the fresh breath of air. It must do everything to ensure either that Bi-Courtney wakes up from sleep or, in the alternative, cancel the agreement and re-award same to another able and competent company.

• Tayo Ogunbiyi Alausa, Ikeja

history and fairness.

How does Chukwuma intend to classify the great Zik’s negotiating away Awo’s offer to serve as his second-in-command preferring instead to work with the NPC – political expediency, backstabbing or betrayal?

In any case, how well managed were the resources of the East before the war and indeed after the war that the Igbo’s woes can now be properly and justifiably situated in Awo’s domain.

A bad fighter of the Igbo’s

cause, this Chukwuma is, suggesting that the Igboman as an hungry man would do anything to survive even when he is beaming with his acclaimed energy and resourcefulness. Chukwuma’s survivalist strategies, not those of the Ojukwus,Ngiges, Achebes etc, is suggestive of the misery encapsulating political jobbing, dirty businsses, kidnapping, etc.

No. Germany did not emerge a super power after the destruction and devastation of the second war through such clandestine

activities nor did Japan accumulate its monstrous economic power through such devilish activities after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let people of Chukwuma’s ilk understand that Igbo Presidency will continue to be a mirage with this type of recourse to divisive blame-apportioning and dimwitted scandalization of other people’s heroes.

• Mohammed Jimoh, Ilorin, Kwara State

has also provided free and compulsory basic education for Akwa Ibomites.

Of special interest is the recent law which seeks to prohibit the use of any Akwa Ibomites for menial labour. Akpabio has also developed schemes where the poor can earn income while keeping their eyes on self-development. There are also specific interventionist strategies for persons with disability. Women in the state are not left out also because of the empowerment, support and capacity building mechanisms development by the present administration in the state.

When Professor Okechukwu Mbonu President of the West African College of Surgeons led its members to Akwa Ibom on a factfinding mission last year, the respected Professor announced that the governor deserved tribute for the people oriented programmes he has embarked on.

As Akpabio settles for his last term in office, I implore him to do more so as to ensure that Akwa Ibom State is liberated from the shackles of backwardness.

Education and human capital development should be key driving force of the government in this consolidation term.

• Nwokoma Messiah Lagos.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

For a truly new dawn

T

HE American motivation psychologist Abraham H. Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs which shows the complexity of human requirements. Maslow says that first of all the basic requirements have to be settled, before higher requirements are engaged. The basic requirements build the first step in his pyramid.

His theory which can be summarized as follows has become one of the most widely discussed theories of motivation: • Human beings have wants and desires which influence their behaviour. Only unsatisfied needs influence behaviour; satisfied needs do not.

• Since needs are many, they are arranged in order of importance, from the basic to the complex.

• A person advances to the next level of needs only after the lower level need is at least minimally satisfied.

Yesterday’s inauguration across the country was meant to bring forth a new beginning. This presupposes that an era was over and another one enthroned.

Yes, it has happened in governance; the worry now is whether the reality of a new dawn would be allowed to impact the life of the politically stressed, economically besieged and socially plagued people of Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan is an ordained privileged leader who basically needed divine guidance to make the difference.

Why Nigeria has been suffused with leadership dilemma was because of the non-deployment of wisdom in governance. Those in the saddle in the past would want to do all things but would end up doing nothing. And that is why we are where we are today – wallowing in want in the midst of abundance.

The recurring trend has been government-come, governmentgo with enormous annual budget supposedly used up without changing the fortune of the people, but only enriching the private pockets of privileged few hustlers. The consequence is that the masses have been turned to grumblers and complainants, hardly seeing anything good in a richly-endowed land.

For a leader to affect the life of the people is to know their basic wants and desires and to faithfully pursue them. This understanding would power the planning and execution of projects that would not only be a blessing to all but would endure for the benefit of successive generations. That was what the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo did that entrenched him perpetually in the hearts of his people.

What President Jonathan must appreciate is the fact that when something desired by the people becomes reality after having been looked upon as impossible, then this impossibility gives

N

IGERIA is a very interesting place! By now, I’m sure the Africa Union and other international and local election observers and in fact the commentariats who rushed to call the 2011 “free, fair and credible” should be wondering whether their verdict was not given in a hurry.

If I were one of these observers, the first shocker must be the cold-shoulder response of the PDP to the resolve of the opposition parties – whether CPC or ACN in some states like Kwara – to use forensic analysis to prove that the ballot was indeed rigged for the PDP. I would expect, as an observer, that the PDP’s response should be that of a student who genuinely had bagged a first-class but was summoned by his university senate to come rewrite some of his papers to confirm his brilliance. Or that his works be rated afresh by neutral lecturers from outside the university.

I have followed the political happenings in Kwara State in particular, both before and after the elections. I read about ACN crying foul and embarking on a peaceful protest which reportedly brought Ilorin to a standstill to reject the outcome of the National Assembly elections. I also read about the out-going Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki asking the ACN to register its grievances at the court if it feels that the balance was tilted in favour of the PDP, rather than disturb ‘public peace.’

Saraki claimed in another publication last week, that PDP’s victory at the polls confirms its huge achievements and acceptability in Kwara State – although he failed to explain why nobody has heard of Kwarans celebrating the ‘true reflections’ of their mandate. Neither has the PDP come out to tell the world why the streets of Ilorin have reportedly remained dangerously quiet since April 26, or the rationale behind marketers stoning PDP supporters at the popular Oja Oba market. Saraki did not also explain why, four days after the elections, soldiers were still parading the streets of Ilorin! Was it to quell any expression of anger at the outcome of the governorship/Assembly poll?

Perhaps trying to avoid being called troublemakers or senseless bloodletting, ACN did not return to the streets to protest the outcome of the April 26 governorship results which the INEC called in favour of PDP’s Abdulfattah Ahmed. Instead, the party addressed a press briefing roundly rejecting the result, urging its supporters to remain calm, but resolutely assuring them it would reclaim the ‘stolen mandate’ at the tribunal, which has since started work.

The least expected of the two or three parties involved (INEC being the third party) is to cooperate with the final arbiter in the case – the Election Petition Tribunal. Just as in Benue and Akwa Ibom states, the signals from the Kwara PDP and shockingly INEC have not been encouraging. It

hope and fulfilment. If for instance his administration could focus on ensuring constant power supply such that Nigeria would begin to boast of what neighbouring Ghana has now been enjoying for several years, he would see his name forever imprinted in the sands of the nation’s time. That would encourage investors to see seriousness in the nation’s governance and bring economic turnaround. The outrageous cost of diesel and kerosene in this oil producing nation is ridiculous and can never advance the economy.

Last week, this column dwelt on those political and electoral failures lobbying for rehabilitation as ministers and top public officers. It is gratifying that the president has detested the lobbyists’ unsavoury pressure. The nation is waiting to see him walk his talk.

Incredulous and insensitive people can hardly change anything. But they can halt the train and ensure that nothing works.

With the calibre of people being bandied on the Peoples Democratic Party’s ministerial nominees list, it was obvious that the party remains numb to the problems facing Nigerians and refuses to be conscious of the reality on the ground. We do not need any soothsayer to reveal that most Nigerians are against

those who would not take the country out of the woods.

For those behind the list, it is still commitment to business as usual whereas Nigerians had thought that the PDP should know that the country needed new game plans under new set of actors.

The same ideas of people who brought the nation to where it is today cannot be expected to meet the people’s needs. Recurring recirculation of failed hands offends the masses’ sense of justice.

The leadership required now are those who can assume the responsibility of tackling real issues concerning the people. Once the president allows the PDP to dump on him political jobbers who see government as a cake that should be shared, he would have entered the bondage of failed tenureship. His starting point to fulfilling his hard-earned mandate would be to appoint competent ministers who would assist him in transforming the nation.

He should turn his back on politicians who see ministerial appointment as a means of rehabilitating those who have been rejected by Nigerians during elections. As the Campaign for Democracy said, if Jonathan was “serious about economic reforms, and fighting poverty,” the names being touted would never take Nigeria to the promised land.

The nation doesn’t need people who would compound the country’s problems. To succeed in satisfying the people’s desires and move the nation to the next level of meeting higher needs, the president should look for men and women of integrity who truly love this country and are not coming to the government for rehabilitation.

Alao-Akala’s messy legacy

T

HERE is a popular Yoruba saying that a whiteman would not be vacating a chair and stool on it. In the case of expoliceman Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, he did not only deliberately shit on the throne he vacated as the Governor of Oyo State, he pissed on it to ensure that it was thoroughly messed up.

From the onset, it was evident that Alao-Akala was a misfit.

Talk of personality, he lived the life of a typical area boy. The bleaching man, with self-imposed chains of all sorts who would turn 61 this Friday, never at any stage pretended civility and decorum. His non understanding of the people he was manipulated upon as Governor by a godfather made him to ride roughshod on the pacesetting state. In performance, his lack of ideas meant non-delivery of anything qualitative. His rejection at the April polls was the evident reward of his misrule.

Rather than making friends, he was creating enemies, bragging as if his incumbency was unchallengeable and everlasting. He chose to forget the true story of his ascendancy. A disloyal deputy to Rashidi Ladoja, he aligned with the enemy to see to the crude stage-managed ouster of his boss.

As if it was his priority, he took on the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in an uncouth manner such that they were on warpath all through his contentious tenure. To whack the monarch, he defied tradition and process by installing one Ganiyu Ajiboye as Alago of Ago-Oja in the Atiba Iga, Alaafin’s domain.

The monarch took the civilised step by going to court.

The court ruled in his favour by declaring Alao-Akala’s creation,

What is Kwara PDP, INEC afraid of?

By Abdullahi Ndagi

has been both suspicious and disappointing too, measured against the boasts of the PDP that it won the elections fairly and squarely. One would have expected the PDP and INEC let the ACN prove its case as long as no underhand tactics are being employed to overturn the results of the elections.

The first disgraceful post-election behaviour of PDP was the alleged manhandling of the tribunal bailiff who had gone to Government House to, as directed by the tribunal, serve by way of pasting on the walls of the Government House the reliefs granted the ACN Senatorial Candidate Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe in his bid to upturn the purported election of Saraki as senator-elect.

The Government has denied the story of manhandling but failed to say whether the bailiff was allowed to do his job. It also did not explain why ACN billboards were defaced or removed outright on the night after the tribunal gave the orders. These hostile reactions to pre-hearing tribunal orders only confirmed the rumours that Kwara PDP is indeed jittery.

Another shocking thing from Kwara is Governor Saraki – who regaled the whole world with stories of how his achievements had informed his victory – bringing up a motion praying the tribunal to set aside the order permitting his challenger to use forensic analysis of the ballot papers to prove his allegations of multiple-thumb printing.

If Governor Saraki truly won fairly and squarely, why does he bother his head about his opponent using any means permissible under the law to convince Nigerians that the allegations of gross misconducts and illegalities were true?

Another disturbing thing is the role INEC is reportedly playing in the case, a role that gives away the electoral commission as a biased umpire.

The ACN governorship candidate Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) is already accusing the commission and some of its staff of complicity in the alleged doctoring by the PDP of the materials used for the elections. These materials were the subjects of tribunal order issued penultimate week, one that the petitioners be allowed to inspect and make copies, and another order allowing them to appoint forensic experts to screen the materials to prove allegation of multiple thumb

appointment and installation as “illegal, unconstitutional, null and void” and ordered Ajiboye to vacate the seat. But the supposed democratic governor defied the court order, and Alaafin showed maturity by heading for the Court of Appeal. The higher court again upheld the earlier ruling.

Yet, Alao-Akala’s stony heart could not be pacified as he ignored all the court orders. Little wonder the monarch launched a campaign for the imprisonment of the stubborn governor and his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for flagrantly disrespecting the rule of law. And to pay back the Alaafin for towing the just path, Alao-Akala ended up disrobing him of the permanent chairmanship of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Beyond this brazen transgressions, Alao-Akala exhibited desperate acts of a failure in his last days in office – just to leave bumpy legacies behind for his political conqueror, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. He authorised payment of the federal-imposed N18,000 minimum wage which he had all along ignored. He unbanned the NURTW so as to set loose the drivers for renewed onslaught on the society. As was his administration’s practice, it was alleged that the state’s treasury was bombarded and drained.

Instead of leaving good footprints, Alao-Akala has left behind revolting liabilities which in matter of time God will wipe off for the sake of the people. The real challenge for Governor Ajimobi is the restoration of the defiled and sullied glory of the pace setting Oyo State.

May we never experience political errors like akalamagbo again.

printing.

Rather than facilitate the enforcement of the order, INEC has reportedly constituted itself into an advocate for the PDP and has put every obstacle in the way and has frustrated the enforcement of the tribunal orders. According to media reports, INEC has not given any cogent reasons for denying the Kwara ACN candidates the right to promptly inspect these materials as directed by the court. It is over 10 days since the court gave the order, while the commission continues to give excuses. Although the PDP has come out to deny tampering with the materials, INEC’s refusal to allow the petitioners to enforce the tribunal order seems to confirm that something criminal is going on behind the scenes.

Worst still, Kwara PDP’s antecedence does not help its denials. We all saw the published pictures of its governorship campaign vehicles parked outside and inside Corpers’ Lodge in Ilorin, accompanied by a story of how PDP used the corpers to rig the polls (see the Nation and Sunday Trust of April 24). It is on record that PDP has not denied this weighty allegation.

Based on TV footages I have seen, the Kwara State REC is an elderly person who I believe should care more about good name than any lure of unlawful dealings, however huge the proceeds are. And as for the PDP, these actions only go to show that the party is hiding something. And, what is the PDP afraid of when the tribunal has also granted it access to the materials and right to use forensic analysis?

All these shenanigans are interestingly drawing the deserved attention to the Kwara case.

• Ndagi, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lokoja

‘The Government has denied the story of manhandling but failed to say whether the bailiff was allowed to do his job. It also did not explain why ACN billboards were defaced or removed outright on the night after the tribunal gave the orders.

These hostile reactions to pre-hearing tribunal orders only confirmed the rumours that Kwara PDP is indeed jittery’

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

N

IGERIA is at the cusp of change.

Our legendary luck has seen us survive the doomsday scenario.

The recent elections conducted national wide have raised the specter of hope that Nigeria will survive after all. For a nation at war with the truth and an undisciplined political class, no one was sure that the 2011 elections will come and go. Well, they have come and are about to go, but the mere fact that Jega pulled this off deserves a chapter in our book of general elections.

While no perfect elections exist anywhere, it is certain that Nigeria, with the right people in place can indeed run a civilized society. The elections were by and large free and fair. The upsets and surprises from the parliamentary elections and the gubernatorial elections point only to one thing: that the votes are beginning to count and voters are becoming bolder in defending their votes.

And if the present must be regarded as the pointer to the imminent future, then, we know that Nigeria will survive. But it is to the resolve and vigilance of the voters we must turn and give kudos, not the political class.

However, while we chest thump about

‘We must be able to hold them to their promises and if they fail, vote them of office. Mere elections do not good government makes. Election is only an aspect of democracy. It is time we dispel the rumor that Nigeria is now a better country simply because it has succeeded in holding successful elections’

Nigeria go survive!

By Sunday Dare the success of the recent elections, we must halt to address some salient issues that will determine whether what we are putting in place now will endure or not.

From the President to the governors, we know that their elections were not won based on any well articulated agenda but won on empty promises and through sacks of money. Soon, the euphoria of victory will drain off and it will be business as usual.

The voters are soon forgotten until time comes for another election ritual in four years. It is not too late to ask Mr. President and our governors what their manifestoes really are. What agenda do they have for the voters? We must be able to hold them to their promises and if they fail, vote them of office. Mere elections do not good government makes. Election is only an aspect of democracy. It is time we dispel the rumor that Nigeria is now a better country simply because it has succeeded in holding successful elections.

No, it’s not. It’s not because we know that even though we have made some progress, there are the bigger challenges of governance and accountability. We know that a new circle of looting and kleptocracy will soon begin. A new class of owners will emerge leaving the people holding the short end of the stick.

Perhaps the greatest worry in all of these is the fact that we are uncertain where President Jonathan Goodluck is leading this country. We look at hi immediate past and we worry about the type of decisiveness we need in state matters and the disturbing emptiness of governance.

We are not sure there is an implementable blueprint in place to deal with the country’s chronic problems. We are

worried that the vultures are circling and Nigeria is being bled to death by many who have no business leading us. We perceive inertia at the highest level of government. That is our fear. That the President, trapped in the euphoria of victory and encircled by hangers on and party vultures who insists he owes them for his emergence, will lack the political will to move Nigeria forward.

There is some urgency in the air.

Nigerians want some action. Nigeria needs and deserves a leader who is politically astute and courageous enough to get things moving. A leader who can stare down party faithfuls and other powerful interests to make difficult decisions. Nigeria will indeed survive not just because it held successful elections, warts and all and not because it got some new skin into the game of politics. A nation can only rise up to the demands of her people if the leaders do right. If the injustices that rule the land and the corruption that spreads like cancer are confronted. A country with growing unemployment, general insecurity, religious intolerance and killings, absence of the rule of law and where the wealth of the land is concentrated in the hands of some ten per cent of the population will not survive. Rather, someday soon, it will consume us all.

But I write today with both elation and trepidation. Elation because with the recent elections, I see we are headed in the right direction and we can improve next time. Trepidation because, now that we are in the hands of Jonathan Goodluck and his team, a failure on the part of the President to do right by Nigerians will hurt Nigeria’s future. Presidential prattle

‘Nigeria will indeed survive not just because it held successful elections, warts and all and not because it got some new skin into the game of politics. A nation can only rise up to the demands of her people if the leaders do right. If the injustices that rule the land and the corruption that spreads like cancer are confronted’ and government ambivalence which hitherto seemed in abundance will no longer cut it. Nigerians will demand accountable leadership.

Let me end my piece with the insightful analysis of the erudite Prof Adebayo Williams who describes Nigeria’s current sorry pass thus, “While we await the arrival of the Nigerian critical mass such as we have seen in Tunisia and Egypt, we can have some fun. The problem, if we must repeat, is not Goodluck Jonathan.

Even when he is trapped in the belly of a whale like the biblical Jonah, a man is entitled to his good luck. Despite the rowdy misconduct and foul-mouthed obscenities of many of his core ethnic partisans, Jonathan is not the culprit. He is part of a discrete historical process of which he is barely conscious; a minor actor in a great historical drama”.

Well, now that Goodluck Jonathan has been elected to lead us for the next four years, he is now a major actor, and like they say in Igboland, the main masquerade and Nigerians will hold him responsible if Nigeria does not survive under him.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

D

AKAR — As I head to the French resort town of Deauville this week to participate in this year’s G-8 meeting, I promise one thing new: The tone will change. This year Africa brings to the table its own good news. Senegal, for one, is preparing for a world where the assumptions of yesteryear no longer stand.

A few favorite African heads of state are always invited to G-8 summit meetings, and I’ve often been let into the club for a lively chat, a copious meal of promises and ambitious pledges, and a hearty round of preaching.

This state of affairs is no longer acceptable. Europe claims to support giving Africa, South America, Asia and the Middle East a stronger voice in the international clubs it helped to create.

Perhaps it is time for Europe to show it really means what it says — and lighten its grip on the reins of planetary control.

Senegal, as you know, is not a member of the once elite G-8. We are not even a member

• Abdoulaye Wade

At the G-8 Summit, Africa will be heard

By Abdoulaye Wade of the G-20, which offers only one African seat despite the fact that it was supposed to reflect the new world order when it was created in 2008 as a response to the crisis that originated in the G-8 but rocked the rest of the world.

The crisis showed that the old world order is no longer credible. It’s not sustainable for the rich world to dole out advice and crumbs to the rest of us. The euro zone’s debt crisis is a case in point.

Europe claims this is a reason it should hold onto the leadership of the International Monetary Fund, but surely its increasingly poor image among international investors argues quite the reverse: The old Continent’s difficulty in managing its affairs suggests it might benefit from a bit of outside advice.

It gives me no pleasure to watch the discomfort of others, and for all the world’s sake I hope Europe finds a lasting solution for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and other countries struggling to deal with past profligacy. And, of course, Africa has had its own challenges in managing public finances.

But I cannot help but notice as I head to France that international investors appear to find Senegal more credible and a better bet than Europe’s laggards.

Investor decisions are often the most accurate bellwether of economic realities.

The yields on 10-year bonds in Greece and Ireland are hovering around 10 percent as doubts linger about the governments’ ability to repay their debts. Compare that

with a coupon of 8.75 percent on a recently issued Senegalese bond. Although the context is different, the point is valid: What’s attractive in the world of investments has shifted.

This year, I’ll be pulling up to the G-8 table with a fresh report that was just delivered to my desk in Dakar from African executives of Standard Bank, an African bank with strategic presence in emerging markets who have acted as the joint-bookrunners with Standard Chartered of our recent Eurobond offer.

Investor confidence in Senegal is running so high that our $500 million, 10-year bond, in combination with a strategic exchange tender of our 2014 bond, was over-subscribed in just four days reaching an overwhelming $2.4 billion in sales from more than 125 institutional investors from North America, Europe and Asia.

Ours is among only a handful of sovereign bond issues to come to market from sub-Saharan Africa, but it is a clear indication that the days of reliance on donor pledges for financing are ending.

Africa’s deeper economic story is tied to our ability to mobilize our own wealth. G8 pledges to the developing world are still important but their relevance is clearly dwindling. A further upside for Africa is Senegal’s expected eligibility for the Emerging Market Bond Index Global. G-8 leaders will be reminded that the world is waking up to the intrinsic value of Africa’s economic promise and that serious investors are arriving.

Hidden beneath the shackles of outdated perceptions and obscured by the healthy unrest and much-need political reform in North Africa and around the continent lies an Africa that will insist on being heard in Deauville this week. News of the fresh confidence in Africa’s economic awakening will be shared.

Having now reached one billion inhabitants, Africa’s promise lies in its robust markets and hundreds of new companies, the measurably improved management and returns of its massive commodities, its growing service industries and educated consumer classes, and its rapidly improving infrastructure and sub-national governance.

But the words of hopeful politicians no longer need to be trusted; the order book of bullish investors has spoken.

•Wade is president of the Republic of Senegal.

•New Yorks Times

‘Ours is among only a handful of sovereign bond issues to come to market from sub-Saharan Africa, but it is a clear indication that the days of reliance on donor pledges for financing are ending. Africa’s deeper economic story is tied to our ability to mobilize our own wealth. G-8 pledges to the developing world are still important but their relevance is clearly dwindling’

Nigerien referees to Eagles ‘ll miss Messi —Yobo handle Guinness the Match

Pg. 41

Pg. 24

Nation Monday, May 30, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 23

•Taye-Taiwo

Why I’m leaving Marseille —Taiwo

T

HE Nigeria left back Taye Taiwo has disclosed the reasons why he left Marseille to join Italian powerhouse AC Milan.

The former Gabros defender is leaving the Phocéen, and the club is not getting a penny for his transfer fee. ''This is not normal because I have always been present for the team.. I'm long gone and I saw the arrival of players who earned more than me. "I do not want to sign another three years at Marseille. The salary did not suit me, '' says Taiwo to French sports daily L'Equipe.

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

24

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Messi refuses to take credit for Barca win •Equals Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals LIONEL Messi refused to take the credit for Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final win against Manchester United even though the Argentine maestro stole the show at Wembley with a sublime display.

Messi cemented his status as the best player of his generation with a fine goal to restore Barca's lead in the second half and then played a key role in David

•Messi

Villa's decisive third goal.

The 23-year-old was named man of the match as Barca celebrated their fourth European Cup and third in six years.

But the humble forward was keen to share the praise with his teammates.

"To be the man of the match is the least important thing, because it was incredible how we played. We were very good in all areas," he said.

"We're very happy to lift another trophy. It was a difficult season but we showed who we are. We were the better team."

Messi's 12th goal of this season's competition equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy's Champions League record and teammate Xavi added: "He is the No 1, he makes the difference - he is just the best player in the world."

There was an emotional moment for everyone connected with Barca when French international Eric Abidal was given the honour of lifting the European Cup two months after undergoing surgery to remove a liver tumour.

Abidal gave a superb display at leftback and fellow defender Daniel Alves said: "Even before all of this, we said our biggest victory, our most important trophy, was the recovery of Abi.

Bin Hammam withdraws from FIFA presidential election ASIAN Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam has sensationally withdrawn his candidacy from the FIFA presidential elections, which were due to be held on Wednesday June 1.

The AFC supremo was the only challenger to current incumbent Sepp Blatter in the race for the organisation's top job, but with the 62-year-old due to face FIFA's ethics committee on Sunday amid allegations of bribery, he has taken the decision to remove his name from consideration.

As a result, Blatter now looks set to be re-elected unopposed for another term in the position he has held since succeeding Joao Havelange in 1998.

Bin Hammam, in addition to Blatter and Concacaf chief Jack Warner, will be questioned by the committee as accusations of corruption continue to blight the governing body, in respect of the recent World Cup 2018 and 2022

Beckenbauer backs Blatter for FIFA job GERMAN legend Franz Beckenbauer insists Sepp Blatter is still a credible FIFA president despite allegations of corruption involving key members of world football's governing body.

Blatter is the only candidate left in next week's presidential election following rival Mohamed bin Hammam's withdrawal from the race after a week of bitter accusations.

Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation and Blatter, along with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, will appear before the FIFA ethics committee on Sunday as a result of bribery allegations.

Bin Hammam and Warner have been rocked by the allegations, while Blatter is charged with knowing about alleged bribery.

Many believe the scandal should force Blatter to step down from his role even if he is re-elected.

But retiring FIFA executive committee member Beckenbauer, who played in and managed German World Cup winning teams, told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek: "He (Blatter) did a wonderful job. It's not easy. FIFA is like the United Nations - we have 208 members.

"It's not an easy to handle, but I think Blatter and his staff are doing a wonderful job."

However Beckenbauer admitted the allegations were very damaging for the game.

bidding process.

The Qatari official was thought to have been trailing Blatter as both men looked to garner backing for their respective bids, but his decision to take himself out of the reckoning will still be regarded as a major surprise.

Bin Hammam said on his official website: "I made the decision to run for the Fifa presidency because I was and remain committed to change within FIFA. "However, recent events have left me hurt and disappointed - on a professional and personal level.

