The Nation May 21, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Passengers stranded as strike cripples airports

•Skeletal services at MMA

NEWS Page 6

Nine bank chiefs may be arrested

NEWS

Page 11

•Reps angry over tax probe snub www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 8, NO. 2492 TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

N150.00

NCC queries GSM firms for poor service

By Lucas Ajanaku, Asst. Editor Infotech

“A

LL trunks are busy; please try again later.” “Your call cannot be completed now; please try again later.” “The number you have dialled is incorrect; please check the number and dial again.”

Mobile telephone service quality has hit an all-time low. Not only subscribers are worried; the regulators are also disturbed.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NNC) has written to all the network operators to explain why service quality has suddenly crashed.

NCC spokesman Tony Ojobo told The Nation yesterday that the commission had been inundated with complaints over the sudden decline in service quality.

The operators are expected to explain why the situation has gone so bad. The regulator will deploy its engineers to test the facilities of the operators to see if they meet the key performance indicators (KPIs) they signed.

“We have observed that the service quality has gone down again. We have received complaints from subscribers who said they have tried to do one thing or the other on the networks, which was futile. Based on these complaints, NCC has asked the opContinued on page 6

•A cultural troupe dancing in honour of the late literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe, during the international day of tributes in his honour in PHOTO: AFP Abuja…yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGES 4&5

Special Forces capture 120 at Boko Haram chief’s funeral Sect’s five strongholds taken by soldiers More troops for Adamawa

F

IVE strongholds of the Boko Haram insurgents in the northern part of Borno State have been taken by the Special Forces, it was learnt yesterday.

No fewer than 120 members of the sect were rounded up at the weekend at the

From Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

funeral of one of its top commanders, who was killed during one of the raids, a Defence Headquarters statement said yesterday.

Terrorists fleeing towards

neigbouring countries - Chad and Niger Republic – are being contained, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said in the statement.

A 24-hour curfew has been slammed on Yobe State, six days after a state of emergency was declared.

Presidency steps up anti-Amaechi battle G

OVERNORS are facing pressure from the Presidency, which is asking them to dump Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman Rotimi Amaechi, who is interested in keeping the seat.

It was not sure last night whether the election will hold on Thursday, as widely speculated.

Governors are being asked to back a proposal that the election should hold at the Presidential Villa, The Nation learnt yesterday.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Besides, some governors have been coerced into signing a “strange voting sheet” to secure their pledge to vote against Amaechi.

The Presidency is believed to have agreed to dump Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State for Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State as its anointed candidate to replace Amaechi.

Unsure of the loyalty of the 23 PDP Continued on page 6

More troops have also been deployed in Adamawa, the third state under the state of emergency.

But the curfew in Borno has been relaxed from 24 hours to 12 hours.

Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, a spokesman for the Special

Force in Maiduguri, announced the reduction of the curfew imposed five days ago to 6pm – 7a.m. But he declined to give details.

Gen. Olukolade said: “The Special Forces have now secured the environs of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wul-

go and Chikun Ngulalo, after destroying all the terrorists camps sited in the vicinity of these localities. The troops are already interacting with locals and citizens assuring them of their safety and freedom from the Continued on page 6 •A woman protesting the raid on Daily Monitor in Kampala ...yesterday.

Ugandan police raided The newspaper and radio station KFM after reports on a falling out among army generals over whether President Museveni’s son is to succeed him.

PHOTO: AFP

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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NEWS CHINUALUMOGU ALBERT ACHEBE (1930 --2013)

Anambra ag T From left: Chief Risk Officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mrs Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Managing Director, Mr Uche Orji and Financial Controller, Olubisi Makoju, at a news conference on the activities of NSIA in Abuja... yesterday.

Head, Benefit Administration and Client Service, Stanbic IBTC Pension Manager (SIPML), Mr. Bunmi Olagunju cutting the tape to commission the company’s Warri, Delta State office...yesterday. With him are Head, Business Development Division Nike Bajomo (left), Delta State’s Secretary for Bureau for State Pensions Mr. Theo Aguonye and Executive Director, SIPML Eric Fajemisin.

•From left: Corporate Affairs Director of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti; Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo and General Manager External Affairs PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Mr Tahir Mohammed, when the PZ team visited the commissioner.

HE Ogidi community near Onitsha in Anambra State has begun a comprehensive sanitation and demolition of shanties in preparation for the funeral of the late Prof Chinua Achebe.

The Anambra Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) and the Onitsha municipal council have embarked on the clearing of refuse dumps in the area.

The government ordered the demolition of shanties and other objects that could obstruct the flow of traffic in Onitsha and its environs during the funeral.

The waste management agency is placing more than 30 tonnes receptacles in strategic places.

Idemili North Council is rehabilitating and re-painting buildings on the streets leading to the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

Commissioner for Environment Sebastian Okoye told NAN that efforts were being made to clean up the environment for the funeral in Awka since the body would be received at Ekwueme Park, Awka.

“We are ready on it and if you go to Ekwueme Park, you will see how the place has been cleared and every place would be swept very properly. We are on it, there is no problem there.

“On areas in Idemili, the local government is taking charge; and we planned it in such a way that we make sure that area is clean and cleaned-up along with ASWAMA - that is the arrangement we have made. There is no other arrangement other than that I just told you.”

Okoye said his ministry would continue to improve the environment and would leave no stone unturned to achieve a clean environment.

Governor Peter Obi yesterday directed the Idemili North Transition Committee Chairman, Raphael Nnabuife, to ensure that any indiscriminately parked vehicle on the road was removed.

He pledged dequate security for the funeral. Already, there is restriction of movement into the late Achebe’s compound in Ogidi.

A funeral service is scheduled for the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka tomorrow morning.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oselloka Obaze, said Achebe’s re-

•Obi (left), son of the late Prof.

Achebe , Dr Ike Achebe and Prof. Michael Thelwell (right), during the ‘Days of Tribute’ in honour of Prof.

Achebe in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

mains would be brought to Enugu from Abuja today. Governors of the five Southeast states are expected to receive the body at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu.

The statement said the body would be brought to Awka, tomorrow morning.

A member of the Burial Committee, Sir Emeka Mbeledeogu, said all arrangements would be completed before the burial date.

Archdeacon in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry, Ven. Obi Ubaka, said all arrangements required at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church would be met to accord a befitting funeral to the late Achebe.

On Sunday, Obi said the state was ready to accord Prof. Achebe a befitting burial.

Obi spoke while inspecting the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area, where the burial service will take place on Thursday.

The governor had inspected the late Achebe’s country home and his final resting place, which was nearly completed and designed as a mini museum to house all Achebe’s works.

Obi, who expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations, urged Nige-

Jonathan: Achebe a man of justice P

•From left: Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance Yomi Ogunnusi; the Chairman, Abdulmumini Jibrin and a member, Sani Mashi, at an interactive session with the chief executives of banks on tax r emittances in Abuja ...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday praised the late Prof. Chinua Achebe for his consistency in promoting justice.

He spoke at a Night of Tributes held in honour of the late author of Things Fall Apart at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, urged Nigerians to emulate the exemplary life of the late Achebe, who, he said, “died an honourable man”.

He said the late Achebe was committed to building a better Nigeria.

While praising the late author’s forthrightness, he noted that icons

By Evelyn Osagie, Abuja

like the late Achebe were rare to come by.

He said: “Achebe fulfilled his earthly mission and would be remembered for his frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs. As we continue to strive to achieve the dream which Achebe shared with us as we build a new Nigeria. Good night Professor Achebe. We love you.”

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani said the late Achebe was a “great ambassador of Nigeria to Africa and the world”, saying the late Achebe contributed to the improvement of Nigeria’s image abroad.

The late literary giant, he said, was a

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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NEWS CHINUALUMOGU ALBERT ACHEBE (1930 --2013)

30 --2013)

a agog for Achebe’s funeral •Turkish students at the symposium for Achebe in Abuja... yesterday.

UNESCO, Aliyu, Onu, others pay tributes to Achebe

T

HE late Prof. Chinua Achebe was the toast yesterday as speakers eulogised the master storyteller at a symposium in Abuja.

He was hailed for his contributions to the development of African literature and nation building.

It was at a symposium in his honour organised by the Chinua Achebe Transistional Committee at the International Conference Centre, Abuja with the theme: The Life, Time and Works of Chinua Achebe: Lessons for Nigeria.

Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) President Prof. Remi Raji said the Federal Government should retrieve the original manuscript of Things Fall Apart.

He said: “Since 2008, the original script of Things Fall Apart was said to be whisked away to Cameroon by a core scholar who found his way into Achebe’s place and was given this manuscript. Perhaps he died in transit or didn’t return the script deliberately it is not known yet. Nigerian government should make efforts to retrieve and properly situate it in Nigeria’s archival context to immortalise the great man.”

While describing the late Achebe as a “sturdy voice in a problematic state”, Raji urged Igbo scholars to translate Things Fall Apart into Igbo language.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative in Nigeria Mrs. Hazzana Aliduo said as part of its contribution to immortalise the literary legend, the body would work with ANA to translate the books of the sage into several other languages, including Igbo.

Mrs. Aliduo said: “We believe in UNESCO that works of our giants like that of Prof. Chinua Achebe should be documented and translated into languages which can be easily accessible by others from other cultures.”

Niger State Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, represented by his Commisrians to emulate the late literary icon, noting that the state government would not relent in honouring people like the late Achebe, who contributed

‘With people like Achebe, we won’t make mistakes. As long as we continue to live the preaching of Achebe, we would continue to immortalise his name’ courageous activist who spoke against injustice, citing the alleged abduction of former Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige.

“With people like Achebe, we won’t make mistakes. As long as we continue to live the preaching of Achebe, we would continue to immortalise his name,” he said.

Ngige said the late Achebe was “a man of determination”. Citing the late Achebe’s ability to rise above physical

positively to the advancement of the society.

A group, Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC), urged challenges owing to his accident, he urged Nigerians to emulate his determination to change his world for Nigeria to develop.

He said: “Let us get ourselves determined to put our country right.

If Chinua Achebe could be determined and wrote in spite of his being on wheelchair, we have no excuse. I don’t think he is dead, but has immortalised himself.”

House of Representative member, Prof Chude Uwazurike, said the late Achebe was as committed to the country.

United States-based scholar Prof Michael Telwell said the late Achebe was a cultural activist who shaped the African consciousness, adding that his writing in literature elevated his culture and lifted his people.

Former Minister of State for Education Dr. Jerry Agada said the late Achebe would forever be remembered for his contributions to the world of literature.

By Evelyn Osagie

sioner for Information, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta, praised the late Achebe’s unwavering commitment to nation-building and the common man, especially his kinsmen – the Igbo people. While describing Achebe’s death as a monumental loss, he urged leaders to borrow a leaf from the exemplary life of the author.

Kuta said: “While alive, Chinua Achebe fought, albeit subtly, for the enthronement of normative values and ethical conduct in the national polity. Achebe was to spend the rest of his time fighting the forces, which are too often given to enlightened self-interest and sentiments than the common good and ethical conduct. Nothing is more characteristic of Chinua Achebe’s life than the measured and self-righteous way he approached Nigeria’s national issues.”

Kuta urged writers to follow in the late Achebe’s footsteps by standing for truth and justice.

“Note that it is not yet Uhuru. Writers should pick up some of our development challenges,” he said.

Former Abia State Governor Ogbonnaya Onu said the late Achebe was a politician-activist who reeled in pain over the state of the nation, adding that the author believed Nigeria’s potential was under-explored.

Award-winning poet Tanure Ojaide said Achebe did not need a foreign body, such as the Swedish Academy of Nobel Prize for Literature, to affirm his excellence in Africa.

He said: “Things Fall Apart was written to chastise the imperialists, so they may not have been happy with him.”

Obi to up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s library at the Idemili North council headquarters to a modern ICT library.

•Justice Alfa Belgore (left) Director of Programme, Dr Paddy Njoku and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Prof.

Viola Onwuliri at a Day of Tributes for Achebe in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

It also called for the renaming of the Anambra State University after the late storyteller.

In a communiqué by the Deputy

Chairman of the group, Chief Chuks Igboanua, yesterday in Onitsha, the group said the late Achebe represented perfection in literature and scholarly learning, which it said, his existing library should depict.

The statement reads: “That the Idemili North Concerned Citizens (IDNCC) do hereby support the motion raised in the Anambra State House of Assembly for the change of Anambra State University (ANSU) to Chinua Achebe University.

“That Ugwu-Nwasike Road off Onitsha-Enugu Express Road crossing Round-about leading to Abatete be named Prof Chinua Achebe Road so as to immortalise his name.

“We appeal to the Anambra State and Idemili North Local Government to please refurbish and up-grade the Prof Chinua Achebe’s Library at Ogidi to Modern ICT Library to at least reflect the actual purpose and intentions of Prof Chinua Achebe.’’

The statement said the group would partner with the late Prof Chinua Achebe’s Burial Committee in the preparations and burial of the late literary icon.

It called on Ndi-gbo to stand for the truth and unity of the country as the late Achebe had done and urged all Igbo sons and daughters to shun materialism, corruption, and evil acts.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

NEWS NCC queries operators over poor telecom service quality Continued from page 1

erators to explain why the situation is so. We are not stopping at that; we are also deploying our engineers to test their (operators’) facilities,” Ojobo said.

The NCC recently lifted its ban on all promos and lotteries that ride on the network. Sector analysts say the decline in the quality of service may not be unconnected with the lifting of the promos and lotteries.

National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) President, Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the NCC ought not to have lifted the ban because doing so has unwittingly led to congestion on the networks.

“Our members have complained bitterly about the •Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (middle), Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (third left), Acting President anguish they go through in of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (third right), former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umar Abdullahi the hands of their service (second left), the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ibadan, Justice Monica Dongbam-Mensem (left) and others cutting the cake to providers. They spend their inaugurate the Court of Appeal complex, Ibadan…yesterday hard-earned money to buy airtime for which they hardly get the full value. We have written to the NCC. We feel Continued from page 1 tronage from the Federal Gov- some of his colleagues who tion but those in support of the strongly that lifting the ban on promos and lotteries is regovernors, forces in the Presi- ernment in various forms and signed were one from the Rivers State governor have op- sponsible for the congestion dency are pushing for open assurances that their states be Northwest; one from Northcen- posed it.

The plan, it was learnt, is to fix ballot instead of secret ballot spared from a state of emergen- tral and the last from the Northa meeting of the governors with east. cy. system.

“Some of the governors the Presidency for the Villa and “The 2015 re-election was The Presidency is said to have been rattled by the continued also dangled before the gover- pointedly refused to sign and coerce the NGF to hold its sessupport enjoyed by Amaechi nors that need re-election,” the pleaded for some time to reflect sion there.

HE Grassroots DemoBut pro-Amaechi governors on the issues,” he said. source claimed. among his colleagues. cratic Initiative (GDI), a are insisting on using either the The said governor reportedInvestigations revealed that A source said: “This unprecgroup backed by the Rivers Governor’s Lodge in Abuly “revealed the details of the the last-minute decision to edented move of collecting sigMinister of State for Educaja or the NGF Secretariat for the circumstances and how almost dump Shema for Yuguda natures was decided upon aftion, Chief Nyesom Wike, has ter all the pressure put on most made the Presidency to adopt all the governors have been poll.

A pro-Amaechi governor said: condemned the labour leaders complaining about the intimiof the pro-Amaechi governors “unorthodox method”.

“Shema was dumped after dation and harassment and in- “There is no provision for NGF in Rivers State, for visiting to dump him failed.”

Governor Rotimi Amaechi The execution of the plan be- President Goodluck Jonathan deed blackmail from the Presi- meeting at the Presidential Villa. and allegedly taking sides in We won’t allow anybody to indency in order to make them was advised that his (Shema’s) gan last Thursday after the deepening crisis. timidate the governors. Articles the dump Amaechi”.

National Economic Council candidacy would ‘not fly’.

GDI alleged that the labour 2 and 9 of the NGF Constitution Some forces in the PresidenA third source spoke of “a meeting in Abuja when some leaders: Chief Chris Oruge, of the governors were am- governor who reported to his cy have been trying to persuade are explicit on the secretariat of Chairman of the Nigeria Lathe Forum.”

Amaechi to accept the Villa opstate caucus confirming that bushed for the ‘signing ceremobour Congress (NLC), Rivers chapter; his counterpart of the ny’ in the Villa, the source said.

Trade Union Congress of NiCoordinating the signing were geria (TUC), Chika Onuegbu two governors Akpabio – one from the Southsouth and the CORES of air passengers home their demand for the im- craft Pilots and Engineers and the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating other from the Middle Belt. were yesterday stranded plementation of the salary struc- (NAAPE).

The strategy is to conduct the NAN reports that the situation Council (JPSNC), Rivers chapat the Murtala Mu- ture approved by the National voting in the Villa by inviting hammed International Airport Salaries, Incomes and Wages had compelled senior manage- ter, Chukwu Emecheta, were the governors individually and ment staff of NAMA to take acting Amaechi’s script.

(MMIA) as unions at the Nige- Commission.

The President-General of the demanding their signatures in The unions are the Air Trans- charge of the control towers. ria Airspace Management AgenArmed policemen were also GDI, Bright Amaehule; its Secsupport of the new candidate. cy (NAMA) embarked on an in- port Services Senior Staff AssoSamuel ciation of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), stationed at the entrance of retary-General, For their signatures each govdefinite strike.

Nwanosike; and the Chairman ernor was promised protection The workers, who spoke to the the National Union of Air Trans- NAMA headquarters, to prevent of the GDI in Obio/Akpor from EFCC investigation, pa- News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), port Employees (NUATE) and a breakdown of law and order.

Presidency steps up anti-Amaechi battle

on the network,” he said in a telephone interview.

Ogunbanjo said the body had petitioned the NCC, asking for compensation for the subscribers and warning that should the regulator fail to do this by the end of this month, the group would have no choice but to go to court. “We have appealed to the NCC to compensate our members. If it fails to do so by the end of this month, we will be forced to seek legal solution to the problem of our members. We are going to write another letter to them (NCC),” he said.

Ojobo said the NCC is also looking at the network to see if it is the decision to lift the ban that has caused disruption in services. We lifted the ban on promos and we have being looking at it to establish whether it has any impact on the network. We are studying all that,” he said.

Many subscribers have been complaining about poor service quality. It is either they can’t get to load their airtime or make calls.

Wike’s group tackles labour leaders over visit to Amaechi

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Passengers stranded as strike cripples airports

S

said that the strike was to press

the National Association of Air-

Continued on page 7

LGA of Rivers state, Collins

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Onunwon; yesterday at a news conference in Port Harcourt, accused the trio of playing to the gallery.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rivers chapter, through its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, also yesterday distanced the main opposition party from last week’s solidarity visit and pledge of support by opposition parties in Rivers state to Amaechi.

GDI said: “Oruge, Onuegbu and Emecheta, who claim to be the mouthpiece of the NLC, TUC and JPSNC members in Rivers state, are all relatives of Andrew Uchendu (a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers state), who is a known supporter of Amaechi.

“It is not surprising that the Continued on page 7

Special Forces capture 120 at Boko Haram chief’s funeral Continued from page 1

activities of insurgents.

“Terrorists fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic are being contained as they have had encounters with MultiNational Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border. Advancing troops also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist group.

“In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organised burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with Special Forces the previous day. The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated.

“Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters has observed the use of photographs purportedly taken in the areas covered by the operations and wishes to state that the photographs are questionable as they do not reflect any related reality of the social or geographical environment. “ This also makes the story they claim to depict of Nigerians fleeing to Niger Republic

Economy stable in spite of security challenge, says Okonjo-Iweala

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INISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has assured Nigerians and the international community that the fundamentals of the economy remain strong in spite of the security challenges facing the country.

She said: “The economy recorded a growth of 6.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, inflation is down to single digit, fiscal deficit is only 1.8 of GDP, foreign reserves stand at $48 billion and the government is working very hard on many projects that would impact positively on the populace.”

A statement from Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Minister said she made the remark yesterday during an in-

and other countries doubtful.

The media is advised to always strive to associate stories with accurate pictures in order to avoid misleading the public.”

The Special Forces commander for Adamawa State, Brig.-Gen. Fatai Oladipo Ali, addressed 200 troops that arrived from Lagos, part of an expected extra 1,000 sent to the state.

“There will be no hiding place for terrorists. The insur-

By Nduka Chiejina

ternational forum organised by Standard Chartered Bank.

Responding to questions on the implications of the state of emergency declared last week by President Goodluck Jonathan in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States, the minister explained that the government is taking decisive action to secure communities in the Northeast affected by the activities of Boko Haram.

She explained that the intention of the government is to restore security and order to enable economic activities and normal life resume. The state of emergency, she explained, gives security agents the latitude to flush out insurgents from their bases.

gents signed their own death warrants by taking up arms against the Nigerian state,” he told the troops.

Gen. Ali warned soldiers against “harassing innocent people”.

The U.N. emergency relief agency (OCHA) and the Niger’s Red Cross said in a report that around 1,500 people had fled across the border into Niger in the past two weeks, but it had not yet been established

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that the Presidency is adopting a multi-dimensional approach which include political dialogue, counter-terrorism tools and economic inclusion to solve the problem.

Government, she said, hope that the return of peace will create a strong foundation to spur economic growth, particularly through agriculture, the mainstay of the region.

Responding to a question on whether the country is expecting a supplementary budget to tackle security challenges, the minister answered in the negative.

She noted that a Contingency Vote was already built into the budget to take care of emergencies such as security and the flooding that affected many parts of the country last year.

what their nationalities were.

“Humanitarian agencies fear an increase in the numbers coming into Niger,” it said, adding that they were monitoring the situation. The region also borders Chad and Cameroon.

Yobe State government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew across the state.

Announcing the adjustment of the restriction of movement, the Special Adviser to Gover-

nor Ibrahim Gaidam on Media, Abdullahi Bego, in a statement, said the decision was to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

He said: “This is to inform members of the public that in view of the need to sustain the relative peace that all parts of the state currently enjoy, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved an adjustment of the hours during which public Continued on page 7

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

NEWS Special Forces capture 120 at Boko Haram chief’s funeral Continued from page 4

•President Goodluck Jonathan (third right); former President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki (third left); with (from left) Deputy Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Abdalla Hamdok; Chairman, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, Mr Segun Apata; panel member, World Bank Inspection Panel, Zeinab Elbakri and Director, Global Financial Integrity, Mr Raymond Baker, after a panel meeting on illicit financial flow in Africa at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday

Briton’s wife kidnapped in Port Harcourt

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UNMEN have kidnapped Mrs. Grace Dickson, wife of the owner of Bongaville Hotel in the new Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The kidnap of the Briton’s wife took place around 11 pm on Sunday, when she drove to the gate of their yet-to-be-ascertained residence in Port Harcourt. No demand for ransom had been made as at last

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

night.

Sources said amid sporadic gunshots, the hoodlums removed Mrs. Dickson’s eye glasses and moved her away in the car she drove to the gate, as the gateman was opening the gate for her to drive in.

It was also learnt that the gateman initially opened the gate, but when the woman

was no longer driving in, she ignorantly closed the gate.

Shortly after the kidnap, the victim’s husband drove to the gate and the gateman opened the gate for him, parked normally and the gateman closed the gate, without informing him of the ugly development.

Yesterday morning, it was gathered that the gateman told his boss: “Oga, last (Sunday) night, they carry madam go. They don carry madam go. Me I no

know where they carry am go.”

The shocked husband, according to sources, immediately contacted the nearby Sani Abacha Police Station, GRA. The Rivers Police Anti-Kidnap Unit went on the trail of the kidnappers to rescue the victim.

Rivers Police spokesperson, Angela Agabe, confirmed the kidnap, but said details were sketchy.

‘Sovereign Wealth Fund to invest $850m’

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HE investment arm of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) - the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) - has approved an investment allocation of $850 million for the three investment windows of the SWF. Managing Director/CEO of NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, said the Future Generations Fund and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund will each get $325 million or 32.5 per cent while the Stabilisation Fund will receive $200 million or 20 per cent. He spoke yesterday on the commencement of the operations of the NSIA The remaining 15 per cent of $150 million, he said “will be kept as unallocated for now, and used to top up each of the ringfenced funds, as opportunities arise.”

Orji said the plan “aims to balance the infrastructure need of the current generation and the need for savings for the future generation of Nigerians.”

Investment in the Stabilisation Fund will start next month as the Future Generation Fund will continue till end of 2013 “because it is a more diversified portfolio with a more complicated process.”

On Infrastructure Fund, Orji

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

said: “a very detailed and thorough review of possible investment areas and projects is ongoing. The investments being considered with the infrastructure fund are housing, agriculture, power, water resources, transportation ,sports, aviation and health care.”

The objective of the NSIA he explained, is to build returns above inflation, and the reporting currency will be the dollar.

He said the Nigeria infrastructure fund has geographical restrictions the other two funds do not have geographical restrictions. The Nigeria infrastructure fund will focus only on Nigeria.

We have done extensive work so far on some initial areas that form our initial focus, some of the areas we have assessed opportunity include These funds Orji said “will be managed in-house and the idea is to earn commercial returns a sub set of the fund should be devoted to social infrastructure.”

As regards to when contributions will start flowing into the fund, Orji said “the Act is very clear as to the contributions to the fund, what it says is that rev-

enue in excess of the benchmark rates less what is prescribed in the budget should be contributed to the NSIA account.”

These excess revenue, he explained, “will be transferred monthly but again we need to be fully operational and ready for the new funds to come in so there is conversations on-going already and for the funds to be transferred. When the Act is fully followed, this will be an automatic process. We are ready to start investing.”

When asked about the Excess Crude Account (ECA) Orji declined to speak, saying, “that is for minister of finance.”

In terms of commitments to the infrastructure fund, the NSIA boss said “these are commercial infrastructure so we will charge for their use, we are investing with co investors some of them are other Sovereign Wealth funds some are private equity investors, it’s not a charity, if you look at infrastructure funds around the world most of them earn on the average six to seven per cent. We will invest in areas where there are commercial returns.”

Future generation fund he said is a savings fund and not a pension fund where we invest for a

pay out. The idea “is to grow a savings base to prepare the country in the event of a depletion of our hydrocarbon resources. The purpose of this fund is the savings for the future generation of Nigerians like other funds the benefits tend to come much later, at the minimum if this fund makes profit consistently for five years as we are hoping we will start to partake of the dividends to the three tiers of government.”

He cautioned that “the earliest Nigeria will start to see any benefits will be through the return this savings fund will make in five years of consistent profitability before we start making repatriations to Nigerian people.”

He said the NSIA is a self-sustaining enterprise with the three principles of financial sustainability, independence of decision making and transparency.

He assured Nigerians that the Authority “will invest in areas where we will make returns that is why it is called Sovereign Wealth Fund. Other intervention programmes like the budget will be done with the budget, here we are investors, that is the difference between what we do and what other arms of Government do.”

movement is restricted around the state.

“Consequently, restriction on movement now starts from 6.00pm to 6.00am daily throughout the state, with effect from today, Monday, 20th May, 2013.

“The decision for this adjustment follows a meeting that His Excellency the governor had with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.”

“His Excellency urges the general public to continue with the exemplary support and cooperation with security agents to ensure lasting peace in the state.

“His Excellency the governor also urges the public not to relent in prayers to the Almighty Allah (SWT) for the restoration of peace in the state and the country in general,” the statement read.

In Borno State, life is becoming unbearable for residents of Maiduguri, with the closure of exit and link roads in and outside the town by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The closure has caused the non-supplies of vegetables and other essential food items, such as fruits, milk and eggs,

Govt orders audit of federal varsities’ staff, students

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HE Federal Government has ordered federal universities to undertake a comprehensive audit of their staff and students.

In line with the directive, the University of Abuja yesterday inaugurated a five-member panel chaired by Prof. A. Y. Ribadu, a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Yola.

Others are Professors Anthony Adegbulugbe and Ediga Agbo; Hajia Aisha Babangida and Dr. Godswill Ogboghodo.

Inaugurating the committee, the Chairman Governing Council of UNIABUJA, Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia urged the panel to determine the member and regularity of appointments of the Academic and Non Academic Staff, their qualifications; number of students, regularity of

relatives of Uchendu are acting the script of their master, Rt. Hon. Amaechi and some members of the Rivers House of Assembly.

“It is indeed shameful and an apparent show of hypocrisy and incompetence on the part of the trio, that in October, November and December 2012, when the monthly allocations of Obio/Akpor LG council were seized by Governor Amaechi, without due process and in clear breach of the law, the self-styled labour leaders did not make any com-

ment.

“The sole and flimsy reason for the seizure of the allocations was that the Obio/Akpor LG council did not participate in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise of September 2012. The labour leaders kept quiet, when the affected workers were NLC members and worst hit financially.

“It is clear from the acts and actions of the self-styled leaders of the NLC, TUC and JPSNC in Rivers state that they are engaging in partisan politics, which the civil service rules abhor.

“The members of GDI are calling on the members of the Rivers House of Assembly to immediately rescind the suspension of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and the 17 councillors, to make for law, peace, tranquility and development of the area.

The Wike-backed group called on the police in Rivers state, not to be deterred or distracted by the cheap blackmail of the Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, but to continue to do their constitutional duties,

especially of protection of lives and property.

The ACN said: The members of the CNPP have jettisoned their role and appear to have given in for a pot of porridge.

Participants in the visit are members of parties already deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“ACN believes that rather than act in a manner that showcases them as a frustrated lot by these already-deregistered political parties, leaders of the group would have demonstrated a better posture by calling on the Rivers state

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

their admission and their different courses.

The panel is also to determine the staff productivity and career progression; recommendations for improvement in future staff appointment and students’ admission, and any other recommendations the panel considers relevant among others.

Ogbemudia who said the panel had four weeks for the task pointed out that “planning without statistics is as good as failure to plan. In a University, planning with inadequate or false statistics is worse than not planning”.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor James Adelabu promised to provide the panel with all logistics support.

Passengers stranded as strike cripples airports Continued from page 4

A union member, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that there were no international flights going out or coming into the country because of the strike.

“Those ones coming in were diverted to Niger Republic Airspace, causing the country to lose revenue.

“As at 9:00 a.m., only eight domestic airlines had been air borne, as against the 20 we should have recorded on a nor-

Wike’s group tackles labour leaders over visit to Amaechi Continued from page 4

to the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM).

It was learnt that vegetables and other essential food items were usually supplied from the outskirts of the metropolis like Damboa, Lake Chad Basin Areas, Jos and Baga.

Consequently, the Market prices of vegetables, milk and eggs, have, however, increased by 100 per cent at the Maiduguri market.

A survey shows that one small plastic container of tomatoes is now sold at N200 as against last week’s price of N100.

A 50kg bag of onions is now N20, 000, as against the old price of N10, 000.

Other items affected by the closure of roads in Borno State include milk and eggs, which is now N1, 500, from its old price of N850.

As the market prices soar, housewives and residents resort to dried vegetables of okro, spinach, garlic, meat and fish supplied from the local fish ponds of farmers in Maiduguri.

Link roads in and outside the Maiduguri are intermittently closed and opened at military discretion.

government to put its house in order, to forestall the rascality of the officials.

“It is important that we state in clear terms that the ACN, as a responsible and focused party, was not part of the delegation to the Rivers State Government House, to declare support for Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in PDP’s internal crisis in the state.

“We state clearly that we (the ACN) will not and never associate ourselves with any of such moves that negate the essence of our corporate existence in the democratic dispensation in the state.”

mal day,” the source said .

Some passengers, who spoke to NAN, urged NAMA management and the unions to resolve the crisis without delay.

An Abuja-bound passenger, Mr Deji Elumoye, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, urged the unions and NAMA management to resolve their differences by fulfilling the agreements they both reached.

“NAMA should pay the backlog of arrears it is owing the workers, while the unions should shift grounds to allow for meaningful negotiations and the resolution of the matter,” Elumoye said.

The NUJ chairman, who said he was going for a meeting in Abuja, had to seek a refund from the airline after waiting for two hours without the flight taking off.

Mrs Biola Olayiwola, another passengers travelling to Abuja, also called for closer collaboration between the NAMA management and the unions because they both needed themselves for the survival of the sector.

Malam Ibraheem Aliyu, who was travelling to Kano, said that he was not aware of the strike until he got to the airport.

8

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

NEWS Tinubu gets honorary doctorate degree from Kano Varsity

Convene national conference now, group tells Jonathan

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HE call for a national conference to address the various threats against the unity and corporate existence of the country resonated yesterday. It was at the third conference of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) in Lagos.

Rev. Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi set the tone for the renewed call for a national conference in his address. He said this has become imperative.

On the danger that the likes of Boko Haram insurgency pose for the unity of the country, Rev. Gbonigi said a delay in organising a national conference now may be too expensive.

He said: “We must also continue to emphasise that the ending of the insurgency in the North will not, by itself alone, bring a sustainable peace to our country. There are many other centres of simmering discontent across our nation; many of them have the potential to burst open as rebellions, if the grievances of the people are not addressed.

“This is why an all-embracing national dialogue or a national conference has become imperative. Any further delay of this issue may turn out to be very expensive.”

•From left: Chief Clark; Oba Sijuwade; Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu and Bishop Gbonigi, at the event....yesterday.

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

By Augustine Avwode

Second Republic Vice-President Alex Ekwueme also spoke on the same subject.

He said there is need to ensure that Nigerians have a sense of belonging.

Dr Ekwueme said: “There is need for us to establish a system which will make every Nigerian have a sense of belonging. As I have always said, as long as any group feels that there is little to lose by going out of Nigeria, there will always be crisis.

“But once people begin to think that they have everything to lose by not being in Nigeria, then we will have a better Nigeria. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that all signs of discontent are addressed. We can come together and address our problems.”

Elder statesman and Ijaw leader Chief Edwin K. Clark urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that he convenes the conference before

•Gen. Diya...yesterday

•Dr. Ekwueme...yesterday

next January when Nigeria will mark its centenary.

He said: “ I want to use this occasion to appeal to everybody that we need to respect ourselves. If 2014 will be our centenary, then we must respect one another. We must have a national dialogue or a national conference where we will discuss the basis of our existence in this country. We must appeal to Mr President that this must be done before January 2014.”

In a goodwill message by

the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, which was delivered by her daughter, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, the elderly woman praised the organisers for “the successful formation of a non-partisan body of eminent political actors to champion the cause of the entire Southern Nigeria on issues of common interest”.

She described the forum as a “significant milestone in the political evolution of our nation”.

Also, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife, described the conference as “one other great effort at bringing together the major forces that constitute some of the component parts of our country, Nigeria”.

Dignitaries at the event include former Anambra State Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd); Chief Olu Falae, Chief Felix Ibru, Chief Richard Lamai, Senator Lee Maeba, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Dr Fredrick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams.

The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly started in July 2012 when it held its first conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. Its second meeting was held in Janury in Enugu.

Rivers PDP crisis: Court to hear Nsirim’s application May 27

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USTICE Silverlyn Iragunuma of the Rivers State High Court has fixed May 27 for the hearing of the application for an interlocutory injunction by the suspended Executives of the Obio/Akpor Local Government against the Caretaker Committee (CTC) members.

The suspended council chairman, Timothy Nsirim, on May 8, led other executives (his deputy and 17 councillors) to the court to challenge their suspension and to seek an order to restrain the Chikordi Dike-led seven-man CTC members from taking over the running of the affairs of the council.

Nsirim also sought the court’s leave to serve parties in the case (Rivers State House of Assembly and Obio/Akpor CTC members) by substituted means, expressing the difficulties in effecting direct service on them. The court granted his order and adjourned the case for hearing.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the defence counsel (lawyer for CTC members and the House of Assembly), Emenike Ebete, asked for time to file their documents in the court.

Ebete told the court that they were yet to see the originating summons served on them by pasting and blamed this on the continued presence of the police at the council’s gate, against the order of the Federal High Court.

He, however, observed that the seven days normal court rules to effect filing of their response in the matter

From: Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

would end today, and promised to file all their documents before the end of today.

He said: “The applicants said they served us on May 14 by pasting and by the positions of the rules of court, we have seven days, which will expire tomorrow (today). So, the matter is not yet ripe for hearing, based on that we have been given another date for motion on notice.”

Asked how they came to court, having not seen the summons, Ebete said: “They said they pasted it at the council premises you are in the state and know what is happening (referring to the presence and blockade of the council gate by men of the Rivers State Police Command) we have not had access to the council premises to see the notice; we only heard it on the radio and we came; that is what happened.

“There is no way we can be going to work, since the police are still there. As it stands now, we don’t have the copy of the paper they filed. If they have any, they should give us one.”

Nsirim, represented by Mr. Dike Udenna, said: “The matter came up this morning (yesterday) for hearing of claimants’ motion for interlocutory injunction to restrain the caretaker Committee(CTC) people from taking over the functions of the democratically elected government executives.

“Due to representations from the CTCs’ lawyers and the lawyers from the Rivers State House of Assembly, who said they were served only on May 14, therefore, they are still within time to respond to the motion for interlocutory injunction.

“On the account of that representation, the judge had to adjourn the matter till May 27, for definite hearing of our motion of interlocutory injunction.

“Basically, we are asking the court to restrain the CTC

from taking over the functions of the democratically-elected Obio/Akpor council Executives.

“The reason is because we are the ones who have the constitutional rights, the mandate of the electorate to hold office, to run the affairs of the LGA.” Policemen, on May 3, took over the premises of Obio/ Akpor Council on the order of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.

This followed the rising tension at the council as youths loyal to Nsirim protested his

alleged illegal suspension and the inauguration of the CTC by the House of Assembly.

Justice H. A. Njiangiwa of the Federal Court, last Monday, granted the order by asking the police to pull out of the council to give room for the council’s business.

He, however, ordered that they (the police) should maintain law and order/provide security of life and property at the council.

The case was adjourned till May 27 for hearing of motion on interlocutory injunction.

ORMER Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will, on May 25, receive an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Science, Honris Causa, from the Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil.

A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the frontline politician, Mr Sunday Dare, said a letter by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. U. G. Danbatta, the university’s Senate and Council as well as the Visitor to the university, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had approved the award.

The statement added that the award will be conferred on Asiwaju Tinubu at the third convocation of the institution on Saturday, at 11am.

Aswiaju Tinubu had been appointed the Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

DHQ, US partner on improved civil-military relations From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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HE Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with the United States (US) Government yesterday began a three-day seminar to strengthen civil-military relations in the ongoing war against terrorism.

The three-day seminar, which started in Abuja yesterday, seeks to build confidence and understanding of the civil populace on the role of the military during emergencies.

Federal troops are still being deployed in the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where an emergency rule has been imposed.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim said the seminar would boost the confidence and cooperation between the military and the civil society.

APC won’t be hijacked by moneybags, says ex-governor Shekarau From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

•Shekarau

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HE All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in the last election and former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau yesterday said the new opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will resist any attempt by moneybags to hijack it.

Shekarau, who is a key figure in the merger of opposition parties to form APC, said the founding members of the new party have designed it as the last

hope of the masses.

He said: “It is going to be a party that will be grassrootsoriented, where the masses can have a stake. We are dutybound to discourage moneybags from taking control of the party.”

The chairman of the ANPP merger committee told reporters in his Kano home that APC was determined to make justice and fair play its watchword.

According to him, internal democracy remains the cornerstone of the party.

He said the understanding among APC leaders, which resulted in the merger, will be pursued tirelessly to give the party a different ideological and programmes’ outlook.

Shekarau said: “Anything that will encourage bickering

will not be tolerated.

“We want to be totally different from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by pursuing justice for all, building a party that will give everyone a chance to pursue his or her political ambition through the entrenchment of internal democracy to sustain peace and stability of the party. This way, the ultimate goal of unseating PDP in the next poll will be achieved.

“No individual will be allowed to hijack the party for his own goal. Every decision taken must be collective and it will be in the interest of all members and the party.”

The former governor, who also holds the title of Sardaunan Kano, dismissed allegation of sabotage levelled against former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.

He noted that Sheriff has

cleared himself of those allegations.

Shekarau said: “As far as I am concerned, I cannot say yes or no over whatever allegation that have been levelled against Modu Sheriff. This is because I don’t know the minds of members of the party.

“I believe all the major players are solidly with us. But that does not mean we may not see some funny development. For now, there’s no reason to panic.”

On his likely position in the APC executive, Shekarau explained that as a loyal party man, he would offer to serve in any capacity the party deems fit.

The former governor dispelled the speculation that the APC leadership will emerge soon, going by the cumbersome process it is undergoing.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

9

NEWS PIB: Southsouth student leaders decry delay

No personality clash in APC, says senator T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) will not suffer from personality clashes despite the merger of political parties, it was learnt yesterday.

Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Domingo Obende, who said this in Abuja, noted that the leaders of the APC are mature and have wealth of experience to run the party.

Obende also said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senators are likely to toe the path of national interest in their contributions to the debate on the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states today in the Senate.

The lawmaker representing Edo North in the Upper Chamber said the country is on the path of “government change”, with the emergence of APC. On whether personality clashes will derail the formation of the APC, he said individuals in APC came together to form the party with the aim of salvaging the country from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) misrule.

Obende said: “I believe that because they are adults and are intelligent and know that the nation is drifting apart, they must come together with their own ideas that will bring about peace.

To be able to do the rightful selection as regards leadership of the party.

“If this is done, I believe we are going to be on the path of government change.

“This is what I am looking at be-

‘PDP plants moles in ANPP to scuttle merger’

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

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•’We’re still probing N16b VP’s house’ From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

cause if you check what has been happening for the past eight years, you will agree with me that the present government is not taking us to anywhere that we can call a destination.

“If four or five political parties have come together, believing that they have the quality to lead Nigeria to somewhere, I think they should be given a chance. I very much doubt that there is going to be personality clash.

“I believe that APC at the end of the day will rule this country.”

The lawmaker also said the Senate is in the process of unravelling what led to sharp increase in the cost of building the Vice-President’s (VP’s) house in Abuja.

He noted that the committee has not been furnished with the information it demanded from the contractor handling the N16billion project.

Obende said until members of the committee receive the information as to the bill of quantity and drawings of the house, the committee cannot give its blessing for additional funding.

Said he: “We insist that before we can improve on the funding, we need to see the drawings, we need to see the bill of quantity.

“We also have our consultants. Let them look at it. Are we going to spend this much from tax payers’ money, presuming that it is going to be occupied by a family because whether you have four wives and one man, you are still a family.

“This is the way we look at it. As we speak, we have not been able to arrive at any conclusion, whether the project will go on or not. But if we get all the documents we are asking for, basically, we are not here to stop the wheel of progress, we will allow the project to go on.”

On the likely position of the opposition lawmakers when the emergency rule imposed on the three states is being considered, Obende said: “The ACN as a body has the right to oppose whatever that is going on in the nation. It also has the right to support whatever that is going on.

“But we have a caucus in the National Assembly and the aim of the caucus is to move along with the national tide. If we are going for good, we will move along with it.

“As we see that the nation is drifting, it is our duty to bring it back to alignment. What I think we are going to be looking at tomorrow is not the position of ACN, but the position of the nation. Is it going to be better for

•Obende

the country or it is not going to be better for the country?

“I believe we should not forcefully abort the baby right now. As a caucus of the ACN, we have not taken a decision and it is only after our meeting that we will come up with a position and I believe the position is going to be in the interest of the nation.

“We are not going to be party dogmatic. Our position is going to be a position in the Nigerian interest.”

On whether he has any regret on his bill proscribing same sex marriage in the country, following global trends on the issue, the senator said: “I do not have any regret.”

He added: “When a nation is a sovereign nation, she makes laws for herself and her citizens. Our laws are not meant for the international community because they have laws governing them. We should also have laws governing us.”

