The Nation May 22, 2012

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VOL. 7, NO. 2133 TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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Fed Govt, states talks on Sovereign Wealth Fund collapse

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ALKS between the Federal Government and the 36 states on the legality of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) may have collapsed.

A full panel of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, yesterday fixed September 25 for def-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

inite hearing of the suit filed by the states.

The states are challenging the legality of the Excess Crude Account and the decision of the Federal Government to transfer $1 billion from the account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

There have been some adjournments at the instance of the Federal Government on the need to explore an out-ofcourt settlement by parties.

Rather than coming with a final report of settlement yesterday, the parties were trading blames on the failure of the peace talks.

While the plaintiffs accused the Federal Govern-

ment of making further withdrawal from the account, the Attorney General of the Federation (A-GF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), claimed that the deductions had always been at the instance of the states. He was represented by Mr. Austin Alegeh (SAN).

The plaintiffs’ lead coun-

sel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that Adoke (SAN) failed to create an enabling atmosphere for discussion, even though the states presented terms of settlement.

Before asking for a definite hearing date, he also prayed the court for an order restraining the Federal Government from further spending

from the ECA. According to him, the Accountant General of the Federation threatened last week to remove N2 billion from the account.

Awomolo prayed the court for an order to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination Continued on page 2

Jonathan refers subsidy probe report to EFCC Suspect carrying grenades held

AGF gets presidential directive

•Security breach at Abuja Police Hqtrs

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

A

LL seems set for the implementation of the report of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Subsidy following the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to refer the document to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was learnt that the President has asked the EFCC to do a thorough job, sparing no indicted person.

The President is believed to have given the green light for the EFCC probe of key issues in the report last weekend.

A source in the Presidency, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has treated the House report and he is sending the whole document (undiluted) to the EFCC to revisit and investigate outstanding areas recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee.

“The President has no reservation on areas to be probed by the EFCC. This has clearly shown that he is ready to allow the law to take its full course.

“I think those doubting President Jonathan’s commitment to the anti-corruption campaign can now heave a sigh of relief.

“The action on the report by the EFCC is with immediate effect.”

The President is said to have mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), to take the report to the EFCC. The Presidency source expressed confidence that the anti-graft commission may get the report on or before Thursday.

Prior to the approval of the report by the President, the chairmen of three anti-graft Continued on page 2

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HERE was panic in Abuja yesterday, following a security breach.

A man allegedly carrying grenades at the venue of ministerial briefings was arrested.

Police have launched a search for the suspect, John Akpanum Akalu’s female accomplice.

The police also foiled an attempt to infiltrate its headquarters by another man who could not explain his mission.

But police spokesman Frank Mba denied that there was a bomb threat at its headquarters.

The FCT Police Command is interrogating Akalu, who was arrested at the Radio House for allegedly being in possession

•The suspect, Akalu, being whisked away by security men …yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

From Yusuf Alli and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

of three hand grenades.

Radio House, headquarters of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), also houses the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Press Centre.

Ministers have been taking turns to give account of their stewardship at the press centre, as part of activities marking President Goodluck Jonathan’s one year in office.

Akalu, 39, an engineer, hails from Nasarawa State.

The Abuja police antibomb squad arrested the suspect, who said the ammuniContinued on page 2

•Some of the items recovered from the suspect…yesterday

•ENERGY P15 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P25•POLITICS P43 •PEOPLE P25

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

NEWS Jonathan refers subsidy probe report to EFCC Continued from page 1

•From left: Minister State of Saxony Anhalt, Dr. Hermann Onko Aeikens and the Federal German representatives Ministry of Economic Development(GIZ) Herr Gottfried von Knobeisdorff-Brenkendoff with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the opening of bilateral talks on agriculture investment by the German State in the state of Osun held at the Ministry of Agriculture, State of Saxony Anhalt, Germany…yesterday. Story on page 12

Fed Govt, states talks on Sovereign Wealth Fund collapse Continued from page 1

of the suit.

Responding, Alegeh said he had filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

He prayed the court to compel the plaintiffs to sign an undertaking not to request for any fund from the Federal Government, until the suit is resolved.

Alegeh at the last sitting pleaded for more time to resolve the knotty issues raised by the suit.

He said almost all the issues had been resolved and that outstanding issues could still be resolved out of court.

But the Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN), who expressed doubt about the Federal Government’s disposition to amicable settlement, asked for a short adjournment.

Recalling that they had been discussing out-of-court settlement since 2008, Ali said: “My clients want the issue resolved once and for all.”

Expressing concern at the inability of both the Federal Government and the states to reach an amicable settlement, Justice Dahiru Musdapher asked: “If states and the Federal Government are not ready to uphold the sanctity of the constitution, who else will?”

The Supreme Court had earlier granted a request by the parties to settle the matter out of court and to explore an amicable resolution of the disagreement.

The governors went to court

to among others, seek an order compelling the Government of the Federation to pay into the Federation Account N5.51 trillion being the balance of the sum which accrued to the Government of the Federation during the period 2004 and 2007 from the proceeds of crude oil sales, petroleum profits tax and oil royalties, which the Government of the Federation classified as “excess crude proceeds” and “excess PPT and Royalties”, and paid into an account which was styled “Excess Crude Account”.

They also asked the court to order the Federal Government to transfer to the Federation Account all sums standing to the credit of the “Excess Crude Account”.

The governors went to court to challenge the action, conduct and activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria with respect to the management and operation of the Federation Account.

The parties have exploited out-of-court settlement and indeed agreed on a settlement but the settlement so reached could not be implemented and was also not entered as the judgment of the court.

Consequently, the case was set down for trial and parties were directed to exchange briefs.

In a counter affidavit filed by the law firm of Alegeh and Co., the Federal Government said efforts to find a common ground did not succeed.

The Federal Government accused the states of mischief

because they took part in the deliberation of the National Economic Council where the decision to transfer the $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to the SWF was taken.

It added that the states had also been receiving their shares of the money and accused them of insincerity.

But, the states insisted that they had shared only the legitimate funds deposited in the Federation Account and not funds illegally deposited in the Excess Crude Account.

While asking the Supreme Court to refuse the application by the states to stop the Federal Government from transferring $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to the SWF, the Federal Government’s counsel said his client would run into a problem, if the application was granted.

He said the day-to-day running of the economy would be put in danger, if the application is granted.

Governors, through their lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), have asked the Supreme Court to restrain the Federal Government from making any withdrawals howsoever from the “Excess Crude Account” (or any account replacing same by any name howsoever) pending the hearing and determination of a suit they filed in 2008.

They are bitter that the Federal Government, in disregard of the suit, has continued to withdraw from the account, depleting about N5.51 trillion

being the balance on the account as at 2008 when the case was instituted.

To check further withdrawal, the governors are asking the apex court to order that all sums standing to the credit of the contentious “Excess Crude Account” be paid into the court’s account or be otherwise secured as the court may deem fit.

The motion was brought pursuant to Order 3 Rules 1 and 14 of The Supreme Court Rules (As Amended), Order 28 Rules 1(1) and 2(3) of The Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, Section 22 of The Supreme Court Act and the inherent jurisdiction of the Court In the application, Awomolo said the Federal Government and its officers had consistently withdrawn utilized, disbursed and allocated funds from the Account and had nearly depleted the sum of N5.51 trillion being the balance on the account as at 2008 when the case was instituted.

He stated that the Federal Government had announced its intention to withdraw, disburse and utilize another one billion U.S Dollars from the credit balance.

Describing the conduct of the Federal Government as “executive lawlessness and impunity”, the governors said unless the order of injunction was granted, the Federal Government would continue to disregard, disrespect and ignore the pending suits.

agencies had last Tuesday on how to handle investigation into the oil subsidy scandal.

Those who attended the secret meeting were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde; the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Barrister Ekpo Nta; and the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Sam Saba.

The presidency source added: “With the latest development from the presidency, it is apparent that only the EFCC will handle the investigation because the President was specific.

“And the task will be easy for the anti-graft agency because it had interacted with some oil marketers on the subsidy issue, in the past.”

The House ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy recommended that some oil marketers and top officials of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) be investigated and prosecuted by anti-graft agencies.

According to the report, those to be probed by antigraft agencies(now only EFCC) are 121 oil marketers as follows: 17 marketers that did not obtain FOREX but claimed to have imported petroleum products.

15 marketers who obtained FOREX but did not import petroleum products.

71 oil marketers to face probe and refund N230.1billion 18 oil marketers committed other infractions.

Other issues for probe by the EFCC are : How 3.171billion litres of PMS got missing. The 3.171 litres of PMS allegedly subsidised were not supplied to the Nigerian market.

Ex-PPPRA Executive Secretaries Mr. A. Ibikunle (August 2009 to February 2011) and Mr. Goddy Egbuji(February to August 2011) for further probe and trial.

Others are PPPRA’s GM Field Services, ACDO/Super-

visor-Ullage Team 1 and ACDO/Supervisor-Ullage Team 2 Ex-PPPRA Chairman Ahmadu Ali and board members reprimanded NNPC should be probed to determine solvency Those indicted in NNPC management and board between 2009 and 2011 should be prosecuted.

On the bazaar in the PPPRA, the report said: “The Committee identified that the marketers were often awarded superfluous quantities of products to supply but often did not meet the target.

“In 2009, PPPRA approved a supply of 11,341,507,500 litres of PMS for the marketers.

However PPPRA confirmed the marketers discharged only 5,085, 206, 983 litres or 55.16 per cent under-discharge.

“Despite being aware of the under-performance by the marketers in 2009 or the defect in its procurement process and management, PPPRA increased the 2010 Approved Deliverables to 12,410,955, 000 litres. The marketers delivered only 6,226,586,543 that is 49.8 per cent under performance. In spite of the under performance, there were no crises of product availability throughout 2011.

“This same ugly trend was maintained by PPPRA in 2011 during which it increased its approved quantity to 13,589,510,000 litres but however confirmed a delivery of 9,317,145,231 litres, an under performance by 31.4 per cent. “(i) By PPPRA’s representation, the marketers received N680.982billion as subsidy for supplying 9,317,145,275 litres of PMS in 2011. (ii)Curiously, PPPRA made another presentation that the marketers were paid N975.896billion for supplying 12,488,789,611 litres of PMS in 2011.

“Between (i) and (ii) above, PPPRA has confirmed that the sum of N294, 914billion was paid on 3,171,644,336 litres of PMS that might not have been supplied to the Nigerian market.

“The anomaly is hereby referred to the relevant anti-corruption agencies for further investigation.”

Police arrest suspect carrying grenades at ministers’ briefings ‘No bomb threat at Police Headquarters’

Continued from page 1

tion was meant for his brother, a police officer attached to the Radio House.

Mr John Akindele, the policeman and the chief security officer attached to the Radio House, said Akpanum was arrested at the entrance of the building when it was noticed he was carrying explosives.

Akalu was immediately taken to the police headquarters.

The National Press Centre in the premises of the Radio House is also the venue of the ongoing Ministerial Platform to showcase the achievements of ministers in the last one year.

The Ministers of Aviation, Mrs Stella Odua, Youth Development, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi and Attorney-General of the Federation, Muohhammed Adoke, were slated for Monday to tell the public what they had achieved in the past one year.

The suspect was arrested

T

HE Police yesterday debunked reports of bomb threats within the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

They, however, admitted that a man was arrested while trying to enter the Force Headquarters with a bag containing broken bottles.

Force spokesman Frank Mba said the man, identified as Abdulsalami Salim, was arrested at 10.50 am trying to enter when Abdullahi was rendering an account of his stewardship as the supervising minister of sports.

As news of the arrest filtered into the hall, all those seated started trooping out.

An attempt to infiltrate the Force Headquarters was yesterday foiled following the interception of a man dressed in a Fulani camouflage.

It was learnt that the suspect was arrested at the gate of the Force Headquarters.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

the premises with a bag containing broken bottles.

Mba said when Salim was searched, a vehicle number plate and five bank ATM cards were found on him.

The spokesman said no explosive device was found on him and that it would be wrong for anyone to jump to hasty

This led to a massive security build-up in Abuja, following a security alert of likely terror strike.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the suspect attempted to enter the Force Headquarters at about 9.30am but vigilant security agents subjected him to a thorough check.

It was learnt that in the process of the checks, a substance was found in a water keg which was hung on his neck.

conclusions that he was on suicide bombing mission.

He said: “The man is by all available evidence not a suicide bomber. No explosive material was found on him. So, it would be wrong for anyone to reach hasty conclusions that he is a suicide bomber.”

Mba said the man was undergoing investigation.

According to a top police officer, the substance was meant to be off-loaded at the Force Headquarters, if the suspect had entered.

An officer said: “The incident happened at about 9.30am. Everyone was on the queue but when it got to his turn, the scanner raised the alarm.

“The policemen on sentry guards and security operatives became suspicious and decided to conduct manual checks

on the suspect only to discover that he hid some substance on the water gourd he was hanging on his shoulders.

“We suspected it might have been a timed explosive meant to be detonated if he had gained entrance.

“Certainly, it was another device by a terror group to strike at the Force Headquarters.”

Another source said: “It is difficult to ascertain which terror group the suspect was running errand for.

“But the suspect was immediately evacuated and taken away to a special centre for interrogation.”

A Commissioner of Police at the Force Headquarters said: “When the man got to the gate of the Force Headquarters, he was behaving funny and his attitude became suspicious.

“I do not think that there is much to the incident.”

A senior police officer said: “We have ordered all police commands and formations to beef up security because we are working on a suspicion that a terror group wanted to engage in simultaneous strikes in specific locations in Abuja.

“For instance, another suspect was arrested with grenades at the Radio House Abuja, which is directly behind the Defence Headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Air Force. “

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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NEWS

Orosanye: Investigations by The Nation unveil the full list of the 38 agencies recommended for scrapping by the Steven Oronsaye Report and the 52 to be merged, including hitherto unknown details, reports YUSUF ALLI.

T •Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (centre), Senate Leader Senator Victor NdomaEgba (left) and Senator Nuruddeen Abatemi Usman at the opening session of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa...yesterday.

• From left: Member of the Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Review, Hon. Leo Ogor, Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Hon. Ishaka Bawa and Hon. Datti Ahmed, during a news conference on the review of the constitution at the National Assembly, in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Minister Of Education, Prof. Rukayyatu Rufa'i, Minister of State For Education, Mr Nyesom Wike and Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde at the third combined Policy Committee Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja...yesterday

• From left: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Cardinal James Odunbaku, member of the House of Representatives for Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and the Olu of Ikeja, Oba Amidu Amore, during a town hall meeting organised for the people of the Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos

HE Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, led by ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, has recommended the elevation of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to Anti-Corruption Tribunal to try all graft cases.

With this development, regular courts (where more than 55 cases are stalled) will no longer try corruption-related matters.

Also, the commission is seeking compulsory and free education from primary school to Junior Secondary School for all school-age children in the country.

But the full list of agencies recommended for abolition also emerged yesterday in Abuja .

Top on the list are the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).

These highlights are contained in a 110-page Executive Summary submitted to the Office of the Vice-President, which was exclusively obtained by The Nation.

The document reads: “The Code of Conduct Tribunal should be renamed Anti-Corruption Tribunal and upgraded to the status of a Court of Superior Records with the responsibility for handling only corruption cases from the proposed merger of EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“Extant anti-corruption laws should be repealed, while a new one is enacted to accommodate the consolidation of EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“The establishment of strong departments among others, in the proposed consolidated structure is desirable as they would handle the following areas: (i) Prosecution; (ii) Investigation (iii) Prevention (Advocacy); and (iv) Asset declaration/ forfeiture.

“The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) should be made autonomous.”

“Critical stakeholders, particularly the National Council on Education, NCE should make tangible efforts to revamp the falling standard of Education in Nigeria, including the establishment of appropriate structures for the management of quality” “As education is on the concurrent list, state Governors should be engaged via the National Economic Council of State to drive the process and restore the standard of primary and secondary school Education “They should also enhance the quality of teachers and infrastructure of primary schools.

“The first nine years of a child’s education should be free and fully funded by the Government.

“Teaching should be professionalised, particularly at the primary education level.

“Fresh graduates of Colleges of Education should mandatorily undergo a defined period of internship and be recertified at periodic intervals of three years thereafter.

“All practising teachers in primary and secondary schools and equivalent should undergo in service training to enable them to obtain licenses to continue to practice.

“Teachers in privately owned primary and secondary schools should pass a qualifying examination before they are recertified to practice.

“Funds appropriated for the management and development of schools should be allocated directly to respective schools, rather than being warehoused at the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC and SUBEB. “There is need for the restoration of a strong, aggressive, focused and professionalised Inspectorate Division in the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate the improvement and maintenance of standards in service delivery.

“For the recommendations to have a meaningful impact, the Education sector requires decisive and courageous leadership at every level of the Educational chain for the surgical transformation of the sector.

“The NUC-the apex body in the tertiary Education sub-sector should subsume NBTE and NCCE to form a new agency known as the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).”

The report dwelt extensively on some of the agencies to be abolished or merged.

Although Oronsaye Panel had recommended the abolition of 38 agencies, merger of 52 and reversal of 14 to departments in ministries, a comprehensive list of those to be abolished was not made known to the public because a few ones mentioned (like EFCC, ICPC) generated controversy.

Some of those on the list are: the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), National Salaries and Wages Commission; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission; Infrastructure Concessionary and Regulatory Commission; EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau; Fiscal Responsibility Commission; National Board for Technical Education; National Commission for Colleges of Education; Federal Character Commission; Gurara Water Management Authority (GWMA); Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC); National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Commercial Law Department; and Centre for Automotive Design and Development (CADD).

Others are: Standards Organisation of Nigeria; Consumer Protection Council (CPC); National Orientation Agency (NOA); National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO); Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR); National Troupe and the National Theatre; National Gallery of Arts; Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN); Nigeria Leather Science Technology; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT); National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI); FIIRO, NASENI, NCAM; National Rural Electrification Agency (NREA); National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN).

Also affected are the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA); Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR); National Economic Recovery Fund (NERFUND); National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); Nigerian Institute for Education Planners and Administrators;

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22 2012

5

NEWS

Full list of endangered agencies out ‘ The Code of Conduct Tribunal should be renamed Anti-Corruption Tribunal and upgraded to the status of a Court of Superior Records with the responsibility for handling only corruption cases from the proposed merger of EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau. Extant anti-corruption laws should be repealed, while a new one is enacted to accommodate the consolidation of EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau

‘

Parastatals to be scrapped or merged Petroleum Technology Development Fund(PTDF) Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency(PPPRA) Petroleum Equalisation Fund(PEF) Ajaokuta Steel Company (To be sold) National Iron Ore Mining Company(NIOMCO) –To be sold National Salaries and Wages Commission Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Infrastructure Concessionary and Regulatory Commission EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau Fiscal Responsibility Commission National Board for Technical Education National Commission for Colleges of Education Federal Character Commission Gurara Water Management Authority(GWMA) Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Commercial Law Department Centre for Automotive Design and Development Standards Organisation of Nigeria Consumer Protection Council (CPC) National Orientation Agency (NOA) National Institute for Cultural Orientation(NICO); Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studie s(NIHOTOUR) National Troupe and the National Theatre National Gallery of Arts; Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) Nigeria Leather Science Technology; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology(NARICT) National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) FIIRO NASENI NCAM National Rural Electrification Agency(NREA) National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA); Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution(IPCR); National Economic Recovery Fund(NERFUND) National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) Nigerian Institute for Education Planners and Administrators; National Metallurgical Development Centre Jos National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences(NIMG) Jos Nigerian Geological Survey National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency(NSRMEA) National Productivity Centre Nigerian Copyright Commission NTA, FRCN, Voice of Nigeria National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS(NACA) Roll-Back Malaria, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

•File photogragh of President Goodluck Jonathan while receiving the report from Orosanye

National Metallurgical Development Centre Jos, National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG) Jos; Nigerian Geological Survey; National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA); National Productivity Centre; Nigerian Copyright Commission; NTA, FRCN, Voice of Nigeria; National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Roll-Back Malaria, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response The report added: “PTDF should be subsumed under the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to ensure synergy and establish a one stop shop for training and placement of competent Nigerians in the oil and gas sector.

“The enabling law of the PTDF should be repealed and the NCDMB law amended to accommodate subsuming PTDF under NCDMB. “A management audit of the capacity programme of PTDF should

be conducted to ensure that the programme addresses the needs of the oil and gas sector.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) should be abolished and its enabling law repealed. The enabling law of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) should be repealed while its functions are subsumed under the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“The enabling law of RMAFC should be amended to accommodate the functions of FRC as well as those of NSIWC. “Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) should be merged with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to form one agency for synergy and greater efficiency for the achievement of the ultimate goal of government with regard to employment generation and wealth creation.

“NDE and SMEDAN should be merged to form a single agency for job and wealth creation.

“The new Agency should be called the National Agency for job Creation and Empowerment, NAJCE” “A holistic reorganisation of the NYSC should be carried out with a view to refocusing the scheme to achieve its set goals and objectives” “The career progression for the staff of the NYSC would engender the attainment of the highest position in the organisation.

“The Federal Government should engage the state Governors to fulfill their statutory responsibility in the provision of befitting orientation camps for corps members in the respective states.

“Urgent steps should be taken to restructure the scheme with a view to developing a framework to cover critical areas of national socio economic development to which corps members would be deployed for their primary assignments.

“The scheme should also focus skills training and acquisition for corps members in areas other than their basic disciplines with a view to empowering them after their service.”

How Nigeria can grow GDP, by Okonjo-Iweala

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HE Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could grow significantly if the empowerment gap between the men and women could be narrowed.

Delivering a keynote address at a national gender policy dialogue organised by the World Bank in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala said: “If empowering women is smart economics; empowering girls is smarter economics.’’

She cited a new World Bank Report on Gender Equality and Development, which indicated that empowering women and girls had increased Nigeria’s GDP growth.

She said: “We talk about natural resources as sources of growth; what this report is telling us that girls and women are a source of growth for the economy.

“So, it’s actually a matter of vital importance for the economic development of this country that we focus on girls and women.

“And I’m saying this in addition to the fact that we are 80.2 million girls and women in this country but because men are used to hearing this, we’ve got to find other ways to deliver this powerful message: that it’s more than about our being half of the population.

“It’s about the fact that the country will fall behind if it does not see its girls and women as a growth opportunity for the economy.’’

Okonjo-Iweala said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has put women at the heart of its policies.

She said women formed 32 per cent of the president’s cabinet or the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which she said, compared well to the global average of 17 per cent.

According to her, the president had also broken the military tradition on women participation by approving women enrolment into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).

She announced said government would launch a competition for 1000 women entrepreneurs under the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YOU WIN) project.

She said the competition was dedicated to women because out of the total 1, 200 winners in the last competition only 17 per cent were women.

The minister expressed concern over the high rate of gender inequality in the country and described as “shocking and acceptable’’, the prevalent high maternal mortality rate.

The latest UN report entitled: “Trends in maternal mortality - 1990

to 2010’’, indicated that Nigeria and India accounted for one-third of all maternal deaths in 2010.

According to the report, 56,000 deaths or almost 20 per cent were recorded in India, while Nigeria accounted for 40,000 deaths or 14 per cent of it.

She said:“That is why the issue of maternal mortality is one that we must fight head-on and the Government is doing so by putting in more money into the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

“Part of the resources that we are garnering from the savings on the partial removal of subsidy are going to support a programme to improve maternal health and mortality through a conditional cash transfer where women will get about N5000 if they come in for check-ups.”

Minister of State for FCT, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide said many women still faced discrimination, institutionalised legal and structural barriers to equal participation in politics, leadership and the economy.

She pledged that FCT administration would ensure that the 35 per cent Affirmative Action for the appointment of women to leadership positions was realised.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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NEWS

NDLEA nabs woman with drugs in her underwear O PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two women for alleged drug trafficking. The arrests were made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The suspects are a hair stylist, Faith Onuoha, 24, allegedly caught with one kilogramme of methamphetamine hidden in her brazier and inner wear and a Londonbased fashion designer, Sulikiatu Bisola Animasaun, 25, with 3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in packs of chocolates.

The Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said Onuoha was detected with the assistance of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Umar said: “I must commend the officials of FAAN for their support and cooperation. Onuoha wanted

•Another with cocaine in chocolate packs held

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

to take a local flight to Abuja where she will connect another flight to Malaysia but was caught at the local wing of the airport. She packed 750 grammes of methamphetamine in her brazier and inner wear while 250 grammes were also ingested by her. Animasaun was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London. “Thirty sachets of cocaine weighing 3kg was found inside two chocolates containers in her bag,” Umar said.

Animasaun told investigators that she was lured into the drug deal.

She said: “This is a very big mis-

take on my part. I hope I will be given the opportunity to right my wrongs. They promised me 3,000 pounds to take the packs of chocolates. Apart from the financial inducement, I should have resisted the temptation. It is a mistake that will never happen again.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the London-based fashion designer was seen as a good courier who may not attract suspicion. She has dual citizenship and had lived in London all her life.

Her British international passport number is 306673168. Her Nigeria international passport number is A0243146.

Onuoha hails from Orlu in Imo State. According to her, she want-

ed to use the proceeds of the drug business to further her education.

She said: “I am a hair dresser because I have no money to pursue my education. I completed my primary school in 2003 and wanted to use the proceeds from the drug business to further my education.”

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said the agency would prevent drug trafficking.

Giade said: “The officials that made the seizures and arrests must sustain their efforts in prompt interception of drugs. Drug traffickers male or female must be stopped from tarnishing the image of our country. I urge members of the public to collaborate with the Agency in tracing drug barons. We must stop them from the criminal trade and promote peaceful coexistence in our country.”

The suspects, said Giade, will soon be charged to court.

Ex-militants back Kuku

By Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

EX-MILITANTS under the Phase II of the Amnesty Programme have disowned some Niger Delta ex-militants who are allegedly blackmailing the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Matters, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, on the implementation of the programme.

Leaders of the over 6,000 ex-militants said they have implicit confidence on the way and manner the Amnesty Office was being administered, adding that those castigating the process are not authentic members of Phase 11.

They affirmed that they are regularly paid the N65,000 approved by the Federal Government on a monthly basis.

In a statement signed by the state Chairman, Kingsley Muturu, the Speaker, Austin Ogedegbe and Israel Akpodoro, National Vice Chairman Phase 11 Amnesty, the group said the leadership and their boys have no problem with the Federal Government nor the Amnesty Office Abuja.

The alleged that the disgruntled group of boys may be scanning the amnesty identity card with the intention to defraud the federal government and vowed to continue to support the amnesty programme.

They appealed to the Federal Government and the Amnesty Office Abuja to pay them their transition allowance for the Obubra training, which they had since completed and also urged government to arrest anybody found to be falsely parading himself as ex-militant.

Angry contractors give Shell 48-hour payment ultimatum

By Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

•From left: Vice Patron, Nigeria-Britain Association, Mr. Phil Hall, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd and Minister, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, during the association’s meeting with Dr. Aganga at the high commissioner’s residence in Lagos…at the weekend

Court condemns EFCC on trial of ex-Afribank chiefs

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LAGOS High Court, Ikeja has frowned at the conduct of the lawyers engaged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Managing Director of Afribank Plc Sebastian Adigwe and six others.

Justice Olabisi Akinlade expressed disappointment over the inability of the prosecution team, led by Kola Awodein and Abubakar Mahmud (both senior advocates) to present a witness for the prosecution.

The judge observed that the development was a replication of the prosecution’s conduct at the last proceedings when she gave a bench ruling to allow the commencement of trial. But the prosecution could not produce a witness.

This prompted the court to adjourn to yesterday for the trial.

Yesterday, the prosecution called its first witness, Emmanuel AlHassan, an Investigative Police Officer with the EFCC. He was prevented from participating in the proceedings by the defence team, who raised objection to his evidence.

The defence team, including Osaro Eghobamien (SAN), Yakub Bayero and Nnamdi Oragwu, observed that Al-Hassan’s name was not listed as a witness in the proof of evidence served on the defence, a development they said prevented them for

Akingbola fails to open defence

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ORMER Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, yesterday failed to open his defence in the case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

Akingbola and his associate, Mr. Bayo Dada, the General Manager of Tropics Securities Limited, are facing a 21-count charge of theft of N47.1 billion belonging to the defunct bank.

When the matter came up yesterday before Justice Habeeb Abiru, the prosecutor, Mr. Ayodeji Arowolo, told the court that a letter was received from the lead counsel, Chief Felix Fagboungbe(SAN) askBy Eric Ikhilae

seeking background information on him.

Although Mahmud later provided the defence with an additional proof of evidence listing Al-Hassan as a witness, the defence contended that the prosecution’s conduct amounted to an ambush. They argued that they would not proceed unless the prosecution present a fresh witness from the seven listed in its earlier proof of

By Adebisi Onanuga

ing for a vacation of the dates fixed for the defence.

The letter was also said to have asked the court for an adjournment as the defence is involved in a civil suit today in another and suggested some dates for consideration as new adjourned dates for defence.

The prosecution told the court that it has no objection to the request of the defence for an adjournment.

Justice Habeeb Abiru adjourned the matter to May 28.

The EFCC preferred a 29 count charge against Dr. Akingbola and Mr. Dada but was later ammended and reduced to 21 when his wife’s evidence.

The development prompted Justice Akinlade to ask Mahmud, if the prosecution could provide another witness to enable it open its case.

Mahmud said: “No, we do not have another witness in the court today.”

The judge to say: “Honestly, I am disappointed in you (the prosecution).”

She recalled giving a bench ruling at the last day, dismissing applica-

•Akingbola

name was struck out from the charge. tion for stay of proceedings brought

by Oragwu, with a view to allowing the prosecution to open its case only for the lead EFCC’s lawyer, K. U. K Ekweme to inform the court that the prosecution’s witnesses were not available.

Justice Akinlade later adjourned to June 29. She ordered the prosecution team to file any further amendment or additions to its proof of evidence before the next date.

NINE contractors working on Shell Petroleum Development Company’s cottage hospital in Kokodiagbene Community of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the oil company to pay them.

The aggrieved contractors lamented that they now risk losing their assets used as collateral to secure loans for the execution of the contract owing to the delay by SPDC in paying for the contract.

In an online statement by Capt.

Jonathan Uti, Mr. Godfrey Ike and Jackson Timiyan, they gave Shell two days to remit the money or risk their anger. The contractors, under the auspices of Kokodiagbene Indigenous Contractors, lamented that they mobilised to site and carried out extensive work according to the bill of quantity given to them by SPDC in a bid to complete the job within the time frame.

They said: “We went into borrowing from banks pending SPDC’s disbursement. Now he project is completed and no disbursement has been made to us. Therefore we are giving SPDC 48 hours to pay our money or face the wrath of indigenous contractors.”

Speaking on behalf of the embattled contractors, Comrade Jackson Timiyan, Financial Secretary of the community, said: “I want to explicitly state that the community is not happy over SPDC’s reluctance to the execution of the project.”

Timiyan said the cottage hospital means a lot to the host community and the entire Gbaramatu Kingdom, because “it is the first landmark project that SPDPC embarked on in the community in over four decades of oil exploration and exploitation in our land.”

He charged the company to disburse the contract money to the affected contractors in order to get the project executed and completed within the shortest time in the interest of peace and continuous mutual relationship in the area.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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NEWS Ondo Hausa community joins ACN From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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HOUSANDS of Hausa in the four local government areas of Akoko community in Ondo State have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They said they joined the party because the ruling Labour Party (LP) lacks internal democracy.

The defectors said they wanted to support a governorship aspirant on the platform of the ACN, Jaiyeola Ajatta, whom they described as a caring man of Akoko land.

The leader of the defectors, Mallam Danjuma Mohammed, said they were not satisfied with how the Olusegun Mimiko administration has been running the state.

Danjuma said he was leading his people into the ACN following regular complaints on how LP supporters were maltreating them.

He said: “My people have been crying on a daily basis on how the present government has neglected them, despite the major roles they played in ensuring the party’ success in 2007.

We are tired. The government has refused to carry us along and we cannot continue to support a party that is unfriendly to us.”

The Hausa leader assured that his compatriots would work with any candidate the party’s national leadership endorse for the October 20 election.

Ajatta said he was highly impressed about the turnout of the Hausa community.

He said: “Hausas are loving people, despite losing one of their leaders few hours to the event; they still turnout en masse to declare their support for me.

The aspirant said he was not surprised that the Hausas turned their back against the present administration, adding that the Mimiko administration has failed the poor masses.

He said: “If I am elected governor, non-indigenes will be catered for. They are going to have representatives in my cabinet, who will make them benefit from my administration’s package”.

Ekweremadu urges Judiciary to ensure speedy justice system From Onyedi Ojibaor, Assistant Editor

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EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday urged the Nigerian judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

He said some people are tempted to take the law into their hands when justice is delayed to them.

The frontline lawmaker spoke in Abuja at a workshop, entitled: Better Understanding of the Plight of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for judges and khadis.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, the senator called for proactive judicial steps and good governance to avoid the types of crises that lead to refugees and internally displaced persons in the country and Africa.

He said: “The general feeling is that justice delayed is justice denied and many are tempted to take laws into their hands because they are afraid that justice would never come or might come too late to be meaningful.”

Pressure on US to list Boko Haram as terrorist group T HE United States (US) Congress is stepping up pressure on the Barack Obama administration to formally designate the Boko Haram sect, which has alleged al-Qaeda links, as a “foreign terrorist organization”.

Mr Scott Brown, a Republican senator from Massachusetts, wrote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton late last week on the matter.

He urged Mrs Clinton to designate the sect, which has been linked to 700 killings in Nigeria in the past 18 months, as a terrorist organisation under US law.

ON Sunday, US Representatives, Peter King and Patrick Meehan, chairmen of the House Homeland Security Committee and its counterterrorism subcommittee, released a letter they sent to Clinton last Friday, suggest-

ing that the administration was moving too slowly on the matter.

King and Meehan cited a Reuters’ report last week about how the Justice Department earlier this year had urged the State Department to apply the “foreign terrorist” designation to Boko Haram. The congressmen suggested that by not doing so, the department was “denying the United States intelligence and law enforcement communities the tools they need to combat an al Qaedaaffiliated terrorist organization.

“Ten years after 9/11, we cannot allow bureaucratic stovepipes and interagency turf battles to prevent us from protecting the U.S. homeland and U.S. global interests,” the con-

gressmen complained.

The letters detail a litany of violence Boko Haram, which means “western education is sinful,” has allegedly perpetrated in recent years, including a December 2010 bombing that killed 80 and an August 2011 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, in which 23 people died.

The Justice Department’s letter to Clinton warned that the United States should not “underestimate the potential threat Boko Haram poses to U.S. interests abroad and the homeland,” noting that it has “forged links” with other militant groups which have threatened Western interests.

A senior State Department official told Reuters last week

the department was obliged to undertake extensive analysis before adding organizations to the list and said the department was “not stalling or dragging our feet” on Boko Haram.

A U.S. national security official said on Monday that although most official reporting indicated that Boko Haram was “focused inwardly” in terms of their current attack targets, there was growing evidence that “they don’t like Kenya” and that their violent activities were growing.

A congressional source said that as of last week, State Department representatives had lobbied Congress to try to stop legislation that would force the administration to act against the group or explain why it had not done so.

Further legislative moves may occur later this week, another congressional source said.

Obasanjo: bombings source of anxiety FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday lamented bombings of public buildings and open areas where people congregate. He described bombings as the source of greatest anxiety among Nigerians and nonNigerians living in the country.

Obasanjo spoke while presenting a paper at the Anniversary Symposium by the Jigawa State Government in celebration of Democracy in Dutse, the state capital.

His paper was titled: “Governance and Security”.

Other speakers included Nigeria’s one time permanent Representative at the United Nations, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, who spoke on the topic, “Leadership: Ethics and Morality”.

Prominent academic, the political class, the traditional class and a host of others from within and outside Jigawa State attended.

Obasanjo said insecurity was already taking its toll on the country, adding that it was already giving the country a bad image and adversely affecting the inflow of investment.

The ex-president who wants security management to shift towards human factors, explained that there are different types of insecurity, but held that Nigerians are mostly affected by their personal security.

He said: “Personal insecurity fed by other insecurity issues may be the direct or indirect consequences of governance”.

Cleric seeks good governance From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

•From left: Comrade Baba Omojola, Chairman June 12 Coalition; Comrade Awa Bamiji, Chairman, Organising Committee and the National Coordinator of the Coalition for Better Nigeria; and Prof S. A. Olakoke, founder and spiritual head of Shogunle in Islam at a stakeholders’ meeting on National Conference on Security Situation in Nigeria in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

ECOWAS ministers call for joint delegation to restore order in Mali

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HE ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council (MSC) have called for a joint ECOWAS, Africa Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) delegation to Mali to ensure a smooth restoration of constitutional rule in the country.

A statement yesterday by the Communication Unit of ECOWAS Commission said the ministers, comprising ministers of foreign affairs and defence, took the decision at an extraordinary session in Abidjan, the Cote d’Ivoire capital, at the weekend.

The delegation is to deliver a strong message to the military junta against meddling with the country’s political process.

The statement reads: “This

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

came amidst reports that the military junta (CNRDRE) that overthrew former President Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22 was threatening to derail the interim political arrangement that was expected to result in the election of a President after a 12-month transition.

“The Framework Agreement, signed on April 6 by the junta with the facilitation of the ECOWAS Mediator, led to the handover of power to the former Speaker of Parliament as Interim President, the appointment of a Prime Minister and a 12-month transition programme that will culminate in the election of a Presi-

dent for the country.

“The ministers also warned the leader of the junta, Capt.

Amadou Sanogo, to refrain from making public pronouncements including statements to the media which imply he is still in control, warning that failure to comply with these decisions would result in the reinstatement of targeted sanctions against members of the junta and their associates.

“The sanctions were originally imposed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government at its Extraordinary Summit of March 29 in response to the coup but were lifted after the April 6 agreement under which the junta consented to the transition arrangement and agreed to re-

turn to the barracks.

“The comprehensive sanctions to be imposed include political, economic and financial including the suspension of Mali’s membership of ECOWAS, the recall of ECOWAS Ambassadors from the country, travel ban on members of the CNRDRE and their associates, and the closure of the country’s borders and air space with ECOWAS Member States, except for humanitarian purposes.

“On the economic side, the sanctions involve the freeze of the assets of the leaders of the CNRDRE and their associates and denying the country access to the seaports of ECOWAS member-states.

Court okays out-of-court settlement for NLC, General Secretary HE National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja yesterday adjourned a suit by the sacked Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) General Secretary, Comrade John Odah, for out-of-court settlement.

Though the suit against the NLC was fixed for hearing yesterday, NIC President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, granted the parties an adjournment.

This followed a request by Odah’s counsel, Pius Akubo (SAN), that the parties

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From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

could not meet after their first meeting following the court’s admonition at an earlier sitting.

He urged the court to give the parties more time to explore an amicable resolution of the matter in the interest of trade union unity.

Counsel to the first, second, third and

fourth defendants corroborated the submission, saying settling the matter out of court was in the interest of the parties.

The defence counsel agreed to the adjournment.

Justice Adejumo adjourned the matter till July 17 and 18, for a report of settlement.

He said the court would hear the case, if the parties fail to produce the report.

THE Southwest Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof Magnus Atilade, has said that for the nation to be liberated from ignoble acts and maladministration, the younger generation must not fold their hands in apathy, but be resolute and face the challenges squarely.

The cleric berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for “irritating distraction to good governance in the Southwest”.

Addressing reporters at Awe, near Oyo town, Oyo State, Atilade noted that there is sanity, order and respect for human sanctity in many developed and African countries.

He, however, said such essentials are non-existent in Nigeria because of bad leadership.

Atilade said: “Nigerians are yearning to know those who are responsible for the terrible state of insecurity in the country. Nigeria is currently under the siege of Boko Haram; assassins carry out their nefarious activities unchecked; national electricity is in utter darkness; pipe-borne water is not flowing as at when due; the political landscape is now a territory of the wayward; and indecency and electionrigging have become the norms rather than crimes in Nigeria. The education sector is in decay and, worse still, there is an army of unemployed youths.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

8

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NDLEA arrests two women drug traffickers

Woman arrested for stealing eggs

By Fisayo Ige

A 49 YEAR old-woman, Danladi Rifkatu, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, on Lagos Island by the Police, for allegedly stealing eggs worth N627,000 belonging to Kayode Kemi and Kasudeen Anifat.

She is also standing trial on a similar case involving the alleged theft of eggs worth N483, 030 belonging to Mrs Victoria Olayiwola. The accused was said to have issued dud cheques to the complainants, who separately reported her cases to the police.

The accused, currently in police net, gave her name as Rebecca Danladi to one of the complainants. Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Julius Oyakilome, said Kemi, a trader at Alaroko market Ebute-Ero , Lagos Island, lodged her compliant after she discovered that the Oceanic Bank cheque given to her by the accused was fake. He said the defendant is standing trial on a two-count charge of intent to defraud and stealing, an offence punishable under Section 312 and 285 of the Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

Magistrate A.F.O. Botoku adjourned the matter to May 28.

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

•Giade

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PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two female passengers in connection with drug trafficking. The arrests were made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The suspects were Onuoha Faith, a 24, year-old hair stylist, caught with one kilogramme of Methamphetamine, hidden in her brazier and inner wear and Animasaun Sulikiatu Bisola Sunbo, a 25 year-old Londonbased fashion designer, found in possession of 3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside packs of

chocolates.

The Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, noted that Onuoha Faith was detected with the assistance of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). "I must commend the officials of FAAN for their support and cooperation. Onuoha wanted to take a local flight to Abuja where she will connect another flight to Malaysia, but was caught at the local wing of the airport. She packed 750 grammes of methamphetamine on her brazier and inner wear while 250 grammes were also ingested by her. Animasaun Sulikiatu Bisola Sunbo was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London.

Thirty (30) sachets of cocaine weighing 3kg were found inside two chocolates containers in her bag," Hamza stated.

Animasaun told narcotic

investigators that she was lured into the drug deal, describing her involvement as a big mistake.

"This is a very big mistake on my part. I hope I will be given the opportunity to right my wrongs.

They promised me 3,000 pounds to take the packs of chocolates.

Apart from the financial inducement, I should have resisted the temptation. It is a mistake that will never happen again," Animasaun lamented.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the London based fashion designer was a good courier who may not attract suspicion. She has dual citizenship and had lived in London all her life. She carries a British passport with number 306673168 and a Nigerian passport with number A0243146. Several seizures of cocaine wrapped as chocolates had previously been made by the NDLEA at the Lagos Airport.

Faith hails from Orlu in Imo State. According to her, she wanted

to use the proceeds of the drug business to further her education.

"I am a hair dresser and I have no money to pursue my education. I completed my primary school in 2003 and wanted to use the proceeds from the drug business to further my education," Faith said.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the Agency will take steps to prevent drug trafficking in the country. "The officials that made the seizures and arrests must sustain their efforts in prompt interception of drugs. Drug traffickers male or female must be stopped from tarnishing the image of our country. I urge members of the public to collaborate with the Agency in tracing drug barons. We must stop them from the criminal trade and promote peaceful coexistence in our country," Giade urged.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.

Surety arraigned Stories by Precious Welundu

THE Police yesterday, arraigned one Chibuike Ihionu, 35, before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate's Court in Lagos, for failing to produce an accused. Ihionu, a banker, who resides at Akesan Street, Igando, a Lagos suburb, is on trial for aiding the escape of the accused. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted N500,000 bail with a surety in the like sum.

Earlier, prosecuting Inspector Samuel Omoyeni said Ihionu had on November 21, stood surety for his brother, Ifeanyi. ``Ihionu stood as surety for his brother in a case of stealing and threat to life of Sunday Mbah. Since his arraignment, the accused has failed to appear in court, after he was released on bail," Omoyeni said. He said the offence contravened Section 132 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2011. Magistrate O.O. Olatunji adjourned the case to June 5.

Police arrest boy, 19, for theft THE Police in Lagos have arraigned Wasiu Quadir, 19, for allegedly stabbing Monsuru Onilegbale, with a knife on the neck and right eye.

Quadir and others still at large, on May 14, about 10pm at 41 Oroyinyin Street, Lagos Island, allegedly conspired to assault Onilegbale.

Onilegbale was allegedly stabbed with a knife on his neck and right eye causing him severe bodily harm. The accused was also said to have stolen N16,500 cash and two Nokia Phones worth N16, 000, property of the complainant.