"It saddens me that standing up for the causes that I believed in has come at a great price – the degradation of Fifa’s reputation. This is not what I had in mind for FIFA and this is unacceptable. I cannot allow the name that I loved to be dragged more and more in the mud because of competition between two individuals. The game itself and the people who love it around the world must come first."

He went on to add: "I pray that my withdrawal will not be tied to the investigation held by the FIFA Ethics Committee as I will appear before the Ethics Committee to clear my name from the baseless allegations that have been made against me.

"I promise those who stood by me that I will walk with my head held high and will continue to fight for the good of the game. I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to all Member Associations and individuals who supported me. I hope that they will not receive my decision with disappointment and frustration.

•Bin Hammam

D

ESPITE the absence of Lionel Messi in the Argentine squad billed to engage the Super Eagles on June 1, Nigerian captain, Joseph Yobo, has declared his wish to file out against the reigning World Footballer of the Year.

'I know some may not believe what I'm about to say but the fact is that I enjoy playing against Messi. I know he is a defender's nightmare but any defender that wants to be at the top of his game must not shy away from marking Messi. I have had a good season and I feel very fit but I would have loved to test my form against Messi', he said.

Yobo, however, believes Messi's absence will not take the shine out the game.

'The fact is that the Argentine team will always be a formidable one with or without Messi. Don't forget that the squad is also preparing for the Copa America.

We will put in our best to ensure we

Eagles will miss Messi —Yobo

•Pre-match press conference holds Tuesday do Nigeria proud on the day', he added.

He does not see the Argentina friendly affecting the Eagles' performance in the Nations Cup qualifier away to Ethiopia four days later.

His words: 'We are professionals and in our various clubs we are used to playing matches within four days.

I know the Ethiopia match is as important if not more important than the Argentina match but we will approach both matches with the deserved seriousness to get desired results. I have full cºonfidence in the technical crew and its ability to manage the large pool of players for both matches.'

T

Move to England, Aikhuomogbe X-INTERNATIONAL goaltells Enyeama keeper, Andrew Aikhuomogbe

E

has said that only a move to the England Premier League will help the Eagles goalie, Vincent Enyeama maximize his potentials as the new season is set to commence inmajor leagues all over the world.

Enyeama was recently rumoured to be on his way to France in a popouted move from his Israeli side, Hapoel Tel Aviv, but Aikhuomogbe has said that the French League is not the best bet for the Nigerian first choice goalkeeper.

In a chat with NationSport, the former

By Innocent Amomoh Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper said Enyeama's class as a goalkeeper is good for the England League.

"I will advise him to move to England instead. He is better than most goalkeepers currently plying their trade in the league. It will be good for his carrier and for Nigeria.

If the likes of kingston of Ghana can be in England, then Enyeama stands a better chance," he said.

•Yobo

D

Beckham ties up Galaxy winner BECKHAM's 69th minute pass from 40 yards out on the right flank set up Lopez for his first goal of the season. Lopez flicked a header from just inside the penalty box to the far left corner, past goalkeeper Matt Reis.

Los Angeles, which didn't allow a single New England shot on goal, extended its winning streak to four games and has not conceded a goal in 321 minutes of play.

New England has failed to score in five of their 12 games this season, disappointing a season-best crowd.

In Houston, Colin Clark scored in the 87th minute to salvage a point for hosts Houston against Dallas.

Afforded space in the Dallas box, Clark met a through ball by midfielder Brad Davis and fired from 8 yards past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for the equalizer.

The Dynamo took a point despite playing the final 18 minutes down a man after defender Kofi Sarkodie was shown his second yellow card.

Dallas, which is unbeaten in eight games, opened the secoring via an Andrew Jacobson goal in the 27th minute but Houston forward Cam Weaver equalized shortly before half time.

Dallas defender Ugo Ihemelu headed in Marvin Chavez's corner in the 70th minute to make it 21.

important to celebrate him on this day.

“We however want invite his friends and well wishers to join us at the Atan Cemetery by 1pm today inorder to give a befitting remembrance.

“Shade and other Bayo’s friends have assured that they will be present at the programme. Let me also use this opportunity to thank everybody that stood by us in this period,” he stated.

It can be recalled that Olubayo lost his life in a car crash on April 18 in Greece while on his way to catch his flight in Airport to finalise his wedding plan.

Dream team arrives Costa Rica

N

IGERIA’s Under-23 football team, the Dream team V has arrived San Jose, Costa Rica ahead of Sunday’s international friendly with the Central American nation.

The Nigeria team arrived San Jose at about 11h45 Costa Rican time on Friday.

The dream team V is without three of its regular players Nosakhare Igiebor, Gbolahan Salami and Nnamdi Oduamadi who pulled out of the game at the last minute.

Guardiola commits future to Barca PEP Guardiola says he will be staying at Barcelona for one more season at least, despite speculation linking him with the vacant Chelsea job.

Guardiola's Barca side beat Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday night.

When asked if he was interested in Chelsea position, he said: "I will say it again, I have another year on my contract and I intend to work it out.

You have girls falling at your feet when you win but that can change overnight.

"I feel privileged to have these players. Everyone has worked towards this. We are very happy.

"But I have to look inside of me. I am happy to be here as coach of these guys. but it is not an easy job."

He also believes it is not realistic to try to emulate the 25 years Sir Alex Ferguson has been at the helm at Old Trafford in Spain.

"In England it can be 25 years, in Spain it is impossible," said Guardiola.

"They are different ways. For him to be manager for 25 years and create new teams and new teams he has my admiration. I know it is difficult.

"If you play this football (like Barcelona) you need these players. At another club maybe I would have a problem to find these kind of players."

Guardiola singled out the mercurial Lionel Messi for special praise.

HE referees for Wednesday’s high-profile international friendly football match between

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Argentina’s senior team (Guinness The Match) will come from Nigeria’s neighbours to the north, Niger Republic.

Officials revealed on Sunday that Ibrahim Chaibou, a FIFA-graded referee of many years, will be Centre Referee with Itinni Haman as 1st Assistant Referee. The 2nd Assistant Referee is Abdoulaye Mamane while Nigerian FIFA-graded official Bunmi Ogunkolade will work as the Fourth Official.

Wednesday’s clash at the National Stadium, Abuja, for which a total of 25,000 tickets are up for sale at the price of N2,500 each, will start at 7pm.

It is the fifth clash between both countries at senior level. Samson Siasia, presently Nigeria’s Head Coach, is the only man to have scored against Argentina at senior level, in the 1-2 loss to the Diego Maradona-led to the Argies at the Foxboro Stadium, Massachusetts, USA at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Both teams drew 0-0 at the Intercontinental Tournament for the King Fahd Cup (now FIFA Confederations Cup) in January in 1995,

He said: "Lionel is the best player I've ever seen, probably the best ever. He made the difference. Messi is unique, a one-off. I just hope he doesn't get fed up. When he doesn't play well it is because something is wrong with his environment. Let's hope he can continue playing well."

Guardiola was unsure, however, whether Barcelona were the best club team of all time.

"I don't know," he said.

"It is impossible to say. I didn't see the Real Madrid of Di Stefano and the Ajax of Cruyff. We try to play as well as possible. I hope in the next 10 or 15 years the people will remember them and have enjoyed them."

•Guardiola

However coach Austin Eguavoen has the luxury of the services of fifteen players who have made the trip.

“It is an important game and we want to win for Nigerians,” midfielder Harmony Ikande told SuperSport.com.

The game against Costa Rica comes up by 11h00 Costa Rican time on Sunday and will serve as a tune up game for the team ahead of their crucial 2012 Olympic qualifier against Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

The first leg of the second round qualifier against Tanzania comes up in Dar es Salaam on the weekend of June 3rd to 5th and the second leg will be played a forth night later in Nigeria.

but the Super Eagles were edged by the odd goal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Africa respectively.

However, Nigerians retain good memories of a 3-2 win over the South Americans in the gold medal match of the 1996 Olympics Men’s Football Tournament in Atlanta, USA. A pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Guinness The Match will hold on Tuesday at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja The event, to be anchored by famous television journalist, Aisha Falode, will start at 11am.

Argentina, whose team arrived in Nigeria’s Federal Capital, Abuja on Sunday evening, will have at the practice pitch of the National Stadium between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on Monday.

The Super Eagles, who will hit camp on Monday, will have their first training session at the same venue between 5.30pm and 7.30pm of the same day. Both sessions will be open to the media.

Tuesday’s training sessions, which will see both teams train at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, will be closed, with media presence allowed only for the first 15 minutes. Argentina will train first from 3pm to 5pm.

Lagos retains National Women's Cricket title

L

Late Olubayo’s family, friends visit graveside today ETERMINED to celebrate the times and life of the failing Super Eagles defender, Olubayo Adefemi, his family members will today pay a visit to the grave side of the late footballer.

Late Adefemi’s senior brother, Mr Abiodun Adefemi informed that the programme was put together to honour the Olubayo.

“It is forty one days that we lost our beloved brother and it is

Nigerien referees to handle Guinness the Match

AGOS State Women’s Cricket team again proved a tough nut to crack as they won the National Women’s Cricket Championship staged in Lagos from May 25-28. It was the second in the series.

In the last match of day 3 played between Lagos State and Ogun State at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos on Saturday May 28, Lagos showed supremacy again over Ogun winning by 7 wickets.

Ogun State scored a paltry 72 runs all out in 20 overs. Lagos State chased down the scores, scoring 73 runs in 11.4 overs with 7 wickets at hand.

Earlier in the day, Imo State women’s team defeated Edo State by 34 runs. Imo won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 113 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs.

Charity Izogu was the top scorer with 29 runs, Chioma Oluchi also weighed in with 17 runs. Omoye Asika, Munikat Abu and Evelyn Odion took 1 wicket each.

Edo State team scored 79 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs, Helen Okojie (7 runs), Yvonne Ajagun (4 runs). Imo State bowlers, Onyeoma took 2 wickets, Nnamdi, Ezirin, Uzuogu and Onyedum had 1 wicket each.

Ruth Ayannaike (Lagos) won the Cricketer and Batsman of the Series, Peju Adetoro (Ogun ) was Bowler of the Series,

Ekaete Etim (Lagos) was awarded the Fieldsman of the Series while the Wicket Keeper of the Series went to Obumneke Akunaru of Imo State.

Lagos topped the points table with 5 points and Net Run Rate (NRR) of 3.41.

Imo State came second with 5 points and Net Run Rate of 1.88. Ogun State came third with 1 point and Net Run Rate of 2.46 while Edo State came fourth with 1 point and Net Run Rate of -3.28.

The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation and Chairman of Africa Cricket Association, Kwesi Sagoe, commended the participants for their performance. He promised that the federation will organize a coaching clinic for women cricketers soon in order to improve their skills.

The National Development Manager of the federation thanked the participants, officials, support staff, spectators and the press for making the tourney a resounding success.

Rome was perfect Tyson on the toughest fight of his life his prime, "Iron Mike" was as champ ever. Iron Mike, the selfacid test for Bolt IN formidable a boxer as ever entered proclaimed "baddest man on the the ring. Mike Tyson used to make headlines outside the ring as well but now he's retired and, he says, far more laid-back than he was in his bad old days.

If you were around in the 1980s and '90s, you surely know Mike Tyson. A braggart, a brawler, he was the youngest, undisputed heavyweight

•Tyson

POLICE detained 84 people during overnight celebrations in Barcelona to celebrate the Catalan side's Champions League win, police said on Sunday.

They were arrested for throwing objects, damaging bus shelters and other street furniture, public disorder or attacking police, Catalan police said in a statement.

Around 130 people were injured during the all-night celebrations, most of them lightly, a local emergency services spokeswoman said.

Thirty-seven police were among the injured.

Some 50,000 people packed Barcelona's cental streets following the Catalan giant's 3-1 win over Manchester United at London's Wembley Stadium, according to the police statement.

They erupted into cheers, launched

planet" was one of the richest, most recognizable athletes in the world.

His successes in the ring were matched only by his excesses outside it: the women, the drugs, the crimes, the controversy. But that was then; this is now. At 44, he's shed 150 pounds and a lot of old baggage. He turned away from his outsized lusts and lifestyle, trading them in for the sundrenched suburbs of Las Vegas, and endless time with his oldest friends - his pigeons.

"These are all the birds that I bred," says Tyson. "These are my babies."

It's a passion he shared with the audience of Animal Planet in a recent series, "Taking on Tyson."

"These birds over here, I've had since I was 14 years old," he says.

The bad man, now a dedicated birdman and full-time dad, shares this suburban house with his third wife, Kiki, an infant son Morocco, napping upstairs, and two-year-old Milan.

"Oh, I love you. That's Bill. Say Hi, Bill," Tyson tells Whitaker.

He's father of eight, but never spent much quality time with the older ones.

fireworks and brandished imitation trophies as first Pedro, then Lionel Messi and finally David Villa banged the ball into the net.

On the eve of the match, police cleared the Plaza de Catalunya of an encampment set up by hundreds of demonstrators decrying Spain's economic crisis, clashing with some who blocked city cleaning trucks.

Police said they had to dismantle the tents in readiness for the Barcelona victory party.

Barcelona will party on through Sunday when the players make a victorious homecoming parade.

Celebrations begin at 5.30pm (1530 GMT) in Barcelona's port and wrap up with a musical spectacle in the Camp Nou at 10pm (2000 GMT).

Ferdinand hails Man Utd in defeat MANCHESTER United can look back on a good season despite another crushing Champions League final defeat, says Rio Ferdinand.

•Ferdinand

For the second time in three years, United could find no answer to Barcelona.

Wayne Rooney’s first-half equaliser might have given Sir Alex Ferguson’s men some hope of recording a shock victory at Wembley.

However, once Lionel Messi had scored his first goal on English soil, there was no way back for the Premier League champions, who were condemned to a 3-1 defeat by David Villa’s sweet curling effort.

"We have had a fantastic season this year," said Ferdinand.

"We are disappointed and this defeat leaves a bad taste in the mouth going into the summer but when you sit back and reflect on things we have had a top season.

"We reached the Champions League final again. We won the league. We reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. It has not been a bad season."

However, raising spirits is going to be incredibly hard for Ferguson, knowing his team appear to have hit a brick wall in the brilliant Catalans, who confirmed their status as one of the best teams ever to have played the game.

Fitness coach: Ronaldo can play until he's 38

REAL Madrid fitness coach Valter Di Salvo claims the club's top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo can emulate former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs and play into his late 30's.

Ronaldo has enjoyed a superb season on a personal level, breaking the La

Ferguson pondering rebuilding process

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...

ACCORDING to the experts, success in sport hinges on a few fundamental principles, including speed, endurance, strength, suppleness, and the element of surprise — without which an athlete is at a distinct disadvantage.

What the world saw at the Golden Gala meet in Rome last Thursday was an athletics superstar who won the men's 100 metres by brilliantly adhering to and executing the first three principles. Usain Bolt, after being sidelined with injury problems for the majority of last season, must indeed be commended for landing the blue riband event through sheer grit and strength of mind.

Watched by a throng of adoring fans at the Olympic Stadium in the Italian capital, and most probably, millions more in television land, the Jamaican was admittedly all over the place in terms of race execution. His start, drive phase and acceleration were far from perfect, and he ultimately prevailed by virtue of his natural talent and combative disposition, which came to the fore in the final few strides of the race.

Police detain 84 during Barca celebrations

AFTERMATH OF BARCA LOSS ALEX Ferguson is pondering the most daunting rebuilding task of his 25year reign at Manchester United after seeing his side destroyed by Barcelona

41

in the Champions League final.

For the second time in three years, Ferguson's men were comprehensively outplayed by Barcelona on the biggest stage of all, losing a one-sided final 3-1 on an electrifying night at Wembley here Saturday.

Majestic goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa emphatically snuffed out United's dreams of a fourth Champions League title -- and left Ferguson pondering what he will have to do to conquer Europe once more.

While Ferguson has built a succession of championship-winning sides since joining United in 1986, the scale of the latest construction job -finding a team capable of dethroning Barcelona -- must be his biggest challenge.

Ferguson, 69, sounded a defiant note as he spoke to reporters in the bowels of Wembley late on Saturday, comparing the final defeat to the mauling United received against Barcelona in 1994, when they lost 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

"This may be the same kind of stepping stone that we had a some years ago when they beat us 4-0," Ferguson said. "We're improved from that and we want to improve next season."

That defeat 17 years ago marked the beginning of the end for many players at United, with Ferguson putting his faith in the products of the club's youth system the following season.

Liga goalscoring record in the process, netting 40 times to overtaking Hugo Sanchez' 38.

However, the 26 year old had to settle for a Copa del Rey winner's medal in 2011, with Madrid coming up short in their pursuit of La Liga and Champions League glory.

Di Salvo, who joined the Spanish giants from Manchester United in the summer of 2003 is also adamant Ronaldo's big money move to the Bernabeu in 2009 will turn out to be a bargain.

"It is difficult to say where the ceiling is for Ronaldo because he never gives up. I think he will play upto 38 years at the top. Like [Ryan] Giggs, he is a professional and an example for all his companions," the fitness coach told Marca.

"I think that Madrid made a cheap signing because he will play at the highest standard for many years and he will give a lot for Madrid."

The Italian coach believes Ronaldo's professionalism when it comes to looking after his body is the reason why he will enjoy a prolonged career.

•C. Ronaldo

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

25

Fashola: Consolidating the gains of first term

• The new city mall

W

ITH his swearing-in for a second term yesterday, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola is set to re-enact the magic of his first term, which endeared him to the people. He set the tone for what to expect in this dispensation, with the stocktaking by his commissioners a few weeks ago. During the exercise, the commissioners showed that Fashola faithfully implemented his 10-point agenda.

The agenda included: aggressive road rehabilitation and construction; improved health care delivery; effective and efficient transportation system model; food security through facilitation of sustainable food production and processing, empowerment of farmers /fishermen cooperative societies; and creation of employment through the introduction of graduate empowerment programmes, among others.

In May 2007, when he began his first term, Fashola assembled a team of professionals as members of his executive Council (Exco).

They assiduously implemented government policies and programme, with the objective of positioning the state as an African model mega city.

While some find it difficult to explain the government’s extraordinary performance in infrastructure, social and economic development, others are of the view that the administration of Fashola, which has become a pride to the state and the nation,

• A micro-water scheme

By Miriam Ndikanwu

needs to focus more on developing the hinterland, investing in security of lives and property and provision of affordable housing, among others.

Lagosians are pouring accolades on

Govt to set up software institute THE Lagos State Government is to establish a software engineering institute where reliable software systems; sound information technology and software engineers would be produced.

Commissioner for Science and Technology, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said when it takes off, the institute would not only generate revenue, but reduce the cost of purchasing software by the government. He said though the institute may require a huge capital outlay, plans were on for the school to commence operation at the Lagos Digital Village at Alausa, Lagos. Hamzat said the state’s website: www.lagosstate.gov.ng has been upgraded to a web portal status to match the huge demands of users, even as he promised unhindered access to information about the government on the portal.

PHOTOS: MIRIAM NDIKANWU

Fashola for the achievement recorded during his first term. His achievements include construction of 150 roads covering 176.03km, maintenance of 195 roads by the state Public Works Corporation, (LSPWC) while 132 others are ongoing across the state.

Four-day-old baby abandoned in Badagry A FOUR-DAY-old baby girl has been abandoned at a private maternity home in Ajara, Topo, Badagry, Lagos.

The Medical Director, Mrs Juliet Onyekame, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the baby was delivered about 6:30pm on Tuesday by the mother who never registered for anti-natal care in the maternity.

She said after taking delivery of the baby, the unidentified mother said she was leaving to arrange the payment of her hospital bill, only to phone her later that she could take charge of the baby.

“She told me she was going to look for money but she did not come back until she phoned me on Wednesday that I am now the mother of the baby,” Mrs Onyekame said.

Thirty public buildings — high courts, play grounds, maternal/child care centres and elearning centres, among others - were also completed by the administration.

Besides, the government environmental

•SEE PAGE 26

Council threatens to sanction ferry owners THE Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area, Sabiu Omolaja-Adelaja, has threatened to sanction boat and ferry owners who fail to provide life jackets for passengers.

He said the boat operators should also compel the passengers to use the life jackets while travelling in the area.

Omolaja-Adelaja told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe that the council had held several enlightenment campaigns for passengers and boat operators on the need to use life jackets.

“Any boat owner whose passengers fail to use life jackets while travelling on water in this area will be arrested and his boat seized,” he added.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

26

CITY BEATS Driver’s institute trains 675,000 ABOUT 675,000 professional drivers have been trained and certified by the Lagos State Driver’s Institute (LASDRI), since it was established in 2007.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Prof.

Bamidele Badejo said while 500,000 drivers were retrained and certified, about 175,000 went through the full-scale training on driving, maintenance, management, customer service relations, ethics and how to be road-user friendly.

He said the institute was collating data of drivers in the state, noting that the institute is ready to collaborate and assist driving schools in curriculum development and training of institutions.

Idris apologises again for doctors’ strike THE Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, has again apologised to Lagosians on the prolonged strike by medical doctors, saying such days were over.

Idris said the government and the health workers were now working together and building bridges of understanding, trust and approachment.

He said: “We sincerely regret the hardship this posed to all the residents of this state. We sincerely thank you all for your understanding while the strike lasted.”

Idris assured that, with the new spririt between government and workers in the health sector, the days of misunderstanding that could lead to such action were over.

LAGBUS chief decries state of roads THE Managing Director of LAGBUS Asset Management Ltd, Babatunde Disu, has expressed concern over what he described as the deplorable state of the Oshodi-Abule-Egba-Sango expressway.

Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the pothole-riddled road was taking its toll on the operations of the company, as the buses plying the road “are becoming rickety”.

Apart from the damage to the buses, Disu said the buses’ turn around time is lengthened as a result of the traffic snarl on the route, which affects their operations. “We have written letters to the Federal Ministry of Works to repair the bad portions of the road.

The bad state of the road is having a serious effect on our operations.”

•Continued from page 25

regeneration programme has enhanced the security of lives and property as places that were abode of miscreants and illegal occupants have been recovered and transformed for the benefit of Lagosians and other Nigerians, adding that it has impacted positively on the economy of the state. ‘’Our beautification works have greatly improved the aesthetic appeal of the environment, contributed to the global war against climate change and boosted tourism as a major revenue earner, among other benefits’’ said Dr. Muiz Banire, the outgoing Commissioner for the Environment.

He listed some of the reclaimed and beautified open spaces as Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island; MKO Abiola Park, Ojota; Gani Fewehinmi Park, Ojota; Ayodele Awojobi Park, Onike, Iwaya and Herbert Macaulay in Yaba.

The programmes on child rights and protection of vulnerable persons in the society, were reflected in the prosecution of about 50 rapists who are currently facing trial in court for abusing children.

About N1.28 billion was disbursed as loans to smallscale traders under the Lagos State Micro-Finance Institution, LASMI. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Coca-Cola Company Plc to roll out 2,000 iconic kiosks that will be distributed to women, men and the youth to further reduce the widening poverty gap.

Similar feats were record in health, rural development, agriculture and transportation where the government reform yielded impressive results starting with the provision of 500 buses to ply about 29 BRT routes.

The government also provided 2,000 modern ve-

•One of the new schools delivered by Fashola

PHOTO: MIRIAM NDIKANWU

Fashola: Consolidating the gains of first term hicles to members of Lagos State Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA); and registered two companies to operate ferry services.

There is also the ongoing construction of the light rail project along the LagosBadagry 10-lane expansion project. These reforms will help address transportation challenges as well as create employment for over 8,000 Nigerians who will work in various categories.

For millions of Lagosians, the performance of the governorhas made it state the envy of others and other earned him a second term.

But while accolades continue to pour in for the governor and his team in the first dispensation, expectations are high that the new dispensation would usher in more dividends of democracy for the people.

Some residents who spoke

with our reporter on their expectations from the government in the new dispensation, said there was the need for the governor to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far so as to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

Mrs. Tonia Ifon said: “Lagosians are happy that Fashola was voted in overwhelmingly during the election to continue from Governor makes where he stopped in Lagosians the first proud term, this is very good for the state because that way he would complete the various ongoing projects.

“It is true that the government did so well in the area of road rehabilitation and construction, but there is the need to open up the hinterland and make the areas

liveable for residents. We are counting on the governor for improved security and also hopeful that the ongoing construction of light rail project would be completed to improve transportation”.

Mr Femi Afolayan said his expectation is for the government to improve the Independent Power Project (IPP), saying by so doing, electricity will no longer be a problem in the state.

“There is also an observation that the restriction of vehicles form the BRT lanes is no longer being enforced, motorists now usethe dedicated lanes which is making it frustrating for lovers of the BRT system. I think emphasis should be on how to check this and make our people law-abiding citizens.”

He equally advised the government to open up the

various canals to address the problem of flooding that his given residents concern in recent times.

Another resident, Mr Yusuf Lawal, called for improved electricity through IPP, adding that this would encourage the establishment of organisations and create employment for citizens.

“There is the need for implementation of programmes that would impact on the grass root, such programmes include more infrastructural development that will set the state ahead of others.”

Lawal urged the government to keep its promise to deliver dividends of democracy to the electorate, saying that it was as a result of this that the people voted overwhelmingly for the Action Congress of Nigeria in the state.

Elegushi family condemns rights lawyer

By Oziegbe Okoeki

•Elegushi

T

HE Elegushi Family of Ikate land in Eti Osa local government area has condemned a Lagos lawyer, Mr Ebun Adegboruwa, over his role in a land dispute involving the family and people of Itedo community.

According to a representative of the family, Chief Murtala Elegushi and the

family lawyer, Mr. Ajetunmobi Olayinka Saheed, Adegboruwa, who is the counsel to the Itedo community in a suit over the land, has been employing unprofessional tactics to delay and frustrate proceedings.

The land has been a subject of dispute since 1996 but Adegboruwa became counsel to the claimants from 2006.

He, Adegboruwa, they stated further has also gone ahead to build a residential house and his law chamber on the disputed land at Itedo in flagrant disobedience to a status quo orFamily, der by the lawyer court. fight Addressing the press a over land

fortnight ago, on behalf of Onikate of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Murtala, who is the secretary to Elegushi Royal Family and secretary to Elegushi Property and Investment Company, said Justice Fowobi (rtd) gave an order that all the parties, including the Lagos State Government, should maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the matter in court.

