The Nation May 01, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

N1.52 tr special funds gone

Anxiety over PDP Chair Tukur

NEWS

NEWS Page 2

Page 53

•Govt agencies, others indicted

•Resignation rumour hits town

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VOL. 8, NO. 2472 WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

•Soldiers walk in the street in Baga, Borno State…yesterday

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•SEE ALSO PAGES 4 & 5

36 terrorists died in Baga, says DHQ A

NOTHER picture of the bloodshed in Baga, the Borno State town that was the scene of fighting between soldiers and Boko Haram insurgents, appeared yesterday.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 185 persons died

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

in the clash between Boko Haram and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Only 36 terrorists were killed, the military high command said.

The National Emergency

Management Agency (NEMA) also refuted the report that over 3000 houses were razed in Baga. It claimed that less than 1000 houses are in the area.

NEMA also said that it said only saw 32 fresh graves.

Continued on page 2

•Some of the arms and ammunition recovered from Boko Haram fighters during a clash with soldiers in town.

PHOTOS: AFP

Rivers Speaker alleges plot to impeach Amaechi Reps: grounding of aircraft is dictatorship Senator flays lawmakers’ suspension

A

GRAND plot in which five lawmakers will impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, provoke anarchy and pave the way for emergency rule has been uncovered, Assembly Speaker Otelemaba Amachree said yesterday. There are 32 members in the House.

Amachree accused the Felix Obuah

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt and Claris Azuatalam

–led faction of the local Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to plunge the state into confusion.

According to Amachree, a fake mace has been smuggled into the state for an emergency session by anti-Amaechi lawmakers.

The House adjourned sine die on

April 23.

“The statement reads: “The leadership and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly wish to bring to the notice of the people of Rivers State and Nigerians some of the dangerous moves by the Felix Obuah -led PDP to cause general chaos and confusion in Rivers State.

“We have been reliably informed

that a fake mace has been smuggled into the state to enable FIVE members of the House hold an emergency session even when the House adjourned sine die on Tuesday,April 23, 2013.

“The Abuja plan on ground is to falsely impeach the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi

Amaechi, and create confusion through varied responses, which they hope will make the state ungovernable and provide them with some kind of warped basis to introduce Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

“Furthermore, there are strong in-

dications that some persons have been detailed exclusively to create systemic Continued on page 2

•DIAMOND BANK TO RAISE $750M P30•NBA, ICPC OPPOSE PLEA BARGAIN P8

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

NEWS Tukur’s resignation rumour unsettles PDP

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•A Russian Embassy official leading the 15 Russians charged with “illegal importation of arms into Nigeria” at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos…yesterday. STORY ON PAGE 6 PHOTO: AFP

36 terrorists died in Baga, says DHQ Continued from page 1

These are some of the highlights in the preliminary reports on Baga submitted by Defence HQ and NEMA to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

According to them, there is no evidence of mass graves during their investigations to support the reported death of 185 persons in the clash.

Addressing State House correspondents last night, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said: “In its preliminary report to the President, the Defence Headquarters stated as follows: (a) That the military team involved in the confrontation with Boko Haram elements was the Multinational Joint Task Force. The MNJTF’s initial mandate was to conduct military operations in the Lake Chad Region and to facilitate free movement of the member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission across their common border.

The mandate was expanded in April 2012 to include the fight against terrorists. The Task Force’s activities are, therefore, legal and needs to be sus-

tained.” “(b) That whereas media reports averred that the incident of the alleged confrontation between the MNJTF and the Boko Haram Terrorists occurred on April 19, 2013; the incident actually occurred on Tuesday, April 16. (c) On April 17, MNJTF troops carried out mop-up operations at the scene of the attack and recovered the following items abandoned by the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists: rocket-propelled grenade launchers, rocket- propelled grenade bombs, AK 47 rifles, assorted ammunition, several improvised explosive devices and damaged Land Cruiser jeeps.” “(d) That whereas it was alleged that 185 people were killed by the soldiers of the MNJTF in Baga, Borno State; the assessment team received a briefing from the Commander of the MNJTF on April 24, 2013, during which he stated that 30 terrorists were killed in action. However, six bodies were recovered in Lake Chad about 3 km away from the action spot.” “(e) Furthermore, some locals were asked if they could take the assessment team to the

mass graves where 185 people were allegedly buried, but the people denied knowledge of such graves. The Chairman of Kukawa Local Government Area was approached on the same issue, he also did not know of such graves. (f) The Chairman had earlier informed the team that Muslims do not bury more than one body in a grave.” “(g) The media also announced that about 3,000 houses were burnt. However, on-the-spot assessment revealed that though some houses were burnt, but they were certainly not up to the number quoted. It is pertinent to note that the houses in question are mostly thatched roof houses that could easily catch fire. It is on record that the terrorists employ the tactics of arson wherever they attack.” “(h)There was also the allegation that aid workers were denied access to Baga. This is incorrect as the Red Cross and NEMA officials were already in the town before the Defence Headquarters team arrived.

The officials of the two organisations interviewed by the team confirmed that no one prevented them from moving into Baga.”

On the NEMA report, he said: “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in response to the President’s directive, sent a team to Baga to pave the way for immediate humanitarian relief. It reported as follows: (a) That the agency identified and set up an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Baga where 642 persons were registered as at April 25, 2013. More people who had earlier fled the community are returning due to improved security and the establishment of various IDPs by the Agency.” “(b) To provide immediate succor to the affected persons, the agency distributed relief materials. (c) That the 185 deaths being speculated in the media cannot be substantiated. (d) The NEMA team visited the two graveyards in the town, and could only identify in both places, a total of 32 fresh graves.” “(e) That a number of buildings and business premises were destroyed in the affected area, but the total number of houses in the town is far less than 1,000 (f) That there is a lot of misinformation being peddled about the situation in Continued on page 63

‘SUDDEN’ directive from the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has created anxiety amongst members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the staff at the party’s national headquarters, Abuja.

Tukur told his aides to take an inventory, of all party items in his office.

To some of his aides, the inventory which began about 48 hours ago, is “suspicious”.

It could not be immediately ascertained whether Tukur has decided to resign or not, following the speculation that some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) were pushing for his exit - “for true reconciliation in the party”.

Tukur asked some of his aides on Sunday to take an “inventory of all items” in his three offices.

The PDP national chair has offices at the party’s National Secretariat, the Legacy House, which serves as the Presidential Campaign Office for the ruling party and his residence in Wuse.

Tukur was said to have personally supervised the inventory before leaving for Lagos en route Canada yesterday.

One of the aides said: “We had no inkling of any challenge, but the chairman directed us to immediately take an inventory of all items in his three offices.

“Some of us tried to find out if anything was amiss but no one told us why an inventory of items became necessary at this particular period.

“What made us curious is that he did not bother about inventory of items when he assumed the leadership of the party.

collapse of security in the state, putting lives and property in danger.

“This is undemocratic , unacceptable and a complete violation of the mandate that the good people of Rivers State have vested on us.

“We call on the good people of Rivers State to remain calm, watchful and law-abiding as the scenario unfolds. “ Also yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, yesterday in Port Harcourt, disclosed that the jet grounded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had been flying since October 2012.

It was bought by the government and registered as a US aircraft.

The representative of the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, a lawyer and an ally of Amaechi, who wants to succeed him in 2015, described Monday’s suspension of 27 of the 32 members of Rivers House of Assembly loyal to the governor, by the Obuah-led PDP executive as “ridiculous”.

O

VERWHELMED by security challenges, the Federal Government is seeking help from the United States to secure the nation’s porous borders.

Interior Minister Abba Moro and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Dikko Abubakar held talks yesterday with United States security experts in Abuja on how to police

Reps: grounding of aircraft is dictatorship

T

HE House of Representatives yesterday came down hard on the Federal Government for the grounding of a plane belonging to the government of Rivers State by the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The House described the grounding of the Bombardier B700 Global Express private jet as a witch-hunt of perceived political opponents.

It mandated its committees on Justice and Aviation to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

According to the House, the two committees should “extensively investigate It should be ignored. Nobody could intimidate the legislature”, Abe said.

A close associate of Amaechi, Prince Tonye Princewill, who is also interested in the governorship race, said “for now”, the Rivers chairman of the PDP is Obuah and would remain so, until there is another court judgment, especially that of the Court of Appeal.

Mrs Semenitari, responding to inquiries on the state of the

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

the justification and circumstances surrounding the grounding of the Rivers State aircraft and report back to the House within two weeks”.

The action is “detrimental to any democracy and tends towards dictatorship and draconian tendencies typical of the military era”, the lawmakers noted.

The incident, according to the House, “raises serious issues as to the abuse of powers by the executive and the use of state machinery to with-hunt perceived political opponents”.

Bombardier BD 700 Global Express jet, said: “The Rivers State government has noticed with dismay, a series of statements attributed to officials of different agencies in the aviation sector on the status of the aircraft belonging to the Rivers State government.

“It is pertinent to note that all of the information and queries about this aircraft have only been through the mass media.

The Rivers State government has

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayer of the motion by a member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, Ahmed Idris, under Matters of Urgent National Importance.

Idris, representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, presenting the motion, said the agency’s action smacked of “impunity, lawlessness and political vendetta”.

The BD 700 Global Express aircraft was last week grounded by NAMA for what the agency called non-compliance with aviation regulations .

not received any communication from the Ministry of Aviation or any of its agencies, querying the status of its aircraft, even up till this moment.

“The Rivers State government is surprised to read about matters of administrative procedure and allegations of illegality and abuse of process in the media.

“The Rivers State government wishes to note that the news conference and the various issues raised arose only after the em-

“We complied with the directive before the national chairman left for Canada this afternoon via Lagos. He took a chartered flight to Lagos.”

Another source alleged there had been a frosty relationship between the presidency and Tukur in the last one week.

The source said: “From reports available, the PDP national chairman was at the Villa on Thursday to see the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, but he did not see him.

“Tukur ought to have proceeded on the Canada trip on Sunday but it was delayed because there was no clearance from the Presidency until yesterday.

“So, no one could say whether the inventory was a routine thing or in preparation for resignation on personal grounds.”

Another source said: “For quite sometime, some members of the Board of Trustees and party stalwarts have been uncomfortable with Tukur as the National Chairman of PDP because his tenure has left the party divided.

“They cited some instances, like the conflict between Tukur and the sacked National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the crisis of confidence within the National Working Committee; the Ogun State PDP crisis which has caused a feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo; and the Adamawa crisis.

“Some BOT members and party leaders have impressed it on Jonathan that Tukur cannot Continued on page 63

Insecurity: U.S., EU renew support for Nigeria

Rivers Speaker alleges plot to impeach Amaechi Continued from page 1

From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

barrassing incident of a delay of the aircraft and its passengers at Akure on Friday, April 26, 2013.

“The Rivers State government wishes to note also that the issues raised during the news conference will be the third reason adduced for the delay of the Rivers State government’s aircraft in Akure.

“However, for purposes of clarification and in keeping with its policy of rendering ‘transparContinued on page 63

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

Nigeria’s vast and porous borders from infiltration of militants, especially Boko Haram sect members.

The experts are in the country to offer proposals for the installation of comprehensive border control equipment at the nation’s borders.

The parley came on a day the European Union (EU) renewed it pledge to stay by the Federal Government until the terrorism battle is won.

Abubakar solicited the continued assistance of the international community in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities.

Moro confirmed the partnership between Nigeria and the US when he hosted in his office, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCauley, who was represented by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary on Counter Terrorism, Anne Witkowsky, who led a delegation of the security experts.

According to Moro, President Goodluck Jonathan has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to acquire equipment to effectively monitor the borders.

Continued on page 63

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS

•Chairman, Fort Oil Plc, Femi Otedola (left) and Chairman Visa Phone, Mr Jim Ovia, at the National Economic Management Meeting at the State House, Abuja ... yesterday

Some of us p drowned in L The tales they tell are scary. Some sound fairy-like.

The military believe the stories cannot be true. Survivors in the bloodbath in Baga, Borno State relive their experience of the black weekend to New York Times

D

•Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Abubakar (right), DIG 'D'Dept., Mr Abdurahaman Akano and Ambassador of Czech Republic, Mr Jaroslev Siro, at the IGP’s meeting with police and security attaches of embassies in Abuja ...yesterday.

A

•Chairman, Diamond Bank Plc, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (middle) speaking at the bank’s 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday. With him are Managing Director, Mr. Alex Otti and Company Secretary, Nkechi Nwosu.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•From left: Senior Programme Officer, French Development Agency, Mr Adesoji Ademola, African Development Bank (ADB) Country Resident Representative, Dr ousmane Dore and an international consultant, Dr Russell Cheetham, at the presentation of an infrastructure action plan for Nigeria in Abuja ... yesterday.

AYS later, the survivors’ faces tensed at the memory of the grim evening: soldiers dousing thatched-roof homes with gasoline, setting them on fire and shooting residents when they tried to flee. As the village went up in smoke, one said, a soldier threw a child back into the flames.

Even by the scorched-earth standards of the Nigerian military’s campaign against Islamist insurgents stalking the nation’s north, what happened on the muddy shores of Lake Chad last month appears exceptional.

The village, Baga, found itself in the cross hairs of Nigerian soldiers enraged by the killing of one of their own, said survivors who fled here to the capital of Borno State, 100 miles south.

Their home had paid a heavy price: as many as 200 civilians, maybe more, were killed during the military’s rampage, according to refugees, senior relief workers, civilian officials and human rights organisations.

The apparent size of the civilian death toll - staunchly denied by Nigerian military officials, some of whom blame the insurgent group, Boko Haram, for the carnage - has prompted an unusual uproar.

Though heavy civilian casualties are routine in the military’s confrontation with Boko Haram, with dozens dying in poor neighbourhoods since 2010 as the army searches for “suspects,” Nigeria’s politicians usually have little to say about them. Past massacres of civilians in retaliation for soldier deaths have passed largely with impunity.

This time, there have been calls in Nigeria’s national assembly for an investigation, and the government has come under harsh criticism at home and abroad, including the United States. The military has said it has begun its own inquiry, and some longstanding observers of the country’s heavy-handed fight against Islamist militants say a tipping point may have been reached.

“This is coming at a time when we have had similar situations” elsewhere, said Kole Shettima, chairman of the Center for Democracy and Development in the capital, Abuja.

“People are tired of the excuses the military is giving, and that’s why they are demanding an investigation.

This time it’s different. There is a crisis of legitimacy in the military.”

But in a country where corruption abounds and accountability is rare, others wondered whether it would truly become a watershed moment - or get brushed aside as an unfortunate side effect of fighting a dangerous insurgency.

“This Baga is just on a bigger scale, but they have been doing this for ages,” the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, one of the first of-

•Women and children allegedly sacked from t

ficials to reach Baga afterward, said of the military. “They’ve not adhered to the rules of engagement,” said Mr. Shettima, who is not related to the democracy advocate. “When you burn down shops and massacre civilians, you are pushing them to join the camp of Boko Haram.”

Yet, he continued, “we are in a Catch22 situation. Boko Haram is a deadly insurgent force that needs to be confronted, the governor said, but not by

Madalla…y Xmas D F

ROM all indications, Madalla, a town in Niger State, has yet to recover fully from the December 25, 2011 bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church, in which about 43 persons were killed.

The ever-busy Madalla Market is now a ghost of its former self, with several stalls empty, while the few traders there often complain of low sales.

Apparently, the traders are now always on edge, wary of a possible attack by members of the Boko Haram sect who perpetrated the Christmas Day bombing.

Although security has been beefed up in the area, most residents still live and move about in fear, while many people have relocated from the neighbourhood.

Miss Medinat Yakubu, an electronics dealer, says that Madalla was very conducive for business before the Dec. 25 terrorist act.

“Doing business in Madalla had been profitable until the bomb explosion which scared many people away from the town; resulting in the relocation of many residents and even businesses to safer settlements.

“Before the explosion, our daily sales were in the region of N1.3 million but shortly after the explosion, there was a lull in the market. Nowadays, we hardly record more than N150, 000 daily,’’ she adds.

Mrs Chinedum Igwe, a fish seller who has been living in Madalla for over 10 years, complains that “even when we are at the market, we are always afraid be-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS

s perished in flames, others n Lake Chad, say Baga residents ‘

rom their houses by soldiers stand in front of burnt houses in Baga.

a military that terrorizes its own people.

“We need them to carry out their duties in a civilised manner.”

Some Baga residents who did not perish in the flames drowned while attempting to escape into Lake Chad, refugees here in the state capital said. Others were attacked by hippopotamuses in the shallow waters, officials said. Soldiers shot people as they ran from the burning houses, refugees said.

“Many dead, many dead,” said

PHOTO: AFP

Mohammed Muhammed, 40, a taxi driver from Baga. “People running into the flames, I saw that. If they didn’t run into the flames, the army will shoot them.” As flames enveloped the houses - “they used petroleum,” he said of the soldiers - he fled into the surrounding desert scrub.

“If you come out” from the flaming houses “they will shoot you,” he said. “Please, sir, charge them in the

They poured petrol on the properties. At the same time, they are shooting sporadically, inside the fire. They took a small child from his mother and threw him inside the fire.

This is what I have witnessed.

’

international court!” he shouted.

Isa Kukulala, 26, a lanky bus driver who had left Baga that morning, gave a similar account: “They poured petrol on the properties. At the same time, they are shooting sporadically, inside the fire. They took a small child from his mother and threw him inside the fire. This is what I have witnessed.”

Hundreds of residents fled into

the bush, where they lived for days in harsh conditions, and are only now trickling back into the town. “The aged people, the people that couldn’t run, most of those people were burned,” said Antony Emmanuel, a fish buyer. “Small children, their parents left them, they were burned.”

Borno State officials have said hundreds of houses were destroyed in the blaze.

The army has effectively blocked many journalists from getting to Baga it is in a zone where Boko Haram exercises partial control - and it kept out relief agencies until the middle of last week. Cellphone service has been cut off. In a brief statement a week after the episode, Brig. Gen. Austin Edokpaye, the commander of the multinational joint task force - Nigeria shares intelligence with neighbouring countries, though its soldiers generally do the shooting - said one soldier was killed “while 30 Boko Haram terrorists lost their lives” and “unfortunately six civilians” were killed. Ten “other civilians were injured in the cross-fire,” he said.

Nigeria’s director of defence information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, angrily rejected the accounts of residents and others. He said that “the burning, the killing is done by Boko Haram, not by the soldiers. Anybody blaming the soldiers must be a sympathser with Boko Haram.” He said that “Boko Haram was using the houses to shoot out at soldiers.”

But the picture given by civilian officials in relief agencies and state government, along with the one presented by refugees, was very different, with the vast majority of deaths attributed to the military.

“More than 200 dead, this is what people in the town confirmed,” said a senior relief official who asked not to be identified out of fear of retribution by

…yet to recover from s Day bombing

By Folasade Folarin

cause we have been attacked there before.

“In fact, there was a time when some people came to the market and started shooting sporadically; so, once it is 5 p.m., traders start packing their wares, unlike before when we often stayed in the market for longer periods.

“Even when it rains in the evening, people leave immediately after the rains because we don’t know what may happen after the rains,’’ she says.

Besides, Rev. Fr. Linsmary Daniel, an assistant priest at St Theresa Catholic Church, says that the population of worshippers at church has decreased by about 60 per cent after the Dec.25, 2011 episode.

“Many of our parishioners left; in fact, there was someone who was running a printing press here but he left because of Boko Haram.

“His workers are now jobless; one of them, who incidentally is my friend, has gone back to his village to begin from the scratch.

“I know of someone else who relocated to Abuja for fear of losing his business to the Boko Haram insurgents. So, you can imagine if the economy of Madalla is slowly dwindling, what will happen in a place like Maiduguri that happens to be the hub of the Boko Haram insurgency,’’ he asks.

Buttressing Daniel’s viewpoint, Mr Nelson Nwosu, an economic and political analyst, says the current security chal-

lenges facing Nigeria have had grave socio-economic, political and geographical impact on the nation.

He says that geographically, the problem has led to a sustained migration of the people which, in turn, brings about overcrowding of some areas.

“People tend to leave the places of conflict to go to places where there is relative peace; this leads to overcrowding because people will desert a particular area and move to places where they feel there is relative peace.

“And one of the effects of overcrowding is that there will be a rise in vices such as prostitution, drug abuse, armed robbery, among others, in the overcrowded places,’’ he says.

Besides, Nwosu stresses that politically, the government would not be able to focus its attention on some development areas, as appreciable resources would be deployed to solving the country’s security problems.

Economically, he says that productivity will be low in areas facing serious security challenges.

“Unemployment in places like Yobe is rife because banks have to wind up and many workers in such places are now jobless. Apart from that, lives and property that have been destroyed in these places are not quantifiable,’’ he adds.

Nwosu explains that the crisis has even taken its toll on the existing infrastructure, adding that putting up new structures later may not be feasible.

the military. “Actually, my boys told me the number is far higher than the 200 reported,” the relief official said.

A senior official under the governor, Mr. Shettima, who is not affiliated with the governing party, said: “The soldiers went on a rampage. Because, you know, that’s what soldiers do in Nigeria. It’s really crazy here.”

General Olukolade responded angrily to such assertions, saying, “The politicians intend to create a haven for Boko Haram around our state.”

In the accounts of refugees and officials, the killings started after a few gunmen, most likely Boko Haram members, engaged a detachment from Baga’s military post in a firefight on the evening of April 16.

“Two people came, they said they were Jama’atu,” said Mohammed Bella Sani, a fisherman from Baga, using Boko Haram’s name for itself.

Boko Haram has a heavy presence in that area of fluid national borders, officials say, and has even chased away all government presence, including officials and police officers, from many rural districts.

In Baga, the soldiers went for reinforcements after one among them was killed, residents said. “A team of soldiers came back shouting, and they started firing indiscriminately,” Mr. Sani said.

“They set my neighbour’s house on fire, and people started running back to save the neighbour,” said Mallam Ali, a bus driver. And the soldiers began shooting into the crowd, he said.

“They were firing from the armoured vehicles,” said Alhadji Adamua, a clothing seller at Baga’s market. “I saw them putting fire on people’s houses. They are the security of the state. They have no right to kill anybody. They are supposed to protect the people.”

•The St Theresa Catholic Church after the suicide bomber struck PHOTO: AFP

“Banks, police stations, schools, markets and telecommunication masts have been burnt down,’’ he notes.

He laments that most of the infrastructure in use today were provided over 10 years ago, stressing that it would be extremely difficult to replace the ones that have been destroyed.

Nwosu moans that the current security challenges in the northern part of the country and the wanton destruction of property there will further impoverish the region.

He argues that while the South would be striving to forge ahead, the North would be busy rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure.

Dr Dominic Ogbeche, a psychiatrist at the National Hospital, Abuja, says that incidents like the Dec. 25, 2011 Madalla bombing could induce psychological trauma, otherwise known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), among the people.

He expatiates that PTSD is a traumatic condition that can crop up after a person has undergone a harrowing experience caused by physical, sexual or psychological injury or death.

“People respond to such stressful situations differently; some respond to the situations with symptoms of depression and anxiety, including fear, worry, irritability, poor concentration and poor sleep.

“After that, such people try to avoid

thoughts, feelings, conversations, activities, places or people that remind them of the trauma,’’ Ogbeche says.

Concerned citizens have repeatedly expressed concern that the economic activities of many towns in the northern part of the country have been crippled due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

However, the Federal Government has been making designed efforts to tackle the crisis by setting up a committee to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect.

Observers, nonetheless, insist that the committee needs the support of every Nigerian for it to succeed in its assignment.

•Folarin is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS Govt to amend charges against 15 Russians •Case transferred to another judge

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE Federal Government yesterday sought to amend its charges against 15 Russians held over alleged unlawful importation of arms and ammunition.

They were charged before Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, who has transferred the case to Justice James Tsoho for adjudication.

Justice Okeke will retire on May 18.

The Navy had, on October 18 last year, seized a foreignflagged ship carrying the weapons and arrested its 15 mainly Russian crew members.

The cargo is said to have included 14 AK-47 rifles and 3,643 rounds of ammunition, as well as 22 Benelli MR1 rifles with 4,955 rounds.

The prosecution said the accused brought in the cache of arms and ammunition without an import licence, which is prohibited under Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendants are Zhelyazkov Andrey (the vessel’s captain), Savchenko Sergrey, Chichikanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexandr, Lopatin Alexey, and Baranovskly Nikolay.

Others are Mishin Pavel, LLia Shubov, Dmitry Bannyrn, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail and Stepan Oleksuik.

An official of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria interpreted the charges read to them in English when they were arraigned. They pleaded not guilty.

During proceedings yesterday, a Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Olufemi Fatunde, told the court that some of the 15 may have been wrongly charged.

She said she needed some time to sort out the names so the court can strike them out.

“There are some among the 15 who ought not to have been charged. I want to sort out their names so they can be struck out form the charge,” she said.

Mrs Fatunde applied for an adjournment, and also stated that the prosecution would prefer that the case be transferred to another judge.

Counsel for the defendants, Chukwuike Okafor, did not oppose the application for an adjournment. He, however, expressed worries that transferring the case would cause delay.

Justice Okeke said since the defendants were on bail, a transfer would not adversely affect the case.

“This case is hereby transferred to Honourable Justice Tsoho’s court,” he said, adding that the defendants can apply for their bail terms to continue when they appear before the new judge on the next adjourned date – May 13.

The prosecution alleged that the ship, MV Myre Seadiver, and its captain, “did unlawfully enter Nigeria’s territorial waters without due clearance and declaration of the goods carried therein on board the ship,” an offence punishable under Sections 1(14) (a)(b), 27 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 LFN 2004.

EFCC arrests Ifeanyi Ubah over alleged N43.291b fuel subsidy scam

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OR seven hours yesterday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled the Chairman of Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, over alleged N43.291billion fuel subsidy fraud.

He was still undergoing interrogation as of press time.

Ubah was arrested by the operatives of the commission early yesterday.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “His company was implicated in the scandal by the Aigboje AigImoukhuede-led 15-man presidential panel, which reinvestigated the fuel subsidy bazaar.

“We had earlier invited Ubah for interrogation but when he did not honour the invitation, we decided to arrest him.

“If nothing is found against him or his company, we will set him free. But if he has a case to answer, we will charge him to court.”

Ubah was still undergoing investigation as of 5.05pm.

EFCC spokeman Wilson

•Three suspects to face trial for N1.4b fuel subsidy scam From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Uwujaren confirmed Ubah’s arrest. The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police had in October last year arrested Ubah on a similar allegation.

Based on SFU’s application, a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, remanded the Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas in custody of Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos over the alleged scam. Also charged and remanded with Ubah were Head of Trading, Nsikan Usoro, 35, Depot Manager, Godfrey Okorie, 41, General Manager, Chibuzor Ogbuokiri, 48; and Orji Anayo, 46, Executive Director (Operations).

The case later went to a Federal High Court where Ubah was cleared of indictment by the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee. The coast is now clear for the EFCC to arraign

three suspects for alleged N1.4billion fuel subsidy scam.

Justice Olusumbo Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi yesterday gave the EFCC the go-ahead to prosecute Helyn Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and Pon-Specialised Services Limited.

Uwujaren said: “The judge struck out their (the accused persons’) application asking the court to decline granting the EFCC leave to arraign them for fraud, forgery and conspiracy to obtain the sum of N1.413,507,951.50 from the Federal Government of Nigeria by false pretence as subsidy under the Petroleum Support Fund.

“Justice Goodluck, in her ruling, affirmed that at this stage, there is no requirement to consider facts before the court; what is needed is to determine if a prima facie case

against the accused persons is established. “I am of the view that the proof of evidence suggests elements of forgery and obtaining by false pretences and I, therefore, overrule the objection of the accused persons and hereby grant leave to prosecution to prefer charge against them.”

“The accused persons were said to have “on or about 3rd day of March, 2011 at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain money under false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Petroleum Support Fund”.

“The offence, according to the charge sheet, is contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

“They were to be arraigned on November 26, 2012 but this was scuttled as their

•Ubah

counsel, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who challenged the application of the prosecution seeking the leave of the court to prefer charges against the accused persons.

“He argued that the proof of evidence did not disclose any offence against the suspects and urged the court to refuse the application.

“But, prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, told the court that the proof of evidence supports the 18-count charge.

“The case has been adjourned to May 30, 2013 for arraignment and June 11 and 12, 2013 for trial.”

Nigeria, EU sign N18b pact

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•Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (middle) addressing a news conference to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday.

With him are Information Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba (right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

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HE European Union (EU) yesterday signed 89-million Euro (about N18 billion) financial agreements with the Federal Government to support the country’s health, water programmes and economic growth.

The Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, signed the three financing agreements on behalf of the government. Dr David MacRae, the Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria, signed on behalf of the union in Abuja.

Usman, who was represented by the NPC Secretary, Mr Fidelis Ugbo, said the agreements would help to expedite action toward implementing the programmes.

He said the water supply and sanitation sector reforms was conceived to contribute to poverty reduction, sustainable development and the achievement of the water and sanitation related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Adamawa, Ekiti, and Plateau states.

Businessman to NSA: save my life

BUSINESSMAN has alleged a threat to his life by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba because he is resisting government takeover of his landed property in Asaba.

New Millennium Investments Limited Chairman Dr. John Jideonwo also accused the state government of having vested interest by revoking the title to the land.

Jideonwo called on the National Security Adviser (NSE), Alhaji Sambo Dasuki, to safe his life.

But Aduba has said the petitioner is a blackmailer evading police arrest over his alleged criminal acts.

Jideonwo, in a petition dated April 3, 2013, addressed to the NSA, stated that his company acquired the property located on River Niger Waterfront from UAC of Nigeria in 1998.

The purchase of the property, according to him, was consummated by the issuance of both a Deed of Assignment and an irrevocable Power of Attorney by the UAC.

By Leke Salaudeen, Asst Editor

Jideonwo said: “At the time of purchase too, UAC issued the sitting tenants – Asaba Sports Club - a notice to deliver vacant possession and my company followed with a quit notice. An appeal was made to me at that time to let them continue use of the Tennis courts and club house until I was ready to develop the property.

“Sometime in 2005, I discovered that the Club had surreptitiously applied to the Ministry of Lands to allocate the said land to it but the Ministry responded by declaring that the ownership of the property was not in doubt and that they should dialogue with me if they want to continue to stay there.”

Jideonwo alleged that a senior government official sponsored the incorporation of the Board of Trustees of Asaba, was made Grand Patron and donated N13 million to the club between 2010 and 2011. As a result of his patronage, members of the club have refused to deliver possession of the

premises they are occupying as tenant, he said.

“Sometime in 2011, they became emboldened to openly threaten my life if I ever came to the property. On November 5, last year, part of the club house building on the land was destroyed and the members turned around to claim that I was the one that destroyed it.”

Two weeks after the destruction, the government official allegedly visited the site and openly assured the President of the Asaba Sports Club that he would revoke the title to the land.

The petitioner pleaded with the NSA to consider the following actions taken by the police and the state government to actualise their plan: “On 14th August, 2012, the CP Delta sent policemen from Asaba to Lagos with an instruction that they should bring me back to Asaba by all means to face charges of “malicious damage” to property that belongs to me.

The men did not come with a letter of invitation or warrant of arrest. This was the first hint that I got that they were indeed after my life. This attempt was

stoutly resisted by all others around and we only left for Asaba the next day. I was released on August 16 and after eight days stay in Asaba, waiting to be charged, I was asked to go.

“When I returned to Lagos, I petitioned the Inspector General of Police who then directed the IGP Monitoring Group to take over the case.

The case was effectively transferred to Abuja. The CP Delta then stepped into it and using his influence as former DC (Ops) at Force Headquarters, got the case transferred back to Delta, which is totally unusual in view of the fact that our petition was against him.

Strangely too, we have not been informed of this development. On March 22, Mr Aduba sent people to arrest my lawyer in the court premises in Asaba, a fairly reckless act; they then went to my surety (a 70-year old cousin with very frail health) and continued harassing him until he went into hiding.”

Aduba has defended his integrity. He said: “Jideonwo

has been running from pillar to post to evade arrest. The incident happened before I became Delta State Police Commissioner.”

He alleged that Jideonwo demolished structures on a plot of land leased to UAC. He said Jideonwo carried out this act when the matter of ownership was still in court.

“Already, the parties involved are in court over the disputed land.

The demolition was illegal. He is not happy the way I handled the matter because I stood for the truth. The IGP has instructed that Jideonwo be charged to court. We have been looking for him to face charges.”

“We want to declare him wanted. Both he and his lawyer have gone into hiding.

They are nowhere to be found. Even the state government is not happy over this matter. He is a common criminal. He went to a former DIG and Police Service Commission, but all the people he ran to asked him to report to the police, and he has not done that yet,” Aduba said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS NBA decries police brutality From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried the increasing police brutality in Nigeria.

It hailed the media for standing on the side of the people in such cases as well as extra-judicial killings, illegal detention and torture of suspects to obtain confessions, among others.

The branch’s NBA Chairman Olusegun Abimbola addressed reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on police excesses.

He said there is need to check such excesses coming on the heels of the recent alleged police brutalisation of Mr Joshua Olaniyan, a member of the association in Ibadan.

Court okays APC’s application

Reps probe delay in accessing N100b dead customers’ funds T HE House of Representatives has mandated its joint Committee on Judiciary and Justice to convene a stakeholders’ meeting within two weeks to investigate delays associated with accessing funds of deceased persons by their beneficiaries.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion sponsored by a member, Mr Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, on the need to stop the pains that beneficiaries of such funds usually go through.

According to him, while official figures put the funds of deceased persons lying in Nigerian banks at N100 billion, unofficial statistics put the figures between N400 billion and N1 trillion with the banks.

He said obtaining a letter of

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administration usually lasts over a year.

Abudu-Balogun said it was time Nigerians were saved from the harrowing experiences.

He said: “While the banks continue to trade with the money, beneficiaries of the deceased person’s accounts are living in penury and unable to feed.

“Anytime the beneficiaries show up to access the funds, as the next-of-kin to the deceased, the banks usually place official and unofficial hurdles to frustrate them.”

The lawmaker noted that

obtaining letters of administration by such bereaved families at probate divisions of State and Federal High Courts was cumbersome and corruption-ridden, “thereby adding to the frustration of the already traumatised beneficiaries”.

Abudu-Balogun explained that even the beneficiaries of bereaved contributors to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) are being frustrated to claim the entitlements because of the cumbersome process for getting Letters of Administration.

“This inability to access the funds of deceased breadwinners is discouraging people from saving with the banks

and may lead to the collapse in the saving culture in Nigeria.”

Members who supported the motion include Peter Akpatason, Forte Dike, Tobi Okechukwu and Abubakar Momoh.

Akpatason said it was unfortunate that family members, whose lives have been made miserable by death of their breadwinners, would be subjected to more pains by undue bottlenecks in courts and banks.

Samson Okwu noted that the alleged bottlenecks in the banks are safeguards to prevent the funds from falling into the wrong hands.

Falana urges Fed Govt to account for N50b vote for jobs

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

USTICE Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday granted leave to an organisation, the African People’s Congress (APC), to challenge the rejection of its application for registration as a political party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had rejected APC’s application for registration on the grounds that it failed to comply with laiddown rules.

The association is, by its suit, seeking a judicial review of INEC’s decision.

Justice Kolawole, in an exparte ruling, gave the party a week to file its processes and serve same on INEC. The plaintiff said it filed the suit pursuant to the provisions of Section 79 of the Electoral Act, which empowers any association denied registration as a political party by INEC to seek a judicial review within 30 days of receiving a notice from INEC. Thirty plaintiffs had sued on behalf of themselves and the party, seeking a declaration that INEC lacks the discretion to refuse to register an association as a political party once the conditions stipulated by the defendant for registration are met.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday urged Labour unions to make the Federal Government account for the jobs it has generated with the N50billion it earmarked for job creation in 2011.

He said: “In the 2011 budget, the Federal Government earmarked N50billion for job creation. I want to beg the Research Department of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) what has happened to the fund.”

Speaking at the pre-May Day symposium of Nigerian Centenary May Day Celebration in Abuja, the frontline lawyer urged the unions to protect

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

existing jobs since the government was not creating new ones.

The theme of the symposium was: 100 Years of Nationhood: The Challenges of National Development.

Falana decried labour unions’ reticence on Chinese and Indian workers, who he said have taken over their jobs in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

He said: “I know one company that has over 5,000 Chinese workers: drivers, cooks and Mai guards (securitymen).

Now, I am challenging Labour, and I have done this personally. I have taken it up with the

Nigerian Embassy in China.

What qualifies these Chinese workers for our visas? I am now challenging Labour to defend Nigerian workers. Nigerians are just sacked because of Chinese and Indians.”

Also, the Chief Economist of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo Eson, noted that though the Federal Government has always churned out employment policies, it has failed to state how the jobs would be created.

He said even in the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) document, the government fails to identify sectors from which it could generate employment.

Eson added: “If more than

•Falana

a quarter of the active workforce of a nation is idle or unemployed; and if you add that to the rate of under-employment, then clearly that nation has failed.”

Profferring solutions to the economic malaise, the Labour leader urged the government to refocus its educational policy on skill acquisition instead of mere accumulation of cer-

Tanker drivers accuse Fed Govt of aiding vandals From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Deputy National Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Salimon Oladiti, yesterday accused the Federal Government of conniving with vandals to wreak havoc on the nation’s economy through pipeline vandalism.

The union leader alleged that the government knows those vandalising the pipelines but would not stop them for selfish rerasons.

Oladiti spoke at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a lecture entitled: Developing Financial Literacy for Stress-Free Retirement.

He said: “What are security forces that are paid by the tax payers money doing to curb vandalism? I believe that if the President gives them an ultimatum to arrest all vandals, they will. But they will not do that because of what they are gaining from them.”

Qatari queen to help Nigerian kids HER Highness, Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser of Qatar, will help Nigeria tackle the challenge of out-of-school children.

She spoke at the ongoing three-day ‘high-level strategic meeting with the theme: Accelerate Efforts to Reach Outof-School Children in Doha, Qatar.

The meeting, which started on Monday, is being attended

by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and 16 other Ministers of Education, former national leaders, international development partners and leading educational non-governmental agencies.

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged governments to make education a priority.

Sheikha Nasser, who is the Convener, said the foundation would start working on projects in Nigeria.

Presenting Nigeria’s Country’s Report, Wike urged the international community to assist Nigeria tackle the challenge of out-of-school children.

He said: “In our country, we have given education the desired priority under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

UPN pays N1m to INEC A POLITICAL association, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), said yesterday it had paid the N1 million nonrefundable fee to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to qualify for registration.

Its acting National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Sokoto, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Sokoto said the amount was paid on Monday vide an Ecobank cheque.

He said: “I confirm to you that we (UPN) paid the N1 million non-refundable registration fee to INEC yesterday (April 29).

“And INEC has acknowledged receipt of same the same day.”

A letter conveying the payment to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, dated April 29, was made available to NAN in Abuja.

The letter, entitled: Re: Instruction to Register A Political Party: Request for Information/Modalities.

Mark inaugurates summit •From left: Guest lecturer, Prof. Ayodele Ogunye; Chairman of the occasion and Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Adesesan Oguntayo and Western Zone Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Olumide Ogunmade, at the seminar on: IPMAN: Present, Past and Future, in Ibadan, Oyo State...yesterday

Doctors won’t join strikes, NMA promises

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HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday said doctors would no longer abandon their duty posts during strikes.

Its President Dr Osahon Enabulele said the assocaition has put in place a surveillance to ensure strict compliance of doctors to the directive.

Enabulele, who addressed reporters during the association’s visit to the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), said doctors who

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Wale Adepoju

default would be penalised.

He said the NMA would discourage strikes in the health sector, adding that the proposed strike by the Joint Health Workers’ Union should be stopped because the association is illegal and does not represent the interest of the workers.

The union leader berated the Federal Government for

endorsing international treaties that it cannot meet, especially the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), because it was not ready.

Enabulele said: “Lack of adequate power supply, good roads and other infrastructure are factors that should be addressed before it (govt) can achieve any goal.

“But to be realistic, Nigeria cannot achieve it because it doesn’t have the same condusive environment and man-

power like some developed countries. The country can have a projection of 2030, after it must have put in place necessary measures.”