Onilegbale, a member of staff of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), was said to have run into the accused and his cohorts fighting on his way from work that day. The complainant on noticing the fight, went to mediate, but was unfortunately attacked.

•Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola signing a Law amending the High Court Laws 2003 in his office... yesterday with him (left) are Secretary to the State government Mrs Oluranti Adebule and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rahman Adeola Ipaye PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Absence of Magistrate stalls trial in Justice Adebanjo's matter RIAL in the attempted murder of Justice Adeniyi Adebanjo by a Lagos commercial bus driver, Quadri Kasali, 33, was yesterday, stalled by the magistrate's absence.

Magistrate M.A. Ladipo was said to have been trapped in traffic on her way to work, leading to the adjournment of the case to June 4.

Kasali, who is standing trial on a one-count charge of deliberately hitting the Judge with his bus, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison custody on March 1, 2012 by the Magistrate.

Activist lawyer, Fred Agbaje has described the remand of the accused as an abuse of his human rights, even as a group, Against Injustice (AI) has volunteered to represent

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By Precious Welundu

Kasali in the matter.

"I understand the gravity of what the man has done by threatening the life of a serving Judge.

Inasmuch as I don't support what the accused did, we should also uphold the rule of law, which says a man is innocent until proven guilty. For the fact that the offence is bail able, I'm surprised that the magistrate denied him bail," he said.

He maintained that Kasali's continuous remand was an abuse of power and a violation of the oath of office of the Magistrate.

Agbaje said: "It is a breach of Section 36(11) of the Magistrate not to have granted the accused person bail. It, therefore, goes to imply

that the magistrate has found the accused guilty even before hearing the matter."

In a statement, AI said the accused's remand is an abuse of power, which if not addressed quickly, could lead to the death or life imprisonment of an innocent citizen who is poor and has nobody to defend or represent him.

"According to our investigations, vital information and facts have emerged, which clearly confirmed that Kasali is a victim of abuse of power.

"Kasali has pleaded not guilty to the charges punishable under Section 228(2) of Criminal code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. But unfortunately he cannot afford a counsel for his defence as

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES STATE AGENCIES 1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-33235890; 080-23321770; 080-56374036.

080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 2. Federal Road Safety Corps 01-4703325; 01-7743026 080-75005411; 080-60152462 (FRSC) 5.

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 080-23111742; 080-29728371 Lagos Zonal Command Phone Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 080-23909364; 080-77551000 No:080-33706639; 01-7742771 070-35068242 01-7904983 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-79279349; 080-63299264 080-34346168; 01-2881304

070-55462708; 080-65154338 767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com •

6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

at the last hearing on the April 3, 2012.

"It is also vital to note that a counsel from the Legal Aid will be biased in representing Kasali since he is being employed by the same government as the judge.

"Kasali, therefore, needs an independent counsel who can be objective and we would like the public court to be involved in this matter so as to ensure a fair hearing, equity and justice," the group said.

The charge against Kasali read in part: "That you, Quadri Kasali, on March 1, at about 1420hrs at Moloney Street, Lagos Island, in the Lagos Magisterial District, being a driver in charge of a commercial Vanagon bus with registration number XA 242 LKL, did drive the said vehicle in such a deliberate manner with intent to kill one Justice Adeniji Adebanjo, who challenged you for obstructing other road users, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 228(2) of Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011."

The police alleged that Kasali hit Justice Adebanjo with the vehicle three times "with intent to kill him, adding that the Judge sustained severe injury on his right arm.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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FFICIALS of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, (LASEPA) yesterday, shut down three churches and two mosques over noise pollution.

They are Lord's Chosen Charismatic Mission Church, Anthony Village; Christ Chosen Church; Onipanu; Evangelical Apostolic Church, Darusalam Mosque at Sabo, Yaba and Ayegbesin Mosque at Mafoluku, Oshodi.

Also shut were Sunplast Plastic Industries in Isolo, whose generating set was allegedly emitting hazardous fumes into a nearby school, and Scott

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Three churches, two mosques shut for noise pollution

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Industries in Matori, for alleged dehumanising working condition, which constitutes environmental nuisance.

The LASEPA team led by Mr. Kayode Bello, a senior official of the agency, backed by the Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, followed petitions received from the public.

General Manager, LASEPA, Rasheed Shabi, said the petitioners complained about the noise from the churches and mosques.

He said the churches and mosques were served abatement notices to remove the horn speakers outside their places of worship in order not to constitute nuisance on the environment.

Shabi added that they failed to comply with the notices, prompting the agency to enforce the laws on environmental protection. He added that government had no choice than to shut down the affected places of worship.

According to him, the affected worship centres would not be opened until they comply with the laws noise pollution.

Falana urges Lagos to recall sacked doctors

OUNDER of the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) Mrs. Funmi Falana, has pleaded with the Lagos State government to recall the sacked doctors.

She said after their recall, the striking doctors should suspend their action and allow the National Industrial Court (NIC), to resolve the trade dispute.

In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Mrs Falana said the appeal became necessary to avoid compounding issues, as the

By Adebisi Onanuga

Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for a sympathy action.

Falana urged government to ignore the advice of some senior doctors, who according to her are demonising the sacked doctors.

Praising the government for backing down on the ejection of the doctors from their official quarters, Mrs Falana said, her position was informed by the fact that there is a trade dispute

pending at the National Industrial Court (NIC), when the doctors were purportedly sacked.

She said: "The Lagos State Government should not be made to believe that the newly qualified doctors being engaged as "casual workers" are going to replace consultants and professors of medicine, who have been in the service for over 20 or 30 years.

"In taking a decision that will terminate the agony of the

masses the government should ignore the misleading advice of some senior doctors who are now demonising the striking doctors when it is common knowledge that they engaged in incessant strikes in the 1970s and 1980s."

She noted that though, the late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and other leaders were detained while the Nigerian Medical Association was proscribed then, by the Buhari/Idiagbon junta, there was no mass dismissal of doctors.

Fashola tackles slums with roads, school projects

L

AGOS State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola is consistently addressing the challenges of slums and erosion through the construction of roads, schools and other infrastructure that would open up economic activities in those areas.

Governor Fashola who inspected some of the World Bank assisted projected executed by the Lagos Metropolitan Development Governance Project (LMDGP) in Badia and Agege axis of the state assured residents of the government commitment to develop infrastructure so as to improve the economic potentials and their standard of living.

Among the project inspected include the 1.1km roads and system five canal, 24 blocks of the modern class rooms each in Ireti and Badia primary school and 1.6 kilometer 16 networks of roads in Agege and Orile Agege axis of the state.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Governor Fashola while addressing residents expressed the need to protect public infrastructure which will help improve their lives and boost the environmental status of the communities.

He frowned at the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the canals that are still ongoing, warning that the government would not condone any act of lawlessness from individuals.

Governor Fashola who expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the projects said the development was a response to the promise that the government made to ensure good governance to Lagos residents.

“What you are seeing here is your tax money in action, government is developing your area with the taxes that you have paid and it will not be good for you to keep

patronizing cart pushers who will dump waste in this canal and create problem for you in your environment.”

He urged them to patronize the state waste management authority who will cart away the refuse from their residents and disposed properly.

“Our democracy is deepening and we demand that people restrain from taking laws into their hands. What is happening here is integration of many things and response to the promise we made to residents during the last rain that wreaked havoc that we will open up the drainage channels and ensure that lives and properties are protected from flood disaster.”

Also, the Acting Project Director LMDGP, Mr. Adewale Ashimi said the project are at various stages of completion while commending the contractors for delivering with the given time frame.

He informed that a total of 42 slums was identify by the United Nation Habitat study in 1995, adding that work is currently ongoing in the redevelopment and renewal of infrastructure in 9 of the slums areas.

Ashimi said emphasis is on the nine because it occupies more than half the population of the entire 42 identified slums, stressing that the project is being assisted with 200 million US dollars.

“We realize that displacing to redevelop the slums was not solving the challenges as these people will move out and create other slums that was why we decided to build infrastructure in place to help addressed the environmental challenges and improve their standard of living.

He said the various project when complete would help connect the areas with other parts of the state.

Assembly insists on appearance of commissioner

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has directed Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademorin Kuye to appear before it unfailingly today.

The lawmakers last week directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Segun Abiru, to write Kuye and his counterpart at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development counterpart, Mr Enitan Oshodi, to appear before them today.

They were invited to clear some issues concerning the alleged illegal funding of the Lagos State Junior League Board. They were invited alongside the Chairman of Conference 57, Akeem Sulaiman.

Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development Babatunde Ayeni had complained of alleged illegal collection of money from the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas by the Board.

Ayeni complained of the nonchalant attitude of the board to the Committee's earlier invitation, over the alleged unconstitutional way the funds were deducted.

Kuye, however, sent a letter informing the lawmakers of his inability to appear before them,

9

By Oziegbe Okoeki

because of his ministerial briefing.

He asked the House for another date for him and his colleagues to appear.

Reacting, Deputy Whip Rotimi

Abiru said "I don't see why the Commissioner should tell us he won't be able to honour our call for any reason."

Deputy Speaker Taiwo Kolawole, who presided over the

sitting, said there was no reason to overstress the issue, adding: "The Clerk should write to them again and inform them that the House will be sitting by 10am on Tuesday and we will be expecting them."

•The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (right) Mr Ademorin Kuye, presenting the staff of office to the Oba of Shasha, Oba Babatunde Akanbi last weekend. With them from left, Chairman, Alimosho Local Government, Mr Olushola Adekunle, Justice George Oguntade PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

• Timaya

Songster Timaya becomes father

By Mercy Michael

AWARD winning musician Enetimi Odom, popularly called Timaya got a bundle of joy yesterday as he was blessed with a baby girl.

The news on his Twitter, Timaya said: "Wow, 'am now a father, thank you Jehova for the birth of my cute daughter."

Two years after he broke up with Nollywood actress Empress Njamah, Timaya met his baby's mum, Barbara.

Barbara, who is yet to tie the nuptial knots with the Bayelsa State born singer, was early this year reported to be pregnant.

She delivered the baby in the United States.

Timaya will next week, host fellow artistes, friends, associates and family members at his MKO Garden, Ikeja, home for the child naming.

Man, 26, convicted for stealing shoes

By Precious Welundu and Fisayo Ige

A LAGOS Magistrate's Court in Igbosere, has convicted David Joshua, 26, for stealing two pairs of Italian shoes worth N70,000.

The Magistrate Mrs. O.A. Layinka, however, reserved ruling on the jail term to June 14.

Joshua had at about 7:30pm, on May 4, around Warders' Barracks, Ikoyi, had allegedly stolen two pairs of Italian shoes, belonging to Benetu Philip, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 285(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos 2011.

The accused pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.

Joshua had gone to the complainant's shop with the pretence of buying shoe and asked the shop owner to show him other stocks not on display.

As the complainant went inside to bring them, the accused hid a pair of shoes and when the complainant eventually brought the samples, the accused said the price was high and left.

Prosecuting Inspector, Agoi Gbemileke, said the complainant realised after the accused had left, that a pair of shoes was missing.

"Luck ran out on Joshua, the second day, when he came to perpetuate the same act, as Phillips immediately recognised him.

"Phillip pretended as if nothing happened and allowed the accused to play out his tricks.

"After the accused had successfully hidden another pair of shoes inside his shirt and was leaving the shop, the Phillip stopped him and inquired why his stomach was suddenly swollen. He told him to bring out the shoes he stole and the police was invited," Gbemileke said.

When Joshua pleaded guilty to the charge, Phillip told the court that he has forgiven the accused.

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

NEWS

CJN to Fed Govt: stop repatriating refugees against their will

Salami: ACN youths criticise President for delaying reinstatement

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

YOUTHS in the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for delaying the reinstatement of the suspended President of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.

They noted that the President’s action is in bad faith.

The leader of ACN Total Loyalty Group, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Balogun, told reporters in Lagos that Dr Jonathan was paying a lip service to the rule of law mantra, adding that the reinstatement of Salami should have come with the same speed his suspension was announced by the authority.

He said Justice Salami’s name was dragged in the mud without provocation and justification because he defended the mandate of the people which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stole in 2007.

Balogun said the same government that ratified the suspension of the jurist, following the recoomendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) is now reluctant to implement the reinstatement recommended by the same council.

“We are familiar with the intricacies and tricks. They are deliberately delaying justice to deny it. We cannot allow the government to continue to politicise the judiciary because it is the hope of the masses.

“We implore President Jonathan to do the right thing by reinstating Justice Salami,” he said.

SSS urges journalists to be vigilant From Osagie Otabor, Benin

THE Edo State Command of the State Security Service (SSS) has urged journalists to be vigilant in the discharge of their duties.

It advised them to avoid giving out security tips to strangers and making unguided utterances, saying these could cause attacks on the media.

State Director Bello BakoriTukur spoke in Benin, the state capital, during an interactive session with reporters.

He called for collaboration between journalists and the SSS to identify security challenges and protect themselves against dangers.

Bakori-Tukur urged owners of media organisations to upgrade their security outfits.

The SSS state chief noted that media houses need to give equal opportunities to party aspirants in the coverage of political activities, adding that such coverage should be within the confines law.

He said: “Everybody must participate in the security of this country. Nigerians lack security consciousness and without the cooperation of the public, security agencies cannot do anything. They need information without which they cannot work effectively.”

•Justice Musdapher

T

HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has urged the Federal Government to stop returning refugees to their country of origin against their will.

He noted that forcible eviction of refugees might spell doom for the country as they might slip back through po-

rous borders and present “an even greater security threat”.

The CJN spoke in Abuja at the opening of a workshop on Refugees Law for judges and kadis organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

According to him, “to return or ‘refouler’ a refugee citing potential security risks” is against Article 33 of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees.

Musdapher added: “It is not far-fetched to envisage a situation where forcibly displace persons (FDPs) could slip through unprocessed, more porous borders and present an even greater security threat.

The CJN said the theme, Towards a Better Understanding of

the Plight of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, was apt and timely because of the increasing role of courts in interpreting and enforcing legal standards for the protection of FDPs. “Therefore, the need to organise and conduct regular training courses, on this subject-matter, not just for judges but also for other stakeholders such as lawyers, asylum officers, border guards/Immigration officers, the police, social workers and law students cannot be overemphasised in order to keep track of current developments on Refugee Law,” he said.

Calling for a re-appraisal of relevant conventions on refu-

gees status, Musdapher noted that forced migration and ‘refugeeism’ cause a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of victims, including death of loved ones, violence, assault, rape and lifethreatening illnesses.

The CJN said women and children are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to gender-based violent crimes.

He urged judges, “as custodians of peace”, to ensure that all persons, notwithstanding their status, have the right to benefit from legal and judicial guarantees granted under global human rights conventions.

Mustdapher said: “In this regard, we must be concerned with the constantly increasing

IGP promises to dismiss corrupt police officers

A

A

Nigeria working to end Boko Haram insurgency, says Tambuwal

T

•To deploy 300 patrol vehicles in highways CTING Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Abubakar yesterday said the police high command would dismiss officers found to be corrupt in discharging their duties.

He promised to deploy at least 300 vehicles to patrol the nation’s major highways.

“The vehicles will replace the recently dismantled road blocks and help to boost the effective patrolling of our highways,” he said.

The police chief spoke in Lagos when he visited Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the State House in Ikeja.

He said his administration under has outlined plans to build a people-friendly police force that would protect the people and respect fundamental human rights.

Abubakar noted that a competent and well-equipped police force would not only protect Nigerians but also guarantee the security of lives and property of all.

He said: “A well-equipped and motivated police force will take on the problem of insecurity in the country and will be competent enough to respond to security challenges and effectively manage crises by assisting the aged and the needy, protecting women and children during crises without any form of molestation of people in any part of the country.”

The police chief said his administration would make significant changes in policing the country, adding that officers and men are to ensure qualitative service; zero-tolerance for corruption and dismantling of roadblocks, to boost police image and security of lives and property.

Abubakar said 50,000 police-

number of refugees and we must also be desirous of finding ways and means of alleviating their misery and suffering as well as providing them with a better life and future.

“Indeed, misery and other war trauma cannot be ameliorated with the provision of food and blankets alone.”

The CJN urged relevant authorities, such as the United Nations The High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR), to intensify efforts at protecting the rights and well-being of stateless persons and internally displaced persons.

•Fashola SAN (right) presenting a souvenir to IG Abubakar ...yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

‘Police image vital’

By Jude Isiguzo

A

CTING Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has said the image of the Police is important in the repositioning strategy of his administration.

The police chief spoke in Abuja when the management team of the School of Management and Security, led by its chairman, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, visited him at the Police Headquarters.

He noted that the removal of check points and their replacement with motorised patrol, as practised in other parts of the world, is to achieve the nation’s dream police.

“Without image, we can’t command respect,” Abubakar said.

He said the police high command was working to ensure that corrupt and bad officers are sacked to make hard working and committed ones to be respected for their hard work and honesty.

The police chief hailed some governors who have been assisting the police commands in their states with the logistics to perform effectively.

Abubakar said an NPF Intelligence School would soon be established in Kwara State to increase the intelligence capability of its men.

According to him, over 20,000 policemen and women are undergoing training in various schools and academies.

Ekhomu urged the IGP to use strategic management of the police for crime control and prevention.

Such strategies include setting, monitoring and reviewing the plans for effective policing, he said.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

men would retrained to enhance capacity-building among police officers.

According to him, 16,000 of them will get intelligence-

based training and 10,000 in crime detection and prevention.

He said nothing can be achieved in modern day policing without adequate capacity in intelligence gathering.

The police chief decried poor welfare for police officers in Nigeria, saying the police cannot perform well under such conditions. He promised to make changes for the benefit of policemen.

Fashola said no meaningful development can take place until the nation can ensure law and order.

He said: “My position is that if more people comply with the law, more people will benefit.

If fewer people comply, it is only few people that will gain.

And it ranges from our behavior and attitude to the enforcement of law to voluntary compliance with law in the country.”

The governor urged the police to pay more attention to everyday crimes, such as rape, assault on women, burglary, among others. Fashola said: “These crimes threaten the fabric of the society. We are losing our capacity to deal with these everyday crimes and it is the failure to deal with them that escalates to bigger crimes, such as kidnapping, terrorism and the others. Therefore, we must go back to enforce these crimes. I do not know when last we prosecuted cases of rape; all we have now is violence, murder and crimes against the state.

HE Federal Government is not relenting in the efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said.

The top lawmaker spoke yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the opening of the seventh session of the Pan African Parliament.

He noted that recent security breaches across the country have brought Nigerians together and strengthened their resolve to build a united country.

Tambuwal said the efforts of other African countries and other friends of Nigeria to enable the nation achieve lasting peace are commendable, adding that everything is being done to resolve the issues amicably.

He said: “May I use this opportunity to thank our brother African countries and other friends of Nigeria for the support being extended to our dear country in addressing the new security challenges we are facing.

“The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, is doing everything possible to address the situation. Rest assured that the people of Nigeria believe in the continued peaceful coexistence of one and indissoluble Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Urging the Pan African Parliament to come up with solutions to end the myriad of problems facing the continent, Tambuwal noted that the continental parliamentarians need to denounce military rule and protect democratic principles in Africa to protect the people from impunity.

He said: “To achieve relative peace and security in Africa, Heads of Governments must endeavour to fight institutionalised corruption, create jobs to stem rising unemployment, and institute policies on poverty eradication and food security in Africa.

Moreover, we must continue to improve the security situation in Africa and enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies at various levels to discharge their duties.

Australia advocates local solution to Nigeria’s security challenge

USTRALIA yesterday urged Nigerians to search for indigenous solutions to the country’s current security challenges.

It noted that such challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria because every country has some challenges to grapple with.

The Oceania country hailed Nigeria’s leadership for trying its best to resolve what it described as a trying moment of its history.

Australian High Commissioner Ian Mc Conville spoke at the inauguration of a clinic at Agojeju-Odo, in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

From Isah Idris, Lokoja

Mc Conville said Nigeria’s multi-ethnic groups and religious beliefs make it a complex society where solutions to problems always take time to get.

He said: “Every country has its own peculiar challenges and this is a very complex society because it has very many ethnic groups, different languages and religions as well.

“Security is Nigeria’s biggest challenge. So, every community, every member of the parliament, every leader and every individual needs to be part and parcel of the

solution to the country’s problem. I think everybody should work together to help.

“We have a very strong focus on health projects and are particularly working in communities where the targets are women and children. I am delighted to see so many women and children here because they will be the target beneficiaries of this clinic project and we are very pleased about this.

“There is nothing more important than physical health of communities. That is why we always look forward to supporting rural health projects such as this.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

For now, what we want to communicate here is that we are going to rigorously pursue any hindrance to power supply. And to ensure that we clean up the system, we have to make sure that we deliver more reliable power to the country.

- Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power

Banks urge customers on NUBAN cheque booklets

CBN intervenes as naira falls

T

HE naira weakened against the United States dollar on the interbank market yesterday, on strong demand for the dollar by fuel importers and foreign investors selling down local debt, traders said.

The naira closed at N158.90 to the dollar on the interbank market, compared with N158.60 per dollar last Friday.

Traders said the naira depreciated and crossed the N159 to the dollar mark in early trade — the same level it had been at on Wednesday before the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened by selling dollars to some lenders to calm the market.

The bank’s target band is between N155 and N160 to the dollar.

“The volatility in the market continued yesterday due to unabated demand from importers with the naira falling further. But the intervention by the CBN provided some dollar liquidity in the market to reduce the loses,” one dealer said.

The naira, which had consistently stabilised around the N157 to the dollar level for more than three months this year, came under pressure two weeks ago on the back of strong dollar demand by fuel importers and investors repatriating dividends.

Higher inflation has triggered a sell-off in bonds by foreign investors in the past week, driving yields up.

Traders said the apex bank had intervened more than three times since last week to help calm the market. “We see the naira stabilising at this level for the rest of the week as long as the Central Bank continues to sell additional dollars in the market,” another dealer said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N6.503 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

By Akinola Ajibade

D

•From left: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr Ladi Balogun; Chairman, Mr Jonathan Lang and Company Secretary Mrs Olajumoke Bakare at the bank’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Africa must stop begging for food, says minister M

INISTER and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, has advised African countries to stop begging for food, saying they have the knowledge, the technology and the means to end hunger and food insecurity.

“A number of African countries, including Malawi, have shown that this can be achieved,” stressing that what has been missing is the political will and dedicated action.

The Minister stated this in his opening remarks as Chairman of the occasion at

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the launch of the Africa Human Development Report 2012, which was organised by the UNDP in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by Salisu Haiba Badamasi, Head (Information), Usman further revealed that, Nigeria has however, demonstrated that political will in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which President Jonathan is the council’s chairman.

He said: “In Nigeria, Agricultural Transformation Agenda being pursued by this Administration combines both political will, as typified by the inauguration by President Goodluck Jonathan last week of the Agricultural Transformation Council, of which he is Chairman, and the dedicated action represented by the detailed programme and projects in the agenda, which the Minister of Agriculture is championing.”

The theme for the Africa Human Development Report 2012 is Towards a food secure future.

The event was attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), a former governor and now Senator, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Usman has always been an advocate for Africa ‘s self-reliance in attaining its development needs. Only recently in far away Morocco, North Africa, during the African economic summit in Marakesh, he called on donor agencies and development partners in Nigeria to prioritise investments over aid to African countries.

EPOSIT money banks have advised their customers to apply for the New Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Numbers (NUBAN-compliant cheque booklet to ensure non-disruption of their banking activities from June 1, the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The banks, through various e-mails, have advised their customers to ensure they obtain the NUBAN cheque booklets as transactions with non-compliant booklets or instruments will not be honoured from that date.

According to e-mails sent by most banks, they notified their customers that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started the second phase of the NUBAN project, which entails migration to NUBAN complaint cheques and other clearing instruments by Deposit Money Banks, adding that the CBN, in its bid to ensure compliance, has informed DMBs that “payment instruments, including cheques and drafts that are not NUBAN compliant would not be allowed to pass through the electronic clearing system.”

CBN had earlier warned that from June 1, any institution that does not comply with the directive on NUBAN would be sanctioned. It also warned that any payment institution that is not NUBAN compliant would not be allowed to pass through the Automated Clearing System from the afore-mentioned date.

The NUBAN scheme is a 10-digit account number for banks’ customers. The banking watchdog said the scheme is among other measures to align Nigerian banks’ account numbers with international best practices.

US, Nigeria to enhance economic co-operation

U

NITED States of America and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitments to work together to enhance economic co-operation between them.

Consular-General of the United State Embassy, Mr Joseph Stafford, during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday pledged to improve economic co-operation between the two countries.

He said the US would also assist in the development of the Nigerian capital market, noting that the NSE is a globally recognised institution.

Stafford, who retires tomorrow, commended the management of NSE for operating a free market, adding that the Embassy would co-operate with the Exchange on training.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),

From Nduka Chiejina and Tonia Osundolire

Mr Oscar Onyema, urged the embassy to support the drive to build foreign investors’ confidence.

In another instance, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Atlanta Georgia, US, Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe has called on American businessmen and women to take advantage of the vast business potential in the country or risk losing out in the near future.

Teneilabe this disclosed at a pre-event briefing in preparation for the Ninth International Kaleidoscope Business Forum and Expo scheduled for June, this year in the US. According to him, “now the understanding is on that there are vast opportunities in Nigeria and if the US private sector does not go, others will

take advantage and by the time they come, it may be too late just like it happened in the telecoms industry.”

He noted that there was an initial reticence on the part of US private sectors business men coming to Nigeria “but the reticence is in other sectors not in the oil and gas sector, US companies are there in full force in the oil and gas sector.”

He maintained that there are several opportunities here in Nigeria that “will be of mutual interest and mutual benefit for the US private investors to play the role that is expected of them.”

Teneilabe stated that US companies were enthusiastic about entering the agricultural business and some of them have agreed “to establish tractor manufacturing companies in Kaduna and

Port Harcourt. There are also other sideline agreements that have been signed,” he said.

Now, he said, their interest has shifted to agriculture to diversify the economy, power, infrastructure and other sectors and because they are aware of this. “GE has already signed a partnership agreement with the government. They are taking over 15 percent of 10, 000 megawatts of electricity, the EXIM bank has come into Nigeria and invested over a billion US dollars.”

The envoy further disclosed that “there are other companies that will be going to Rivers state and several other states, they cannot all go at the same time but definitely, the interest has been gingered up, brought about by seminars, enlightenment and the education that the Nigerian environment is not as bad as being

painted by the mainstream press.”

To bring the foreign investment to Nigeria, the Nigerian missions abroad he said are pursuing government economic diplomatic policy “because it is our foreign policy goal and objective to be a conduit to get these partners and ensure that our regulatory environment is ripe by advising our government if investors are going to Nigeria.

The foreign missions he explained are able to guide these investors through “quick issuance of Visas, passports and general encouragement about general information and potentials we have, the opportunities that are available in Nigeria and anything that could promote commerce and investment between US and Nigeria.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

Fed Govt woos Chinese firm for investment

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

2.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

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4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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2.

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6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

tructural Bank (TIB) Mr Razak Oyinloye said the Federal Government gave N10 billion loan to transport operators to facilitate the transportation scheme for commuters.

He said TUC T&I accessed the loan because of its commitment towards the investment.

“The loan given to TUC T&I over the agreed loan repayment time of five years is, indeed, an attestation of the Federal Government‘s strong belief and commitment to the plight of Nigerians teeming commuters. We are all aware of the multiplying effect of an efficient transport scheme, especially road transportation, hence government is bent on ensuring available and affordable mass transportation service. And TIB as a third party has the responsibility to lend the fund to all eligible operators, in a sustainable manner to help developmental roles.”

Oyinloye said the bank took a critical tour of other countries using Yutong buses to ensure durability of

the bus before granting the loan to TUC T&I. “These buses are in use in South Africa. They are in use in Republic of Benin. They are in use in Ghana. We have seen durability because they have spent like 10 years in Ghana, about seven years in the Republic of Benin. So, we have no doubt that these vehicles will be durable.

He urged the leadership of TUC and other stakeholders to comply with the loan agreement in order not to block others from enjoy such government’s goodwill. “To the leadership of TUC, TIB, Yutong and other stakeholders, please note that the whole country is watching us, and we cannot afford to fail. We must all go beyond the call of duty to ensure that this project gets to the promised land.

Earlier, the President-General of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, said the transportation business is just the beginning, as the labour centre would soon go into low-cost housing development.

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By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

HE Federal Government yesterday appealed to Yutong Bus Company, China to establish its bus manufacturing plant in the country to create jobs for Nigerians.

It was at the Roll-Out ceremony of the TUC T&I fleet of buses in Lagos.

The Labour and Productivity Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, who drove one of the luxury buses with ease, said Yutong will not regret its investment if it establishes its plant in the country.

He represented Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who was billed to inaugurate the buses.

He said the transportation scheme was an outcome of Federal Government’s discussion with the labour unions two years ago when it was contemplating the removal of fuel subsidy. He said the Federal Government will continue to support trade unions to boost workers welfare.

He added that government also inaugurated 600 buses in January to ease the transportation problem of low income earners.

Managing Director, the Infras-

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

‘Deadline for advisers of nationalised banks stays’

By Akinola Ajibade

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HE Managing Director, Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustafa Chike-Obi, has said the corporation will keep to its June deadline for the selection of the local and international financial advisers that would help in the sale of the three nationalised banks.

He told The Nation yesterday that the June deadline is sacrosanct in view of the efforts being made to ensure that the right buyers are found for the banks as soon as possible. He said AMCON would announce the names of the advisers when the time comes, adding that the development would help in facilitating the disposal of the banks.

Chike-Obi said the search is ongoing to make sure that the best financial advisers are picked for the banks.

He said: “If you ask me whether we have got the advisers for the banks, I will say we are yet to do that.

We are making progress and we do hope to get the right financial consultants within the stipulated timeframe in the interest of the industry and the economy at large.”

He said AMCON would not take what the advisers put forward as the truth, but that the Board of Directors would evaluate whatever it got from them before taking any decision.

“Hopefully, we would come to the right decision on the sale of the three banks, namely Mainstreet Bank Limited, Enterprise Bank Limited and Keystone Bank Limited,” he added.

AMCON had earlier passed a vote of confidence on the banks, saying they are liquid enough to rank among the best.

Abuja airport to get second runway From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

•From left: Chief Operating Officer, La Casera Co. Ltd Mr Pralilad Gangadharan; Acting Director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mrs Ogochukwu Mainasara; Group Technical Director, La Casera, Mr Saujeen Chetri and General Manager, Marketing, Mr Dave Van Reusbug, at the launch of Latina Sugar Free drink in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

Aregbesola opens bilateral talks with German state on food production

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has taken his drive for investment in agriculture to Germany, when he began talks yesterday with Saxony Anhal.

In the entourage of Aregbesola are those saddled with the administartion’s massive food production project. The banishment of hunger is one of the six integral programmes of the Aregbesola administration.

In a statement, the governor’s Media Director, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said the team left Nigeria on Saturday night and arrived in Germany on Sunday for the discussions which began yesterday. The statement also

quoted the governor as restating his promise to turn the state to the food basket of the country.

According to Okanlawon, Aregbesola and his team are in Germany on the invitation of a German governor. The Agriculture Minister of the State of Saxony Anhalt, Dr Hermanne Onko Aikens, is leading talks with the Osun delegation on how the two states can explore areas of co-operation on agricultural investments.

In the team are Agriculture and Food Security Commissioner Mr Wale Adedoyin; Co-ordinator of the Quick Impact Intervention Programme Mr Dele Ogundipe, Women Affairs Commissioner Mrs.

Folake Adegboyega and Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development Mr. Kunle Ige. In November last year, Aregbesola had led a delegation to Zambia on a drive to establish abattoir-based massive beef production project in the state. The beef production project, called O’Beef, has already commenced in the state with leading foreign experts in beef production training interested farmers.

To realise the objectives of the massive food production, the Aregbesola-led administration had set up the Osun Rural Enterprises Agricultural Programme and the QUIIP as part of the vehicles to drive the projects.

‘Insecurity crippling Northern economy’

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HE Conference of Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCINMA) yesterday admitted that security challenges in the North have posed serious threat to human and economic development of the region.

A chieftain of the chamber, Sanusi Maijama, who stated this during a session with reporters in Bauchi, urged the northern governors to tackle the insecurity, saying it is crippling the economy of the North and other parts of the country.

From AustineTsenzughul, Bauchi

He described the bombing of the North’s largest cattle market and the attacks in Maiduguri, Kano and other places as a major challenge that is bringing the North’s economy on its kneels, adding that, for now the effect on businesses is already being felt across the country.

He said if the northern governors focus their attention on solid minerals and agriculture, the region would have enough resources to ex-

ecute their projects, stating that there are sufficient solid minerals, that if harnessed would provide enough funds to drive the region’s economy.

He pointed out that the major problem confronting the northern economy is the absence of infrastructure such as power, roads and insecurity. Maijama decried a situation in which owners of raw materials and farm produce find it difficult to ferry their products to the market place to get value for their efforts.

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HE Federal Government has started the construction of a new runway at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The new runway is meant to ease the pressure on the existing one, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has said, adding that it is part of the on-going airport rebuilding across the nation’s airports.

Oduah, who spoke yesterday at the Ministerial Platform in Commemoration of National Democracy Day and First Anniversary of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, said: “There is no going back on the construction of the second runway for Abuja airport and aprons, taxi ways and airfield lighting for other airports, including independent power projects (IPP), for designated airports.”

She said the last one year has ushered in tremendous achievements in the aviation sector. “We have brought innovations that have redefined aviation experience in Nigeria, adding that the remodelling and reconstruction of airport terminals would ensure the expansion of their capacities to meet the passenger traffic,” she said.

Oduah said aviation is a platform for other sectors and there is no way any nation can develop without the growth of the aviation sector.

Highlighting some of her achievements, she said in the first year of the administration, 11 airports have been remodelled and reconstructed. They include Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja airports.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Fed Govt worried over alarming rate T of theft, says Diezani

HE Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and chief executives of the multinational and indigenous oil and gas companies had hours of closed door meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petirin and his service chiefs as well as the chiefs of other security agencies to fashion out ways to stop the incidence of oil theft, which is said to be on disturbing rise in the last six months.

Alison-Madueke and Petirin, who briefed reporters, after the first session of the prolonged meeting, said the roundtable of the stakeholders and the formation of a new joint task force that involves the highest level of the military and other security organisations’ personnel had become imperative considering the economic loss and environmental impact unleashed on the country by these thieves.

Besides, the situation is more

•Pentrin denies military collusion with oil thieves Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor (Energy)

worrisome in view of involvement of foreigners who courageously come into the country’s waters to steal crude and make unimaginable proceeds from the crime.

However, what remains knotty in the issue is the belatedness of government’s action. This crime has been booming in the last 15 years, why the government’s sudden wake from slumber, and why has nobody been prosecuted and jailed or seriously punished despite countless arrests of the alleged oil thieves including Nigerians and foreigners, why were the barges used to steal this oil, which

were reportedly seized by the security personnel shortly find their ways back in the creeks, swamps and shallow waters, were some of the bothering questions raised.

The minister noted that these questions called for the roundtable of the industry and the country’s security chiefs.

The Chief of Defence Staff also rose to defend his men when the question of connivance with oil thieves arose. He absolved them of any collusion with oil thieves noting that people should not depend on unverified information.

Whether the roundtable meeting will mark a new beginning of secured oil and gas industry in Nigeria and end stealing of crude and

petroleum products remains with posterity to answer.

Addressing the media, the minister said: “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and his service chiefs concerning security in terms of our critical assets in the oil and gas sector especially crude and products as well. I think for the first time along with multinationals and indigenous Nigerian operators. We have discussed the extent of impact of crude theft in terms of the economic loss and environmental impact to this nation, which is also tremendous and we have spoken very openly about the issues and what can be done about it.

“One of the major outcome is that an immediate task force, a very robust and aggressive one, would be set up with the representatives of all parties, the multinationals, NNPC, and the service chiefs are to begin to address the problem in a very robust and immediate manner.”

On why the meeting is belated, she said apart from the ongoing issues that we have, there has been an escalation in crude theft over the last six months and we have seen particularly foreign crude thieves coming into our waters as well more recently to take ourcrude, so we said that it is critical that we stem these abuses at this time with the involvement of all stakeholders.

“We lose approximately 180,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily at this time. Of course to the

nation, if you look at the international cost of a barrel, it is estimated at approximately $7 billion yearly. These are the issues the taskforce will be employing and be looking into with immediate action.”

She noted that crude theft is based on the attractiveness of the project to various foreign off-takers and they are quite a few adding that the reason an aggressive and robust taskforce is being set up is to ensure that the arraignment and prosecution of these thieves are properly documented and in fact published as well.

Petirin also said they are not setting up a parallel joint task taskforce with the one in place. He said: “ We are not setting up a parallel taskforce. The taskforce we are talking about is to monitor all the actions that we decided to take and to make sure that all those actions are taken at the right time, so that we get to the bottom of this issue and get rid of these criminals in the oil industry soon. So it is not as if we are setting another taskforce. This is just a committee so to speak of very senior personnel both in the oil industry, in the military and other security services to monitor all the decisions we have reached to make sure that we are following those decisions to logical conclusion.

On collusion with the oil thieves, he said: “Don’t listen to people who talk without any fact. If you say people are colluding bring them on, point at them, let them be investigated. But nobody has pointed fingers at anybody. To be talking generally that the military is involved in conclusion is not verifiable.”

‘Modern technology will unlock potential in oil industry’

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• Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (left) with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petirin at the roundtable on the Nigerian oil and gas industry in Lagos ... on Friday.

Govt rallies multinationals, indigenous operators on gas-to-power

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HE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reassured Nigerians of an increased gas supply to facilitate power generation in the country through the aggressive execution of the ongoing 12-month gas emergency timeline geared towards the speedy expansion of the country’s gas-to-power capacity.

The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said the minister gave the assurance over the weekend while leading a team of experts and relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas industry on tour of the Utorogu Gas plant in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Alison-Madueke, who also toured some gas production related facilities operated by some major indigenous service providers in the state such as LEE Engineering and Construction Company as well as

MAKON Engineering and Technical Services, Fenog Nigeria Limited, affirmed that the drive to ensure adequate gas supply for power needs has reached an irreversible path.

Pledging the Federal Government’s commitment to work with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to meet the nation’s gas to power aspirations, Mrs. AlisonMadueke noted that such goal can only be attained if the oil majors work in concert with local service providers.

She said: “We can only build a reliable oil and gas sector through the effective participation of competent Nigerian service providers and operators. Thank God the IOCs and the indigenous companies and some professionals are already keying into this opportunity made possible by the Nigerian Content Act.” The minister’s visit to the Shell operated Utorogu Gas Plant marked the commencement of “a weeklong tour of all gas installa-

tions and projects listed for the production of additional gas under the Gas Supply Emergency Programme.

Lending credence to her optimism on gas supply, Mutiu Sunmonu Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said that the company has taken adequate steps to improve gas supply to the power plants in the country.

Sumonu said that it was already keying into the Federal Government’s 12 months gas emergency plan meant to boost power generation. “We at Shell are committed to realising government’s gas emergency plan so as to boost gas supply in the country,” he said.

He said that the current average production of the plant stood at 250 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) while work is ongoing at a new plant designed to increase capacity to about 510 mmscf per day which would have significant increase in power generation very soon.

O realise the potential in the oil and gas industry, there is a growing need to ensure that the right technology as well as motivated workforce, enthusiasm and good integration and stakeholders’ engagements must be put in place.

These contemporary technologies include carbon, oxygen advanced Varp design cement flurry, the micro fires cement, polymers and resins including the maracid with its improved properties that aid placement.

The Senior Production Technologist, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Austine Okeigwe, who stated this during the monthly technical meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos, also noted that the greatest asset in the exploration and production is the human capacity.

He said: “The greatest assets in the E&P are not the equipment or the reservoir but the people. Staying with the right set of people and with the development of the right tools, the benefits in the oil and gas industry would be fully realised.

Contemporary technologies he also said, were common place and available in the country adding we need expertise to deploy them in line with the government local content law.

Industry experts agreed that

By Ambrose Nnaji

there was the need emphasise on expertise that would harness the potential in the oil and gas industry through proactive community engagement with the joint venture partnership.

He said many rewards were derived from brown fields when the right technologies as well as better workflow were applied, highlighting the fact that Nigeria still has a lot of potential in brown fields’ development.

Brown field, he explained, is a field that is nearing the end of its production life but incidentally is the same field that contributes about 70 per cent of global production even though we have fields’ still undergoing development and new fields with nonconventional technology.

These fields, he said, held the greatest potential for recovery of unproduced hydrocarbon because their recovery so far with existing technology had been between 30 and 40 per cent adding that there is a still effort to get what was left in them.

He said: “The brown field’s development is still the key to unlock our global hydrocarbon supply. The company has four producing fields and all the fields he said were brown because they •Continued on page 16

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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ENERGY

New tariff: ‘low income earners’ll pay less’

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

•Amadi

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said low income earners and the poor will benefit from the subsidy offered by the Federal Government. The measure is to ensure that they have access to electricity.

The Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who addressed reporters in Lagos on the planned tariff increase, said the poor will pay less to enable them to have access to electricity at very affordable price.

Amadi also noted that the Federal Government is committed to providing stable power supply and implementation of the power sector reforms adding that NERC is committed to protecting customers and ensuring they (customers) get value for their money.

On the provision of free meters to customers, the NERC chief said that there was no need for customers to avoid getting meters for themselves as the commission factored the cost of meters in the new tariff regime.

He said Residential 3 and 4 customers, who have maximum de-

‘Modern technology will unlock potential in oil industry’ •Continued from page 15

have produced for between 20 and 30 years”.

According to him, the most contribution is coming from Avo field, which he said was relatively the youngest of the fields producing about 11,000 barrels per day.

On the application of these modern technologies in the oil and gas industry, Okeigwe said that for a typical oil well, as you produce oil, water also climbs. He said with time production tends to dwindle because there could be competition between water and oil.

He said that technologies had significant roles in producing oil wells. He said that a well that was producing water could still have the scope to produce oil. The process he explained was to shut in the water and move to where there is oil. This he said could only be done with either the polymer or with the cement.

“If you have a reservoir that has been producing for a long time and the pressure can no longer support your production what you normally do is to introduce gas from surface to lighten the colour so that you can produce fields. We do that by gas lifting.

So, those commonplace technologies forever have presence in any producing well whether oil or gas.”

“If you have oil and water, there is no great problem except that your flow line sometimes because of the way you lay them is not flat.”

mand meters and take direct supply from the transformers and consume more voltage will higher bills than the R1 and R2 customers.

“Their paying more slightly above the average consumer is to further subsidise the very poor. The principle here is that the subsidy here should not be a distortion to the market but probably should be applied to ensure affordability to the poor. This is the key feature of this new tariff,” he said.

Amadi said: “The poor do not pay more, the R2 that is about 80 percent of the customer class also benefit from subsidy and are paying just 11 per cent more on the average. What NERC will do to ensure value for money for the R2, 3 and 4 customers who have slightly higher tariff, is make effort to significantly increase capacity within the next one and two years.

“The capacity increase is achievable because the reform law is in place and all the reforms are going on. The independent power plants (IPPs) are already there and the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) are there and work on gas supply to thermal plants is also going on. So there is hope for future capacity but in the now, NERC wants to focus on customer care.

“The first thing is metering. Customers say if they are well metered and there is no power, they will pay for what they consume. We have agreed with distribution companies on this issue. In the past there was some laxity in executing metering, otherwise by today, we would have gone far. In the industry, there is about 60 per cent in metering. Some discos are about 30 or 40 per cent in metering so we want them to ensure rapid deployment of free meters. We agreed that within one year or 18 months, the power sector will be fully metered.

That means even when the new owners come hopefully by October according to the timeline, we will be prepared for privatisation.

“Besides, with the new tariff, the new owners will be encouraged to raise money and the metering could even complete before our schedule but in our monitoring it further, we put two years as the metering gap and we have tried to

put the money in the tariff, so when we say you wouldn’t pay for meter, the idea is that the tariff itself contains a component for meter.”

He said from this time to December 31, the commission’s plan is to meter all the customers, noting that may be every month, for instance, the agency will give out 500 meters and direct where such meters will be installed so that NERC can also can go and verify. That was our discussion with society groups and labour. They will act as a kind of stakeholders’ advisory committee.

The commission can also release these numbers and areas of deployment to them to go and verify and our job will be just to monitor, he said.