“Adegboruwa built a house on the disputed land and has even built his office there. All we are trying to do is to avoid commotion as lawabiding people of the state.

“By virtue of the Land Use Decree, the government of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande said nobody owns land in the state. Now, the government said that it

could not give us Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) unless we formed a company to comply with the government’s directive, which was why we formed Elegushi Property Investment Company. We share boundary with Onikoyi Family, that boundary has now become that of the Lagos State Government. So, we now share boundary with the state government,” he added.

Corroborating this, the family lawyer, Saheed, insisted that the attitude of Adegboruwa was wrong and unbecoming of a lawyer.

“The Itedo people, represented by Most Senior Evangelist Ikuogbowo Harrison, lay claim that the land was sold to them by Elegushi Royal family and we have

asked them to show proof that they actually bought the land, but they have no proof.”

In his reaction to the story in a telephone interview, Mr Adegboruwa said that the case was actually filed by the Itedo people and that the Elegushi Family has no locus standing to comment on the matter.

The allegation against him, he said, is a subject matter before the court, adding that he could not comment on the issue.

“I will wait for the decision of the court on the matter, but I want to tell you that there is no iota of truth in the allegation. I acquired all my properties legitimately following the due process, so I will wait for the court to decide,” he stressed.

EMERGENCY LINES 1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

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

STATE AGENCIES

3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 080-75005411; 080-60152462 080-23111742; 080-29728371 080-23909364; 080-77551000 01-7904983

4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

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

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

27

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

28

CITY BEATS

‘Make housing available to all’

T

HE President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Femi Deru, has urged government at all levels to make housing available to every Nigerian.

Deru spoke at the launch of the journal of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV).

He said the housing stock was not growing at the same rate with the population, a situation which needed to be urgently addressed. He pointed out that the rising cost of building materials may have been responsible for the shortfall.

“As professionals, we know that the problem of housing is affordability. I, therefore, call on the gov-

ernment to develop immediate policy action towards addressing it”.

He urged the government to tackle the rising cost of building materials, registration of land use structure, interest rate regime, mortgage finance, house designs, building collapse, site and service schemes and Land Use Act. To check building collapse, an expert and president of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, Victor Oyenuga, canvassed the use of potable water in mixing concrete.

Mr Oyenuga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that potable water is best for mixing concrete materials as low quality water might contain chemicals which could produce weak concrete.

“A coloured water must

contain iron-in-solution and this will not mix well with cement, which is a major binding agent. Cement, sand and gravel are chemical compounds and when they are mixed with another compound, there is the tendency to produce very weak concrete. This may not be discovered immediately, but few years after construction, the building or structure will develop large cracks,” Oyenuga said.

He urged owners of structures to stop encouraging their workers from using all manners of water to mix cement as this may be injurious to their investment.

“Water for mixing concrete should be potable water, water that is okay for drinking. If the water is yellow, it must contain iron in solution, which will not mix with cement,” he said.

FROM THE COURT

Court dissolves 25-year-old marriage

T

HE Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Mushin, has dissolved a 25-yearold marriage. The marriage was blessed with two children.

The court president, Dr P.A Ipaye, in his judgment, said all efforts to reconcile the couple proved abortive.

The court noted that the respondent told the court that he had married another woman whom he is staying with.

Mrs Florence told the court that she has gotten another accommodation for her children because the respondent has rented their former apartment to his new-in-law.

“I thank God I have a job that provides food on the table for me and my children.

If not for the job what would I have done to take proper care of my children?” she queried sadly.

The court president compelled the petitioner to remit N10,000 monthly to the court for the two children’s feeding allowance and that the medical bills are his respon-

By Uchechi Nze

sibilities.

The court warned them to maintain absolute peace since their “union is hereby dissolved”; it also informed them that they are free to cohabit with any partner of their choice.

The court president, however, made it known to them that the custody of the children has been referred to the family court but pending the hearing of their case, the children are to remain with the petitioner. The court told Mrs Florence not to deny her husband access to see the children any time he wished to see them.

“They are free to mingle with their choice of partner and also permitted to get a copy of their judgment for future purpose. Also, if they are not satisfied with the court judgment they are allowed to seek for another judgment from the High Court within 30 days of the judgment passed to them,” the court stated.

Mr James was not Maintain happy that absolute the chilpeace dren’s custody was granted to the petitioner, he proved stubborn at the court by not allowing his wife to leave the court premises with the children.

He asked: “How will I be able to see my children because I don’t know the whereabouts of my former wife? I was hoping the court will grant the custody of my children to me.”

The court told him that, it is not possible for the children to be in his custody because he has another woman staying with him, that was why the custody of the children favoured the petitioner, and also she is their mother Dr Ipaye warned the respondent to avoid violence or argument because if he disobeys the rules and regulation of the court law, of course, there will be consequences.

Judgment was delivered on May 19.

‘Why we can no longer live together’

A

• Members of the group

CDHR sensitises Mushin residents

A

GROUP, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has urged residents of Mushin to report any case of human right abuses in the community to it for proper follow up.

The group staged a walkthrough campaign at the weekend around major streets of Mushin.

Its Co-ordinator, Mushin Model Unit, Mr Jude Admikwe, who led the group for the rally, said the campaign was organised to correct the rising cases of human right abuses in the area.

“We live in the society where rights of individual are violated with impunity.

Some people’s rights are infringed upon by the by police, navy, military and even by their fellow civilians. We

By Sunday Ogundugba

have had of cases of tenant being harassed and brutalised by their landlords. When we saw all these, we are torched and we are out to challenge these anomalies in our society,” he said.

He said many residents cannot address injustice because of ignorance, saying the organisation was doing everything possible to curb the situation through mass awareness and helping them to get lawyers to follow up the cases.

“Since the establishment of this organisation in Mushin, we have had more than 10 cases of human right violation. We have assisted many people to fight for their Residents urged rights and we will continue fight for to do so as far rights as human

right abuses are concerned”, he said.

He said the organisation focusses on police brutality because most cases of human right abuses in Nigeria are masterminded by the police. ”How can somebody in police custody be dehumanised all in the name of investigating criminal matters.

Somebody in police custody must been taken care of. A suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by the court.

This is not so with Nigeria Police. Bail is also meant to be free but in our police stations, it is not so.”

He urged the Lagos State government to regulate the activities of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), saying they ought to have a human face in performing their duties.

Council chief advises students

T

HE Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, has advised students of tertiary institutions to use their knowledge to add value to the society.

Bamigbetan gave the advice while delivering a lecture at the 2010/2011 orientation week of Social Sciences Students Association (SOSSA) of Lagos State University, at the campus in Ojo. The topic of the lecture was “Social Scientist as a leader

in the 21st Century”.

Bamigbetan, who is a political scientist, appealed to the Social Science students, particularly the freshers, to see their admission into LASU as an opportunity for them to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state.

He told the students that social scientists are trained to be sensitive to the wellbeing of people around them, and, as such, they will always go extra miles to make life meaningful for

people around them, particularly, when they are in position of leadership.

The council chairman related this ideal to his experience in Ejigbo LCDA, where he has been able to touch the lives of residents through the provision of free uniform for pupils of nine public primary schools, free meals for the pupils every Monday, GCE and JAMB forms to indigent students and free drugs to residents who attend the council’s health care centres.

GRADE A Customary Court, Lagos Island, has dissolved the 13-year old marriage of a woman who accused her husband of not caring for her.

Mrs Patience Amaefule pleaded with the court to end the marriage and award custody of their four children to her. The husband, Mr Michael Amaefule, urged the court to be fast about dissolving the marriage.

Both said they were fed up with the marriage.

Mr Amaefule said he could not continue to accommodate is as a wife any more.

He prayed the court to grant the petitioner’s application without delay.

Mrs Amaefule told the court that the relationship at its early stages had been cordial, as there was peace and love.

But the situation, she said, changed in January when the husband stopped caring for her.

She also prayed the court to dissolve and grant her the custody of the four children.

In view of the husband’s promise to provide for his children all their needs, academically, socially and other wise, the court dissolved the marriage.

The court’s President, Mr

•Court dissolves marriage

By Emmanuel Udodinma

Sobowale Siffre, said: “This is an uncontested case. The respondent who appeared in court throughout the proceedings, did not contest the petition nor did he deny any of the allegations made against him by the petitioner as contained in her evidence and statement of claim.

“There is no doubt that the marriage between both parties has broken down irretrievably. The motion therefore succeeds.”

The court also dissolved the 24-year old marriage Mrs Shikirat Obi and Mr Abiodun.

Mrs Obi, a trader, said that her husband was loving and caring until he became the chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ajah branch.

“That was when he became a different man in our matrimonial home,” she told the court. She said he resorted to returning home late at night, sometimes as late as 1.00am or 2.am and would pick offence when asked why he was returning at such odd hour. She said he would

‘

There is no doubt that the marriage between both parties has broken down irretrievably.

The motion, therefore, succeeds

’

sometimes punch her and beat her up. She said the glasses she now wears was as a result the beating she received from him. She said she could not bear it any longer.

Shikirat also informed the court that one of these beating and punching was in the presence of her mother.

She prayed the court to dissolve their marriage and that custody of her three children should be awarded to her.

Responding Mr. Abiodun Obi told the court that Shakirat had never been a faithful partner.

He said she accepted to marry him against the wishes and directives of her parents because of the money he was lavishing on her.

He also denied physically assaulting her, saying he still loved her. The man maintained that due to the love he has for her, he renounced his membership as a cult member.

According to him, he pleaded with the wife for reconciliation of the differences, and even got important personalities to mediate, but that she refused.

He urged the court to use its wisdom to determine the case in the interest of the children. Mr Siffre, after considering the evidence, dissolved the marriage and awarded custody of the children to woman.

The man is to pay N12,000 monthly through the court as maintenance allowance for the children. He was also granted access to them.

Driver in court for damaging policeman’s car

A

N alleged reckless driver, who damaged a Toyota Corolla car belonging to a police officer, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on a three-count charge.

Sunday Akanbi, 34, was charged with dangerous driving, causing damage and failure to produce drivers’ licence.

He, however, pleaded not

guilty.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Idowu Onime said that the accused drove in a dangerous manner and damaged the car belonging to a divisional crime officer.

“The accused did not show any remorse; he refused to pay for the damage; hence, he was brought to Court,” Onime said.

He submitted that the accused also failed to produce his driver’s licence.

The prosecutor said that the alleged offences were committed on May 21 at the Orile Bus Stop on the LagosBadagry Expressway.

He said the alleged offences contravened Sections 18, 28 (1) and 36 (1) of the Road Traffic Laws.

Senior Magistrate M.K.O. Fadeyi granted the accused bail in the sum of N25,000 with a surety in like sum.

Fadeyi adjourned further hearing till June 22.

FACILITY

EMPOWERMENT

ISSUE

Youths centre inaugurated

Computers, cash donated to prisons

‘Corps members should be trained in firearms’

Ondo

32

Ekiti

T

Lagos

36

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

MONDAY MAY 30, 2011 HREE secondary schools in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been given science equipment worth N10 million by the lawmaker representing the constituency in the state parliament, Hon. Akindele Adeniyi.

The equipments which were presented at a colourful ceremony in Iju had in attendance stakeholders in the education sector.

In his speech, Adeniyi said he donated the equipments to boost

35

Page 29

Lawmaker donates science tools to schools From Damisi Ojo, Akure

science education in secondary schools.

The benefitting schools are: Elu Iju Comprehensive High School, Igbatoro High School and Alamo High School.

While distributing the equipments to the benefitting schools, Adeniyi said emphasis must be placed on the

development of science education.

He said the donation was necessitated by the desire to complement the state government’ efforts in the education sector, adding that he purchased the equipments with his constituency funds.

He said most students these days run away from science subjects, a development which he noted has undermined the

nation’s technological advancement.

He said, “I believe the science equipments will go a long way in assisting science students in their learning process. All efforts must be geared towards developing science education at the secondary level.

“Since government alone cannot provide everything for its citizenry, it is the duty of the lawmakers to also complement

government’s efforts”.

The recently re-elected lawmaker lamented the poor quality of education in many states of the federation, saying most states are not giving education the desired attention it needs.

He pointed out that efforts must be geared towards bridging the gap between private and public-owned primary and post primary schools.

Continued on Page 31

N3m facility excites farmers

G

600, including widows, PLWHAs, benefit

REAT things are happening in the camp of small-scale farmers in NasarawaState.

A credit facility given to them by the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) will help shore up their capital and boostproduction.

About 600 of the farmers, among them widows and people living with HIV/AIDS or PLWHAs, will split the total sum of N3m granted

by NANTS, with each getting N50,000.

The cheque covering the loan facility was presented in Lafia, the statecapital.

The beneficiaries, who have hailed NANTS for the gesture, belong to an association called Middle Belt Small-Scale Farmers Network(MIBSSFANET).

The occasion took place at the Donama Plaza along Jos Road, Lafia, and had small-scale farmers from across the three zones of the state in attendance. They were made up mainly of women and were led by the president of the association,JumaiYohanna.

There was also a capacitybuilding workshop for the farmers.

Mr. Ken Ukaoha, President of NANTS, presented the N3 million cheque.

The farmers’ programme is in phases.

Inthefirstpart,only70registered members got micro-credit of N5,000 each which all were able to pay back before the commencement of the second phase.

One person out of the number was however unable to meet up with the payment owing to death.

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

However, the widow of the deceased was said to have since redeemedtheloan.

NANTS said their aim is to empower mainly widows, PLWHAs and other challenged persons such as those without any visible means of livelihood. They added that the organisation wants

Some farmers at the event

to reduce poverty and hunger acrossthecountry.

Most of the farmers who recounted their experiences narrated how their lives had been enhanced and their businesses greatlyimproved.

They said it has helped to stave off pressurefromthehomefront.

One of the beneficiaries of the credit, Yaguda Tsiga who spoke to

Newsextra at the event said that he got N5,000 from NANTS and it actually helped him to increase his yields when he put it use. He however appealed to the organisation to increase the credit to a higher sum, though he failed to name any amount that would prefer.

Continued on Page 30

Yaguda Tsiga, a farmer

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

30

Donation boosts Ekiti hospital, dialysis centre

T

HERE was excitement at the University Teaching Hospital, AdoEkiti when two big donations were made to the facility in as many months.

The first was the donation of medical facilities by a USA-based associate of Governor Kayode Fayemi, Dr. Gboyega Adesokan.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The items which included surgical equipment, physiotherapy tools, beds and mattresses, were received on behalf of the government by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji.

The materials would go a long way in helping government to actualise the goals of the administration to transform the health sector in line with its 8-point agenda

The Commissioner, who thanked the donor, Dr. Adesokan, noted that the materials would go a long way in helping government to actualise the goals of the administration to transform the health sector in line with its 8-point agenda.

He said the facilities which were at no cost to the government, would greatly enhance service delivery in the hospital and would cause significant shift in the attitude of workers and patients alike, adding that the work goes better with needed tools and materials.

The Commissioner assured the people of the state of the commitment of the administration of Governor Fayemi to the well-being of the citizenry.

Dr. Gboyega Adesokan stated that the donation of the medical facilities was con-

sequent upon Governor Fayemi’s call on the Ekiti in the diaspora to come and join hands with the state government to transform its key sectors.

The second donation made by the MTN was a dialysis centre equipped with two machines valued at N12m each. The centre strated operation in April this year. It was gathered that prior the donation, patients in need of dialysis were referred to hospitals either in Ibadan or Ife at great risk to their lives, and also at higher cost.

The Chief Medical Director of the University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun, said the dialysis centre caters for a minimum of four patients in a week.

He described dialysis as a medical term for bringing out harmful elements that the kidney cannot eliminate on its own.

N3m facility excites farmers •Continued from Page 29

A woman who simply gave her name as La’ama said she was full of appreciation to the organisation, adding that the gesture has greatly boosted her farm products.

Unlike the previous years when she used to produce one bag of rice from her farm, she said the money enabled her to purchase insecticides and pay labourers. She said she was surprised to harvest five bags.

On her part, Unice Adigizi who also appealed for an upward review of the N5,000 credit, said the amount is too meagre to take them anywhere.

Adigizi who farms groundnuts, said after buying insecticides and spending money on a few other small things, ther would be nothing left. NANTS, she said, should please help them by increasing the money in order to produce more.

Most of the small-scale farmers who spoke during the occasion actually requested for more funds, saying it will go a long way in improving their yield at the end of every farming season, and pay back the loans with ease.

They were however all appreciative of NANTS’ efforts which they believe have turned things around for them. They said that if government had taken so much interest in small-scale farmers, food prices would have crashed by now and probably employment may have increased.

In his address, the President of NANTS, Mr. Ken Ukaoha described the intervention of his organisation as a good development which is capable of reducing hunger, unemployment, squabbles and poverty.

The action of NANTS, he said, stemmed from their belief that the agricultural sector holds the key to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“Our actions today are motivated by NANTS’ clear discovery that the agricultural sector holds the key to Nigeria’s economic transformation, poverty alleviation, and food security.

“Poverty incidence is closely linked with the performance of the agricultural sector, which along with agri-business is the main source of livelihood, especially in the rural areas.

“This is because agriculture employs about two-thirds of Nigeria’s labour force; it contributes over 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides about 88% of non-oil earnings. The crops sector contributes about 85% of the agricultural GDP, livestock (10%), fisheries (4%) and forestry (1%).

He pointed out that over 90% of the Nigerian agricultural output is accounted for by these small-scale and subsistence farmers with less than two hectares farm holding.

He explained that the small-scale farm-

•A section of farmers at the event

Poverty incidence is closely linked with the performance of the agricultural sector, which along with agri-business is the main source of livelihood, especially in the rural areas ers are also currently faced with the problem of land grabbing where large community agricultural farmlands in Nigeria are acquired by powerful people and national and international corporate for commercial purposes thereby displacing them from their sources of livelihoods. This, he said, is threat to the deprived farmers as well as to food security.

For any meaningful headway in agriculture in Nigeria, Ukaoha said that government at all levels must make greater investments in agriculture, especially small-scale farming, in accordance with the commitment to the 2003 AU Maputo Declaration and Abuja Declaration which demand a minimum of 10% of national

budgets for agriculture.

Thanking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the creation of the current Agriculture Intervention Fund, Ukoaha said that the apex bank has seen the need to awaken the agricultural sector which was comatose, resulting in the Agric Investment Fund.

He said the efforts of the CBN in this direction is quite commendable.

He also made a case for more support to be given to small-scale farmers from whose hoes and machetes about 90% of food production in Nigeria is made possible.

“NANTS was extremely happy when the government, through the CBN, ac-

corded recognition to the call and announced that 20% of the funds would be dedicated to the small-scale farmers,” he said.

He regretted, though, that till date, “we are not sure whether up to 5% of the funds has been accessed by these SSF. The reason is that the original hurdles that have always faced access to finance by these informal operators are still there, and seem insurmountable”.

The president of the small-scale farmers, Jumai Yohanna thanked NANTS for the support.

Hoping to partner with NANTS whom she said has identified with them when all other organisations including governments have turned a blind eye, Mrs. Yohanna said her association will remain forever grateful.

The Increase of the micro-credit from N5,000 in the phase of the programme to a staggering N50,000, according to her, caught her and the members of the group by surprise.

Though they they begged for an increase in the credit sum, she said they never envisaged that it could rise up to that amount, and promised that they will put it to proper use.

She also promised to ensure that they pay back promptly what was given, saying they may also get an increase they never bargained for.

THE NATION

31

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

Market board urged to show good leadership

M

EMBERS and management of Lagos State Market Development Board have been urged to display good leadership.

This charge was made by the founder and National President, Leadership without Borders Initiatives, Jeffrey Abidoye at a one-day special retreat for management staff of the market board held at the Elephant House, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to Abidoye, good leadership is needed if the market board is to move on to greater heights in its quest to reposition markets in the state.

Speaking on the topic, Many Leaders, No Leadership, he stressed that bad leadership has led to unbridled corruption in the public service, poor remuneration and welfare packages, poor motivation and little dedication to duty; disloyalty and dishonesty; lack of patriotism, among others.

“The only way to be an effective and affective employee is to nurture, redefine and sustain a good perception about besetting issues of life at all times. A leader must define, develop and believe in himself, refuse to flow with the crowd, have a firm faith in the system, must be valuebased and employ integrity as his watchword,” he said.

“Righteousness is the only ladder that will take our institutions and our great country to the next level. I see a glorious future in Nigeria. Taking Lagos State and

•From left: Alhaja Kuburat Badmus, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and Alhaji Wasiu Oyewole during the orientation and retreat for Lagos State Market Development Board

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Nigeria to the path of greatness and enviable height in the comity of nations is not a matter of chance; it is not what we can achieve by murmuring and complaining but it will be a matter of our choice,” he added.

Deputy Chairman, Lagos State Market Development Board, Mr. Folashade TinubuOjo said the training was for the newly inducted members of the board and the management staff, saying that the aim is to

sharpen their skills in leadership.

“The objective is to inculcate in them their expected roles and responsibilities as well as equip them with leadership skills, management and style. As long as we are trained, we will have the skills to deliver,” she stated.

According to her, the objective of the board was to ensure that markets in Lagos State lived up to the standard befitting a mega city as well as ensure that the layout of markets in the state was well design to create

aesthetic appeal.

Other papers delivered at the retreat are Physical Fitness and Wellness by Mr. Adeyemi Irinyemi and Communication for Effective Leadership and Results by Isikhueme Sylvester, Communication, Human Capital and Management Consultant and Wilbert Eden-Okoro, Publicist and Public Relations.

Communities demand compensation From Osagie Otabor, Benin

N

•Hon Akindele Adeniyi (right) presenting the science equipment to the principals of the benefitting schools •Continued from Page 29

Adeniyi urged other states in the country to emulate the present government in Ondo State that has halted the slide in the standard of education through the establishment of mega schools.

The legislator also advised parents and guardians to place special interest in the education of their wards, so that they can be useful for the society at large.

“I want to appeal to our parents to en-

Lawmaker donates to schools sure that they give their children qualitative education. There is no amount spent on the education of our children that is a waste,” he said.

He called for adequate funding of the nation’s universities to attain scientific and technological breakthroughs, adding that the productivity of any university

should not be based on its size but on its impact on the nation’s development.

He stated that most of the world’s renowned scientists and professors are citizens of Nigeria who have made appreciable impact on the socio-economic development of most of the developed countries in the world.

INE villages in Ovia North East Local Goverrment Area of Edo State have demanded N1bn compensation from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR).

Their demand was coming 72 years after they provided the land on which NIFOR estates and research station was set up.

The communities are Uwan, Evboneka, Ugbogiobo, Iguoyenmwen, Ekodobo, Okunuvbe, Abuwenre, Isiukhukhu and Ekowe and they gave out 4289.1 acres of their ancestral land to the then colonial government on the advice of the Oba of Benin.

Chairman of the NIFOR Host Communities Development Association, Mr. Monday Ekhorutomwen said the N1bn compensation being demanded was for NIFOR to appreciate their gesture since the management of the oil research institute has shown little or no concern for their plight.

Mr. Ekhorutomwen said NIFOR’s original mandate was to investigate problems and matters relating to oil palm and its products but that it has broadened it to include coconut palm, raffia palm and date palms of huge economic importance to the local communities.

“Our fathers toiled day and night, mapped out progressive strategies, cleared the bushes and fell the trees before buildings were erected,” he said. “Regrettably their untiring effort was never rewarded by the institute with many of their descendants today ending up as destitute in the fatherland.

Ekhorutomwen said the local communities deserve a reciprocal attention from the insitute, as is the practice all over the world.

He said that the host communities have been without roads, water, health centres or electricity.

He added that they are poorer and can no longer afford the high cost of renting farmlands in faraway government forests or buying costly farming implements to farm on the lands.

He also said the communities do not get the alloted quota of products such as palm oil, palm wine, soap materials, fruits from NIFOR, to buy and sell, in keeping with their arrangement.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30 2011

32

Falana’s wife inaugurates youth centre W IFE of Lagos and Human Rights Activist, Mrs. Funmi Falana, has inaugurated a youth development centre at Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Mrs. Falana, while commissioning the centre, called on the youth to shun acts of thuggery and hooliganism, urging them to make themselves useful instrument in the society.

She called on them to make good use of the centre, especially the library section, adding that those who want to trade would be trained on how to establish themselves in some small businesses and those who chose to go to school should face their studies squarely.

Items at the centre include: computers,refrigerators, television, library books and newspapers among others.

• Mrs Falana

300 get free malaria treatment AGOS State recently treated no fewer than 300 people for malaria in the Kosofe Local Government Area of the state during a ‘malaria day walk’ sensitisation rally as part of the activities marking this year World Malaria day.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile who made this known while reviewing the report of the rally, said those treated were diagnosed with malaria during the rally organised by the Roll Back Malaria Partners in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and were treated with Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).

Olugbile noted that the World Malaria Day was instituted by the World Health Assembly at its 60th session in 2007 and the day is marked every year to create awareness about malaria and the devastating impact it has on the lives of more than three billion people worldwide.

“World Malaria Day is an opportunity for global development partners and health communities to intensify their efforts in providing access to affordable, safe and effective preventive measures and anti-malaria

L

Lagos combination treatments,” he noted.

He said the state government has adopted an integrated vector management strategy which includes indoor residual spraying and the distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets as part of efforts at reducing the scourge in the state.

Olugbile pointed out that government has also highlighted the prevention of malaria in pregnancy through intermittent preventive treatment and prompt diagnosis and treatment using the Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs).

While charging all stakeholders to play their part to stop the scourge of malaria as required by the slogan of the year 2011 World Malaria Day, he urged the people to always ensure good environmental hygiene as a preventive measure against mosquitoes that causes malaria.

Monarch urges provision of hospital T HE traditional ruler of Ojo Kingdom in Ojo Local Government Area (LGA),of Lagos State, Oba Galib Adeniyi Rufai Ade Ife, has called on the state government to provide a general hospital for Ojo community and hasten the construction of Ilufe-Mosafejo Road to ease the traffic congestion along Alaba International Market.