The union leader recalled that Nigeria, at the Committee of African Heads of States meeting in Abuja in 2001, agreed in principle with other governments on the continent to devote 15 per cent of its budget to health care but only devotes about five per cent to it yearly.

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

SENATE President David Mark yesterday inaugurated an Africa Legislative Summit for parliamentarians.

Mark said the body would promote integration on the continent and deepen democracy.

He said the steering committee, called “Management Committee of African Legislative Summit 2013”, would organise the maiden edition of the summit in November.

In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, the Senate President said the summit would unite legislators from African countries and other parts of the world.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

NEWS Lam Adesina’s son inaugurates foundation From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

DR. Ayobami Adesina, the eldest son of a former Oyo State Governor, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, has inaugurated a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Ayo Lam Care Foundation, in memory of his father.

The organisation will care for abandoned children and women.

Adesina said the foundation would build on his father’s legacy of caring for the needy.

He spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while donating gifts to the Juvenile Correctional Institution and Child Care Unit, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Orphanage and the Care People’s Foundation Motherless Babies’ Home.

The gifts included cartons of soap, cereals, detergent and writing materials.

Adesina said: “This foundation has been established in Nigeria and abroad to support children’s education like our father did when he was alive. I have learnt from my father to support children and that is why we are donating these items to these children. This is why we are starting the Ayo-Lam Care Foundation today.”

The officer in-charge of the Juvenile Correctional Institution and Child Care, Mrs. Jumoke Adesina, thanked Adesina and prayed God to bless him.

Co-ordinator of the FOMWAN Orphanage Alhaja Airat Ogungbenro prayed God to grant repose to the soul of the late Adesina.

She said the deceased was a great philanthropist and friend of the orphanage.

NBA, ICPC, others kick against plea bargain, option of fine T HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have said plea bargaining and the option of fine should not be entertained in economic-related offences.

They spoke yesterday at a public hearing on a bill on the administration of criminal justice, organised by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice.

Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), who spoke for the NBA, supported the bill, which puts strict conditions on plea bargain.

He said extant convention, a situation where prosecutors enter into plea bargain without the AttorneyGeneral’s (AG’s) permission, was abnormal.

Erokoro said: “It is dangerous to give such wide powers to the prosecutor. No plea bargain should be undertaken without the approval of the AG in writing.”

He said the NBA supports the provision of the bill that judges be insulated from the nitty-gritty of plea bargaining.

ICPC also supported the bill, declaring plea bargaining as evil.

The commission’s representative said: “Justice must be seen and heard as done. It is contrary to fair hearing when plea bargain is entered into between the counsel and the proceeding is not conducted in the open.

“If the judge agrees, then it is a nullity. Plea bargain should not be entertained in economic and financial matters.”

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

EFCC described plea bargain as “a child of necessity that has been widely misunderstood by Nigerians”.

Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who represented the state’s Attorney-General, said Lagos is cautious on the application of plea bargain.

On fines, a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, suggested that corruption-related offenses should not have an option of fine.

He said: “When penalties are stiffened, the incidence of commission naturally comes down, but when they are relaxed, the opposite is the case. Corruption-related offences should not have any option of fine.

“Most of us still remember the cry that greeted the discretion a judge recently exercised by imposing a N750,000 fine on a culprit, who stole billions of naira.

“To most Nigerians, that sounded like a slap on the wrist, but if there was no option of fine, at least, seeing the offender cooling off in prison would have been psychologically therapeutic.”

House of Representatives’ Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the country needs to pay more attention to its laws, particularly those on criminal justice administration.

Tambuwal said: “There is no gain-

‘Indeed, the system of administration of justice in this country has become the Achilles’ heel of the democratic system and a disincentive to economic development, commerce and free flow of investment’ saying our criminal procedure has remained largely old and unresponsive to the demands of the populace for equity, substantial justice and human rights.

“Indeed, the system of administration of justice in this country has become the Achilles’ heel of the democratic system and a disincentive to economic development, commerce and free flow of investment.

“It is impossible to have a sound economy without a solid foundation of good laws that can curb anti-social behaviour and other disruptive tendencies.

“As we develop strategies for economic and other reforms, we also need to develop plans and

programmes for creating sound laws and procedural systems consistent with our Legislative Agenda.

“These are part of the intangible but important infrastructure that would attract investors to come and do business with us. It is a great disservice to our country when our criminal justice system is perceived as inefficient and incapable of punishing wrong doing.”

“Such a system breeds economic backwardness, which is the major cause of poverty. However, with the administration of the Criminal Justice Bill, the country seems poised to move the system forward.”

The Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Miriam Alooma-Muktar, who was represented by Justice Kumai Akkas, said the bill, if passed into law, would facilitate the speedy and efficient administration of criminal justice in courts.

She said: “The problems besetting the procurement of justice in Nigeria are multifarious and multidimensional. They range from too many cases in courts to trial delays, denial of justice, inadequacy of judicial personnel, corruption, lack of modern management technology and absence of case management techniques.”

Chairman of the Committee Ali Ahmad said: “When passed, the bill will significantly improve our Criminal Justice System. It deals fundamentally with the delay in the dispensation of criminal justice.”

Senate justifies six-year term for President, governors From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

THE Senate yesterday justified the inclusion of a single six-year tenure for the president and governors in the draft amendment to the Constitution.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told reporters in Abuja that the development was the outcome of public hearings across the country.

Abaribe said the item came up for discussion during the retreat of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in Lagos last week.

He said the retreat collated and streamlined the presentations from the public hearings, adding that further details would be given when it comes up for discussion at plenary.

Abaribe said: “The retreat collated and streamlined all the reports that came in from the senatorial districts and the public hearings we held.

“We received memoranda as well as recommendations on the issue.

You will recall that at the inception of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, he also made a recommendation of that nature on the topic.”

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (third left); Commissioner of Police Sontoye Wakama (left); House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Ominrin (second left); Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi (third right); the Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu (second right) and Commander, 32 Artillery Battalion, Col. Saheed Aduku at a stakeholder’s meeting on security in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital...yesterday.

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Illegal importation of arms: Court adjourns ruling in Iranian’s trial

FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday adjourned judgment in the case filed by the Federal Government against an Iranian, Azim Aghajani, and a Nigerian clearing agent, Ali Jega, till May 13.

The suspects allegedly im-

Benue Assembly clears seven commissioner-nominees From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Benue State House of Assembly has cleared the seven commissionernominees, whose names were forwarded to them by Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The governor earlier sent 12 names to the House, but the legislators cleared only five of them.

They said there was a petition against the remaining seven that needed to be investigated.

Yesterday, the Assembly rescinded its decision and cleared them.

Those cleared are John Tondo, Dr. Eugene Aliegba, Elizabeth Ugoh, Comfort Ajene (wife of late deputy governor), Dr. Orduen Abunku, Elizabeth Alagh and John Ngbede.

By Joseph Jibueze

ported 13-containers of firearms and explosives into Nigeria from Iran illegally.

The accused were arraigned on March 7, 2011 on a five-count charge.

The prosecution said between June and October, 2010, the defendants, without licence, were “in possession of bombs, grenades and rockets”.

The prosecution said the defendants falsely declared in the Bill of Lading that the 13 containers contained wool and stones.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke fixed yesterday for judgment, but when the case was called, he said the judgment was not ready.

He said he needed a little more time to “cross the ‘Ts’ and dot the

‘Is’”.

Defence counsel Chris Uche (SAN) told reporters that parties had no choice but to wait until the verdict was ready.

He said: “The judge said there are a few things to be completed in the judgment and that is not strange. Sometimes, you fix a date for judgment and it may not be ready because of so many commitments, events and work involved.

“We are very happy that the adjournment was not a long one.

Anybody that goes to a battle prays for victory. We came praying that we will be victorious.”

Aghajani claimed he was innocent and did not know the true content of the consignment.

He said: “From the content of the Bill of Lading, I concluded that there was no unlawful item in the

containers. I did not see the content of the consignment until I was apprehended at the Naval Ordinance, Apapa, where it was revealed that they were arms and explosives. Sincerely, I never knew the content of the consignment and never said they belonged to me.”

Aghajani told the court that prior to his engagement by Behimen Trading Company in Iran to ship the consignment, he had never been to Lagos.

He said he was engaged to ship the consignment from Nigeria to Gambia.

Aghajani said the first problem he encountered was that the name of the consignee and the destination of the consignment were not on the Bill of Lading.

He said when he discovered this, he wrote to Behimen Trading Company but received no reply.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS

Dame Jonathan is not ill, says Presidency

Omisore can’t win election, says Osun ACN chair

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HE Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, has said Senator Iyiola Omisore cannot win any election in the state.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would regret it, if it fields Omisore as its governorship candidate in 2014.

Adelowo was reacting to Omisore’s comment in a media interview that he did not believe in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement yesterday, Adelowo said: “Omisore spoke like a person with a premonition of his own failure. He is setting up a scapegoat in INEC to explain away why he cannot win in 2014. The truth is that Omisore is unelectable, even in his ward in Ile-Ife. “Two months after the PDP was driven out of the Government House in 2010, Omisore lost in his ward and could not return to Abuja as a Senator. He must be hallucinating to think that he has any chance in 2014 to win the governorship election, when he cannot win his ward.”

He accused Omisore of making unsubstantiated claims about the person and administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and advised the politician to address issues constructively.

Adelowo said: “The media owes the public the responsibility of investigating Omisore’s claims to determine whether they are true or false, so that the people will know the true state of things in Osun.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

•Dame Jonathan

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HE Presidency yesterday debunked a media report that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is ill again.

The report claimed that this was why she would not accompany the President to South Africa and Namibia this month.

In a statement, Dame Jonathan’s media aide, Ayo

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participated in the National Conference on 100 years of the Nigerian Woman, which she hosted as a component of the country’s centenary celebration in Lagos on April 18 and 19.

“Last Friday, she presided over the inauguration of the Nigerian Prisons Staff School, built in Abuja by the Prisons Officers’ Wives Association (PROWA).

“She will be the keynote speaker at the Religious, Traditional and Adolescents Leaders Conference, which is part of the inauguration of the National Strategy for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy in Sierra Leone, next week.”

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

THE Lagos State Government yesterday said the Anti-Terrorism Bill, if passed into law, will curb kidnapping.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Matters, Muslim Folami, spoke with reporters on the sixth anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration.

Folami said the passage of the bill, which is going through its second reading, would recommend sanctions to prevent people from engaging in the act.

He blamed the increase in kidnapping and other violent crimes on economic challenges and unemployment opportunities, urging the Federal Government to address them.

Stressing that kidnapping was not peculiar to Lagos, Folami said: “It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure the security of life and property. It needs to address this challenge squarely.”

On the merger of major opposition parties, Folami said: “The merger will salvage this country. The government at the centre is not the government we prayed for, but God gave it to us. There is corruption, social vices, kidnapping, extra-judicial killing and no one is at rest. Everyone is apprehensive. The merger will be a saving grace and we can only wish them well.”

LAUTECH gets governing council •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle) receiving an award from the President of the Governing Council of AES Excellence Club, Dr. Ausheth Ajagu, while the Chairperson of the club, Dr. Nike Akande, watches on at the Lekki Oxford Hotels, Ajah, Lagos.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Adeyeye: I’ll be another Awolowo, if elected GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has said he will emulate the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, if elected in 2014.

The former Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while submitting his letter of intent to contest the election.

Adeyeye said: “I am ready to tap the local talents in Ekiti, who are familiar with the plight of the people, to develop our dear state, if elected. I believe in party supremacy. I will appoint those who helped us during the election into the executive council. I will not import people from anywhere.

“The importation of brains, to me, is of no use. There is a lot of talent in Ekiti that people can rely on, even in the PDP State Working Committee. The late Awolowo performed wonders in the old Western Region by making use of local talents, not foreigners.

“You all know the innovation I brought into Ekiti primary education in just two years, when I was the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in

Osinlu, said the claim “is untrue and aimed at misleading Nigerians”.

It reads: “The report is untrue. It is the creation of the wicked expectations of Sahara Reporters and those who pay their bills. For the avoidance of doubt, the First Lady is not an official of the Federal Government of Nigeria and is not under any obligation to be part of every foreign trip made by her husband as part of his statutory duties.

“The first family is, therefore, at liberty to determine what trips they make together. Meanwhile, the mis-

chief behind this online medium’s sudden worry that the First Lady is not part of the President’s trip abroad is betrayed by the fact that the same medium led its allied choristers to belly-ache in the past about the frequency of her presence by her husband’s side on official engagements outside the country.

“The question is: What exactly does Sahara Reporters and its sponsors want? We assure all people of goodwill in Nigeria as well as the First Lady’s well wishers beyond that this report is false. It is a wicked expectation that God has already defeated.

“The First Lady effectively

Lagos says anti-terrorism law’ll curb kidnapping

‘You all know the innovations I brought into Ekiti primary education in just two years, when I was the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Ekiti. I will replicate this and take Ekiti to a higher height, if I am elected’

Ekiti names street, civic centre, cancer centre after Olayinka

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HE Ekiti State Government has named the Civic Centre under construction after the late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

The centre is situated on a large expanse of land near the Government House in AdoEkiti, the state capital.

It will be completed by the

end of the year.

The newly constructed Atikankan-Baptist Church Road in Ado-Ekiti has been named Funmilayo Olayinka Drive.

A cancer diagnostic centre is to be built at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in memory of the late deputy governor. It

will be called the Funmilayo Olayinka Cancer Diagnostic Centre.

The centre will be built by the state government in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).

It will focus on early detection and treatment of cancer.

Fayemi: dialogue key to industrial harmony From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti. I will replicate this and take Ekiti to a higher height, if •Dr. Fayemi I am elected.”

KITI State Governor He said he would use the Kayode Fayemi has said Prince Adedayo Adeyeye dialogue is important in Movement (PAAM) to unite resolving disputes between the PDP. Adeyeye said: “I am going government and labour to unite PDP members with unions.

In a message to commemothis platform. I do not believe in sectionalism. PDP, to me, is rate the May Day, Fayemi praised workers for their conone.”

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tribution to the state’s growth.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi described workers as “important stakeholders in the implementation of his administration’s eight-point development agenda”.

Describing May Day as “an important day to celebrate workers’ liberation”, he praised labour unions for maintaining industrial peace, saying it has enhanced workers’ productivity.

The governor said his administration would build 5,000 housing units in the three senatorial districts and urged workers to avail themselves of the opportunity to own houses.

He said workers’ welfare was a priority of his administration, adding that the restoration of car and housing loans, which were stopped by the ousted administration of Mr. Segun Oni, was the first step to restore the dignity of workers.

Fayemi said Ekiti was one of the first states to implement the new minimum wage.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

THE owner states of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Osun and Oyo states, have set up a Governing Council for the institution.

In a statement, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Sunday Akere said Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) acted in accordance with the Edict of 1990, as amended.

The council is chaired by a former Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Wale Omole.

It has three representatives from each of the owner states.

Representing Osun State are Prof. Richard Olaniyan, Prof. O. Ladipo and Prof.

Moses Awogbade.

Mr. Are Abdul-Salam, Dr. Wale Okediran and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) are representing Oyo State.

Other members of the council are LAUTECH ViceChancellor Prof.

Gbadegesin Sulaimon; his deputy; three persons from the Senate; two persons from the congregation; one person from the Alumni Association and the permanent secretaries of the Education and Finance ministries of the owner states.

Akere said the institution’s Registrar is the council’s secretary.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS Ex-Governor Audu to govt: call Kogi SIEC to order From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

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ORMER Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu yesterday urged the government to caution the state Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) for its alleged plan to frustrate the conduct of the forthcoming local government election in the state.

Addressing reporters in his home in Lokoja, the state capital, Audu said: “Security information reaching us has exposed the state electoral commission that it has concluded plan to starve some local government areas of election materials.

Prominent among them are my own local government, Ofu, as well as Lokoja, Ijumu and Adavi.

“These are the possible areas they feel they may lose out and, therefore, deny the people election materials. They will announce the result afterward.”

The former governor also contested the last governorship election under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its dignity before the electorate.

Kwara doctors protest insecurity From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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EMBERS of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday marched through some streets in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during their protest against growing insecurity in the state.

The peaceful procession, which lasted about three hours, was also in honour of one of their members, Dr. Adewumi Ariyo, who was murdered two weeks ago in his Basin home by unknown gunmen.

Dubbed: A Solemn March, the peaceful protest comprised doctors from public and private health institutions in the state capital.

The protesters marched through the Government House, Deputy Governor’s Office, Police Headquarters and the Ministry of Health. They demanded a safety assurance from the government in its duties to the society.

Rights Commission plans independent probe of Baga killings T HE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it will probe the recent killings in Baga community of Borno State.

The commission said the probe would ascertain the actual casualty figures, those involved in the violence and its cause.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Chairman Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, the NHRC expressed concerns about the unending violence in the Northeast and the failure of relevant government agencies to provide reliable information on the state of affairs.

The commission said it was relying on the NHRC Act,

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

which empowers it to conduct such probes and make appropriate recommendations to the President and the National Assembly.

It sought the assistance of all levels of governments, relevant agencies and individuals on the matter.

The statement reads: “While the exact identities of the parties involved, what triggered this incident, the specifications of ordinance that may have been deployed and the number of casualties remain

unclear, it seems that an incident of humanitarian and human rights significance occurred, resulting in fatalities.

“To understand what happened, it is necessary to undertake an independent and credible assessment of the situation in the affected locations.

“As an independent and statutory national institution for the protection of human rights, the NHRC has a responsibility to undertake this assessment. For this purpose, we are undertaking separate consultations with relevant agencies as well as people from the

affected communities.

“An assessment will also involve a visit to the affected communities. The commission also proposes to monitor and undertake an assessment of the wider humanitarian situation in the Northeast of Nigeria.

“Sections 5 (b)-(e) and 6(1) of the amended NHRC Act requires the Commission in such situations, to undertake investigations, assessments or studies and address recommendations to the President, the National Assembly or any other institution on what may be

•Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (second right), accompanied by members of the State Executive Council (Exco), inspecting El-Kanemi Shopping Complex, which was gutted by fire in Maiduguri...on Monday.

Youths attack NAFDAC DG, others in Benue

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ROTESTING youths have attacked the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, and other officials of the agency in Benue State.

The attack occurred at the agency’s destruction site on the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM)/Gbajima Road, on the outskirts of Makurdi, the state capital.

NAFDAC was planning to

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

destroy some fake and expired products at the site when the youths invaded the area.

They alleged that the fumes from the fire during the destruction of confiscated products constitute a hazard to their health.

The protesters said several residents had become ill after inhaling the fumes, adding that expectant mothers

had miscarriages any time NAFDAC destroyed confiscated items in the area.

NAFDAC officials had poured fuel on the heap of expired items and were waiting for Governor Gabriel Suswam to set fire to the items when the youths and women, armed with sticks and placards, stormed the site and chase Dr Orhii and other officials away.

Some of NAFDAC officials’ vehicles were smashed.

The scene became rowdy as everyone scampered for safety.

Spokesperson for the protesting youths, Udom Francis, told reporters that they would no longer allow toxic wastes to cause harm to the residents.

Udoma said burning of expired drugs has contaminated the only source of water in the area, resulting in the death of livestocks. It has also caused rashes and body itching among the residents.

Kogi ex-commissioner joins ACN

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FORMER Kogi State Commissioner for Information in the Ibrahim Idris administration, Dr. Tom Ohikere, has defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Ac-

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

tion Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ohikere was also the Chairman, Sub-Committee on Logistics of Capt Idris Wada’s campaign organisation during the last governorship election in the state.

Addressing reporters at the home of former Governor Abukakar Audu in Lokoja, the state capital, the former commissioner said the level of decadence in Kogi Central Senatorial District, where he hails from, spurred him into defecting to the ACN. According to him, the Wada administration is parading those who have nothing to of-

fer Ebira people except trouble. He said: “You are all aware that the central zone of the state, where I come from, has been painted with all sorts of negative names. But behold, the governor is still parading these people, who have caused the bad names, in his government.

“That is why I decided to make this choice to join the progressive party which I believe will turn the fortune of the state around very soon.”

On the insinuation in some quarters that he was defecting because the Wada administration had abandoned him Ohikere stressed that since the government was working with those he called less intelligent individuals, he had to join the

party that appreciates him.

The politician, however, affirmed that though the PDP contributed to his political career, he too had done so much for the party and its government.

Ohikere urged other PDP members who share the same ideology with him to join the ACN. Audu hailed the former commissioner for joining the progressive party.

He said the party would work with him to develop the state. The former governor said politics has been in the blood of the Ohikere’s family, adding that he was not surprised at the political progress of the former commissioner.

‘Zamfara N800m lead poison remediation project In a statement yesterday in BOUT 300 compounds, ready soon’ Abuja by the Deputy Director, representing 75 per cent

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of lead contaminated houses in Bagega village of Zamfara State, have been remediated, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, has said.

The minister said the project cost the Federal Government about N800 million, adding that it has made it possible for contaminated homes to become habitable.

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Receiving members of the Good Governance Tour, led by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, as well as Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, the minister said the work involved sequential and mechanical removal of exposed surfaces.

Press and Public Relations, Lawrence Ojabo, the minister said the work was consistent with international best practices and of the highest possible standards.

She added that technical expertise and supervision was provided by Messrs Terra Graphics Consultants in partnership with Medicines Sans frontiers (msf).

Leadership journalists arraigned in Abuja •Granted N500,000 bail, a surety each From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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HE Federal Government yesterday arraigned two journalists with the Leadership Newspapers in Abuja.

But Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted each of them them bail with N500,000 and a surety.

They were arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and publication of false information.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Justice Adeniyi granted bail to Tony Amokeodo, the paper’s Group News Editor and Chibuzor Ukaibe, the Political Correspondent.

Both sureties, the judge held, must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must also have legitimate means of livelihood.

Prior to the arraignment, the court ruled that because of the recent Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Ralph Nwazurike and others, the accused were not entitled to witness statements before their trial would begin.

Following the court’s ruling, which granted the accused bail, defence lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said he was challenging the competence of the charge and the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge told the parties that the defence could not raise an objection at this stage. He ordered the defence to formally file an application to that effect.

Justice Adeniyi adjourned the matter till May 16 for further hearing.

Sterling Bank’s Sketchamania grand finale rocks UNILAG

By Mercy Michael

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OLLOWING months of scouting the nation’s tertiary institutions for budding designers, Sterling Bank Plc has held the grand finale of its fashion competition, Sterling Bank Sketchamania Challenge for undergraduates.

Held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and compered by comediansAkpororo and Deza, the event featured a high dose of comedy, music and fashion.

Among the contestants were Ayodeji Balogun (Yabatech), Sipe Olanrewaju (UNILAG), Stephen Wayne (UNILAG), Kayode Arigbede (UNIL:AG), Amina odey (Radford University), Anyogu Enefelicia (UNN), Aimanoshi Dania (UNILAG), Kayode Durosimi-Etti, Seyi Adegoke (UNILAG) as well as Stavely Temidayo (Yabatech).

The competition, according to the bank’s Group Head of Strategy and Communications, Shina Atilola, was held to discover and celebrate the creativity of the Nigerian youth.

“The name Sterling Bank simply symbolises excellence and standing out...”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS

Council elections free and fair, says Oshiomhole

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday declared that the April 20 local government election was the freest and fairest ever in the state.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Oshiomhole said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was victorious because he and some patriots destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) rigging machine.

Stating that he believes in the oneman-one-vote principle, the governor said the people voted for ACN because of the progress and infrastructural development in the state.

According to him, many PDP leaders and members have joined the ACN as they now realise it is possible to conduct a free and fair election under the ACN platform.

Oshiomhole said: “Well, the first question to ask is who is complaining? If a robber is complaining of being robbed, it is your choice as to how much weight to place on his complaints.

“The history of rigging election in Nigeria is as old as PDP. It has lived on it, it has perpetuated it, it has deepened it, it has feasted on it, and it has even celebrated it.

“I thank God He used me and all

PDP accused of recruiting thugs as students

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has raised the alarm on plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to recruit thugs who he said would pose as students to protest delayed payment of bursary and scholarship.

Oshiomhole said the “students” held a clandestine meeting at the Student Union Government (SUG) building, University of Benin and threatened to mobilise other “students” to protest after a seven-day ultimatum to the government expires.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said the payment of bursary was not a “birthright” as the “students” claim.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said it was not compulsive on a state as there are several states, which do not pay.

Oshiomhole warned that his administration was aware of those behind the move, adding that they were under surveillance by security agencies.

The governor said security agencies were on the alert to deal with anyone or group, which tries to foment trouble under the guise of bursary awards and scholarships.

PDP Publicity Secretary Matthew Urhoghide described the allegations as a ruse, saying the students were not card-carrying members of the party.

•’Rigging synonymous with PDP’ From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

other patriots to dismantle the PDP’s rigging machine in Edo State. And do recall that July 14, last year, I contested election in Edo State and I won in all the 18 local governments, including Chief Tony Anenih’s local government. I defeated him in his local government; I defeated him in his ward.

“Mike Onolomemeh, the Minister of Works, I defeated him in his polling booth, I defeated him in his ward. Itulah, the lawmaker, I defeated him in his ward; I defeated him in his unit.

“Where are the PDP guys? This is the end of the PDP godfatherism.

So, God has used us to dismantle it, if it is evil, it can’t stand.”

He continued: “After that election, more and more people have joined the ACN because they were completely demoralised. When they joined, they said when a child keeps failing, a responsible person will say my friend go and learn work, ‘e be like say your brain is not good for this kind book work.’ So the truth is more people have left PDP. “Now, we conducted local government elections. The only reason

it can be an issue is because we chose to fight on the side of democracy because that has been our lives.

“When some of these guys who are feasting on the system today were embedded in the military, we were on the streets demanding democracy and therefore for us, it is not a choice that we launch the campaign of one-man-one-vote, we need it and without it Nigeria’s democracy is not on.

“And so when they are talking, I ask them a simple question and you can ask them, who among those talking came to Edo State to cam-

paign?

“Edo people are not fools, how will they vote for rogues? People whose philosophy is share the money. Those days are gone. All they have tried to do in this election is clear and that is what I went to tell the President.

“They tried to create the impression of a state that was out of control. They tried to use some criminals, some armed gangs to create trouble here and there and the police were looking the other way.”

Oshiomhole continued: “Of course, since I had this altercation with the police over the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde and the shoddy investigation that they did, I am not the police’s best friend.

“But I don’t need to be best friend with the police. What I need is to be loved and appreciated by the Edo people. And when Edo people are on, no force external to Edo can rig the election and that is what has happened.

“Now look at the contradiction. I have seen them, yesterday I watched NTA, Itulah was saying that the election conducted in Esan East Local Government was the best ever and that the result should be announced.

“But the same people are saying that the election conducted is a sham.

How do you reconcile that?”

Two die, 12 injured in road crash

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WO persons have been confirmed dead in an accident at Igiedma village on the Benin-Auchi Expressway.

The accident, which involved a 14-seater Toyota Hiace bus and lorry, happened at about 4:45am.

Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Iruekpen, Udeme Eshiet said 12 others were injured in the accident.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Udeme said the bus was going to Benin from the North and that it seems to be travelling all night.

He said the bus hit the lorry from behind and swerved into the bush.

Udeme said the victims have been taken to an undisclosed hospital.

Okada rider to hang for robbery From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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•Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke (left) Lagos State Governor‘s wife, Dame Abimbola Fashola (second left), Duke’s wife Onari and Senior Adviser, Enterprise Value Chain Competitiveness Hong Siew Lim during the 2013 Global Roundtable on Supply Chain Management held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

JTF captures militant camp after bloody shootout

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HE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, has captured a militant camp, allegedly being rebuilt by a faction of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Warri, Delta State.

The camp was destroyed after a gunfight between the militants and troops of the 19 Battalion attached to the JTF in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government.

One of the armed youths was arrested while some people were feared dead.

A former leader of MEND in the area, ‘General’ Ezekiel Akpasibowei aka Egbema 1, told our reporter that the camp was operated by criminals and disgruntled politicians, who wanted more control of the local government and access to unhindered illegal bunkering operations.

He said the group was also responsible for criminal ac-

•Militants ‘raze’ buildings, threaten more bloodshed From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

tivities, including attacks on expectant mothers and children.

“As the leader of this area, we do not have militants; what we have are criminals posing as agitators. All the genuine militants have undergone non-violence training.”

He said the group had fingered him and prominent Ijaw youth leaders in the area for elimination, stressing that they invaded a Zion (village) in Egbema clan on Monday night and razed three buildings, including those of Apostle Sunny Jero, Vice Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Development Foundation.

That report could not be independently confirmed by our reporter.

Security sources said the directive to storm the camp came from the highest au-

thority in the Armed Forces.

“The top military officers are worried that the region could be slipping back into militancy, criminality and all sorts of vices.

“We cannot allow this at a time we are battling Boko Haram in the North”, our source added.

It was gathered that the ammunition and explosives were recovered from the camp, which was rigged with explosives and various booby traps.

The clash came on the heels of a fresh crisis in the Southern Ijaw and Nember areas of neighboring Bayelsa State, which led to the killing of 12 policemen and abduction of at least nine oil workers in the past few days.

The Commanding Officer, 19 Brigade of Sector 1, Lt. Col Frank Etim, said troops moved in obedience to a directive from the topmost echelon of the military.

He said prior to the Sunday

clash, troops of the Task Force had intelligence report on the presence of the camp in Adagbrasa/ Itagbene area of Warri North Local Government.

However, Lt. Col. Etim said operators of the camp were responsible for the abduction of three workers of the oil surveillance team on routine duty on the Benin River.

He said the group behind the camp had been involved in kidnapping, political upheaval, oil bunkering, sea piracy and blockade of the Benin River.

Speaking on how the camp was captured, the top army officer said the militants set several traps, including felling heavy logs on the waterways to evade arrest and to enable them escape.

Etim said the camp was eventually set ablaze after hours of sporadic gun battle between troops and the militants in the creek.

USTICE O.A Omamogho of Isiokolo High Court, Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State has sentenced to death by hanging a 25-year-old commercial motorcycle rider, Etenuwoma Oghenero, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and robbery.

The convict, with others now at large, allegedly robbed a transporter, Felix Itirikpe, on January 30, 2010 at Okurekpe village, Kokori.

Justice Omamogho held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt ingredients of the offence at which the accused was charged.

The convict was thereafter pronounced guilty of the twocount charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery and sentenced to the maximum punishment as stipulated in Section 6 (b) and 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provisions) Act Cap R11 Volume 14 laws of Nigeria 2004, which is death by hanging.

Disbandment of task force on illegal arms unlawful, says court

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has blamed the Federal Government for the increased proliferation of arms across the country.

The court presided over by Justice Elvis Chukwu held that the disbandment of the National Task Force against illegal importation and Smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons, was unlawful.

Justice Chukwu, in a judgmeny yesterday, setaside a directive that was issued by the Nigerian Customs in 2011 disbanding the task force on the ground that such action was not only inimical to national security, but also breached the rules of natural justice.

The judge dismissed the objections filed by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Security Adviser (NSA). The respondents

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

challenged the competence of the suit on grounds that the applicants, led by its Chairman, Osita Okereke, failed to declare any reasonable cause of action.

The applicants had approached the court and prayed it to determine whether the action of the NSA in disbanding the national task force which was inaugurated by the Federal Government on July 16, 2010, sequel to an allegation that was leveled against it by Custom authorities, without granting the organisation fair hearing, was not illegal, unconstitutional and null and void.

The claim the Customs had alleged that the organization attempted to usurp its duties by trailing and seizing several containers containing arms that were illegally imported into Nigeria.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2013

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NEWS

Okorocha returns amid jubilation •Gives N200,000 to driver

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HERE was widespread jubilation in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday, following the return of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was flown abroad for medical treatment.

On April 19, the governor’s convoy collided with a Mercedes Benz on the Orlu/ Owerri road.

Gaily-dressed women and youths, who converged on strategic locations, danced and praised God for the governor’s safe return.

Addressing reporters at the Government House, Okorocha, who was flanked by members of the State Executive Council and party supporters, said he was hale and hearty.

The governor announced a donation of N200, 000 to the driver of the car that rammed into his convoy, Osita

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Nnewuihe.

Okorocha thanked all who prayed for his recovery; he advised motorists to be cautious and careful.

“I am back and I am hale and hearty, I learnt the police arrested the driver of the car but I am happy that he has been released on bail.

“No charges will be pressed against him, even though investigations showed that he has no driver’s licence.

“I have forgiven him and I am making a donation of N200, 000 to him to repair his car.

“I am happy to be back. I had to travel to re-examine the extent of injuries I sustained and the doctors have certified me fit.

“Let me reassure the good people of Imo State that there is nothing wrong with me be-

•Okorocha with members of the Executive Council...yesterday. INSET Okorocha hugging Nnewuihe cause the doctors thoroughly examined me and said I am now okay.”

Nnewuihe, who thanked Okorocha for his magnanimity, said: “When the incident occurred I never knew it was

the governor who was involved.

“I was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where I was admitted but later security operatives invaded the hospital and took me away

APGA crisis: Judge adjourns till May 13

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HE Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday witnessed another stormy session when the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh, brought an application seeking to be joined as a party in the suit filed by Charles Nwazojie.

Justice M.T Salihu adjourned the matter till May 15.

Umeh sought to be joined for himself and on behalf of the elected members of the ward, local governments and

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

state executive committees of the party against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector General of Police and Anambra State Commissioner of Police.

But Chidi Obieze, the counsel for the factional chairman, Maxi Okwu and the factional state chairman Egwuoyibo Okoye, filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court in handling the matter.

Nwazojie went to court to stop the recognition of Okwu, Okoye and others elected during the purported congress of the party held in Awka by a faction of the party.

At the resumed hearing, Justice Salihu took arguments on the issue pending interlocutory applications of joinder, jurisdiction and legal representation for APGA. Umeh‘s counsel P.I.N Ikwueto (SAN) argued that his application should be heard first in the interest of

fair hearing for his client.

He said the outcome of the case would affect his client.

But Obieze, who argued that his application be heard first, said it was trite in law that an application dealing with jurisdiction should be given priority.

Also speaking on behalf of Umeh’s APGA, Kingsley Awuka, who claimed he was briefed by Umeh, said his application was very important and urgent as there was need for APGA to have a proper representation.

after they told me I collided with the governor’s convoy.

“Today, I thank God that the governor is back and in good health, it was not intentional.”

Deputy Governor Eze

Madumere said: “I am relieved that my boss is back.

Even though the affairs of the state did not suffer any set back during his absence, it is still a huge relief to have him back.”

Enugu ACN holds congress From Chris Oji, Enugu

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ARTH Ugwoke has emerged the Enugu State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ugwoke was elected at the State Congress, which was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Uche Ogbu emerged as secretary.

The State Congress Committee chairman and former member, House of Representatives, Uche Onyeagocha, said the party’s National Executive Council mandated the four-man congress committee to conduct the congress for the election of state officers, ward and local government officers.

He dismissed the allegation that there was an injunction against members of the committee, saying that there was no injunction against holding the congress.

MAY DAY CELEBRATION

Be practical, Oshiomhole tells NLC

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to lament the situation in the country but to practically engage the government.

According to him, it is impossible to persuade the oppressors to stop oppressing the masses.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa yesterday, he said freedom for the people can only come when there is a resolution for labour to stand on its feet.

He said: “I like to remind NLC to use this opportunity to remind workers that it is not a time for lamentation, it is a time for engagement, practical engagement.

“So my comment to NLC and to Organised Labour is to recognise that we cannot persuade the oppressors to stop oppressing.

“We cannot persuade the exploiter to stop exploitation. We can engage them, we can terminate them, we can weaken their capacity and we can get freedom when we resolve to stand on our feet.

“When we remember that the union makes us strong then we can build a new world from the ashes of the old.

“Well, it’s a struggle, you

Chime greets workers From Chris Oji, Enugu

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•’I can’t be intimidated’ From Augustine Ehikioya and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

know, I mean there is no question that things could be better.”

“You know people who don’t work who are making money are still too many.

You know there are difficulties in reconciling efforts with reward.

“Those who work the hardest can hardly feed. And those who are not working have so much.”

Oshiomhole also said the protesters of the April 20 local government elections are attempting to oppress him with Federal Government apparatus.

He spoke at the pre-May Day Symposium of Nige-

rian Centenary May Day Celebration at Abuja, where he said he had attended a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.

“First I apologise to Mr. Chairman for obviously disrupting the last speakers’ presentation. It wasn’t intended.

“I had to go and see Oga at the top in the Villa before coming here. Of course, when it comes to Oga at the top it has to take precedence.”

The governor said despite the uprising of protesters , he can neither be intimidated nor oppressed.

Oshiomhole said he deployed his skills acquired from labour struggle to de-

NUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime has said dialogue and consultation remain the best means of resolving disputes between workers and their employers.

Chime, who spoke to Organised Labour, said since both groups need each other, their interests and aspirations could only be served and fulfilled in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.

He praised the harmonious relationship between his administration and labour, saying the partnershiphad helped to bring about a positive and remarkable change in the social and economic life of the people.

Police in Kano strengthen security From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano •Oshiomhole

feat his opponents ,who held sway in the state’s politics and saw themselves as invincible.

According to him, those former political tin gods are only operational in Abuja, where they seek to use federal might to oppress him.

Lagos NUJ calls for workers’ security

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HE Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to protect workers in the face of growing insecurity in the country.

It urged federal and state governments to ensure prompt payment of salaries, including the 22 percent Weigh-in Allowance for journalists.

The Council urged the private sector to also pay workers promptly to avoid industrial disharmony.

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

In their goodwill message to workers, the Chairman, Deji Elumoye and the Secretary, Sylva Emeka-Okereke, described as serious, the growing insecurity in the country.

“Nigeria is losing its best workers to other neigbouring countries due to insecurity in the country and if urgent steps are not taken to address the heightening situation, the country might be very unsafe for Nigerians and by extension, workers.”

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ECURITY has been strengthened in the ancient city of Kano for a smooth Workers’ Day celebration.

The Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, said the measure was to ensure that life and property are secured.

He said the step taken by the Command is to ensure that the Workers’ Day celebration is hitch and violence-free.

Daura said: “The Command is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to ensure adequate protection to life and property.

“We have deployed policemen to strategic locations in the city.”

Daura warned trouble makers to stay out of the streets or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

Enugu workers honour Speaker, two others From Chris Oji, Enugu

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NUGU State workers have presented awards to the Speaker, Eugene Odoh, a retired civil servant, Mazi Abed Onuaguluchi and a company, Emenite Limited.

The awards, which came after a pre-May Day lecture, were conferred on the recipients for their role in fighting the cause of the workers.

A lecture entitled: “Quality Leadership, a Vital Tool for Vibrant Trade Unionism in Nigeria” was delivered by the former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Dr. Jude Udenta.

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HE TORO Local Government Area of Bauchi State is currently harbouring about 48, 475 internally displaced persons, the council’s chairman, Committee on Internally Displaced Persons,Mr Abdullahi Musa-Garkuwa, has said.

The chairman told journalists in Magama Gumau that 47,000 of them were victims from the Jos and Kaduna crises.

Musa-Garkuwa said the victims were resettled by the state government in 53 settlements within the council between 2010 and 2013.

Musa-Garkuwa said the council had in the last two weeks received 1,475 persons, mostly women and children, whose husbands were killed in the recent crisis in Bokkos, Plateau State.

He added that Governor Isa Yuguda had allocated a large expanse of land for the resettlement of victims at Kara layout in Magama-Gumau.

Musa-Garkuwa said that each of the victims was given building materials which included three bundles of roofing sheets.

Council hosts internally displaced persons

Sultan reassures on polio vaccine

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Bauchi According to him, the council has enrolled 300 women and 400 children in schools.

The chairman called on philanthropists and other organisations to assist the victims, especially the orphans.

He said that most of the orphans and those who could not afford the N100 school fees had stopped going to school.

Salihu Eggi, the Chairman, Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, who fled Bokkos, told newsmen at one of the camps in Tilde Fulani that he fled three weeks ago.

Eggi claimed that he lost 37 members of his

• Governor Yuguda family during the Bokkos crisis and that five others were still missing.

•Sokoto State Governor Aliku Wamakko inaugurating trucks procured by the state government for state transport authority.