“We will not procure the meters and we will not install them, rather we will provide a framework that

will allow the job to be done and we will monitor. We can also rely on civil society group, media or anybody to report and say what is not done or done well, this is one of the mitigating measures.

The second one is the estimated billing. “We know that there is a gap of 12 to 18 months, which means the people who may not have meter probably at the 12th month may have what we call sane estimation,” he said. He noted that because they need to raise money to pay for their energy bill, they hope to collect most of the money from the metered customers and the rest from the unmetered customers. The operators will do an estimation of where you live and your neighbourhood. Therefore, if you live in Ikoyi or Victoria Island, whether you live in a boys’ quarter, they may estimate you that way. They may not go to find out what you use, so what we have agreed to do is that every month for those who don’t have meters,

they will go to the feeder through which energy is released to a particular zone, and read accurately how much energy in a month that went to that locality. The unmetered customers can properly be estimated through measure of their metered colleagues in the same neighbourhood, he added. For those who have analog meters and say their meters are not read, we are putting a framework that mandates addressing customer needs because they are suppose to read everybody’s meter.

“Thirdly, in an event of a dispute we have a three level of complaint resolution. First is the consumer complaint unit where a customer should go to lay complaint. There they have two weeks within which to resolve their matter. Assuming the customer is not satisfied with the outcome, the customer can go to ‘forum office.’ Forum Office today only exists fully in Eko Distribution Company. Part of this new Continued on page 17

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

•From left: General Manager, Ankor Pointe Intergrated, Dr. Olufemi Babalola; President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Mr Afe Mayowa; Managing Director, Delta Plus Ltd, Mr Phillipe Baudin; and Business Development Manager, Delta Plus Ltd, Nkechi Obini, at the NAPE’s May Technical forum sponsored by Delta Plus Ltd, in Lagos.

Firm pledges commitment to local content development

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HE Managing Director, Delta Plus Limited Phillippe Baudin has said the company will develop the Nigerian Local Content through training and retraining of staff within and across the continent.

Buadin, who stated this during the May monthly technical meeting of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), in Lagos, said a programme had been designed for this where Nigerians would be trained overseas including United Kingdom, Norway and the United States by their foreign technical partners He said: “We send our staff. We also send staff from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and other relevant Nigerians that have been working with us in the last five years. Now the crew is working overseas. So, these members of staff now working overseas have become expatriates. We will continue to develop them as executives because they not only work in Nigeria, they also work abroad. We will continue to de-

By Ambrose Nnaji

velop local.”

Local Content is the development of local skills, technology transfer and use of local manpower and local manufacturing. It is a Federal Government’s initiative to increase value-added content thereby contributing to national economic development and that of oil and gas industry stakeholders.

Delta Plus, according to Baudin, was established to develop local capacity within the exploration services sector by training Nigerian personnel to participate in the various projects with the company’s technical partners.

“We train people, community workers and we are here to boost local content capacity in this area.

So, we have acquired Ocean Bottom Seismic (OBS) cable about five years ago and we have been awarded the biggest work in the world at a time. We have acquired 1,600sqkm OBS for the ExxonMobil and also for our clients including Total, all together 2000sqkm OBS. It is good time for us to talk about what we have done and show the result, the quality of our data. We demonstrate the quality of what we are doing, the

quality of the data in use in Nigeria,” he said.

President, NAPE, Afe Mayowa, explained that seafloor seismic data acquisition could be applied to many seismic and geological challenges and improve reservoir characterisation and management.

He said OBS data acquisition had shown substantial development and for offshore West Africa, OBS was becoming a strategic seismic tool for many oil companies. Streamer surveys, he said, dominated offshore seismic survey acquisition using technology.

According to him, OBS has some unique attributes, which showed possibility to providing substantially enhanced subsurface resolution and image complex geology even in obstructed areas compared to streamer data.

He added that the acquisition of 4C data also provided converted shear waves that could image through gas clouds, which he said could be used as a hydrocarbon indicator.

He said depending on the oil field challenges, OBS acquisition strategies could be used as parallel or orthogonal acquisitions.

Parallel acquisition, he explained, was comparable to streamer seis-

mic acquisition but with the benefit of the OBS attributes, which may be selected if the streamer acquisition mode did not solve the basic imaging challenge while on the other hand, orthogonal acquisition is OBS strategy which ideally suits to copying the different types of azimuth streamer surveys as the source and receivers are decoupled, allowing for true full azimuth data to be acquired rather than the sparse azimuth ranges achievable using streamers.

On the implication of comparing OBS with other applications in the oil and gas industry, Mayowa said it depended on the quality of the application. According to him, when you want to have an improved seismic data you go for the other one, adding that with quality, the OBS is almost three times the quality of the other ones.

He regretted that there was still low level of penetration of data application in the country, which he attributed to non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). “Of course there is still a long way for us to go in terms of data acquisition. That’s why everybody is speaking about the PIB to put the necessary legislations in place”, adding that if the application is embraced, it would save the country a lot more money.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

ENERGY

At retreat, stakeholders proffer solution to boost supply C

ONCERNED by the power situation in the country, the government in the last few weeks moved to stabilise the sector for efficient power supply to Nigerians.

One of these steps was the Presidential workshop on power, entitled: Dismantling barriers to achieving our power sector vision presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The participants reviewed the progress on the power with a commitment to the efforts at improving on the power situation in the country already begun by the Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji.

The event that followed was the two-day retreat by the Federal Ministry of Power at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, which had its focus on the “System delivery operational challenges: strategy for sustainable power delivery.”

It was chaired by the Minister of Power and in attendance were the chairman, vice-chairman and some members of the Senate Committee on Power; the chairman, vice-chairman and some members of the House Committee on Power; the permanent secretary and directorate staff of the Minis-

By Uche Aneke

try of Power; members of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP); the Managing Director of PHCN; the Chairman NERC; Director-General, BPE: chief executive officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and Chief Executive Officers of Successor Companies, Rural Electrification Agency, NAPTIN and NELMCO. A communiqué at the end of this retreat came up with solutions on how to eliminate system operational challenges and to build on the identified strategy for sustainable power delivery, part of which includes increase in the power generation in the country up to 958 MW through plant recovery and new plants starting operations in the next six months.

As every options are being explored to improve power supply, exploitation of the potential of offgrid rural electrification is another way of building on the power supply and making it more accessible to consumers, particularly to rural dwellers. There is no doubt that

this is one sure way of providing electricity access for populations in remote areas that are unlikely to be reached by grid extension within a reasonable time frame.

This off-grid electrification which includes renewable and non-renewable energy sources such as solar, biomass, wind, hydropower and gas form part of the country’s supply mix to remote off-grid communities that can provide electricity to most remote areas such as the coastal areas of the Niger Delta, the highlands of the Southwest, up to the border with the Republic of Benin, the mountainous regions of the Southeast, up to the border with Cameroun and the far Northeast and Northwest, up to the border with Niger Republic.

Although there are obvious challenges of sustainability and limitations imposed by site specifics and seasonality of resources as well as funding in this regard, obviously its advantages are enormous and yet untapped.

Integrating renewable and alternative energy generation sources

•From right: Mrs. Chikelue Ifeatu, Director, Legal, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Vito Testaguzza, Managing Director Saipem Nigeria; Executive Secretary, NCDMB; Ernest Nwapa and Chairman/ Managing Director, Saidel, Akanimo Udofia, at at the inauguration of Saidel in Abuja.

G8 vows to supply markets despite Iran oil embargo T

HE G8 leaders sent a strong message to Iran that tough energy sanctions would be firmly applied, vowing to ensure oil markets are well supplied to prevent crude prices soaring.

The move increased pressure on Iran before its next round of nuclear talks with global powers starting in Baghdad on Wednesday, and came ahead of the imposition of a European Union oil embargo on July 1.

President Barack Obama, leading the Group of Eight summit at his Camp David retreat, said that he was “hopeful” that the talks would be productive, and stressed major powers were “unified” against Iran.

According to AFP report, in what one official called an “unusual” statement, G8 leaders said they would keep a close watch on oil supplies and would ask the International Energy Agency to take action if needed.

There was however no specific mention the powers would tap strategic oil reserves, a step some analysts had said was possible.

There have been concerns that a

dearth of Iranian oil could send prices soaring, harm economic growth, further destabilise reeling European economies in Greece and Spain, and send gasoline prices soaring in the United States.

The leaders noted that there had been increasing disruption to supplies in recent months, posing a substantial risk to economic growth, and said major producers had upped output as a result.

“Looking ahead to the likelihood of further disruptions in oil sales and the expected increased demand over the coming months, we are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to call upon the International Energy Agency to take appropriate action to ensure that the market is fully and timely supplied,” said a joint G8 communique.

Later, G8 leaders pressed Tehran to seize the chance to prove its nuclear programme is nothing but peaceful.

“We call on Iran to seize the opportunity that began in Istanbul,

and sustain this opening in Baghdad by engaging in detailed discussions about near-term, concrete steps ... towards a comprehensive negotiated solution which restores international confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful,” they said in their final Camp David Declaration.

Obama is trying to navigate the showdown with Iran at a moment of political vulnerability as he runs for a second White House term in November.

•Continued on page 18

for off- grid rural electrification, apart from increasing electricity access to far and remote villages in Nigeria, it increases economic growth through improvement of rural enterprise and standards of living, and builds stronger communities with local jobs, rather than moving towards rural to urban migration.

Thus, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of the Ministry of Power is required through a sustainable and co-ordinated rural electrification strategy to pursue and actualise this goal. The agency has more than ever been repositioned and empowered to perform its statutory roles with the appointment of a managing director, not a sole administrator. For instance, the agency has the mandate of the National Assembly. It has the support of the Bureau of the Public Enterprise (BPE) and its annual budget in 2012 increased from N3.9 billion to N6.9 billion of which N3 billion is for the settlement of outstanding debts on projects while N3.9 billion is for new projects. Little wonder then there has been renewed expression of interest by international donor agencies to engage REA in various rural electrification programmes.

To those who do who may not be aware of this agency, it is pertinent to bring to their knowledge that there are about 2,000 communities in Nigeria without electricity.

There were about 1,097 REA projects at various stages of completion when the agency was closed down in 2009.

The good news is that Prof Nnaji has given a clear directive to the REA to kick-start private sector involvement for the implementation of renewable and alternative energy for off-grid rural electrification. The Minister of Power said as part of REA, renewable energy and alternative resources should be identified in the next 100 days for further development starting initially with about 50-100 communities out of the 2,000 communities already identified by REA as being without electricity.

The Managing Director, REA Kenneth Achugbu said the agency is committed to these projects as well as completion of abandoned projects across the country.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Aduda described the role of the REA as fundamental and a sure way of taking electricity to the grassroots. According to him the National Assembly in recognition of this important role of the agency gave its parliamentary endorsement to its creation.

Still on improving power supply to Nigerians ,there is a tariff review this year in accordance with the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO). This is part of the periodic review in the electricity industry as introduced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The tariff review takes effect from June 1. The reason for the cost reflective tariff is to make investment in the electricity sector attractive.

There is no doubt that the ab-

•Prof Nnaji

sence of a cost-reflective tariff in the industry largely contributed to the failure of power sector to serve Nigerians for the past three decades: as no utility provider will enter any market without this in place, regardless of how large the market.

Once this is done, investors’ interest in the electricity sector will grow which automatically translates into infrastructure development and reliable and sustained power supply. It is, however important to state that this tariff review which is protective of the urban poor and the rural dwellers is called the R1. This category of electricity users who consume 50 kilowatt per hour will now payN4 instead of N7 kilowatt per hour which they pay. The R2 electricity consumers who belong to the middle class will be paying only an additional 11 per cent increase.

The R3 consumers who are rich will notice substantial increase in tariff, but this increase will be far much better than the cost of self generation with diesel. In addition, consumers will no longer pay the Meter Maintenance charge.

To enhance availability and efficiency of supply, the Federal Government has concluded plans for the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Lighting Programme. President Jonathan and Prof Nnaji are expected to kick start the deployment of energy efficient light bulbs in the country before the end of the month while the chief executive officers of all electricity distribution companies have been directed to embark on a pilot scheme on deployment of energy efficient light bulbs starting from the first week of June.

According to the Power minister, energy efficient lighting will enable consumers to save substantially on their electricity use. Energy efficient light bulbs are better because they consume less power than the current bulbs that Nigerians are using, though at a higher price the new light bulbs will last longer.

It is expected that when these energy efficient light bulbs have been inaugurated and distributed across the country, the current high energy consuming bulbs in circulation in the country will be phased out and Nigerians will then begin to witness availability and efficiency of power supply and good return from electricity bills.

•Aneke, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

New tariff: low income earners will pay less, The Forum Office can decide to resays NERC store the connection of a customer

•Continued from page 16

tariff is that there is undertaking to provide forum offices in all the distribution companies. The forum office is made up of representatives of the Consumer Protection Council , non-governmental organisation operating in that locality, Manufacturing Association

of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

The representatives will elect a chairman among themselves and NERC staff will be the secretary.

and also say that a customer is overbilled and the bill should be reduced, among others.

Customers that are not satisfied with the decision of the Forum Office can proceed with his appeal to the NERC, which acts as the apex court.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

18

ENERGY

‘Nigerian Content Act will create jobs’ T

HE Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has assured that the implementation of Nigerian Content Act will lead to the development of service companies owned by Nigerians and creation of jobs for Nigerians in the oil and gas industry and ancillary sectors.

In a statement issued by Obinna Ezeobi, Public Affairs Officer of the Content Board, the Minister stated this when she inaugurated the new service complex of Lee Engineering in Warri, Delta State. She said: “With continuous aggressive implementation of Nigerian Content Act and ongoing support of

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor (Energy)

Mr President, we will ensure that more Nigerian companies within the oil and gas sector are able to grow and provide jobs particularly technology based jobs and ensure employment generation over the next few years.”

She noted that successes already recorded have become evident for all to see, she charged industry stakeholders to deepen their collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board towards ensuring full compliance with the Act. According to Alison-Madueke, the Act, which was signed into law

Asia to boost Nigeria’s June oil imports

by President Goodluck Jonathan on April 22, 2010 and, which gives first consideration to Nigerians in the operations of the industry has given rise to the development of many indigenous operating and service companies.

She reported that many indigenous operators and service providers have benefitted from contracts and jobs in the industry which the Nigerian Content Act reserves exclusively for Nigerians and in-country execution.

The Minister charged the staff of Lee Engineering to take their work seriously as they are breaking frontiers and making major contributions to the growth of the economy and urged them to understand the importance of their jobs in the value chain of economy. “What you are doing today will have a major impact on Nigerian oil and gas sector in the years to come.

“The jobs you are doing here, the knowledge that you are getting, the transfer of capability that you are getting are all tools that you will transfer to other Nigerians and in that way we will build up the sector for ourselves, for our country and our economy,” she said Alison-Madueke commended the management of Lee Engineering, stating that such companies will propel the oil and gas industry forward in the years ahead and turn around the Nigerian economy for the better.

She recalled her delight when she toured the Okirika Jetty and the Port Harcourt Refinery some weeks ago and found that some engineering repairs at the plants were being executed by Lee engineering, a 100 percent indigenous company.In his comments, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitor-

ing Board, Ernest Nwapa commended the Minister for her stoic support to the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, noting that the whole industry is now moving in the same direction towards developing local capacities and patronizing existing facilities.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Lee Engineering, Chief Lemon Ikpea, commended Mrs Alison-Madueke for the various successes the oil and gas industry has recorded under her watch.

He noted that Lee Engineering has been in the fore front of indigenous participation in the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry over the years. Ikpea explained that the establishment of the company’s service complex confirms the firm’s determination and readiness to key into the aspirations of the Nigerian Content Act and Mr) President’s transformation agenda.

•Export to stand at 2.27m bpd in June

A

SIAN refiners will boost their daily imports of Nigerian crude in June to the highest level in at least 11 months, a survey of seven traders and an analysis of loading programmes obtained by Bloomberg News showed as Nigeria will export 2.27 million barrels a day of crude next month.

They bought 16 cargoes of Nigerian grades, including eight benchmark Qua Iboe blend, the survey showed. This works out at 513,333 barrels a day, the most since August 2011 when Bloomberg started compiling the data.

Exports to the region totaled 57 cargoes of crude for loading in June from Angola, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Ghana, two less than May, according to the survey. It amounts to 1.8 million barrels a day, the lowest in six months, compared with 1.81 million this month.

Refiners in Asia can buy Middle Eastern crude or Atlantic Basin grades, and their choice normally depends on the value of the lighter, sweet blends from the North Sea and West Africa versus heavier, sour grades from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Lighter crude yields more lucrative products such as diesel and gasoline. Sweet oil contains less sulfur than sour.

Unlike China, which mostly buys Angolan crude, other Asian buyers, such as Indian refineries, are flexible, and their choices normally depend on the price of individual grades. Most Nigerian blends are lighter than Angola, and normally trade at higher prices.

Nigerian grades “appeared to be better value than Angolan crude due to shifts in price differentials,” James Zhang, a London-based analyst at Standard Bank Plc said.

Nigerian benchmark Qua Iboe fell to an 18-month low of $1.35 a barrel to Dated Brent on April 30, while Angolan Cabinda was trading at an average of $1.51 a barrel more than Dated Brent in April, close to its record high of $1.62 a barrel on March 30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

As a result, the spread between Cabinda and Qua Iboe jumped to a record 13-cent premium on April 25, compared with an average of $3.30discount last year, the Bloomberg data showed.

The U.S., the largest buyer of Nigerian crude, has cut its purchases since September. Its imports from Africa’s largest producer fell to 352,000 barrels a day in February, the least in more than five years, compared with 948,000 a year earlier, according to the data from the Department of Energy.

India bought 18 cargoes for June, one more than this month, according to the survey. The country’s imports of Nigeria crude will rise to

12 cargoes in June from nine this month, while loadings of Angolan grades will fall to two shipments from five.

Indian Oil Corp., the nation’s largest refiner, maintained its purchases at seven shipments, while Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), which owns the world’s largest refining complex, reduced its imports to five cargoes from seven, the survey showed.

Bharat Petroleum Corp., India’s second-largest state refiner, bought five cargoes of Nigerian crude, the most in at least 11 months, including three shipments of Qua Iboe.

Chinese refiners cut their imports to 29 cargoes, the least in six months, compared with 35 for May, the survey showed. China International United Petroleum & Chemical Corp., known as Unipec, bought 21 shipments, down from 24 for this month.

Indonesia’s state-owned PT Pertamina kept its imports unchanged at three cargoes, including two Qua Iboe lots, according to the survey.

The Brent-Dubai exchange for swaps, which measures the European benchmark against the Persian Gulf grade, averaged $3.77 in April, compared with $3.81 in March and $3.35 in February, according to data from PVM Oil Associates Ltd. The spread fell to a 14-month low of $2.32 a barrel on Jan. 16. Traders make more profit from shipping West African crude to Asia when the spread between the two contracts shrinks.

Nigeria will export 2.27 million barrels a day of crude next month while Angola will ship 1.66 million barrels, Bloomberg calculations based on loading programmes showed.

From left: Mathew Tolangha, Executive Director, Fenog Nigeria; Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources during the minister’s visit to Fenog jetty in Warri, Delta State.

G8 vows to supply markets despite Iran oil embargo •Continued from page 17

White House officials are also trying to head off a possible Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear sites, which they fear could spark a wider regional war and sow chaos in the global economy, harming Obama’s reelection prospects.

Obama struck an unusually upbeat note on the talks with Iran in Baghdad, saying world powers were “hopeful” and were agreed on how to tackle the crisis, in an implicit contrast to Iran’s deepen-

ing isolation.

“We’re unified when it comes to our approach with Iran,” Obama said, surrounded by leaders of the Group of Eight rich nations club in his Laurel Lodge cabin at the wooded presidential retreat in Maryland.

The US leader also warned that Iran’s inability so far to convince the world its nuclear program was peaceful was “of grave concern to all of us.”

Washington says it is committed to a peaceful resolution to the

nuclear crisis, but has warned that all options, including possible military action, are on the table.

Iran had earlier offered a possible hint that punishing US and European-led sanctions may be having an impact, a factor boosting hopes among foreign powers that the Islamic Republic may take a more conciliatory approach in talks.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told state media that “no one in Iran is happy about the sanctions” and that they “may cause problems.”

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

97.00

160.00

140.00

AP

97.00

160.00

140.00

Total

97.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

97.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

97.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

97.00

160.00

140.00

Energy

97.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

97.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

97.00

160.00

140.00

INDIGENOUS

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

96. 13 112. 05 96 13

-0.95 -0.01 -0.95

-0. 98% 0. 01% -0. 98%

05/11 05/11 05/11

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Heating Oil Future 296.36 Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 300.08 NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

-1.98 -0.94

-0. 66% -0. 31%

05/11 05/11

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Henry Hub Future 2.51 Henry Hub Spot 2.36 New York City Gate Spot 2.43 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour) PRICE*

0.02 -0.00 -0.04

0.88% 0.00% -1.62%

05/11 05/11 05/11

CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 19.78 5.95 43.02% Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 30.78 3.74 13.83% BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 22.75 -1.25 -5. 21% • Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

05/11 05/11 05/10

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Absolutely scandalous The NYSC has no excuse for delaying corps members’ stipends

O

N the surface, it is the non-payment of the April monthly allowance for current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members nationwide. But looked at more closely, it is a fitting metaphor for the preening contempt Nigeria holds her youths, the socalled “leaders of tomorrow.” With this sorry development, the Jonathan Presidency has plumbed ultra-low depth in incompetence, when the talk is public service delivery.

But the distraught corps members need not despair: they are not alone in the lackof-service- delivery bog. After what seemed like eons in conspiratorial silence, Bolaji Abdullahi, President Goodluck Jonathan’s youth minister, finally said the non-payment was due to a change in payment protocol in the Federal Civil Service, adding that the payment delay was not peculiar to the NYSC alone.

He then announced, rather triumphantly, that he had extracted commitments from the NYSC Secretariat that the corps members would be paid latest by “Friday”. That Friday was May 18 – some 23 clear days after the traditional 25th of the month civil servants receive their pay! As at that day, when this editorial went to bed, there was no concrete report of payment, though it was not clear if the paper works had been concluded.

The Nigerian state would default in paying the old folks, the pensioners, would pay its present workers late and would crown that incompetence with denying NYSC members, youths by law compelled to serve as national ambassadors in locales other than their native

ones, the N19, 800 stipends due to them!

What service then do agents of the Nigerian state render?

Even then, the NYSC delayed payment is the latest of woes that make one to wonder if this country has youth welfare and security as top priority. Last year, serving NYSC members, despite being deployed to election duties, bore the brunt of election violence. And somewhere in Osun State, a female youth corps member was a victim of alleged rape by a traditional ruler, in a case still in court. Another female corps member, somewhere in the East, was a victim of alleged kidnap by a commercial biker, who had always ferried her on daily shuttles. She is still missing.

So, though these youths are national ambassadors and ought to be national treasure, compelled to serve their fatherland, they are killed, raped and kidnapped, with the state appearing helpless. It could, of course, well be said that these killings, raping and kidnapping are isolated cases, when one considers the number of corps members deployed.

Still, given the status of youth corps members as special government representatives, even one isolated death is bad enough.

It is absolutely unfair for parents and guardians to spend so much to train their children and wards in tertiary institutions, only for those youths to be exposed to needless jeopardy by an unthinking government who, when the chips are down, has nothing to offer but meaningless apologies and pious nonsense.

The Federal Government may not pay its workers, though that is hardly salu-

tary. The workers can take care of themselves. But it has absolutely no right to delay the stipends of youths it has literally plucked from the comfort zones of their parents and families.

Even the story about changing payment protocols is not acceptable. Some corps members in Nasarawa State, among them females, said they had abandoned their work because they were just too broke to make the office. That should give a good insight into the conditions of other corps members nationwide. The government should be wary of exposing these youth to needless danger and perhaps inducing them to embrace unorthodox or anti-social ways of eking out a living.

Whatever the challenges, let the NYSC pay its corps members immediately; and let there never be a repeat of this ugly situation. It is absolutely scandalous.

‘It is absolutely unfair for parents and guardians to spend so much to train their children and wards in tertiary institutions, only for those youths to be exposed to needless jeopardy by an unthinking government who, when the chips are down, has nothing to offer but meaningless apologies and pious nonsense’

Parent power •Thumbs up for Queen’s College, Lagos, PTA for embarking on N242.88m hostel project

A

QUARTER of a billion is a lot of money in any currency. This is what the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) of Queen’s College, Lagos, has pooled to start a fourfloor hostel accommodation for that premier post-primary school.

According to the chairman of the Queen’s College Parents/Teachers Association (QCPTA), Alhaji Farouk Magaji, who spoke during the contract signing ceremony, the project will cost N242.88 million and it is expected to be completed in 32 weeks.

He noted that QCPTA embarked on the project in response to the inadequate hostel facility in the college.

Demand for boarding facility in the school has recently increased to the point of a crisis, warranting the tem-

‘We especially commend the members of the QCPTA for their most laudable efforts.

Their ability to pool such a large sum of fund and to embark on such a huge project is no mean feat. A larger and improved hostel accommodation can only redound positively on the students and uplift the overall ambience and aesthetics of the school’

porary ‘delisting’ of some students from the hostel in the current session, to the chagrin of parents. The solution to the problem is the on-going hostel project which will accommodate about 600 students and which comes with other facilities like a large dining room.

This is not the first time that the QCPTA would stand in the gap for QC as the school is fondly known.

The parents, we learnt, had a few years ago, moved to provide a modern, quality boarding befitting the status of the school. The edifice still adorns the school premises, only that it has yet again become inadequate.

It is for this reason that we especially commend the members of the QCPTA for their most laudable efforts. Their ability to pool such a large sum of fund and to embark on such a huge project is no mean feat. A larger and improved hostel accommodation can only redound positively on the students and uplift the overall ambience and aesthetics of the school.

We can only conjecture what QC would be today were it left to the government alone to do.

While we urge other PTAs and old students to continue to support school authorities and governments to maintain a passable standard of education in our school system, we must not fail to note that the onus still lies on governments at all levels to maintain and continuously im-

prove the quality of education across the country. It is common knowledge that a good number of Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools are mere caricature of what schools ought to be.

We are also aware that in spite of the best efforts by various intervention agencies, our educational facilities are still decrepit.

Education in Nigeria, especially the physical manifestation, remains out of tune with the trend in the developed world. We keep suggesting that governments across the board should take a fundamental and radical approach to revamping formal education in the country. And some basic questions to be raised include the rationale of Federal Government still running secondary education; why government would forcibly hijack private and missionary schools and set about to run them aground; why do we have education budget every year yet schools are not maintained for decades?

We will never be tired of emphasising the importance of education quality education - in today’s world which is why we ask governments to radically reform our education system to bring it up to speed with modern standards. That is the way to a brighter tomorrow, and to a great nation.

Once again, we ask members of the QCPTA to please take a bow for their pacesetting gesture.

Germany, the Crisis and the G-8

W

HEN the leaders of the Group of 8 gather at Camp David on Friday, President Obama and the others

must press Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to commit to a euro-zone growth package. This is no time to mince words: Her one-size-fits-all austerity program has been a failure, pushing heavily indebted countries deeper into recession, making it even harder for them to pay off their debts. It is putting the already-weak recovery in the United States at risk and is fueling instability and extremism in Europe.

After months of obstinance, Ms. Merkel has softened her stance — saying that Germany is open to stimulus to spur growth, employment and development in Greece and pledging to work with the new French president, François Hollande, on a program to promote growth across recession-racked Europe. It is unclear, however, whether her comments reflect a true and lasting change of heart.

Ms. Merkel’s new talking points appear to be driven mainly by the defeat in France of Nicolas Sarkozy, her longtime partner-inausterity, and the spreading chaos in Greece, where anti-austerity voters brought down the government this month and fears that the country could soon exit the euro have provoked a run on the banks and capital flight.

German officials made things worse by talking about the euro zone’s ability to carry on without Greece. Ms. Merkel is now insisting that she wants Greece to remain, but it will take more than kind words to change things.

What is needed is a real “growth compact” to boost the capacity of the European Investment Bank and other European Union funds to invest in infrastructure and other jobcreating projects in crisis countries. It would need to be coupled with a plan to soften or delay agreed-upon spending cuts. That would be a breakthrough but only a start on the road to recovery.

Germany still strongly opposes a sensible plan, endorsed by the International Monetary Fund, in which euro-zone members jointly issue bonds. Such bonds would both help pay for stimulus projects while easing borrowing costs for vulnerable countries like Spain and Italy.

Some German voters have also begun to question austerity. But after insisting for so long that the profligate must pay for their sins, Ms. Merkel will need political cover from her fellow leaders. And there is no question that many of the struggling countries need to reform.

Greece and many others need to collect taxes, reform their labor markets and commit to honest and transparent budgeting. France could also soften its resistance to stronger panEuropean institutions. That would allow for more effective decision-making on financial reform, emergency aid, fiscal discipline and structural reforms.

Everyone needs a way out. At the G-8 meeting, world leaders must find one.

•New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: In today’s world, there is hardly a day you will open any major newspaper or watch television without seeing a report on terrorism.

News reports are usually backed with visual images, depicting the gory pictures of dead persons, maimed victims, collapse buildings as a result of the impact of bombs, and carcasses of vehicles at the scene of the incidents. Because of the limited knowledge of what constitutes an act of terrorism, some journalists are always quick to brand all types of violent incidents as an act of terrorism, including crimes of opportunities like armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder. In all these, terrorists benefit immensely from free media coverage, which help in propagating their messages.

One major objective of terrorist groups is to get maximum publicity for their act. The mass media through television has been an effective tool for terrorists because of the images and pictures they broadcast to the public. The images have so much influence on the public, the policy makers, and thereby influence both local and foreign policies. The media is very powerful base on the image and pictures of violence being displayed all the time about terrorist activities.

The media is very important in any counterterrorism strategy.

The big question is should the mass media give less publicity to terrorist activities? Of course, the denial of maximum coverage to terrorist violent activities will cut short the expectation of the perpetrators and make them not to achieve their main objective of using violence to create fear in the heart of the public.

There is no doubt in the fact that the major instrument of terrorism is media propaganda; any terrorist action without the media is of no effect on the

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Media and the war on terrorism targeted audience. Rather, the devastated effect would be restricted to the immediate victims of their dastardly deeds.

According to Bruce Hoffman, a counterterrorism expert, “terrorism and the media are bound together in an inherently symbiotic relationship, each feeding off and exploiting the other for its own purposes.” The terrorist always wants to communicate their revolutionary or divine messages to a wide audience and they have recognized the potential of new mass communication technology.

On the other hand, the media

wants to compete in breaking such news without weighing the repercussion that such news may have on government policy. Of course, bad news is always good news for the media.

The media have been condemned for making the job of the terrorist to be too easy because of the coverage and the emotion that arouse from the public. In the past, especially during the cold war era, the terrorist organizations only rely on three principal methods of facilitating its communication process via the use of clandestine rebel radio stations, underground

newspapers, posters, flyers and conventional, commercial, or state own mass media like television, radio and the press.

However, the new media age has afforded terrorist organizations another opportunity to have their self media propaganda machines under their control.

Today, the modern terrorist organizations have access to the Internet, affordable video production and duplication process and the private, terrorist owned television stations.

Osama Bin Ladin, before his death, maximized the opportunity of the new Media.

He always sends his messages via the Internet and YouTube.

Mallam Ibrahim Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram in Nigeria has been consistently using YouTube to send messages to the government and his followers.

While media censorship is not the best on the side of the government; on the other hand, the traditional media operators must know the type of news and story that promote the objectives of the terrorists and the news that enhances the counterterrorism effort. Unfortunately, the internet has expanded the terrorists’ theater of operation, allowing them to bypass the traditional media gatekeepers through the use of the cyberspace infrastructure. There is no doubt, the next war will be on the cyberspace; How prepared is Africa?

• Oludare Ogunlana, Baltimore, USA

Presidency should take Buhari’s advice in good faith

S

IR:The assault on Gen. Muhammadu Buhari by the presidency and the People Democratic Party is uncalled for, diversionary and unethical. Buhari’s comment on the state of the nation and the future of the country, particularly the coming 2015 general elections are within the ambience of his constitutional rights as a citizen of Nigeria.

Besides, Buhari is a former Head of State and hence in a better position to assess the state of the nation and bare his mind on it.

Whenever he criticizes or advices the government, it is up to government to take his advice or reject it. Throwing opprobrium at him is out of order. Buhari is a leading opposition figure and in all democracies, opposition’s role is to serve as an alternative government or government in waiting.

A look at the issues racked by

Buhari in his interview shows that he has not said anything new. He commented on insecurity in the nation as regards Boko Haram menace and other related security threats, 2015 election, increase in prices of petroleum products as well as collapsed refineries. An analysis of Buhari’s comment shows that he was being obvious. Let us take 2015 election as a case study.

There is no doubt that successive elections in Nigeria since 1999 were wrought with irregularities which made them unacceptable to majority of informed Nigerians and unbiased members of international community. As a veteran presidential aspirant, his warning on 2015 elections could not be said to be new. Unless the federal government intends to rig 2015 elections, Buhari’s warning should not have called for the kind of response he got from the government.

The indelible quotation of President J.F. Kennedy, “Those who make peaceful change impossible, make violence change inevitable” was a warning to American government on the need for free and fair election in God own country in 1962. J.F. Kennedy was not vilified for sounding the warning.

Buhari also referred to the Federal Government as a branch of Boko Haram. What is Boko Haram doing? Killing, maiming and destroying lives and properties.

The federal government polices are equally killing and maiming hapless Nigerians. Insecurity in Nigeria has given rise to Boko Haram insurgency, violent armed robberies, kidnapping, sectarian arises etc. Corruption in oil sector have created bogus billionaires at the expense of the well-being of Nigerians who live

in abject poverty. The difference between the late Yusuf-led Boko Haram and the federal government is whereas Boko Haram uses guns, bombs etc, the federal government uses obnoxious policies.

The federal government and the ruling party should wake up from deep slumber. Corruption is endemic and ubiquitous, there is insecurity of lives and properties, and there is poverty in the midst of plenty. All these have made lives unbearable for Nigerians and pushed them to the wall. Whether General Buhari warned the government about the impending revolution or not, the signs are ominous and the panaceas are good governance and strict adherence to democratic principle in our day to day affairs.

• Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

G

R

Thursday, the same NJC asked OODLUCK Ebele Jonathan, that Salami be reinstated – and president of the Federal Refor two good Sundays after – public, is no soar-away comand counting – the president is petent, when the subject is brick-andstill busy consulting! mortar achievement. He dreams no And who might he be having grand dreams. He boasts no clear vihis “wide consultations” with? sion. It is even suspect if he is gifted Olagunsoye Oyinlola, gubernawith acute intellect, to razor-sharp anatorial usurper in Osun State and lyse Nigeria’s problems; and proffer Olakunle Olusegun Oni, his colleague-insellable solutions. lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola gubernatorial-infamy in Ekiti All these are clear from the mediocre State, a duo ignominiously way he has handled issues, exactly seven sacked from office by Justice Sadays to the first anniversary of his 29 May lami’s Court of Appeal?

2011 taking of office as president on his And maybe the characterown terms; and one year, 24 days after deficient Iyiola Omisore, who completing the term of late President had openly boasted Salami was ousted because he did his fourth shot at the presidency, makes the Jonathan presidency Umaru Musa Yar’adua. That makes 755 arid days of job conscientiously and was impressed only by the majestic panic and foam in the mouth – why? Because Jonathan runs a cluelessness, for a country that needs luxuriating and winning might of the law and nary, the perceived “federal might” of dishonourable presidency. ideas to lift itself off a near-century debacle. vote fiddlers?

Jonathan is no worse incompetent than the undistinguished But even then, incompetence is no high crime in NigerOr perhaps intra-judiciary malcontents who, maybe for peer band he succeeds. But by his scandalous judgments, he is set ia’s highest power chambers. On this score, President envy or whatever grudge, have developed the syndrome of to tower above all of them in crass dishonour. The ongoing Jonathan is in good company – good for the relay of effete the Biblical Samson to collude with the executive to crash the Salami affair is prime example. rulers that enjoy so much power without responsibility. judiciary, even if they too would perish in that crash?

To start with, ruling soldiers are power bandits, who stole But bad, very bad, for helpless Nigerians, who pick up the And who should the president of the Federal Republic be power by the barrel of the gun. That they succeeded in their tabs in mass poverty and hopelessness. consulting with? Clear voices of law and justice? Or a criminality does not vitiate their treason. Obasanjo, Buhari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Jonathan’s godfather and first presirabble of outlawry, who fancy themselves lord and master Babangida and Abacha fall into this category. dent of the Fourth Republic, assailed the republic with over and above the laws of the land, the unifying glue that Even as civilian president, Obasanjo could not overcome cavalier incompetence. He huffed and puffed and posbinds together the most humble of citizens and the most his soldiery default-setting of power banditry. That would tured over grand ideas. But all he left the polity with, after powerful of republican presidents? explain his questionable re-election of 2003. That would also eight years, was grand failure and even grander rot, befitDuring the in-your-face Ido-Osi vote robbery in Ekiti State, a explain the 2007 grand heist that spawned Yar’adua and ting only the empty but perpetually posturing. certain Vice President Jonathan was reported the alleged “power” Jonathan, the pair ironically the highest-read to occupy the President Yar’adua, the luckless one Obasanjo thrust on in Aso Rock, insisting that vote steal must stand. Justice Salami pinnacle of Nigeria’s power chambers: Yar’adua had a Masthe polity, was too ill to demonstrate competence or othof course put short judicial shrift to all that executive nonsense! ter’s degree and Jonathan, a PhD. erwise. But he arrested his compatriots with quiet mysStill, that allegation could well be false. But if it is true, But even a PhD does not appear to have taught Jonathan the tique that nevertheless did not solve any pressing probcould it then establish a nexus between the NJC reinstatecommon sense that you cannot foam in the mouth at Buhari’s lems, save the Niger Delta insurrection. ment order and the continued presidential stonewalling – threat of blood at any future rigged election and yet appear to Still, before he died, he impressed Nigerians with his quiet suggesting the presidency of the Federal Republic is captive use your high presidential office to continue to conspire with dignity and candour, particularly the way his rule of law policy to noxious and lawless forces? proven electoral bandits to undermine and destroy the judiciarrested Obasanjo’s law of the jungle; and admitted that saTo all those officials colluding to commit state criminality ary. That is tarring the presidency with wilful and irrespontanic joke, the 2007 election that brought him to power. against a just and innocent jurist, the tragic fate of Justice(?) sible, not to talk of lawless partisan conduct.

That is the long Jonathan, with his thumping health and surfeit good luck, Bassey Ikpeme, the IBB June 12 annulment era judicial tool, and short of the Salami odyssey. has not achieved anything Yar’adua achieved in wilting is a fitting tutorial.

As Ripples noted last week, a dissembling President Jonathan health and sparse luck. Yet, Jonathan is no worse than the Of course, Goodluck Jonathan has a right to define his presimoved at the speed of light to act on the National Judicial wild Generals, Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha: one dency – either as a bastion of justice or redoubt of outlaws. But if Council (NJC)-sanctioned suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami. annulled Nigeria’s freest election ever; the other nearly he continues on the dangerous path he is treading, then he cerThat was 18 August 2011. Such was the president’s great hurry brought his country to war by, at all cost, sustaining that tainly has a lot to fear from Buhari’s predicted Armageddon. that he ratified that deal on a Sunday! But come 10 May 2012, a annulment, before his own life got annulled in controverWhat an irony! Buhari, a Muslim, would have become sial, if disgraceful, circumstances.

Jonathan’s Biblical Amos, the justifiable prophet of doom.

‘Jonathan is no worse incompetent than the Even the latest Goodluck nemesis, Gen. Muhammadu Indeed, with a ruling party determined to rig no matter what Buhari, only opened the era of the wild and lawless generundistinguished band he succeeds. But by it costs, a presidency determined to destroy the judiciary for als. He was brutal Draco in his war against “indiscipline”. his scandalous judgments, he is set to tower partisan gains and a people determined to resist that rigBut he also proved no Solon in wise reforms. So, he boasted ging knowing the judicial option is foreclosed, every ear above all of them in crass dishonour. The no stellar performance, beyond the mechanical war against that hears the fate of Jonathan’s Nigeria will tingle! “indiscipline”. ongoing Salami affair is prime example’ A word is enough for the wise!

Yet, this same Buhari, civilianised and rearing to have a

epublican ipples

Salami: A dishonourable presidency

I

WAS not a bit surprised that doctors in federal government-owned hospitals in Lagos State made good their threat to withdraw their services to press for the recall of 788 of their colleagues sacked over what their employers – the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Board and the Health Service Commission –maintained was an illegal strike. Only those oblivious of the pervasive abuse of the strike weapon would be. For a crisis that has endured since April 26, with no roadmap for resolving the crisis in place, the so-called solidarity action marks a new twist, if entirely a dangerous escalation of the dispute.

Solidarity strike? Nothing novel – you might say. It comes with the territory of what is called labour disputes in these parts. Does anyone recall the sight of tanker drivers blocking the highways all because one lone driver chose to break the law? So what is wrong with one of our elite professional groups adopting the template to save the skins of their colleagues?

For the Nigeria Bar Association and other groups that have taken it upon themselves to get both sides to the table, the development must have come as a dampener of sorts to their efforts.

Of course, that the crisis was allowed to degenerate to this point speaks to our legendary capacity to mismanage just about anything. And if it seems any revelation at this time, it is that governments do not necessarily hold the monopoly of bad faith and intransigence as many Nigerians, permanently locked on cynical mode, would presume. As we are increasingly seeing, even otherwise respectable professions like medicine also harbour a strain of the same virus of delinquency.

So, what is the issue? A so-called Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) signed into law September 2009 which bunched all doctors across the federation into an exclusive salary scale. Another product of our overarchingly warped federalism destined to tear at the fabrics of relations between and within parts of the federation; a perfect prescription for anarchy.

Who is right or wrong? Not so fast. The state government claims it is doing its best to honour the agreement. The doctors accuse the government of bad faith. The last we heard was that the state government has attained some ninety-something percent implementation of CONMESS. That seems fine to me save that doctors, under the aegis of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), are far from impressed. One and half-strikes after, including the latest one of April 26, it seems easy to imagine that CONMESS trouble is only just beginning.

Till date, nowhere has it been suggested that the Lagos State government has reneged on the universal agreement which the doctors insist was cast on some celestial tablet. I make the latter point because it seems natural – given the atmosphere and the complexities involved in the forging

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Lagos and the doctors

of the agreement – that differences among different employers would arise, not just in the interpretation of its provisions but also in the computation of the figures to be earned by the different cadres of doctors.

Should that suffice to throw the system into spasm just because a powerful professional group is involved?

By the way, I do not know where the idea came from –that the state government actually signed away its discretion on the implementation of the wage agreement.

As for the Lagos State government, it has not told anyone that the implementation of CONMESS was perfect. Indeed, it actually admitted to the need for some adjustments and corrections based on the observations by the doctors. Of course, there are one or two thorny issues – such as the vexed issue that House Officers be paid teaching allowance, which I think is nonsense.

How anyone could imagine that those differences would become the casus belli for animosities beats me. Of course, the rights of the doctors to embark on industrial action are undeniable. What the state government holds as sacrosanct is that the procedures spelt out in the relevant statutes were not complied with before the declaration of the strike. Apparently, the doctors, for reason best known to them, believed it was something they could dispense with. Now, that is the point I part company with the doctors as there can be no wrong way to do the right thing.

The point is this: the doctors’ rights must come with the understanding that the government, as custodians of public peace and safety, also has the responsibility to ensure that innocent citizens do not suffer irreparable injury on account of strike. Government must be seen to balance the rights of the doctors to embark on strike with the rights of the users of the health care services to obtain care and not to be subjected to conditions that could be remotely threatening to their lives and limb. It is after all trite that wage issues can be remedied;

but not so the lives of innocent citizens caught in between. So, that is where the small matter of 15-day notice comes in.

I shudder at what would happen to the system were different professional groups in the healthcare chain to be allowed the kind permissiveness which the doctors seek to push as norm.

It would simply destroy what is left of the system.

I come to the issue of the 788 sacked doctors. I certainly would have been surprised if the Lagos State government did not take the step of calling for explanations from the doctors.