Oba Rufai made the request at a precelebration press conference in his palace at Ojo to mark his 90 days on the throne which comes up on June 4.

The monarch also called on the people of the area to co-operate with the government by paying their taxes regularly so as to enjoy dividends of

Ekiti From Toyin Anisulowo, Ado Ekiti

Mrs. Falana promised to establish the centre in all the 16 local government areas in the state, adding that Ilawe Ekiti would be the headquarters.

The centre is presently in two locations,Ado-Ekiti and Ilawe-Ekiti .

Meanwhile, the human rights activist and her team, has visited the family of the late Felix Gbenga Afolalu, who was killed by irate protesters during the post-election crisis in Kaduna.

The wife of the late Afolalu, who was a lecturer at the Huhu Bamali Polytechnic, Kaduna, Mrs. Dupe Afolalu, solicited for help to take care of her three children.

According to her, she is jobless for now, she thanked the Falana family for the visit.

Vehicle owners warned HE Lagos State Police Command

T

have warned owners of vehicles parked at Alausa Police Station to remove them immediately or forfeit same to the public through auction. They are: 1. Mazda Bus-XQ169JBD 2. Volkswagen LT 31 bus-XH694AKD 3. Volkswagen Bus-XQ426FST 4. Nissan Bus-XL769LND 5. Mack Truck head-XQ 529FST 6. Mack Trailer body –QX529FST 7. Volvo Car-AJ163GGE

• Wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola de worming a child during the closing ceremony of the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week, organised by the Ministry of Health at Obokungbusi town Hall, Ilesha, Osun State

‘Tinubu, Aregbesola, others are true patriots’

T

HE family of the late Alhaji Alabi HassanOlajoku has lauded the support given to it by the former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Lagos State counterpart ,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN,since the death of their bread winner six years ago describing them as patriots and reliable people.

Speaking recently at the Ilobu, Osun State burial site of the late Lagos-based business man, who was brutally murdered in Osun State on May

Tiv elders sue for peace

E

ELDERS in Tiv land have appealed to warring politicians in Benue State to embrace peace in the interest of the development and good people of the state.

The elders, under the aegis of the Tiv Elders Forum, made a case for peace while addressing reporters in Ibadan.

Two leaders of the forum, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav and Dr Godwin Daboh, said people of divergent opinions on the state of things in the state need to stop preaching violence particularly to the youths because of its dangers to the future of the state.

The leaders emphasised that politicians and other leaders must learn to dialogue and accept defeat when necessary in order to allow the will of the people to prevail.

According to them, the incumbent governor, Gabriel Suswan, has transformed the state in the last four years as against eight years spent by his predecessor, George Akume. They further explained that the politicians crying foul are only doing so because under Suswan, it is no longer business as usual.

No matter the grievances, the elders said the path of dialogue remains the best road to peace and harmony, adding that 2015 is not too far

Oyo From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

away for anyone feeling aggrieved that he did not win the election.

“We don’t want violence in Tiv land and anywhere in Benue State as a whole because it will impede progress and development.

They should stop misleading our youths.

Let us give peace a chance in Benue. Allow the state to develop. 2015 is near We are not prepared to support evil. We are not prepared to lie.” Daboh said.

The elders further emphasised that the result of the last election was the true reflection of the will of the people of Benue State. He urged indigenes of the state to work together as one in order to develop the state irrespective of their political leanings.

The state has been wriggling under political crisis particularly between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since after the April election.

•From left: Mr Dele Togunde, Registrar, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Deacon Mose Bamidele Adeisa, President/Chairman of the council Mr Hakeem Ogunniran immediate past president of the council during the Annual General Meeting of the institute at their secretariat, Alausa PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

From left: General Manager, Marketing, Promasidor Nig. Ltd. Mrs. Kachi Onubogu, Manager, Food Enhancement and Beverages Mr Abiola A. Inawo and Onga Broad Ambassador, Amb. Kate Henshaw-Nutell at a press briefing on the ‘Onga cooking Nation Competition in the PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE campuses’ at the company’s Headoffice, Isolo, Lagos.

Osun

By Kunle Akinrinade

15,2005,by some hired assassins, his wife, Alhaja Fausat Hassan-Olajoku,who was in company with his children, including Kareem, Babatunde and Abisoye said her late husband left behind an indelible landmark.

According to Hassan-Olajoku ,who is currently the Vice Chairman,Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, “My husband gave us everything he had.

He was a highly religious, kind and friendly personality. I want to thank all those who had stood by us till date, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Rauf Aregbesola,Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN,Cardinal James Odumbaku, friends and associates of my late husband” She thanked Allah for giving them succour in spite of the trying times she and her children went through, saying,’’ Today,(May 15) we remain grateful to him, and we wish to assure you that we will carry on with your good legacies.”

The Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State,Alhaji Muhammed Bello,who represented the Governor of the State,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola described the late HassanOlajoku as a worthy man,who contributed greatly to the development of Ilobu community and Osun State in general.

Muslim clerics who offered prayers at the occasion, including the Chief Imam of Alakuko Muslim Community,Alahji Rabiu Aminu,said the late business man contributed immensely to Islam and prayed Allah to forgive him his sins.

Briefly

Amaechi promises productive economy THE newly elected chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says his two years tenure would consolidate on the achievements of the Bukola Saraki-led tenure in ensuring a productive economy for the states and Nigeria at large.

Governor Amaechi, who said this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital shortly after he was elected by consensus, noted that his tenure would strive to build a united Nigeria, emphasising that in a united nation, crises arising from political issues would be resolved through the Judiciary.

He called for unanimity of purpose from stakeholders, assuring that during his tenure, efforts would be made to enthrone lasting peace in the country while ensuring that states have more funds from the Federation Account to combat poverty.

Governor Amaechi was elected as the new Chairman at the valedictory meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum through a consensus, when the motion for his adoption was moved by Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State and seconded by Governors Danjuma Goje and Isa Yuguda of Gombe and Bauchi States respectively.

33

UNIDO partners Ekiti on industrial development

Saraki signs bill GOVERNOR Bukola Saraki of Kwara State has signed the state’s Arabic and Islamic Education Board Bill. The state House of Assembly had about two months ago passed the bill.

Saraki said the new law intends to bring about standardisation in the teaching and learning of Arabic in all Islamic and Arabic schools in the state.

Assenting to the bill in Ilorin, the state capital, Saraki said that the law had made provisions for the regulation of Arabic studies in the state in a way that would make the certificate obtained from such schools at par with those of the western education schools.

The governor said the law will also open a new chapter as well as strengthen the state’s education system.

He urged members of the board to ensure strict compliance with the law, noting that the law would have “a lot of value on the education of our children.”

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Babatunde Mohammed, had earlier said the law would basically regulate activities of Arabic education as well as strict compliance with the state education reform agenda.

T

By Oziegbe Okoeki

democracy.

He urged indigenes, non-indigenes and well wishers to celebrate with him on the occasion as was done during the installation.

Rufai used the occasion to congratulate the state governor, Babatunde Fsahola SAN, for his re-election, his deputy Adejoke Orelope Adefulire and all elected ACN representatives, saying their victory was well deserved.

He also thanked Lagosians and the people of Ojo for voting massively for ACN during the election and hailed the national leader

•Agunsoye

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his commitment and effort over the party’s victory in the Southwest

Ekiti

T

HE Ekiti State government, Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) are set to collaborate on a wide range of developmental programmes aimed at stimulating accelerated industrial growth in the state.

This development is the outcome of a recent visit to the Director-General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella by Governor Kayode Fayemi, at the headquarters of UNIDO in Vienna, Austria.

Receiving the Ekiti State delegation, the Director General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, while praising the administration for its strides in governance, noted great similarities between the eight point agenda of the Ekiti State government, Nigeria and UNIDO’s National Development Priorities.

Dr. Yumkella further pledged UNIDO’s technical assistance and funding support to the state government with the facilitation of the proposed Ekiti State Industrial Development Fund.

“UNIDO would also render technical support and advice on techno-economic development options for strengthening the agro-industrial sector, and fostering the equitable integration of small-scale agroenterprises into market-oriented systems, with special emphasis given to technical feasibility studies, assessments of potential economic and environmental impact, international procurement and organisational linkages.

Other areas of support would include capacity building at institutional and industry levels as a key means of enhancing industrial productivity and marketing performance, with a view to strengthening technical support institutions and professional associations, as well as to the creation of design and technology centers and demonstration units for basic and advanced technologies.

Group remembers the blind HE joy of the students of Nigerian School of the Blind, Cappa, knew no bounds recently when the Lagos Chapter of the The Criterion Organisation , settled the school fees of some of them.

Funmi Khadijat, a 23-year old lady, who was once at Labe Orun,a television programme, to seek assistance on her sight had been kept away for more than 16 yeras before she was taken to the school by an umknown person. She was glad when the women organisation paid N50,000 for her tuition fee. Asiwaju Shittu, who was able to pay just half of his fees was equally assisted.

Aside fees paid, all the blind students received a generous donation from the Muslim women in business and the profession. They were given five guide sticks, five writing frames, dozens of kettles, mats and Public Address System (PAS), dozens of chairs, toiletries, snacks and drinks.

Speaking to our reporter, the Amirah (President) of the women group, Sherifat Yusuf said; “When we got here, they presented some cases to us. One of them is the tuition fee of a student who has not paid a dime out of her fees and the other was the need to erect a mosque in the premises. Truly, there’s a place they pray, but they need a befitting mosque.

Lagos

Lagos

•From left: Wife of the Managing Director, Metropolitan Motors, Mrs Abiola and husband, Mr. Olutoyin Okeowo and member-elect Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the inauguration of Metropolitan Motors in Enugu PHOTO: NAN

Fashola’s wife opens Airtel’s school

T

HE Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Dame Abimbola Fashola has commissioned the ultra-modern, multimillion naira primary school built by Airtel Nigeria in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ajegunle, Lagos State.

The newly commissioned primary school, Oremeji Primary School 2 was adopted by Airtel in February this year as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts to uplift underprivileged children.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr Fashola praised Airtel Nigeria for being socially responsible and for providing a significant lifeline to uplift underprivileged kids, saying that the company’s Adopt-a-School programme is in tandem with the policy of the Lagos State Government, which aims to provide quality education to underprivileged children.

“Airtel Nigeria has demonstrated in practical terms what Corporate Social Responsibility should be by not only adopting Oremeji Primary School 2, here in Ajegunle but also putting in place a modern and well equipped edifice. I want to say a very big thank you to

Lagos the entire staff, management and shareholders of Airtel in Nigeria. I encourage you to keep up the good work and urge you to never waiver in your avowed commitment to partner government in uplifting the standard of education,” she said.

She also urged Lagosians and Nigerians to adopt the spirit of giving so that everyone can impact positively on the lives of others in the society, saying that “corporate organisations and public spirited individuals that have genuine love for the development of our children to, as a matter of top priority, join us in this noble task of returning the past glory to our public schools.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Rajan Swaroop said Airtel Nigeria is committed to partnering with the government in its quest to support the government agenda of transforming the lives of underprivileged children across the country.

By Risikat Ramoni

“We’ve requested for a piece of land. Once that is in place, we’ll work with some other muslim organisations to ensure a mosque is built in the premises of the school for the blind, Cappa.”

“One of our sisters donated a sum of N50,000 in cheque as payment for the fees of Funmi Khadijat. Also, Mr Shittu’s fee was paid in full,” the Amirah said.

The braille and mobility trainer, Nicholas Obot noted that it is the N50,000 that the students pay that is used for feeding, trainning, medicals and even paying the salaries of the caregivers.

Obot, who has been a teacher in the school for the past 20 years, said the school teaches students vocations such as soap making, tye and dye, computer trainning, mobility and orientation, braille reading and writing (ability to read and write with fingers), shoe making, bag weaving, amongst others.

One of the students urged the government to help by subsidising their tuition fees.

They are also clamouring for 10 percent inclusion of the disabled in government.

• Members of the Criterion Organisation in a group photograph with students of the school.

In the middle is Funmi Khadijat.

THE NATION

34

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

EFCC arrests timber association chiefs for alleged fraud

F

IVE executive members of Ondo and Ekiti states Animo Timbers Buyers Association have been arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged mismanagement of the union’s funds running into about N180million.

Those arrested were Mr. Emmanuel Nwatu (Chairman Akabenon Timber Association, Akure), Mr. Anthony Okafor (member Akabenon Akure) Chief Stephen Okeke (Animo Ondo State Chairman), Chief Nnaji a.k.a Chicago, (Vice Chairman Animo Ondo State) and Chief Ignatius Igweze (President-General

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Animo Ondo State and Ekiti states).

Newsextra learnt that another officer of the association has gone undergound following the alleged fraud.

The association which comprises five units and mainly made up of people of Igbo extraction accused its leaders of looting its treasury, and also refusing any audit of its accounts since its creation in 2000.

Last year the controversy heightened when the financial secretary, Ogunebutelu accused the chairman of

When this fraud was discovered by members last year, we all challenged our leaders and threatened to invite EFCC if they failed to account for our money, but the matter was swept under the carpet when some of the leaders started threatening us, saying they would kill or kidnap us

Akure unit, Mr. Nwatu and one Mr. Anthony Okafor who were in charge of printing and selling of the association’s booklets of stealing over N17m from the association’s treasury.

The two persons were said to have printed additional tickets and making illegal deals.

A petition was written by the financial secretary to all the five units and it was decided that monies made from such deals be returned within a week.

But members of the association also accused the financial secretary of partaking in the fraud, stressing that it was due to the rancour among the leaders that led to the crisis.

According to a member who spoke with Newsextra in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and wished to remain anonymous, the association’s chiefs always threatened to assassinate or kidnap members whenever they demanded to know what the association had in its coffers.

The source said: “This association was formed in year 2000 following the double taxation paid by the members whenever they moved their goods to Edo State. After we formed this association, the executives sued Edo State government over double taxation paid by the members.

“Since year 2000 the association has been producing booklets which cost N35,000 for each unit and sold at the rate

of N1000 for members. This will allow us to have free movement with our goods to Edo State and most of the five units do purchase about three to four booklets in a week worth about N700,000.

“Our executives have failed to explain to its members what they do with our money and when we asked they would flare up and called their touts in Edo State to disturb our movement. There was a period they came up, saying they had been using the money to settle Edo State government and whenever we demanded for the receipts they would raise their voices against us.

“When this fraud was discovered by members last year, we all challenged our leaders and threatened to invite EFCC if they failed to account for our money, but the matter was swept under the carpet when some of the leaders started confronting us, saying that they would kill or kidnap us if we took any legal step about this issue.

“We are in support of their arrest and we are urging the EFCC to ensure that the suspects cough out the money”.

The EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi when contacted on the arrest, said he was out of the country. He however confirmed the arrest and promised to provide more details about the matter.

Lagos residents relive ordeal at black spots

C

ARRYING bags in certain parts of Lagos State, especially at night, has become an invitation to horror as carriers easily fall prey to armed thieves.

In the past few days, no fewer than five persons were dispossessed of their bags including their contents around the PalmgroveOnipanu axis of the popular Ikorodu Road.

Newsextra learnt that they were only lucky to leave the spots with their limbs intact.

Workers at the Texaco Filling Station at Palmgrove Bus Stop and passers-by won’t forget their ordeal of March 29 in a hurry. At about 7.48 pm, three bag snatchers who operated with a car parked about 30 meters away from the scene took terror to the neighbourhood. Sunday Olawale who witnessed it described it as frightening.

Olawale recalled how it happened in a chat with Newsextra: “It was like a bad movie. We were at the filling station when suddenly we saw a car slow down. It moved further and parked. Before one knew what was happening, three men swooped on a young man who obviously had his bag containing his laptop computer strapped to his back.”

By his further recollection, everyone around, including the station’s attendant scurried into safety as the marauders’ sporadic gunshots got the area enveloped with shockwaves of fear.

“Within seconds, the gun men snatched the bag from the young man, fled towards their car and drove off. The man burst into tears as he bemoaned the loss of his laptop and its vital contents,” Olawale said.

Just four days ago, another man, Mr. Ope Adio who is a printer, fell victim. It was at the BRT bus stop, Onipanu. By his account, it happened about 9 pm.

Hear him: “A friend who was attacked last week had warned me against carrying any bag after nightfall. On that day, I worked till late and I needed to go home with my laptop so that I could work on a pressing job overnight.

When I reached Onipanu in my bid to cross to Somolu, I noticed a car parked right at the BRT bus stop; I noticed two men standing by it. I had thought that the car broke down, but I was wrong.

“Getting there, I had almost passed them by when one of them ordered that I should stop. I was surprised but I complied, thinking that they were plainclothes policemen. Without mincing words, the guy demanded my bag. I managed to ask why when the other one moved close and said: ‘Ki lo’nso? Tu si lori! (What is he saying? Shoot him in the head!). Fear gripped me; I almost urinated in my pant when the guy brandished a gun before me. I knew it would be suicidal to shout for help. I therefore gently handed it over to them and humbly begged: ‘Ah, e joo ema tu simi lori o (Please, don’t shoot me in the head). I cried till I got home because the laptop was loaded with all the outstanding jobs of my customers. They also made away with my wristwatch and the money

By Dada Aladelokun

I had on me. I have since never gone out with any bag after 7 pm.”

Another spot where nightfall brings hell for passers-by is the popular Awoyokun bus stop between Palmgrove and Onipanu. Two months ago, a polytechnic undergraduate, Jude Okoro had cause to shed tears at the spot. He created a scene as residents gathered to watch him cry his heart out after losing his bag containing books to some ‘bad boys’ who had for long turned the spot into their operational base.

When asked how it happened, he simply said: “They were three; they just surrounded me, snatched my bag and ran across the road.”

Spontaneously, no fewer than four sympathisers recalled their various painful ordeals at the dreaded spot.

“Ah, that place? I have been avoiding it like a plaque. Twice I have been robbed there of my handbags,” pointing towards the direction, a woman said, even as he poured invectives on her attackers.

Obviously inundated with reports of such

incidents around the place, men of the Ilupeju Police Station now keep an eye on the spot from dawn to dusk and beyond.

Other such dangerous spots are scattered across the metropolis and even the suburbs.

Among them are Under-bridge at Tipper bus stop, Ketu; the Volkswagen axis along LagosOjo Road and the road stretch between Agric and Church bus stops in Ikorodu, where hoodlums always have a field day.

Not a few are wont to ask why the madness continues with no respite for residents.

On assuming office as Police Commissioner in the state in March, Mr. Yakubu Alkari had thumped his chest, assuring residents that he was ready with his men to make the state safe for residents.

The state government also gave them a push by supplying the police with equipment and vehicles. The police have therefore stepped up their efforts by patrolling every nook and cranny of the state. But observers and victims believe that the law enforcers must do more.

• The thieves strike in places like this, especially at night

•Irresistible to snatchers

THE NATION

35

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

T

HE President of Izon-Ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum, Chief Favour Izoukumor, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to look beyond the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in appointing his new cabinet. He said Jonathan should form a unity government that would encompass all political parties and interests in the country.

Izoukumor, who made the call in an interview with our correspondent, said the circumstance of Jonathan’s election warranted a government of national unity, stressing that Nigerians voted for him irrespective of ethnic or party considerations.

He urged leaders of the opposition parties to embrace the suggestion and not reject if the President appoints their members into his government.

Ijaw group supports unity government From Shola O’Neil, Warri

He said, “His victory is peculiar because even members of the opposition parties worked for his success. If in spite of their ideologies, religious or tribal consideration they supported and voted for him, Nigerians deserve a government of unity because that action is an indication that Nigerians want unity.”

The IOPCF therefore commended Jonathan for considering the idea of a national unity government, noting that “his victory is not just for the PDP but for all Nigeriana.”

The opposition should also accept that the election has come and gone and they should all join hands to move the nation forward, if indeed their intention of contesting was to serve Nigerians

He called on all Nigerians to support him in this regard.

Meanwhile, Izoukumor advised the President-elect to look beyond his victory in order to start considering the various challenges facing all aspect of the nation’s life, including power and security of lives and property.

“Mr. President should not be thinking of how to fulfil his election promises, which is a bond

Community cautions against fake representatives

L

EADERS of host communities of Jones Creek flow station in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have again advised Shell Nigeria and Nestoil Nigeria Limited, buyer of its assets, to be wary of self-appointed representatives of the communities in negotiating the sale of the oil facility.

They said they did not appoint any representative to front for them in the purchase of the wellheads.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders of thought, Mr. Kingsley Akpos Oturubo, who hails from Okerenkoko and Akpata-Ekpemu

UNICEF hails Nigeria on National Health Bill

A

S Nigeria celebrated its Children’s Day, UNICEF has commended the National Assembly for passing the National Health Bill into law.

The global body also looked forward to its quick assent by President Goodluck Jonathan to make it immediately implementable across the nation.

The National Health Act is the best gift to Nigerian children as they celebrate their day, UNICEF said.

“The health status of children and women in Nigeria remain poor but we believe that with careful implementation of the National Health Act, along with sufficient funding for and close monitoring of the National Strategic Health Strategic Development Plan, Nigeria will take firm steps to reverse this trend,” said Dr. Suomi Sakai, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

“We expect the National Health Act to

translate into the release of much needed funding from national revenues for the health of children and women. Its focus on an essential minimum package of care to tackle the health problems which cause the highest number of death and illness in children and women is highly commendable.

“Scaling up the implementation of an essential package of proven, cost-effective and high-impact interventions in all primary health centres will bring Nigeria closer to attaining the health related MDGs. “In doing so, we encourage the Government and its partners to leave no child behind, as this momentum is really about securing quality primary health care with equity - for every woman and every child.”

The theme for this year’s Children’s Day celebration, ‘Good governance: impact on the Nigerian child’ underscores the critical role of good governance in realising the full

between him and the teeming supports who made his victory at the polls possible.

“The opposition should also accept that the election has come and gone and they should all join hands to move the nation forward, if indeed their intention of contesting was to serve Nigerians.

In return, the PDP should adopt the no victor, no vanquish approach to governance,” he added.

spectrum of children’s rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003.

Good governance should equal childfriendly governance and ensure that every child is counted and visible in the state budget.

There is evidence to show that health care interventions often benefit only a small chunk of the population while marginalising the poorest and hardest to reach. However, good governance should not just be for the few. It is our common plight to ensure, tirelessly, that all children have access to basic social services. We look forward to keep working with the Government and its partners to make Nigeria’s new Health Act work for all children in the country, irrespective of origin, creed, economic status, disability and gender, said Dr. Suomi Sakai.

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

communities, said the advice became necessary because of reports that some persons had been going around as representatives of the communities in the said deal.

He said, “Based on recent developments of Shell selling its 45% share in oil blocks to Nestoil Ltd in line with the local content policy of the Federal Government, information reaching leaders of thought from the various communities in Jones Creek flow station indicates that some self-appointed persons are saying that they have the mandate of the communities to front on their behalf.”

Oturubo expressed dismay at Shell for selling the asset without reaching out to the communities, a development he said led to the communities getting the information from other sources and “creating room for suspicion”. He advised both sides to intimate the host communities with the development in order to avoid possible breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.

He said he was concerned because his grandfather was among those who signed some of the Jones Creek wellhead with SPDC and also because he hails from Okerenkoko and Akpata-Ekpemu communities.

“I am also using this medium to inform SPDC that the communities did not appoint a negotiator or mediator to front for them in negotiations with any company as regarding the implementation of the local content policy between them and the company. We therefore advise Nestoil and SPDC to be cautious of persons claiming to be dealing with them on behalf of communities,” Oturubo added.

Ondo donates computers, cash to prisons

T

HE Ondo State government has donated a new set of computer, a photocopy machines and N246,000 cash to Nigeria Prison Service.

Presenting the gifts to the NPF in his office in Akure, the state capital, the state Commissioner for Justice and Anthony General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) said this was part of support from the state government to the on-going reform of Nigeria prisons.

He noted that the computer would assist the prison to keep data of inmates, stressing that this would also help workers to run their daily activities smoothly.

According to the commissioner “the state government is giving out the money so that vehicles will be repair and it will not be the thing of delay in transporting prisoners who are awaiting court judgement. Cases will not be adjourned again due to transportation problem.

“The state government is in support of the current reform going on in Nigeria Prison Service, though prison service is under federal government but since one is located in our state we must show our support toward the workers and inmates”.

Jegede said the state government responded to the requests of the prison service, urging the workers to play their own part for the betterment of the society.

Responding, the state Deputy Controller of Prison, Mr. Bolanle Olarele commended the state government for

•From left 4th, the Hon. Commissioner, Eyitayo Jegede, left 5th the DCP, Mr. Olarele at presenting the of new computer set to the Prison service while other guests watching From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

yielding to their request.

He said this would help the prison service in their daily activities, assuring the government that they would make use of the material judiciously.

The state government is in support of the current reform going on in Nigeria Prison Service

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

36

Those who are calling for a stop of the NYSC are reacting based on emotions, we all feel the pain, but let us see how we can reduce the exposure of these youth to harm, and I strongly hold the view that this could be done if they are trained in, and allowed to carry forearms

‘Corps members should be trained in firearms’

A

REFORM that would ensure that members of the National Youths Service Corps are trained in the use of firearms and indeed licensed to carry arms for self defence has been canvassed by the Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Adebayo Abiola.

The Christian cleric said this would go a long way in reducing the exposures of the nation’s youths to violence and killings, especially in some northern parts of the country. He also urged the Federal Government no to dump the reports of the panel set up to probe the recent killings and post-election violence in some parts of the north in the wastebin, but punish whoever was found culpable of masterminding the deeds.

No fewer than 10 youth corps members had lost their lives in some parts of the northern states of the country following the violence that trailed the presidential elections last month.

Their deaths, had raised the search light on the relevance of the mandatory national service, with some aggrieved family members and other Nigerians calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the programme.

Apostle Abiola while fielding questions last Wednesday after a press conference organised by the body to review the just concluded general elections in the country warned against “throwing away the baby with the birth water.”

He said much as the NYSC programme might be ripe for a review, attempts to put a stop to it is like killing the vision behind it.

He said: “We commend the position of the president that the scheme would not be stopped. Those who are calling for a stop of the NYSC are reacting based on emotions, we all feel the pain, but let us see how we can reduce the exposure of these youth to harm, and I strongly hold the view that this could be done if they are trained in, and allowed to carry forearms.”