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Niger State in the 2011 general elections, Mr. David Umaru, has claimed that he has uncovered plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to scuttle the merger of the party with three others to form the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He alleged that the emergence of the State Interim Management Committee purportedly constituted by the national leadership of the party was not only unconstitutional, but that members of the committee are moles of the PDP planted to scuttle the merger.

Speaking in an interview in Minna yesterday, Umaru, the party’s leader in the state, alleged that members of the Interim Management Committee are agents of the PDP planted in ANPP to act the script of the PDP to thwart the merger.

He said some members of the committee were known to be on the payroll of the PDP-led administration of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The ANPP leader alleged that the committee was constituted secretly without the knowledge of the constitutionally-recognised leaders and stakeholders, with the intention of scuttling the merger plan by further polarising the party.

He said Hajiya Mohammed Jumai remained the Chairman of ANPP in the state, adding that his group would not allow the PDP moles to disrupt the merger.

At the weekend, the Mrs. Afiniki Dauda-led Interim Management Committee, at its inaugural meeting, urged party members to forget their grievances and ensure that ANPP enters into a merger with other parties in the state.

Mrs. Afiniki said her committee would ensure that aggrieved members were reconciled in keeping with the directive of the national secretariat.

But Mr. Umaru, a lawyer, said the party was not in a crisis in the state that would warrant a reconciliation committee.

He added: “These are the same people used by the PDP in 2011 to cause problems in the party.”

TUDENT leaders in the Southsouth geo-political zone have protested against the delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.

The students, under the aegis of the South–South Youths and Students Organisation (SSYSO) said the speedy passage of the bill into law would assist the host communities and empower youths in the area.

Rising from an emergency meeting yesterday at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, the student leaders, who represent higher institutions in the region, decried the slow processing of the PIB. The President of SSYSO, Comrade Tonye Tom-George, who spoke on behalf of presidents of Students’ Union Governments (SUGs), said stakeholders should join a call to pacify the National Assembly over the need for a speedy passage of PIB into law.

He said: “We are no longer comfortable with the delay in passing PIB into law. As students from the Southsouth region, our lives are tied to this bill. If passed into law, most of our youths will not only be empowered, but will also be economicallybuoyant to face the challenges of life.

“As representatives of students in higher institutions in the Southsouth, we want the National Assembly to note that continued delay in the passage of PIB into law may appear as a conspiracy against host communities in the region.

“We take this opportunity to urge the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to pay attention to project- monitoring.

“There are many abandoned projects. NDDC should focus on project-monitoring and concentrate on the completion of existing projects.”

BPP to assess civil servants for promotion

By Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

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•Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie cutting the tape to open the St. Robert’s Catholic Church Priest’s House in Lagos... at the weekend. With him are wife of Corp Commander Medical, Nigeria Army, Mrs. Christy Ameh (left); Brig.-Gen-Edward Nze; the Church’s Pastoral Committee Chairman, Col. Felix Adeoye (second right) and Director, Army Catholic Chaplaincy, Col. Charles Iroegbu.

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Sack of PDP’s NWC members: Court fixes June 10 for definite hearing

USTICE Suleiman Belgore of the Abuja High Court, Apo has fixed June 10 for definite hearing in a suit seeking to sack some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judge chose the date yesterday after it became obvious that parties were yet to file the processes.

They are to file and exchange the preliminary processes before the next date to enable the court consider them along with the originating summons.

The suit was instituted by three aggrieved members of the party - Abba K. Yake, Yahaya Aruwa Sule and Bashir Maidugu. The plaintiffs are challenging the election of 17 members of the party’s NWC. It is the plaintiffs’ core contention that the emergence of the defendants as officers of the party is a nullity on the grounds that certain provisions of the constitution of the PDP (first defendant) were breached.

The plaintiffs averred, in a supporting affidavit, that the defendants’ continuous holding of office as national officers of the PDP will “jeopardise the workings and or activities of the first defendant, including the conduct of future nomination or election of can-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

didates into public offices.”

The affected NWC members include: Sam Sam Jaja (Deputy National Chairman), Solomon Onwe (Deputy National Secretary), Bala Ka’Oje (National Treasurer), Chief Bode Mustapha (National Auditor), Umar Tsauri (Deputy National Auditor) and Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).

Others are: Dr. (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe (Women Leader), Victor Kwon (National Legal Adviser) and Anunakar Mustapha (National Organising Secretary).

The plaintiffs argued that “the INEC Monitoring Team”, which monitored the contentious March 24, 2012 National Convention, “observed and reported that the mode of election adopted for single candidates was not in accordance with the mode of election stipulated in paragraph 6.0 (ii) of page 17 of the Guidelines for the conduct of year 2012 convention and therefore unacceptable to the commission.”

They said the “PDP arbitrarily caused the return of some of the named

NWC members into each of their various national offices.

The plaintiffs argued that as a result of the actions of the first defendant (PDP), the first and second plaintiffs were denied the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. They prayed the court to determine among others, whether the purported appointment or selection by affirmation and continuous appointment of some of the defendants is a nullity by virtue of the provisions of Articles 2 and 85 of the Constitution of the PDP 2009 (as amended).”

The plaintiffs want “an order nullifying the selection, affirmation and or appointment of the second- 18th defendants as national officers of the first defendant.

“An order compelling the first defendant to conduct fresh elections into the national offices held by the second-18th defendants.”

The defendants, in their objection, prayed the court to strike out the suit on the basis that the plaintiffs lack the locus standi to file the action, more so that “they did not exhibit their membership card.”

HE Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) will be involved in the assessment of civil servants in the next round of promotion examination and interview.

Speaking at the International Law Institute (ILI) and BPP workshop for procurement officers in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, who was represented by Dr. Hamidu Mohammed, said it was set for the next round of promotion examination and interview for civil servants.

He said there would be “no recruitment into the procurement cadre without input from the BPP.” The bureau, he said, would provide the resources needed to prepare civil servants for promotion examination, as many civil servants, particularly those in procurement, are expected to keep abreast of the modern requirements of procurement.

Earlier, the Director-General of BPP, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, an engineer, had said that “public procurement reform is one sure way of triggering quality development. It is important to continuously develop our human capacity.”

According to him, the BPP has been having interactive sessions with different categories of government officials on aspects of the reform.

Ezeh said the bureau began with the permanent secretaries and moved to the chief executive officers in parastatals.

He said the bureau has interacted with about 600 senior government officials, “because as decision makers in the implementation of the budget, it is important we compare notes on the rules of best procurement practices.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

10

NEWS Parents seek increase of EKSU’s subvention

‘Aregbesola is following Awolowo’s steps’

P

ARENTS of students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) , Ado-Ekiti, have urged the government to increase its monthly subvention to the institution.

In a statement at the end of a four-hour stakeholders’ meeting with the institution’s management at the weekend, the parents said there was need to augment the university’s monthly subvention, following the 2011 merger of the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti and the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (TUNEDIK), with EKSU. The statement was signed by the Chairman of the Stakeholders’ Organising Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi and Dr. Kemi Ogundana.

They said EKSU’s subvention could no longer sustain its needs, especially infrastructure.

It called for the prompt payment of school fees to quicken the development of the institution.

The meeting, which was held at the instance of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof.

Dipo Aina, addressed various issues that followed the stu-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HE Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, has said Governor Rauf Aregbesola is aspiring to the legacies of the former Premier of the old Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, he said Aregbesola’s references to the late Awolowo’s legacies were to remind the people of exemplary democratic governance, which every Yoruba person is proud of.

Akere said the Aregbesola administration, through its Six Point-Integral Action Plan, has recorded unparalleled achievements, despite the paucity of funds.

He said Aregbesola met an empty treasury and “mountains of debts” when he assumed office, adding that his fiscal discipline and administrative skills were responsible for the completion of projects that impact directly on the lives of the people.

According to the commissioner, the record has shown that the Aregbesola administration’s achievements on road construction, empowerment, food security, health, security and creation of job opportunities have surpassed those of his predecessors.

Group hails governors on performance From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

GROUP, the Oduduwa Youth Council (OYC), yesterday said Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) have performed beyond expectation in their two-and-a-half years in office.

It described the performance of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors as “unprecedented”.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Festus Omoniyi-Bello, the group said the governors are a blessing to the Yoruba race.

It said it was convinced that Fayemi and Aregbesola would be reelected because of their outstanding performance.

OYC said: “We are happy that the era of gangsterism is gone in the two states, as well as other Southwest states.”

It chided the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for his comment that ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari were liabilities to the country.

The group said: “Tinubu is the architect of the transformed Lagos State. He is a pacesetter and great achiever. Buhari is a statesman with zero tolerance for corruption, which has become endemic in the country.

“In 2015, we will know if Okupe can win his unit in Ogun State for President Goodluck Jonathan with his boasting. Then, the people will determine who is a political liability.”

•A man beating a talking drum and a woman dancing to it at the inauguration of the Court of Appeal building in Ibadan...yesterday.

Amosun locks out workers for lateness O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday locked out hundreds of civil servants, including commissioners, who were late to their duty posts.

He told them to go back home, if they could not resume at work punctually.

The two gates of the secretariat were locked by 8am on the governor’s order.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who was appalled by the number of affected workers, warned that the government would not condone such indiscipline any longer.

Adeoluwa said: “This action is a routine exercise to ensure that civil servants know the essence of punctuality and imbibe it as a virtue. It is not aimed at frustrating or scaring anybody. If the

•‘Sapon-Itoku Bridge’ll be ready by December’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

governor could make it to the office before 7:30am, there is no excuse for anyone who comes late to work.”

He said late comers would be sanctioned in the future.

The Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, also warned that, henceforth, lateness would be taken seriously.

Also yesterday, Amosun said the Itoku-Sapon Bridge would be ready by December.

He spoke after inspecting the work done on the bridge.

Amosun said: “Many of our people were inconvenienced to pave the way for this bridge, but in the next few

months, they are going to see the benefits. We will build shops to take the traders off the roadsides. We are intensifying efforts to build the roads and shops simultaneously to boost economic activities and create wealth.

“I am satisfied with the pace of the work, despite the rainy season. We work everyday and I assure you that by December, the bridge would be completed. Work is in progress and we are not resting on our oars.

“We started demolition last December and construction began in February. When our shops are ready in December, traders whose shops were demolished would use the shops

Mark: lawmakers, executive not competing

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday said the National Assembly is not competing with the Executive Arm of Government.

He said: “When we ask questions about the implementation of the budget, we are merely exercising our constitutional powers of appropriation and oversight.”

Speaking in Abuja at a workshop for civil society organisations and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) on Budget Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting, Mark said Section 88(2b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, states that “subject to the provision of this constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it”.

Mark said: “Our roles in budgeting should not be misunderstood to mean meddling with the functions of the Executive.

“We represent the people and we owe it a duty to let them know what is going on.”

The Senate President said the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is clear on the functions of each arm of the government and the principle of separation of powers should be respected at all times.

He urged civil society groups to make accuracy their watchword in budget

monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

Mark said democracy, accountability and the rule of law would be enhanced, if their reports are independent and unbiased.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media Enyinnaya Abaribe urged the Executive to see lawmakers as partners in the initiation and implementation of policies and programmes.

He said this is necessary to avoid conflict or communication gaps.

The Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Anthony Manzo, said the synergy between lawmakers and civil society groups has become an important avenue for getting the opinion of the people on issues.

•Amosun

free for a year.”

He said his critics lack the intelligence to appreciate the work done by his administration in the last 23 months, adding that they “are not cerebral and cannot give what they do not have”.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

dents’ protests on May 2 and 3.

The protest was against the “no-fee, no-lecture” policy of the institution’s authorities.

The students wanted payment by installment, but the authorities insisted the fees must be paid once as a precondition for receiving lectures.

Parents, including Oba Ademola Ajakaye, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, spoke on the challenges facing the university.

They urged the government to increase the school’s monthly subvention, so that the institution can have funds to develop infrastructure after paying salary.

The VC said the university was augmenting the monthly subvention with N143 million to pay salary and meet other statutory obligations.

The stakeholders recognised the financial contributions of some individuals, including the late Chief Lawrence Omolayo, who donated the university’s multimillion naira Administration Block, and Aare Afe Babalola, who donated the Law Auditorium, among others.

They said reports on students should be sent to their parents regularly and the school authorities must bridge the information gap between them and other stakeholders.

They encouraged e-learning, e-result and e-payment, as well as the issuance of identity cards to students for easy identification.

They also urged students to always resolve issues through dialogue.

The VC said the university would inaugurate a ‘Work-Study Programme’ next session to allow indigent students earn some income to finance their education.

Firm to build assembly plant in Nigeria

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N American multinational company, General Electric (GE), will set up a locomotive assembly plant in Nigeria, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Prince Adeseyi Sijuwade, said yesterday.

Speaking with reporters in his office, Sijuwade said when the plant comes on stream, it would roll out 200 locomotive engines within the first 10 years.

He said one of the NRC’s workshops in Lagos would be upgraded by GE for the purpose.

Sijuwade said although the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company, a transaction advisor would be selected.

He said the agreement was aimed at involving the private sector in building efficient train services in the country.

Sijuwade said NRC would be interested in partnering the private sector in the design, building, maintenance, operation and transfer (DBMOT) of warehouse to provide safe, secure storage space

By Yinka Aderibigbe

for goods; finance, supply and operate modern facilities and provide services for loading and offloading goods; finance, supply and jointly manage railway coaches to enhance passenger carriage capacity and freight haulage capacity.

He said a closer partnership with the private sector would enhance efficiency and the capacity of the corporation to respond to the transportation needs of Nigerians.

To further enhance operational efficiency, the corporation, Sijuwade said, would be out-sourcing on-board cleaning of passenger trains, cleaning of major train stations and on-board catering.

Other areas of private involvement are: facilities management of major stations, ticketing and parking lot (park and ride) services.

Sijuwade said the Nigeria Railway Bill has been approved by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which will send it to the National Assembly for consideration.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap.

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Tension in Presidency over plans to extend Destination Inspection contract T HERE is tension in the Presidency over plans by the Federal Ministry of Finance to extend the seven-year contract of four firms engaged by the Federal Government for Destination Inspection (DI).

The companies are Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Limited, SGS, Global Scan and Webb Fontaine.

Many government officials, including ministers, have disagreed with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the renewal of the contract.

Also, it was learnt that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is unhappy over the plan because it will leave more than 300 Customs officers already trained abroad idle.

The Federal Government, in January 2006, engaged the four firms in a seven-year year Build, Own, Operate and Transfer DI contract.

The Customs was expected to be in charge of DI from last January.

At the end of the contract, however, the Ministry of Finance, in a letter through its Permanent Secretary, Mr Danladi Kifasi, claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan had extended the tenor of the deal by six months.

The letter addressed to the service providers, reads in part: “I wish to inform you that the President has approved the extension of the agreement dated January 1,

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

2006, between your company and the Federal Government for the provision, installation, operation and management of X-ray scanning equipment and software for inspection of goods.

“The agreement, which is to expire on December 31, 2012, has been extended for a period of six months with effect from January 1, 2013.”

But less than a month to the six-month extension, there is a fresh plan to renew the contract of the four firms by another six years.

But the plan has pitched the Minister of Finance against some cabinet members who believe that it is against President Jonathan administration’s agenda to look inward.

It was also learnt that the Customs is also unhappy that all its investment on multi-billion Naira DI equipment and training of 300 Customs would be a waste.

A top government source said: “Everyone is worried that some public officers are trying to prevail on the President to

• 300 Customs officers face idle future grant these four companies a renewal of another six years. This means that they will be in charge of Nigeria’s DI for about 13 years.

“This is insulting to this nation after we have trained more than 300 Customs officers to take over from the four firms.

“The planned renewal is still in spite of the obvious infrastructural deficiency of some of the four companies.

“For instance, several audit and assessment reports from Accenture, World Bank and Oversight Committees of the National Assembly on one of four companies were unsparing in their indictment.

“Some cabinet members are opposed to another sixyear term for the four companies at a time millions of youths are without jobs.”

Another source said: “It is an issue being debated in government. Some of us are really in support of the NCS taking over because we are losing so much in

revenue to the four companies as a nation.”

The renewal is also said to be against a March 1, 2013 assessment of the World Bank, which has confirmed the Customs’ readiness to manage DI. A document obtained by our correspondent revealed the summary of the World Bank assessment of the Customs readiness for DI as follows: “NCS has progressively developed a range of skills necessary to take over classification and valuation activities performed by DI staff.

“NCS is ready to assume control of scanning operations.”

Other findings on NCS by the World Bank Team are: an executive committed to reform and a stable and competent management cadre; a young motivated and well-qualified workforce who are openminded and keen to contribute; adequate professional competence in key fields, including many functions performed by

DI’s (scanning valuation and classification); strong investments made in human resource development and major improvements in salaries and conditions of service for staff; a robust reform and modernisation strategy has been developed and implementation is progressing; and strong espirit de corps pride in NCS. Customs has taken the lead on border management reform and its leadership is not contested.

Relatively well-equipped physical infrastructure, equipment and assets to be transferred.

A document prepared by the Customs admitted the service’s readiness for the DI operation.

The document states: “NCS has undertaken an enormous development of training courses for all officers involved in scanning, with specific training for each functional role.

“NCS has also undertaken the selection and delivery of these courses to over 300 NCS officers. This is rein-

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Yahoo buys Tumblr for $1.1b

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DATA STREAM

NSE JSE NYSE LSE

forced by a programme of coaching by experts who have years of experience in operating scanners for customs around the world.

Radiation Safety Officer who holds an MSc. in Physics and has over seven years experience with xray scanners.

“All of these officers are trained to international standards and qualified both from a United Kingdom Radiation Safety Company and will be further trained and assessed by an NNRA approved establishment.”

But a source in the Ministry of Finance, said: “ At the appropriate time, the Minister will address the nation. I am sure all her policies are geared towards the best for Nigeria.

“For instance, the same World Bank Report you have quoted gave the other flip of Customs readiness. Let me quote a part of the report as follows: “In spite of intense efforts and real progress, there are major gaps in the capacity of NCS to fully assume all currently outsourced activities.”

From left: Executive Director Enterprise Risk Management, Skye Bank, Mr Dotun Adeniyi; Executive Director, Treasury/ Southeast, Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu; Group Managing Director/CEO, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti and Executive Director, Retail Banking/SouthSouth, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong, at the bank's Pre-AGM briefing in Lagos.

Tax remittance: Bank chiefs snub Reps’probe

I

NVESTIGATION into re mittance of tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance got underway yesterday with no bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in attendance.

The Committee is probing banks’ tax returns between 2008 and 2012, as well as their level of compliance with collected tax remittances to the Federal Government within the period.

Though 12 of the 21 banks under investigation sent representatives, all the banks’ CEOs were asked to present themselves before the Committee tomorrow

• Nine CEOs risk arrest From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

(Wednesday), or they would be compelled to do so. Nine bank chiefs were specifically asked to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, or they would get a warrant of arrest.

The affected banks are Zenith Bank, Sterling Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Skye Bank, Heritage Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Ecobank and Enterprise Bank.

The Committee stressed that it would not welcome

any representation of a lower subordinate.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, warned that the investigation should not be viewed as overstepping of its mandate.

“We are here today (yesterday) in line with the oversight mandate of the Committee on the FIRS and tax matters. Our vision is to strengthen the FIRS and optimise the potentials of our tax system.

“All over the world, banks are under tight scru-

tiny by the parliament because of their strategic role in the economy, and of course tax matters are treated with utmost importance,” adding that what the Committee was seeking to do, is for the banks to give more, or at worst give exactly what they were expected to give in accordance with the laws as and when due.

“This will sufficiently deal with your responsibility as tax payers. We also intend to look into your roles as collecting agents to see how well you have complied with laid down rules and regulations,” he added.

AHOO is investing big-time in the social media. The company has said it has purchased Tumblr, the popular blogging and social media network, for $1.1 billion.

“I’m delighted to announce that we’ve reached an agreement to acquire Tumblr!,” Marissa Mayer, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yahoo, announced on her own Tumblr blog.

“We promise not to screw it up. Tumblr is incredibly special and has a great thing going. We will operate Tumblr independently.”

Mayer repeated in a company statement that Yahoo will “not screw it up.” It plans to keep Tumblr an independently operated business with David Karp, Tumblr’s26-year-old founder and CEO, remaining on. Tumblr allows users to create their own blogs, follow other blogs on the network and like them or reblog posts.

“We’re not turning purple,” Karp announced on Tumblr’s official Tumblr News page. “Our headquarters isn’t moving. Our team isn’t changing. Our roadmap isn’t changing. And our mission – to empower creators to make their best work and get it in front of the audience they deserve – certainly isn’t changing.”

While Yahoo promises not to change Tumblr’s product the companies will work together to create advertising opportunities. Mayer also says that the companies will create a very large media network.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS

Nigeria’s poverty rate should be lower, says IMF

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Nigeria’s poverty rate should be falling faster, given the nation’s economic growth this decade, its official and Senior Resident Representative in Nigeria, W. Scott Rogers, has said.

Already, figures published by the World Bank have shown that the share of the country’s more than 160 million who are considered poor fell to 62.6 per cent in 2010 from 64.2 per cent in 2004.

Besides, the economy has also expanded by an average 7.2 per cent a year during the same period, according to IMF estimates.

“It’s a bit of a conundrum,” Rogers, said in a

By Simeon Ebulu with agency report

with Bloomberg Nigeria News.

“Income per capita has gone up, yet poverty isn’t improving and we’re having a difficult time understanding why that is, or how that could be.”

He said economic growth has been largely driven by the non-oil industries, which expanded an average 8.5 per cent a year from 2003 to 2011, citing figures from the Abuja-based National Bureau of Statistics.

He said while oil accounts for about 15 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, agriculture accounted for 48.7 per cent of the country’s non-oil economic output from 2001 to

2011, adding that wholesale and retail accounted for 21.4 per cent.

Agriculture expanded an average 6.6 per cent a year, while wholesale and retail trade grew 12.2 per cent a year, according to the lender.

“This is one thing we’ve learned over the last decade or two, that it’s not just the rate of growth in the aggregate that matters, it’s where it’s coming from and who’s enjoying it,” said Rogers, adding that “in Nigeria the growth is everywhere.”

The re-basing of the country’s GDP to a more recent year will probably provide a more accurate picture of the composition of the economy and where growth is coming from,

and may help understand why poverty hasn’t reduced by a larger rate in the country, said Rogers. The IMF started providing technical assistance to the statistics office in September on the re-basing exercise, he stated.

The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is based on production and consumption patterns in 1990. The statistics bureau will decide before the end of the month whether to use 2010 or 2012 as the new base year, the Head of the agency, Yemi Kale, had said, explaining that the updated data, to be released next year, will probably boost the reported size of the economy, while decreasing the annual rate of

growth.

The IMF has recommended that Nigeria should increase savings in its excess crude account, in which Nigeria saves revenue above a budgeted oil price, and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, to $20 billion, where the savings were in 2008, said Rogers. The Excess Crude Account (ECA) has savings of $7 billion, down from $9.2 billion in January, Finance Minister, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had said.

Annual negotiations between lawmakers and the government over what the benchmark price should be aren’t “meaningful” as long as funds that go into the account are spent, said Rogers. The oil price has

rarely gone below the set price in the past seven years, and the country should have been accruing savings “the entire time,” he said.

Lawmakers raised the benchmark oil price in this year’s budget to $79 a barrel from the $75 price proposed by the government.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the move would stoke inflation and proposed that the price should be determined in future by a technical committee instead of politicised negotiations.

“What’s important is that what’s saved is saved until the rule says when” it can be spent, said Rogers.

Nigeria’s poor ranking in governance worries NEITI

T

HE Nigeria Extractive Industries Transpar ency Initiative (NEITI) has expressed concern over the poor ranking of the nation in the recent global report issued by the Revenue Watch Institute.

The report, which measured quality of extractive industries governance in 58 counties, ranked Nigeria in the 40th position out of the 58 resource-rich countries across the world. According to the ranking, the extractive industries governance in Nigeria is very weak.

The assessment was conducted using the quality of four key governance components. These include institutional and legal setting; reporting practices; safeguards and quality controls and enabling environment. Information on three special mechanisms used commonly to govern oil, gas and mineral, which are stateowned companies, natural resource funds and subnational revenue transfers were also considered.

NEITI Director of Communication, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji disclosed the concern of the transparency organisation in a statement yesterday.

He said from the report, Nigeria fared better in insti-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

tutional and legal setting because of the existence of several legislations on openness and transparency, including NEITI Act, 2007 and Freedom of Information Act. On the enabling environment, Nigeria was poorly rated by the report, the statement said.

As an agency set up with a mandate to enthrone transparency, accountability and good governance in the extractive sector, NEITI is concerned about Nigeria’s poor ranking in the report. NEITI believes that the slow pace of implementation of findings and recommendations contained in series of its audit reports since 1999 has contributed to the poor ranking of Nigeria, the report indicated.

Although an Inter-Ministerial Task Team was set up to address the findings and recommendations of NEITI audit reports under a remediation plan developed by the team, implementation by affected government agencies have recorded little progress. For instance, NEITI audit reports have consistently recommended interagency collaboration to recover an outstanding sum of $9.6 billion from companies.

Aviation unions shelve strike • Govt inaugurates committee on issue

T

HE National Union of Air Transport Employ ees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) have shelved their strike.

This was based on resolutions reached at a meeting by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and the head of the unions, including the management of the Nigeria AirspaceManagement Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.

The unions had threatened to embark on strike because of poor welfare.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the Special Assistant to the Aviation Minister on Media, Joe Obi, said it was agreed that due notification was not given to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on the dispute.

It said: “The meeting consequently resolved that: (i) the issue of determination of

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

the basic salary and other allowances for the staff of NAMA concerned shall be taken up by a Committee to be headed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation “(ii) To be included in that Committee are the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Other members are to be worked out by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation including the number of Trade Union membership. “(iii) the time frame for the work of the Committee shall be concluded within a reasonable time as was deliberated upon and agreed at the meeting.

13

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

14

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Ikeja DISCO explains cause of fire incident •’No customer without electricity’

O

FFICIALS of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company have said the fire at the Ikeja West Transmission station in Ipaja, Lagos did not cause disruption of power to any consumer, adding that the burnt transformer has been on load for days, which might be the cause of the incident.

They explained that the lines that were connected to the facility were immediately rerouted to other transformers soon after the fire was arrested.

At a joint briefing by the Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja DISCO, Chris Okaa Akamnonu and the General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria, West Region, Adeoye Oyeleke, they said contrary to reports

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

that the burnt transmission threw most parts of Ikeja zone into darkness, the company rerouted the lines served by the burnt transformer to other transformers soon after the fire was put out.

The officials said the incident was caused by some defects in the transformer, adding, however, that other transformers at the station were not affected.

Akamnonu said: “We deem it fit to inform the general public, most especially our customers within the axis not to panic over power outage due to the fire incident, as adequate measures have been put in place to ensure no place within the axis is left

without supply.

“The essence of this media briefing is to set the record straight because we have read various versions of the stories from different media which are inaccurate. There was a fire incident on Tuesday, May 14 at the Ikeja West station, which resulted in loss of one of the five numbers of units that transmit voltage from 132/ 33kv line, which basically feed customers in Ikeja and part of Ogun State.

“The transformer was lost due to the fire incident, but we are able to embark on network re-arrangement to move load from other place to affected area to be able to get supply.

“Immediately the incident occurred, we were able to transfer some feeders to Oworonshoki, Ajah, Ojo and Akangba to accommodate supply in the affected transformers.

We moved load to Aja and Akangba where we have capacity, the purpose is to ensure that those affected customers from Ikeja West Station are not stranded and the rearrangement was done within 24-hours.”

Akamnonu noted that no customer within the affected area has been in darkness. No customer and business operator in the area has been out of supply since the incident. I want to assure Lagos residents and customers within the network to put their

•Akamnonu

•Group Executive Dircetor, Power and Gas, NNPC, Dr David Ige

mind at rest, as the station has enough power to distribute. We are also working hard to ensure that the burnt transformer is replaced immediately, he said.

He assured people who have businesses or transactions within the area, and are not resident in Lagos not to fall for flimsy excuses some unscrupulous people might give with the incident, as power was restored shortly after the fire was put out.

He said: “The fire has nothing to do with total outage in the affected area because immediately the incident occurred; we restructured the supply channel to ensure effective power supply to our customers within the axis. A good number of projects are on-going in Lagos as part of the upgrade of the power sector in the country in accordance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s power sec-

tor agenda.

Oyeleke also corroborated Akamnonu, saying the fire was caused by some defects in the transformer, adding that the affected transformer was isolated from the rest to avoid being affected.

“The burnt transformer didn’t affect the area as claimed by reports, because other loads were restructured into the area. Currently, Akangba’s capacity of 600MW is still working to ensure that customers are maintaining stable supply,” he said.

Adeoye also said the burnt transformer has been on load for days, which might be the cause of the fire outbreak, adding that another transformer will be deployed to the place immediately. “We have the transformer on ground for the replacement, but we are embarking on assessment of the transformers.”

OTC: local firms’ participation increasing, •Oil reserves declining saysPETAN •Transmission lines

‘Develop local content ahead of PIB passage’

T

HE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has warned that until robust domiciliation of services and manufacturing of oil and gas equipment and components are achieved, the chunk of investment inflow into the sector would be lost to capital flight.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa, who spoke at the offshore technology conference in the United States, drew attention to the need to sufficiently domicile service and manufacturing ends of petroleum industry operations noting that failure to do so would mean that investments would flow into the country, but take flight in the form of overseas procurement of equipment used for operations and remuneration of expatriate personnel working on projects.

To maximise benefits of investments inflow into the multi-billion dollar industry, Nwapa advised that concerted efforts be made to develop Nigerian Content, so that Nigerians and the economy derive value from the expected huge investment that would come into the sector after the passage of the PIB. Therefore, he said there is urgent need to expand discussions around the PIB beyond just the fiscal provision.

He said: “It is expected that when PIB is passed, it would result in massive investment flow and those invest-

ments will yield revenue for Nigeria.

But what the Board is concerned about is the kind of impact the bill on passage will give Nigerians in terms of employment on top of the expected revenue.

“That type of impact would only come from the investments that result in domiciliation. It is a good thing we have had a three-year head-start in the implementation of the Local Content Act, which has enabled us create some capacities in Nigeria such that as the PIB is being passed and investments come, we would have jobs arising from the investments being executed locally.”

Nwapa canvassed for industry support for the Board’s initiatives especially the Oil and Gas Industrial Park Scheme and the establishment of a new pipe mill to support the existing SCC Mill in Abuja, adding that when the initiatives become successful, Nigerians would reap immense benefits from them.

He said: “It is a good thing to get the investments in because we need to increase our revenue intake from oil production, but the real endgame for us is to ensure that as we are getting revenues, we are getting our people to work.

“Government agencies can only employ a few thousands, but the real employment can come from commercial activities that would arise from our preparedness to expand operations.”

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HE Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), a group of Nigerian firms that play in the exploration, production and service segment of the petroleum industry, has said Nigerian firms’ participation in the oil and gas industry is increasing resulting in indigenous in-country capacity development.

Its President, Emeka Ene, said the increase was demonstrated by the number of Nigerian firms that attended this year’s offshore technology conference (OTC) in Houston, United States to showcase their offerings to attract investments.

He said 60 members of PETAN signified interest to exhibit at the conference, but due to lack of space, all of them weren’t accommodated.

“We have 60 PETAN members and due to lack of space, we were not able to accommodate all our members who signified interest in taking part in this year’s conference. We have 50 of our members in attendance. Beyond PETAN members, we have at least another 50 exhibitors. So, in all, there are over 100 Nigerian companies that exhibited in this year’s offshore technology conference.

“What has happened is that the OTC pavilion has become a very viable platform for exhibitors to showcase what they are doing in the industry, and also to attract investors to the Nigerian oil and gas industry. It is a very good platform for striking new business deal. Apart from that, it has really portrayed Nigeria in a very positive light,” he said.

Ene stated that the conference created opportunity for people to

meet and interact with serious Nigerian players, business men, entrepreneurs and technocrats who have been in business for over two decades, adding that this is why PETAN is taking this extra step to bring Nigerian companies to exhibit and make new business negotiations.

“We arranged elaborate programme through the OTC week. We had plenary session where the issues concerning the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) were discussed, as well as a workshop with Nigerian oil professionals abroad, where issues in the country’s oil and gas were also discussed. These are ways and means to create a platform for Nigerians to interact concerning the issues in the oil and gas sector.

On the impact of non-passage of the PIB on operations of PETAN and attraction of foreign investments, he said the PIB is like setting the rules of the game. All stakeholders recognise the need to have the rules set straight and the PIB is set to achieve that.

The PIB, he noted, tries to set a clear structure for operations in the oil and gas industry putting into considerations that there are laws that are decades old, which are no longer applicable in the oil and gas industry. Every stakeholder in the industry recognises the need for the PIB. It is inevitable that the interest of different stakeholders will conflict. There have been some issues concerning investors taking investment decisions on some projects due to the PIB. The reason is some investors want to understand the PIB. PIB look at the industry in long term and PETAN has found itself on the side

of the international oil companies (IOCs) and the side of the government.

PETAN said by holding the PIB workshop, it was easy to bring the stakeholders to the table to discuss on the need to have the PIB, so as to attract long term investment in the industry, he added. He said the oil that we are producing, was not found yesterday, it was found some decades ago. So, the oil that we will be produced in the next 10 years has to be discovered today, or else, oil reserves will continue to deplete.

“If you look at the net oil reserve in the country, for the first time, it has started to decline. If the oil reserve is on the decline today, so what are we going to produce in the future? The oil reserve is also a tool to negotiate OPEC quota, if the oil reserve is declining, it is going to be extremely difficult to make case for higher OPEC quota, and it will affect oil revenue to the country.

It is in our interest to have the PIB passed. What we are saying is that there is need to pass the PIB because it addresses the concerns of short term and long term investors in the oil and gas sector. It is not just about passing the PIB alone, but a PIB that would encourage investment in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

He explained the need for Nigerians to adopt the Brazilian model of local content. He said Brazil has built its local content in the last five years, but Brazil’s approach to local content issue is different from the way we operate our local content in Nigeria. We look at how much work is available and we say in the next 50 years, we will build like 100 wells, but in Brazil, they calculate all these things and put them into a mathematical formula and come out with the result.

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

NCC deadline • Streamlining the subscriber base of mobile phone networks for integrity and safety is a necessary step that should proceed with caution

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BOUT three years after the takeoff of the National Subscriber Identity Module card registration, owners of unregistered telephone lines have been warned to register their lines or be cut off from the telecommunications networks across the country. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which gave the warning, said with effect from June 30, any unregistered telephone subscriber would not be able to make phone calls or send text messages on such lines. The commission’s director of public affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who made this known, said the decision was part of the outcome of a meeting between the telecommunications operators and the regulatory agency.

When the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication was launched in the country in August 2001, all that subscribers needed to do was approach a dealer for line and this was activated about 24 hours later. Nobody cared about registration of the lines. However, with the upsurge in crimes, particularly kidnapping and terrorism, the government thought it expedient to have telephone subscribers registered, at least to enable it pin particular numbers to specific persons, to checkmate the criminals who took undue advantage of the haphazard manner that characterised the ownership of the lines then.

To demonstrate its commitment to the registration exercise, the Federal Government provided N6billion to the NCC to facilitate the implementation of the project, against strident criticisms that the registration should have been the sole responsibility of the telephone operators.

At least 80 percent success was reportedly recorded at the end of the first phase of the exercise, with about 95,886,714 subscribers registered. The implication is that at most, about 19.16 million mobile telephone subscribers across the country may be disconnected from their respective networks next month, if they have still not registered their lines. Even though the subscriber base has since increased to more than 109,829,223 as of December 31, 2012, the new subscribers are unlikely to be affected by the June 30 deadline because their lines must have been registered before activation.

Since nothing lasts forever, the June 30 deadline given by the NCC is a fair deal; it is long enough for any genuine telephone subscriber to register his or her line. The need for a deadline for the registration is further exacerbated by the fact that the country has no reliable data base and part of government’s intention is to use the data garnered during the exercise as a form of data base from where basic information could be obtained about quite a significant number of Nigerians.

Without doubt, we need to know the exact number of telephone subscribers in the country. And this cannot be ascertained unless every line is registered and we can also not get this unless we put a deadline to the registration of old lines that had been in use before the registration started, since new lines are being registered before they are activated. The advantages of knowing these statistics far outweigh any disadvantage of the registration.

But the NCC and the telephone operators have to be systematic and take extra

care so as not to cut off subscribers that have registered their lines. The possibility of this is high in view of the experience of many subscribers who have registered their lines but keep getting text messages to do same. What this implies is that data collated during the registration were not synchronised. Otherwise, it is only those that are yet to register that should receive such messages.

This is why we urge extreme care in cutting off lines even after the expiration of the deadline. Subscribers who are yet to register should seize the window of opportunity to register their lines before the deadline. However, we must remind the regulator and the telephone providers that registration of telephone lines should not be a ritual that law-abiding subscribers have to perform again and again simply because someone or some organisation failed to do their job.

We urge extreme care in cutting off lines even after the expiration of the deadline. Subscribers who are yet to register should seize the window of opportunity to register their lines before the deadline.

However, we must remind the regulator and the telephone providers that registration of telephone lines should not be a ritual that law-abiding subscribers have to perform again and again simply because someone or some organisation failed to do their job’

Off the mark!

•By endorsing Jonathan, S/E and S/S govs are out of sync with their people

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HE governors and few political leaders of the south-south and south-east geo-political zones of the country, save Edo State, met recently in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, to deliberate on the state of the nation.

Amazingly, the best they could offer was to praise the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, as if they are oblivious of the grave crisis bedevilling the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the inability of the President to resolve any of them.

Their main concern was to endorse the presidency without any suggestions as to how the country could negotiate itself out of its political cul-de-sac. This can be likened to playing the ostrich, while the

‘While we do not begrudge politicians playing politics, we condemn political leaders behaving as if their positions and the authorities they exercise are all about acquiring power and nursing it.

In our view, it is unfortunate that instead of nudging the President to deliver on his electoral promises in the interest of their people, the leaders of the two zones are more interested in appeasement’

nation boiled.

Indeed, while the leadership of the political zones of the country is expected to consult often on the state of the nation, their followers expect that such meetings would provide answers or at least proffer suggestions that will better their lives.

For instance, while the south-east is threatened by perennial incidents of kidnappings, the south-south is increasingly apprehensive of the reemergence of insurgency; yet at such a meeting, these serious challenges were relegated to the background. The governors and other political leaders at the meeting did not consider the security of lives and property of the people they are representing more important than the effusive praise of the presidency and its policies that have apparently failed the nation.

As many believe, the politicians apparently represented their own selfish interests and not that of the people of the zones on this mission. For, we ask, how can the people of south-south and south-east be expected to endorse the current national leadership in the midst of the crises that they face in their daily lives? We know that in the south-east, for instance, the critical infrastructure owned by the Federal Government is in dire need of attention; just like unemployment has contributed to the resort to sundry crimes, by their youths. It is indeed clear that the security of lives and property is seriously under threat in the zones, yet, the political leadership of the zones met to endorse the leadership of the Federal Govern-

ment that has failed the people.

On its part, the south-south political zone is slowly regressing to its days of anarchy. Few weeks ago, security operatives travelling in the creeks of Bayelsa State were ambushed and murdered by yet-to-be indentified assailants. Again, the notorious militant leaders of the Niger Delta, despite the billions of naira spent to pacify them in the past few years, are increasingly pushing and openly threatening to revert to their violent ways.

The presidency is accused of fuelling political instability in Rivers State, while in the nearby Delta State, the atmosphere is charged and getting fouled by desperate political actors, all claiming patronage from the presidency. In all these, the lives of the people are not significantly getting better in most of the states, yet their sensibilities are being assaulted by leaders who are more interested in power than leadership.

While we do not begrudge politicians playing politics, we condemn political leaders behaving as if their positions and the authorities they exercise are all about acquiring power and nursing it. In our view, it is unfortunate that instead of nudging the President to deliver on his electoral promises in the interest of their people, the leaders of the two zones are more interested in appeasement. They must however note that where power is not used to advance the welfare of the people, the people will soon hold them to account.

Cyberattacks call for legislation and open debate

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HE SHADOWY WORLD of cybercrime was exposed in the recent federal indictment of eight men accused of manipulating computer networks and ATMs to steal $45 million over seven months. The heist combined sophisticated hacking with street-level hustle. In New York City alone, thieves struck 2,904 cash machines over 10 hours on a single day in February.

For all the wonders of the digital revolution, there is a turbulent and largely hidden underside of theft and disruption that grows by the day; the losses are often not counted in stacks of $20 bills but rather in millions of dollars of intellectual property stolen or compromised. Computer networks are vital to American capitalism and society but remain surprisingly vulnerable to hijack and hijinks.

Also worrisome is the threat of cyberattack on the nation’s infrastructure, such as electric grids or dams. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a 13-page alert about possible attacks on industrial control systems.

According to a report in The Post by Ellen Nakashima, the warning expressed concern that an assault could go “beyond intellectual property theft to include the use of cyber to disrupt . . . control processes.”The department did not identify the adversary, but there has been concern about Iran’s ability to carry out cyberattacks like the one that destroyed 30,000 computers at the stateowned Saudi oil company Aramco.

Why does this matter? One of the first digital weapons to target industrial control systems was Stuxnet, a computer worm reportedly invented by the United States and Israel to damage equipment in Iran used to enrich uranium that could be used in a bomb. If Stuxnet was successful, as sources have claimed, it caused Iran’s centrifuges to fail.

As a method of slowing the march toward a nuclear weapon, Stuxnet was ingenious and preferable to a conventional bombing attack.

But in cyberspace, the United States is not the only powerful actor. Other states increasingly have the capability and the willingness to attack. A new arms race — a competition among adversaries — is heating up. The United States and other nations are building offensive cyber-armies. It is past time to debate this. So far, most of the U.S. offensive cyberprogram has been cloaked as an intelligence matter. While secrecy is necessary for operations, basic questions should be openly debated: Who decides to wage cyberwar, when and why?

To protect what we hold dear — from mobile apps to mutual funds — it is vital that the United States erect better defenses. Congress stalled in the last session over legislation that would improve cooperation between the private sector, which controls most of the networks, and the government, which could help defend those networks. An unreasonable business allergy to regulation was the main obstacle. The need for legislation is more urgent than ever.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: I was alarmed but later bemused when I read about Afenifere’s press conference in the media recently. Seated with Afenifere’s chieftains were Senator Iyiola Omisore and Yinka Odumakin. Odumakin was the spokesperson of the group of the group that broke away from Afenifere. What then has happened to honour?

Afenifere was established in 1951 by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his associates. Since then, it remained the rallying point for the progressives in the Southwest. Since 1999 when the current democratic dispensation took its root, things took a new dimension with real disciples of Awolowo trying to align themselves together to pursue the authentic Awo’s vision in governance.

It was during this process that Senator Omisore came to the fold, especially when the Alliance for Democracy (AD) was being formed and he became deputy governor of Osun State.

Due to obvious differences and

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Afenifere’s strange bedfellows discordant tune of the political music at that time, it was clear to all that Omisore did not belong to the fold. Things began to fall apart in the party and in the leadership of the Osun State government leading to his impeachment as Deputy Governor. Since then, Omisore has left the AD to pitch his tent with the PDP. His party deployed all resources at its disposal to fight Awo’s once united political family with intent of total annihilation. This culminated in the gruesome murder of Chief Bola Ige and the annihilation of the AD in the South-west with Bola Tinubu of Lagos State the only man standing.