Kogi harvests rice in commercial quantity

Monarch seeks respect for royal fathers

According to the governor, the state government, in partnership with some investors, will soon establish rice mills in the state, while branded rice from the farm will in no time flood markets in the country.

He said that agriculture remained the best option for the country to overcome the challenges posed by unemployment and insecurity.

The governor in the statement, praised the Federal Government for assisting the state with cash, improved seedlings and other inputs.

Wada also lauded the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for his personal interest in the accelerated rice production programme.

He said that experts from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture were already in the state to assist, especially in warding off birds threaten-

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HE Onitire of Itire, Lagos State, Oba Lateef Abayomi Dauda, has condemned last week’s humiliation of the paramount ruler of Ado-Odo in Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Abdulateef Adeniran Akanni.

Oba Akanni was abducted at gun point at about 8 am on April 15, in his car at Ido Oniporogun Junction, Ado-Odo by yet to be identified gunmen.He was manhandled, stripped naked and dragged on the floor into a market square. Timely intervention of a police patrol team prevented the unruly mob from setting him ablaze.

Onitire added: “This is an action that offends the gods of our land, the age-long tradition of Yorubaland and a desecration of

our culture. Consequently, we condemn in strong terms those who were in a position to prevent this ugly situation but looked the other way.

The monarch , who revealed that Itire has a semblance of history with Ado-Odo, especially Itire Ile village in Ado-Odo, called on the Ogun State government, the Ogun State Council of Obas, the police authority, the entire people of Ogun State and all concerned to ensure that those who carried out the dastardly act are made to face the full weight of the law. “ I hereby call on all Obas in Yorubaland to rise up against the sacrilege on our culture and tradition”, the Onitire said.

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OGI State government says it has begun the harvest of rice in commercial quantity at its Ukomi site in Lokoja, according to a statement.

The statement said that in view of the harvest at the 1,500 hectare farm, all flood plains would soon be converted to a rice farm.

The statement quoted Governor Idris Wada as saying that the harvest had marked the beginning of the end of Nigeria’s dependence on imported rice.

“Government would take advantage of the vast land along the rivers Niger and Benue to engage unemployed youths in rice farming.

“The government will soon purchase farming equipment and address issues of land ownership and other challenges facing the project,” Wada was quoted as saying.

Council presents budget

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HE Chairman of Ipokia Local Government Area in Ogun State, Hon Isiaq Wale Aderounmu, has presented a budget of N1.041b to the legislative arm.

Presenting the proposal, Aderounmu reiterated the determination of his administration to improve the living standard of the residents through the provision of social infrastructures in all the 12 wards that make the council.

The budget tagged: Budget of Good Beginning showed a marginal increase of over N8 million more than that of last year, out of which the projected internally generated revenue was put at N49millio while the expected Statutory Allocation from the Federation Account was put at N846,659,205.90. The balance of N145,998,683.40 is expected to be sourced from Value Added Tax (VAT).

Speaking during the budget presentation which was attended by the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, other traditional rulers from within and outside the council, as well as top political functionaries and captains of indus-

try, the council chief revealed that the budget had been packaged to enhance even distribution of people–oriented projects across the local government area.

He added that his administration would focus more on road development and drainage, electrification of rural areas, construction and rehabilitation of primary schools, provision of potable water, agricultural services and livestock production, cheap, affordable and efficient healthcare delivery system, among others.

The chairman further explained that out of the estimated capital expenditure of N239 million, construction of roads and bridges got the lion share of N115,650m followed by health and agricultural sectors with votes of N49.9m and N35million respectively.

He, disclosed that the success of the budget depended largely on the projected increase in receipts from Federation Account and the internally-generated revenue of the council.

He therefore urged residents to pay their taxes, levies and other statutory rates promptly.

•Hon Aderounmu (right )presenting the budget to the Leader of the Legislative arm

Kogi ing the harvest.

The Managing Director of the state’s Agricultural Development Programme,Dr Ameh Onoja, said that the rice being harvested was planted in December, 2012.

Onoja said that other rice farms in KotonKarfe, Sarki Noma and Ukomi Phase Two, being cultivated on more than 4, 000 hectares of land, would be harvested in June.

Lawmaker lifts constituents

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ESIDENTS of Ikorodu, a Lagos State suburb expressed their happiness as their representative in the member representing them at the House of Representatives, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa inaugurated water projects in the area.

Dabiri, who provided drinking water in nine communities; including Ijede, Ikorodu, Solomade, Imota, Aga, Mowonla, Igbopa, Agura, Igangbe and Okoitan, described the development as part of her promises to ensure that residents enjoy dividends of democracy.

The beneficiaries were represented at the inauguration of the projects by leaders of the respective communities. One of the community leaders and the chairman of Community Development Association (CDA) in Agura, Chief Saliu Olanrewaju Erubami, described Dabiri-Erewa as “a worthy Ambassador,” saying the last time they had such project from their representative in that community was 21 years ago.

He said: “We have never regretted voting for her and her party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It was when we voted for her to represent us in the House of Representatives that we started enjoying dividends of democracy. We also want to call on other political office holders to emulate the generosity and selfless service exhibited by the lawmaker.”

Also speaking, a community leader in Igbonpa, Pastor Olohunlomotito Stephen, said Dabiri-Erewa had proved beyond doubt that she is worthy of emulation.

“She has shown the whole world that she is

By Jeremiah Oke

worthy to be celebrated judged from the way she had taken the welfare of our community in terms of social infrastructure seriously. She had demonstrated this in many ways. One of the ways is the one we are inaugurating today, as well as the way she represented us in the House of Representatives. Dabiri has demonstrated how a people’s representative should carry their constituencies along.”

Alhaja Fausat Amoke Taiwo, a resident of Ijede, praised Hon. Dabiri for her effort to take development to the doorsteps of the masses in her constituency. He urged her to facilitate more projects in Ikorodu Division.

In her response, the Hon. Dabiri-Erewa explained that the total number of boreholes sunk in the areas were 15 out of which nine were ready for inauguration. She said: “Right now, 15 transformers have been installed across the communities awaiting energising by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PCHN).”

She further explained that “no member of the House handles money for projects,” saying “what we do is to table the needs of our people and lobby for their execution without being involved or determine who the contractors should be.”

In addition to that, she disclosed that “it is the duty of the communities to prioritise their needs out of which we would pick the most pressing ones,” just as she said that “it is also the communities that would pick where the projects would be sited without the interference of their representatives in the House.”

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appealed to parents to allow their children to be immunised with the polio vaccine because it is safe.

Abubakar made the appeal in Sokoto at the launch of audio and video songs on polio, organised by the Rima FM Listeners Friendship Association, Sokoto.

The Sultan, who was represented by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mera, also said intensive researches had been conducted on the vaccine and it was found to be very safe.

“We wouldn’t have accepted it if the vaccine is not safe. NAFDAC also certifies all the batches of the vaccine imported into the country,’’ he said.

In his speech, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State praised the association for the gesture.

“The effort will help in further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio and the need to eradicate it,’’ the governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculure, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said.

Wamakko, who also noted the efforts of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Polio and Routine Immunisation, urged the group to sustain the tempo.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Ali Pate who spoke through Alhaji Ado Abdullahi, reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to wiping out polio from the country.

Pate, however, cautioned against politicising the campaign against polio by

Council chair praises governor

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HE Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan has praised Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for giving priority attention to school rehabilitation in lgbo -Owu School Complex and Itire community, all in Mushin Local Government Area.

Adepitan said: “Last year, during a windstorm that affected buildings and public institutions, the school structures within these communities were seriously affected. The students were learning under a very harsh condition. “Many parents withdrew their children from public schools owing to the fact that the school buildings were terrible. Today, Iam the happiest person because, after the completion of these structures, many students will come back to our schools. “When the news got to me that the state government was coming to the rescue of the students, the

Conference • Hon. Dabiri-Erewa (second left) inaugurating one of the projects

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THE Zoe Ministries Worldwide will begin its five-day Prophetic and Miracle Conference today. The theme of the conference is Miracle Extravaganza and venue is 25, Jimoh Odutola Street, Iganmu-Orile, Lagos State.

Speaking on the programme, the chief host, Dr Patrick Anwuzia, said this year’s programme will witness miracles and wonders and will be an experience to remember for a long time to come.

Other highlights include prayer session, counselling, deliverance hour and lots more.

teachers, parents and the community, it gladdened my heart. “These are secondary school projects that the councils do not have constitutional powers to dable into. But the interest of these students are of paramount importance to us as a responsible government.

“In Mushin, the only thing we can do to bring about rapid growth and development is to provide environment conducive to teaching and learning for these students so that they can stay in their classrooms. As a government, we are desirous of encouraging these youths to stay and learn in school.

“Hooliganism, gangsterism, thuggery can only come to an end when the youths are educated,an educated society is an enlightened society.

“The structural designs of these buildings are a beauty to behold. They will definitely encourage our children to stay in school. This is a dream come true. The structures have enough toilets, staff-rooms and others. Two, 18-classroom blocks are not mean projects. In Igbo-Owu and Itire areas that need them most.

He said that the local government will work with other relevant agencies in order to provide an alternative accommodation for the students in the primary schools, even as he pleaded with the contractors to adhere strictly to the completion plans. “We shall ensure that the contractors do not have any challenge in the course of their jobs,” he said.

Chief Abiola Sapper, the contractor handling the Igbo-Owu Secondary School project appealed to the chairman to speak with the youth so that the contractors will not be disturbed, harassed or molested in the course of doing their jobs.

Sokoto some Nigerians and commended NTLC for its sustained efforts.

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Mohammed, expressed delight that no polio case had been recorded in the state this year.

Mohammed, who spoke through Shehu Abdulganiyu, said the agency was making frantic efforts together with all the stakeholders to fully eradicate polio from Nigeria.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji Nasiru Labaran, explained that the songs were produced with a view to further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio.

• Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111

Minister woos investors

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HE Minister of State for Trade and Investments, Mr Samuel Ortom, has recently led a delegation to the People’s Republic of China to woo investors.

Ortom’s move is part of the ministry’s effort to ensure that the country is totally industrialised in accordance with Vision 2020.

It was gathered that during the visit, China-Africa Invest, a trade and commerce institution, organised groups of top Chinese businessmen and manufacturers to meet with the minister and make presentations.

Newsextra gathered that after the minister’s presentation and submissions, about 18 companies indicated in-

By Jude Isiguzo

terest in visiting Nigeria to establish manufacturing bases and offices.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the representatives of the Nigerian government led by Ortom and some Chinese business concerns to transfer technical skills and open manufacturing base in the country.

One of the top businessmen in China, Mr Festus Uzoh Mbisiogu, the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Diamond Logistics, praised the minister and his group for their painstaking efforts to boost business development in Nigeria and promised to work with the ministry to boost the industrialisation of the country.

•From left: Mr Philip lyortyer; Mr James Jirgba; Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Trade and Invetsments,Mr Steve Amasa ; Mr Ortom and members of Chinese delegation during the visit.

Church holds three-day programme

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HE Kings in Christ Ministries International will hold a three-day healing programme, Greater than Bethsaida Pool at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos from May 9 to May 11.

Speaking with journalists on the programme, the presiding minister of the church, Pastor Chidi Anthony said it is a spiritual assignment directed by God. “It is a vision that God gave to me. In that revelation, I saw that many people are held in chains and Lord said to me, ‘these ones are in bondage, go and liberate them.’ I asked God how? And the Lord said.

“Tell them that something greater than the pool of Bethsaida is here. Son, tell those people that something greater than the pool is here and I will locate them,” he said.

Asked why the programme has to take place at the National Stadium, he said: “Last year when we had the maiden edition of this annual event, people from USA, Europe, Asia and all over Africa were in attendance. Lots of them were healed and delivered of different bondages that held them down for long. Then it was held • Hon. Adepitan being introduced to the contractor handling the construction of the 18-class- in our modest auditorium on Osolo Way, room block at Itire Secondary School Engr. Oriade Isaac by Arch Latifat Afolabi Ogungbesan Ajao Estate. But this time round, that

venue cannot contain us any longer. That is why this year’s Greater than Bethsaida Pool will be held at the National Stadium, Lagos.

On the highlights of the programme, he said: “We will be paying attention to counseling and ministration. All they need to do is get their seat reservations. There will be free transport to guarantee easy access to and from the venue. Ministering are great men of God such as Apostle Paul Winners from South Africa, Apostle G e n t l e Shedrack from Port Harcourt, Apostle Paul Aniekwe, Rev. M a r t i n s Inyiaka, Rev Ogboso Ejindu, Rev. P.N. Anwuizia and guest artistes Evangelist Dan Ike and Redemption Voice of Kings in Christ Power Ministry.

•Pastor Chidi

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Tackling infection

Big Brother wants to watch you •FG will invade the citizens’ privacy with new Internet Surveillance platform

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ECURITY, which is the noble art of saving the world from itself, is no doubt, the greatest worry of mankind today, if we refrain from labelling it a scourge. In the name of ‘security’, humongous amounts of funds are disbursed annually across nations; monies often spent under the table, unaccounted for and unaccountable, again for reasons of security.

In the name of ‘security’, citizens’ rights and freedoms are curtailed and even trampled. Such is the paradox of security in the modern day’s world: huge funds that would help elevate society and mitigate undesirable human conditions are shovel down the nebulous tunnel of security. The mass of law-abiding citizens are often the ones caught in the crossfire of ‘security operations’.

This is the situation in Nigeria today and it is a terrifically bad example to cite. She is beset by insecurity of the armed and violent kind; one that her minders neither comprehend nor capable to manage.

Thus the security (or insecurity) situation in Nigeria is so peculiar that it cuts a picture of a blind-folded giant fighting crazy in all directions. Just a few days ago in the border town of Baga, Borno State, Nigeria reaped the long-foretold result of fighting ‘insecurity’ with guns and mortars – indiscriminate killings that made victims of both the villains and the innocent alike in an unrestrained killing field.

While the Federal Government and indeed the world is still baffled by the Baga baggage, yet another move has been made to undermine a mass of the popu-

lace in a seemingly benign but far more devastating manner. Nigeria’s government is said to have awarded a $40 million contract to an Israeli firm to build an internet surveillance platform in Nigeria.

The very contract, its scope, terms and implications for the man on the street is shrouded in secrecy and obviously – for security reasons. Security, especially in an undeveloped environment like Nigeria’s seems to have the capacity to kill and heal equally.

Concerned Nigerians and rights groups have expressed worry that this technology which is capable of spying on the internet communications of the generality of the citizenry could be deployed to intercept and read private emails and also has the potential to breach unwanted connections. While in the face of terrorist activities and insurgencies in parts of the country, this platform may have important uses for curbing internetbased communications, the dangers of abuse are present and far-reaching.

Even the Federal Government is not allowed to so easily and flippantly acquire powers to trample upon and abridge the rights of the citizenry to privacy and individual freedom at its whims. This new internet platform has capacities so portent that it could easily be deployed to cripple businesses, to muzzle the media and to frame up individuals at the mere touch of buttons. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees right to private and family life while 39, 1 and 2 provides for the right to freedom of expression and the press. We think that any directive,

policy or instrument of government that are likely to thwart these fundamental rights must be put under scrutiny and tests. The National Assembly must have a role to play here.

Coming particularly now in this season of acrimonious politics and mutual distrust between the ruling party and members of the opposition, we urge the Federal Government to tread softly and refrain from any action that would even remotely suggest that it seeks to apply authoritarian tactics in statecraft. The problem of insecurity is real and we support government’s moves to tackle it squarely but never, never at the expense of the rights, freedom and liberty of the citizenry.

‘Coming particularly now in this season of acrimonious politics and mutual distrust between the ruling party and members of the opposition, we urge the Federal Government to tread softly and refrain from any action that would even remotely suggest that it seeks to apply authoritarian tactics in statecraft. The problem of insecurity is real and we support government’s moves to tackle it squarely but never, never at the expense of the rights, freedom and liberty of the citizenry’

Ibadan inferno •Fuel tankers cause yet another avoidable fire disaster

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HE inferno triggered by a fuel tanker which overturned in the Omitowoju area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 23 is a tragic reminder of what can happen when infrastructural inadequacies combine with institutional carelessness and unquestioned impunity to cause chaos.

Reports have it that the tanker fell onto its side when it was trying to negotiate a sequence of narrow streets on its way to its destination. The fuel it was carrying flooded the street and subsequently ignited, incinerating about 20 houses and shops. Although some residents suffered extensive burns and other injuries, no one was killed. However, the property damaged was heavy, with many individuals claiming to have lost everything they worked for.

Perhaps the most tragic aspect of the

‘Quite apart from the obvious dangers inherent in transporting inflammable items in this manner, the use of tankers has had many negative effects on road use generally. Their drivers are a law unto themselves; their constant refusal to obey traffic rules has resulted in many deaths and injuries. To make matters worse, any attempt to call them to order often results in strikes which cause widespread inconvenience across the nation’

whole lamentable episode is the fact that it was avoidable. The fuel tanker need not have been on the road in the first place. Even if it was permitted to be on the road, it could have been restricted from being in a crowded part of Ibadan with narrow streets. The damage caused by the fire could have been reduced by the presence of the right equipment and personnel. In essence, the damage, the losses and the anguish could have been prevented from occurring.

Nigeria’s roads are littered with articulated trucks carrying highly-inflammable petroleum products because the viable alternatives to them have been allowed to fall into disuse. In spite of the fact that fuel can be effectively conveyed by rail and by pipeline, the country has witnessed an over-reliance on tankers.

Quite apart from the obvious dangers inherent in transporting inflammable items in this manner, the use of tankers has had many negative effects on road use generally. Their drivers are a law unto themselves; their constant refusal to obey traffic rules has resulted in many deaths and injuries. To make matters worse, any attempt to call them to order often results in strikes which cause widespread inconvenience across the nation.

The impunity with which tanker drivers operate is made worse by the apparent inability of regulatory agencies to rein in their excesses. Many tankers are so rickety and ill-maintained that it is a wonder that they are on the road at all, to say nothing of carrying fuel. Bodies like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and their state counterparts cannot absolve themselves of some responsibility for this

situation, since they mount the patrols and the checkpoints designed to curb this anomaly. It is also surprising that they do not work more closely with relevant groups like the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to ensure that those who drive tankers are properly trained, comprehensively monitored and adequately certified.

Also, given the ubiquity of fuel tankers across the nation, it is a surprise that town-planning authorities have not worked out measures to ensure that they do not appear in locations that are not conducive to their operations or to the safety of the general public. Seeking to avoid traffic jams, tanker drivers habitually turn into any side-street, regardless of how narrow it may be. This practice can be deterred by the promulgation and implementation of strict traffic-access laws aimed at determining where tankers may pass. Such issues should be taken into consideration when filling stations are built.

The Omitowoju disaster is also a sober reminder of Nigeria’s poor disasterresponse capacity. When fire outbreaks and other emergencies occur, the speed and quality of the response to them can be the difference between a minor incident and a major disaster. Again, it is crucial for the country’s towns and cities to establish laws which make it easier for such emergencies to be handled. This includes making provision for adequate fire-fighting equipment, increasing public awareness, and ensuring that all buildings incorporate standard safety measures into their construction.

• Success in fighting malaria and polio should be extended ECENT progress in combating malaria and polio highlights the potential to tackle infectious diseases around the world. The emergence of new viruses in China and the Gulf shows how important it is to sustain and broaden that work.

Over the past decade, the burden of illness and death from malaria and polio, two ancient scourges, has fallen sharply. That has been the direct result of human intervention: funding to develop and distribute drugs, diagnostics and bednets in the first case; and vaccines in the second.

But evolutionary pressure means nature is constantly fighting back, developing new drug-resistant strains and changing patterns of transmission. As a result, it is unlikely malaria can ever be eradicated, although its impact can and should be reduced to low levels.

Defeat of polio – now down to several dozen cases a year in a handful of countries – may be possible, as reflected in donors’ willingness at a vaccine summit in Abu Dhabi last week to back a $5.5bn plan over the next six years.

In any case, continued success in reducing the impact of both diseases requires long-term attention and funding. Over the past century, there have been multiple setbacks as the burden has fallen and focus has switched elsewhere. Countries that all but eliminated malaria have experienced a resurgence, and the deadline for polio eradication has been repeatedly extended – most recently as a result of Islamic extremism.

That should not be an argument to give up, but to maintain momentum and refine approaches. For example, human abuse of the limited range of treatments available – through overuse, underuse and misuse – has helped accelerate drug resistance for malaria, tuberculosis and other infections treated with antibiotics. Polio eradication needs wider use of newer vaccines.

Broader progress will come through integrating such “vertical” disease-specific programmes into strengthened health systems.

That requires innovation in management as well as in drugs and vaccines, such as “task shifting” from doctors to cheaper community health workers, supported by mobile technology. A second priority is better monitoring and co-ordination of diseases in humans and animals, which typically transmit and help mutate viruses including the latest H7N9 flu strain identified in China and the coronavirus in the Middle East.

Without better understanding of the emergence of new diseases, and sustained support to tackle them, nature will remain ahead.

– Financial Times

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TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: There have been reports of plans by the Federal Government to scrap, merge or reverse some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

To go are 14-year-old National Examinations Council (NECO), the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the 37-year-old Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The development is said to be sequel to the recommendations in the White Paper submitted to the Presidency by the Stephen Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies..

Quite understandable is the committee’s thought that it is time we reduced wastage caused by overlapping and duplicated functions of our ministries, departments and agencies. Oronsaye and his cohorts put the figure to be saved at about 853 billion naira between 2012 and 2015.

The committee’s recommendation that NECO and UTME be scrapped is akin to cutting the head as an antidote for headache. At its arrival, NECO attracted praises from those who thought it would widen the choices candidates would make as to which examinations to sit in a nation long dominated by the regional West African Examinations Council (WAEC). NECO has since conducted the Senior School Certificate Examinations for which it has been issuing certificates to candidates. JAMB’s UTME had remained the only pathway to Nigerian universities until some varsities began to conduct post-UTME for admission seekers.

Should NECO cease to be, WAEC will return as a monopoly; this will signify motion without movement.

If we scrap UTME, universities will

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Why scrap NECO, UTME? get full powers to conduct their entrance examinations with likely tendency of abuse of such freedom.

The government should be wary of giving universities that have not been able to manage their finances efficiently the sole responsibility of handling admissions. Government should be mindful of the likelihood of students who do not have influential persons to pull strings for them lose out of what may become a ‘rat race’. If they do, they will end up not gaining admission

to study in our universities. Then, we are back right where we are trying to depart from.

In addition, applicants will have to criss-cross the nation in a bid to write examinations, thus being vulnerable to all manners of dangers ranging from kidnapping to road crashes. The current style that lets candidates write UTME where they please is a good one; the government should be wise enough to know.

In all of this, the Federal Govern-

ment has failed to admit that corruption – a vice it has done little or nothing to stamp out – is a crucial factor responsible for the poor management and non-performance of several of its moribund agencies.

It illogically shifts the blame to some other factors such as ‘evil forces’. By planning to scrap NECO and UTME and sell such national heritage as the National Theatre in Lagos for the flimsy reason of poor management, government is not being sincere. Thus, it has success-

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• Agboola Odesanya, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka

JAMB: There is room for improvement IR: It will be largely unfair not to acknowledge and appreciate the innovations of the Professor Dibu Ojerinde-led Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB). A number of improvements are noticeable. First, the distribution of examination materials to students in the examination hall is a good one. This has to a large extent, prevented the hoarding of these materials by some banks or forms-selling centres as well grant fairness to all students through uniform use of same materials, e.g. calculator. As an observer of the examination exercise at a major centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, I saw that virtually everyone got the writing materials and calculators since these were needed

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for simple calculations. In recent years, many candidates have suffered gross disadvantage as some examination centers never allowed any kind of calculators, the simple, non-scientific ones inclusive, while others allowed them.

Another improvement is the biometric verification of candidates. This has brought a sharp drop in the incidence of impersonation and similar malpractices.

However, the largest room in the world remains the room for improvement JAMB cannot afford rest on its oars. The examination exercise is still rife with irregularities that push the motion for its scrapping. There is more to be done to prove the integrity of the body.

Otherwise, how would one explain

the fact that many students were seen scribbling answers in small sheets before the examinations started? Some corrupt officials must have smuggled copies of the question papers for unscrupulous purposes. Even though the questions are in various types, students can still find a way around this system.

The scandalous representation of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in national newspapers a couple of weeks ago due to the leakage of its examination questions should have been a tip to the JAMB leadership to guard against the trend but it was not so to be. There is also a lot that needs be done as regards security at examination centres.

Moreover, there were also gross

Aba health inspectors and their excesses IR: Aba residents are in trouble because of incessant harassment of health inspectors who have made it a routine to be issuing abatement notices to the residents, especially occupants of face me I face you bungalows asking them to come to their office for settlement. The abatement notice ranges from demand for excavation permit, building plan, health fitness and others.

This development is worrisome

fully told the nation that effectively managing national institutions is only achievable by scrapping or selling them.

The same government established new universities when it could barely fund existing ones. It has not chosen to scrap any. It is building a new Vice-Presidential residence when there is already a befitting one for the nation’s number two citizen.

Rather than scrapping NECO and UTME, we believe government can explore other avenues to improving things. If truly the FG is not afraid of facing tough challenges, a good way of handling NECO, UTME, and other ‘going’ MDAs is to overhaul them.

because refusal of the occupants to comply attracts court injunction which is not served by a bailiff but themselves. Moreover, the money paid to them to waive the effect of the abatement notice is never receipted. This unwholesome practice has been on for a very long time now.

Why I am worried about the whole incident is that the country is currently on the crusade of eradicating corruption and if nothing

positive is done to terminate the anomaly, it then means that the country is crying wolf in that regard.

The authorities in charge should clarify the situation to Aba residents, particularly whether the procedure and practice of extorting non receipted money from the residents is correct, otherwise a thorough investigation should be carried out and a severe punishment meted to any offenders to

serve as deterrent.

Aba residents have been writhing in pains as regards deplorable roads and unhealthy environment for many years now. The city requires a face lift before any other thing. So good thinking Nigerians should speak out in favour of Aba residents in order to arrest the ugly situation.

• Nkemakolam Gabriel, Port Harcourt

errors in the printing of some of the question paper types. For example, the English paper type B that was brought to a major centre in Abuja (with thousands of candidates) did not have question number twenty two. Also, question numbers 83-86 were missing.

Would students be marked down for questions they did not answer?

Another issue is the unnecessary delay that precedes the kick-off of the examination. In a centre in Abuja, the examination kicked off at about 11:30am as against the normal starting time of 9am, even though students had started reporting since 6am. If we do not impress it on the younger generation that punctuality is the soul of business, what reason would they have not to end up showing up late to government work places in the future?

As much as I do not campaign for the discontinuation of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, I also do call for reconstructive strategies to be adopted to trim off the excesses that plague the smooth conduct of the exercise. Granting autonomy to our universities by taking UTME off the table may not be the best for us at this level of development. A regulatory system is highly necessary to maintain some sanity in the education polity.

• Joshua Oyeniyi Abuja

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

21

COMMENTS

What will our non-children inherit from us in Nigeria?

NTA Nigeria Map again! ExxonMobil/malaria

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AN we think for a moment about what our ‘non-children’, the rest of Nigerians, will inherit from us, as people and Tony government in Marinho Nigeria? We inherited powerful images of ‘life after colonialism’ from our Independence parents dancing around a flagpole with descending British and rising Nigerian flags. At the Governor’s Mansion, in 1962 as a Boy Scout I served medi medior hors d’oeuvres to retiring colonialists and budding Nigerian-ists. Those images turned into schools without books, taps without water, switches without power, police with blood stained corrupt checkpoints, elections without votes, education without scholarships and finally the fear factor. A parent even in a village is mindful of the inheritance laws and what will be left to the children –farmland, a hut, a house, trinkets and beads, clothes.

What is the splendid legacy we shall leave for all the wealth and good weather God has endowed us with?

When you visit countries across the world, the citizens are at pains to point out public and private buildings, monuments to great thoughts, ideas and events. Often they were built ‘before our time’ like the Pyramids and the Sphinx, The Taj Mahal, The Houses of Parliament, the Red Fort, the Kremlin, the Forbidden City, The Tower of London, The Great Wall of China, Hadrian’s Wall, the castles and fortresses, the great Cathedrals and Mosques and Temples and mansions. These were built for war, peace, love and hate and many were built under ‘extreme anti-human rights conditions’ with slaves and slave trade profits.

Many others have been built ‘in our time’: The Eiffel Tower, The Burj Khalifa Building, The Gherkin, the Great Bridges, The Three Gorges Dam, and the Sydney Opera House. These have been built for development. Though not always owned by government, governments take

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HEN the unfortunate news of his kidnap broke recently, not a few of us who are close to him felt it must have been an error of judgement on the part of his captors. This was because Kehinde Bamigbetan, the second-term chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, ELCDA, has built a reputation over the years of activism, honesty and simplicity. So, to have picked on such a person appeared to be a grave misnomer. It is not that it is right for kidnappers to pick on anybody at all for that matter. Far from it.

But it is widely expected that such an individual should have been spared the nasty ordeal he went through.

Anyway, by the second day, his house at an innocuous part of Ejigbo town had become a Mecca for all manners of people –relatives, friends, politicians, journalists, et al.

That day, when I got there in the company of Bisi, my darling wife, we ran into a frenetic prayer session being conducted impromptu by Lady Abimbola Fashola, wife of the Lagos State governor. When the prayer session was over, we all sat down quietly, all motionless except for some little hisses here and there.

There was this aura of humility that played around Mrs. Fashola as she sat quietly but occasionally whispering to Fatimah, Bamigbetan’s wife’s ears. She was damn too simple – no earrings, no ‘mascaras’painting, no make-up, no flamboyance of any nature.

As she prayed earlier, I noticed the constant refrain, “May God banish this evil deeds from this our state!” to which the‘congregation’ chorused a loud “Amen!” all the time. Right there, the journalist in me silently took over. I started wondering why God should single out Lagos State for all evil cleansing

ownership to showcase their primary place ‘all the world is a stage’. It is these magnificent structures which make the countries a focus of eyes. Did I forget the White House? Of course not! Everyone knows the White House.

None of these buildings is a white elephant. And in Nigeria what will we leave our non-children? The CBN building in Abuja, The Villa or that boat-shaped building in Abuja, so far from the ocean? Or Jos and Boko Haram corpses? A negative budget, a huge debt and many thieves loaded with Nigeria’s naira?

Na wa O! NTA on Sunday 28-4-2013 News at 9, at 9 .03pm, put out a map of Nigeria without the Rivers Niger or Benue showing. Perhaps NTA has withdrawn the previous adulterated maps while awaiting authentic space age NigSAT 2 infrared maps? Good, but this confirms the magomago going on by ‘some people’ with the map of Nigeria in the national media, a media paid for by the taxes of all Nigerians, North and South of the aforementioned rivers. The result of this ‘Geoinvestigation’ should be publicised. The ‘some people’ found responsible for trying to alter the course of history and the topography of Nigerian geography should be brought to book before Nigeria is irreversibly changed or actually disappears as a country! It seems ‘some people’ and their backers are praying for Lagos and all states south of ‘The Rivers’ to disappear under an as-yet imaginary tsunami from the Bight of Benin. Imagine crossing the Onitsha Bridge and finding no land South except the Atlantic Sea. That would be the fate of Nigerians if ‘some people’ had their way! We no go gree O! Not everyone who declares ‘I love you’ wants you to live or actually ‘loves you’. I tell my female patients to look in a mirror and realise that the person in the mirror is the only one who has their genuine maternity interests at heart. So their being neglected, beaten, deprived of ante-natal care or good delivery facilities is manifestation of a warped an useless ‘love from their husband’. No one can love them more than themselves. No one can love you more than yourself. Nigerians should each look in a mirror, before it is too late!

Is Exxon Mobil’s publicity campaign in the

newspapers ‘fair to all concerned’? It admits to just $15m spent ‘over 10 years to malaria prevention in Nigeria’.

Hurray, I suppose! Some companies do nothing, so ‘doing a little’ is ariwoable,abi? Ariwoable means noisemaking-able. You may think that $15m over 10 years is a lot, worthy a national honour for the Managing Director or Chairman because ‘money talks’. It is actually just $1.5m a year or N2.2b or one tenth of the money stolen from the Police Pension Fund. It is only $4109.5/ day or 41 barrels/day at $100/barrel. Wow!!!! Check how much averagely ExxonValdes, I mean ExxonMobil, landed daily during that time out of the two million barrels/day produced in Nigeria. The ExxonMobil campaign was through adverts across newspapers, each costing probably over N150,000 and in total perhaps N1.5-N2million plus. Small, abi? It is unfortunate that in all that advert space, there was not a single instruction to the thousands of readers on malaria prevention tips or strategies.

If Exxon Mobil had put out such a malaria prevention ‘life skill message’ in the adverts and included a comment on ExxonMobil’s contribution, it would have been wonderful, cost-effective, use of money, space, and attention span and saved lives. This advert should have been a dual message, the primary advert about ExxonMobil’s contribution and the secondary message – ‘Be Warned’ anti-malaria strategies. Yet another wasted opportunity.

‘Everyone knows the White House.

None of these buildings is a white elephant. And in Nigeria what will we leave our non-children? The CBN building in Abuja, The Villa or that boat-shaped building in Abuja, so far from the ocean? Or Jos and Boko Haram corpses?’

Bamigbetan: Nigeria’s boiling cauldron! and not the whole country. But not until the prayers were over, even then I could not easily place the face until she made to leave. It was then I confirmed what had rung through my mind as I sat gazing at her direction. While her entourage sat on the modest sofas in the room, she sat on a plastic chair brought in as ‘reinforcement’ or attachment to accommodate the crowd of people.

Such was her simplicity.

After the exit of Mrs. Fashola, we all sat there bemoaning the great calamity that has befallen the nation – the rampant and incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom. Somebody raised the issue of the late Dr. Chidi Nwike, former deputy governor of Anambra State, who was recently murdered by his abductors after three gruelling weeks in their captivity. Even the two couriers who took the N5 million ransom money to the kidnappers were killed along with him. It was such tragic news. I told the gathering there that Jane, Nwike’s wife, was my schoolmate at the famous but now defunct Federal School of Art and Science, Ondo, FSASON. In fact, the old students are meeting this weekend to see the role they can play in the burial of the former national Vice-Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, South-East zone. People talked so much, so positively about his life and times as if death should have spared him.

In a sober gathering like that, all manners of sad reminders usually come up. So many past cases of kidnapping were raised. Some were mere newspapers’ rehash while others never got mentioned at all

‘The lesson here is that Nigeria is sitting on a boiling cauldron which might turn over at anytime. And it is not if, but when it turns over, nobody will be spared’

in the press even for once. Some were solved through divine intervention while others paid ransom. It was generally put in prayers that God shall manifest his handwork in Bamigbetan’s case.

And He did.

The prayers went on non-stop for the six days he was in captivity.

Journalists and their various news medium did not help matters. Some wrote out of context. It was lazy and pedestrian journalism at work.

Many of the stories were never crosschecked before hitting the headlines. Many were abstract; many obvious fabrications. Many assumptions, innuendos, rumour mongering, fallacies and all that - it was as if some of the journalists were working for the kidnappers.

Many reported that he had been released when he was still under torture. It was then I realized the magnitude of professional misjudgement and miscarriage of news going on in our muchcherished profession. That is a matter for another day.

On Sunday morning, six days after he was abducted, newspapers carried the news that he might have regained his freedom. Earlier the previous night, I had seen the news scroll on AIT. I called Fatimah, who said the rumour had been on since Friday. I remember early on Friday morning, when Musibau Sulaiman, sent me a text message from his house in Mushin ‘congratulating’ me for the news of Bamigbetan’s release, which he claimed he picked on “Koko Inu Iwe Iroyin”, a news headlines programme in Yoruba, on a particular radio station. So that Sunday morning, I called his wife’s phone but she did not pick it. Then I asked my wife to call Idowu, Bamigbetan’s younger sister, who was my wife’s kid mate, who confirmed the news. I immediately dashed down.

The whole house was in a joyous

mood in contrast to what it was four days earlier when I first visited there. Bamigbetan’s narration was heart rendering. His bloodshot eyes and bruises on his face, nose and all that underscored the intense torture and inhuman treatment meted out to him by his captors. He was brutalised, starved and denied all access to comfort. Thrown on a stack carpet on the night he was captured, the bare carpet was to be his bed, his sitting position all through his ordeal. His hands were tied, so also were his legs.

His captors spoke impeccable English. Some of them claimed they were Engineering graduates from Nigerian universities - I do not know whether kidnapping was part of their Engineering courses while at school. They also claimed that they had paced the streets for more than six years until somebody introduced them to the lucrative but risky business of kidnapping for survival; That their parents and guardians suffered untold hardships to train them, but here they are, they could not even lift a finger to reciprocate the good gesture. How will they be able to set up their own families and train their children when the society has no plans for them? They could not understand why one person could be richer than the whole country when there are many people who cannot get even a single meal a day.

One of them claimed he had gone to Cambodia, one of the poorest Asian countries in the past. That as poor as the people were, their international airport was marvelous unlike the poultry called international airports in Nigeria.

That there, the standard of living was better but he fell on the wrong side of the law and was deported. I quickly told myself that that chap is still on the wrong side of life and might be consumed by the law in no distant time.

Dele Agekameh By the time they knew that Bamigbetan was a local government chairman, they accused him of being part of the rotten system that has pauperized everybody. He defended himself. Trust Korky, as he is fondly called, gave a good lecture to them on his student union days, his social activism, the achievements of his administration as chairman –scholarships, free meals to school pupils etc.

Surprisingly, while he was in their dungeon, some of them came to do espionage on the LCDA Secretariat, asked a few questions about him and so on. Everybody they spoke to had one or two good comments about his character and humane nature. That, perhaps, was his saving grace. And of course, there was real divine intervention.

God manifested Himself and secured his freedom.

The lesson here is that Nigeria is sitting on a boiling cauldron which might turn over at anytime. And it is not if, but when it turns over, nobody will be spared. Those who have ears let them hear this now and start doing something positive to douse the gathering tempest!

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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COMMENTS ‘Re: ‘Amaechi in the eye of the storm’ (The Nation, April 28). That ban on motor bike

by Gov Amaechi which you disagreed with is what I agree with. May God not let you fall victim of ‘Okada’ (Amen). I was a victim on March 23 when I was robbed for about 38 minutes in Ibadan. Gov Amaechi has always been lucky, no matter how long. In the turbulence with his own men and people in the Presidency, I am convinced they will settle before December 13. From Lanre Oseni’

• Funmilayo Olayinka

For Segun Gbadegesin Check your fourth paragraph, see lines 3-9 in your caption titled ‘An amazon goes home’.

Are you portraying your intended meaning to readers?- From Female lawyer,FCT In your fourth paragraph after writing in line three that ‘funmi was steadfast’,you should have jumped other statements before telling us that ‘she stayed strong even when hope dimmed and all appeared to be lost’.

This way,you do not get readers confused or contradict yourself as a writer/editor of a column. Co-incidentally, I also have those great qualities/virtues you wrote of her and I am equally convinced that it is the best way to live. May her soul rest in peace. From Miss chigozie ifeoma nwagbara.

May the Almighty God grant her eternal rest and make her grave scopion free for ever.

She left good will behind which everybody can see, she played a very pious role as a deputy governor during her reign. She is worthy to emulate by politicians who lack knowledge of governance. She respected people both small and big, she is not like some leaders that respond to very issues as no going back, I do not give a damn. Let other politicians sit down and think that, one day they would be no more, and whatever they do during their stay in power will either speak agaist them or in their favour. May Almighty God grant her husband and her chilldren courage to bear the lose. I miss her courageous move and her beautiful face. Good night mama and sleep well. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Dockyard Apapa Lagos.

I am not an indigene of Ekiti state but with all the tributes given to her, it is obvious that she lived a fulfilled life. Nevertheless, she has contributed an indelible effort that shows she was truly an Amazon. May God erase all her sins and grant her eternal rest. From Victoria Akinrinade, Lagos Re: An Amazon goes home. Even at 52, to many of us, late sister Funmi Olayinka remained an enigma! No one had not poured her encomium as we appreciate her manly energetic womanism. I strongly feel, she would by now be ruling a state in heaven as God also appreciates her worth having listened to us, the mortals’ encomium. Those opportuned on 7th April, 2013 at Ekiti Government House when CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his Deputy, Barau Co visited Ekiti state Governor Fayemi: the loss was deeply felt and showed in Governor Fayemi’s face. May her soul rest in peace. From Lanre Oseni.

What a good write-up about the late Deputy Governor! We are used to all this praise singing but why now, you should have made us know all these when she was alive, all these would have been extremely nice if said at the appropriate time. Nobody is ready to tell us her reaction to being sidelined in some actions now that she can not defend herself. I willl be glad to talk to you sir if you wish.

Anonymous.

Your tribute to the late Mrs. Funmi Olayinka is a master piece. I never met her in real life but through your prose I met her flesh, blood and brain. What a loss for Nigeria. Thanks. From Prof. Mayo Ayilaran.

For Dare Olatunji I have just read your comments on the constitution review and wish to inform that both Kano and Lagos States have 24 members each in the House of Reps. Thank you. From Hon.

Solomon Agidani, Member, House of Reps…1999 to 2011 I have never seen any funny country like Nigeria. The legislators want to review constitution. Constitution reviews my foot. Have they reviewed themselves? There is corruption everywhere and you are talking about review in constitution. Will it stop corruption? Or will it change the minds of our politicians that are full of devilish things? What we need presently is change in governance not review of constitution. A smelling rotten egg should be discharged not decorated with shell because it will continue to smell. Our politicians are the smelling eggs not the constitution. Nigeria constitution is in order. The National Assembly should be reviewed. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Dockyard Apapa Lagos.

I have just read your column of today in The Nation. Are you in support of autonomy for LGAs? If so, I disagree. Here in Imo State, we do not have honest politicians to be entrusted such responsibility. Most of the councilors are fraudulent. Please, the issue of LG autonomy should be left to each State to choose by voting or so. Please, do you have any response?

Forward it to enable me incorporate it in my analysis which will be published presently. I am an owerri based online journalist. High regards. From John I. Mgbe (johnmgbe@yahoo.com We the people of Nigeria in one accord reject in totality, completely and absolutely a misbegotten constitution review that is dead in conception. From TER AKAA Gboko Re: A Misbegotten constitution review. The exercise is a camouflage and the height of corruption by our so called representatives. It is even worse than the ramshackle Military assembled constitution foisted on hapless Nigerians. They duped us with their clever way of doing things. They are dubious representatives. They dubbed us by the way and manner they compiled their reports as people oriented. They must be charged for gross abuse of trust. Anonymous It is a surprise that the Prof. is expecting such a ‘grand’ performance from Ihedioha and his crowd. These are the people with entrenched interest in preserving the status quo.

They that know a truly peoples constitution will end the bazaar currently going on in Abuja where a group of people who pick their noses through legislative sessions, spend a quarter of the national budget annually. True federalism? That is also poison to the predators who want to be in Abuja and set fire on their states. That is also why they desperately want autonomy for LGs as if the constitution made provisions for a fourth tier of the government. Let us watch the grand fraud as it unfolds. Regards. From Olu Why can’t Buhari end his selfish group and leave Mr. President alone? They will bark like hungry dogs till 2015. From Sarah Abul, Kaduna State.

Dear Olatunji, your write-up on “A Misbegotten constitution review” is very brilliant and speaks for millions of Nigerians who are being hoodwinked by the 360 dishonorable members at NASS in Abuja. These people know nothing about what Nigerians demand from them. They are too arrogant to know.

From Jack Ovuorie Emevor, Delta State.

To me, as long as that thing is a constitutional review/ amendment, opinion sampling that led to those mentioned outcome, was not a bad idea. The only bad aspect was the politicisation of the delegate members who were handpicked to join others to make voice/hand raising votes of YES or NO. Many of the delegates were illiterates and few, literates within the literates, many knew next to nothing in the economic and social implications of what they voted for! Whether or not Emeka praised selves, fact remains that, Nigeria has a long way to move up without killing corruption and illiteracy. From Lanre Oseni I know that as a Yoruba, you will never see

anything good in what the deputy speaker has done, even when an average Yoruba man indulges in hypocrisy. God help you. Anonymous.

For Tunji Adegboyega Re: ‘Amaechi in the eye of the storm’ (The Nation, April 28). That ban on motor bike by Gov Amaechi which you disagreed with is what I agree with. May God not let you fall victim of ‘Okada’ (Amen). I was a victim on March 23 when I was robbed for about 38 minutes in Ibadan. Gov Amaechi has always been lucky, no matter how long. In the turbulence with his own men and people in the Presidency, I am convinced they will settle before December 13. From Lanre Oseni.

Amaechi doesn’t know what diplomacy is; as a governor, he has access to the President, whatever their differences can be settled amicably. Anonymous.

I do not agree that some PDP governors are good. Why? Because they run their states within the neo-colonial capitalist system which allows extreme poverty in the midst of wasteful spending by the rulers. Yes, the Amaechis are a blessing to the business world, not the poor in the land. Thanks. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

It is very sad that you portray Governor Amaechi as a champion of democracy. Here in Rivers State, there is no democracy, as those who worship him are given political appointments or are made LG chairmen. No wonder he suspended them and they all accepted it. Less than five-kilometre road is being built for about six years (Ada George Road), very few roads are motorable and the evidence is the ‘go-slow’ we see everyday.

Apart from schools, development is concentrated in Port Harcourt. From Fred.

You are doing a fine job. Just wondering your price? A la (name withheld) and others before him (names also withheld). We are in this mess today because of two groups - NUJ and NBA. Anonymous.

Gov Rotimi Amaechi should know that if he cannot beat them, he has to join them if the pressure is much. He should know that there are forces against his ambition; let him bow down for them and wait for another time.

Governance is not a do-or-die affair. God gives power to whom He is pleased. So, he should still believe in God because it happened to him in 2007 when they said his candidature had ‘k-leg’ but at the end of the day, the judiciary restored his mandate. From Gordon Chika Nnorom I read your piece, ‘Boston bombings: Obama for third term’ (The Nation, April 21), you nailed it all; keep up the good work with your pen. We, Nigerian youths are waiting.

From Oluwalankey.

Re: Boston bombings: The words of American presidents, past and present, are bonds.

Perhaps as at April 21 when your article was published, one of the Boston bombers had been killed and two captured/arrested, without dialoguing with criminals, unlike in Nigeria that cannot be relied upon and is not worth dying for, even in danger. Corruption remains the bane in our nation. Anonymous.

Your article in The Nation of April 21 was a good one. President Obama has fulfilled his promise. Let’s see if Americans will call for amnesty for the bombers who shed innocent blood. Anonymous.

I love your style of writing. Apt, easy to understand, witty and to point. Your writings inspire me. Thanks, I’ll chat soon. From Digba Adeyinka.

Dear Tunji, I do not miss The Nation on Sunday. Your column is one of the reasons. Well done. Anonymous.

Tunji, you don’t understand the President’s confidence in wishing that PDP captures 32 of 36 states come 2015. My wife and I were returning officers in an election. The result of the election was announced before we

• Amaechi could hand in our field figures. Can you get the picture? Cheers. From N. Ejiofor.

Just read your article on the Boston bombings. Don’t you think an American journalist or columnist will write on the topic without bringing politics into it? Nice one, but your conclusion was not impressive. Just hope we are not infested with PDP fever! Anonymous.

Tunji, you are telling the ruling party, through The Nation, that votes are sacred? In Nigeria? Since when? I pity you. You must have just arrived from Mars. I earnestly pray that the opposition will not be relying on your assurances as it gets ready for 2015.

Anonymous.

Your write-up on the Boston bombings was interesting. Do not forget that Obama is a democratic leader; he was elected, not selected; he leads a nation, not a party; loves his nation, not self or cash or power; he is intelligent, not below mediocrity level that is being applauded here, he will never condone criminality, will not lie and above all, runs a government ‘of all of us’ as against ‘I’.

Thanks. From Remi.

Without checking my record, I knew you were right. Do you know what? You can’t compare Obama or his officials with our beerloving sycophants. Most of our so-called leaders can’t measure up to the positions in other climes. From Matthew.

I just read your piece. Vintage you. The information now is that the relevant authorities are battling to ensure that the fatally wounded second suspect in the fire fight survives. Compare this to Yusuf’s case. From Kiki, Lagos.

Can our leaders learn something from Obama’s address on Boston bombings, where names are not mentioned of those behind the act but that the country is on top of the situation? We play politics of stomach and juicy contracts and what naturally come after that are songs of praise despite that some of our leaders are not performing …. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Re:Boston bombings: You wondered why none of the American officials with Obama smiled during his speech. And in Nigeria officials will laugh in the same circumstances: well that is because one nation is that of serious and informed people who don’t compromise on good governance while the other is a nation of ignorant fools who don’t know what good governance is all about, and this is evident in the way they continue to vote a party of mediocre in PDP. A party that could not deliver on any promises such as power generation in 14 years and is still relevant.

Nigerians simply cannot be the happiest people on earth unless of course they are masochists. Anonymous.

Thank you, Tunji, for your write-up on Sunday, April 21. As I went through your essay, I wept for Nigeria and Nigerians; as I wondered if we are on this same planet earth with Americans. I hope our rulers are watching Obama and his America. Thank you, Tunji.

From Andrew Ikem, Benin City.

Re:’ Boston bombings, Obama for third term’.

Sir, there is no basis for comparison. Some have first class brain but some have what the Late Dr Solarin called a ‘Newt’. Some degrees are hardly worth the paper on which they are printed. From M.O. Ajayi, Lagos.

Tunji, Faleye is from the south-west. Please ask our able, loving governors to come to his aid. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Dr Kayode Fayemi should be able to help him. From Baba Ikire, Port Harcourt.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

‘My art is my diary’ – SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

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‘My art is my diary’ Seven years ago, renowned art scholar, Prof Christopher Uchefunna Okeke was struck by stroke. Last Sunday, he defied all odds and joined friends and relations to celebrate his 80th birthday at Freedom Park, Lagos.

Assistant Editor Arts OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

•From left: Kaego, Prof. Soyinka and Prof. Okeke

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HE select audience, comprising renowned art scholars and patrons such as Prof John Pepper-Clark, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Joe Obiago and Oliver Enwonwu, were unmoved by the long wait. The celebrator, Prof.

Uche Okeke, who turned 80, was yet to appear at the venue of the birthday celebration hours after the 4pm start off time. Still, in his absence, speakers took turns to reflect back on the doggedness and resilience of the art scholar who has been on a wheel chair since February 2007 following a stroke attack.

Last Sunday, Prof. Okeke ‘stood’ tall among his associates and relations who gathered to celebrate him.

It was an evening of prayers and encomiums from friends, associates and relations who recalled the works of the great artist, poet and illustrator. The venue of the party organised by his children as part of activities to mark his 80 th birthday, was the Kongi Gallery Hall, Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. One of his children, Mr. Chindo El-Farid Uche-Okeke, was the compere.

At exactly 6.51 pm, about three hours into the celebration, supported by his wife, Kaego, and children he rode triumphantly on the wheel chair into a cheering audience that stood up singing. Okeke, who wore a top made from earth-colour Ankara on a pair of milk trousers, offered a broad smile to all in appreciation of the honour. Though he did not say ‘thank you’, his body language and the expression on his face, said it all.

The retired art teacher at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and founder, Asele Institute, Nimo in Anambra State, who is famed for illustrating the late Chinua Achebe’s popular book, Things Fall Apart, considered his art as a visual diary of ideas he has nurtured over time.

“Time is, therefore, of utmost importance to me, taking pride over place in my scales of values. Yet, I am an environmentalist of some sort, for I believe I can create my own world out of elements from my past and from the history of man on earth. For me, art has always signified the search for values. These values do not necessarily change but fall and rise with historical man as he tarries here and returns to the place of the dead,” he said in a graffitti on the wall of the hall.

Prof. Pepper-Clark described Prof Okeke as a versatile artist who got published by Mbari Club as a writer before his contemporaries. He also noted that Okeke’s pioneer group of visual artists from Zaria was larger than the writers association and that they made their mark more than the poets. Prof. Clark recalled that Prof.

Okeke was one of the early pioneer visual artists who came to the University College Ibadan, when the Mbari Club was just formed.

The literary icon also used the reminiscences to talk about their school days at Ibadan. He recalled the old rivalry between the then Principal of University College, Ibadan and the Rector of the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria saying ‘there was rivalry between the two heads of the colleges on who has more degrees than the other. But, all the campuses of the Nigerian College of Art, Science and Technology, Zaria were looking up to us at Ibadan.’

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka who came midway into the celebration observed that the creative energies and the camaraderie enjoyed by artists and writers in the days of the Mbari Club at Ibadan cannot be replicated today. “Unfortunately, it is impossible to replicate what happened when the Mbari Club started at Ibadan. We can’t enjoy the same things again.

But, there is a muse of creativity that I happened to be here without notice,” he said. Soyinka who joined the celebration later was at his office to pick up his mails

•Prof. Okeke surrounded by children and grandchildren.

PHOTOS: AMAIZE

OJEIKERE

CELEBRATION when he knew about the celebration.

Founder of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, said Prof. Okeke pioneered the development of Uli art that gave birth to great disciples such as El Anatsui, Obiora Udechukwu among others at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

“I have benefitted from the great works of Okeke. We pray God to grant him good health and long life,” Shyllon added.

Prof Onobrakpeya, a classmate of Prof Okeke at Zaria, described the evening as an occasion to thank God for Okeke’s life and all his endowments as a visionary

‘Time is therefore of utmost importance to me, taking pride over place in my scales of values. Yet, I am an environmentalist of some sort, for I believe I can create my own world out of elements from my past and from the history of man on earth. For me, art has always signified the search for values. These values do not necessarily change but fall and rise with historical man as he tarries here and returns to the place of the dead’

artist, father and citizen. “We pray God that he should get better, well and the artistic endowments should be productive and extend from now till future. We are asking that Asele Institute should be upgraded in order for his legacies to spread,” Onobrakpeya said in an emotion-laden voice. President, Society of Nigerian Artists, (SNA) Oliver Enwonwu said Prof. Okeke ‘s extraordinary career saw him rise from his student days (1957- 61) at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, now Ahmadu Bello University, to one of the most important figures in the history of modern Nigerian art.

“His career begins as a clerk in the department of labour at Jos, takes off as the head of the Visual Art Section, Refugees Affairs Committee of the Biafran Directorate of Propaganda in 1968, and reaches its climax as the head of the Department of Fine Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Indeed, much of his legacy rests not only on his role as a founding member of the Zaria Art Society which later became the Society of Nigerian Artists, but his contribution to a modern Nigerian visual language,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “Prof Uche Okeke, we the executive of the Society of Nigerian Artists and indeed all our members are here to celebrate you.Enduring success never comes easily. It takes the struggles of life to grow strength. It takes a good fight for principles to build fortitude. It takes crises to gain courage and it takes singleness of purpose to reach a goal. This, Prof Christopher Uchefunna Okeke, describes your life story. On this occasion of your 80 th birthday, we all salute you and say; May God bless you. May you prosper and live long in good health.”

Others who spoke included Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Mr. Ashim Nwoko, son of Demas Nwoko.

The family used the evening to announce the launch of Uche Okeke Foundation holing next year as well as the publication of a book on Uche Okeke’s seminal works. Also, a giant birthday cake was cut by the celebrant in an evening that witnessed lots of back slapping and exchange of pleasantries among arts community members present.

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The Midweek Magazine

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•Scenes from Moremi at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

PHOTO: AYO SHADARE

Moremi reenacts tragedy of love on Muson stage

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HE true test of love has been showcased in Wole Oguntokun’s premiere of Legend of Moremi Ajaasori at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

It was held in conjunction with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).

Set in the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife, the play narrates the brave sacrifice of a young woman’s undying love for her husband and his people. Originally from Offa, Moremi’s heart easily warmed to the people of Ile-Ife. The play is plotted on the tragedy that befell Moremi after she discovered the secrets of the Ugbo people who raided and terrorised the people of Ile-Ife. The revelation of their secret weaponry by Moremi led to their defeat.

Though warned by her beloved husband, Oranmiyan not to carry out her espionage plans, Moremi sought the help of the gods with a promise to make a costly sacrifice if victorious.

She allowed herself to be captured by the Ugbo warriors during one of their raids and would later be the wife of the king of Ugbo. After the people of Ile-Ife conquered their longtime enemies, Moremi returned to the Esimirin shrine to fulfill her promise to the gods. It never occurred to her that the gods would demand for her only son, Ela. Thus, till date, Edi festival is celebrated in Ile-Ife as a hopeful wish that Ela, the son of Moremi would return someday to reap the fruits of her labour.

Shown at the MUSON centre recently, Renegade theatre’s efforts to celebrate

DRAMA one of the festival deities in Yoruba kingdom was not a complete waste as the play lived up to its expectations. The stage was appropriately set in a traditional design, setting the mood for the audience to travel back in time and relive the sacrifices made by a courageous woman. The transition from each scene was seamless carrying the audience along in its crescendo pace.

Starting off with the rabble rouser played

by Precious Anyanwu who bickered endlessly to the annoyance of his fellow soldiers, was a bit lengthy and could have been boring if not for the quick switch to the narration by Sunkanmi Adebayo accompanied by mournful citizens of Ile-Ife. Onwards, the play transcends to a flashback where the audience captured the beginning of the love tale.

The stage manager, Anike Alli-Hakeem made good effects of its lighting by dimming the lights during mournful scenes and lighting up the stage in stronger scenes. The costumes used were mostly traditional attire peculiar to the Yoruba tribe. A fog effect was also used to signify the presence of Esimirin, the god of Ile-Ife. The play’s director, Wole Oguntokun really scouted for the best cast to bring action into this drama. Ajike, Moremi’s best friend which was played by Barbara Babarinsa stole the show away with her funny antics and undying devotion to her friend. Though quite a talker, she was admirable in her acts, and knew when to portray the expected character.

Museum seeks govt’s support for heritage preservation IRECTOR-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman is seeking the support of government at all levels for the preservation of monuments and sites. He also sought the support and co-operation of the communities and other stakeholders to realise the commission’s goal of preserving the monuments and heritage.

“We should preserve our monuments and sites so as to have a legacy to bequeath to the future generations. As our slogan is “visit a monument or site today and lend your support to its conservation and preservation for posterity,” according to Usman who spoke at this year’s International Monument Day, organised by the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.

The day is set aside every year to delineate the importance and the immense value of monuments and sites around the globe.

This year’s theme was Heritage of Education. It focused on built heritage that have contributed to the development of education through various forms of learning and academic archival institutions, such as schools, universities, libraries, academies and others in its various expressions of different geo- cultural contexts.

The international monument day came

D

By Olushola Orebajo and Seun Adeyemo

MUSEUM into existence following a proposal by the International council for monuments and sites (ICOMOS) on 18th 1982, and was approved by the General Assembly of United Nations Educational, scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1983. Since that year, the day has been celebrated by heritage professionals and other interest groups.

The Commission’s Chief Heritage Officer, Mr. Taiwo Ademuyiwa Awoniyi spoke on how heritage influences education and vice versa. According to Awoniyi, “heritage is as important to man just as education is. While the former is the legacy from the past and what is passed to future generations. The import of this celebration should not be lost to all professionals, because the task of promoting our heritage is an all embracing task. We must work concertedly to drive away ignorance from our society and make useful impact toward the development of our heritage”.

Pictorial exhibition was put up on the six oldest educational institutions from the six geo- political zones of Nigeria to mark this year’s monument day. The educational institutions are; Old Training College Katsina, Katsina state, Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State, First primary School

The lead character Moremi, which was played by Jumoke Ladi Bello, was also a strong one. Described as a brave young woman, one would expect the contemporary outright stubborn nature attached to bravery but in this case, Moremi was a blend of gentility, bravery and wisdom.

For instance, she cleverly deceived her best friend Ajike and escaped into the battle field where she could easily be captured by the invisible Ugbo raiders. The audience was left to their imagination on how the Ugbo raiders defeated the people of IleIfe as only cries of defeat and victory could be heard, accompanied by vibrant dancing or mournful singing.

Oranmiyan (Rotimi Fakunle), Moremi’s husband on the other hand was a gentle warrior. Though very loving, he was highly strict and exudes this when he reprimanded Ajike for allowing his queen to leave the palace unguarded. He was a loving husband to his wife and a fearless commander in the battle field.

However, a weaker character in the cast was the king of Ugbo played by Austine Onuoha. As a terror to the people of IleIfe, one expected a very callous being or intimidating character. Despite this, he was still able to play his part well in his gentle manner.

The play drew themes from friendship, loyalty, sacrifice and ignorance as well. The people of Ile-Ife were mystified by the mask wearing of the Ugbo people, assuming that they were spirits who could not be defeated, not until Moremi returned with the secrets of the Ugbo marauders. This

A

S an artist, Gbenga Orimoloye believes the face holds many secrets.

To drive home his view, he will be showcasing the use of facial expression as a means of communication during his art exhibition, Oju. It will hold at the Terra Kulture, Lagos, from May 4 to 9.

According to him, facial expression is still the most dependable and more accurate to relate to because it is natural. He said: “The more you look at a person’s face, the more you begin to realise that what you see is not actually that person, but a transit point. This is that which helps you to register, in one moment out of eternity, whether by means of a smile, frown or whatever, an understanding of who and what lies beneath.

“Being a figurative artist, I see a face as a landscape, especially when emotions can be attached. In a sense, valleys, mountains, rivers and indeed other geographical and physical features, each allegorical with its own respective set of differing opportunities, can all be present in a face.

clearly depicts the fearful nature of mankind caused by naivety sometimes.

Ajike’s demise in the play was a very touchy one and rendered justice to the subject matter: love and sacrifice. In an attempt to save her friend from being caught by the Ugbo soldiers, Ajike had to stay back in the palace, pretending to be Moremi while her friend escaped with the night to her beloved land, Ile-Ife. Another interesting feature of the cast is the Ile-Ife citizens. The synergy exuded by these characters was simply impeccable. They really executed the traditional approach of the director through their protestations and victory chanting. The music and dance performances by these characters were entertaining to say the least.

As the cumulative scenes reached its peak with the defeat of the Ugbo raiders after Moremi’s return to Ile-Ife, the narrator quickly snatched this feeling of happily -ever-after by announcing Moremi’s promise to Esimirin. A gleeful Moremi is seen dancing excitedly in the shrine as she presents gifts to the gods in appreciation of her victory only to be reminded of the demand of Esimirin of something very dear to her through a playback if she returns successfully from her sojourn. A heartbroken Moremi is consoled by her fellow women as she watched painfully as her only son, Ela, is being kidnapped by the servant of death to Esimirin. This provoked a feeling of compassion and pity from the audience, and served as a wicked reminder of the wishes of mankind and the costly price they have to pay.

Adverse use of social media on canvas

By Olushola Orebajo

The Yaba College of Technology trained artist is also inspired by the socio-cultural developments within the context of today’s generation. He said Oju will feature new works that portrays the effects of social media on the young generations. “Today, our generation has become increasingly dependent on our smart phones and other handheld devices, making us rely less on ‘real-life’ face-to-face contact and interaction. I also use the social media in the likes of facebook, twitter and e-mail to communicate to my friends. An old friend of mine for example, got my contact on facebook by just searching my name. Social media also let me communicate my works to the world,” he said.

Entries for photo exhibition

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IFE In My City art festival, Enugu, has invited entries for Life in My City Photo Africa as part of this year’s Life In My City art festival holding in October.

Photo Africa is an international photo contest for African photographers who will not be more than 35 years of age by October 12th living and work-

ing in Africa.

Submitted works are expected to portray interesting current living conditions in African city as seen through the lens of photographer, bearing in mind that one of the aims of the Life In My City art festival is to provide a platform for young artists to make meaningful statements about their environment.

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Soundspiration: Balogun’s new path

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1994 sculptural piece entitled Symphony of Hope, a commentary on the annulled June 12 election, was all Adeola Balogun needed to inspire his new path, which has influenced his adoption of musical instruments and notes as metaphor. This has also culminated into the new body of works in his current solo exhibition, Soundspiration (sound/instrument as inspiration).

Until now, Balogun, an art teacher at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, has experimented with many found objects, such as used tyres and wood. But, driven by the desire to re-engage these materials in his visual deliberations, he fully explored the pneumatic tyres that have become a menace in the society. In his last two solo exhibitions: Infinite Patterns (2010) and Ants and Giants (2011), used tyres featured prominently as the main medium.

This year, his sixth solo show, Soundspiration, is an exhibition of sculptures and sound installation. It will open at the Omenka Gallery in Ikoyi, Lagos, on May 3. It is a slice from the past theme that focuses on animals, combined with the new- instrument and sound. The show will offer an opportunity to examine the wide variety of media which Balogun skillfully manipulates.

“After my last two solo shows, Infinite Patterns and Ants and Giants, where the use of tyre as material was explored, I have gone a step further to develop a technique that employs shredded tyres by infusing them with readymade forms. In this figurative 3-D format, reinforced polyester resin serves as the surface and support onto which shredded tyres are attached and adhered after realizing my forms with the plastic medium.

“Binding wires, mechanical parts, cast bronze, acrylic and matt pigments are also used to realize my conceptual ideas in most of the 2-D formats in this particular body of mixed media work,” he said sat a preview session in Lagos.

Musical instruments such as talking-drums, violins, saxophones, gojes, and trumpets are infused into most of the works, not only to enhance their visual sensations but to serve as metaphorical allusions to the relationship between music and visual art and their importance to man.

To Balogun, all genres of art possess an inherent capacity to be inspiringly therapeutic if properly channeled.

The 25 works being exhibited by the artist were produced between 2011 and 2013, and the 3-D works depict how man responds to sound in everyday life. But beyond that, many of the works ‘are inseparably connected with the social, economic, political and religious pattern of his age. An age marked by bad governance, ethno-racism and civil unrest, fuelled by indiscipline, corruption and social

•Balogun, standing beside one of his sculptural works

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

EXHIBITION injustice.’

Balogun’s Soundspiration will feature contorted forms of musicians and dancers who handle real musical instruments such as the violin, saxophone and talking-drums in (simulated) performance, underscoring the artist’s enchantment over the years with music as the vehicle of thoughtful reflection.

Also expected for display are hanging sculptures in relief, embellished with paint that blur the boundaries between painting and sculpture betraying the artist’s mastery of both genres. A sound accompaniment completes the artist’s framework for Soundspiration. ‘Each separate component - the tyre, musical instrument and sound, contributes layers of meanings to establish several possibilities in interpreting the works, which on first impression seem almost folkloric.’

Thematically, the artist is using the various instruments such as trumpet, drums and saxophone, which have inter-face with used tyres to probe the complex web of interactions between Africa and the West. But the poser here is this: Is Balogun bemoaning the indignity Africans has suffered in the hands of West or he is sending clarion calls to African leaders on how to dispose waste and to embrace good governance?

But it seems that the musical accompaniment to the exhibition seemingly draws attention to the high incidence of noise pollution in the country as well as to the social and political instability.

Balogun says that “deafening sound is continuously generated in our environment, which inflicts serious health hazards on people. It is imperative and pertinent to reduce noise in whatever guise for a saner society.” He also states that he employed the tyre as medium as a way of disposing of it safely to ‘reduce the inherent health challenge that could arise from its improper disposal’.

‘Why Anyanwu was star sale’

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IGERIA’S leading auction house, ArtHouse Contemporary Limited has said selecting the final 117 art works by Nigerian and Ghanaian artists for this year’s auction was a big challenge as there was a large volume of quality entries to choose from. According to its manager, Nana Sonoiki, the auction is challenged each year by high quality works during the selection of final lots.

The 10th edition of the auction, sponsored by Standard Chartered, will hold on Monday at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Onitolo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Viewing will hold on May 11 and 12 between 10 am and 6pm.

It will feature paintings, sculptures mixed media and photography. There will be four charity lots towards a charity cause, Seeing is Believing administered by Standard Chartered Bank.

Sonoiki said the late Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu, which sold for over N 30million in 2012, is the auction’s highest profile sale in the auction’s history. She explained that the bronze sculpture was the artist’s most popular piece.

“Bronze sculptures attract high prizes because once the cast is broken, the piece cannot be reproduced. Again, the artist’s name sold the work at the auction,” she added.

Sonoiki said most of the older works by the regular artists such as El Anatsui, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ben Enwonwu, Erhabor Emokpae would be the star works at the auction.

Among such works are Anatsui’s Lahn and Enwonwu’s Untitled. But she noted that Enwonwu’s Untitled (sculpture) will cost about N15 million.

She said the lot for auction comprises older and new artists’ works, which are in equal ratio.

“We have a balanced package in terms of works by older and new artists. It is 50-50 ratio for both new and older artists,” she said.

On what informed the type of works selected, she said; “We opt for old works that cannot be found easily in galleries. This is because no collector would part with his money at an auction for a work that he can easily get at cheaper rate in galleries or art shops,” Sonoiki added.

•Praying mantis by Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko

•Copper barrel by Sokari Douglas Camp

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

AUCTION First timers at the auction include Olumide Onadipe, Titus Agbara, Marcia Kure, Shola Fakeye, Bablola

Lawson, Naa Nyan Acquah, Kate Badoe, and Frank Asomani. Others are Larry Otoo, Cheri Cherin, GaryStevens, Chris Afuba, Mike Omoighe, Dan Ifon, Isaac Emokpae, GodfreyOkorodus, Norris Adoro and others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

e-dividend: Shareholders, operators S flay June deadline HAREHOLDERS and capital market operators have kicked against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) June 3, 2013 deadline for investors to provide bank accounts for electronic payment of dividend or risk forfeiture of such dividend.

SEC had issued a circular directing shareholders of quoted companies to forward bank account details to their registrars and stockbrokers on or before June 3, 2013 to facilitate the electronic payment of future dividends.

According to SEC, shareholders that fail to comply with the June 3, 2013 deadline may automatically forfeit future dividends as warrants would cease to exist as from the deadline except in the case where a shareholder specifically request in writing for continued issuance of

By Taofik Salako

dividend warrants.

Shareholders and market operators expressed dismay at the directive, describing at ill-timed and draconic.

Shareholders said they would resist the deadline and mobilise against any company that fails to pay dividend as enshrined in the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

They said SEC had been foot-dragging on several issues that could have assisted investors to promptly claim their dividends and also encourage electronic dividends including the Commission’s inability to persuade the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers, Committee to allow share-

holders to pay dividends into their savings account.

They said SEC failed in its cardinal objective of investors’ education by not channeling adequate resources to educate and galvanise all stakeholders into forming a collective front for key market initiatives.

General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Adebayo Adeleke, said SEC demonstrated poor judgement with the directive as it placed the horse of enforcement before the cart of public enlightenment.

He described the directive as unfortunate, saying it is capable of heating up the market as shareholders would resist attempt to frustrate their legal rights to re-

ceive returns on their investments.

“Our position is that the extant law of the capital market, especially the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), has not been amended and any directive that is inconsistent with the law is null and void,” Adebayo said.

He warned companies from taking any action that will jeopardise their interests as shareholders would not sue SEC but the companies, which are statutorily required to issue dividend warrants.

A shareholders’ leader and activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said SEC has no powers to direct forfeiture of dividends or cancellation of dividend warrants.

He said SEC should have worked on the efficiency of share registration operations to remove several hurdles being faced by shareholders, which have been the underlying causes for rising unclaimed dividends.

Olatokunbo said Sec should have engaged in serious enlightenment to encourage shareholders on the benefits of going electronic by completing the e-dividend form.

He noted that in spite of several appeals in the past, banks have not allowed shareholders to deposit dividend warrants in savings accounts, which most of the small investors have.

SEC had recently put the value of unclaimed dividend by investors at N60 billion

by December 31, 2012; representing N19 billion or 46 per cent rise over the N41 billion recorded at the end of 2011.

•From left: A model wearing the designer’s outfit; Head, Regional Business, Lagos Mainland 3, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Adeola; winner, Stephen Wayne and another model at the maiden edition of the bank’s Sketchamania grand finale at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

Regulatory framework stalls finance houses’ reforms

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MEETING between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and top management of finance houses last week ended in a deadlock because of the latter’s regulatory framework.

An insider at the Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN) said operators rejected the proposed framework from the CBN because it was too stringent. He said the operators thought that the botched meeting, which held in Lagos, was the last in the resolution of the regulatory logjam in the subsector, adding that the matter might be resolved at the next

‘Telcos need licence for mobile banking’ - P 32

By Collins Nweze

meeting which holds this month.

“I am hopeful that by the time the CBN and operators meet this month, pending issues especially on regulatory framework will have been resolved,” the source said. He said the mode of capitalisation had been agreed and would be made public soon.

The CBN had last May, given a 30-day notice to 47 finance houses closed or inactive to submit evidence of their existence and/or operations, or lose their licences.

The order had expired on Tuesday, April 18, but the

banking watchdog is yet to take a decision on the matter. The CBN said the affected finance companies had closed shop, ceased to operate, or abandoned finance business.

The source said stakeholders approvals had been secured in critical areas, especially in the drive to raise the sector’s capital base from N20 million to about N100 million.

This, he said, would ensure that only seriously minded operators were allowed to carry on the businesses of finance houses in the country.

The source said stakehold-

SEC suspends operators over sundry frauds - P34

ers were expecting the reform, which is expected to be unfolded by the CBN before the end of the month. It is also expected that the restructuring would expand the funding structure of the subsector to pave the way for new investors.

The Nation findings showed that the CBN Board of Governors would release new prudential guidelines for the subsector. Also, other policy issues, such as the appointment of Managing Directors would form part of the ongoing reforms in the subsector.

The source said the apex bank is also considering developing a regulatory frame-

work that will govern finance lease practice, institutionalising a “funding pool” to stimulate lending activities in the sub-sector and structured programmes to address the reputation and poor visibility challenges of the sub-sector.

He said issues, such as withdrawal of licences of 47 finance houses whose liquidity were questioned last May, and funding for the subsector are also being looked into.

FHAN agreed with the CBN that reforms in the sector would transform, and reposition the finance company sub-sector to enable it to play more role.

NSE to divest from quoted shareholdings

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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MONEY

CBN: currency in circulation drops to N1.45t

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URRENCY in circulation fell by 10.7 per cent in January to N1.45 trillion, according to an Economic Report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This figure contrasts with an increase of 4.2 per cent in December, last year, showing an a 11.2 per cent decline in currency outside banks.

Total deposits at the CBN amounted to N6.7 trillion, mainly due to the fall in the Federal Government and commercial banks’ deposits.

The report showed that Treasury Bills (TB) worth N888.3 billion matured for repayment in January while total amount offered, subscribed to and allotted amounted to N1.4 trillion, N2.9 trillion, and N1.7 trillion.

The amount offered, subscribed to and allotted for December were

Stories by Collins Nweze

N800 billion, N952.9 billion and N650.3 billion while bid rates ranged between 11.7 to 14.0 per cent; stop rates were between 12 to 13.34 per cent.

Also, reserve money (RM) fell by 8.5 per cent to N3.2 per cent, reflecting the trends in commercial banks’ deposits with the CBN. The report also showed that the money market experienced liquidity ease, as most financial market indicators trended downward.

High subscription for T-bills was sustained due to increased foreign portfolio investor interest and improved market liquidity.

It also indicated that the value of money market assets outstanding at end-January was N6.2 trillion, depicting an increase of 0.54 per

cent, compared with the increase of 20.99 per cent in December.

Available data indicated mixed developments in the banks’ deposit and lending rates during the month. With the exception of the average savings and 1-month deposit rates, which rose by 0.03 and 0.28 percentage point to 1.69 and 8.43 per cent, respectively, all other deposit rates fell from a range of 5.16 to 11.88 per cent to between 5.14 to 11.67 per cent.

At 7.66 per cent, the average term deposit rate fell by 1.33 percentage point below the level in the preceding month. Similarly, the average maximum lending rate fell by 0.07 percentage point to 24.54 per cent. However, the average prime lending rate rose by 0.03 percentage point to 16.57 per cent.

With the headline inflation rate at nine per cent, most rates, with the exception of the lending and the average interbank call rates were negative in real terms. The value of commercial paper (CP) held by the commercial banks in January stood at N1.05 billion, same as in the preceding month.

Therefore, commercial paper constituted 0.02 per cent of the total value of money market assets outstanding. The value of bankers’ acceptances (BAs) declined by 12.40 per cent to N8.64 billion, compared with the decline of 12.17 per cent in the preceding month.

The development, the apex bank said, reflected the fall in investments by deposit money banks and discount houses. Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) of various

•CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi

maturities were auctioned to mopup excess liquidity from the banking system in line with the tight monetary policy stance of the apex bank.

Tax revenues favour oil sector, says FBN Capital

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AX revenues are heavily skewed towards the oil sector, FBN Capital, an investment and research firm has said.

In January, the Federal Government earned N599.0 billion from oil receipts, which constituted 77.3 per cent of the total public revenue. The rise in oil receipts was attributed to increase in prices of crude oil in the international market.

FBN Capital said 75 per cent of registered companies in Nigeria did not feature in the tax records, adding that 85 per cent of registered taxpayers had not filed returns for two years.

“The weakness is in good part administrative. One reason for the sharp increase in tax collection in South Africa over 15 years has been the introduction and

enforcement of a regulation that public contracts can only be awarded to companies, which are current with their tax obligations,”it said.

Besides, the firm said there is a governance aspect of tax compliance, adding that taxpayers are less likely to meet their obligations if they question how the government deploys its revenues. “Taxation and representation together do not suffice.

Taxpayers do have a vote but also have to have some confidence in their government,” it said.

It said the Federal Government may be expecting a pick-up in total revenues once the petroleum industry bill is passed but the improvement on the non-oil side is set to be gradual.

FITC to unveil products

T •From left: Head of Department, PayAttitude, Unified Payments Limited, Muhammed Sanni; Head, Human Resources, Angela Idiaru; Head, Card Services, Ben Edafiadjebre and Company Secretary, Sylvester Adahada, at the Beacon of ICT awards organised by Nigeria Communications Week Media in Lagos.

‘Whistle blowing vital to risk control’

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HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have called for whistle blowing as a means of promoting sound risk management and corporate governance in organisations.

Speaking during the IOD Centre for Corporate Governance workshop in Lagos, NSE Chief Executive officer, Mr Oscar Enyema, said by disclosing sensitive information anonymously, workers can help promote sound risk management practices.

Onyema, who was represented by NSE Director, Bola Adeeko, said some staff of the NSE had signed a code of conduct agreement that act as a check and balance on their activities. This, he said, is to ensure that personal interest of each employee is not in conflict with that of the organisation.

Also, CAC Registrar-General, Mr Bello Mahmud, represented by the Assistant Director, Compliance, Adaguusu Moses, said there was need for entrepreneurs to consider the characters and reputations of persons they want to partner with in business, especially if such persons are to become directors.

One of the participants, Olayimikah Soetan, said organisations are confronted by events that affect the execution of their strategies and achievement of their goals, which he said, can have nega-

tive impact (risks), a positive impact (opportunities), or an both risk and opportunities.

“The goal of risk management is to create, protect, and enhance shareholder value by managing the uncertainties that could either negatively or positively influence achievement of the organisation’s objectives,” he said.

He said although organisations’ face various types of risk, much of the focus of risk management have traditionally been on fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and stock indices as well as management of hazard risks.

He said: “Another mistake which many organisations make, is dealing with risk in a piecemeal fashion. Typically, within the same company, different functions, such as finance, treasury, human resources and legal cover risks independently. Now, the traditional approach to risk management is giving way to an integrated approach.”

He explained that integrated risk management is all about the identification and assessment of the risks of the company as a whole and formulation and implementation of a companywide strategy to manage them.

HE Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), a special purpose professional services firm owned by the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee, is billed to introduce new products soon.

The products include FITC Virtual Learning, FITC E-recruitment, FITC Virtual library and the Nigerian version of the IFC Corporate Governance & Board Leadership Training Curriculum.

In a statement, the firm said the products, which will be launched in Lagos on May 17, are part of the organisation’s transformation agenda started late 2009.

“The products are aimed at enhancing FITC’s service delivery in line with emerging situations of its stakeholders as well as ongoing reforms in the broader Financial Services Sector and national economy, for global competitiveness,” it said.

Managing Director, FITC, Dr. Lucy Surhyel Newman, said the introduction of the new products is part of the transformation agenda being implemented by the

management of the organisation.

“The first phase of the transformation, which started since 2009, involved FITC’s internal capacity and brand alignment to deliver on its brand promises to internal and external stakeholders, thus making FITC a high impact special purpose organisation nationally, regionally and globally,” she said.

Explaining the rationale for the introduction of the products, Newman said the virtual learning will serve as an alternative medium for delivery of some of its training programmes in a timely, convenient and more accessible manner while the e-recruitment portal is designed to enable job seekers submit their resume online to the organisation’s website and facilitate faster candidates’ selection process at optimal cost and from any part of the world.

The library will provide avenue for its users and those interested in the e-library facility to have access to approved journals and books online.

Nigeria, Canada trade volume to hit $6b in 2015

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HE Nigeria, Canada trade volume will double to $6 billion from $3 billion by 2015, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, has said.

This is contained in the Oxford Business Group (OBG) report for 2012, which indicated that Canada is working with the African governments to address issues relating to security.

In a report obtained by The Nation tagged: Nigeria - 2013 Report on economic reforms, the firm said rolling out wide-range reforms in

the economy is prompting investors to take a “fresh look” at the country.

Fast said the privatisation and anti-corruption reforms would create better opportunities for investors.

“These ongoing changes will create better opportunities for all Nigerians and for investors from around the world. Canadian businesses are taking a fresh look at Nigeria and the opportunities it presents. They see that the environment is good for business, including a fair and strong regula-

tory framework to support and protect them,” he said.

“It is important that security threats are addressed, particularly because security and prosperity go hand-in-hand,” Fast said.

The minister added that while Nigeria’s extractive industries remain a focal point of interest for Canadian businesses, other sectors, such as information and communications technology (ICT), were playing a growing role in bilateral trade and investment.

“While diversified trade and investment are vital to our bilateral relationship, the extractive sector can also be an important driver of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries, provided that an enabling environment is created,” he said.

The report was produced with research assistance from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Cordros Capital Ltd and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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MONEY

Experts laud keeping of reserves in Chinese Yuan N

IGERIA’S decision to put 10 per cent of its $47 billion reserves in Chinese Yuan has been described as wise and strategic by global investment experts.

Other currencies in the basket are Euro, Pounds and Riyal.

Speaking at a trade and investment in global market forum in Lagos, Amro Zakaria, Managing Director, Market Trader Academy (MTA) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said China is one of the biggest trading partners of Nigeria and such diversification would protect the naira from currency war going on between Japan, Europe and America. Japan’s plan to devalue its currency to give its economy a boost is being opposed by Europe and America.

Zakaria said aside reserves diversification, Nigeria should also diversify the economy away from oil, having discovered that its biggest buyer, the United States will achieve energy independence by 2020.

He said though the country may identify new buyers of its crude oil, the most dependable and trusted

By Collins Nweze

buyer, the United States, may not be there anymore.

He said Nigeria’s best resource remains its youths, adding that with proper education, the country’s development will no longer be dependent on oil.

The expert said the company is committed to educating the youth on how the global market works.

Besides, he said there is need to carry the campaign to schools and higher institutions. He said it is also imperative for the youth to tap into the global market and explore opportunities there. This, he said, can only be possible if there is improvement in education and communication among the youths.

The expert explained that learning about global markets and economic trends through education will afford Nigerians the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios and to compete effectively in an ever globalised world.

Describing Nigeria as an emerging market with lots of potentials,

he advised that trading and investments in global equities, precious metals, forex, etc will further empower the people and improve their chances in mitigating adverse effects caused by current and future global events.

Chief Business Development Officer, World Wide Markets Limited (WWM), in the United States, Steven Santamouris, who spoke on Learn to trade and invest in global markets, described World Wide Markets as one of the leading brokerage firms offering access to global markets including “exchange traded US equities.”

Santamouris said clients should be armed with a true and detailed understanding of how the FX Brokerage business operates from the inside out.

He described WWM partnership with the Market Trader Academy as strategic, saying it would provide the Academy with the necessary technical expertise for traders to navigate the volatility of the markets through knowledge of those markets as well as risk management strategies.

Stanbic IBTC launches mobile money STANBIC IBTC Bank Limited has announced the introduction of the ‘Stanbic IBTC MobileMoney’ application for smart phones. The product is expected to run on blackberry and android operating systems.

Stanbic IBTC’s Executive Director for Personal and Business Banking, Mr Obinna Abajue, said in a statement that the development has underscored the bank’s commitment to provide Nigerians with valueadded products and services that suit their lifestyles.

He said the product operates on a user-friendly platform that offers its users a convenient means of carrying out mobile money transactions from their mobile devices and wherever they are.

“With the smart phone app, customers can enjoy mobile money services such as airtime purchase, funds transfer to all bank accounts, bills payment, money transfer to mobile phone subscribers, and much more.

The application is free and available for download to both customers and non-customers of the bank, including individuals who do not own a bank account,” he said.

Abajue described the launch of the mobile application as another step towards leveraging evolving technologies to bring affordable financial services closer to Nigerians in line with the bank’s financial inclusion initiative.

Also, the bank’s Head of Mobile Banking, Mr Yinka Shorungbe said: “We are continuously looking for ways to bring new and innovative products and services to our customers.”

How firms can spread risks BUSINESSES need to work harder to spread responsibility for risk management, according to a report from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The survey of over 2,000 members found that accountants have vital role to play in successful risk management.

The survey, it said in a statement, also found a statistical link between the use of accounting practices that contribute to managing risk and lower occurrences of fraud. It also found differences in the perception of a company’s exposure to risk between those at board level and those accountants working below board level.

‘Risk happens at all levels of business. Risk management needs to be something that is undertaken by everyone in an organisation so it is fully integrated. The survey shows that accountants have an excellent grasp of the risks faced by their organisation and the steps needed to manage those risks. The survey also shows clear support amongst accountants for ‘challenging senior people’ as being part of good business culture,” it said.

Free trading confab FOREXTIME Ltd has held a free money trading conference entitled: New paradigm in online trading in Akure, Ondo State. It focused on trading and opportunities in the forex industry.

The firm, in a statement, said issues, such as online marketing, proper perspectives to forex marketing, effective trading, and tools on how to maximise trading opportunities were discussed. Others include training and forex trading networking.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Fore ForexTime, Mr Olga Rybalkina, said: “This conference provided a valuable opportunity for investors, high net worth individuals, agents, investment managers, commodity traders, entrepreneurs, brokers, portfolio managers and venture capitalists to exploit and advance their knowledge of the market.”

He said the market is dynamic, adding that the programe was organised to enable traders among other stakeholders broaden their horizons.

CITN holds workshop on taxation • Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko (second right) being assisted by Managing Director/CEO, Bank of

Agriculture (BoA), Dr. Mohammed K. Santuraki (right) and Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, during the launch of Sokoto/BoA N1.15 billion agric loan scheme.

BoA, Sokoto provide N1b agric loan

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HE Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the Sokoto State government have provided N1.15 billion loans to farmers in the 23 local government areas in the state.

The scheme is being operated under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the state government and BOA. Through the agreement, the government provided N650 million while the bank provided N500 million.

The Managing Director of BOA,

By Akinola Ajibade

Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, said the loans were given to small farmers, who account for 90 per cent of farmers in the state.

He said the farmers can only operate well when given the necessary support.

He decried the massive importation of food into Nigeria, despite the vast fertile land in the country.

“So we are happy with this collaboration and this event has become a reality today barely five

weeks after the signing of the MoU with the state government,” Santuraki added.

The Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wammako, said each of the 23 local governments was given N50 million, adding that the gesture would only be extended to genuine farmers. Wammako said it is revolving scheme, aimed at encouraging farmers to produce more.

He said the bank would provide technical assistance to the beneficiaries of the loans in form of extension services for growth.

Access Bank, Friends Africa partner

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CCESS Bank is partnering with Friends of the Global Fund Africa (Friends Africa) to host a high-level stakeholder Engagement Forum tagged: Sustainable health financing in Nigeria in Abuja.

In a statement, the bank’s Group Managing Director, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, said: “The bank is committed sustainably to the eradication of the AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This informed the initial donation of $1million to the Global Fund to fight this pan-

demic and the partnership of the Bank with Friends Africa to host the Sustainable Health Financing Forum in Nigeria.”

Aig-Imoukhede stressed that the Global Fund’s “Gift from Africa project” was designed to “provide the African private sector with an opportunity to provide responsible leadership and demonstrate to the world that Africans are prepared to play an active part in solving the continent’s challenges.”

Executive Director of the Global

Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Mark Dybul, said double-digit declines in mortality from the three diseases could be jeopardised if donors fail to top up the fund.

Friends Africa is committed to financing of prevention and treatment of the AIDS virus and other global killers will use the forum to urge top donors to provide an additional $15 billion to fight infectious diseases over the next three years or risk reversing a decade of advances in care.

THE Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has held a workshop for the media.

In a statement, the institute said the objective was to enlighten the public on their rights, duties and liabilities in relation to taxation.

It said the media has a responsibility to hold the government accountable to the people, a role which made the institute to partner with the media on the training.

It explained that taxation, like any other discipline or profession, has peculiarities, technicalities and terminologies, which are incomprehensible to the uninitiated.

“The Council of CITN has empowered its Publicity and Publications Committee to organise this event to educate and interact with gentlemen of the press so as to equip them intellectually on terminologies and basic taxation issues that are germane to the performance of their functions,” it said.

‘Nigeria should target Diaspora investors’ THE government has done enough in its effort to woo investors from the Diaspora to invest in the local economy, Director, Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF), Jide Akintunde, has said.

Speaking ahead of the NDFF Conference in Washington DC, United States from June 4 to 5, he regretted that there is no policy known to exist to encourage Nigerians living abroad to invest in the country except ‘wooing’ them through road shows.

He noted that there are barriers to investing in the country which especially affect the participation of Nigerians living abroad, compared to global or emerging market investors looking to invest in Nigeria.

He said Diaspora Nigerians have more psychological closeness to the country, and so they have more awareness of the high level corruption dynamic in getting a deal done where government officials are involved in the process.

He said the event is aimed at drawing these investors into investing in the country. “However, a global investor with experience in the emerging markets knows how to deal with the rough terrain of business in Nigeria. Indeed, his behaviour is constrained by legislations in his home country which prohibit payment of bribes while doing business abroad. But this is not necessarily the case for a Nigerian abroad who has no emerging market exposure or experience,” he said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

MONEY The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the institution is looking to East Africa to grow its market. He said the bank is the first in Nigeria to post over N100 billion profit. He spoke on other issues at a forum with Business Editors. SIMEON EBULU, Deputy Business Editor, was there.

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Telcos need licence for mobile money banking, says GTBank boss

IME there was when banks flaunted their numerous branches as a measure of their size or bigness. Not so, anymore, at least for Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, believes that expanding the branch network should not be done in isolation, but as is necessary to drive banks service delivery to customers.

Agbaje, who spoke over the weekend in Lagos at a forum with Business Editors, said the branch network is the most expensive platform for servicing customers, adding that in growing your branches, you should be careful not to put more branches that will increase cost and reduce profitability.

He said: “I do not believe that the solution to serving your customers better lies alone in increasing your number of branches. I believe that the solution lies in finding an optimum amount of branches that are supportive of your alternative channels, and that neither one by itself works, they need to mix together.”

Nevertheless, he said GTBank has lined up plans to add 45 branches this year to its existing 207 branch network.

While speaking on the direction the bank is heading in the 2013 financial year, Mr. Agbaje said GTBank is eyeing the East African axis. In his words: “The bank will continue its expansion in Africa.

We would like to go to East Africa,” arguing that East Africa is more of an Economic Zone than most other parts of Africa. “Its always been there. There has always been a close economic relationship between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. They also have a sizable population, they are about 20 million. The GDP growth is very good and you also have good infrastructure. So I believe in my perspective, East Africa is a nice economic zone,” he added.

The GTBank helmsman, said the bank’s desire to explore the East African market does not mean that the indigenous market is being relegated to the background. He said Nigeria is where the bank makes most of its profit. “Nigeria is where I make most of my money. I don’t think the opportunities in Nigeria and East Africa are mutually exclusive. I think we will continue to pursue both,” Agbaje stated.

On mobile banking, Agbaje spared some kind words for the telecom operators who are clamouring to be co-players with the banks in the delivery of the service, He said as a money instrument, a banking licence would be required.

His argument: The mobile money banking network is a banking instrument. So if the telcos want to do mobile money, they have to go get a banking licence because you have to regulate the deposits and protect the depositors and the public. So its really not about the banks or the telcos. It’s about the process.

If you want to run a banking product which has KYC (Know Your Customer) and has inherent risks, then to do that, you have to get a banking licence,” the GTBank boss, stressed.

He denied claims that the bank has restricted its partnership with the telcos to about one, or two operators. “We are partnering with all the telcos in our mobile money banking business,” he said, adding that “the platform we have built today is the one that allows us to partner with everybody, so we’re not restricting ourselves.”

He said in the few months that GTBank started the service, it has registered thousands of subscribers. He said: “We are already approaching about 100,000 active users, and we’ve only been at it for two months, and we are not despondent,” he said.

Agbaje painted a glowing picture of mobile money banking in the near future. His words: “But one thing I can assure you is that mobile phone is going to become a great focal point of banking, no matter how slow it starts. I see a situation that by 2015, there will be more mobile devices than we envisage, and the cheaper these handsets become, the more the penetration. That is where most of the banking is going to be done.”

He, however, acknowledged the associated challenges bedevilling mobile banking, saying: “We all know the telephone challenge, we have infrastructure challenge, I think we will get better, just as we have the ATM challenge. It will get better.”

On the power sector reform, Mr. Agbaje said banks have expressed sufficient interest in the sector. He said every bank has a power sector desk, adding that what is at stake, is whether the banks have the expertise to really understand the power sector. “We all need to move cautiously, it’s a good thing with

• Agbaje

strong initiative, and we will see how the first round of the privatisation goes, and we will see whether the money to back it is available. We are all moving with cautious optimism in that regard,” he stated.

Agbaje staved off suggestions that the bank might opt to buy, or acquire any bank, including any of the bridged banks. He said there

was no remote possibility of such a union. As put it: “Our DNA is not best suited for acquisition. We’ve never married any other bank in our 22 years of existence, We’ve always been by ourselves, we’ll probably remain so.”

He underlined the relevance of the Credit Bureaux, saying any insinuation that their relevance has waned, is imaginary. “We are not allowed to give a loan without a credit reference from a Credit Bureau,” he said, adding however that there are challenges of identification. “One of the challenges that Credit Bureaux are having, is the fact that there are no credible means of identification. So even when credit reports come, they are not full proof because people change names. But the truth is, CBs are still very relevant, and you are not allowed, even by CBN regulation to avail a credit without having done a check on the company,” he explained, adding that adopting the bio-metric method will help advance the credibility of the process and make it a lot more robust.

Agbaje said GTBank’s doors are open to all without any ceiling whatsoever as to minimum balance. His words: “We don’t have a minimum balance. My take on that is, if people want to bunk, we should encourage them.”

He explained that the reality of where banking is going is that we are going to have frictionless internet banking which is a more robust social banking, and that coupled with strong ATM network, the need for such requirement is no more paramount.

He said GTBank will continue to leverage on its chosen sectors, which he listed as oil and gas, maritime, construction, the retail segment and telecoms to drive its business.

On the economy, Agbaje said Nigeria’s economy continues to enjoy a steady smooth, with the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) averaging 7.1 per cent, adding that the growth in Foreign Exchange reserves which grew by 33 per cent in the review period, is expected to continue with the trend this year.

He said the single digit inflation rate would prevail in 2013.

Agbaje said with a profit of N103 billion in 2012, GTBank is the first Deposit Money Bank in Nigeria to post over N100 billion in profits.

He listed Profit After Tax of N87.30 billion, representing an increase of 68.72 per cent; Return On Equity (ROE) of 33.98 per cent; Francophone expansion with GTBank Cote D’Ivoire and complete divestment from all NonBank subsidiaries as some of the major achievements of the bank in the review period.

Specifically, the bank came tops on Return On Equiity (ROE), posting 23.60 per cent in Nigeria and Africa, while it occupied the second position in BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and other peer countries.

Among its achievements are: Best Bank in Nigeria-Euromoney; Best Bank in Nigeria-World Finance, UK; Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria- World Finance, UK and Best Financial Institution Brand AwardEMEA Finance, UK, while Agbaje, the CEO, was voted the African Banker of the Year by African Banker.

‘The bank will continue its expansion in Africa. We would like to go to East Africa. East Africa is more of an Economic Zone than most other parts of Africa.

It’s always been there. There has always been a close economic relationship between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. They also have a sizable population. They are about 20 million.

The GDP growth is very good and you also have good infrastructure. So, I believe, in my perspective, East Africa is a nice economic zone’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

‘I started business with N600’ An entrepreneur and consultant on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), Dr Samson Makinwa, gives tips on how to succeed in business. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes

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OT all small scale enterprises (SMEs) are capital intensive. Some require small capital to start.This is the story of Dr. Samson Makinwa, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Techno Quip Limited, Lagos.

Speaking with The Nation about how he made his breakthrough in business, he said a fresh school leaver should not go into a business that requires a huge amount of money.

He said with N25,000, a buding entrepreneur can go into the production of liquid soap, laundry soap etc. “I also know that you can produce candles with N50,000, while with N100,000, you can produce garri, toilet rolls, beverages, exercise books and chalks.

However, he said the production of any of these - nylon, paints, cosmetics, animal feeds - is not cheap, adding that it can take about N500,000 to start any of them.

Makinwa said he started his engineering business in 1999 with N600, from a room with three chairs, suitcase and other things in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb. Today, experts put the worth of its assets at N3billion, excluding cash. His firm fabricates the following machines: nylon, plastics, soap, laundry, cassava processing, rice pro-

cessing etc.

Noting that it’s only manufacturing that we can grow the economy, he lamented: “In Nigeria, we are not producing. We talk only of marketing. We need more of manufacturing; that is the only reason, we will not waste our scare foreign exchange. For example, our bags are from Dubai, France etc and that is where our money goes instead of spending it here.”

To succeed in business, Makinwa advised that the owner should learn some marketing skills. It is not enough to have the technical knowledge, he said. He further said Nigeria with its wide population has a large market.

He said: “There is nothing you produce that you can’t sell. Take water, for example. Abroad, when you eat in a restaurant, you get free water. It was like that here before. But now with the advent of satchet or bottled water, water is sold here to those who want to eat and this is helping the business of water.”

Besides, he asked: “If you produce candles, why sell it in Ikoyi?

You can’t sell them there. The people who live there buy mainly generators, not candles. So, you must locate your market and take the product there.”

Also, he advised that one should go into one’s area of interest, but this must be limited to essential products. ‘’Generally, the economy is down. As a result, people buy mainly those goods that are essential to their living,” he explained.

He advised SMEs’ owners on prudent management. ‘’You don’t need to have a large space. I told you earlier that I started from a room. Why would I have to rent offices when I can’t afford it?” he asked.

On how to tackle challenges, he said: “Nothing comes easy. You must be ready to stand, to succeed.

Be determined to succeed. If I tell you what I have seen in business, you will be surprised. Since early this year, for instance, we have not made up to four per cent of what we used to get in the same period in those days. Yet, I must pay staff and spend money on other things.”

For starters, he said prospective enterpreneurs need a consultant who would act as a coach for them.

“They don’t charge. I act as a coach to some people. Jimoh Ibrahim used to organise training for potential business. Also, they need the services of government agencies, such as Small and Medium En-

terprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) and the Incubator Centre in Agege, Lagos. Their services in some areas are free. There are several others such bodies.”

Makinwa, who is a consultant to many organisations and groups, said: “From research,we established that in the last 20 years, 80 per cent of SMEs died between one and the fifth year; the balance we don’t know if they will die. I gave this research to SMEDAN and I also interviewed the people that I fabricated machines for. I discovered that what helped them was that they didn’t start big. “In my time we used to wear only our technical wears to show the profession we belong.”

He advised retirees not to remain idle. “They must have something to do,” he said. “For the youths, running from the country and going abroad will not help them. Abroad, the jobs are not there as they used to. It is not as rosy as it used to. The best thing is for the youths to stay here and

From engineering to flour production From a modest beginning, an engineering graduate has discovered the hidden gold in beans, reports DAN ESSIET.

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RS Jane Kolawole, Director, Janeland Net-works Limited is a chemical en-

gineer.

A product of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, she became an entrepreneur a quirk of fate.

She was given a contract job instead of a permanent one in a company she served as a Corps member. Mrs Kolawole realised that it was difficult for her to keep the job and her home as she had to leave early - sometimes at 5 a.m Lekki from her home at the mainland.

Along the line, she discovered that her passion is in production. As she searched for ideas, she began to notice that many homes and small entrepreneurs use beans as an ingredient.

The Janeland Networks boss decided to experiment with bean flour and started the business

from her kitchen. After some trials she produced a bean flour product acceptable by people making moin moin and akara.

Her bean flour is made from beans, which has been cleaned, peeled and milled to a fine flour.

The flour is used to prepare dishes such as moin-moin and akara. Her experience in the chemical industry along with her passion for good food has made her a valuable asset in the creation and development of bean based products.

Mrs Kolawole started the business around 2010. In the beginning, business was slow. But she has been toughened by the highs and lows of the business.

Some of the greatest challenges she faced at the beginning were economic. Mrs Kolawole started the business with little money.

Then shwe bought a half bag of beans for N8000. Now, it sells for

between N10,000 and N12,000. She hopes to run a successful business that will create jobs for friends and families. She has taken the risk, and proven that she has the courage to step up to the edge of the precipice and believes that she can make it.

She is continuously look for ways to improve the way the business provides services to clients as a startup.

She attributed growth of the business to her strong spiritual faith. The growth of the business is linked to good word-of mouth from satisfied clients, who continue to give her referrals and kept patronising her.

Currently, the bean market is not oversupplied, so, she is going to benefit from increased demand, but needs funding to expand and support several products and initiatives to help small scale food producers.

build their country,” he advised.

He appealed to the government to help the people more through training and funding of SMEs. An engineering graduate, Makinwa has come a long way. He was a member of the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP); Chairman, Technical Committee, Lagos State Enterprises Committee in the Otedola administration and a lead Consultant, Ekiti State Enterprises Development Bureau in Oni‘s Administration.

He has 32 awards to his credit.

They include United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO’s) Africa Industrialisation award and the National Productivity Merit award, which he received in 1996.

SMEDAN, NPC to partner

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• Bean flour. Mrs Kolawole (inset)

•Makinwa

HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is to partner the National Productivity Centre (NPC) to enhance small amd medium scale enterprises (SMEs) output.

In a statement in Abuja SMEDAN’s Assistant Chief Information Officer, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the collaboration was borne out of an urgent need to develop strategies to ensure that problems associated with productivity potential of (SMEs) were addressed.

It described SMEs as the engine of growth of the economy, saying they have the potential for job creation and could contribute greatly to Gross Domestic product (GDP) of a nation.

The statement said that SMEs in Nigeria were constrained by several challenges that limited their impact in the country’s economic development.

“Such challenges include, but are not limited to weak operating capacities in terms of skill, knowledge and attitudes, lack of infrastructure, reliance on obsolete technology and low market access. “Others are poor access to credit, poor information flow, weak networking among operators in the segment, lack of safeguards against occupational

health and environmental hazards and discriminatory legislation.’’

The statement said that SMEDAN was saddled with the responsibility of developing and promoting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

It said that SMEDAN had the compelling role of building synergies with other agencies to tackle most of the challenges bedeviling the sector.

“In view of this, SMEDAN, in collaboration with the NPC, is organising a two-day National workshop tagged Work Place Challenge in the Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector’’.

The workshop, according to the statement, is slated for May 8 and 9, 2013 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference and Exhibition Centre in Ikeja. The statement said that the objectives of the two-day workshop included identifying workplace transformation challenges, identifying appropriate productivity improvement tools and techniques for workplace transformation.

The seminar is also to develop Best Operating Practices (BOP) for Nigerian SMEs and train participants to become workplace environment managers.

Enterpreneur’s Quote ‘If you want to be an entrepreneur, it’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle. It defines you.

Forget about vacations, about going home at 6 p.m - last thing at night you’ll send emails, first thing in the morning you’ll read emails, and you’ll wake up in the middle of the night.

But it’s hugely rewarding as you’re fulfilling something for yourself’ – Niklas Zennström is a Swedish entrepreneur best known for founding several high-profile online ventures with Janus Friis including Skype and Kazaa

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

SEC suspends operators over sundry frauds S

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has suspended two investment firms and several individual operators associated with the firms. The enforcement actions are against operators who allegedly defrauded investors.

In three separate circulars, the apex capital market regulator stated that the suspended firms and operators engaged in sundry fraud, including diversion of funds, illegal sale of investors’ shares, acting against investor’s mandate and failure to remit funds as at when required.

The two suspended firms were Vision Trust & Investment Limited and Aims Asset Management Limited. SEC also disowned another purported investment firm-Irving Asset & Management Company

By Taofik Salako

Limited, noting that it is not registered to perform any function in the capital market.

According to the circulars, Vision Trust & Investment Limited, a stockbroking firm and all its sponsored individuals were suspended from all capital market activities allegedly for the illegal sale of 131, 868 and 44, 400 shares of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc shares belonging to the estate of Animashaun Anjorin without mandate.

SEC stated that Vision Trust was given several opportunities to restore the shares it sold without mandate or to make restitution to the investor, but it continuously failed to meet up.

Also, SEC noted that it sus-

pended Aims Asset Management for non-refund of the sum of investor’s deposit at the maturity of a portfolio investment agreement.

According to the Commission, an investor deposited N0.3 million with Aims Asset Management under a portfolio investment agreement for a tenor of three years.

However, at the expiration of the period and despite several demands, the investment firm could neither pay the investor her principal investment money nor returns.

SEC stated that its investigation revealed that the investment firm invested the client’s fund in the shares of Tetrazzini Foods Limited, a private company which is not regulated by the Commission and whose shares are not traded on the Nigerian Stock

Exchange.

The investment in Tetrazzini Foods, SEC stated, was contrary to the portfolio investment agreement between the operator and the investor.

SEC alleged that Mr Adim Jibunoh of Irving Asset & Management Company Limited and Mr Adewale Akinrele of Cashcraft Assets Management Limited were guilty of fraudulent diversion of investor’s fund.

SEC alleged that Jibunoh and Akinrele collected N3.1 million from an investor with promise to invest the sum in Investments and Allied Assurance Limited hares during its private placement in 2008.

“The money was not utilised for the said purpose but converted by the duo for their benefit,” SEC alleged.

The Commission noted that in

spite of the undertaking made by Mr Adewale Akinrele in March 2010 to refund the money and interest at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Monetary Policy Rate within two months from April 1, 2010 and several repeated demands by SEC, the investor has not been refunded.

SEC cautioned the general investing public that Irving Asset & Management and Mr. Adim Jibunoh are not registered by it to perform any function in the capital market warning that any person dealing with them in any capital market related transaction is doing so at his own risk.

The apex capital market regulator called on the duo to refund the sum of N3.1 million to the investor.

Efforts to get the responses of the operators were not successful.

NSE to divest from quoted shareholdings •Records N1.2b surplus

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HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) plans to sell all its investments in quoted shares as part of the group strategy to minimise exposure to fluctuating share prices.

A preview of the Exchange’s risk management strategy obtained by The Nation indicated that the NSE Group would divest from all its quoted investments as part of strategy to minimise its equityrelated market risks.

The NSE Group consists of the NSE and three other subsidiariesNSE Consult Limited, Coral Properties Plc and Naira Properties Limited. The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), where NSE has some 27 per cent equity stake, is not regarded as a subsidiary but rather as an associate company.

According to the report, the NSE Group was exposed to equity investment risk as a result of its exposures which stood at ¦ 253.041 million as at December 31, 2012 as against ¦ 217.65 million recorded as at December 31, 2011.

NSE Group’s quoted equity investments are categorized under as trading financial assets. Trading financial assets are those assets that the Group acquires principally for the purpose of selling in the near term, or holds as part of a portfolio that is managed together for short-term profit or position taking.

The risk management report, which is part of a comprehensive annual report to be presented to members of the Exchange later this week, seeks to reduce exposure to equity risks and at the same time make the NSE’s financial management more independent of the stock market.

However, NSE’s equity portfolios appeared to have benefitted from the substantial recovery at the stock market as there were no provisions for diminution in market value of quoted equities in 2012 as against provisions of N71.92 million in 2011.

NSE Group’s risk management policies, according to the report, are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the group, set appropriate limits and controls as well as to monitor risks and adherence to limits.

In what probably underlined the reason for the divestment, the report indicated that NSE’s risk management policies and systems are usually reviewed to reflect the changes in market conditions and the group’s activities.

According to the report, a strong

By Taofik Salako

risk management practice is a core part of the NSE’s transformation agenda and it is fundamental to the business activities and growth of the Exchange.

Meanwhile, key extracts of the audited financial statements of the NSE and its subsidiaries showed that the group recorded net surplus of N1.15 billion in 2012 as against N258.3 million in 2011. Surplus before tax had stood at N1.18 billion in 2012 compared with N262.80 million in 2011.

The significant increase in net surplus boosted the balance sheet position of the Exchange, with total equity funds rising from N9.37 billion to N10.53 billion. Total assets also increased from N12.36 billion to N13.11 billion. Gross earnings however recorded marginal increase at N3.94 billion in 2012 as against N3.55 billion in 2011.

•From left: Corporate Media & Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Edem Vindah; Marketing Manager, Gulder & Life, NB Plc, Mr Emmanuel Agu and Snr. Brand Manager, Gulder, Mr Onyeka Okoli, at a briefing to unveil Ultimate Arrival, the new Gulder Tv show, at the company’s Corporate Headquarters in Iganmu, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Skye Bank records N5b Q1 profit

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KYE Bank Plc made good early strides in this financial year as the bank pooled a pre-tax profit of N4.6 billion on the back of 25 per cent increase in the topline in the first quarter.

Interim report and accounts of Skye Bank for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 showed that it recorded significant growths in the incomes and profitability, with revenue growth largely driven by an impressive increase in its core banking operations.

The report indicated that gross earnings rose by 24.6 per cent to N34.69 billion in first quarter 2013 as against N27.84 billion recorded in comparable period of 2012. Interest income had grown by 18.2 per cent from N23.04 billion to N27.22 billion, underlining the increasing market share in the banking industry. Profit before tax stood at N4.63 billion as against N4.09 billion in corresponding period while profit after tax rose from N3.48 billion to N3.71 billion.

The balance sheet position of the bank remains strong with total assets and deposits of N1.1 trillion and N803.6 billion respectively.

Shareholders’ funds closed the first quarter at N105.72 billion.

The report raises expectations that the bank would, in the current financial year ending December 31, 2013; significantly surpass its performance in the previous year, when the bank had recorded the highest industry growth in net profit.

Commenting on the outlook for the bank, Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the first quarter results placed the bank in a good stead to sustaining its impressive year-on-year performance.

“We are glad to announce our first quarter 2013 results with measured growth in key performance indices. Our improved risk management processes and various efficiency practices are a signpost towards an optimistic financial year,” Durosinmi-Etti said.

According to him, the bank’s topline growth of 25 per cent was an indication of the increase in its business volume while its balance sheet size remained robust at N1.1 tril-

lion.

“We remain confident that despite intense competition, we are on track to deliver on our set targets for the year,” Durosinmi-Etti said.

The report raises expectations that the bank would, in the current financial year ending December 31, 2013; significantly surpass its performance in the previous year, when the bank had recorded the highest industry growth in net profit.

The audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2012 had shown impressive growth in profitability as the bank rode on the back of expansive business base and increasingly efficient cost

management to deliver impressive returns to shareholders.

The report showed that profit after tax leapt to N12.64 billion in 2012, representing a remarkable increase of 872.6 per cent on N1.30 billion recorded in 2011. Profit before tax had leapt by 480.9 per cent from N2.84 billion in 2011 to N16.51 billion in 2012. The bank also recorded significant improvement in the top-line as gross earnings rose by about 25 per cent from N102.36 billion to N127.73 billion.

On the basis of the impressive net earnings, the board of the bank has recommended an increase in cash dividend per share from 25 kobo paid for 2011 business year to 50 kobo for 2012.

FAAN earns N100m at GAT from lease rentals

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HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) earned over N100 million from lease rentals at the remodelled General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, its Managing Director, Mr George Uriesi, has said.

Speaking during an interview with The Nation in Lagos, he said the authority is seeking ways to boost its revenue at airports nationwide under a new arrangement expected to attract investors.

Part of measure is a new regime of concessions and lease rentals.

To achieve this, FAAN is em-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

barking on facility upgrade at airports to attract more investors in the aeronautical and non aeronautical areas.

Mr Uriesi said the authority is handling over 73 projects nationwide, as a strategy to make the environment more investorfriendly.

Part of the projects include the remodelling of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which will create more space for offices, shops and other retail outlets to be taken by ancillary service providers.

One of the projects being consid-

ered is the construction of the multi-layer car park at both the domestic and international wings of the airport, which is expected to generate revenue for the authority.

He said the access toll gate at the Lagos Airport is also being expanded to create room for more lanes, where FAAN will earn more than N40 million that the concessionaire is expected to remit to the authority.

Plans are afoot to build a car park and a cargo terminal at the cargo wing of the airport. They are expected to fetch more revenue for the authority, he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

35

THE NATION INVESTORS UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Group is perhaps the most influential non-bank group at the stock market. With four quoted companies with operations cutting across several sectors of the economy, UACN Group has been riding in anticipation of the conglomerate's earnings and returns. TAOFIK SALAKO reports that impending release of the group's results would shape overall market position

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ESIDES one or two banking stocks, there is hardly any stock with outstanding earnings report as influential as that of UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc and its subsidiaries. Obviously Nigeria's largest and most active conglomerate, UACN Group comprises of several active companies spread through manufacturing, services, logistics and real estate sectors of the economy.

UACN Group included four quoted companies- UACN, CAP Plc, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc and Livestock Feeds, each leader in its business segment.

Other members of the group included UAC Foods Limited, GM Nigeria Limited- a joint venture with General Motors Corporation of United States of America, MDS Logistics Limited, Warm Spring Waters Nigeria Limited, Grand Cereals Limited, UAC Registrars and Unico CPFA Limited.

With another major acquisition that would likely bring number of active publicly quoted members of UACN Group to five; UACN Group's market considerations have been on the upswing. The listing at the weekend of 800 million ordinary shares of Livestock Feeds that resulted from the special placement to UACN fully inducted the agrarian stock into the conglomerate structure.

Within the past seven weeks, market value of UACN has grown considerably. With yearto-date return of 35.7 per cent, UACN opened with twice the average return at the stock market. The main index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), opened trading yesterday at 17.64 per cent. UACN opened yesterday at N57 per share, 35.7 per cent on its year's opening value of N42. With a high of N59.06, the conglomerate has shown the strongest resilience this year. It had reached a high of N43.99 per share in 2012. UACN's share price had traded between a range of N58.48 and N36.16 to close 2010 at N37.51. In 2011, the conglomerate pricing trend ranged between N42.50 and N28.70 before it closed at N31.18. But these recent periods have seen an increasingly resilient performance by the conglomerate and its major constituents. Viewed against the negative full-year return of 16.9 per cent in 2011 and the full-year return of 34.7 per cent in 2012, the current year-to-date re-

What returns for conglomerate? turn signals major recovery for the stock.

Widening the group With the completion of the acquisition of Livestock Feeds, UACN is expected to close the deal on another acquisition target- Portland Paints and Products Plc (Portland Paints). UACN had announced last year that it had signed agreement to buy controlling equity stake in Portland Paints and Products Plc (Portland Paints), another publicly quoted company. The acquisition represents a major market consolidation thrust for the conglomerate, which already has controlling equity stake in CAP Plc, the largest quoted paints and chemical company. With already established presence in the Nigerian paint industry, the new deal would deepen the conglomerate's control in existing markets and create synergies for growth through larger scope and scale economies in procurement, production and distribution. The acquisition of Portland Paints will not only enhance the existing decorative paints portfolio of the UACN Group, but it also holds possibilities for new businesses. Besides its flagship brandSandtex, Portland Paints' products include marine and protective coatings for oil and gas sector, sanitary ware, instant road repair material for repairs in all weather for cracks and potholes in asphalt, concrete and landing runway areas in airports as well as its traditional decorative and industrial paints. UACN, with its market-leading UPDC in the real estate sector, will find cost-saving synergies from other non-paint businesses of Portland Paints.

Previewing the earnings The main pricing factors in the immediate period for UACN would be the conglomerate's

earnings and dividends. The three quoted companies that formed the nucleus of the UACN Group are expected to pool about N13.6 billion in pre-tax profit for the year ended December 31, 2012, some N3.4 billion short of combined pre-tax earnings for the 2011 business year. According to the full-year forecasts by directors of the group, both UACN and UPDC are expected to witness declines in profits while CAP is expected with modest increase. But net earnings of the companies are expected to remain substantially high to cover previous dividend payouts.

While UACN is still estimated to provide more than two-thirds of the total profit by the three companies, CAP remains the most profitable company. UACN, which aggregate returns from subsidiaries, is expected to contribute 71.7 per cent of pre-tax profit while UPDC and CAP are estimated with 17 per cent and 11.5 per cent respectively. Average pre-tax profit per N100 unit of sales by UACN is estimated to drop from N20.4 in 2011 to N14.12 in 2012. With this, net earnings per share for the conglomerate could decline from N6.37 made in 2011 to N4.39 in 2012. UACN had paid a dividend per share of N1.50 for the 2011 business year.

Also, average pre-tax profit margin for UPDC is expected to drop from N25.3 on every N100 income in 2011 to N16.73 in 2012.

The real estate's net earnings per share, which had closed 2011 at N1.48, is projected to drop to N1.14 in 2012. UPDC distributed dividend per share of 65 kobo for 2011 business year.

But CAP is projected to fight off the sluggish bottom-line. Pre-tax profit margin is expected to improve marginally from N30.15 on every N100 sales in 2011 to N30.87 in 2012. Basic earnings per share could thus increase from N1.79 in 2011 to N1.90 in 2012. CAP had paid N1.50

cash dividend on every share for the 2011 business year.

The forecasts show that while UPDC is expected to witness increase in turnover from N10.75 billion in 2011 to N13.74 billion in 2012, rising costs may undermine the bottom-line.

Profits before and after tax are estimated at N2.30 billion and N1.57 billion in 2012 respectively as against N2.72 billion and N2 billion recorded respectively in 2011.

In the same vein, UACN is expected to increase total sales from N63.59 billion in 2011 to N69.03 billion in 2012. But profit before tax is estimated to slow down to N9.75 billion this year as against N12.98 billion made in 2011.

After taxes, net profit is projected to drop to N7.02 billion from N10.20 billion in 2011.

However, CAP is expected to sustain exceptional resilience with modest increase in all key performance indicators. Turnover is estimated to increase to N5.06 billion in 2012 compared with N4.31 billion in 2011. Profit before tax is projected to improve from N1.30 billion in 2011 to N1.56 billion in 2012 while net profit after tax is expected to inch up to N1.06 billion from N1.0 billion in 2011.

What dividend expectations?

But by the third quarter ended, it was only CAP that was closed to the forecasts. Ninemonth interim report showed that UACN recorded total sales of N47.53 billion while profits before and after tax stood at N5.83 billion and N3.91 respectively. During the same period, UPDC reported pre-tax profit of N869.06 million on total sales of N7.78 billion. After taxes, net profit for the real estate company stood at N800.31 million. CAP appeared to be in good stead to surpass forecasts. CAP's turnover stood at N3.83 billion. Profit before tax closed the ninth month at N1.31 billion while net profit after tax stood at N889.8 million.

But beyond the immediate earnings, UACN's enlarged growth base holds strong potential.

While it may be too early to pinpoint the actual synergistic values of UACN's expansionary drives and the headwinds of costs also still remain threats, but there are several incontrovertible macro variables that suggest some potential. First, agricultural businesses hold strong potential under government's pro-farm fiscal policy. With several sector-specific intervention funds and fiscal concessions, UACN can leverage on government's incentives to strengthen its internal productivity. The building and construction industry, with its allied sectors such as paints sector, is a buoyant sector with significant headroom for growth. Nigeria is not only below average housing target, its national infrastructure is inadequate. Growing as emerging economy will imply substantial growth in these areas. Besides, expected growth in mortgage finance, domestic cement production and availability, per capita income and other related variables would positively impact the demand for paints and accessories.

As investors expect the full-year earnings reports of members of UACN Group, dividend recommendations would have substantial influence on the market considerations of the constituents. But investors would need to keep in view the medium to long term earnings potential while considering current earnings and dividend recommendations.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

36

AVIATION

Stakeholders fret over plans to amend Aviation Act •NCAA’s autonomy intact, says ministry

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TAKEHOLDERS have called on the National Assembly to exercise caution in its planned amendment of some sections of the 2006 Civil Aviation Act, granting autonomy in regulation to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to industry players, a revision of the act may affect NCAA’s autonomy. They raised concerns over plans to tinker with some sections of the act, which may reduce NCAA’s powers, thereby bringing about laxity in the oversight duties of the authority.

The Ministry of Aviation has denied plans to remove NCAA’s autonomy, affirming that the authority has been given free hands in line with the provisions of the 2006 Act to carry out its oversight duties.

Media assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Obi said: “There is no truth in information making the round that there are attempts by the Ministry of Aviation to strip the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of its autonomy and removing the responsibility of issuing Air Operator Certificates from the Regulatory agency.

“The ministry places very high premium on the autonomy of the NCAA as the regulator of the sector and will not do anything wittingly or unwittingly to whittle down its powers. In fact, the new Aviation Policy that is currently being fashioned out is intended to strengthen the NCAA to place it in good stead to perform its regulatory functions as well as safeguard its autonomy."

In a position paper , the Airline Operators of Nigeria( AON), the umbrella body

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

of domestic carriers speaking through its Secretary-General, Captain Mohammed Joji, said nothing was wrong with the Civil Aviation Act, adding that tinkering with some of its provisions may have ripple effects in the industry.

Joji said: ”The proposed Civil Aviation Act, as it were, is a new document. It is still extant, serves as the basis of various Civil Aviation Regulations, which underpins aviation business in the country.

“While time and developments have thrown up new issues demanding attention, particularly in economic regulation and consumer protection, the Act is modern and in no way defective.

“Only a few years ago (2007 – 2008), the Act was evaluated by both ICAO, FAA and other such world bodies and was confirmed to be in tandem with global standards and best practices.

Therefore, what is required is only Amendments rather than a new Act.” Besides, he said the existing non-defective one is even more confusing as it is not as encompassing as the extant Act. He said the question to ask is: “What is wrong with the Act that the Proposed Act is seeking to replace?”

He said: “The Proposed Act is by standard; content, depth, and coverage, inferior to the existing Act. Rather than strengthen the regulatory body, it further tends to weaken it by not only removing some of its functions, but also eroding its autonomy by surreptitiously narrowing the insular corridor between it and the ministry.

“This will move us many steps back

in the global aviation community."

The AON scribe alleged that the proposed act seeks to hijack the responsibility of economic regulation of airlines from the NCAA and hand it over to the Ministry of Aviation.

He said: ”Unless the Ministry intends to create another agency to handle economic regulations and related issues, which will run contrary to the Act, the present Act should be amended to the ill-advised Proposed Act of 2013.

“It is better to move our country forward rather than to regress. Power of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to regulate the industry must be upheld in order to move the industry forward."

The law, which is an Act of parliament gives power to NCAA to regulate the industry. In so doing, the regulatory authority published two fundamental guiding documents, which can be amended periodically by the operators and other stake holders and the NCAA vide seminar, under what is called Proposed Notice of Amendment (PNA). The initial publication is called Proposed Notice of Rules making (PNR).

He said: “It is also our humble opinion that there is nothing wrong with the 2006 Act, since most of the recent feats achieved by the Aviation industry were as a result of the adequate provisions contained in the Act. We however, do not object to an amendment of the existing Act to take care of identified flows, provided all stake holders shall be consulted for input during the amendment exercise."

•From left: Manager, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Mr Young Ekwekwuo; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi; Director-General Designate, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Fola Akinkotu; Managing Director, Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), Mazi Nnamdi Udoh; and Rector, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Chinyere Kalu, during their inspection of facilities at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.

Experts: African airlines may die by 2050

E

XPERTS in the aviation industry have raised the alarm over the possibility of carriers facing extinction by 2050 because of their inability to merge.

They predicted that by 2050, only 12 airlines would remain in operations in the globe.

The experts spoke at the Nigeria Aviation Summit in Lagos last weekend.

They affirmed that though merger and consolidation have gained ground in the global aviation industry, airlines in the continent are still foot-dragging on the arrangement, which commenced in United States of America, in 1930.

The convener of the event, Mr Gabriel Olowo, in his speech entitled, A dozen world airliners by 2050,

emphasised that Nigerian and African airlines face trouble if they do not embrace mergers and consolidation.

He explained that the revenues of the three biggest airlines in the continent, Kenyan Airways, Ethiopian and South African Airways, put at over $3billion are about 35 per cent of the yearly revenue of Emirates Airlines.

He added that efforts to ensure merger and consolidation among the continent’s carrier had failed in the past, adding that mergers or consolidation could not be achieved by government coercion.

He lamented the precarious situation of the airlines, saying that there are only 57 aircraft in the fleet of the carriers while an airline, such as South African Airways has over 67 aircraft.

He said: “Nigerian airlines are at the bottom level of success. The six airlines that

we have in operations are in the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of revenue, service delivery and good business model.

“Business climate is shifting from the West to Africa, when that shift comes, the continent’s carrier may be caught napping.”

Dr. Tony Kila, one of the speakers at the event, noted that for the continent’s carriers to remain in operations by 2050, they need to engage in training of their manpower.

The former president of the National Association of Nigerian Travelling Agencies, NANTA, Mr Soji Amusan, emphasised that customer satisfaction, quality services, productivity, profit and cost control would not happen by themselves, but the stakeholders in the industry would have to make them happen.

‘Airport remodelling good’ FORMER Minister of Information and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG), Frank Nweke, has described the ongoing investment by the government on airport infrastructure as commendable.

He said it as one of the steps to raise the bar in service delivery in the transport industry.

Nweke expressed optimism that the government would continue to do more in terms of infrastructure upgrade, especially at the nation's airport.

Nweke, who led a team of the World Economic Summit Forum to inspect facilities at the remodelled airports in Lagos, said the team had been inspecting facilities so that they could consider either Lagos or Abuja, as proposed cities for the forthcoming conference by the forum.

He explained that Nigeria and South Africa are being considered as host countries for the Forum in 2014.

Nweke said with what is happening at the airports, value has already been added, saying that more investment in the sector is needed.

He said: "Government is investing in infrastructure. This is commendable and we need to do more of it. Value is already added with the remodelling and its not over yet, it is the begining. It evolves and in a year or two we expect more investment."

Govt committed to cities’growth THE Federal Government has expressed its commitment to the development of the aviation sector through the creation of airport cities as centres of economic growth with the aerotropolis concept.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Reforms, Ms Anne Ene-Ita, stated the readiness of the Federal Government in a message she delivered on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Airport Cities (Aerotropoli) Conference, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The government, Jonathan said, is set to position the sector as a catalyst for the growth of key economic sectors, such as travel, tourism, agriculture, rural development, trade, commerce, manufacturing and communications technology; with all of the attendant infrastructure development critical to sustainable growth of any economy.

She said the aerotropolis Nigeria, specifically targets a diversification of the economy through increased economic activity, technology transfer, increased trade through global partnerships, value chain development and rural transformation.

These, he said, would come handy, especially in exploiting the country's agro-export opportunities, employment potential, new business development and private sector investment, both local and foreign.

The President said: "The Federal Government of Nigeria remains fully committed, in partnership with the private sector to transform Nigeria into the foremost investment destination in Africa with well connected, economically efficient; offering sustainable, secure and attractive returns on investment.”

NCAA certifies private security outfits THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA) has certified seven private security companies to provide security services at the nation’s airports.

The companies are – Aviation Logistics and Management Limited, Olasco Company Nigeria Limited, Pathfinders International Security Limited, Planet Resources Limited. Others are Migga Dinns Limited, Checkport Security Nigeria Limited and Phillippe Associates International Limited.

In a brief ceremony in Lagos, the Acting Director-General Mr Joyce Daniel Nkemakolam, presented certificates to the chief executives of the companies.

Speaking before the ceremony, Nkemakolam told the security operatives that safety and security are critical to air transport operation all over the world.

He said: "This is the time you need to deploy your expertise as you are all aware of the global security threat of which Nigeria is not an exemption."

Nkemakolam commended the security organisations for pulling through the rigorous process of certification, which was carried out by NCAA Aviation Security Inspectors.

He told the companies that it is mandatory under the Nigerian Legislation and the terms of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) section 10.9.1 for private security companies working with airlines to be registered and granted approval by NCAA. He said: "It requires each security company to obtain security clearance from the state security service through the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Thereafter they will submit a copy of their security programme to NCAA for assessment.

Dana Air gets mobile device PASSENGERS on Dana Air will now enjoy quicker and more convenient check-in services with the launch of the ‘Roving Agent’, a mobile device, which allows guests to be checked-in on arrival at the airport by mobile airline staff.

Strapped with tablet PCs and mini-printers, the airline’s mobile check-in agents, according to a statement, can issue boarding passes to guests even before they reach the check-in counter. This new initiative complements the airline’s existing check-in counters and online check-in service.

“What we are offering in roving agents is immense value addition for our guests," said Obi Mbanuzuo, Dana Air’s Head of Commercial. “With this solution, our mobile check-in agents can quickly access and verify the travel reservation details of guests; book them on their choice of seat and generate boarding passes.

“Now guests with hand baggage need not wait at the check-in counter to collect their boarding pass; they can simply approach any of our easily recognisable mobile check-in agents on arrival at the airport and proceed through airport security to the boarding gate,” Mbanuzuo explained.

Airlines, the world over, have constantly been innovating processes to speed up check-in for guests. The ‘Check in as you walk in’, facilitated by the roving agent, is the latest concept for a speedy check-in for the jet-setting passenger.

With the launch, Dana Air becomes the first airline in Nigeria to deploy this solution.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

37

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Most languages are facing extinction’ African Writers Forum (AWF) is set to promote new Nigerian and African writings and languages. Its President, Mr Hyacinth Chukwunwike Obunseh, says the organisation will also encourage emerging talents. EVELYN OSAGIE met him.

W

HAT inspired African Writers Forum (AWF)?

I have toyed with this idea for a while. I believe the associations I have belonged to and served for several decades have not gone far enough in these areas. Yes, I had a chance to further these ideas as General Secretary for two years, but that was not enough time to touch on these, including the other roles I had to play, not to talk of the funding.

How long did it take you to put it together?

I assure you that it has taken us quite some time. You have to find a Board of Trustees who believes in your vision, an interim exco that believes in your ability to deliver and then comes the finance! If I had my way, this group would have been here half-a-decade ago or a little less.

As a publisher and exco member of ANA, how do you intend to manage all roles; won’t there be a conflict of interest?

As a publisher, and going by the kind of publishing I do at Hybun, there is much time on my hands and that is why ANA enjoyed so much of my attention for so many years, and I enjoyed giving it that time. Today, however, things are different in ANA. There is a new ‘pharaoh’ who does not know Joseph! Besides, I am only an ex-officio member, an advisory position. I stay back and listen and then advise as I know from experience. The General Secretary and his team do the work.

You are the president, your wife the secretary, is it a family-inspired organisation?

I expected this question! I think it was Bazuaye, who once coached the famous New Nigerian Bank of Benin, and later one of the national teams that brought in his son to play for and was accused of nepotism. He said he would pick a thousand

•Obunseh

of his relatives if they were the best ‘he could find at the time’; (or so). No, it is not a family thing. Just those I can find at this time who share the same dreams. If you noticed, this is an interim team. As time go on, one or two may drop and new ones take their place.

With other writers’ associations such as ANA and Abuja Literary Society (ALS) already in existence, what new thing is your organisation coming to add?

I have the greatest love and respect for ANA and its officers, ALS is doing much for poetry, but I assure you, there is so much more that have been left undone through the years that we have come to do. Even after us, there will still be so much more left for other organisations to

come and do for Nigerian and African literature. We need do so much to begin to try to catch up with the rest of the world, in spite of our strides so far, which in all modesty, I lay claim to have done a little bit to help along. Thanks to Professor Olu Obafemi, Professor Femi Osofisan, Dr Wale Okediran and of course many others, including Mallam Denja Abdulahi.

Linguists are of the view that most Nigerian languages are gradually gravitating towards extinction. What do you think?

I do believe in this! Wholeheartedly. If you recall, as a National EXCO member of ANA, we did do a couple of programs in this direction. It is our idea in AWF to continue and save what we can of our languages that are endangered. In this regard, we have ideas of colaborating with the Moses Tsenongu’s of Nigeria.

Since one of your objectives is to promote literature in local languages, given the multi-lingual status of d country, how do you intend to ensure all groups are carried along?

No! We do not intend to do the impossible! We cannot carry all groups along. We said earlier in this interview that we will do what we can and leave the rest for those already on ground before us and those coming after to take up from where we stop.

Most literary associations name funding as a major bottleneck, do you have any secret modality in place with which to use to over this challenge?

No hunter goes hunting without his strategy in mind! We do realise from over three decades in the book industry what the problem areas are and we have our strategy to deal with them. All we can tell you at this time is that we do not believe in impossibilities! Ask the Presidents we worked with in ANA, and they will tell you so!

Pupil wins painting competition

M

ASTER Daniel Bankole, a Basic Six pupil of Joint-Heirs Primary School, Shomolu, Lagos Mainland, has won the Amila Painting Challenge at the grand finale held at the University of Lagos.

The first runner-up was Master Chukwudi Kosi, a 13-year-old Basic Six pupil of Subuola Nursery and Primary School, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos. Master Daniel Iwajomo, of St. Dominic’s Primary School, Yaba, Lagos, was second runner-up.

The panel of four judges comprised two artists, an arts teacher and an arts journalist.

The overall best pupil went home with N250,000 while first runner-up got N150,000 and the second runner-up – N100,000.

The other 12 contestants got consolation prizes of N30,000 each while arts teachers of the three best pupils got N25,000 each.

The winning schools will get art materials worth N250,000 .

About 15 pupils, representing 15 of the 20 local government areas in Lagos, participated in the final stage of the competition.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Amila powdered soft drink, had last November flagged off the challenge in about 200 primary schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos State under the first stage of the competition.

Under the first stage, an art teacher in each of the selected schools conducted a general painting competition among the pupils of the school to determine the best 10 pupils that would participate on the Amila Day, that is, the day of the activation from where an overall best winner emerged to represent the school at each local government level.

At the second stage, the overall winner from

•From left: Inawo, Bankole and Mr Adekunle Abayomi at the event.

By Chinasa Ekekwe

COMPETITION the local government level got a branded Amila bicycle and Promasidor goodie bag.

Earlier, in her address of welcome, Mrs. Abiola Inawo, Dairy Category and Food Enhancement Manager, Promasidor, said the competition commenced about six months ago with a press conference to herald it.

She said the competition is all about making the children to have fun.

According to her, we went to 100 public schools and 100 private schools in the 20 educational districts in Lagos State during the first stage of the competition after children

in all schools were given opportunity to paint anything of their choices.

The competition was in three stages, the first stage was at the school level where pupils painted any art of their choices. The winners from this level, represented their schools at the local government area for the second stage.

At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level got a branded Amila bicycle and Promasidor goodie bags.

The third phase, which was the grand finale of the competition was graced by representatives of the arts and culture from 20 educational districts under the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

•Emmanuel

Gospel artiste launches debut CD

By Joseph Eshanokpe

A

MEMBER of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Covenant Chapel, Ikeja, Lgos, Ola Emmanuel, has introduced her debut CD entitled: Eledumare into the market.

At the presentation at the church’s auditorium last weekend, the musician said she started preparing for the album in 2005. Describing her experience over the years as unpleasant, she said she was glad that she had lived her dream. “Every journey starts with God. I started in 2005. It looks like as if it would be a long journey. There were so many challenges. One wanted to use a song to praise God. I saw God’s hand, though there were some distractions.”

On her message, she said: ‘’The message in the song is about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He left his throne to save us. This was an expression of love. We are celebrating Jesus Christ.”

On the hit track, she also said it is about the love of God. “I was not a Christian before. My encounter with God was something else. He has being my strength and source of encouragement, “ she said, adding: “ I enjoy worshipping God.” Ola, who is President, Sounds of Many Waters Band, berated some gospel musicians for not doing a good job, saying they lack originality and that they are too worldly.

In the six-tracker are Praise Medley, exceeding Grace, Miracle, Orin to du, Everything and Arugbo Ojo. They are mixtures of English and Yoruba. At the event, Ola, who sang ‘Ojiroghene we na yo’; Ebube, Ebube … and I am saying You are good Jehovah was applauded by guests for her dexterity and originality.

They also praised her artistic acumen, which she displayed when she marched in like a regent flanked by two kids. A representative of the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Soji Kuforiji, described the CD as good. “I was moved by the songs and I pray that you will go from height to height,” he said.

Emmanuel is not in a hurry to release another CD soon, but “I see my band going out to play and praise God in worship.”

An RCCG Zonal Pastor, Akin Laoye, praised Emmanuel for her consistency, saying since he knew her, she has always been dedicated to the music ministry as a chorister and that since 1986, when she had the vision to be a musician, she has kept to it. He prayed for her and urged her to remain steadfast and committed to her career.

He thanked the Men’s Fellowship of the church for their support to her over the years, which led to her releasing the album.

Pastor (Mrs) Wunmi Agunbiade, who preached at the event, noted that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and that is why He is the Almighty (Eledumare) as the title of the CD indicates. Quoting from the Holy Bible, she enjoined guests to take their problems to Him in prayer with the faith that He would answer them.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

F

OR the first time in Nigeria, The World Voice Day was celebrated at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) a few days ago.

The event, according to head of the Department of Creative Arts at the university, Anthony Ekelezie Mereni,was “actually the first time ever, that the World Voice Day is being celebrated in Nigeria and the entire Africa. We owe the knowledge to one of our visiting lecturer, an American, Aaron Carter Cohn, a student of music, who is on scholarship to stay with us for a full year. Immediately he told me about it, I bought the idea and we had to put this together to become the first ever black African country, to celebrate the world voice day.”

The event, which took place at the main auditorium, was witnessed by members of the diplomatic corps, the university community and the general public.

Mereni said: “Being the first time, it is difficult to assess our performance. We have no measure for comparing one celebration to another, and we have not watched or seen any celebration in other parts of the world.

It is our maiden celebration in Nigeria. I think that it is not a failure, we can only hope to add to what we have been able to do today. We have choir singing, people have come on stage to use their voices to talk, and we’ve had a symposium whereby some people spoke about the voice, on how we can use the voice as a therapeutic instrument.

So, I think that we can only add to what we have done here today. We can’t say whether we have under celebrated or over celebrated.

We just think that it is a very good beginning.”

The day, which is celebrated as a major event across the world, featured concerts, symposia, open house at voice clinics and voice education institutes. The aim is to demonstrate the “enormous importance of the voice in our daily lives,” as a tool of communication.

But when did the celebration of the day start? Carter-Cohn believes it started in 1993.

His words:“I know that about 100 countries around the one that it is being celebrated now. And Nigeria is the only one in Africa.

Egypt was to have one celebration too but they are having issues. The celebration is going on with symposium, mass choir of about 350 people, singing in many Nigerian languages. The rendition of the theme song was great and we are going to have it again

•WVDN Lagos City Chorale

First timers’ voices for the world

By Paul Ukpabio

MUSIC at the close of the ceremony. We had comedy and then Pat of Midnight Crew sang the popular ‘Igwe song’, and female comedian/radio presenter Helen Paul talked about being an entertainer and being a voice professional gave inspiration to the students, because if you look at the crowd , here, it is 70per cent students from the secondary schools and the university students. We are keeping it moving, we have some of the best choirs on this programme, acapela and some doing poetry.”

The event came with its own challenges.

Carter-Cohn said:“I think the greatest challenge was finding money to put the event together. We only had about two

months to raise the funds, because we wanted to be sure that we will be able to feed the large number of students that would be attending the programme, we wanted to be sure too to have sound instruments and we were lucky to have google that helped us today with the webcast, so that people can watch around the world on You tube. Google has helped us to do that free, and that has saved us a lot of money. I am here for a full year scholarship, so I have time to do projects, and for this programme, we were sponsored by the US Government through the US Consul in Nigeria.

On what the impact of this will be, Aaron said: “I know that this will continue it will generate more interest, improve sound and the use of the voice. I also hope to be here next year too.” Professor Laz Ekwueme, a notable musicologist, praised the

‘We are committed to delivering the MDGs’

P

ROCTER & Gamble (P&G), makers of household brands, has been honoured with the African First Ladies Award for Excellence in social investments across Africa.

The award was presented by the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, to the P&G West Africa Vice President, Mr Manoj Kumar.

At the African First Ladies Summit in Los Angeles, United States, Kumar, who gave a talk on the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to deliver the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa, said P&G has been in sub-Sahara Africa for over 20 years. He said P&G was dedicated to providing everyday basics that help create the experience of home and improve health and boost confidence.

He said: “P&G provides various hygiene education programmes for over 50 million children in 17 sub Saharan African countries and aims to double this number in 40 African countries by 2016. “With our various social programmes, we are investing and contributing to the overall heath, wellness and vitality of the African people and actively contributing to the attainment of pertinent health focused MDG’s across several countries in Africa.”

On P&G’s view of the economic climate of

•From left: Kumar receiving the award from Mrs. Pohamba

AWARDS Africa, he stated that “P&G is very optimistic about Africa and its potential, 9 Sub-Saharan countries are among the 20 fastest growing economies in 2013. Sub-Saharan GDP is forecast to grow faster than Brazil and Russia between 2013 and 2020. P&G is

accelerating its investment in Africa by expanding our manufacturing platform and accelerating geographic expansion through our distribution partners – generating thousands of jobs across SSA and creating hundreds of new SMEs in the region. For example in Nigeria, P&G is expanding its operations with a new state of the art manufactur-

organisers, but wondered why it took an American for Nigeria to know about the event! He also wondered why it took the music community, this long to celebrate the event with the rest of the world.

Joshua Alabi, a student of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, said: “The celebration is not just about how to use the voice but also, an avenue for young people to use their voices for the development of the society. It is a call for young people to rise up and do something that will advance the country in all fields of endeavour. This is benefiting for me because as an artiste, my troupe has performed on stage, so we have showcased what we know how to do and what we have learnt over the years. It is an avenue for us to network, meet people because after school, there’s a market that we all have to go to.”

ing plant being built in Ogun State, and just a few weeks back, P&G announced that it would be investing in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in South Africa,” he said. In another development, Procter and Gamble Nigeria has hosted a ‘Thank You Mom’ event to celebrate mothers of Olympians’ in Nigeria at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Complex, National Stadium, Lagos.

Present at the event were the wife of Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Ogunlewe, who represented the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola; the permanent secretary of Youth and Sports, Dr. Oshinyimika representing the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Barrister Waheed Oshodi; President, Nigerian Olympians Association, Henry Amike; Renowned Musician, Onyeka Onwenu; Olympic Silver Medallist, Chief Falilat Ogunkoya Omotayo MON; CSP Nigerian Police Force and Olympic Gold Medallist, Chioma Ajunwa amongst others.

Head, Government Relations, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Tope Iluyemi said, Procter and Gamble is a proud sponsor of moms worldwide, for their tirelessly contributing to the development of their children.

“Procter and Gamble is a proud sponsor of moms, and this event is one of the ways we honour moms for the tireless efforts they contribute towards the development of their children. We recognise that behind every amazing athlete is an even more amazing mom. Being in the business of helping moms with brands that make everyday life a little easier, P&G is the proud sponsor of moms in every aspect our business.

Iluyemi stated that in 2010, P&G signed a 10 year partnership with the International •Continued on page 39

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

A U S A L V I

GLOBAL demographic shift over the years has created the present situation where half of humanity live in urban centres. Cities have been the engines of growth, the homes of prosperity for the realisation of ambitions and aspirations.

Lagos has grown from a small fishing community to a sprawling Megacity. It occupies about one percent of the land area of the country but its current population,within the continuous built up area of the metropolis, is 15 per cent of 140 million (2011 census figure).

The city has historical significance as the preferred settlement for trade. It was annexed as a Biritish Colony in 1861, served as the administrative capital of the Southern Protectorates. At independence in 1960 it remained the federal capital of Nigeria.

Lagos has exceptional characteristics, dignity and impressiveness. Its heterogeneous composition, international style and natural endowment with its beaches, waterways and ports makes it the city of enterprise.

Harold Bindloss in 1898 giving his first impression of the city stated , “it was a sweltering morning when we anchored in the wind swept Lagos roads, and in spite of claims of its rival Sierra-Leone, Lagos is by far the most important town in West Africa. Glancing shore wards you see the inevitable line of yellow beach, but no forest behind it, and the slender shaft of a lighthouse rising above the tumbling surf. Beyond lies a wide lagoon, and upon a low island there in stands what is a really handsome town and not the conglomeration of galvanized sheds and mud huts which forms many West Africa settlements. Here are fine stores, we built houses, banks, mission schools and government buildings all imposing in their own way”.

The history of Lagos is relevant to the history of Nigeria and West Africa. Therefore the presentation of the book Sandbank City today as an in depth study of the founding and growth of the city is important, necessary and timely as we prepare to celebrate the cententary anniversary of the amalgamation. It all started in Lagos the birth place of nationalism.

The authors Prof. John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood, Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, have authority to write about creation of Lagos by virtue of their qualification, experience, reputation, involvement and professionalism. Their passion for tropical architecture brought them to Lagos in 1954 and kept them here to date. They have been in practice for fifty nine years,built capacity of young minds lecturing at University of Lagos architecture department.

Their longstanding commitment to the de-

T R A

Lagos at 150 BOOK REVIEW Title:

Sandbank City

Authors:

Prof. John Godwin and Arc. Gillian Hopwood

Reviewer:

Architect Mrs. Dada Alamutu

Publisher:

Kachifo Limited

velopment and preservation of Lagos manifests in LEGACY an NGO they founded in 1995, and their social interaction in various indigenous and international clubs. Both of them are well adjusted Nigerians from Lagos state.

The influence of their work transcends the shores of this country and have received various awards in recognition for their contribution to humanity.

Half way into their stay in Lagos in 1984 they startedwritingthisbook Their collboration with two reputable Nigerians both late, historian Prince Kunle Akinsemoyin and Engr Tim Aluko the former Town Engineer of Lagos municipality, enhanced the focused combination of history and infrastructure development. Previous books authored by the authors of Sandbank City are ‘Sailing in .

“In all the time I have known Prof Godwin OBE, OFR, he has always had a quiet passion for history and development of the State he

now calls home. This passion prevails Laos 1932- 1982' and ‘Comprehensive history of Lagos Yatch Club 2007’ “In all the time I have known Prof Godwin OBE, OFR, he has always had a quiet passion for history and development of the State he now calls home. The passion prevails on every page of Sandbank City. He has been endowed with the talent of recounting past events through the detailed eyes of the architect and the patience of a fisherman. It is interesting to read how his journey in 1954 began in relation to the journey Lagos has gone through from 1861 to 2011. He is a true Nigerian, fully dedicated to his State, Lagos State and country.” This statement by Disun Holloway, Honourable Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Lagos state is a testimony of their competence to write the book, ‘Sandbank City’.

The authors’ stated in their notes the purpose of writing book and I quote “Sand bank City aims to be a story of how the city evolved, its infrastructure developed and its construction implemented. It is also a story of the city’s architectural styles, some of the professionals involved in building it and the crucial part played by the City Council and its Engineering department” Sources listed in the bibliography shows extensive research and literature review of broad selection of books, magazines, maps, drawings, photographs, newspapers articles and publications. The photographs which were softly taken by the authors help simplify the narrative and explanation. My first reading of the book particularly the first four parts remind me of stories I was told by my father in Lokoja. Prof.

Akin .I. Mabogunje described the writing style used by uncle John and Aunty Gillian in these words, “The book Sandbank City is peculiar in style and organisation. It is written in an avuncular style evoking the image of an uncle going through series of photographs of the past of the city and commenting copiously on each photograph to an excitedly precocious youngster”.

The subject of the book was well covered in the content and arranged in the format that is easy to follow as stated in the foreword, “the book has no chapters but parts. It is divided into ten parts. The first six parts take us through from when Lagos was no more than the hideout for slavers until it became a crown colony in 1861 and the capital of colonial Nigeria. It provides us not only with the names and information on some of the critical personalities that shaped events in the city during the ensuing century until 1960, their views of transformation in the emerging settlement but also some

‘At 3, drawing was intuitive’ intuit

‘We are committed to delivering the MDGs’

“F

ROM age three, my late mum told me, drawing was intuitive for me on paper, the walls. I gave them as gifts to friends, selling them.” That was Ighodalo George’s recollection of when his desire to paint and draw started.

In the high school, George continued to follow his heart in expressing his mind. At that level, proceeds from sales of portraitures of friends were used to buy art materials.

“Art has not been a study in school for me; it’s been one of several gifts from the Creator,” he recalled.

Last Saturday, George staged a comeback to the Lagos exhibition circuit, offering an eclectic visual feast to his numerous clients. He presented a collection of his new and old works in a solo art exhibition tagged; Pungent Punctuation (journey of a quest from mainstream to divergent new expressions), at Didi Museum on Akin Adesola Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibition, which will run till May 6 is a body of works showcasing the artist past oeuvre and the transformation into his present creations. In fact, it is a new merging of several techniques from his explorations and creative forays, his pastiche, blended into him.

According to him, the works reflect interplay of meanings, motions and evolution of my art: of line, form, colour, media variety, breaking the molds of the norm, stepping out of the box and playing with the symbolic, metaphoric and ambiguous, between the value of the technique and the content/context and relevance.

George, who trained at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos is, however, not a stranger to the contemporary Nigerian art scene. One of his early breakthrough shows was the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) organised group exhibition at the World Intellectual Property headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in 1995.

Other exhibitors at that show included Bruce Onobrakpeya, El Anatsui, Ben Enwonwu, Jerry Buhari, Olu Ajayi and two of his lecturers from Yabatech.

Thematically, the artist is not oblivious of happenings around him especially socio-political issues that affect everyone.

He described his works as ‘slices of personal, social, cultural and economic struggles and imbalances at play in a nation passing through democratic phases, through

of their impact on the physical developments of the city.”

The main points revolve around first slave trade abolition and migration of freed slaves into Lagos, choice of the city as the preferred hub for alternative trade, and the colonial acquisition of the city as a British Colony. 1861.

Trade brought together the British, the Portuguese, Brazillians, Cubans, Italians, French, Germans and West Africans. Commerce brought these groups to West Africa and still does. Many more nationalities Chinese, Indians Lebanese Japanese and Amerians keep coming in response to the government’s drive for foreign investors. Edmund Morel member of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in 1902 bluntly stated “ What are we in West Africa for? What do we hope to do there? What object took us there? What main purpose keeps us there? The answer is not for a moment in doubt. Commerce took us West Africa: commerce will keep us in West Africa.”

Secondly increased trade resulted in rapid population growth of the city but infrastructure development did not keep pace with the population . Inadequate planning and a repeated fire- fighting approach made the city a victim of its own success. 150 years after, the piece meal approach is still largely in operation.

The third point raised in the book is that buildings prior to the boom in population and enterprise were mostly single storey structures.

Since new buildings were required, new techniques for designs, materials and construction were adopted from the colonial professionals and Brazillian craftsmen. The role of the Town Engineer to set standards for development control is well elaborated and detailed.

The unifying element of the book is the importance of Lagos to the history and development of Nigerian and West Africa, uncontrolled population growth, and unplanned infrastructural development. The authors have delivered on their promise to tell the story of the emergence of Lagos as the administrative and commercial capital of Nigeria. It remains the commercial capital in spite of the movement of the capital to Abuja.

Critical aspects of infrastructure development, architecture and construction implementation have been adequately covered for the period under consideration.

Going forward the authors have the point of view that proper comprehensive planning would have prevented the haphazard way Lagos evolved. Hence the book highlights the report of the Presidential Committee for the Redevelopment of Lagos Megacity a tripartite agency of the Federal, Lagos and Ogun state governments.

•Continued from page 38

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART the eyes of an artist without borders in an ever growing global village.’

Some of his works include Rainbow in the garden, Heralding the princess, Village serenity and Waylaid any which way. Others are Keen eye for Bling Bling, Captivity and the cycle of life, Stepping out for the day and Slumber.

“See artworks containing agitations of my mind concerning man’s actions in Nigeria and the world as I portray them on these various platforms form the salient issues in the socio politics, affecting lifestyles, environments and the vices that tear decent human relations apart,” he says in the brochure of his exhibition.

Before enrolling at Yabatech, fate brought the artist’s path with those of great artists such as Professor Yusuf Grillo, Dr. Dele Jegede, David Dale and Mr Kolade Oshinowo. Since then, it’s been fun to be practicing art.

Olympians Committee (IOC) to support the Olympics games and develop youth sports globally and P&G has begun fulfilling that promise locally by donating to 3000 schools across the country as well as renovating sports facilities in various schools pan Nigeria.

Brand Operations Leader, Procter and Gamble West Africa, Mrs Ehinomen Enekabor in her speech said: “The Thank You Mom campaign recognises and celebrates the moms behind the athletes by thanking moms for all they do, and is part of P&G’s 10 year worldwide partnership with the International Olympians Committee (IOC) and we are using our voice as an IOC partner to thank moms everywhere.”

The ‘Thank You Mom’ campaign started in 2011 Enekabor said, “And it came to life through variety of media channels and in-stores across the globe. As part of the campaign, we have committed to raise $5 million to support local youth sports programs in many countries and we have started the donations in schools across Nigeria.”

On why Procter and Gamble is focusing on youth sports development, Enekabor said that, “We wanted to do something that would make a significant difference to moms all over the world so we asked moms in several countries that we could we do to honour them for all they do for their kids and they told is that there was no better way to support moms than by supporting local youth sports organizations for kids. We agree with moms; investing in tomorrow’s champions has to start today. At P&G we maintain that, ‘Promises made... promises kept’ and we intend to keep our promise to the Nigerian people to continue to develop youths’ sports.”

Excitedly, mother to Nations Cup Gold medallist Peter Rufai, Mrs. Ifeoma Emeter said she is happy that Procter and Gamble has promised to develop sporting facilities and young athletes in Nigeria “I am so for the promise the made to children and the love they have for mothers.

May God bless Procter and Gamble. I am very proud of my son and most especially for seeing what he has become today; he has made me proud and the family.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Goats on the move

PHOTO: NAN

Amusing the muse

L

AST Monday, there was an ‘unusual’ art feast from the creative forge of Victor Ehikhamenor, one of Nigeria’s contemporary artists. He hosted numerous clients, art collectors and enthusiasts to the opening of his solo art exhibition, Amusing the muse held at an alternative venue, The Temple Muse, one of the emerging luxury design and lifestyle outlets on Victoria Island, Lagos. Behold, giant-size black and white paintings hanging on a white wall in an alternative hall.

It was the artist’s solo exhibition featuring some rare works done in his new technique, paintforation, which is similar to pointillism. He uses nail perforations on thick white handmade paper to create subtle relief work.

At a preview session, he explained that he translated ancient rituals of body scarification evident in 16th and 17th century Nigerian bronze heads into contemporary masks. But whether through his perforated White Mask or his bold ink- color faces in which he uses symbols as highlights, almost like thoughts flitting across their minds, his art continues to tease and beckon.

“The face phenomenon downed on me during the Occupy Nigeria protests, while I was photographing people,” explained Ehikhamenor, who has a first degree in English Literature from Ambrose Ali University in Ekpoma, and two masters degrees in fine arts (creative writing) and technology management from the University of Maryland at College park, US. “I realised what really formed the mass of differences are the faces. People live and die by the look and shape of their faces. I believe faces define humanity. The face is

•One of his works

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART the GUI (graphical user interface) of the brain,” he said.

With about 19 works, the artist brought the unfamiliar pieces created from the unusual setting. Showing at Temple Muse is as interesting as the new technique currently explored by the artist. In three large canvas wall hangings spanning over five metres in length or width, the artist presents lone human forms completely engulfed in landscapes of symbols.

“As a figurative- abstractionist I hate

taming my style. I have started working on very large pieces, using charcoal on canvas. These works are stories and histories, myths and mythologies, tales and folktales, beliefs and disbeliefs,” he explains standing in front of a work entitled Adam & Eve waiting for a flight out of Eden, an over six metres wide hanging, which is his visual representation of the entire book of Genesis told “in one fell swoop,” he said.

According to him, the works are carefully selected and created to fit into other items on show at the Temple Muse, adding that the black and white colour of the works was complementary. “No contrast between the wall, the works and other items

in the shop,” he noted.

Among the exhibits are Insomnia, Midnight love at Bar beach, Adam/Eve Waiting for flight out of Eden, and Home Sweet home.

Interestingly, Ehikhamenor’s unique calligraphic style of black and white symbolic images presents a fresh perspective on contemporary African art. His style is influenced by the drawings he grew up with on the walls of scared spaces in UdomiUwessan, Edo state. Over the years, his bold symbols have been encased in doors and window frames as in his Entrances and Exits series, or literally bouncing “off and through” vibrant, multi-layered, colorful paintings. His sculptures of repurposed mundane objects like the old typewriters and generators are often thought provoking socio-political critiques, while his video art installations have seen art enthusiasts curiously intent on watching how he transforms blank spaces by completely covering them in a proliferation of symbols to become cocoons of fantastical imagery. The show, which is curated

by Sandra Mbanefo Obiago and supported

by Veuve Clicquot will run till May 31.

Managing Director of Temple Muse, Mr Avinash Wadhwani, said hosting visual art exhibition at the Temple Muse would not be a one-of outing, adding that his outfit is working with designers, fashion and style products. “But visual art is a complement to our focus as it brings new elements into the entire package. It is also another platform opf offering art to unintended audience, especially the young art enthusiasts.

In its 18 months of operation at House 21 Ahmodu Tijani Street, Victoria Island, Temple Muse has established a quiet reputation of presenting cutting edge Nigerian fashion brands such as Tiffany Amber, LDA, Iconic Invanity and Ituen Basi, alongside global brands such as Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, and Matthew Williamson. It has also taken part in internationally celebrated fashion fiestas, such as Arise Fashion Week, Elite Model Look and others.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

THE NATION

POLITICS

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

DELTA POLITICS Delta State governorship aspirants have begun mobilisation, ahead of the next general elections. Correspondent OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the strengths and weaknesses of the contenders as well as the issues that may shape the race. the governor, Ochei will win the governorship with mimimal effort. But Delta politics is treacherous and unpredictable. Ochei‘s critics accuse him of arrogance, But he rejected the label, saying that his self-confidence has been uncritically confused with arrogance. Until recently, when he divested his shares in Davnotch Nigeria Ltd, he has received a lot of bashing for allegedly using his influence as a top politician to corner lucrative contracts from the government for his company.

15 in race for governor in Delta

Orubebe

I

N two years’ time, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will vacate office, af ter the completion of his second term.

No fewer than 15 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are scheming to succeed him. In other parties, there are also some aspirants eyeing the position.

The number of aspirants may go up, following the registration of the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP aspirants are basking in the euphoria of the power of incumbency.

However, opposition aspirants have said that this will crumble during the elections because there will be alternative routes for the voters to explore.

In Delta State, there are the serious aspirants, the not-so-serious and the pretenders. Campaign offices are being set up. Structures are being fortified. But the primaries will seperate the wheat from the chaff.

•Ochei

•Ogboru

Ewherido

The aspirants The top contenders for the governorship include Senator Arthur Okowa, Dr Festus Okubor, Hon. Victor Ochei, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Ben Williams, Navy Commander Onabu, Senator Pius Ewehrido, and Chief Great Ogboru.

Okowa He is the senator representing Delta North District in the Upper Chamber. Okowa has intimidating credentials. He was the Chairman of Ika South local government, Commissioner of Health and Secretary to Delta State Government.

He was defeated by Uduaghan during the 2007 polls. He is a grassroots mobiliser and a towering personality in Delta politics. He has a large followership in Delta North District, which he represents in the National Assembly. But he also has appeal in other senatorial distrits. In fact, he has structures across the three zones. Many believe that he can rebuild his political structure he used during his failed 2007 governorship bid.

But he faces a stiff opposition from some influential politicians in the state, who still believe that he cannot be trusted. To them, he accepted to become the secretary to government when he had the opportunity to discredit the controversial PDP primaries that threw up Uduaghan, press for a new shadow poll and smile away with the ticket. His critics maintained that he should have aligned with the other aggrieved aspirants to protest the alleged imposition of Uduaghan, instead of jumping at the prospect of becoming the Secretary to Government.

Others have chided him for ethnicity, recalling that that he has not risen beyond being the champion of Ikaland. They alleged that Okowa is always eager to defend the interest of his native Owa Aliero, in utter insensitivity to the interests of other towns and villages in the senatorial district.

•Orubebe

•Onabu

He is from the Delta Central District. He is a formidable politician beloved by the Urhobo. The senator was a member of the House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007. He also served as the Acting Speaker. Ewherido is major player in Delta politics. His is popular in his zone. Against all odds, he contested against the PDP for the Senate on the platform of the mushroom party, the Democratic People Party (DPP). That was after he lost the governorship primaries to Uduaghan in the PDP. He had gone underground, following his failed governorship bid, only to resurface and daze the PDP at the senatorial election. Urhobo has a superior numerical strength and, if the tribe supports him, he will shake the state in 2015. The ethnic group has been in the political wilderness in the last eight years, shopping for a credible candidate. But a major minus for Ewherido is his perceived independent mind.

Ogboru

• Okubor

•Okowa

Ogboru is a millionaire-businessman and veteran governorship aspirant. He loves power. But it has eluded him since 2003. In 2011, his party, the Democratic People Party, made a frantic attempt to prove that Ogboru is popular in the state. The party won eight seats in the House of Assembly. It also won a seat each in the House of Representatives and Senate. The “People’s General”, as he is fondly called by supporters, appears to be battle weary these days. He seems to have slowed down.

But his supporters inisist that he is a crowd puller and a factor in Delta politics. But can Ogboru still count on the support of the Urhobos, especially with the emergence of Ewherido? Only time will tell.

Williams

Okubor He is an orator. He is former Governor James Ibori’s Commissioner for Information. Currently, he is the Chief of Staff in the Uduaghan Administration. in 2011, Okubor was the Deputy Director-General of Uduaghan Campaign Organisation. He is perceived as a dark horse in the race for the top job. However, many believe that his closeness with Governor Uduaghan may tilt the balance in his favour. They arrive at this conclusion because Uduaghan is interested how his successor will emerge. But, the governor’s support may be a double edged sword. Unless those who were injured by the imposition of Uduaghan in 2007 are pacified, they may resist Okubor’s emergence. There is the pervading feeling in Delta State that Ibori, who is in jail abroad,

The Minister NigerDelta Affairs hails from Delta South Senatorial District, the same zone that produced Uduaghan. He is from the Ijaw extraction.

Ordinarily, with zoning in place, Orubebe’s name should not come up for mention. But tongues are wagging. With the recent rapprochement between Uduaghan and Chief Edwin Clark, his ambition cannot be ruled out. Orubebe is a protégé of Clark and, with the rising sentiment in some quarters that zoning should be jettisoned, analysts believe that he has a good chance. A major challenge he has to surmount is that he comes from the minority Ijaw tribe. Also, if he becomes the PDP candidate, then, zoning is dead in Delta State. The only alternative is for him to defect from the PDP. But will Orubebe defect?

•Williams

will determine who succeeds Uduaghan.

Besides, Okubor has some weaknesses. He does not seem to have a deep purse to run an effective state-wide campaigns. Also, the presence of his kinsman, Arthur Okowa, in the race may split Anioma votes. Okubor lacks the required experience to survive in the rough and tumble of Delta politics because he has never sought elective office before.

•Keyamo

Ochei He is the Speaker of the House of Assembly. He has endowed his office with visibility. He also enjoys cordial relations with the governor. enjoys immense visibility in his current job. Ochei is a three-time legislator representing Aniocha North Cnstituency. He is a wealthy politician and philanthropist who commands the respect of his constituents. If wealth alone is all it takes to become

Williams, fondly called “the Ben Lion Heart of Delta”, is running on the platform of the proposed APC. The retired Airforce Sports and Physical Education School instructor is from the Delta North.

He is busy setting up campaign structures across the local governments. He is an advocate of power shift. Williams had boasted that the APC will dislodge the PDP in 2015. “The die is cast between the APC and PDP in Delta. PDP has failed and APC is now the saving grace. It is only the APC that can avert the disintegration of the country. It is only APC that can reposition Delta State”, he said.

Keyamo Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo has also joined the race. He is a pro-democracy activist and radical lawyer. The structure campaigning for him is the ‘Delta Frontiers”. The youths and students are rooting for his candidature. However, Keyamo has not announced his political platform. His associates have ruled out the PDP. This means that he he will jostle for the ticket in the APC or other smaller parties.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

POLITICS

2015: PDP woos Afenifere

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

P

• Akande at the convention

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande recently led 4,761 delegates to the party’s national convention in Lagos where a resolution for the approval of its merger with other opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congres (APC) was passed. He also explained the prospects of the merger and its implications for progressive politics in his address to the party faithful.

‘APC will alter face of politics’

“I

T is with great joy that I salute each and every one of you for coming to this very historic convention of our great party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). We are particularly delighted to have in our midst, leaders of other opposition parties who have come all the way to witness this occasion.

This convention is a special one, because it sets in motion one of the requisite steps that will lead to the coming together of leading opposition parties and groups for the purpose of creating an alternative political platform that will fundamentally alter for good the face of politics and governance in this country.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the merger of the leading opposition parties, which has reached an advanced stage, is already a fait accompli. The urgent need for change and the crushing desire to rescue our country from decay compel us to act quickly to provide an alternative leadership for Nigeria. This endeavour has become necessary given the efforts of the ruling party to stifle democracy and destroy its institutions.

We must not entertain any weariness or surrender to sentiments or blackmail in this enterprise, mindful that merger is strange, new and unique in Nigeria and that the law did not envisage the ambush presently being placed on our ways. But we shall overcome. This merger has come to stay!

The question I have had to answer from many of our party members is, why must we merge? Our experience of a miniature merger of the truncated Alliance for Democracy with the splinter of the PDP called ACD in 2006 which resulted in the AC, and later ACN, promoted our control from one state (Lagos) in 2007 to six states (Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Ogun) in 2011; and, increased our representation in the National Assembly from (32 in the House of Representatives and 6 in the Senate) in 2007 to (69 in the House of Representatives to 19 in the Senate) in 2011. It is our hope therefore that a merger of big parties like ACN, CPC and ANPP with DPP and a major portion of APGA, would yield a much bumper harvest.

The leadership of our great party after deep deliberations and consultations and in view of the current political reality is convinced that a merger is the way to go. We have

threaded this path before. We are wiser, smarter and more prepared to make the sacrifices that this process requires for the sake of our country.

Why have we succeeded so much in ACN, many may want to ask? We have selfless caucus of leaders who provided the backbones for the raising of funds; and, who exercised the tremendous influence that promoted the confidence of our party organs like the NWC and the National Executive Committee (NEC) under my leadership. We encouraged selfless officers in the party and patriotic directors in the headquarters at Abuja to serve tirelessly without any emoluments, salaries and allowances; and, we enjoyed the example of an experienced, devoted and self disciplined chairmanship that drove the party secretariat to perform so honestly such that the INEC auditors had to single out ACN as having provided a most enviable and credible records of financial statements among all the political parties in Nigeria.

This is the kind of tradition I would urge us to re-establish in the new family, All Progressives Congress (APC). The next few changes of the merger are the final bold steps that will position us politically for greater gains and deliver one of the most formidable political platforms in post independent Nigeria.

As democrats, we must strive to put a stop to the present lamentable state of affairs in Nigeria by constructively engaging the political process with a view to overcoming the challenges that arrest our development as a nation. We must strive to build a strong, disciplined and internally democratic political platform that guarantees greater citizen’s participation at all levels.

It, therefore, behoves us as leaders to always lead by example, and insist on discipline from our party members while remaining vigilant and constantly watching out for mercenaries who are wont to throw spanners in our good works.

In over 13 years that the PDP has been in power, not only has it failed to deliver on its promises, it has infected all institutions of state with its moral infirmity, aversion to the rule of law and entrenched monumental corruption never seen in the history of this country. Today, our country has become a society where the safety of life and property is at

its lowest ebb and poverty level at its highest. Nigerians are waiting patiently but with bated breath, to see the successful outcome of the merger talks. We must never let them down. We must rise above pettiness and personal ambitions and put the greater interest of this nation over any other thing else, for this is the only guarantee, to salvaging Nigeria from the precipice.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this may be the last convention we are holding as ACN. However, it marks yet the beginning of another journey towards the attainment of higher objectives. At this juncture, let me publicly acknowledge the contributions of those I have been privileged to work within our party in the past seven years. I seize this opportunity to express deep appreciation to our party leaders across the country for their support. Your inputs, and respective wealth of experience in caucus and other informal meetings have enriched in no small measure the way we run our party.

This ACN convention is not designed to relegate the position of its leaders and members. It is to make you a trail blazer, it is to make you the innovator, it is to make you the pioneer, it is to make you the ground breaker in a noble venture. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is the convention of a great party, which is at the threshold of making history. I am pleased to declare this Convention open.”

ROMINENT members of the Peoples Democratic Peoples Party (PDP) in the Southwest are teaming up with the polarised pan-Yoruba socio-po litical group, Afenifere, to fight for power in the zone. Currently, the region is the stronghold of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

There are two groups struggling for the soul of the organisation. The first group is led by the former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Chief Rueben Fasoranti. The second is led by the deputy leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi.

Reconciliation broke down between the two camps, almost four years ago.

Although the representatives of the factions were brought to the reconciliation table at Ibadan, Oyo State capital, by the younger elements who have formed the Afenifere Renewal group (ARG), they could not achieve a truce. Also, efforts to reconcile them by the wife of the late sage, Mrs. HID Awolowo, failed.

At the recent meeting of the faction led by Fasoranti in Lagos, many PDP chieftains were in attendance, although the key leaders; Chiefs Fasoranti, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae, Oladipo Olaitan, and Supo Sonibare, are progressives and critics of the PDP-led Federal Government.

At the Lagos meeting were Senator Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran, Hon. Segun Ojo, Mr. Kayode Alufa, Chief Ladosu Ladapo, Akogun Tunde Odanye and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who is being wooed by the Lagos PDP to contest the next governorship on its platform. A source said that the Fasoranti’s group enjoys the backing of the Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who has secured a second term. Between 1999 and 2003, Afenifere did not open its door to the chieftains of the PDP, which they perceived as a conservative party.

However, the members of the Fasanmi’s group belong to the ACN, which is in the merger process with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (PDP), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Prominent members of the faction include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, Otunba Busura Alebiosu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, and Hon. Odunsi. In fact, all the ACN chieftains in the Southwest identify with the Fasanmi’s group. Currently, the members of Fasanmi camp are in the government in the region.

In 2007, the Afenifere leaders in Fasoranti’s group supported the PDP governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. In 2011, they also supported Daniel’s candidate for the governorship, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka. It was a wide departure from 2003, when the former secretary of the group, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, was criticised for fraternity with former ANPP Governor Mohammed Lawal of Kwara State. Last year, they also supported Governor Mimiko’s re-election bid.

Southwest PDP members are courting Afenifere at a time the party is becoming increasingly unpopular in the zone. But the source said that the party is ready to pump money into the mobilisation against the ACN. “The fund for the election is not going to be a problem. The PDP Federal Government is showing a special interest in the zone. PDP wants to adopt two strategies. The first is to get aggrieved, credible and popular candidates to run for the governorship elections in the region and get Afenifere to back them on the platform of the PDP. That is why both Chief Bode George and Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe are now on the neck of Agbaje. At every election, Afenifere usually supports candidates and political parties.

“The second strategy is to encourage other parties outside ACN to compete with the ACN in the zone. It is worthy of note that, after securing the pipeline monitoring contract from the Federal Government, some Southwest leaders started talking about the resuscitation of the UPN. They are not happy with the soaring profile of Tinubu and they want to get their pound of fresh from Osoba”, added the source.

The group’s posturing has affected its image among the people of the Southwest. Unlike the pre-2003 period, Afenifere is perceived as a toothless bulldog, which can only bark but not bite. In fact, in 2003, the group supported the four AD governors; the late Adebayo Adefarati (Ondo), the late Lam Adesina (Oyo), Akande (Osun), and Osoba (Ogun). They lost to their PDP challengers; Dr. Olusegun Agaggu, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Otunba Daniel. The lone survivor, Tinubu, was deserted by the Afenifere chieftains, following the rejection of the 60:40 formula for the distribution of the appointive and elective offices in Lagos State. He handed over to Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007. Also, in 2007, Tinubu spearheaded the struggle for the liberation of the Southwest from the PDP. Today, five out of the six states are governed by the ACN governors.

Recently, ARG leader Hon. Olawale Oshun had alerted the region to the antics of certain forces bent on encouraging the emergence of new parties to create confusion in the zone. He said those behind the idea were working assiduously with the PDP, which has the intention of re-capturing the Southwest in 2015. A sources said that the PDP chieftains are exploiting the division in the Afenifere to penetrate into the fold and swing the support of the Fasoranti camp to the PDP candidates in the next elections.

Falae ruled out any alliance with the PDP, although he agreed that PDP members can now take their seats in the group. This admission flexibility contrasted sharply with the picture of Afenifere between 1999 and 2002. For example, members of the group rationalised that the presence of Omisore at the Afenifere meeting was not strange. “He has been a member, but dormant for some time. He only left AD, not Afenifere”, said a chieftain.

• Senate President Senator David Mark flanked by Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu (left) and Senate Leader Senator Ndoma Egba at the retreat on constitutional review at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island,Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

47

NEWS

‘More Nigerians living with Parkinson’s disease’

N

O fewer than 90,000 Nigerians are living with Parkinson’s disease, Consultant Neurologist, Dr Njideka Okubadejo, has said.

According to her, Parkinson’s disease affects 67 out of 100,000 Nigerians above the age of 40.

She spoke at a seminar organised

by Funmi Fashina Foundation (FFF) in Lagos, to train doctors and other health care workers on neurological disorders.

Mrs Okubadejo said education and professional training of doctors are important in recognising and diagnosing medical disorders such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) and other types of Parkinson’s diseases.

She said most doctors did not experience diseases that were not common when they were in medical schools and as such should get more training on the job.

Okubadejo, who is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), said the seminar was to intimate them with changing trends in their profession.

She said there are various diseases of the brain and one of them is movement disorder.

Okubadejo said: “This is a disease that affects a particular part of the brain that makes it difficult for people to move or that makes them have involuntary movement. They may shake and their muscle may tweak, they may be slow. So, it is a wide variety. Some of these movement disorders are common. Others are less common.

For example, there are people whose hands shake, especially when they want to write. This is called tremor. Some of the tremors can be so irritating that the

By Wale Adepoju

person cannot write or sign his signature, they have to thumb print to authenticate their documents.”

These diseases, she said, are not caused by muscle weakness or stroke.

The seminar, she said, helped the doctors to become familiar with those disorders, adding that it will also guide them on how they can treat them. And where they can refer the patients to when they have difficulties. The purpose is that patients have access to doctors that are well-exposed and well-trained who can diagnose their condition earlier.

This is because if you diagnose many of these conditions earlier you can offer the patient treatment that can improve their quality of life.

A trustee of FFF, Mr Jibade Fashina, said little or nothing was known about the illness when his wife came down with it.

He recounted that his wife was taken to some hospitals and different doctors tried to diagnose the ailment with no success for about two years.

Fashina said eventually a doctor was able to recognise the disorder but to be double sure, “I took her abroad for more advanced diagnoses where it was confirmed again.”

He said a lot of people ascribed her ailment to weight problems, high blood pressure (HBP) but none got quite close to it until they met one Dr Ojo. “This was about 24 months after we started looking for diagnosis. When she diagnosed it we went abroad and it took another one year for them to tell us she had MSA,” he said.

• Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left), Commissioner for Health Dr Temitope Ilori (left); Director, MTN Foundation, Akinwale Goodluck, and Executive Secrtetary, Ms. Nonny Ugboma during the launch of MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme (MTNF EYERIS), phase 1 at the State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.

•L-R: Senator Chris Ngige, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Dr Yewande Jinadu during the committee’s visit to the centre.

US trains Naval men on life-saving skills

M

EDICAL personnel of the Nigerian Naval Hospital, Ojo, Lagos have been trained on how to treat trauma. The training was sponsored by Africa Partnership Station, US. The aim is to solidify the connection between field treatment of military casualties and treatment options, once they are transferred to the hospital. This is to increase the number of lives that could be saved by 25 per cent in traumatic injuries/emergencies, be it military or civilian.

The medical providers were trained to handle emergencies through practical trainings, so as to effectively treat trauma injuries.

They went through a review of current trauma literature, scenario training, hands-on training tourniquet and ultrasound training, triage event training with mass casualties. Lectures covering trauma assessment

•Dr Owens

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

and life saving interventions and techniques /skill were also given.

It was anchored by Dr Michael Owens, Naval Medical Centre, Portsmouth and Dr Kristie Robson, United States Navy stationed at Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Falls Church, VA. According to Dr Owens, it is very essential to priority trauma casualties to ensure life saving skills are deployed, “and we believe with a lot of advances in trauma casualties management, it is highly good to train personnel including medical assistants, students, nurses and physicians.

“We have data captured in our system that 25 per cent of casualties die in trauma cases. There are immediate life saving interventions that can be done to quickly and easily save such,” he stated.

•Dr Robson

•L-R: Director, Administration, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ayo Olagunju; guest of honour, Prof Bashiru Akande, Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof Akin Osibogun and Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof Chris Bode during this year’s joint graduation.

PHOTOS: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

NAFDAC pushes for anti-counterfeit bill O you know that the highest punishment a drug counterfeiter can get is N500, 000 or a 15-year jail term if convicted.

Why? Because of a defect in the law of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The agency has been trying to push the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods ( Prohibition and Control) bill it is sponsoring at the National Assembly to address the anomally.

It told the National Assembly of its plan to make faking of drugs and products a non-bailable offence through the bill.

The Director General, Dr Paul Orhii, submitted the proposed bill to the executive about two years ago.

When the Senate Committee on Health visited the Lagos office of NAFDAC, Orhii intimated mem-

D

By Wale Adepoju

bers of the bill which was yet to get to the National Assembly. He told the panel of the bill and that it was not before it, warning that it may not be passed before the Seventh Assembly tenure ends.

Its Chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the Senate had yet to receive the bill from the executive arm since it was briefed on it about two years ago.

He feared that counterfeiters may continue to fake drugs and other products, if the bill which is meant to curb their nefarious activities, was not passed.

Okowa urged the executive to expedite action on the bill so that it can be processed as quickly as possible for president assent.

He praised the agency for using electronic devices to detect fake drugs and for regulating herbal medicines, stressing that it was long overdue. “I also con-

gratulate the agency on the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification, which it is pushing to ensure that Nigeria sells its drugs locally and oversea, for the pharmaceutical industry,” he said.

NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, said his agency is working round the clock on the bill as the agency will ensure that fakers get life jail term to discourage them from faking products.

“The present law favours the counterfeiters because the highest punishment a counterfeiter who is caught can get is a 15 year jail term or a N500, 000 fine, as an option.

“The proposed law states that if a faker caused an individual bodily harm or death his assets would be confiscated and used to pay the victim. The proposed law would ensure that whistle blowers are rewarded with a token without disclosing their identity to the public,” he stated.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

NEWS

Senate : Fed Govt misappropriated N1.52tr special funds in 11 years •Ministries, state governments, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe are beneficiaries

T

HE Senate yesterday condemned the alleged misappropriation and abuse of N1,518,871,357,426.64 special funds by the Federal Government.

Its condemnation followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Public Account. The report is entitled: “Status inquiry into the Special Funds Accounts.”

Committee Chairman Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) said the funds accrued to the Federal Government between 2002 and June 30, 2012.

Senate President David Mark insisted that the development was an indictment on the National Assembly, nothing that it was unimaginable that the lawmakers looked the other way since 2002, giving the executive the free hand to misapply such huge funds.

He described this development as a wake-up call on the legislators to take their oversight functions more seriously.

Mark said: “The problem of the fund is that aside lack of guidelines; we have also, through committees responsible, not taken pains to oversight how the funds are utilised.

“That is truly an indictment on the National Assembly; it

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

is a wake-up call on National Assembly to do its works properly.

“If we have been following the funds since 2002, it would have been addressed earlier.

“It is right to look at these ones to see how the disbursements relate to areas they were disbursed.

“In all, we shared in the blame in these disbursements.

“We urge the committees to go back and look at those ones that were not misapplied and find out who has paid back loans and those that have not paid back.

“Also, for all intent and purposes, those who have taken loans from it should be asked to pay back.

“This report has nothing to do with political parties and our contributions showed that all of us are displeased with what happened.

“It is in the national interest that this kind of thing is not allowed to continue.

“We need to go by the draft bill which was proposed to spell out how the funds should be disbursed.”

Lawan, in his presentation, listed the special fund accounts maintained by the Federal Government to include: the three per cent Develop-

ment of Natural Resource Account (DNRA); 1.46 per cent Derivation and Ecology Account (DEA) and the 0.72 per cent Stabilisation Account (SA).

He stated that N1,24trillion was the total payments from the accounts as at June 30, last year.

Of the total accruals, he said N580 billion was released as loan while N348 billion is yet to be recovered from the various loans beneficiaries.

Lawan said: “The operation of the Natural Resources Account is grossly abused because several releases under this account were not related to the intendment of the account.

“A total of N329, 329,745,916 was granted as loan, out of which N200,585,790,991.64 is still outstanding under the Natural Resources Account.

“Under the Derivation and Ecology Account, a total of N61billion was granted as loan out of which N30billion is still outstanding.”

He lamented that there were monumental abuses under the three accounts.

Lawan said of the N873,400,023,790.19 that accrued to the DNRA, the sum of N701,489,494,960.61 was released.

He said the amount released was and 100 per cent abused.

According to him, the abuses under the DNRA were N612 million payment of JVC contribution deducted from Akwa Ibom grant in 2002; the sum of N1.3 billion loan granted Derivation Escrow Account in 2003 and N50billion loan to finance deficit in 2004 fiscal budget; the N3.75 billion loan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purchase of a Chancery in Tokyo in 2004; and the N865 million loan to National Health Insurance Scheme for Identity Cards Production in 2005.

Others include: the N452 million loan to Federal Government of Nigeria as payment to African Development Bank (AfDB) for the purchase of shares in 2005; the N2 billion loan granted for payment to Gitto Construczioni Generale Nigeria Limited in 2005; the N5.7 billion loan

granted the Ministry of Power and Steel as payment of disengagement benefit of steel workers in 2005; N15 billion loan granted the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for Gurara Water Project - second payment in 2005; the N10 billion loan for payment of October- December 2005 arrears of monetised fringe benefit in all Federal Government Parastatals in 2006; the N11 billion loan to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) - Aviation infrastructure intervention fund account to address the infrastructure problems in the aviation sector in 2006; and the N20 billion loan to Federal Ministry of of Works against 2007 appropriation for the dualisation of Abuja-Lokoja Road and dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road in 2006, among others.

The senator added that of the N389,983,433,066.07 that accrued to the Derivation and Ecology Account (DEA), N329,866,978,289.92 was released, lamented that N149,881,359,210, representing 45 per cent of the amount

•Senator Mark released was abused.

According to him, some of the abuses include the N200 million loan to the Presidential Research and Communications Unit in 2002 and the N500million loan to the Edo State Government in 2002.

He said N7.5 billion was loaned to the Nigerian Air Force through the Ministry of Defence’s Capital Account for some projects and N10million for the building of abattoir in Bida, Niger State - through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Ecological Fund Account in 2003.

Lawan added that N1 billion was released to the Ogun State Government for the Construction of BadagryIgboho Road (Atan-Isaga Section) in 2007.

Budget: ‘Abuja Exchange got less than N1.5b in 12 years’ •BoA to support agric with N25b

T

HE Abuja Stock and Commodities Exchange (ASCE) has received less than N1.5 billion as budgetary allocation in its 12 years of existence, its Managing Director, Alhaji Yusuf Abdurrahim, has said.

Abdurrahim, who stated this when executives of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) visited the commodity exchange yesterday, said inadequate financing was responsible for the low performance of the exchange.

He lamented that the ASCE has failed to take off because of inadequate infrastructure.

“Inadequate funding is also a problem for the exchange. Government has not spent up to N1.5 billion on ASCE as budgetary allocation since inception,” he said.

The exchange, he revealed, “is now going to be operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement; we are not looking for sleeping partners, but those who will put in money and handle management up to a certain level.”

He explained that some interests have been expressed within and outside the country on the PPP arrangement, adding that what is left is for the government, which is working towards recapitalising the exchange to fast-track the process.

On the plan to take over the exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abdurrahim said: “The CBN owns 60 per cent and is desirous of seeing that the ex-

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

change becomes operational and runs profitably. The CBN was one of the stakeholders that moved for the PPP arrangement for the exchange.”

The Managing Director of BoA, Mohammed Santuraki, said the bank plans to use about N25 billion to support agriculture in the next two years.

He said the bank will support commercial, small scale farmers because they don’t have post-harvest infrastructure to help maximise the gains of their harvest, and cannot access finance through conventional means.

As part of the bank’s support for agriculture, Santuraki said the bank has identified challenges facing the farmers and will work with the ASCE to support an agriculture financing bill when it gets to the National Assembly.

He explained that the bill would enable farmers to have access to finance, adding that it would ensure that warehouse receipts could become legal tender.

He decried the country’s large work force engaged in agriculture, saying it has brought little returns because of the lack of financing.

Santuraki said the future of Nigeria is in agriculture.

He explained that the purpose of the visit was to work out ways for value chain financing and how to get agricultural commodities to the market.

•From left: Michael Dauda, Tope Aladenusi, Rafael San Maguel Carrasco, Yomi Olugbenso, and Tony Olukoju, all of Deloitte, at the cyber security breakfast session organised by the company in Lagos.

Lagos pays N3.5b to 780 retirees

By Miriam Ekene Okoro

•Fashola HE Lagos State government yesterday paid N3.5billion to 780 re tired civil servants.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) presented retirement bond certificates to the retirees at a ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja.

T

Fashola said the retirement savings account of each recipient in this batch had been credited with their accrued rights.

This is the Eighth batch in the series.

Fashola said since inception, the new scheme has made better the lives of retirees, affording them the peace of mind that should come with a fruitful retirement, as well as a relief from the past experiences, which subjected them to untold hardship.

Fashola, who was represented by the Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, said: “Our experience since we began this new scheme indicates that all our retirees are currently enjoying their lives in retirement without the sad and pitiable experiences of the past where those who retired un-

der the old Pay-As-You-Go scheme were and are still subjected to a lot of hardship.

“There is a clear difference between the Contributory Pension Scheme and the old PayAs-You-Go system. In fulfilling our avowed commitment to making the scheme work perfectly well, we ensured that both the 7.5 per cent contributions by the state government and the 7.5 per cent deductions from employees’ salaries, are forwarded to the custodial account of the employees nominated Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).”

He added that transparency was no longer a setback as employees received monthly credit alerts. Hard copies of quarterly statements of account are provided.

He said one of the biggest challenges over the years has been in dealing with contin-

gencies, explaining that such scenerios could occur, if more people than anticipated, choose to voluntarily leave the service.

Fashola, however, assured that the government has “taken measures to address this by financing a monthly pension sinking fund. This is in addition to the statutory five per cent contributions that go into the redemption fund account.

“This additional sinking fund ensures that those who have to cut short their service unexpectedly, through illness or other reasons, will not be shortchanged,” he said.

He said, at the last count, 2,604 retirees had been paid N14.5 billion under the Contributory Pension Scheme, saying that these retirees were enjoying their retirement benefits through the respective PFAs and the insurance companies that have provided the annuity service.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

54

EQUITIES Shareholders approve N117b capital issue for Diamond Bank

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-04-13

S

HAREHOLDERS of Dia mond Bank Plc yester day mandated the board of directors of the bank to raise up to $750 million, about N117 billion, in new capital issue as investors commended the turnaround of the bank.

At the annual general meeting in Lagos, shareholders overwhelmingly voted to increase the authorized share capital of the bank from N10 billion to N15 billion through the creation of additional 10 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

They subsequently empowered the directors to raise additional capital of up to $750 million or its Naira equivalent through the issuance of supplementary equity or debt issues through any means the board may deemed fit. Preempting the possibility of oversubscription, the meeting also mandated the bank to absorb excess monies up to the limit of its capital requirement.

Speaking at the meeting, chairman, Diamond Bank Plc, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, said the new capital issue was in support of the bank’s increasing capacity and future expansion plans with a view to sustaining the impressive performance witnessed in 2012.

He sought the understanding of the shareholders on the decision of the board not to declare dividends and to retain the net earnings for 2012 in the reserves explaining that it makes better business judgement to plough back retained earnings in addition to the planned new capital raising.

He however pointed out that the impressive performance of the bank in 2012 has created substantial value for shareholders through significant increase in share price, which rose by 157 per cent in 2012.

Group managing director, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr Alex Otti, said the retained earn-

•Equities regain bullish swing with N131b gains

By Taofik Salako

ings from the 2012 profit and loss accounts would further serve to build bigger returns to shareholders in the years ahead.

He outlined that the decision to raise new capital, in spite of the uncertainties in the capital market, was in the light of emerging opportunities.

According to him, there are many opportunities that are emerging due to government policies, general shift in the economy and the creativity of the bank’s professional workforce that the bank would want to take advantage of.

“In a zero sum world, forgoing these opportunities means that someone else takes them. We believe that as we seize such opportunities, we will ultimately turn them into tangible value for you, and the incremental value will eventually outstrip whatever value we give up by a share sale this year, should that become the clear choice,” Otti pointed out.

He assured shareholders that the bank stated 2013 with a strong head start, which, together with the continued implementation of the bank’s strategic framework, should consolidate the bank’s position as a major player in the industry.

He said the bank would invest in necessary resources to deliver excellent service, unequalled customer experience and ultimately superior shareholder value as it strives to help its host communities to thrive by benefitting from its corporate presence.

Shareholders were generally effusive in praises for the bank’s turnaround from a loss position in 2011 to profit in 2012. National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu commended the performance and urged the bank

to focus on delivering better results in the years ahead.

Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed profit before tax of N27.5 billion as against loss before tax of about N18 billion in 2011.

Compared with a net loss of N13.9 billion in 2011, the bank made net profit of N22.1 billion in 2012. Gross earnings had increased from N102.7 billion to N138.8 billion. The bank’s total balance sheet crossed the N1 trillion mark at N1.2 trillion in 2012 as against N796.2 billion in 2011.

Total deposits rose from N603 million to N910.23 million.

Meanwhile, equities yesterday rallied on the back of renewed interest in banking stocks and gains by highly capitalised stocks to halt a three-day recession. Aggregate market value of quoted equities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose from N10.561 trillion to N10.692 trillion while the All Share Index (ASI) increased from 33,030.83 points to 33,440.57 points.

Nestle Nigeria, market’s highest-priced stock, led the rally with a gain of N10.50 to close at N890. Dangote Cement, market’s most capitalised stock, rallied N5.88 to close at N162. Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria trailed with a gain of N5.01 to close at N77.

Nigeria Breweries rose by N4.88 to N164.90 while CAP added N3.87 to close at N42.57 per share.

Banking stocks were the toasts of investors as Unity Bank led activities’ chart with a turnover of 107.1 million shares valued at N69.15 million in 47 deals. Banking stock altogether accounted for 332.92 million shares valued at N2.15 billion in 2,314 deals. Total turnover stood at 437.36 million shares worth N3.95 billion in 5,436 deals.

On the downside, FBN Holdings topped the losers’ list with a drop of N1.28 to close at N18.65. Oando lost 15 kobo to close at N14.85.

Wema Bank and Costain dropped 13 kobo each to close at N1.18 and N1.17 while Learn Africa lost 12 kobo to close at N2 per share.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30- 04-13

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

MONEY LINK

BPP seeks improved transparency in contracts award

D

IRECTOR-General of Bu reau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Ezeh has called for improved transparency in award of contracts relating to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He spoke at the opening of a retreat for chief executive officers in Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), in Topo Badagry in Lagos. Eze said the bureau will continue to ensure that there is transparency in the bidding process for contracts in Nigeria, stressing that competent contractors will be given a level playing field to demonstrate their capacity to deliver.

He explained that the BPP will continue to work hard to ensure the cost doing business in Nigeria is reduced through the elimination of multiple registration and pre- qualification as well as tendering process that should be increased to give chance for equal competence and capabilities.

Eze said the bureau has gone far in the registration, classification and categorisation of contractors and consultants working or intending to work on Federal Government projects.

This he said, is covered in the Public Procurement Act 2007, which expects the bureau to maintain a national data base of the particulars of Federal contractors and service providers for ease of

T

HE European Central Bank has urged governments to press ahead with setting up a “strong” central authority to handle bank failures in the euro area. It said that progress in the project is essential to bolster lenders and spur growth.

Bloomberg quoted Vitor Constancio, the ECB’s vice president as saying that mere coordination between national authorities is not sufficient for cross-border resolution in crises.

The authority should be backed by a “privately funded European resolution fund,” he said. The ECB’s call for decisive action to build a common resolution system for crisis-hit banks runs counter to warnings from Germany that setting up a central authority with independent powers would require changes to the 27-nation bloc’s treaties.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told counterparts this month at a meeting in Dublin that the EU is approaching the limit of what it can achieve under its current rulebook to build a socalled banking union with common oversight and backstops for lenders. “Progress in these elements of a future banking union is very important in the present economic environment of low growth,” Constancio said in Brussels.

The setting up of a “single resolution mechanism” equipped with an authority and fund will contribute to “the desirable separation of banks and sovereigns,” he said.

Constancio also urged the EU to push ahead with the formal adoption of a draft law to hand the central-bank oversight powers. “Key organizational decisions can only be taken once the legal text has entered into force,” he said. “The timely adoption of the regulation by early summer is crucial.”

information sourcing, and analysis in conformity with the needs of the new Information Age. He said:” Public officials are now also beginning to see public funds as monies to be spent with care, and with high sense of responsibility. Added to these gains are a resultant improved budget implementation and performance in terms of project delivery.

He said that as the programme develops, the cost of doing business in Nigeria would be reduced through the elimination of multiple registration.

Besides, he said pre - qualification and the tendering process should increase at the end of the day, coupled with the better grouping of contractors, consultants and service providers of equal competence and capacities.

FCMB CEO reassures on best practices

T

HE Group Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, has said that the lender would continue to drive its operations through the implementation of best practices and value added services with the customer as central focus.

Balogun spoke while addressing staff of the bank at this year’s Employees Award Night held in Lagos last Friday. According to a a statement made available to The Nation , the FCMB boss restated the commitment of the bank to its core values of professionalism, sustainability, customer focus and excellence (PSCE). He said “we are determined to build an organisation that is impactful and can make a difference in the lives of our stakeholders, using our core values as the basis”.

The FCMB boss added that the successes recorded so far by the bank have largely been driven by needs of the customer, society and the commitment of staff, “towards providing exceptional service and products”. Beyond the core values, he said that the bank would continue to provide solutions that align with its value propositions, which are simple, supportive and reliable.

Speaking on the Employees Award night, Mr. Balogun explained that the event is in line with the bank’s best-place-to-workinitiative and strategy geared towards engaging, motivating and rewarding excellence. He added that the awards night is not only to reward and promote exceptional performance, but also, “an opportunity for employees to bond as a

ECB urges EU to support ailing banks

Ghana’s cedi falls to all-time low

G

HANA’S cedi currency weakened to an-all time low against the dollar as demand for the dollar by local firms’ heavily outstripped supply, traders said, worsening the country’s inflation outlook.

Bloomberg said the local unit dropped to 1.9750 versus the dollar after closing last Friday’s trading session at 1.9700.

Last week, Ghana’s central bank said the decline was seasonal due to firms buying dollars to pay shareholders and that it would intervene when it deemed necessary.

Ghanaian policy-makers have sought to defend the value of the cedi in part to reign in consumer inflation, which broke over 10 per cent in February for the first time since June 2010. Interbank traders said the surge in dollar demand was due to some offshore investors mobilising dollars ahead of a bond auction slated for June. “In addition, we havent seen any robust intervention by the central bank in recent times,” said one, referring to dollar sales by the Bank of Ghana.

•Balogun

team and share in the excitement of the journey towards creating a world class bank”.

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

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

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CAP IKEJAHOTEL CCNN WAPCO WAPIC FCMB DANGCEM DANGSUGAR NB ACCESS

38.70 0.84 8.00 71.99 1.02 4.30 156.12 7.26 160.02 9.49

42.57 0.92 8.60 77.00 1.09 4.50 162.00 7.49 164.90 9.77

CHANGE 3.87 0.08 0.60 5.01 0.07 0.20 5.88 0.23 4.88 0.28

COSTAIN WEMABANK FBNH MAYBAKER LEARNAFRCA NEM CILEASING UBCAP NEIMETH AIICO

O/PRICE 1.30 1.31 19.93 1.81 2.12 0.73 0.53 1.19 0.82 0.86

Date

350m

150m

150m

155.2

2-7-12

350m

138m

138m

155.8

27-6-12

350m

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

(S/N)

NSE CAP Index

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

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

Name

Bureau de Change 152.0000 Parallel Market

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE

LOSERS AS AT 30-04-13

SYMBOL

Exchange Rate (N)

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 30-04-13

Amount Sold ($)

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 138.34 143.59 0.80 1.15 1.07 100.00 1,000.00 1,805.48 15.86 1.39 1.87 10,855.53

9.08 1.00 137.92 144.38 0.78 1.15 1.05 100.00 1,000.00 1,799.18 15.09 1.33 1.80 10,528.92

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED

C/PRICE

CHANGE

1.17 1.18 18.65 1.70 2.00 0.70 0.51 1.15 0.80 0.84

0.13 0.13 1.28 0.11 0.12 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.02

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

•

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

CITYBEATS Doctors save drug suspect's life B at airport UT for the quick intervention of medical personnel at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, a drug suspect, who could not expel a wrap of cocaine he had ingested, would have died yesterday.

The suspect, Onedigbo Chibueze Emmanuel, 28, according to the Airport Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Hamza Umar, who was arrested with 210 grammes of cocaine on his way to Pakistan, could not expel one wrap of the substance.

Officials of the agency, Umar said, also arrested Akwaeze Anthony, who ingested 67 wraps of the substance, weighing 1.085kg.

"While Akwaeze Anthony successfully expelled all the 67 wraps of cocaine he ingested without assistance, the case of Onedigbo Chibueze Emmanuel, who inserted four wraps in his anus, was different. He was unable to expel one of the wraps until medical doctors came to his rescue. We were disturbed because his life was in danger," Umar stated.

Officials were worried that the suspect might die like others who ingested narcotic drugs owing to their poisonous nature.

Emmanuel is described "an unrepentant drug trafficker" who was recently deported from Thailand after serving a three-year jail term for drug-related offences. He was said to have been apprehended during the screening of passengers on Qatar Airline

By Kelvin Okunbor, Aviation Correspondent

flight.

Emmanuel said: "It is true that I was deported in February 2013 after serving a three-year jail term in Thailand. I went back into drug smuggling because there was nothing for me to sustain myself.

"My desire was to get some money from the drug deal and establish a business that can help me prepare for my future. I feel so sad that it turned out this way."

The suspect hails from Okija, Anambra State.

Anthony said : “I was enticed with N1million offer. I am a trader at Ahiaohuru Market, Aba, Abia State, where I sell textiles. My business suffered huge losses and I wanted to use the N1million to strengthen my business. I never thought I could be arrested because my mind was focused on how to revive my business. It is hardship that led me into drug trafficking. I am from a poor family. Things were bad that I abandoned my Guidance and Counselling studies in the second year at the Abia State University."

The suspect, who attended Giant Steps International Secondary School, Ogbor Hill, Aba, hails from Umunya, Anambra

‘

I was induced with N1 million. My business suffered huge losses and I wanted to use the money to strengthen it.

I never thought I could be arrested because my mind was focused on how to revive my business. It is hardship that led me into drug trafficking ... Things were bad that I abandoned my Guidance and Counselling studies in the second year at the Abia State University

‘

State.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the suspect's action as sad. "It is very sad that a drug convict is involved in drug trafficking few months after his release and deportation. This shows that he is not re-

Varsity admissions worry Lagos Assembly

W

ORRIED by the Minister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai’s disclosure, that only 520, 000 of the 1.7million candidates who sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) last Saturday would be admitted into tertiary institutions, the Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the National Assembly and the Ministry of Education to improve the system.

The resolution was passed yesterday, sequel to a motion at the plenary under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the Chief Whip, Hon. Abdulrazaq Balogun Balogun, who drew his colleagues' attention to the minister's comment, said it was worrisome that over a million candidates would be denied admission not because they are not qualified or did not pass the matriculation examination, but because the system cannot accommodate them.

Balogun said: "They collect money from these children and leave them in the cold."

In his view, the focus on university education should be reviewed while acquisition of vocational skills should be encouraged and made more attractive to take away attention from certificates.

Other members of the House, notably the

• Lagos Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Majority Leader, Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye; Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (Oshodi-Isolo 2) and Yinka Ogundimu (Agege 2), urged

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

the government to go back to the drawing board and solve the problem by encouraging skill acquisition, because “the current system is capable of frustrating students and worsening the security situation in the country.”

Though Hon. Rotimi Olowo sought the scrapping of courses in the social sciences and humanities because, according to him, they do not have direct bearing on development, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Lola Akande disagreed with him, saying that no course in the university is useless.

She, instead, called for increased budgetary allocation to the education sector to accommodate more students.

Condemning the Federal Government for not having a concrete direction in education, Hon. Yishawu Gbolahan said: "We need to restructure the university system, design and formulate policies to make the education sector work for us instead of ransoming the future of these children, let us open up the system."

Deputy Speaker Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, who presided, however, asked that admissions be pruned down "because we keep graduating students without jobs."

• Emmanuel

morseful. I urge the public to resist any temptation to smuggle drugs," Giade said, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

'Yoruba deprived of federal appointments'

By Dada Aladelokun, Assitant Editor

A

N activist group, the Coalition for Yoruba Autonomy (COYA), has cried out over what it termed the marginalisation of the Yoruba race in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The body, comprising five Yoruba groups, at a media parley in Lagos, expressed surprise at the level of marginalisation of the Yoruba. Its chairman, Ambassador Kunle Adesokan, said: "We unapologetically oppose the brazen marginalisation of our ethnic nationality in the current government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan."

He urged the president to address "this perceived undermining of South-West in this political dispensation", reminding him that "the South-West geo-political zone gave him unfettered support during the election."

Among the group's grouse is the lopsidedness in the sharing of political offices among the six geo-political zones. According to COYA, the South-West zone has a mere three per cent slot of federal political offices in the current political dispensation.

The group also lamented the state of insecurity in the country. It blamed the violence unleashed on the northern part of the country on the failure of the leaders in the zone to plan for the future, especially the education of their youths.

The group added: "Our organisation is seeking a minimum condition of a constitutional convention to be convened to re-configure a working Nigerian Federation that gives more powers to the states and its local government authorities to develop on their own and in their pace."

Cardiac, renal centre ready in Lagos

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

R

•Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale (third right), presenting a plaque to Mayor of Brent, United Kingdom (UK), Councilor Michael Adeyeye (second left), during his courtesy visit to the council yesterday. With them are: Adewale’s Vice, Alhaja Qudirat Dada (left), Council Manager, Mr Segun Ajayi (second right) and Auditor, Mr Adebayo Akeem.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

ESPITE is here for patients suffering from life-threatening heart/kidney-related diseases. Reason: The Lagos State Government yesterday assured residents that a Cardiac and Renal Centre would be ready for operations by July.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, told reporters at a ministerial briefing commemorating the sixth anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fasholaled administration in the state, that government was anxious, like residents, to get the centre functioning soon.

He: "It's taking quite a while. The government is anxious to get it up and running. We had a meeting last week with the contractor; we are in discussion with the group that will manage it. We will train our medical personnel there. In the next two or three months, we should be done; we are putting finishing touches - air-conditioning systems by next month, you will begin to see more activities there. It is our hope that when the centre takes off, the trend of embarking on foreign trips for heart and kidney surgeries will be minimal."

The Cardiac and Renal Centre is located within

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

FRSC launches new safety campaign

T

HE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has begun what it called an ICE campaign across the country.

ICE, which means, "In Case of Emergency," is a campaign meant to sensitise Nigerians to the need to save the numbers of their close relations, especially with the 'ICE' code to assist emergency responders to reach their next of kin quickly in time of disasters.

The commission's Port Harcourt Sector Commander, Dr Kayode Olagunju, said the new method would reduce the anxiety of rescuers when there is need to contact accident victims' relations.

He said: "It would not be out of place to store the numbers of person(s) to be contacted when there is an emergency. You can have ICE 1, ICE2, ICE3, and so on for multiple contacts."

Olagunju also advised Nigerians not to lock their phone(s) while on a journey. "This is to ensure that first respondents/rescuers can have access to the phone when you might not be able to

Adeboye prays for Corps members

T

By Yinka Aderibigbe

do so or explain anything."

Olagunju, who used to be FRSC's Coordinator for Social Media, said: "We all carry mobile phones with names and numbers stored in • Olagunju its memory. If we were to be involved in an accident commercial drivers operating or taken ill, the people attend- in the country. It said it would ing to us would have our mo- begin to sanction any driver bile phone but wouldn't know who refuses to comply with the who to call. Yes, there are hun- law and embarks on a journey dreds of numbers on the without the documentation of phone, but which one is the accurate information as recontact person in case of an quired in the manifest it circuemergency?" lated to all motor parks for use He said if accepted as a na- by all drivers. tionally accepted way of stor"The Passengers Manifest ing emergency numbers, it must be accurately filled by all would go a long way in infor- passengers travelling by any mation management, especial- public transport across the ly in cases of emergencies in country and this must be done the country. before a vehicle leaves the park The commission has, how- and embarks on the journey," ever, reiterated the importance a statement by the commission of Passenger Manifest by all added.

Church celebrates anniversary •Cleric preaches religious tolerance

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ELIGIOUS organisations in the country have been advised to join hands to move the nation forward as an indivisible entity.

The call came yesterday from the Minister-in-Charge, C&S Salem Evangelical Church of Christ, Ikorodu Road, Ilupeju, Lagos State, Superintendent Apostle Babatunde Odele, while speaking on the church's 50th year anniversary billed to hold between May 6 and 12.

"One distinguishing feature of our church is the fact that we accommodate members of other religious sects, including Muslims.

They do come to worship with us because we so much believe in effectual prayers. This is a spirit that must be imbibed by other churches and even mosques, to cement the oneness of Nigeria," Odele said.

Other religious bodies, he also advised, must emulate his church, which he said, had made it a habit to pray for Nigeria, Lagos State, the governor and legislators at all levels. "It is one thing that singles our church out; we do pray for the state and public office holders because they need spiritual back-up to serve us well," he said.

Besides such prayers, Odele, a

prominent builders and former chairman of Mushin Local Government, popularly known as Pawpaw, said his church also gives back to the society, especially motherless babies and old people, adding that rather than over-tax his congregation for such gestures, he would rather seek financial aid from friends.

Speaking on the programmes lined up for the celebration, he stated: "Between May 6 and 8, there will be re-

the premises of the Gbagada General Hospital.

Idris said the government had procured and distributed no fewer than 500,000 male and female condoms to residents in the past one year.

He said the state AIDS Control Agency (LASACA) was charged with the responsibility, saying the step was to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the state.

The commissioner said 84,000 HIV/AIDS booklets were also distributed to provide adequate enlightenment on the scourge and promote safe sex among residents.

"We have also established HIV/ AIDS counselling and testing centres in health facilities across the state as part of measures to check the prevalence of the scourge.

These centres provide clients with all they need on HIV/AIDS, counselling, treatment and others. It is another of our strategy, among so many to check the problem", he explained.

He noted that 102,279 clients

were screened and counseled

by LASACA in the past one year, adding that 9,660 of them tested positive.

Idris also said the government had established 24 AntiRetroviral Treatment (ART) sites across the state, adding that the centres had collectively treated 36,269 patients in 12 months.

He added the government was collaborating with Traditional Birth Attendants on Prevention of Mother-To Child Transmission (PMCT), saying 500 TBAs had been trained on PMCT in the past one year.

On malaria control and prevention, the commissioner said government had distributed 133,950 Rapid Diagnosis Tests (RDTs) to aid diagnosis of malaria cases.

He added that a total of 1,035,194 of ACT and 9,000 ampoules were also distributed for the treatment of malaria cases in the state during the

• Apostle Odele

By Dada Aladelokun, Assitant Editor

vival services between 6pm and 7pm at the church's auditorium, while on May 9, we will visit the SOS Village and Old People's Home. While a special prayer will hold on May 10 at the church, we will hold the Anniversary Service on May 11. The next day will be for another church service after which guests will be entertained at the Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Town Planning Way, Ilupeju.

The anniversary will end with a special thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 12."

Dignitaries from across the country and the state in particular, especially public servants, including National Assembly members, Odele hinted, are being expected to grace the golden jubilee, where Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade will preach.

Looking back at the church's evolution since 1963 when it was founded by the late Prophet J.A Ijaola, Odele said: "It has been eventful, but God has remained faithful because we don't mix anything with our unalloyed faith in God. Every member of the church has always had testimonies to share."

• Idris

same period.

Idris stated that the state had achieved about 100 per cent polio immunisation coverage, stressing the government would continue step up efforts at eradicating the problem.

The commissioner said no fewer than 86,822 residents benefitted from Eko Free Health mission in the past one year, adding 338 surgical procedures were performed.

HE General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye will hold a special prayer session for members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) on Sunday at the National Headquarters of the RCCG, Throne of Grace, Redemption Way, EbuteMetta, Lagos.

The Assistant Pastor in Charge, Special Duties, Throne of Grace, Goke Aniyeloye made this known through a press statement made available to The Nation yesterday.

The programme tagged "The Lord will bless the work of your hands" will bring together thousands of Corp members from different

parts of the country, which will feature prayers, thanksgiving service and prophetic ministration.

Aniyeloye said the establishment of the NYSC is a laudable initiative intended to instill the values of patriotism, productivity and hardwork in today's youths, saying that it had been yielding high results for the country.

He added: "Although, NYSC has been a laudable initiative, the Corp members have been faced with various challenges in the area of welfare, security, health and other teething problems as they perform their national assignment which requires the prayer and support of the church.

"The church is aware of the

• Pastor Adeboye

Corp members' humanitarian services to this nation and there is need to pray for God's wisdom, guidance and protection for them."

Police warn abandoned vehicles’ owners

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles parked at Elemolo, Denton, Ifako and Makinde Divisions to remove them or lose them to the public through auction in two weeks.

They vehicles include:

Toyota RAV4 BF944GGE; Mercedez Benz 190 car , JB593KJA; unregistered Land Rover Pick-Up van; Toyota Corrolla car EL383KJA; unregistered Mazda car; Opel Astal car, CJ316FST; Toyota Haice bus, BG189FKJ; Ford car DF423EKY; Mitsubishi Pajero Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), LA720RB; Mazda bus,

XC775LRN; Honda Civic car, FH294AAA; Nissan Sunny car CZ718GGE; unregistered Honda and Mazda cars; unregistered Faragon bus and Peugeot 406, CU371SMK. Also in Ikenne, Ogun State Command, are: one Mitsubishi FF59APP and 911 Lorry Mercedez Benz XD847JJT.

Free musical training

O

VER 2000 people will today enjoy free musical training in Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb.

The training will accompany a musical concert tagged, "Mega Praise Summit," scheduled for 12 noon in Ikorodu Town Hall.

Senior Pastor Samson Jedafe of The Breath of Life

Ministry said the programme would train youths in various skills, which include, drums, keyboard, piano, guitar and dance.

He urged residents of Ikorodu and its environs to take advantage of the programme, saying that over 1500 people benefited from its last two editions.

•Jedafe

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

58

FOREIGN NEWS Raped five-yearold girl dies in central India

A

FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl has died after being raped in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, an official said yesterday, in the latest in a series of brutal attacks that have sparked outrage in the country.

The girl suffered cardiac arrest and died late Monday at a hospital in Nagpur city in neighboring Maharashtra state where she was being treated for injuries from the April 18 assault, said Bharat Yadav, collector for Seoni district, where the attack occurred.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the attack, he said.

The girl was lured by one of the men to a farm, where she was then raped by the other man, who was a friend of her parents, Yadav said. The parents, poor construction workers, were at work when the attack occurred, he said.

Ravi Manadiar, an administrator at the hospital, said the girl suffered a brain injury when the men tried to smother her cries and was in a coma from April 20 until she died.

In Nagpur, the mother of the girl was inconsolable.

“The court should give them the strictest punishment ever,” she sobbed Tuesday.

“These men should be burned alive so that the whole world will see how such criminals ought to be punished,” she said, wiping her tears with the corner of her sari.

Dutch king: Willem-Alexander sworn in

W

I L L E M ALEXANDER became the first Dutch king in more than a century yesterday and pledged to use his ceremonial position as head of state to help steer his country through uncertain economic times.

The generational change in the House of OrangeNassau gave the Netherlands a moment of celebration, pageantry and brief respite as this trading nation of nearly 17 million struggles through a lengthy recession brought on by the European credit crisis.

Visibly emotional, the

much-loved Beatrix ended her 33-year reign as queen in a nationally televised signing ceremony as thousands of orange-clad people cheered outside.

Millions more were expected to watch on television.

Just over four hours later, King WillemAlexander, wearing a furtrimmed ceremonial mantle, swore an oath of allegiance to his country and the constitution in the historic New Church.

In a speech in the church, Europe’s youngest monarch underscored the ceremonial nature of his monarchy

in an egalitarian society but also the symbolic and economic value a king can deliver on state visits aimed at drumming up trade.

“I will proudly represent the kingdom and help discover new opportunities,” he said.

The investiture ceremony was the final formal act on a day of high emotion within the House of Orange-Nassau and was to be followed by an evening boat tour around the historic Amsterdam waterfront.

“I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-

Alexander,” she told the cheering crowd, which chanted: “Bea bedankt” (“Thanks Bea.”) Moments later, in a striking symbol of the generational shift, she left the balcony and King WillemAlexander, his wife and three daughters - the children in matching yellow dresses and headbands waved to the crowd.

“Dear mother, today you relinquished the throne. Thirty-three moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you,” the new king said.

Royal guests from 18

countries are attending, including Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, and the Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.

Charles was also in attendance when Beatrix was crowned in 1980.

Observers believe Beatrix remained on the throne for so long in part because she was seen as a stabilizing factor in the country that struggled to assimilate more and more immigrants, mainly Muslims from North Africa, and shifted away from its traditional reputation as one of the world’s most tolerant nations.

Central Damascus ‘hit by bomb explosion’

A

T least 13 people have been killed and many more injured by a powerful explosion in Syria’s capital, Damascus, state media and activists say yesterday.

A bomb is believed to have been detonated in a square in the central district of Marjeh. Civilians and security personnel are among the dead.

Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area after the blast.

On Monday, Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi survived a car bomb attack, which had targeted his convoy in the capital.

Yesterday’s bomb attack took place near a hotel, shopping centre and interior ministry building in Marjeh, a busy commercial district, according to agency reports.

State television showed footage of wounded people being carried away amid widespread damage. The area was shrouded in dense smoke. Several vehicles could be seen burning and many buildings had shattered windows.

•Willem-Alexander (middle) taking the oath of office in Amsterdam...yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Obama urges caution in Syria chemical weapons use P RESIDENT Barack Obama cautioned against a rush to judgment on whether Syria used chemical weapons against its own people yesterday in a sign he is going to take a deliberate approach to a problem that could lead to U.S. military action.

At a White House news conference, Obama said there is evidence chemical weapons were used inside Syria but “we don’t know how they were used, when they were used, who used them” and “we don’t have a chain of custody that establishes what exactly happened.”

Obama said the Defense

Department already has prepared options that might be available, which he declined to describe, in response to what would clearly be an “escalation” and a “threat to the security of the international community, our allies and the Untied States.”

He said it will take time to conclusively render a judgment on whether a U.S. “red line” against the use of chemical weapons by Syria had been crossed, insisting that “I’ve got to make sure I’ve got the facts.”

Obama is leery about launching military action

against Syria without firm evidence, given that his predecessor, George W. Bush, began the Iraq war over claims of weapons of mass destruction that turned out to be untrue.

“If we end up rushing to judgment without hard, effective evidence, then we can find ourselves in the position where we can’t mobilize the international community to support what we do,” he said.

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies using chemical weapons in the two-year-old civil

war in which more than 70,000 people have been killed Mali court drops case against A court in Mali has thrown out a case against a newspaper editor charged with inciting disobedience for publishing a letter from disgruntled soldiers.

Le Republicain editor Boukary Daou was arrested in March and held in custody for nearly a month before getting bail.

His paper had published a letter that criticised the salary of the leader of a coup that ousted Mali’s government, and said soldiers lacked equipment.

Israeli chief welcomes Arab peace plan

I

SRAEL’s chief peace negotiator yesterday welcomed the Arab League’s decision to sweeten a decadeold initiative offering comprehensive peace with Israel, hoping the gesture would help get peace talks back on track after years of standstill.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni’s comments revealed

the beginnings of what could become a rift in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government. Livni, a former foreign minister known to support broad concessions to the Palestinians, is eager to restart peace negotiations. Netanyahu says he wants to resume negotiations, but he has given no indication

that he is prepared to make the concessions demanded by the Palestinians and the international community.

The original 2002 Arab peace initiative offered Israel peace with the entire Arab and Muslim world in exchange for a “complete withdrawal” from territories captured in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians

claim the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, all seized by Israel in 1967, for their future state. Israel withdrew from Egypt’s Sinai in 1982 and Gaza in 2005. It also holds the Golan Heights after failed peace talks with Syria.

Speaking on behalf of an Arab League delegation to Washington, Qatari Prime

Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani on Monday called for an agreement between Israel and a future Palestine based on those 1967 lines. But unlike in previous such offers, he cited the possibility of “comparable,” mutually agreed and “minor” land swaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Mali breaks up suspected militant cell in Bamako MALIAN security forces have arrested at least eight people suspected of plotting an attack in the capital Bamako for the Islamist militant group MUJWA, two senior security sources said on Monday.

Malian officials said the arrests were the first sign that Islamist rebels battling French and African troops for control of Mali’s desert north have activated cells in Bamako, which is located in the south.

A high-ranking military officer told Reuters a group made up of 15 people had been trained by al Qaedalinked MUJWA in Gao, a northern town, and were planning to commit bombings in Bamako when they were arrested.

He said the group was made up entirely of Malian nationals and that they had been living in Bamako’s Banankabougou district near a mosque.

A second security source

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS UAE pardons more than 100 Egyptian prisoners

Iraq: Car bombs, shootings kill 23

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T least 23 people were killed in Iraq yesterday in a series of car bombs in Shi’ite Muslim areas and militant attacks, medics and police sources said, taking the week’s death toll to nearly 200 as sectarian violence intensifies.

Clashes have increased as the civil war in Syria puts strain on fragile relations between Sunnis and Shi’ites.

The tensions are at their highest in Iraq since U.S. troops pulled out more than a year ago.

The latest bout of bloodletting began when security forces raided a Sunni protest camp near Kirkuk last week triggering clashes that quickly spread to other Sunni areas including the western province of Anbar, which borders Syria and Jordan.

Iraq decided yesterday to close a border crossing with Jordan for two days starting on Tuesday due to “organizational issues”, the interior minister said without giving any details.

It is the second time this year that authorities have ordered the closure of the Traibil border post in Anbar where Sunnis have been protesting against Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government

•Residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack in Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad, April 29, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS

since December.

The demonstrations had eased in the past month, but this week’s army raid on a protest camp in Hawija, near Kirkuk, 170 km north of Baghdad, angered Sunnis and appears to have given insurgents more momentum.

Early, at least nine

people were killed and 40 wounded in two car bomb explosions in Amara, 300 km (185 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

The first of two blasts in Amara, ripped through a market where people were meeting to eat breakfast, and the second hit an area where day laborers were

Group uncovers China’s secretive aid to Africa

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CONOMIC development researchers yesterday unveiled a database of China’s aid to Africa in an effort to work around Beijing’s secrecy about the numbers, as a debate rages over the intentions and impact of Chinese assistance.

The study and database by the Washington-based Center for Global Development and AidData, a research project, includes 1,673 Chinese development finance projects worth $75 billion in 50 African countries

from the years 2000-2011.

The Chinese figures, using standard measures of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Other Official Finance (OOF), are roughly on par with U.S. aid to Africa during the same period, the Center for Global Development said.

While official ODA from Western countries and some major developing countries is openly reported and easily tabulated, Chinese aid has been much more difficult to track, said creators of the database, china.aiddata.org .

“China treats its aid activities as a state secret and this is an attempt to uncover what’s going on,” said Andreas Fuchs, an economics professor at Heidelberg University in Germany and a visiting researcher at Princeton University.

“This topic arouses very strong reactions, positive and negative, and people are very polarized in their strong opinions,” added Brad Parks, executive director of AidData and a researcher at the College of William and Mary.

Pope accepts Peres’ invitation to Israel

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SRAELI President Shimon Peres invited Pope Francis on Tuesday to visit Israel, at his first meeting with the new pontiff who has appealed for peace in the Middle East.

The pope accepted the invitation “with willingness and joy,” a Vatican spokesman said, but there was no indication when a trip would be made.

“I am expecting you in Jerusalem, not just me but the whole country of Israel,” Peres told the pope in the presence of reporters after 30 minutes of private talks in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

Francis, the former Cardi-

nal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, made an appeal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians in his Easter address last month.

A Vatican statement said they discussed prospects for a resumption of negotiations for a solution that would respect “the legitimate aspirations of the two Peoples, thus decisively contributing to the peace and stability of the region”.

They also agreed on the need for a political solution to the civil war in neighbouring Syria.

Both of Francis’s two immediate predecessors, John Paul

II and Benedict XVI, visited the Holy Land, including Palestinian territories, in 2000 and 2009 respectively.

Peres asked Francis “to pray for all of us” and told the pope that he would pray for him during a trip to the central Italian city of Assisi, where he will visit the tomb of St. Francis, whose name Bergoglio adopted when elected pope.

Francis will travel to Rio de Janeiro in July to preside at the Roman Catholic Church’s World Day of Youth, a gathering of young people from around the world. He is expected to visit his native Argentina in early 2014.

Pakistani court bars Musharraf from elections for life

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Pakistani court yesterday imposed a lifetime ban on former President Pervez Musharraf from contesting elections, derailing his efforts to regain influence by winning a seat in parliament.

It was the first time a court in Pakistan had de-

clared a citizen ineligible from contesting elections for life.

The former army chief returned last month after nearly four years of self-imposed exile to contest a May 11 general election, but election officers disqualified him because of court cases pending against him.

The High Court in the northwestern city of Peshawar rejected Musharraf’s appeal against the disqualification. Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan imposed the lifetime ban on running for election or becoming a member of the parliament.

gathering to look for work.

Another car bomb was detonated in a market in Diwaniya, 150 km south of Baghdad, killing two people, police said.

“I was preparing to go to work when a big explosion shook my house and broke the glass in all the windows,” said witness Widy Jasim. “I ran outside, the ex-

plosion was near my house and bodies were everywhere”.

A bomb in a parked car went off near a busy market in Kerbala, killing at least three people. A further six people were killed in an explosion near a Shi’ite worship site in Mahmudiya, about 30 km south of Baghdad.

THE United Arab Emirates pardoned more than 100 Egyptian prisoners yesterday in a move hailed by the Egyptian ambassador to Abu Dhabi as a gesture that will improve strained relations between the two countries.

Ties between Egypt and the UAE soured after veteran Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, a longtime Gulf ally, was toppled in 2011. The UAE has voiced distrust of the Muslim Brotherhood that helped propel Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi to power last year.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan also paid the outstanding fines for the 103 inmates, state news agency WAM said, but those freed did not include 11 Egyptians detained last year on suspicion of training Islamists how to overthrow governments.

The Egyptian Ambassador in Abu Dhabi, Tamer Mansour, said the decision was “an initiative that is bound to open all paths of good deeds between Egypt and its sister, the UAE”.

“It will also remove all the harmful residues that had clung to their historic relations in the previous period,” he added in a statement emailed to Reuters.

The Muslim Brotherhood has sought to reassure Gulf states that it has no plan to push for political change beyond Egypt’s borders.

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NEWS Rivers speaker alleges plot to impeach Amaechi Continued from page 2

ent and accountable stewardship’ to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following: for the avoidance of doubt: Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since October 2012. It was bought by Rivers State government and registered as a US aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation and sourcing of available pilots.

“To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US citizen, hence, Rivers State government entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that specialises in aircraft trust. The relationship between the Rivers State government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor and trustee. All N registered aircraft enjoy the privileges of a US citizen, “Trust agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry. It is important to state that there are other aircraft owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft.

This practice is because of the ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy. We do not therefore understand why Rivers State government has been singled out.

“The clearance referred to was Port Harcourt-Accra-Port Harcourt and not Accra-Port Harcourt-Accra, as stated. Aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending approval of importation licence by the Minister of Aviation.

“Request for this licence was filed by the operator, on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the minister’s (aviation) office on September 4, 2012.

“The Rivers State government is a responsible sub-national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Princewill, who was the gov-

ernorship candidate of the then Action Congress (AC) in Rivers State in 2007, now a PDP chieftain and the son of the immediate Chairman of Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, King Theophilus Princewill, at a crowded news conference in his old Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence, urged politicians to give peace a chance.

Abe expressed displeasure over the suspension of the 27 legislators by the Obuah-led executive .

The senator, who was Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) until 2011, said: “It is ridiculous and it is clear that the so-called PDP exco that has been foisted on the state is there only to try to destroy the party, because anybody who is a legislator will tell you that nobody, by the laws of this country, is supposed to try to intimidate the legislature in the execution of their constitutional duties.

“So, what this amounts to is a clear effort by somebody to undermine the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has never happened anywhere.

“Even in the House of Representatives, when the party came to prevail on the PDP members in the National Assembly to elect somebody as speaker and they elected somebody else, nobody suspended all the PDP members of the House of Representatives, because everybody understands that a lawmaker is supposed to vote his conscience at critical times.

“That is the foundation of our presidential system of government. We are not in a parliamentary democracy, where the party can order you to vote one way or the other.

“So, it is a ridiculous action and I want to urge Rivers people to ignore it and urge the House of Assembly to ignore it and go about their constitutional responsibilities. Nobody can intimidate the legislature in this country.

“My message to Rivers people is to remain calm. They should

not allow themselves to be provoked, because what is going on is that people want to create crisis in Rivers State by all means.

“We know where it is coming from and we know what it is targeted at. This state has witnessed unprecedented peace and development over the last few years and we should be careful that we are not in any way deceived to throw all that overboard.”

The senator, who once served as an Information Commissioner, also assured that by the grace of God, the intervention of higher courts and well-meaning Nigerians, justice would be ensured. He stressed that the crude oil and gas-rich state was too precious to be destroyed on the altar of personal ambition of anybody, no matter how highly placed.

Abe was apparently referring to Wike, a former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, who doubled as the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011.

Wike is to succeed Amaechi in 2015. He is believed to enjoy backing of President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor and the minister are both Ikwerre.

As Obuah was suspending the 27 members on Monday, a Port Harcourt High Court, presided over by Justice Henry Aprioku, was granting an order of interim injunction, restraining the PDP from suspending the proAmaechi lawmakers.

The court directed that the order should stand, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. It also granted an interim injunction, restraining the party from declaring the legislators’ seats vacant and applying to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to replace them.

Counsel to the legislators, Emenike Ebete, filed the motion.

The leader of the House of Assembly, Chidi Llyod, swore to the affidavit on April 26, with the case adjourned till May 6 for hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

36 terrorists died in Baga, says DHQ Continued from page 2

Baga.”

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan praised the military leadership, NEMA and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development for their swift response to his order for immediate action to investigate the incident in Baga, Borno State, and also for assisting and rehabilitating the victims, and making all necessary findings available to the government.

He said: “President Jonathan also welcomed the plan by the

National Human Rights Commission to carry out independent investigations.

“Thanking the military high command and NEMA for the reports, President Jonathan said that investigations must continue, and assured them of his fullest support. He further reiterated his earlier position that where any kind of misconduct is established, the Federal Government will not hesitate in ensuring that due sanctions are enforced and that justice is done.”

“The President said that what happened in Baga was

most regrettable and unfortunate. He reaffirmed his full commitment to doing all within the powers of the government to speedily end the intolerable threats to national security which have necessitated such confrontations.”

“President Jonathan will continue to work with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima whom he conferred with last week, to ensure that the people of Baga receive every possible relief and support to facilitate their speedy rehabilitation.” He stated.

Tukur’s resignation rumour unsettles PDP Continued from page 2

lead PDP to victory in 2015. As a matter of fact, some governors have said that they cannot work with Tukur.

“When Tukur’s reconciliation tour failed, the BoT embarked on a similar exercise which recorded ‘modest’ success.”

PDP National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh said: “I am not aware that the national chairman is taking an inventory of items in his office. His office is locked.

“I am also not aware of any resignation. NWC members are unaware. Why will he resign?

What for? I was with him today before he travelled out, he did not tell me anything.”

But an aide to Tukur dispelled the resignation.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. A .Y. Ahmad said Tukur was on

a national assignment to Canada on the invitation of the Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Madueke.

Ahmad added that the party chair left Nigeria in peace with nothing whatsoever to lend credence to any rumour about his resignation.

The statement reads: “The speculation is part of the machinations of some faceless, treach-

erous and wicked individuals who are aiming to profit from misleading innocent members of the party and Nigerians in general for no sane reason.

“The national chairman is a national and an international figure. He has been working hard to ensure the re-positioning of PDP for future challenges and so had no plan to resign as being suggested by some sworn enemies of the party.”

U.S., EU renew support for Nigeria Continued from page 2

The minister noted that Nigeria would spend whatever was necessary financially and use every available resource to prevent evil-minded elements from doing violence to any part of the country.

He told the experts that Nigeria would be glad to partner with

any friendly country with workable solutions to surmount its security challenges.

Moro noted that traditional border patrols and physical checks have become obsolete and no longer workable in tracking down terrorists, who are equally seeking better ways to advance their nefarious activities.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8 NO.2,472

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Everyone knows the White House. None of these buildings is a white elephant. And in Nigeria what will we leave our nonchildren? The CBN building in Abuja, The Villa or that boat-shaped building in Abuja, so far from the ocean? Or Jos and Boko Haram corpses?’

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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ETWEEN my Chinua Achebe obituary in this column on March 27 and last week’s piece which reviewed the third annual Arewa Media Forum lecture on the problem of the failure of leadership in this country, I have received well over 200 reactions in texts and emails. Today, I have decided to reproduce a few of the more thoughtful ones.

Before then, however, I’ll like to say a few words about the increasing despotism of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration which is dangerously creeping into the polity. So far eight instances of this despotism can be easily identified, virtually all of them have to do with the President’s thinly disguised bid for re-election in 2015. There are probably more, but each of these eight is enough cause for great worry.

And each of them is one good reason why no one - probably not even the President’s own spokespersons - believes his persistent denial that he has made up his mind to seek re-election two years hence.

First, was the crude manner the authorities harassed a former minister of education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, over her claim a few months ago that President Jonathan blew the $67 billion foreign reserve she said her principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo, left behind in 2007.

Given the monumental corruption that went on in her time in spite of all the rhetoric about “due process” in carrying out government business, Mrs. Ezekwesili’s claim may sound holier-than-thou. Still it is instructive that officials of the administration are yet to pick her up on her challenge to a debate over her claim.

Instead she’s been set upon by a half-hearted move to investigate her tenures at the education and solid minerals ministries.

Second, was the ban by the National Film and Censorship Board of a 30-minute documentary by one, Ishaya Bako, on corruption in the oil sector, titled “Fuelling Poverty.” Reminiscent of the famous documentary on the same theme titled “The squandering of riches” by the broadcaster-turned musician, Onyeka Onwenu (One Love), Bako’s documentary sought to raise questions about corruption and impunity in the oil sector going up to the highest levels of government. He sought the censor’s permission in November to screen it locally. He was denied the permission last month.

Instead, the censors accused him of producing a documentary “that was highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security.”

Predictably the ban has proved futile; the documentary has since gone viral on the internet.

Third, was the Gestapo-style invasion of Leadership newspaper last month by the police over its story that the President has issued a directive that every means, fair and foul, must be used to stop the new opposition party, the putative All Progressives Congress made up of the country’s three leading parties and dissenting groups from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, from emerging. Four of the newspaper’s staff were whisked away into detention before two were released on the same day. The other

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

The creeping despotism in the land

•Dr. Jonathan two were held incommunicado for days for refusing to disclose the identity of the sources for their story until public outcry forced the police to do what they should have done in the first place; charge them to court within 48 hours.

The two have since faced prosecution for allegedly forging the President’s signature on the document the newspaper published as its evidence for the veracity of their story, following its denial by the Presidency.

Fourth, is the invitation of the former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima, by a security agency for interrogation over his statement in a phone-in a programme on a Kaduna-based radio station that there will be mass protests in the country if APC is refused registration.

Fifth, there was the ridiculous N1million fine of Liberty Radio in Kaduna by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, again for airing the opinion of a listener who said the country’s projects assessment tour by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, was a waste of public funds.

Sixth, there was the initial suspension of the spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaib, for writing an article which accused our super minister, Dr

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of carrying out an ethnic agenda in appointments in the parastatals under her finance ministry. The suspension was said to be at her behest. Not-so-inexplicably, the otherwise suave minister took the cue from her principal when she seized the opportunity of a public lecture late last month to say she did not give a damn what anyone thought of how she ran her charge.

Seven, there was the recent suspension of the chair of the FCT branch of petroleum station workers arm of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Aminu Hussaini, for petitioning the National Assembly against the presidential pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepriye Alamieyesiegha and the former Managing Director of the collapsed Bank of the North, Alhaji Bulama Shettima. The suspension was handed down by, of all people, the NUPENG leadership.

Wherever he is, I am certain Mr Frank Kokori, the fire-brand former secretary general of the union, must be wondering what has become of his union which was in the forefront of the fight for democracy under the military.

I can go on and on with other examples including the recent grounding of the Rivers State governor’s aircraft by the aviation authorities on the strange ground that it is an “illegal immigrant” when everyone knows there’s no love lost between Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the President. However, I’ll end my list with only one more. And this is the most dangerous of them all. These were the remarks Kingsley Kuku, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, made at an interactive with senior officials of the American State Department in Washington DC late last month.

“If,” he said among other things, “we allow anything to hurt the peace in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy will be endangered and energy security in Nigeria and even America will not be guaranteed. The attention and interest of the U.S. in Nigeria must remain the stability of the Niger Delta and the easiest way to ensure this is to encourage President

HARDBALL

A

FTER the latest outbreak of cold war rhetoric between President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Mr Ahmed Gulak, declared that the governor was not above the law. But he added that in spite of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) grounding the Rivers State Bombadier private jet in which the governor flew into Akure last week, the presidency was not waging war against Amaechi. Really? Hardball may not be interested in who is to blame for provoking the pitched battles between the president and the governor, but to say that no war is being fought between the two combatants is to stretch credulity to breaking point. The grounding of the aircraft, which first took place at the Akure Airport, is now fully implemented, with the NCAA insisting the plane’s clearance had expired since April 2. It is all politics, say aides of the governor.

If the grounded aircraft showed beyond doubt that the presidency has trained its guns

Jonathan/Amaechi: If this is not war… on Amaechi, the sacking of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Godspower Ake, by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja about two weeks ago gave a concrete feel to a war that had up till then been fought clandestinely since 2010. Since Amaechi will not give the presidency any quarter, and because the 2015 elections are not too far away, the state machinery of the PDP had to be taken away from his camp and given to Chief Felix Obuah, even if it involved some juridical sleight of hand. The state PDP war may manifest in the shape of Godspower Ake fighting Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, for the soul of the PDP, but in reality the combatants are Jonathan and Amaechi.

Proceeding from taking control of the Rivers PDP from the Amaechi camp, the Jonathan group has gone ahead to announce the suspension of the Speaker of the House,

Otelemaba Dan Amachree, and the other 26 pro-Amaechi PDP members in the House of Assembly.

The Jonathan/Amaechi war, it will be recalled, began inauspiciously in August 2010 when the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, paid a two-day visit to Rivers State and had a public spat with Amaechi at her hometown, Okrika, while inspecting a project. The war, however, went up a notch when a major disagreement broke out between the president’s home state, Bayelsa, and Amaechi’s Rivers over boundary adjustment alleged to have been surreptitiously influenced by the president. The adjusted boundary, claimed Rivers, unlawfully transferred the rich Soku oil fields in AkukuToru Local Government Area of Rivers State to Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State, thereby opening a battle between the Kalabari and Nembe.

Jonathan to complete an eight-year term.”

His earlier remarks were even more categorical. “Permit me,” he had said, “to add that the peace that currently prevails in the zone is largely because Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is from that same place, is the President of Nigeria. That is the truth. It is only a Jonathan presidency that can guarantee continued peace and energy security in the Niger Delta.”

For sheer brazenness as an egregious piece of blackmail, this is hard to beat. It also clearly explains why Nigeria is in so much trouble; the only thing that matters in the eyes of the Kukus, who have been in charge of this country since 2011, is not your performance but where you come from.

God help us all.

And now to the few of the reactions to my columns since March 27.

On Achebe Good piece! Achebe is the greatest, he gets to our soul. (Professor Wole) Soyinka writes for the literati only. Content should be form. We are all tribalists. +2348182052349 This piece on Achebe is by far the best among your series in a long while. Let your Yoruba accusers know that you are an Ibadan (Mokola) son. +2348037040304 Achebe is a story teller while Soyinka is a lecturer. We all love story tellers because they put you in the middle of the stories while you read along. +2348034372555.

On amnesty for Boko Haram Sir, My advocating for a high ranking Muslim officer to take charge of the operation is because of its sensibility and the nature of the operation that requires good intelligence which by and large has to come from the local community. So when you have the ‘son of the soil’ in-charge people will be more abiding and willing to cooperate. You will also neutralise the element of sabotage from miscreants in the security setup itself. A lot of the atrocities committed are by these people. aagummi@gmail.com Sir, I stand by Gumi: no amnesty for these creatures! If they are given amnesty, believe me we will have to fight them ourselves. The killers of Sheikh Ja’afar will NEVER know peace. I am ready to die fighting these lunatics.

As for Soyinka and the southern press, no words to waste. +23480 66771572 •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above While the ugly oil war was yet to abate, the presidency opened another front by throwing a wild cat among the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) pigeons. The target was, of course, Amaechi. Previously united, the NGF has become an emblem of disunity, with the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, proudly leading a coterie of PDP governors to form a breakaway faction of the governors’ forum. This guerilla war is set to become an open, conventional war soon, as the governors prepare to elect a chairman. It is indeed amazing how in a little over two years, the presidency has locked horns four times with Amaechi, while the latter has himself not shirked a fight.

The presidency appears to have vowed it will not rest until the latter is humiliated, for the presidency in Nigeria is so powerful that few monarchies in history could project power as viciously as it does, or brook opposition without diminishing the splendour in which it basks. Luckily for patient and bemused spectators, it won’t be long before we know the winner.

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