Where is the hope for the system if employees wilfully treat queries issued by employers with scorn? How about the doctors stating in their explanations that they only take orders from their professional association if only for the due diligence of a response?

Finally, I have heard the argument, and I daresay that it sounds rather persuasive, that what the Lagos State government did amounted to overkill. Some have even likened the development to one of cutting one’s nose to spite the face. In the atmosphere of critical shortages in medical personnel in our public health facilities, such effusive emotionalisms are only to be expected. But then, I am reminded of the African folktale of a father being asked to spare the rod for a wayward child because it is feared that the rod of discipline would kill him. Is the absence of the disciplinary rod not itself a guarantee that the child would sooner self-destruct?

To the main point raised by my colleague Segun Ayobolu in his column on Saturday – what is to be done? I believe I have an idea. Not what some have suggested – that government negotiate with the gun literally pointed at its head. No self-respecting government should accept that. On the contrary, it seems the time for the doctors to eat the humble pie; they should as a matter of fact dismount from their iron horse of arrogance, by responding to the administrative query as a first but necessary step to their recall. I believe the NBA mediators are well-meaning enough to be able to get the government to recall those who choose to respond. As for the NMA Lagos threat, the much I can say is that this is 2012 – not 1999. Too bad that some groups cannot even read the signs correctly!

‘Government must be seen to balance the rights of the doctors to embark on strike with the rights of the users of the health care services to obtain care and not to be subjected to conditions that could be remotely threatening to their lives’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

W

HILE I revere Mr. Stephen Oronsanye as an astute technocrat, versatile and meticulous administrator, and commend him and his committee members for recommending the reduction of 263 statutory government agencies to 161 and abolition of 38, I must however say that the committee’s recommendation for the scrapping of the ICPC and EFCC and transferring their duties to the police must be handled with utmost caution devoid of sentiments and ulterior motive.

Mr. Oronsanye in calling for the scrapping of the anti-graft agencies during the report presentation to the President stated inter alia: The committee observed that even though the two commissions were established separately to address corruption, which the Police appeared to have failed to do, successive administrations have ironically continued to appoint the chairman of the EFCC from the Police Force, while the methodology adopted by the ICPC in conducting investigations as well as the training of its personnel in investigation procedure is carried out by the Police.

“One wonders if it was really expedient to dismember the Nigeria Police rather than allow it to evolve as a vibrant and effective agency.”

The fact that an institution is inefficient and ineffective should not be a basis for the creation of new ones” Flowing from the foregoing, three pertinent questions maybe asked.

First, should the fact that the executive has been appointing the chairman of the EFCC from the police and the methodology adopted by the ICPC in conducting investigations as well as the training of its personnel in investigation procedure is carried out by the Police be a germane reason for canvassing for their scrapping? If that is the case, do we equally call for the scrapping of the NYSC and the transfer of its functions to the Nigerian Army for the simple reason that the Director General is appointed from the army?

Put differently, if as affirmed by the committee that the establishment of ICPC and the EFCC is because of the failure of the police, one is tempted to ask if the police have got its acts right at combating corruption now in the whole of Nigeria, when it’s a common knowledge that the police itself is neck deep and enmeshed in corruption?

I

T was late John F. Kennedy, the 35th American President who once said: “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation” The above notable quote from one of the world great leader was a pointer to the importance of education, especially in a developing country like ours. This was aptly recognized, digested and adopted by the administration in Abia under the leadership of Chief Theodore Orji since he assumed office as governor in 2007. A clear testimony to the effect was his quick and unbridled interventions in the decayed education sector in the state, which his government has sustained till today.

As a product of public schools with untainted record at the prestigious and premier University of Ibadan, Orji in 2008 reactivated the Abia State Scholarship Board that has been comatose for years.

The sum of N10, 000 each was given to 1000 students of Abia origin in different schools as bursary grants for the year. Since then, the board being funded adequately by his government has offered scholarship to many indigenes of the state for degree and postgraduate degrees at home and abroad.

For pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in the state, apart from tuition-free education policy in place, fleets of buses have been provided for them in the Free School Bus Scheme of the present administration.

Teachers who had their promotions delayed for years by the previous administrations without any explanation or reason had every cause to be happy now as it they were quickly implemented by the present administration immediately after

The proposal to scrap ICPC and EFCC

By Ameh Monday One of the major problems confronting our nation is the horrendous and monumental corruption which has permeated every facet of our life and indeed responsible for our underdevelopment.

Going back memory lane, various administrations realizing that corruption is a clog in the wheel of the nation’s progress had put measures in place aimed at tackling the cankerworm.

There was Jaji Declaration in 1977 by the then General Olusegun Obasanjo; then followed the Ethical Revolution of President Shehu Shagari in 1981, the popular War Against Indispline (WAI) in 1984 by General Muhammadu Buhari, the National Orientation Movement in 1986 and Mass Mobilization for Social Justice and Economic Reconstruction respectively by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1987 as well as the War Against Indispline and Corruption in 1996 by Gen.Sani Abacha.

These measures were an addition to the Penal and Criminal Codes which also aimed at fighting corruption. It must be pointed out that all these measures or attempts failed or did not outlive the various administrations.

It was on return to democratic rule that real commitment to the fight against corruption was given a boost by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His very first Bill to the National Assembly was the “Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Bill” which was passed into an Act leading to the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in 2000 as an agency to fight corruption and other related offences.

He went a step further by setting up the sister agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2004 to combat financial crimes that had given the nation a bad image in the international arena.

Prior to 1999, Nigeria was identified internationally as a haven where corruption and financial crimes thrived and this is not a matter of assumption as the evidence was so

compelling, seen and felt everyday and everywhere: on our high ways, government offices, educational institutions and other public places.

Nigeria’s ranking on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 1996 out a total of 54 countries surveyed in which New Zealand, Denmark and Sweden emerged as the least corrupt countries, showed Nigeria, Pakistan and Kenya as the most corrupt countries in the world.

In 1997 ranking, the least corrupt countries were Denmark, Finland and Sweden while Nigeria, Bolivia and Colombia were the most corrupt. In 1998, Nigeria was ranked the fourth most corrupt country. But Nigeria stepped backwards to the position of the second most corrupt nation in the world in 1999. Again, in 2000 Nigeria slipped to the unenviable position of the most corrupt country in the world.

For three consecutive years 2001, 2002 and 2003 Nigeria occupied the position of the second most corrupt nation in the world. In 2004 and 2005 Nigeria was ranked as the third most corrupt country in the world.

However, Nigeria left the topmost spot in 2006 as she was ranked the fifth most corrupt Country in the world.

In 2007 and 2008 ranking, Nigeria was ranked the ninth and 16th most corrupt country in the world respectively. In 2009 it was ranked 130th with a score of 2.5 and in 2010 ranking it placed 134 th position with Corruption Perception Index of 2.4.

In 2011, Nigeria was ranked 143rd out of the 183 countries surveyed and still scored 2.4.

From the foregoing, it is very obvious that the ranking of Nigeria has been fluctuating since its debut on the CPI ranking in 1996 to date, and the improvement in (TI) ranking much later was due to the activities of the anti-graft agencies.

Instead of calling for the scrapping of ICPC and EFCC at this material time when corruption has assumed gargantuan rate as can be seen in the ongoing probes of the power sector , privatization , pension , oil

subsidy and capital market , etc., what the anti-graft agencies need is the tightening of the loopholes in their Acts of establishment, support from the top level of government as well as all Nigerians and ensuring that they are well funded.

Suffice to say that in order to add more bite and vigour to this crusade, the call for the establishment of special anti-corruption courts by prominent Nigerians and members of civil societies to try solely corruption cases is very germane and apt.

Without casting aspersion on conventional courts, it is general knowledge that due to avalanche of cases they attend to, dispensation of justice becomes very cumbersome and time wasting. No thanks to the delay tactics employed by some lawyers who cash in on defects in our laws and employ technicalities to seek for frivolous injunctions, applications and adjournments. The implication of this is that, cases linger ad infinitum.

Fighting corruption is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians. All hands must be on deck to support the ICPC and EFCC to tackle the cankerworm so that our dream of joining the industrialized nations by the year 20:2020 does not become a mirage.

•Comrade Monday, a Public Affairs Analyst and Anti-Corruption Crusader, writes from Abuja.

‘Instead of calling for the scrapping of ICPC and EFCC at this material time when corruption has assumed gargantuan rate as can be seen in the ongoing probes of the power sector, privatization, pension, oil subsidy and capital market, etc., what the anti-graft agencies need is the tightening of the loopholes in their Acts of establishment, support from the top level of government as well as all Nigerians and ensuring that they are well funded’

Revolution in Abia’s education sector

By Innocent Amalu the Governor Orji won his second term election. It was a promise he made to teachers before the election and fulfilled it immediately he won the election. Added to the promotions was the increase in minimum wage.

As a mark of success of the present government’s intervention in the education sector, the state in 2008 came second in the South-east zone in the attainment of Universal Basic Education UBE goals according to the ranking released by the National Universal Basic Education Commission. Since then, the state has emerged second twice, and first once, of which they were given the sum of N70 million as star price.

Most public schools in the state that have been in dilapidated state and calling for urgent attention as they were no longer conducive for learning and teaching have been renovated and re-equipped by the government. They included National High School Aba, Girls Secondary School Umuahia, St. Joseph Model Secondary School, Aba, Government College Umuahia, School for the Deaf Ntalakwu Oboro and renovation is ongoing in so many others now.

Also under the Education Trust Fund Projects, classroom blocks were erected at National High School Aba, Egwuama Girls Secondary Abiriba, Girls Commercial School Aba, Umuokpara Secondary School Umuahia, Community Secondary School Isieke, Amari Senior Science Ikwuano and others. At last count, not less than 250 public schools have been renovated and equipped

by the government since 2008 and presently massive construction and renovation are ongoing in other public schools across the state.

Textbooks, chairs and other materials have been regularly and adequately provided for the teachers, pupils and students in the public schools by present government in the State to make teaching and learning easier and worthwhile experience. That is why the state has been performing well in national and international academic competitions.

At the two technical schools in the state, namely Boys Technical College Aba and Government Technical College Ohafia, eight buildings each have been refurbished and renovated in each of them.

Also receiving adequate attention from the state government since 2008 till now are the state owned tertiary institutions especially Abia State University Uturu where Orji’s predecessor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu attended as a sitting governor of the state to obtain first degree certificate. When Governor Orji assumed office in 2007, monthly subvention to the university was N80 million, but governor Orji increased it to N120 million immediately.

Apart from the increment in the subvention, the government injected huge funds in the institution for the full accreditation of all the courses that had before now suffered accreditation problems due to the inadequacies and lapses in both human and material resources in the school.

Today, all the courses in the school had gotten full accreditation and the students are happy for it.

The backlog of students in the nursing

department of the institution that have been denied graduation due to the nonaccreditation of the department have heaved a sigh of relief recently with the restoration of accreditation in the department following interventions from the state government that worked so hard for it, by constructing befitting edifices at Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba and in the provision of other things needed for the full accreditation.

The same thing happened at Abia State Polytechnic Aba which the government helped in ensuring that all their courses were given full accreditation by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). It is obvious that the present government’s intervention in education sector in the state since 2007 has been quite impressive and revolutionary, considering what were on ground in 2007.

So I was baffled when I stumbled on internet where a group that goes with the name The Abia Awakening (TAA) were demanding for the declaration of state of emergency in education sector in the state.

Though they did not state their reasons for making such declaration, those of us who have been on ground in the state as teachers for years know the truth and it is verifiable.

It is quite unfortunate that some people could stay far from the reality and be writing all sort of rubbish and false statement about the state of education in the state. As a teacher teaching in the state since its creation, we have never had it so good like now in all ramifications, better salary and good working condition.

• Amalu, a teacher wrote from Aba road Umuahia, Abia state.

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, MAY 22, 2012

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

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

How to achieve ‘housing for all’, by experts •Heaven Homes, Lekki, Lagos

At a forum in Lagos, architects identified factors impeding the provision of affordable housing and listed ways to overcome the age-long problem. OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.

•CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•Law suits delaying road projects, says Lagos - PAGE 26

•Dangote, Italian firm, others bid •Lagos undertakes effective land management for FCT Land Swap Scheme - PAGE 39

- PAGE 40

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Law suits delaying road projects, says Lagos

T

HE Lagos State government has blamed the public for the slow pace of road construction.

The projects, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said is being affected by what he called “frivolous suits and injunctions.”

The actions, he said, affect the costs and delivery dates of such projects.

He spoke while inspecting a road expansion project at Ago Palace Way, Okota in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.

On complaints by some landlords, that their houses were earmarked for demolition despite having approved plans, he said only legal property owners and those who did not encroach on roads would be considered.

Government, he said, intends to treat each case on its merit based on valuation reports from qualified estate surveyors and valuers.

He asked communities to advise their members to make sacrifice in the interest of the people.

Hamzat said the 4.7-metre road includes street lights and walkways.

He thanked the residents and landlords for their support through the prompt removal of shops and

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

fences affected by the project and urged the recalcitrant ones to cooperate.

On theMafoluku/Airport link road, he said discussions are on with the authorities of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on the Adis-Ajibulu link road bridge, adding that the contractor working on the drainage promised to start work by the end of the month.

On variation of costs, he said though the government does not encourage it, it would, however, look into credible cases. He warned against low quality jobs from contractors.

Site engineers and consultants employed by government, he said, would not only ensure quality but also advise the government and ensure that the right things are done.

He warned that the government would blacklist contractors who fail to perform and deliver on target.

At the Badejo Kalesanwo road in Mushin, the Commissioner said with the completion of the Police Station to replace the one marked for demolition, the pace of work would move faster, adding that the

•Hamzat with Journalists last week at Okota, Lagos.

relocation had become necessary because the original one was sited

directly on the road and over a drainage channel.

He spoke of the government’s willingness to continue to support the Nigeria Police.

How to achieve ‘housing for all,’ by experts •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

For the Managing Director, First World Communities Ltd, Brig- Gen Tunde Reis, key parameters for affordable housing can be found in design and technology in terms of scale, speed, quality and cost.

The government , he said, should focus on providing affordable and not cheap houses, with modern specifications.

He criticised the high cost of land and titles, compulsory governor’s consent, high interest rate and the absence of basic technology and infrastructure.

Reis stressed the need for government to liberalise the sector for meaningful achievement.

S

OME years ago, the slogan was: “housing for all” by this year 2,000.

That was the year set aside by the United Nations (UN) for meeting the housing needs of people worldwide. Twelve years after, the homeless still abound globally. In Nigeria, the housing gap is estimated at 16 million. Can the government alone fill this gap? To many experts, it would be a tall order to expect government alone to discharge this onerous responsibility.

To find a solution to the problem, architects gathered in Lagos where they brainstormed on what could be done. The event was tagged: “Lagos 3.0 urban mass housing and homes in Lagos.”

In a paper entitled: Social housing in urban development context, an architect , Mr David Majekodunmi, citing other countries, attributed the problem to inefficient land policy.

He argued for block supply of land for efficient and equitable housing, social infrastructure, basic services and transportation.

Urban areas, he said, should be planned to sustain good living conditions, adding that in the past, attempts to plan cities and improve housing standards in developing nations were frustrated by low-income squatters and clandestine developers.

He said:“In most rapidly urbanising areas, squatter developers dominate contemporary urban growth, reducing the planners’ sphere of influence to those areas developed by wealthier minorities and public institutions.”

Majekodunmi said government had abandoned its responsibilities in housing provision.”

He identified the lack of capi-

•From left: Olamide Banwo, Prof Samuel Okedele and Bimbo Ajayi at the event.

tal investment, corruption and insincerity as bane of the sector.

A University of Lagos teacher, Prof. Timothy Nubi, called for improved housing standards to complement slum upgrading initiatives to fulfil government’s obligation to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Demanding for what he called “Supported housing,” he sought the provision of housing to special groups such as the Niger Delta, the desert locations, street urchins, the elderly, youth and people suffering from social exclusion, especially people living with HIV/AIDS .

He suggested that massive investment in “Rural housing”, which can be delivered in col-

laboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), could reduce the housing deficit.

He said the government should institutionalise the cooperatives’ model for mass housing delivery to include low income workers in the informal sector and rural dwellers.

On the challenges,Nubi said the absence of clear property

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

and security rights, mandatory governor’s consent for land transactions, inefficient land management system and high cost of land transactions are disincentives.

Other factors, he identified, were high interest reflecting risks, source of funds, absence of long term mortgage finance and affordability gap between cost of houses and income of end users.

‘In most rapidly urbanising areas, squatter developers dominate contemporary urban growth, reducing the planners’ sphere of influence to those areas developed by wealthier minorities and public institutions’

Social housing policy in some countries 1

Jurisdiction Chile

Agency State Government

Model of Accessibility Zero Cost

2 3

Italy South Africa

Municipal Government Municipal Government

Concessionary Price/Zero Cost Zero Cost

4

City of Vancouver, Canada

Municipal Government

Lease /City - owned

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

27

‘

If the Federal Government does not want to implement the recommendation of the NJC, let them just say and we will know it is all politics ... This is absolute nonsense, because even if they had not received it, why can’t they just give a call and send a dispatch rider to pick it up?

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• SEE PAGE 29

•Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta

Will hike in judges’ number foster justice?

The Senate has raised the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 100 to facilitate the administration of justice. But lawyers argue that the decline in judicial efficiency will not be erased through such a hike alone. They suggest a more holistic approach. ERIC IKHILAE and PRECIOUS WELUNDU report.

•STORY ON PAGE 28

Inside: Obong of Calabar appeals ‘dethronement’ - P.30 Lawyers deplore bid to frustrate Salami’s recall - P.31

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D

Will hike in judges’ number foster justice?

T

O many lawyers, the Senate’s decision to raise the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 100 is a bold relief in the sense that it will facilitate the administration of justice. They said it was a meaningful intervention by the National Assembly.

This is the fourth time the number of judges of the court will be increased since its establishment in 1973. The court formerly known as the Federal Revenue Court, having been established under the Federal Revenue Act of 1973, was renamed the Federal High Court by virtue of Section 230 (2) of the 1979 Constitution.

From five judges at inception, the number rose to 32 with the promulgation of the Federal High Court (amendment) Decree No. 4 of 1990. A further amendment of the court’s establishment law (Decree No. 16 of 1992), which expanded the court’s scope of jurisdictional competence, led to a further increase in the number of its judges to 50.

The number later rose to 70 in 2007.

At every instance, the increase was influenced by the argument that with the persistent increase in its scope of operation and rise in the volume of cases, there was the need for a corresponding increase in the number of judges and other personnel.

With its spread of about 36 divisions, the argument is even whether the 100 approved by the Senate is enough bearing in mind that the Federal High Court remains the court with the widest jurisdictional scope in the country.

Although the intention of the National Assembly and those who influenced the hike, is to ensure efficiency in justice administration, observers argue that a mere increase in the number of judges without the provisions of other needed input would defeat what appears as a noble objective.

This, they said, is informed by past and existing reality regarding the court’s operations. To them, past exercise did not translate to judicial efficiency, rather it merely served to raise wage cost as cases of delay remained unabated.

For instance, years after high profile cases of corruption involving former governors, ministers and bank chiefs were instituted at the Federal High Court, most of them have hardly moved beyond the preliminary stages.

Except former Bayesla State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and ex-Oceanic Bank chief Mrs Cecilia Ibru, who pleaded guilty to watered-down charges on grounds of plea bargain, the court has not successfully prosecuted high profile cases to conviction. Other cases that ought to be summarily dealt with spent years.

This, observers argued, did not result from insufficiency of judges, but other intervening variables that affect the swift movement of the wheel of justice.

These variables, according to them, are corruption, poor knowledge of law, lack of motivation, indolence, poor quality of support staff, archaic court rules and laws that allow undue delay in the name of fair hearing, among others.

On the constraint of court rules, observers argued that there was the need for the Federal High Court to review particularly, its criminal procedure rules to effectively marry the provisions in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, prohibiting interlocutory appeal and Section 40 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act within the provision of Section 36 of the Constitution, as it relates to fair hearing.

This suggestion is reinforced by the development in the on-going trial of some bank chiefs before the Lagos High Court.

The cases of money laundering instituted against them at the Federal High Court are still at the pretrial stages years after they were initiated. But trial has since begun in cases of stealing that were later brought against them before the Lagos High Court by the same EFCC. This, they argued, was made possible by the provision in the state’s Criminal law that frowns at interlocutory appeals. And the willingness of the judges to do justice according to the law and to hold their ground when convinced that they were acting in line with the dictates of the law.

Another major factor hindering efficiency in the operations of the court is the low quality of judicial minds. Judges, who do not know law find solace in undue adjourn-

•Nwobike (SAN)

•Tairu

•Adegboruwa

•Chukwuocha

‘The Federal High Court needs to appoint serious and transparent judges. Although no one has provided empirical evidence, it is often rumoured in law circles that judges of the court are the most corrupt ... Their conducts and activities should be subjected to periodic evaluation and scrutiny. It is not enough to call yourself a judge, you must reflect all the good qualities of a true judge’ ments when confronted with situations that task their competence. Some are easily intimidated by senior and old lawyers who, out of mischief, turn legal principles on their heads.

This problem, observers argued, could only be cured by a reform in the process of judges’ appointment. They contended that the procedure where cronies, relatives and children of influential people and past judges make it to the Bench despite their inadequacies will continue to encourage indolence.

Observers also queried the propriety of the process where political office holders are allowed to have a say in the appointment of judges. This, they say, would con-

tinue to sustain a system of patronage, where judges would hardly act independent of extraneous considerations.

They called for a transparent and competitive appointment process for judges to allow the brightest and best minds, irrespective of their social background.

Lawyers, who spoke on the issue, welcomed the hike but noted that more needs to be done to achieve the desired aim. They conceded that delay cannot be eradicated from the system, but agreed that it can be minimised.

Joseph Nwobike (SAN), Abubakar Sanni, Ebu-Olu Adegboruwa, Nojim Tairu and Richard Chukwuocha called for a holistic approach to the inefficiency and delay in the

court’s system.

Nwobike said there was the need for more judges at the Federal High Court, adding that such judges are wanted in its various divisions, particularly in Port Harcourt and Lagos.

“The Port Harcourt division, for instance, has just three judges and each has at least, 40 cases on its list daily. This division needs not less than six judges. Lagos needs 20 or more; Ibadan needs at least five. Clearly, there is a shortage.

“Ideally, each state in the country ought to have two judges on the average. This will amount to 72 and what is left of the 100 approved by the National Assembly should be shared in accordance with the volume of cases in each division.

“That is one of the best pieces of legislation from the National Assembly. On whether the rise in judges’ number was sufficient to curb delay in court process, he argued that it was impossible to eradicate delay in any court process.

“You cannot divorce delay in judicial process. What you can do is to reduce it. One of the disadvantages of litigation is delay. Delay is part of the litigation process. The government can only intervene through legislative and procedural means, but delay cannot be fully eradicated,” he said.

Sanni argued that much as there is the need for more judges, effectively addressing that problem alone was inadequate to ensure speedy dispensation of justice by the court.

“The Federal High Court needs to appoint serious and transparent judges. Although no one has provided empirical evidence, it is often rumoured in law circles that judges of the court are the most corrupt.

“Their conducts and activities should be subjected to periodic evaluation and scrutiny. It is not enough to call yourself a judge, you must reflect all the good qualities of a true judge,” he said.

Adegboruwa praised the Senate for its initiatives.

He said the main challenge before the court is to ascertain its jurisdiction and limitations, to build more court houses to replace “the cubicles” in Lagos, particularly, to enhance the remuneration and general welfare of judicial officers and shield them from corruption as well as the influence of politicians and other hidden forces.

“There is the need to secure the independence of the judiciary and in that wise boost the confidence of the people in the process of dispensing justice. It is for the government to subsidise the justice system so that more and more people can have access to justice.

“There is need for a holistic approach to tackling the seeming decline in judicial efficiency, which will not be erased through numerical strength of judges alone, but also with quality funding, deliberate policy of non- interference and respect for the rule of law,” Adegboruwa said.

Tairu argued that the hike would not per se translate to speedy dispensation of justice.

He suggested that more attention should be given to quality in service delivery, high performance, periodic training of personnel, disciplined and committed personnel, enhanced welfare and maintenance of high ethical standard.

Tairu also suggested the need to provide judges adequate judicial assistants and operational facilities, among others, to aid their operations.

“When a judge does not readily know what to do on an issue or a matter, what you get is frequent or protracted adjournments, which bring delay in the justice delivery process. The truth remains and would continue to haunt even if many prefer not to acknowledge it.

“There are many very good judges, but, unfortunately, there are more judges that are not very good. The appointment method for judges should be 99 per cent based on merit because it is such a very sensitive position. Anything less will continue to add to the rot,” Tairu said.

To Chukwuocha, the appointment of more judges while commendable is not enough.

He suggested other measures to be adopted to ensure speedy dispensation of justice by the court.

These, he said, include the appointment of legal research assistants and stenographers to alleviate the burden that judges encounter in conducting research and taking record of proceedings, among others.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

29

LAW PERSONALITY Hassan Bello is Secretary, Council and Legal Adviser, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).

NSC has concluded arrangements to hold the 12th edition of the Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI). In this interview with Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Mr Bello bares his mind on the raison d’etre for the seminar, its benefits and NSC’s role in the maritime industry.

H

OW do you appraise the impact of the Maritime Seminar for Judges on the Nigerian Maritime Sector?

Well, this is the 12th seminar in the series. So, we have had 11 Maritime Seminars for Judges through which a lot of judges in the Federal High Court (FHC) and the Court of Appeal (CA) have received education and awareness.

It is a continuous programme whereby many of our judges are schooled in the unfamiliar territory of admiralty law.

What do you do at the seminar?

This is a forum where contemporary issues concerning admiralty law, international law and maritime law are discussed.

Here, the judges are tutored by experts in Maritime time law locally and internationally. I am sure that the seminar has been assessed internationally too; our judges and the judiciary are better for it, because admiralty cases, which used to linger in our courts for many years are now treated and dispensed with most timeously and fairly.

So, I would say that this seminar has helped in no small measure in educating the judges. But even more importantly, this seminar has also been a veritable forum for developing and executing policies and important legislations. So, it has a two-way mandate, apart from educating the judges, now Nigerian judges are extremely familiar and are grounded in the principles of maritime law, now their judgments are internationally appreciated and recognised.

You mentioned that the seminar assists in policy formulation. What do you mean by this?

Yes, the seminar itself has become a fertile ground where maritime policies are enunciated and adopted by the executive arm of government. It is also a veritable source for important maritime legislations.

For example, the Carriage of Goods

by Sea Act (COGSA), which incorporated the Hamburg Rules, the amendments and innovations to the Merchant Shipping Act, the Freight Forwarders Act, many transport and maritime legislations are inspired by this important summit.

What are the highlights for this year’s edition of the seminar.

The highlight is the pledge by the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the committee of maritime seminar for judges. He immediately recognised the internationality of this seminar.

He appreciated the impact of this seminar on the judiciary because the (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher has been a consistent keen participant in this seminar. He has presented papers, made commentaries and analyses. He has really appreciated the importance of this seminar.

He has urged the Nigeria Shippers’ Council and the National Judicial Institute to globalise the seminar, bring in more international experts, international resource persons and I believe that this seminar will have serious impact, not only on Nigerian legislations, but also I believe that it will serve as a point of integration in this sub region and Africa as a whole.

The Nigerian Shippers Council championed the promulgation of the Freight Forwarders Act. How far has the Act impacted and improved service delivery in the maritime sector?

Yes, the Shippers Council in the pursuit of its statutory duties, promoted, among other things, the promulgation of what you call the Freight Forwarders Act, to regulate the training and to a certain degree,

•Bello

‘Our Maritime Seminars adjudged best for our judiciary globally’ the practice of Freight Forwarding in the country.

The Nigerian Shippers Council has advisory as well as regulatory functions in commercial shipping and international trade. What you may call the proliferation of one man company as freight forwarders was not in the interest freight forwarding in Nigeria. There has been a lot of fraud in the system, lack of capacity because freight forwarders perform a very significant task in the logistics chain in the promotion of trade. In other countries.

They are very big companies. They are called non-vessel operating common carriers. They may not own ships, but they charter ships.

This is what the Nigerian Shippers Council envisages our freight forwarders to be.

Not only customs brokers or customs licensed agents, no, as freight forwarders, they should be able to charter ships, to move cargoes to the warehouses, to be indispensable in that sector, especially in the seamless transport system in the movement of goods.

So, what was wrong in the proliferation of one man freight forwarding company?

They don’t have capacity, anybody could just come with a brief case and

become a freight forwarder, no, freight forwarding is an extremely important profession to be allowed to be practised by just anybody and the Nigerian Shippers Council, in fulfillment of its statutory obligation, has seen the freight forwarders as agents of the shipper and if they are agents of the shipper, then we have to sanitise that profession and because of that we promoted the promulgation of their Act. How perfect is the Act? It is too early to detect the imperfections of the Act. But Freight forwarders in Nigeria today are extremely intelligent people. They have made some useful observations. I am sure that very soon, they will come together and proffer certain solution to the obvious challenges facing them under the law.

There ought to be a review of that Act and any such review must be done in conjunction with the freight forwarders.

What are the statutory functions of the Nigerian Shippers Council?

Nigerian Shippers Council represents the demand side of shipping.

There is the supply side; we have the ship owners; we have the carriers; we have the big insurance companies; we have the terminal operators; we have the Nigerian Ports

Authority NPA; we have large providers of shipping services.

But then, there are consumers of shipping services on the other hand.

And if there is imbalance between the two, then shipping will not prosper. There must be an interventionist body to make sure that there is equilibrium. The purpose of the Nigerian Shippers Council is to ensure that there is a fair and level playing field in shipping and international trade. There must be prevention of monopoly for example, or abuse of dominant positions, there must be standardising of delivery of services and there must be moderation in types. That is where the Shippers’ Council comes in. You cannot come in just because you are a provider of shipping services and impose on shipper’s noxious or astronomical fees and costs. That will definitely have a spiral effect on the economy because of its implications in the industry. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is a regulator, in commercial shipping services, while other regulators are there, they regulate the technical aspect of shipping, but the Nigerian Shippers Council regulates in tariffs, the standard of delivery of goods.

According to section (3) and subsection (d) of the Shippers’ Council

‘What you may call the proliferation of one man company as freight forwarders was not in the interest freight forwarding in Nigeria. There has been a lot of fraud in the system, lack of capacity because freight forwarders perform a very significant task in the logistics chain in the promotion of trade’

Act, we advise the Government of the Federation through the Minister on matters relating to structure on freight rates, availability and adequacy of shipping space frequency of service and transshipment, class and quality of vessels, charges on facilities and other related matters.

We also have a regulation, which gives Nigerian Shippers Council regulatory powers, especially on local shipping charges, import and export regulations. Now this gives the Nigerian Shippers Council the power to interfere in the fixing of local shipping charges.

What is the provision of that regulation?

It says the council, the NPA and shipping companies shall negotiate all reviews, modifications or increases of local shipping charges and enter into any agreement of the nature or type of fees payable, by importers or exporters.

What level of collaboration do you have with foreign agencies in the organisation of the maritime seminar for judges?

Some of our sister agencies have their members in the Committee of Maritime Seminar for Judges. We had collaborated with them in the past. The seminar used to narrow itself to some concepts as cargobased issues, but since seven years back, because of the crux of the seminar, many topics that are concerned with the other agencies are considered such as pollution for example, arrest of vessels, are all related technical matters as well as commercial issues. This we have looked at.

This year, we are going to look at such worrying topics such as the arrest of vessels.

There have been complaints by our trading partners that in Nigeria, ships are arrested upon some flimsy grounds, that do not make for economic sense. Some have even gone to say that the judges who arrest vessels are not sensitive to the economic implications of this.

Now what we will do if we have to deal with this is to look at these issues and discuss them with a view to having solutions. We have to look at the arrest of vessels from different perspectives.

What are these perspectives?

We have the perspective of the judiciary and we have Justice A. B. Liman of the Federal High Court, who is going to give us a talk from the judicial perspective.

We have ship owner’s perspective here. We have Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho of Genesis Shipping Company, who will come and give us ship owner’s perspective. Then the NPA has a role in the arrest of vessels. So, we are going to have the Managing Director of the NPA coming to give us a talk on this.

We are also going to go deeper to ask the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Agency (NIMASA), which has an angle to this, because there have been this allegation that ships are brought to Nigeria and abandoned because they cannot operate elsewhere, so they are dumped and that is why they are arrested deliberately, the Director-General of NIMASA will talk about this.

We also have the cargo interest, because in all shipping, the cargo is the dormant factor and the Nigerian Shippers Council will give a talk from this perspective.

But the most important thing is that we are going to have legislators in that seminar; we have the Judiciary; we have the Executive; we hope that by discussing these, it will result in some policy and maybe legislative issues that may be combined and thrashed in this seminar.

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

LEGAL OPINION

NBA Election: Ngige dissociates self from regional endorsement

A

NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) presidency aspirant Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) has called for the individual support of members of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), but not their sponsorship.

In a letter to EBF, notifying it of his candidacy, a copy of which was made available to The Nation, Ngige wrote: “I write to inform you that pursuant to the provisions of the NBA Election Guidelines 2012, I have been nominated to vie for the post of President, Nigerian Bar Association in the NBA Delegates Election coming in July 2012.

“At the emergency meeting of the Eastern Bar Forum held in Port Harcourt on Saturday, May 12, 2012, aspirants for various offices for the 2012 NBA election were asked to indicate their aspirations in writing for purposes of endorsement.

“At the said meeting of the Forum, I had orally indicated my aspiration to contest for the post of President.

“However, having regard to part of the provisions of Paragraph 8 of the said NBA Guidelines which provides inter alia: ‘Candidates must comply with the following Rules: “‘Ethnic, Regional or Tribal groups shall not sponsor, endorse or canvass for votes for any candidate;’ and paragraph 9 thereof which stipulate that: “‘Any candidate who flouts any

‘I will not be seeking for the endorsement or sponsorship of the Eastern Bar Forum in the said NBA election ... I will, however, solicit for individual support of esteemed members of the Forum’ •Ngige (SAN)

of the guidelines, rules and stipulations above or breaches any constitutional provisions in his/her campaign shall be automatically disqualified…

“I will not be seeking for the endorsement or sponsorship of the Eastern Bar Forum in the said NBA election.

“I will, however, solicit for individual support of esteemed members of the Forum. A copy of the said NBA guidelines, which is still subsisting and binding on all NBA members including aspirants/ candidates is hereby

attached for your ease of reference.

“It is my fervent hope that the distinguished elders and members of the Forum will appreciate the circumstances that have made it impossible for me to seek the Forum’s endorsement as directed.”

Ngige also asked to be excused from the meeting of the Forum held at Ahoada on May 19.

“I wish to restate that I remain a loyal and obedient member of the Forum as well as to the NBA,” Ngige added.

Obong of Calabar appeals ‘dethronement’

T

HE Obong of Calabar, Edidem Abasi V and the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council have challenged the judgment of a High Court, Calabar, which removed the royal father from his throne.

At the hearing at the weekend, counsel for the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council, Mrs. Nella Andem Rabana (SAN), informed the court that an appeal against the judgment of the Court, which was delivered on January 30 has been entered at the Court of Appeal Calabar Judicial Division.

She said the record of proceedings has been transmitted from the

High Court to the Court of Appeal.

According to her, the High Court is no longer competent to adjudicate over any application pending before it because by virtue of Order 4 Rule 11 of the Court of Appeal Rules 2011.

All applications are to be made to the Court of Appeal which has become fully seized of all the proceedings in the suit, Mrs Rabana said.

Cousel for the plaintiffs, Mr Joe Agi (SAN) conceded to Mrs Rabana’s submissions.

Counsel to Obong of Calabar, Mr Ladi Williams (SAN), represented

by Ms. Rebecca Tanga also concurred with Mrs Rabana’s submis-

sions.

Since the High Court court no longer adjudicate on any application pending before, the motion for stay of execution was withdrawn and struck out.

Meanwhile, a motion for stay of execution pending in the High Court was withdrawn and struck out.

“For as long as the motion for stay of execution is not heard and determined, the status quo remains.

The Obong goes about his normal duties with his Etuboms,” the lawyer said.

The date for hearing the appeal has not been fixed.

Delta commissioner sues Sahara Reporters for N1b for alleged libel

D

ELTA State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mr Misan Kubeyinje has demandedN1 billion from the publishers of Sahara Reporters, an on-line publication, as compensation for an alleged libelous publication on the Internet on May 12, 2012.

Kubeyinje also asked for a retraction of the said libelous publication and an apology within seven days from Tuesday, May 15, 2012 or he would proceed to the court to enforce his claims against the publication and its writer, Mr Amour Egodibie Amour.

The commissioner made the demand in a petition dated May 14, 2012 sent to the publishers of Sahara Reporters by his counsel, Mr Emmanuel Umoren entitled “Libelous publication about our client, Mr Misan Kubeyinje - Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delta StateDemand for Retraction, Apology and payment of N1billion for defamation.

The petition was copied to the

By Adebisi Onanuga

Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Abuja.

Umoren said the publication which was published on the Internet on May 12, 2012 entitled: “Delta State Commissioner in Open Confrontation with his Special Assistant over N1 billion Agriculture Loan “authored by Amour Egodibie Amour “with several hits and comments has made spurious and unfounded allegations which have disparaged our client and brought his reputation to disrepute”.

The counsel to the commissioner said words used in the said report disparaged his client and deprived him of his reputation as a senior lawyer of repute.

Umoren wondered where the author of the report got the information that there was an open confrontation that almost led to physical combat between him and his aide.

He pointed out that one of the comments the misdirected article caused was a comment on the website of the commissioner as at May 13, 2012 which stated, the reporter should have asked him if actually the loan was disbursed to farmers. In the real sense the loan was given to his girl friends, his master’s girl friends, close family members who do not even have gardens at the back of their houses . what would you expect from a drunken lawyer cum commissioner. My brother run away with the agric money”.

“These words have disparaged our client. They have deprived him of his hard earned reputation as a senior lawyer and a hard working Commissioner in Delta State.

The said words have brought him into odium in the eyes of his contemporaries, peers and people of Delta State. These words and the meaning attached thereto by reasonable members of the society have no bearing whatsoever with the character and person of our client,” Umoren said.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Law as guide for Mr President and others

P

OLITICIANS like to stir controversies in order to remain relevant in the public consciousness. For most of them gaining a front page commentary in the newspapers is all that matters, not the difficult art of nation building. So, while a politician may turn a nation builder, nation building is far beyond the ordinariness of an ordinary politician.

It is like confusing base and precious metals. Playing politics is an opportunity to eke out a living for many, but engaging in nation building is an opportunity to become a statesman. For a person elected to the exalted office of a President, he is perpetually being tested to choose to either become a statesman or an ordinary politician.

The controversy over the faith of Justice Ayo Salami, the suspended President of the Court of Appeal now recalled by the appropriate constitutional authority is absolutory unnecessary. Obviously, the learned jurist’s admirers and haters alike have turned his faith into a political warfare, but Mr President should simply look up to the law and act if he has not done so by the time this column is published. If he is interested in statesmanship Mr President must appreciate earnestly that the presidential system of government is built on a tripod, namely: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, with each substantially independent, while at the same time exercising influences and checks on one another.

In making a decision the President must be guided by the provisions of the Third schedule paragraph 1 section 21(b) of the 1999 constitution which provides: “the National Judicial Council shall have power to recommend to the President the removal from office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers”. Among the specified officers are the President and Justices of Court of Appeal, of which Justice Salami is one.

To underscore the importance and independence of the National Judicial Council as head of the judiciary, section 158 of the constitution listed it amongst the bodies which shall “not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person”.

The constitution by these provisions sought to guarantee the independence of the judiciary. To also underscore the importance of checks and balances from the organs of government, the constitution also allowed the other two institutional arms of the state - the executive and judiciary - a sphere of influence by the provisions of section 292(1)(a)(i) of the constitution. The section provides that: “a judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstance – in the case of President of the Court of Appeal (et al), by the President acting on the address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate”.

With due respect to the learned Attorney-General of the Federation, those provisions should be the guiding principle in his advice to the President. Truly, emotions have ran high in deciding the faith of Justice Salami - with some eminent lawyers even questioning the powers of the National Judicial Council to exercise disciplinary control over Justice Salami when he was suspended, but the fact remains that it is the provisions of the law that must guide the President in the circumstance. If the NJC has the power, which they do, to take a disciplinary action against Justice Salami, it also has the power to rescind it as it has done now.

So, in the circumstance the decision of the NJC that Justice Salami should return to his duty post should be a matter of course, regardless of the disposition of the Presidency. Should the President feel strongly against that, he can deploy the provisions of section 292(1)(a)(i) to oust him; but he cannot and should not hide under any subterfuge as in seeking to consult any other unconstitutional body. Also with respect to pending court actions, while parties are enjoyed to take judicial notice of the pendency of such actions, they do no operate as a stay, as to foist a reason for a further delay to reinstate the learned jurist. So if despite the recommendation of the NJC, Mr. President dithers in allowing the learned Justice to resume his constitutional responsibilities, then he must appreciate that he is subscribing to ordinary political instinct, as against statesmanship.

As to the other debate over the recent comment of General Muhammadu Buhari over the 2015 election, let me also ask the retired the army General to confine his public commentaries to the provisions of the law.

Election rigging has become one of the plagues of our democratic experiment. Yet, it is unlawful to openly threaten violence as an answer to any debacle, even if he could privately prevaricate over such possibility.

By so doing, he has simply passed a vote of no confidence on the electoral process, and even the judicial process. To show the absurdity of supporting such a claim, Buhari’s conclusion that if what happened in 2011 should happen in 2015, then blood would flow, can appropriately be interpreted that if he should loose the election in 2015 as many agreed he lost in 2011 then blood will flow.

Strangely otherwise dispassionate commentators, because of the hardship, corruption and gross ineptitude foisted as governance by the hegemonic ruling party, are sold on the dummy that Buhari’s commentaries subscribing for violence as an alternative is in other. Nothing can be farther from the truth, coming from a partisan in the circumstance. The reference to past spontaneous violence over election rigging misses the point. Here Buhari is engaged in a premeditated call for violence, and that should not be justified.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

31

LAW & S OCIETY

•Justice Salami

•Daudu (SAN)

•Sagay (SAN)

•Adebanjo

Lawyers deplore bid to frustrate Salami’s recall Nearly two weeks after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended the reinstatement of President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Isa Ayo Salami, the presidency is yet to act on it. As the saga unfolds, the sub-plot of two lawyers filing suits seeking to stop Justice Salami’s recall was introduced. But lawyers, who spoke to ADEBISI ONANUGA and JOSEPH JIBUEZE, urged President Jonathan to bring an end to the controversy by acting on the NJC recommendation.

T

WELVE days after the National Judicial Council (NJC) took the decision to re-instate President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to endorse the action.

This seeming reluctance is in stark contrast to the swiftness with which his suspension by the NJC on August 18, last year was ratified by the president within 48 hours.

The presidency and the Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke (SAN) had last week claimed they had not been notified of the NJC decision.

But some lawyers think it is all part of the ploy to frustrate a man now seen to be victimised for simply being just.

Adoke told reporters: “Until when I am briefed and I see the letter, I can’t be reacting to mob action.

“I think Reuben Abati (presidential spokesman) has told you that the President has not received the letter. I am waiting to be briefed.”

As if scripted, two lawyers – Wilfred Okoli and Noah Ajare – are in court seeking the stoppage of Salami’s recall.

Lawyers said the suits cannot prevent the President from acting if he is willing to do so, just as Justice Salami’s suits did not stop the President from suspending him.

Curiously, copies of the court papers filed

by Okoli were circulated in Abuja by top government officials, strengthening the suspicion that Justice Salami is being victimised.

Riled by the suits, prominent lawyers were said to have vowed to defend the NJC recommendation, as it also means the defence of the integrity of the judiciary.

One of the lawyers, who did not want to be named, was quoted as saying: “They cannot go far with frivolous suits against the NJC’s decision. We won’t allow anyone to hijack or pocket the judiciary.

“As I am talking to you, many lawyers, including respected Senior Advocates of Nigeria, have opted to defend Salami and NJC’s decision in court. They want to plead with the court not to grant the injunctions.

“It is going to be a battle royale in court this time around. Once the NJC is disrespected, the Judiciary will go down the drain.

We cannot afford this type of politics.”