Afenifere has since unravelled and the various leaders have joined dif-

ferent political parties. While some are still in the ACN, some have joined PDP while many of them are with Labour Party. It is curious therefore to see Omisore nesting comfortably with Afenifere. Has Afenifere become Afenifere-PDP? Let them tell us so that we can know where they stand. What they are up to and what scheme they may be plotting is yet to be known but Omisore has his eyes on Osun State governorship election next year. Are they Omisore’s friends and part of his campaign group? Time will tell.

Omisore had surreptitiously crept into the rank of the Afenifere group again the way he did in 1999. One wonders why the group allowed its ranks to be broken and became so

vulnerable to open its doors to another era of political terrorism that characterized Omisore‘s earlier romance with the group in 1999. We know that the group has suffered very serious infiltration from the opposition which has led to its being factionalised.

It is nevertheless a suicide mission for these factions to allow further balkanization by allowing Omisore into its fold. This romance obviously is like a political cancer that should not be allowed to fester. Anything to the contrary can only constitute a death sentence to the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the region.

• Kunle Omideyi, Surulere, Lagos

The Igbo leadership question

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IR: It took resistance from Rosa Parker, a 42 year old tailor’s assistant, for African Americans led by Martin Luther King Jnr. and Ralph Abernathy to rise against the“separate but equal” discriminatory law of segregate America. It took the Sharpeville shooting of 67 Black South Africans by the White minority government in South Africa for Nelson Mandela to lead the Umkhonto we Sizwe resistant movement in the Apartheid enclave among others.

The Igbo nation is in dire need of a leadership that is both responsive and decisive. Leadership vacuum among the people, especially in a country that has scant regard for equity and justice, is beginning to take its toll on the race. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Ndigbo to survive the rat race that has come to define the country’s approach to political and economic power. The political gust unleashed

by better organized groups in the country buffets Ndigbo and leaves them groping for direction. The void exposes them to all manner of denials and gratuitous violence.

The number of deaths recorded by Ndigbo via sectarian crisis in the country is enough to compel serious introspection. Sadly enough those involved in the humiliation of the race are arrogant and brazen in manners. They don’t care a hoot and are in no hurry to mitigate the effects of their actions.

The situation deteriorates with successive governments in Nigeria.

It will be trite to chronicle afresh all the denials and cheap deaths the people are subjected to. It equally sucks to think the end of the humiliating experiences may not be in sight yet. The descent to political irrelevance appears hard and fast.

Besides manifest disparity in the distribution of political and economic favour, the latest treason trial

of the leadership of MASSOB bespeaks of Ndigbo as a people whose political fortunes have reached the nadir. Though I do not subscribe to the group and its style of agitation, it does not make sense that more violent groups elsewhere in the country are wooed with amnesty while MASSOB leadership is arraigned on treason charge.

I recall that in 2005, as a result of upsurge in violent eruptions among ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, the Obasanjo administration ordered the arrest of the leaders of OPC, NDPVF, and MASSOB. Consequently Fredrick Fasheun, Ganiyu Adam, Asari Dokubo and Uwazurike were all thrown into detention. Curiously, of the lot, only Uwazurike, the peaceful agitator, is yet to regain full freedom years after. The grim reality of his current treason trial, alongside some of his unfortunate colleagues, is that he risks long jail term and or death

sentence should the trial be allowed to run its course. It rings a note of blatant discrimination, if not barefaced humiliation, to arraign MASSOB for trial while Boko Haram, NDPVF, MEND, OPC, etc are courted with contract offers.

What Ndigbo lack is decisive and responsive leadership that will rouse the people from political inertia, and refocus them in the fiercely competitive political environment. For as long as the leadership of the Igbo nation is peopled by relevance-seeking, profit – oriented political office holders so long will the people continue to play second fiddle to their neighbours.

For a people set on survival now is the time for a bold and courageous leadership to emerge and point the way forward in a country that is already mired in violent ethnic eruptions.

• Ejike Anyaduba Abatete, Anambra State.

Jonathan’s 2013 promises

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IR: It seems that President Goodluck Jonathan has forgotten that he made promises to Nigerians to improve on security and well-beings of the people. Nigerians are still being killed everyday. His response to the incessant criticism by the opposition parties shortly after he came to power was his promise to surprise them in 2013.

We are now in the fifth month of 2013. We do not know when precisely the surprises will begin to manifest or is it that the president is still working on it or perhaps that the calendar in Aso Rock still reads 2012?

Nigerians were not moved by the promise neither did it sound strange because since the advent of democracy, Nigerians had been victims of continuous lies and manipulations by the PDP led administrations.

The fact is that, Jonathan’s, regime like the ones we have had before him, has been overwhelmed by development challenges. Because the leaders put their personal interests first, they put minimal efforts to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing the nation hence they project false hopes.

Today, nothing is working in Nigeria. There are rampant poverty, security challenges, incessant power outage, bad roads, bad leadership and poor education. All these were bred by corruption.

No government can achieve anything meaningful when it is surrounded by crooks and mediocres.

If the president really wants to get it right, he should step on toes and not to grant undue pardon to thieves.

Nigeria is blessed with enormous resources yet majority of its population live in abject poverty. The current security challenges in some northern parts of the country have shown that this administration is weak and therefore, Nigerians need to rise and come together with a view to salvaging the country from imminent collapse.

• Waziri Mohammed Mokola, Ibadan.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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COMMENTS I have come to bury Caesar, not to praise him – Mark Anthony, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

drama and poetry tower over Achebe’s 20, though Achebe’s tally also includes classics in children stories, as Prof. Biola ETWEEN Things Fall Apart (1958), Odejide, a children’s literature his first work and There was a Counexpert formerly of the Univertry (2012) his last, Chinua Achebe sity of Ibadan, noted in her trib(1930-2013), the world-acclaimed novelute to Achebe shortly after his ist for burial on May 23, defined himdeath. Even in their primary self: an Igbo man from Nigeria, not a Olakunle fortes, Soyinka the playwright Nigerian from Igbo land. with 15 plays trumped Achebe lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola That was no high crime against Nithe novelist with five novels. geria, a country that is no nation but pasBut Achebe possessed the arsionately craves doting nationalists. resting simplicity that ensured Though English, the coloniser’s lanprobably more people have guage, provided Achebe his vehicle to read Things Fall Apart, his flagglobal fame, the professor, in Things Fall ship classic, than all of enemy.

Apart, told a grim tale of how British colonialism smashed the Soyinka’s works combined. So, maybe the Nobel committee Talking about victims, whoever thinks the Hausa-Fulani are Igbo pristine world: all too clear in the personal tragedy of settled for fecundity over accessibility. not, even of their own past power rascality, must chuckle at the Okonkwo, that has held the world spellbound for more than That was their choice – and it had nothing to do with Achebe’s North’s frantic bid for power after Jonathan. Yet, their grand 50 years – and still counting. secured place in global literature, Nobel or no Nobel. In Niconcept of power, untrammelled ethnic over-lordship served But There was a Country was even more censorious of Nigeria’s often ethnic-powered discourse, however, things are as “national interest”, of pre-12 June 1993 Nigeria, is gone and geria than Things Fall Apart was of Britain. not quite that simple and clear-cut. gone for good!

If Things Fall Apart was a dignified, taut and divinely crafted But judged from the prism of writer as robust social crusader Perhaps questioning Achebe’s judgment, by his last hurrah, creative prose that won about everyone’s attention, empathy (which the Nobel citation also noted), Soyinka is it. Beyond would be going too far.

But beyond clannish roar and the and awe, There was a Country, a non-fiction that nevertheless strident protests over Ndigbo troubles, Achebe was much more emotive whipping of ethnic flag to toast a master race allegbordered on the fictional, with its wild, sweeping and badmuffled over other Nigerian crises: June 12 crisis, Ken Saroedly stopped in its track, There was a Country did not show tempered claims; and ringing denunciation of pan-Nigeria sinWiwa state murder, among others. Soyinka’s The Man Died enough sensitivity to the plight of the Ndigbo still trapped, and ners doing in the meek Igbo saints, belonged more to the and You Must Set Forth at Dawn, fully document how Civil the coming generation to be trapped, in the Nigerian debacle. world of the virago than of the grand old sage, where Achebe War activism sent the author to gaol; and how he rallied gloIt certainly did not win the Igbo new allies; nor prescribe a rightly belonged. bal conscience against the Abacha state murder of Saro-Wiwa. reasonable way out of the jam, beyond a shrill orchestration of Not a pretty sight, to be sure. But that was Achebe’s brutally So, was Achebe roused to action not by injustice per se, but by the Igbo as victim, without admitting the vast ruin of panfrank (some insist, impassioned) reaction to Nigeria’s everinjustice meted his native Ndigbo? That is no illegitimate poser!

Nigeria victimhood. unfolding crisis of nationhood, with its penchant for injustice The literature of Achebe is simple, rigorous, clear and sweet; This, of course, is no unanimous verdict. To the Achebeas national ethos; and the insouciance to dominate, with its the majesty of an uncluttered mind that made Things Fall Apart converted, There was a Country was a tribute to the master happy-go-merry march to self destruction. such a classic; and set a benchmark for the African novel. storyteller’s brutal candour, like The Trouble with Nigeria (1983) That much was clear from the British-programmed HausaBut the politics of Achebe is far less edifying: partial, insenbefore it.

Fulani hegemony; the brief Igbo ascendancy that ended in sitive, rancorous and insecure – all in defence of his Igbo peoBut all too often, people come to be judged by their own Civil War (1967-1970) and fired the Achebe bitterness in There ple and culture, against Nigeria’s internal colonisers: hardly a professed principles; and there is but a thin line between bruwas a Country; the Olusegun Obasanjo me-first-others-never crime. tal candour and bad grace, particularly when candour is brupresidential philosophy, disguised as altruistic national ethos; The snag is, with all due respect to individual differences, tally exercised on wrong occasions. So, it is with Prof. Achebe. and of course, the brainless muscle-flexing of Goodluck the Igbo elite does not mind dominating others, yet are shrill When Obafemi Awolowo died and politically correct jiving Jonathan’s current Ijaw presidency. to protest perceived domination by others. But to all these, was waxing poetic about giving him a “national burial” (even The most casual of logical introspections, therefore, must Achebe appeared patriotically blind, deaf and dumb; even with if Awo was only pre-independence Premier of old Western reveal that about everyone is a victim in Nigeria’s vast physihis rather indulgent criticism of Igbo brashness and Region), Achebe cut the crap, insisting Awo did not deserve a cal, spiritual and psychological killing mine. triumphalism. That made There was a Country so rankling. national burial because he was a “tribalist”. Well, Achebe Yet, what Achebe did in his swan song, There was a Country, Between literature and politics, therefore, an author met own himself died not exactly a “nationalist”. was to pounce on co-victims in the Nigerian morass; and with debacle: noxious gas from Nigeria’s institutionalised injusAlso, after Wole Soyinka, his great contemporary, won the the arrogance of a writer’s licence, tarred them as the Igbo tice, and the resultant fierce rivalry, robbing his golden mind Nobel, Achebe quipped: winning a European prize did not of pristine equitability! make Soyinka the Asiwaju of African literature.

WS, a “The literature of Achebe is simple, So, there was a Chinua from Nigeria who could easily have wordsmith that takes no prisoners, promptly countered: he been an icon of global justice. But he bowed out as a patriotic rigorous, clear and sweet. But the had no intention to become the Ogbuefi of African literature! ogre against Igbo-tailored injustice – hardly illegitimate in Was Achebe resentful of Soyinka’s win – and why the ethnic politics of Achebe is far less edifyNigeria’s killing fields. colouration?

Still, that was a much diminished place for his world-acThat, of course, dovetails into the sterile controversy over ing: partial, insensitive, rancorous claimed genius. But it is yet another glaring example of the WS, Achebe and the Nobel. and insecure” harm Nigeria does, even to its greatest minds.

In sheer fecundity, Soyinka’s 34 titles in non-fiction, novels,

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EFORE the proclamation of state of emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday May 14, the insurgents may have imagined that by scaling up their terror machine, the typically weak-kneed Jonathan administration would literally be on its knees begging them to come to table for discussions. Going by developments in the past week, they may have tragically misfired. Not only does it seem unlikely that things would go their way in the near term, even more unlikely is the prospect of gaining an upper hand – ever.

Recently on this page – that is, shortly after the so-called Baga massacre of April 16, I had predicted an escalation of the crisis. My simple reason was that the insurgents would most certainly misread the outrage over what was generally perceived to be the military Joint Task Force’s excessive use of force to upscale their offensive. Of course, with the military left to rue the aftermath of the unfortunate situation, the opportunity to cash upon the condemnations provoked by that military action would seem too good a chance to miss – by the insurgents and their sympathisers – to further pin the JTF’s back to the wall. Don’t forget that the amnesty committee had also started work on the purpose-made amnesty for the mass murderers days before; for the group, the strategy became one of coming to table only on terms that they find agreeable.

That was the premise of my prognosis of possible heightened hostilities. Well, it turned out a bull’s eye four weeks later. On May 7, the insurgents staged another high profile assault in Bama that left 55 people, mostly soldiers and policemen dead. Since then, it has been regular tales of unrelenting skirmishes.

I have followed the various shades of the argument either to justify or declaim the emergency. I can only say that we would not be the complex people that we are said to be without the typical hair-splitting debates over nothing of substance really. So what – that the federal government is finally standing up to its duty of routing the band of savages?

And the arguments? Some say that the emergency is unwarranted. They cite the fact that the affected states are already heavily militarised which makes the proclamation superfluous. Should that be a problem?

Others on the other side of the continuum insist that the emergency did not go far enough, that the democratic structures should not have been left intact. So, how about drawing an iron curtain around the three states for effect?

Admittedly, those in the category of the former are a negligible minority; however, that alone does not necessarily make them wrong. What makes their prescriptions far off the mark is the understatement of the nature of the problem, a lack of appreciation of how far deep the roots of the insurgency lies buried in the communities North-east, and, if I may add, the denial that any prospects of resolving the security challenges stands a no-hoper without a strong,

There was a Chinua

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

What’s in emergency? deterrent force firmly on the ground.

As for the latter group, I do not think that anyone should be in doubt about what an emergency is supposed to achieve.

The main idea is to restore normalcy to the states affected by the insurgency. Aside the requirement of the need to restore law and order, hence the authority of the government, nothing in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) even remotely suggest the supplanting of the democratic order by any other arrangement. In any case, removing the elected functionaries in the circumstance would have pronounced them complicit in the crisis – and this unfortunately so in a situation where they have no control of the police and other security agencies all of which are under the direction of the federal government.

Now, just by the carnage unleashed by the terrorists in Borno and Yobe in the last few months, Tuesday’s action by the President would appear several months late in coming. The exception would be the inclusion of Adamawa – a relatively peaceful state among the states under emergency rule. Even then, the government has since clarified that the latter’s proximity to Cameroon and the need for the military to have a wide area of coverage justified its inclusion.

The issue of course is that the nation is at war. Those preferring to live in denial are free to choose whatever to believe. What cannot be denied is that the war is being fought on land and in the skies; and we are told that both sides have the most lethal arsenal available for modern warfare. As for the prospects of a negotiated peace, this will certainly come – but only after a decisive tilt in the scale of battle.

Now, my sympathy goes to those dreamy-eyed Nigerians who still nurse the dream that the nation would at some point be able to tap into the inherent goodness of mass murderers.

Or that the Boko Haram would one day be amenable to reason without unleashing the awesome power of the federal

government as we have seen in the past week. Unlike them, I suffer no blind faith that the terrorists who freely lob bombs into places of worship, those deranged fellows who have been unrestrained in the use of weapons of mass destruction, would overnight become purveyors of peace. I have argued elsewhere, it won’t happen. It has to be made to happen.

To me, the whole point about the emergency is to make the cost of the insurgency so unbearable to the elements of the Boko Haram as to make the option of peace desirable. Now, with the JTF boots firmly on the ground, the citizens of the communities – yes, the innocent victims – have one good chance to demonstrate good faith: to assist the JTF to rid their territory of the brigands. It seems to me the only way to shorten their own pains too. That is what citizenship demands. Any other suggestion is bunkum.

Feedback Re; Madam Rufai’s other children Dear Mr Oni, do you know that there is a department of Business Administration in each of our tertiary educational institutions? What businesses are these army of graduates to administer? Short-term: enhance artisanship and convert the hordes of educated unemployed to artisans. If you have reliable SUREP links, there are credible trainers with fast track programmes.

Medium to long-term: overhaul the NUC for a planningdriven platform. Femi Fadairo Your position on Madam Rufai’s lamentation as regards inadequate tertiary institutions to absorb candidates is timely and commendable. I am not surprised however because lamentation is the beacon of Jonathan’s administration. We should truly go back to the vocational trainings of yore.

Government should ensure that discrimination against HND vis avis degree certificates should be discouraged. Let us deemphasise paper qualification because it leads to all manners of malpractices. Agaba Okpe

‘the whole point about the emergency is to make the cost of the insurgency so unbearable to the elements of the Boko Haram as to make the option of peace desirable. Now, with the JTF boots firmly on the ground, the citizens of the communities – yes, the innocent victims – have one good chance to demonstrate good faith: to assist the JTF to rid their territory of the brigands’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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COMMENTS

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O fewer than 2000 Nigerians have reportedly fled to Niger Republic from Borno State as the effect of the state of emergency and concomitant military action declared on the state and two others in the north east last week by President Goodluck Jonathan begins to bite.

And as the people head to destination unknown in desperation, one can only hope that their flight from home would not be permanent and that the president would return peace to the troubled region very soon.

Restoring peace and security to Borno, Adamawa, Yobe states in particular and the rest of northern Nigeria under threat of annihilation from the rest of the country

by Boko Haram insurgents would be the greatest single challenge and achievement of the Jonathan presidency and could determine whether he gets another term in office in 2015.

The fact that the man has decided to use the sledge hammer now shows how desperate he is to get the Boko Haram problem behind him and face the other dangers facing his bid to retain power post 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan probably reckons he needs to quell the insurgency first before he could ask us for our votes again but he may have left his action too late as it is doubtful whether the latest of his military actions against the terrorists would not just end the problem but also endear him to Nigerians, especially our compatriots in the north.

To win this war he needs time and that he doesn’t seem to have as presidential election is due in about twenty months

‘But it would be foolish to think this war on terror on its own would bring peace and guarantee security not just in the troubled areas alone but all over the country without a political programme. Jonathan must pursue a political solution side by side with this war’

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S a resident in Delta, one development that has impressed me greatly is transport. The administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has no doubt given transportation uncanny attention deserving of some mention. Part of this transformation agenda has made Delta Line buses with its white and blue colour a common feature in towns and villages of Delta State and many cities in Nigeria. This leads me to conclude that across Nigeria, Delta state comes tops in such well organized, integrated transportation structure with public buses almost outnumbering privately operated buses.

Because of what I observed, I decided to research further the extent and impact of Delta government transport policy. The intervention in transportation by the government of Uduaghan became prominent in 2008, with the establishment of Delta state urban mass transit scheme when Governor Uduaghan launched 168 brand new Toyota Corolla cars. Some of the Toyota set of cars were given out to interested drivers as part of government empowerment program; others were allocated to Delta Line Transport Company for commercial purposes.

In 2009 and 2010, the state government further increased the fleet with the purchase and commissioning of 100 and 200 number brand new Hiace buses. This holistic approach in transportation should be recognized as a major infrastructure development, a critical component of the three-point agenda of Uduaghan administration. It is also a demonstration of the Delta administration’s total commitment to opening up the state to attract tourist and investors.

By the acquisition of 800 vehicles, comprising Hiace buses, Toyota taxi cars and Marcopolo buses, the governor has stemmed the hitherto crisis that greeted the transport sector during the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector early 2012.

Similarly, in marine transportation, hun-

Last throw of the dice from now. Before polling day the party primaries and other pre-election party activities to choose the presidential candidate would have taken place much earlier, say late next year or early 2015.

To be in a good position to get his party’s ticket and win our votes at the polls, he would need to have run Boko Haram out of town by not later than this time next year and begin a physical and political building process in the affected region to restore faith and confidence in himself and his administration.

But can he “finish” off Boko Haram in one year?

According to the military high command, the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorists is beginning to yield positive results. But it is early days yet and nobody should be carried away by the initial success of the “shock and awe” tactics employed by the military. This is expected more so as helicopter gun-ships and fighter jets were being deployed for the first time against the terrorists. But we have all seen this type of tactics employed elsewhere and victory declared only for the Commander-In-Chief to eat his words. Recall that former US president George W. Bush went on a US Navy ship in the Mediterranean to declare victory prematurely in the second Iraqi war for domestic political gains, only for the Iraqi insurgents backed

by Al Qaeda to storm back forcefully in a series of hit and run attacks that left the Americans and their allies gasping for breath.

The way President Jonathan spoke and his body language during his national broadcast announcing the state of emergency showed a man desperate to win the

war on terror and combat insecurity and not a man convinced and determined to do so. And in his desperation he could do a number of things including genocide and other crimes against humanity just to be seen to be tough and on top of the situation and convince his doubters (who are in their millions) that he deserves another term in office.

This is where the danger lies. I can’t see this war ending in six months or one year, but the longer it persists the worse it would get for President Jonathan’s second term ambition. So the man would want to end it quickly, and in doing so, his military could be given the power to even commit murder within the amorphous power conferred by the provision of the state of emergency.

We have seen how brutish our soldiers could be even when operating under normal times as in the Odi town massacre and Zaki Biam destructions and killings. We have seen a taste of it in Baga under Jonathan’s watch; even in Jos. As his desperation grows, more of such could happen, but it would be counter productive both for the nation and the president’s political agenda/ambition.

To inflict a collective punishment on the people in Boko Haram infested areas could only end the war but not bring peace as the innocents that suffered could end up being alienated from the government and holding grudge against the Nigerian state and her institutions like the police and other security agencies. Remember injustice was at the core of Boko Haram’s grievances, albeit misplaced, against the Nigerian state.

There is therefore, the need for the rule of

Restoring sanity to Delta’s transportation

By Ejiro Idama dreds of 19U speed boats have been acquired, while several jetties have been built in the coastal communities. Over 21 of such landing jetties were provided between 2008 and 2010 fiscal year. The Delta publics, who are mainly the beneficiaries, have shown great enthusiasm and gratitude to their loving governor for this intervention, particularly, with the regulated fare. The downward review of the fares has had tremendous impact as it has put private operators in check.

In a random poll which I conducted across Delta state over several months. I found many respondents reacting differently to the state government’s programme especially after the introduction of tricycles, popular called Keke, in addition to the buses and the regulated use of motorcycle in certain communities in Delta communities.

For example when I spoke with a tricycle operator in Asaba, the state capital, Jonathan Ator, believes that the regime of tricycles and buses have been very beneficial to both the operators and commuters. To the operators, it has restored sanity in the sector and reduced frequent accidents occasioning limbs and leg fractures. “I feel a lot safer driving my tricycle, and the daily turnover is mouth watering”, says the unemployed Sociology graduate who prefers it to Okada for the safety it offers. Another commuter, this time a house wife and civil servant, Ruth Okuns, said, even though, it is yet to reach the door steps of many homes, it guarantees more safety for

her and her little kids who daily employ the services of tricycle for school runs. She commended Uduaghan’s initiative in this direction. Jaros Jarikre, who combines work and schooling and traverses Asaba where he works and Abraka, his school location, described the revolution as God’s intervention.

A ride to Abraka from Agbor, he said, is one of comfort. “All of us on this route have called the bluff of these shylock private operators, which hitherto have made travelling a nightmare. At the moment, those private buses hardly exist. I doubt if they still exist.

Deacon Aburi Adams, said members of the public have embraced the revolution as society and government is dynamic. There is nothing wrong with the innovation; he lauded the state government for its policy directives in the transport sector, describing it as wonderful. However, he called on the government to make the roads more motorable, so that more tricycles can reach the door steps of the commuters.

A public analyst in Warri, the commercial city of Delta State, Richards Achums described the Uduaghan revolution in the transport sector as novel. He said in Delta state, commuters feel very comfortable with government intervention. The visibility of Delta Lines buses, now popularly known as Uduaghan Buses in every part of the state has made transport fare very competitive. The masses now have alternative.

What is not lost on me is that this revolution which the governor brought into the transport sector of the state underscores the

engagement to be clearly spelt out for our military in this war against terror and all those involved should be told in clear terms that any breach will be punished with the full application of the law. Both the commanders and the troops should know this. And just as well, the terrorists should also know that they would account for their actions not just to God but also to Nigeria and the international community.

The tendency is also there for Jonathan, the politician, to want to beat his chest too early to claim victory in this war; this is not just dangerous and could amount to merely postponing the evil day, but could also give a false sense of security and lure the people into complacency and into harm’s way of Boko Haram. Iraq is there as an example, even after the Americans have exited peace is still elusive.

So, the military must be thorough and professional and remain as long as it takes to restore peace to the north east and other troubled spots in the north and should not succumb to any political pressure to declare victory prematurely.

But it would be foolish to think this war on terror on its own would bring peace and guarantee security not just in the troubled areas alone but all over the country without a political programme. Jonathan must pursue a political solution side by side with this war and in doing this must carry along the political class, the elites, elders, opinion leaders, and religious leaders in particular and the youth. Every segment of society, every good hand must be brought on board to achieve peace and security in that region.

Some have argued that the declaration of state of emergency is half-hearted because the democratic structures are still in place in those states and could be a hindrance to the effectiveness of the emergency rule. This is neither here nor there.

But suffice to say that if everybody is sincere, we can all work together to restore peace to our land and the president must take the lead, sincerely. But I have my doubt whether he can stay above politics and do the right thing in the interest of our unity and security. But he was no other choice. This is his last chance; his last throw of the dice. So to speak. If he fails, his 2015 project would go with it. government’s commitment to good governance. The mass transit program though remarkable a populists program has helped to ease the burden of the people greatly.

The economic vision did not only cushion the hardship of the deregulation of the downstream sector, it also provided the jobs for youths in commercial transportation with opportunity and today it is a success story.

The Uduaghan administration has procured 800 vehicles comprising Toyota taxi cabs, 500 Hiace buses, 60 Marcopolo buses, 10 Tata buses and 130 boats deployed to various communities in the state. This has immensely improved the transport sector and reduced the stress associated with daily movement of Deltans.

It is my hope that the administration will build on this before it leaves office in 2015.

Deltans have suffered a lot and deserves the continuation of this relief.

• Ejiro Idama is a public affairs commentator, who lives in Asaba state

‘The Uduaghan administration has procured 800 vehicles comprising Toyota taxi cabs, 500 Hiace buses, 60 Marcopolo buses, 10 Tata buses and 130 boats deployed to various communities in the state. This has immensely improved the transport sector and reduced the stress associated with daily movement of Deltans’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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INSIDE

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Wada’s wife seeks more technical colleges - Page 26

New deal for Abuja widows

Group makes case for women

- Page 27 •The widows at the event, and some of the items distributed

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Corps members sink borehole for community - Page 27

HE cloud of despair has lifted over widows in the nation’s capital. Elizabeth Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has come to their aid, bringing food, clothing and jobs tools.

The food and clothing will take care of immediate challenges on the home front while the jobs tools will put the widows in business, making it possible for them to look after themselves and their families in the long term.

It is a new deal for the women who lost their husbands and breadwinners.

Most of the widows could not believe what they were given at the event.

One of them, Mrs. Hanna Oma told Abuja Review that the foundation came to her rescue when her husband suddenly died while she was not doing anything to feed the family.

She said: “I have known

From Gbenga Omokhunu

Elizabeth Foundation for over three years now. When my husband died, the pastor of my husband’s friend that works here invited me to come and register. So, when I came, I registered my name and my children’s names and since then she (the founder) has been helping us pay school fees.

When we have any challenge in the family and call upon her, she will answer, she helps us solve the problem by the grace of God. “Since I met her, she has been helping with payment of our house rent, clothing, and on Christmas Day celebration.

She calls us to come and rejoice with her. She buys things for the children and sometimes she gives us money. She also tries to encourage us on the challenges in the home. She helps us immensely; especially in the area of paying our children’s school fees which she has been shouldering up to

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

university level.”

Another widow, who did not want to disclose her name also said: “She has paid my house rent, children’s school fees and helped us even with foodstuffs. The foundation includes outsiders who are not necessarily members. We have been going outside and inviting everybody. As far as you are a widow, you can register with the foundation.’’

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Matters, Mrs. Nehi Okunmwendia, government will assist the widow.

She said: “Like we said during the skill acquisition programme, the office of the NGO has areas like education, poverty alleviation and good governance on which it focuses attention. They say that there is dignity in labour. So, we want to help them to actualise their

dreams. This is because some people have talents but don’t know how to go about actualising them.

“So, we want to bring out that potential to enable them empower themselves. If we train them, we give them capital to start.

“So, we are trying to reduce poverty in Nigeria. The Senate President has a passion for that. Actually, whenever they have such conventions for widow, the Speaker usually asks them to find something to do, which is how we want to empower women so that when their husbands die, they will be able to take care of the children and themselves.

“Government cannot do everything. That is why we have all these NGOs that can help in this aspect. We don’t give money directly; we try to understand what kind of skill •Continued on Page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Wada’s wife seeks more technical colleges

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•Mrs. Wada

IFE of the Kogi State governor and Chief Executive Officer Faridah Wada Foundation, Mrs. Faridah Wada has reiterated the need to establish more technical colleges in the country with a view to tackling unemployment and youth restiveness.

Mrs. Wada spoke during a Spelling Bee competition organised for junior secondary schools in Abuja.

The schools that participated in the competition included Community Staff Secondary School, Asokoro; Government Secondary School, Jikwoyi; Government Secondary School, Karu; Government Secondary School, Tudunwada and Government Secondary School, Maitama.

From Olugbenga Adanikin

The event was jointly organised by corps member, Miss Zainab Haruna in conjunction with the Faridah Wada Foundation at Government Science and Technical College, Garki.

In her opening remarks, the Mrs. Wada said technical edu-

cation was a panacea for curtailing the unemployment rate in the country.

“If students are made to learn and acquire technical skills at this level by the time they are through with tertiary education, they would still have something which they can fall back to in the absence of any

If students acquire technical skills at this level, by the time they are through with tertiary education, they would still have something which they can fall back to in the absence of any job

‘Don’t politicise land-swap initiative’ HE FCT Administration has warned against the politicisation of the FCT Land Swap programme because infrastructure must be provided in the entire 250 square kilometres of the Federal Capital City as well as the 8,000 square kilometres that comprise the Federal Capital Territory through an affordable means.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed gave this warning while inaugurating the 30member Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of Land Swap Programme and Resettlement Matters at the FCDA Conference Room, Central Business District, Abuja.

Senator Mohammed also cautioned those who may wish to hijack the genuine concerns of the people to cause confusion to desist from such acts.

He said: ”Let me use this opportunity however, to serve a word of caution to those that may wish to hijack the genuine concerns of the people to cause confusion”.

According to him, “We, as an administration prefer the way of dialogue and civil approach to all matters affecting the citizens of the FCT. We cannot however, abdicate our

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From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

responsibility for maintenance of peace, wherever there is a threat to law and order”.

The minister remarked that the inauguration is a follow-up to the promise made during the Special Town Hall Meeting convened last month to discuss matters affecting the FCT Land Swap Programme.

He reiterated that the meeting was designed to provide a forum for all stakeholders to make input into the Land Swap Programme as well as to listen to the concerns of the various communities that would be affected by the project among others.

Senator Mohammed recalled that the deliberation at the meeting was conducted in a free and fair atmosphere, adding that the occasion provided a unique opportunity for the administration to listen keenly to the submissions made by various stakeholders.

The minister described the meeting as a huge success because all stakeholders participated and therefore used this occasion to thank all that attended the event.

“Your contributions remain an in-

valuable resource for our administration and make us proud. It, indeed, was democracy at work and at its best. We showed the whole world our transparent desire to listen to all and to carry everyone along” he stressed.

The minister noted that one great lesson learnt at the occasion was that there was still need to allay the resettlement fears of the various communities that are likely to be affected by the project.

Senator Mohammed also noted some communication gaps that needed to be bridged and misinformation that required correction because FCT Administration is guided by the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and cannot fold its arms or turn a deaf ear to the genuine yearnings of its citizens.

He said that his administration has been in constant dialogue with all stakeholders; explaining “on the same strength, we have gone ahead to constitute a 30- member Ministerial Committee to harness the lessons learnt at the event and to address the grievances expressed by the affected communities.

“Accordingly, the Chairman and

Secretary of this committee are Engr.

John Obinna Chukwu, FCT Permanent Secretary and Malam Baba Kura Umar of the FCDA Resettlement and Compensation Department FCDA respectively”.

Senator Mohammed emphasised that the committee has been made large enough so that all shades of opinion are represented and all issues are thoroughly examined with solutions proffered.

Meanwhile, the terms of reference of the committee are as follows:• to examine all the presentations made at the Town Hall meeting of Friday, April 26, 2013 and advise government on subsequent action.

• to visit the Communities affected by the Land Swap Project and

job,” she said.

She commended Miss Haruna, the initiator of the competition and promised that her organisation would sustain the project even after the pass out of the corps members.

“As a group, we believe in the girl child education and the youth. I wish to state here today that what Miss Zainab has started will be sustained by the Faridah Wada Foundation so that her efforts will not be in vain,” she said.

At the end of the competition which was supervised by the Head of Department, English and Linguistics Nasarawa State University Dr. Gideon Omachonu, Community Staff School Asokoro emerged winners and were followed by Government Secondary School Karu. determine the best way forward on matters of their resettlement/compensation. * interface with relevant community groups/associations within the Land Swap site and establish confidence-building measures. * ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to enable government conduct all outstanding surveys to gather vital data required for implementation of the scheme and * advise government on any other matter relevant to the success of the resettlement scheme at the Land Swap Districts among others.

While saying that he expects the report not later than three weeks from the inauguration day the minister reiterated the commitment of his administration to partner with the original inhabitants and the entire residents of the FCT in a bid to achieve the dream of the founding fathers.

The inauguration is a follow-up to the promise made during the special Town Hall meeting convened last month to discuss matters affecting the FCT Land Swap Programme

New deal for Abuja widows •Continued from Page 26

they want to engage in, get the specification, start it for them and get a group to monitor them because you cannot just give someone money without monitoring to ensure that everything goes well.”

The founder, Mrs. Angel Adelani was in tears when explaining how she started the foundation with little support.

She said: “The challenges were majorly funds because if I have funds, there are a thousand and one things that I will

like to do.

“My most pressing need for now is a plot of land. I would want government to give me a plot of land where I can build houses for them and try to empower them. My advice to widows is to hold on tight because God is able to meet them at the point of their needs. Their focus should be on God. It’s not very easy for them. They have emotional, financial and social problems. They are stigmatised as widows because they happen to be from Nigeria.”

My most pressing need for now is a plot of land. I would want government to give me a plot of land where I can build houses for them and try to empower them. My advice to widows is to hold on tight because God is able to meet them at the point of their needs. Their focus should be on God. It’s not very easy for them

•Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Foundation Mrs. Angel Adelami (left), Special Assistant to Senate President on NGOs, Mrs. Nehi Okumwendia (middle) presenting some items to a widow Hajiya Binta Usman (right) in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Group makes case for women

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HE African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), a non-governmental organisation has called on government and financial institutions to assist them with funds to enable them to enhance economic growth as well as boost economic empowerment in the countr.

The group also disclosed its intention to train 500 women on computer application by the end of this year.

The International President of AWEP, Mrs. Sylvia Banda disclosed this in Abuja during the launch of the Nigerian chapter of AWEP. Banda, who appealed to government to support women and reduce the challenges women face in business, urged banks to ensure that the interest rate they plan has human face because three quarter of the world economy is generated by women.

Affirming Hilary Clinton’s statement, Mrs. Banda said: “Women can be the rock on which a freer, safer, more prosperous Africa is built.

They just need the opportunity.

“The African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) is an outreach, education and engagement initiative that aims to empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities.”

Also speaking, the President of AWEP Nigeria chapter, Mrs. Yemisi Iranloye, who also called for the

•These women have acquired skills Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

empowerment of women, explained that in the world today, the role of women is impeded due to lack of empowerment, insisting that for their role to be felt, they must be empowered economically.

She said: “World Bank asserted that women empowerment will

enhance productivity and development outcome and in Nigeria, women are the backbone of communities. Nigerian women believe that Nigeria will grow if they are part of the growth process.”

Still speaking on the significance of women, Mrs. Iranloye said “no nation is likely to experience economic growth if the women are not given the enabling environment.

Giving women greater earning power will boost children’s health.

Speaking about AWEP’s programme for this year, she said: “We have three programmes for the year. They will take place in the North and South. In the North, we shall be focusing on two products which are moringa and yellow pepper. We want to see how we can standardise moringa and become a leading exporter of it. In the South,

FCT warns against illegal document on parks

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HE FCT Administration will not release any title document on any park and garden within the 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed made this disclosure, while receiving the 17member delegation of the Indian Defence College that was in Abuja on a study tour of Nigeria, at the FCDA Conference Room, Central Business District, Abuja.

The minister revealed that all

Storie Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

Certificates of Occupancy meant for the parks and garden in the territory are domiciled in the Department of Parks and Recreation in the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

Senator Mohammed reiterated that no title document on any of the gardens would be released to the Park Operators because such areas are only being sub-leased and would be taken back at the expiration of the lease period depending

on activity on such areas.

According to him, the activity on such parks determines the lease period, which is being graduated between five and 35 years that is the maximum.

Senator Mohammed disclosed that since inception, the FCT Administration has been able to develop 30 percent of the Federal Capital City comprising of 250 square kilometers.

“Accordingly, the FCT Administration has out of 79 Districts of the Federal Capital City developed 11 with 68 districts still undeveloped,” he stressed.

The minister noted that India and Nigeria have similarities especially on their demographic challenges, which his administration is determined to turn into its utmost advantage.

He lauded the sound diplomatic

we will explore the species of banana and seafood.

“The last programme for 2013 is on funding. We will see how we can collaborate with the World Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order for the women to have funding opportunities.

Hopefully, by the end of this year, we will have big entrepreneurs doing massive export.”

She expressed hope that the funding opportunity will create enabling environment for women to do business in the country. That, in turn, will help them to cater for their children, community and contribute to the growth of the national economy.

She further explained that AWEP has embarked on training 500 of its women by the end of 2013.

“We have done a lot of training; training on food processing, on export. We have taken the women to NACO where export is being done and we have also partnered with Intel International to start teaching women how to do their accounting through the use of computer and even how to use Facebook.

“We want to train them on how to use the power of data to promote their business internationally and we just finished training 50 women on data processing and the 50 women will, in turn, train 10 women each.

“So, by the end of 2013, we will have 500 women trained on how to use data to promote their businesses internationally.”

Reacting to the demands of the women, the Special Adviser to the President on Gender, Mrs. Asmau Abdulkadir who described economic empowerment as second to the air we breathe assured women that the issue of funding will be addressed.

relations between Nigeria and India including their economic ties, which both nations have exploited to the benefit of their citizens.

The leader of delegation of the Indian National Defence College, Air Vice Marshal IP Vipin appreciated the warm reception accorded his team.

AVM Vipin who praised the rapid development being witnessed in Abuja within the short time of its conception, remarked that India and Nigeria have long standing history and would work to strengthen it.

Group seeks implementation of vocational framework

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HE Federal Government has been urged to implement the national vocational framework as it will add value to vocational qualification,address the falling standard of education and the worsening unemployment situation in th e country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kiara College, Endi Ezengwa made the call at a press briefing in Abuja.

He said government alone cannot provide employment for millions of Nigerians roaming the streets. Vocational education, according to him, remains the answer to the current problem.

He said Kiara Group of Companies is ready to provide holistic support that leads to improved wellbeing, employment and economic prosperity for ordinary Nigerians.

Ezengwa stressed that education stakeholders need to inculcate the spirit of skills acquisition in the Nigerian academics and curriculum should be tailored toward the needs of people so as to bridge the gap

between employer and the job seeker He said: “In UK, most of the degree holders are working in the small industry while people with vocational skills are working in the top places but in Nigeria the reverse is the case. I am not saying we should not have degree but the question is how useful are they to the society.

“That colonial mentality of having five degrees, seven degrees are not useful and is not something that could solve our problem; we need to have the right personnel to implement all these. “ The truth is that most of people in Nigeria grew up in the villages where parents sell houses, mortgage their farmland to send their children to university and at the end of all, no work for the graduates,” He encouraged government and stakeholders not to neglect the vocational education system as it is an impetus to economic growth and development.

•Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta (left) presenting ICPC law report to Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio during ICPC/Governors’ Forum in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

28

ABUJA REVIEW

Govt deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

O

•Comrade Abba Moro

VER 19,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the country since the deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents became rampant, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has said.

Moro, while expressing regrets that there is no accurate data on the number of illegal immigrants in the country due to what he termed the porosity of the Nigerian borders, disclosed that the United States government has promised to help in the provision of surveillance equipment to help stem the activities of the insur-

From Yomi Odunuga, Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital

gents.

He spoke in Abuja at the 27th session of the Leadership Forum organised by the Nigerian Newsworld Magazine.

He said: “19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of the country by the appropriate authorities under the ministry. There is no accurate figure of illegal immigrants in our country due to the porous nature of our borders and the wrongful interpretation of the

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Act. “On the cost of implementation of the surveillance equipment at our borders, we are in the process of certifying one of those that can be awarded. It is within the region of $2.6m and it was tendered by a Chinese firm.

“But that money may drastically reduce as the United States government is also in touch with us in fighting terror and the US government has offered to provide some surveillance equipment which we will deploy to the borders.”

Octogenarian launches three books T 82, a former public servant, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi has released a new set of historical books for public consumption.

The books, which include Know your Country and beyond; Election Contest; Candidate’s Companion and Sixty Years Long March towards Democracy, were described as significant to the nation’s history.

Speaking at the launch, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon who was chairman of the occasion, expressed optimism towards the books.

Gowon said: “Kurfi’s books would not only contribute towards improving the country’s educational standards but also the author’s descriptive and analytical presentations in all his books were informative. He also expressed his

A

F

OR some time now, Guyinda village, a community located around Idu Karimo in Abuja, has been experiencing serious water challenges. But a few days ago, the story changed and now they boast of potable water with the intervention of corps members who donated a manual borehole to them.

The three Batch B corps members in the Federal Capital Territory dug and donated the manual borehole to the community which identified potable water as its major challenge. They also trained some of the women on how to make beads and liquid soaps, among other things.

The trio, Haruna Amina, Owoeye Ebun and Haruna Blessing disclosed that they were inspired by boredom and their Community Development Service (CDS) Coordinator who announced the idea of rendering a personal community development service.

Aisha, who spoke to Abuja Review on behalf of the three corps members said: “I felt a bit bored at work because there wasn’t so much work in my place of primary assignment (PPA) and it was not taxing. So, I said to myself if this is how the whole one

From Jane Maha

joy of being the chairman of the book launch.

“I feel highly privileged being called to be chairman of this book launch and I am very impressed with the author’s drive towards constantly striving to educate the younger ones even at the age of 82,” Gowon added.

Described as most apt in the country’s history, the books were likened to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

Reviewer of the book, Know your country and beyond Prof. Godswill Obioma, portrayed the book as elucidating and synthesis of Kurfi’s thoughts on how Nigeria became a country, the challenges and achievements, as well as vivid accounts of socio-economic values domiciled in Africa.

In his remarks, reviewer of Sixty years march towards democracy, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, disclosed that the 292 leaflet was a comprehensive tale of Nigeria’s complex history of struggle to democracy, which scrutinises the 12 general elections in the country’s history.

He added that the book gave a detailed overview of Nigerian general elections from 1951 to 2011.

Also speaking, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, who was represented by Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyengi, described the books as apt considering the scenario of Nigerian politics.