• Abiola who praised the efforts of the former Lagos State Governor and Na-

•Corps members

By Yinka Aderibigbe

tional Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN, in the just concluded elections said with the progressive party now controlling all the south western states, time has come for all the newly elected and returning governors to deepen the content of democracy in their respective domains.

“Now the fruit of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s unselfish labour is out for everyone to see.

States in the south western province of Nigeria can now forge common programmes and policies and move ahead without problems associated with illiteracy and religion,” Apostle Abiola said.

The CAN Chairman said the group called the press conference to “congratulate Nigerians and Lagos State people in particular for a successful 2011 national election.”

He said the group had mobilised the people to take active part in the electoral process by first going to register and obtaining a voter card and treat them as sa-

cred for voting God fearing and result oriented people into power.

Abiola thanked God for the peaceful conduct of the election and in particular for answering the prayers of all Christians who had joined CAN in praying for the re-election of the incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola.

He said while the CAN as a religious group would continue to pray for all elected representatives of the people across the country, especially Lagos, it would also continue to engage the process in ensuring that the leaders put others first and self last in the business of government.

Pointing out that Lagos State is blessed with professionals who are eager to serve, Apostle Abiola called on the Governor Fashola to resist the temptation of recycling office holders.

“There is no reason why a commissioner no matter how good or efficient should be appointed for more than two terms. There are hundreds of other capable people who shouldbe given the opportunity to serve”.

He preached that same be adopted at the centre, where President Goodluck Jonathan had been buffeted from all corners from prominent Nigerians and his party by list of Ministerial nominees.

He said leaders should be wary of who they appoint as all eyes are on all of them now to perform or be damned.

Abiola also called for the completion of all ongoing projects both in the state and at the federal level, and urged all political leaders to be frugal “they should save cost and wastefulness”.

He listed among others the Lagos light rail project, the eight city master plan and the Lagos regional master plan, the Lagos water supply plan, and the 10 lane Lagos Badagry Expressway as some of the projects that would reshape the economy of the state upon completion.

Others according to him are the Eti-Osa Lekki Epe expressway the gateway to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the delivery of affordable housing to all, the completion of the Heart and Kidney Specialist Centre at the Gbagada General Hospital, and the funding of educational programmes.

Residents hail rehabilitation of road

R

ESIDENTS of Alhaji Kolawole Sebili Street in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State commended the council chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan for the rehabilitation of their road.

Some of the residents who spoke with journalists who were with Bamigbetan when he inspected the laying of Asphalt on the road said the rehabilitation of the road is a big relief to them because they have suffered in the past as a result of the deplorable condition of the road.

Alhaja Araokanmi Suliyat, a resident

By Duro Babayemi

and an indigene of the area said: “I am happy today that Bamigbetan is fulfilling the promise he made to us, that he would rehabilitate our road, he should extend the gesture to other adjourning streets in the area, like Rafiu Tijani, Apata and Kibitiu Streets”.

Mr. Kayode Bamishaye another resident of Alhaji Kolawole Sebili Street said the laying of Asphalt on the road is a welcomed development to residents, as they can know see the dividend of democracy

I am happy today that Bamigbetan is fulfilling the promise he made to us, that he would rehabilitate our road, he should extend the gesture to other adjourning streets in the area, like Rafiu Tijani, Apata and Kibitiu Streets •Bamigbetan

they have been yearning for.

Mr. Jelili Tijani stated that he moved into the street in 2010 during the raining season, and the condition of the road then was terrible. He added that, with the rehabilitation of the road, moving in and out of the street during this year rains will not be a problem. He appealed to the council chairman to ensure that other major roads in the area are rehabilitated.

The representative of the construction firm handling the project, R. Olubodun and sons, Alhaji Raufu Adeola explained that the contract for the rehabilitation of the road was awarded to his company in February 2011 by the council, at a total sum of N14million 21 thousand Six hundred and two kobo.

Alhaji Adeola stated further that the scope of work given to them on the road by the council include resurfacing and laying of Asphalt on the road, clearing of the drains on both sides of the road and laying of Krebs.

He confirmed that all the materials required for early completion of the road are available and as such, his company should be able to complete the project and hand over to the local government in four days.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

37

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

38

CITY BEATS Additional technical colleges for Lagos THE Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LSTVEB) plans to establish more technical colleges to meet industrial needs, its executive secretary, Mr Olawumi Gasper said.

Gasper told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the increasing interest by youths in skill acquisition necessitated the need to establish additional technical colleges.

He said the establishment of the colleges, in addition to the existing five, would assist in delivering knowledge and developing technical competence.

“We are currently having the problem of space in our technical colleges, going by the number of youths that have been applying for admission in the schools.

“We have recorded a 500 per cent increase in prospective candidates in the past one year but we have been unable to admit them because of space constraints.

He appealed to corporate organisations to support the government in its effort to upgrade the existing technical colleges as the latter could not do it alone.

Manufacturers to blame for high price of cement THE cement New Entrants Forum has attributed the high price of cement to the activities of some manufacturers.

Prince David Iweta, the chairman of the forum, made the claim in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria.

“The on-going crisis of scarcity of the product and its current high price at N2, 700 per bag, in most parts of the country is caused by the activities of some manufacturers.

“The cement manufacturers had recommended increase of duty and levy of 35 per cent to push the landing cost of imported cement to N1,700 per bag, “the statement quoted, Iweta as saying.

According to him, this is to enable local manufacturers to sell their locally manufactured cement at the same price of N1,700 as against N500 and N700 per bag, which is the expected price for the product.

The chairman, therefore pleaded with president Goodluck Jonathan to grant the forum audience to enable them identify the true position of things in the cement industry.

Beer distributor in court over scam A 50-year-old beer distributor has been docked in an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N8 million under the pretence of selling four plots of land to his victim.

The accused, Mrs Monsurat Farounbi, is facing a three count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Daniel Akpoche, said the accused, along with an accomplice now at large, had at Isolo-Okota area of Lagos in September 2010 obtained the money from Mrs Ikeirika Emachika.

He said Farounbi falsely claimed ownership of some parcels of land which she offered for sale to the complainant.

It’s time to develop Nigeria, says cleric

T

HE Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, has called on the leaders to concentrate on moving the nation forward now that the elections are over.

The prelate spoke while declaring open the 26 th edition of the Conference of the Council of Lay Presidents of Methodist Church, at the Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba, Lagos.

Dr Makinde, who was represented by the Archbishop of Lagos, Dr Joseph Sunday Ajayi, said the elections confirmed the Methodist Church Nigeria’s theme for the year: I will heal the land.

He said: “God has told all Nigerians in very clear language that the time has come for the fulfilment of the great promise which was taken from 2 Chronicle 7:14.”

But for this to happen, he called on Nigerians to “humble themselves, and pray and seek God’s face and turn away from their wicked ways”. He added that this will move God to forgive their sins and heal their land.

He described the Lay President’s conference as a forum for the leaders of Methodist Church in Nigeria to rub minds and fashion out how to make the church more vibrant and financially stable.

Makinde, who harped on the need for better cooperation between the Bishop’s Council and the Lay President’s Council, said the conference should focus on “how tangible, positive historic and remarkable things could happen during their time. We should not be like a snake that runs on a rock without leaving a track.”

Notifying the conference of his impending retirement in the next two years, Dr. Makinde called on the conference as leaders of the church to be vigilant and prayerful for the church to remain

By Yinka Aderibigbe

firm.

“Let us not encourage selfish ambition. Let God have His way,” he counselled.

He praised the quality of leadership offered by the Chairman of the Conference of Lay Presidents, Sir Jimmy Coker, KJW, for his spirit of understanding and unification.

Lead speaker, the retired Archbishop of Ilesa, Osun State, The Most Rev Ayo Ladigbolu, said as leaders of the church, the Lay presidents should be more dedicated to the things of the Let God Lord to finish strong, the race of have His salvation. He said way

the Christian race is a long one that does not require speed.

The Secretary of the Bishop’s Conference, His Grace, Dr. Raphael Opoko, said the conference is another testimony of the members’ commitment to the discharge of the duties committed to them.

“The church places high premium on your continuous purposeful leadership. Your opinion is vital to the actualisation of our mission as you are an essential part of the Ministry,” Dr. Opoko said.

A former President of the Council of the Lay Presidents, Mr B. O. Benson (SAN), urged the council to keep all records concerning the Lay President’s Conference to

•From Left: Coker, Lay president’s host, Oni, and others at the event

preserve the history of the 50year-old association.

He said a lot rested on the Lay presidents to come up with ways of ensuring that things continue to move smoothly in the church.

Earlier, Coker, said the Lay presidents should be very frank in their contributions to how they can be used to deepen the work of God. Host of the conference and Lay President of the Methodist Church Lagos Central, Bro Ayo Oni, said the Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Church was happy to host this year’s edition of the conference.

He said the three-day event was packed with wonderful sessions, such as prayers, leadership workshops, and a gala night.

PHOTO: YINKA ADERIBIGBE

Govt plans more projects for waterfronts to boost housing

D

ETERMINED to deepen the achievements of its Eko Atlantic City Project, the Lagos State Government has given approval for the development of five new waterfront schemes.

This, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Segun Oniru, said is to further enhance the housing stock and boost tourism.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Oniru, who disclosed this at the ongoing ministerial press conference, did not, however, say whether the projects are to be funded by the government or would be private sector driven.

He explained that the schemes would be established at AmuwoOdofin, Okun-Ajah, Owode/

‘

Proposals for the creation of other schemes at Okun-Onibeju, OkunAkinlade, Epe-Marina, Idale- Whedako and Gberefun, have been forwarded to the governor for approval

’

Majidun, Lagoon Island (under LIMF) and five recreation facilities would be created in Epe, Badore, Majidun and Ijon-Kande.

He hinted that proposals for the creation of other schemes at OkunOnibeju, Okun- Akinlade, EpeMarina, Idale- Whedako and Gberefun, have been forwarded to the governor for approval.

Oniru assured that the administration was committed to the protection of the shoreline, stating that shoreline protection, jetties and parks were being constructed across the state.

He said the ministry was also developing a policy on Waterfronts Land Administration, which will ensure the protection of the shoreline and forestall in-

•From right: Oniru; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development Mr Abiodun Fajobi and Director, Finance and Administration, Office of Special Adviser on Mineral Resources Mr Bode Kassim PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

discriminate dredging.

According to the commissioner, 66 companies and individuals, have been given permission and operational licences to undertake dredging and pilling and sale of sand across the state. He added that 153 applications had been received in this respect.

On the success of the Eko Atlantic City, Oniru said 2.4 million square metres of land approximating 2.115 metres have been reclaimed.

He explained that the project is funded by a private investor, stressing that the state government was only playing a supervisory role without investing any kobo on the project He added that when completed, the city would be bigger than the present Victoria Island.

The city, Oniru stressed, would be home to facilities comparable to what obtains in the most advanced countries and debunked the rumour that a plot of land costs as much as N350 million.

Though he failed to disclose the actual cost, the commissioner directed any interested person or group to visit the liaison office of the proposed city in Victoria Island, for such information.

The commissioner revealed plans to establish three mega petroleum filling stations across the three senatorial districts in the state to checkmate the activities of oil marketers.

He explained that the plan to petrol stations will help to checkmate marketers from hoarding products in order to create artificial scarcity, while reiterating the determination of the state to set up modular refineries in the state.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

39

CITY BEATS

L

AGOS State workers are excited by the government’s plan to increase parastatals’ subvention.

The workers initially thought they had been forgotten in the N18, 780 new wage, introduced in March.

The Commissioner For Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, however, assured at the ongoing ministerial press conference that the affected parastatals would be taken care of.

He listed the parastatals to be covered by this measure to include: The Lagos Television, Eko FM, Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Lagos State Records and Archive Bureau (LASRAB) among others.

Sanwo-Olu said his ministry has forwarded the request for an increase in such parastatals’ subvention to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. He assured that such approval would soon be given, for them to start enjoying like their colleagues in the state civil service.

A public servant in one of the parastatals, who spoke with this reporter, said it was a welcome development, adding that he felt bad when they were excluded from benefiting from the new increment.

“Ordinarily you won’t expect most of us to be happy. We work together, do the same kind of work, our children attend the same school, we go to the same market and we have the same identity as people working for the state government. So, when we were told that it was for certain category of civil servants, we felt there was a need Workers’ for the governhopeful ment to reconsider and its position. Luckgrateful ily, we have a lis-

•From right: Sanwo-Olu; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Establishment and Training, Mr Olufemi Adebanjo and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Folashade Jaji.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Plan to increase parastatals’ subvention excites workers Stories by Miriam Ndikanwu

tening person at the helm of affairs in the state who has now decided to increase our subvention to make up for what we have lost.”

Sanwo-Olu, while giving the score card of the ministry, said that the government has so far paid N22.7 billion to its various Pensions Fund Administrators, (PFA) as the state’s contribution to the pension scheme.

Of the amount, N1.337 billion was paid to 124 newly-retired public servants, who are drawing from the amount. He noted that though the N22.7 billion was paid in two tranches with the first paid last October and the second paid in February this year.

He disclosed that Life and Pensions Commission received N10 billion of the N22.7 billion.

“As at February 17, 2011, 320 redemption bonds were redeemed and a total accrued right of N1, 337,969,846.12 were accredited into the individual retirement savings account. We have 124 retirees of the 320 already drawing pension.”

He noted that 105,550 civil servants have registered under the contributory pension scheme that

commenced in April, 2007.

The commissioner explained that PSSDC Transformation which commenced in August 2009 as a collaborative effort between the state and the World Bank, through the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP), has provided cuttingedge learning and development solutions that will assist in the realisation of the government’s ambition of making Lagos Africa’s model mega city.

During the period under review, PSSDC has developed and redesigned some learning and development programmes which included Designing Instruction Workshop, Essential Skills in Project Management, Developing Curriculum Workshop, Understanding Slums and Slum Upgrade Process, Project Management for Practitioners, Public Service Induction and Working to Get Results among others.”

Sanwo-Olu stated that in the first quarter of 2011, PSSDC exposed the state work force to trainings such as ICT for effective service delivery, that featured 41 participants, community health workers with 117 participants, essential skill in project management with 17 participants, managing meetings and minutes writing with 32 participants amongst others.

He further disclosed that the state government has, in the past four years ago, sponsored 35,000 civil servants, including teachers and doctors, on in-plant/tailormade workshops locally and internationally, saying: “The state government has continued to expose its officials to cutting-edge training programmes for improved service delivery.”

Tears as court ejects Orile-Iganmu residents

“W

HERE do I go now, after paying N264, 000 barely a week ago for house rent, and spent another N150,000 on renovation, only to be told that the house belongs to another person? I can’t get the estate agent to refund my money and this building would soon be demolished.”

These were the words of Sheriff Musa, a tanker driver, who had just packed into a room and parlour apartment in Orile-Iganmu. Musa, who left Badia community in Lagos, because of the poor condition of living, was lamenting his ordeal after a group of men stormed the street, to enforce the eviction of tenants based on a court ruling in favour of the Ojora family as the bonafide owner of the land on which the building he just rented a part was built.

Musa’s worry was that even the agent, popularly called Oyinbo, who got him the rooms, has been elusive. Several calls to his phones were not picked.

Another tenant was Mr Eniola Abel, who has been in the neighbourhood since 2003. Abel, who retired from the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), said he had just renewned his yearly rent.

“What I heard last year was that the issue of court case between our landlord and the Ojora family had been settled. That was why I went ahead to renew my rent,” Abel lamented as he and his wife moved their property out of the house.

Abel who lives with his wife, grandmother and a daughter in a

‘

By Sunday Ogundugba

room was downcast, ruminating on where to go. He said his worry was that his poor grandmother who is blind requires good attention.

Occupants of the affected houses at No 6 and 7 Adebowale Street, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, were greeted with shock last week, when a group of men accompanied by the police stormed the street to enforce a court order granted in favour of the Ojora family as the bonafide owner of the land.

According to the tenants, the men forcefully removed the roof of the building, ransacking the rooms and threatened to demolish the buildings the following day.

When CityBeats visited the affected buildings, the occupants were busy packing their properties out of the buildings. Some of them were trying to call their relatives and their church members to come to their aid. Mrs Anthony Onyewego who spoke with CityBeats said her brother, Anthony who had travelled out of the country left the room for her when he moved out.

Mr Kenny Okunnu, another tenant, said the unjust eviction of tenants in the area was getting out of control. He said the issue had become intractable. Okunnu, who seemed resigned to fate, said he would leave the issue to God. To Kareem Owolabi, the Ojora family should have served the oc-

A group of men accompanied by the police stormed the street to enforce a court order granted in favour of the Ojora family as the bonafide owner of the land

’

•One of the affected buildings. Inset: Chief Aromire

cupants a prior notice before the forceful eviction.

“I left home only to be told in my workshop that some people have started demolishing my house. We want the state government to intervene because we never got any notice.”

Findings revealed that the landed properties in Orile-Iganmu , which had been in contention since 1972, were declared the bonafide property of the Ojora family in 1999 by the Supreme Court.

But a group of landlords with some tenants in the area went to a Yaba Magistrate Court to seek an order to compel the respondents (the Ojora family) to appear and show cause why it should not be ‘bound over to maintain peace for a period of one year in respect of No 6 and 7, Adebowale Street.’

But according to a copy of the judgment delivered on May 6, by the court made available to CityBeats, the case

was dismissed because the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the Ojora family.

Citybeats spoke with the head of the Ojora family, Oba Fatai Aremu Oyenyinka Aromire.

The traditional ruler said the eviction was not a sign of wickedness but because many landlords in the area did not comply with the agreements.

“The court case has been in existence since 1972, when the ancestors and the Iganmu Community went to court over the land ownership tussle. My forefather made the Iganmu community the head of that land.

However, in 1972, the people of this community rose to claim ownership of the land. The then Ojora Abdul Lasisi Toki took them to court but he died along the line.

“His successor chief Taoreed Lawal Akapo, also played his own part at the High Court. Like his

predecessor, he could see the end of the case. When I became king in 1994, I was able to follow the case; I had the judgment of the High Court. They went to Appeal Court they lost. When they got to the Supreme Court, the judges ruled in our favour.

Therefore, we won in the three courts. We published the judgments in many newspapers especially The Nation. We followed all the due process that made us to be the rightful owner of the land.

“After three years we never fomented any trouble, we left everybody alone based on the decision of the family.

“But to my surprise, the landlord of the affected houses went to court in Yaba, praying the court to imprison me for forcefully taking over their properties. The court just gave the judgment again in our favour. That is why we are now taking over our properties,” he said.

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

40

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If Nigeria gets out of the wood, that is 20-25 per cent of Africa out of the woods.

We can carry other African countries along. If our economy improves, it will impact positively on the rest of the world.”

CITYBEATS

President Goodluck Jonathan, on the task before the government ahead of his inauguration last week.

‘Why we no longer travel by road’

T

IME is 6 pm. Commuters returning home from work are held in traffic snarl on the road while those commuting by ferries are enjoying smooth rides on the waterways.

Traffic snarl is absent in Lagos on the waterways.

This, perhaps, is why many now use ferries to avoid congestion on the roads.

Commuters who reside in Ikorodu, Apapa, Ajah, Lekki, Mile 2 and other riverine areas now prefer using the ferry for their movement within Lagos daily. Although the ferry as a mode of transportation dates back to the 1960s in Lagos, only a few utilise the service.

Lagos, the economic hub of Nigeria, has an estimated six million daily commuters. despite that about 70 per cent of the state is accessible by water through various lagoons and waterways, many still go by road, enduring the traffic snarl which seems to have defied solutions.

When CityBeats visited the National Inland Waterways (NIWA) in charge of ferry services, a few passengers who have turned to the ferry as an alternative, expressed delight with the water transport, saying it has reduced their burden because of its

Stories by Sunday Ogundugba

efficiency. They urged the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to look into the ferry services in his second term by replicating the BRT initiative on the waters.

One of the advantages of the ferries, CityBeats gathered, is that its charges are low but they vary. For instance, those plying CMS to Ikorodu charge between N350 and N500. Those charging N500 are more comfortable than others.

According to the captain of one of the ferries,Tombo Jones, it is a way of attracting more customers and makes them have value for their money.

Jones, who hails from Sagbama Local Government in Bayelsa State, said water transportation is safer than roads. According to him, some of the ferries have facilities which make it impossible to sink no matter the circumstance.

A regular patron of the ferry, Chidozie Okoro, a lawyer, said he adopted the ferry because it is faster.

“I have a meeting in Kirikiri now so, it is faster for me to go from CMS to

‘

If it is a speed boat it takes just 30 minutes. The ferry takes 45 minutes.

I prefer this means of transportation because it’s more reliable

•One of the ferries

Apapa by ferry. I believe that it is more convenient. And it is cheaper as I paid N80 from here to Apapa. I have been going by ferry for a long time because I believe that water transport is the answer to the traffic woes in Lagos. I think the Lagos State Government can encourage the initiative by investing in it like it did on the road with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT),” he said.

Another passenger who identified himself as Alex, a marine engineer, said: “‘Why I take pride in the ferry is because it adds value to life. Even when you get to developed countries, there is pack and ride. You don’t need to drive your car all the way from your home to this place. First, by doing so, you congest the roads.

Second, the exhaust fume these days is part of what is causing global warming and depletion of the ozone layers; and there are gridlocks on the roads always. I fill my

PHOTOS: SUNDAY OGUNDUGBA

fuel tank with N5,000 and I drive the vehicle all the way to Lagos here myself.

“In developed countries, if you move from here to the other side, it will take you like five minutes and the fresh air you breathe adds a lot to your life. That is why you see whitemen sailing the waters with their small boats, cooling off from the heat with sea breeze because it adds value to life. This what Lagos should emulate.”

Yemi Ojo said it takes 30 minutes to get to Ikorodu from CMS. “If it is a speed boat it takes just 30 minutes.

The ferry takes 45 minutes. I prefer this means of transportation because it’s more reliable. It is very easy, no hold up, no traffic jam, no problem with LASTMA and agberos. The most interesting thing about it is that each time we are inside the ferry we are always at ease. Once the ferry starts moving, we at ease”, he noted.

Maxwell Udoh, a passen-

•Alex

•Udoh

ger, said the reason why many people are not aware that a facility like this exists is low awareness and less investment in the sector “The Lagos State Government has not done enough.

What it should do is partnership with the private sector.

There are still diverse ways to create the enabling environment to increase private sector partnership and investment. The state government can acquire these fer-

ries and hand them over to private individuals to manage.”

Mr Ade Ajayi, a retired patrol man on the beach who recounted the history of the ferry, said the services started in Lagos around 1962. He said the safety standard has improved with the introduction of life jackets, adding that it is very rare to experience any mishap on the sea.

’ ‘I climbed Onipanu bridge 20 times to deliver my triplets’

C

HILDREN are the joy of motherhood. Many women long for this gift as it gives them fulfilment in life. Like other women, Mrs Nike Ojo is not an exception. Three years ago, her prayer was answered when she took in. She delivered a set of twins.

Last Tuesday, Mrs Ojo, a chemist attendant in Onipanu, Lagos, gave birth to triplets contrary to her wish. But the triplets were not delivered easily because after the first baby came out, she experienced a pause for almost 30 hours before she eventually delivered the other babies after a strenuous exercise.

Nike, whose kids are now five, gave birth to the triplets at Saviour Christ Apostolic Church at 27, Matanmi Street, Onipanu, after a series of prayers.

Besides, she was instructed to climb the Onipanu pedestrian bridge 20 times by the church midwives and nurses before she delivered the remaining babies.

The strenuous exercise, according to her, was to enable her deliver safely her remaining babies.

Nike said she went to the church for spiritual assistance because a prophet had told her that she would deliver her babies The through caesarean exercise operation. was to She told her story: enable her “After I delivered deliver the first child, I was safely asked to climb the

•Mrs Ojo

•The Ojo triplets

pedestrian bridge at Onipanu Bus Stop 20 times. I first climbed it for 10 times after I gave birth to the first baby of the triplets.

“I was told that the remaining babies were struggling to come out together, I then walked around the streets in our area for hours. At this time, many people were still calling me mama Ibeji, nobody knew I had already delivered one of the triplets. So, I continued the exercise the following day. I climbed the pe-

destrian bridge for another 10 times before I eventually delivered the remaining two babies. The first one came at 9:45 am and the second one by 10: 00am exactly.

“I did not know that I was pregnant for almost three months and even when I went for pregnancy test I coudn’t afford the ultra scan bill. I never knew I was pregnant for months because I was still menstruating until my pregnancy was three months. In January, I was di-

agnosed and they confirmed that I was three months pregnant. I was told to do ultra scan. I didn’t do it because I could not afford the bill.

“When they insisted that I must do the scan I borrowed money to do so. After the scan, the doctors asked me if there was any twin in my family. I told him I gave birth to twins three years ago and my immediate younger ones are twins.

That was when he revealed to me that I was pregnant with triplets.

Since then, I kept it to myself because if I told my husband I knew he could run away“, she stated.

The church midwife/nurse, Evangelist Florence Adetona, said she instructed Nike to climb the bridge severally before she gave birth, she said she has been the church midwife since 1968 and that she knew the babies were in good condition only that she needed to engage in the exercise to allow her deliver safely.

“If it were to be conventional hospital, she would have been operated upon. Where will she get the money to pay the hospital bill? She has no job at hand and I was told her husband nearly fled on hearing the news that she gave birth to triplets. Although we had taken precaution by informing our doctor that we may refer her if her case warranted so”, she said.

SEND YOUR STORIES, VIDEOS AND PICTURES TO CITY BEATS at ynotcitybeats@gmail.com OR SEND AN SMS TO 08033054340

42

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

JOBS THE NATION

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

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

43

• Finger print

With biometrics, the job market grows Inproved technology has brought with it significant changes, not only in people’s lifestyle, but also in various sectors of the economy. Since authentication is essential for security work, public and private sectors are exploring better ways of dealing with fraud and related cases. They now rely on biometrics, which is the act of capturing one or more aspects of a person’s physical characteristics for easy identification. It comes with an advantage – job creation. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

• STORY ON PAGE 44

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

44

JOBS

With biometrics, the job market grows

T

HERE is a growing awareness about biometric technologies. Across the country, the use of electronic identity cards (IDs) has grown substantially. This is as a result of attempts by the public and private sectors to manage complex national infrastructure capable of conducting largescale transactions with secure biometric and digital identity, authentication.