Some forces in government were said to be pushing for Justice Salami’s compulsory retirement, an offer he spurned.

There are fears that the government may not be disposed to Justice Salami’s reinstatement, going by recent developments, even as there are alleged plans to scandalise him.

The question on the minds of many is: will President Jonathan re-instate Justice Salami or overrule the NJC? By virtue of Section 238(5) of the Constitution, acting PCA Justice Dalhatu Adamu has served three times (three months each) and

the President cannot renew his appointment, except he is given a substantive rank.

Lawyers said President Jonathan should recall Justice Salami if he is not playing politics.

However, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu (SAN) said he did not think the President was reluctant to reinstate Justice Salami.

He raised the issue of whether the President had been notified of the NJC’s recommendation.

Asked if the President was taking took long in taking action, Daudu said: “I don’t know if there is reluctance. Has he been notified of the NJC decision? If he has been notified, then I am sure he is still working on it. I don’t see any reluctance.”

Reminded that the President acted with dispatch when the NJC recommended Justice Salami’s suspension, but appears unwilling to endorse the body’s position this time, Daudu said the question of why there is a delay should be answered by the President himself.

“I think the President is in the best position to answer that question. I will not speculate for him,” the NBA President added.

A prominent lawyer Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) said the story about not receiving of the letter is “shameful, immature, disgusting and very sad.”

He added: “If the Federal Government does not want to implement the recommendation of the NJC, let them just say and we will know it is all politics.

“This is absolute nonsense, because even if they had not received it, why can’t they just give a call and send a dispatch rider to pick it up?”

A former NBA Chairman, Lagos Branch, Mr Chijioke Okoli, said the President cannot claim ignorance of the NJC recommendation.

He said: “I read in the papers that the letter from NJC notifying the President was missing, which I find most disingenuous. But it’s in the public domain that NJC has recommended that Justice Salami be re-instated.

“Every reasonable, perceptive person in Nigeria should find it profoundly disturbing at what the Presidency is playing at. The silence is un-golden. It’s unwholesome, and it cannot be golden.

“The unfortunate impression given is that

it is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidency – which is most unfortunate, because once you get to form the government, you’re the president of everybody.

“Some of us felt that the President acted with rather indecent haste in quickly suspending President Salami.

“Regardless of the issues one had with the process that led to his suspension, now that the NJC as it were, has retraced its steps, you now see this reluctance. There can be no reasonable explanation for it.

“What I dare say is that once the government of the day begins to act contrary to the law, it lacks the moral authority to confront those who are challenging the Constitution in one way or the other, particularly in a violent manner by violent elements.

“We condemn them, but it is not only force of arm that will defeat them. Yes, we need force, but you have to have superior moral standing.

“And that is to say that the law in which you are operating from, that you are faithful to its application and enforcement.

“So, the situation that we have now, it is very unfortunate of the President to be playing ping-pong with the judiciary. For me, it has nothing to do with Justice Salami as an individual. It has to do with the institution.”

Human rights activist Mohammed Fawehinmi said President Jonathan is allegedly playing politics with the Salami matter, describing his delayed recall as “disgraceful.”

“I think it is very disgraceful on the part of the President, because there is no better body than the NJC to advice the President on who to reinstate or who not to reinstate.

“The NJC has taken full cognizance of all the facts, and everything that happened – the imbroglio that happened between Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and Justice Salami, and they found that Justice is absolved of all blames and he should go back to his job as the President of the Court of Appeal.

“They said vox populi vox die, the voice of the people is the voice of God. The people spoke. Civil society spoke. The NBA spoke.

“Even some eminent members of the bench spoke on the issue, that, look, regardless of whatever might have happened, since both of them have not resigned at the time they were meant to, and Justice Salami went a step further instituting an action, which I

‘If the Federal Government does not want to implement the recommendation of the NJC, let them just say and we will know it is all politics ... This is absolute nonsense, because even if they had not received it, why can’t they just give a call and send a dispatch rider to pick it up?’

believe can always be withdrawn from court, that the NJC has found it in its wisdom to reinstate this man.

“The same NJC that advised you initially that you should suspend him or that suspended him, is the same NJC that has told you, ‘look, we have now reviewed this case.

Re-instate him.’

“I think Goodluck Jonathan should start obeying the rule of law and stop fooling himself. The problem with him is he wants to play politics all round, and he’s not a very, very good politician.

“You heard what Alhaji Bamanga Tukur said – ‘face your job and leave the politics to us. We are the ones who are the politicians.’

“You are lucky to be commander-in-chief of the armed forces by virtue of sentimental appraisal of a situation by Nigerians. ‘Power has always been in the North, let it come to the South.’

“Even as you have been there, you have not done anything for the people. Everything seems to be lopsided, you can’t provide power yet there’s so much expenditure on it; you’re increasing the price of petroleum, which is something that has been going on in PDP for long.

“So, what have you done for the Nigerians? You’re giving us visionless reforms, which when you give that’s when we realise the trouble we’re in.

“Sit down and do your job. The NJC has told you, reinstate Justice Salami. Your duty by the Constitution is to reinstate him.

“So, if he doesn’t do that, 2015 is around the corner. He will go. He’s not coming back.

That’s for sure, and he knows that.”

Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch, Prince Kazeem Adebanjo, believes the NJC has done what every right thinking Nigerian has been waiting for quite a long time.

He said: “You would recall the circumstances that led to the removal and suspension of Justice Salami as President of the Court of Appeal. You would also recollect that it has been politicised. Politics has been brought into the judiciary viz-a-viz the government.

“The judiciary is an arm of government on its own, which ought to be left alone to function independently. When we have the independence of the judiciary, that is when we can have a stable democracy.

“It is rather unfortunate that the speed with which the President accented to the NJC`s initial resolution suspending Honourable Salami from the bench is not the same as what we are witnessing now.

“It has shown that the President himself is being controlled by some forces beyond his control. I know that the NJC is a very high ranking statutory body as far as judiciary is •Continued on page 36

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

33

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION (ICAMA), ABUJA

•From left: Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, Chief Tinuade Oyekunle and Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN)

•Justice Ishaq Bello (left) and Chief Judge, Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajana

•Former Special Assistant to the President on Petroleum Resources, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim and Prof Paul Idornigie

•President, International Centre for Mediation and Concilliation (ICMC) Dr P. K. Njoku (left) and Mr Pascal Madu

•Former President, Federal High Court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha (left) and Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba

•From left: Maj.-Gen. Jos Oshanupin, Tunde Busari and Amb. Babatunde Paul Fadumiyo

•Mrs Victoria Awomolo (left) and Ozioma Izuora

•National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Emeka Obegolu (left) and Justice Mojisola Ojo

•From left: Former General-Secretary, NBA, Lawal Rafiu Rabana (SAN) and Femi Okeowo of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

•From left: Mrs Tinu Onifade; Mrs Olabisi Soyebo (SAN) and Damian Dodo (SAN) PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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LAW & SOCIETY TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ‘LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT’ BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) IN LAGOS

•Senator Babajide Omoworare; NIALS Acting Librarian Ufoma Lamikanra; Prof Bolaji Owasannoye; Prof Epihpany Azinge (SAN); Dr Yusufu Dadem of the Nigerian Law School, Kano; Prof Lanre Fabgohun and Prof Mike Ikhariale

•From left: Emmanuel Anyaegbunam, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and Okey Agu

•Dr Alimi Awah and Funke Idowu

•Ngozi Udombana and Dr Emmanuel Okon

•Mr Peter Anyebe (left) and Ibghagboseria Fidelis

•Mr Adegboyega Yaqub Asunramu and Mr Samson Samakiu

•Mr Jelili Shodipo and Olanrewaju Rowland Obasa

•From left: Wasiu Lemboye; Oluwarotimi Akeju and Gbenga Onikan

•Juliet Abori-King and Imbor Edward

PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

36

NATIONAL BAR

Lawyers deplore bid to frustrate Salami’s recall •Continued from page 31

•From left: Emeka Nwagwu; Secretary to the election committee Lady Debbie Obodowenu and Chairman Lanke Odogiyan

•From left: Chief Anthony Muogbo (SAN); Okey Wali (SAN) and former General Secretary of NBA Ibrahim Eddy Mark at the opening

NBA opens nominations for election

T

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has opened nominations for candidates who wish to contest the various offices in the forthcoming delegate’s conference and election of new national officers for the association.

In all, the electoral committee received and opened 34 nomina-

tions, with the General Secretary receiving the highest member of nomination with five nominations.

This is followed by that of the President of the association with three nominees and so on.

The chairman of the NBA election committee and former president of the association Lanke

Odogiyan, assured aspirants of providing a level playing for everybody. However, he is worried aspirantly seriously about violating the provisions of the guideline.

The chairman directed the secretary to the committee, Lady Debbie Obodoukwu to read the guidelines again for aspirants.

Eastern Bar Forum protests NBA election guidelines

T

HE Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) has protested the cause in the electoral guidelines, which tends to discourage regional groups ethnic organisations at the bar from adopting and presenting candidates for the forthcoming delegates conference and election of new officers for the association.

In Port Harcourt, he group stated that former presidents and the officers of the Bar had emerged through regional and ethnic group’s adoption.

The meeting mandated the secretary of the association Mr O. O.

Igwenyi to write to the NBA president on the matter. However, the group believes that whatever the president decides on this would be made known at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NBA this week.

On the insecurity of Kaduna venue of the delegates conference/election of new officers, the EBF urged the leader of the bar to discuss the issue with the NBA President, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN).

The group stated that its position on the adoption of candidates would be determined by the out-

•Chairman, EBF Kamasunnde Wodu

come of its protest to the president to remove the guidelines or modify them.

LEGAL DIARY

NBA holds NEC meeting

T •Usman

HE quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holds in Lokoja, Kogi State on Wednesday and Thursday, at Kefas Multi-purpose Hall on Phase 2, Okene Road, Lokoja. A statement from theWelfare Officer of the NBA, Mr Sule Usman urges all branch chairmen and

secretaries to meet him at Kefas Multipurpose Hall on arrival on Wednesday from 2 p.m.

He said there would be Okey Wali (SAN) night on Wednesday at Olu Royal Hotel, and on Thursday night, there will be E. A. Haruna night at the same hotel and a dinner for participants at Government House, G. R. A. Lokoja.

concerned in this country and they have taken a decision.

“It was the effort of the CJN that led to this. If you look at the circumstances and the conclusion, you will see that the circumstances that led to the suspension from the bench did not follow the due process. So that he is being recall by the NJC is victory for the rule of law.

“But we are surprised that this has not been done up till now. This is a test for this government because within 48hours after the NJC pronounced their own decision suspending him from the bench, the President acted as if he was just lurking around the corner waiting for the NJC to make their decision, before he accented to it.

“The same NJC has looked into the case and they have come to the resolution that Justice Salami should be reinstated. This is not the normal civil service scenario that we are talking about now.

“What he (Salami) is waiting for now is for him to be re-sworn in, having been earlier on suspended by the NJC and being accented to by the President. So, what is left now is just the ceremonial aspect of it.

“Don’t forget that the NJC in coming to this conclusion must actually have their own game plan. What happened was that very soon, maybe in the next two or three months, Honorable Justice Isa Salami will clock the mandatory year for him to go. I think that must have been the calculation of the NJC. “The circumstances that led to this man being suspended was not clear enough initially and that is the reason they have now come to say, come, a mistake has been made in the past, resume your duty. But he cannot just go into office just like that.

“Don’t forget that there is an acting president of the court still in place. So, it is left for the President to re-swear Justice Salami into office and let him complete his mandatory tenure.”

Adebanjo urged the President to respect the rule of law.

“I would advise him that in line with what he has made the world to believe; that he is a friend of the rule of law. That he always want to play by the rule of the game. He should demonstrate this, in this particular instance, by reinstating Salami to conclude his tenure. That is the best way as far as law is concerned.

“The PDP government led by the President actually sees Justice Salami as a thorn in the flesh and that is the reason they want to get rid of him through any means. I am sure that it is just a question of time.

They cannot hide for a long time.

“What Nigerians are expecting is for him to be sworn in and I believe that very soon, the President will wake up to this call.”

Adebanjo said the suits seeking to stop Justice Salami’s reinstatement may have been sponsored by those who do not want him back.

“Don’t forget that initially when the NJC took the decision they did, Justice Salami was in court to challenge the decision, even the sitting that led to the resolution.

“Despite that, the President went ahead and accented to the resolution of the NJC. Court or no court, I believe that, from what they did initially, the NJC has come to realise that the decision was reached wrongfully based on wrong premises. They have retraced their steps by saying, come and resume office.

“I believe that the matter is beyond this theatre that we are being treated to since somebody has gone

to court to file again. As far as I am concerned, that case will not see the light of the day. It is just a way of causing delay and the President should see beyond that.

“Let him do what Nigerians are expecting. He is not the President of the PDP. He is the President of the country and that is the duty he owes us. When he was sworn in, it was on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the PDP constitution.

“So, he is not bound by whatever agenda PDP is bringing into the government. He is to serve the people and not his party alone.”

Social Secretary, NBA Ikorodu Branch, Mr Idris Kolawole said: “The NJC action in the first place is unprecedented. There is no precedent for it in the legal annals of Nigeria that a President of the Court of Appeal is being suspended.

“The action of the NJC in reinstating the President of the Court of Appeal is proper in the light of the previous development. So the President should without delay and without further ado act for the reinstatement of Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal because when Justice Salami was suspended by the President, there was no consultation.

“So, the manner in which the President accented to the suspension, he should also go ahead to accent to his reinstatement in the same manner and without further delay. That is my take on this.”

On the suit filed to stop the president from reinstating him, Kolawole said: “That suit has been filed mala fide, that means in bad faith.

“The suit has been brought contrary to the law that where there is a pending suit, then the law must be allowed to take its course and the law ought not to be truncated.

“As I said earlier, that suit was brought in bad faith and I feel that there are political undertones to that suite. It does appear that a political party is bent on not having Justice Salami back into office.

“The suit, if you ask me, was brought in bad faith and no doubt have political undertone and it does appear that a particular political party is behind Justice Salami`s issue and does not want him reinstated.

“My advice to the President is that he should forthwith and without further delay accent to the recommendation of the NJC that Justice Salami should be reinstated.

“Politicians should not drag the judiciary into their matter. That is the honourable path to toe.”

For Mr Akin Duyilemi, a lawyer, the President must not be seen to be taking sides. “As far as I am concerned, many people have accused the President of taking side in the crisis. But I think he has golden opportunity to prove them wrong now.

“The body set up to advise him on the administration of the judiciary has spoken and they have spoken well. So, I expect that the President, like he approved of the first wrong decision, should equally approve the second decision that is now right.

“If he does that, then it would be seen that he is not a lawless person.

It is the people who are in advisory capacity who are advising him wrongly and he is acting ordinarily in accordance with their advice. This way, he would have absolved himself of all blame.

“So, it is my humble view that the President would do well to confirm that recommendation of the NJC and reinstate the man back to his position. It is a decision long overdue and he should not wait a day longer.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

37

AVIATION Airlines urged to key into satellite based navigation system AIRLINE operators and pilots have been urged to key into the satellite based navigation system also known as the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) soon.

Disclosing this to journalists, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Supo Atobatele, said there was a meeting between the agency and all the airlines, operators and pilots to inform them about the need to key into the satellite based navigation system which will take effect soon.

“On Tuesday, we met with the pilots and airline operators, just to inform them about the development in NAMA, particularly the satellite based navigation system also known as performance based navigational system. Like you know, some weeks ago, we migrated from the terrestrial air navigation system to the satellite-based navigation system.”

“So, we need to tell them what we have on ground and what they should do. Particularly, for you to operate within the sphere of the PBN system, your aircraft must be compliant, it must carry the prerequisite gadgets. So, what we are trying to do is to just inform them,” Atobatele said.

He, however, stressed that any time from now NAMA would announce the commencement of the satellite based navigation system adding that airlines that would operate on the system are only those whose aircraft are compliant with the PBN system.

“Anytime from now, we will announce a specific date for the commencement of the PBN system in Nigeria, particularly for the major air route and airports like Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcort, and Kano.”

•The Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano

Last week, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, embarked on a tour of airports to ascertain how the remodelling project is shaping up amid doubts by stakeholders that the minister is just “ patching up” the terminals. KELVIN OSA- OKUNBOR, who visited the Abuja, Benin and Abuja airports, reports

Why airports must wear new look, by minister T

HE Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano is the oldest airport in the country, with its hitherto decrepit terminal, obsolete conveyor belts and other facilities that have lost touch with modern aviation. No little wonder why some foreign carriers including Royal Dutch Airline KLM, Middle East Airlines, Egypt Air, Sudan Airways interrupted operations a few years ago.

But, all that may be history now, as the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano has received a new lease of life, on account of the remodelling project embarked upon by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Adaeze Oduah.

Speaking last week in Kano, while on tour of airports under going remodelling, Princess Oduah said cynics should take a trip to the Kano and Abuja airports to see how the policy of government is yielding fruits.

The minister said beyond delivering a new international airport terminal for the Kano Airport, efforts are on to deliver a new general aviation terminal as well as a Hajj terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Her affirmation is coming on the heels of criticism trailing the rebuilding of airports by some industry groups including the Aviation Roundtable, the industry think tank group, which alleged exclusion from the road map unveiled for the industry by the minister.

Princess Oduah listed the airports benefiting from remodelling to include Benin, Yola, Kano, Jos, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Calabar among others, which are receiving a new lease of life.

She said from next month, the second phase of the airport remodeling will commence, which will see to the building of four new airport terminals in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja.

She said the international wing of the Abuja Airport will become the domestic terminal as plans

have reached an advanced stage to deliver a new international terminal for the airport.

Princess Oduah said: “I am always perplexed when I hear stakeholders are not being included. I don’t know who is a stakeholder and who is not a stakeholder. Every Nigerian is a stakeholder including you and I therefore, if any individual decides that progress is not in their preview, I see the person as an issue they have to deal with.

“What we are doing goes beyond remodelling of the airports.We are actually restructuring and reconstructing the airports. As you have seen, we are just starting to go round. We are doubling the sizes of those terminals and changing all the facilities and utilities within the airport.

“So, you cannot call that remodelling, it is restructuring and reconstructing. That is what we are doing to ensure passengers have safety model of transportation and we want to ensure that passengers have value for their money and most importantly we want every Nigerian to be proud of our airports. It’s a total transformation of the aviation sector.

Identifying the fact that we have an anomaly and we want to make things better for all of us. Why should anybody be against that. I don’t understand it. This administration is a transformation one and we would transform from bad to good.

“We have done more than 85

per cent of work on the airport.

From the end of this month we will start inaugurating of the airports. Every other thing is finished, we have gone a long way,”she said.

Also speaking on efforts to turn around the airports, in terms of security, the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren said the remodelling of airports has taken into consideration every security component. He said the relevant equipment will be installed every where.

Demuren said: “ You will all recall that after the Abdul Mutallab episode, we came out with various security measures for the industry and what we are saying is that every passenger must pass through 100 per cent security checks at the airport.

“The remodelling we are doing right now, has been taken into consideration and what we are really doing is that when you come in, there is no way for you to avoid security. All your bags, will be screened and we are being courteous than we used to be. When this one is completed, you know we used to open the bags and every other thing, but now, we have put in equipment that can detect everything you have. Whether it is explosives, liquid or powder.”

Commenting on the remodelling, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Jonah Jang said: “ There is massive work on going at the Yakubu Gowon International Airport, Jos in Plateau State.”

‘What we are doing goes beyond remodelling of the airports.We are actually restructuring and reconstructing the airports. As you have seen, we are just starting to go round. We are doubling the sizes of those terminals and changing all the facilities and utilities within the airport’

Arik increases frequency to Asaba, Gombe ARIK Air has increased frequency to two of its domestic destinations Asaba (Delta State) and Gombe (Gombe State).

Since the beginning of May, flights from Lagos and Abuja to Asaba now operate daily instead of the five times weekly flights which has been in place since the airline inaugurated services to Asaba on September 2, 2011.

Also, flights to Gombe Airport from Lagos and Abuja have increased from four to five weekly.

The new Tuesday and Saturday flights into Asaba Airport complement the existing five weekly flights while flights into Gombe Airport now operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Introducing more frequencies to Asaba and Gombe now means greater flexibility and more choice for passengers travelling from Lagos and Abuja to any of the two destinations.

Arik Air Managing Director/Executive Vice President, Chris Ndulue said:“With these additional daily flights, our guests now have more choice on the Lagos-Asaba/Abuja-Asaba and Lagos-Gombe/Abuja-Gombe routes – an increased service that they have been asking for. We have identified and delivered on this demand and are continuously reviewing our domestic route network to offer increased and seamless connections.”

Arik Air inaugurated scheduled flights to Gombe Airport on April 19, 2009 and to Asaba Airport on September 2, 2011.

Jos airport to serve as export zone for farm produce PLATEAU State Governor Jonah Jang has said plans are underway by the state government to make Jos Airport the gateway for export of agricultural produce to other countries.

The governor spoke during an interview with journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Jang said the state government is in discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture to see how the Jos International Airport could contribute to the exportation of agricultural produce outside the country.

He said if both arms of government reached an agreement on this, it would contribute in no small measure to the revenue generation of not just the state in particular, but also to the country in general.

Jang said the state government has over the years, boosted agricultural produce in the state through supply of modern farming tools to farmers to boost their performance and assured that the state would be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years in agricultural produce.

He said: “We have finished the design of the protocol lodge, which would soon be inaugurated by the government and we are looking forward to discussions with minister of aviation to see if we can expand the runway so that bigger aircraft can operate into Jos airport.

“We are also discussing with the Minister of Agriculture to see how we can make Jos Airport an export zone for agricultural produce to other countries. So, you can see that we are working in synergy with the ministry of aviation.”

Continental aviation confab holds in Namibia AVIATION & Allied Business has said that the 18th Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference will hold at the Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino in Windhoek , Namibia from September 2 to 4, 2012.

This year, the conference will focus on the theme Air Transport Development: Rethinking Africa ’s Strategy.

According to Captain Edward Boyo, Publisher of Aviation & Allied Business Jjournal, organisers of the conference, the conference will focus on finding more innovative ways of resolving the difficulties facing aviation development in Africa, while making Africa’s coordinated response to common internal and external policy challenges more realisable.

He said over 280 delegates are expected from Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, Africa and Asia . Several African Ministers and air transport industry decision-makers from the public and private sectors would also attend, making the Conference a hot-spot for investors seeking new opportunities in Africa and providing a huge opportunity for industry partners to renew existing bonds.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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MARITIME SON tasks importers on trade

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

THE Director-General Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Ikem Odumodu has urged importers to follow government’s guidelines to facilitate trade at the ports.

Odumodu said if importers complied with the rules the problems associated with importation of substandard products, which often lead to fines or seizure of such goods would be eliminated.

He added that in building national trade, emphasis should be placed on “compliance culture”, which he said involves establishing a mindset of transparency and the need to be aware of the law rather than “policy compliance.”

“The creation of a pervasive culture is the best possible way to limit the risks associated with non-compliance and culture means more than just a policy or a programme. Culture is the way of life of people, something inherent which is passed from generation to generation,” he said.

Customs to get N1.7b aircraft •The Marine beach bridge after the evacuation by the Lagos State government

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Motorists raise the alarm over • Govt to keep Apapa bridge ports access road free

M

OTORISTS and residents of Apapa in Lagos State have raised the alarm over the poor state of the Marine Beach Bridge, linking Ijora Apapa and Tin Can Ports.

They urged the Federal Government to fix the bridge before it collapses.

A senior manager at one of the terminals in Apapa, who craved anonymity, told The Nation that the delivery of cargoes at the Lagos ports is being threatened by the partial collapse of the bridge.

The official warned that the bridge is in frightening state, noting that the problem should not be overlooked.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that a part of the bridge has suffered from partial wear and tear partly caused by squatters, recently dislodged by the

•Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

Lagos State government.

The Managing Director, Solas Shipping Agency, Mr Sesan Oyinlola, said with the recent eviction of the squatters and the destruction of illegal structure un-

der the bridge, the government should give attention to fixing the bridge.

Oyinlola, who resides in Apapa said unless attention is given to the bridge, business activities would be threatened, and many residents might be forced out of their homes.

He thanked the Federal and Lagos State governments for clearing the brigde of impediments.

A truck driver, Mr Samson Okuwdili, said motorists were not happy with the condition of the bridge.

“The truth of the matter is that majority of us are afraid over the poor condition of the bridge. Even when we are on top of the bridge with our vehicles fully loaded, we are not comfortable most of the time because the bridge is shaking and we feel that it can cave-in anytime.

“Therefore, we want the Federal Government to fix the bridge because it is not

only our business that is being threatened but also our lives because the bridge can collapse any time, ” he said.

He said the cost of fixing the bridge could not be equated with that of constructing a new one if it collapsed.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof Sylvester Monye, has said the government would keep the OshodiApapa Expressway free of trucks to boost business at the ports.

He said the collaboration between the Federal and Lagos State governments, which led to the elimination of the near-perennial gridlock on the expresswayis not a one-off affair.

Both the federal and the state governments, he said, would maintain the synergy in keeping these vital roads free of the menace of trucks that rendered them almost impassable.

Monye said the collaboration would be sustained to make the ports attractive for business.

NIMASA proposes anti-piracy Bill

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HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has presented a draft Bill on Piracy and other Unlawful Acts at Sea to stakeholders in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

NIMASA Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi, represented by the agency’sLegal Adviser, Mr Matthew Egbadon, said the Bill will give a legal teeth to the fight against piracy and other sea criminality and curb financial losses out in excess of N3 billion.

He noted that the draft bill, which was put together by the agency’s consultant, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) technical consultant and the legal team of NIMASA entails the review of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts (SUA) 1988 conventions and protocols as they relate to piracy.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

He said: “NIMASA being the focal point for the implementation of relevant maritime conventions on safety

and security in Nigeria engaged Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN) to articulate and produce a comprehensive Maritime Security Bill, which is being presented to you to-

day. It is our hope that this workshop would enable stakeholders to make contributions to the Bill before we send it to the National Assembly for enactment”.

THE Federal Government has given approval to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to buy aircraft worth N1.737billion.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) gave the nod to the Service at its meeting last week.

The aircraft is expected to boost the anti-smuggling efforts of the Service.

Two weeks ago, FEC had approved N3.7 billion for the Customs Service to purchase two speed patrol boats to police the nation’s waterways.

The Minister of State for Finance Dr Yerima Ngama said efforts of Customs personnel could only be successful with air coverage. He said it was for this that the Federal Ministry of Finance requested for the aircraft.

He explained that the aircraft would be equipped with satellite-based devices that could survey the borders as well as communicate with ground personnel whenever illegal movements are detected.

Terminal invests N31b APM Terminals said his company has invested about N31 billion ($200 million) in upgrading the Apapa Container Terminal in the last six years, its Chief Executive Officer Mr Kim Fejfer has said.

He said this after a meeting with top management staff of the terminal in Apapa that it invested additional N20 billion ($130 million) over the next three years.

“We plan to increase yard capacity and add additional harbour cranes with the aim of increasing productivity and capacity over the next three years,” he said.

Fejfer, who is on a visit to the country, also said the Apapa Container Terminal, operated by APM Terminals, can measure with the best container terminal in Europe.

NPA donates buses to Apapa council

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HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has donated two buses worth over N75 millions to Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Speaking during the presentation of the buses to the council’s Chairman, Mr Ayodeji Joseph, in Marina, NPA Managing Director,

Mr Omar Suleiman, said the donation was part of the authority’s social corporate responsibilities to its host community.

Suleiman urged the council to use the vehicles for the purpose they were meant. Ayodeji praised Suleiman for boosting community relations.

‘24-hour ports operation policy not effective’

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BOUT three months after its introduction, the 24-hour ports operation policy by the Federal Government is yet to work.

Investigation conducted

by The Nation has revealed that the Lagos ports, for instance, do not have adequate officials to carry out the night pilotage scheme.

Other problems are high level of insecurity, poor port infrastructure, lack of proper education of importers and clearing agents, inconsistency in government policies and lack of incentives and facilities to make night operation attractive for importers.

The Managing Director, Shipping Solution, Mr Leke

By Oluwakemi’ Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

Adegbite, said since the 24port operation entails working day and night, “the Federal Government needs to consider the security implication, the need for electricity, incentives for importers and clearing agents and commitment of its agencies before asking the people to come and clear their goods at night.”

Police, Customs and other security agents such as the State Security Service (SSS) operatives, Adegbite said, have to be equipped for the night operations before it can be successful.

Also, the Operation Manager, Emsul Shipping, Chief Babalola Aderogba,

said goods would continue to be diverted to neighbouring countries because of the inability of government agencies, terminal operators and shipping companies to reduce tarrifs.

Customs, Aderogba said, has been given N1 trillion naira target which he claimed has added to the cost business.

But the General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Michael Ajayi said the policy is good and that it is working.

He said the authority is prepared for the operation because it has put in place the necessary measures to make it successful.

•Suleiman (left) presenting the keys of buses to Mr Joseph.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

39

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

LAWMA to control odour at Olusosun dump site •Seals off houses in Abule Oja

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HE Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has promised to control the foul smell from the Olusosun dump site, in Ikeja Local Government Area, especially during the rainy season.

Its Managing Director, Mr Ola Oresanya made the promise following complaints by the residents Oresanya said LAWMA has stepped up action to ensure the dump site is permanently deodorised for the comfort of everybody that has something to do in the axis. He spoke at the 20-yearold dumpsite when he announced the preparedness of the agency to make the state filth free.

Oresanya said the 42.7 hectares site has been eficiently re-trofiited with the installation of plastic/nylon recycling warehouse,construction of fuel bay and access roads with the installation of odour neutralisers and mobile atomisers.

The LAWMA boss said while land recovery for the construction of recycling village is ongoing the pro-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

cess of converting waste to energy is almost completed with the harvesting of methane from the dumpsite.

He also spoke on the waste to electricity project in markets, confirming that Ikosi market is benfitting from it as the market has been energised from waste collected from it, he assured others of the readiness of the agency to do likewise for them.

He said: “These infrastructural developments have been of tremendous benefit to the proper management of waste at the landfill, it has helped in the upgrading of the site and improvement of the accessibility of refuse trucks and compactors servicing the site resulting in the reduction of the traffic congestion on adjoining roads.”

He said the landfill site receives an average of 300 trucks of waste daily, which are weighed at the weigh bridge to ascertain the quantity of waste coming into the site per truck.

• Oresanya (middle) and other officials of the agency last Friday.

On the green project, he said the idea is to gradually reclaim the site in preparadness for full scale recyling of wastes later in the year.

Earlier, the agency sealed houses in Abule Oja, for non compliance with sanitation laws as they allegedly failed to provide containers for their

waste but instead resorted to dumping them on drainage channels.

Oresanya warned that houses sealed for contravention can only be reopened with full compliance with relevant sanitation laws. He threatened residents in areas such as Badiya, Iyana Ipaja, Ketu Alapere,

Orile, LASU/ Iba road etc of similar action if they refuse to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste on roads and medians. He advised residents to provide refuse bins for themselves to ensure their waste is properly containerised and also desist from patronising truck-pushers.

Ex-UNILAG VC challenges engineers on development

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ORMER Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos(UNILAG), Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe has challenged engineers to reinvent Nigeria of between 1960 and 1980 to help the country regain its glory.

Speaking as a guest during the fund raising, award and induction cof the Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE), Lagos branch, Ibidapo-Obe said there was need to recreate Nigeria of that period when there were pipe borne water, rail system, efficient and stable power supply.

Sixty-five corporate and 10 student members were inducted.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

Award of excellence, support and service were given to deserving members who have contributed to the growth of the profession in Lagos.

Ibidapo-Obe noted that the critical issues that required the intervention of engineers are power and energy, security challenges, youth unemployment, stating that without energy, it would be difficult for the nation to move forward.

If things must change, the don said issues of power, security and employment must be taken seriously, saying there was need to use

engineers to reinvent things.

In emerging countries of the world such as Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Korea, Ibidapo-Obe pointed out that 80 per cent of people running their government are engineers.

Current issues in Nigeria, he said could only be solved by engineers, urging the need to encourage science education among school children.

Unlike when university education qualified people for automatic jobs from the private sector and public service, Ibidapo-Obe said it was no longer as youth unemployment is continuing to increase at

Dangote, Italian firm, others bid for FCT Land Swap Scheme •Each investor to pay N350m commitment fee

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ANGOTE Group Plc and Edimo Gruppo of Italy top the list of investors that have shown interests in the land swap scheme devised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA )to accelerate provision of affordable housing in FCT. FCT Minister Bala Mohammed made this in his presentation at the ongoing Ministerial Platform to commemorate the 2012 National Democracy Day at the National Press Centre, Abuja.

He also announced that all developers or investors participating in the land swap model of the FCT Administration are to deliver business plans showing their technical capacity, financial capability and managerial competence.

The other investors are Adkan Services Nigeria Limited; Ridley Group; Afri-International Projects & Consulting Limited, China Railway Construction Company etc.

The Minister said each investor shall pay a commitment fee N350 million on presentation of business plan to fund physical plan, preliminary design, detailed engineering design, survey plan, feasibility studies and preparation of agreement.

In addition to that, the investor shall provide detailed design together with infrastructure in the

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

district within a maximum period of 48 months under strict compliance with FCDA specifications and standards for district infrastructure works.

Mohammed stressed that in the event that there is any breach of the special contract, the Minister has the power to revoke such grant.

According to him, the developer shall not commence real property development or sale of any land in the district until it achieves at least 35 per cent of functional infrastructure works.

He clarified that the funding structure of the project must include an acceptable ratio as follows: debt (50 per cent), equity (15 per cent) and off-plan sales (35 per cent).

He said that while the developer is to provide an acceptable performance bond from a reputable bank or insurance company, the FCTA is to retain at least 40 per cent of buildable plots in the district for direct allocation to people.

Speaking on the phase one of Abuja rail mass transit project (Lots 1&3) being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC, Nigeria Ltd, he said it now has a new completion

date of 2015.

The $841million project was awarded on May 27, 2007 but work could not commence until May 2009.

The Minister said the progress of work in the project now stands at 22 per cent while it has provided 430 jobs to Nigerians.

These revenue sources include the Abuja property tax and the anticipated revenue from the proposed park-and-ride project.

He added that the administration is also looking forward to generating revenue when legal backing is given to the operations of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council and the proposed Revenue Board.

“We believe that it is imperative for the FCT to look inward to establish an internal body to raise its IGR. This is with a view to executing its many projects, in order to provide effective services to Nigerians and foreigners alike in FCT. Senator Mohammed said another sector where the FCTA has recorded considerable breakthrough, apart from massive road construction all over FCT, is attraction of direct foreign and local investments, totaling over $4.6 billion within two years of our stewardship.

an alarming rate.

He said: “Then we had security, jobs, power and energy. You have jobs once you come to the university. There are private sector jobs and immediately after six months of probation, you get a car. So, let us reinvent Nigeria.”

According to him, despite the huge amount of money being spent on infrastructure, there was no result.

Another issue to be tackled, he said was the loss of confidence on the leadership for followers. “The system is so bastardised that people

believe you must bribe your way whereas in the 60s, it was not so,” he lamented.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Lagos Branch Of NSE, Mr Olatunde Jaiyesimi, while presenting the inductees to the audience, urged them to uphold the tenets of the profession, its codes of ethics, safety regulation governing professional practice as they go forth to serve humanity. Also, fund was raised for the completing of Oyebolu Engineering Resource Centre flagged off by the society.

Lagos may approve 60- floor buildings in Ikoyi, V.I

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THE Lagos State government may consider approving up to 60 floors for buildings along Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde has said.

The height of buildings in the area and the waterfront are pegged at 15 floors under the planning regulations.

Ayinde told The Nation that since planning is dynamic and evolving, the government has had no choice but to incorporate the new height approval in the new model plan for Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

He noted that waterfront properties across the world remain exclusive, adding that government wants to afford owners of properties and developers opportunity to maximise their gain as much as possible.

The Commissioner said stakeholders will be carried along in the delivery of the proposed model plan.

He regretted that several petrol stations along the Lekki and Badagry corridor are not approved by government though they are in existence.

Ayinde warned that the state would soon embark on the demolition of some petrol stations since they are operating without government approval.

He said his ministry received 289 applications for vetting of technical reports with 226 of them approved.

In the area of enforcement he said: “A total of 15,216 notices were served

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

as against 16,280 last year. This is made up of 6,864 contravention notices, 3,348 stop work orders, 3,941 demolition notices, 425 quit notices and 638 seal up notices. These steps have enabled us to detect contraventions at early stage for prompt removal. In the same vein, 129 buildings were demolished while 620 were sealed for various offenses in the year under review.”

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Lekki comprehensive master plan which was recently completed is already yielding returns through implementation. Among the achievements are the expansion and upgrading of Lekki-Epe express way, Lekki scheme/Bourdillon Link Bridge, Lekki airport/port and coastal roads. Speaking on urban regeneration, the commissioner said the government has carried out several redevelopment projects such as the Freedom Square, Tejuosho market, relocation of computer village from Otigba, Ikeja to Kantangowa market, Oke-odo and the resettlement of Okobaba saw millers in Agbowa-Ikosi and parts of Iponri.

He said the government has also awarded a contract for electronic processing and data management system to kick start electronic processing of planning applications in addition to stakeholders engagement in activities that they may affect them.

He, however, warned that henceforth government will not only report consultants to their professional bodies in cases of contravention but will also go ahead and prosecute them.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Group advises govt on building failures W

ORRIED by the spate of building collapse, abandoned projects and proliferation of construction industry with substandard materials, President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr SegunAjanlekoko, has called on members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), to take a major step towards resolving challenges with relevant regulatory agencies for more proactive actions in the system.

Ajanlekoko made the call, while receiving members of the guild in his office on a courtesy visit at the weekend. He enjoined them to continue the struggle until the government establishes the Construction Industry Development Board.

The board, he said, should have the mandate to manage the construction industry and effectively coordinate the built environment professional activities and programmes.

Some members of the guild in attendance included Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of Nige-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

rian Institution of Surveyors(NIS), Mr Afolabi Solesi; Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mr Olufemi Shodunke; Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr Sola Fatoki and Chairman of Lagos State Chapter Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr JeliliAkinpelu.

Expressing delight for the formation of the guild, Ajanlekoko said the platform could complement

‘BCPG is an independent body of stakeholders in the built environment. It is a body of various professionals but united by a common goal’

Minister urged to overhaul land allocation process

H

OME developers in Abuja have called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed, to overhaul the process of land allocation in such a way that will allow for fairness and quick access to parceled land needed for accelerated development.

The newly elected Chairperson of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN, FCT Chapter, Hajiya Binta Ibrahim, made the appeal to the Minister shortly after her overwhelming victory at the REDAN, FCT chapter elections in Abuja at the weekend.

Hajiya Ibrahim, who is also the President/CEO of Women Housing Plan Initiative, won a total vote of 62 to clinch the coveted position of Chairperson of the FCT. In her acceptance speech, she

government efforts with adequate professional inputs towards providing lasting solutions to the problems of building collapse and to fight the battle of professionalism and quackery in the built environment.

He further identified the need to develop a strong group interest with global picture coupled with common objectives as the motivating factor to build the industry.

The APBN president encouraged the guild to ensure that its composition is made of major stakeholders who are highly competent professionals of like minds in order to strengthen the passion for service being developed.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

pledged to support the FCT authorities in finding a lasting solution to the lingering problems caused by land speculators and racketeers in Abuja, genuine developers in the FCT have what it takes to accelerate development to an appreciable level in the city.

She promised urgent solutions to the various lingering land crisis in the FCT and assured investors and developers of better cooperation between the government and them.

She said: “We shall constantly engage the FCT authorities through constructive dialogue on issues affecting development and how best demolition can be reduced or avoided while sustaining best practices in housing development.”

Earlier, Chairman of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Mr KunleAwobodu, had told the Ajanlekoko that unabated incidents of building collapse that have become a source of embarrassment, worry, discomfort, and concern to professionals in the built environment prompted notable stakeholders to form the guild.

He said: “BCPG is an independent body of stakeholders in the built environment. It is a body of various professionals but united by a common goal.

The guild is constituted by those who have passion for safe environment, professionals, who believe things ought to be done right, men and women with unalloyed resolve to find lasting solution to a man-made problem. Preventing building collapse is a cause not meant for profit-oriented people, but those who consider such initiative as a social responsibility actuated by humanitarian feeling and the philosophy of giving back to the society.”

During the meeting, participating members of the guild confirmed the fact that the guild needs

the support of the government for an enabling environment.

Members also made critical observations concerning sincerity of purpose and commitment of members as the fundamental factor that will go a long way to overcome the numerous challenges the guild is likely to encounter.

Some members considered a critical look into the processes and procedures of implementing the construction projects as a way of solving many problems from the source rather than treating the effects of most challenges without result They promised to do everything possible to influence the government towards the formulation of necessary policies that will aid the resolution of many technical issues relating to building collapse problems in Nigeria Furthermore, they agreed that there should be proper investigations into the causes of building collapse and that the contents of the Building Codes regarding topographical survey and other relevant issues be taken into consideration for causes of building collapse to be properly addressed.

NCF/NBC partner on World Environment Day

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GAINST the back-drop of preparation for the World Enviornment Day (WED), Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) last Friday organised a pre-WED parade (Flora and Fauna dress competition) and pass-it-on competition to create awareness for schools based on this year’s theme “Green economy: Does it Include You” at NBC premises in Ikeja. Lagos.

In his welcome speech, Director, Technical Programmes, NCF, Mr. Alade Adeleke, said they have partnered NBC since 1992 on envi-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

ronmental issues that has succeded in raising the consciousness of youths on environmental issues.

He said the competition involves a costume parade that shows an object or elements of the environment, specifically addressing this year’s theme to elicit responses from a cross section of people to test their awareness on environmental issues.

Public Affairs Manager, NBC, Ms Ifeoma Okoye said her organisation recognises the importance of the environment as its ability to grow depends on it. According to her, NBC

have as a major plank of her social responsibility and sustainability imperatives, the need to preserve the environment.

To this end, she revealed they have continued to invest in water reduction, recycling and replenishing water in communities they operate and beyond.

She said: “ We make bold to state that all NBC’s 13 bottling plants have fully functional on-site Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs).

These plants ensure that waste water from our bottling operations are recycled and discharged back to the enviornment at a level that supports acquatic life and agriculture.”

Lagos undertakes effective land management

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ERMANENT Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola said they have embarked on fast-tracking of land administration to harness the potentials of land resource to provide easy access to land for the economic and social benefits of the public.

He said despite the challenges in the year the Bureau intensified efforts to ensure optimal utilisation of land resources to achieve development in the state.

Muri-Okunola spoke at the ministerial briefing of the bureau at the Press Centre, Ikeja.

He observed that the dull economic environment induced by low –keyed activities as a result of low public spending has affected the purchasing power of the citizenry.

Muri-Okunola revealed that the state excised 76 land-holding families, carried out 11 revocations and paid compensation to affected families. On some of the reforms carried out by the agency, he said the newly introduced electronic

certificate of occupancy(C of O) will come on stream before the end of the year and will bring to an end the issue of fake C of O. Others are the creation of Geographic Information System (GIS) database, designed as a veritable tool for the orderly development of the state, the land registry which is a bench for other states.

While promising to intensify efforts towards building the best practices in land administration, he warned land speculators and some traditional rulers who sell government acquired land to unsuspecting members of the public, especially in Omole scheme11 and Magodo areas.

He also regretted the alarming rate in which the various land schemes has been encroached upon preventing the rightful owners from developing their plots.

Subsequently, he advised members of the public to always endeavor to do proper chatting and verification on properties before committing their hard earned monies.

•From left: Mike Akhigbe, Bode Adediji, Emma Wike Gladstone Opara, Chief Kola Akomolede and Charles Okoye, Nigerian delegate to the just concluded FIABCI congress in Russia.

African leaders to discuss urban transformation

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NE of the world’s leading event providers and organisers of the Future Cities conference, Economist Conferences, is rallying leaders and policymakers from across Africa to a forum that will discuss new ways to tackle pressing issues of urbanisation.

This year’s conference,which would take place in Lagos, will provide a platform for 150 senior level participants to debate challenging questions around managing, designing and financing the continent’s cities and discuss the future of Africa’s urban transfor-

mation with an international group of experts with six mayors confirming participation.

“Urbanisation is happening faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world – by 2050, 60 per cent of Africans will be city dwellers.