“These books, especially the Sixty years march towards democracy should be made mandatory reading for our today’s young politicians before they can be allowed to

contest elections,” he said.

However, he said that Kurfi has just written based on his practical life experiences and he should be emulated by all; especially the young people.

It would be recalled Ahamadu Kurfi started his public service career with the Katsina Native Authority as classroom teacher in 1951 and joined the administrative service of the then Northern Nigerian Government in 1958 as an Assistant District Officer after he graduated in Economics at the University of Hull, England.

He served in various parts of the then Niger Province and was later transferred to the Federal Civil Service as an Assistant Secretary in 1960. Kurfi was also electoral officer for Kontagora Central Federal Constituency in 1959 federal elections.

Speaking on the danger posed by prison congestion in the country, the minister explained that if the National Assembly accepts the ministry’s request to change some sections of the Prison Act, the problem of congestion would reduce substantially.

He also said the prison service has been able to reform some of the inmates in spite of the huge challenges the authorities have had to grapple with daily.

“The resurgence of insurgents has led to some jail breaks across the country. However, as I speak with you, about 50 inmates are attending the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN); 90 are writing the West African Examination Council (WAEC); 690 have been rehabilitated after serving their terms; 109 have been trained in vocational skills and 145 trade-tested in artisanship.”

He also condemned the reported clash between men of the civil defence corps and the police, noting that the Presidency has intervened in the matter.

“It is unfortunate that the civil defence and the police should clash in the first place. Whatever reason that might have caused the occurrence of the incident, it is very unfortunate.

But Mr. President has intervened and we have all agreed that such a thing should not happen again.”

On the frequent deadly clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Moro said the government is on the verge of creating “separate routes and grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen. If they keep to that, I hope that would stem the tide.”

Corps members sink borehole for community From Faith Yahaya

year will be, I will find something to do. So, I decided to invite my friends who had already shown interest in doing something that will benefit other people.”

Continuing, she said: “When we got to the village, the main thing the village head told us was their need for water. Before we dug the borehole, their source of water was a river. We had to provide them with drinking water.

All other projects were just something to complement the main one.

“At first, they demanded an electric borehole but we felt it does not make sense because of the cost of fuelling a generator in case there is no light. Since they don’t have light there, what will happen when there is fuel scarcity?

Also, they are villagers who find it difficult to eat. How would they get money to fuel a generator? It does not make any sense. That was why we decided to sink the manual borehole,” she added.

On how they will maintain the borehole, the Village Chief, Chief Michael Agashi who was represented by Mr. Chinkobo prom-

At first, they demanded an electric borehole but we felt it does not make sense because of the cost of fuelling a generator in case there is no light. Since they don’t have light there, what will happen when there is fuel scarcity? Also, they are villagers who find it difficult to eat. How would they get money to fuel a generator? That was why we decided to sink the manual borehole

ised to assign the youth head to be in charge of the borehole, even as he said they would hold meetings from time to time to know if the borehole has any problem so that they will contribute money to effect repairs on it.

He said: “We are grateful for what these ladies have done for us. Our kids will no longer wake up by 4:00 a.m. to rush to the stream for water.”

The Chief, who appealed to government to dig more boreholes in the village also

called on corps members to be posted to the primary school located in the village.

Miss Haruna further explained that interested women were picked to participate in skill acquisition.

“We had one-on-one interview with them before they were selected to participate in the skill acquisition. This is because we didn’t want a scenario where we will train them with our meager resources and it will end as a waste.”

•The community now has a manually operated borehole

She added that “we are buying start-up materials for five bead-making participants and 10 liquid soap-making participants.

“I think health is everybody’s concern. We all fall sick; we all take medicine, we all drink water, and mosquitoes don’t choose who to bite. We were also able to conduct public health seminar on maternity, infant care, hypertension and the distribution of 100 pieces of mosquito nets,” she said.

29

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

‘ So, most of the judges, like all our youths who turned E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

to kidnapping, are all victims of mis-governance and crass corruption. It will be demoralising to other judges if they have to be kept in a state of fear and trauma of kidnapping See page 31

’

Emergency rule: Did Jonathan follow the law?

INSIDE: Courts and budget: Implications for access to Justice

Since last week’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan, the polity has been abuzz with criticisms of the action. Some have condemned the measure; others have commended it. Did the declaration follow the dictates of the Constitution? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU sought lawyers’ views.

-Page 32

LAC pushes pro bono to aid indigents’ access to justice

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-Page 33

‘State police will stop militancy’

-Page 34

• Dr Jonathan

VER before last week’s broadcast, many had expected President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in some Northeast states, especially Borno, over the Boko Haram insurgency.

To such people, it came as a relief when he took that step. Many are, however, questioning the rationale behind the President’s action. They contend that he did not follow the Constitution in declaring emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

To some lawyers, the President does not have the constitutional backing to declare emergency rule in any state without the governor’s request. They said he could only do so when the country is at war.

Others said he erred in law by not suspending democratically elected structures, such as the houses of assembly, governors, local government chairmen and councillors.

Another group argued that the president does not have the power to declare emergency rule without passing through the National Assembly or publishing his intent in an official gazette. For others, there is no precedent

for Jonathan’s kind of emergency rule. Their arguments are based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the same section President Jonathan invoked in declaring the emergency rule. Following troops deployment in the three states, the military swiftly imposed curfew on Adamawa and Borno states. The curfew did not go down well with the antagonists of emergency rule. According to them, the imposition of 6pm to 6am curfew contravenes the principle of necessity and proportionality under Sections 33(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and 41(2) of the 1999 Constitution. They said it was also an abridgement to Resolution 60/288 of the United Nations Global Counter-terrorism Strategy, which Nigeria is a signatory to.

However, some lawyers, citing the same Section 305, are of the view that the president acted in consonance with the law.

They maintained that Jonathan would have committed a constitutional blunder if he had toed the footsteps of former President •Continued on page 30

Processes, proceedures of Tax Appeal Tribunal -Page 35

How to maintain law and order -Page 36

Religion and security: A legal perspective -Page 37

• Justice Rhodes-Vivour and his wife Adedoyin at an event in Lagos.

How to stop kidnapping, by lawyers

PHOTO: NNEKA NWANERI

What can be done to stop kidnapping? This is the question many have been asking since the malaise assumed a frightening dimension. The kidnapping of the wife and daughter of Supreme Court Justice Bode RhodesVivour on May 10 has made it more compelling to untie this Gordian knot.

Lawyers suggest strengthening the security agencies, improving intelligence gathering and building public confidence in the security system to engender citizens’ cooperation to fight the problem. They are also seeking the resolution of fundamental issues that enable crimes, such as kidnapping, to thrive, writes JOSEPH JIBUEZE. •SEE page 31

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D

Emergency rule: Did Jonathan follow the law?

• Continued from page 29

Olusegun Obasanjo, who in declaring emergency rule on May 18, 2004 and October 19, 2006 in Plateau and Ekiti states respectively, pursuant to (the same) Section 305 suspended the governors and state houses of assembly.

The former president was accused of breaching the Constitution by not adhering to the provisions of Sections 11(4)(5), 188, 189, 109 and 110 on the removal of elected public officers, which states that such officers can only be removed either by impeachment by the state house of assembly; death; ill-health or resignation. They insisted that the President would have been dragged to court if he had over stepped his bounds by suspending democratic structures.

To them, the absence of precedence does not make a situation wrong, as the mere fact that it has never been done does not nullify the legality or rightness of an action.

Declaration of emergency rule is not peculiar to Nigeria. The United Kingdom (UK), the United States (USA), Egypt, Syria, among others, have or are still experiencing one form of emergency or the other.

In the UK, the British Sovereign, the Privy Council, or the Prime Minister can proclaim emergency regulations under the Civil Contingencies Act, 2004, when there is fatal threats to the human welfare, human society or environment such as; war or terrorism.

Declaration of a state of emergency in the USA is contained in Section 32 of the US Constitution, as well as Insurrection and National Emergencies Acts.

Under these laws, a state governor or local mayor has the power to declare an emergency rule within their jurisdiction during disaster, while the US President declares a federal state of emergency.

Presently, the US is formally in a limited state of emergency that began on January 24, 1995, with the signing of Executive Order 12947 by President Bill Clinton.

It was further extended by Proclamation 7463 of President George Bush in 2008, as well as President Barrack Obama’s continuation of national emergency with respect to certain terrorist attacks order of November 11, 2012.

What the law says The president has the sole power to declare a state of emergency, derived from Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Section 305(1) which states: “Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the President may by instrument published in the official gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.”

By the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 305, the proclamation can be made only if the federation is at war; in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war; there is actual breakdown of public order and safety in the federation or any part that requires extraordinary measures to restore peace and security; a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public law and order in the federation or any part that requires extraordinary measures to avert; the occurrence of imminent danger or disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or section of the community in the federation; there is danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the federation; or when the president receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of 305(4).

Governors in accordance to Section 176 (2), are Chief Executive Officers of their states. Although Section 215 (4), empowers them to give lawful directions to a Commissioner of Police in their state or seek federal government intervention, Section 305(3)(g) and (4) constitutionally empowers governors to make a request to the president within a reasonable time for a state of

• Adekoya (SAN)

• Prof Sagay (SAN)

• Quakers (SAN)

‘Obasanjo did the right thing in declaring emergency in Ekiti and Plateau states; that was why a leading constitutional lawyer went to court against the government of Obasanjo and lost. There is nothing in Section 305 which stops the president from suspending democratic structures and there is nothing there which says the president can suspend them’ emergency after they must have obtained two third majority of their respective State Houses of Assembly.

A professor of law, Itse Sagay (SAN); chairperson, Nigerian Bar AssociationSection on Legal Practice, (NBA-SLP), Mrs Funke Adekoya; Chief Felix Fabohungbe (SAN), Norrison Quakers (SAN), Niyi Akintola (SAN), Bolaji Ayoride (SAN), Yusuf Ali (SAN), Joseph Nwobike (SAN), Dr. Fred Agbaje, Dr. Tijani Ahmed, Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Onyekachi Ubani, Mohammed Fawehinmi and Ikechukwu Ikeji all agreed that the president has the sole power to declare state of emergency.

Quakers said the power of the president to make this proclamation is dependent on the fulfillment of a condition precedent.

“Under the provisions of subsection (5) of Section 305, the president’s power to proclaim a state of emergency in a state would crystallize, when the governor fails within a reasonable time to make a request to the president to issue such proclamation.

“The wordings of this subsection are quite clear and unambiguous. The proclamation made by the president might be brought under this subsection. The word ‘reasonable time’ as used in this subsection is subjective particularly in the light of the incessant bombings and mayhem unleashed in the states and the killing of policemen in their lawful and constitutionally assigned duty.

“No responsible government will stand by until the state or states are engulfed in monumental crisis resulting in the destruction of lives and properties and displacement of persons.’

Sagay said those who are contending that the President does not have such powers are ignorant of the provisions of the law, as it is only the President who can exercise such a power.

Fawehinmi said the President’s action was justified and he acted in compliance with Section 305(3)(a) and (f).

Non-suspension of democratic structures The Constitution did not state if

democratically elected structures should be sacked or suspended.

While some of the lawyers described the situation as ambiguous and discretionary, others argued that there is no ambiguity especially because there are other provisions on the removal of elected public officers.

Those who said the president was right in not suspending the democratic government, argued that state of emergency only gives the military and the president the power to move with very little restrictions from human rights provisions.

As a result, they declare curfew, arrest and detain people, go from hometo-home without court restrictions and with no effect on the status of a governor or the other democratic structures.

Those against Jonathan’s style said the mere declaration of a state of emergency connotes the suspension of all democratic structures.

Fabohungbe described Jonathan’s proclamation as a partial state of emergency, while that of Obasanjo was complete. He argued that both declarations were correct and constitutional.

“The constitution says the president should declare state of emergency but Jonathan chose not to do it in full. Removing the Chief Executive will be total. I think Jonathan acted the way he did with respect to the seriousness of the matter.

“Section 305 is a general provision and the Supreme Court has not made any pronouncement the issue, so, it is subject to the manipulation or interpretation of the President in a way that will suit the action he may want to take,” he said.

Sagay said there was a no ambiguity, nor was the action unconstitutional. He said the Constitution does not permit either the President or National Assembly to remove or suspend elected officials.

His words: “Section 305 has no such provisions. It only permits the President to declare a state of emergency, which has to be confirmed within 10

days by the National Assembly.

“Based on our experience in 1962 when the Western Region Government was suspended and people were detained and the region’s governor removed by the federal government, the drafters of the 1979 constitution, which is replicated in the 1999 constitution were careful, having learnt the lesson of the abuse of power by the Balewa government, which resulted in the total breakdown of the first republic.

“What they did was to make a clear, express provision in Section 11(4)(5) where it is stated that a state of emergency cannot affect the status of a governor neither can it affect that of the House unless the House is unable to meet.

“It is a straight forward thing. I do not know why this ignorant people are just talking in the air without making reference to the constitution. So, there is absolutely no ambiguity and what the president did is laudable.”

Adekoya argued that it is possible to have a state of emergency without removing executive and legislative structures.

She said: “The method by which a State Governor loses his office is also stated in the Constitution and it can be argued that it would be unconstitutional to remove a governor by any other means, including through declaring a state of emergency.

“In my opinion and based upon my understanding of the Constitution, the actions taken by Obasanjo when he declared a State of emergency does not reflect the true constitutional provision.”

Quakers added that the President should be commended for not dismantling democratic structures as state of emergency does not envisage that.

But Agbaje said democratic structures ought to give way during an emergency rule to avoid parallel administrators, which will not augur well as the citizens will be confused as to whose order to obey.

“Obasanjo did the right thing in declaring emergency in Ekiti and Plateau states; that was why a leading constitutional lawyer went to court against the government of Obasanjo and lost. There is nothing in Section 305 which stops the president from suspending democratic structures and there is nothing there which says the president can suspend them.”

Fawehinmi said the only ambiguity was in allowing a constitutionally elected government to remain, which makes the process a bit tedious.

“When you are in a state of war, the first people you relate with is the defence or security apparatus of the country. The president has sole power to remove any governor without retribution if he feels and knows beyond reasonable doubt that such a person cannot effectively carryout his/her constitutional duties,” he said.

Akintola, who said the president was within the law by not sacking democratic structures, expressed worries that the measure taken by Jonathan may aggravate the current situation.

He added: “What he has done is in anticipation of the National Assembly’s approval. Of course, he has no power to sack any governor or dissolve the State Assembly without the consent of the Federal Legislature. It is a sign of impunity.”

While Ayoride said the President was in order and lauded the move, Ali said the president was right by not sacking the elected officials in the affected states because it would have amounted to punishing the wrong people for the failure of security institutions, which the president alone has control.

“What happened under President Obasanjo was an aberration. It was wrong to have sacked governors, who were not directly found to be the cause of the crisis.”

Nwobike described it as “a limited state of emergency” since elected officials were left in their places. “By not sacking the governors, the president

may be right, but this is a half way measure. I describe it as a limited state of emergency,” he said.

Hon argued that state of emergency comes in various shapes and forms.

“What happened under President Obasanjo was unconstitutional. State of emergency can be political, economical or constitutional. It depends on what the President seeks to achieve with it.

“What people should understand is that under emergency, some basic rights are suspended and security agencies, like the police can arrest and search your premises without warrant; people could be detained beyond the permitted period. So, let us not condemn yet. Let us watch and see.

He is the President and the issue of security is his responsibility,” Hon said.

Ubani believes the declaration was extreme and contradictory.

He said: “The declaration is not holistic since the democratic structures of the executive and legislature are still intact which is not different from what was obtainable before now.

“The declaration of emergency rule, therefore, may not end the crisis in the north. If care is not taken more troubles await the nation,” he added.

Ahmed said the discretion is entirely the President’s, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, adding: “The different perspectives to it are healthy. It shows people are concerned and interested in what is happening around them. I don’t think it is unconstitutional not to dismantle existing democratic institutions,” Ahmed said.

Ikeji the confusion was as a result of the fact that Section 305 did not provide for the actions that can be taken by the president. “Yes, we can have a state of emergency without removing the executive and legislative structures of a State. Conversely, we can still have one where the structures including, judicial, are suspended, not removed,” he said.

Lawyers seek amendment Lawyers called for an amendment of the constitution as well as the enactment of an Emergency Act that will clearly state the effect of a state of emergency.

Adekoya said the ambiguity can best be regulated by legislation such as the State of Emergency Act (1997) in South Africa or similar legislations in other countries. She was of the view that a regulation that stipulates the powers that may be invoked during a state of emergency should be put in place by the National Assembly extends the period.

Fabohungbe said there should be a law to break down the procedure without amending that Section of the constitution.

To Agbaje, the National Assembly should address the discrepancies by enacting a National Emergency Act that will spell out what should be done or what should not be done.

Ikeji urged the National Assembly to enact an Emergency Act as obtained in the United States and Canada so as to provide for details of what should happen during different levels of emergencies.

He added that the long term solution to insecurity and poverty is fighting corruption and convening a national dialogue, especially with respect to the fact that the constitution lacks authenticity as it tells a lie against itself and the Nigerian people.

‘No responsible government will stand by until the state or states are engulfed in monumental crisis resulting in the destruction of lives and properties and displacement of persons’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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LAW COVER CONT’D

A

TRADITIONAL ruler and re tired Deputy ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Chief Lawrence Oragwu, was abducted by unknown gunmen on June 2, 2011 in Agulu, Anaocho Local Government Area, Anambra State, on his way from church. Till date, he has not been found, dead or alive, nor has his family been contacted.

On October 24 last year, a Federal High Court, Lagos, ordered the State Security Service (SSS) and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate his kidnap and to report to the court in three months.

But there has been no news on the 80-year-old regent’s abduction, three years after he went missing.

Chief Oragwu’s abduction may be unusual as his family has not been reached with a ransom demand. The incidence of kidnapping in Nigeria has risen considerably in the last 10 years.

The latest of several high profile kidnap cases is that of Lagos lawyer Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, whose husband is a Justice of the Supreme Court.

She, with her daughter, said to be preparing to get married, and their driver, were kidnapped on May 10 near Benin in Edo State.

Security agencies were said to have expanded the search for the three to Ondo and Ekiti states following tracking signals that the kidnappers have relocated to some swamps along the two neighbouring states.

As at the time of filing this report, the kidnappers were said to have got in touch with some people, leading to the tracking of their location by the police and other security agencies.

In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person’s will. It involves holding the person in false imprisonment or confinement without legal authority. This may be done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime.

Nigeria is now ranked among such countries as Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechyna, Philippines, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico as kidnap havens, and is said to have moved up to the third position, behind Mexico and Columbia since 2007.

Kidnapping for ransom is a common occurrence in various parts of the world today, and certain cities and countries are often described as the “Kidnapping Capital of the World.”

In 2009, the Los Angeles Times named Phoenix, Arizona as America’s kidnapping capital, reporting that every year hundreds of ransom kidnappings occur there, virtually all within the underworld associated with human and drug smuggling from Mexico, and often done as a way of collecting unpaid debts.

In Nigeria, recent high profile kidnaps that come to mind are father of Nigerian footballer, John Obi Mikel, mother of the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Kehinde Bamigbetan and elder statesman Shettima Monguno in Maiduguri.

Others are Nollywood actors Pete Edochie and Nkem Owoh, elder brother of Super Eagles Defender Joseph Yobo, Nornu and footballer Christian Obodo.

Criminal gangs are estimated to make up to $500 million a year in ransom payments from kidnapping. There were reports that a whopping N50 million was paid within 72 hours to secure Monguno’s release.

Motives behind kidnappings include ransom, ritual purposes and terrorism-related reasons. There have also been cases of stage-managed kidnappings where people have colluded with kidnappers to stage their own abduction and later share the ransom with the supposed kidnappers.

Earlier in the year, some foreign construction workers were kid-

• Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar

• Taiwo

• Aturu

How to stop kidnapping, by lawyers napped on a site in Bauchi State. A terrorist group, Ansaru, claimed responsibility and later showed videos that led to the belief that the hostages might have been shot and killed.

The group claimed it executed the foreigners due to an attempt to rescue them. Another family of seven French nationals ended up in the hands of terrorists who captured them in Northern Cameroon and drove them into Nigeria.

While high profile cases get wideranging media attention, a lot of kidnapping incidents are resolved without publicity. Many people prefer to quietly pay the demanded ransom and move on as soon as the release of the victim is secured.

On February 26, 2006, Niger Delta militants kidnapped foreign oil workers to press home their demand, and since then, kidnapping seem to have been commercialised.

Victims have changed from being predominantly foreign oil workers to Nigerians, including parents, grandparents, toddlers and about anyone who has a relative that could be blackmailed into coughing out a ransom.

Analysts, including lawyers, say the rising incidence of kidnapping is one of the major symptoms of both ‘failed’ and ‘failing’ states.

They believe most of the countries where kidnapping have been pervasive have been either failed or failing states – Baghdad after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Columbia from the 1970s until about 2001, and Mexico between 2003 and 2007.

In most cases, kidnap victims are usually locked up with little or no attention paid to their physical needs or hygiene. It has also been found out that treatments meted out to victims vary. Sometimes kidnappers are harsh and hostile to their victims while at times they are courteous and unusually kind. Sadly, many victims have to cope with post-kidnap trauma even years after being released.

Many lives have been lost in the hands of kidnappers. While some die in the course of the harrowing experiences they are made to go through, some are deliberately executed, either as a result of having become “excess luggage” or when ransom is not forthcoming.

Some victims have also paid the ultimate price when kidnappers find out that their families play too smart by involving security agents in the ransom process in a bid to arrest them.

An attempt by a combination of British Special Forces and Nigerian

troops to rescue to a Frenchman and a Briton who were taken hostage by suspected terrorists in Sokoto last year led to their execution by their abductors.

Some have called for an amendment of the laws to make kidnapping a capital offence, although others have argued that the existence of the death sentence has not stopped armed robbery.

Last year, the Delta State House of Assembly, alarmed by the growing kidnapping trend, proposed the “Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2012” which sought to impose death sentences for kidnappers.

Bamigbetan, whose family allegedly paid N15 million before he was released, said said God made his captors to change their minds despite their initial plan to kill him.

According to him, the kidnappers claimed that they were graduates and that they did not like what they were doing but had to do it due to lack of jobs.

“One claimed to be an engineering graduate, another claimed to be a human resources management graduate, while another said he was already in final year in an American university when his father’s shopping complex was demolished and he had to be recalled home,” he said.

Worried by the incessant abduction of its members, the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of insecurity in Edo, particularly kidnappings, with the doctors apparently being the main targets.

Among doctors kidnapped was the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin, Olabisi Ihenyen, and her husband, Lionel.

The doctors blamed the porous security situation in the country on insensitivity on the part of government officials at all levels, adding that the effect of kidnapping on the state is too enormous, as it scares away potential investors and robs the state of the benefit of development opportunities.

“It clearly appears to us that the only safe place to live in Nigeria is Aso Rock,” they said.

“We therefore urge you to deploy the same security arrangement in the villa to the rest of Nigeria. That is the only way we can be assured that you are truly working in the interest of the people of this country.”

The NMA also said the scourge of kidnapping is a direct result of the

“long-standing irresponsibility of successive Nigerian leaders,” resulting from bad governance and corruption. It also blamed Nigeria’s “sad culture that venerates wealth without regard to its source”.

Experts say kidnapping affects the tourism potential of countries. Factors linked with the increase in kidnap cases in Nigeria include the distressed economic situation in the country, widening gap between the rich and the poor, unemployment, greed and get-rich-quick syndrome.

Low level of security has made arrest of kidnappers difficult, and the fact only few of those arrested have been prosecuted and punished seem to have emboldened perpetrators.

Lawyers believe a reform of the criminal justice system is essential to remove the bottlenecks in speedy justice dispensation. They said beyond strengthening the security agencies, improved intelligence gathering and building of public confidence in the security system to engender citizens cooperation are needed.

More importantly, the fundamental issues that encourage crimes such as kidnapping to thrive, including impunity among public officials and corruption must be decisively dealt with through effective leadership.

Analysts say to curb the menace, the government must provide equipment such as tracking machines and cameras to enable the security agencies track kidnappers easily.

There is also need to equip the security agencies better in order not to endanger the lives of victims. A law is also needed to deal with those whose homes are used as hiding points. The Anambra State government recently ordered the demolition of such hideouts.

The kidnap of members of Justice Rhodes-Vivour’s family has generated a lot of reactions. Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) condemned the abduction.

He said: “This is a very disheartening development. What has the Supreme Court justice done to deserve this traumatic experience? This is an assault on administration of justice itself. For whatever reason those that kidnapped his wife and daughter have, it is a very wrong reason and a very wrong decision.”

Former NBA President Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) said the high incidence of kidnapping was becoming shocking. He urged security agencies to do more.

Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch, Taiwo O. Taiwo, said the kidnap of

‘In most cases, kidnap victims are usually locked up with little or no attention paid to their physical needs or hygiene. It has also been found out that treatments meted out to victims vary. Sometimes kidnappers are harsh and hostile to their victims while at times they are courteous and unusually kind. Sadly, many victims have to cope with post-kidnap trauma even years after being released’

Mrs Rhodes- Vivour, a very active member of his branch, shows that no one is safe.

Chairman, NBA, Ikeja Branch, Onyekachi Ubani, expressed displeasure at the state of insecurity and government’s inability to address the issue.

He said it was frightening and alarming that judges and their family members were now targets of the kidnappers, adding that the danger this would do to the already battered justice system was better imagined.

He called on all government agencies and other relevant stakeholders to arrest this situation.

A lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Mr Nelson Ogbuanya, said: “Incidentally, kidnapping landscape in Nigeria has been elevated out of criminality to business concern. Speaking from corporate legal point of view, the scenario is just analogous to business operation, where proposal is submitted and the contract negotiated and executed with full payment made.

“Here, the victims are kidnapped and their family member(s) contacted with a ransom proposal (ranging in millions of naira). The family, in a desperate but needed gesture to safe life, usually cooperates and accepts to pay a negotiated sum.

“Thereafter, the victim is released and the family hosts an expensive thanksgiving party with friends and well-wishers(potential victims), for being released unhurt!

Then the next victim....and the business goes on...

“Despite the risk elements in high profile kidnapping witnessed so far in Nigeria, how many companies can post even a pre-tax profit as much as the sum reportedly paid as ransom by families of kidnap victims?

“Paradoxically, it is the return on investment that provides the incentive for continuity, particularly in a lax environment.”

Rights activist Bamidele Aturu said until the leaders correct social imbalances, kidnapping would remain. He added: “Kidnappers must be fished out and punished firmly and swiftly. The truth is that the political elite have lost it completely. The security agencies are merely groping in the dark while anarchy reigns supreme.

“It is amazing that President Goodluck Jonathan and his security chiefs are watching idly while Nigeria is parceled among ethno-religious militias of various hues.

“This sort of incompetence, I believe, is unknown to human history.

Let no one politicise the madness that is going on in Nigeria, it is not a case of failure of leadership or of the state (as some fancy), but their absence.

“The state is not failing in Nigeria, nor has it failed, it has vanished.

Welcome to warlordism of the most virulent kind.”

Another human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, blamed youth unemployment, corruption and economic mismanagement as the root causes of kidnapping.

He said: “Judges are very conservative people, they do not appropriate or allocate funds, they don’t administer pension fund or execute projects, and they have no private jets and mansions, but rather depend on their meagre salaries which, often times, are paid very late.

“So, most of the judges, like all our youths who turned to kidnapping, are all victims of mis-governance and crass corruption. It will be demoralising to other judges if they have to be kept in a state of fear and trauma of kidnapping.

“It will in turn affect the quality of judgments to be delivered by them and ultimately impact negatively on the democratic template,” Adegboruwa said.

He called on the NBA to urgently dialogue with the relevant government authorities to firm up the safety and welfare of judicial officers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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LAW & SOCIETY Text of a paper delivered by the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) at the 18th Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in Cape Town, South Africa

Courts and budget: Implications for access to Justice Abstract HE indispensability of courts in any given jurisdiction cannot be over em phasized as courts provide a forum to resolve disputes and to test and enforce laws in a fair and rational manner. In order to guarantee an effective court, funding becomes inevitable and the laws establishing courts; usually the Constitution ensures that particular allocation is appropriated to the court for its effective running. Adequate funding of the courts however still remains a challenge as evidenced in the condition of many courts in Nigeria today. This stands as an impediment to justice and it is against this background that this paper examines the effect of budget on access to justice. This paper focuses on Nigeria by examining court budget in terms of allocation to the National Judicial Council and juxtaposes the budget with the performance of the courts in the attainment of justice. The paper analyses the implication of court budget on access to justice and also discusses the ways lack of economic power affects access to justice. Besides advocating for an increment of allocation to the judiciary, it is recommended in this paper among others that more attention should be placed on Alternative Dispute Resolution and traditional administration of justice as these will lift some burden off the courts. Class action litigation is recommended to cut down the cost associated with litigation, representative action is recommended in the same vein as people without economic power will have their interests protected by those who do. It is also recommended that legal clinics should be made available in institutions and legal aid should be intensified.

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Introduction In Nigeria, the Federal Government under the Obasanjo administration in 1999 established the National Judicial Council (NJC) as a body responsible for disbursement of funds directly from the nation’s funds. This move was to ensure the independence of the judiciary as appropriation will be made directly to the courts through the NJC. The courts are established to uphold public safety and are most vulnerable when they are weakened as the protections they give will be jeopardized. Courts are usually weakened through poor funding arising from low budgeting, and when this occurs, access to justice is endangered.

1.The court system in Nigeria Courts in Nigeria are established by the Constitution. According to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, categories of court are in existence in Nigeria; these are the superior courts of record which are particularly established by the Constitution, and the inferior courts of record or ‘other courts’ which according to the Constitution can be established by the House of Assembly of each state. The Superior courts of record consist of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, State High Courts, Federal High

Group backs Okiro for police commission chair

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GROUP, the Niger Delta Youth Van guard (NDYV) has backed the ap pointment of former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro as the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC).

In a statement by its President Comrade Ehiogun Kenneth, NDYV said Okiro was experienced and well-placed to deliver on the job.

It described those opposed to the appointment as detractors, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice of the former police chief was a step in the right direction.

“We are not unaware of recent comments by all those raising issues on the appointment of Sir Mike Okiro as chairman of Police Service Commission.

“We wish to state categorically that beyond ethnic sentiment, Sir Mike Okiro is the right man for the job to head the Police Service Commission with his wealth of experience as former Inspector General of Police.

“And the current security challenges in Nigeria, the PSC need such headship so as to effectively reposition officers and men in ensuring national security,” the group said.

• Azinge (SAN) (left) and Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) during a roundtable on the reform of insolvency laws in Nigeria in Abuja.

Court, Sharia Court of Appeal, Customary Court of Appeal; Court martial and the National Industrial Court. While ‘Other courts’ consisting of Magistrate Court, Customary/ Area Court and Sharia Court.

1.1.Hierarchy of courts in Nigeria The Supreme Court of Nigeria This is the apex court in the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria. The court is presided over by the Chief Justice of the Federation who also heads the Judiciary. The court consists of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and such number of Justices not exceeding twenty one as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. The Supreme Court, to the exclusion of any other court, has original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Federation and a state or between states if and in so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends3. It has jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal.4 The Court is duly constituted if it consists of not less than five Justices of the Supreme Court5 except where it is exercising its original jurisdiction or a matter involves a question as to the interpretation or application of the constitution or whether any provision relating to the Fundamental Rights provisions of the Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened. In this regard, the Court is duly constituted if it consists of seven Justices of the Court.6

The Court of Appeal

The next in the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria is the Court of Appeal. It is composed of the President of the Court of Appeal and other Justices of the Court of Appeal not being less than forty-nine7. Besides its original jurisdiction8 the court has an appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the High Courts of the States and the Federal Capital Territory, Federal High Court, the Sharia Courts of Appeal of the States or of the Federal Capital Territory, Customary Courts of Appeal of the States or of the Federal Capital Territory as well as fromdecisions of a court martial or other tribunals as specified by an Act of the National Assembly. The court is duly constituted by not less than three Justices for the purpose of exercising any of its stated jurisdictions. For administrative convenience, the court is divided into Judicial Divisions which sit in various parts of the country namely, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Calabar, Ilorin and Port Harcourt.

The National Industrial Court The National Industrial court was established as a court under the 1999 Constitution, by virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration Act). The National Industrial Court exercises civil and criminal original jurisdiction to the exclusion of other courts in civil causes and matters relating to or connected with, amongst others; labour, employment, trade unions, industrial relations and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service, including health, safety, welfare of labour, employee, worker and matter incidental thereto or connected therewith. The court also has exclusive jurisdiction in civil matters

relating to, connected with or arising from Factories Act, Trade Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Workmen’s Compensations Act or any other Act or Law relating to labour, employment, industrial relations, work place.12 The court is headed by a President and currently has six divisions across the country.

The Federal High Court There is a Federal High Court for the country, comprising of a Chief Judge and such number of Judges as the National Assembly may prescribe.

The court has limited but exclusive jurisdiction in civil and criminal causes or matters as set out in the Constitution. It however has no appellate jurisdiction. In exercising its jurisdiction, the Court is duly constituted by one Judge of the Court. The Federal High Court is divided into Judicial Divisions for administrative convenience with plans to establish a Division of the Court in all the States of the Federation13.

The State High Court There is a High Court in each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Each Court is made up of a Chief Judge and such other number of judges as the State House of Assembly or the National Assembly (in the case of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory) may prescribe. The High Courts of the various States have general original jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters except matters in respect of which any other court has been vested with exclusive jurisdiction, making them the courts with the widest jurisdiction under the Constitution.14 • To be continued next week

Akpabio seeks enthronement of rule of law

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KWA Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio has called for the enthrone ment of the rule of law in Nigeria.

He said citizens must insist that the government at all levels do things in line with the Constitution.

This, he said, is the only way to sustain the country’s democracy.

Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Deacon Jackson Udom, in a statement, said Akpabio spoke while fielding questions from reporters on his return from the Commonwealth Lawyers Conference held in South Africa.

The conference’s theme dwelled on the promotion of rule of law and democracy in Commonwealth countries.

The governor, a lawyer, was the moderator at the closing ceremony of the event which hosted lawyers from 54 countries.

“We were there to promote the rule of law and democracy in our countries,” Akpabio was quoted as saying.

The Governor had emphasised the need for those in positions of authority to abide by democratic principles and processes in governing the electorate.

On the concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zonal meeting of the Southsouth Region in Asaba, Delta State capital, which had governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, Board of Trustees (BOT) members and state chapter chairmen from the zone, Akpabio said the gathering appraised the challenges facing the party and the nation.

According to him, the meeting passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck

By Joseph Jibueze

Jonathan for his effort in improving the country’s infrastructural , especially the construction of East-West Road, building of railways and airports, among others.

Akpabio said the present security challenges of the country would soon be a thing of the past.

Also commenting on the just-concluded Southsouth and Southeast governors meeting in Asaba, the Governor said it was aimed at bringing back the unity of the defunct Mid-Western and Eastern Regions by form-

ing “monolithic blocs” for political unification and economic co-operation.

He said the forum explored how to enhance economic re-integration between the two geo-political zones.

It also considered the possibility of rehabilitating regional infrastructure such as the federal roads and rail system, and looked at how to harness the regions’ coastal and marine areas for transportation.

Also considered was the dredging of sea ports in Rivers and Cross River States, as well as the Ibaka Seaport in Akwa Ibom for moving of goods, Akpabio disclosed.

• Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta, presenting a plaque to Akpabio at the ICPC/Governor’s Forum in Abuja.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

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LEGAL ISSUE Legal Correspondent ERIC IKHILAE examines efforts by the Legal Aid Council (LAC) to enhance access to justice by the poor, as a measure towards decongesting the prisons and saving awaiting trial inmates from long incarceration

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

The emergency that Nigeria needs

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• From left: Adelodun, Ayorinde and Mrs Bob-Manuel...in Abuja.

Council pushes pro bono to aid indigents’ access to justice C

ONGESTION has always been a major flow of the prison system. It is worsened by the seeming helplessness of those concerned. This is because past efforts at prison de-congestion have not yielded positive results.

Today, all the nation’s prisons, built ages ago, are not only devoid of basic facilities, they are over-crowded. Nigerian prison now pass as human destructive facilities as against being reformatory.

One of the first prisons in the country - the Warri prison - was built in 1805; Azare 1816; Degema 1855 while the newest, Zing was built in 2011.

Worse still, majority of inmates in these prisons are people, whose guilt has not been established. Some have spent years as awaiting trial inmates for offences that ordinarily, would have attracted months’ sentence.

By a report of the nation’s prisons audit carried out in 2012 by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and some stakeholders, over 80 per cent of inmates in the nation’s about 234 prisons, are awaiting trial inmates.

This, no doubt, reflects a failure on the part of the various components of the country’s criminal justice system.

Aside that police’s investigations are largely crudely conducted, devoid of scientific analysis; but mostly dependent on forced confession, the pace of trial at the nation’s court is mostly, at snail speed. It becomes worse when an accused person is without legal representation.

It is in this light that the move by the Legal Aid Council (LAC) to encourage a standardised, well-coordinated and documented pro bono (free legal) services in the country, is heart warming.

LAC Chairman, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), explained that his council, working with the new Legal Aid Act 2011, has introduced some radical reforms and designed a new framework

to guide its activities till 2015.

Speaking in Abuja, Ayorinde said: “We are now ready with a working paper to guide the council. It is entitled: Justice for all: The Attorney General’s outlook for the Nigerian Legal Aid Council. It has as its blueprint; ‘partnership, accessibility and sustainability.’ It is meant to guide the council from 2012 to 2015.”

He said having realised that pro bono, is at the very heart of legal aid, his council has initiated plans to bring on board, the private Bar (private lawyers), to encourage them take up a number of pro bono cases, which LAC recommends. “Lawyers in the country already engage in pro bono services. But this time, we want to regulate the provision of pro bono services. We are setting up a system, in the form of collaboration between the private Bar and the LAC. “We have had consultations with the various Bars, individual lawyers and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

They are all very excited about this prospect and are looking forward to working with us.

“What we want to do is to properly regulate the provision of this service rather than leaving it to the discretion of the lawyers. The 2011 Act gives LAC the authority to empanel pro bono works for lawyers.

“Its powers to regulate pro bono is contained in sections 14 and 15 of the Act. We shall be giving out case, we shall regulate and monitor.

“We have put a system in place, in the form of peer review mechanism.

We will not only give out cases, but also monitor the way they are handled.

“We believe this will help decongest the over populated prisons,” Ayoride said.

He said his council was planning a conference for September 19 in Lagos as part of its effort to further enlighten

the public and other stakeholders about its plans to standardise pro bono practice in the country.

Ayorinde said the conference, with the theme: “Access to justice: Advancing the frontiers of pro bono,” will serve as a platform for the involvement of all stakeholders in the access to justice and justice delivery systems “to meet with us.” Another member of LAC management board, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) said his council’s core responsibility is ensuring access to justice by the less privileged, for which pro bono serves as a veritable vehicle.

“Yes, some lawyers provide free services in some cases. But it is the intention of the council to achieve optimum level in the rendering of free legal services in the country. Today, many senior lawyers are not involved in pro bono. They are the ones, who should be,” Adelodun said. Adelodun, the Chairman, of the Conference Planning Committee, explained that this year’s is designed to build on the gains of the council’s maiden conference held in November last year in Abuja.

He said the Lagos conference is aimed at sustaining the awareness and interest of the public in the activities of the LAC in its efforts directed at bringing justice closer to the masses of this country. LAC’s Director General, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel said, more than ever before, the 2011 Act has placed more responsibility on the council to act for thr masses. “It is not enough for lawyers to say they do pro bono. There should be recod. That is why we are empowered under the Act, to empanel and monitor cases where free legal services are rendered. Access to justice is at the heart of the doctrine of rule of law. Poverty should not deprive citizens access to justice, to court and to legal representation,” Mrs Bob-Manuel said

LEGAL DIARY

NBA’s 2003 class celebrates 10th Anniversary

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HE 2003 Class of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) will host a lunch on May 29. Venue: SS Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time: 2pm. A statement from from Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the event is in preparation for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the set’s Call to Bar.

Appointment

ICTOR Akazue Nwakasi, a Senior Associate with Olisa Agbakoba & Associates, has been appointed a regional representative of Young International Arbitration Group of the London Court of International Arbitration.

The group comprises young professionals interested in arbitration and general commercial dispute resolution. It is an organ of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), one of the leading Arbitration institutions in the world.

Nwakasi will support the YIAG co-chairs to increase the number of YIAG members from Africa, encourage members to become more involved in the activities of the group on international arbitration and to develop further YIAG’s world-wide activities. This appointment will be for a period of three years.

• Nwakasi

HENEVER the President, the Senate President, the Speaker House of Representatives, the Governors and the Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly and other top political office holders smile into the camera at public functions, I am tempted to believe that they are not aware of the grave security challenges, that Nigeria under their care faces. Consider that those of them from what is called the core north cannot freely take a walk in their constituencies for fear of the cruelties of the Boko Haram; neither can those from the southeast and southsouth do same for fear of kidnappers and attacks by armed groups. Compare these calamities with the emerging kidnap scare in the south-west and the religious/cattle hustlers’ induced mayhem in the middle-belt, to appreciate how violence and insecurity is gradually running a ring around Nigerians.

Add the degeneration into armed robbery and gangsters by our unemployed and unemployable youths to the mix, and you will appreciate that unless our leaders wake-up from their sleep-walking, the Nigerian state is heading to hell. The problems are well beyound the current efforts of President Jonathan and other political actors, considering their partisan interests. What is urgently needed is for the Presidency, the National Economic Council, the National Assembly and the state assemblies to patriotically declare a state of national economic emergency, to stem Nigeria from self-destruction.

To lead the charge, the political leadership across board must first exorcise itself from the cruel and criminal self-aggrandizement and appropriation of our common resources, just because they can get away with it. It must then gather a crop of competent non-political actors to draw an action plan to galvanise a national political-economic revival.

One quick way forward is to create massive employment opportunities, by using direct labour for infrastructural and agricultural development, at every level of government. Our country must then force temporal exemption from World Trade Organisation, created to exploit the tenuous economies of third world countries; to boost our agriculture and local production. I have little doubt that unless there is a massive increase in economic opportunities for our youths; forced restraint on corrupt enrichment and practices by our political and economic elites and a fair and equitable spread of political and economic opportunities for all ethnic nationalities in the country; similar patches of emergency situations as we are witnessing in the northwest will keep reoccurring in other parts until the whole country is engulfed in crisis.

In the meantime, President Goodluck Jonathan acted well within his powers to declare emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, under the provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Unfortunately it is also the only immediate option open to the country, even when the current insurgency is substantially the consequences of years of mismanagement at all levels of governance.

While the enabling factors for the crisis in Nigeria were not created by the current political actors, it has been exacerbated by the criminal impudence of some of them. I can bet that if you call the local government administrations in the states now under emergency to account for just 25 per cent of their receipts from the federation account in the past ten years, they will not be able to. Reports show that the local authorities merely gather at the end of every month to share the receipts.

As many commentators have rightly argued, the constitution did not expressly authorise the President to remove elected state officials after declaring a state of emergency, as former President Obasanjo did in Plateau and Ekiti states. Indeed under Section 305(4), the governor of a state may with the sanction of the two-third members of the House of Assembly request the President to issue a proclamation of a state of emergency, in a state. But it can also be rightly argued that where the elected officials are prima facie the cause of the actual or potential breakdown of public order and safety, their powers can be swept away by the emergency declaration. Of course the constitution provides the circumstances under which the President can declare an emergency, and gives authority to the National Assembly to approve such declaration.