Its use has now become common in Nigeria. The fingerprint and facial recognition are embedded on documents. The government is working to introduce biometrics in passports, visas and residence permits.

In access control, biometric features are being introduced to protect airports, government and corporate offices, individual homes, and other facilities.

At the ports, companies are making effort to issue biometric identity cards to check the menace of thieves and terrorists, as common entry documents can be forged or fraudulently obtained with relative ease.

The government has now endorsed the use of e-passports, containing security chips which automate reading of the document on entry. For instance, the image database of the proposed new driver’s licence of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is built on facial recognition.

At the banks, there is increased adoption of biometric technologies for a broader set of applications.

A strong or two-factor authentication, where a password is combined with another form of authentication, such as a smartcard, token or biometric, is being promoted. Extra steps are being taken to strengthen password-based access, particularly, for internal Information Technology (IT) staff who have the responsibility of securing networks.

Currently, there are concerns as to whether some cards might work at ATMs using different systems, or that users might have to identify themselves differently at different banks.

At branches, top banks are investing in camera technologies with face acquisition features. The Group Managing Director/ CEO, FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya, said the bank purchased biometric ATMs to protect the data resources of its customers.

Under the biometric system, cardholders are identified by their fingerprints, making it almost impossible for any other person to use it in case the card is lost or stolen.

Following the adoption of biometrics, there is a fingerprint matching technology to check incidents of double registration during elections. As a result, biometrics business has come in intense waves.

The President, Academy for Entrepre-

neurial Studies, Nigeria (AES) Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu (MFR), said the government and industry have to adopt new tools to improve national security, better manage the growing flow of people and mitigate the attendant risks to health and security.

The need to achieve this, he noted, has led to the use of biometrics. He said biometrics, has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of criminal background checks.

There is an awareness of the usefulness of biometrics beyond just doing namecheck. Observers believe biometrics will substantially help in securing the country’s borders, facilitate border crossing and enhance trust in identification documents.

Gradually, a vibrant biometrics industry is emerging. Biometrics systems’ developers, project managers, test engineers and security consultants are needed to work on the design and implementation of biometric systems for government and its agencies and private companies.

They are equally needed in law enforcement, health care, banking and and e-commerce.

Ajagu, said there are now jobs for forensic experts, and other experts.

Government, he noted needs experts to provide biometric identification and analysis services to agencies involved in law enforcement, intelligence, immigration and border management, as well as in the conduct of elections.

Internationally, a degree in biometrics,

combines skills from biology, computer science, computer engineering, statistics and electrical engineering. Due to the small number of candidates with education in this field, combined with the rapidly growing demand for this technology, candidates who are able to master this subject, usually have their pick of job offers, including opportunities to work abroad.

Internationally, the number of universities offering degrees in biometrics are limited, so admission standards are highly competitive. More universities are likely to begin offering degrees in biometrics as the technology continues to evolve.

For those willing to engage in thorough research, careful planning, and hard work, biometrics promises to be one of the hottest careers of the future.

The Institute of Electrical Engineers, runs a certified Biometrics Professional (CBP) programme.

The executive Vice President, Certified Institute of Integrated Marketing Communications, Oyewole Olusiji, said the biometrics industry is growing rapidly, with diverse and expanding workforce from a wide variety of backgrounds, industries and organizations.

He said there are jobs for individuals with biometric skills and knowledge, adding that the economy is in need of biometrics professionals.

He said there will be jobs for professionals, such as forensic accountants, engineers and practitioners from a wide array of

• Using biometric technologies to check airline passengers.

• Ajagu

backgrounds and industries.

He said professionals in the Security, Forensics, Smart Card, Engineering and IT fields who have knowledge of biometrics will be in hot demand, stating that governments need to do more to crack down on cyber and identity thieves and strengthen safeguards for personal information, by employing the services of biometrics.

Olusiji, said the demand for specialists to help law enforcement officers ensure that individuals are who they say they are, will increase.

A Communications Consultant, Dr. Hugh Nwaneri, said the emergence of a biometric industry is going to create jobs for electronic engineers. According to him, biometric products require electronic engineering background both in design and maintenance.

Lagos State has implemented a statewide electronic registry for directives, including powers of attorney and living wills.

The state is creating the foundation for a vibrant technology industry by serving as an example of how to leverage new opportunities around existing business strengths.

The government is planning to install security cameras, taking a new step in surveillance by creating a database of licensed plates and people’s movements.

Locally, the industry has not grown to a level where security systems would be based solely on biometrics human characteristics such as faces, hand-shapes and fingerprints.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Critical steps for job hunting success

R

UNNING an effective job search in this challenging economic environment can be like a roller coaster ride.

One day things look promising the next you get a rejection on a job you were ideally suited for. Perhaps by taking a closer look at various aspects of job hunting you’ll be able to develop a different and more positive outlook.

A job search is a journey into the unknown.

There is much that you cannot control. Sometimes it seems there is no logic to the process. All of this can cause stress and conjure up thoughts there is an unseen conspiracy working against your job hunting efforts.

If you dread starting the job hunting process or you heard from a friend all the job hunting negatives or you pay attention to the media what are you likely to do? Yes, that’s right you procrastinate. The twin of procrastination is to do less than your best.

Both attitudes will not get you the right job and in a reasonable period of time.

Just as we physically prepare and warm up before we do some physical activity so must you prepare mentally for an effective job search? Employers want to hire positive upbeat people. Whatever you need to do; begin each day in your job search with enthusiasm and an attitude that you are working on a problem you can solve. Remember, for every “No,” you receive you are one step closer to a “Yes.”

By Olu Oyeniran

So let’s take a look at three critical things that must be done right for a job search to be successful: 1. Document planning and preparation are the foundation to a successful job search. Get the resume and cover letter right and everything else falls into place. Before you start writing spend some time researching the latest in resume and cover letter writing.

Keep the focus of the resume and cover letter on the needs of the prospective employer. It surprises some job hunters that a one size resume does not fit all possible job openings. Tailor the listing of accomplishments in the resume to match the employer’s needs is critical for the employer to notice you.

In writing your cover letters, remember its function is not to rehash what is in the resume, but to introduce the resume. As in writing the resume each cover letter should be written to show how your skills match the needs of the specific job opening.

2. An effective job interview requires preparation and then some more preparation. You know at some point you’ll be scheduled for a telephone and then a face-to-face job interview. Getting comfortable in this setting, with the ability to communicate your agenda requires some planning and preparation.

As you start your job search, plan on doing

some activity every day to help you prepare for the job interview. Build a plan for what you’ll do and say in a telephone interview.

There are some critical dos and don’ts so this is a step you should not overlook.

Begin pulling together 50 to 100 tough interview questions. Write them out on a card with your well thought out answer on the other side. This list will change over time as you uncover more interviewing information, and refine your answers.

Now have a friend ask you the questions, (do the mock interview in sections) and tape the interview. Critique your performance, paying particular attention to your listening skills, possible bad habits, and lack of rambling answers and how well you bring your agenda into your answers.

Start this preparation at the onset of your job hunt. Your confidence will increase. When a job interview is scheduled you can productively spend your time researching the employer and the needs of the job. Your research will help you in putting together some relevant questions to ask in the interview. Your closing summary will review how you are a good fit. Don’t forget to ask for the job.

3. With a well written resume, and interview preparation underway now you can begin networking. Keep all your contact information organized. Work to add to your networking group. Make it a habit to always ask for referrals. Help others whenever you

can.

It’s likely that as your network of contacts grows they will uncover job opportunities and they will provide you with ideas to help you in your job search. This resource could be a valuable asset in your job search.

Remember, a job offer is more often forthcoming to the candidate who is prepared, positive and with a great attitude than the more highly qualified applicant who bungled the interview questions, fails to assure the interviewer they can do the job, does not dress for success and doesn’t ask for the job. So be prepared, be positive and plan for the job offer. You deserve nothing else.

4. Perhaps this should be the first step: get job search skills. Being in employment is critical for most people, but unfortunately our education system provides little information (if any) and far less skills in this area. Look for information, skills and guide in this important area of our life. I have point of beginning for this: visit www.jobsearchhow.com for information, skills and resources to get you your dream job in less than enough time.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

45

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

CEO

The ports were concessioned by the Federal Government five years ago. The concession raised the revenue of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other government agencies. It also made NPA to focus more on keeping the channels safe for navigation; rehabilitating all the access roads within the Lagos ports, among other responsibilities.

NPA Managing Director, Omar Suleiman, in this interview with OLUWAKEMI DAUDA, speaks on his effort to make the ports globally competitive.

C

AN Nigeria achieve the hub status in the sub-region as envisaged by the au thority?

There is no doubt that Nigeria has all it takes to become a regional maritime hub.

The industry has experienced a good economic change in recent times. Ships are berthing in the country, tonnage is rising and more funds are generated to support the economy. The aim of the port concession programme was to essentially enhance competitiveness and make the nation’s ports the preferred destination in the West and Central Africa sub-region.

Lagos channel is a natural gateway for cargo traffic into the West African region, due to the traditional volume of trade within the country and the level of accessible trading routes throughout the hinterland.

Through the reform, the nation’s seaports

• Suleiman

‘Nigeria can become regional maritime hub’ will remain the gateway to the West and Central Africa sub-region. Huge investment in partnership with private sector would improve cargo handling sufficiency, vesselturnaround time and container dwell time in the ports. Ongoing channel deepening will attract bigger vessels to take advantage of the economies of scale.

The Nigerian port has the potential to become the hub, but government agencies at the port need to come together and work harder to make it happen.

Which areas do you intend to give priority?

NPA’s statutory obligation is development, maintenance and running of ports. With the concessioning, our duties are mainly on serious development especially with new globalisation of port activities and expansion in port trade.

We are making concerted efforts to ensure that our port activities, our access roads, quay walls, aprons and above all our channels, which include the break waters and other facilities are in good shape for us to meet up with marine trade.

In a nut shell, I will give priority to all issues affecting the ports. We should be interested in everything that is happening in all the channels and within the port, because at the end of the day, if the Customs do not do their work or the immigration fail to do their work, Nigerian ports will not be safe.

Go and read your pages and other maritime pages in the newspapers, no reporter holds other agencies responsible for the problems in the port apart from NPA. Therefore, for every activity within the port, we must be interested. But while doing that, I will concentrate on the development of ports so that

at the end of my tenure, I should be able to say we have built two new deep sea ports; at least one in the East and another in the West.

Now, I am devoting all my time to ensure that we have sea ports that are similar to what you find anywhere in advanced countries.

Why do you think the country needs deep sea port?

A deep sea port would guarantee the country the regional hub status, which by the volume of her cargo traffic gives her the right to the status. The country also needs deep sea port for increased cargo traffic locally and internationally.

In our drive to prove the success of the synergy between the public and private sectors of our economy and as an evidence of the • Continued on page 46

46

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

CEO

‘Nigeria can become regional maritime hub’ • Continued from page 45

confidence, the international business community reposed in the nation’s economy and the resilience of its people and institutions, we have entered into an agreement with a Singaporean company for the building of a multipurpose deep sea port in Lekki.

We are also discussing the possibility of building a deep sea port in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State. We are about to conclude discussions, obtaining all the necessary titles and commence the process of deep sea port development on public/private partnership basis as part of our 25 years master plan.

What are the objectives of the master plan?

We need the port master plan to meet the demand of shipping traffic in the 21st Century and to ensure a harmonised and integrated development addressing all the challenges. NPA intends to conduct a port development study to determine operational and facility requirement within the short, medium and long-term horizon to be translated into a master plan for the next 25 years.

Some of the objectives of the master plan are: to develop comprehensive Nigerian ports master plan as a long-term programme for strategic development; highlight specific measures and priorities in all aspects of port operations and identify constraints and develop strategies to improve port operations as well as future development prospects Has it been approved by the government, and how important is it?

The port development plan that we are trying to put in place is ready, we are just waiting for the government to approve it and give us the go-ahead for the consultants to produce the development plan.

So if you are building a deep sea port in the East and in the West, we will be able to be guided by the plan.

The port development plan is a strategic plan for us to be able to identify the type of depth and the type of port to build because of the hydrograph of all the coastal areas, they are different and also some of the ports that are coming including the deep sea ports. Why I am talking specifically about the deep sea port is that there are certain areas we already know the hydrographic characteristics.

We are supposed to have sited ports in those areas a very long time ago, but we did not do it.

From a development plan, if someone wants to build a fish port; for instance, we can say okay, build it in this place because these are the characteristic of this area, in fact, this is what this place can offer you, this is the distance to the market, and these are your customers and these are the people that are going to serve you. So we can say that for that type of business to go here, all that is part of the advantage of the port development plan that we are still pursuing.

Why was the ports concessioned?

The Federal Government’s reform agenda for the sector was to increase the efficiency of port operations, decrease the costs of ports services to the users and to the government for the support of a viable port sector, boost economic activity and accelerate development; and make Nigeria the hub for international freight and the sub-region It was also targeted at improving, enhancing management capability, creating a condusive institutional, legal and regulatory framework; developing private sector participation in financing, management and operations of

port facilities.

Government decision to concession the ports as part of a reform programme was informed by the urgent need to address the declining performance of Nigerian ports, which were adjudged to be inefficient and unattractive for business then.

What has been the impact of port concession on port operations and NPA revenue?

There is no doubt that the port concession programme of government has reduced the ship waiting time from over one month to five days. Cargo dwell time is now about 20 days. All these would make Nigerian ports more attractive and reduce the cost of shipment and ultimately boost economic activities.

The programme has also boosted our revenue performance. Up until 2009, our revenue has exceeded its budgeted amount, it was only last year, and based on the Federal Government directive that NPA should give a 50 per cent revenue rebate to petroleum laden vessel that the revenue fell below budget. But the overall budget performance for 2010 showed that we are doing well.

But has the higher revenue impacted on the welfare of staff?

To a large extent, employees of NPA have witnessed significant improvement in their welfare.

Right now, the authority runs a monetised salary structure. We have paid the arrears of the monetisation for staff, they have also received their productivity bonus. Our condition of service and gratuity scheme are in place. Therefore, it has been a good turn-around for the staff of the authority. But what we are saying is that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Nigeria would soon start to get a very good return from NPA. What is responsible for the high port charges?

It is true that the charges in our port are high. But the freight and port charges are high because shipping companies increase their charges because of fear of piracy and high insurance fees.

NPA talks about restructuring, what is it about? Will it lead to staff rationalisation?

As at now, I don’t think the impending restructuring will lead to staff rationalisation. What I discovered and what I am trying to do is to seriously restructure NPA to cope with the demand of the present day. As I said before, we have a structure that is quite outdated and which is not in tune with our landlord status. I also found out that as landlords, may be due to certain exigencies of the past, we are not performing the duties that we are supposed to be performing.

The ports landlord mode does not stop us from carrying out certain activities that are our responsibilities in the port, but we are not doing them.

What are those responsibilities?

One of such responsibility is safety at port. As far as I am concerned, by the time we conclude restructuring, every member of staff will have a job to do and even more.

• Suleiman For instance, few weeks ago, there was a vessel that was offloading and there was an accident on board in which one person died instantly and the other crew member got his two legs severed. We know that safety on board of vessels is the responsibility of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), but since such an accident happened in the port, my question is that was there an NPA officer supervising the operations when the accident happened, they said no. I now told them that as long as it is taking place in NPA’s territory, we must be interested and we must supervise. But we have not been doing that.

By the time we deploy people to do monitoring in every sector of the port; we will have every hand engaged. We should be interested in everything that is happening in the whole of the channel and within the port, because at the end of the day, if the Customs did not do their work or immigration did not do their work, they will say Nigerian ports are dangerous, not safe and they are the most expensive. Nobody mentions other agencies, because of that, for every activity within the port, we must be interested, we must know about them and we must supervise them. That is the restructuring we intend to put in place and it will benefit all and sundry.

Let us talk about capacity building, how far have you trained your staff?

We have been training and retraining our staff so that they can carry out their responsibilities effectively. If there is need for us to train them within and outside the country, we would do it to enhance our productivity.

What are you doing to make port

attractive for business?

NPA as a landlord under the port reform programme has a statutory obligation to maintain infrastructure in the port system.

It was based on this that the Federal Government and the management of NPA are doing everything possible to develop the ports to attract massive investment into the country and promote ports operations.

For instance, based on the approval we received from the Federal Government, we have awarded over N3 billion contracts for the rehabilitation of all the access roads within the Lagos ports and spent additional N44 million on the installation of solar street lights from the Apapa port exit gate to a reasonable distance on Creek road to stem the cycle of criminalities within and around port.

Very soon, all the water logs in the Lagos ports would disappear while the failed sections, which have worsened the agonies of container carriers and other port users would be a thing of the past.

The rehabilitation of the 3.1 kilometre dual service lane linking Tin-Can Island port with Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd would cost N526 million and it would be completed within five months.

Also, the rehabilitation of the Kirikiri Phase 1 and Phase 2 access roads had also been awarded and would take 18 weeks to be completed.

The authority has also received approval letter from the Federal Ministry of Works for the rehabilitation of the access road from Apapa to Lilypond Inland Container terminal for easy movement of trucks and cargo within and outside the port.

The 835-metre Honeywell access

‘The only impediment that we have is trade facilitation and that is why we have been canvassing one-stop shop for cargo clearance in our ports. I think NPA is doing a lot to position the country and the ports; especially Lagos port; in terms of dredging and capacity building. To meet that target what is needed now is the trade facilitation role of other government agencies, such that it will be very easy for any of the land-lock countries in West and Central Africa to know that the goods that are passing through the country are safe and will be delivered wherever it is needed’

road, which also served a lot of industries around the Tin-Can Island port, was completed at a cost of N611 million in less than a year.

We have concessioned the ports and some of these projects are part of our obligations to the concessionaires, which we must meet up if they agree with the obligations in the payment of our dues and our agreed tonnage. So that is why you see all these projects coming up in the port. The development of infrastructure is the fulfillment of the obligations of the landlord.

What are the challenges confronting your operations in port?

The only impediment that we have is trade facilitation and that is why we have been canvassing one-stop shop for cargo clearance in our ports. I think NPA is doing a lot to position the country and the ports; especially Lagos port; in terms of dredging and capacity building. To meet that target what is needed now is the trade facilitation role of other government agencies, such that it will be very easy for any of the land-lock countries in West and Central Africa to know that the goods that are passing through the country are safe and will be delivered wherever it is needed. We need the support of other government agencies at the port to achieve the trade facilitation programme. That is what we need despite all the efforts that we are putting in place in NPA because the only way that you can turn your activities around in the maritime industry is to make your ports a hub and boost the economy.

Why do we need one -stop shop for cargo clearance?

We need a one-stop shop to stop a situation where one government agency will clear goods here in the port and another will intercept it there. Technology has brought about the need for speed. Shippers, importers and freight forwarders are constantly searching for more efficient ways to get their business done at the port and that is why we are supporting the initiative. Corruption also needs to be eradicated at the ports to boost revenue and enhance trade facilitation hence, the need for one-stop shop.

How far have you gone in your efforts to fully computerise NPA? The programme has started. With the commencement of the computerisation programme, operational efficiency would be maintained to support profitability and create a safe port and an effective system for growth and development. Also, with an integrated Port Community System (PCS), invoicing, revenue collection, tracking and many others, we (NPA) will become more efficient.

We learnt that NPA is changing its accounting system, what prompted that decision?

It is because of the need to keep NPA’s financial books tidy and to make financial records retrieval easier in the line with current global international financial reporting practice. This would affect the financial administration of the organisation; this procedure will also lead to review of the old financial practice in most aspects of the authority’s operation.

What is your mission and vision as the new MD of NPA? Nigerian Ports Authority’s mission and vision are well defined and already in print. What is essential to me now is how to implement decisions and see whether what we have written is being actualised. We want to be the hub of West Africa, and we are working towards that. The dredging campaign that we have commenced has given us a milestone in which vessels of Maersk Line are no more berthing in Senegal as they were doing before. They have broadcast it that they will come direct from Europe to Apapa. We are working towards that objective to see that we attain it as it is set out in our mission statement.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

47

CAPITAL MARKET NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-05-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC JULI PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 3

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 80,000 2.90 800 80,800

Value of Shares(N) 40,000.00 2,208.00 42,208.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 10 11 24

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMP PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 53 61

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 58,600 0.50 1,314,404 7.61 121,730 1,494,734

Value of Shares (N) 29,300.00 657,202.00 928,052.90 1,614,554.90

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARM PLC UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERV PLC Sector Totals

16 28 9 10 5 76

Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 8 10

No of Deals 27 18 45

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 158 54 124 38 122 93 445 72 469 60 74 102 46 109 9 23 273 149 113 59 296 2,888

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 78 28 2 86 196

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 5,149,597 2.43 333,624 5,483,221

Value of Shares (N) 2,574,798.50 822,748.72 3,397,547.22

BANKING Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 7.95 8,479,289 1.68 1,221,172 6.00 9,063,241 4.00 2,229,894 7.69 12,024,636 2.59 10,150,582 13.50 13,106,120 0.67 7,097,806 16.19 11,265,854 10.05 2,205,154 1.34 5,048,878 1.77 8,929,979 1.22 5,869,947 8.38 2,197,643 1.09 38,692 2.10 7,197,323 6.27 8,794,827 2.75 5,888,656 1.02 18,571,279 1.08 3,338,790 15.30 26,928,204 169,647,966

Value of Shares (N) 67,439,532.66 2,038,447.25 54,581,765.17 9,092,062.83 93,791,092.05 26,393,589.07 176,964,954.96 4,783,386.54 182,425,989.78 22,060,624.00 6,868,982.59 16,208,999.75 7,190,485.26 18,330,780.57 40,239.68 15,202,805.16 53,254,289.50 15,790,054.44 18,957,510.82 3,699,326.98 410,626,695.79 1,205,741,614.85

BREWERIES Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 4.18 6,000 251.00 1,001,718 6.17 389,727 2.49 19,604 87.51 761,948 2,178,997

Value of Shares (N) 25,080.00 251,319,058.80 2,353,844.79 48,813.96 65,921,485.55 319,668,283.10

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 70 30 44 42 186

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 23.99 684,392 11.26 338,662 131.00 380,341 45.00 740,724 2,144,119

Value of Shares (N) 16,173,270.22 3,782,637.25 49,872,613.20 32,979,883.34 102,808,404.01

Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 19 7 4 32

No of Deals 2 10 7 8 2 5 1 35

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 3.16 2,000 11.15 353,381 24.28 43,836 1.52 1,165,852 0.95 105,000 10.53 35,250 5.27 1,892 1,707,211

No of Deals 4 4 14 22

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 698,500 1.11 200,100 2.97 1,347,150 2,245,750

Value of Shares (N) 349,250.00 222,111.00 4,007,296.00 4,578,657.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. THOMAS WYATT PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 3 6 13

Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPO OF NIG PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 4 68 3 78 38 44 247

Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 22 26 2 55

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 6.27 8,750 1.38 9,211 3.42 4,780 22,741

Value of Shares (N) 52,150.00 12,158.52 15,535.00 79,843.52

CONGLOMERATES Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.20 897,357 7.21 25,090 36.00 6,232,601 7.48 1,206 0.97 15,206,631 38.11 168,768 27.35 518,573 23,050,226

Value of Shares (N) 1,820,264.00 171,866.50 209,329,648.10 8,574.66 14,765,693.07 6,453,902.86 14,194,486.03 246,744,435.22

CONSTRUCTION Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 4.96 51,066 58.49 101,309 0.50 21,496,415 3.31 100,000 21,748,790

Value of Shares (N) 241,031.52 5,918,923.38 10,748,207.50 331,000.00 17,239,162.40

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 6 8

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.00 40,449 0.58 298,630 339,079

Value of Shares (N) 84,942.90 173,205.40 258,148.30

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 13 52 93 104 67 10 1 84 20 21 6 14 485

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 46.00 13,019 21.78 837,452 18.50 1,640,166 13.50 4,827,749 90.00 276,311 4.56 46,200 1.96 10,000 6.33 6,654,537 36.99 502,081 400.00 6,860 0.50 1,945,500 0.69 1,594,411 18,354,286

Value of Shares (N) 595,417.00 17,845,534.74 30,351,928.55 65,077,180.31 24,864,592.79 212,292.00 18,700.00 41,968,232.05 18,324,505.70 2,730,291.66 972,890.00 1,054,669.90 204,016,234.70

HEALTHCARE Company Name EKOCORP PLC EVANS MEDICALPLC.