“Our summit will feature those managing, designing, planning and financing Africa’s most innovative cities, as well as leading authorities in urban planning, construction, transport, energy, architecture and sustainability,” said Marianne Mazou, Conferences Director, MEA, at The Economist Group.

“Urban development has been hap-

hazard, fragmented and characterised by a lack of long-term strategic planning and incoherent investments. For Africa’s expanding cities to function in the future, policymakers need new, innovative approaches to urban development, infrastructure, environmental issues, transportation, social services and housing. This is what our Future Cities summit is going to provide,” she said.

“Joining up urban development policies with mobility strategies at an institutional level, and putting in place sustainable transport services and quality infrastructure are key to managing Africa’s urban transformation towards economic viability and growth.”

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TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

•Oshiomhole

•Airhiavbere

•Edebiri

Barely two months into the governorship election in Edo State, political parties are on the turf out-doing and underminig themselves to curry voters’ sympathy. OSAGIE OTABOR writes on the strategies being adopted by the contestants in the race to the Osadebe Government House.

Edo: Parties battle to win voters’ hearts T

HE race to the Edo State Government House on July 14, 2012 is becoming more interesting, with the emergence of more candidates, contrary to expectations that the battle would be for incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Maj-Gen Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Solomon Edebiri, a consensus candidate of the Coalition of Progressive Political Parties (CPPP).

The other candidates include: Mr. Imaguomwanrhuo Erhunmwunse of the National Conscience Party (CPC), Mr. Andrew Igwemoh of the Labour Party (LP) and Elder Roland Izevbuwa of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Very little is known about the candidates of the NCP, LP and CPC. Apart from some of their posters pasted at their party secretariats, nothing more is heard about them and their preparation. They are yet to begin electioneering campaigns and rallies.

The events that led to the emergence of governorship candidates of the NCP, LP and CPC was dramatic. Their parties had in collaboration with others formed the CPPP under the chairmanship of Godwin Erahon, a comrade. The aim was to form a united front against the ACN and the PDP with the presentation of a consensus candidate. They settled for Chief Solomon Edebiri of the PPP, who they adopted as their standard bearer.

Edebiri, a professional welder and governorship candidate in the 2007 election, was later unveiled at a well-attended ceremony, witnessed by members of all the parties involved in the coalition. Erhahon told the gathering that they were out to win the forthcoming governorship election.

He said: “We came together because we have seen that none of the parties that have dominated governance have lived up to expectation.

“They have not made life easier for children of the poor and they have taken edu-

cation beyond the reach of the common man in the state. We should work to ensure Oshiomhole does not come back in 2012.”

Few months later, wranglings within the ranks of CPC, LP and other political parties led to a crack in the CPPP. In the LP, former State Chairman of the party, Dr. John Ogbeide decamped to the PDP. The LP chairman in the state, Isaiah Osifo, was forced out of the party by another faction-led by Dr. Sam Omede.

Omede, while addressing LP members after becoming a factional chair, vowed that the LP would rather go into the election as an independent party than being an appendage of the ruling ACN. He said: “Today, Labour Party can perform. As from now, we will not take the crumbs from the master’s table anymore.

We have made a name in the history of Edo State. We are on ground.”

On the coalition, Omede said Edebiri was adopted by a faction of the party against directives form the party’s national body.

He said: “Solomon Edebiri is not our candidate, if he wants to run under Labour Party let him come and discuss with us.

He would have to contest with other aspirants. We don’t just adopt candidates in Labour Party; they have to go through the stipulated rules and regulation of the party by going through the primaries.

“Those who claim to have adopted Edebiri are factions being led by Isaish Osifo and Sunny Aguebor, We are talking and dialoguing. There is hope the party will come together once again.’’

The CPC on its part pulled out of the alliance after the national body settled its intra-party squables.

Edebiri insisted that that the coalition still stands and is running for the governorship under the ANPP banner.

But with the discordant tunes ripping the cnpp apart, the race to the Osadebe Government House is between Oshiomhole and Airhiavbere.

The duo has turned Benin, the state capital to a political battle field with huge billboards and campaign posters.

For instance, on the ever-busy Airport Road, Airhiavbere opened a campaign office opposite the State Secretariat of the ACN. The campaign office is awashed with huge billboards.

The ACN building has billboards, showcasing Oshiomhole’s achievements.

Despite the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to Airhiavbere by the police to relocate the campaign office, the directive has not been heeded.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Matthew Urhoghide, said the building was not the candidate’s campaign office but a donation by its owner to support Airhiavbere.

Urhoghide described the police ultimatum as an infringement on the right of the landlord to support a political party of his choice with his propertty.

However, the ACN and the PDP have locked horns in their battle for the people’s votes. Oshiomhole, who insisted on a “campaign of issues,” promised to create 113,000 jobs through tourism, agriculture and power if re-elected.

‘The ACN and the PDP have locked horns in their request for the people’s votes. Oshiomhole, who insisted on a “campaign of issues”, promised to create 113,000 jobs through tourism, agriculture and power if re-elected’

He listed Edo-Azura 450Mw power projects, building of ultra modern shopping complex, the construction of a Five Star Hotel, Ihorvbor Industrial Estate and revitalisation of the Urhonigbe rubbber plantation as proposed areas of investment through Airhiavbere Public-Private-Partnership (PPP).

He noted that the Edo-Azura power project would attract direct foreign investment of N90 billion besides creating 1,000 job oppotunities for the citizenry.

On his part, Airhiavbere promised to reduce tuition fees at tertiary institutions in the state, a reduction of taxes and distribution of security votes as soft loans to women and small scale enterprise.

The ANPP flagbearer promised to introduce a special education fund for indigent students, as well as pursue the ideology of the coalition if elected as governor.

Denying speculations that he would defect to the PDP and step down for Airhiavbere, he said: “I was approached to step down and guaranteed the governorship in 2016 but I refused because I know that more parties are waiting to join this coalition.”

Last month, the PDP showed reporters a building purportedly being built by Oshiomhole at his Iyamho country home. the magnificient structure was valued at over N10 billion. The opposition alleged the building has a cinema, swimming pools, artificial caves, walkways among other features.

But Oshiomhole, who spoke through his Media Special Adviser Tony Iyare, said he has built the house more than 20 years ago.

He also claimed having houses in Kaduna and Abuja several years before he became the governor.

He said: “The house in Iyamho is currently undergoing some renovation which is aimed at providing some walkways and an out-door bar on the existing empty space.

The so-called N10 billion mansion was an imagination of those who contrived the existence of such building.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

44

POLITICS Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirant in Ondo State Dr Olusegun Abraham, recently visited The Nation Lagos head office where he fielded questions on his ambition. He spoke of his plans to transform the state into an industrial economy.

MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE was there.

‘Ondo people want change’ H

OW do you intend to outshine the sitting governor of Ondo State, who is being called a giant in view of your gentle temperament?

Let me start by saying that gentility does not mean stupidity or weakness. As a matter of fact, it is matter of strong character. People who have succeeded mostly in life are always gentle.

They are not rascals. When it comes to question of giants and what I referred to as being a giant is in the brain and not the physical body.

It is the brain that turns things around. Again what is giant in him? What makes him a giant?

These are some of the terms used to coarse people. This is a game of strategy and I know with strategy, you could do a lot of things. We have been on the man’s trail and in the last three months, the equation has changed, the man is now jittery. Some of the things that he refused to do for civil servants especially on salary, he has done them hurriedly. About two weeks ago, he promoted people to the position of Permanent Secretary, they are just sitting down now as students without portfolio. I am more a giant in terms of strategy, resources and in terms of my position and reputation.

We are going to use our intellect, our ability to chase the man out because he does not have the capacity to contest this election. And of course in the last election, we helped him, otherwise he would not be in this position. Once you take a fish out of water, it is dead. We are the brain behind the group that had helped him. Right now, the Ondo people from the North, Central to the South call me Ekun oko iroko. Each time I emerge they say this is the man that will seal the hope of Mimiko. This is the man that will drive him out of Alagbaka. I believe that human beings are better than giants or Iroko.

The man has said his performance would work for him; how do you now rate his performance?

His case is like that of a student in the class.

This is a student that fails every time and in the last examination scored about 30 per cent. This is a guy who had been scoring 10 per cent. What do you want that student to say? He will definitely rate himself that he has performed. If a man says he has performed, what are his performances? Now let us look at infrastructure; roads in the last three years have been in bad condition. This man has not done anything or commissioned one road. Instead of building the town, what he has been doing in the last three years is to cause pain for Ondo people.

He as been destroying houses, shops and throws the people into unemployment. He has dispossessed people of their property. Even historical relics have been destroyed by him may be that is what he calls his performance. When you look at area of water, he has not commissioned a single waterworks in the last three years. When you come to the area of housing he has not built a single housing unit in the last three years. It took me only 18 months to built a housing estate in Ikeja. This guy has been there for over three years and he has not build a single house. Where are these performances?

Let us move to area of education where he has equally failed. The next time I visit here, I will bring along of schools that have no benches.

In the area of education, they have failed woefully. In the health sector, he has not improved on any hospital; he has not built any additional hospital. The Abiye they are making noise about is another grand deception. It is funded

by World Bank as a model. So that they can replicate it across the state. You know whatever the World Bank does or gives out to, it would have to supervise the consultant, contractor to ensure that the project does not fail.

That is the only project that has succeeded and it is because it was supervised by the World Bank. And that is just a maternity in Akure, we have a population of over 3.4 million, can you say the whole of 3.4 million people will use only one maternity? From Akure to the South, we have over 180 kilometres, we understand that some pregnant women were going there, had accident and died. That is because they could not get a good maternity their communities. From that place to the North, the distance could take about three or four hours to get there and that is also the problem in the health sector. He has only one diagnostic centre which is called Gani Fawehimi Diagnostic Centre. Again, that show that this man lack understanding and prudence. Fawehinmi was a lawyer, how do you immortalise him with a

• Abraham

medical facility. One would have thought that he would build an integrated library that is relevant to his area but today, that is the only one in the whole of the state. One is not supposed to take more than a walking distance before making use of a diagnostic centres but he has not make provision for all of these. He has not done a single thing. We have moved round and the only thing the man is making noise about is market. Market is the responsibility of local government area, the question everybody is asking including myself, is where is the project? What has he been doing with the state money? The man who said he has performed, how come he has become so jittery to the extent of destroying peoples’ bill boards and posters if he has performed? It is a general statement, let him point out where he has performed, he should be specific.

Which areas are you going impact on the lives on people now that they are clamouring for a change?

I am going there because I know what to do and how to do it. In the area of employment we know what to do. In Ondo, graduates are riding Okada which does not augur well. We are going to start the process of industrialisation; the industrialisation we are talking about will have the main industries and complementary industries that will supply the main industries. As a road expert, we are going to embark on construction and rehabilitation. I am not just going to be awarding roads contract but will be fully involved so that Ondo people can catch up with modernity. I am going to train our people on how to confront some of these roads construction challenges to this will create employment.

They will be trained in repair and maintenance of roads. For every project that I am going to bring about, I am going to look for four or five advantages. You build roads to build capacity; you build roads to drive industrialisation.

These roads we are building will need materials which we will use to create industries and empower the people. The people who work on these roads will eat and when they eat that means there is need to develop agriculture.

They will need clothes we are going to develop textile industries that will supply not only the people on roads but everybody. That is on the areas of roads, I am going to have housing programme that will rely on local material.

Most of the housing we have in Ondo are made

‘The Abiye they are making noise about is another grand deception. It is funded by World Bank as a model, so that they can replicate it across the state. You know whatever the World Bank does or gives out to, it would have to supervise the consultant, contractor to ensure that the project does not fail’

from mud and have broken down in large number. We will manage the technologies and we will not encourage importation because it will result to capital flight. We are going to make sure the people are adequately trained in various areas, so that they can handle the technologies. This will make positive impact in the state.

Still on agriculture, fruits like oranges and mangoes that are just decaying will be processed into juice. That means industries in fruits processing will spring up. This will translate to employment for the people. We will encourage small scale industries, so as to accommodate many people. We like doing things big but this not too good, anything born big, is a monster, we must learn to start small and grow later. When I was travelling through our local governments areas, I was shedding tears in my car why? I saw rubber being tapped but with overwhelming poverty in the land. Then I ask where does the money from these plantations go? This, I think I will be looked into when I get into government.

Have you thought of the cost and the institution that you will use to achieve the objectives of your government?

I am not just talking, I have outlined the methodology and nobody since the commencement of this democratic process has stated his or her methodology of achieving his set objective.

They will tell you I want to build housing estate, I want to do this or that. What their mind set focuses on is that they want to award contract that is different from what I have said.

What I mean is that I am going to train our people. Our investment programme will focus on capacity and capability what kind of training do they require? We will focus on what we are going to use to encourage them to ensure they change from a peasant culture to industrial culture? Our forefathers were farmers and when you talk of Korean Miracle, they have what is called industrial culture. I am talking from the knowledge I have acquired on industrial and technological culture. I am not one of those just talking but those who have the knowledge of what they want. I am emphasising on it because I know it is possible. We will take our time to build these structures, if they are doing this in other advanced countries, why can’t we do it here? What we need is somebody who has the political power, who has the technological know-how and managerial capability to make the process to function well. So, if I have built roads before, I know the knitty-gritty of doing that, if I have done waterworks before, I still have the competence. This is different from a man who is greenhorn who just depends on civil servants, such a person is a blind man. In the next 30 years, nobody will be able to set up business where they have no professional qualification that is why they say knowledge drives economy. I have worked on infrastructures, I work on industrialisation, all these things I have been talking about are what I know. And that takes me to why other people have been failing because they don’t know how these things are done. It is a sad story of our life. It’s like the case of my small boy who said he was driving and sat on my car and was moving his hands as if he was driving, these are the kind of leaders we have produced for the country.

What are your chances of emerging as the ACN candidate in the coming election?

We must look at the psyche of our people, the first thing that you find out in Ondo, they want this governor to go. They want somebody that can confront him and drive him away. This is the quality they have seen in me and that informed why they are calling me Ekun oko iroko.

It is because they have confidence in me. I believe the leaders are also doing their own findings. Who is Abraham that is the first question I ask people? Is he a progressive, a man that has invested in society? And each time I come across the people, they have one or two things to say about me. I have seen people who have said I thank God that I meet you in my life. In the last 10 years, I have been giving out scholarship to people and I do not make noise about it because my Bible says; when you do something for the people don’t make noise about it so that you can have your blessing. I have been setting up businesses for the poor people. I have helped many people; I personally committed my resources to the emergence of the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati becoming the governor of Ondo State. I have done a lot for the people and I think my chances are bright.

ACN faults non reinstatement of Salami

By Jeremiah Oke

F

OR the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), President Goodluck Jonathan is sending out wrong signals on his administration’s commitment to the rule of law by his refusal to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami as President of the Court of Appeal, following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The party said the status of Jonathan has been reduced from that of the President of all Nigerians to that of a mere PDP apparatchick.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said every single day that the reinstatement of Justice Salami is delayed deepens the widely-held belief that President Jonathan has more than a statutory interest in the controversial suspension of President of hte Appeal Court. ‘’We call on the President to approve the recommendation of the NJC and reinstate Justice Salami today, because that is the right thing to do, irrespective of the scheming of the hawks in his party and whatever self-serving advice he may be receiving from some aides. ‘’The jet speed with which the President accepted the recommendation of the same NJC to suspend Justice Salami has placed a huge moral burden on him to stop pandering to the naysayers in his party and approve the NJC’s recommendation reversing its earlier decision. ‘’The courageous act of the NJC is a reflection of the determination of the judiciary to put an end to a crisis that has dented its image in the eyes of the world. Therefore, it will be most unfortunate if the executive arm of government will be the one fomenting a fresh crisis in the judiciary. This is why President Jonathan must act today, over a week after the NJC made its recommendation.’’

The ACN said the President must know that his delay in approving the NJC recommendation has emboldened all sorts of characters, including those without locus standi, to institute frivolous lawsuits seeking to stop the reinstatement.

It said: ‘’For now, we at the ACN have chosen to give the President the benefit of the doubt by not believing published reports that the government may be the one orchestrating these lawsuits, or that its officials were even reportedly distributing some court papers on behalf of one of the lawyers behind such suits. ‘’This is because if this is true, it may very well signal the death knell of the judiciary, which will not augur well for the country.

A country where the rule of law is tied to political expediency cannot expect to attract foreign investments or earn any respect in the comity of nations. We therefore hope President Jonathan is listening.”

It commended the media for its fearless and upright role on this issue, as reflected in several newspaper editorials and general reporting of the whole saga, saying “the media have again availed itself creditably in carrying out its constitutionally-assigned role.”

‘The jet speed with which the President accepted the recommendation of the same NJC to suspend Justice Salami has placed a huge moral burden on him to stop pandering to the naysayers in his party and approve the NJC’s recommendation reversing its earlier decision’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Doctors’ solidarity strike ‘illegal’, allege Reps T HE House of Representatives yesterday appealed to striking doctors in Federal Government hospitals to consider the plight of patients and call off the action.

Strike, the lawmakers said, should be the last option in resolving disputes between employers and employees.

At a five-hour meeting with the helmsmen of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta; Chairman, House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elumelu described the strike as illegal and unconstitutional.

The strike, Elumelu said, is unlawful because the Federal Government is owing the doctors.

The doctors are on solidarity strike, with their colleagues sacked by the Lagos State government.

‘Hypertension cases rising’

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

H

By Wale Adepoju

Also in attendance at the meeting held in LUTH was the leadership of Lagos Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Elumelu said the allegiance of doctors under the umbrella of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in LUTH, National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, and Federal Medical Centre, should be to the patients.

He said the issue should have been addressed through dialogue, rather than allow dying patients to lay helpless in hospital beds unattended to.

Elumelu enjoined the doctors to live according to their Hippocratic Oath, which they swore to, by ensuring that patients take prominent place in their lives before other things.

He said: “The best way to resolve the issue by NMA is not to embark on strike but rather if you want to help your colleagues the best form is for you to mediate by setting up

• Elumelu (middle) flanked by Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon Halima Hassan and Dr Patrick Asadu

interface between the Lagos State government and the Lagos doctors.”

Elumelu said it was out of place for doctors under the employ of the Federal Government to embark on strike since they were not being owed by their employer.

To resolve the impasse, NMA recommended that all punitive measures already taken against members of the Medical Guild byLagos State be withdrawn.

It also said the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) should be implemented without compression of steps as it was previously agreed

and should take effect from last January.

Its Chairman, Lagos State Branch, Dr Edamisan Temiye, said the resolution of the two issues would create a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the amicable settlement of other outstanding matters vital to the engineering of a robust partnership and improved health of the people.

“NMA has the right to fight for the right of its members. The oath by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) states that doctors will be brother and sisters to one another,” he added.

•Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola administering oral polio vaccine to one of the babies, Rokibat Ibiyemi. With her is the Commissioner for Health, Mrs Temitope Ilori (right) and Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Health Hon Leke Ogunsola (left), at the flag-off of Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health week at Ile-Ogbo, Osun State...yesterday.

YPERTENSION is on the increase in Africa, with Nigeria leading.

Experts made this known at this year’s World Hypertension Day (WHD) sponsored by Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa Region.

According to the firm’s Medical Director, Dr. Kodjo Soroh, who was the lead discussant at the forum, people can prevent the condition if right things such as screening is done at the right time and other preventive measures taken.

She said: “This silent killer is on high rampage because, people with this condition, do not usually exhibit symptoms and if untreated, it damages the arteries and vital organs in the body and this ignorance can last for years.”

For this reason, she advised that blood pressure screenings should be done periodically.

The firm has inaugurated a Cardiovascular Summit Faculty Board. The board is made up of eminent medical practitioners, past speakers and facilitators at previous yearly cardiovascular summits.

It is a platform for health care practitioners to engage in a robust discussion on latest trends in cardiovascular disease and its management.

It is part of Pfizer’s contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care in Nigeria and East Africa Region.

According to the Associate Director Public Affairs and Communication of the firm Mrs. Margaret Olele these cardiovascular screenings, which cover health parameters like blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, were held in pharmacies, religious organisations, and corporate establishments in partnership with health care institutions. The company has conducted free screenings for over 7,000 persons since commencement.

Mrs. Olele said: “We all should learn to imbibe good and healthy lifestyle according to this year’s theme. Pfizer is committed to research and the provision of life saving medicines in the treatment and management of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases at large.” maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a necessity for a healthy blood pressure.”

Nigeria among worst places for mothers, says report

N

IGERIA’s maternal and infant mortality ratios have gone down.

The country, according to the yearly State of the World’s Mothers Report of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Save the Children, is among the worst places to be a mother.

At the organisation’s Mothers’ Day report launched in Abuja, it ranked the country 123rd out of the 165 countries assessed and 80th of 80 countries in the Less Developed (LD) countries category.

Nigeria, it said, loses a woman every 10 minutes to conditions associated with childbirth and 144 daily - a situation it described as unacceptable.

By Wale Adepoju

It said the report collated in 165 countries appraised factors such as mother’s health, education and economic status.

Others are critical child indicators, such as health and nutrition and places, among others.

The organisation said the crucial G8 meeting to be convened in a forthnight would address the state of the world’s mothers with emphasis on nutrition as one of the key factors in determining mothers’ and their children’s well-being.

It identified malnutrition as the underlying cause of about a fifth of maternal mortality and more than one-third of child deaths.

The group urged more global action to tackle the vicious cycle of maternal and child malnutrition when G8 leaders gather in Camp David in two weeks time.

Country Director, Save the Children Nigeria, Susan Grant, said: “The report shows clearly that this crisis of chronic malnutrition has devastating effects on both mothers and their children. We urgently need global leadership on malnutrition that results in key nutrition projects being rolled out for mothers and babies to ensure their health and survival.”

In a research, she said, the organisation found that the simple measure of supporting mothers to breastfeed could save one million

children’s lives yearly. The report also showed that less than 40 per cent of infants in developing countries received the full benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. This is due, in part, to countries lacking strong commitment and complementary programmes that enable mothers to breastfeed. When the two do combine, the report shows that it can be successful even in low-income countries as it has done in Malawi and Madagascar.

Grant said: “Our report shows that a mother’s breast milk - one single nutrition intervention - can save a million children’s lives each year. Policies and programmes must be put in place in all countries to ensure all moth-

ers have the support they need to choose to breastfeed if they want to. Acting now not only saves lives, but saves dollars as well.

“Exclusive breastfeeding would go a long way to address malnutrition and improve child health in Nigeria and Health workers are critical to ensuring an increase in exclusive breastfeeding in the country- at 13 per cent - by ensuring that every baby is put to breast with one hour of delivery.

“When mothers have access to healthcare, education and livelihoods and productive economic opportunities - both they and their children have the best chance to survive.

Educate and support one woman and you lift a family out of poverty.”

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Mrs Odutola

-Adebola Orolugbagbe

Firm offers credit to Lagos co-operative S OME workers lack access to loans to acquire basic home products because of their incomes.

But with the help of the Lagos State government and the Lagos State Co-operatives Federation (LASCOFED), a private organisation has developed a programme known as Quality Life Improvement Plan (QLIP), which allows workers to buy products on credit and pay back in instalments monthly through their co-operatives.

QLIP is a hire purchase deal to finance the purchase of these products. Its founder, Otunba Aderemi Abdul, said the arrangement assists workers to own some products that would have taken them some time to buy or unable to do so.

He said the quality and accessibility of financial services of the programme would help the workers to improve their lives.

He said the organisation uses cooperatives established by ministries

Stories by Daniel Essiet

because they are more reliable and easier for the workers to make any purchase.

The co-operatives insure repayment when it falls due while the goods, acquired through the societies. He said co-operatives recognise the importance of the plan and they are selling it to others in the state civil service.

The programme, he explained, handles home products. He said his firm did some market research to determine the most affordable product finance arrangement, which will take care of low income workers.

He said they had to look at hire purchase from the eyes of a low income worker, making them sensitive to what they were going through. He said the involvement of the insurance companies minimise risks banks may suffer.

The workers get the products through their co-operatives in their ministries, while the insurance com-

• Chairman, QLIP, Otunba Aderemi Abdul; Director, Co-operatives Services, Mrs. Ayo Awokulehin and President, LASCOFED Mr Olarenwaju Oki at the QLIP’s Stakeholders Forum for government’s co-operative societies in Ikeja.

panies underwrite each purchase by about 200 per cent.

If a worker defaults, the insurance company pays.

With an eye on expanding their market, the former banker said his

S

A

UNITED Kingdom-based Nigerian expert, Steve Ideh, has called on entrepreneurs to focus their efforts and resources on developing services and products which will boost economic growth.

Presenting a book, Quick Win tips for Entrepreneurs in Lagos, Ideh, who is a founding member of Pneuma Derivatives (PD) Consulting, urged entrepreneurs to educate themselves so they can run their companies efficient ly and avoid business failures. .

phones are sold for N 13,000. Despite their low cost, he said the handsets are profitable for users because they have modern features.

Nearly every Blackberry makes use of a keyboard and optical mouse. For the majority of techsavvy youngsters, the BlackBerry is king. BlackBerries, such as Bold 9700,which allows one to surf the internet, make calls and send and receive emails for several days is out of vogue.

Eke and other dealers are proving this cheap, including iPhone, which has taken over in terms of handset design and software which governs a phone’s popularity.

He said his organisation has a sub-dealer programme for Nigerians and that they need N1 million to get into it.

Within a year, he said a subdealer can make N300,000 on his investment. With their training, the investors will be on the road towards building a clientele and start the revenues rolling into their own businesses.

The platform has proved to be much more technology-savvy than many had anticipated. Eke is encouraging young Nigerians to establish used phone businesses.

He is offering an opportunity that includes sales techniques and a marketing plan.These include campaigns to generate leads and maximise awareness. For people considering a BlackBerry phone for business, he has choices: Different used BlackBerry phones that offer different menus, set-ups and features.

According to a report, a new BlackBerry comes out once every

co-operatives.

Earnings from the programme would provide them funds to renovate their offices, improve production quality and capacity of their operations.

Manufacturing furniture, interior decoration plant

Boom in used Black Berry phones MART phones are primary news source. People use their phones to get news.The much-sought after smartphone is the BlackBerry (BB). It remains the most popular business device.

If one is a business owner or an executive, one might consider what this business phone can do for one’s business. BB phones allow users to make conference calls, use Bluetooth, or a speaker phone from any place.

Users are able to get a cell phone signal, message and allows users to use email. On older BlackBerries, the messenger was the only server available.

On the newer blackberries, one can message with MSN, Yahoo, AIM or ICQ. Besides being able to make phone calls and send emails, the phones include calendars.

With many Britons buying modern phones, the used BB phones are shipped to Nigeria where there is large market for them.

BB phones are stable, reliable and with each software update.

Because of this, Britons who use BB phones replace them yearly.

A report said there are about 70 million unused mobile phones in the UK. But because of the problem of stolen phones and scams, it is important for customers to make sure they deal with a trusted company.

The Managing Director, Smutech Limited, Mr Mike Eke, said one can make a small fortune selling BB phones. The strategy is to sell them at reasonable prices.

The least new BB sells for N28,500. But the used UK BB

company would reach out to workers in other states.

Through this deal, he said Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) can find markets to distribute their products through the

F

• Eke

four months and always offers better features.

As BB technology changes in the United Kingdom (UK), the latest and greatest here becomes later and greater. As the technology is improving on the new models, the price is dropping on the old models.

His firm is introducing a home-based format in response to the growing demand by entrepreneurs for a smaller business model.

This lower investment, smaller territory size and low overhead costs format is available in the markets. With his strategy, small entrepreneurs will not need to. Smutech Limited boss is looking for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the business opportunity, and a more affordable smaller business model.

The lower investment, smaller territory size and low overhead costs will allow many entrepreneurs to break new grounds.

URNITURE is a designed product used for decoration. It is intended to support various human activities such as sitting, sleeping, holding objects at convenient height, for work, or to store things.

Among these are objects such as tables, chairs, beds, desks, dressers, cupboards, etc, usually kept in a house or other buildings to make it suitable or comfortable for living or working in.

These products are found in homes of both the rich and the poor, though in different degrees of quality.

The demand and use of furniture products cuts across religion, ethnicity and social-cultural background. It also defies class distinctions, since it is patronised by all upper, middle and lower classes.

Thus, furniture products enjoy national demand and patronage. In fact, they are among the fastest selling consumer goods in the country.

Apart from Nigeria, there is also a demand for them in West African and other African countries.

Raw materials for furniture production are wood, chromed metal, glass/plastic and foam. Other raw materials include- adhesive, nails, screws, pins, bolts, hinges, molding, handles, rollers, textiles /fabrics, etc.

Bulks of these materials are sourced from the open local market in major cities of the country, while others are procured from importers.

Some of the plants/machinery for furniture and interior decoration production include - Forester Horizontal band mill machine, surface smoothing dig design machines; surface smoothing /shaping machines, cross cutting Machines, wood circulating cutting side designing machines, band saw machines, table saw/ band repair tool

By Edwin Agbaike (Projects, Financial and Management Consultant)

machines, tool saw/ band grinding machines, automatic saw grinding machines, automatic saw brazing or welding machines, wood gripper/ hydraulic holder machines, etc.

The production of furniture and interior decoration using the mechanised process starts with the major raw materials – wood, metal and plastic. Different machinery/equipment are used to cut the major raw materials to required sizes. Raw materials planning machine are used for smoothening.

Other materials are added and for joining and pre-finishing. Thereafter, a finishing touch – polishing and painting may be applied to give the product the desired look.

Prices of furniture vary according to the class of people it is designed to serve and the type of furniture.

On wholesale basis, the price of high quality furniture ranges from N5,000 to over N350,000.

A small scale mechanised furniture and interior decorating firm with a start-up capital of N7.5 million can rake in a turnover of about N20.5 million per year. With raw materials input estimated at 45 per cent, a gross profit margin of N11.3 million is realisable.

A well-packaged feasibility report is prerequisite for securing off-shore and local finance for successful setup and operation of this project.

For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us at the address stated hereunder. Kris-Ed Brilliant Limited (Brilliant Consulting). 395, Borno Way, off Harbert Macualay Road, SaboYaba, Lagos State. Tel. Nos. 08023381900; 08098525122.

E-mail: krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com

‘Develop products that enhance economic growth’ He noted that the need for new entrepreneurial companies has never been greater, with high unemployment, urging more Nigerians to create new, innovative entrepreneurial ventures that will grow the economy.

The recovery of the economy, he noted, depends on entrepreneurs who see opportunities in the face of challenges, and try creative and innovative ideas to harness resources.

Ideh said there are range of general business services and specialised consulting services which exist to enable entrepreneurs developing their ideas for market.

He said he wrote the book to educate entrepreneurs to become smarter at running their companies, avoid making mistakes, and require less assistance going forward and that his book provides expert guidance to start-ups, the

companies that will grow and add employees.

Chief Executive, Pharez Group.com, Eghes Eyieyien, who reviewed the book said the book could help raise more entrepreneurs and equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills to excel in business.

According to him, the book highlights the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, including passion, self-belief, disci-

pline, creative thinking and team play.

The book, he noted, stressed that the entrepreneurial spirit is that which always seek to create or improve on things. “In the face of stifling competition and ever decreasing margin and market share, businesses must continue to seek ways of reducing their cost outlays in order to stay afloat or return value to stakeholders.

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 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)

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) 20. Father (2)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SHOWbLitzz Rihanna’s dad okays Chris Brown

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Eliminate Fuzzy Thinking “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”

Alexander Graham Bell

Rihanna’s dad won’t be getting any father of the year awards, judging from a new interview. Not only is Ronald Fenty taking credit for Rihanna’s sleek physique, saying that he prodded her to workout by calling her “fat,” he also revealed that he would be fine if Rihanna were to rekindle her romance with Brown, who plead guilty to assaulting the singer in a lover’s quarrel turned physical in 2009.“Chris is a nice guy and everybody’s entitled to make mistakes in their life. God knows how many I’ve made,” Fenty tells the new issue of Heat magazine, when asked about the singer collaborating with her ex on two songs. “She’s her own woman now.”“I actually thought she was a little fat the last time I saw her,” he said. “When I saw her at this year’s Grammys, I thought she was back to her normal size. I used to joke with her, ‘Robyn,you’re getting too fat.’ But I think she’s fine. I think she looked excellent, as everyone saw, at the Grammys. She’s dieting, she’s working out.”After two years of not speaking, Rihanna and Fenty only started communicating again in 2010. At the time of their reunion, Fenty said, “Maybe we’re not as close as we were when she was growing up here … But we are blood, we do not stay angry.”

Pep Talk

Lacking confidence...

Feeling unsure about what you should do next...

Jumping from one marketing strategy to another...

Being unclear about when you’ll reach your business goals...

All of these issues (and many more) can be traced back to one of the biggest challenges struggling entrepreneurs face: lack of focus.

It is called fuzzy thinking.

Fuzzy Thinking Stems From Neglecting to Acquire Critical Information Too many entrepreneurs are missing critical information. Not having this information inflicts incredible damage on their chances of success.

Because it keeps the path to achieving their dreams out of focus, fuzzy.

And you can’t follow a fuzzy path. So they bounce around, get confused, become overwhelmed and attempt to copy what other people are doing... But the path that’ll lead them to success still remains out of focus.

What’s worse is that most entrepreneurs are not only unaware that this information is absolutely essential... they don’t realize it’s missing. So they never track it down.

In order to go from fuzzy thinking to focused thinking, you need to know the answers to three questions...

1. What, exactly, do you want?

2. What’s the absolute minimum necessary to have it?

3. What’s the fastest and easiest way to get it?

Think about it for a moment...

HUMOUR True Believers The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service.”

Getting Into Fights A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word.

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.

Now don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this solution. As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband Answering these questions - especially question three sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?”

- requires some heavy-duty thinking. Nobody can “Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.” give you the answers.

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

48

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

49

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

50

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-5-12

Shareholders approve FCMB’s restructuring, bonus issue

S

HAREHOLDERS of First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) Plc yesterday approved the restructuring of the bank into a holding company in compliance with the new banking regime stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

At the annual general meeting in Lagos, shareholders also approved capitalisation of reserves and distribution of such in the form of a bonus issue of three shares for every 20 shares held as at April 27, 2012.

The board had instead of a cash dividend recommended the creation of an additional 2.44 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each by capitalizing N1.22 billion from the share premium account, in order to pay for the bonus shares.

Speaking at the meeting, chairman, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Dr. Jonathan Long said the bonus issue was to demonstrate the appreciation of the board and management to the bank’s shareholders for their continued confidence, commitment and support.

He assured that shareholders have every reason to look forward to better returns on their investment in the years ahead as the bank continues on a path of sustainable profitability.

In his review, Group Managing Director, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said the bank remained in excellent operating position citing key financial health ratios of asset quality, liquidity and capital adequacy.

According to him, the bank has already reported impressive results for the first quar-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

ter of this year just as management expects earnings accretion in the second half of 2012 as FinBank concludes integration and, eventual merger with FCMB on 1 July 2012.

He assured shareholders and other stake holders that barring any unforeseen circumstances, performance indices would continue to improve during the course of the financial year.

Audited report and accounts of FCMB for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed gross earnings of N80 billion, an increase of 28 per cent from the N63 billion in 2010. Net revenues rose by 35 per cent from N40 billion to N54 billion while operating profit (before provisions) soared by 116 per cent from N9 billion to N18.5 billion. Total assets stood at N602 billion compared with N539 billion in 2010, while deposits grew by

22 per cent from N335 billion to N409 billion. Provision coverage for total non-performing loans was 128 per cent while capital adequacy and liquidity ratios stood at 28 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market opened on the negative as the benchmark All Share Index dropped by 0.32 per cent to close at 22,309.62 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities also dropped by N23 billion to close at N7.115 trillion.

On the price movement table, 38 equities recorded price change with 18 advancers and 20 decliners. Dangote Sugar led the gainers with an increase of 19 kobo to close at N3.99 followed by NAHCO with a price gain of 29 kobo to close at N6.19.

On the negative side, Guinness Nigeria led the list with a drop of N11.75 to close at N223.25. Presco followed with a drop of 75 kobo to close at N14.26.

Govt appoints members of investment tribunal

M

INISTER of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama has reconstituted the Investments and Securities Tribunal.

According to document that was made available to The Nation yesterday, the Minister in a letter addressed to the chairman of the tribunal, dated 15th May 2012, said “I am directed to inform you that the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Honourable Minister of Finance has ap-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

proved the appointment and the re-appointment of the members of the tribunal.”

Those newly appointed on full time basis included Sanda Audu Yelwa, Usman Sabo Babura, and Barr.

Thelma Chineze Osamor.

The minister however appointed Dr. Mrs. Uloma Adaeze Uruakpa, Ibrahim Abdul, Usman Balarabe and Yusufu Modibo Aliyu on part time basis. Hon. Salihu Shehu Usman and Hon. Wilfred Danmola Ikatari were re-appointed on part time basis.

The Nation gathered that the Minister of Finance will inaugurate the members on May 28, 2012.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-5-12

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

51

MONEY LINK

T

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has said plans are underway to introduce a draft on financial inclusion aimed at enhancing financial services penetration and mobilizsing credit for the real sector.

CIBN immediate past President, Joseph Jaiyeola disclosed at the annual general meeting and the election of the Governing Council Member of the institute, held in Lagos.

He said that public policy makers around the world are moving towards financial inclusion because of its immense benefits. He said that the policy will lower cost of credit and achieve a more inclusive financial system.

He lamented that the financial

CIBN mulls draft on financial inclusion Stories by Collins Nweze

industry have failed to create banking services that meet the needs of the rural dwellers as such over 70 per cent of Nigerians are unbanked and poor, with poverty rate rising sharply.

He affirmed that the draft would help on the expansion of financial services to all sections of the society as doing so, would enhance development and growth benefits for the population. However, Jaiyeola disclosed that the inadequate infrastructure, illiteracy and low confidence need to be tackled to achieve a more stable and inclusive financial sector.

The newly elected President of

Access Bank’s polo tourney begins

P

OLO enthusiasts all over the African continent should gear up for the continent’s premium polo extravaganza as the annual Access Bank /UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament begins at the Fifth Chukker lawns of Kangimi Resort in Kaduna tomorrow The two-week long tournament sponsored by Access Bank Plc is in its fifth year running.

The polo fiesta which has been the biggest sporting attraction in Nigeria and perhaps on the African continent for the past five years promises to be the most competitive and exciting with a record number of twenty-one teams loaded with international stars from around the world expected to vie for honours.

Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, Access Bank Plc, Obeahon Ohiwerei disclosed at the media briefing heralding the prestigious tournament

in Lagos that proceed from sale of memorabilia at the annual tournament in addition to the N5million donation from Access Bank Plc, would be used to support UNICEF in its campaign against HIV AIDS pandemic”.

He added that “Our renewal of this sponsorship deal is a reflection of our commitment to socioeconomic wellbeing of mankind and acknowledgement of the impact the initiative has had on the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in Kaduna State and its environ.”

According to him, “Reports from UNICEF and our visits to the orphaned and vulnerable children in Kaduna state provided us with a soothing level of assurance that our sponsorship of the competition is delivering on our institutional objective and resolve of promoting sustainability though every of our activity.”

would leverage on its influence to create a better working relationship with banks, Bankers’ Committee and other stakeholders in the financial services industry.

However, Segun also stated that the CIBN is set to further strengthen its research units to boosts it renewed commitment for policy advocacy and educational

CIBN, Segun Aina supported the initiative, saying there is need for the institute to continue to play a more policy advocacy role that would trigger developments in the country.

Segun, who is the 17th President and Chairman of Council of CIBN, noted that to this end, the institute

Enterprise Bank launches Salary Plus

E

NTERPRISE Bank has launched Enterprise Salary ‘Plus’, which puts additional value on the corporate electronic pay element of the cash-less banking initiative.

The product, which is one of the latest additions to the bank’s bouquet of electronic based products, provides an opportunity for employees of subscribing organisations to have access to cheaper loans.

According to a statement from the bank, the product is a salary account domiciled with Enterprise

Bank in which the subscribing company pays the workers through the bank, using the easy electronic corporate pay system.

This mode of payment ensures that the employer can authorise the payment of his workers’ salaries through the bank from anywhere in the world.

The value addition for the employee of such an organisation, on one hand, is that he or she can have access to a wide range of banking facilities to finance the purchase of a car, household items, school fees, holiday travels and salary advance

T

HE Deloitte Talent Management Platform (DTMP) has been launched by Deloitte, a global brand in auditing and accounting.

The product unveiled in Lagos was meant to help company managements in key sectors of the economy take decisions that will continually keep them in business, improve organisational leadership, succession plans and optimal performance of its workforce.

Speaking at the launch, Deloitte Executive, Joseph Olofinsola explained that there is always need for organisations to continually develop by grooming leaders who are ready to meet the immediate and future busi-

ness needs of the company. This he said, will enhance the quality of succession management system which identifies leadership potentials early on using a set of validated criteria.

He disclosed that Deloitte can provide full range of executive assessment tools to guide individual development and make key placement and promotion decisions. The firm can equally conducts talent audit based on in-depth assessment that enables companies to make the very best selection, promotion and placement decisions.

David Conradie explained that Development Dimensions International (DDI, also a product of Deloitte, pro-

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 21-5-12 SYMBOL

DANGSUGAR NAHCO REDSTAREX UBA TRANSCORP ASHAKACEM LIVESTOCK GOLDINSURE ETI GTASSURE

O/PRICE

3.80 5.90 2.83 4.00 0.73 10.46 1.10 0.55 11.08 1.59

C/PRICE

3.99 6.19 2.96 4.17 0.76 10.88 1.14 0.57 11.40 1.63

113m

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

O/PRICE 235.00 15.01 138.95 32.49 3.24 6.93 4.09 4.52 2.14 1.28

C/PRICE 223.25 14.26 132.01 30.87 3.08 6.59 3.89 4.30 2.05 1.23

CHANGE 11.75 0.75 6.94 1.62 0.16 0.34 0.20 0.22 0.09 0.05

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -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

Dec ’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% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

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

Date

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

LOSERS AS AT 21-5-12

SYMBOL GUINNESS PRESCO TOTAL OKOMUOIL ETERNAOIL DANGFLOUR UBN FCMB HOLYFLOUR STERLNBANK

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

0.19 0.29 0.13 0.17 0.03 0.42 0.04 0.02 0.32 0.04

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

vides relevant and challenging learning experiences for all levels from individual contributors and front-line leaders to mid-level and senior-level leaders. It offers world-class assessment at all levels for a deeper understanding of strengths and development needs “For over 40 years, Development Dimensions International (DDI), one of the products of Deloitte has been helping hundreds of corporations around the world close the gap between where their business needs to go and the talent they must have to take them there in good times and tough times,” he said.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

among others.

The loan which comes at a discount becomes cheaper than what is obtainable in the market. On the other hand, Enterprise Salary ‘Plus’ takes the pressure of workers’ welfare demands off the employer.

An additional value to the employee is that he or she enjoys all such other banking services that make it a convenient banking experience at Enterprise Bank, like free ATM card, internet and mobile banking, speedy processing of facility application, personalised banking services delivery among others.

Deloitte unveils talent mgt platform

FGN BONDS

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

development roles during his tenure.

He also stated that some key initiatives would be put in place in the area of education with the take off of the ‘CIBN Banking School’ before end of 2012, aimed at actualizing the Banking Industry Competence Framework for graduate entry level bankers.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 123.90 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 105.00 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.89 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,710.94 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 9.42 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,883.04 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 123.77 104.34 0.73 1.08 0.88 1,703.76 8.96 1.33 1.80 7,672.11 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

52

NEWS

OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ILESA INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER The Osun State College of Education, Ilesa is desirous of awarding contracts for the under-listed projects for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) 2011 Special Interventions.

BREAKDOWN OF PROJECTS ON THE YEAR 2011 SPECIAL INTERVENTION Lot 1 Construction and Furnishing of Twin Lecture Theatre Lot 2 Construction and Furnishing of Digital Language Laboratory with Dean and Heads of Departments Offices.

Lot 3 Rehabilitation of Faculty of Arts Complex Lot 4 Purchase of two 15-Seater Toyota Hiace Buses.

Lot 5 Supply of Agricultural Tools and Equipment In view of the above, the College is inviting competent and interested Tenderers for pre-qualification to tender for the above listed projects. Each Tenderer must clearly identify which of the projects its company is interested in.

The pre-qualification documents which must be well bounded and arranged in this order must contain the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)

Company’s Tax Clearance for the last three (3) years with Evidence of payment (2009, 2010 & 2011).

Evidence of payment of education tax in the last three (3) years.

Evidence of Company Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission.

Evidence of Company Registration with the College Verifiable list of similar and other jobs successfully executed with their locations.

Verifiable list of plants/machinery with years of manufacture and locations of the equipment to be used in the project. Please state whether the equipment are on lease, hired or wholly owned by the company with evidence of purchase where applicable.

List of key staff with their Curricula vitae and relevant positions that will execute the project.

Company’s financial details and audited accounts for the last three years (2009, 2010 & 2011).

Value Added Tax Certificate (VAT Certificate) with Evidence of payment.

Evidence of Pension Scheme for Company Staff with evidence of payment.

Evidence of Compliance with Industrial Training Fund Act 2001 (Amended).

An affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidding company.

VERFICATION OF CLAIMS Interested Contractors must note that Osun State College of Education, Ilesa and its Consultant reserves the right to verify claims made in the Pre-qualification Documents submitted by them.

SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION/TENDER DOCUMENTS The relevant pre-qualification documents should be neatly packaged in binders and sent in separate sealed envelopes for each project and clearly marked at the top left corner “PRE-QUALIFICATION OR TENDER DOCUMENT FOR THE PROJECT” ON THE YEAR 2011 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND (TETFUND) SPECIAL INTERVENTION. The companies submitting the Pre-qualification and Tender documents should write the names and mobile phone numbers of a contact person at the bottom left corner of the 2 envelopes for prompt communication.

All submissions for pre-qualification in respect of each of the project/lots shall enclose a bank draft for a sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only per project payable to Bursar, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Osun State.

Tender documents are to be collected from the Director of Works after payment of the appropriate fee in bank draft addressed to the College Bursar.

The packages should be delivered to the address given below not later than two (2) weeks from the date of this publication. (4.00 p.m on the closing date).

The Secretary, Tenders Board, Bursar’s Office, Osun State College of Education, P M B 5089, Ilesa.

Please note: The Pre-qualification and Tender documents will be opened by 10.00a.m at the College Board Room on 7th June, 2012. All those who had submitted their documents by the deadline are hereby invited to attend.

Only the Tender documents of pre-qualified contractors will be opened.

It is hereby emphasized that non adherence to instructions or provision of necessary document may constitute a ground for disqualification. It is also emphasized that items stated above are compulsory and non-negotiable.

The College reserves the right to reject any or all pre-qualification packages.

The College will deal only with authorized officers of the tendering companies and not through individuals or agents acting on their behalf.

The College will not enter into correspondence with any company or individual on why a company was pre-qualified or not pre-qualified.

I. R. ADEGBOHUNGBE BURSAR AND SECRETARY, COLLEGE TENDERS BOARD

SERAP demands probe of ‘100 abandoned projects’ T

HE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday wrote the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher demanding an independent probe of 100 abandoned projects by the Federal Government.

The organisation, in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said its request is in line with Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The letter reads in part: “The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) is writing to request you to urgently use your good offices and position to appoint an independent counsel to investigate allegations of corruption in the abandoned road and other projects by the Federal Government.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and the letter and spirit of the Act, and the object and purpose of the 1999 Constitution.

“SERAP is a human rights non-governmental organisation whose mandate include to promote and ensure respect for socio-economic rights of Nigerians, and to promote transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors through human rights.

“According to our information, between 2010 and 2012, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about 100 projects apparently to improve the development of the country and enhance the living conditions of its citizens.

“However, virtually all the projects have either been abandoned or not completed on schedule, despite the huge

•NGO writes CJN From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

sums of money allocated for the projects. “Instances of such projects are highlighted below: •Contract for the Phase 1 Bwari-Kau Road on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT): The FEC approved N3, 886,099,514.93 in December 2010. Although the completion date for the project is December 2012, work has not yet started on the project several months after, and despite release of money to contractors. The road thus remains a death-trap, contributing to unnecessary loss of innocent lives and consequently violation of the constitutional and international human right of the citizens to life.

•Contract for three Solid Waste Transfer Stations at Mpape, Apo and Kubwa in the FCT: This project was awarded by the FEC in January 2011 for N2, 957, 572, 096.35 but no work has started yet on the project. In fact, many of the residents in the areas said they have never heard of such a project.

•Contract for the supply of 60, 000 units of 240 litres Plastic British Waste Bins: The project was approved by the FEC in September 2010 for N927, 600,000. The bins were meant for the streets of Abuja .

But about two years after, the bins are nowhere to be found.

•Contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure to Maitama Extension District, Abuja: The project was approved by FEC in April 2011 for N23, 650 billion, and due to

be completed in May 2014. To date, no real work has commenced on the project •Contract for the National Library and Cultural Centre: This project was approved by FEC in March 2010 for N17,005 billion. No tangible work is noticeable on site, and the project is very unlikely to be completed on time, if at all.

•Contract for the Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower Projects: The project was approved by the FEC for N18.998billion but has no specified time for its completion.

The NGO insisted that the CJN is empowered by the ICPC Act to inaugurate such a panel to look into the abandoned projects.

The letter added: “Section 52 of the Corrupt Practices Act requires the Chief Justice of Nigeria to authorise an independent counsel to investigate any allegation of corruption against high level public officials—at the federal or state level—and to report his findings to the National Assembly or appropriate house of assembly.

“We believe that the above highlighted projects have sufficiently demonstrated good cause invariably justifying your intervention in the matter. We therefore urge you to interpret this provision robustly and flexibly in the light of the unique role of the judiciary in the efforts to prevent and combat corruption and its destructive effects on the society.”

It pleaded with the CJN to allow public interest to be uppermost in his mind in launching inquiry into the abandoned projects.

CPC urges INEC to uphold citizen’s HE Congress for Prosovereignty in 2015 gressive Change

T

(CPC) yesterday in Abuja urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put in place structures that would ensure the sovereignty of the people was upheld in the 2015 elections.

Its National Chairman Prince Tony Momoh gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He also urged INEC to uphold the “one man one vote” posture as was generally agreed at a stakeholders meet-

ing organised by INEC at the weekend.

“If for instance you say “one man one vote” would not count, then you are asking for resistance; Nigerians will resist any attempt to deprive them or deny them their mandate.

“If that sovereignty is denied through stealing of their mandate, then you are asking for resistance; you are asking for unrest and that is what every political leader has pointed

out.

“You cannot deny democracy and social justice without crushing Nigeria, and we are saying we would not allow Nigeria to be crushed by allowing injustice instead of justice to prevail.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he has not asked anyone to rig elections for him. So, if anybody wants to rig elections to put the president there, that person is on his own.”

Zuma lauds Dickson’s investment drive

S

OUTH African President Jacob Zuma, has praised the investment drive of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, who is on a visit to South Africa.

Dickson and his entourage were received by President Zuma yesterday at the headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg. Talks were held to deepen bilateral relations as well as the need to explore the various investment opportunities between Bayelsa and South Africa.

Emphasising on the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, the Governor expressed the Bayelsa State Government’s intention to establish business contacts towards investing in education, security, healthcare delivery, pow-

•Dickson

er, infrastructure and agriculture.

Zuma said he was very pleased with the Governor’s vision, drive and investment pursuits particularly given the very special relationship which he (Zuma) shares with President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Indeed, I feel elated by

your visit to South Africa and considering the fact that you are the Governor of the state of my good friend and brother President Goodluck Jonathan makes me all the more happy. And I must commend your investment initiatives and drive. Even more profound is the fact that from what I’m told, you are barely three months old in office and from all accounts, you are on the right track”.

Dickson has been meeting with top business leaders in South Africa and sharing with them the endless possibilities and opportunities for investment in one of the richest states in Nigeria. The meeting with leading business people in South Africa is with a view to promoting investment in Bayelsa State and to build a vibrant economy in the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

53

NEWS Kinsmen threaten to resist Speaker’s impeachment From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

T

HREE opposition parties in Niger State yesterday rose in support of the emergence of Isah Kawu as the new Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Their support came just as Kawu’s kinsmen from the Niger South Senatorial District, under the aegis of the Servant Leadership Group (SLG), have warned that any attempt to impeach him would be resisted.

The one-week old leadership of the Assembly emerged when 20 of the 24 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the 27man Assembly impeached Mohammed Gamunu and three other principal officers and elected Kawu as the new speaker.

This development, it was learnt, did not go down well with the executive arm and plots were allegedly made to remove the new House leaders, while the executive was accused of attempting to bribe the lawmakers to sack the new leaders.

Leading other supporters of the new leadership, David Umaru, the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2011 general election, in a letter dated May 20 to Kawu, said Kawu’s emergence was a well deserved one in recognition of his exemplary qualities.

According to the ANPP standard bearer, the ascension of Kawu did not come as a surprise to the people of the state “because of his track record in the legislative arm and consistent refusal to compromise his principled stand for probity and accountability as against corruption and all allied tendencies.”

Bauchi closes polytechnic From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

S

TUDENTS of the School of Engineering, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Wuntin-Dada Campus, Bauchi yesterday barricaded the Bauchi/Jos Federal Highway for two hours.

The students, who were kicking against the closure of the school by the state government, blocked the highway at 8 am and used old tyres to make bonfire.

They chanted solidarity songs as their protest entered the second day.

The protest is coming on the heels of the Bauchi State Government decision to relocate the School of Management Studies and School of Agriculture from the metropolis to the main campus at Wuntin Dada village on the Bauchi/Jos Road.

The state government on Sunday evening, following the protest, announced the closure of the school and ordered the students to vacate their hostels.

Police arrest Bayero Varsity attack suspect

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OLICE have arrested one of the suspects in the April 29 attacks on worshippers at the Bayero University Kano.

A professor and no fewer than 18 others were killed after gunmen threw an explosive device into two worship centres during the service.

They shot at the people when they rushed out of the worship centres as the explosives landed.

Kano Police Command said yesterday it arrested a Muslim convert, Garba Abubakar, from Akwa Ibom State in connection with the

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

series of terrorists’ attacks in Kano.

In a statement, the command disclosed that the suspect, who was born as Augustine Efiong, has been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation, adding that he was arrested in a failed attempt to kill a civilian, whose name the police refused to disclose, at Danlasan village in Warawa Local Government Area of the state.

According to the statement, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to have

relocated from Maiduguri in Borno State to Kano in April, adding that while in Maiduguri, he lived in Bulunkutu, Abuja quarters.

He was quoted to have said: “I have participated in series of attacks; killings of policemen and military personnel in the state, including the recent attack and killings in Bayero University Kano (BUK)” Suspected gunmen attacked the old campus of the Bayero University, Kano, (BUK) recently, during which about 30 Christian worshippers were killed, including two professors in the university and the

bursar.

Twenty four hours after the Sunday massacre on the university’s old campus, multiple explosives, allegedly planted in some faculties of the university, were discovered and defused.

At the close of the day, 18 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were discovered at the main campus.

Also, a bomb went off at Jahin Primary School, which destroyed houses in the neighbourhood, including cars parked on the premises, while two other IEDs were uncovered at Farawa Primary School and defused.

6,000 displaced in Adamawa, says NEMA From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday said about 6,000 persons have been displaced, while 25 people were believed to have been killed after the communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Speaking to reporters in Maiduguri, the Northeastern zonal coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar, noted that though assessment of the property lost to the clash between herdsmen and farmers, was ongoing, from what was witnessed, it could run into several millions of naira.

Borno begins retreat for appointees From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

•Houses set ablaze by Fulani herdsmen in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State

‘Fulani herdsmen kill 75 Tiv farmers’

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TRADITIONAL ruler in Benue State (the Ter-Nagi), Chief Daniel Abomtse, said over 75 Tiv farmers have been killed by the Fulani herdsmen in Gwer West Local Government of Benue State since the crisis began last year.

He accused the state government and security agencies of not taking action to prevent the herdsmen from killing his subjects, alleging that those who attacked and killed his people were military men hired by the Fulani as mercenaries.

He spoke with reporters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday, on the renewed attacks on his people in Gwer West Local Government Area, where 10 people have been reported killed, Abomtse said last Saturday some Fulani in company with people in military camouflage armed with

From: Uja Emmanuel, Markurdi

sophisticated weapons stormed villages in the area through Doma Local Government in neighbouring Nassarawa State.

According to him, the suspected mercenaries first stormed a village called OnMbaagbu and killed seven people including a two- yearold boy who was slaughtered with a sharp knife.

He said they moved to another village and killed five people, torched houses and injured many people.

“The way they professionally shot our people in the foreheads and legs showed that they are military men hired as mercenaries by the Fulani. They even used weapons more sophisticated than AK 47 rifles. I believe they are not just Fulani herdsmen but soldiers who killed helpless,

peasant farmers they were supposed to protect,” Abomtse alleged with tears welled up in his eyes.

He said with the help of the Divisional Police Officer in Gwer West Local Government, they went round with some youths to pick the bodies of the victims and deposit them in the mortuary at the General Hospital, Naka, the headquarters of the council.

The monarch accused the security agencies and Benue State Government of being insensitive to the plight of his subjects, saying he informed them of a plan to attack Gwer West Local Government, but no one came to their rescue.

He alleged: “On May 15, I wrote the Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam through his Security Adviser, Col. Basil Kwembe (rtd), informing him of a plot to attack my subjects. But there was no re-

sponse.”

Abomtse displayed a copy of the letter he claimed to have written to the governor.

While addressing reporters, he said he had just received a call that the herdsmen had resumed attacks in Sengev district.

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy a joint task force in Gwer Local Government to stop the killings.

Police Public Relations Officer Ejike Alaribe, who spoke on the phone through Richard Uleve, said the security is on top of the situation, adding that no arrest has been made.

He said a detachment of the mobile police has been deployed in the affected areas to prevent further attack.

Residents of the five districts prone to attacks in Gwer West Local Government are now taking refuge in Naka.

Retirees’names found on Kaduna payroll ANY retired civil servants in Kaduna State are still being paid salaries, the Head of Service, Mrs. Hannatu Ugah, said in Kaduna yesterday. She said the names of the retirees have been found on government’s payroll.

Addressing reporters on the achievements of the state government in the last one year as part of the activities marking the first anniversary of the Yakowa administration, Mrs. Ugah said the names of retired civil servants were discovered on the payroll of the government after the recent verification by the government.

She said: “A verification was conducted to generate an authentic nominal roll for the public service. The exercise was suc-

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From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

cessful as the names of many retired workers were found on the payroll.”

The HOS, who refused to disclose the number of ghost workers discovered, said “a committee is currently implementing the far reaching recommendations made by the staff verification committee.”

She said the government has put in place a comprehensive Human Resource Database, adding that with the application of the Human Resources Management Information Services software, the state was able to identify over 250 workers who have overstayed in the civil service.

He noted that with the introduction and application of budget administration and treasury management information system, there has been improvement in the budgetary processes, financial reporting, expenditure control, all aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Mrs. Ugah said the government paid N100.9 million monthly on pension to the 5,420 local government pensioners in the state, with an outstanding liability of N2 billion, adding that it spent about N953 million on the pensioners monthly with an outstanding liability of N271.31 million.

BORNO State Government will today begin a threeday retreat for commissioners, special advisers and assistants to the governor as well as other political appointees.

The retreat, it was learnt, would act as a means of emphasising what is expected of the appointees and make them to be alive to their responsibilities.

Commissioner for Information Inuwa Bwala told reporters yesterday in Maiduguri that the retreat, though coming almost a year after the inauguration of the government, was aimed at appraising the activities of the Governor Kashim Shettima administration with a view to designing a roadmap for the government.

Huawei sponsors ICT conference HUAWEI Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd is among the leading telecommunications companies sponsoring the first national conference on ICT in education, holding in Abuja today. It is part of the firm’s commitment to enrich education through improved ICT infrastructure in Nigeria.

This is part of the collaborations between the Federal Ministry of Education and Huawei, which began in March with the unveiling of a scholarship scheme at the University of Lagos.

At the end of this conference, three top students selected from the project papers will receive one year free tuition, while selected students will have the opportunity of a free half day training at the company’s Abuja training centre.

Huawei’s Deputy Managing Director for Abuja zone, Osita Iweze, in a goodwill message at the opening session of the conference said the company is eager to work with the ministry and other stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement of ICT assets and application in Nigeria.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

54

NEWS Communities to manage NDDC projects

JAMB: varsity admission B cut-off mark now 180 F OR candidates who wrote this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) here is good news.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday released the National Cut-off Mark for universities and other tertiary institutions.

The National Cut-off Mark for admissions into universities for 2012/2013 academic session is fixed at 180.

The Board set 160 as the National Cut-off Mark for admissions into Polytechnics, Colleges of Education (CoEs) and other diplomaawarding institutions.

The marks were decided in Abuja at the combined Policy Committee meeting on admissions to degree-awarding institutions, National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Cer-

•Poly, CoEs, others 160 From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

tificate in Education (NCE) and National Innovation Diploma-awarding institutions.

Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who chaired the meeting, urged the institutions to adhere strictly to admission guidelines, which stipulated a 70:30 ratio for Technology and Non-Technology for National Diploma programmes and 60:40 Science/ Arts ratio for the universities and Colleges of Education.

She also told them to ob-

serve the admission criteria of merit, catchment area and educationally less developed states.

Prof. Rufa’i directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), JAMB and other accrediting bodies to decide on acceptable guidelines for the conduct of the post-UTME screening.

While commending JAMB for prompt release of the UTME results, the minister urged tertiary institutions to establish e-testing centres where the next UTME could be conducted.

According to her, the estab-

lishment of the centres, though optional, could subsequently be used as e-learning centres.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof.

Dibu Ojerinde, warned private universities against illegal admissions.

He said the Board observed that most private institutions “still do back-door admissions”. ”Students who accept such admissions do that at their peril, as the Board has stopped regularisation of students.

Ojerinde said most universities did not fill their admission quota in the last admission exercise.

Canada to partner Cross River

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ROSS River State Government is to strengthen its partnership with Canadian donor agencies.

Governor Liyel Imoke said this when the Canadian High Commissioner visited Calabar.

He said the partnership will be needed in the areas of health, education, forestry and tourism.

Imoke said the state has a strong support from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), especially in Primary Health Care.

He said the state needs to employ more workers to support its health initiatives, adding that it is important that the state taps into the Canadian health programme to enable Cross Riverians acquire skills.

The governor said the state would establish a polytechnic to complement its two universities.

High Commissioner Chris Cooter said he was in the state to explore areas of cooperation between his country and the state.

Cooter said Canada has undertaken some health and education programmes in Nigeria in which the state has benefitted.

•Imoke presenting a souvenir to Cooter...yesterday

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

“Our people are not sophisticated enough to go into high-level bunkering. The bunkerers are not here. In the whole oil industry, how many Ijaw people are lifting oil?

“To address the poverty that is so endemic among our people, there should be licences for bunkering.

“The Ijaw man is not yet emancipated economically.

The fight is not over, we must be economically liberated.

“There is a thin line between economy and power.

They complement each other. My brothers and

sisters, let us unite. We should obtain licences for bunkering.

“We have a president of our own, we have a minister of petroleum, who will stop us from obtaining bunkering licences?

“Ask, it shall be given, knock it shall be open. No need to go behind the door.

Let us confront our brother and get what we want for our people.”

Alamieyeseigha extolled the legacies of the late Boro, whom he described as the architect of the survival of the Ijaw nation.

“People must look at those areas that we have been im-

From Clarice Azuatalum, Port Harcourt

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HE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Rivers State has said N1.5 billion is owed by customers in the Ahoada Zone.

This is the reason, it said, many areas are in darkness.

The Business Manager of Ahoada Business Unit, Anya Chukwu, said despite the huge debt, electricity consumers in the area did not heed the appeal made to them by PHCN. Chukwu said: “It’s their failure to pay that has led to the massive disconnection being witnessed in this zone.

“No customer will be allowed to use electricity supply without paying for it.”

To reduce high electricity bill, Chukwu advised consumers to always switch off their security lights during the day and use it only at night.

The Chairman of the consultative committee,Uchebudu Ogwu, said: “This meeting is to harmonise existing relationship between customers and the PHCN management.”

Couple gets baby after 22 years

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has advised Christians to be courageous always and not give up.

He gave the advice when the District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Sapele, Rev Raphael Itotoh and his wife, Praise, dedicated their baby, who was born 22 years after their marriage.

Addressing the congregation which included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Basil Ganagana, and the Executive Board of

the Church, led by its General Superintendent, Rev Paul Emeka, Uduaghan thanked God for the birth of the boy and praised the cleric and his wife for their patience, which he said was rare.

Itotoh said he and his wife never knew that their journey to having a child would take this long after their wedding in 1990.

They attributed the gift of the child to their faithfulness to God and the support of friends and family, including Uduaghan who is Mrs Itotoh’s elder brother.

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•Alamieyesigha

poverished and fight for it. We know that nobody will give you power on a platter of gold; you demand for it, you fight for it. It is our own,” he noted.

JTF destroys crude products in Delta

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

HE Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu, yesterday freed 156 of the 2,994 inmates in the Port Harcourt Prison.

Twelve men and four women were discharged, while the rest were granted bail, ranging from N50,000 to N200,000, with one surety each.

Ndu advised the released inmates not to return to crime, saying that the exercise was part of efforts to decongest the state’s prisons.

The Deputy Comptroller-General of Prisons, Uche Nwobi, said 2,690 inmates were awaiting trial.

He admonished Ndu to consider the cases of awaiting trial inmates, who had stayed in prison for over three years without trial.

EN of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) at the weekend burnt 3,000 drums of diesel and three locally constructed ware houses at a camp in Owhawha, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Commanding Officer, 222 Battalion, Lt Col A. H Rasheed, said the Task Force was tipped off by some members of the community.

He said the officials stormed the camp in three Hilux pick-ups, driving through a road allegedly constructed by the bunkerers.

His words: “The camp was deserted when we got there. The bunkerers probably got wind of our activities. Two motorcycles were found in the camp.

“The country loses over N7 billion daily due to bunkering and illegal refining of petroleum products.”

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PHCN explains outage in Rivers

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Judge frees 156 inmates

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To strengthen the decision, the forum recommended Town Hall meetings between the commission and beneficial communities.

The communiqué signed by the Acting Chairman of PMC, Prof. Richard King and NDDC’s Managing Director Christian Oboh urged the commission to engage qualified contractors.

“Feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment should be conducted before any mega project is carried out,” the communique said.

Hoodlums kill two policemen

Alamieyesigha urges Fed Govt to legalise bunkering F

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyesigha has advocated for the legalisation of bunkering in the Niger Delta.

Alamieyeseigha said foreigners are the masterminds of bunkering in the region.

He urged stakeholders to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to issue licences for the legalisation of bunkering.

The former governor spoke at a ceremony in honour of the late Ijaw hero, Isaac Boro, in Yenagoa.

He said: “There is one thing happening in our area now. I read in the papers about oil theft. About 17 per cent of our production is taken away.

ENEFITTING local governments and communities of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC’s) projects will be responsible for the post-completion management, staffing, maintenance and security of such projects, it was learnt yesterday.

This was part of a ninepoint communiqué at the end of a one-day stakeholders’ forum organised by the Presidential Monitoring Committee (PMC) on the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

WO policemen have been killed and another injured by hoodlums in Ahoada on the East-West Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Sources said three gunmen suddenly opened fire on the policemen, killing one instantly, while the other died on the way to the hospital.

Commissioner of Police Mohammed Indabawa confirmed the incident.

A witness said: “The gunmen did not come to rob.

They came like people on a mission and drove straight to the point where the policemen stay and opened fire on them.

“One of the policemen, Abubakar, was resuming duty at the time the killers arrived. In fact, he was still on his motorcycle when they shot him; he died instantly.

“The shooting took place in front of a filling station, which could have been a target, but the hoodlums just shot the policemen and left.

“Immediately after the operation, the attackers drove back in the direction they came from, without shooting other people.”

Oshiomhole advises voters

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has advised voters not to sell their voter’s card.

He spoke at a campaign rally in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, where over 1,000 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The governor said a 68year-old woman was arrested at Ubiaja last week with thousands of voter’s cards.

Oshiomhole said the woman admitted that she was asked to buy the cards from the electorate.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said the opposition created a dynasty of the poor through manipulation of elections and poor infrastructural development.

According to him, “We must keep terrorising with the power of the truth. Look at the schools built by us and look at the PDP legacies.

“On election day, the choice is yours whether to vote for the past pig houses called schools left by the PDP or our new revolution in education.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

55

NEWS Anti-graft war: NBA seeks review of criminal justice system

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HE Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja chapter, Mazi Afam Osigwe, yesterday demanded a reform of the nation’s criminal justice system to strengthen the nation’s anti- graft campaign.

He said the reform would address existing challenges in the fight against corrupt practices. He, however, said plea bargaining is now a global trend but Nigerian judges should have rules to guide them.

But the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde clarified that the commission does not engage in selective trial of suspects.

Osigwe made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren, quoted Osigwe as having highlighted asset declaration, plea bargaining and bail administration as areas that require a review to ensure fairness and expeditious resolution of cor-

Aregbesola calls for promotion of Yoruba culture

By Emmanuel Oladesu

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the weekend in Lagos stressed the needs for the promotion of Yoruba culture through the works of arts, describing it as a vital part of organised human society.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Mr Oladipo Soyode, Aregbesola at the opening of the Exhibition with the theme: Dynasty and Divinity; Ife in Ancient Nigeria, described culture as means of identification, thereby stressing the needs for the propagation of Yoruba culture.

The arts, according to him, ‘are a very good medium by which one can relate with a human society. Indeed, the arts provide crucial insights into any given civilisation.

And in this regard, the material content of the arts are particularly valuable. Thus, art objects such as paintings, carvings, sculptures and excavated archaeological pieces are always regarded as priceless treasures of a given culture.

Art works are an important documentary of a people’s history, culture, technology and social organisation. They are a rich cultural property of a given people; a good connecting thread between their past and present, and therefore, a good compass for their future, as German philosopher HansGeorg Gadamer, noted.

The governor said that African sculptures, carvings and other archaeological digs, typified by the Ife sculptures, went a long way to debunk the warped racist claim that Africans did not have any civilisation prior to their contact with Europeans. We now know, thanks to African historians and scholars –among whom the Ibadan School of History was particularly prominent – that Africa did have thriving civilisations and empires which, in many instances, were ruthlessly dismantled by the self-acclaimed European civilisers.

•Backs plea bargaining From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

ruption cases. Osigwe said: “…why shouldn’t we amend our Criminal Procedure Justice Sector? If you are living in a manner that your income cannot sustain, the onus of proof should be on you not on the prosecutor”, he said.

On bail administration, the NBA chair proposed that any administrative bail granted an accused by the EFCC should be upheld in court to fast-track justice delivery. He said: “Some forms of delays are sometimes encountered in court in the course of trial because of bail. Why should a person who has been granted bail at the EFCC level be made to go through application in

•EFCC not involved in selective trial, says Lamorde

court?

“If a suspect has been granted bail, why the formalities of starting the same process all over again? We have to look at the current bonding process in Nigeria , is it realistic? People just sign bond and walk away, an accused jump bail and the surety cannot produce him and he is charged to court. To me, that is not the essence of a bond, if there is a bond indeed, then it should be forfeited to the government.

That is the essence of bonding.”

Osigwe also said that plea bargaining has become a recognised issue globally and called for its institutionalisation in Nigeria.

But he added that Nigeri-

an judges should have rules guiding them in giving rulings on it.

The NBA Chairman, who praised the consistency of the EFCC in the battle against corrupt practices, urged Nigerians to support the antigraft commission.

He added: “If the society is alive and conscious of the fact that this is a battle that must be fought and won, it becomes a lifestyle that we have to say no to corruption, it must not be sloganeering”. . The EFCC chairman explained that the anti-graft agency is not selective in its arraignment of suspects.

He said the quantum of cases before the Commission was making prioritisation of its work imperative and dis-

missed the claims in some quarters that the EFCC is selective in its work.

Lamorde said: “For those who accuse us of selective justice, thank God they are not saying we are persecuting them, they only say we are selective. “Our resources are limited; we must prioritise the cases we go after. It is putting logic on its head to talk of selective prosecution of corruption cases. It is unfortunate that Nigerians don’t own up for their crimes.”

Lamorde called for the enactment of a Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture law to replace the existing Conviction-based Asset Forfeiture regime in view of the need to separate an accused per-

•Lamorde

son’s ill-gotten assets from his person. He added: “The civil forfeiture law will address the issue of corruption not conviction based forfeiture as we presently have.”

He appealed to lawyers to refrain from delaying cases before the court in the overall interests of the nation.

Osigwe was accompanied on the visit by Agada Elachi, Vice Chairman; Chris Agidy, Secretary; Emeka Obegolu, National Publicity Secretary; U. M Yamah, Publicity Secretary, among others.

NOTICE OF ACQUISITION - LAND USE ACT. NO. 6 OF 1978.

LAND RECQUIRED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA. Notice is hereby given that all parcels of land at Sokori, along Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro road Abeokuta in Abeokuta Local Government Areas of Ogun State of Nigeria, containing an approximately 1568.030Sqms, the boundaries of which are described below are required for Overriding Public Interest and in particular for Developmental Purpose.

2 DESCRIPTION Starting from a temporary pillar marked PT1, the coordinates of which are 790040.002metres North and 536457.030 metres East of the Universal Traverse Mercator projection (Zone 31) the Origin of the Universal National Framework Surveys, the boundaries run in straight lines, the bearings and lengths of which are as follows:

STATION FROM PT1 PT 2 PT 3 PT 4 PT 5 PT 6

BEARING 164° 06’ 251° 11’ 292° 47’ 24° 10’ 120° 15’ 45° 00’

LENGTH 37.20m 64.84m 3.61m 35.70m 12.54m 41.05m

STATION TO PT2 PT3 PT4 PT5 PT6 PT1 (Starting Point)

All points are temporary points All bearings and lengths are approximate.

All bearings are referred to the universal North.

3 By virtue of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, the Governor of Ogun State hereby revokes all existing Statutory or Customary right of occupancy on the said parcel of land with effect from the date of this notice.

4 The Ogun State Government is willing to pay compensation for the value on the date of this revocation in respect of Crops, Buildings, Structures and Un-exhausted improvements on the land in accordance with section 29 of the Act. 5 Any person claiming to have any right or interest or improvements on the said parcel of land is required to send to the Special Adviser/ Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Oke - Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria, a statement of his/her right and interest and the evidence thereof; and any claim in respect of such interest.

6 Any such statement shall be made by the said claimant in person or through an agent (duly authorized by the claimant in that behalf) having qualifications which are not less than those of a Legal Practitioner, or of a Lands, Estate or Valuation Officer employed in any of the Public Service of the Federation.

7 Interest in respect of which no statement is received is liable to be dealt with as interest without ownership.

8 This notice is hereby given that Government intends to continue to enjoy possession of the said parcel of land without let or hindrance.

9 Any person who shall willingly hinder or obstruct the Government or any person employed by the Government from continuing with possession of the said parcel of land or any part thereof is liable under provision of the Act above mentioned, on conviction to a fine of (N5,000.00) Five Thousand Naira, or to imprisonment for three months.

10 Plans showing the site are available for inspection during office hours at the office of the Director of Lands Services, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Abeokuta.

11 Any person who makes any false claim in respect of the parcel of land to the State Governor shall be guilty of an offence under the provisions of the Act above mentioned and liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or to a fine of (N5,000.00) Five Thousand Naira.

12 By virtue of the provision of the Act and subject thereto, no claim to any estate, interest or rights in respect of improvement on the said parcel of land affected by the notice made after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the publication of this notice in the Ogun State of Nigeria Gazette will be entertained by any public officer whose duty is it to receive such claims or any court.

Dated this 14th day of May, 2012.

His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, (FCA) Executive Governor, Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

57

NEWS Nigeria’s insecurity worries group

By Precious Welundu

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HE National Coordinator of the Coalition for a Better Nigeria (CBN), Comrade Awa Bamiji, has expressed worry over increasing insecurity in the country.

Bamiji told a stakeholders’ conference on the nation’s security challenges, held in Lagos, that the group was bothered about many other challenges plaguing Nigeria.

He said: “We are so much concerned about the security situation, irregularities in the electoral process, heightening corruption, alarming rate of unemployment, infrastructural decay and other problems associated with bad governance in our dear nation.”

The coordinator said part of his group’s contribution to tackling the challenges is a two-day national discourse on Nigeria’s security situations.

Bamiji said the conference would afford his group and participants the opportunity to make decisions that would usher in a better nation for Nigerians.

Those expected at the conference, he said, include Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and the Chief Justice Nigeria (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher.

According to him, other dignitaries expected at the conference are: governors, leaders of major political parties, labour leaders, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor, Sultan of Sokoto Abubakar Sa’ad, the Minister for Interior, Chief of Defence Staff, the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) and the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Aregbesola’s wife calls for priority in mother-child health care T HE wife of Osun State governor, Alhaja Sherifat Areg-

besola, has urged stakeholders in the health care sector to give priority to the health wellbeing of mothers and children in the country.

She spoke at Ile-Ogbo town hall, in Ayedire Local Government Area, at the flag-off of this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.

According to her, mother-child health care is so important that no serious government or well-meaning individuals can ignore it, if they sincerely aim at developing the country or state.

She said: “Maternal health is directly connected to the health care or well-being of the children in any society. The need for proper health care system for mother and child is underscored by the significant role which they play in every society. This role goes to the foundation and sustenance of the society.

I am therefore happy that this programme has bundled the two together.”

The governor’s wife decried the high rate of death among expectant mothers in rural areas, especially during labour, saying the state government is working to eliminate it.

According to her, the Rauf Aregbesola administration takes the attainment of this goal serious, adding that the government is determined to ensure that “our state becomes a reference point in Nigeria in quality and adequate provision of health facilities” with highly qualified and trained

•Mrs Aregbesola (middle) administering oral polio vaccine to one of the babies, Rokibat Ibiyemi...yesterday. With them is Dr. Ilori (third left) and Chairman, Committee on Health, Osun State House of Assembly, Leke Ogunsola From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

medical personnel.

Mrs Aregbesola urged mothers to protect their children from preventable killer diseases by taking advantage of government qualitative health care policy and inoculating them appropriately.

She noted that this would enable the government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing maternal death by 75 per cent in 2015.

The governor’s wife advised wives of local gov-

’

ernment chairmen in the state to support her call for increased support for the welfare of women and children.

council appreciated the government’s commitment to the health care of its residents.

He promised to reduction of maternal mortality rate.

Ogunkanmi said: “We have made provisions for de-worming drugs for children between two to five years; blood-enhancing drugs for women of child-bearing ages; and insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria attacks on expectant mothers and their children, thereby preventing sickness during and after pregnancy.”

Constitution amendment: ‘State Assemblies’ve chance for autonomy’

Kwara to spend N1.6b on hospitals

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HE Kwara State Government is to spend N1.6 billion on the rehabilitation of five general hospitals in Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Kaiama, Offa and Share. This is part of its strategic infrastructure objective of strengthening healthcare delivery through 500 metres access to quality primary healthcare centres. Of this amount, N200 million will be spent on the rehabilitation of the Omu Aran General Hospital.

Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed said this during the 2012 Omu Aran Day and N2billion Development Fund Launch by the Omu Aran community.

Describing the people as veritable stakeholders in the realisation of his administration’s shared prosperity programme, the governor advocated greater involvement of communities in self help projects for the acceleration of developmental efforts of government for speedy development.

Ahmed, who said the challenges of governance had made it expedient for greater partnership between the various communities and government, called “for greater participation in the development of our state not only through a positive engagement with government policies, but also through communal self- help projects.”

The governor said 244 classrooms in the state-owned schools were undergoing renovation to create a conducive atmosphere for learning using enhanced education infrastructure.

President of Omu Aran Development Association, Chief Peter Oyinloye said the funds realised would be used for the rehabilitation of Omu Aran Township roads, upgrading of facilities at Omu Aran High School and the construction of a modern palace for the traditional ruler of the town.

‘

The need for proper health care system for mother and child is underscored by the significant role which they play in every society’

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, noted that the free health care programme of the state government would restore healthy living among the residents, especially women and children.

The commissioner urged expectant mothers to report any health officer either at a state hospital or primary health centre that solicits for money from them to appropriate authorities for sanctions.

The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Gbenga Ogunkanmi, said the

•Ekweremadu

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PEAKER of the Economic Community of West Africa States

(ECOWAS) Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday said the ongoing constitutional amendment in Nigeria offers another opportunity for Houses of Assembly to vote for their autonomy.

The lawmaker spoke in Abuja at an interactive session on the activities of the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS).

Ekweremadu, who is Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, noted that the Na-

tional Assembly secured its autonomy following the successful amendment of the 1999 Constitution last year.

He said National Assembly’s autonomy has empowered it to receive its funds on first line charge.

According to him, the development has impacted positively on the National Assembly because members now carry out their oversight functions without hindrance.

Ekweremadu said the situation is not the same with Houses of Assembly, which are yet to secure their autonomy.

The Deputy Senate President said that the National Assembly attempted to empower State Houses of Assembly to be autonomous during the constitutional review last year “but unfortunately they (State Houses of Assembly) voted against their autonomy by two votes.”

He said: “They (state Assemblies) have another chance in the ongoing constitutional review to vote for their autonomy.”

The senator noted that

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

‘The National Assembly attempted to empower State Houses of Assembly to be autonomous during the constitutional review last year “but unfortunately they (State Houses of Assembly) voted against their autonomy by two votes.’ the NILS is not an entirely new organisation, having metamorphosed from the Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP), which was established in 2003.

He added that the success of PARP highlighted the need for a bigger and better equipped platform for providing policy, research, training and advisory support to the Nigerian legislature.

“NILS was, therefore, established by the National Institute for Legislative

Studies Act 2011 to consolidate the gains from PARP and with wider scope of operation,” Ekweremadu said.

The vision of NILS, he said, is to be a world-class facility that would sustain dynamic and effective legislature in Nigeria - at federal, state and Local levels – and at the sub-region.

The senator said the institute would achieve this by providing value-added knowledge management activities and services to Nigerian lawmakers.

He said the NILS Act 2011 bestows on it the responsibility of conducting quality academic and professional research, policy analyses, consultancy services, training; and advocacy on democratic governance and legislative practice and procedures.

The Director-General of NILS, Dr. Ladi Hamalai, said the major objective of the interactive session was to acquaint members of the ECOWAS Parliament with the activities of the NILS as well as receive useful feedback from the parliamentarians on their expectations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

58

NEWS Ojukwu, Obi honoured From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

THE Ikemba Nnewi, the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has received a posthumous award of Grand Commander from the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

Governor Peter Obi was also honoured with the Grand Pillar of Solferino Award.

The awards were presented at the Amawbia headquarters of the Anambra State chapter of the society, during a ceremony marking the 2012 World Red Cross Day. Vice-Chairman of the society Dr. Peter Katchy said the late Ojukwu and Obi have contributed immensely to the society’s growth.

Also honoured were Anambra State Commissioner for Health Prof.

Amobi Ilika and Obi’s wife, Margaret.

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi inaugurating a Diagnostic Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko...yesterday. With him are former Vice-President Dr. Alex Ekwueme (third right) and others.

Court strikes out suit against Chime •Enugu residents, PDP celebrate governor’s victory From Chris Oji, Enugu and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday struck out a suit challenging Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime’s emergence as the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) standard bearer in the last governorship election.

Justice Adamu Bello said the plaintiff, Chief Alexander Chukwuemeka Obiechina, lacked the locus standi (legal right) to file the suit.

Justice Bello said since Obiechina did not participate in the primary election, he has no legal right to challenge its outcome.

Enugu residents took to the streets to celebrate Chime’s victory.

Bars, which usually open in the evening, started business as early as 10am.

A community leader in New Layout, Chief Ferdinand Ani, said: “The judgment is a big relief to us. Those litigants, who wanted to become governor through court rulings, have been distracting the government. I advise them to allow the governor concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to our people, otherwise, we will declare them persona non grata in Enugu.”

The PDP also congratulated the governor on his victory.

In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Vita Abba, PDP said: “We congratulate our supporters for their prayers and confidence in the party and the state government while the court case lasted.

“We view today’s landmark judgment as a victory for democracy and all who believe in our dynamic governor.

“We thank the judiciary for its objectivity and reassure our members and the public that the government will continue to render good governance and ensure peace and rapid growth in our state.”

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Lorry drivers block Onitsha-Owerri road •Govt: it’s our policy

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LORRY drivers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Lorry Drivers Association (NILODA), yesterday protested alleged extortion and intimidation

by Anambra State revenue collectors.

The protesters, who partially blocked the busy Onitsha-Owerri Road, carried placards, with various inscriptions, such as ‘’We are drivers not criminals ‘’; “We pay taxes’’; “This is extortion and intimidation’’; and “Stop beating and harassing our drivers‘’, among others.

They said revenue collectors are always asking them to pay for emblems and tickets.

The drivers said when they fail to pay, the revenue collectors molest them and impound their vehicles.

They said they usually pay about N40,000 before their

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

trucks are released.

The drivers urged the government to call its agents to order.

About seven drivers said their impounded trucks are still in the premises of the Ministry of Works, Onitsha.

NILODA National President Chukwudi Chiobi said the drivers would retaliate, when next they are harrassed.

But the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, said the purchase of emblem by lorry drivers is a government policy that must be obeyed.

Okonkwo said the emblem costs N15,000.

He said the drivers refused to buy the emblems and the revenue collectors had no choice but to enforce payment.

11-year-old girl dies mysteriously

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ESIDENTS of Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, are yet to come to terms with the mysterious death of an 11year-old girl, Chioma Menkiti.

The girl’s decomposing body was found in a room at her guardian’s house in Lagos.

Chioma’s half sister, Ifeyinwa, took her from Obosi to Lagos in January to work for her friend, Mrs. Ngozi Jibuike, as a baby sitter.

Mrs. Jibuike, also an Obosi indigene, has six children.

She was expected to train and educate the late Chioma.

But Ifeyinwa, who also lives in lagos, said she was shocked three months later when she heard the news of her sister’s death.

She said: “I phoned Ngozi several times to tell her that I would be coming to check on my little sister, but she was always saying Chioma and

•Family alleges ritual killing From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

her children had gone to spend the holiday with one relative or the other.

“Ngozi assured me that Chioma was doing well. So, I was shocked when she phoned and said my sister was possessed with an evil spirit and had died. I rushed to their house and learnt that she had reported the incident to the police.

“She said my sister died in her room and they did not notice until three days later, when they were attracted by the stench coming from the room. I noticed that my sister’s body had already started decomposing.

“Ngozi claimed that my sister was possessed by an evil spirit and was behaving strangely. She said that must have led to her death. I asked why I was not informed, but

she had no satisfactory answer for me.

“I informed our parents and the community elders asked Ngozi why it took her three days to know that the girl had died.”

It was gathered that the Menkiti family decided to leave everything to God and asked the Jibuikes to foot the bill of the girl’s burial.

Sources said the Jibuikes gave the Menkitis N150,000, bought the coffin and Chioma’s body was brought to Obosi.

They said the deceased’s 82year-old father, Michael Menkiti, wept uncontrollably when he saw his daughter’s body.

But the burial took another twist when the officiating pastor, simply identified as Izuchukwu, insisted that the girl was used for rituals.

Sources said on close examination, the family realised

that some of the deceased’s vital organs had been removed.

They said policemen from Obosi Police Station were invited and Chioma’s body was taken away and deposited in the mortuary to aid their investigation.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.

The family, however, claimed that some persons are pressurising the police to abandon the case.

Two activist groups, the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Southeast zone and the Women Arise for Change Initiative, Anambra State chapter, have called for the arrest of Ngozi and her husband.

They urged the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.

A police source said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of Chioma’s death.

Group flays Igbo leaders over attacks on Uwazuruike

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HANEZE Ndigbo Activists, a pressure group within the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, has condemned the verbal attacks on the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader Ralph Uwazuruike by “self acclaimed” Ohaneze Ndigbo chieftains.

The group called for strict sanctions against any person or group hiding under the

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

Ohaneze Ndigbo’s umbrella to cast aspersions on Uwazuruike and bring the Ezeigbo Gburugburu’s office to disrepute.

Speaking with reporters at the Rojenny Tourists and Games Village, Oba, the group’s National Director of Mobilisation, Dr. Jimmy Okonkwo, and another national officer, Mr. Emejulu Okpalaukwu, said those attacking Uwazuruike do not

have Ohaneze Ndigbo’s support.

Okonkwo said: “Ohaneze Ndigbo youths appreciate Uwazuruike and any attempt to create confusion among Ndigbo will be resisted. We will issue the appropriate sanctions against such person or persons.”

Okpalaukwu said: “Our group aims at repositioning Igbo youths to meet modern day challenges and eschew all forms of evil. For example, in Anambra State, we just mediated in the linger-

ing crisis between commercial motorcyclists, tricyclists and revenue collectors. We have set up four task forces at the national, state, local government and unit levels to oversee the operations of all the parties.”

Uwazuruike’s second-incommand, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, who received the group, restated the Igbo leadership’s determination to rid the zone of criminals.

He said: “We will not fold our hands and watch miscreants terrorise our people.”

Medical Lab student found dead in Ebonyi

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400-LEVEL medical laboratory student of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Michael Onwe, was at the weekend found dead in his room at No. 15, Ibe Street, Abakaliki, the state capital.

It was gathered that the late Michael’s neighbours alerted the police when they did not see him come out of his room.

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Sources said the police forcibly opened the door to the deceased’s room and found his body dangling from the ceiling fan.

A neighbour, who pleaded for anonymity, said the late Micheal had spent over six years in the university.

He said the deceased was admitted to read medicine,

but was moved to the Department of Medical Laboratory, after he failed his medical examination twice.

The neigbhour said the late Michael, an indigene of the state, recently reported alleged threat to his life by a cult group to security agencies and his parents.

Police spokesman John Eluu said the deceased’s body has been deposited at

the mortuary of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

Eluu said: “It looks like the deceased committed suicide, but we do not know why he did so because he did not leave any suicide note behind. We have begun investigation into the matter to determine if he killed himself or if he was murdered and hanged on the ceiling fan.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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NEWS Kolade, Ajimobi urge public servants on excellence From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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•Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Ja’afaru Gabdo (right) presenting a solar drier to Mrs. Rodha Daniel (left) for Numan Community-Based Organisations in Adamawa...yesterday

NURTW protest paralyses activities in Ibadan M

EMBERS of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday protested the alleged indiscriminate arrest and detention of their members by the police.

Residents were stranded as commercial vehicles were not available.

The few commercial motorcyclists, who dared to operate, were molested by hoodlums.

Many residents returned to their homes and activities were paralysed in the state capital.

Policemen were stationed at strategic points across the city to maintain peace and order.

On Sunday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tabari Yabo Mohammed, warned members of the union against disrupting the peace.

Police spokesman Bisi Okuwobi said the protest can-

•Govt: we’re building more parks •Police: we must ensure order From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

not be justified.

She said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Apata Police Station met with NURTW members last Monday and asked them to stop parking their buses on the road and obstructing traffic, but the union members failed to abide by the order.

Okuwobi said some recalcitrant members of the union were arrested, arraigned and fined by the court.

She said: “The union is protesting the fines. They think they will have their way by withdrawing their services.

But as far as the police are concerned, we will maintain

‘The union is protesting the fines.

They think they will have their way by withdrawing their services. But as far as the police are concerned, we will maintain orderliness...’ orderliness, which includes ensuring that Apata-Bembo Junction is free of traffic.”

The protesters are calling for the removal of the DPO of Apata Police Station.

They are also protesting the alleged increase of levies by the local government from N30 to N300; the alleged extortion of drivers by policemen the state on the DugbeApata-Omi Adio axis; and the council’s failure to build motor parks.

A union leader in Apata, Alhaji Adewale Gbadamosi, said: “The police asked us not to park at Apata-Bembo Junction, but no park was provided for our members to operate, even though we pay levies daily. Why is the police punishing us for the government’s failures?

“The police should have told the government to provide motor parks. It is when we fail to use the parks that they can arrest us.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the government has awarded the contract for the building of motor parks across the city.

Ekiti PDP to assist Fayemi on projects monitoring

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State yesterday inaugurated a seven-man committee to assist the state government in monitoring projects executed by its ministries.

According to a statement by PDP Chairman Makanjuola Ogundipe’s media aide, Mr. Femi Omolusi, the committee is “a shadow

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

cabinet and would monitor the activities of seven critical ministries.”

The ministries are Works; Finance; Education; Strategy; Information; Health; Agriculture; and Justice.

Ogundipe urged the committee to balance its information and support the administration of Governor

Olukayode Fayemi.

He said the committee has no intention to malign the government but would be constructively critical in its watchdog role.

Ogundipe said the identities of the committee members would not be revealed for security reasons.

Recently, the PDP slammed the state government over the state of roads in the state capital.

But the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, said the government has been been repairing roads across the state.

He said: “Intra-city roads have continued to receive prime attention from the government, especially in Ado-Ekiti. We will soon start work on drainage channels and the laying of asphalt on major roads.”

PDP chieftain inaugurates empowerment group

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HIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Chief Gbenga Olofin, at the weekend inaugurated a movement, Ambassador Gbenga Olofin Movement (AGOM), aimed at empowering the people of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

At the ceremony, which was held at his Igede-Ekiti hometown, Olofin said the movement has earmarked N50 million for empowerment programmes.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He said the purpose of the project is to reduce poverty, which he said is responsible for the involvement of youths in thuggery and political violence.

Olofin said: “The programme will start in Igede and spread to other parts of the council. The poverty rate is too high and we need to empower youths to face the challenges of life.”

He said AGOM will give

scholarships to outstanding primary, secondary and tertiary school students.

Olofin said loans, ranging between N10,000 and N100,000, would be given to

people for various businesses.

He condemned the spate of political violence and urged youths not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians.

ACN spokesman’s mum dies at 78 From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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RS. Felicia Adebanke Oguntayo (78), mother of the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) spokesman in Ekiti State, Mr. Akogun Oguntayo, is dead.

She died yesterday at her home in Ibadan.

Mrs. Oguntayo is survived by four children.

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Christopher Kolade have urged public servants to pursue excellence in governance.

They spoke at a lecture organised by the Oyo State Civil Service for civil servants on Grade Levels 7 - 16.

Kolade, who delivered the lecture entitled: “The pursuit of excellence in public service: Adopting best management practices”, said public servants should pursue the goals of their employer, rather than their personal interests.

He said the civil service is made up of professionals and their services should be guided by the good values of the society, professional ethics, discipline and a sense of responsibility.

Kolade said: “We succeed best by working for the good of the corporate body, not for selfish or narrow interests.

Good values form the best basis for taking decisions.

We should be people of high standards and lead our people to be the same.

“Self discipline is an essential factor of success and it gives us the moral right to

demand best practice and high quality performance from others.”

Ajimobi said the forum was to bring back the glorious days of the civil service.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses AlakeAdeyemo, said: “Like every other thing we met when we came into office a year ago, this intellectual aspect of the civil service was in a limbo.

“It took our government’s appreciation of this dynamics to bring back the beautiful days of the civil service by inviting a seasoned and experienced private sector manager, in the person of Dr. Christopher Kolade, for this forum.”

He said the government would continue to reward excellence in the public service.

Ajimobi said: “This administration is a departure from the drab and unproductive past attachment to mediocre thinking. Nothing can be good, in our estimation, except it is the best.

“Excellence is our watchword. That is why the theme of this year’s Public Service Forum Lecture is a fitting description of what we embody and typify.”

Ogun to close 1000 illegal schools

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HE Ogun State Government yesterday threatened to shut 1000 unregistered schools, if their owners fail to register with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on or before July 3.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela made this known yesterday in a statement .

Odubela said over 1000 schools are operating illegally in the state.

He said the need to have all private schools registered became imperative to ensure easy identification of government-approved

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

schools and prevent parents from enrolling their children into substandard schools.

Odubela said: “We are committed to ensuring that education is provided by qualified and experienced professionals.

“That is our responsibility to our people.”

The commissioner said the list of registered schools would be uploaded on the state government’s website to enable parents identify legal schools.

He said after July 3, operators of illegal schools will be prosecuted.

Osun Assembly passes five bills, 23 resolutions in 11 months From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Osun State House of Assembly has passed five bills and 23 resolutions into law in 11 months.

The laws include the State Local Government Administration (amendment) Law, 2012; State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS and Other Matters connected thereto, 2011; Osun Procurement (repeal) Law; Osun Appropriation Law, 2012; and Osun Legitimacy (repeal) Law. Bills that have reached the advanced stage of passage include the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Bill, 2012; Osun Fiscal Responsibility Bill, 2012; Osun Urban and regional Planning and Development Bill; Osun Legitimacy (repeal) Bill; Osun Security Trust Fund Bill; Osun Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (amendment) Bill; and Osun Bond Bill.

Others are the Osun Debt Management Office Bill; the Highway Obstruction Removal Bill; and Osun Conservation Fund Bill.

Speaker Najeem Salaam said the five new laws would facilitate the state’s development.

He said the HIV/AIDS Law would check the spread of the disease while the Public Procurement Law would pave the way for multi road projects across the state.

Salaam said the way the law was enacted before did not allow for the award of multiple contracts.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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FOREIGN

90 killed in Yemeni attack

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ORE than 90 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a military parade rehearsal in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, defence ministry officials say.

The bomber, who was reportedly wearing an army uniform, blew himself up among a group of soldiers at al-Sabin Square, near the presidential palace.

An al-Qaeda source told the BBC one of its members had carried out the attack.

It was the deadliest incident in the capital since Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi was elected president in February.

One of Yemen’s security

chiefs was sacked after the attack by a presidential decree.

Defence ministry officials say 222 people were injured in yesterday’s attack.

“We were in a parade, suddenly there was a huge explosion. Dozens of our men were killed. We tried to help them,” Col Amin al-Alghabati told the Reuters news agency.

“The suicide bomber was dressed in a military uniform.

He had a belt of explosives underneath,” he added.

Another soldier, Ahmed Sobhi, told the Associated Press news agency: “This is a real massacre. There are piles of torn body parts, limbs and

heads. This is unbelievable.”

Security officials said the attacker had been a soldier taking part in the drill and that he had detonated his explosives shortly before Defence Minister Nasser Ahmed and the army chief-of-staff were expected to greet the troops.

Most of the casualties were from the Central Security Organisation - a paramilitary force commanded by Yahya Saleh, a nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Yahya Saleh was dismissed from his post just hours after the attack.

The soldiers had been practising for a parade for National Unity Day today, which marks the anniversary of the

1990 unification of the Marxist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen - also known as South Yemen - and the Yemen Arab Republic, known as North Yemen.

“Yemenis must stand together in the face of this deadly terrorist threat,” Brig Karim Nahil said. “We will celebrate our unity tomorrow with the blood of our martyrs on our hands and faces.”

An al-Qaeda statement later sent to BBC Arabic said the group had recruited a soldier for the bombing, and that it was carried out in retaliation for “crimes” committed by the Central Security Organisation.

New rape charges for Strauss-Kahn

•Strauss-Kahn

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French prosecutor has ordered an initial inquiry into claims that ex-IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn was involved in “gang rape” in Washington.

The allegations come from a Belgian prostitute who said she was at a hotel sex party in the city in December 2010.

Strauss-Kahn, 63, is already under investigation with three other men over their alleged roles in a prostitution ring. He denies the allegations.

A charge that he attempted to rape a US hotel maid was dropped last year.

But the case put an end to Strauss-Kahn’s career at the International Monetary Fund

and dashed his hopes of running as Socialist candidate for the French presidency.

In March, prosecutors in the northern French city of Lille placed him under formal investigation in connection with what has become known as the Carlton affair, after the Lille hotel in which several orgies are alleged to have taken place.

Businessmen Fabrice Paszkowski and David Roquet and policeman JeanChristophe Lagarde, who were named with StraussKahn as part of the Carlton affair, have also been implicated in the Washington hotel investigation.

It is claimed that the men hired prostitutes for sex parties in France and the United States while Strauss-

Kahn was in charge of the IMF. According to a statement from the Lille prosecutor, the investigation centres on an incident “that could be described as gang rape”.

The allegations are said to have come to light from evidence given by a Belgian prostitute who told Belgian police that she was forced into certain acts of non-consensual sex while in Washington on 16 December 2010. She has not filed a complaint.

“I didn’t scream but I said clearly and loudly that I didn’t want to,” the woman is said to have testified.

But a second Belgian prostitute has called her account of events into question, in an interview with French media.

Police in Washington say they have checked their records for 16 December at the city’s W hotel, named by media as the hotel involved, and have found no reports detailing allegations of such activity.

Earlier this month, the former IMF managing director’s lawyers denied the accusations against him, saying he was the victim of a “lynching campaign”.

---------> FOR SALE <------

Lockerbie bomber buried

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EGRAHI, the only person convicted over the 1988 bombing above Scotland which killed 270 people, died at his home in Libya on Sunday.

He was convicted by a special court in the Netherlands in 2001.

He was freed from a Scottish jail in 2009 on compassionate grounds as he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The BBC’s Rana Jawad in Tripoli says Megrahi’s body was transferred discreetly in an ambulance to the burial site, followed by a convoy of male relatives close behind.

The funeral was very much a private family affair and took place in the suburb of Janzour, where many other members of his family lay buried, our correspondent says.

“His pain is over now - he is with God,” said his brother Muhammad, quoted by the AFP news agency.

Another brother, Abdulhakim, said on Sunday that Megrahi’s health had deteriorated quickly and he died at home in Tripoli.

Megrahi’s release sparked the fury of many of the relatives of the victims of the

Lockerbie bombing. The US whose citizens accounted for 189 of the dead - also criticised the move.

But some of the relatives of those killed believe he was innocent.

In Libya, a spokesman for the National Transitional Council said Megrahi’s death would not close the Lockerbie file.

From the beginning, finding out the truth about Lockerbie was complicated by connections real and imagined, by skulduggery and intrigue, between rival powers in the Middle East, from Libya to Iran, and including the United States, says the BBC’s Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen.

Unless some fresh evidence emerges, perhaps from the new Libya, the passing of the years means there might never be a version of the truth accepted by everyone affected by this tragic saga, he says.

Megrahi, a Libyan intelligence officer, always denied any responsibility for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in December 1988.

It remains the deadliest terrorist incident ever to have taken place on British soil.

PUBLIC NOTICE ORANMIYAN CHARITY INITIATIVES This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission,Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Samuel Adewale Bolorunduro 3. Basiru Surajudeen Ajibola

2. Adekunle Amos 4. Kabir Aregbesola

20 ft Container of CAT Bearings.

2 40ft Container of 18.00, 20.5, 21.00, 23.5 OTR tyres.

1 40ft Container of CAT air filters, fuel filters, oil filters.

1 20ft container of NGK and BOSCH spark plugs.

1 20 ft container of AC Delco heavy duty batteries.

Prices ranging from 1million and above.

1998 MAN DIESEL 6x6 tipper……. 2 million

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; 1. To train in concrete skills such as hair styling,cosmetology,sewing and refinement of Agriculture products 2. To empower humanity for development.

3. To train,empower and encourage youth and women enterpreneurship at all levels.

4. To give Educational support to the talented,less priviledged and upcoming youth with vision of development.

CONTACT: DAVID EBENEZER Add: TIN-CAN ISLAND, APAPA, LAGOS. Tel: 08067814147, 08033422268.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420,Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,P.M.B 198 Maitama Abuja FCT within 28 days of this publication Signed: TRUSTEES.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

61

FOREIGN Sudan’s peace talks soon, says Mbeki

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•Protesters carry a coffin marked with Traore’s name in Bamako...yesterday

Protesters attack Malian leader I NTERIM Mali President Dioncounda Traore has been taken to hospital with a head wound after being attacked by demonstrators, medical sources say.

He was reportedly unconscious when he arrived at hospital.

The army says they shot dead three people during mass protests by supporters of March’s coup who were angry at a deal for Traore, 70, to remain in office for a year.

Traore’s initial mandate was due to expire yesterday.

But West African leaders reached a deal with coup leader Capt Amadou Sanogo for Traore to stay on to organise elections and end a northern rebellion.

The deal also saw Capt Sanogo recognised as a former head of state with a salary and a mansion.

The coup, and ensuing rebel seizure of northern Mali, have led many thousands of people to flee their

homes.

Aid agencies say they are extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Mali, which is also suffering from the regional drought.

Bamako-based journalist Martin Vogl says soldiers let some of the protesters into Traore’s office, next to the presidential palace.

“They beat him seriously and tore his clothes,” military spokesman Bakary Mariko told Reuters news agency.

“There were three dead and some injured by gunshot amongst the demonstrators.

Dioncounda’s security shot at people,” Mariko said.

A source in Traore’s office told the AFP news agency that the president’s life was not in danger.

Martin Vogl says there is some genuine support for the coup in Bamako and people are unhappy that a representative of the ousted political

class was allowed to stay in power for a year.

They want a national convention of Mali’s political parties and civic society groups to decide on the interim leader.

The protesters shouted slogans including “Down with Ecowas” and “Down with Dioncounda.” Some carried a mock coffin with Traore’s name on it.

Earlier, mediators from West African regional bloc Ecowas left Bamako, saying “we have accomplished our mission”.

Martin Vogl says that the status of a former head of state gives Capt Sanogo considerable respect, as well as a salary.

Chief Ecowas mediator, Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Djibrill Bassole, also said the coup leader would be able to consult Traore, 70, and his prime minister until new elections are held next year.

Last week, Ecowas threat-

ened to reimpose sanctions against the coup leaders, accusing them of continuing to meddle in the country’s politics.

Capt Sanogo seized power in March and led the country for less than three weeks, before handing power to Traore, the former speaker of parliament, in the face of intense international pressure and the rapid advance of rebels, whose seized the whole of the north - an area the size of France.

As part of the deal, the government is supposed to focus on recovering the north from a mixture of Tuareg separatists and Islamist fighters.

Some of the groups have links to al-Qaeda’s branch in the region, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Ecowas has said it is preparing to send 3,000 troops to Mali to help the country reclaim its northern territory, but no date has been set for the force to arrive.

DATE to re-start talks between feuding neighbours Sudan and South Sudan could be agreed this week, an African Union mediator said yesterday, but a senior South Sudanese official said he did not believe Khartoum was ready to negotiate.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is trying to bring the two Sudans back to the negotiating table at the AU’s headquarters in Addis Ababa to try to resolve oil, security and border disputes that triggered an outbreak of border fighting between the two countries’ armies last month.

South Sudan became independent in July 2011 under a 2005 peace agreement with Khartoum that ended decades of civil war. But the neighbours failed to mark their shared border and agree how much the land-

locked South should pay to export its oil through Sudan.

The April clashes over an border oil zone raised fears the two states might plunge back into all-out war and prompted the United Nations Security Council to warn Juba and Khartoum earlier this month to negotiate peacefully or face sanctions.

Mbeki, who met Sudanese President Omar Hassan alBashir in Khartoum at the weekend, held talks yesterday in the South Sudanese capital Juba with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and with chief South Sudanese negotiator Pagan Amum.

Mbeki said he was confident the two sides would heed U.N. and AU demands that they restart talks soon.

“I am quite sure we can agree a date this week,” he told reporters.

NATO vows to stick by Afghanistan

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ATO leaders vowed yesterday to stand by Afghanistan as it takes control of its own destiny, backing a plan to hand Afghans the lead for security in the wartorn country from mid-2013.

In a Chicago summit declaration, US President Barack Obama and his NATO military allies ratified an “irreversible” roadmap to “gradually and responsibly” withdraw 130,000 combat troops by the end of 2014.

But they also ordered military officers to begin planning a post-2014 mission to focus on training, advising and assisting Afghan troops to ensure the government can ward off a resilient Taliban insurgency.

“As Afghans stand up, they will not stand alone,” Obama told the gathering of more than 50 world leaders, focused on ending a decade of war that has left over 3,000 coalition soldiers and tens of thousands of Afghans dead.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose country provides the second biggest contingent after the United States, declared: “We will not desert them.”

But while the Western alliance coalesced around an exit strategy, they struggled to convince Pakistan to reopen a vital supply route into Afghanistan, although NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen voiced optimism it would happen “in the very near future.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

62

SPORT EXTRA

I can’t promise Olympic gold medals—Minister S

PORTS Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi has declined making promises as regards Nigeran athletes winning gold medals when events kick off in London Olympics in July.

The Minister disclosed this at the Ministerial Platform in commemoration of National Democracy Day 2012 and First Anniversary of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration held at the Radio House, Abuja yesterday.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja “As regards how many medals expected from the (2012) Olympics I can not stand here to say we are going to have this number of medals, but I have spoken about the efforts that we have made and still making. I believe that these efforts would be good enough to ensure that we have a very good outing at the Olympics.

“I can not, however, commit

myself to say the number. It is a competition and I know that other countries are preparing for the Games as we are also preparing. So I am not in a position to say the number

Nigeria makes debut in Wheelchair Tennis World Cup

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IGERIA will be making its debut in the Wheelchair Tennis

• Onome

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UPER FALCONS’ defender Onome Ebi arrived Abuja to join her teammates in camp on Sunday evening, in preparation for the Africa Women's Championship qualifier against Zimbabwe.

Onome, who was part of the title winning side at the last championships in South Africa, arrived from her base in Turkey where she plays for Atasehir Belediyesi.

Onome Ebi arrives Falcons' camp Super Falcons’ coach Kadiri Ikhana has also called up long-serving striker Perpetua Nkwocha and Rita Chikwelu to join his squad, and both are expected to hit the camp on Monday.

Also expected to join up

of medals that we would win.

I don’t even think any country is in the position to say this is the number of medals they are going to win”, the Minister argued.

World Team Cup holding from May 21-27 in Seoul, South Korea.

The four-man Nigerian team made up of Wasiu Yusuf, Alex Adewale and Jude Uwaize alongside coach Frank Tarmena departed the Murtala Mohammed Airport Saturday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airline to Seoul en route Doha. They are schedule to arrive the Far East country Sunday evening about the same time the draws will be made.

Brimming with confidence, the team wrapped up its three-week close camping in Lagos on Thursday and had a brief meeting with Nigeria Tennis Federation President Engr. Sani Ndanusa who assured the players of facilitating more domestic and international tournaments.

Ndanusa, who was recently appointed a member into the developmental committee of the ITF, charged the team to put in their best stressing that the competition provide the country the best platform to justify Nigeria’s rating by the ITF as one of the top five countries where wheel chair tennis has gained rapid development in the last few years.

Nigeria is Africa’s sole representative in the event and will be slugging it out with the likes of Germany, Australia, Thailand and Israel in Group II which has twelve teams, while a top-three placement will see it gain promotion into the Group I which has the likes of global powerhouses Netherlands, France, Sweden Poland , Belgium and Great Britain.

FALLOUT OF DUTCH LEAGUE STAY

Venlo must spend big to achieve greatness—Uchebo

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FTER guiding VVV Venlo to another stint in the Dutch top flight

next season, Michael Okechukwu Uchebo has admonished the management of the relegation battlers to spend big in the transfer market for the club to be a force in Holland next season.

Venlo guaranteed their stay in the Holland first division after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by hard fighting Helmond Sport. Uchebo and his other teammates had already secured a 2-1 away win when the first leg was played last Thursday. “ I am relieved that we have got the result we wanted and we can look forward to another season in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Now that we have maintained our top flight status, it is time

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri for Venlo to spend big in the transfer market so that we don’t turn to just a selling club.

We only have young players around now and it informed our struggling in the league these past seasons and the solution to compete among the best is to keep our best and also fortify our squad,” Uchebo said.

During the second leg match, Danny Holla shot Venlo ahead in the 6th minute but quick-fire strikes from Helmond in the 9th and 14th minutes through Sebastian Stachnik and Zarko Grabovac almost threatened to drag the tie to extra time before Holla again stepped out to even scores in the 68th minute from the penalty spot.

GULDER ULTIMATE FIVE-ASIDE

Oleh students emerge Mid-Western Zonal Champion

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AMPUS FC, Oleh, a team comprising of students of Delta State University, Oleh campus, have emerged the champions of the Mid-Western zone qualifiers of the 2012 edition of the Gulder Ultimate FiveA-Side Football Competition.

The team will represent the zone at the knock out stage scheduled to kick-off in June 14, 2012 in Lagos. Campus FC made it through to the next round after stunning Apex FC of Isoko, during the final match of the qualifiers at the main bow of the Oleh Township Stadium, Delta State.

Though they lost out in the final match of the mid west zone, Apex FC will join Campus FC at the knock out stage of the competition. Both teams will go head to head against their counterparts from the South-South, South-East and North-Central zones during the finals of the annual football tournament next month.

Campus FC, winners of the Mid West Zone reached the

finals after beating Ponier FC of Bayelsa by one unreplied goal. Apex FC, first runner-up, got to the finals courtesy of a thrilling semi Final match that saw them beating Sky FC of Benin 4-3 on penalties after playing a goalless draw at regulation time.

Both teams’ qualification brings the total number of qualified teams to the knock out stage of the competition to 8 teams. Other teams that have made it through include; Gidan Bege FC of Makurdi and Supremes FC of Gkobo from the North-Central zone, Ultimate FC of Enugu and Etienne FC of Enugu from the SouthEast zone and Network FC of Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt City Academy from the South-South zone.

The battle will now shift to Ijebu Ode, where s teams from the South-Western zone are expected to slug it out for the two available slots to the next round. The South Western Qualifiers will hold from Friday, May 25th to Sunday, May 27, 2012.

are the Under-20 trio of Ugochi Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and Gloria Ofoegbu.

The Falcons will play Zimbabwe on the 27th of May in Harare in an African Women’s Championship qualifier.

Ojo Wins Lagos Inter- Club Boat Race

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EAM Ojo has won the Inter-Club Boat Race organised by the Lagos State Rowing/Canoe and Yachting Association.

The inter-clubs competition is facilitated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Council.

Ojo won the one day Lagos State Open Boat Race for Clubs after garnering 59 points in six races that were competed for at the University of Lagos Waterfront last weekend.

Nigeria Navy Sailing Club came second with 57 points, while Agboyi/Ketu came third with 43 points. Majidun

and Imoke were fourth and fifth with 27 and 23 points respectively. With 18 points, Ikorodu placed sixth, while Oriade came seventh with 11 points.

Chairman of the association, Rev. Pat Egbele described the inter-clubs tournament as the best thing to have happened in Lagos sports, adding that he was glad with the response and enthusiasm showed by the participating teams in the one day competition. He disclosed that the prize money, which took half of the total budget for the championship, was given to the winners as monetary motivation as directed by Governor Fashola.

Chairman of the technical committee of the ongoing Ibile Games in Lagos,

Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, who presented the winners with their trophies, said the plan of the state government is to support all the lesser sports for them to rise up to relevance. One of the athletes, Lilian Javet, a member of the Navy Sailing Club, said the inter-clubs tourney has given the athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent.

“We have been waiting for this kind of tournament to keep us busy after training all the time. I’m happy with this gesture from Governor Fashola. I will be happy if modern equipment is provided for us to compete favourably with our counterparts abroad,” said Javet, who won 1silver and 2bronze medals at the last All Africa Games in Mozambique.

• Managing Director Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr Segun Agbaje, (left) Presenting the winning trophy to captain, Anwar UL-Islam school, Francis Ohaegbo at the just concluded GTB Heritage Cup 2012 in Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

63

SPORT EXTRA Keshi targets Savior for Eagles place

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IGERIA boss Stephen Keshi has scouted the Taraba United prolific forward Savior Fidelis with a view of drafting him to the Super Eagles, allnigeriasoccer.com can report.

Fidelis is one of the most potent forwards in the Nationwide League, Nigeria's second - tier, and has bagged 12 goals in 12 games so far.

Tipped by his scouting network, Keshi decided to make the long trip to Kaduna to run the rule over the 23-year-old forward. He wasn't disappointed as Fidelis netted a brace against Taraba United in a league match. ''Coach Stephen Keshi was impressed with my performance. We were in contact before he traveled to the United States for holidays.

He said he would invite me to the National Team. I had expected to be called up for the World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers, but unfortunately I did not make the roster when it was announced. I am positive my time will come,'' Fidelis told allnigeriasoccer.com in a telephone conversation.

With his form in the Nationwide League, maybe it's time for Fidelis to continue his career abroad, possibly in Western Europe. ''I am being pestered by several foreign agents who are demanding for my curriculum vitae and videos. I am not paying attention to them.

Since I joined Taraba United in the second stanza of the league, I know I am in good hands. Tijani Babaginda played the game at the highest level. He is offering me good advice. When the time is ripe for me to leave the shores of the country, we shall make a decision,'' adds Fidelis.

Babaginda backs Keshi for success E

X AJAX Amsterdam hero now Taraba United Chairman Tijani Babaginda has thrown his weight behind Nigeria gaffer Stephen Keshi over his non-invitation of England based trio - Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie and John Obi

Mikel - when he named his foreign professionals for Nigeria's Grade A games in June.

Speaking in a chat with allnigeriasoccer.com, Tijani Babaginda said: ''Keshi is doing a good job, and I must commend him. I believe the new players he handed call ups to prosecute the games in

June are the players he wants to use more often in future matches.''

Adds Babaginda: '' On Keshi's non-invitation of Yakubu, Mikel and Odemwingie, the coach knows the players and their abilities. But he wants to give a chance to the other players

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• Keshi

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all the participating teams.

“I have watched virtually all the matches and I’m really pleased with the standard of the game. I wish those running football in this country can return to the grassroots instead of inviting Premier

League players for our Junior National Teams,” he admonished.

Meanwhile, Honourable Owolabi Adele said adequate arrangements have been put in place for a memorable final billed for May 30 at the

LTHOUGH Qudus Surmer’s efforts could not help his team to clinch gold in the table tennis team event, but his extra-ordinary skill was rewarded in the singles event, as he claimed the gold medal in the ongoing Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games.

The Baptist Secondary School student admitted that as long as he would love to pursue career in the game, his education remains his priority.

“I was a gold medallist at the last National School Sports Festival in Calabar and also cadet champion of the 2011 Asoju Oba Cup. There is no doubt that I love table tennis but my major ambition is to become a graduate, though I have not decided on course of study for now. But in table tennis, my dream is to become national champion like Atanda Musa, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri because these are great players that had made Nigeria proud in the game,” Surmer said.

The teenage sensation added that claiming the gold at the ongoing Ibile Games was made possible through regular training. “Even without the Ibile Games, I always trained thrice a week to learn new technique in the game and the training is helping me a lot to achieved my goal.

same venue.

“A lot of the team that are participating in the tournament have really expressed satisfaction as well as surprise at the quality of the venues and officiating of the matches.

Lagos, Oyo dominate Airtel Rising Stars 2

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WO South-West States, Lagos and Oyo, have emerged centres with highest numbers of participants at the on-going Airtel Rising Stars 2 U-17 male and female football tournament.

The states recorded a total of 5,165 soccer participants with Lagos having 3,005 while Oyo recorded 2,160 registered participants to emerge first and second respectively. Ondo state came a distant third with 1,440 registered youngsters, while Kwara recorded 1,332 participants to claim the fourth place.

According to a document released by federating bodies and ARS partners, Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) and Nigeria Secondary School Federation (NSSF), 737 boys and girls, 26 football academies and 100 school teams from Lagos reg-

istered for the intra-state stage of the ARS, while Oyo state has 71 boys and girls, 40 football academies and 80 school teams.

Ondo state recorded 286, 30 and 50 registered participants for individual, academy and school teams’ categories, while Kwara state has 624 individual participants, 38 academies and 36 school teams.

The Southeast states of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia have combined individual participants of 1,802, 30 academies and 29 school teams. Enugu State leads the pack with 697 followedby Anambra with 668 participants.

Rivers state has 1,200 participants to top the other Southsouth states including Akwa Ibom (1,186), Bayelsa (940), Cross River (1,103), Delta (1,083) and Edo (676).

For the Northern region,

Keshi is employing, all our local players now have a sense of belonging, and their confidence is beginning to improve. We should give Keshi time, I think he will build the dream team Nigerians have been clamoring for. But we must have patience,'' says Babaginda.

Ibile sensation eyes Atanda Musa’s record

Apapa Chairman’s Cup enters semi-final T will be battle Royale as last edition semi finalist, FC Bethel confront Badia All Stars in the first semi-final of the Apapa Chairman’s Cup on Wednesday at the Legacy Pitch of National Stadium.

FC Bethel one of the favourites for the trophy, overcame Dominion Faith FC 1-0 on Friday to reach the semi final while Badia All Stars edged out another favourite Apapa Golden Stars 3-2 on Sunday at the same venue.

In the second semi-final, Eskay Babes will confront Royal Strikers in what has been tagged as the star match considering the fact that both teams are being coached by the same person.

Eskay Babes which is the senior side of the academy defeated hard-fighting Adejumo FC 1-0, while Royal Strikers outclassed Bright Stars 3-1 on Friday at the Astro turf.

The two semi-final matches will take place by 11am and 1pm respectively at the Legacy Pitch of National Stadium.

Apapa Chairman, Honourable Ayodeji Joseph, while commending the standard of the competition, praised the football artistry displayed by

doing well in their various leagues. When the time comes, Keshi is going to invite players strictly on merit.''

In the national teams Keshi had previously handled, he is well known for giving local players a chance to compete with the foreign professionals. ''With this kind of methods

Kano state leads with 1,050 participants followed by Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba and Zamfara with 846, 760, 738 and 707 participants.

Meanwhile, representatives of the 31 participating states have emerged for the interstate zonal phase of the tournament scheduled to hold between May 24 and June 8 with the first round matches billed to hold simultaneously in Kano, Kaduna and Jos from May 24 to 26.

Port Harcourt, Owerri and Benin City zones will host the second round of matches between May 31 and June 2.

The final round of matches for Ibadan and Lagos zones will take place on June 7 and 8. The inter-state zonal championship will run in a league format from which the zonal representatives to the national championship will emerge.

I give kudos to my father, who is also my coach. He has tried to make me what I am now in the game. But he insisted that I must give priority to my studies,” Surmer explained.

Meanwhile, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) continued its dominance on the medals table af-

ter increasing its overall medals’ haul to 95.

As at yesterday, the Yaba team has won 45 gold, 25 silver and 25 bronze medals.

Bariga LCDA maintained its second spot with 33 gold, 33 silver and 30 bronze medals, while Lagos Island is third with 27 gold, 21 silver and 21 bronze medals.

Promasidor launches Football academy

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ROMASIDOR Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, in collaboration with Multisports Services, & Entertainment Limited, have launched Cowbell Football Academy.

Chief Keith Richards, managing director of the company made this known during the official launch of the academy in Lagos at the weekend and affirmed that, the company is committed to nation-building and development through sports, which is one of its core corporate social responsibilities.

He also said Cowbell Milk is also the Official Milk of the Nigerian Olympics Team to the 2012 Olympic Games in the United Kingdom.

Richards said the Cowbell Football Academy is committed to preparing young footballers, between ages 3 – 18 years, to shine as stars in the future. It’s a result of diligent scouting and years of rigorous work to forge a team that played together as a unit and did the nation and our continent proud.

Richards added that Promasidor Nigeria has continued to inspire young people and support sports annually in different capacity across the country; from schools inter-house sports, fun and excitement of its annual Animal Games for primary schools, iTry Rugby camp for kids, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) volleyball tourna-

By Paul Oluwakoya ment and annual ParaSoccer Tournament for the physically challenged.

Godwin Orumen the proprietor of CFA said that the academy started with 30 under 13-players but received a boost when Promassidor came on board stating that the scope and in-takes in the Academy have approximately increased to 160 players.

“We now have under-17players in the academy . With time we plan to extend the academy beyond the state. We are definitely determine to bring back the glory of grassroots football and as well committed to preparing young footballers to shine as stars in the future”.he said After dignitaries’ ranges from the office of the sport minister, Lagos state government and bevy of sport pundit watched the exhibition matches of players from the academy couldn’t but shower accolades to Orumen for the grassroots initiative The event was well attended by top shots in the sport industry like the Supervising Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Adbullahi; Former Sport Minister, Alhaji Musa Adio; Director-General of National Sports Commission, Dr. Patrick Ekeji; Chief Segun Odegbami; Managing Director of BrillaFm, Mr. Larry Izamoje, Aisha Falode; Peter Obi amongst others.

• Kachi Onubogu, Marketing Director of Promasidor Nigeria; Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River state; and Chief Keith Richards, MD of Promasidor Nigeria at the official launch of Cowbell Football Academy last weekend in Lagos.

WHO SAID WHAT

www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7

NO.2,133

‘There is a thin line between economy and power. They complement each other. My brothers and sisters, let us unite. We should obtain licences for bunkering. We have a president of our own, we have a minister of petroleum, who will stop us from obtaining bunkering licences?

DIEPREYE ALAMIEYESIGHA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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RUST has remained sorely lacking in the governance of Nigeria.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) made this point tellingly last week in an address before the PanAfrica Investor Conference of Renaissance Capital, in which he explained why his fellow governors have not embraced the controversial Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) – not to be confused with Single White Female in the “personal” pages of American newspapers —the Federal Government is planning to establish.

State governors simply do not trust the Federal Government to manage the fund judiciously and use it for what it is meant, Fashola said. What law confers on the Federal Government the right to “save” on behalf of the constituent states? What makes the Federal Government a better saver and investor than the states? In any case, how well has the incipient Supersaver managed the Federation’s Account?

And is this not yet another assault on the federal principle, in fact one of the most brazen in recent memory?

To these weighty questions must be added the virtually unregulated environment in which the banks and investment houses controlling the levers of global finance ply their arcane and often murky trade with other people’s money.

This environment contributed mightily to the 2008 global financial crisis, the worst since the 1930s. It is perhaps best emblematised by Goldman Sachs, where Olusegun Aganga served as a senior executive managing hedge funds in London until he was recruited to serve, first as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, and later as Minister of Trade and Investment.

Because of its towering position in the industry, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations used Goldman Sachs as a case study in hearings on the causes and consequences of the 2008 crash of the global financial market.

Hear it from the chair of the Subcommittee, Senator Carl Levin, Democrat of Michigan; “Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs were not simply market-makers, they were self-interested promoters of risky and complicated financial schemes that helped trigger the crisis. They bundled toxic mortgages into complex financial instruments, got the credit rating agencies to label them as AAA securities, and sold them to investors, magnifying and spreading risk throughout the financial system, and all too often betting against

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

SWF: Whose wealth?

Whose sovereignty?

•Fashola

the instruments they sold and profiting at the expense of their clients.”

When the banking and investment powerhouse JP Morgan Chase reported two weeks ago that it had suffered a loss of two billion dollars in trading in circumstances it could not explain, it confirmed what the more astute analysts had been saying to no avail since 2008, namely, that the industry had continued its predatory ways, confident that it was too big and too important to be allowed to rue the consequences of its own rapacity.

JP Morgan Chase’s loss could be as high

RIPPLES Salami: NJC’S RECCOMMENDATION LETTER MISSING

and that must be a JOKE

as three million dollars, according to analysts.

How did it happen?

Hear it from Simon Johnson, a former chief economist with the IMF and now professor at the prestigious Sloan’s School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in a discussion with the respected commentator Bill Moyers: “According to reliable reports, this was a so-called ‘hedging’ strategy that turned out to be no more than a gamble, but the people involved perhaps didn’t understand that or maybe they understood it and covered it up. It was absolutely about a bet on extremely complex derivatives and the interesting question is who failed to understand exactly what they were getting into.”

That person is of course Jamie Dimon, the Morgan Chase chief executive who has a reputation that he burnishes more than anybody else for being the number one expert risk manager in the world, according to Johnson.

Dimon told shareholders that the losses resulted from “self-inflicted mistakes” that “should never have happened.” But they did happen, in an institution widely regarded as the best in the business at risk management. And it is all the more puzzling because, when he reported on first quarter earnings to investors last April, he had described the brewing crises nothing more than a “tempest in a teacup.”

Going by Governor Fashola’s analysis, the SWF proposal has many hurdles to clear before it becomes actuality. If and when it is established, JP Morgan Chase already

HARDBALL

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HE story has not yet been told why the reticent National Judicial Council (NJC) took an awful long time in communicating its decision to reinstate Justice Ayo Salami, President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), to President Goodluck Jonathan. All we are told is that many days after the story broke that the NJC had made up its mind to recall the PCA, neither the president nor his Justice minister had received the message. At a point, too, the Justice minister, Mohammed Bello Adoke, was said to have travelled and thus could not be reached with the NJC decision. Apparently he must be served in person, perhaps just like the president. Until both gentlemen receive a message directly, neither could be said to have received it. Their offices are not as critical as their persons. And if they fall ill, then the country must naturally grind to a halt.

But all the prevarication about not having received the communication from the NJC is nothing but subterfuge. Sadly for us, the NJC itself has imposed a culture of silence on its activities. It would neither confirm nor deny communicating its decisions to the right quarters on time.

Maybe one day, we will know exactly when the NJC sent its decision to the presidency and the Justice minister, though this may not really matter in the

Critics as mobs final analysis. After all, Nigerian officials are adept at telling lies and they think nothing of sending us barking up the wrong tree.

However, finally, after so many days of waffling and pussyfooting, the presidency may have received the NJC decision. But if we consider the utterances and manoeuvres of the president and the Justice minister in the past few days, we would be naïve to raise our hopes high that both of them would do something honourable with NJC’s call for Salami’s reinstatement. The Jonathan presidency, we must remind ourselves, has long been enamoured of chicanery in important state matters, and has consistently been more partisan than the PDP itself. It has also proved incapable of drawing a line between the ruling party and the constitutional responsibility of presiding over the country in a manner that is seen to be fair and just.

Jonathan seems keen on joining hands with the Justice ministry, which has also dedicated itself to serving the interest of many in the PDP, to put as many obstacles in the path of Salami’s recall as it can offensively manage. Last Wednesday,

stands poised to get a sizable chunk of the action on account of its global reputation, albeit flawed, but also because it has had plenty of help from Tony “Phony Tony” Blair, the former British prime minister now a money-grubbing influence peddler on the world’s stage.

On November 17, 2010, Blair took Dimon, the Morgan Chase chief executive, to Abuja to introduce him to President Goodluck Jonathan, who clearly relished any international attention, even if it was from a person who, in a just world, would have faced criminal prosecution for fabricating falsehoods to justify the invasion of Iraq that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

Unctuous as ever, Blair told his grateful host that there was a huge amount of goodwill in the international community towards supporting Dr Jonathan’s efforts to achieve rapid socio-economic development in Nigeria, adding, for effect, that Morgan Chase’s decision to upgrade its representative office in Nigeria to a full-scale branch was a vote of confidence in Nigeria and the Jonathan administration.

I do not mean to single out Morgan Chase in this matter. All the investment banks – in reality, casinos — on which Nigeria is resting its hopes of financial salvation, operate in the same largely rule-free atmosphere, and in the attendant ethical void.

When they win their bets, the benefits go mostly to insiders. When they lose, clients that are not in the loop invariably pick up the tab. And business continues as always.

And as many investor-nations have learned to their grief, in the murky world of international finance, sovereignty belongs more to the banking institutions than to the country operating a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

It is of course no argument that Nigeria is one of only three oil-producing countries that have not set up a Sovereign Wealth Fund, the other two being Ecuador and Iraq, or that Ghana and Uganda, mewling infants in the oil industry, are set to embrace the scheme.

Political conditions and systems of accountability vary from country to country.

Even if the Federal Government is acting in good faith, nothing in its record suggests that it can be trusted to conduct such a scheme for the benefit of all — certainly not its management of the nation’s external reserves, nor the handling of the socalled dedicated accounts.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above Adoke told the media that as a responsible Minister of Justice, he would not respond to the baying of politicians and activists, whom he described as a mob, on the Salami matter. If the Justice minister would not respond to the mob, and would not respond to the rule of law, and would not respond to common sense or the constitution, what, other than the PDP, would he respond to? Does he define responsibility the same way we do? What other names would he call us before justice is finally done?

A few days ago, the president argued implausibly that his two years in office mitigated his culpability as a contributor to the humiliation of Nigeria. He insinuated that the great blame for Nigeria’s decline lay somewhere between amalgamation, colonialism and postindependence politics and leaders. But where in the national matrix of degeneration, which he glibly talked about during a funeral mass in Enugu at the weekend, would he place the great moral wrong and distressing injustice he is perpetrating in the Salami case?

Jonathan, his aides and the PDP are inured to the truth. They won’t willingly stop their rigmarole and shenanigans in the case. But we wait to see how far they can stall, or whether at all they can get away with brazen injustice.

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