While the President has exercised his constitutional prerogatives, it must be presumptuous for him to think that he has solved the problem of insurgency in the north-east, by what the Americans would call military-surge in that area. The simple reason is because the objective circumstances that gave rise to the crisis cannot be solved militarily. One reason is because the protagonists of the crisis as in other climes have craftily engraved its foundation on a shifty ground - religion. Second is that the crisis has grown beyound Nigeria’s boundaries, and also that the warriors having been schooled on self-immolation can not easily be overwhelmed as in modern warfare. The greatest tragedy is that many ordinary folks in the north-east pummeled by poverty and state neglect may have out of frustration joined the insurgency.

To any discerning observer the Nigerian project is a huge tragedy so far. The northern power elites, who held power longer than all the other regions combined, left the north the most underdeveloped part of the country. The southsouth, which has political control for the first time under President Jonathan, is hell-bent on taking an overdose of the lollypop. The south-east which has been crying against political marginalisation, despite being one of the big three groups in the country, has seen their mantra appropriated by other zones and is now acting frustrated. The tepid attempt to carve a politically independent northcentral is under serious religious/ethnic conflagration. The southwest seethes in angst, as their early lead after Independence has been wasted.

The result is a divided country run on templates of blackmail.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

LAW PERSONALITY Mr Martin Adeniyi Ogunleye is the first Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch. He is an activist, public commentator, chartered mediator and conciliator. He was called to the Bar in 1988. He was chairman of the Surulere Lawyers’ Forum (SLF) from 2008 to 2012; Chairman, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Lagos chapter from 2011 till date. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Ogunleye bares his mind on security challenges, NBA constitution, law practice, extra-judicial killings and other national issues.

‘State police will stop militancy’

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OW would you compare and contrast your early days at the Bar and now?

The practice of law in those days was a calling to serve the cause of justice and the society. Sadly, this is no longer the case, as the pursuit of material wealth is the albatross of the profession. Lawyers are either too busy pursuing money at the expense of truth, good conscience and justice or are too poor that they would rather fight for their own survival first before remembering the call to justice I remember also that it was a taboo for the courts not to sit at 9 am in those days, but today, it is a different scenario. It was common place then to find courts still sitting at 3-4pm but, nowadays, the “civil service syndrome’ has crept into the Bench, especially into the lower bench and magistrates are always eager to escape from their courts at noon. Industry and dedication are now rare to find.

The incidence of extra-judicial killing is becoming worrisome. Women, children and citizens were allegedly killed in Baga, a border town in Borno State by some security agents. What is your reaction to this?

The incidence of extra- judicial killings has been with us for quite a while, but its escalation is a cause for worry. I dare say that the average Nigerian has lost his repugnance for violence and bloodshed. I still remember the brutal killing of the ALUU 4 in Rivers State by a community vigilante group, the orgy of violence that has rocked Jos and its environs for over 10 years now and even extra-judicial slaughter of Boko Haram sect members in Maiduguri

and other parts of the North.

Now, the violence seems endless, scores of policemen were recently slaughtered in Lafia, Nasarawa State and it seems that no one is immune from this macabre orgy. I do not find it out of place for a military task force to be called in to quell an insurgency, especially where the police is obviously not equipped to handle the crises, especially when the police and military are regular targets of the militants.

Where the problem still lies is that even the military is incapacitated by lack of skill, manpower and intelligence.

How did we get to this point and how best can we resolve this Boko Haram insurgency. What is your view about seeking remedy for victims of this unfortunate joint military action?

The Boko Haram insurgency and similar crises are the result of the inability of past and leadership to manage the economy astutely and employ the wealth of the nation to build an egalitarian society. It is highly regrettable that 53 years after independence our country is still unable to attain 60 per cent enrolment in primary schools and still has less than 60 per cent literacy level.

The solution to these crises, however, cannot be found in just one direction. It calls for a collective action on all fronts, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication and enthronement of social justice. I strongly advocate that unless the government has a rethink about the issue of state police, the Federal police would remain impotent in the face of these militants I support the call for compensation

Businessman sues judge over land • ‘I didn’t sell land to him

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GERMANY-BASED business man, Mr. Paul Iwuna, has takenJustice Ishola Oluwa (rtd) to court for an alleged trespass on a land he purportedly bought from the former judge.

Iwuna filed the suit against Oluwa before Justice Iyabo Kasali of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

Iwuna accused the retired judge of selling the land he had already sold to him.

He said that he discovered the alleged transaction in 2005 that the former judge had resold the piece of land he purportedly bought from him in 1997.

He claimed that the land, located on an estate owned by the defendant, is at Road B, Plot 6 of Justice Oluwa Iroko Estate, IdimuIsheri, Lagos.

The claimant claimed that the land he bought for N225,750 from the retired judge in 1997, is now worth between N12million and N13million.

Iwuna claimed that when he discovered in 2005 that the piece of land was already being developed by an unknown person, he reported the incident to the defendant.

He claimed that the defendant then, promised to replace the piece of land with another one of “equal status and viability”.

But the claimant said up till 2009, the former judge refused fulfill the promised he made to him nor offer another one that was of the agreed standard.

In the application filed through his lawyer, Mr. F.A Ezeogbuefi, the claimant averred in his statement of claim, that the act of the defendant in interfering with the land he sold to him has caused him huge

By Adebisi Onanuga

financial losses as he had to travel down from Germany several times on account of the land and expend much money on professional fees to surveyors, lawyers etc.

He further averred, “That the unlawful trespass and invasion of the claimant’s plot of land by the defendant have caused the claimant grave emotional and physical trauma and he has expended a large sum of money to ensure that he gets his plot of land back.”

Iwuna, therefore, sought an order declaring that he is the rightful and legal owner of the property and an order setting aside the purported sale of the property “and every other documents relating to that purported sale”.

He sought the court to declare that the alleged trespass on the land is “unlawful” while seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant or anybody claiming ownership of the land through him from committing any further acts of trespass.

He also sought as alternative prayers, N13million as the current value of the land and another N10million as general damages he suffered in respect of defendant’s action.

Justice Oluwa has denied having any son by the name, Duro, whom the claimant alleged that he instructed to collect payments for the parcel of land on his behalf.

The judge, in his 27-paragraph statement of defence, maintained that the said intermediary was never his family as alleged.

He also denying ever selling or even offering the said parcel of land for sale to the claimant.

for families of victims, but what is required above everything else now is justice. A proper enquiry must be carried out to determine those involved in this dastardly act and appropriate punishment meted out to anyone found culpable.

The constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is being reviewed. Which sections would you like the NBA to amend so that we can have a vibrant and strong Bar that will meet the needs of the 21st century lawyer ?

I remain an advocate of total reform of the NBA and to that extent, the amendments must be far-reaching. I have since 2008 written a paper on this issue and this interview would not suffice but will point out a few areas.

First, the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) is too large and has too many co-opted members.

NEC is as large as Nigeria’s House of Representatives. There is no basis for making all Senior Advocates automatic members of NEC, especially as they outnumber branch representatives on NEC. Secondly, the constitutional provisions relating to setting up of branches needs to be reviewed in favour of areas with large population of lawyers, but where no High Courts exist.

I also propose the redesignation of the offices of the three Vice- Presidents to vice president north, east and west since part of their duties include organising branches in these regions.

I also desire a strengthening of capacity at the branch level.

Corruption has been blamed as a major challenge retarding the country’s development. Do you think the Federal Government has done enough to combat this scourge or what is the way out?

Corruption is the albatross of development in all facets of the society and sadly, the government is not doing enough. Our leaders preach against corruption but their body language does not match up with their utterances. You cannot fight corruption unless as a leader you voluntarily open up your person to public scrutiny. Our president refused to declare his assets publicly and that speaks volumes to me The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, is trying to rid the judiciary of corruption. How do you appraise her efforts. How do

• Ogunleye

you think she will successfully prosecute this war?

I must praise the spirit of my Lord the CJN in her bid to rid the judiciary of corruption. The zeal is reassuring, but we must, however, be careful not to throw away the baby with the bath water. I am yet to understand the rationale for suspending a judicial officer for one year without pay and expect the same judge to resume after one year to continue to dispense justice. He would turn out to be either a bitter man or a subdued soul and neither of these is good for the Bench.

Corruption would be largely curbed in the judiciary when the process of appointing judicial officers is handled with more seriousness, unless and until we have the best brains and characters on the bench we cannot even begin to pretend to fight corruption in the judiciary.

It is believed that the NJC has not done enough to curb corruption in the Judiciary. What is you view on this?

The problem with the NJC is that from its very constitution, it is unable to achieve much. The CJN needs not chair the NJC, that les-

son we have learnt from the Justice Ayo Salami saga and its membership needs to be reviewed periodically. To my mind, no person should sit on the NJC for more than two years.

In any event, I am yet to understand why we operate under a Federal constitution and yet have the NJC regulating and disciplining judges even those of states High Courts. That is not in consonance with true federalism, the NJC is probably overwhelmed.

Some people have called for the legalisation of illegal refineries in the Niger Delta. What is your view on this?

It is always a wonder that despite our huge oil wealth, we are still unable to operate functional refineries in the country. However, the fact that these illegal refineries exist at all in the first place is an indication of the insincerity on the part of government not to ever invest in refining of petroleum products. I call on government to legalise all refineries and grant more licenses to other investors to establish more private refineries in the country to meet the local oil needs of all Nigerians.

Sacked CBN worker seeks reinstatement

A

BOUT four months after the Court of Appeal ordered his reinstatement, a former staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tunde Akinlusi, has asked the bank to obey the judgment.

He said he was surprised that the bank has refused to either recall him or appeal the judgment.

Trouble started for Mr Akinlusi, a supervisor, 21 years ago, when he was booted out of the CBN for an alleged ‘misdemeanour’. He said: “I joined CBN in 1978 as a clerk and rose to the post of supervisor in 1985. I was transferred to Sokoto in 1987 and a year later, brought back to Lagos. I was to receive an award for dedication to duty and expecting a promotion as a senior supervisor when my world fell apart.”

He said he was arrested, charged, but cleared by both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

Despite these legal victories, he said he was miffed that the CBN refused to restore his appointment

By Joseph Eshanokpe

and pay his entitlements.

He recalled some former top management staff he worked with, including Mr Oduyemi, a deputy governor and Mr Ezezuwa, a retired director (Banking Operations), noting that they would testify to his diligence and dutifulness. ‘’Under them, I performed my duties efficiently,” he said.

He challenged the CBN to appeal the judgment if they are not satisfied with the ruling of the second highest court of the country adding that as a responsible ‘legal person’, silence and nonchallance should not be its watch word. He also said he would hold his head high any day in the matter.

Specifically, he urged the CBN governor to note that he had been jobless for the 21 years that the case has lasted and suffered untold hardships. “I have been jobless since I was sacked from the CBN. I have not had a regular accommodation.

I have been squatting with some

good Samaritans, here today, there tomorrow. My friends have deserted me. My children are out of school because I cannot afford their fees. I am owing a lot of people up to N200,000. I cannot even afford the legal fees, if not for the magnanimity of my lawyer, Mr ‘Kemi Balogun, who accepted my brief free. Indeed, he even gives me drinks each time I visited him. May God bless him.

“I could not get another job. The economy is bad. The stigma of retrenchment at the CBN also affected me.

CBN has ruined my life,” he bemoaned.

“The CBN should respect the judgment and in good conscience recall me,” he added. • Akinlusi

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

35

LAW & SOCIETY Firm accuses BPE of insincerity in ALSCON’s sale

A

FIRM, BFI Group Corporation (BFIG), has accused the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) of insincerity in the sale of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).

The allegation is contained in a fresh motion by BFIG, asking the Supreme Court to among others, direct BPE to “fully enforce, fulfill and give effect” to the court’s earlier judgment of July 6, 2012.

The firm had emerged as the “preferred bidder” of thr ALSCON financial Bid opening held on June 14, 2004 for the purchase of Federal Government’s 77.5 per cent majority stake in the company.

Before BFIG could pay the required $41m, being 10 per cent of the bid accepted bid price of $410million with 15 days under the 2004 Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), the BPE cancelled the deal.

BFIG sued at the Federal High Court, Abuja. It lost up to the Appeal Court level, and appealed to the Supreme Court. The apex court held in the appellant’s favour in its judgment of July 6, 2012.

The court ordered among others, that the BPE to provide the 2004 SPA and execute it with the appellant; that the BPE must accept the 10 percent bid price, and that it must not accept any further bids from any party except BFIG. Parties could not agree to effectively execute the judgment by signing and executing the mutually agreed SPA of 2004, prompting BFIG to file the fresh motion.

In the motion filed by its lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), BFIG argued that despite the order directing BPE to take full control and possession of ALSCON from UC RUSAL (a company to which ALCON is currently handed) and prepare it for handover/transfer it (BFIG) being the preferred bidder, BPE has allegedly refused to act in

accordance with the order.

It stated that as at the date of the bid for ALSCON in 2004, the asset value as reflected in the company’s audit report stood at N127.14billion, pointing out that as a result of BPE’s negligence, the value of the assets under the management of UC RUSAL has declined to about N14.57 billion.

It stated that unless a further order was make by the apex court, BPE “will frustrate the meaning and intendment of the judgment by refusing to sign and execute the mutually negotiated SPA for the acquisition of ALSCON. BPE, in its counter affidavit, argued that as against BFIG’s claim, it (BFIG) was responsible for parties’ inability to execute the SPA as ordered by the court.

It accused BFIG of unilaterally altering the content of the said agreement.

“The purchase consideration was changed from $410million to $210million contrary to the decision of this court.

“The dredging of Imo River was factored into exhibit F (the revised SPA) whereas, the agreement between parties in 2005 never took into consideration the dredging of the Imo River.

“The change in share structure/ ownership of ALSCON was factored into exhibit F whereas same was not part of the judgment of this court,” BPE argued.

It contended that since the court has given its final judgment, which is unambiguous, it has become functus officio and should refrain from making any further pronouncement in the case.

The court has fixed September 17 for parties’ adoption of final addresses. They are to file and exchange all processes before the next date.

Trying to be impressive A young lawyer, starting up his private practice, was very anxious to impress potential clients. When he saw the first visitor to his office come through the door, he immediately picked up his phone and spoke into it,” I’m sorry, but my caseload is so tremendous that I’m not going to be able to look into your problem for at least a month. I’ll have to get back to you then.” He then turned to the man who had just walked in, and said, “Now, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing,” replied the man. “I’m here to hook up your phone.”

Free haircuts A barber gave a haircut to a priest one day. The priest tried to pay for the haircut, but the barber refused, saying, “you do God’s work.” The next morning the barber found a dozen bibles at the door to his shop. A policeman came to the barber for a haircut, and again the barber refused payment, saying, “you protect the public.” The next morning the barber found a dozen doughnuts at the door to his shop. A lawyer came to the barber for a haircut, and again the barber refused payment, saying, “you serve the jus-

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

A gang of robbers broke into a lawyer’s club by mistake. The old legal lions gave them a fight for their life and their money. The gang was very happy to escape.

“It ain’t so bad,” one crook noted.

“We got $25 between us.” The boss screamed: “I warned you to stay clear of lawyers—we had $100 when we broke in!”

Processes, proceedures of Tax Appeal Tribunal

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

LEGAL JOKES Lawyer’s club

Following the introduction of the Tax Appeal Tribunal to expedite action on the adjudication of tax related cases, the Secretary to the Tribunal, Mr Hilary Onwe, explains the processes and procedures for accessing the Tribunal

tice system.” The next morning the barber found a dozen lawyers waiting for a free haircut.

Can I take his place?

An attorney telephoned the governor just after midnight, insisting that he talk to him regarding a matter of utmost urgency. An aide eventually agreed to wake up the governor. “So, what is it?” grumbled the governor. “Judge Garber has just died” said the attorney, “and I want to take his place.” The governor replied: “Well, it’s OK with me if it’s OK with the undertaker.”

When you know you must really be drunk A man sat down at a bar, looked into his shirt pocket and ordered a double scotch. A few minutes later, the man again peeked into his pocket and ordered another double.

This routine was followed for some time, until after looking into his pocket, the man told the bartender he’d had enough. The bartender said, “I’ve got to ask you. What’s with the pocket business?” “Oh,” said the man, “I have my lawyer’s picture in here, and when he starts to look honest, I know I’ve had enough.”

Lawyers on a flight An airliner was having engine trouble, and the pilot instructed the cabin crew to have the passengers take their seats and get prepared for an emergency landing. A few minutes later, the pilot asked the flight attendants if everyone was buckled in and ready. “All set back here, Captain,” came the reply, “except the lawyers are still going around passing out business cards.”

By Hilary N. Onwe

• Onwe

T

AX appeal is an important component of the tax admin istration system. It arises from an objection to a demand to pay assessed tax.

Where a tax payer receives a notice of assessment, he either agrees with the assessment and makes the necessary payment or he objects to such assessment. If the assessment is objected to, the tax authority would be obliged to amend such assessment or go on, to issue a notice of refusal to amend. Hence a tax dispute arises.

Every tax system offers an objection and appeal process for the resolution of tax disputes. Often times, the objection and appeal process is multi-layered, ranging from tax officials to Appeal Tribunals, up to the regular courts.

In Nigeria, the situation is not different. The tax system, apart from the ubiquitous presence of the Federal High Court, with powers and jurisdiction over matters of Revenue of the Government of the Federation and Taxation, provides in various tax statutes, for tax appeals in Tribunals. There had been the Value Added Tax Tribunal, and the Body of Appeal Commissioners.

In 2007 the Value Added Tax Tribunal and Body of Appeal Commissioners were dissolved under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act. However, the same Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (hereinafter to be called FIRS (Establishment) Act), in its Section 59, established The Tax Appeal Tribunal, to settle tax disputes arising from the operations of the Act and other Tax Statutes, as contained in the first schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act. The Tax Appeal Tribunal was formally inaugurated in the year 2010 by the then Minister of Finance, DR. MANSUR MUKTAR vide the Tax Appeal Tribunal Order, 2009, and immediately started sitting in its eight zones across the country.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal exist in eight zones across the country as shown below: 1.North East Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal – sitting in Bauchi, This Tribunal covers, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and

Taraba states; 2.North West Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal – sitting in Kaduna.

This Tribunal covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara States; 3.North Central Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Jos, covers Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau States; 4.South East Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Enugu, Enugu State, covers Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States; 5.South West Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Ibadan, covers Oyo , Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states; 6.South-South Zone Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Benin, Edo State, covers Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Rivers and Edo States; 7.Abuja Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, covers Federal Capital Territory only; 8.Lagos Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Lagos, Lagos State, covers Lagos State only.

•Nature of the tax appeal tribunal Generally, tribunal connotes a specialised court for trial or determination of special offences or issues e.g. the military tribunals.

The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, defines tribunal as “a type of court with the authority to deal with a particular problem or disagreement”.

In Nigeria, in the past, tribunals were mostly set up by the military, which drew up special rules of procedure that had no regard for rules of evidence or natural justice. This perception of militarism in tribunals apparently had influence in the public perception of tribunals until recently.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal, as with other new generation tribunals, is a departure from the past notoriety of tribunals. The Tax Appeal Tribunal is subject to the general law, its enabling statute, the rules of natural justice and fair hearing.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal is established pursuant to Section 59(1) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, to settle tax disputes arising from the operations of the various tax statutes in the corpus of Nigeria tax law.

The mission and vision of the Tax Appeal Tribunal as drawn at the Tax Appeal Tribunal strategy retreat are: Mission: “To resolve tax disputes on a basis that is fair, flexible, speedy, convenient and affordable”.

Vision: “To be a dynamic tax dispute resolution centre, worthy of public trust and confidence”.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body for the quick,

efficient and flexible resolution of tax disputes. Though the Tax Appeal Tribunal has rules of procedure, it is not a court of strict evidence or technicalities. It leans towards dispensing substantial justice to the tax payer and tax authority alike; timely, pocket-friendly and professionally.

•Composition of the tax appeal tribunals By the Tax Appeal Tribunals (Establishment) Order, 2009, in Government Gazette No 295, made by the then Honourable Minister of Finance, pursuant to Section 59 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act, the Tax Appeal Tribunals, were established in eight zones across Nigeria.

The Composition of each zone of the Tax Appeal Tribunal is provided for under paragraph 2(1) of the fifth schedule to the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act to wit: Paragraph 2(1) – “A Tribunal shall consist of five members (hereinafter to be referred to as ‘Tax Appeal Commissioners’) to be appointed by the Minister.”

This in effect, means that there shall be Forty Appeal Commissioners in the country, five in each zone of the Tribunal.

Paragraph 2(2) of the fifth schedule provides – “A Chairman for each zone shall be a legal practitioner who has been so qualified to practice for a period of not less than 15 years with cognate experience in tax legislation and tax matters”.

By paragraph 2(3), it is provided that – “A Chairman shall preside at every sitting of the Tribunal and in his absence; the members present shall appoint one of them to be the Chairman.

The quorum at any sitting of the Tribunal shall be three members.”

To be appointable as a commissioner in the Tax Appeal Tribunal, a person shall be knowledgeable about tax laws, regulations, norms practices and operations of taxation in Nigeria. It is also required that such a person shall have shown capacity in the management of trade or business or be a retired public servant in tax administration.

The term of office of a Tax Appeal Commissioner is three years subject to re-appointment for a second term of three years, only and no more. A commissioner shall not hold office beyond the age of 70 years.

A Tax Appeal Commissioner could resign his office by a notice in writing, addressed to the Minister of Finance to that effect. He could also be removed for gross misconduct or incapacity, after due inquiry and opportunity to be heard.

• To be continued next week

• Onwe, is Secretary, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southwest Zone, Ibadan

Eastern Bar Forum to hold election on June 1

T

HE Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) will on June 1 in Aba, Abia State, hold elections onto its Governing Council.

At its last meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the association set up a three-man electoral committee headed by former Imo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in Imo State, Mr Donald Denwigwe (SAN) to conduct the election.

A statement from the electoral committee reads: “Following the setting up of the 2013 Electoral Committee of Eastern Bar Forum at Isiokpo on April

By John Austin Unachukwu

27 for the purpose of conducting election into various offices of the governing Council, the committee hereby calls for filing of nomination papers into the following offices: Chairman, Secretary, Treasuer, Financial Secretary, five other council members.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted to Mr. Denwigwe or Mr Victor Nwaugo on or before May 28.

Campaigns and other pre-election activities will take place on the night of May 31, before the elections.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

36

LAW & SOCIETY At a workshop in Lagos last week, experts discussed how to maintain law and order. The event was organised by the Rule of Law Action Group of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

How to maintain law and order

T

HE need for a just and independent justice system as well as strong laws for the maintenance of law and order was reiterated at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) workshop held in Lagos.

Participants, who trooped in from across the country, insisted that without a credible judiciary, aggrieved persons in the society will resort to self help and wreck havoc.

They urged the government to ensure that the independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the constitution of the country was strictly adhered to.

With its theme, The rule of law: bedrock for sustainable democracy and development, participants decried the rate at which people, including leaders disrespect court orders. They noted that for the rule of law to prevail, everything must be done in accordance with stipulated laws including the government, which must conduct its affairs within the framework of recognized rules and principles, not discretionary powers.

At the event were the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun; keynote speaker, Justice Chima Nweze of the Appeal Court, Lagos; Chief Judge of Lagos, Ayotunde Philips; NBA President, Okey Wali; Chairman, NBA Rule of Law Action Group, Dele Adesina (SAN); former NBA presidents, Olisah Agbakoba (SAN) and Joseph Daudu (SAN), among other judges and lawyers.

The CJN, who argued that the judiciary has a critical role in mediating conflict and upholding human right through a robust interpretation of law, particularly in the country where it has been previously implicated in validating authoritarian rule.

“In a democracy under the rule of law, the nation’s government and its agencies will spring from and operate under the law. The activities and operations of the government and its agencies should be based on, and controlled by the law.”

Aregbesola argued that the order the country desires will be determined by the law it enacts. He noted that the determinant of order from the law and order nexus was the capacity to enforce the law.

He said the enacted law must also be accepted as just, making the overwhelming majority of the people to obey without coercion.

The governor argued that maintaining law and order covers a whole range of closely connected activities vis-à-vis crime prevention, investigation, criminal apprehension and punishment.

“We must not forget that the need for an enforcement agency is predicated on the assumption that there will always be threats to law and order. In our own situation, there are three key sources of threats to law and order-social and economic injustice; failure of law enforcement; and injustice from the judicial process.

“Breaking or refusing to obey the law, without consequences is not the exclusive preserve of the known criminals but also practiced by authorities through disobedience of court orders or policy options.

“The series of anomalies that we have witnessed, such as the proliferation of militia groups pur-

porting to provide security and dispense justice is a function of the collapse of the rule of law and the consequential loss of faith in the justice system.

“Indeed, an inseparable complement to achieving effective law and order is a justice system where the rule of law reigns supreme. It connects the citizens to the system in an intimate web that is under girded by trust in the justice system. The citizens feel warmly secure in the capacity of the state to give them security and ensure justice for them.”

Nweze said the guardianship role of the judiciary transcends the “technistic common law concept of the role of the judiciary as the arbiter, whose only responsibility is to ‘resolve contests between subjects and subjects or between subjects and executive according to law’.

“To consign the judiciary to the common law heritage is a veritable coup de grace on the Constitution of Nigeria. The judicial temperament in Nigeria must reflect the constitutional mandate, which is an amalgamation of its traditional role with its dynamic role,” Nweze said.

He proposed two strategies to sufficiently invigorate the agitation for accountability and transparency, which are the constitutional empowerment to fight abuse of public office and the investiture of the Supreme Court with special jurisdiction to entertain all complaints hinged on the violation of the proposed section.

“The 1995 Draft Constitution opted for this strategy by incorporating this right into its justiciable Chapter 4. Thus, section 35 thereof endowed every person with the right to: ensure the eradication of corrupt practice, and abuse of power; protect and preserve public property; fight against misappropriation and squandering of public funds.

“The second strategy is a corollary to the first one. This writer proposes the investiture of the Supreme Court with a special jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as “Epistolary Jurisdiction”) to entertain all complaints hinged on the violation of the proposed section,” he said.

To Adesina, the way out of the challenges being faced by the country was for Nigerians to talk about them. He said all the insurgencies across the across were pointing at an issue, -the need for the people to sit down and address their grievances.

While quoting a paper by Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Adesina said a society under the rule of law has a consensus that the legal process will be the way by which law and order will be maintained, disputes resolved and wrongs punished.

He said the system is structured such that it will be fair, just, accountable and efficient, and its operators honest and knowledgeable. Adesina said for the country to continue to stand tall, the rule of law must be the benchmark for determining the validity or otherwise of all actions by governments and authorities.

He said that the long term solution to the Nigeria problems remains a revolution adding “Nigeria needs to resolve her contradictions, several of them through dialogue.”

• From left: Fashola, Justice Aloma Mukhtar (CJN) and Wali at the event.

• From left: Aregbesola, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) and Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) at the event.

• From left: Justice Phillips, Justice C. C. Nweze and Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda at the event.

• From left: Alternate chairman, NBA Rule of Law Action Group, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), Mrs. Nella Andem Rabana (SAN), former Treasurer (NBA), Dr. Ogugua Ikpeze, Chairmam, NBA Rule of Law Action Working Group, Dele Adesina (SAN), and former President, West African Bar Association (WABA) Mr. Femi Falana (SAN)

• From left: Mr. Ike Goddy Utazi, representing the Inspector-General of Police M. D. Abubakar , Mr Binga Shetima P. representing the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Mr Ekpo Nta and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State, Mr Wale Afolabi

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

37

LAW & SOCIETY

Religion and security: a legal perspective

in the entire country.

Amnesty and National Security

A paper delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at the conference of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan (UI).

• Continued from May 14

“T

HERE is need to engage moderate members of the Boko Haram sect in dialogue in order to win the war and achieve peace. There are indications that the extremist members of the sect exploit the agitation of the moderate ones to distract Government from carrying out its functions. The dialogue with the moderate elements should be used to reach out to the extremists with a view to bringing them on board.”

In accepting the said recommendation on dialogue the Federal Government had undertaken to encourage “the intermediaries who have access to them to initiate this dialogue”. But since a White Paper was issued on the Report in May 2012 no action has been taken by the Federal Government on the clear roadmap to peace and durable solution to the security challenges in the North East drawn up by the Ambassador Galtimari Committee. In other words, the directives of the Federal Government on most of the 116 findings and recommendations of the Committee have been treated with disdain to the detriment of the nation.

Furthermore, the directives of the Federal Government on the Sheik Ahmed Lemu Committee on the 2011 Election Violence and Civil Disturbances have equally been ignored without any justification. The said directives are specific on assistance to the families of the 943 people who lost their lives in the Violence, Prosecution of the 626 suspects apprehended by the police, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, job creation for the youths, cattle grazing zones for Fulani herdsmen, cost of running government, abuse of security votes, illegal appointments of caretaker committees to administer local governments, usurpation by the National Assembly of the powers of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to fix salaries and allowances of legislators etc.

It is pertinent to note that both Presidential Committees were ad idem on the inescapable fact that the rising wave of youth unemployment, poverty, official corruption and impunity have accentuated terrorism and political violence in the country. Therefore, if the Federal Government is genuinely determined to end civil disturbances and the general culture of impunity in the country it should implement the directives contained in the White Papers issued on the Reports of the Ambassador Galtimari Committee and the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Panel without any further delay.

In order to deal with political thuggery, electoral fraud, political terrorism and other electoral offences the Attorney-General of the Fed-

eration was directed to take necessary action to establish “an autonomous and constitutionally recognised Electoral Offences Tribunal”.

Both the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police were directed to ensure the prosecution of the 626 suspected who were apprehended by security agencies during the crisis.

Many other officials and agencies of the Federal Government were also directed to carry out specific assignment to forestall future occurrence of political violence in the country. It is significant to note that the Federal Government accepted the recommendation of the Panel “review all relevant reports of which government views were not published as well as those which government published its views but not implemented” in respect of the reports of many previous panels set up in the past.

A few years ago, some northern governors introduced the Sharia criminal justice system in violation of Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution. In Zamfara State, a man had his right hand amputated for stealing a cow valued at N15,000. In Katsina State a single mother was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

But for the intervention of the local and international human rights community the penalty would have been carried out. Influenced by the official pronouncements of state governors the Boko Haram was encouraged to promote Sharia as a way of life. But unknown to them the “Sharia” pronounced by the governors was a political move to hoodwink the people.

While the impoverished masses of northern Nigeria were being subjected to harsh sentences prescribed by the Sharia Law, many political office holders engaged in large scale looting of the treasury and other heinous crimes. One of the governors involved in the politicization of the Sharia has since been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the alleged theft of the sum of N30 billion. Indeed, when the media blamed the initial terrorist attacks on failure of intelligence the State Security Service disclosed that its reports on the subversive activities of the group which were forwarded to appropriate government official and agencies were ignored.

On its own part, the Nigeria Police Force claimed that the leaders of the sect who were apprehended and charged to court were admitted to bail in liberal terms in spite of the threat to national security posed by the suspects.

In a move designed to prevent the leaders of the sect from exposing the deals struck by the Borno State government and the sect the leaders of the latter who were arrested by the Army at the beginning of the hostilities and handed over to the Police were sum-

• Falana (SAN)

marily executed. This was confirmed in the case of Babankura Fugu v. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2009 -2010) CHR 1 at 10 whereby the Borno State High Court condemned the extra judicial killing of the applicant’s father in police custody and awarded N100 million damages as compensation to atone for the official murder. The trial court was embarrassed to observe that the deceased did not even belong to the terrorist sect.

Notwithstanding the judicial indictment the reckless killing of innocent persons by the Joint Task Force has continued unabated. Suck killings have alienated and discouraged the people from collaborating with the State in the fight against terror. Allegations of summary execution of the terror suspects held in custody are also rife. Official reaction to the allegations have tended to justify them. For instance, the Galtimari Committee had recommended the return to a detention facility in Borno State 61 terror suspects who were alleged to have been transferred to Abuja and shot dead. The recommendation was rejected by the government without any explanation as to their whereabout.

Since the Federal Government has decided to engage in persuading the boko haram sect to accept amnesty it ought to draw some lessons from the renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta. Since the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) accepted responsibility for the brutal murder of 13 policemen in Bayelsa State last week there have been fresh threats that mosques and other places are going to be attacked in retaliation for the destruction of Churches by the boko haram sect. At the same time, kidnapping has assumed a frightening dimension in the south south and south east and in some parts of the south west. Other violent crimes like armed robbery and assassination are on the increase

From the foregoing, it is indisputable that terrorist sects and militias have taken over the monopoly of violence in the country. Since the Nigerian people are at the mercy of armed gangs the State has resolved to offer amnesty as a way of restoring law and order. While the fear that amnesty for criminality may be institutionalised is justified we have to take cognizance of the complexity of the crisis confronting the state. We must however not assist a bankrupt ruling class to engage in escapism by resorting to temporary solutions to resolve fundamental crises. Of course, a state of predators, bandits and rent collectors unleashing violence on a people by indirectly killing them on bad roads, in ill-equipped hospitals and through extra-judicial killings by security forces lacks the moral right to deny amnesty to fellow killers in nihilist organisations!

No doubt the unprecedented looting of the treasury by most public officers has driven the youths to criminality. Hence, the rickety neo-colonial State has lost the monopoly of violence to militants, kidnappers, armed robbers, terrorists and other armed gangs. A State which kills innocent citizens directly and indirectly cannot but enter into all kinds of shady deals with criminals and gangsters. For those who may not know, the State, through the police and other law enforcement agents, grants amnesty to murderers, armed robbers, rapists on a regular basis as most criminal cases are compromised and dropped. Even many serious criminal cases that are filed in court, due to public pressure, are quietly withdrawn by the Attorney-General of the Federation and state counterparts through nolle prosequi.

In the White Paper issued in May 2012 (but not released to the public) directives were given to certain officers and institutions on achieving the objectives in the roadmap to peace clearly drawn up by the Committee. The Thisday newspaper published the gravamen of the directives contained in the white paper last week. But in a deliberate move to discard the Report of the committee the Federal Government has set up another panel to work out the modalities for amnesty for boko haram members. Now that the boko haram sect has rejected the amnesty we have to insist on the implementation of the Galtimari Committee.

We must interrogate the official positions of the ruling class before adopting them.

Scores of boko haram members and leaders have been arrested by the State. Some of them have been put on trial. How can we accept the stupid statement that they are ghosts?

Who have the official intermediaries been talking to if the terrorists are spirits? Henry Okah was in detention when, as his defence counsel, I persuaded him to accept amnesty.

Initially, he rejected it outright because it was clear that he was going to win the criminal case filed by the state against him. Based on the strange judgment of the Court of Appeal that Chief James Ibori, a former Delta State Governor could not be tried in Kaduna I challenged the trial of my client in Jos since there is equality before the law. As the state had, no reply to the objection 59 out of the • To be continued next week

Alleged extra-judicial killing: Police chief may face contempt charge

A

LAGOS High Court, Ikeja will on June 6 decide whether or not to commit the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko and two others to prison for alleged contempt of the court.

Justice Yetunde Idowu of Lagos High Court, Ikeja had on February 18, 2013 ordered the Police to produce two suspected kidnappers, Philip Tomi and Joel Wolomo or their bodies before the court while ruling on an exparte motion brought on their behalf by their counsel, Chief Seliwei Willy Baidi.

Chief Baidi had filed the application, pursuant to order IV Rule 1, 3 and 4 (a)(b) of the fundamental rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, alleging that the applicants may have been extra-judicially killed by the Police.

Joined as co-defendant in the suit are the OC, Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja Supol Terry and the Investigating Police Officer, Sergeant Eric.

The Nation had exclusively reported in its Saturday, October 6, 2012 edition that Tomi, Wolomo and others had kidnapped one Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamaldeen, 46 years, in

By Adebisi Onanuga

front of his office at Agbowa on August 24, 2012.

They were arrested sometimes in September 2012 by the Police and detained at the state anti-robbery squad, Ikeja.

At the resumed hearing of the matter last Thursday, Chief Baidi told the court that the respondents have persistently refused to appear before the court on all adjourned dates in spite of being served the various court processes, the proof of service of which he said are before the court.

He argued that the attitude of the respondents constitutes contempt of court and amounts to ridicule and disrespect to the court.

He said that this was why they brought another application titled, “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of the Court (Pursuant to Order 42 Rules 9 (1) and (3) (A),(B) and (C) of the High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 2012 and Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act Cap S6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court”.

In moving the application, Chief Baidi sought an order of the court committing the respondents to prison for willful and unlawful disobedience for order of the court.

“There is a case of willful disobedience of court order by the respond-

ent and the reason is because the respondents have extra-judicially murdered the applicants.

“We, therefore, urge your lordship to exercise your powers until they have purged themselves of the contempt. Let them come to

court to tell us whether they are still alive or not”, he prayed.

Chief Baidi urged the court to grant the prayers contained in their application, adding: “the police cannot claim to be above the law”.

• From right: Chairman NBA Ikeja, Mr. Monday Ubani; Chairman, Law Week Committee, Osahon Ihenyen; 1st Vice Chairman, Mr Adesina Ogunlana and 2 nd Vice Chairman, Mrs Carol Ibeh at a briefing on the branch’s law week.

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

• President Goodluck Jonathan receiving the 2012 Annual Report from Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Chairman Prof. Peter Adeniyi (right) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN. • Hon Rasaq Bello-Osagie (second left) assisted by Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha(middle) and members of the House, Hon Rotimi Makinde (left); Hon Bimbo Daramola; Hon Saheed Akinade- Fijabi (right); Hon. Victor Ogene and Hon Kingsley Ebenyi during Bello-Osagie’s birthday celebration in Abuja PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Jigawa State Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud Gumel, his counterparts from Katsina and Lagos states, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Faskari (middle) and •Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Suleman Barau Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire during the National Economic Council meeting at the (left),Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Adeola State House, Abuja.

Olamilekan; Group Executive Director, Finance and Account, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Bernard Otti and Deputy Chairman, Auwal Jattau at the CBN’s response to AuditorGeneral’s audit query at the National Assembly Abuja PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: National President, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Dr. Mark Okeji; Chairman, Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association, Dr. Godswill Okara and National President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Akintayo at a press conference on unlawful reconstitution of University Teaching Hospital Board at their secretariat in Abuja.

•Minister of Water Resources. Mrs Sarah Ochekpe (second right); Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Baba Umar Farouk(right); National President, Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Mr Michael Ale (third left); National Vice-President, AWDROP, Mr Dayo Opeyemi, and member, Board of Trustees, Alhaji Nura Yusuf (left) during the association’s visit to the ministry PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

• Minister of State for Health, Muhammad Ali Pate (left), Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and the beneficiary of Conditional Cash Transfer, Onuwahadike Mary during the launch of SURE-P Maternal and Child Health Conditional Cash Transfer Programme at Deidei PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh (right) Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Abuja Diocese 2013 Synod Session, Prof Jerry Gana and a member of the committee, Dr Ngozi Odoha, during the pre-synod and state of the nation press briefing

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

40

With ekpo:funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08138168825 TRAVEL & LEISURE The financial crisis slammed global banking hubs around the world. Were it not for government bailouts, Wall Street, The City and other banking hubs may never have recovered.

The traditional financial powerhouses stand weakened, and others, long hungry to steal their business, are taking advantage.

THE WORLD’’STOP EMERGING FINANCIAL CENTERS

Dubai — a desert financial dream Dubai spent healvily in recent years to position itself as a regional financial center and a player in international finance.

But its debt-fueled, spendthrift ways finally caught up with the UAE member in late 2009; Dubai was forced to take a $10 billion bailout from Abu Dhabi and remains in serious financial trouble

Sao Paulo — it’s just more fun As Brazil emerges as Latin America’s leading economy, investors are increasingly looking to Sao Paulo to play the country and the region. Brazil’s banking sector is relatively underdeveloped and security remains a concern in Sao Paulo, but there’s lots of upside.

Luxembourg — safe and exotic Luxembourg is growing as a financial center because of its Swiss-like secrecy rules, but that could be its downfall.

There’s plenty to find attractive.

Luxembourg’s marketing materials claim “it’s the second largest investment fund centre in the world after the United States, the premier captive reinsurance market in the European Union and the premier private banking centre in the Eurozone.” It’s also the second-

SANDS OF TIME

CROSSWORD

Dizzy Gillespie

largest mutual fund market after the U.S.

Johannesburg infrastructure

—

Sophisticated financial

Johannesburg is poised to be the financial hub of a continent which represents more than 900 million consumers and one of the world’s fastest growing markets.

John Birks Gillespie was born October 21, 1917, in Cheraw, South Carolina, to John and Lottie Gillespie. The last of nine children, Gillespie’s father was abusive and unusually strict and the youngest Gillespie grew up hard and strong. When Gillespie was ten, his father died and left the family in terrible financial trouble. Around this time Gillespie’s English teacher introduced him to music, and he soon joined the school band. At first he played the trombone, but switched to the trumpet after borrowing a neighbor’s and immediately falling in love with the instrument. Over the next several years Gillespie played with local bands—to both black and white audiences— until his family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gillespie was influenced by Roy Eldridge and played with the big bands of Cab Calloway, Earl Hines, and Billy Eckstine before leading small groups in the mid-1940s.

When Gillespie was in the Frankie Fairfax band in Philadelphia he carried his new trumpet in a paper bag, an act that inspired fellow musicians like Bill Doggett to call him “Dizzy.” In 1989, the year he turned seventytwo, Dizzy Gillespie received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences’ Grammy Award ceremonies. The honor—one of many awarded to the trumpet virtuoso—recognized nearly fifty years of pioneering jazz performances. That same year he received the National Medal of Arts from President George Bush (1924–). Not letting age slow him down, in 1989 Gillespie gave three hundred performances in twenty-seven countries, appeared in one hundred U.S. cities in thirty-one states and the District of Columbia, headlined three television specials, performed with two symphonies, and recorded four albums. The next year, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ceremonies celebrating the centennial of American jazz, Gillespie received the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers’ Duke Award for fifty years of achievement.

Although Gillespie’s failing health was due to pancreatic (having to do with the organ that helps digestion) cancer, Gillespie continued to play the music that he loved late into his life. His last public appearance was in Seattle in February of 1992. Gillespie passed away quietly in his sleep on October 6, 1993, at the age of seventy-five.

Pep Talk

FIRST BANK GOES GLOBAL ON BRANDING

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Correspond (9) 2. Pinch (3) 3. Sexual Desire (4) 4. Ourselves (2) 5. Moisture (3) 6. Discourage (4) 10. Expression of Surprise (3) 11. Get with Difficulty (3) 15. Enumerate (4) 17. Bird (3) 18. Taxi (4) First Bank of Nigeria has taken a further step in consolidating its position 20. Father (2) as the leading bank in Nigeria by taking its outdoor branding outside the shores of the country.

SUDOKU Sudoku is simply a game of logic and needs no The banking giant has its beautifully designed billboard displayed at mathematical skills to play. All you are required terminal 5 of the London Heathrow airport in what might be a move to to do is to fill in the blank spaces in the grid to position itself to take advantage of the Federal Government’s vista of ensure that every row, column and 3 by 3 box new investment incentives for potential foreign investors in the country. contains the numbers 1 to 9.

The novel branding move which may well be regarded as country branding, drawing attention not just to the bank but also the country is has the propensity of triggering a new trend with advertising in corporate Nigeria.

Companies all over the world are looking to expand their businesses into foreign markets.

With the dropping of trade barriers and improvements in communication, many firms aspire to go global.

With increasing globalization, MNCs are becoming stateless players, detached from individual nation states.

However, the consumer’s brand evaluation process is a complex one with a number of variables. One key, albeit often ignored, factor is the Country of Origin (COO) of the brand. COO has been an important factor in consumer purchasing decision making.

The FBNbillboard is strategic, given the fact that Nigeria has become the focus for Direct Foreign Investment.

1. Finalised (9) 7. Employ (3) 8. Tear (3) 9. Succeeded (3) 10. Consumed (3) 12. per Unit (4) 13. Bird (4) 14. Beer (3) 16. Imitate (3) 18. Bed (3) 19. Resort (3) 21. Justly (9)

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

42

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

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45.

46.

47.

48.

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51.

52.

53.

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56.

57.

58.

59.

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61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

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72.

73.

74.

75.

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

Mr,Mosudi Adebayo Okunubi late of 12, Dairo Street, Ketu, Lagos who died intestate on 12th June, 2003, Ketu, Lagos.

Mrs.Oyosoro Usuika Rajulie known as Oyosoro Rajulie Usuika late of UU2A Sunny Vale Estate, Abuja who died intestate on 3rd June, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. Ugabio U. Oyosoro known as Oyosoro Ugabio Uluabasi late of UU2A Sunny Vale Estate, Abuja who died intestate on 3rd June, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. Tobechukwu Nwanze late of 39, Olatunji Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on 24th March, 2012 at Ikeja, Lagos State.

Okoye Benneth Nduka late of 3 Ameen Street, Abule Oja Yaba, Lagos who died intestate on 8th November, 2011 at Nkpor.

Olusegun Bankole late of 5, Modupeola Bankole Street, Ejigbo, Lagos who died intestate on 2nd September, 2012 at New York.

Grace Okri Chukwuma late of 5, Saint Agnes Street, Yaba, Lagos who died intestate on 16th July, 1996 at Lagos.

Olorundare Bolanle late of 12 Femi Pearse Victoria Island, Lagos who died intestate on 8th October, 2011 at Lagos.

Roland Christiana I. late of Road 1, Block 110, Apt 8 Navy Town Ojo Lagos who died intestate on 19th September, 2011 at Lagos.

Cecilia Onayemi Benedict late of 5A, John Olugbo Street, Ikeja who died intestate on 6th October, 1990 at Lagos.

Adikwu Lucky late of 10, Alhaji Lasisi Idi - Oro, Mushin, Lagos who died intestate on 17th June, 2012 at Lagos.

Okonyia Izuchukwu Victor known as Mr. Okonyia Victor I. late of 55, Olagoke Allen Avenue, Ijegun Satellite Town, Lagos who died intestate on 5th November, 2012 at Lagos.

Friday Okon Sambo known as Friday Okon late of 29, Eyiaro Street, Ojota, who died intestate on 3rd June, 2011 at Lagos.

Usman Jamok late of 3, Olorunkemi Street, Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on 10th June, 2012 at Lagos.

Uduh Albert Okafor known as MWO Uduh A. O. late of 41, Ganiyat Street, Alahun - Osumba Estate Monkey Village, Lagos who died intestate on 27th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Daniel Dada Komolafe late of 9,Oyetubo Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos who died intestate on 17th October, 1991 at Ikeja, Lagos.

Akpan Emmanuel Enefiok known as Akpan Emmanuel late of 16, Olorun Adaba Street, Agege, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd November, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs. Umamah Gatherine Blessing known as Mrs. Umamah Orinya Catherine Blessing late of 2, Kingsley Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos who died intestate on 21st September, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. Oluwatoyin Olatunde Amzat known as Mr. Hamzat Oluwatoyin Yesiru late of 59A, Hibiscous Close, MKO Abiola Gardens, Lagos who died intestate on 19th November, 2012 at Sagamu.

Asiemo John Ajirioghene Otherwise known as John Asiemoh late of Ican Waterside Amuwo Odofin, Lagos who died intestate on 7th September, 2012 at Lagos.

Adamu Abubakar late of 20A, Aro Street, Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on 5th August, 2009 at Lagos.

Salum Sali Isa late of Akinde Ayegun Close, Satellite Town, Lagos who died intestate on 16th March, 2013 at Lagos.

Ademola Idowu Abayomi known as Ademola Idowu late of 14, Ebun Olojede Street, Mazamaza, Kuje Amuwo, Lagos who died intestate on 25th December, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr. Emmanuel Egwuatu Emezeumu known as Emezeumu Emmanuel late of 2, Abikoye Street, Mosafejo Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on 10th October, 2011 at Imo State.

Mr. Ganiyu Adegbola Muhammed known as Mohammed Ganiu late of 42, Ohikere Street, Olodi - Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on 28th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs. Anthonette Ayile A. Pedro late of Block 10, Flat 4, Oshodi Road, Dolphin Estate, who died intestate on 2nd September, 1989 at Lagos.

Mrs. Helen Robertson known as Robertson Helen late of Block 198, Flat 4, Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki, Lagos who died intestate on 9th May, 2012 at Lagos.

Julius Nwachukwu late of 12, Oyedeji Street, Ajegunle, Lagos who died intestate on 28th January, 2012 at Lagos.

Sagay Mogbeyi late of 5A, Agbeke Rotunwa Close Ikoyi, Lagos who died intestate on 28th February, 2012 at River State.

Mrs. Odewole Florence known as Mrs. Odewole Florence Ayodele late of Bloc 2, Flat 14, Rabiatu Thompson Crescent, Shitta Surulere, Lagos who died intestate on 9th April, 2010 at Lagos.

Josephine Oluwadamilola Kuteyi known as Josephine Oluwadamilola Fasan late of 13A Holiness Road, Redemption who died intestate on 29th July, 2011 at Osun State.

Felix Ndukwe Okafor known as Okafor Felix late of 14, Cardoso Close, Kirikiri, Lagos who died intestate on 3rd August, 2012 at Port Harcourt.

Musa Ayinde Kehinde Bashiru late of 10, Aromire Street, Lagos who died intestate on 4th October, 2012 at Lagos.

Ajose Taoreed late of Block F Room 6, Wonder Barrack, Lagos who died intestate on 28th March, 2012 at Lagos.

Olaniyi Oluwayemi late of 1, Niyi Oluwayemi Close, Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on22nd December, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. Ganiyu Adebisi Giwa late of 18, Eyindi Street, Odoragunsin, Lagos who died intestate on 24th November, 2012 at Lagos.

Timothy Uten late of Block 2, Room 9, Giwa Barrack, Falomo, Lagos who died intestate on 28th March, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. John Anebi Itodo late of 3rd Marina Quarters, Warri, Delta State, who died intestate on 21st April, 2012 at Warri Delta State.

Vincent Abayomi Adeyinka known as Abayomi Adeyinka late of 18, Salu Court Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 11th September, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr. Abraham Obodo late of 5, Sari Iganmu Street, Bale Orile, Lagos who died intestate on 10th June, 2012 at Lagos.

Anyasi Jibunor Humphray late of 60, Sani Balogun Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, who died intestate on 24th February, 2010 at Benin in Edo State.

Bisiriyu Olatunji Matimoju late of 168, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos who died intestate on 6th June, 2000 at Lagos.

Remilekun Akinsemoyin late of 9, Yesufu Tadeyo Street, Lagos who died intestate on 5th December, 1965 at Lagos.

Mr. Adio Oniyide known as Oniyide Adio late of 12 Asimowu Street, New Garage Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on 6th day of July, 2006 at Lagos.

Chief Michael Okpala known as Okpala Michael late of 2, Folami Blessing Street, Ijanikin, Lagos who died intestate on 11th February, 2012 at Lagos.

Eteokpor Akpan Williams known as Etekpor Akpan Williams late of 20, Awoseyin Street, Somolu, Lagos who died intestate on 10th December, 2011 at Akwa Ibom, Uyo. Mr. Abiola Taiwo Oloruntoba known as Mr. Taiwo Oloruntobo late of 3B, Olaiya Street, Makoko Yaba, Lagos who died intestate on 12th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Adebayo Gbadebo Adesida late of 22, Barklen Street, off King George V Road, Lagos who died intestate on 10th July, 2012 at Lagos.

Alfred Modupe Taylor late of 5, Lagos Street, Ebute- Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 7th September, 1990 at Lagos.

Shobowale Ganiyu Sina Olakunle known as Sobowale Ganiyu Sina late of 8, Oshinowo Street, Mushin, Lagos who died intestate on 24th April, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr. Ogedegbe Best Anthony M. O. N late of House 28, 'M ' Close, 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos who died intestate on 25th September, 2009 at Ibadan Oyo State.

Miss Ogoke Franca Ego late of Umuokiki, Imo State who died intestate on 4th August, 2010 at Umuokiki Imo State.

Pastor Michael Aderinto Olabintan late of 4, Owo Street, Mushin, Lagos who died intestate on 6th June, 2009 at Lagos.

Adeleke Fagun late of 63, Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos who died intestate on 19th October, 2010 at Lagos.

Akinjumi Adebayo Dada known as Akinjumi Dada late of 1, Idumota Church Street, Bariga who died intestate on 27th September, 2011 at Lagos.

Raymond Okosun late of Block 1, Flat 21, Macarthy Police Barrack, Obalende, Lagos who died intestate on 18th June, 2012 at Ikeja.

Chief Najeem Bankole Balogun known as Mr. Najeem Balogun late of 5, Itu Egbe Compound Addo, Lagos who died intestate on 20th November, 2008 at Lagos.

Mr. Sikiru Alli late of 8, Femi Aluko Street, Okokomaiko, Lagos who died intestate on 16th December, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Raimi Shola Durowoju late of 150, Borno Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd October, 1982 at Lagos.

Olusojo Ajayi A. known as Olusoji Ajayi late of Owode Onirin Division Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 26th November, 2007 at Lagos.

Mr. Ukhun Patrick late of 350/352, Old Ojo Road, Alakija Satellite Town, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd August, 2003 at Lagos.

Ogunlaja Iyabo Ibukun (Mrs) known as Ogunlaja Ibukun Iyabo Korede late of 6A Akinsimon Street, Thomas Satellite Ajah, Lekki, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd October, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Emeka Okafor late of 322 Road 'D' Close Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Twon, Lagos who died intestate on 31st May, 2010 at Lagos.

Alhaja Kaosarat Abeni Bello known as Bello Kausara late of 30, Owode Street, Igbogbo Road Ikorodu who died intestate on 30th October, 2012 at Lagos.

Musbau Ramoni late of 1, Olaore Street, Agboju, Lagos who died intestate on 10th December, 2011 at Lagos.

Oyebowale Kudeihinbu Peter known as Oyebowale Kudehinbo Peter late of Elijah Parish Araromi Ale Badagry, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd October, 2010 at Lagos.

Alhaji Muftau Animashaun known as Animashaun Muftau Olakunle late of 96, Isawo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 8th May, 2008 at Ikorodu, Lagos.

Julien Noberto De-Souza late of 53, Olokodana Street, Apapa, Road, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd day of February, 1967 at Lagos.

Christopher Eze late of Mabo Village Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 9th September, 2009 at Lagos.

Elizabeth Folashade Oloniyo known as Oloniyo Elizabeth late of 7, Olayori Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos who died intestate on the 15th July, 2010 at Lagos.

Anyaebosi Nnamdi Peter late of 1, Prince Sulaiman Taiwo Crescent, Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Oke-Aga, Isolo, Lagos who died intestate on 17th January, 2013 at Nnewi.

Agada James Omale late of 1, Gbeleyi Street, Ikorodu who died intestate on the 19th November, 2012 at Kogi.

Mrs. Anna Dulla late of 3, Flat 4, Agbabi Street, Marine Beach, Apapa who died intestate on the 4th October, 2012 at Lagos.

Joseph O. Ayorinde known as Joseph Olawoye Ayorinde late of 51, Adeyemi Street, Oshodi, Lagos who died intestate on 21st August, 2005 at Lagos.

Florence Ideh known as Ideh Jesus Florence late of 1, Lawal Street, Pero Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos who died intestate on the 3rd January, 2012 at Lagos.

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NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT Mr. Okunubi Tunde Kamyi and Abolarin A. A. Okunubi both of 12, Dairo Street, Ketu, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Edith Oyosoro and Kenneth C. Onyejiaka of 32, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos and 92, Femi Ayantuga Crescent Surulere, Lagos. The mother and uncle of the said deceased..

Edith Oyosoro and Kenneth C. Onyejiaka of 32, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos and 92, Femi Ayantuga Crescent, Surulere, Lagos. The mother and uncle of the said deceased.

Miss Onyinye Nwanze and Miss Juliana Nwanze both of 39, Olatunji Street, Ojota, Lagos. Sisters of the said deceased.

Ike Okoye and Okechukwu Okoye both of 3, Ameen Street, Abule Ojo Yaba, Lagos. Th children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Grace Modupe Bankole, Miss Precious Olubunmi Bankole and Mr. Austine Okoh all of 5, Modupeola Bankole Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. The widow, daughter and cousin of the said deceased.

Mr. Chukwuma Okri Nkem Lilee and Mrs. Ihenyen Jennifer Ngozi both of 39, Alhaji Adamu Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mr. Folorunsho Olorundare and Mrs. Khadijat Adeboye both of 12, Femi Pearse Victoria Island, Lagos. The widower and sister of the said deceased.

Iruanovwe O. Patience and Iruanovwe O. Edith both of Road 1, Block 110, Apt 8, Navy Town Ojo, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Agnes Bisi Osifeso and Dr. Leonard Adenuga Benedict both of 5A John Olugbo Street, Ikeja. The children of the said deceased.

Adikwu Chinyere and Adikwu Patrick both of 330, Jakande Estate, Lekki, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Okonyia Cordelia Uche and Okonyia Emmanuel Chike both of 55, Olagoke Allen Avenue, Ijegun Satellite Town, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs.Mandu Friday and Mr. Monday Friday Sambo both of 29, Eyiabo Street, Ojota. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Usman Francisca Ngozi and Philip Obe of 3, Olorunkemi Street, Bariga and 14, Palace Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Madam Josephine O. Uduh and Godfrey Ucheka Uduh both of Ganiyu Street, Ijegun, Imore, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Grace Komolafe, Komolafe Abayomi and Bamidele Komolafe all of 9, Oyetubo Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Esther Akpan and Bassey Akpan of 16, Olorun Adaba Street, Agege, Lagos and 102, Itire Road, Iroko Ogun State. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Umamah Itodo Lawrence and Umamah Godwin both of 2, Kingsway Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos. The widower and son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olufunke Amzat, Omotomiwa Amzat and Mr. Soga Amusa of 59A Hibiscus Close MKO Gardens Lagos and 10 PT, Odumosu Street, Aiyepe. The widow, son and brother of the said deceased/ Mr. Fredrick Asiemo, Henry Ukwame and Alhaja Afusat Iyabo Asiemo all of Block 307, Flat 2, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

The father, nephew and mother of the said deceased.

Saka Oseni and Abu Ibraheem both of 20A, Aro Street, Amukoko, Lagos. The brother and uncle of the said deceased.

Salum Sali and Musa Sali both of 20, Ayegun Street, Satellite Town, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olayemi Alaba, Mr. Adewole Ademola, Miss Mosunmola Ademola and Miss Omolara Ademola all of 14, Ebun Olojede Street, Mazamaza, Kuje Amuwo, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Prescillia Emmanuel and Mr. Nkemjika Emmanuel both of 2, Abikoye Street, Mosafejo Amukoko, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Fatimoh A. Muhammed and Mr. Yusuf O. Muhammed both of 42, Ohikere Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Simeon Oyewole Pedro and Ernestine Iyabo Soyemi of 13, Olumajofodun Street, Okota, Lagos and 19B Victoria Drive Gowon Estate, Lekki, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Michael T. K. Robertson and Paul Oshokai Robertson both of Block 198, Flat 4, Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Azuka Nwachukwu, Maureen Onyeka Nwachukwu and Nwachukwu Patience Ndidi all of 12, Oyedeji Street, Ajegunle, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Nneka Sagay, Mr. Cliff Kologbo and Monima Whittington Lawson Jack of 1BA, Close off Alhaji Adewale Bisi Ogudu G.R.A. and 52, Ayawole Road, Alagbole Ogun. The widow and Relative of the said deceased.

Mr. Emmanuel Akin Odewole and Mrs. Oyin Bakare (Nee Odewole) both of Block 2, Flat 14, Rabiatu Thompson Crescent, Shitta, Surulere, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Saheed Kuteyi and Mr. Ganiu Kuteyi both of 19, Fatai Atere Way Matori, Mushin, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. R. M. Okafor and Mr. Felix N. Okafor both of 14, Cardoso Close Kirikiri, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Monsurat Taiye Musa and Musa Lateef Babatunde of 10, Aromire Street, Lagos and 71, Agodokome Street, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Sherifat Ajose and Mr. Olalekan Ajose both of Block F Room 6, Wonder Barrack Ikoyi, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Omoyemi Oluwayemi and Miss Abisole Oluwayemi both of 1, Niyi Oluwayemi Close Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and daughter of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olawunmi Alaga (Nee Giwa), Mr. Tajudeen Giwa, Tosin Giwa. and Kuburat Giwa all of 18, Eyindi Street, Odoragunsin, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Uten Precious and Ebenezer Timothy of Block 2, Room 9, Giwa Barrack, Lagos and 41, Igbokusu, Jakande 1st Gate, Lekki, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mary Igbe Itodo, Ebute Bartholomew Itodo and Mathew Okwori all of 6A, Hope Harriman Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos. The widow, cousin and brother of the said deceased.

Kehinde Adeyinka and Oluwasegun Adeyinka both of 18, Salu Court Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Angela Abraham Obodo, Mr. Jenetimifa James Obodo and Mr. Ebiakpo Prince Obodo all of 5, Sari Iganmu Street, Bale Orile, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Jibunor Paul A. and Engr. Anyasi Peter J. both of Sani Balogun Street, Abule Egba, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Segun O. Matimoju and Olutayo Matimoju both of 20, Hawley Street, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Oyeladun Oladele Akinsemoyin and Oladipo Adeyemi Akinsemoyin both of 9, Yesufu Tadeyo Street, Lagos. The Grandson and Great Grandson of the said deceased.

Oluwaseyi Oniyide and Oluwamide Oniyide both of 12, Ashimowu Street, Gbagada, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Anthonia Okpala, Mr. Michael Okpala, Mr, Anthony Okpala and Miss Chika Okpala all of 2, Folami Blessing Street, Ijanikin, Lagos. The widow and three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Enoh Akpan Williams and Aniefiok Williams of 2, Adesanya Street, Ifako Gbagada and 2, Moshalasi Lane, Ilupeju Lagos.

The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Olufemi Oloruntoba and Adeniyi Idowu Oloruntoba both of 3B Olaiya Street, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos. The father and brother of the said deceased.

Olusola Margaret Adesida and Adebanke Akinboboye of Plot 235, Babs, Abosede Close Ajao Estate and 28 Randle Road Apapa Lagos. The widow and sister of the said deceased.

Olumide Taylor and Kehinde Taylor both of 5, Lagos Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mogbadunola Aduke Shobowale and Sotayo Gbanga both of 8, Osinowo Street, Mushin, Lagos. The mother and cousin of the said deceased.

Mrs. Folashade A. Ogedegbe, Mrs. Priscilla Y. Osiberu and Miss Gloria Tolulope Ogedegbe all of House 28, 'M' Close, 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Juliana Uzoma and Nnaemeka Ogoke both of Umuokiki, Imo State. The sister and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Margaret A. Morgan and Mrs. Comfort O. Mowobi both of 4, Owo Street Mushin, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Oladapo A. Fagun and Mr. Ayodeji Fagun both of 24, Olusesi Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos. The brothers of the said deceased.

Akinjumi Abiola Marca and Akinjumi James Olugbenga of 5, Prince Bayo Akinjumi Street, Mowe and No. 1, Idumota Church Street, Bariga, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Kate Okosun and Sunday Okosun both of Block 1, Flat 21, Macarthy Police Barracks Obalende, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Fashina Aliyu Balogun and Mrs. Hafsat A. Afeez both of Itu Egbe Compound Addo, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mr. Suleiman, Alli, Mr. Mutiu Alli and Mr. Ganiyu Alli, all of 8, Femi Aluko Street, Okoko, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Chief Saubana A. Durowoju, Surveyor M. A. Olawale Durowoju, Mr. Wafeez Durowoju and Mr. Olanrewaju Durowoju all of 150, Borno Way, Ebute -Metta, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Moyinoluwa Ajayi of Owode Onirin Division Ajegunle Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow of the said deceased.

Mrs. Grace Ego Ukhun and Mr. Ukhun Eromosele Michael both of 350/352, Old Ojo Road Alakija Satellite Town, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Olurotimi Mayowa and Kemi Fadipe of 6A, Oluwakunsiwon Street, Thomas Estate, Ajah, Lagos and 143,Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island, Lagos. The son and sister of the said deceased.

Mrs. Felicia Ifeoma Okafor and Esther Ezelibe both of 322 Road 'D' Close Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Town, Lagos. The widow and sister of the said deceased.

Miss Kunirat Ajike Belo, Mr. Hakeem Olawale Bello and Miss Hawanat Afolashade Belo all of 30, Owode Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos. Three of the children of the said deceased.

Saheed Ramoni and Sulaimon Ramoni both of 1, Olaore Street, Agboju, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mr. George Oyebowale Kudehinbu and Mrs. Amoke Oyebowale Kudehinbu both of 29A, NEPA Road, Ojo, Lagos. The father and mother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Kudirat Olaide Animashaun, Mr. Adebola Qudus Animashaun and Mr. Afeez Olufunso Animashaun all of 9, Oluwadare Street, off Fola Agoro, Somolu, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Folake Martins (Nee De-Souza) and Mrs. Bukola Wright (Nee De-Souza) both of 53, Olokodana Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The grand children of the said deceased.

Theresa Eze and Augustine Nwabunwanne both of Mabo Village Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and Relation of the said deceased.

Oloniyo Ibukun and Abike Bello both of 7, Olayori Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. The Widower and Sister of the said deceased.

Mrs. Happiness C. Anyaebosi of 1, Prince Sulaiman Taiwo Crescent, Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Oke- Aga, Isolo, Lagos. The Widow of the said deceased.

Ojochogwu David Agada and Baba Mohammed both of 1, Gbeleyi Street, Ikorodu, Lagos. Son and Cousin of the said deceased.

Mr. Joseph Dulla and Mr. Paul Yiddo both of Block 3, Flat 4, Agbabi Street, Marine Beach, Lagos. The Widower and Brother of the said deceased.

Jimoh A. Olawoye, Rasheed A. Olawoye, Rafiu A. Olawoye and Mukail a O. Olawoye all of 51, Adeyemi Street, Oshodi, Lagos.

The Children of the said deceased.

Ideh Emmanuel Chukwuma, Ideh Victor Chukwuma and I deh Samuel Oluchukwu, all of 1, Lawal Street, Off Pero Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos. The Sons of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (ESQ) PROBATE REGISTRAR

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Governors Theodore Orji (Abia State), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), Idris Wada (Kogi) and Peter Obi (Anambra) after the meeting of the NGF in Abuja.

Tension is rising in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as the body prepares for its chairmanship election. AUGUSTINE EHIKOYA writes on the contenders, the outside forces shaping the contest and the future of the association.

Amaechi, Shema: Who is next NGF chair?

T

HE 36 governors may converge on Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this month to elect the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF). Obviously, there is a crack on the wall. Unlike what it used to be, this time, the forum is not united. There are crises and tension. The chairmanship election of the forum, the intrigues, power-play and last minute calculation by the two contenders and their camps have reached the peak.

The race between the incumbent NGF Chairman and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has not only divided the forum, but it is also heating up the polity.

Since its inception in 1999, what is playing out now is viewed by many as the intrigue of the highest order. Expectedly, the contest has generated a bad blood among the governors.

Lamenting the present rowdy and dangerous scenario, a serving governor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “What is happening now is really worrisome. This is the first time the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is experiencing this type of crisis.

“Change of leadership has always been done in a matured and smooth manner. Since 1999, the baton has changed smoothly from the first NGF Chairman, former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu to former Akwa Ibom State Governor Victor Attah to former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion to former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki and to Rotimi Amaechi, the incumbent.” he recalled.

Amaechi, who was declared winner of the Rivers State governorship election in 2007, was re-elected governor in April 2011, and now wants a second tenure to lead the 36 state governors.

But his party, the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the power-that-be, seem not to be favourably disposed towards his ambition, and particularly, the plan of the opposition governors in the Forum. The governors in

• Amaechi

the opposition parties, partiuclarly those of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), are allegedly supporting Amaechi because he is believed to have operated an open-door policy in his first tenure, where he allowed the interests and decisions of the majority of governors to prevail on any particular issue.

Amaechi has the support of the majority of the governors. He is loved by the opposition governor and they are mobilising their PDP colleagues to back him. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who belongs to the ACN had declared that: “Forget the noise you are hearing out there. When election for Governors’ Forum Chairman comes, you will see.”

• Shema

While Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema is aspiring to unseat Amaechi and occupy the NGF Governorship seat this what he has going for him is the blessing and support of the PDP leadership.

Though Shema is believed to have what it takes to lead the forum, some Northern leaders believed that, should Shema win the NGF chairmanship it would be a gambit to prevent the North from getting the ticket to run for the 2015 presidential election under the PDP platform.

The PDP leadership is believed by stakeholders to be willing and ready to mobilize the PDP machine toward the success of Shema.

The creation of the PDP Governors Forum,

chaired by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, is seen as a plot by the PDP leadership to break the ranks of the governors in order to ensure smooth ride

by Shema.

It is also believed that the recent troubles coming the way of Amaechi were pre-arranged and meant to destabilise and prevent him from retaining the NGF chairmanship.

Kicking against the politics of imposition, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had called on the PDP and the power-that-be to allow the governors a free hand to elect the person they desire to lead them.

The body also believes that the PDP leadership was behind crisis in the Forum.

Spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum Prof Ango Abdullahi said: “The problem we now have is that the President wants to exercise excessive control over the governors and all other party members and organs.

“He wants to take everything and that is what is responsible for the conflict between the President and the governors, individually or as a group. As far as we are concerned, this conflict needs not be there.

“What is wrong with the governors getting together under a forum to discuss common problems and issues that can help them to serve their people and Nigerians better?

What is wrong with that?”

But the elder statesman and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark said that the governors were constituting and acting as an opposition party to the Federal Government, with some of their activities driving the country to chaos.

He accused the PDP governors in the NGF of exerting over-bearing influence on the party and damaging the party’s supremacy.

In the next 48 hours, it is hoped that democracy will, at the end of the day, be allowed to dictate the proceedings at NGF chairmanship election. This is the only way that the true will of the governors can be expressed.

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Caesarean section is safe, say experts It is a safe means of delivery, but many women shy away from it. Why? They believe Caesarean Section (CS) will do them more harm than good. But, according to obstetricians and gynaecologists, CS is a life saving measure to reduce maternal mortality, writes OYEYEMI GBENGAMUSTAPHA.

A

ADEOLA Isiaka, a 38 year-old journalist had a successful caesarean section (CS). Mother and child were fine after delivery, but on getting home, things became different. She almost died, but for her husband who rushed her back to the hospital where she was opened up and her womb that had almost ruptured resewed.

It was discovered that she had carried a heavy object, which impacted on the surgery and the suture gave way.

Adeola did not understand why she should not be involved in any activity that will impact on the surgery.

Her husband wondered why she was not informed of such consequences at the antenatal clinic (ANC).

Dr Kofo Adeyemi of Community Health Out Patient Department (CHOP), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, said looking after a new baby could be hard for all women, but it could be harder when they are recovering from a CS. This is why it is good to ask questions on areas one is not clear about during ANC appointments.

“A patient must be kind to herself, it may take a few weeks or even longer to recover, particularly if you have had complications. Many women may want to prove that they are strong, hence may do things in the house by themselves after they are discharged. But it is good if chores are delegated. For instance, you should not drive a car until your wound has healed and you are able to brake suddenly without feeling sharp pain (usually about six weeks). Talk with the doctors about when they think would be a safe time to start driving again.

“A simple understanding that caesarean section (c-section) is a surgical procedure in which a baby is born through an incision (cut) made in the mother’s abdominal wall and the wall of the uterus (womb) can save a whole lot of women some needless stress.

“There are several reasons why you and your doctor (obstetrician) might decide on a planned (elective) caesarean birth.

Not all women have or need to have caesarean in these circumstances. Some of the reasons for CS are, if there are serious problems that prevent the baby being born by a normal vaginal birth. The decision will be based on a combination of your particular situation and, in some cases, your preferences. They include a previous caesarean section; baby is positioned bottom or feet first and can’t be turned (breech); your cervix (opening to the womb) is blocked by the placenta (placenta praevia); baby is lying sideways (transverse) and is not able to be turned by the doctor; a twin pregnancy, with your first baby positioned bottom or feet first; multiple pregnancy, e.g triplets or more or expectant mother is with HIV/ PLWAIDS.” Odeyemi said: “If you have no serious problems with your pregnancy or labour a vaginal birth is the safest way for your baby to be born. Most women have vaginal births (about three in four). You have a right to be involved in and to make decisions about your care. A caesarean can

•Dr Bamisebi

Types of caesarean The only difference between caesareans is where the cuts (incisions) are made to the uterus. After your caesarean, ask the obstetrician what kinds of cuts were made. This will be useful information when you are making decisions about future births. The two types of cuts that can be used when you have a caesarean section are: • A lower segment incision – will be used wherever possible. This is a horizontal (across) cut through the abdomen (tummy) and a horizontal cut through the lower part of the uterus, sometimes known as a ‘bikini line’ incision. These cuts heal better, are less visible and are less likely to cause problems in future pregnancies.

• A classical incision – refers to a vertical cut on the uterus. The cut on the abdomen (tummy) may be horizontal or vertical. This type of incision is usually only used for extreme emergencies or in specific situations, such as if the placenta is lying very low, if your baby is lying sideways or if your baby is very small. It can increase the chance of having problems in later pregnancies and births.

Source: SOGON News letter only be done if you give your written permission. Your partner or next of kin can give written permission if you are not able. Basically, most caesarean births are planned.”

A member of Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr Adebayo Bamisebi said to have a successful CS, a patient must talk to the doctor or obstetrician about her general health, “including any health problems, as some things may affect your doctor’s decisions about surgery and anaesthetics; possible risks and complications; any bleeding problems and whether you bruise easily; any allergies you may have or any medications you are taking; tests you need to have – these include blood tests to check if you are anaemic and to make sure there is some blood available in case you need it during or after the caesarean section.

“If the doctor believes a patient is at increased risk of blood clot, she may be measured for compression stockings to wear during the operation. The theatre team will clean your abdomen with antiseptic and cover it with sterile clothes to reduce the risk of infection. In many hospitals, the hair around the area to be cut is shaved so that it is easier to clean. You will have a catheter (plastic tube) inserted into your bladder so that it remains empty during the operation.

“The actual operation usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. It involves making a cut in your abdomen and your uterus. The baby will be lifted out through the cut. Sometimes the doctor may use forceps to help lift out the baby’s head.

The baby will be handed over to a paediatrician who will carefully check it.

The umbilical cord will be cut and your placenta removed. An injection is usually given to make your uterus contract and to minimise bleeding. Antibiotics will be

given to reduce the risk of infection. The layers of muscle, fat and skin will be stitched and a dressing is then applied over the wound.”

On whether the woman will experience pains during the procedure? Dr Bamisebi said: “Not really. Anaesthetics are given.There are three types of anaesthetic you may be given so that you do not feel any pain during your operation.

“Spinal anaesthetic is the most common anaesthetic for a planned caesarean. A needle will be inserted between the bones in your spine and local anaesthetic will be injected though the needle.This will block the pain from your chest downwards. You will be awake and able to breathe normally. As your baby is being born, you may feel sensations – like tugging and pulling – but no pain. Epidural anaesthetic is often used to lessen the pain

of labour. If you have already been given an epidural during labour, and it is working well, the epidural can be topped up for an emergency caesarean. The epidural is a plastic tube which will be inserted into a space around the lining of your spine.

“General anaesthetic is only given if for some reason you can’t have a spinal or epidural anaesthetic. It might also be given if your baby needs to be born very quickly. You will breathe oxygen through a mask and you will be given medicine though a drip, which will make you drowsy and put you to sleep. You will sleep through the baby’s birth. For planned CS, a patient will need to fast – so no food or drink, including water – for six hours before a planned caesarean. If it is an emergency caesarean, the doctor will ask you when you last had any food or drink so they know how to proceed with your operation.

You will have blood samples taken.”

But why do some expectant mothers undergo unplanned CS? Dr Bamisebi said: “Some of the reasons for an unplanned (emergency) caesarean birth include baby’s head does not move down or ‘fit’ through your pelvis during labour; labour does not progress i.e your contractions are not strong enough and your cervix opens too slowly or not at all; baby shows signs of distress or being compromised; the umbilical cord, which provides important nutrients and oxygenated blood to your baby has fallen down (prolapsed) through the cervix and into the vagina after your water bag has broken or if a health problem such as high blood pressure may make labour riskier for you and your baby.”

45

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21 , 2013

PROPERTY

Tuesday, MAY 21, 2013

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

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

The Jakande Estates in various parts of Lagos brought succour to many families when they were built in the early 80s. But their neglect over the years has brought disasters following the collapse of some of the buildings in which scores were killed. This has compelled the government to take proactive steps to stop further disasters, Seyi Odewale and Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie report.

•A demolished structure in one of the estates.

Preserving Jakande’s housing legacy W

HEN in the early 1980s the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, initiated the low cost housing scheme for middle class and low income earners, what was on his mind, perhaps, was to reposition the almost submerged middle class, which had difficulties coping with the biting pangs of accommodation in the ever-growing Lagos population.

The initiative saved many families from relocating from Lagos and afforded them the opportunity of becoming landlords.

Flats were got through lucky dips and lotteries and paid for at relatively low prices with the highest then going for N3,000.

The initiative earned Alhaji Jakande as the foremost housing provider for Nigerians from the different parts of the country in the state. The prototype of the lowcost housing was replicated in different parts of the state, such as Oke-Afa, Isolo, Adeniji Adele, Abesan, Iyana-Ipaja,Iponri, Lekki, Ketu-Alapere, Amuwo-Odofin and other places had one form of the scheme or the other. Every part of the state ben-

efitted.

However, almost three decades after these landmark achievements, the buildings in their various locations have become death traps. Cases of building collapse resulting in deaths are commonly reported.

Oke-Afa Estate in Isolo is a case in point.

Several years of neglect and lack of maintenance have left the buildings virtually unsafe leading to fatalities recorded last November. Two sisters lost their lives when their

residence collapsed throwing their mother into mourning.

This prompted the state government to conduct structural integrity tests on other buildings within the estate. Fifty of such buildings failed the tests.

At the stakeholders’meeting which held at the Lagos State Security Command last year at the instance of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO),

‘Our sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), for his sympathetic response towards the victims. We believe and hope that other victims will soon have their own relief assistance and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to this sad incidence shall be actualised’

Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu,said the forum was aimed at finding modalities on the demolition of the affected buildings to avert disaster, or any possible collapse of buildings in the estate and look for ways of settling people who were likely to be affected by the demolition.

In attendance were representatives of the Lagos State Building Investment Corporation (LBIC); Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA); Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA); Lagos State Raw Materials Testing Agency; Office of the Public Defender (OPD), LASEMA, Jakande Estate Association; officials of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) where the estate is located; Ministries of Housing, Environment, among others.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the fact that the buildings failed integrity tests was enough ground to demolish them to avert any disaster. “They are no longer fit for habitation and rehabilitation,” he said.

•Continued on page 46

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Preserving Jakande’s housing legacy •Continued from page 45

The series of structural tests conducted on the buildings, the residents were told, exposed them for demolition. But he lamented the attitude of some residents.

“This is the kind of disaster we have always tried to avoid, but unfortunately, some residents are not just co-operating with the state government at the expense of their safety. The results of the series of structural tests we conducted on the collapsed buildings showed that the structures were weak and not fit for habitation.We had repeatedly warned the occupants of the dangers and asked them to leave, but unfortunately, they ignored these warnings,” he said.

He said the buildings were being demolished in phases and their owners compensated. Recently, 15 landlords whose buildings were pulled down among those slated for demolition were compensated with N3million, with each collecting N200,000.

Oke-Osanyintolu told The Nation that they were compensated to enable them to secure accommodation elsewhere pending the reconstruction of their buildings.

He explained that government’s motive was to avert disasters that could have come from the marked buildings that failed the structural integrity tests. “Our main focus is to preserve lives and property, and we will do everything to make sure that we are equal to the task.

“When we noticed that there were some defects in some structures, we pulled them down and rebuild. The same thing we are going to do for those affected at Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa. They were given some money to secure accommodation elsewhere. We also entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the owners of the structures. They complied and with that we were able to achieve what we planned to do.”

Asked what kind of MoU the government had with them and if the owners would be able to have their buildings back, Oke-Osanyintolu said: “When you are looking at those kind of structures we have primary and secondary victims. The landlords are the owners of the buildings. We will not give the buildings to those who are not the owners. Immediately the reconstructions are completed the owners will get back their buildings.”

But at what cost he was asked? “At no cost. And if there is going to be any cost at all, everyone will see the need for it. If you do something and everybody appreciates it, you will not need to cajole or persuade them to pay at all. They themselves would see the need to pay, if at all that is necessary. However, when we get to that bridge we will know how to cross it,” he said.

•Oke-Osanyintolu

•Ayinde

He said the government has been having some commendations from the residents and landlords of the affected estate. “We have been having a lot of commendations on what we have been doing there. You can see that the affected landlords of that estate and their associations have commended us for taking proactive steps in preventing building collapse, which would have caused some fatalities and loss of properties,” he said.

Showing a copy of the letter dated April 26 and signed by Alhaji Abdul-Kareem Taiwo and Prince M.O. Oyemade, who are both President and Secretary of Landlords / Residents Association (LARESA), Low Cost Housing Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, addressed to LASEMA’s General Manager, Oke-Osanyaintolu said the residents appreciated what the government has been able to do, especially in compensating those affected by the demolition.

The letter reads in part: “The President, Executive members, beneficiaries and the entire residents of our great estate hereby express our gratitude to you and all government agencies involved in taking care of our predicaments since the collapse of Block M20 on the fateful day of November 20, 2012.

“Our sincere appreciation goes to His Excellency, the Lagios State Governor, Mr BabatundeRajiFashola (SAN), for his sympathetic response towards the victims. We believe and hope that other victims will soon have their own relief assistance and the Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) relating to this sad incidence shall be actualised.”

Taiwo said on the telephone that those who have got the N200,000 relief assistance vacated their buildings while those yet to be given are still waiting.

Asked if the association keeps track of those who had left, he said they moved to different parts of the state pending the completion of their buildings by the government.

The LASEMA boss, however, took exception to the term demolition often used to describe the proactive measures of his agency in mitigating building collapse. “I don’t like that word demolition. It makes one sound destructive. Our job is not about demolition, we are for saving lives and property because we know that lives have no duplicates. We do everything to save lives and we use different methods to achieve different goals,” he said.

He continued: “People use demolition in another form - negatively, which we don’t want to be associated with. We want to be associated with reconstruction, rehabilitation, remolding and saving of lives and property than demolishing people’s property. And this government, as you are aware, is a democratically elected government. It is a government of the people. How can you allow your people to suffer?”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Mr ToyinAyinde revealed that most of the buildings in the Jakande Estates are distressed and may collapse at short notice.

He said of most concern to the state government is the fragrant violation of town planning rules by most residents, especially at OkeAfa, Isolo who add floors to already weak structures.

Ayinde revealed that The Building Control Agency, the organ responsible for such, is gradually taking the inventory of the Jakande estates to ascertain their state and how to approach the defects. The commissioner said the Babatunde Fashola administration is rebuilding the Ogba Housing Estate, regretting that some areas meant to be built with raft foundation or pilling were neglected leading to incessant collapse and failures.

He added that the government was studying Jakande Estate at the one at Adeniji Adele in order to rebuild it.

•A distressed building being demolished at Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo.

Lagos, World Bank upgrade slums

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HE Lagos Metropolitan De velopment and Gover nance Project (LMDGP) is to build infrastructure in Ijeshatedo/Itire and Mushin to elevate those areas.

LMDGP is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) World Bank-assisted project, put in place by the Lagos State Government in 2008 to upgrade 10 blighted communities (slums).

These areas were selected following a 1995 comprehensive study of living conditions in identified slum communities in Lagos State. The areas targeted for intervention by LMDGP are the worst and largest among the identified slum areas. It covers an estimated 760 hectares. Usually, the upgrading of subprojects are done in response to the expressed demand of the beneficiary communities.

When The Nation visited Ijeshatedo/Itire, it was discovered that over 30 roads had either been re-built, rehabilitated or had drains constructed to check the perennial flooding of the area. The agency also undertook total renovation and construction of 68 classrooms, including external works, gardening, tiles, roofing and installation of new windows.

In Mushin, the Chairman, Oduselu Community Development Association, Otunba Femi Okuyemi,commendedthe agency for providing 19 boreholes that provides an average of 7,000 litres daily.

He said potable water was provided to the communities under his care because of the challenges the residents had suffered for years, adding that be-

Stories by Okwy IroegbuChikezie Asst Editor

fore now, the most common disease in the area was water-borne disease.

Another community leader in Osifowokan area of Mushin, Alhaja Mariam Idowu-Gbenle, said she is also in charge of some boreholes provided by LMDGP and commended it for assisting the residents to overcome water challenges.

The Chairman Technical Committee, Itire/Ijesha, Mr Abdul Rasheed Gimba, said 25 roads are under construction by contractors engaged by LMDGP. He listed the roads to include Aroromi, Igu, Gbadamosi and Omanuah.

Mushin Local Government Chairman, Mr Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan, praised the slum upgrade projects of LMDGP in his local government. He confirmed that the World Bank agency has intervened successfully in slum upgrade in his local community through infrastructure upgrade in areas of road construction and water provision.

Adepitan said: “Thirty roads have been built in the local government in conformity with international standards. He said the intervention has brought a lot of relief to his people who are mainly traders. He said they need to move easily from one point to the other and also check flooding.

He said he has built over 35 roads in the local government maintained by road managers employed by the local government.

However, he asked the government to assist the local government in the provision of street lights to protect the provided infrastructure from vandals.

Ogun landlords, tenants get compensation

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ANDLORDS, tenants and shop owners in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, whose properties fall within the right of way of the proposed shopping malls and residential buildings have been paid relocation allowances by the government ahead of the demolition of their properties.

Speaking while monitoring payment of the allowance, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, recalled that the state pledged to build ultramodern shopping malls in place of some markets and houses and resettle residents affected.

He said ultra-modern shopping malls will be built at three commercial centres of Omida, Itoku and Isale Igbein.

He added that the relocation allowance was a palliative measure to enable those affected to find a temporary place to live or carry out their commercial activities pending the completion of the shopping malls and houses.

“Let me make it clear that what we are paying now is not compensation, but just a palliative to enable those whose properties are to be affected by our plans to build new shopping malls and find a temporary abode. We are going to bring them back as soon as the projects are completed,” Adegbite said.

The commissioner assured the affected shop owners and landlords that they would be considered and given shops and houses respectively when

•Amosun

the projects were ready. He affirmed that enough shops and houses would go round them and others would be built to accommodate all.

He enjoined the beneficiaries to spend the money wisely and make alternative accommodation arrangements in the interim and not to spend it on frivolities that could make nonsense of government’s gesture.

Mrs. Deborah Olubunmi, a landlord at Isale Igbein and Mrs. Modinat Shonekan, a shop owner at Omida market, who benefitted lauded the state government for the gesture, saying that it would cushion effect of the proposed demolition and ease their movement to a temporary site.

They urged the state government to fulfill its promises of giving them priority when the shops and houses are completed.

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MARITIME Stakeholder faults ship repairs’ policy A STAKEHOLDER in the maritime industry has faulted the Federal Government’s policy on ship repairs.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the operator, Mr Funsho Badmus, said the government has not offered special incentives for the sector to promote and enhance efficiency in shipping-related services or made the country a hub.

Noting that ship building is capital intensive, he urged the Federal Government to make special provision for capacity building in the industry.

He said local ship own-

ers face difficulties in raising funds to facilitate improved business prospects.

Badmus said the facilities at the shipyards were inadequate when compared with what is required at the international level.

He said ship repairs’ business is highly competitive and should be supported by national policies and subsidies, adding that without the government’s support, the growth of the industry would be difficult.

He said for the sector to grow there should be incentives, such as lower taxes to offset the costs.

‘Invest in truck transit parks’

• From right: National President, Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Hajiya Sa‘adiya Abdullahi Dikko; wife of the Area Controller Seme Command, Hajiya Ladidi; Assistant Comptroller-General, Zone A, Mr Victor Osita Gbemudu, and Comptroller Abdu Saleh Othman, at the launching of N2 billion International Secondary School (CISS) at Seme Border.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

New shipping policy coming F

OR economic reasons, the Federal Government is to adopt a new shipping policy.

The government is to change from Free on Board (FoB) to Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) in the national interest, The Nation has gathered.

For now, goods are bought from Nigeria on FoB basis, but the country trades with others under CIF. FoB, sources said, gives those importing from the country the opportunity to pay for the shipment and landing costs of their goods from the ports.

Government, the source said, is adopting CIF because it gives the seller

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

the right to arrange for the shipping of goods to a port of his choice, and provide the buyer with the documents to collect them from the carrier.

The source said the problem faced by indigenous owners was the failure to enforce the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA) Act, 2007, almost six years after its enactment.

Nigeria, he said, is the only country still using FoB. He said indigenous shipping firms had over the years been grappling with

lack of cargo support, leading many of them to close down.

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Maritime Services Mr Leke Oyewole said at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, United States that work had been completed on the policy change to help indigenous operators.

According to him, all that is left now is for the Economic Management Team (EMT) to take a final look at the document before presenting it to the President for assent.

He said: “The EMT always has a long list of is-

sues to attend to . They were to have that meeting last month but it was not possible. But I can tell you that within this month, most likely it will be discussed and when it is discussed and it is agreed at that level, then it will be left to the President to just sign.

Once he signs, it becomes an order.”

President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu said the country was losing billions of naira from the continued use of FoB .

Shittu described as “good”, the government’s plan to adopt CIF.

How importers lose N2b weekly

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HIPPING companies are depriving importers of over N2 billion weekly for allegedly refusing to refund their container deposit fee, The Nation has learnt.

The Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) has appealed to the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, to address the problem.

The President of the group, Chief Osita Patrick Chukwu, told Bello that the

shipping companies hide under different guises to perpetrate the fraud. He alleged that agencies such as the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are being included among agencies that should collect revenue through debit notes.

“Freight forwarders lose N2 billion weekly as regards container deposits.

Some shipping companies fraudulently use one system or the other to exonerate themselves from paying the shippers back.

Initially, we thought the concessioning will be of elevation from where we were before; the question now is, is it not better to go back to where we were before the concession?” he asked.

Replying, Bello said the port reform embarked upon by the government seven years ago was to reduce the cost of clearing goods and eliminate corruption.

Nigeria, he said, was still grappling with high cost of doing business, which

should have been reduced after the port reforms.

“The issue of corruption if care is not taken will work against the port reforms. In the past six years, we have been making reforms, and corruption is the victim of these reforms.

Port reforms are supposed to address issues of corruption. Fighting corruption does not mean to arrest people and prosecute them.

The moment you reform a system, it means you are fighting corruption,” he stressed.

Govt advised to develop railway for heavy cargoes

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HE Federal Government has been advised to develop the railway to facilitate the carrying of goods, especially heavy cargoes, that are transported by road.

An expert in marine transport and Principal Partner at Multi-system Consult, Dr Wale Adetigba, said the interconnectivity of the rail to water ways was important.

“Marine transport is a component part of transportation system and

from my professional training and experience, marine transport cannot operate in isolation from other modes of transportation, especially with rail system,” he said.

Maritime lawyer and a don, Mr Dipo Alaka, said if the link is right, the cost of goods in the market will be reduced.

“When goods come into the country, the only means of distribution is by road. Unfortunately, the roads are bad. My position

is that we need to revisit the rail that is missing in our transport system. As long as the rail system is absent, it will be difficult to have problem-free port operations. The cost of port operation will continue to be high,” he stressed.

He said the port system was increasingly becoming automated, noting that the Federal Government has to respond to the global thinking of mechanisation.

He, however, added that expertise and modern equipment are needed to operate an efficient port system needed attention.

According to Adetigba, marine transport is essential to the operation of any country’s economy and a vital part of any nation’s transport system.

Without marine transport, Nigeria would have been landlocked and its economy would have remained stagnant in different areas, he added.

THE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Mr Hassan Bello has sought for partnership in the construction of seven model truck transit parks across the country.

Speaking with The Nation, Bello said NSC was in talks with the relevant government agencies and concerned state governments for the preliminary works.

He explained that the proposal for the first one has been concluded with the Kwara State government and it is to be located in Lokoja.

He said: “Yes, the council is working on transit parks and the idea is the delivery of cargo by trucks because what we are doing is primitive. We need a place where trucks are parked away from the main roads.

“Go to Ogere on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

You have to manoeuvre to pass through and while doing so human lives are being endangered. In the proposed truck transit parks, which are away from the main roads, it will be designed in such a way that drivers will be willing to drive in their trucks for stop over. There will be hotels; there will be mechanic repair yards.

There will also be gas stations, restaurants, etc.

“Other travellers will find it easy to stop at the truck transit park where the trucks and trailers are because of the facilities on ground. It is more than comfort and I think that state governments are also going to have offices in those places because they will be mainly at the boundaries, and they can advertise their poten tials.”

Protect waterways, govt told THE Fishery Society of Nigeria (FISON) has described as hazardous pollution and illegal fishing on the waterway.

Speaking with The Nation, the head of the group, Mr Gbolahan Adetona, said the country must work with foreign partners to develop the capacity that could help it in tackling the crisis caused by pollution, hazardous waste dumping and illegal fishing.

Adetona said the Federal Government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) must cooperate with foreign partners to build its maritime capability.

He said Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have set the stage for cooperation among states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

Another member of the group, Mrs Lola Adebajo, said the insecurity on Africa’s waterways forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

“As at now, there are no clear answers as to the best ways to ensure maritime security, nor are there clear answers as to what percentage of resources nations should allocate to maritime security to best facilitate the goal of furthering development,” she said.

Importers fault cargo inspection THE 100 per cent physical examination of cargoes policy of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again been faulted for its inadequacies.

Importers and stakeholders have called for a review of the policy, noting that it impeded prompt cargo clearance.

The latest criticism came from the Managing Director, ‘Lusehun Motors Company Ltd, Mr Yinka Agbaje, while addressing reporters at Tin-Can port in Lagos.

He said there was the need for the Nigeria Customs review the policy so as to make the ports attractive for business.

A clearing agent, Mr

Kayode Ogunsanu, said the 48-hour cargo clearance target time aimed at bringing the ports in line with what obtains in other ports in West African countries may not be achieved unless the policy is reviewed.

He urged the Nigeria Customs Service to acquire hi-tech equipment that is capable of examining cargoes to fast-track the delivery of consignments to consignees.

He also urged the Service to improve on its information-tracking system where containerised cargoes can be known without subjecting them to 100 per cent physical examination at all times.

THE

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AVIATION Bi-Courtney opens facility BI-COURTNEY Aviation Services Limited, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, has opened an ultra-modern Conference Room at the airport terminal.

The Conference Room, with a capacity for 130 people, is located on the third floor of the terminal building.

The conference room is equipped with facilities, such as comfortable conference chairs, in-built Public Address System, a standard projector, mobile screen and tea/coffee room.

A statement by the company’s spokesman, Steve Omolale-Ajulo, said: “Our Conference Room comes with free parking space for participants at our Multi-Storey Car Park which has capacity for 800 vehicles. Our location is strategic in nature with easy accessibility to various parts of Lagos. The Conference Room is ideal for Conferences, Seminars, Public Lectures, training, annual general meetings (AGM), Product Launch and others.”The statement also said the decision to open the Conference Room was borne out of the desire of BASL to make MMA2 a one-stop facility, where individuals, corporate organisations and government officials at various levels can conveniently transact business in Lagos in one day and fly back to their various destinations same day.

“Our management believes that having the Conference Room with all the required facilities is sine qua non for a 21st Century airport terminal that we are determined to offer the flying public and corporate bodies, desirous of holding their events in a serene environment like ours.

Etihad to increase capacity • A section of the Akwa Ibom International Airport proposed as a regional hub for West and Central Africa

Akwa Ibom woos Canadian firm to create airline

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HE Alkwa Ibom State Government is shopping for technical partners to complete and manage its maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft repairs at the Ibom International Airport, Uyo. Governor Godswill Akpabio was in Canada recently to seek the financial and technical assistance of aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace Corporation in completing the hangar.

The government is also the seeking assistance from Lufthansa Technik for the hangar’s management.

It is also seeking the assistance of Bombardier to set up Ibom Airlines, which may use Bombardier regional jets to connect Uyo, the state capital, with other parts of the country and the world.

Akpabio said cooperation from technical and financial partners would enable the state to complete the hangar centre before the end of the year, describing lack of a major maintenance facility as a problem for aviation development in the country.

He said: “The MRO is a huge facility that can take two wide body aircraft, Boeing 747s or four Boeing 737s with all the dormitories, the spacing and the equipment and all the configurations that will make for effective aircraft maintenance. It is going to be the biggest MRO facility in West and Central Africa. We don’t have

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

proper MRO facility in these regions.

“The Federal Government had at some point shown interest in the maintenance hangar and wanted to make it a national hangar, and it was also part of the Obakpolor recommendation, which came shortly after the Dana Air crash.

“Some people have come to look at it, like Lufthansa Technik and some groups are beginning to talk to the state government, but of course, this opportunity was also thrown open to Bombardier because Bombardier has over 40 aircraft in the country right now, so the facility is a major hangar for aircraft maintenance. So we need collaboration. This is a big facility waiting for Nigerians to take advantage of.”

The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah said the government planned to establish an airline is to position the state as a major economic hub within the Gulf of Guinea.

“In considering this, it was reasoned that aviation will be a major propeller in this direction. Sequel to this, the Governor led a delegation to Bombardier Aerospace factory in Toronto where they manufacture aircraft, especially the Bombardier jets and turbo props. So the state is seeking the partnership of Bombardier to establish the planned Ibom

Airlines, and also if the terms of agreement are reached, Bombardier may manage the MRO facility.”

He said the Ibom Airlines would service the region, while Uyo would serve as a regional hub to the Gulf of Guinea, because Uyo is a short distance to Equatorial Guinea, to Congo, to Sao Tome and Principe and Angola.

Umanah said the arrangement would also enable the oil and gas operations to grow and ease the transportation problems of Akwa Ibom, especially on the Abuja and Lagos routes. “The governor has made his proposal known to the President of Bombardier, who is eager to go into details to see how this could possibly be a partnership.

As you are aware, Akwa Ibom has an international airport.

The state government, he said was, partnering with Bombardier because the aircraft manufacturing company produces regional jets that are suitable for the routes in the Gulf Guinea.

“That is why partnership with Bombardier which makes regional jets is imperative. The Governor spoke about the need for the aircraft manufacturing company to operate in the region because regional jets will serve the region better,” he added.

Umanah said funding was part of the reasons the government is seeking partnership, adding that the government would be an enabler in this process and would seek partnership.

‘Ignore IMF call to scrap AMCON’

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HE National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has asked the Federal Government to ignore calls by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to scrap the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The body disagreed with IMF’s position that AMCON encourages the accumulation of bad debts, noting that the reason is not cogent enough to call for its scrapping by government.

According to NAAPE National President, Balami Isaac, the reason given is not only flimsy, but unacceptable, because AMCON has been performing in line with the dictates of its enabling law.

He said: “AMCON is a special purpose intervention instrument which has been very diligent and most discerning in its assignment, so much so that its activities have been flawless up to date, unlike what we are used to in this part of the world. Secondly, AMCON as we know it, is not a debt forgiveness instrument, but a means of debt re-working. Therefore it would appear that the IMF is crying wolf where there is none.”

The call by IMF, he maintained, failed to recognise the huge success that AMCON has recorded and the tremendous, almost magical, positive impact it has had on the Nigerian economy.

“We cannot forget in a hurry how

AMCON’s intervention enabled Mainstreet Bank, Keystone Bank and Enterprise Bank to successfully undergo an otherwise painful liquidation exercise, yet have remained in business, even without significant loss of jobs – a novel seamless transition” he said.

He noted that NAAPE was aware that AMCON has successfully navigated over 200 interventions of debt buy-over across all sectors of the economy.

Balami pointed out that in the aviation sector, AMCON has spread its operations across 12 airlines with over N132 billion financial involvement, adding that some of these transactions are ongoing.

ETIHAD Airways said it would bring greater capacity to its daily flights between Abu Dhabi and New York with a Wi-Fi-enabled Boeing 777300ER aircraft on the route beginning from June 1, 2013.

According to the President and Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, James Hogan, the three-class aircraft, would offer a total 328 seats, representing a 36.6 per cent increase in capacity compared to the Airbus A340-500 used on the route.

The aircraft, he said, would be configured with eight Diamond First class, 40 Pearl Business class and 280 Coral Economy class seats.

Speaking further, Hogan, said since launching flights between New York and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, in October 2006, Etihad Airways has flown more than 800,000 passengers on the route, including a record 155,000 passengers in 2012 alone and that the aircraft change also makes it possible for the airline to offer “Etihad Wi-Fly” in-flight connectivity on every flight to and from New York.

On Internet connectivity while on board, he said it is offered to passengers at a nominal cost for Coral Economy and Pearl Business Class guests and on a complementary basis for Etihad Airways’ Diamond First Class guests, while mobile telephone usage will be charged based on the international roaming rates of passengers mobile network providers.

Emirates hits milestone EMIRATES has hit a record high of 39.4 million passengers, representing an increase of 16 per cent in the last one year.

With an increase in seat capacity-Available Seat Kilometres (ASKMs) of 18 per cent the result highlights a strong consumer desire to fly on Emirates’ state-of-the-art aircraft. The carrier logged a robust Passenger Seat Factor, at 80 per cent, remaining consistent with last year’s results.

The Emirates Group said it declared its 25th consecutive year of profit and company-wide growth ending the year in a strong position despite continuing high fuel prices and a weak global economic environment.

The financial year also ended with some positive newly reached capacity milestones throughout the business.

Speaking during this event, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman/chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Achieving our 25th consecutive year of profit in a financial year with our largest ever increase in capacity across the network is an achievement that speaks to the strength of our brands and our leadership.”

Minister projects 16m passengers THE 22 Federal Government airports now being remodelled will boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) when completed, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has said.

Passenger movement, she said, would rise from 12 million to 16 million.

Princess Oduah said the projected rise in passenger traffic was premised on the provision of better facilities and commercial offerings at these airports, with air travellers increasing by at least 10 per cent every year.

The Minister, who spoke when President Goodluck Jonathan laid the foundation for the construction of the International Terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the inauguration of the remodelled domestic terminal in Enugu State at the weekend, said the International Terminal project billed for completion in December 2014, will would costN13.3 billion.

She described Enugu as the fastest growing airport in the country, saying the terminal, with a total floor area of 25,000 square metres would have the capacity to handle 500,000 passengers per year.

“On completion of the terminal, this airport will finally answer its name in the real sense of the word “Akanu Ibiam International Airport,” Oduah said.

Already two international airlines had indicated interest to operate flights into the Enugu airport, adding that discussion along these lines would continue over the next few months “as we prepare the airport’s infrastructure to meet this demand.”

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, George Uriesi said the income from every remodelled airport is estimated to increase by 500 per cent because of revenues that would accrue from the non-aeronautical sources.

“You take Enugu for example, if Enugu was making a N100 a month and FAAN was spending a N1000 on it, the net loss was N900. With the remodelling, this N100 Enugu was making is going to become N800. It may become profitable as an airport simply because of the commercial offerings it has or at least it may pay off its bills and save FAAN from subsidising it. So as we replicate all these, the income from every airport is going to go up in my estimation by at least 500 per cent.”

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Skye Bank to raise N70b new capital

DAILY SUMMA RY AS AT 20-05-13

•Mulls strategic acquisition

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KYE Bank has concluded plans to raise N70 billion in new capital through tier 1 and tier 2 new capital issues to strengthen its balance sheet and support its business expansion, the management of the bank said yesterday.

At an interactive media session in Lagos, group managing director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the bank will raise tier 2 capital before the end of the third quarter and seek additional funds through tier 1 issue in the nearest future.

He said the bank will raise between N50 billion and N70 billion in the new issues, which would substantially impact the balance sheet and support the expansionary drives of the bank.

The Skye Bank boss explained the nature of operations of the bank as a financial intermediary requires continuous capital raising to meet its growing business.

Durosinmi-Etti noted that given the way the bank has optimised its current capital base, additional capital will lead to better value creation for all stakeholders.

He said the bank could along the line also consider acquisition of another bank if it will add significant competitive advantages to the lender. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) will be offering its three bridged banks- Keystone Bank, Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank for sale.

He said the bank has been strengthening its processes

By Taofik Salako, Collins Nweze & Tonia Osundolire

and resources to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance risk management noting that the lender is in the process of finalising the centralisation of its back-office.

Skye Bank Plc witnessed moderate growths across key performance indicators in 2012 as profit after tax grew by 873 per cent to about N13 billion.

The jumpy growth in net profit, enabled the bank to increase cash payouts to shareholders by 100 per cent.

Key extracts of the audited report showed that profit after tax leapt to N12.64 billion in 2012, representing increase of 872.6 per cent on N1.30 billion recorded in 2011. Profit before tax jumped by 480.9 per cent from N2.84 billion in 2011 to N16.51 billion in 2012. The bank maintained steady topline in 2012 with net interest income and net non-interest income of N44.50 billion and N22.60 billion respectively.

On the basis of the performance, the board of the bank has recommended increase in cash dividend per share from 25 kobo paid for 2011 business year to 50 kobo for 2012.

The lender also posted pretax profit of N4.6 billion on the back of 25 per cent increase in the top-line in the first quarter.

Interim report and accounts of Skye Bank for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 showed that it recorded growths in the incomes and profitability, with revenue growth largely driven by an

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 grew 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.

Meanwhile, Skye Bank emerged the most traded stock yesterday, accounting for 42.39 million shares worth N216.32 million. Fidelity Bank came second on the activity chart with a turnover of 27.89 million shares valued at N86.55 million, while Sterling Bank sold 27.62 million shares worth N78.84 million.

The stock market opened this week with a bearish note as average return at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by 0.24 per cent. The decline depressed year-to-date return to 31.12 per cent.

The market’s performance was moderated by losses suffered by highly capitalised stocks such as Dangote Cement, Nigerian Breweries, Nestle Nigeria, Diamond Bank and UAC of Nigeria.

The All Share Index (ASI), the main index at the NSE dropped to 36,817.75 points as against its opening index of 36,907.81 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities dropped by N29 billion to close at N11.769 trillion compared with its opening values of N11.798 trillion.

Total turnover stood at 390.922 million shares worth N4.045 billion in 6,422 deals.

Financial services sector remained atop activity chart with a turnover of 298.259 million shares worth N2.444 billion.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-05-13

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

MONEY LINK

FIRS targets N5.6t revenue

T

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is targeting a revenue base of N5.6 trillion this year. The service made N5trillion revenue last year.

The FIRS Acting Executive Chairman, Kabir Mashi disclosed this yesterday during a tax workshop held in Lagos.

He said meeting the target will require collaboration and support of all stakeholders in the revenue drive needed to assist the government achieve its developmental ob-

Stories by Collins Nweze

jectives.

He said the responsibility of FIRS is to assess, collect and account for the companies’ income tax, petroleum profit tax, value added tax tertiary education tax and national information development levy.

He said that in achieving this target, the FIRS will also be focusing on capital gains tax for companies, stamp duties and personal income tax of police, armed forces, resident

Naira firms as CBN meets forex demand

T

HE naira yesterday, firmed against the dollar on the interbank market after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) met demand for the greenback at its currency auction, traders said.

Bloomberg said the unit firmed to close at N158.35 to the dollar on the interbank, after weakening to N158.50 intra-day, compared with Friday’s close of N158.40.

The CBN sold $245.45 million at its official window at N155.74 to the dollar, after initially offering $300 million, as against $207.66 million it sold at its last auction on Wednesday.

“The naira ... strengthened after the result of the CBN auction showed weak demand,” one dealer said.

Dollar sales by oil companies and offshore funds buying local bonds have kept the naira stable at around N157 level to the dollar in the last two weeks but a resurgence in demand for the greenback dragged the currency down to a three weeks low last Friday.

Nigeria plans to sell N121.33 billion worth of treasury bills, which could attract foreign investors and help support the naira. Dealers ex-

pect the naira to trade between N158.50 and N158.90 this week as oil company dollar sales will likely remain weak, unless cash from portfolio investors taking positions in bonds materialise.

of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) non-resident among others.

He said that in carrying out these responsibilities, FIRS was faced with several challenges such as tax leakages from cheque conversions/ diversions, inefficiencies in tax service delivery processes, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) penetration, low level public awareness and the need for capacity building.

Mashi said the challenges affected tax compliance with integrity of tax administration system nearly lost.

“FIRS had to deal with these challenges one after the other to guarantee a sustainable level of revenue for the government to enable her provide essential services to the people. We are addressing them using automation, capacity building and awareness creation. The FIRS

started by initiating project fact, a bank payment solution implemented to secure the government revenue for all sources of leakage,” he said.

Payment process according to the FIRS boss became transparent and more efficient as tax payers can pay in one environment and view the payment elsewhere.

He said the payment solution was just one of the several processes that FIRS introduced. He said business processes were reengineered to achieve standardisation required for automation. The reengineering efforts translated into defining requirements to select an off-the-shelf tax administration solution.

The FIRS said it has continued to record steady increases in the collection of all the taxes under its remit.

Interest rate cut would boost economy, says Okonjo-Iweala

N

IGERIA’s economy would benefit from interest-rate easing even though it’s likely that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will keep the key indicator unchanged today, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said.

Bloomberg quoted the Minister saying “We would be very grateful if we saw an easing of the interest rate, a little bit, in order to also help more economic activity. Knowing the central bank governor and perhaps the tone and trend of the Monetary Policy Committee, I’m sure that they may end up maintaining tight monetary stance”.

The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Lamido Sanusi, may hold the policy rate at a record

high 12 per cent for a 10th consecutive meeting.

The excess crude account, in which the country saves revenue above the benchmark oil price set in the budget, is now down to about $5 billion, Okonjo-Iweala said. The account had $9.2 billion in January.

“We do have a quantity shock” at the same time that oil prices have started to decline, she said.

Security is expected to improve in the oil-producing Niger River delta in the next three months, the minister said.

Crude production fell to 1.81 million barrels a day in March, the lowest since September 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Oil theft in the delta caused production to

•Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

decline to an average 2.2 million barrels a day in the first quarter, according to figures released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on April 17. This year’s budget is based on a production forecast of 2.53 million barrels a day.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

OBB Rate Call Rate

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 20-05-13

SYMBOL REDSTAREX PAINTCOM NCR NNFM PZ COSTAIN EVANSMED NPFMCRFBK FIDSON UNILEVER

O/PRICE 4.30 1.40 17.00 21.42 45.00 0.94 1.80 1.08 1.56 65.04

C/PRICE 4.73 1.54 18.70 23.56 49.45 1.03 1.97 1.18 1.70 70.79

CHANGE 0.43 0.14 1.70 2.14 4.45 0.09 0.17 0.10 0.14 5.75

CUTIX IPWA CHELLARAM UPL UTC MRS NASCON MANSARD IKEJAHOTEL CAP

O/PRICE 2.30 0.70 5.43 5.77 0.92 19.80 12.90 2.50 0.89 67.50

C/PRICE 2.07 0.63 4.89 5.20 0.83 18.00 11.80 2.30 0.82 62.51

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

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%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

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

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.23 0.07 0.54 0.57 0.09 1.80 1.10 0.20 0.07 4.99

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 20-05-13

SYMBOL

COBANK Limited may face nationwide litigation from the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the recently laid off staff of the bank if the severance fee of the affected staff are not paid in two weeks.

The bank may also be picketed if it remains adamant to the demand of its sacked staff.

On March 15, 2013, Ecobank limited laid off 147 staff for what it termed as “non-performance”.

Most of these staff were recently promoted for efficiency in their various departments. The staff said that two months after receiving their sack letters, the bank refused to pay them their benefits thereby subjecting them to untold hardship as most of them have families and responsibilities to cater for.

Pastor Dipo Ojutiku, one of the victims said: “For over two months, we were laid off for what the bank referred to as non-performance, our one month salary in lieu of notice was incomplete and up till now, our severance package has not been paid thereby subjecting us and the members of our families to untold hardship”.

He said ASSBIFI have had series of meetings with the management of the bank to mediate and resolve the crisis to no avail.

“The union even suggested to the bank to apply similar exit package agreement used for the non-performance exit exercise in 2010 for the affected staff since both exercises are based on non-performance. The bank paid deaf ear to this. The management of the bank insists that the bank will rather recall the affected staff than pay them off,” he said.

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

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

E

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

By Our Reporter

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

Disengaged staff may sue Ecobank

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.79 141.29 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 154.63 153.69 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.15 1.15 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.08 1.07 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,811.40 1,803.87 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.39 13.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11,754.77 11,406.68 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

CITYBEATS Fashola tackles building collapse

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

•Sets up six-man Tribunal of Enquiry AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday inaugurated a six-man Tribunal of Enquiry to investigate the major causes of building collapse in the state and arrest the incidents.

The tribunal has Abimbola Ajayi, an architect, as its Chairman. Others are: Olusegun Adedeji and Joseph Adewale, both engineers; Mrs. Roli Craig, TP Moses Ogunleye and Biodun Rufai, an architect.

Fashola, while inaugurating the tribunal at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, said the spate of building collapse claiming lives and property was worrisome, hence government's effort to stem the tide.

He warned that any state official found to have aided such incidents either by compromise or nonchalant attitude would face stiff sanctions.

He said with the tribunal, government intends to begin a renewed effort to monitor buildings where complaints have been lodged, saying that the tribunal has three months

L

• Fashola with some members of the tribunal ... yesterday

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

within which to submit its findings and recommendations.

He said: "I get text messages repeatedly about buildings that constitute danger to the lives of residents at their locations. We will hold our officers who were responsible for the violation that occurred in districts and regional areas where the building collapsed and sanctions will be meted out to such officers who compromised processes for securing building permits in the state."

The governor said members of the tribunal are professionals in the aspect of building

constructions, saying: "We discovered that often times when a building collapses, a professional is involved in the construction, and building don't collapse when there isn't any natural phenomenon or disaster. And when a building doesn't collapse because of these reasons, it shows that somewhere along the line, one officer has compromised."

"Often times, residents apply for building permits for a storey building, but end up constructing four-storey building and we have professionals involved in the activities. If you build against the approval that we have given, we will pull down that building or compel the person to reduce the house to the ap-

Bash Ali protests match delay

More prisoners for release June, says CJ

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

W

ORLD Boxing Champion, Bash Ali yesterday protested what he called the failure of the Federal Government to inaugurate a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to coordinate his planned historic "first Guinness world record boxing fight in Africa."

He said President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur had promised to assist with all that was needed to stage the fight in the country, but were yet to fulfil the pledge.

Ali protested at the PDP national headquarters, WADATA House, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Dressed in a green-white-green apron, Ali spoke with reporters briefly and latter went to the gate post, where he assisted the security personnel on duty in opening and closing the gate for visitors.

He displayed copies of letters he wrote to President Jonathan and Tukur about his predicament. One of them read: "Mr. President, on October 22, promised me that we were going to do this historic fight in Nigeria. The National Sports Commission (NSC) has done what it is supposed to do.

"They have written the letters; the Local Or- • Ali ... yesterday ganising Committee (LOC) was supposed to have been row, and until they do the right thing," he said. inaugurated on March 5, but up till now, nothing has On his choice of the PDP headquarters for his protest, he happened because someone somewhere is delaying it said: "The LOC was inaugurated by the PDP. The PDP said for selfish reasons. that anything that I wanted, they would do for me. "Now, "This is a fight that will be watched in 132 countries the banks that are going to put up the money need an enby an audience of between 10 and 12 million people, abling environment, which means, inaugurating the LOC. which will bring in a minimum of $5million at the rate But now, they are not doing it because somebody is selfish; of $50 per head. We intend to build five sports acade- somebody does not want Nigeria to progress." mies and one sports equipment-manufacturing factory "The Nigerian government has promised to provide all the in Nigeria. So far, somebody is preventing all these from necessary supports. It is now left for it to do that. The United happening.

States' government gave me the opportunity to become some"So, since they will not allow me to earn money in- body, on which basis Nigeria gave me a national honour. side the ring, I have decided to come hear today. I am When they gave me, they said, 'do more'. going to resume work here as PDP’s gateman pending It was learnt that some senior officials of the party had when they deem it necessary to inaugurate the LOC. I intervened and promised to ensure that the fight holds in will continue to open the gate for them today, tomor- the country.

Lagos High Court gets new judges

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola has approved the appointment of six new high court judges for the Lagos State High Court.

Among the new judges to be sworn in by the state governor on May 28, is the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mr. Ganiyu Safari.

A statement by the Chief Registrar's office, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Alo, said the approval followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

Other judges include: The daughter of late Chief Tanimose Bankole Oki, former Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Ms Folashade Bankole-

proval he or she got from us. We will not spare anyone in this regard."

Fashola lamented that some recent cases of building collapse could have been avoided if residents heeded government's directive to vacate such premises when its structural integrity was in doubt.

Fashola said: "Those incidents break my heart.

They challenge us as a government. We understand the challenge of providing housing units, but citizens shouldn't risk their lives in the process of trying to get a house which later sends them to an early grave".

He charged the tribunal to look into the quality of materials used in building construction,

By Adebisi Onanuga

Oki; wife of Babatunde Ogala, former chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Mrs Oyindamola Ogala; a Magistrate, Mr Michael Akintunde Savage; Mrs Sedotan Ogunsanya and Mr Wasiu Animahun.

The judges' appointment brought the number of judges in the State High Court from 50 to 56 and it is expected to fill the vacuum created by the elevation of Justice Habeeb Abiru to the Appeal Court; the retirement of Justice Benedicta Shitta-Bey and the death of Justice Wasilat Abisoye Esther Ayo on December 30, last year.

The swearing-in ceremony will hold at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

•As court frees robbery suspect five years after

T

HE Chief Judge of Lagos

By Adebisi Onanuga and State, Justice Ayotunde PhilPrecious Igbonwelundu lips, yesterday said that a new Balogun, while entering judgbatch of awaiting-trial prison inmates would be released before the ment in a Fundamental Human Rights suit, filed against the Comend of next month.

Justice Phillips made the disclo- missioner of Police (CP); the state sure during a visit to the Nigerian Attorney General (AG) and the Prisons, Ikoyi, by members of the Prison Service, described as illegal Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and unconstitutional, the appliIkeja Branch, as part of activities cant’s arrest and detention without trial. marking their 2013 Law Week.

A group, Peaceful Society FounThe Chief Judge, who was repredation, had approached the court sented by Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare, said she was already last year, praying for Idris' release two others, who had working on a list of those who were alongside been in custody for similar years recommended for release. each for different offences.

She said: "I can assure that before Counsel to Idris, Mrs. Joy Ofoni, the end of this quarter in June, I will had urged the court to order his visit you and release those that are release since he had never been qualified to be released", she as- charged to court, nor had the prossured them. ecution established any case Addressing the inmates, the chair- against him. man of the NBA, Ikeja Branch, Balogun said: "I hereby order the Monday Ubani, said: "The Ikeja immediate and unconditional reBranch is concerned about you. We lease of the applicant (Idris) by the are trying to ensure your matter is respondents. This court holds that decided in the court instead of await- the arrest and illegal detention of ing trial for a long time. We will ren- the applicant since 2007 without der free legal services to those of you trial before a competent court and that need it but could not afford a without bail is unconstitutional. A lawyer. Your rights must be protect- judgment sum of N50, 000 only is awarded in favour of the applied."

The lawyers donated items includ- cant against the respondents jointing bags of rice, tissue papers, plas- ly and severally." tic buckets, tooth brushes and detergents among others, to the inmates.

The Deputy CompHE Murtala Muhammad Airport Comtroller of Ikoyi Prison, mand of the Nigeria Customs Service Emmanuel Bamidele, (NCS) has intercepted 2.7 million dollars said over 500 inmates (N432 million) from five suspected money launhad been trained in varderers while attempting to travel abroad. ious vocations.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Meanwhile, Justice Christopher Balogun of Mrs Thelma Williams, told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the an Igbosere High Court, of arrests were made between January and March. yesterday ordered the She said the command also arrested 12 susimmediate release of pects with 13.8 million dollars (N2.2 billion) Sunday Idris, who was between September and December, last year. remanded in Ikoyi PrisWilliams said there was no law banning travons five years ago by a ellers from taking money out of the country, but Lagos Magistrates' said the money must be declared by the travelCourt, over an armed ler before being taken out. robbery allegation filed She said that the five suspects and the monies against him by the po- involved had been handed over to the EFCC for lice. further interrogation.

Customs intercepts $2.7m at airport

T

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

NEWS Religious leaders back Ajimobi for second term

Family of three dies in Oyo trailer accident From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

A WOMAN and two of her children were yesterday killed at Ijawaya, Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State, by the tyres of a trailer.

The driver was trying to avoid some pot holes when some of its tyres fell off.

The tyres hit the victims, who were cooking in front of their home, killing them instantly.

Their remains were taken to the Durbar Police Station before they were deposited at the mortuary of the State Hospital.

The husband and father of the deceased was on his way home when he saw a crowd of people weeping opposite the station.

He stopped to find out what was going on and was shocked to find the bodies of his wife and children lying there.

The man fainted, but he was revived by sympathisers.

The Principal Medical Officer of the State Hospital, Dr. Musbau Opabode, confirmed the incident.

38 die in Ondo road crashes From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THIRTY-EIGHT people were killed in 64 road accidents in Ondo State in the first quarter of this year.

The outgoing Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo Command, Mrs. Mary Wakawa, made this known yesterday in Akure, the state capital, while handing over to the new Commander, Mrs. Aderonke Oluseyi.

Mrs. Wakawa said 206 persons were injured in the accidents.

She said the record shows a reduction in the accident rate, compared with the first quarter of last year, when 77 people were killed and 423 injured.

Mrs. Wakawa said 275 people were prosecuted for traffic offences in the period under review. She said accidents are caused by over speeding, over loading and impatience, urging road users to obey traffic laws.

Mrs. Wakawa thanked officers and men of the command for their cooperation and urged her successor to do her best.

Mrs. Oluseyi, a former FRSC Head of Technical Services and Special Duty, pledged to give her best.

She urged road users to see FRSC officials as their family members, who are on the roads to protect them.

Man jailed for stealing beer

L

•A cross section of the vehicles...yesterday. Inset: Fashola (middle) receiving the keys to the vehicles from Vervelde.

Nigerian Breweries donates four patrol vans to Lagos T

HE Nigerian Breweries Plc yesterday donated four Hilux patrol vans to the Lagos State Government.

Receiving the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Fashola urged individuals and organisations to emulate the company’s gesture and be involved in security.

He said: “There are threats around us and it would be difficult to remain an island of safety unless we prepare. This requires us to remain vigilant.

“Our emergency lines are 767 and 112. If you see something unusual, please say something. We must take the first step to protect ourselves by being security conscious.

“There are things that are better done during the day than at night. We will continue to publish security tips.

No nation or society is crimefree. Even in the safest cities,

as you might want to describe them, there are places I will not go at night or alone.

“The government cannot do it alone. By installing closed circuit television cameras in public places, owners of supermarkets, restaurants and malls can protect their businesses as well as the whole community.

“The donation of these vehicles shows that Nigerians now have a better understanding of the importance of security. With these four vehicles, 32 more policemen can patrol our state, with an average of eight persons in each.

“The challenge of maintaining and fuelling these vehicles remain that of the state government in partnership with the State Security Trust Fund.”

The Managing Director, Ni-

gerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicholas Vervelde, said the company is involved in several projects in the state.

He said: “Nigerian Breweries, in collaboration with the Lagos State Electricity Board, is installing street lights at Abebe village. With the Ministry of Environment, it has co-financed the drain in Iganmu.

“We are working with the Ministry of Transport on bus shelters at Iganmu-Costain Roundabout. We are also busy with external consultants and the government to develop and implement a plan to transform the park at Costain Roundabout into a top class recreational facility.

“We have been refurbishing school blocks, libraries

and classrooms at Obele Primary School in Surulere, Igbobi College in Yaba and Okesuna High School.

“We have donated dialysis machines to Ikorodu and Badagry General Hospitals and trained the operators. We are looking at the possibility of setting up Accident and Emergency Wards at the hospitals in partnership with the Ministry of Health.”

The Executive Secretary of the State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, urged corporate organisations to partner Lagos on security.

Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Ranti Adebule and Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba were at the event.

Ondo students protest ‘non-payment’ of bursary

S

TUDENTS in tertiary institutions, who hail from Idanre Local Government of Ondo State, yesterday protested the “nonpayment” of their bursary allowance by the state government.

The students also decried the incessant power outage in the council since the beginning of this year.

They barricaded major roads in the town and carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Governor Olusegun Mimiko, where is our money”; “Pay our bursary now” and “We are tired of empty promises”.

They also demanded the payment of the National Association of Idanre Local Government Students’ grant.

The protest, which began around 8am, took another di-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

MAGISTRATE’S Court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has sentenced a 26-yearold man, Kelvin Ugwu, to three years imprisonment for stealing cartons of beer and cash worth N1.2 million from his employer, a major beer distributor in Osogbo.

Ugwu committed the offence between November, 2006 and December, 2009.

He pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Mohamed Lasisi sentenced Ugwu to three years imprisonment without an option of fine.

•Fashola advocates support on security

S

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

mension when the students stormed the Idanre Local Government Secretariat at Owena.

They chased away the council workers and locked the secretariat gate.

The National Vice-President of the National Association of Idanre Local Government Students, Comrade Ali Olaide, said they could not understand why the state and local governments refused to pay the money, despite the huge resources accruable to the state on a monthly basis.

She said, last week, a representative of the association met with the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor, Mr. Kola Ademujimi, who hails from Idanre, on the matter without any positive result.

Miss Olaide said: “The total

amount approved by the government for bursary is N3 million, which should have been paid without controversy. We have politely exploited every possible avenue to ensure that the money is paid on time.

“Many local governments have paid the money, but here in Idanre, the reverse is the case. Why is this council always backward in everything?

In the past two months, we have not had power supply in Idanre.

“The state and local governments are aware of this, yet nothing has been done. Idanre is a great town with good people. We will not allow greedy people to rubbish it.”

Efforts by the Council Chairman, Mr. Akinnayajo Marcus, to pacify the students were rebuffed.

Former Special Assistant to

•Mimiko

the Governor on Youth and Students’ Affairs Ola George said the government had paid the bursary of all indigenous students.

George said the students were agitating for book allowance in their council and not bursary.

Unregistered OOU students march over exemption from examination

TUDENTS of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), AgoIwoye, Ogun State, yesterday protested the decision of the institution’s management to bar unregistered students from participating in the examination that should have begun yesterday.

They barricaded the entrance to the main campus and prevented people from

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

going into the school.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Mohammed Abdulkadri and the Ijebu Area Commander, Mr. Usman Alabi, urged the students to shelve the protest, but they were adamant.

The police eventually dispersed them with tear gas.

In a statement on Sunday,

the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, advised students who were yet to regularise their status to stay clear of the institution.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adesanya, said the regularisation was in line with the National University Commission’s (NUC’s) directive requesting all universities to provide a comprehensive stu-

dents’ audit within the next six weeks.

Adesanya told reporters that the only way to achieve this is to compile a list of authentic students, who have paid their tuition fees.

He said: “The protesters are students who failed to meet the May 17 deadline to comply with the instruction before the commencement of the examination of 500-level law students.

EADERS of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese yesterday endorsed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term.

They said Ajimobi has performed excellently within his short time in office.

The religious leaders spoke at the third session of the Fifth Synod of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, which was held at the St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.

Ajimobi was the guest of honour.

The President of the Synod and Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rev. Segun Okubadejo, described Ajimobi’s emergence as governor as “a divine intervention in the affairs of the state”.

He said the governor came at a time when the people were yearning for a leader with the fear of God. Rev. Okubadejo said: “With your performance so far, God may use you to break the second term jinx in Oyo State to become the first governor to have a second term.

“You promised to make life better for the people during your campaign. You are fulfilling your promises and meeting the expectations of the electorate.

“I thank God that the grace of leadership, wisdom, service to humanity and other endowments that God has deposited in you have not been a waste.

Do not relent. God is on your side.”

Ajimobi assured the people that he would consolidate on his achievements.

He said: “I acknowledge the prayers of the clergy and the laity in arresting the principalities, who are displeased with the transformational initiatives of our administration.”

Speaking on the theme of the synod: ‘The Waste of Grace’, Ajimobi urged leaders to use the grace given to them by God for the benefit of humanity.

He said: “God has given us all the grace to be human beings, to live, to serve and to be Godly. We must use the grace rightly. It is not easy to lead, especially when you want to change things. Change is extremely difficult, particularly when people are not certain about the accruable benefit.

This notwithstanding, we must have the courage to exhibit the grace God has given us by being good leaders.”

Ondo to partner Fed Govt on water From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

HE Ondo State Government has said it would partner the Federal Government to boost water supply in the state.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko spoke in his office yesterday while hosting the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

Mimiko hailed the President Goodluck Jonathan administration for completing abandoned water projects, particularly the Erusu Dam in Ondo North.

He said the Dam would provide adequate water for the people and the Arigidi Tomato Factory.

Mimiko said his administration would partner the Ministry of Water Resources to complete the Owena Multipurpose Dam.

THE NATION TUESDAY MAY 21, 2013

58

NEWS Gunmen abduct doctor From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE former Medical Director of the Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital, Emmanuel Uwoghihen, has been abducted in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The police are silent on the abduction of Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, the wife of the Supreme Court judge who was kidnapped about 11 days ago at the Ekiadolor axis of the Benin/ Lagos road.

Police spokesman Moses Eguavoen said the police are keeping mum in order not to endanger the victims.

On the issue of ransom, Eguavoen said the police are not aware of what the family is doing.

It was gathered that the gunmen waylaid the former MD at the entrance of his home in Ugbor and shot sporadically before taking him away.

It has not been ascertained if his family has been contacted.

Shell, community bicker

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KARAMA Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has disagreed with the Shell Petroleum Development Company over the cause of the reported oil spills from nearby oil wells.

The spill has contaminated the Taylor Creek in Yenagoa, residents of Biseni/JK4 Road told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they disagreed that the spills were caused by oil theft.

Officials of Shell’s Oil Spill Response Unit were seen recovering crude discharged into the environment near the company’s Well 2 in Biseni Area.

Ambrose Osuolo, Assistant Secretary, Caretaker Committee of JK4 Edagberi/Betterland Community, told NAN that the people were convinced that that some of the spill points were traceable to equipment failure.

“We noticed the spills on April 30 and Shell came for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) on May 3. I represented my community on the JIV, but the investigation was inconclusive due to various views about the cause of the spill.

“While Shell attributed the cause to sabotage, saying that the pipeline was drilled in, I was not convinced and hence we did not sign the JIV report.