No of Deals 2 6

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 5.31 53,074 1.26 40,215

Value of Shares (N) 18,450.00 1,792,920.00 1,811,370.00

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 8.20 640 0.54 1,345,453 5.85 122,472 3.18 206,240 1,674,805

Value of Shares (N) 4,992.00 738,274.05 711,303.11 655,843.20 2,110,412.36

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 3,110,000 2.95 580,000 0.50 180,000 0.58 6,213,170 10,083,170

Value of Shares (N) 1,555,000.00 1,643,800.00 90,000.00 3,679,453.80 6,968,253.80

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 27 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 9 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 28 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 1 2 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 31 GREAT NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 1 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 10 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 6 INTER ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 5 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 29 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 2 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 18 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 33 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 35 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 11 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 4 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 1 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 9 STACO INSURANCE PLC 9 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 15 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 77 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSUR PLC 4 Sector Totals 399

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.83 6,951,185 1.03 1,724,570 0.50 2,871,330 2.94 1,838,858 0.50 9,774,425 0.50 100,000 0.50 50,000 1.65 2,046,350 0.50 1,583,800 0.50 8,084,174 0.50 2,808,633 0.57 107,000 0.50 4,111,500 0.50 3,176,250 0.53 16,144,328 0.74 828,000 0.50 1,470,000 2.10 200 0.50 2,929,614 0.50 2,871,099 0.50 495,208 0.50 11,006,664 0.50 67,502 0.53 500,912 81,541,602

Value of Shares (N) 5,773,621.90 1,843,269.60 1,435,665.00 5,468,017.42 4,887,212.50 50,000.00 25,000.00 3,436,435.32 791,900.00 4,042,087.00 1,404,316.50 60,990.00 2,055,750.00 1,588,125.00 8,716,160.81 575,156.22 735,000.00 400.00 1,464,807.00 1,435,549.50 247,604.00 5,502,812.00 33,751.00 265,445.36 51,839,076.13

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 15 15

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 69 69

Company Name DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 1.25 1,892,187 1,892,187

Value of Shares (N) 2,433,303.10 2,433,303.10

MARITIME Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 1.32 3,946,464 3,946,464

Value of Shares (N) 5,261,936.30 5,261,936.30

MEDIA Value of Shares (N) 6,320.00 3,940,198.15 1,117,379.64 1,856,135.20 99,750.00 352,852.50 9,970.84 7,382,606.33

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC Secure Electronic Technology PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 3.12 6,200 1.38 1,299,000 1,305,200

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals CHAMS PLC 4 IHS NIGERIA PLC 3 MASS TELECOM INNOVATION NIGERIA PLC 1 STARCOMMS PLC 20 Sector Totals 28

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC I. P. W. A. PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIG PLC Sector Totals

1,043,510.95 8,550,029.36 349,501.04 830,373.50 1,900,000.00 13,003,495.79

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Value of Shares (N) 5,664,421.60 4,983,936.71 10,648,358.31

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

515,824 327,639 86,084 444,050 3,800,000 5,266,886

HOTEL & TOURISM

AIR SERVICES Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.10 2,694,896 8.40 590,171 3,285,067

2.05 26.00 4.06 1.87 0.50

Value of Shares (N) 281,822.94 48,258.00

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 68,000 68,000

Value of Shares (N) 34,000.00 34,000.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 3 26 30

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 460,000 0.50 1,680,000 0.63 7,115,207 9,255,207

Value of Shares (N) 230,000.00 840,000.00 4,335,653.70 5,405,653.70

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. DEAP CAPITAL MANA AND TRUST PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 3 6 16

Company Name NIGE BAG MANUFACTURING COMP PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC NAMPAK NIGERIA PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 62 4 5 2 2 75

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 1,787,603 2.02 650,147 0.50 738,608 3,176,358

Value of Shares (N) 893,801.50 1,313,296.94 369,304.00 2,576,402.44

PACKAGING Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.50 1,058,115 13.37 572,719 3.60 99,353 1.39 6,200 13.97 2,100 1,738,487

Value of Shares (N) 2,627,038.86 7,920,873.03 357,652.80 8,618.00 28,129.50 10,942,312.19

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 41 9 7 77 41 19 146 13 353

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 20.50 206,294 0.50 262,000 72.00 3,023 41.89 280,878 5.32 839,325 163.50 28,714 52.00 1,877,046 195.50 16,617 3,513,897

Value of Shares (N) 4,237,731.98 131,000.00 207,366.12 11,979,401.81 4,511,991.23 4,631,835.53 98,183,664.30 3,271,329.85 127,154,320.82

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 12 13 29

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 25 25

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 3.68 67,797 6.84 110,010 4.99 434,377 612,184

Value of Shares (N) 237,289.50 740,662.24 2,167,697.60 3,145,649.34

REAL ESTATE Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 17.50 234,065 234,065

Value of Shares (N) 4,150,811.88 4,150,811.88

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.70 336,325 336,325

Value of Shares (N) 234,827.50 234,827.50

TEXTILES Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.65 265,806 265,806

Value of Shares (N) 172,773.90 172,773.90

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORP Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 21 21

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 14.90 2,085,400 2,085,400 5,456 378,779,030

Value of Shares (N) 31,804,294.67 31,804,294.67 2,393,268,951.78

48

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

CAPITAL MARKET

I

CBN, SEC set up committee to reactivate Commodity Exchange

N a bid to strengthen the Capital Market, the apex regulators of the Nigerian financial system, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have set up a committee to look into ways of reviving the Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange with a view to enhancing the agricultural base of the nation’s economy.

The Committee has the Deputy Governor of CBN, Financial System Stability, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, as the chairman.

Moghalu, who represented the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the Seventh Annual Pearl Awards and Public Lecture in Lagos last Friday, explained that the committee would look into the possibility of reviving the ASCE so as to complement the agric lending drive of the CBN. “In line with the on-going reform of the capital market, the then Abuja Stock Exchange was converted into the Securities and Com-

By Tonia Osundolire and Eshiet Uyoatta

modity Exchange. A commodity exchange which facilitates trade in commodities, as opposed to shares and bonds. We want to make sure the ASCE functions well to accommodate the agricultural products expected to be produced through the agriculture lending the apex bank is giving stakeholders in the sector,” he said.

He explained that the ASCE

eventually commenced operation on July 25th, 2006 trading manually in six selected grains, among them sorghum, maize, cowpea, Soya beans, sesame seeds and millets, saying there is need to sustain the current level of economic growth and encourage both domestic and foreign investments in Nigeria.

“Evidence from recent empirical economic studies suggested that deeper, broader, and better functioning financial markets can

‘Evidence from recent empirical economic studies suggested that deeper, broader, and better functioning financial markets can stimulate economic growth. Hence, the relationship between the reform of the CBN and that undertaken by the regulators of the capital market should not be undermined’

stimulate economic growth.

Hence, the relationship between the reform of the CBN and that undertaken by the regulators of the capital market should not be undermined.”

He said the CBN would continue to support the on-going reforms to move the capital market forward.

Also speaking against the background of accusations that SEC is not doing enough in the area of investor education, the DirectorGeneral of the commission, Ms Arunma Oteh, said the commission would do more in that area, stressing that it is one of the key roles of the Commission. SEC would do more as a way of moving the market forward, she assured.

In his comments, the President of the Chartered Institute of Stock-

brokers, Mike Itegboje, said brokers are not against reform, but that all stakeholders are to be blamed for what has happened to the capital market, rather than pointing accusing fingers at the operators.

He urged the Federal Government to consider giving the market a bailout through a window, just as it did to agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment and aviation. This, he said, would bring liquidity to the market.

Commenting on the theme for this year’s lecture, the chairman of Board of Governors, Pearl Awards Nigeria, Alhaji U.F Abdullahi, said: “The on-going reforms in the capital market, if well executed, are expected to transform the market to a world class market capable of piloting the economy to greater heights. The collaborative efforts of regulators, operators and indeed all stakeholders in the stock market are no doubt central to the success of the reform agenda,” he stated.

Shareholders laud R.T Briscoe’s HAREHOLDERS of performance R.T.Briscoe have

S

commended the board and management for the impressive performance during the financial year ended December 31, 2010, despite the difficult pervading economic environment.

The shareholders made the commendation at the yearly general meeting of the company held in Lagos last week. They said the company was still able to declare cash dividend as well as scrip issues for investors.

They also appreciated the company’s diversification programme, its increased authorised share capital as well as recovery of doubtful debts.

A shareholder and General Secretary of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), , Adebayo Adeleke, noted : “We appreciate the dividend recommendation and consistent scrip issue.”

He said, despite the lull in the stock market, no shareholder of R.T. Briscoe has lost value in his investment in the shares of the company because whatever value that was lost in the share price was gained through bonus shares.

Also, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said there is need for fresh capital injection in a bid to reduce finance charges.

Reviewing the business environment, the Chairman of the company, Clement Olowokande, said the Nigerian economy has yet to recover from the impact of the global economic recession witnessed by major economies of the world.

He said business activities were still low as the demand for capital

By Eshiet Uyoatta

goods declined significantly in 2010 when compared with that of previous years.

Olowokande, said the banking sector has yet to fully recover from the recession and in spite of the reforms, businesses still have difficulties accessing bank loans and facilities, saying that lending rates have continued to increase, remarking that high costs of funds remains a deterrent to the acquisition of capital goods.

He observed that the low demand for capital goods impacted on the company’s results for the year under review.

He said the motor business activities were particularly affected by the refusal of banks to grant consumer credit, adding that increased costs of procurement of vehicles from suppliers put pressure on margins, consequently; the turnover and profit margins of the motor business dropped. He however said the Industrial Equipment fared better in turnover with slightly improved margins in 2010.

The chairman said the company recorded a turnover and profit after tax of N15.1 billion and N152 million in 2010 respectively, remarking that cost saving measures introduced by the board in the course of the year proved very effective as selling and administrative expenses dropped by 18 per cent from N1.227 in 2009 to N1.035 billion in 2010.

The shareholders approved a dividend of 10 kobo per share and bonus share of one for five held by them as April 21, 2011.

Blue chips’ gain sustains NSE ASI growth IGERIAN Stock Exchange’s

N

All Share Index (NSE ASI) in the just concluded week closed the market on a positive note with sustained growth recorded on the heels of improved gains posted by blue chip companies last Friday.

The NSE ASI appreciated by 39.11 points or 0.15 per cent, to close on Friday at 25,829.75, while the market capitalization of the 194 First Tier equities increased by N18 billion to close at N8.259 trillion.

The NSE-30 Index appreciated by 8.32 points or 0.74 per cent to close at 1,149.94. One of the four sectorial indices, appreciated during the week compared with two that so appreciated during the preceding week.

The NSE Food & Beverage Index,

By Tonia Osundolire

appreciated by 3.10 points or 0.37 per cent to close at 849.40, while the NSE Banking Index, depreciated by 2.44 points or 0.60 per cent to close at 396.78.

The NSE Insurance Index depreciated by 2.95 points or 1.69 per cent, to close at 169.59 and the NSE Oil & Gas Index depreciated by 0.95 points or 0.27 per cent to close at 332.02.

The above performance by the key indicators was as a result of the price movement of various companies. 31 stocks appreciated in price during the week, higher than the 28 of the preceding week.

•From left: Spring Bank Plc’s Executive Director, Business, South, Mr Gbenga Fakile, a student from Airforce Primary School, Tobi Awe receiving a gift from the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Spring Bank Plc, Mrs Sola Ayodele, during the Children’s Day (May 27th) celebration at Spring Bank’s corporate headoffice, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos... PHOTO: BIODUN WILLIAMS

Sterling Bank wins Human Capital Devt Award

S

TERLING Bank Plc has been recognised for its outstanding human capital development activities by Industrial Training Fund (ITF) .

The Fund, awarded Sterling Bank the 2010 Best Employer in Human Resource Development after examining the bank’s contributions to human capital development.

ITF considered the bank for the award during its annual performance review and award ceremony for 2010 held in Jos from March 1st to 3rd, 2011.

In the course of the review, the Director-General and Management of the ITF adjudged the bank the best in Human Resource activities for 2010 in the Lagos Island zone.

“The efforts put by the bank into the provision of training services to its workforce, participation in ITF training programmes, acceptance and supervision of students on industrial attachment were considered in the decision process”, said Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund, Ibrahim Lawal.

He said: ”We at the Lagos Island Area Office wish to congratulate you and hope that this award will

encourage you more in your efforts to having a robust and competent workforce developed through training and retraining; and further boost the relationship between ITF Lagos Island Area Office and Sterling Bank.”

In another development, banking on its experience and proven track record in the provision of banking services to the public sector of the Nigerian economy, Sterling Bank also maintains the Federal; state and local government accounts.

The bank has performed creditably well in its role as a designated bank for revenue collection on behalf of the Federal Government, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo and Bayelsa state governments.

To further lend credence to Sterling Bank’s role in vast banking areas, the bank has been a major player in financing the oil & gas sector for over a decade.

The bank’s understanding of the unique opportunities available in supporting indigenous players in the oil & gas sector had necessitated the setting up of an Energy Sector

Fund. This is a mutual fund designed to provide funding for the oil & gas sector.

Sterling bank has also been part of the subsequent initiatives to provide funding for the sector through Nigerian Content Support Fund (NCSF).

These funds are available for all major contracts awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas industry starting with JVs, production sharing contracts, LNG projects, engineering, procurement, installation and construction contracts as well as operation and maintenance.

The bank is also partnering with Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) to provide infrastructure worth several billions of naira for the State’s Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).

Sterling Bank is also a lead bank for Autoreg in Lagos State. The institution has been a worthy partner in the transport industry in Lagos State.

For instance, Sterling Bank is the sole collector for the Ministry of Transport (MOT) fee across Lagos State and has creditably done this since the inception of the scheme.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

49

CAPITAL MARKET

Investors splash N3.72b on banks

B

ANKING stocks again led the pack at the Exchange last week with 0.45 billion units worth N3.72 billion in 11,171 deals.

Investors in the industry had exchanged 0.65 billion units valued at N5.78 billion in 9,952 deals a fortnight ago.

Overall, the sector, which controlled 58.8 per cent of the total activities at the Exchange last week, suffered a drop in value compared with 66.6 per cent the penultimate week.

Last week, investors staked only N7 billion on shares as against N8.73 billion a fortnight ago, representing a contraction of about 19.7 per cent on weekly appraisal.

The Conglomerates elbowed the Insurance sub-sector to the third position with 145.14 million units worth N 344.59 million in 907 deals.

On average evaluation, the Conglomerates sub-sector accounted for approximately 18.76 per cent of the total activity and 4.91 per cent of the total funds invested at the Exchange during the week under review.

Shares of Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc were the toast of investors as they were actively traded in terms of volume and total investment.

But unlike the penultimate week when investors parted with N8.73 billion for 0.98 billion shares, they spent N7.00 billion on 0.77 billion shares last week.

In terms of transactional volume, the Insurance sub-sector’s performance represented an improvement of about 0.48 per cent last week. The total weekly value of stocks in this subsector stood at N 34.31 million.

Capitalisation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) increased by 0.12 per cent. Market capitalisation inched upwards to N8.22 trillion last week, from N8.21 trillion a fortnight ago.

But the All Share Index decreased to 25716.84 from 25,717.73, representing a 0.003 per cent fall on weekly assessment.

The braIndex® also fell by 0.87 per cent compared with the previous week while the NSE All-Share Index declined trivially by 0.003 per cent on the Index points.

The returns of both benchmarks were less than one index point and attributable to the uncertainties surrounding business activities and resulted in high investment risk within the Exchange environment.

On a year-to-date basis, both benchmarks - the NSE All-Share Index and the braIndex® - showed gains of 1.25 per cent and 2.71 per cent.

Stock Market Sectoral Performance Investors in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc exchanged 66.87 million units in 1229 deals worth N1.01 billion. The average number of deals remained well over 245 deals per day during the week. First Bank of Nigeria Plc was second with 57.67 million shares worth N0.77 billion.

In the Conglomerates sub-sector, Transnational Corporation Plc led with 138.48 million shares worth N135.47 million.

The sectoral volume amounted to almost 145.14 million units and constituted over 95.41 per cent of the sector’s trading volume.

Companies Appraisal The most active company in the Banking sub-sector was Zenith Bank Plc, followed by the First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The company closed the week at N0.77 billion in 2260 deals.

Among the most active companies in the Conglomerates sub-sector were Transnational Corporation Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, PZ Cussons Plc, U.A.C of Nigeria Plc and A.G. Leventis Plc. In the Insurance industry, apart from N.E.M Insurance Co. (Nig) Plc, Aiico Insurance Plc was very active in terms of trading. The total companies’ worth stood at N12.76

Table 1: A Five-Day Moving Average Data of the Market Indices Change(%) Weekly Depth

Market Capitalisation (%) 0.18

All-Share Index(%) 0.11

Year To Date (YTD)

1.31

1.25

2.71

Month To Date (MTD)

1.01

1.03

1.58

Week To Date(WTD) Values

0.12 All-Share Index

(0.003)

(0.87)

25,716.84

17.01

Market Cap(trillion Naira)

braIndex®

8.22

As of closing on May 26, 2011

Average Average (0.09)

Source: NSE & bra Limited Table 2: Stock Market Summary Statistics for the week ending May 26, 2011.

Period Market Capitalization (Trillion) 19/05/2011 8.21 20/05/2011 8.24 23/05/2011 8.23 24/05/2011 8.22 25/05/2011 8.18 26/05/2011 8.22 Source: NSE & Bra Limited

All-Share Index (Base Points) 25,717.73 25,790.64 25,762.67 25,738.80 25,618.53 25,716.84

braIndex® (Base Points) 17.16 17.12 17.08 17.05 16.95 17.01

Table 3: Statistics on Weekly Sectoral Contribution Sectors Banking Conglomerates Telecommunication Food Beverages and Tobacco Insurance Source: bra Limited

% of Total Trading Net Worth 53.10% 4.91% 0.13% 15.74% 0.48%

Trading Net Worth(in Naira Millions ) 3,723.05 344.59 9.73 1,103.23 34.31

Figure 1a: The All Share Index and braIndex® Performance at a Glance

Source: BRA Computation

Source: BRA Computation

million.

The Food, Beverages and Tobacco industry was also active in terms of the market value. Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Dangote Sugar Plc, Flour Mill of Nigeria Plc, National Salt Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc were some of the most active stocks in the subsector.

Last week, shareholders of Julius Berger Plc, Conoil Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc and West African Portland Cement Company (WAPCO) Plc saw the value of their investments earning profit by almost 5 percent while

investors in Costain Plc, International Breweries Plc and PZ Cussons Plc made less than 5 percent loss on a daily basis.

POINTS TO NOTE: The weekly stock market analysis reports the current position of the outlook of the stock of the companies listed on the Exchange and the aggregate market. The NSE closed the 21st trading week on a bullish note.

However, there were seeming strides towards the bearish note on weekly assessment. The weekly movement was due to the uncertainties sur-

rounding business climate in Nigeria and the Euro debt as a result of the high investment risk in the Exchange environment. This impacted negatively on overall performance last week. The expected improvement may, however, be small in the coming week in line with our prediction last week. Historical analysis of trading volume shows that in the new week, the Banking, Insurance and Conglomerates stocks are likely to continue to be the toast of investors.

DISCLAIMER This report has been prepared for in-

formation purposes only and for private use. Whilst reasonable care had been taken in its production, bra Limited does not guarantee the correctness of its contents nor does the company accept liability for any loss arising from a reliance on its contents. Kindly note that our suggested recommendations and other tactical actions are based on bra Limited best estimates which are guided by generally available information and our Proprietary Tools. This is not an invitation or a solicitation to deal in any stocks and we do not guarantee the future outcome of such recommendation.

50

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

CAPITAL MARKET Bond and Money Market Review

A

CTIVITIES in the bond market moderately declined by 1.12 per cent last week as against the improvement of 0.56 per cent the penultimate week.

Unlike a fortnight ago when capitalisation was N1.77 trillion, it was N1.75 trillion last week.

The index direction shows that the market performance dropped on weekly comparison.

In relative terms, the market appreciated as the prices of most long term instruments rose trivially. For instance, the FGN bond Index began the week at 1461.20 and closed at 1,450.30 points, declining by 1,090 basis points as against 636 basis points a fortnight ago. It ended the week at 1,450.30 points.

Average index stayed at 1,455.35 points, compared with 1,455.26 points the previous week. There was therefore a relative increase on the average evaluation by 9.4 basis points.

The 30-day, 60-day and 90-day indices jumped by 6 bps, 21 bps and 25 bps to 11.66 per cent, 12.33 per cent and 12.83 per cent respectively.

Among the 15 traded bonds, eight had their prices increasing in the weekly movement while two remained unchanged.

Other categories witnessed wallowed prices. The top price gainer was the 20-year bond, 12.49 per cent FGN May 2029, which appreciated by 157 basis points to close at 95.92. The lowest was the 3year bond, 10.50 per cent FGN May 2012, which slightly dropped by 77 basis points to end the week at 98.02.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold foreign exchange worth $400 million to authorised dealers at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) window as against $499.89 million a fortnight ago.

The dealers had demanded $467.68 million before the auction while the actual amount offered stood at $400 million.

The short term Nigerian Interbank Treasury Bills True Fixing Yield (NITTY) increased slightly by 0.06 per cent in May to stand at 8.35 per cent.

The 30- day bill rose by 0.02 per cent with the rate hanging around 5.34 per cent while the 60-day bill improved by 0.12 per cent, from 7.56 per cent to 7.68 per cent as of Wednesday, May 25, 2011 and 9.08 per cent on the 182-day NTB. This represented a decline from the previous month’s values of 11.81 per cent and 12.88 per cent respectively.

Investors in treasury bills also parted with N126.73 billion on three financial instruments maturing between three and 12 months. The bonds comprised the N30 billion (91-day), N46.7 billion (182-day) and N50 billion (364-day) tenors at the stop rates of 9.40 per cent, 10.40 per cent and 10.99 per cent respectively.

The public subscriptions were N58.017 billion, N74.017 billion and N178.773 billion for the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day coupons.

The over-the-counter bond market notched up by 2.59 per cent last week, yielding N160.43 billion with a turnover of 197.8 million units in 1,301 deals. The amount compared favourably with the N157.84 billion invested on 192.8 million units in 1,296 deals a fortnight ago.

The activity was boosted by the 20-year bond, due in July 2030 with 10.0 per cent coupon rate. It traded 41.95 million units valued at N31.30 billion in 316 deals.

This was followed by the 3-year bond, 5.5 per cent FGN Feb 2013, which traded 33.55 million units valued at N30.04 billion in 281 deals. Sixteen of the available 34 FGN bonds were traded during the week, compared with 12 the previous week.

Capitalisation declines by 1.12% Table 4: Key Statistics of Market’s Stock Performance as of May 26, 2011 S/N

Company Name

Share Price Gain (‘N)

% of Shares’ Gain by Investors

TOP FIVE GAINERS BY PRICE 01

Julius Berger Plc

58.49

4.99%

02

Conoil Plc

41.89

4.98%

03

Cadbury Nigeria Plc

20.75

3.75%

04

WAPCO Plc

44.20

1.84%

05

Nigerian Breweries Plc

85.81

0.81%

4.96

-4.98%

TOP FIVE LOSERS BY PRICE 01

Costain Plc

02

International Breweries Plc

5.88

-4.70%

03

PZ Cussons Plc

35.00

-3.71%

04

NAHCO Plc

8.40

-3.55%

05

Ecobank Transnational Plc

15.30

-0.64%

Source: NSE and bra Limited Indicator Turnover Value Deals FGN Bond Index Market Capitalization Index Weekly Returns (%) Index Year-to-Date Returns (%) 1-Month Returns (%) 3-Month Returns (%) 12-Month Returns (%)

CurrentWeek 197.8 million N160.43 billion 1,301 1,450.30 N1.75 trillion 1.72 5.22 0.61 5.27 18.47

PreviousWeek 192.8 million N157.84 billion 1,296 1,461.29 N1.77 trillion 1.75 5.24 0.59 5.25 18.42

% Change 2.59 1.64 (0.75) (1.12) (1.74) (0.38) 3.38 0.38 0.27

Source: BRA Figure 2. FGN Bond Index (Year-to-Date)

Source: FMDA Primary Market Auction

The margin bid of the Whosale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) started the week at N153.37/USD, depreciated by 22 kobo on weekly

Figure 25: Nigerian Interbank T-bill True Fixing Yields

examination due to pressure on the Naira, before closing at N153.59/USD. The central rate stood at N153.38/USD in lieu of N153.21/USD recorded a

fortnight ago. The highest successful rate was N153.81/USD as against N153.25/USD the previous week. At the interbank and parallel segments

of the market, the rates also appreciated by 32kobo and 120kobo to close at N154/USD and N156.26/ USD respectively.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

51

52

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

MOTORING

53

THE NATION

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

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

0803-4693-984 tajudeen1423@yahoo.co.uk

email:- motoring@thenationonlineng.net

Chinese auto manufacturer, Geely, will soon become a name to reckon with in the auto world. The firm has released five new cars at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, an annual event showcasing the latest vehicles in the auto industry, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency report.

Geely out with five stars T

HE five new automobiles, which attracted visitors at the Shanghai Auto Show to Geely’s stand, are Gleagle GC6; Gleagle GX6; Gleagle GS-CC c o u p e ; E m g r a n d EC6-RV and Englon SC7RV. The launch of the brand new GC6, GX6, GS-CC, EC6-RV and SC7-RV further enriches the vehicle types of the three subbrands of Geely.

Hyra Motors, the Nigeria marketer of the Chinese vehicles, said Geely displayed grand presence with diversified product portfolio at the show.

The company, Hyra Motors noted, exhibited no fewer than 37 models, including the Concept Mc car.

The launch of three personalised vehicles in particular, namely GS-CC, EC6-RV and SC7-RV, symbols the new breakthroughs of Geely in satisfying the personalised demand. The strict design requirements of these vehicles demonstrate that the company will be even stricter in implementing the concept of “quality” in the new products.

Auto freaks, depending on their choice will have alternatives to the already crowded market. Functions of the new cars include: GC6 GC6 is a new generation of economic family car, which Geely considers as the key research and development car type in the future. This car has the wheelbase of 2600mmn, and a low profile appearance. Its goal is to build itself into the main level A car of Geely. With 4470mm length, 1730mm width, and 1500mm height, GC6 emphasises the maximisation of interior space in design, and therefore, could provide outstanding interior space.

of hatchback, wagon, SUV and MPV, as well as the features of sedan, wagon, SUV and MPV. It boasts both the economy and controllabil-

•GX6 ity of sedan, and the practical function of wagon. It also

enjoys the trafficability of SUV and the large space of MPV. Therefore, it is a super crossover vehicle that have unlimited functions, and could serve for the whole family.

The appear-

ance of GX6 is also brilliant. The design o f grille showcases

•EC6-RV

the

GS-CC GS-CC is the third new car launched dur-

the Geely sports car style. It adopts the butterfly-shape grille of GT and GS,

manual transmission and 7DCT dual-clutch transmission. It also has a 1.5L model.

The mar-

•SC7-RV

ing t h e expo. It is a sister car of GS convertible. Its biggest feature is the hardtop convertible. The foldable hardtop could be put into the trunk.

The hardtop of GS-CC could open automatically by one push of the button. In

•GX6

GX6 GX6 would be the most eyecatching c a r

launched by Geely during show. It includes the functions

which has gradually become the design style. GX6 has the 2461mm wheelbase, and is 4120mm long, 1755mm wide, and 1600mm tall.

terms of dynamic system, the GS-CC is equipped with turbo charged engine developed by Geely independently.

With the wheelbase of 2461mm, GS-CC is developed on the same platform with GX6.

EC6-RV Emgrand promotes EC6-RV, the hatchback recovering the classic style.