“Although Shell came purposely for this particular spill, we discovered two more spill points within this Well 2 environment on that same day.”

Shell spokesman Precious Okoloba, in a statement, attributed the spill to sabotage of pipeline by oil thieves.

One killed, 6000 displaced by rainstorm

Yoruba hold the ace in 2015, says Fasehun

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HE founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has said the Yoruba could decide the fate of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

But the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteers Force (NDPVL), Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, said the 2015 election would be a do-ordie affair.

He said all ethnic groups in the Niger Delta should be prepared for war.

Fasehun, who spoke alongside Asari-Dokubo in Effurun-Warri, Delta State, during the Isaac Adaka Boro remembrance, advised Niger Delta leaders to see the Yoruba as their most reliable ally in 2015.

He said: “If you look at the political configuration, you will find that the most reliable friend the Southsouth can lean on for 2015 is the Southwest.

“This is because it is the only zone that will not be vying for the presidency.”

To this end, he urged Southsouth leaders to reach out to their counterparts in the Southwest and other zones to garner support for the president.

Speaking on Isaac Adaka Boro, the OPC founder challenged Niger Delta leaders to be motivated by the spirit of selflessness of their heroes, such as the Boros and the SaroWiwas.

Clark: seek support from other regions From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

I

JAW national leader Edwin Kiagbodo Clark has urged a group, the Niger Delta Leaders Assembly to seek support from other regions, if President Goodluck Jonathan must win the 2015 presidential election.

The Southsouth leader gave the advice at his country home, Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State when members of the assembly visited him.

Clark said the President has the right to contest because the constitution allows him, adding that the opposition against him was from a certain part of the country.

He said Jonathan had strengthened democracy, resuscitated the railway, improved power supply and has spent over N5 billion building schools for Almajiris.

The Ijaw leader advised the group to reach out to other parts of the country since they alone cannot make Jonathan president in 2015.

The group said its mission to Clark’s home was to pledge support for Jonathan in 2015.

A statement by the National Chairman, Carson Agidah, and the Publicity Secretary, Samuel Abasiekong, urged the President not to be afraid or contemplate any other option than to re-contest.

“Our position on this issue is not a threat but to bring to the limelight that this is our turn and right of the region as the constitution provides for our son, Goodluck Jonathan, to run for a second term.

“We are not ready to compromise it or let it go because of ethno-religious and regional threats.”

•Asari: It’s a do-or-die affair From Shola O’Neil, Warri

Asari-Dokubo said: “The 2015 election is going to challenge our survival as a nation and as a people because the war that is going on is because Jonathan is the president.

“The day Jonathan comes to say he is longer president, this insecurity in parts of Nigeria will cease.”

The NDPVL leader said his kinsmen were prepared to defend themselves.

“When they come with their guns, they will not

come for the Ijaw alone; they will not distinguish who is Ijaw, Urhobo, Ibibio, Itsekiri and others. They are coming for all of us.

“They want to continue to marginalise, humiliate and degrade us and we should collectively resist this,” he said.

Asari-Dokubo denied that he is heating up the polity and fanning the embers of war, stressing that “the Northerners are beating the drums of war by their actions.”

“When some people threatened to make the country ungovernable because President Jonathan won, the result is what we are seeing today?

“They are the ones beating the drums of war and we are prepared for them now. I am not afraid of war. We are prepared,” he said.

Asked why he made a uturn after criticising the president, Asari-Dokubo said his criticism was to draw attention to the deplorable state of the EastWest Road.

“I have never criticised anybody based on personal issues. “ I criticised the president because of the East-West Road and the magic is happening.

“The work on the road has improved, unlike before. Do you call that criticism?”

• Havoc in Rivers communities

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NE person was killed and no fewer than 6,000 displaced following a rainstorm that wrecked havoc on six communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State at the weekend.

The deceased, it was gathered, was Janet Asu, a 13-yearold JSS 3 student of Budda Comprehensive Secondary School, Kakwagom Iruan.

Her aunt, Mrs Abang said they were hurrying home from the farm with another girl, a nine-year old, when the storm started pulling down trees which fell on Janet.

She said Janet sustained several deep cuts on her head.

She sustained minor injuries but the child was unhurt.

“We were along the path hurrying home when two trees fell simultaneously from both sides of the road on us.

“When I regained consciousness few minutes later I noticed Janet lying sideways and when I turned her over I discovered two deep cuts on her head.

“By the time help could reach us, she had died in my arms,” Mrs Abang narrated in tears.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar and Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Addressing the victims, the House of Assembly member for Boki 2, Jake Enya, called on philanthropic organisations, individuals and government to intervene.

The council Chairman, Jonah Otu, said Boki had been experiencing various disasters.

He promised that the victims would be rehabilitated.

Also in Rivers State, several people in Okudu, Umuochamba and Umuayara communities of Mba in Etche Local Government have been rendered homeless, following an early morning rainstorm in the area.

Eyewitnesses said that the rain damaged some houses and destroyed trees in the area.

A victim, Moses Nwoko, said plantain suckers, coconut trees, pear trees fell down in their hundreds.

“We have not witnessed this kind of rain for some years now. This rain has set us back because it means we have to start life afresh,” Nwoko lamented

Akpabio gets award KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio has bagged the best Governor in Africa Award from Africa Development Magazine.

Presenting the award in Accra, Ghana, Prof Walter Alhassan described Akpabio as an icon of democracy and a good example of what leadership should be.

He said facts showed that Akpabio is a pride of Africa, worthy of emulation.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Soma Brown recounted the numerous achievements of the Akpabio administration.

She cited the free, compulsory and qualitative education policy; free medical care for expectant mothers, children and the aged; and the infrastructural investment as reasons for the award.

A

•Church Warden, Christ Anglican Church, Agege, Lagos State, Taiwo Owokolade (left); Archdeacon of Ikosi-Ketu Archdeaconry, Ven. Timothy Ayodele; Vicar, Christ Anglican Church, Ven. Christopher Ayejoto; his wife, Monisola and a warden, Mrs Mary Awoyemi, at the 50th birthday of Ven Ayejoto and the launch of his book in Lagos...at the weekend

Police seize N2.1m ransom in Delta

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HE police in Delta State said it had recovered N2.1 million from two gangs of kidnappers.

It seized N920,000 from a 20 man-gang allegedly operating in the Warri/Ughelli axis.

The police said it also arrested another kidnap gang in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government as it attempted to collect a ransom of N1.2million.

Five members of the 20man kidnap gang were killed in a shoot-out.

The kidnap gang, it was learnt, allegedly abducted the proprietor of a popular eatery in Udu and a woman in Osubi community, Okpe

•Kill six kidnap suspects From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Local Government.

Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Aduba, represented by police spokesman Lucky Uyabeme briefed reporters yesterday in Asaba.

He said two gang members, who assisted the police, were part of the 20-man gang apprehended at a checkpoint on Warri/Ughelli road after they ignored police stop order.

He said his men chased the suspects, and N920, 000 believed to be ransom paid by a victim was recovered.

Other items recovered are

two AK 47 rifles, four magazines each loaded with 35 rounds of 7.63 mm ammunition.

Aduba identified the suspects as Prince Maku, Goodluck Igbo-Oghre .

Others were Timothy Akpofure, Moses Uba, Ogutua Nanapre Sunday.

The commissioner said the police also arrested other members of the gang.

He said the operational bases of the suspects have been marked for demolition.

Aduba said the police acting on a tip-off stormed the hide-out of the gang sus-

pected to have kidnapped the wife of Prof Mokobia at Ozoro community.

He said items recovered include the ransom and locally made double barreled pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition.

Aduba said after a gun duel a suspect identified as Vote Michael was killed and three women were arrested.

The commissioner said the police rescued Badi Francisca the head teacher of Ethiope East Nursery/Primary School, Eku, Ethiope East Local Government after she was abducted in the school in the presence of pupils.

The victim was rescued unhurt and her vehicle recovered.

STATE OF EMERGENCY 59

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

NEWS

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HERE was pandemonium yesterday in Onitsha when two rival groups clashed over the control of Aba Motor Park on the Onitsha/Owerri Road, Onitsha, Anambra State.

At the end of the imbroglio, four persons were reportedly killed and 10 others injured while property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The clash forced traders at the Ogbaru Relief Market to close up shop.

The Onitsha police area commander, Benjamin Wordu and the police spokes-

Four killed in Aba park clash •10 injured •Police: it was two From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi and Nwanosike Onu, Awka

man, Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident.

They said only two people were killed. At the time of this report, no arrest has been made.

It was gathered that trouble started when one of the groups reportedly stormed the park in the morning to

take control but was resisted by another group.

The Association of Igbo Youths Organisation (AIYO) warned that it would no longer tolerate the incessant clandestine activities of militant youths from Onitsha and its environs.

Its state coordinator, Chukwuemeka Omeiyi Oga, said Igbo should stop killing themselves.

It was learnt that the flag of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) was dropped on the body of one of the victims.

But MASSOB’s Director of Information Uchenna Madu warned that people should desist from using MASSOB’s name to cause mayhem, adding that the victim had nothing to do with MASSOB.

MASSOB: release our member From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has threatened a show down with security operatives, if its regional leader for Awka North, Tony Nwodo, is not released.

MASSOB spoke yesterday in Awka, through its National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu.

The group alleged that security operatives arrested Nwodo last Tuesday, following the allegation that he claimed to be governor of Anambra State.

“If they want people who are causing problems and confusion in this country, they should turn their focus on Boko Haram and other criminals and not (MASSOB), we are a nonviolent group.

“The arrest of one of our leaders has created artificial tension in this state. Nobody should blame MASSOB for any breakdown of law and order.

“Everybody knows that Anambra State has only one governor and that is Mr. Peter Obi and what (MASSOB) has is regional administrators such as Nwodo.

“Let me repeat again, MASSOB is a non-violent group, but if Nwodo is not released in 48 hours, MASSOB should not be blamed for its action.”

Tambuwal hails Orji From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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PEAKER of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has hailed Abia State Governor Theodore Orji for the infrastructural transformation in the state.

He described the unity in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the handiwork of Orji.

Speaking in Umuahia while commissioning the new ultra-modern office complex for the State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and the new industrial market, Tambuwal said the delivery of democracy dividends has endeared Orji to the people and made the party more popular.

The Speaker said Orji has added value to the lives of residents and enhanced the PDP’s fortunes.

The governor praised the symbiotic relationship between the House and lawmakers.

Orji said the edifice was a testimony of government’s commitment to clean and sustainable environment.

Vote of confidence in Obi

•Tambowal cutting the tape to commission the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA). With him are Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha (left), Orji (middle) ,member representing Umunochi Federal Consituency Ms. Nkiruka Onyejiocha and General Manager,ASEPA Ikechukwu Apugo.

Obi responsible for APGA crisis, says Umeh

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HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh, yesterday blamed the protracted leadership crisis rocking the party on the activities of selfish individuals.

Umeh, who spoke in Abuja while inaugurating a committee to rebuild the party, accused Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of sponsoring various unconstitutional means to unseat his leadership of the party.

The committee was also mandated to search for and recommend credible Nigerians for appointment into the

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

party’s Board of Trustees.

The committee, which is chaired by Ziggy Azike, has Senator Chris Anyanwu, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Victor Ogene, Ezenwa Onyebuchi, Felix Ogbuagu and Onwuka Ukwa as members.

Others are Chris Giwa, Austine Ndigwe, Chikwe Udensi, Willy Ezeugwu, Benjamin Ngbor, Mic Adams and Ezinne Amaka.

Umeh said despite all sacrifices the party leadership made to install Obi as governor, he still exhibited selfish

interest and gross disrespect of the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Umeh said APGA is not party to any merger talks but is always open to an alliance with other progressives who are ready to offer credible leadership to Nigerians.

He said the party will soon constitute a constitution review committee to examine ways of reforming the party.

Azike said the inauguration of the committee marks a new dawn for the party and thanked members of the National Working Committee for recommending them.

“Victor Umeh is the au-

thentic National Chairman of APGA because the only chairman of the party is the one recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is why nobody is approaching them, they are coming to us, we have won elections in the past and we will win more,” he said.

Son of the late party leader Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu Jnr urged members of the committee to rise to the occasion and called on all those who left to come back to the fold to help rebuild the party.

Vigilance group head kills friend

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ROPERTY worth millions of naira was yesterday burnt when some youths angrily set a building ablaze over the killing of their friend identified as Amaosa Otabor.

Otabor was allegedly killed by his friend, Lucky Amadasun, who is the head of a local vigilance group at Upper Uwa and Amadasun Street

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Residents of the building were chased away before it was set on fire. A vehicle and a motor-cycle were also burnt.

The youths vowed to avenge the killing of their friend, if police investigation

yielded nothing.

Witnesses said the late Otabor (27) was shot in the chest and died before he was taken to the hospital.

They said the incident occurred at Amadasun’s home on Sunday evening after an argument between Amadasun and his friend, Osasu.

It was learnt that Amadasun pointed the gun at Osasu but

I

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Square in Owerri, the state capital, the governor assured the unemployed graduates that the state will partner with the private sector to provide employment and other palliatives for graduates in the state.

According to him, the problem of unemployment is not the fault of the youths but an endemic problem caused by the leadership of

the country.

Okorocha urged the private sector to employ Imo youths as his administration will pay half of the salary of any youth employed by any industry, hotel or supermarket operating in the state.

He added that every youth employed in the state will earn N40,000, saying the state will pay N20, 000 and employers will pay the balance.

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Enugu ACN suspends 22 From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has announced the suspension of its 2011 governorship candidate in Enugu State, Val Nnaedozie.

He was suspended alongside 21 others, including a former state chairman, Emeka Udeh.

The party’s executive council announced the suspension yesterday at a briefing at its secretariat in Enugu.

State Secretary Uche Ogbu said the members were suspended for alleged anti-party activities and impersonation.

But Nnaedozie dismissed the suspension and said: “I don’t know anything about any suspension; the state executive led by Emeka Udeh has not suspended me.

“It is just a figment of the imagination of political jobbers.

I’m sorry for them.”

The party alleged that apart from anti-party activities, Udeh went on radio and claimed he was the state party chairman even when he had handed over to a caretaker executive on July 6, last year.

Otabor intervened and was shot in the process.

The victim’s cousin, Felix Ekhator, said they were informed about the incident at about 7:30pm but before they got there, his cousin’s body had been taken to the mortuary.

Police spokesman Moses Eguaveon confirmed the incident and said investigation had begun.

Workshop on Boko Haram in Enugu

•Okorocha

HE Catholic Institute for Development, Justice, Peace and Caritas (CIDJAP) in collaboration with Christian Defence Force (CDF) and Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Action is organising an international conference/ workshop on religious freedom, Christian persecution and intolerance in Nigeria and the need for dialogue.

The event, which holds tomorrow in Enugu, seeks to deliberate on Boko Haram and its implication for Nigeria as well as analyse the phenomenon of religious intolerance and proffer solutions.

The conference would also seek to promote and guarantee religious freedom in Nigeria as a fundamental human right.

A statement by the facilitator, John Paul Okolo, urged everyone to be part of “this sharing of facts about Boko Haram, Islam in Africa, religious intolerance, Christian persecution and the way forward.”

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Okorocha apologises to Imo youths

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday apologised to unemployed youths across the country.

He noted that their plight was a result of poor leadership, which has failed to entrench policies that will grow the economy and guarantee employment for the youths, especially graduates.

Speaking during the inauguration of the ‘Youths Must Work’ project at the Heroes’

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

HE Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers yesterday apologised to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for not informing him before some monarchs travelled to Lagos for a wedding.

The monarchs passed a confidence vote on Obi and reiterated total loyalty to the administration.

In a 14-point communiqué after an emergency meeting at the Council Hall, the monarchs said no member of the council intented to embarrass the governor, especially as the administration has continued to promote their welfare.

They regretted that some of their members attended a wedding outside their jurisdiction without having the slightest idea of the true nature of the invitation.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

60

NEWS

Belgore to Kwara PDP: a million canvassers can’t undo poor record

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HE appointment of canvassers by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to propagate the “achievements” of its government to Kwara State residents is an admission of failure, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) said yesterday.

Belgore, a chieftain of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), was reacting to reports that Kwara State PDP leader, Bukola Saraki, appointed 3,744 canvassers to inform the people about the PDP and the feats of its government.

In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, the senior lawyer said the PDP-led government, rather than impact lives positively, has made Kwara the butt of national jokes “through sheer profligacy, operation of caretaker-like government,

Centre, MTN hold workshop

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•Canvassers to feel people’s pulse, says govt From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ridiculous false claims and downright deceit in everything it does”.

The statement added: “That the PDP is not ashamed of its abysmal record, which has rendered Kwara unbankable, as confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) verdict on its finances, should baffle every sensible person.

“The PDP may as well send out a million canvassers to every corner of the state, if it so wills. But, as can be deduced from the story, the Kwara PDP, which has been in power in the past 10 years, still needs thousands of canvassers to sell itself and announce its achievements to the public.

“Were those achievements felt and seen by the public, would the PDP need anyone to mouth them? That is an unintended admission of failure. By asking canvassers to intimate prospective voters of the ‘achievements’ of its government, it is clear that such achievements exist only in the imagination of the PDP and its government.

“If the government had indeed done the things it claimed to have done in cities and villages across Kwara, the people would not need a PDP canvasser to tell them about things they can see and feel themselves.

“In a nutshell, the PDP just confirmed our position that its achievements exist only on the

pages of newspapers, in radio jingles and doctored TV documentaries. Hence, there is need for specially-anointed canvassers to tell the public what the PDP government has done.”

Belgore urged the ruling party to realise that winning an election is not an end in itself, adding that the appointment of vote canvassers, barely two years into a four-year tenure, shows that the PDP and its government see politics for the sake of it.

The statement added: “Instead of impacting the lives of Kwarans, the PDP government has made the state the butt of public jokes through sheer profligacy, operation of caretaker-like government,

•Belgore

ridiculous false claims and downright deceit in everything it does. That PDP is not ashamed of its abysmal record, which has rendered Kwara unbankable, as confirmed by CBN verdict on its finances, should baffle every sensible person.

“The so-called appointment of vote canvassers barely two years into a four-year mandate - questionable as it is - says it all about the mindset of the party and its leaders in Kwara. We wish to inform Kwara PDP that winning election is not an end onto itself, it is a means to better the lives of the people.”

Army recruits

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HE Nigerian Army has announced the sale of scratch cards for the 70th Regular Recruit Intake for its non-tradesmen and women.

A statement by the Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Ola Adenegan, urged interested candidates to obtain the scratch cards for N1,000 at any branch of Union Bank and Unity Bank PLC. The statement said the recruitment is open to Nigerians between 18 and 22, who must not be shorter than 1.65 metres, for male, and 1.56 meters, for female.

“Interested candidates are expected to have scored at least three credits, including English language, in no more than two sittings at the General Certificate in Education (GCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the West African Examinations Council (WASC) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB),” the statement said.

The registration will end on June 14, while pre-screening examination will take place on June 22.

The statement also said the list of shortlisted candidates will be available on the Army’s website on June 25.

It added that “all shortlisted candidates must attend the zonal screening exercise at the designated zonal centres in their states from July 8-17”.

Candidates are advised not to give any form of gratification or inducement to influence the recruitment exercise.

Examination centers, locations and other information about the exercise are stated on the Nigerian Army e-Recruitment portal at www.narecruitment.org.

NOA to inaugurate 3,000 WAI Brigade today From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T •From left: Benue State Governor Gabrie Suswam; Chairman of the occasion and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Chairperson, Northern Governors’ Wives’ Forum (NGWF) and wife of Benue State Governor, Dooshima Yemisi Suswam, at a peace forum and launching of polio eradication almanac in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Ojukwu estate: Court adjourns Bianca’s suit for CMC

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HE suit filed by Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, against Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others before a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, has been fixed for June 20, for the beginning of the Case Management Conference (CMC).

Bianca, on behalf of her teenage children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, had sued OTL as well as Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Ojukwu and Mr. Massey Udegbe, over a property located at 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The matter, before Justice Funmilayo Atilade, was adjourned for CMC following the confirmation that parties in the suit had filed and served their pleadings.

At the CMC, the judge will determine if the parties have filed their papers on time and if they have also tried to settle the case.

The judge will also determine the possibilities for settling the matter without a trial may be explored. But if this becomes unsuccessful, the trial will begin.

The adjournment followed the notification by counsel to Bianca, Nick Omeye, that his client had filed for CMC. Counsel to the first to seventh defendants (the Ojukwus), George Uwechue (SAN), did not object to the applicants’ plea. He notified the

By Precious Igbonwelundu

court that his clients had also filed for CMC. The defendants were represented by Ifeanyi Okunah.

The parties told the court that they had filed and served their pleadings. Bianca is urging the court to declare that her children are entitled to the possession and occupation of the property until the harmonisation of the management and administration of the assets of the first defendant, the OTL. In her statement of claim, she urged the court to declare that the threat of forceful ejection from 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, by the defendants is illegal.

She prayed the court to declare that the defendants are entitled to possess the property located at: 13 Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi (now 13 Ojora Road); 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba; 30 Gerard Road, Ikoyi and 30 McPherson Avenue, Ikoyi.

All the property were said to be under the late Dim Ojukwu, father of the claimants, from the time the property were released from government acquisition till date.

The applicant also asked for a court order restraining the defendants, their agents or privies from interfering with the claimants’ possession and control of the properties.

Man arraigned for allegedly killing kid brother

A

Lokoja Magistrate’s Court yesterday arraigned a 32-year-old civil servant, Ismaila Ahmed, for allegedly killing his younger brother, Ilyasu, with a charm.

The accused, a native of Inoziomi Quarters in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, was charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, not punishable with death, but contrary to Sections 97 and 224 of the Penal Code.

HE Centre for Corrections and Human Development (CCHD), in partnership with MTN and HIBISCUS, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the United Kingdom (UK), is organising a one-day workshop on how to confront human trafficking in Nigeria.

The workshop, with the theme: Confronting Human Trafficking: Realities, Dangers and Implications, will hold at the Chief Afe Babalola Auditorium, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on May 23.

Mrs. Obioma Evelyn Agoziem, CCHD’s Executive Director, and Mrs. Jacqueline Mckenzie, the Chief Executive, Hibiscus, UK, said the workshop will examine, among other issues, new operation styles of traffickers, the use of social media, child/sex trafficking, trafficking of body parts and biological/embryonic trafficking/slavery.

It will be attended by officials of the National Agency Against the Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and leading advocacy groups against human trafficking in Nigeria.

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

The police First Information Report (FIR) revealed that the accused allegedly committed the offence on October 27, last year, at 6.30pm.

Ismaila allegedly beat the deceased “with a charmed ring, leading to the collapse of his brother, who died consequently”.

The deceased, it was

learnt, was mediating in a fight between his brother and another man, Buhari Abdullahi, who is now at large.

Ismaila pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting police officer, Samuel Ikutanwa, urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

The prosecutor said investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

The counsel to the accused, Muazu Abbas, prayed the court to use its discretionary power to grant his client bail.

Abbas averred that the accused, before his arraignment, was on police bail.

The lawyer tendered a letter, reportedly written to the court by Suleiman S. Obadegba, an uncle to the deceased, of the family’s intention not to pursue the case.

Chief Magistrate Levi Ani-

moku granted bail to the accused with N100,000 and a reliable surety who must be resident in Lokoja.

Animoku said the essence of the bail was to secure the attendance of the accused in court to take his trial.

“I am sure that he will attend to his trial,” the magistrate said.

Animoku adjourned the matter till June 13 for mention.

HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) will soon inaugurate over 3,000 volunteers as members of the “Community Support Brigade”, formerly known as WAI Brigade to maintain peace and security across the country.

Its Director-General Mr. Mike Omeri said the change of name is imperative because the agency plans to reposition for better service delivery.

He said the inauguration will be performed today at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Omeri said: “The new Community Support Brigade will persuasively enforce respect for national symbols and good behavior in both public and private life.”

Police warn vehicle owners

T

HE Ogun State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles and motorcycles parked at Ifo Police Station to remove them within two weeks of this publication or lose them to a public through auction.

They are: a Paragon bus, marked XX25EPE; a Nissan Sunny XD759TTD and Toyota Sienna, ABJ 912 AE. The motorcycles are: Three Bajaj unregistered, Nantang QU 556AA, Houjoble Suzuku OY573KSF; Smoki Supra, unregistered; Bajaj, AKD 623QB; Simba, QH617 LSR; Nantang , incomplete plate number; Bajaj ,QT 5382 ND. Also, the Lagos Police Command, Area ‘F’ and ‘E’ Festac Division has Toyota Avalon, PC 901 AAA; M/Benz, AS32EPE; Peugeot 406, KTU 537 AJ; Drdge pick-up, SS78KJA; Subaru, DR 557 LND; Peugot , 504 CF 920; unregistered Honda Accura; Mitsubish, LA 337 KTU and, unregistered Volkwagon bus.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

61

FOREIGN NEWS Musharraf granted bail

Obama walks a fine line with Myanmar president

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama will walk a fine line between fostering a U.S. ally in China’s backyard and trying to defend human rights when the president of Myanmar becomes the first head of his country to visit the White House in 47 years on Monday.

Rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers fear Obama has moved too quickly since forging a dra-

51 die in South Sudan clashes

T

WENTY-four people died in a battle between South Sudan’s military and rebel fighters the government believes to be supported by neighboring Sudan, while a tribe-on-tribe cattle-raiding attack elsewhere in the country killed 27 people, officials said Monday.

A battle in Jonglei state on Sunday killed 20 rebel fighters and four government troops, said Col. Philip Aguer. Aguer said the army recaptured the town of Boma, near the border with Ethiopia, from rebels led by David Yau Yau who took over the town earlier this month.

matic breakthrough in relations in 2011 after half a century of military rule in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

U.S. officials argue that reforms

by President Thein Sein’s quasimilitary government - freeing democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and hundreds of political prisoners, scrapping censorship, legalizing trade unions and protests - are transformative and deserve support from Obama, who confirmed the end of Myanmar’s pariah status with the West with a landmark Obama (right) and Sein in a file photograph visit last November.

Car bomb attacks kill dozens in Iraq

A

T least 60 people have been killed and many others injured in a series of car bomb attacks in central and southern Iraq, officials say.

Baghdad was worst hit, with several explosions at bus stations and markets in the mainly Shia Muslim districts.

Blasts killed 15 people in the southern city of Basra, and in and around Samarra, north of Baghdad.

The attacks are part of the recent rise in violence in Iraq linked to growing political and sectarian tension.

South Africa: Mandela name pulled into politics

N

ELSON Mandela, old and frail, lives in seclusion in his Johannesburg home. Beyond the high walls of the house, the fighting over his image and what he stood for has already begun.

The sense of possibility that Mandela embodied is fading as a gulf between rich and poor widens. Many South Africans believe their leaders are out to help themselves

and not the nation, which showed such promise when it broke the shackles of apartheid by holding the first allrace elections in 1994 and putting Mandela, who had been jailed for 27 years by the country’s racist leaders, into the presidency.

In a remarkable achievement, South Africa has held peaceful elections since the end of apartheid. But it is struggling on other fronts.

It has raised fears that Iraq could see a re-emergence of the levels of sectarian violence seen in 2006 and 2007.

Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki vowed to make immediate changes to Iraq’s security strategy and told Iraqis that militants “will not be able to return us to the sectarian conflict”.

In a separate incident, 10 policemen kidnapped on Saturday in western Anbar province were found dead.

Police said at least 200 people were injured in Monday’s violence.

One of the bloodiest attacks in Baghdad happened in the northern Shia neighbourhood of Shaab, when a car bomb exploded near a crowded market place killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 20.

The bombs in Basra, a mainly Shia Muslim city, killed at least 14 people outside a restaurant and the main bus station.

One of the injured, Mohammed Ali, said he was standing near a food cart in a crowded area “when all of a sudden it turned dark, dust filled the area”.

Egyptian army boosts Sinai security

T

HE Egyptian army sent reinforcements into the Sinai Peninsula yesterday after President Mohamed Mursi said there would be no talks with militant Islamists who abducted seven members of the security forces last week.

Radical Islamists have expanded into a security vacuum in Sinai that the state has struggled to fill since an uprising swept autocrat Hosni Mubarak from power in 2011. The groups have launched attacks on Israel and targets in North Sinai.

The kidnapping has highlighted lawlessness in the peninsula bordering Israel, enraged Egyptian security forces and piled domestic pressure on Mursi to act. Egyptian security forces have blocked border crossings into the Gaza Strip to pressure the government into helping free their colleagues.

As security began to unravel in the peninsula later in 2011, Israel agreed to Egyptian requests to deploy more troops there than allowed by the countries’ 1979 peace treaty. The Israeli defence ministry had no immediate comment on the new deployment.

A

JUDGE granted bail to Pakistan’s former military ruler retired General Perrez Musharraf yesterday in a case related to the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, his lawyer said.

Despite the bail, Gen. Musharraf will remain under house arrest on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, in connection with two other cases against him, including one related to his decision to sack senior judges while in power.

The bail comes days after the lawyer who filed the judges case against Musharraf, Mohammad Aslam Ghumman, said he had decided not to testify against the former military strongman for the sake of “national interest.”

Ghumman’s decision has fueled speculation that Musharraf may be allowed to leave the country before the new government led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif takes power in early June. The bail in the Bhutto case could intensify that speculation.

Musharraf seized power by toppling Sharif in a military

coup in 1999 and ruled for almost decade until he was forced to step down in 2008 because of growing discontent with his rule. He spent years in self-imposed exile and returned in March to compete in the May 11 national election.

But he was disqualified from the election because of his actions while in power, and has faced a raft of legal challenges against him since he arrived.

He was placed under house arrest in April, and his name has also been placed on the exit control list, preventing him from leaving the country.

Despite these steps, there is widespread speculation that Musharraf may be allowed to leave the country before Sharif takes over, possibly under the pretense of visiting his ailing mother in Dubai.

Even though Sharif has a bone to pick with Musharraf for toppling him in a coup, many diplomats and officials doubt he would want to begin his third stint as prime minister with such a prickly issue, especially since it could spark conflict with the army. Musharraf was serving as army chief when he seized power.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

UWALAKA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Nnenna Uwalaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinemere Elizabeth Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE STREET NAMING I, Chief Chinedu Micheal Edozie, wish to inform the general public that I have applied to Isolo Local Council Development Area, that the street formerly registered by me as Chief Chinedu Micheal Edozie street, Green Field Estate, be renamed as Chief Chinedu Micheal Street, in my favour. This is for the information of Isolo L.C.D.A and the general public.

KURUMEH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kurumeh Claret Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Egbeyan Kurumeh Claret Nneka. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE I, Chief D. Olatunde is looking for Abiola Olaoye.

She has taken our 3 children away, my brother passed away in 2010. She is in custody of our daughter who suppose to undergo some family tradition which if not done pose a negative effect on the family. Whoever sees her or know her where about should contact the following No: 08120049138.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

D

ear Mr. Edochie, good day. My husband and I have been married for nine years now. Each time I get pregnant, my husband does not want to be intimate with me. I hardly get kisses or any type of romantic affection from him. I am not happy. I thought pregnancy was a good thing – Mrs. Obinna Well done again Mr. Edochie. It is difficult for me to think of my wife in a sexual manner when she is pregnant. It makes me uncomfortable. So sex during pregnancy is difficult for me. But I try to take care of my family in other ways – Mr. Obinna Dear Mr and Mrs Obinna, many couples go through this same experience. Sometimes, the man worries that during penetration, he might hit the baby on the head or that too much movement might lead to a miscarriage. And some other men just don’t find their pregnant wives attractive.

Whatever the case, you need to first know that it is safe to have sex when you are pregnant, provided the woman does not lie on her stomach and the man thrusts gently.

Infact pregnancy is the best time to have all the sex you want, whenever you want because you don’t have to worry about ovulation for a year. The woman is already pregnant.

Secondly Mrs Obinna, what your husband is experiencing is psychological. I can imagine how frustrating it must be for you but it is not deliberate. And Mr Obinna, before we explore solutions that can help you, also understand that a woman never stops needing affection. A hug, a kiss, cuddling and holding hands are signs of affection that women crave and need till their dying day. These are things you can do easily.

Now here are ideas that can help you. In some patients, external sexual stimulation has been introduced with varying degrees of success. Watching an adult magazine or film before and during sex can distract the male mind from focusing solely on his female partner for stimulation and pleasure. Having intercourse with the lights off can

help as well. You can combine both solutions during intercourse while your pregnant wife lies on her side. That way your visual of her pregnant body is limited. Take care and good luck - Uche Dear Zee, I have started taking the Sex Voltz supplement you recommended and I am having erections again, infact, my erections are even harder this time and I have multiple rounds of sex whenever I want. Thank you. Please I just want to know if I am to take it daily or what? Edward Dear Edward, Sex Voltz is a sexual supplement that works for between 24 to 72 hours in your system with just one pill.

So you are advised to take not more than one pill within 36 hours – Uche Please I am interested in adult sex education books that can help me and my husband - Mrs Okaro Dear Mrs Okoro, the following four books cover the essential areas of adult sex education. They are Going Down, Clitology, Wild & Sexy Thrilling Sex Positions and How to be a Bad Girl in Bed - Uche Hello Zee, my wife and I need new ideas that can prevent twelve years of marriage from becoming terribly boring.

Thanks - Charles Hello Charles. Games, books, films, adult toys and lingerie are all novelties that can help you. For games, get Mile High Club or 52 days of play. For books, get 365 Sex Positions (a position for each day of the year) and for films, you will definitely enjoy Advanced Love Skills and Great Sex for a Life Time. And then we have lots of vibrators, male toys and lingerie. Visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com or call the number below for more details – Uche Adults in need of these treatments and novelties can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

62

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8

NO.2,492

‘But it would be foolish to think this war on terror on its own would bring peace and guarantee security not just in the troubled areas alone but all over the country without a political programme.’

WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

N the past six months, the fraternity of Nigerian journalists has lost four of its ablest, all of them of my generation.

Not to the lucrative field of Public Relations or corporate communications, or to the political bureaucracy, with its delusions of power and influence, but to the cold, undiscriminating handsof death.

I knew Ayo (Arena) Ositelu, one of the four, only through his writings on sport. Now, sportswriting, like sports casting, is probably the most cliché-ridden journalistic form.

String a few stock phrases together; garnish it with some atmospherics; deliver the product with breathless excitement, and you were well on the way to a career in sports journalism.

The resulting narrative was predictable. But it was rarely remarkable or memorable.

Ositelu was different.

Tennis was his passion. And whenever he reported a tennis match, he made you see the flow and ebb, the crosscutting currents of play.

He made you know not just the player but the person behind the racquet. He made you feel the atmosphere. He transported you to the scene of action.

And he did so in graceful, riveting and uncluttered prose, and in a context that gave the event full meaning. You knew you were in the hands of an expert guide and a craftsman who cared deeply about words, chose them with precision, and deployed them with telling effect.

Someone once rebuked Ositelu for “wasting “such elegant writing on tennis, of all things.

The fellow must have been weaned on the tradition of sports writing that I described earlier – the one rooted in stringing a few stock phrases together, throwing in some atmospherics, and delivering the package with breathless excitement.

But there is a richer and nobler tradition — one that elevates sports writing to the status of serious literature, even great literature.

Here I am thinking of the writings of AJ Liebling and Grantland Rice in the first half of the last century, and their American compatriot Red Smith, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the third Mohammed Ali - Joe Frazier fight, “The Thrilla in Manilla”.

I am thinking of Frank Deford, the contemporary National Public Radio personality who has parlayed sports writing into an art form. I am thinking especially of Ernest Hemingway’s gripping writings on bull fighting On the other side of the Atlantic, I am thinking of Peter Wilson of The Mirror, called by avid sports fans “the world’s greatest sports writer, on account of his great mastery of that form, and High McIlvanney, the Scotsman who has written for a string of British publications with enchanting facility on soccer, boxing, and horse racing.

On our own shores, intimations of that tra-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Passages in the fraternity

•The late Adione-Egom

•The late Jason

dition of sports writing as literature perfused the work of Bonar Ekanem and Peter “PECOS” Osugo, and is stamped on the commentary of the unfailingly delightful Bisi Lawrence.

Ayo Ositelu kept that tradition alive until he breathed his last.

I knew Victor Ogundipe the way I knew Ositelu: through his reporting of the economy, particularly banking and corporate finance. Ogundipe pioneered that genre in Nigeria, along with two or three others.

Before him, that kind of reporting was perfunctory at best.

He wrote about the subject incisively and engagingly and transformed it to the substance of headlines and the frontpages. With his boyish good looks and an elegant wardrobe, he brought glamour and not a little excitement to the trade, at a time the Nigerian economy was caught in the throes of a Structural Adjustment Programme.

Ogundipe’s kind of expertise was just what the burgeoning banking industry needed, and for a time, he was its articulate and personable public face.

But he was soon caught up in the intrigues that governed banking and left on terms not entirely his own. His plans to return to financial journalism did not materialise, and he left Nigeria for the United States, where he lived until he died late last year.

Although he left active journalism more than two decades ago, he was at his death

•The late Ositelu

remembered as a pioneer and an innovator.

There is no greater tribute.

Ashikiwe Adione-Egom I knew quite well.

I went to work for The Guardian, on leave from the University of Lagos, shortly after he burst on the scene with a 10-part serial for that publication that he signed with the selfdeprecating byline, “The Motor-Park Economist“.

I would learn later that he had had his secondary education at King’s College, Lagos, where he and Guardian managing director Stanley Macebuh were classmates,had entered Cambridge to study archaeology and branched into economics and social anthropology, and that had once served as a financial adviser to the Central Bank of Tanzania.

He had joined The African Guardian at its inception and served as its editor for several months while maintaining a regular column on the economy for The Guardian.

There was always something of the tramp about Peter Alexander Egom, as he later chose to be known. The settled life – home, wife, family, personal possessions — was not for him. He preferred to live in hotels or hostels, with as little freight as possible, and with the freedom to move on at short notice to wherever the spirit led him.

On leaving The Guardian, he went to found and edit the weekly Financial Post. When the publication collapsed, he became resident preacher at a church in Surulere, Lagos, where congregants fondly called him Pastor Luke.

HARDBALL

L

ESS than a year ago, President Goodluck Jonathan visited Anambra State to, among other things, commission Chief Arthur Eze’s oil production facility. When he got to the state, it was love at first sight. Dr Jonathan smooched Anambra, and the state in turn serenaded him. Both gushed so openly and so unabashedly that theirs seemed a marriage made in heaven.

The relationship was of such intensity that on September 7, 2012 Hardball had this to say: “It didn’t take careful reflection or any logical consideration before Anambra began to serenade the president with their own promises. Since his project was among those commissioned by the president, Chief Arthur Eze, boss of Orient Petroleum Resources (OPR) production facility, needed little prompting to open the floodgates. Said he to the president with cold calculation: ‘Obasanjo took eight years; we are calling on you to take another four years as one term is too short for you to finish the job you have at hand. You can consider giving power to the north after your eight years, so that they will return it to the Southeast after their own eight years.’ The ordinary Anambrarian, and possibly the ambitious south-easterner, must wonder how easily and how cheaply approbation can

Later still, he went to serve as scholar-in residence at the Ibru Ecumenical Centre in Agbarha-Otor, in Delta State.

For years thereafter, he lived in Abuja in a Catholic facility, courtesy of Archbishop (as he then was) Dr John Onaiyekan. It was then that he wrote his 2002 book, “Globalisation at the Crossroads.”

The last time I heard of him, he was reportedly affiliated with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, in some unspecified capacity.

He cared a great deal about ideas and expounded them with great versatility. But he was no intellectual snob. He was one of the least pretentious scholars I ever met. The Oxbridge thing never got into his head.

Whatever his circumstances, Egom never lost his engaging, sometimes ribald, sense of humour, and his capacity for friendship.

And then, Pini Jason, real name Jason Onyegbado. One day I was reading his measured remonstrance of an official of a public agency who claimed he had been victimised for publishing an article criticising its chief executive, Dr Ngozi Okonjo, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy no less.

It was vintage Jason. Measured. Combative, without being pugnacious.

Disagreeing, without being disagreeable.

Illuminating, without being pedantic.

During his brief stint in Rutam House, we used to meet at the editorial conferences of The African Guardian of which he was a correspondent and I was contributing editor. I found him enormously well informed.

His Op-Ed pieces for The Guardian, and his reports for the London-based New African, and for the short-lived ThisWeek magazine were models of clear thinking and lucid writing. The same quality perfused his writing for Vanguard Newspapers, his last stop.

Jason was as much at home in Lagos and Ibadan as he was in the Igbo country. He wore his Igbo heritage on his lapel but did not make you feel that you should be apologetic that you belong to a different ethnicity. He campaigned for the validation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, arguing that if the winner MKO Abiola could not take power, it would be hard for an Igbo to become president.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Jason is that he was largely self-taught. If his formal education extended beyond CMS Grammar School, Lagos, he kept it a close secret.

In life and in journalism, he exemplified the truth that the best part of a person’s education is that part the person gives himself or herself.

Ayo Ositelu, Victor Ogundipe, Peter Alexander Egom, and Pini Jason: Nigerian journalism is the poorer for their passing.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jonathan’s enduring love affair with the Southeast be secured in those parts. Eze was not content ceding 2015 to Jonathan, he also worked the ratios out and conceded eight more years after 2019 to the North. Only then, he said with self-flagellating bashfulness, should power rotate back to the Southeast. How very considerate of him.”

Dr Jonathan’s visit last year was to Anambra. This year, the president berthed his love boat in Enugu State for a one-day visit to, as usual, commission projects. Like the August 2012 Anambra visit, the latest one witnessed a replay of the attraction between the impassioned president and the ingratiating Southeast. For as in the Anambra visit, the top hats in Igboland gathered in Enugu to receive the president. The hosts reminded the president of the ties that bound the Igbo people to the president. Last year, it will be recalled, Dr Jonathan promised he would build the 2nd Niger Bridge or go into exile if he failed. As he put it elegantly and heroically, the 1st Niger Bridge was commissioned by the first Azikiwe, that is, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; the second one would be commis-

sioned by another Azikiwe, that is, Dr Jonathan. When he swore to an oath to build the second bridge, Anambra erupted into raptures and were only restrained by their eager Catholicism from promising the president eternal life.

On Saturday, the lovebirds replayed history. Dr Jonathan had his trembling hands all over his lover, and his lover, or more appropriately, his lovers, moaned and groaned.

Dr Jonathan was kind enough to appoint illustrious Igbo people into his cabinet, their spokesman, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra ululated, and the Southeast was indebted to the president. Dr Jonathan was captivated by the sweet words of his host, and he also began to rhapsodise. “I thank you for the kind of support you have given to me since I indicated interest in national politics,” gushed the president to the Igbo at a town hall meeting at the Governor’s Lodge. “Till today, I have the strongest support from the South-East; I want to thank you for that. I am very grateful. I am part of this part of the country and I

will continue to remain so even after national service.” Dr Jonathan is not just the new Azikiwe, he has become an integral part of the Southeast, an inseparable part.

And in a tone designed to make other zones green with envy, the president summed up his love affair with the Southeast with this pithy statement: “No other zone has equaled the Southeast zone in terms of support for me and my administration.” Move over, the turbulent Northeast for your infidelity.

Move over, the Southwest for being such a sanctimonious handful to the lovelorn Jonathan. Move over, the Northwest for being a smorgasbord of impassive, inscrutable and conservative consortia of opposition figures. Indeed, Nigerians should pray for 2015 general elections to come quickly or else Dr Jonathan would trade off the entire country for love; for judging from his embroidered love poems, he is so smitten by the Southeast’s perfumed so-and-so that no magician or druid can be found to neutralise the talisman that fetched him.

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