With 2461mm wheelbase, EC6RV is 3845mm long, 1763mm wide, and 1430mm tall. It adopts the 1.3T turbo charge engine, and it

ket position of Emgrand EC6RV is the high-quality, compact European style car. It adopts the double-door design, and various intelligent configurations, including intelligent technologies like GNetlink, CAN bus system, and one-button start. It is also equipped with passive safety technologies such as multi-air bags, pretightening limited force seat belt, high safety vehicle body and ISOFIX, all of which are made based on five-star standard.

SC7-RV With the wheelbase of 2715mm, SC7RV reaches the standard of Level B. It is a classic hatchback family car. The length, width, and height of SC7-RV are 4390mm, 1820mm, and 1555mm respectively. It is a classic family car inheriting British style, and fusing Chinese elements. This style is rare in other auto brands around the world. By trying this classic style, Geely sets a precedent for the auto types in China. In terms of dynamic configuration of Englon Automobile SC7-RV, it is a high-performance car that attaches great importance to controllability. The car is equipped with GTSM Geely All-round Safety Management System, which is designed according to five-star standard, and could provide high level of safety guarantee. At the same time, based on the concept of intelligent design in 3G era, the car has varied smart communicat i o n equip-

•GC6

boasts strong power with 6MT

ments, so as to satisfy the entertainment demand of the whole family.

54

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

MOTORING

Minister re-opens Zaria flyover bridge M INISTER of Works S e n a t o r M u h a m m e d Sanusi Daggash last week, re-opened a flyover bridge on the Kaduna – Kano Expressway repaired by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

A release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to FERMA Managing Director, Mrs Maryam Sanusi, recalled that a luxury bus two years ago caught fire under the bridge causing extensive damage to the Kano-bound lane of the flyover.

As a precautionary measure, the Minister said the

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Kano-bound lane of the bridge was closed to all traffic which was diverted to the Kaduna-bound lane.

FERMA, under the leadership of Mr Kabiru Abdullahi, carried out two investigations to determine the effects of the fire on the structural strength of the bridge and proffer solutions.

The result of the investigations, Daggash said, proffered well defined solutions that included hightech sand blasting, replac-

ing the concrete with fibre composite materials bounded to the surface using epoxy adhesive, scrapping of the cover of the main beam and applying protective coating on the bridge elements among other measures.

Daggash said FERMA had thoroughly and satisfactorily carried out the prescribed remedial works using a very competent contractor.

He thanked motorists and the general public for their understanding while the repair work lasted, saying the time it took to be completed was necessary to ensure that a good job was done.

•Senator Daggash (middle) assisted by Abdullahi (left) to cut the tape

Ondo acquires towing vehicle

Group seeks Fed Govt’s support for auto plant P RESIDENT of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Olumuyiwa Ajibola, has hailed Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (IVM), Nnewi, Anambra State.

Ajibola, who led a team of top engineers, praised the efforts of Innosen Group Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma in establishing a new auto manufacturing plant in the country.

He appealed to the Federal Government to direct its support to the plant established with personal funds and facilities from banks.

The visiting engineers were thrilled to discover that the small, midi and mass transit buses, as well as pick-ups and sport utility vehicles

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

(SUVs) bearing ‘Innoson’ badges, are actually manufactured at the plant, and not assembled.

Guided by Chukwuma, who took time to explain the stages of production, the NSE members were impressed to see trained indigenous technicians in charge of production activities.

“This is a great achievement and as engineers, we are happy that sustainable development is taking place in Nigeria through Innoson,” Ajijola said.

Ajijola said his team was excited, not just because of the truly made-in-Nigeria vehicles but by the large num-

ber of Nigerians working in the factory.

While assuring of his society’s readiness to partner with Innoson for enhanced development, Ajibola sought the Federal Government’s support for the plant.

“It is now a challenge for the Federal Government to look towards the direction of Innoson motor factory for the betterment of the economy.

This company has made a strong statement by establishing a motor factory worthy of commendation. The NSE is ready to partner with him, and I am sure that by the time we start working as a team, some imported vehicle parts would be produced locally,” he said.

Chukwuma thanked the NSE for proposing partner-

T •Chukwuma

ship with him towards upgrading IVM product standards, adding that such cooperation would highly be appreciated. He also welcomed their comments and observations and assured them of his readiness to implement and inject some of them into his production process.

Chukwuma donated a brand new Innoson bus to the association urging them to use and assess its standards, which he assured, is very high.

HE Ondo State government has taken delivery of a 25-tonne towing vehicle worth millions of Naira.

This is to ensure free flow of traffic in major roads, especially Akure, the state capital.

The vehicle was purchased through the state’s ministry of Transport.

Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, said the mission and vision of the state government was to ensure free flow of traffic on the highways and waterways.

Omodara said the usual gridlock on major ways would soon be a thing of the past in the state.

“There will be sanitation

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

programmes to enlighten and sensitise the public about the activities of the men of this ministry as plans are in top gear to work with the environmental task force to clear major roads in the state capital and other towns,” Omodara said.

He appealed to owners of abandoned vehicles on the roads to remove them before his men start work, stressing that vehicles impounded would attract fees before being released.

The contractor, Mr Akinlolu Akinlotan, said the vehicle, designed to tow articulated vehicles up to 30 tonnes, has two years warrantee.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

55

56

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

57

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS

Osama bin Laden’s confidants captured in Afghan’s dawn raid

A

CRACK SAS team has captured two top Taliban commanders without a shot being fired in a secret dawn raid in Afghanistan.

The 12 elite troops seized Maulawi Rahman and Maulawi Mohammed at a high-walled compound north of the remote town of Babaji in Helmand province.

Both men, who surrendered without a fight, are said to have been close confidants of Osama Bin Laden, the terror mastermind killed by US Special Forces in Pakistan last month.

The two are also believed to have been behind many bomb attacks on British and United States troops in Afghanistan.

Rahman and Mohammed – members of the Quetta Shura, the Taliban’s Pakistani-based high command – were held along with three henchmen, and 80kg of raw opium packed in bales with a street value of £128,000 was also seized.

The SAS soldiers, armed with M16 assault rifles and Heckler & Koch 9mm pistols, used steel-wire ladders to scale the walls of the Taliban compound while the terror leaders, along with a number of women and children, were asleep.

The SAS was supported by the Afghan National Army.

A source said: ‘Even though the SAS team was in full combat gear and armed to the teeth, they did not fire a shot and none was fired at them.

‘These are very significant arrests of two of the Taliban’s key commanders. They are at the top of the Taliban hierarchy and among their most ¬senior figures.

‘Their detention is a damaging blow to the insurgents and will severely downgrade their ¬ability to direct operations in Afghanistan.’

The key target of the raid on May 14 was Rahman. Security sources say he had known Bin Laden since the Al Qaeda leader lived in caves in the Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan a decade ago.

Russian PM hints at Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy

V

LADIMIR Putin, the Russian prime minister, has hinted that Dominique Strauss-Kahn may be the victim of a conspiracy to force him from the head of the IMF. Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, has hinted that Dominique Strauss-Kahn may be the victim of a conspiracy to force him from the head of the IMF. Strauss-Kahn was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a hotel chambermaid Photo: AP Putin said that he finds it hard to believe that the sex

G

charges against the Frenchman are true and that he may have fallen victim to a shadowy plot to discredit him.

“It is hard for me to evaluate the real political underlying reasons and I do not even want to get into that subject, but I cannot believe that everything is as it seems and how it was initially presented,” he said. “It does not sit right in my head.”

Strauss-Kahn was arrested at JFK airport in New York on May 14 for allegedly sexually assaulting a hotel chambermaid.

Putin’s public support for

Strauss-Kahn comes days after a French politician alleged that the former IMF chief had said before his arrest that he thought Mr Putin was actively plotting his downfall.

The politician, Claude Bartolone, said: “He said the Russians and notably Putin had allied themselves with France to try to have him fired from the IMF to stop him running for (French) president.”

The Russian prime minister’s support for the embattled former IMF head is likely to be seized upon by his critics who suspect that he is a male chauvinist, a claim Mr

Putin denies.

He sparked uproar in 2006 however when he was overheard joking about rape allegations against then Israeli President Moshe Katsav. Mr Putin was quoted as saying: “What a mighty man he turns out to be! He raped 10 women - I would never have expected this from him. He surprised us all - we all envy him!” His spokesman said the sense of the controversial joke had been lost in translation.

Mr Katsav was later convicted of rape and is now serving out a seven-year prison sentence.

G8 leaders back Lagarde IMF bid

ROUP of Eight leaders unanimously back French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde’s bid to become the next head of the International Monetary Fund, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Sunday.

France was careful not to speak out about Lagarde’s candidacy during the G8 summit that took place in Deauville on Thursday and Friday.

Juppe said the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan and the European members of the group

— France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany — were firmly in favour of Lagarde.

“Among the eight heads of state and government, plus the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Coun-

cil who were there, there was unanimous support for Christine Lagarde,” Juppe said on Canal+ television.

The top IMF job is vacant after Dominique StraussKahn resigned over attempted rape charges which he has vowed to fight.

58

NEWS

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

INAUGURATION DAY 2011

•Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his wife, Janet arriving at the Eagle Square venue of the presidential inauguration in Abuja. yesterday

•Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona (left) and Akarigbo of Remoland Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo at the swearing in of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta...yesterday •Senegalese President Abdullahi Wade in Abuja... yesterday

•An industrialist Chief Kola Daisi and his •Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo wife at the swearing-in of Governor Abiola and his wife Olori Tokunbo in Abeokuta...

Ajimobi at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. yesterday Ibadan… yesterday

•Oyo State Deputy Governor Chief Moses •Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Alake Adeyemo taking his oath of office... Adesegun, signing during his swearing-in in yesterday. With him is the Chief Judge, Justice Abeokuta... yesterday Bolajoko Adeniji PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI, ABAYOMI FAYESE AND DAYO ADEWUNMI

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

59

SPORT EXTRA

Blatter cleared by FIFA ethics hearing F

IFA Ethics Committee has cleared Sepp Blatter, the muchmaligned FIFA president, of any wrongdoing in the bribery scandal that has engulfed the world's governing body and which his critics sorely hoped might bring about his downfall.

The long-serving overlord of world football will face no independent, external probe into allegations surrounding financial payments following the ethics committee's investigations in Zurich.

That means Blatter is free to stand for re-election unopposed for a fourth term, in the vote that will take place on Wednesday, at the

end of a day of high drama and intrigue in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, vice-president Jack Warner and Mohamed bin Hammam have been provisionally suspended by the game's governing body pending a full inquiry.

Bin Hammam - who withdrew from the presidency race hours before Sunday's hearing - and fellow member Warner are in the spotlight following claims from American Chuck Blazer, general secretary of CONCACAF, that bribes were offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

"The committee concluded that the implicated officials must be temporarily excluded from active

CAVEAT EMPTOR! CAVEAT EMPTO!!

LOSS OF TITLE DOCUMENT

The general public is hereby alerted about the loss of title document with the following particulars.

NAME OF OWNER: Babatunji Folawiyo Osibo TYPE OF PROPERTY: Block 'L' House 14B. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 14B Oke Eletu Housing Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Anybody with useful information should please contact the solicitor on 08023043967 or 08180095318.

BUYERS BEWARE! BUYERS BE WARNED.

• Warner, Hammam get suspension participation in football activies," said ethics committee deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb in a dramatic media

conference after the hearing.

Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, officials at the Cfu, were also suspended on Sunday, along with Warner

MY VISION AND VISION STATEMENT FOR NIGERIA MY VISION FOR NIGERIA, IS FOR NIGERIA TO BE THE HIGHEST EXPORTER OF THE BEST (POSITIVE) INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL OR IDEA IN THE WHOLE WORLD. MY MISSION FOR NIGERIA, IS TO DELETE NIGERIA FROM THE LIST OF THE THIRD WORLD NATIONS, AND BOLDLY IMPRINT HER NAME AMONG THE WORLD LEADERS. (…write it out in big block letter so that it can be read on the run. The vision message is a witness pointing to what’s coming….)

HABBAKUK 2:2-3(The message Bible) RONATIONS .C. EWUZIE (08032627671)

and bin Hammam.

The allegations surfaced following a meeting of the CFU in Port of Spain, Trinidad at which, it is

alleged, bribes were offered in an attempt to influence this week's presidency vote.

"Some individuals alleged that money was paid as an inducement to support Mr bin Hammam's candidacy, facilitated by Jack Warner," said Damaseb.

PUBLIC NOTICE POWER PREVAILING PRAYER MINISTRY (God’s Battle-axe Jer 51;20) This is notify the General Public that the above Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘’C’’of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1Deacon S.S. Idowu-Father in the Lord 2Evangelist David Ojediran-President/Minister in charge 3Evangelist Paul Arogunre-Vice –President 4Evangelist Adam Sangodele-Welfare 5Evangelist Kayode Apena-Treasurer 6Evangelist Kehinde Oduyeru-Evangelism 7Evangelist Wale Liasu-General Secretary 8Deaconess Toyin Awotile-Finance 9Deaconess R.Adeyemi-Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1To preach the good tidings of Jesus unto all 2To uplift the banner of Jesus Christ 3To preach salvation to all souls through Jesus Christ 4To lead Man with love out of bondage 5To carry out missionary work in Nigeria and Overseas 6To do such other lawful things that are similar to it’s objectives.

Any objections to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission ,[CAC],Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: DAVID OJEDIRAN.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

60

SPORT EXTRA

F

ORMER West Brom hero Richard Sneekes believes Albion’s most important business of the summer will be keeping hold of Peter Odemwingie.

Odemwingie has certainly proven his worth. The 29-yearold’s goals directly accounted for 17 of Albion’s points. And he believes Albion must do all they can to ensure that Odemwingie is tied down to a long term deal. ''If you have someone who scores 15 goals then he is a

Sneekes: West Brom must keep Osaze

valuable asset. Players like that cost between £10-15m these days. But Albion, no matter how tempted, have got to do their best to keep hold of him.

''I can see the other side of it – what do you do if you’re a football chairman and someone offers you that amount of money for a player who turns 30 this year?

Within two or three years he might be worth a lot less and the optimum time will have

passed. ''It’ll be a tough decision for the club if it happens because the amount they could bring in from selling Peter would raise a lot of money, potentially for other players, '' says Sneekes to Sunday Mecury.

Otamendi, Angeleri out of Nigeria Friendly

T

HE two Argentinian defenders - Nicolás Otamendi (FC Porto) and Marcos Angeleri (Sunderland AFC) - will not play due to injury, in the friendly match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on June 1 in Abuja.

IGERIA goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama expects his future to be decided this week with West Ham interested in his services.

The Nigerian and Hapoel Tel Aviv keeper has been linked with a move to Upton Park, with new Hammers boss Avram Grant a known admirer of the stopper.

Enyeama, who put in impressive displays in his country’s failed Group B campaign, told the News of the World: “I expect to hear something new within the next

AHEAD OF ALL AFRICAN GAMES

Idika Nsofor advocates early camping for boxers T •Comfirms tour of Cuba

By Innocent Amomoh "We have not returned to camp, but when we do, i know where to start from. The national trials will be coming up soon in Ibadan and that will determine which boxer will be expected to be in camp for the games. We must work on time on the selected boxers if we want them to do well," he stated.

On whether the team will be going on tour, Nsofor however disclosed plans to take the team to Cuba ahead of the African sporting fiesta.

"Before the AAG, we should be going on tour, and the choice country will be Cuba. If we are expecting a brilliant performance at the games, then all hands must be on deck," he said.

Sickly Nosa Igiebor on target

N

EW Super Eagles invitee Nosa Igiebor has struggled with a cold for the past one week.

Against Sarpsborg (4-2) on

Onyewu to remain at AC Milan

A

S reported by Milan News, Oguchi Onyewu is likely to remain a Milan player next season.

The American defender is expected to take the the place of Nicola Legrottaglie in the squad and be one of Milan's central defenders in reserve.

Onyewu has a contract with the Rossoneri until 2013.

WORLD number four Andy Murray has revealed he may have to pull out of the French Open due to an ankle injury.

The Scotsman rolled over his ankle during the 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory over Michael Berrer in the third roundmatch up and had to have the area heavily strapped to complete the game.

Murray had his movement restricted by the strapping but the 24-year-old was able to secure his place in the next round of the major

tournament in Paris.

However, Murray has revealed that his participation in the competition could come to a premature end if he fails to recover from the injury.

He said: "I've managed to play almost two sets with it but I've just got to wait and see and do all the right things.

"I'll try to hit some balls tomorrow and that's all I can do just now.

"I don't know if I'll be playing the next match. I don't know if I'll be 100% fit."

Otamendi, who is the subject of a 15m euros bid from Malaga (Spain), will not travel to Nigeria because he did not recover from a muscle strain while Sunderland's Angeleri has had an operation on his left knee in the last few hours.

West Ham closing in on Enyeama N

•Osaze

ECHNICAL Adviser of the national amateur boxing team, Idika Nsofor has said that for Nigerian to do well at the next All African Games (AAG) slated for Mozambique later in the year, the national amateur boxers should commence camping early enough to perfect strategies.Speaking to NationSport at the weekend, the coach said the boxers will need at least three months to train for the games, adding that it is only a three round bout per fight and that with the stipulated time, the boxers will be in shape.

Murray title hopes takes a blow

percent fit. ''I felt it warming up, I did not feel good at all. Then I realized that I had to be hard on myself and push myself, to perform on the pitch, "said Igiebor to Rome Blad.

After five minutes, Igiebor gave Lillestrom the lead when he dispatched Karim Essidiris pass for •Onyewu his sixth goal of the season. ''The goal did much for my morale. I think we played well, we managed to keep the ball along the ground. Then it's fun to play, "he said.

Saturday in the Norwegian Championship, you could understand that the Nigerian was not 100

week.

“It’s natural. Everybody wants to get ahead in life so, obviously, I want to move to a different place.”

The 28 year old is no stranger to transfer speculation, with Arsenal, Hull City and Wigan Athletic linked to the shotstopper last term.

•Murray

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

61

62

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011

63

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘How can 2015 be different from 1983 and 2003? It is simply for ACN to stick to its national legislative agenda and launch a vigorous legislative push for change in the area of political restructuring and fiscal federalism.’ OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

VOL. 6, NO. 1,775

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

“H

ANDLE me and see that it is I myself. A spirit has no blood, flesh and bone as you see me have,” Jesus.

Even the divine Jesus presented himself as human. The above text is often quoted to show that Jesus had morphed from spirit to man after his resurrection. The intent was to assure his followers that he fulfilled his promise to rise up from the dead on the third day.

Here I am not going into the province of divinity or what clerics or scholars call exegesis. I want to look at that text from a secular viewpoint to show to all those who were sworn in yesterday that power is transient, to show that they are no gods but humans. I want them to remember that they are no spirits, but mortals with flesh, blood and bones.

Power is an aphrodisiac, and history has drowned us with examples of many men who lost their innocence on that parapet. Abraham Lincoln knew this and navigated the trials of power. “Nearly all men can stand adversity,” he noted in the shadow of the Civil War and the pains of the proclamations to set blacks free, “but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

He handled power with humility and purpose. Barack Obama, who fashions his presidency after Lincoln, paraphrased this quote in his recent speech in England. Hence he does not run a presidency of airs but poise and meaning. He is a far cry from his predecessor, the imperial President George W. Bush, who swaggered with aggressive arrogance or his fellow Democrat Bill Clinton who rippled with vanity.

So here power is in the air. We see that governors have just climbed onto their seats, including those who won reelections. But it is time for humility, not hubris. They should tell their assistants and family to handle them and see that it is they themselves. They are not demigods. They will never be. We have seen those who started with gentle spirits.

They later became tigers, snarling and roaring on the throne. They gradually built sanctuaries around themselves, and distanced themselves from the people. They waxed into big, fat megalomaniacs.

Those who have been there for four years know this more than the neophyte governors. They should learn. Right now, President Goodluck Jonathan has been attributed with a gentle spirit. And indeed he should. But some early signs are not good.

Here is a man who benefited from disowning zoning, who now wants to enforce zoning in the politics of the National Assembly. He is in the executive and not the legislature. He has a candidate. I would have thought that if he had a candidate in the Southwest, his argument would not be based on zoning.

Reliable sources say he is cross with those

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

samo@thenationonlineng.net 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

They are flesh and blood ‘We need to watch power. Is it that the people who turned power into a source of oppression were bad or was it power that corrupted them?

Shakespeare said “the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.”

•Dr. Jonathan

from the Northwest who want the position.

Why should he? Did he not subvert the Northwest in the pursuit of power for himself?

If zoning is dead, let us accept that it is dead.

We should not suffocate it in one position and resurrect it in another. It is the sort of giddy lack of restraint that we see in dictators.

The president should focus on building his new cabinet. There is a lot of work to do. He should take a cue from Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who just unleashed electric power to critical institutions in Lagos State while still focused on the work of a new term.

The temptation of power is that it comes quietly and insidiously. A person gradually transforms into a demigod and lords it over others. A sense of divine entitlement overwhelms a sense of propriety.

We saw Gbenga Daniel begin as a focused doer and not long after he became a

RIPPLES JONATHAN INAUGURATED FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS– News

...and let there be LIGHT!

taskmaster, a predator cat on the throne swearing and foreswearing. We saw Oyinlola think he could not do any wrong.

We need to watch power. Is it that the people who turned power into a source of oppression were bad or was it power that corrupted them? Shakespeare said “the devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.”

Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot was a charmer.

I urge our people to watch themselves. The irony of power is we tend to look at it outside ourselves. We see power as something external, something we take and use. But power is inside us. If you are a governor or president, and you are given powers, it is how your mind reads the powers that you will use it.

But if the power is inside us, it means we have to control ourselves first before the power can help the people around us, or ruin them. Hence Seneca said, “He is most

HARDBALL

I

NAUGURALS done with, President Goodluck Jonathan is confronted with an unparalleled opportunity to make a difference where others better prepared for high office, even better gifted, failed to deliver on initial promise.

Back in 1999 at the commencement of the Fourth Republic, so much was expected of the new leaders. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was a former head of state who did not need to work his way through the learning curve. Expected to hit the ground running, he was soon stumbling all over the place.

His successor, Umaru Yar’Adua, sought to distance himself from the imperial presidency created by the former general, by positioning himself as a servant-leader. But even before his tragic illness forced him out of play he was exposed as wearing oversized shoes.

Enter Jonathan – the man who never aspired to high office but who kept occupying successively higher ones by the agency of providence’s invisible hand.

The very manner of his rise, and the deals he had to strike to enable him run at the last general elections, strengthen his position. In deciding not to run after this single term, he takes on all the advantages of a second term office holder who is no longer beholden to

powerful who has power over himself.” If we don’t conquer ourselves, power will conquer us. Those who hector at others, who brush over their subordinates as though lesser mortals, are actually not powerful but slaves of power. They are power drunk.

They get to power because of the power of love. The people love them and give them power. But they mutate and abuse power when they ascend the throne. There the love of power has overcome the power of love, according to rock star Jimi Hendrix. Such people act like Napoleon who describes power as though a love partner. “Power is my mistress,” crooned the French general whose soldiery has spun legends over centuries even though he brought waterloo and Mt. Elba to popular history. He met his waterloo and was jailed in Mt Elba.

Napoleon, a Casanova of power and women, lacked humility from the beginning.

He did not die humble. That was different from a man like Roman Emperor Caligula, who started simply and as a reformer.

Suddenly, in what some historians call clinical insanity, he became a tyrant, killing at whim, lost in sexual orgies and debauchery and splurging manically. He then called himself a god. He was at turns Hercules, Mercury, Venus and Apollo.

So President Jonathan and the governors should know that Nigerians expect much from them, and playing the politics of inconsistency in the name of power is not a good way to start. The battle for the National Assembly leadership should legitimately interest the president, but the constitution forbids him to interfere. Let members of the chambers play their politics. Obasanjo played the game, and toyed recklessly with it until he burnt his hands with Third Term.

That ambition rid us of a good document for a constitution. He should learn from Obasanjo who started humbly and ended up as a megalomaniac, chasing his enemies and ruining the economy.

We need electricity, we need good roads, our schools are in bad shape. If he wants to stay in power for just four years, he should focus on these top priorities and not on the pettifogging matters of power. It is our duty to help him succeed.

Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim showed class and the humility of power when he announced at the loss of the election that he accepted the result and bowed to the people’s will. He lost the election but not his dignity.

He left a legacy for Owerri in infrastructure and environment. Governor Rochas Okorocha should continue where he left.

The spirit of the swearing-in is for the governors and president not to grow so fat in power as to use swear words and forswear the people. It is to realise the power of love they rode to the throne. A governor, a president is not a spirit but flesh and blood.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jonathan’s ‘transformation’ agenda godfathers and other vested interests.

For example, between 1999 and 2003 Obasanjo was careful to keep all the overlords and factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sweet. During the convention where he sought a second-term ticket he was virtually on his knees begging then Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the governors for support.

But once he secured a second mandate, he promptly neutralised his heady deputy, and began hunting down disloyal governors and a pesky leadership of the National Assembly.

By the time of his exit, he had become so powerful that he virtually appointed his successor and got the party to fall in line.

Jonathan can become just as powerful. What many remain unconvinced about is whether he has the toughness and time required to take the hard decisions needed to redirect and transform the country.

Indeed, the buzz word of the Jonathan presidential campaign was “transformation.”

His inauguration speech was also peppered with references to ‘transformation’ Truth is

four years is too short a time to be talking of transforming a country as sick as Nigeria.

But it is sufficient time to address certain long-running problems and prepare the ground for long-term change.

Jonathan must not forget that he’s a stopgap leader with a very brief window of time to work his magic. From 1999 to date we’ve seen several two-term office holders with little to show for their extended stay in office.

Mainly, their problem was an overambitious and ill-defined agenda.

So rather than continue with the campaign talk of “transformation”, let Jonathan quickly switch into governance mode and begin to tamp down expectations.

A week ago, he was making the right noises when he said he wanted to stick to a couple of things he could achieve over the four-year period. His inaugural speech, however, contained a much grander agenda.

Let the president not squander his goodwill by over-extending himself. Hardball and many others would be satisfied if he can just deliver uninterrupted electricity.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO