The Nation May 23 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Anxiety over ministerial list

NEWS

Page 2

Global Fleet acquires Oceanic Bank Sao Tome

•President gets ministers’ score cards •Jimoh Ibrahim: we ‘ll turn it around

BUSINESS

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1768 MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

MAY 29

N150.00

•President Goodluck Jonathan is set to take a fresh oath of office on Sunday. Before then, he will dismantle the cabinet. How have his ministers fared? Some governors will also take a bow; others will get a new tenure. What scorecard for these helmsmen? PAGES 7,13&14

•CHAMPIONS! Manchester United players celebrate with the English Premier League trophy after their match against Blackpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England ... yesterday.

United celebrated winning the league for a 19th time, beating Liverpool’s long standing record.

PHOTO: AFP

Alleged N8.2b fraud: 11 Oyo officials face probe ICPC invites commissioners

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LEVEN Oyo State Commissioners are under probe for alleged mismanagement of about N8.2billion.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited the commissioners for interrogation.

Also invited to Abuja by the anti-graft agency are all the accountants and audi-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

tors of all the ministries in the outgoing Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala administration.

Commissioner for Environment Mr. Mukaila Aborode has demanded from the commission’s “a defined focus” of investigation.

The invitation of the commissioners followed the receipt of five petitions against the administration. In the pe-

Our N10b loan trouble, by Rep A

titions are allegations of diversion of local government funds, mismanagement of Excess Crude Funds and award of contracts.

ICPC operatives have been in Ibadan since last Tuesday to see the officials.

Some of those invited are commissioners for Finance, Works, Health, Agriculture, Education, Local GovernContinued on page 2

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

N insight into how the House of Representatives found itself in a N10 billion loan mess was given at the weekend by its Appropriation Committee Chairman, Mr. Ayo Adeseun.

The House has been boiling since the news broke that its leadership obtained a N10 billion loan from a bank as a result of which members’ final entitlements are unpaid.

•Speaker Bankole

Continued on page 2

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS Anxiety as President gets ministers’ score sheets

Ki-Moon in Nigeria to push health campaign

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NITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon arrived in Abuja yesterday on a twoday official visit to Nigeria.

Ki-Moon, who came into the country from Abidjan, where he attended the inauguration of Ivoirien President Alasane Ouattara, met with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Before leaving for Addis Ababa, the Ethiopia capital, he is due to give fillip to his campaign against maternal mortality and other development issues.

The UN boss will round off his four-nation trip with a visit to France to attend the G8 Summit.

His visit to Nigeria is to further propagate his “Every Woman, Every Child” global health campaign, which he launched last September during the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Ki-Moon is scheduled to visit the Dutsen Makaranta Primary Health Centre in Bwari and the Maitama District Hospital, in the Federal Capital Territory, to see the progress so far made in achieving the health targets of the MDGs. The two projects are supported by the UN population

From Jide Babalola, Assistant Editor, Abuja

agency (UNFPA), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund.

The eight Millennium Development Goals are: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and women empowerment; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.

The UN chief, accompanied

by Prof. Jeff Sachs, his Special Adviser on the MDGs, will meet with governors, ministers and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega. He also slated to meet with other top government officials.

Last week, a UN-backed three-day conference in Cape Verde attended by Jega, representatives of other West African countries’ electoral bodies, security agencies, media organisations and civil society groups, issued a declaration containing a series of recommendations for boosting stability and improving the quality of elections in the region.

On May 6, the UN Educa-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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•President Goodluck Jonathan with United Nation (UN) Secretary General, Mr. Ban ki Moon PHOTO: STATE HOUSE during his visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday.

tional, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations agency tasked with promoting universal access to education, signed an agreement with Nigeria to revitalise adult and youth literacy in a country where an estimated 50 million adults cannot read and write and nearly nine million children are out of school.

Under the agreement, the Nigerian Government will finance a project managed by the

agency to strengthen capacities for designing, delivering and monitoring quality literacy programmes at $6 million.

A statement on the UN’s website indicates that after leaving Nigeria, the UN Secretary-General would leave for Ethiopia and France.

“In Ethiopia, the SecretaryGeneral will visit a rural health programme which trains young women to serve their communities’ health needs, and which is considered a model for

the continent. The SecretaryGeneral will also hold discussions with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, and other leaders attending the India-Africa Forum Summit in Addis Ababa.

“Mr. Ban will then travel to the Group of 8 (G8) Summit in Deauville, France, where he will continue to advocate sustained attention to women’s and children’s health as a cornerstone of the global development agenda.”

Our N10b loan mess, by Appropriation Committee boss Continued from page 1

Adeseun, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, is now a senator-elect from Oyo Central on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He blamed President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure to sign the 2011 appropriation into law for the financial crisis.

He spoke in Ibadan during the retreat for state and National Assembly memberselect organised by the ACN. He also criticised the media for dwelling so much on the allegations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the National Assembly was taking about 25 per cent of the country’s total budget.

He said that affected the ability of the House to repay the loan.

Speaker Dimeji Bankole and other principal officers are under attack over the N10 billion debt.

According to Adeseun, the

N10 billion loan was spent on allowances paid to members to perform some legislative duties last year, but which were not provided for in the 2010 budget. He said the House sourced the money from banks with the intention of providing for it in the supplementary budget.

According to him, the House could not make provision for it again in the supplementary budget due to the outcry that greeted Sanusi’s allegation last year.

He said the banks became skeptical of giving more loans to the House due to the failure of Bankole and his deputy Usman Nafada to get re elected. He said the bank feared that the incoming leadership might refuse to pay the debt because it was not a party to the deal.

Adeseun explained that provision was made for the debt in the 2011 budget, but that the President refused to sign the budget for being bloated.

He insisted that the budget had always been enlarged by the National Assembly because the lawmakers wanted more money allocated for building of infrastructure to allow a steady improvement of utilities that are capable of helping Nigerians to build wealth and ultimately help the economy to grow.

He lamented that the refusal to sign the Appropriation Bill into law shattered the hope of getting funds to repay the debt, which ballooned into a national embarrassment for the legislators in the last 15 days.

Adeseun said the National Assembly passed the budget based on $75 per barrel of crude oil but that the Executive insisted on a $65 benchmark.

The senator-elect said the lawmakers increased the benchmark because the excess income generated from crude goes into the Excess Crude Account, which the Federal Government just

shares like booties with states and local governments without being able to point at tangible projects achieved with the large sum.

Since a barrel currently sells in excess of $100, Adeseun explained that it was sensible for the lawmakers to reason that rather than deliberately make way for huge sums going into the excess crude account, which the three levels of government do not maximize to the benefit of the masses, it was better that the Assembly budgeted more of the income for feasible projects that will benefit Nigerians.

He said: “When the budget was passed in 2010, there were areas of omission which the House had to source funds for. But for the fact that the President has not signed the 2011 budget, the issue would have been resolved.

Why did President Jonathan refuse to sign the budget? He said it was too large. We have always insisted on shoring

up appropriation for infrastructure. We believe that infrastructure must be seriously improved to allow businesses grow and allow more Nigerians to make wealth. Power, roads, health and education need improved appropriation. And we need to do this so that meaningful progress can be made. We also believe that the $75 benchmark for crude is right because a barrel currently sells for more than $100,” he said.

Adeseun, however, expressed confidence that the financial logjam would be resolved within days, pointing out that efforts had already reached the advanced stage to get a solution.

He decried the embarrassment the scandal has caused members of the House, particularly the leadership, stressing that it undermines the quality of work which the House has done in the last four years. He also described it as a “disservice to the nation itself”.

ARELY 72 hours to the dissolution of the Federal Executive Council, most ministers spent the weekend to lobby for retention in President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet.

The President will get a performance evaluation and final security reports on ministerial nominees today.

The President is believed to be considering the retention of 10 to 13 from among his 42 ministers.

The cabinet members have up to Wednesday to clear their desks.

This development has caused anxiety for most ministers who are uncertain of their fate.

Investigation by The Nation showed that many ministers avoided going for weekend to step up the lobbying.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Most ministers are battling for survival; they want to be retained in the cabinet but the President has the final word.

“That is why many ministers have been sending lobbyists, including traditional rulers, to intervene on their behalf.

“As expected, the President has been a good listener but he wants to be guided by performance evaluation sheet of ministers and security reports on all nominees. The ministerial list is almost ready but the ministers are eager to know their fate.

“The two reports may be presented to the President today.”

The source added: “Some ministerial candidates have not been consulted by the President but on merit they will be appointed.”

The source admitted that intra-party wrangling in Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states has made decision on nominated candidates difficult.

The source said: “The National Vice-Chairman (Southwest) of the PDP, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, has been mandated to reconcile the warring leaders in the zone over ministerial nomination.”

“The President is looking forward to peace in these four states before making up his mind.”

Alleged N8.2b fraud: 11 Oyo officials face probe Continued from page 1

ment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Environment, Commerce and the Accountant-General.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We got five petitions against the Oyo State government and we decided to invite the commissioners in charge of the ministries.

“Many of the petitions have to do with mismanagement of Excess Crude Funds and state resources to the tune of over N8.2billion.

“We also asked the commissioners to make a list of all projects awarded in the state from 2008 to date; the minutes of the State Tenders

Board, all payment vouchers, and list of companies that got contracts.

“But, instead of appearing before the commission, they started giving excuses. We learnt that the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, asked them not to report to the ICPC because the scope of investigation was not well-defined in the invitation letter.

“From the look of things, we will have no choice but to arrest the commissioners, if they don’t report before Friday.

“We have reports that some of them may relocate abroad before the May 29 handover

date.”

The source added: “We have conducted discreet preliminary investigations on the petitions and we need to interact with the commissioners.”

The Resident Media Consultant to ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, confirmed that the agency “is looking into some issues in Oyo State, but I do not have the details”.

Aborode confirmed the invitation yesterday.

He said: “The ICPC operatives came to Oyo State and brought some letters of invitation to all commissioners, demanding a list of projects awarded from 2008 to date.

“The letters of invitation

did not include specific projects. They just demanded for documents concerning letters of award, money allocated to the ministries and records of contracts. They asked us to produce these records within 24 hours.

“The matter was reported to the governor and the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo. The SSG invited the operatives and told them that the documents they are demanding are classified documents, which only the governor can authorise.

“Later, the state government directed the commissioners to ask ICPC to be specific on what they want. Once

they have done the proper thing, the commissioners will release all the documents through the Office of the SSG. “In any ideal society, if you are investigating, you must define the focus. If there is no focus, what are they investigating?

“We have no hidden agenda; this administration has a clean record which no one can smear through frivolous petitions.”

The Special Adviser on Communication to the Governor, Chief Dotun Oyelade, said: “The records which the ICPC requested are the same being utilised by the Joint Transition Committee. The government does not want to

•Alao-Akala inhibit the work of the transition committee.

“Neither does it want to appear to be stalling the transition process hence the need to conclude the work first and this has been virtually done.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS

In few days from now, the current National Assembly will wind up. But, a number of important bills already passed by the Senate awaits the concurrence of the House of Representatives, which seems occupied by in-fighting, writes Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•Vice-President Namadi Sambo (middle) with governors after the last National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

PHOTO: NAN

What fate for bills awaiting Reps concurrence?

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OR a piece of law to be ready for presidential assent, it has to be approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Bills such as the National Tobacco Control Bill and National Health Bill are examples of bills that have got the blessings of the Senate to become laws, but without the House of Representatives concurring to the bills, they are as good as pieces of suggestions.

The Freedom of Information Bill has been passed by both arms of the National Assembly, but it still needs to be harmonised because of the disparity in the versions passed by each arm.

The National Tobacco Control Bill, sponsored by Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, is meant to regulate the tobacco industry. International organisations such as the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) hailed its passage by the Senate.

But, with the Dimeji Bankole-led House of Representatives, in the last few days, engulfed in a crisis over a N10billion loan, the tobacco bill and many others have little or no chance of becoming law.

Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate has been busy passing more laws that may never get the assent of the House of Representatives.

Last week, the Senate passed a number of bills in quick succession.

The process of passing the bills was accelerated to avoid carrying them over to the next legislative session.

Some of the bills have been hanging for upward of four years and they have generated public interest and concern among the various sections of the public and stakeholders alike.

The FoI Bill was passed on March 16 by the Senate.

It protects serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain official information and established procedures. However, a snag in the law compels journalists to disclose their sources of information, a development that media establishments have continued to kick against.

The version passed by the House of Representatives is seen as better.

With the short time left, will the harmonis ation be done and the bill ready for presidential assent? Or, will it suffer a second time as it did in 2007 when it was passed by the National Assembly but refused presidential assent by former President Olusegun Obasanjo?

Also passed by the Senate but under threat of not being concurred to by the House of Representatives is the much awaited National Health Bill. The upper chamber unanimously endorsed it on May 19 after a clause-by-clause consideration by a committee of the whole house.

The bill terms seeks to define, streamline and provide a framework for standard and regulation of health services in the country.

It also spells out rights and duties of healthcare providers, health workers, health agencies and users, and serves as a guide in the development,

‘Good as it is that the Senate has passed many bills in the last few weeks, it will do the country a lot of good if the House of Representatives concurs to them.

Only then, will the efforts and resources not come to naught’ promotion and formulation of national health policies amongst others.

It was one bill that received wide public acclamation apparently owing to its direct impact on the people in their quest for a reliable healthcare system.

The Senate also last week passed the bill on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF) to cater for tertiary institutions. It was passed on May 17 as contained in the report of the Senate committee on Education headed

by Senator Uche Chukwukerije.

If signed into law, it will reposition the existing Education Trust Fund Act and assume a wider scope in the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary education in the country. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will now be left to cater for the needs of primary and junior secondary education.

With public tertiary institutions as its focus, the bill provides for the sourcing of the funds by stipulating two percent tax rate to be charged on the assessable profit of any company registered in Nigeria.

On May 18, the Senate passed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria bill and repealed the existing Nigerian Accounting Standards Board Act. The bill was passed after consideration of the 65 clauses contained in a report presented by the Senate Finance committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The bill stipulates a N500, 000 fine against anybody who is not registered under the Act but holds appointment or offers any professional services for remuneration for public interest entities. One highlight of the bill is that it has international implications on the nation’s economy.

On March 16, the Senate passed a bill to make the National Industrial Court a court of superior record. The bill entitled ‘Bill to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap. C23 of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 for the Establishment of the National Industrial Court’ was passed after consideration of the Report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

Owing to the constitutional dimension of the bill, the senators at the plenary had to vote on every clause to ensure the mandatory twothirds majority votes.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekw-

eremadu, who presented the bill, stated that for the NIC to achieve the purpose for which it was established, it must clearly and expressly be listed in the relevant sections of the constitution dealing with judicial powers and related matters as supported by the Supreme Court Judgment in suit No. SC.62/2004.

Similarly, it also included the President of the National Industrial Court in the membership of the Federal Judicial Service Commission; inclusion of the President of the National Industrial Court among judicial officers who shall have the power to advise the National Industrial Council on the nomination for appointment and recommendation for removal , dismissal and exercise disciplinary control over judicial officers of superior status ; and the inclusion of the President of the Judicial Court as a member of the National Judicial Council among Judicial Oath.

The Senate has lined up several other bills for passage before the dissolution of parliament next week.

One of such bills is the much awaited Petroleum Industry Bill, which has generated so much controversy within the polity. The House of Representatives is still bickering over this bill.

Good as it is that the Senate has passed many bills in the last few weeks, it will do the country a lot of good if the House of Representatives concurs - only then, will the efforts and resources not come to naught.

Foreign firm in $250m contract row with Nigerian telecom company

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PRIVATE equity firm backed by George Soros, Lord Rothschild and former US defence secretary Madeleine Albright is struggling to get paid for its flagship $250m (£154m) telecoms contract in Nigeria The London-based firm, Helios Investment Partners, run by two former Texas Pacific Group executives, started off building and maintaining telecom towers across Africa seven years ago.

It secured capital to construct 360 mobile phone towers in Nigeria

through a company called Helios Towers from various investors, including $50m from CDC, a UK government development fund.

The business is considered a model of successful private equity investment in Africa, securing a $250m package led by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation. On the back of this, it attracted Mr Soros, Lord Rothschild and Ms Albright to invest in a separate $350m Helios Towers Africa fund to “replicate the success of Nigeria”.

However, this $250m contract is now under threat after the mobile phone company that rents the towers claimed the agreement is invalid.

Multi-Links, owned by South Africa’s Telkom, told Helios Towers that it is under no obligation to pay rent or a termination fee years after the masts were built. The company is about three years into its 10-year contracts.

Multi-Links argues that the contracts are unenforceable, because they were not signed off by a state

official. Helios argues a signature is not necessary. In an effort to recoup its investment, Helios Towers is suing Multi-Links and Telkom in Lagos for $250m that would have been due to it in rent over the years.

In a further complication, Telkom agreed to sell Multi-Links to its rival, Visafone, in April. Helios Towers claims an injunction granted in Lagos in December 2010 maintains the status quo and prevents this sale “pending determination of the suit”.

Telkom, which has not disclosed the existence of this injunction to the

South African stock market, declined to comment.

Helios Investment Partners is one of the world’s largest private equity investors in Africa. Its second panAfrican fund being raised at the moment has exceeded its $800m target. It is about three times bigger than the previous fund, Helios Investors 1, which raised $305m in 2007.

A spokesman for Multi-Links said: “Multi-Links is committed to respecting the judgment of the Court.

4

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS Strike’ll still hold, says oil workers

Live by your oath, Sambo urges governors-elect From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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ICE President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has tasked governors-elect to live by their oath of office and deliver good governance to the people.

The promise and delivery of free and credible elections by the present administration he further said, are aimed at transforming the country.

Sambo also urged all elected officers to eschew bitterness and ensure the peace and unity of the country, adding that “Nigeria is greater than any individual or groups, and so the focus of the elected officers should be to serve.”

The vice president gave the advice Friday night during the closing of the induction symposium organised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for governors-elect, which held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

Sambo said: “As we get ready to be sworn-in on May 29, 2011, we must not forget our oath of office and allegiance, and must strive to abide by it.

“As elected representatives, we are for all and we must work for all.”

Northcentral CPC leaders dismiss Jonathan’s victory From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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EMBERS of the Northcentral zone of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have thrown their weight behind the decision of the national leadership of the party to challenge at the tribunal, the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan and that of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last April 16 presidential election.

The zonal party leaders also said it would support any aggrieved member of the party over the results of any of the elections to challenge it legally.

The chairmen of the party from, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara , Niger and Plateau states , including the Fecederal Capital Territory (FCT), who briefed reporters in Abuja concurred with the party that there were massive riggings which the local and international monitors never observed across the nation The leaders who were joined by their counterparts in Edo and Ondo states, claimed that there was something fishing in an election results where the president garnered over a million votes in a state but less than half a million votes were recorded all together during the governorship election in the same state.

According to them, the party has the hope that the judiciary will show high level of sincerity by admitting all the evidences.

They condemned the ploy of the PDP to buy their members with money and alleged that where such attempt failed the ruling party often used pseudo persons as CPC members.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology Dr Obafemi Hamzat addressing the press on the fourth year of Governor Babatunde Fashiola’s administration at the Press centre, Alausa, Ikeja... at the weekend. With him are Mrs Fausat PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Modupeola, Permanent Secretary (middle) and Mrs Edith Adebisi Adeyeye.

ACN decries Jonathan’s silence on Benue killings A CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday decried President Goodluck Jonathan’s silence over the alleged serial killings of the party’s members in Benue State.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also warned that the failure to stop the killings may be misinterpreted to mean that the President will only act to protect lives and property when those affected are members of his party.

The statement reads: ‘’You, President Goodluck Jonathan, are the President of Nigeria, not that of the PDP. The security and wellbeing of all Nigerians, whether they are in your party or in the opposition, are at the core of your presidential responsibility. It is therefore incumbent on you to take urgent measures today to stop the impunity that is taking hold in Benue, where several ACN members have been killed, starting from the run-up to the last general elections and to this moment. ‘’If you fail to act, those at the receiving end may be forced to take the laws into their own hands and the country will have another conflagration to contend with. Setting up a panel then to help unravel the immediate and remote causes of such conflagration will amount to shutting the pen after the chickens have bolted!’’

•Govt: It’s an insult

By Nneka Nwaneri

The ACN reminded the President of his widely quoted statement that no one’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian and said there are enough reasons for the President not to be seen to be unconcerned when any Nigerian is being harassed, maimed or killed for political reasons, as it is now happening in Benue State.

The party went said: ‘’If the President needs an impetus to act, he should call for the pictures of the body of Charles Ayede, the senior media adviser to our governorship candidate in Benue, Prof Steve Torkuma Ugbah, who was shot dead when gunmen attacked Ugbah’s convoy between Abuja and Makurdi May 13th 2011. ‘’The execution-style killing of an unarmed Nigerian in his own country, as depicted by the gory pictures of Ayede’s bullet-ridden body, is enough reason for any leader to say enough is enough.’’ ‘’The thinking in the state government’s circle is that once ACN members are subjected to relentless attacks and arrests as currently being carried out, the party will be forced to drop its ongoing legal challenge against Suswam’s stolen mandate. But nothing can be more inaccurate as the party will not be

intimidated into abandoning the recourse to the only civilised way of contesting electoral disputes, which is to head to the election tribunal,’’ the party said.

The mass arrest and detention of ACN leaders and members in the state) is the biggest indication yet that he does not have the people’s mandate to govern, adding: How can a Governor who claims to have the mandate of the people be afraid of the same people? How can a Governor who is the chief security officer of his state be crying out over insecurity to his own life?’’

It said as for the police, the President may want to ask the Inspector-General of Police to explain why all complaints made to the Benue police command by the ACN have been largely ignored, thus emboldening the Barbarians in the state to continue their attacks. ‘’During the electioneering campaigns, PDP thugs attacked our convoys severally and we reported the incidents to the Police - No arrest has been made; During the election proper, ACN agents were beaten up and, at least, two of them were killed - one at Logo and the other at GwerWest - No arrest has been made; There have been threats of kidnapping of the gubernatorial candidate,

while some of our party members have been kidnapped and kept behind the bars in private detention camps owned by PDP thugs that are loyal to Gov. Suswam. The kidnapping of Hon. Mtsterkyaa and Mr. Ternenge Chibee Tyough are cases in point - No positive response from the police.

But the government’s spokesman, Cletus Akwaya, described the allegation as an insult.

In a statement, Akwaya said: “It is an insult on the police for anybody to insinuate that the Inspector-General, Hafiz Ringim, is taking orders from Governor Gabriel Suswam.

“For avoidance of doubt, Prof Ugba is not being harassed in any way by the government.

“Count the governor out of the police invitation of the ACN chieftain. Second, Prof Ugba and his ACN have been engaged in a lot of propaganda against Suswam.

“The ACN has politicised the killing of Ayeda Charles.

Ugbah from all accounts of eyewitness was not attacked.

He was not at the scene of the incident but has politicised it to paint Suswam black.

“He has threatened violence in the state in all has media briefings. Ugbah and ACN have lost the election.

They should accept defeat or wait for the outcome of their petition at the tribunal.

“The resort to blackmail and mischief is unacceptable and ACN must be held responsible for the breakdown of law and order in the state.”

Post-election violence panel is justified, says ex-NBA boss

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ORMER President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has justified the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute a panel to investigate the recent post-election violence in some northern states.

He slammed those criticising the President’s decision to so act, insinuating that it was either the critics have something to hide, or

By Eric Ikhilae

were confusing the circumstances of the incident with past occurrences of similar nature.

He advised those opposed to the decision to go to court and desist from resorting to violence.

Olanipekun suggested the modification of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme to allow young

graduates serve within their geo-political region. He said the killing of 10 NYSC members in the latest round of violence showed that people do not appreciate the essence of the programme.

Olanipekun said: “I believe he (President) is justified. The constitution and the law of the land support him. Why are we afraid of knowing all that hap-

pened? If he sits down and do nothing, they will describe him as a lame duck President.

“Now that he has decided to act, they are condemning him. People should be brought to book so that we will prevent future occurrence. It is only when we are at the level of prosecuting that we can ask the states where the incident occurred to prosecute”, he said.

ORKERS in the oil and gas sector at the weekend vowed to go ahead with their planned strike if companies in the downstream sector failed to recall their sacked members.

The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) spoke in Lagos.

The union’s President in the Southwest Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the companies had continued to sack NUPENG members and opposed their unionisation.

“The management of MRS Oil and Gas sacked 36 of our members because they were unionised,” Korodo alleged.

He said that the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) through its subsidiary SNEPCO, also sacked 15 of its workers without paying their entitlements.

Korodo said it was regrettable that the companies failed to respect the Nigerian constitution that guarantees freedom of association.

He said that the Nigeria Agip Oil Company had also concluded arrangements to throw more workers out into the labour market “two months after it laid off hundreds of workers.”

“The number of people they sacked two months ago has populated the already unemployed market and this is contrary to the Federal Government’s efforts to curb unemployment.

“The situation is sad because the union had agreed with the management of Agip that workers will not be sacked again until further notice.

“Another issue is that workers in LFA Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Chevron Nigeria Limited was asked to join the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),” he said.

Party urged to apologise over Corps members’ death From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

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F the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN) has its way, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), would apologise over the death of the 10 National Youth Service Corps members in Bauchi State.

Demanding an apology from the party, the body described the call by some Nigerians for the scrapping of the NYSC scheme as baseless and uncalled for, arguing that national integration will be defeated.

The NYCN President, Ajani Olawale James, who spoke on behalf of the group, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and the National Assembly to ensure that all Corps members that volunteered to serve as adhoc workers be automatically absorbed into the federal civil service.

His words: “It is now obvious and true that the youth Corps members were not left unprotected, all agencies actually played their roles, hence the call for the scrapping of NYSC is baseless but rather its challenges be reviewed.

“Governor Isa Yuguda proved to be a humane leader and a patriot.

He gathered all the Corps members in a training school after the violence erupted in order to ensure their safety.”

THE NATION MONDAY MAY 23, 2011

The more deposits you make, the greater your chances of winning.

5

6

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS Tokyo warns against violence

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

EMBATTLED Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a. Tokyo, has urged union members to shun violence.

He urged members to remain calm in the face of provocations.

Tokyo warned members across the 33 local governments against becoming violence tools in the hands of politicians, who are desperate to cause crisis in the state.

He said: “We urge security operatives and well-meaning members of the public to shine their eyes and be on the lookout for these unscrupulous elements, whose mission is to cause disaffection and disrupt public peace.”

Tokyo pledged his support for the governor-elect, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and urged union members to support Ajimobi to develop the state.

He said the Union’s executive has resolved to reduce levies payable by commercial motorists and close all illegal Bus Stops where motorists are exploited.

Tokyo said they are making efforts to rid the roads of Area Boys.

Ondo PDP loses members to Labour SOME members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have defected to the Labour Party (LP).

Among them were the former PDP Vice-Chairman in the local government, Mr. Ayinuola Benson, and Mr. Allen Akingbesote.

Receiving them in Akure, the state capital, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said both old and new members had equal opportunities in the LP. He urged them to work hard and sustain unity in the party.

Mimiko also thanked the people of the state for supporting his administration.

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Ekiti doctors begin strike

HE National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) has begun an indefinite strike.

The association is demanding full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

It is also demanding the reversal of the new tax introduced by government in January, insisting that it will frustrate professionals.

The doctors are also demanding the immediate reinstatement of rural allowances for staff of the State Specialist Hospital, the Hospital Management Board and the Ministry of Health.

In a statement by NAGGMDP Chairman Gbenga Olowolafe and Secretary J.B. Ogunseye in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the doctors said they had no option but to go on strike after all efforts to resolve the matter failed.

They said: “We’re ready to dialogue with the government as soon as we are called upon. We’re not ready to stay away from work a day longer than necessary.”

Commissioner for Health Wole Olugboji described the strike as “hasty.”

He said: “If they have issues with tax, they can resolve it in ways other than going on strike.

“Strike should be adopted as the last option after all others have failed, but it appears the doctors are taking it as the first option.

“Already, they have sent a representation to the government as I adviced and the government has agreed to a rebate, which is about to be implemented, why the strike?”

•No truce in Ondo

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti, and Damisi Ojo, Akure

At the weekend, the Ondo State chapter of the Association resolved to continue its strike.

It made this known after an emergency meeting held at the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Office in Igbaton

Road, Akure, the state capital.

In a statement by its Secretary, Dr. Gbelela Dolani, the Association is also demanding the full and immediate implementation of CONMESS. It also called for the implementation of the allowance of doctors serving in the National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC), saying it should be in tandem with the ODSEMESS circular, which took effect from July 2010.

The association urged the State Government to resolve the matter soonest in the interest of the populace.

The government had requested for 10 days to resolve the problem, which lapsed at the weekend, but both parties are yet to reach an agreement.

O

•Director-General, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella (left) and Governor Kayode Fayemi after a technical meeting in the United Kingdon to explore areas of cooperation between UNIDO and the Ekiti State Government...at the weekend

•371 graduate from UNIOSUN

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

mineral resources exploitation.

“The tendency over the years, however, is for our government-owned universities to rely solely on tuition and government subvention. While I’m of the strong conviction that a government must fund its university adequately, the universities must also demonstrate resourcefulness in seeking alternative means to bridge the shortfall in their budgets. Nowhere in the world is the full cost of university education passed on to students and government.”

Aregbesola said university education has become unaffordable for the common man because of the high tuition fee.

He praised the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Okebukola, and Vice-Chancellor Prof.

Sola Akinrinade for running the school smoothly, such that the first set of students graduated without any interruption to the academic calendar.

Aregbesola praised Oyinlola for establishing the institution.

He congratulated the female students for their outstanding academic performance, as more than five of the nine graduating students with First Class grades were females.

The Chancellor of the University, Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, highlighted the achievements of the four-year old institution, and urged Aregbesola to ensure its survival.

Oba Sijuade said: “The University has come of age and there can be no looking back. Your Excellency, this school is your baby. It is our hope that this great citadel of learning will continue to make impact. I know the Yorubas can sell whatever they have to get education and Your Excellency will not do otherwise.”

The convocation of 371 students was well attended by academics, royal fathers, state functionaries and politicians.

About 49 universities were represented. Vice-Chancellors present included Prof.

Michael Faborode (Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe); Prof. Ishaq Oloyede (University of Ilorin); Prof Femi Balogun ( University of Agriculture, Abeokuta); Prof. Rotimi Ajayi (Landmark University, OmuAran); among others.

Ogun ACN alleges plot to disrupt May 29 handover

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ogun State has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the outgoing Governor Gbenga Daniel administration to disrupt the handing over ceremony on Sunday.

The party alleged a plot to bomb the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the venue of the ceremony.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola La-

•Govt denies •Daniel launches book From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

wal, ACN alleged that Daniel had instructed his aides and associates to vacate the state on or before Wednesday, so that they would not be caught up in the mayhem.

It alleged that Daniel is yet to wake up to the reality of his exit from power and is grudgingly leaving office

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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HE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Ekiti State chapter, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint responsible Nigerians into his cabinet.

It also urged the President to ensure that a young and vibrant person, with proven record of achievement, is appointed from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti.

In a statement by its Chairman, Prince Tunji Ogunlola, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital at the weekend, CNPP said a vibrant federal executive would ensure good governance and development.

It praised the President for constituting a panel of enquiry to look into the post-election violence in some Northern states and urged members to be truthful in their recommendations.

CNPP congratulated Jonathan on his victory and urged him to fulfill his electioneering promises.

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Aregbesola advises varsities to find other cash sources SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the management of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) to seek alternative sources of funding.

He said this would ease the burden on government and the students.

The university, which was established in 2007 by his predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has five campuses across the three Senatorial Districts.

Speaking last Saturday at the maiden convocation of the university, Aregbesola urged its management to emulate the resourcefulness of foreign universities.

He said: “A university derives its funds from four sources – tuition, government subvention, endowment and intellectual products, like patents, books etc.

Some Western universities even engage in real estate and

Ekiti CNPP seeks new breed of ministers

with the intention of causing chaos.

The government dismissed the allegation and urged security agencies to investigate it.

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, said: “We’re shocked by the resort to naked propaganda and vile untruth by a party which should be con-

cerned with fashioning ways to consolidate the gains of the last eight years in Ogun State.

“The allegation is false as the government cannot and will not destroy what it has built. These things would continue to stand as legacies of our good governance in the last eight years.

Also yesterday, Daniel urged civil servants to shift their loyalty to the in-coming administration of Sena-

tor Ibikunle Amosun as the handing over date draws nearer.

He spoke during the presentation of his Memoirs, “Daniel in the Lion’s Den,” in Sagamu, his hometown.

At the book launch, which coincided with the dedication of ABRAHAM’s TABERNACLE in honour of his father, Rev. Abraham Daniel, the Governor said civil servants must always be loyal to the state.

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has decried the declining standard of education.

At the end of its second Synod yesterday, the diocese urged the Federal Government to concentrate on strengthening existing higher institutions, instead of establishing new ones.

It also condemned the growing inability of children to speak local languages and urged parents to teach them traditional values and customs.

The diocese praised the Federal Government on the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and urged it to expend the fund judiciously.

It urged President Goodluck Jonathan to review the “huge amount paid as overheads to legislators”, describing it as “outrageous.”

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7

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS COUNT DOWN TO MAY 29 His first term, to many, was peaceful. In fact, there were some infrastructure developments. But the second term of Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has been a radical departure, ERNEST NWOKOLO reports

Kwara PDP denies ‘plan’ to doctor poll materials

Daniel and his many battles

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

I

T has been a long and tortuous journey, particularly in the last three years. And by Sunday, Governor Gbenga Daniel’s two terms of eight years tenure will come to a close in Ogun State. The 55-year-old mechanical engineer was first sworn in May 29, 2003 with accolades wherever he went.

He was sworn in again on May 29, 2007. But his last days have been quite challenging as he strove to impress it upon the people what he considered as some of his indelible achievements in the last eight years.

He inaugurated the N1.5billion 12 storey OPIC Plaza in the heart of Abeokuta, the state capital, a week ago. The project was conceived by him in 2008 and only recently completed to set the pace for what the new Abeokuta Central Business District would look like.

In Sagamu, yesterday, the governor launched his memoirs, “Daniel In The Lion’s Den”. A church christened: ABRAHAM’s TABERNACLE, named after his biological father, was dedicated in the presence of former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, among other dignitaries.

With more projects lined up for inauguration ahead of the May 29 hand-over date, Daniel has had to contend with a battery of allegations from the rival Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and even from within his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His failure to install his adopted political son, Mr Gboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), as his successor worsened matters for the out-going governor.

His sins, according to the ACN include: the massive recruitment of workers into the civil service in the twilight of his administration, the sale of government properties to cronies at give-away prices, the carting away of office appliances and, lately the plotting to disrupt the May 29 hand-over ceremony by bombing the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the event.

Daniel,through his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Sina Kawonise and his Chief Press Secretary (CPS),Mr Gbenro Adebanjo,has dismissed the allegations as “mere falsehood,cheap and vile blackmail and idiocy from the ACN.” Prior to that, Daniel cut a conflicting image in the estimation of many. He was seen as being notorious on the side of illegality in the manner he conducted state affairs and the various decisions taken by his administration which did not agree with due process.

For instance, he sacked the Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government Area, Alhaji Tele Ogunjobi and other elected officials without input from the House of

‘But his last days have been quite challenging as he strove to impress it upon the people what he considered as some of his indelible achievements in the last eight years.’

Assembly. Daniel said his action was to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.

He appointed his crony, Prince Wale Osiyemi, as Caretaker Committee Chairman for the council,also without the approval of lawmakers.

Even when the House, under the leadership of Speaker Tunji Egbetokun, raised an eyebrow to the non adherence to due process, the governor never budged.

But when a state High Court sitting in Ijebu–Igbo nullified the sack of elected officials of Ijebu–North council last, declaring Daniel’s action “illegal and unconstitutional” and ordering the re-instatement of Tele Ogunjobi and other council officials, the order was not obeyed.

The same ugly feat was repeated in Ijebu East Local Government Council when in December 2010, following youth restiveness in Ijebu–Ife community, the governor sacked the elected officials without consulting the Assembly.

He will not be forgotten in a hurry for his alleged unenviable role in the pre –dawn invasion of the House of Assembly on September 6, 2010 by nine minority lawmakers, led by Mr. Soyemi Coker, who purportedly held plenary and suspended Egbetokun and 14 others.

Despite strident public outcry against this brazen illegality foisted on the people, the Assembly had been locked against the lawmakers with governance resting on two legs.

The list of alleged illegalities in the Gateway State increased with the appointment of Elder Yemi Akinwonmi as Commissioner for Education and the constitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) earlier rejected by the Egbetokun–led House during screening.

Daniel demystified former President Olusegun Obasanjo and showed him scanty respect. Some

traditional rulers were not spared of his wrath. The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo, was once threatened with dethronement for decrying the worsening state of roads in his domain.

Under Daniel’s watch as Chief Security Officer of the state, some prominent indigenes were killed by unknown gunmen. Age Lemomu from Sagamu simply disappeared without a trace.

The Daniel administration was severally accused of rearing a “killer squad”. Although Daniel himself had denied this allegation and challenged his accusers to show the world “dead bodies” of slain persons on the streets of Ogun, his former Commissioner, Mr Waliu Taiwo, who was one of his accusers, later reversed himself and said there was no “killer squad” in the state.

One of his former media aides, Mr Segun Sowunmi, who was appalled at the governor’s penchant for getting himself in conflicts with resident told reporters recently that if his former principal was not heard quarrelling with Alake of Egbaland or the Osile of Oke Ona– Egba, it should be with former President Obasanjo. In Sowunmi’s view, this should not be so, as in the last couple of years, the governor had become a “magnet of crisis,” when he should have been a peacemaker in the land.

He also recalled that Daniel’s “anti–party activity”, which went unchallenged, in a way, contributed to the abysmal performance of the PDP during the April general elections.

His words: “Up till now, I have not recovered from what we can call the height of anti-party activity.

How can a sitting governor who has had a privilege of using the party to come to national prominence, sits on top of the mandate given to him and then create another party which hitherto did not exist?

But Adebanjo rated his boss high saying; “indeed, the last eight years in Ogun State under the watch of Otunba Gbenga Daniel have witnessed an undisguised revolution, coursing through all facets of lives.”

According to Adebanjo who succeeded Mr Wale Adedayo as Daniel’s CPS, the governor brought socio—economic transformation and people-centred projects, policies and programmes never witnessed in the annals of the history of the state.

His words: “One cannot make omelet without breaking an egg and as such, Daniel’s relentless battles at all fronts should be expected.

“Daniel has fought many battles, most of them contrived by political opponents who either could not keep pace with his administration’s developmental initiatives or want-

T

•Daniel

ed a return to the status-quo or out of pure mischief.

“Those who believe in the status quo and who accuse Daniel of upsetting the Apple Cart have nearly succeeded in drowning out the genuine voice of the people who are in a better position to give the verdict on his stewardship. The reality on the ground contrasts sharply with the deliberately concocted falsehood being bandied about by the governor’s traducers and political opponents.”

He cited the new business district accentuated by the domineering presence of the OPIC Twin Tower which was commissioned on May 12, the dualisation of Lalubu Road, hitherto notorious for traffic gridlock, the Abeokuta—Siun Expressway, the refurbished Olumo Rock, the new Housing Estates in Asero, the refurbished MKO Abiola International Stadium, the complete turnaround at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, the new State Secretariat in Oke– Mosan and the Obasanjo Presidential Hilltop Estate as Daniel’s indelible achievements in the last eight years.

Other legacies of the governor according to him, are; a campus of Olabisi Onabanjo University of Technology at Ibogun, the Laderin Workers Estate and a new Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Itori, the new School of Nursing in Ilaro, new stadia in Ijebu—Ode, Sagamu and Ilaro, the first University of Education in Ijagun, the new ICT-based Polytechnics and the multi—billion naira LNG Project at the Olokola Free Trade Zone.

Even Mrs Iyabo Apamapa, who rued that Daniel was betrayed at last by those he trusted, rated him for completing the 12-storey OPIC building. For Oba Adetona, Daniel would score first class were he to be assessed.

Oyo workers threaten strike over non-payment of new wage

O

YO State civil servants have given Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala up till noon today to pay the N18,000 national minimum wage, which he recently approved, or face an indefinite strike.

The workers, under the aegis of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the governor planned to avoid paying the new wage before he

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

leaves office next week.

They have threatened to disrupt the May 29 disengagement for Alao-Akala if he fails to implement the as he promised during his governorship campaign.

Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bayo Ajayi, insisted that since Alao- Akala had

promised the workers that he would pay the new wage, he had no justification for reneging on the promise.

Ajayi said the governor and members of the NLC and TUC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the new wage, adding that the circular for its implementation was out.

But the governor, through a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Ola-

kojo, blamed some unnamed officials of the state Board of Internal Revenue for the non-payment of the new wage.

Alao-Akala accused the officials of hindering his efforts to pay the new wage.

But the workers alleged that the governor’s excuse was another prank to evade the new wage implementation and a ploy to pass it to Governor-elect Abiola Ajimobi.

“If Alao-Akala will pay

all political appointees their severance allowance, including himself, there should be no reason why he should not pay us our May salary with the new minimum wage as contained in the MoU he signed with our leaders. If he fails to pay us this new wage, we will make sure he and his people are put to shame before he leaves on May 29,” said one of the workers who spoke on condition of anonymity.

HE ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described as incorrect allegation that it intends to manipulate electoral documents.

The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) has accused PDP of doctoring electoral materials used for the April 26 governorship ballot with alleged complicity of some INEC staff in the state.

Belgore’s spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye had said that those materials are already subjects of tribunal order which last week granted the ACN the leave to inspect and make copies of all the materials used for the ballot.

The statement read: “We are informed that some of the materials that were used for the elections, which materials were the subjects of court order issued last week, are now being doctored by the PDP in Kwara State, with complicity of the state INEC. “The Election tribunal had ordered INEC to permit our governorship candidate and the other petitioners to inspect and take copies of those election materials. Rather than facilitate the enforcement of the court order, INEC has constituted itself into an advocate for the PDP and has put every obstacle in the way and has frustrated its enforcement. INEC has failed to act as an unbiased party in this regard. Tampering with public records, which electoral materials, is a criminal offence under the law.”

Gunmen attack Adamawa ex-Speaker From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

U

NKNOWN gunmen have attacked a former Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, at his filling station near the Federal University of Technology, Yola.

Abdullahi, a two-time lawmaker representing Girei State Constituency, was reportedly shot several times by the gunmen.

It was gathered that his attackers arrived at the filling station, demanding to see the manager.

They reportedly drew their guns and shot the politician on the thigh and hands.

Yola was thrown into panic as the news spread round the city.

The operation of the bandits lasted for 40 minutes.

Many residents called on Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim to intensify security patrol along the Girei yola axis. Speaking to journalists the Girei Local Government Chairman Hon. Lokodon E. George, said he was contacted over the incident and he made cogent effort with Girei Security team to track the robbers but the effort failed.

8

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS Ondo commissioner summoned

O

NDO State House of Assembly has ordered the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Julius Akinnigbagbe, to disburse the remaining N700 million of the N1 billion Federal Government intervention agriculture loan before Friday.

The Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Idowu Adebusuyi, summoned the commissioner before the committee to explain why the disbursement was delayed.

The ministry disbursed N300 million to farmers before it stopped the disbursement of the remaining amount.

Most of the farmers accused the ministry of sidelining them from accessing the loan.

Akinnigbagbe hinged the delay on the preparation for last month’s elections.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

He said the fund was still intact, adding that the ministry has decided to disburse the fund before Friday.

Adebusuyi warned that the House would not tolerate the diversion of loan for personal use, urging the commissioner to ensure that the N700 million was disbursed before the stipulated time.

He said failure to do so would attract sanction from the House.

Adebusuyi said: “Since the ministry has said that it would disburse the fund on May 27, I want to implore the commissioner to stick to his promise. The loan is not expected to be idle.

“The fund is meant for the development of agriculture in the state, so it should not be channelled to another direction.”

Lam Adesina to Jonathan: fix power within one year

F

ORMER Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to fix power supply in the next one year.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain said the only enduring legacy the President could bequeathe to the nation is to ensure constant power supply.

If Mr. President can achieve this feat in one year, Adesina said, “the people of this country will not forget him forever”.

Adesina addressed reporters at his Felele, Ibadan, home, at the weekend, when he answered questions on his expectations from Dr Jonathan’s leadership as from May 29.

He said what Nigerians needed most from the President was steady power supply for at least one year.

I

He described the Jonathan administration in the post-Umar Musa Yar’Adua era as “colourless” except for the appointment of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, and the free hand he gave the commission to operate.

Adesina said little or no success could be attributed to Jonathan’s presidency after the death of the late Yar’Adua.

Exuding confidence that Jonathan will give Nigerians credible leadership following his victory at last month’s poll, Adesina said what Nigerians want from the Federal Government in the next one year’s a considerable leap in energy generation and regular power supply.”

By Oziegbe Okoeki

According to him, the members are busy on how to ensure the passage of outstanding bills before the expiration of their tenure and have not had the time to discuss their severance.

He said severance would come at the end of their tenure and not when they are still serving.

Adeyeye said it was not an issue since it would be determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC).

He said: “We see this as wrong information. I do not know what criteria they used in arriving at the figure. If anything, it may not even be up to 10 per cent

of the figure being bandied around.”

The lawmaker denied knowledge of any meeting between Governor Babatunde Fashola and principal officers of the House where issues of severance package was discussed, “because as much as I know, such issues are normally discussed at the end of every tenure. So, the time is not ripe for that yet.”

Obasa said since the formula for determining the severance package had not changed, it would not exceed what was paid those who served in the last Assembly, which he said was a little over N3million.

He said: “In the last Assembly, which I was privileged to be part of, it was a

little over N3million that was paid and we do not see how that can be different now.

“I suspect that the intention of the writers of that story is to malign our political party and paint the members, particularly the Speaker, in bad light before the public. So, the source of the information calls for questioning.”

Olowo said: “Neither the governor nor members have such powers to determine the severance package. It can only be done by RMFAC”.

Fafunmi said the report was treacherous, adding: “It is information that can hardly be true. It is not possible, it is a big lie”.

Adeyeye said, the House would meet and take a decision on what to do about the report.

•United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon (left), Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, former Minister of Health Babatunde Osotimehin, Director-General, Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) Hajia Amine Az-Zubaor and Secretary for Health and Human Services (FCT) Dr PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN Precious Gbeneol during Ki Moon’s visit to Maitama Hospital, Abuja...at the weekend

By Emmanuel Oladesu

tion.

The guests for the ceremony, which will hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, include Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; Mr Gbenga Akintola of Lagos State Public Works Corporation; Mrs Sarah Jubril and Mr Akin Ogunbiyi.

The organiser’s spokesman, Olatunji Babafemi, told reporters in Lagos that the awards would revive the culture of philanthropy and inspire individuals and corporate organisations to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business operations.

Lanlehin loses mum A COMMUNITY leader in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Mrs Abigail Monilola Lanlehin, is dead.

A statement by her son, Senator-elect Olufemi Lanlehin, said she died on May 15.

She was 85.

Funeral arrangements would be announced later, the statement added.

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has denied that its outgoing members have been paid a severance package of N52million and those returning, N40 million.

It hold reporters in Lagos, at the weekend, that the report was untrue.

Deputy Majority Leader Ajibayo Adeyeye spoke at the Assembly complex on Saturday.

Other lawmakers at the briefing were Adewale Babatunde, now House of Representatives memberelect; Dayo Fafunmi; Rotimi Olowo; and Mudashiru Obasa.

Adeyeye described the story as malicious.

He said: “The story is complete falsehood, malicious and completely away from the truth. It has no substance at all.”

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Okorocha, New Era get awards MO State Governorelect Rochas Okorocha, wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajia Abiodun Yuguda and popular industrialist, Sir Adebutu Kesington, are among Nigerians that will receive the maiden ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ awards in Lagos on July 15.

Other recipients of the awards, which its organiser, CTRU Concepts, tagged: “Heart of Gold Awards, are Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, founder of Courage Education Foundation; Chief Ade Ojo, Founder, Elizade Ojo Education Foundation; New Era Foundation, founded by Senator-elect Oluremi Tinubu; and Sickle Cell Founda-

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Lagos Assembly denies N52m severance package

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Military pensioners urge Jonathan to probe board

ENSIONERS, under the aegis of Southwest Military Pensioners Pressure Group, have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to probe the activities of the Military Pensions Board (MPB) from 2003 to 2011.

In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, their Chairman, Legion Rank Colonel Dauda Ajao, demanded an apology from the Chairman of the board, Rear Admiral Bala Mshella, for allegedly referring to them as “fake soldiers” or

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

be sued.

The pensioners said there was need for the President to probe the board to resolve the protracted problems pensioners have been facing for years.

They said: “If Jonathan is there with sincerity of purpose, he should commence probing the activities of the board from 2003 to 2011 .We

have given 40 days’ ultimatum to the Federal Government...to pay us our monetisation of 12.5 per cent of 2003 to 2007 and 53per cent from July 2010 to 2011.”

They said it was unfortunate that despite the promise that 53 per cent would be paid to them “immediately without any delay”after a previous verification under the former Chairman of the board, Maj.-Gen. Bitrus Kwanji “up till now, the

money has not been paid”.

On the allegation that they are “fake soldiers”, the pensioners said: “We did the verification and the chairman calling us fake soldiers is very unfortunate and uncalled for. We in Oyo State are not fake military pensioners as being speculated...”

The pensioners urged Mshelia “to apologise through the media”, adding: “If he fails to apologise, we are ready to sue him to court.”

N2b for Ekiti tourism development

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OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi has held meetings with foreign investors on how to develop Ekiti State’s economy, his Chief of Staff, Yemi Adaramodu, has said.

He said some investors from the Bahamas have agreed to invest N2 billion in the tourism sector.

Fayemi is on a business tour of the United King-

dom, Europe and the Bahamas, where he has met with members of the international community and other agencies interested in developing Ekiti.

Adaramodu spoke, at the weekend, on a personality interview programme on the radio and television channels of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), Ekiti Today.

He said the investors were impressed with the presentation by the government officials, adding that they indicated willingness to invest in the tourism sector.

Adaramodu said the investment would transform the Ikogosi-Ipole-Iloro-Erijiyan-Okemesi tourism corridor and bring foreign exchange into the govern-

ment coffers.

He said Fayemi was concerned about the Ikogosi Warm Springs, located at Ikogosi, in Ekiti West local government, which his administration has resolved to develop to international standards.

According to him, the tourism sector will create jobs for the residents; place Ekiti on world tourism

map; and make the state less dependent on the allocations from the Federation Account.

Adaramodu said Fayemi travelled to Austria to meet with top officials of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to help tap the vast agricultural resources in Ekiti to establish industries.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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NEWS 11 killed in Edo cult clash

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LEVEN persons have been reportedly killed in Edo State, following a renewed cult clash.

Of the victims, seven were killed in different parts of Benin, the state capital.

Four were killed at Ekiadolor in Ovia Northeast Local Government.

Many of the victims were either stabbed or shot at close range .

Fifteen persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the killings.

Police sources said they were arrested in Benin on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, David Omojuola.

•15 arrested From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Omojuola had ordered Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to fish out those involved in the killings.

He said the police had uncovered plans by some persons to cause disaffection and insecurity under the guise of cultism.

Omojuola assured residents of adequate protection.

“The DPOs have been given marching orders to effect the arrest of those individuals and their collaborators,” he said.

Itulah may become House Leader From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

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HERE are indications that Friday Itulah from Edo State may replace Tunde Akogun as the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The lawmaker, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Loans, Aids and Debts, represents Esan Northeast/Esan Southeast Federal Constituency.

Itulah who was Speaker of the House of Assembly for two terms, seems set to clinch the post, the zoning of which has been retained in the Southsouth by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PDP leadership in the zone were said to have agreed to the arrangement and have reportedly sent Itulah’s name to the National Secretariat.

The House Leader ranks third in the hierarchy of the principal officers of the House coming after the Deputy Speaker.

Part of the role of the Majority Leader is to lead debates during plenary.

The choice of Itulah was said to have stemmed from his track record in the two terms he served as Speaker in the state Assembly as well as his contributions in the House.

Power committee for Rivers

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IVERS State Government has inaugurated a seven-member electricity power distribution committee to work out modalities for self sustenance in electricity supply.

The committee is headed by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Managing Director, Mutiu Summonu.

Members are Commissioner for Power Augustine Wokocha; Toyin Olagunju; Emmanuel Georgewill and Rotimi Onanuga. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Minabelem

Michael-West, is to serve as Secretary.

The committee is to review the power supply situation, with a view to developing a sustainable framework for improving power supply and develop a master plan for delivering power to critical infrastructure and industries.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi thanked members for accepting to serve, noting that by September, the state would be generating about 460 megawatts, which when distributed would ensure stable supply.

Monarch advises policemen HE police and other security agencies have been challenged to forestall any security breaches during next Sunday’s inaugurations .

At a briefing in Abuja, the Pre of Biseni Kingdom, Bayelsa State, King Akile Peter Nwaku Omide, said the officers must display professionalism to avoid a reccurrence of bomb blast and security breaches.

He said the spate of post-election violence should serve as a warning to law enforcement agents not to leave anything to chance.

His words: “Once beaten, twice shy. It is the duty of Nigerians to ensure the successful and peaceful take-off of a new dawn for Nigeria.

“We must show the international community that we are peace loving and united because these are basic ingredients of national development.”

King Nwaku advised President Goodluck Jonathan to beware of sycophants and shun recycled politicians, who have nothing to offer.

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Govt condemns plot

HE Akwa Ibom State Government has condemned the attempted assassination of the presenter/producer of Politics Today/Akwa Ibom Today, Sampson Akpan, in Uyo, the state capital.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the government said: “This barbaric act is suspected to be masterminded by political opponents.

“We wish to state that the safety of life and property of the citizens remain a top priority.

“The present administration will not succumb to intimidation and blackmail by miscreants and enemies of progress.

“We, therefore, call on all citizens to be alert and report all suspicious elements to security agents.”

•Grand Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abubakar (left), receiving a souvenir from the Commandant, Nigeria Army Peace-Keeping Centre, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, at the graduation of the 19 Battalion, Nigeria Army Peace-Keeping Corps in Jaji, Kaduna State…at the weekend

RMAFC is being mischievous, says Amaechi T

HE last has not been heard of the rift between Rivers and Akwa Ibom states government over the 86 oil wells.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said it would be mischievous of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to look into the Supreme Court’s judgment on the wells.

He described the committee raised by RMAFC as unnecessary, saying members of the commission are not lawbreakers and would do the right things, to ensure lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

•‘Akwa Ibom must pay’ From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Amaechi said his administration would use legitimate means to recover the money collected on the wells by Akwa Ibom as directed by the Supreme Court.

“Akwa Ibom must pay the money with interest.”

Amaechi spoke, at the weekend, at Okrika through Commissioner for Information and Communications

Mrs. Ibim Semenitari.

He said: “There is nothing to discuss, debate or argue.

We spent Rivers people’s money in going to court and we cannot betray them.

“We will use every legitimate means to get the money.

We will protect their interest.

“It will not become a fullblown war, but Akwa Ibom must pay the money, thereby respecting the March 18 judg-

ment of the Supreme Court.

There is no alternative except doing the right things.”

The judgment was based on the October 31, 2006 agreement, through political arrangement, and not historical or technical solution.

After two years of legal tango, the Supreme Court ordered Akwa Ibom to transfer the wells to Rivers , with accruing revenues beginning from April 2009.

Akwa Ibom is expected to refund about N350 billion, based on the judgment by a panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu.

Ogboru challenges Uduaghan’s election at tribunal

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HE Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal will today hold its inaugural sitting.

The sitting of the threeman panel will take place in High Court 5, Umuda Quarters, Asaba, the capital.

The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) governorship candidate, Great Ogboru, is challenging the declaration of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Emmanuel Uduaghan as governor.

Ogboru is praying the tribunal to declare him the duly elected governor in the April 26 election.

In his petition, Ogboru argued that the Independent National Electoral Commis-

•‘Why he can’t be governor’ From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba and Shola O’Neil, Warri

sion (INEC) wrongly declared Uduaghan winner with 525,793 votes against his actual votes of 233,953.

He accused INEC of allocating additional 291,840 unlawful votes to Uduaghan and the PDP. Ogboru said his 400,058 votes were the highest scored by any candidate in the election and he ought to be declared winner.

According to him, DPP rejects INEC’s Greek gift of

33,776 unlawful votes arbitrarily added to his lawful votes.

The votes, he said, were toxic and not the votes of the electorate.

Commissioner for Communications and Orientation Paulinus Akpeki has faulted a call for the inauguration of Ogboru as governor.

Akpeki, reacting to a statement by a group, Sunshine Organisation, calling for Ogboru’s declaration, cautioned against inciting remarks before the determi-

•Ogboru

nation of the case pending before the tribunal.

Akpeki said the tribunal should be allowed to determine who had the highest number of votes instead of resorting to “unnecessary propaganda” to confuse the public with wrong information.

Kuku: only Jonathan can receive arms from Togo

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PECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs Kingsley Kuku yesterday said only the President can receive arms from renegade militant leader John Togo.

He said Togo had once accepted the amnesty but reneged on the offer.

Kuku, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said: “John Togo has not surrendered any weapon to the Federal Government; he and his team declared that they are willing to re-surrender their arms.

“He was part of this programme and had shown willingness to be part of the pro-

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

gramme.

“We are yet to receive any communication from him and his group to that effect.

If John Togo’s arms are to be received only President Jonathan can receive them, or direct anybody to receive them.”

Kuku said only Jonathan has the constitutional powers to grant amnesty to the over 1,500 youths from Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Ondo states.

His words: “There are over 1,500 youths who are ready to accept amnesty and lay down their arms for the government’s re- integration

programme.

“I do not want to blame anybody, that when amnesty was proclaimed in August 25, 2009, people did not believe that it was going to be a reality.

“October 4, 2009 was the deadline; 20,192 people accepted amnesty.

I think that we cannot keep going on like that, there has been a deadline for amnesty; it is over.

“People cannot come from anywhere to say they must be included in the programme, however, it is only the President who has the singular right and power to include or refuse to include, or deny inclusion for any-

body into this programme.

“I have not received any instruction or directive from the President, if I do get such directive to include such people into this programme, we will commence the process of including them.

“But so far, the President has put a stop to further inclusion for acceptance of special amnesty.”

The deadline, Kuku said, is over.

He said 24 youths, including two ladies, were flown to the PetroSkills Petroleum Institute in Houston, United States, for a six-month vocational training course in oil and gas drilling.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NEWS Primate urges action on post- election violence From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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NGLICAN Primate ArchBishop Nicholas Okoh yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to unmask sponsors of post-election violence in some parts of the North.

The Anglican head spoke at the Eight Synod of Abuja Diocese of the church. He said government must go beyond the rhetoric of setting up a panel to investigate the outcome of the riots to punishing culprits.

He said: Government must do more than this; it must have the will to punish all involved, whoever they are.

Government must resist lobbyist who want to destabilise the country.

Okoh called on Northern elites to embark on massive education of their citizens.

He said: “There are Northerners in the south enjoying safety, security and free enterprise. Mosques are being built without hindrance in the South, this advocacy is essential to redirect the erring youths and oligarchic politicians.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Odein Ajumugobia assured that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to the welfare of the citizenry.

He advised religious leaders to be praying for the success of Jonathan’s administration.

Fed Govt takes over Ebonyi VVF Centre

Excess Crude Account illegal, says Saraki

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•New Governors Forum chair this week

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HAIRMAN of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Bukola Saraki has said the Excess Crude Account is illegal. But, to him, that governors are not abusing the account by withdrawing funds statutorily meant for the states from it.

He said the NGF might choose a new chairman this week. The new chairman, according to him, will not necessarily be a PDP governor.

Saraki spoke in Abuja at the weekend. He denied that governors had been pressurising the presidency to release funds from the Excess Crude Account.

He said governors who were drawing from the funds for critical projects that would benefit the masses.

Saraki explained that the nation’s interest has always guided withdrawals from Excess Crude Account.

He said: “The constitution is very clear that the issue of excess crude is against the principle of the constitution.

“If you go by the constitution, there is nothing like

From Yusuf Alli and Sanni Ologun, Abuja

excess crude account. Every money that comes in, you share. So, if that is what the constitution says, the Federal Government is not doing states a favour. It is their money.

“But because we all agreed again about putting Nigeria first, ‘we said yes this is what the constitution is saying and that is what is legal’ if you want to go about it. But maybe in the interest of the economy and best practices that we see in other countries, let’s agree among ourselves that though we should do this, we will not take everything. We will share some.

We will keep some.

“And if there are incidents along the way that we need to tap out of that money ,we will do that. But the way it is being sometimes portrayed is as if the governors are just bullying the centre. The centre has no right to that money. That is the truth.

Even this Sovereign Wealth Fund that we signed is another good example. It shows that we are partners in progress.

“Agreed that we set up this Sovereign Wealth Fund it is

money that is meant to have come to us as states.

The Federal Government cannot even touch one naira of it. They can touch their own. If they want to save their own, they can save their own percentage. But the one that belongs to states and local governments, they should send it to states and local governments. But we as states and local governments have said we would cooperate with you. By right this is what we should do but in the interest of Nigeria we will do this.

“Now if we are doing that and we have saved N10billion we have saved N5billion and there is need to spend, it is just like if you have a savings account; it is your money you can go there and say ‘look there is an exigency now I need money.’ The bank is not doing a favour by giving you what is yours because you could decide that take that money from my savings account and put it in my current account and let me just be writing my cheques and spend it.

“That is what the law says.

But, sometimes, the percep-

•Saraki

tion given to the public is that ‘ah the governors have come they have intimidated the President, they have codrawn excess crude.”

“The constitution says all revenue must be shared. So you now earn N100 you say we are only sharing N65.

Who is sharing that N65?

That is why some people say we should amend the constitution. There should be Accountant General of the Federation and a Federal Accountant- General.

Saraki said the Governors Forum is now transformed and it has brought governors together irrespective of parties.

He added: “I think the Governors Forum has transformed to a focusdriven forum that has focused on national integration and unity. We are trying to bring all the states, irrespective of our parties and to ensure that we intervene in areas that would make life better for Nigerians.

Ebonyi passes bill on road From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

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HE Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill

prohibiting illegal destruction of roads.

The bill makes destruction of roads an offence, stipulates imprisonment for offenders on conviction by the court and provides that any person who either blocks a drainage channel, damages road pavement or cuts road facilities is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to six months imprisonment or pay a fine of N50,000.

Corporate organisations that commit same offence would pay N200,000.

The bill also prohibits making of burn fire, creating bumps without permission of relevant authorities, parking of Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV) and spreading of grains or other food items on roads.

Speaker of the House, Augustine Nwankwegu, assures on quick passage of bills.

He warned enforcement agents against abuse of the bill when signed into law.

Three bills, including the bill for a law to establish the StateHotels and Tourism Board; State Broadcasting Corporation as well as to amend Ebonyi State Specified Offices Pensions Law (number 002 of 2007) were considered.

HE Federal Government has said the National Fistula Center in Abakaliki, would served as treatment of Vestico Varginal Fistula (VVF), research and screening of cancer patients in the Southeast.

Minister of Health Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu spoke at the formal handover ceremony of the Southeast Fistula Centre to the Federal Government by Ebonyi State Government at the weekend.

He assured of free medical services to patients.

Chukwu assured that the exercise (screening of cancer patients) would be flaggedoff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame.

He said the National Fistula Centre would provide employment opportunities.

Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Josephine Elechi,hailed the Federal Government for the gesture.

She said: “Obstetric fistula is indeed a national scourge that requires a holistic treatment and prevention approach.

With the election of my husband as Governor of Ebonyi State in 2007, I decided to use my position, resources, time and energy to mainstream issues on obstetric fistula with emphasis on treatment and prevention through my Mother and Child Care Initiative.

“I recalled my maiden advocacy visit in 2008 to the then Minister of Health Prof Adenike Grange to intimate her about my dream of establishing a National Fistula Center in Abakaliki. It appeared like an impossible task, but today we are gathered for the formal handover of the Southeast Fistula Center to the Federal Government.

“The clients, who came from Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Kogi, Lagos and Benue States received free surgical services, feeding, medication, accommodation and investigations at no expense.

Three held over Anambra bank robbery •INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, receiving report of the Commonwealth Observer Group on the 2011 general elections from Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, at the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House,London...at the weekend.

Orji: Why Igbo can’t get PDP chair

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HE Igbo cannot get the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the President is from the South, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has said.

Orji, who spoke at the weekend, said the agitation by the Igbo for the return of the top position to the Southeast, as it was during the presidency of the late Umaru Yar’Adua, is no longer realistic because of “the new power equation.”

“The South cannot hold the presidency and the party chairmanship simultaneously,” orji said in a statement yesterday by his Spe-

•Igbo youths insist on slot From Adimike George,

Onitsha and Chris Oji, Enugu

cial Adviser on Media, Ben Onyechere.

Orji said: “We agreed to support Jonathan because he was thrown up in divine circumstances. Besides, he has shown that he is a ray of hope to the Igbo.”

Orji urged the Igbo not to put the President under pressure “because he understands Igbo problems and knows how to solve them more than most of us. We cannot achieve much by antagonising him now.”

The governor said if the

Southeast gets the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) position, it would fast track development of the region.

THE World Igbo Youth Council(WIYC) has advocated for the position of the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be zoned to the Southeast.

National President of the Council Igwekani Ndubuisi spoke at the weekend.

He said: “All we are asking from President Goodluck Jonathan, if he really appreciates the support given to him by our people during the

last election, is to return the position of the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Southeast.

“The governors and leadership of Ohaneze disappointed us because they made us believe they had an agreement with Jonathan as well as other interest groups, but we have discovered that they all ‘sold out’ and merely represented their interests.

“We have discovered that there was no agreement held

by Jonathan and the leadership of Ohaneze. We are asking Jonathan to return the National Chairmanship position of the PDP to the Southeast, if he really valued the support of Igbo.

THE police in Anambra have arrested three suspects involved in the robbery of a Micro Finance Bank in Obosi.

About N519,000 was allegedly carted away by the gunmen.

Two of the suspects are graduates of Anambra State University,Uli. The third suspect was the driver of the bank. He hails from Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in-charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Mike Okoli confirmed the arrests.

Okoli said they would be charged with fraud and robbery, adding that the man hunt for fleeing suspect would continue.

According to him, the suspects are Arinze Anene (the driver); Chukwunonso Ibeneme and Anyadiegwu Nnaemeka.

Okoli said Ibeneme and Nnaemeka were members of a cult group.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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NEWS

Govt to begin new identity registration in July

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EARS after a failed attempt by the Federal Government compile a data on its polpulation, the federal authority is set to embark on a new national identity registration. The exercise, barring the unforeseen, will commence in first week of July 2011.

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Chris Onyemenam, disclosed this in Abuja at the stakeholder’s workshop on Biometrics, Demographics Data Standards and Verification Procedures for the National Identity Management System (NIMS).

He stated that the registration exercise will be flaggedoff in six states across the six geo-political zones.

Onyemenam said: “The commission’s plans to restore sanity to the gravity of challenges in identity management in the country, the commission will tackle these challenges head-on by ensuring that proper structures are put in place.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

“I recall that in May, 2007, the NIMC Act established the commission and provided the legal framework for the reforms in the sector. The reform mandate includes collecting basic demographic and biometric data, creating, operating and managing a National Identity Database, Providing an on-line/offline cost effective verification and authentication infrastructure in Nigeria, integrating with ID schemes, providing standardized identity attributes and fostering the orderly development of an identity sector in the country.

“The benefits of the scheme include streamlining biometric linked projects in the public and private sector, eliminating multiple and ghost identities, reducing identity theft and related fraud, enhancing the work of law enforcement agencies, financial inclusion and development of financial service sector,

creating new economic and employment opportunities amongst others.

“The challenges facing the scheme include multiple identification initiatives by institutions such as pension commission, land registers, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), SIM registrars, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian Immigration Services, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and several others who have to embark on their own personal registration and the absence of core identity sector infrastructure.

“The scheme is part of the Federal Government’s desire to develop and deepen the consumer credit sector, facilitate the enforcement of existing/ extant laws and meet global practices as well as facilitate financial inclusion and development of commerce generally, the harmonisation of identification schemes committee in 2005.

Lagos airport wears new look as Jonathan visits today

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HE Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos is wearing a new look as President Goodluck Jonathan is due in the Centre of Excellence today for a parley with private sector operators.

Managers of the airport had in the past one week carried out repair works at the expansive complex, which is part of the facilities that would host the over 50 heads of state expected at the inauguration of the President on Sunday.

Apart from the clearing of grasses around the complex, all electrical fittings are been replaced, just asa Raspican screening machine is billed to be installed at the complex as part of efforts to boost safety and security.

Scores of technicians were busy at the weekend painting the walls of the complex even as the plumbing leakages fixed.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) has stationed some of its key personnel at the complex to ensure the completion of the renovation before the President’s arrival.

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

The presidential sub-committee for the inauguration ceremony has been working round the clock to ensure hitch-free trrips for the visiting heads of state.

Towards this end, members of the committee comprising personnel from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), the Nigeria Air Force, the State Security Services ( SSS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), continue to assess facilities at the Presidential Wing of the Lagos airport to ensure that all the conveniences at the expansive Lounge are in top shape.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Matters, Captain Shehu Usman Iyal, who is a member, confirmed that the committee has been working hard to ensure that all the facilities at the airport are in top shape to give the very important personalities (VIPS) all that is required.

He explained that the protocol committee have visited and inspected the facilities at both the international air-

•Jonathan

ports in Abuja and Lagos , even he urged the relevant aviation agencies to improve on the facilities upgraded ahead of nation’s Golden Jubilee Independence anniversary in October last year.

Among the airports that the visiting heads of state and government will make brief stop-over are those in Lagos and Abuja even as the FAAN has completed the perimeter fencing of both airports to further boost safety and security.

The NCAA’s Manging Director, Dr. Harold Demuren led his FAAN counterpart, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun and the military Commandant of the airport to inspect and ascertain the readiness of facilities at the lounge.

Muslim clerics chide CAN over Lemu panel

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EADING Islamic clerics have berated the northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over rejection of Shaykh Ahmad Lemu as the chairman of the presidential probe panel on the post-election violence which broke out in some states in northern Nigeria after the presidential election held on April 16 April 2011.

The probe panel was set up by the Federal Government to find out the remote and

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is inform the general public that the original of C of O in respect of plot number BNA 3428 of Tor Sabo street,near Hotel the Success Makurdi belonging to Mr.Sylvanus Azelake Agbonoga of Ahmadu Bello Way Makurdi is missing.All efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive.If found,please contact the above address or the nearest police station.

Signed: Mr.Sylvanus Azelake Agbonoga 08035955136

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

immediate causes of the violence.

The trio of Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Dr Is-haq Akintola, Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I and Amirah, Federation of the Lagos chapter of the Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alhaja Fatimat Gawat, described the rejection of Lemu’s headship of the panel by the northern CAN as a dangerous dimension.

CAN, according to Akintola, hinged its rejection on the fact that Lemu was one of the Muslim leaders who were behind the introduction of Shariah into the northern states of Nigeria.

This position, he said, exposes CAN as intolerant, extremist, impatient and unforgiving.

His words: “We take CAN’s position with a pinch of salt. By using this parochial barometer, CAN has introduced sentiment, religious bigotry and outright blackmail into the controversy surrounding the probe panel. Every single Nigerian belongs to one religion or another. In most cases it is either a Christian or a Muslim that is appointed to posts.

“Does it mean that all the noise about the need for us to avoid using religion as a parameter is all balderdash? Was the whole exercise a CAN agenda ab initio and the rest of us were just fooled into believing that religious politics must be avoided at all cost? ” he said.

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Ministerial scorecard (2) On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council is scheduled to hold a valedictory session as prelude to the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday for a fresh term. In this second report of a twopart serial, our correspondents, DELE ANOFI, SANNI OLOGUN, KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE and FRANCA OCHIGBO, who covered the activities of some of the outgoing ministers at close range, assess their performance Ministry of Environment

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HE Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, is one of the few cabinet mem bers who survived the reshuffle first carried out by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his successor, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. On his redeployment to the Environment Ministry, Odey was said to have settled down to work and quickly endeared himself to the technicalities of global change and its attendant consequences.

He was often away on global conferences and workshops on environment.

However, despite his versatility and the existence of a national policy on environment, Odey could not muster the federal might to mitigate pollution caused by fumes emitted by the countless motorcycle, generating sets and environmentally unfriendly motor vehicles. Also, the running battles with telecommunication service providers on base stations and the negative effects of their presence in residential areas exposed the Minister as lacking courage for decisive action on the position of government on the subject.

Ministry of Health Against the achievements of his immediate predecessor, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu was able complete some ongoing projects like the acquisition of cancer screening machines for some tertiary institutions. He was also able to facilitate, to a large extent, harmony within the various health sector professionals in accordance with the directive of President Jonathan. He also facilitated the implementation of a new five-year countdown strategy-roadmap to accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the MDGs. Chukwu pursued with aggression, reduction in the coun•Orubebe try’s mortality and morbidity rate through strengthening the midwifery service scheme, price reduction of ACTs against malaria and the distribution of long lasting insecticidal nets among others. This is in addition to flagging off the campaign to provide family planning commodities and services free to Nigerians among others.

Ministry of Justice

•Odey

Perhaps the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, could have done better in attending to the diverse problems facing the region if he had not been engaged in politics.

The vibrancy injected into the Ministry at inception as steered by its pioneer Minister, Chief Ufot Ekaette, was watered down under Orubebe. Rather than concentrate on the ministry’s core responsibilities of the alleviating the plight of the people of the region, Orubebe was more concerned with the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. During the period, the task of running the ministry was left with the Minister of State, Mr. Samuel Ode. Orubebe never really settled down to properly define the roles and functions of the Ministry as against other government agencies vested with promoting the interest of the region.

Though attempts were made to initiate other infrastructural projects with far-reaching effects on the region, Orubebe could not deliver the Ministry’s biggest project to-date— the East West road. To his credit, some skill acquisition centres and state liaison offices were delivered.

Performance: Below Average

Ministry of Information and Communications - Mr. Labaran Maku With the departure of erstwhile Minister of Information and Communications, Prof.

Dora Akunyili, the mantle of fell on Mr. Labaran Maku after President Jonathan appointed him as the substantive Minister of Information and Communications. He could not achieve much as most of the programmes under the Akunyili leadership, like the rebranding project and telecom tariff reduction among others were conveniently discounted.

Maku could not even complete small project started by his predecessor for the construction/renovation of elevators at the headquarters of the ministry popularly called Rradio House. The 10-floor-building is currently being served by only one functional lift. His brief tenure was generally lacklustre.

Performance: Average

Ministry of Defence

•Kayode (SAN)

Performance: Good

Performance: Good

Performance: Average

Ministry of Niger Delta

came to the Ministry with a mission to leave a mark and he did. He conveyed an international conference on Nigeria’s participation in international peacekeeping operations.

He succeeded in bringing to light, the need for the country to have a policy on peacekeeping operation. He also set in motion, strategies for embedding journalists in the country’s contingents on peacekeeping operations.

A cat with nine lives, the Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, joined the Yar’Adua cabinet as Minister of Labour and Productivity and had a brief spell in the Ministry of before his eventual deployment to the Defence Ministry. Kayode brought some life into the hitherto dull establishment. He

Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) took over from Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Adoke is generally perceived as a humble man among lawyers, but his decisions to withdraw charges against some multinationals companies caught the attention of some civil society organizations who felt it might affect the fight against corruption.

First was the revocation of the fiat issued to Lagos lawyer Mr. Festus Keyamo to prosecute the National Coordinator of the Police Equipment Fund (PEF), Kenny Martins and three others. Adoke also withdrew charges against Messrs Julius Berger, Siemens Plc, Saipem Technip and Halliburton Inc who approached government with various settlement options to avoid prosecution. Justifying the action, Adoke at the 2010 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja said “In resolving these cases, the ministry took due cognizance of the weakness of our penal provisions dealing with corporate criminal liability, as well as the need to ensure their early resolution in the greater national interest. The ministry therefore adopted international best practices as has been practiced in other jurisdictions such as the United States of America by emphasizing on restitution that would ensure direct benefit to the Nigerian Government as the victim state.

“As a long term measure, I have directed the commencement of the review of our penal provisions with a view to amending our extant laws to properly address the reality of corporate criminality in Nigeria by providing appropriate sanctions to ensure deterrence”, the AGF added.

Performance: Below Average

Ministry of Police Affairs The Minister of Police Affairs, Humphrey Enemakwu Abah, resumed at the Ministry in January. He has spoken so much but has done little. However, he has earned some credits. During his short stay, he virtually forced the contractors handling the police hanger at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to complete the job for commissioning.

As part of his achievements, the Minister would on Tuesday, 24th May 2011 commission a Digital Security Surveillance System in Lagos. This would be followed by that of Abuja, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa.

The 121 digital cameras to be so installed in these locations are meant to enhance security operations in the areas.

He could also be credited with the improved performance of the police during the just concluded general elections. Although, Ministry sources are quick to say that the police reforms programme are on track, it is not certain if the average policemen on the streets have felt the reforms as intended.

If credit is ascribed to the Honourable Minister, for the excellent performance of the police during the April polls, it is also fit that he should share in the failures of the Force. For instance, the police could not detect and stop all the various fatal bomb blasts that have occurred in Nigeria since October 1 last year. The dishonourable acts were later stepped up shortly before and during the elections. Most disheartening is the pogrom that engulfed some states after the declaration of the presidential results. The Minister and by •Abah

•Continued on page 13

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

14

POLITICS

CODER roots for National Conference

C

OALITION of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) has dissected the polity, warning that Nigeria faced a possible disintegration, unless a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is convoked to discuss the basis for future co-existence.

The group said that a comparatively freer and fairer election is not the solution to the burning national questions militating against the unity of the country, maintaining that SNC or its equivalent, has become a necessity.

CODER said the recent general elections should not be over-celebrated, claiming that master riggers, who could not rig at the polling booths successfully laid ambush for the electoral process at the collation centers.

It alerted Nigerians to the warning by a reputable American institution that the country may break up in 2015, if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the lingering fundamental questions.

According to CODER, self-determination is the anthem of this millennium.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Ayo Opadokun, told reporters in Lagos that the recent killing of corps members in some parts of the north has fuelled the fear that the vision of one Nigeria is still a tall dream.

He said: “The killing of the NYSC

Why Akogun lost House seat, by Edo official

By Emmanuel Oladesu

members in the North has revealed the lack of oneness and unity in Nigeria. Those who insist that Nigeria is indissoluble are peddling falsehood. Nigeria, which was a creation of Lugard, can never become a nation.

“I come from Kwara State. The opinion of my people was not sought when they were lumped together with the North. The North believes that I am from the West because I am Yoruba. The Yoruba of Southwest believe that I am from the North.

“All the ethnic nationalities are calling for a Sovereign National Conference. Nigerians would want to stay together as one country, but on what terms? It is when we get to the SNC that we would work out our own Magna Carter; the Bill of rights”.

Opadokun warned that forced cohabitation is dangerous, urging Nigeria to learn from the tragedy of the former Soviet Union.

He added: “Even Britain has been compelled to concede autonomy to Ireland. Even, Scotland is craving for a measure of autonomy”.

Opadokun noted the setting up of a panel by President Goodluck Jonathan to probe the killings, although he expressed reservation about the inclusion of some persons in the committee.

He said: “Many probes have been

A

• Opadokun

organised in Nigeria and nothing has been done with the report. The probe is an attempt to just calm down nerves.

The promoters of the violence are known, but there is no political will to bring them to book. You will not hear anything about the panel again”.

The coordinator said the NYSC programme should be revived, wondering why parents should allow their wards to be posted to certain parts of the country where safety is never guaranteed.

T

HE chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Women Group, Chief Alaba Lawson, has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to the implementation the affirmative ac-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

tion on women representation.

She said the decision to ensure that women occupy 35 per cent of political positions in the country was a boost to the cause of women emancipation in the country, urging the President never to renege on his promise.

However, Lawson admonished women not to aspire to get to public offices through the back door, in spite of the approaching opportunities given to them by the current administration.

The Iyalode of Egbaland and Yorubaland, spoke with reporters in Lagos on this year’s 10-day Nigerian women Entrepreneurs Exhibition (NIWEX Trade Fair) billed for Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in July.

NACCIMA National Vice Chairman, Mrs Satia Aliu, who was at the press briefing, said the 35 percent women representation would enable the country to tap from the women potentials, assuring that women would not contribute to the economic and political adversity of the nation.

She added: “Men often restrict women, but when women participate in governance, there are changes for the better. Women are better agents of development”.

Lawson highlighted the impediments militating against women participation in economic activities,

stressing that they are handicapped by banks’ high interest rate, inconsistency in government policies and lack of electricity, which has led to a high cost of production.

She added: “There is need for the federal government to strengthen women in Nigeria for them to play a significant role in socio-economic and political development. In this new dispensation, all hands must be on deck to ensure that issues affecting women development are tackled through effective legislations and policies.

‘All parastatals and agencies of government in charge of women affairs should be adequately supported and funded with a view to improving the lot of women in our society”

• Lawson

Ministerial scorecard (2) extension the police cannot deny seeing the handwritings on the wall from the statements of various officials of one of the opposition parties that could have spurred them to take proactive measures to prevent rather than contain the violence.

The Boko Haram menace is still a thorn in the flesh of the police.

Scores of its officers and men are daily dispatched to their untimely graves and little is being done to bring the perpetrators to book.

The issue of police welfare is either being addressed at a snail speed or just being paid lip service. The police housing scheme initiated by former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro seems to have been grounded coupled with the fact that no new barracks are being built.

Again, the Minister has not deemed it fit to institute a probe to determine the veracity or otherwise of allegations that the meagre allowances approved for men of the Force who were on elections duties nationwide were not paid in full.

Performance: Average.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Martins-Kuye

Oshiomole, said the result underscored the rejection of the third term ambition of Akogun, adding that people preferred the injection of new blood into the system.

He said: “The decision w.as in the best interest of the people of Akoko Edo Federal Constituency. By consensus, the people opted for change. The people voted in unity. I therefore, implore Comrade Akpatason to learn from the lessons of his victory by doing the wish of the people in the House”.

Mayaki said the ACN lawmaker-elect should study the needs of the constituency so that he can better articulate its problems on the floor of the Housee.

He added: “The people are now wiser than before and if a lawmaker does not perform, the voters are ready to reject him”.

President hailed on 35% women representation

• A cross section of lawyers at the inauguration of the Plateau State Election Tribunal in Jos, the state capital, recently.

•Continued from page 12

CTION Congress of Ni geria (ACN) chieftain, Prince John Mayaki, has urged the House of Representatives member-elect Comrade Peter Akpatason, to learn from the political fall of the out-going Majority Leader, Col. Tunde Akogun.

He said voters endorsed the ACN candidate because they wanted new people to proffer solutions to the challenges of development in the constituency.

Akpatason, who ran on the platform of ACN, defeated the retired soldier at the National Assembly election in Akoko Edo Constituency of Edo State. He scored 36,174 votes. Akogun, described by many as a gentleman and experienced lawmaker, got 16, 358.

Mayaki, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye was not as vibrant as he was expected to be. As a leading figure of the factionalised Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun, Kuye was not always on his seat. Besides, he was always travelling in and out of the country. When he came in, expectation was high that his tenure would boost commerce and upgrade the industrial sector. That was not meant to be as the Minister was hardly around to attend to ministerial functions. For a man used to the business environment, hardly can anyone point to his legacy in the Ministry. For example, the Made in Nigeria Products programmed was planned to be a continual project for any

Minister of Commerce and Industry. But during Kuye’s tenure, the programmed simply slipped into oblivion.

Performance: Average

Minister of State, Commerce and Industry Josephine Tapgun Ms. Tapgun, in her capacity as the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, made an impact in the industrial sector. She was instrumental to President Goodluck Jonathan’s call for the crash of cement prices in the country. She took time to inspect ailing industries round the country while coming up with government remedies on how these industries can be revived. From time to time, she called for stakeholder’s forum on the revitalization of industries. As the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, she saw to it that industrial clusters were attended to by providing them with generator sets to power their small scale industries.

Performance: Above Average

Ministry of Water Resources The Minister of Water Resources, Chief Obadiah Ando came into the Ministry with the zeal to work. He Minister went round the country setting up water projects and implementing them. The 36 states of the country benefitted from the ministry’s water projects. He was not concentrating on just Urban areas but also went right to the rural areas providing them with borehole water, partnering with community leaders on the sustainability of the boreholes.

Performance: Average

15

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Interbank rates fall on budget cash inflow

N

IGERIAN Interbank lending rates eased to an average of 9.16 per cent last week, from 9.41 per cent last week, after budgetary allocations to government agencies raised liquidity levels in the system, traders said last Friday.

Dealers said they expected rates to trend upward next week as funding for bonds and foreign exchange purchases drain liquidity from the system.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) fell to 8.75 per cent from 9.0 per cent, 125 basis points above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 7.50 per cent benchmark rate and 3.25 per centage points higher than the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement dropped to 9.25 per cent from 9.50 percent, while call money closed at 9.50 per cent compared to 9.75 per cent.

“A total of about N153 billion ($976.9 million), part of the April budget allocation to government agencies, hit the system during the week and helped raised the liquidity level,” one dealer said.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) last week distributed N455.6 billion to its federal, state and local governments to cover expenditure for April, but dealers said only the portion meant for states and local government usually comes into the system.

The market opened with a balance of about N76 billion compared to a negative balance of 19.3 billion naira penultimate week, but dealers said the outlook favoured rising lending rates this week because of funding of foreign exchange and bonds purchases.

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

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

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

I think one of the big errors people are making right now is thinking that old-style businesses will be obsolete, when actually they will be an important part of this new civilization. Some retail groups are introducing e-commerce and think that the “bricks” are no longer useful. But they will continue to be important.

- Carlos Slim Helu

Fed Govt targets 2013 to fix refineries

I

F the information coming from the presidency should be relied upon, the four refineries in the country would be operating at installed capacities in the next two years.

According to a presidency source, when the refineries are fixed by 2013 and work at combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, it would drastically reduce the importation of petroleum products.

The source said: “The Federal Government has set a 24month target to carry out full rehabilitation works on the country’s refineries, which may end the importation of

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

petroleum products.”

But the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austen Oniwon at a forum in Lagos last week, confirmed that even if the refineries run at 445,000 barrels per day installed capacity, there would still be a shortfall of about 12 million litres per day of premium motor spirit (PMS).

Oniwon said national demand for PMS (petrol) is very high unlike other products, which have lower demand levels.

The total capacity of the four refineries is 445, 000 barrels per day.

The two refineries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have combined installed capacity of 210, 000 barrels of crude per day, Kaduna Refinery has installed refining capacity of 110,000 barrels per day and Warri Refinery with installed capacity of 125,000 barrels per day.

According to the source, who spoke in confidence, when the refineries are fixed, the Federal Government would be expected to save about N1.3 trillion annually, which is currently spent as subsidy on im-

ported petroleum products.

The source also said the government is negotiating with the Chinese for the construction of the three new Greenfield Refineries, which would be sited in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi states respectively.

Meanwhile, the NNPC would be expected to fund the rehabilitation of the refineries from its internally generated funds.

The Port Harcourt refinery, the source said, is the first on the line of rehabilitation, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

•From left: The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr Samy Abdelkader; Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and Company Secretary /Legal Adviser,Edith Onwuchekwa, at the 52nd Annual General Meeting(AGM) of the company held at Muson Centre, Lagos.

Skye Bank hires two advertising agencies

S

KYE Bank Plc has engaged FCB Centre Spread and Blue Bird Communications as its new advertising agencies to handle its marketing communications business.

According to a statement issued by the bank, the two agencies were selected based on their ability to interprete the brief and the creative thoughts, which came to the fore during the recent pitch that involved several agencies.

The bank explained that the decision to work with the two agencies was taken as a direct fallout of its strategic business re-engineering, which has resulted in the uptiering of its business as well as playing more in the top end of the corporate market.

The statement further said the two agencies would provide the creative dimensions and the effective communications needed to drive its business and activities to the next level.

Recently, Skye Bank retooled and realigned its business strategy in a move geared towards not only up scaling its business operations and clientele but also to achieve greater efficiency and resource optimisation in line with its growth plans and industry leadership agenda.

Customs to fight corrution, says CG From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Shell cautioned on assets sale to Nestoil

L

EADERS of host communities of Jones Creek flow station in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have again advised Shell Nigeria and buyers of its asset, Nestoil Nigeria Limited, to be wary self-claimed representatives of the communities in negotiating the sale of the oil facility.

They said they did not appoint any representative to front for them in the purchase of the wellheads.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders of thought, Mr. Kingsley Akpos Oturubo, who hails from Okerenkoko and Akpata-Ekpemu com-

From Shola O’neil, Warri

munities, said the advice became necessary because of reports that some persons had been going around as representatives of the communities in the said deal.

He said: “Based on recent developments of Shell selling its 45 per cent share in oil blocks to Nestoil Ltd in line with the local content policy of the FG, information reaching leaders of thoughts from the various communities in Jones Creek flow station indicates that some self-acclaimed mandated persons are saying that they have mandate from the

communities to front on their behalf.”

Oturubo expressed dismay at Shell for selling the asset without reaching out to the communities, a development he said led to the communities getting the information from other sources and “creating rooms for suspicion’.

He advised both shell and Nestoil to intimate the host communities about the development in order to avoid possible breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.

Oturubo said he was concerned because his grandfathers were among those who

signed some of the Jones Creek wellhead with SPDC and also because he hails from Okerenkoko and Akpata-Ekpemu communities.

“I am also using this medium to inform SPDC that the communities did not appoint a negotiator or mediator to front for them in negotiations with any company as regards the implementation of the local content policy between them and the company. We, therefore, advise Nestoil and SPDC to be cautious of persons claiming to be dealing with them on behalf of communities,” Oturubo added.

Global Fleet acquires Oceanic Bank Sao Tome

G

LOBAL Fleet Group has acquired 100 per cent shareholding in Oceanic Bank, Sao Tome.

The bank, according to a statement from Global Fleet, was handed over to Jimoh Ibrahim as the new chairman, at a completion board meeting in Sao Tome last Friday.

Managing Director/Chief

Executive Officer, Jimoh Ibrahim signed on behalf of Global Fleet UK, while the Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mr. John Aboh led eight subsidiaries of the bank to Sao Tome where the bank was handed over to Ibrahim.

Oceanic Bank Sao Tome was set up in 2008 and licensed by the Central Bank of Sao Tome to carry out

banking business.

In her last financial statement, the bank, which made a loss of $600,000, has a contingency balance sheet of about 166.4 billion Dobras (Sao Tome currency).

Ibrahim, who said the bank will be repositioned and turnaround quickly to return to profitability, stressed that “the takeover of the bank is

strategic to Nigeria external relations between Sao Tome and the Federal Government Joint Venture project.”

Ibrahim, who had earlier in the year set up Energy Bank in Ghana, said the takeover of Oceanic Bank in Sao Tome is the second bank established by Global Fleet Group in the first half of this year.

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service has taken a bold step towards ridding the service of all forms of corruption.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, disclosed this at an interactive seminar/workshop held at the Customs Headquarters, Bompai, Kano.

Dikko, who was represented by the Comptroller of Customs in charge of Anti Corruption Unit, Northern Zone, Mr. Zack Yakubu Bot, said the seminar would chart the way forward in the fight against corruption in the Customs service.

He urged officers and men of the Customs Service to shun acts capable of denting the image of the service, pointing out that Nigeria can only make appreciable progress if Nigerians follow the path of the Asian Tigers, whose economic breakthrough, he noted, was made possible largely through decency, transparency and probity.

“Corruption has eaten deep into the moral fabric of the society. Therefore, there is need for all Nigerians, including us in the Customs service, to work assiduously towards lifting the country out of the quagmire of corruption.”

16

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

Awareness needed to promote qualified accountants

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.

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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 Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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.

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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

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.15 12.50 12.55 15.55

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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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

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

08.00 18.00

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

By Daniel Essiet

T

From left: President of Pan-African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) , Major Gen Owuama, Kebbi state Commissioner for Finance, Alh Bello Tuga and ICAN Second Deputy Vice President, Alh. Kabir Mohammed at the inauguration of a chapter of the institute in Sokoto

Manufacturers’ capacity utilisation drops

T

HE capacity utilisation of member companies of the Association of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) has dropped year-on-year basis.

This, according to a report made available to newsmen at the association’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM), the drop was due to the economic downturn in the country.

The report said the 76 member companies have suffered capacity utilisation in the past five years (2006 and 2010).

In giving a breakdown, the body said the capacity utilisation of companies producing biscuits and confectionaries dropped from 75 per cent in 2006 to 68 per cent in 2010.

By Akinola Ajibade Senior Correspondent

That of soft drinks firms fell from 59 per cent in 2006 to 54 per cent in 2010, resulting in a shortfall of five per cent.

The capacity utilisation of distillery companies dropped slightly from 66 per cent in 2006 to 60 per cent in 2010.That of the flour-based companies recorded 76 per cent capacity utilisation in 2008, and 57 per cent in 2010. The beer producing firms recorded 85 per cent capacity utilisation in 2009, while 61 per cent was recorded in 2010. The same could be said of beverage outfits that had their capacity utilisation fall from 90 per cent in 2006 to 89 per cent in 2010.

However, flour millers have shown

a streak of growth, increasing their capacity utilisation from 49 per cent in 2006 to 67 per cent in 2010. Also, the vegetable oil companies increased theirs from 65 per cent in 2006 to 90 per cent in 2010.

The report said tobacco and allied companies have sacked 1,039 workers between 2009 and 2010, while brewing and distilling firms lost 112 to the labour market within the same period.

According to the association’s secretary, Mr Aderemi Adegboyega, the manufacturing sector has suffered untold job loss. Adegboyega said power, bad foreign exchange regime, lopsidedness ingovernment’s policies, among others, are the bane of the industry.

51 bankers, examiners get CIBN’s Practice Licence

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HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has presented its Practice Licence, Seal and Stamp to 51 practitioners drawn from various financial sectors of the economy.

This, seen as authority to operate, empowers the recipients to practice and use their knowledge and experience of banking outside the four walls of the banks.

The 51 Licensees, according to the Chairman, CIBN Practice License Board, Segun Aina, have gone through the rigorous screening process and capacity building exercises meant to update their skills and expertise as well as give advice to clients on a wide range of issues on banking and finance. It also gives them the opportunity to provide novel approaches to addressing the complexities of today’s banking and business

By Collins Nweze, Senior Finance Correspondent

operations.

Aina said the banking industry offers variety and unique career patterns that provide opportunities, advancements and challenging assignments for practitioners. The skills acquired in banking careers, he said, are fairly universal and can easily be transferred to other industries.

The practice members qualified to apply for the Practice License would have worked for a minimum of five years post ACIB qualification among other criteria, he said.

The applicants for practice licenses will be drawn from the list of Fellows and Associates of the Institute at least, for the time being.

The CIBN Act No. 2007 gives the institute the mandate to among oth-

ers determine the standards of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the banking profession. Furthermore, the provisions under Section 16 of the CIBN Act No. 5 of 2007 conferred the responsibility to grant Banking Practice License on the Institute.

The CIBN Practice License Board, made up of seven members, was created to administer the programme.

Part of the CIBN statutes states: No individual/non corporate member shall practice unless he has applied for and has been granted a Licence to practice by the Governing Council. Such Licence, which shall be in the form approved by the Governing Council, from time to time, shall be conspicuously displayed at the principal place of business of the member.

Information marketers petition Clickbank

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NFORMATION marketers under the umbrella of the Association of Information Marketers of Nigeria (AIMN) have concluded plans to petition Clickbank, a US based payment processor over its shutting out of transactions originating from Nigeria on its platform.

While information marketers in many parts of the world rake in thousands of dollars daily either as affiliates selling other people’s digital products promoted by Clickbank or by floating their own products as merchants on the same platform, their counterparts in Nigeria are not allowed to enjoy any of the two privileges.

To drive home their displeasure with the continued ban on Nigerians

by Clickbank, the association accord-

ing to a statement, is collecting signatures from all its registered members and sympathisers for the petition it is planning to send to the US head office of Click Bank.

Explaining the reason for the action, the association’s president, Sunny Ojeagbase, said the continued ban by Clickbank has caused untold pains to information marketers in Nigeria who are prevented without any cogent reasons from generating quick cash from the clickbank platform as other information marketers in other parts of the world do. Ojeagbase said: “This is the most unfair action we have ever seen in recent times especially as we are persuaded that the ban was not informed by logic.

Ojeagbase further explains: “It is

important that we let the bank know that not all Nigerians are crooks. We need to let them know that loads of Nigerians do business with Google through the adwords and adsense programmes and Google actually do send cheques to Nigeria; that Nigerians are interested in affiliate marketing than Americans according to Google Insights (Go to http:/ www.google.com/inshghts/search/ and search for affiliate marketing); that according alexa.com, the highest users of Getresponse.com is USA followed by Nigeria with Lagos being the highest users (per city) in the world followed by Los Angeles; that they are missing out on a lot of money by refusing to work with Nigerians.

HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has been urged to do more to promote the industry ahead of unqualified rivals.

The Commander of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto State, Brigadier-General Tammy Dibi, expressed concern at what it believes are an increasing number of unqualified accountants and wants ICAN to do more to promote itself, and highlight the benefits of properly-qualified professionals.

Dibi lauded the sensitisation exercise about the need for professionalism in accountancy, embarked upon by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), in the northern part of the country.

Receiving ICAN President, MajorGeneral Sebastian Owuama (retd.) in his office, he reiterated that ICAN needs to do a lot in sensitising the northerners about the importance of the Institute’s examination to their future endeavours.

According to the Commander, “There is need for a lot of sensitisation in the north, especially about ICAN examination and education generally.

It is an important thing because it is capacity building that everybody needs. Even if you want to sell pepper, education will make you different. ICAN has a lot to do in the north to sensitise people because their level of awareness is low.”

Dangote takes delivery of 5,000 new trucks

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ANGOTE Cement plc has taken delivery of 5,000 trucks and 100 new bulk cement tankers to improve its distribution network across the nation.

The new trucks and bulk cement tankers, which will be deplored for the haulage of cement from its factories and various bagging plants, according to a statement, will significantly reduce the time lag between production and delivery to distributors.

The new vehicles are part of measures introduced by Dangote to crash the high transportation costs, which is partly responsible for the increase in cement prices, across the country.

The statement explained that the introduction of the trucks and bulk cement tankers will ease the distribution system and add to the services being rendered by existing fleet.

“The trucks shall be used to augment our existing fleet for direct intervention in the transport sector, while the bulk tankers will be placed at the disposal of the construction companies for direct delivery to their sites/silos.”

Dangote Cement, according to the statement, has also liberalised its existing sales system such that its customers can now buy a minimum of one truck of cement from its plants or depots across the country.

In the same vein, Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (CMAN), Mr. Joseph Makoju, who doubles as a personal Adviser to the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said: “ With Kaduna Refinery back in production and LPFO supply now restored to our BCC Plant at Gboko, the Plant is now producing at full capacity and supplying the market with a production of over 250 trailers of Cement daily. Our natural gas fired plant at Obajana is also in full production with an average production of over 500 trailers of Cement daily.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23 , 2011

17

ISSUES

How NAFDAC can win war against fake drugs

•Counterfeit drugs in markets

The war against fake and adulterated drugs appears unending. However, stakeholders believe that the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) can win it if its operatives show more commitment, AMBROSE NNAJI reports.

•Story on page 18

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

18

ISSUES

How NAFDAC can win war against fake drugs •Continued from page 17

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ESPITE the war against fake and counterfeit drugs, those behind it are not ready to give up. From all indications, it seems all efforts to stop the proliferation of fake drugs have proved abortive. Both the government and non-governmental agencies have not succeeded in fighting the scourge.

Since the Federal Government, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) launched the war against fake drugs, seizures and arrests have been made. But the perpetrators have not stopped. Instead, they keep devising new ways of bringing fake products into the market. While many connive with security agents at the ports, others capitalise on the nation’s porous borders to bring in the products.

Investigations revealed that over 90 per cent of fake drugs in Nigeria come from Republics of China and India. These two countries are said to be manufacturing various anti-biotic and analgesic, which are imported in large quantities and fed to unsuspecting consumers.

Such drugs include Lonart, Halfan, Clomid, Aldomet, Moduretic, Paracetamol, Augmentin and Novalgin.

Others are Amoxicillin, Ampiclox, Gusinate Forte, Ibruprofen and Hydrocotezone.

Incidentally, these drugs are expensive in Nigeria since few firms manufacture them. And to make more money, Nigerians started shipping the fake ones into the country at a cheaper rate. Industry observers said certain Nigerians travel to China and india, and contract them to produce the products at agreed specifications. Such agreed ratios are far lower than internationally-acceptable levels.

Expectedly, the development has created untold hardship for the populace, and, in most cases, resulted in the death and maiming of patients. Analysts have said counterfeit/substandard drugs pose unimaginable threats to society; not only to the individual in terms of health and its attendant side-effects, but also to the public in terms of trade relations and economic implications.

They said substandard and counterfeit medicines represent a threat to public health worldwide, but beyond that, it poses a particular problem in developing countries, including Nigeria, where lack of financial, technical and other resources make it difficult to protect the drug supply chains.

According to them, such medicines have the potential to undermine decades of investments in public health in a country where such practice is not effectively checked.

The public blames faking and dumping of fake drugs on weak regulation. Some of the factors that encourage drug counterfeiting, they noted, include corruption which is a driving force for poor regulation thereby encouraging drug faking and counterfeiting in the society.

According to them, the efficiency of personnel is adversely affected by corruption and conflict of interests resulting in laws not being enforced and criminals not being arrested, prosecuted and convicted.

They expressed fears that miscreants have discovered that counterfeiting of medicines is financially lucrative and can be achieved at relatively low risk. As a result, organised crime has shifted from the smuggling of narcotics and running of weapons to the counterfeiting of medicines.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines counterfeit medicines as “one which is deliberately and fraudulently mislabelled with respect to identity and or source.

Counterfeiting, it was gathered, can apply to both branded and generic products.

Counterfeit products may include products with the correct ingredients or with the wrong ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient active ingredients or with fake packaging.

Medical experts, who spoke with The Nation, said the development is frustrating, and uncalled for. They said patients who take fake drugs are subject to multiple

•Dr Akinde

risks. According to them, patients on account of taking adulterated drugs are causing injuries to their organs.

A Medical Director and Consultant Obstetrician, Living Spring Hospital, Ejigbo, Lagos, Dr Akinsola Akinde, said there are several unbranded products in the country. He urged Nigerians to patronise sales representatives from recognised pharmaceutical companies to reduce incidences of fake drugs.

He said: “Hospitals that buy drugs from local companies are likely going to get quality products for their patients. But when they buy from the open market, the percentage of getting fake products is high.

“When fake drugs are administered on a patient, it implies that the health of that person has been compromised. This means that the person is likely going to die. Apart from the fact that the person will not get better, the disease becomes more virulent, more stubborn to treat. It is very important to use standard products to take care of the problem if the ailment is to be solved”.

He explained that Hydrocotezone is a lifesaving drug used in emergency or critical situations like bleeding and asthmatic attack, adding that adulterating that kind of drug means death for the patient.

Akinde said people should patronise shops with the recognised pharmaceutical RX sign, since it indicates that the owner is a registered pharmacist. He said registered pharmacists are not likely to be involved in unwholesome practices, as it is against the ethics of their profession.

On whether NAFDAC is doing its bid, he said though the extent of fake drugs in Nigeria has been quite minimal since the regulatory agency came to the limelight, but it has not been able to put any strong measures in place to contain the activities of

•Director General, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii

those who engage in the business.

He said the regulatory agencies should be able to increase the rate at which they carry out their operations within and across the borders and ensure that every drug that is being marketed not only has NAFDAC approval, but that it also goes through the registration exercise and approval before it is allowed into the market.

Also, a consultant with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Chinwe Njoku, said there are lots of fake drugs in the market. She blamed the development on the unpatriotic attitude of NAFDAC officials.

She accused the agency of not monitoring the activities of hospitals and dispensaries in the rural areas, adding that proper checks are not being conducted on the wards and the theatre within the precincts of the hospitals.

She advised the body to monitor the circulation of drugs in the market to ascertain their quality, claiming that the inability of the agency to certify drugs has been the bane of the nation’s primary health care system.

“Through this means, people that sell fake drugs would not only be fished out, but brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others,” she said.

Another consultant with LUTH, who does not want her name mentioned, urged NAFDAC to check the activities of importers and dealers of substandard drugs, via proper checking at the borders. According to her, some notable Nigerian drug dealers engage in shady deals with their counterparts in China with a view to bringing in such drugs.

A pharmacist in charge of HESTEE Pharmacy, Lagos, Soji Adegbite, said a greater number of fake drugs in Nigeria come from China. “It is known that they (Chinese) can

‘If in China, they cannot produce fakes and sell within the country, why do they allow it to be exported? This issue has to be looked into by the Nigerian Government, they should stop exporting to Nigeria, there are other sources that can be genuine’

clone drugs in such a way that the drugs would beat the original. And it is becoming increasingly difficult to even identify fake drugs from quality ones, if not for bio-chemical devices, physically, it is becoming more and more difficult,” he said He attributed the menace to the involvement of non-professionals, ignorance of the people involved, greediness and the get-rich quick syndrome Adegbite, who accused the government of policy somersault, said NAFDAC has not been up and doing in its efforts to reduce the incidence of fake drugs.

According to him, some of the policies that were put in place by the last administration were dropped by its successor, a development that has given rise to increase in the number of fake products in circulation.

He suggested that Nigeria should enter into negotiation with the Chinese to stop the inflow of fake drugs. Adegbite said: “ In China, you cannot manufacture and sell fake/substandard drugs, but their own law does not penalise them for producing fake drugs for export.”

In proffering solutions to the problem, he advised the government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the countries where fake drugs are coming from, to reduce their importation.

“If in China, they cannot produce fakes and sell within the country, why do they allow it to be exported? This issue has to be looked into by the Nigerian Government, they should stop exporting to Nigeria, there are other sources that can be genuine,” he said The Public Relations Officer, NAFDAC, Lagos, Mr Osiyemi Adegboyiga, admitted that the agency was constrained and therefore could not be everywhere to arrest the culprits.

He denied allegations that the agency does not monitor fake/counterfeit drugs, claiming that cooperation from Nigerians would help in getting rid of the problem.

“We regulate products all over Nigeria, but we still need the cooperation of individuals to make reports. When they make reports we will go to the market to ascertain the validity and the spread of the product, and once we are able to get the product, we do a news alert, to alert the public that this product is fake and the next thing we do is to map up,” he said.

This aside, the collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among other bodies, is to ensure that massive war is waged against the people behind the importation of fake drugs.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Issues miscellany: Go for merit, GEJ

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DO State Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole got it right. He said it the way it should be when he charged that the new Federal executive should be constituted based on competence, integrity, sound technocratic acumen and high sense of public purpose. Speaking at TELL magazine’s 20th anniversary lecture, the governor said that the nation could not afford a return to the “come-and-eat tradition” of the past that downgraded governance to rewarding godfathers and political merchants with portfolios beyond their competencies.

Following this frank talk was an indication that President Goodluck Jonathan is ready to jettison godfatherism for merit in selecting his next cabinet. Indeed, for any serious leader to fulfil his mandate, he needs efficient and effective performers around him. Any leader that takes governance as a tea party for faithfuls is bound to fail, and the people would suffer the consequences.

Whenever vital positions are filled on sympathy and not on the basis of individual’s competency and the vision and mission of governance, the story of the people who laboured to sacrifice their votes would not change. But if those in positions of power see their duty for betterment of the people, then they would appreciate the need to bring in the best of the nation, especially in a society burdened with monstrous challenges.

For President Jonathan to make positive impact, he must not be seen to be serving the interests of PDP or of any godfather, but that of the nation. Ministerial positions should have definite technocratic tags and he should ensure that such tags are fulfilled in his appointments.

Speculations that the president might do away with the exgovernors seeking political appointments must be turned to reality if he truly wants to effect change. Those who were rejected by their people and should be in jail for looting the common wealth would only end up representing their pockets.

Similarly, the tried and failed PDP men and women would only continue to fail if retained in public office. The impression that there are no competent hands among 150 million Nigerians, other than the same old hands, to move the nation forward must be buried. Why must it be the same failing hands being recycled? The little effect Obasanjo’s eightyear administration had on the nation was more from the involvement of fresh hands like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ekwesili and Charles Soludo. They could have perhaps been more efficient were Obasanjo a humbled democrat.

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LOT of noise has been made on the need for the federal government to provide free basic education for every Nigerian child. Both at individual and group level, calls have been made to successive administrations to see that every Nigerian child is given free quality and compulsory basic education. However, in spite of all the concerns that have been expressed by well-meaning individuals and groups, the central government has consistently turned a deaf ear to this vital issue even as it continues to pay lip service to the development of education generally.

The situation of the Nigerian child is of course appalling. It is quite saddening to see children of school age selling one item or the other on the streets especially during school hours in other to survive. Seeing these children hawking on the roads each day, not only saddens the heart, it pains that children of the most endowed country in Africa lack opportunity to go to school and are left roaming the streets in search of daily bread. Recent reports say that over 12 million Nigerian children are out of school. I ask here; where is the pride of a nation when its children of school age are not in school?

Educated children, no doubt, are the future of a nation and when majority of our children are denied basic education, where lies our future as a nation?

The situation is worrisome. The time has come for the government to wake up from its slumber and curb this trend which is becoming alarming by the day. One wonders whether this embarrassing situation doesn’t give the government concern. The government needs to know that with the present situation, we are not only doing disservice to ourselves and our nation, but we are actually burying the future indirectly. This is why the government must be serious and rise to the occasion urgently. At the level of the citizens, the media and the civil society organisations, we must not be tired of fighting this cause for the Nigerian child. Let’s see ourselves as not having done enough in the efforts to get the government to hearken to the voice of reason in this regard.

One of the civil society groups that deserve kudos for being at the vanguard of the struggle to force the federal government to embark on providing free basic education for Nigerian children is the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project – SERAP. This group has consistently been on the neck of the federal government

President Jonathan would make a difference in governance if he should learn from his predecessors’ blunders. He must get it right from the take-off. All his appointments should strictly be based on merit rather that being compensation to failed PDP members who were rejected in their election or reelection bids. A cabinet stuffed with professionals and technocrats rather than egocentric politicians would plug round pegs in round holes.

Anyone unable to win the mandate of his/her own people should not be trusted with handling the affairs of the nation at the federal level. Failure to be elected or re-elected means denial by the people and this should be enough security testimony to exclude such individuals.

Let Mr. President haunt for technocrats and capable hands from any political party rather than focus on political failures.

There are plentiful capable hands committed primarily to the people’s progress.

... and Obj retires

A recent comforting newsflash has been that Obj is set to retire from politics. Although the April elections had clearly retired him by showing him his true political standing in the South West, his decision is not only good for the nation, but more for him.

Somebody who should be an esteemed and appreciated statesman is often dragged on the floor, abused and ridiculed simply because of his temperamental disposition. At least he confessed at the peak of his showdown with his erstwhile godson OGD, who he once fed with morsels of amala in public gaze, how discourteous and boorish he has been to him.

Obj who first assumed the highest public office in 1973 against his “personal wish and desire”, surely benefitted from the nation through enjoyment of the perquisites of the prime dictatorial office. Also his enthronement as President after his fateful deliverance from Abacha’s shackles re-launched him to a rosy tenure, so sweet that he contrived, though in vain, to elongate his term...or even make the goodies last forever.

When his third term scheme crashed, he ensured he crowned the man he thought would service his interest. He rigged even the ‘unriggabbles’ into office to satisfy his desire. He cornered PDP’s Board of Trusties chair and installed his lackeys into key positions – mainly for self security. But one-by-one, from Patricia Etteh to Olagunsoye Oyinlola, they crashed off the stolen thrones. See what the power beyond man can do?

To cut the story short, his home state electorates have now told him who he is politically: a featherweight without a base.

His ordained guber candidate was beaten hands down - with the entire PDP cleanly swept off his Gateway State. Even his daughter Iyabo lost her bid to return to the Senate largely

ECOWAS court judgment on free basic education

By Kola Odepeju

to, as a matter of right, provide free basic education for the Nigerian child. SERAP recorded a major achievement in its effort to see that Nigerian children are not perpetually denied access to free primary education when the suit it instituted against the federal government and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) succeeded in November last year at the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

The court had ruled that the Nigerian government must, as a matter of right, provide free quality and compulsory basic education to every Nigerian child. This is a ground breaking judgement. But it is unfortunate and sad that since the delivery of that judgement in November 2010, the federal government has kept mum. She has not deemed it fit to acknowledge the judgement. This is quite disappointing!

The failure to act on that judgement has necessitated another journey by SERAP to the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital, to urge the court to urgently issue a writ of execution against the Nigerian government and the UBEC to embark on full implementation of the judgement passed by the court. SERAP’s effort so far in this struggle for free quality and compulsory basic education for our children is highly commendable.

From instituting the case against the government, and following it up to this stage, SERAP has tried a lot and at this stage, all hands must now be on deck to fight this cause to its logical conclusion. We must all join hands with SERAP. The fight must not be left to the organisation alone. It is a collective struggle which must be fought on all fronts just like we fought for electoral reforms resulting in substantial improvements in the just concluded general elections. The media, other civil society and human rights organisations, professional bodies and wellmeaning individuals in the country must all rise up now

because of who she is: Obj’s daughter.

Yet, the sojaman in him would not surrender. Wanting to remain politically relevant, he has been pushing one his few remaining boys to become the House of Representative Speaker to replace the electorally-flattened and EFCC-haunted Dimeji Bankole. But he is already seeing the hands on the wall as people are already kicking. While some are insisting that the floor of the House, and not his Ota farm or Abeokuta villa should be the deciding venue, his South West conqueror, the Action Congress of Nigeria have vowed to work anything or anybody linked to Obj. The most potentially devastating is the fresh plot to dethrone him as the South West PDP leader and consequently unseat him from the BOT chair. Behind this conspiracy are two of his power adversaries: General Ibrahim Babangida and Atiku Abubakar. They are reported as giving tacit backings to anti- Obasanjo forces in the jostle for the speakership and ministerial positions. If these two warlords could have their way, then Obj’s final retirement is sealed.

If Obj would take my humble counsel, he should speedily seize the remnants of his honour and voluntarily formally announce his immediate retirement from politics. Doing that would do the nation and himself some good. As a leader who failed to build a sound political structure, he is being politically frustrated today as a reward of what he sowed.

South Africa’s Nelson Mandela is today a globally respected, celebrated and treasured retired elder statesman. He is there for national consultation and counselling of the numerous mentored citizens. That is the kind of spirit Obj should imbibe and belatedly spend his remaining days working towards ending his race gloriously.

EFCC, please walk the talk

Imagine the desperation with which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pursing the exbankers’ cases! It is as if there is a special point the anti-graft agency is struggling to prove.

This is a body whose performance in recent years is generally believed to be sluggish and lethargic. Numerous cases, especially concerning ex-governors and politicians have been dragging to the extent of permanent dormancy. It is even being speculated that some of the former governors standing trial but on bail may eventually remain lastingly free from judgement.

Afterall, many of them contested and won in the April elections. This ironically came despite EFCC’s Mrs Farida Waziri public declaration of the plan to bar politicians indicted by the Commission from contesting the elections.

Could it be that it is the rigid law of the land that is frustrating the agency? Or that there is soft spot for the politicians and hard tackles for the bankers?

Why are many of the out-going governors known to have wickedly robbed the common wealth are so confident that all the talks about their prosecution after the expiry of their immunity on May 29 are mere talks?

We are eager to see if the enthusiasm in prosecuting the bankers would be extended to the politicians this time around.

to fight this cause for the Nigerian child. It is a struggle that must be won.

The recent post-presidential election violence in the northern part of the country where some ignorant youths, due to lack of education, killed and maimed NYSC members engaged in the patriotic assignment during the last elections makes the issue imperative. More than any other factor, lack of basic education amongst the teeming population of northern youths will somehow explain why they took up arms against innocent people after the declaration of the presidential election result which didn’t favour them. Like SERAP noted in the content of its suit against the federal government, ‘‘lack of real tools (education) for poor children to fight the circle that plague their families and villages make them more susceptible to manipulation by politicians and victimization by political leaders who seek public positions at all costs for personal enrichment’’. No assertion can be truer than this.

The Nigerian government has no option than to implement this judgement. There can be no excuse for rejecting it. This country has more than enough to provide free education for her citizens from primary to tertiary level. It is doable with political will on the part of our leaders but selfishness, high level official corruption and lack of concern for the citizens is responsible for its nonpracticability. But if we can not do it up to tertiary level presently, we must at least do it at the primary level so as to secure basic education for our children. Education should be a right but not a privilege for the Nigerian child and any nation that is carefree about giving quality basic education to her citizens like Nigeria is doing, is digging its own grave as there is no future for such a country.

•Odepeju writes from Lagos.

‘The government needs to know that with the present situation, we are not only doing disservice to ourselves and our nation, but we are actually burying the future indirectly’

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HE April 2011 elections were a mixed grill. Quite predictably, the elections were riddled with political and electoral violence, fitting into a well-worn, selffulfilling prophecy of sorrow, tears and blood, to paraphrase a Nigerian editorialist. The result was a harvest of deaths – hundreds were killed in politically-motivated, communal and sectarian violence before and during the elections. Given the centrality of power and the access it provides to abundant oil, gas and mineral wealth, intra and inter-party politics proved volatile and turbulent.

Common to both the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the three main opposition parties - Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All-Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) - were intra-party elections and primaries that degenerated into farcical selections, breach of due process and candidate imposition. Against the background of rampant poverty and mass unemployment, political and electoral tensions are easily colored and tainted by religion, ethnicity and geography. Ahead of the polls, 12 of the 36 states were declared hot-spots by Nigerian authorities; only a handful of them eventually escaped the spectre of violence.

But few predicted the fury and anger of the post-presidential election protest in major northern towns and cities. While some have pointed accusing fingers at the CPC and Muhammadu Buhari, its presidential candidate, for not calling their supporters to order, others have opined that the riots betray a more fundamental socio-economic malaise. Several explanations have been proffered, including a ‘religious agenda’ that merely exploited ‘a political situation’ and cultural survival of the (political) North.

‘With a massive mandate, President Jonathan has a resounding legitimacy to boost his ability, and that of his team, to govern strongly. But as Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, has suggested, the president should tell Nigerians upfront whether his policies are for the elite or for the masses’

Grappling with the aftermath of April polls By ‘Kunle Amuwo Others are: spontaneous political action or a rearguard battle by those worried by loss of political power considered by many in the region as a birthright; and crude evidence of class struggle by northern talakawa (commoners) in the targeting of symbols of wealth and power of both Christians and Muslims.

Beyond the empanelling of an election judicial tribunal on the violence, the sobering lesson is that, as presently constituted, Nigeria may have pretty little common meaning to its diverse yet vibrant population. Whatever fate befalls the judicial challenge to the Nigeria-wide mandate of President Goodluck Jonathan by the CPC and Buhari — by winning 25 % of the votes in 31 of the 36 states, he surpassed the constitutional requirement of 25 % of votes in 24 states - the president and his future cabinet have their work well cut out for them: the creation of a consciousness of what Nigeria should mean to its people notably in terms of the public values to project, protect and enhance.

The elections were also marred by logistical deficiencies and procedural inconsistencies, and by a rehash of malpractices: ballot box stuffing and snatching, illegal thumb printing of ballot papers, fake Independent National Electoral Commission INEC materials, intimidation, inducement and armtwisting of voters through money and materials.

Yet, across the country, the strength of the electoral process trumped its weaknesses.

Many Nigerians – as well as members of the international community – commended INEC for improved logistics and smoother voting process as the elections progressed, even as the high-tech biometrics proved fallible and the voter register problematic on occasion. The use of senior academics as returning officers and youth corps members as ad hoc election staff helped. So also did the conviction of fraud and cancellation of fraudulent results and huge deployment of security personnel, including, controversially, the military.

INEC chairman Attahiru Jega and his team’s perceived ability to put Nigeria above self and willingness to learn and self-correct triumphed over constraints and impediments.

A major weakness was inadequate time by

INEC to perfect its reforms, which precipitated the sudden halt of the National Assembly election on April 2. Inadequate time also created loopholes for some desperate politicians and a handful of INEC officials to engage in electoral malfeasance.

The loss of power by the ruling PDP in both National Assembly and governorship elections, including in Ogun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s home state, is a victory for a more diversified, more democratic, more representative and more legitimate system of government. It should drive better service delivery for Nigerians as parties become more competitive for citizens’ genuine loyalty and support. If the opposition parties successfully resist the temptation of pork barrel politics and keep to their electoral promises, the quality of parliamentary politics and the country’s burgeoning democracy will shore up. The elections also shattered the myth of invincibility of incumbency, as sitting governors in Oyo, Kano, Imo and Nasarawa lost out. The Nigerian electorate has also proved its sophistication, voting sometimes for candidates and at other times for parties. The entire South-west and Edo state (save Osun state in the presidential) were emblematic of this quality. But there are examples from other parts of the country. In Niger state, the CPC won both the National Assembly and presidential elections only to lose the governorship to the PDP. It also lost Katsina - Buhari’s home state — to the PDP barely a week after it had won 71% of the presidential votes as against PDP’s 26%.

The most important issue in the Nigeria elections is that, for the first time in the country’s history, a ‘southern minority’ politician has been elected president. It is a vote for a new Nigeria - and a new beginning. It is also a historic political milestone and a unique opportunity to transform the country’s political economy. With a massive mandate, President Jonathan has a resounding legitimacy to boost his ability, and that of his team, to govern strongly. But as Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, has suggested, the president should tell Nigerians upfront whether his policies are for the elite or for the masses.

Nigerians do not expect the President to solve their entire nation’s problems during his tenure. Rather, they would like him to prioritize and deliver on key areas. In terms of substantive politics, energy provision is crucial. Next in line are revamping of rundown physical infrastructures, education and health, as well as public service reforms. No leader can achieve much with the current government machinery. President Jonathan has promised to manage resources better and do things differently – he should do so and be held accountable by both domestic and international stakeholders in the Nigeria project. In terms of non-substantive politics, the fight against endemic corruption is top priority. If this battle is not won, substantive politics will be stymied.

Finally, important lessons have been learnt during the polls, the most significant is that human agency and commitment can be as significant as structures and institutions. If political violence and electoral malfeasance did not subvert the will of the Nigerian electorate, it is mainly thanks to the contributions of INEC and Chairman Jega and his team; President Jonathan; senior academics who doubled as returning officers; young Nigerians in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who served as ad-hoc officials; and the electorate that was determined and prepared, every step of the way, to defend their votes and protect the integrity of the system.

Institutional support deployed by the police, army and other security agencies as well as by domestic and international monitoring and observer teams was equally invaluable.

Nigeria may have used the April 2011 general elections to begin to reverse the degeneration of its previous elections, but it is not yet time for official self-congratulation and back-slapping. Going forward, the need to start intense and intensive preparations for the 2015 elections can hardly be over-emphasized. Voter registration need not be as chaotic and expensive as it was this year if it is done as a continuing exercise, according to the 2010 Electoral Act. If technical reforms are accompanied by far-reaching political and economic reforms that can alleviate poverty, generate jobs and ensure energy – in short, reforms that make the state more relevant to the generality of Nigerians – the health of the country’s electoral and democratic future will be guaranteed. The government should also show more determination to contain violence from the society.

Successful reforms will strengthen its hands to do so.

• Professor Amuwo is with International Crisis Group’s West Africa Project, Dakar, Senegal

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

E

ACH year, 50,000 green cards, which allow immigrants to become permanent residents and eventually qualify for United States citizenship, are randomly given away. The 10 million or so aspiring Americans who enter this lottery every year do not have to have family members here. Nor do they have to demonstrate special skills. They merely have to come from a country, like my native Germany, that is underrepresented in the immigrant pool, fill out a simple form and hope that, against very long odds, they get to live the American dream.

Imagine my ecstasy, then, when I checked the State Department’s Web site in the early morning on May 1, and saw that I had won the lottery. Like tens of thousands of lucky winners all over the world, I stared at my screen in disbelief. Was my dream of staying in America really to be fulfilled? Could I one day call New York, a city I love like no other in the world, my home?

‘Despite the recent setbacks, the green card lottery is a shrewd way for the United States to honor a history of open immigration that lasted until the late 19th century, and win over hearts and minds along the way’

Losing (but Loving) the Green Card Lottery

By Bascha Mounk The answer, it turns out, is a crushing no. Last Friday, the State Department had to admit to a huge mistake. Because of a programming error, a disproportionate number of those selected to receive a green card had entered the lottery on the first two eligible days, Oct. 5 or 6 of last year.

But the law demands a truly random selection process. My winning notification was rescinded. “We regret any inconvenience this might have caused,” the State Department said in a statement.

Many of my fellow not-quite-winners reacted to the cruel news with indignation.

In a sign of how American many of them already are, some are even planning a class-action lawsuit against the State Department.

I share their sadness — it won’t be easy for me to let that dream go. And for those who were hoping to overcome real economic hardship or escape the grip of an authoritarian regime, it must be harder still. But I will not be joining the lawsuit.

Sometimes bureaucratic mistakes, even ones that play with the emotions of thousands of people, just happen. More important, I recognize that the beauty of the green card lottery lies in its very randomness, in the fact that no one gets a leg up

over anyone else for any reason.

Opponents of the Diversity Visa Lottery, as the program is officially known, are likely to try to use the fate of people like me to their advantage. A bill introduced in January by Representative Darrell Issa, Republican of California, would abolish the lottery. Instead of randomly giving away the coveted green cards, he would make it easier for holders of advanced degrees from American universities to stay in the country upon graduation.

As a graduate student in the United States, I am actually more likely to benefit from Mr. Issa’s proposed immigration reform than I am to win the green card lottery a second time. Nevertheless, I hope his bill will be defeated. Despite the recent setbacks, the green card lottery is a shrewd way for the United States to honor a history of open immigration that lasted until the late 19th century, and win over hearts and minds along the way.

While the completely open borders of yore are sadly not feasible today, the lottery, in its limited way, helps America to remain a land of equal opportunity.

•Yascha Mounk, the founding editor of the online magazine The Utopian, is a graduate student in political theory at Harvard.

New York Times

• Obama

Pg. 41

Siasia, Obuh clash Adedoja calls for peace over Ahmed Musa in Nigeria football crisis Pg. 24

Nation Monday, May 23, 2011

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PAGE 23

•Stephen Crainey (3) and Ian Evatt of Blackpool (6) look dejected as Blackpool are relegated after the EPL match between Manchester United and Blackpool at Old Trafford on May 22, 2011 in Manchester, England

NIGERIA VS COSTA RICA

Eguavoen replaces Ehiosun with Fatai Kehinde Pg. 24

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

24

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Siasia, Obuh clash over Ahmed Musa S

UPER EAGLES' gaffer, Samson Siasia has warned against the invitation of pacy winger, Ahmed Musa to the Flying Eagles as the Super Eagles best suits the VVV Venlo of Holland star.

In a chat with brilafm.net, Siasia cited the case of Three Lions of England youngster, Jack Wilshire who's doing well for both club and country but was never drafted to play for the U-

20 side of England.

"If you look at a player like Jack Wilshire of England national team, he has never been drafted to play for the junior teams, so Ahmed Musa must

NIGERIA, ARGENTINA FRIENDLY

Ladipo pleads for Osaze

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•Siasia

Mancini: Tevez will stay at Eastlands ROBERTO MANCINI insists that Carlos Tevez will remain at Manchester City, despite the forward recently expressing a desire to leave the club.

The former Manchester United hitman submitted a transfer request earlier in the season, only to withdraw it and contribute to the winning of the FA Cup, City's first piece of silverware for 35 years.

Tevez also played a pivotal role in City's securing a top-four Premier League finish and qualification for next season's Champions League, which could potentially be a direct entry into the group stage depending on the result of its final game at Bolton on Sunday.

Earlier, the Argentine had been linked with a move to Italy, but Mancini clarified the situation whilst insisting that his captain is going nowhere during the summer.

"First of all, I spoke with some Italian journalists who asked me whether it was possible Carlos could one day go to Inter or Juventus," he said, according to The Daily Mail.

"I said 'I don't know. Maybe. Carlos is in Italy for treatment'."

Mancini added: "In the newspapers it came out that I said Carlos wants to go to Italy. I didn't say this.

"Carlos came to me and asked why I had said this. I said I hadn't. I said I didn't know whether he wants to stay or go to Italy.

"Carlos said he wants to stay. Finished.

This is history.

•Mancini

be left alone so he can focus on the Super Eagles and help the country book a ticket to the nations cup", he stated.

The position of the senior national

RESIDENT General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr Rauf Ladipo has appealed to the Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia to temper justice with mercy and forgive West Brom hit man, Peter Osaze Odemwingie and include him in the list of players for the much publicised Nigeria, Argentina clash June 1 and the Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia on June 5.

According to him, Odemwingie deserves to be among the players Siasia recently invited to play in the June 1 international duel against Argentina in Abuja. Ladipo said he never knew that Odemwingie never apologised to Siasia and was shocked to hear about his exclusion from the list.

Immediately after the news was broken I called Siasia and he confirmed that Osaze has not apologised to the team officially stating that he only read him on the pages of newspapers, he said.

I am appealing to Siasia to please forgive him because the player is Nigeria's hottest player and Africa's only promising star at the moment.

Although, Osaze deserves the punishment, we in the Supporters Club don't condone indiscipline. We are totally against it.'

The supporters' club boss recalled that it was due to indiscipline on the part of some Super Eagles players that cut short Nigeria's appearance at the FIFA World

Cup 2006 in Germany. 'What is happening now reminds me of the events that led to our at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Some of our best legs were choosing the matches they played and that affected our qualification.

However, that is not to say that the baby should be thrown away with the bath water. We support sanctions so that there will be discipline and Siasia should still punish him but not by dropping him from the squad.'

team coach has however not gone down with Flying Eagles' head coach, John Sam Obuh as he has stated clearly that the former Kano Pillars youngster remained an U-20 national team player and will play for the team whenever he is needed.

"Some people don't know the origin of players before they start talking.

Ahmed Musa was with us in the U-20 camp even before he received an invitation to the home based Super Eagles then the mainstream senior national team so I don't know what anyone is talking about. He can however play for the Super eagles as long as there won’t be a clash with his primary assignment with us in the Flying Eagles", he wrapped up.

Ahmed Musa, 18, has been penned down by Sam Obuh for Nigeria's FIFA U-20 world cup campaign and is also expected to play a key role in the Super Eagles' 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualification series.

NIGERIA VS COSTA RICA

Eguavoen replaces Ehiosun M with Fatai Kehinde

INISTER of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has called on warring parties in Nigerian football

F

OLLOWING his invitation to the Super Eagles for the Argentina/Ethiopia games next month, National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen has replaced Warri Wolves striker Ekigho Ehiosun with former JUTH of Jos and Astra Ploiesti of Romania striker Fatai Kehinde for the upcoming friendly against Costa Rica and Olympic games second round first leg qualifier against the young Taifa stars of Tanzania in Dares Salam next month.

Fatai Kehinde is among seven

additional names released at the weekend by Coach Austin Eguavoen.

Others are Odion Igalo ( he returns to the team following clearance from his club), Haruna Lukman (Monaco, France), Dimaku Tochukwu (Hapoel Acre, Israel), Uchebo Okechukwu ( VVV Venlo, Netherlands) Eneji Otekpa ( Enyimba, Nigeria) Usman Amoda (Enyimba, Nigeria), Theophilus Afelokhia (Kano Pillars, Nigeria).

The Dream team V camp will move to Lagos on Monday May 23rd.

The Costa Rica versus Nigeria game holds on May 29 while the Dream Team will depart from Lagos en route Spain on May 27.

NFF Board member and deputy chairman NFF technical committee, Felix Anyasi will now lead the delegation to San Jose.

Dream Team V Officials for Costa Rica: Austin Eguavoen, Stanley Eguma, Ben Iroha, Alloy Agu, Ogbondeminu Samuel (team doctor) Abdulsalam Shuaibu (Team Physio) Shola Ogunnowo (secretary) Peter Rufai (Team Coordinator).

Abdurahaman Ayo (NFF) Austel Elumelu, Felix Anyansi (leader of

•Adedoja

HE third leg of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League held at the weekend in Abuja with Delta athlete Ogho Oghene Egwero further lowering the 100m time to claim his third consecutive victory.

He posted a 10.26 to stay in contention for a share in the N3m jackpot prize on line in the league.

Obinna Metu (10.45) of the Nigerian Prison Service club was second while Nigerian Army runner, Benjamin Adukwu (10.50) placed third.

Egwero who struggled with hamstring hours before the event at

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

Shutkova leaps world-leading Donald to face Pacquiao: Corruption war, 6.95m in Brest Poulter in final not RH bill, can solve poverty threw 78.06m in the second round, improved to 78.77m in the fifth, and ended the competition with a 79.13m effort in the sixth, a season’s best.

In the women’s Hammer Throw, Alena Matoshka from Novopolotsk was the best, reaching 72.28m in the fourth round.

•Shutkova

SECOND-RANKED Luke Donald overwhelmed Martin Kaymer 5 and 3 in the semifinals of the World Match Play Championship on Sunday, setting up a showdown with fellow Englishman Ian Poulter in the final and another chance to take over as No. 1 for the first time.

Donald raced to 3 up after four holes and never looked back against No. 3-ranked Kaymer, clinching the match on the 15th with his seventh birdie of a consistent round.

The 22nd-ranked Poulter, who beat top-ranked Lee Westwood in the last 16 on Saturday, won the other last-four match on the first playoff hole against Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts, ranked 108.

Poulter was never ahead until Colsaerts missed a par putt on the 19th hole.

If Donald wins the final in Andalusia, he will supplant Westwood as No. 1 and pick up a winner's check for $1.14 million.

Donald, who extended his unbeaten streak in match-play singles to 12 matches, also beat Kaymer in the final of the Accenture Match Play in February.

WORLD BOXING champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said on Sunday night that the government should focus on its anti-corruption measures instead of passing the Reproductive Health (RH) bill to eradicate poverty in the country.

“Ang solusyon sa kahirapan, yung korupsyon, sugpuin.

Kailangan siguro bago ‘yan matupad, magkaisa tayo para sugpuin ang korupsyon," Pacquiao said during GMA News TV’s Grand RH debate aired on Sunday night.

The world boxing champ joined the televised debate days after he met with officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to discuss his anti-RH bill stand. He also opposed House Bill 4244 last Wednesday during plenary debates on the measure at the House of Representatives.

Pacquiao, a Catholic, insisted that the RH bill is against teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

He added that there is no need to pass the RH bill since people are

using artificial contraceptives such as pills and condoms even without a legislation covering them.

•Pacquiao

the Abuja National Stadium had earlier won his semi final race in 10.31, an improvement over the 10.33 he won the Ado Ekiti leg with penultimate weekend.

“I am really getting into the groove now,” smiled the petit runner as he fielded questions at a post race chat. “ I believe I can still do better on this time with more concentration on my training programme. If I continue like this, there is nothing stopping me from running a 10 flat or even running a sub 10,” stressed Egwero who is going to compete at the CAA meet in Dakar this weekend.

But Agnes Osazuwa (11.53) who is competing in the League for the first time easily won the women sprint event leaving Deborah Odeyemi (11.68) of the A-Class club and Goodness Thomas (11.80) of the Police team to pick the second and third places respectively.

Osazuwa told reporters after the race that she has started her season on a good note with the 11.53 she posted here. “ I have never started my season with an 11.5 before. What this means to me personally is that if I have an injury free season, I should be able to get to the podium at the All Africa Games in September.”

However, it was the results of the men 400m that gladdened the hearts of AFN chiefs most where Abiola Onakoya , Segun Ogunkole and Tobi Ogunmola all ran the A- standard under 46 seconds. They posted 45.89, 45.91 and 45.92 respectively.

In the women version of the quartermile, Bukola Abogunloko ran a slow 53.39 to remain in contention for a share in the jackpot prize money. Nkiruka Nwakwe (53.50) and Josephine Ehigie (53.76) were second and third respectively.

In the relays, Delta State remained the team to beat in the series as Egwero anchored their 4x100m quartet to another gold in 40.09 here. Delta won the first two legs. Similarly, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) retained their 4x100m women gold, clocking 45.25.

Meanwhile, the Director General of

circles to sheathe their swords and adopt peaceful means of crisis resolution.

The university don in a chat with brilafm.net stated that the creation of a parallel football governing body in Nigeria would not solve the problems of football in the country but rather add to it as strengthening the existing body remains the sure way to help soccer development in the country.

“The creation of a parallel body will not solve the problem on ground but rather it will compound the situation, declared Adedoja.

A group of football stakeholders inspired by National Association of Nigerian Footballers, NANF president, Harrison Jalla had threatened to set up a parallel football body.

United calls time on Hargreaves THE former England international has seen his United career wrecked by tendinitis in both knees and has made just two brief outings in the last two seasons.

He joined the Premier League champions for £17million from Bayern Munich in July 2007 but the 30-year-old will be a free agent when his four-year contract expires this summer.

And boss Alex Ferguson has confirmed the club had little choice but to end the midfielder's injuryplagued stay at Old Trafford.

Fergie said: "This has been a difficult decision knowing how hard the lad has worked to win back his fitness.

"But we have made it in the hope he will be able to resurrect his career elsewhere."

Promise vows to make Eagles better S

URPRISE Super Eagles’ invitee, Isaac Promise has promised to help the rebuilding process of the eagles by maintaining a level head.

Promise, 23, earned his first invitation to the fold of the senior national for the international friendly against Argentina and has so far this season made nineteen appearances in the colors of Turkish side, Manisaspor and has told brilafm.net that he is ready to give his all to the national team.

“First I give all the glory to God for making this happen, have always said

Three down, two to go •The NCF had a reception for the victorious Nigeria Senior National Cricket who are the Champions of the ICC-Africa APL T20 in Benoni, South Africa and Runner-Up at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 in Gaborone, Botswana. Standing from left: George Wiltshire, GM, Nigeria Cricket Federation, Captain of TEAM NIGERIA, Endurance Ofem & Coach/Player Sean Phillips presenting the ICC-Africa APL T2O Trophy to Kwesi Sagoe, President of NCF/Chairman, Africa Cricket Association

THE leap by the 24-year-old Minsk native, who was fifth at the European indoor championships in March, came in the first round to seal the victory and find herself atop the season’s lists for the first time in her career. It was also a career best for the 2004 World junior bronze medallist, surpassing her 6.68m outdoor best from last season and her 6.71m leap indoors earlier this year.

The nearest competitor, Nastassia Mironchyk-Ivanova, was 25 cm behind and finished second.

Shot putter Andrei Mikhnevich reached 21.30m to take the victory. Showing good early season form, he threw beyond the 21-metre line in both the third and fifth rounds. Paul Lyzhin finished second with a 20.65m toss in the second round.

Meanwhile, the women’s 800m witnessed an intense and fast battle. Maryna Arzamasova (Katovich), the daughter of former European champion Ravilya Agletdinova who died in a car accident, lead for most of the race. Sviatlana Usovich took the lead after the final turn, but was overtaken by Arzamasova who took the win in 1:59.30. Usovich was passed by her sister Ilona, on the comeback after maternity leave, to take second in 1:59.71.

Sviatlana Usovichwas third in 1:59.38.

Pavel Kryvitski from Grodno produced a fine series in the Hammer Throw. He

delegation).

Full list for Costa Rica/ Tanzania games.

Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan) Harmony Ikande (Extremadura – Spain), Nosa Igiebor (LillestromNorway) Dimaku Tochukwu (Hapoel Acre -Israel) Dele Ajiboye (Pontevedra-Spain) Solomon Okpako (Panionios-Greece), Edet Ibok (Atletico Baleares-Spain) Uchechi Daniel (Leicester City – England), Ganiyu Oseni (Kieng Giang Vietnam), Nurudeen Orelesi (Dinamo Tirana- Albania), Obiora Nwankwo,( Inter Milan –Italy) Sone Aluko ( Aberdeen –Scotland), Terna Suswan (Setubal – Portugal), Odion Igalo (Granada- Spain), Uchebo Okechukwu ( VVV Venlo, Neitherlands) Fatai Kehinde (Astra Ploiesti - Romania ) Haruna Lukman (Monaco, France).

Emmanuel Anyanwu ( Enyimba, Nigeria) Saka Ayo (Ocean Boys, Nigeria) Udoh Kingsley (Heartland, Nigeria) Thomas Femi ( Ocean Boys) Eneji Otekpa ( Enyimba, Nigeria) Usman Amoda (Enyimba, Nigeria), Theophilus Afelokhia (Kano Pillars, Nigeria) Osadebamwen Okoro ( Heartland, Nigeria).

AFN GOLDEN LEAGUE

T

•Ladipo

Adedoja calls for peace in Nigeria football crisis

41

the National Sports Commission Dr Patrick Ekeji who witnessed the Abuja leg of the series along side other top officials of the commission commended the AFN for the League.

He said that the series of competitions carried out so far by AFN will go along way in adding Nigeria’s preparations for the All African Games slated to hold in Maputo in September this year.

While hinting that there was going to be a review of the concept of the sports associations as currently constituted in order to attract the private sector to participate.

it that Gods time is the best. I knew my time was coming because I never ceased to pray for the success of the team, it pays to be good so I guess have been rewarded for being good, but be that as it may I’ll always give my 100% to the success of the team and I promise to keep a level head in the camp”, he stated.

The former Trabzonspor of Turkey star assured that he would continue to represent Nigeria positively, while contributing his quota to the drive to revamp the super eagles. Promise last played for Nigeria at the u-23 level in the 2008 Beijing Olympics games where Nigeria picked the silver medal losing 1-0 to Argentina in an epic final.

•Isaac Promise

Man City set for £100m raid on Arsenal, Spurs stars IN a sensational report it is being said that the moneybags Man City coach Roberto Mancini wants Sheikh

•Sheikh Mansour

Mansour to authorize the spending of another £100m to bring Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Tottenham’s Luka Modric to the Eastlands this summer.

It was reported earlier that Arsene Wenger has put a £50m price on Cesc Fabregas, but the People reckon that Man City will offer Arsenal £58m to ensure that Wenger accepts, while Harry Redknapp has said that Modric is not for sale at any price but City are set to offer Tottenham £40m.

The Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may look at things differently now that Spurs have missed out on the Champions League riches on offer for next season and a big windfall like that would certainly help to bring in a few top-class players for next season.

The Man City chairman Khaldoon al--Mubarak said earlier this week that the club would be looking at “quality not quantity” this summer, which would certainly make Fabregas and Modric viable targets. Wenger obviously has no problem selling players to Man City if they pay enough, but Tottenham may be loathe to strengthen one of their direct rivals for a top four place.

•Hargreaves

Hiddink: I'm still helping the Blues GUUS HIDDINK has revealed he is still helping to pull the strings at Chelsea.

The Dutchman, 64, guided the Blues to FA Cup glory after taking control in February 2009 following the sacking of Big Phil Scolari.

He combined the temporary role with his job as Russia's national coach but has continued to work for the club as an adviser since leaving Stamford Bridge.

Turkey boss Hiddink, who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Carlo Ancelotti, said: "It works well with Chelsea.

"Since I left two years ago I've been advising the club on things concerning the squad.

"Sometimes I become a sounding board. It costs me very little time and I can combine it well with my position with Turkey.

"There is no conflict at all."

•Hiddink

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

S

INCE 2006 when the Avian flu ravaged some parts of the world, many have stepped up efforts to prevent the disease from spreading to their farms, towns, states and countries.

Having learnt how the disease wrecked havoc in some parts of the country, the Lagos State Government has been fumigating poultry sheds in some markets across the Metropolis regularly to avert the spread of the disease.

This has been the responsibility of the Veterinary Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in the past five years.

The initiative is an extension of its regular fumigation of poultry farms across the state, with the overall aim of combating and preventing the spread of the dreaded disease.

Speaking at the flag off of the exercise at Oja Oba Market, Orile-Agege, Avian Influenza Desk Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr. Shamsideen Allyson said about 40 markets would be decontaminated in the first phase of the exercise that would see the vet officers going round the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council

25

Keeping Avian flu at bay

By Kunle Akinrinade

Development Areas (LCDAs).

Allyson said the exercise is part of the state government’s commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of all residents, especially taking into consideration the rate at which people consume chickens.

According to him, the exercise has been a regular feaThe ture since the nation re- fumigation corded its major Avian inexercise fluenza pandemic in 2006, adding that the state has against flu

through fumigation, been able to manage the spread of the virus.

He said: “The fumigation exercise is part of the measure to rid the state of the outbreak of Avian flu, especially the deadly H5 N1, which has the tendency of spreading to human beings.

This type of the Avian virus was first discovered in Asia in 2006 where it killed millions of people, but it later spread to other parts of the world including Nigeria.

“We all know that human beings consume chickens a lot, especially during festivities and that could lead to the spread of the virus. This is why we constantly disinfect poultry mar-

kets to put the disease under check. In 2006 alone we lost about 600,000 birds and we recorded the outbreak in about 99 farms in Lagos State.

We don’t want a repeat of such incident and that is why the Lagos State Government has considered it necessary to fumigate poultry markets in various parts of the metropolis to prevent a re-ocurrence of the 2006 ugly episode. Influenza pandemic is what we are trying to contain through this exercise given its adverse consequences on life and if it occurs hospitals will not be able to accommodate the huge number of victims. Apart from that, poultry farmers will suffer huge loss arising from the death of birds or chickens attacked by the disease.

“Lagos State has the largest market for chickens in Nigeria and that explains why the government is putting all it has to control the debilitating crisis that an outbreak of the disease could cause.

“There is no doubt that the more the virus circulates through chickens the more the tendency to spread to human beings. We have had

•SEE PAGE 26

• A vet doctor fumigating the birds

Lagos Fire Fighters get better pay Govt to probe pupil’s death THE Lagos State Government has unfolded plans to pay men of its fire service unit the paramilitary salary scale approved by the Federal Government.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Babatunde Balogun, disclosed this at a press briefing to mark the fourth anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola administration.

He said the new salary scale would come into effect before the year ends.

He said: “Right now, the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pension has received a memo for the consideration of when to commence the payment of the new salary to the brave-men of the Lagos State Fire Service.”

THE Lagos State Government will investigate the accident that claimed the lives of three pupils of Corner Stone Bright School, Sangotedo, Lekki, on May 11.

Speaking when she visited the school, over the weekend, Deputy Governor Princess Sosan said a deeply grieved Governor Babatunde Fashola is insisting on the probe. Three pupils of the school died when a commercial bus collided with their school bus along the Lekki/Epe Expressway. “The government and the entire people of Lagos State are saddened by the death of three of our pupils in a fatal accident.

The news came to us as a shock specially as it involved pupils with great future ahead of them. The state government will investigate the cause of the accident to forestall a recurrence and bring whoever might be found culpable to justice,” Sosan said.

Sosan bids bye to special children THE Lagos State Deputy Governor and head of the Mministry of Education, Princess Sarah Sosan, has held a party for special children as part of her sendforth activities.

At the event tagged: “Fun-time with special children with Sarah Sosan,” the deputy governor said her closeness to the children in the past four years made her to appreciate their special talents.

The children, comprising the visually impaired, hearing impaired as well as children with cerebral palsy and others with special needs had an interesting time with the deputy governor.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

26

CITY BEATS Tenant docked for dumping son’s remains at landlord’s doorstep A TENANT, Afeez Oladeji, 29, was on Wednesday docked in Lagos for allegedly dumping his son's corpse at the doorstep of his landlord.

Oladeji, appeared before an Itire Magistrate on a six-count charge of felony, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, malicious damage and assault.

The prosecutor, Assistant Supritendent, Lucky Ifegerimoni, told the court that the accused with others doorstep of the landlord, Mukaila Onakiya.

He said Oladeji conducted himself in a way likely to cause a breach of the peace and for preventing the landlord and his family from leaving their apartment.

He also accused Oladeji of assaulting his landlord, his wife and another lady, Alugbe Rose.

Ifegerimoni added that the accused threw away two drums of kerosene valued at N85,689, property of his landlord.

Onijegun marks anniversary ACTIVITIES lined up to mark the first anniversary of the Onijegun of Ijegunland, Oba Nureni Akinremi, Ilufemiloye Kudeyibu I began with traditional rites and special Jumat prayer at the Ijegun Central Muslim praying ground.

Conferment of traditional and honourary chieftaincy titles on eminent personalities, will hold on May 26, at the prayer ground, while the fuji sensation, Saheed Osupa, will entertain guests on May 28.

A football tournament will hold on Saturday, June 4, and the programme will be rounded off with a Jumat Service on June 3 and a thanksgiving service is slated for June 5, respectively.

Govt accuses PHCN of frustrating initiative THE Commissioner for Rural Development, Lanre Balogun has accused the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc of frustrating the Lagos State Government’s efforts to produce power meters locally.

He said the government may not achieve its aim because of certain inimical policies from the PHCN. Balogun said the government had invested in an indigenous company, Elsewedy Nigeria, to produce meters.

He said the company which had pioneered the local production of transformers in the state would have commenced the local production of meters but for the outright neglect of the product from the company.

“They cannot produce meters unless there is an effective demand from PHCN,” Balogun said.

Keeping Avian flu at bay

•Continued from page 25 Avian Influenza in 1918, 1958 and 1980 and it killed millions of people across the world.

Even in Egypt they are still recording deaths arising from Avian Influenza pandemic and that is why it is necessary to take on control measures of this type against the disease.”

The veterinary expert said officials of the department are usually on the field to pay regular and scheduled visits to all registered poultry farms in the state where they administer drugs and other vaccines to the birds.

These officials he added usually report cases of the outbreak of such pandemic to the ministry before it gets out of control.

“Once we are informed of the outbreak in any part of the state, we would quickly move in to depopulate the poultry farm, decontaminate it and then later compensate the traders. Last year, we gave about N25million to poultry farmers and sellers who lost their chickens to the disease during the last outbreak of the epidemic.”

“At the moment, we are targeting about 40 markets in the first phase of the exercise. We shall fumigate two markets in each of the 20 council areas, and 37 LCDAs of the state,” he added.

Allyson, who said he looked forward to recording no Avian flu infection among the poultry in the state, said the Ministry has all it takes to quarantine any poultry farm infected by the flu without any fear that such birds would find its way to the markets.

The National President of Fowl Sellers Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Agbeke Oketokun, who led other members of the body to witness the

• Mr Yinka Shoyola, Madam Oketokun and Dr.Allyson at the flag-off of the fumigation exercise

exercise at Orile-Agege, lauded the initiative.

While thanking the Lagos State Government for the programme, Oketokun asked for financial assistance for members of the association who are still battling with loss recorded a few years back as a result of the outbreak of the disease.

She said: “I want to thank the government for embarking on this initiative, which will in no small measure save us from monumental loss as fowl sell-

ers. Some of our members lost huge sums of money in the 2006 outbreak of Avian flu and they are yet to get over the shock. Some of them had stroke, while many others were ruined, with no money to continue the business.

“I am appealing to the government to extend more financial empowerment to our members who lost huge investments in the last outbreak of the disease, so as assist them to revive their business. This is the only

‘

I am appealing to the government to extend more financial empowerment to our members who lost huge investments in the last outbreak of the disease, so as assist them to revive their business

’

business we know how to do and the government should continue to support us at all times.”

A poultry consumer, Mrs Feyikemi Abdul, commended the government for taking the initiative to come to the markets to fumigate the chickens that were put out for sale. She said the move by the government has further confirmed people’s believe that the government takes more than a passing interest in the wellbeing of its citizens.

“I am happy to see the government take this initiative. I can only plead with them to cover more markets, especially those markets that are known to sell poultry-chickens, turkey, and the likes, so as to further assure buyers that what they are buying from the markets are healthy birds and not ones that would send them to their early graves,” Mrs Abdul said.

Pupils advocate measures to avert road accidents

P

UPILS from various education districts across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State, have listed measures for averting persistent road accidents.

The pupils spoke at the state’s commemoration of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety.

The pupils, who wore black armbands at the event, in honour of the three pupils of Cornerstone Bright School, Sangotedo, Lekki, who died in the Wednesday accident on the Lekki- Ajah Road, said the incident would have been averted if road users complied with traffic regulations.

In her presentation, 15-year-old Anifowose Maria, a pupil of Community High School, Wasimi, Maryland, said road safety required a collaborative effort with the government to ensure the safety of lives, especially children who are most vulnerable.

“My heart was broken when I learnt about the accident along Lekki road that claimed the lives of three children, who were on their way to school. Those young children that died in the accident had a bright future but, unfortunately, this happened because somebody did not keep to the safety rules.”

Maria, one of the students selected from the state Traffic Advocacy Club that went on a trip to the

By Miriam Ndikanwu

United Kingdom recently, praised the state government’s implementing of programmes that have, to a large extent, addressed the 2020 traffic safety measures projected by the United Nations (UN).

“The UN has a vision from 20112020, but Lagos is already ahead of them with the traffic safety advocacy programme through which we enlighten young people on the

things that they need to know about the road, so that when they grow up they would be more conscious about road safety.”

Maria further expressed delight with the implementation of the traffic laws in Lagos State, noting that very soon the traffic situation would improve.”

The Special Adviser (Transportation), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said the government had commenced the implementation of the United Na-

tion’s action plan through the implementation of various programmes.

He lamented that on May 11, the day the UN set aside for the decade, three children were killed.

Opeifa lamented that most of the accidents that have led to wanton destruction of lives and properties in the state would have been avoided, if road users had respected and complied with traffic rules and regulations.

•From left: Director-General Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs Omolara Odebunmi, Director of Welfare Matters, Office of the Head of Service, Mr Akeem Adetoro, and Mr Opeifa at the event PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

EMERGENCY LINES 1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No: 080-33706639; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-34346168; 01-2881304

STATE AGENCIES

3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 080-75005411; 080-60152462 080-23111742; 080-29728371 080-23909364; 080-77551000 01-7904983

4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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CITY BEATS ‘I wanted to run away after their birth’

•The triplet.

PHOTO: WALE ADEPOJU

‘

I would have run away but for my friend who encouraged me. He said there is nothing impossible for God but the economic situation in the country is critical

’

T

FROM THE COURT

He drinks a lot, wife tells court

A

trader, Mrs Saratu Dauda, has dragged her husband, Mr. Ismaila Dauda, to the Grade ‘A’Customary Court, Mushin, for the dissolution of their marriage.

Saratu told the court that after she left her husband’s house with her child, he has refused to pay the feeding allowance for the child with her. She said the last money he paid was the one the court forced him to give in December.

She said it was ironic that though her husband would not have any money for the upkeep of their child, he always had the money to drink, and often drank to stupor. She said her husband never asked after the children’s upkeep.

My Lord: “He has left his responsibilities as a father for me, I am the one feeding and paying the children’s school fees,” she said.

She, therefore, pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage with immediate effect and to grant her the custody of the children.

But the respondent, Mr. Dauda, said he was not making any payment because he has no money, due to the nature of his job.

•Mr David and wife, Josephine

HEY are bundles of joy.

But their arrival jolted their parents, especially, their father, who contemplated running away when he got the news that three babies were waiting for him at the hospital.

Why? He does not have the means to take care of the triplets - all girls - delivered by his adorable wife on May 4.

David Olelewe, a commercial motorcyclist and his wife , Josephine already had two children - Princess (three), and Angela (16 months) - before Divine, Destiny and Diamond were born.

The couple live on Olelewe’s meagre earnings from his okada business. The arrival of the triplets has, therefore, put a heavy strain on his lean income so much so that he wanted to leave them all and run away.

He said: “I would have run away but for my friend who encouraged me. He said there is nothing impossible for God but the economic situation in the country is critical. Can I say I do not wish for these babies?

They are God’s blessings but it is difficult if a man has to cater for three babies at once.

May be one would have been more acceptable. However, I am still very grateful to God.” Josephine, 30, a qualified nurse/ midwife could not get an employment, everything needed was placed on the little that her husband brings.

So, it was a little surprising to occupants of 24, Olapeju Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, where the couple reside, as they stood in awe.

The mother of five said she could not carry the pregnancy to term because of swelling in her limb which is known in medical parlance as odomatous.

Josephine, who got married on December 28, 2006, said the babies were 33 weeks old (eight months) before doctors took delivery through a caesarian section (CS).

“The babies have jaundice. That was why they were placed in the incubators. They are prone at that age to the disease,” she added.

She said the doctors had envisaged that there might be complications, so they put her on bed rest for two weeks and two days.

Recounting the mystery surrounding the birth of the triplets, Mrs Olelewe said, she

He, however, promised to pay up before next month.

He said there was a time he went to his child’s school, to give him N500 for feeding. He said he has been away for about a month, which he said was responsible for why he seemed to have abdicated his responsibilities as a father.

The court observed that there has not been any meaningful effort from him to reconcile with his wife, though he pleaded to withdraw the case.

The court president held that there has not been any evidence to prove his claims that he still loved his wife.

The court told him that he

‘

He has left his responsibilities as a father for me, I am the one feeding and paying our children’s school fees

’

might lose the custody of the children, if his wife could prove beyond all doubt that he didn’t care for them, adding that his attitude towards the children will determine if the children will be in his custody.

The court president asked why he has not bothered to perform the necessary traditional marriage rite of his wife, if he still loved her and ready to be a good husband.

But responding, Dauda said he has not been able to do that because “his wife has refused to tell him where her family resides.”

The court said after three children, Dauda has shown the least seriousness and has not been able to prove that he is ready to keep his marriage.

Mrs Dauda lamented: “I cannot continue to live with him, his drinking habit is unbearable. He beats the living hell out of me anytime he drinks and at the same time rains curses on my family.”

The court told Saratu to be patient with him at least for the sake of the children.

They also advised her to give him some time to see if there would be changes from him.

Indian hemp breaks 10-year-old marriage

By Wale Adepoju

was attending ante-natal at Regina Mundi Catholic Hospital, Mushin, where she was advised to have a scan to check the progress of the pregnancy which was by then four months. The scan result shows she was carrying a set of twins, but another scan test result at Mecure at Oshodi, indicated she was carrying triplets. The latter test was confirmed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Josephine said producing babies was initially difficult. “When I got married I could not get pregnant for seven months and it looks like 10 years. I was frustrated but see what has happened now.”

During those trying periods, I went to the laboratory to have a scan and the Labortaory Scientist said I have fibroid based on the test result. I then went to my church, The Lord’s Chosen, and offered prayer. I went back for another test later and they told me I was pregnant and the fibroid vanished. It was a miracle.”

David said immediate help from the governments, philanthropists groups and well-meaning individuals will make his joy full. My wife had been discharged from the ward and she had to pay for everyday for her accommodation because she can’t be far from the children. She must express breast milk for the babies from time to time.

The experts also conduct serum bilirubin test on the babies to know if they have cure of neonatal jaundice.

Perhaps, the greatest fear is how to breast feed the babies exclusively, Josephine Uloma Olelewe said, this cannot be possible, unless somebody wants her dead. But buying baby formula would not be easy for a poor family like hers.

She also feared that the family who could barely survived before the birth of the triplets, may go hungry and may not be able to give the children good education.

“Every day we buyN1, 350 worth of pampers. I need help from the president, Lagos State Government and other good people of our great country,” David said.

At the moment the babies are still at the LUTH and bills have to be paid. David and Josephine Olelewe are appealing to the consciousness of kind hearted Nigerians to come to their aid.

By Uchechi Nze

“A

LL what I’ve got from my husband in 10 years of marriage is constant battery, especially after he has smoked Indian hemp,” a 34-year-old teacher, Adeshola Ogunyemi, told the Grade “A” Customary Court in Mushin.

Adeshola, the petitioner in the divorce suit, urged the court to dissolve the marriage between her and her estranged husband, Adeyinka, 41, as she was no longer interested in the relationship.

She described her husband as “a chronic Indian-hemp smoker, who batters me at will, while I was still living in his house.

“Since I got married to Ogunyemi, I have been responsible for the education and upkeep of our three children”, Adeshola said.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), outside the court, that her husband had concealed the fact that he earlier had two wives and many children until after she married him.

“It was my mother in-law who revealed to me that Ogunyemi’s two wives left him because he was quarrelsome.

“I decided to pack out of the matrimonial home on May 11, last year, because I could no longer bear the constant battering,’’ Adeshola said.

She also pleaded with the court to grant her the custody of the children, adding that her husband had denied her access to them, in spite of the court order.

The husband consented to the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that his wife was not faithful to him.

“I cannot allow Adeshola

free access to the children because I constantly consult them and the first child told me that she would not like to stay with their mother,” Ogunyemi said The Court President, Dr Abayomi Ipaye, who presided over the divorce suit, said the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

“The petitioner is married to another man for whom she is currently pregnant.

“We are only concerned about the welfare of the children because they need to relate with both parents.”

Ipaye ordered that the petitioner’s current partner and the respondent’s sisters should appear in court at their convenient time before the next adjourned date for dialogue on free access to the children.

He adjourned the case till May 26 for further hearing.

'Hard work secret to success'

E

MMANUEL Ajulo, a brilliant young man, stole the show at the induction of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Not only did he go home with awards in five categories, he dazed even the audience when he was named the best overall student of the diet. He recorded the rare feat in one year.

Ajulo confessed that he was taken aback when his name kept on resonating in the honours roll call at the event.

“I was dazed myself, though I had prepared so hard for the examinations, I never expected to cart away so many prizes like I did today,” the graduate of Accountancy from the Federal

•Ajulo with his prize

Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, said.

At the event, which took place at the ICAN Centre, Amuwo-Odofin, on May 11, Ajulo emerged winner in all categories of the award.

According to him, he started his Professional Examination (PE I) in May last year and wrote the second stage same year, having qualified for the PE I. He

became a chartered Accountant this May. What took Ajulo a year, had taken many others between five and 19 years or more.

Though he attributed the feat to hard work and diligence, he admitted he never knew he would be setting a record as the best student for the diet and for the year he enrolled for the examinations.

It did not end there, his name was called again in the subject prizes. He was the first in Strategic Financial Management and Advanced Taxation courses.

Ajulo was also the first winner of the Akintola Williams Deloitte prize of N100,000.

REDRESS

ENHANCEMENT NGO trains Ekiti council staff on budgeting

Victims of violence demand justice 34

Oyo

Ekiti

Family seeks recognition for killed Corps member Rivers

36

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

MONDAY MAY 23, 2011

T

Prof. Jega

35

COMPENSATION

Page 29

‘Nigerians now politically wiser’

HE Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi has said that any lawmaker that fails to meet the yearnings of the electorate would be voted out because Nigerian voters are now more politically conscious.

The resident electoral commissioner made the observation while presenting the Certificate of Return to the

From Damisi Ojo, , Akure

lawmaker representing Akure North Constituency in the state Assembly, Hon Akindele Adeniyi. Orebiyi said it was clear during the last general elections that the electorate voted for the candidates of their choice.

He added that political parties could no longer foist their candidates on the electorate.

This new development, he noted, is good for the advancement of the nation.

The INEC boss also advised the newly elected lawmakers in the state to carry their opponents in the interest of the state.

His words: “The era of forcing candidates on the electorate is gone; we are now in the era where people’s votes count.”

Responding, Hon Adeniyi

commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair, Prof Attaihru Jega for providing a level playing ground for all the political parties. He equally praised President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing INEC to serve as an unbiased umpire.

According to him, the recently Continued on Page 34

Lifeline for comatose schools

Corona School builds classrooms, supplies learning materials, mentors pupils

C

OMATOSE schools, lacking classrooms, furniture, learning materials, among other things, are coming back to life, thanks to the intervention of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.

It is not just another case of community relations or giving back to the society. Corona is itself a school but seeing other schools in dire need, its management moved to lend a hand. The gesture has produced sets of furniture for schools having such need, and classroom blocks where pupils desperately needed them.

Also seeing that pupils sometimes do not seem to have a clear sense of direction, Corona often provides mentoring services, all for free. Even commercial motorcyclists have received valuable information and orientation on safe riding.

The school management says it is committed to empowering the less endowed in fulfilment of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

In 2005, CSS adopted Adie-Owe Community High School, a public secondary school in its neighbourhood in Ketu, AdoOdo/Ota local government of Ogun State. It was responding to the directive by the Corona Trust Council, its regulatory body, for

•From left: Mr Okunubi, Director of CSS Mrs Folasade Adefisayo (middle) and Mr Mijabi Micheal, Head of Adminstration (extreme right) pose with pupils of Adie-Owe Community High School during presentation of some educational materials to the school mentoring pupils, among other school adopts a school in form of one day and we needed to get some

By Adegunle Olugbamila things. stewardship and community water into our vehicle which, at Mr. Adeshina Okunubi, the CSS development, here, we decided to that point, had temporarily broken all Corona schools to adopt one Vice-Principal, recalled how Adie- adopt Adie-Owe Community High down. We then saw some children school in need.

Owe Community High School School coming out of Adie-Owe However, CSS Agbara seems to came into the picture.

“Actually our coming across the community. We decided to stop have surpassed the council’s “One of our Mission Statements school in 1995 was just by and ask them where we could get expectation. It has been is stewardship, that is, the ability to happenstance. I remember we water to fill our vehicle; they consistently supplying education give back, and when the (Corona) were passing by with our pupils directed us to the school. materials to other schools, Trust Council decided that each after coming from an assignment reconstructing classrooms and Continued on Page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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•Continued from Page 29

“But alas, when we arrived at the school, our pupils could not believe it was indeed a school, wondering how people could be learning under such an environment.

The classrooms barely had chairs and desks with most of the roofs given way.

The environment was unkempt; pupils put on tattered uniforms and all that.

The atmosphere was simply pitiable.

Thus came the idea to adopt the school.

And since then, we have not stopped. We have given them lots of computer sets, furniture, teaching and sports materials. We also gave them a block of four classrooms.”

Okunubi: “Right now, we are looking at assisting some of them who want to sit for GCE through student mentoring and peer tutoring by some of our pupils.”

The CSS did not stop there. Against the background of constant depletion of vital human resources through motorcycle accidents in the vicinity, the Road Safety club of CSS in March this year organised a seminar for commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada riders on the school premises.

The cyclists under the aegis of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), listened with rapt attention as an official from the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), who was invited by the CSS gave a talk on the dangers of reckless riding and ignoring traffic regulations, intake of alcohol while on the road.

Pupils of CSS who also made up members of the club, helped in distributing leaflets and other related materials to the participants as the talk progressed.

“The seminar was highly successful. We hope to do more with time. We are currently observing the traffic situations and the level of okada accidents in our affected environs,” said Okunnubi Beyond the adoption of Adie-Owe Community High School, the CSS is also in the vanguard of inculcating the culture of effecting positive changes in the society.

This new drive, according to Okunubi, is to “awaken our pupils on the need to help the needy and the downtrodden in our society”.

Okunubi added: “We said beyond the school’s adoption of Adie-Owe, each Year Group (or Class) should also look at a community-based service. Let me say before this new initiative, the management had taken the pupils to the House of Refuge Orphanage in Lekki, Lagos.

We also visited the Motherless Babies Home, the Old People’s Home and the prisons. So we have each Year Group picking up one community service, so that they can now work at that level with those NGOs we have contact with to individually develop and give back to the communities.”

Okunubi also said arrangements are being concluded for “all Year Groups in the school, namely, Years 12 to 12 (JSS1-SS3), to adopt one particular charity programme for the ultimate aim of empowering the less privileged members of the society. This will assist in reducing the poverty rate in our country, as well as tackling the prevailing high rate of insecurity in our environment.”

However, on the academic front which is its area of primary concern, the CSS still remains a trail blazer. In the final result of the October/November 2009 IGCSE,

P

LANS are underway for the distribution of 4.2 million Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to curb malaria in Lagos, Lagos State Commissioner of Health Jide Idris has said.

Idris made this known in Lagos during the flag-off of the Malaria Road Show aimed at creating mass awareness about the disease in Lagos. According to Idris, the gesture supported by a global fund would ensure that there are two LLIN per household in the state.

The road show, which began last Friday, would end on May 30. Idris said the road show, done in partnership with NonGovernment Organisations (NGOs) and Wow Mobile Billboard, would ensure that proper knowledge about the disease is disseminated across the local government areas of the state.

“The road show is one of the activities at the community level to tackle malaria .It is

Lifeline for comatose schools Saddiq Nuru, a deputy Head Boy of the 2009/2010, had the best result in the world in English Language.

Saddiq who is currently on presidential scholarship, is studying Engineering at the Manhattan College, in New York, USA. Similarly, the final result of the October/November 2010 IGCSE had nine pupils with 100 per cent in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Religious Studies and English.

Also in the area of competitive sports, CSS took the first position in the third Aisen Festival of Arts and Sports, which took place in February this year at Olashore International School, IlokoIjesha, Osun State. The CSS team won a

total of 27 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze medals.

As a full boarding school with effective pastoral and mentoring scheme, 17 Year 11 pupils and two teachers left Nigeria for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, (UAE), on January this year to attend the yearly Global Issues Conference, (GIC).

The GIC was a conference for young people who are interested in global issues and who have a passion for change. The trip was the second made by CSS pupils to Abu Dhabi, and it lasted for three days.

In extra-curricular, the school ranks high. It posts impressive outings during annual inter-house sports, culture days, even chess.

Right now, we are looking at assisting some of them who want to sit for GCE through student mentoring and peer tutoring by some of our pupils

To develop leadership skills in their pupils, 73 JSS3 pupils and two members of staff, last month were sent to the Sea School at Apapa. At the end of the training programme, all the participants received certificates of commendation and medals for exemplary conduct.

Earlier in the month, three teachers from the British School of Lome, (BSL), Togo, visited the school for three days on an exchange programme. The visit was to return one earlier undertaken by some CSS teachers to BSL in November 2010.

Commenting on the trip, Okunubi said: Nigeria is an English-speaking country, and we also know that globally, a second language gives you power. So we are now looking at how we can encourage our pupils to acquire the second language.

Even though we teach French in class, we feel the only way we can do this is by going for French Immersion in countries where they actually speak French. So, we decided to have a French Immersion in Togo. To this end, we went to British School Lome, Togo to see how they combine English and French and make it bilingual. Four of our teachers were also there to tap from their practice and bring it home. Now three of their own teachers were here to see how we do things too. It’s just like exchange of ideas.”

•One of the stands in a fair organised by CSS at the school playground to expose pupils to entrepreneurship

Lagos begins sensitisation on malaria

By Sunday Ogundugba

coming at this period which coincides with the onset of the rainy season when malaria cases are expected to be on the increase,this is also a period where we are going to the second phase of the IRS and the larviciding and when we are looking forward to the mass LLIN campaign.

“Malaria remains a public health problem because it is responsible for over 30 percent of childhood morbidity and mortality and because 60 per cent of outpatients hospital attendance and 11 per cent of maternal mortality.Malaria is seen as one of the major contributors to poverty in sub-saharan Africa.it is one of

the major reasons for absenteeism from work and school and this contributes to poverty and underdevelopment,” “In order to stem the tide of the scourge of malaria in the state, Lagos state government has also set up the Lagos State Malaria Control Research Technical Advisory Committee( LASMATRAC) whose sole aim is to advise the government on evidence based interventions that will significantly reduce the scourge of the disease in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“One of the interventions that the state has adopted is the indoor residual spraying-this started with a pilot phase in two LGA’s-Ojo and Ikorodu.The success story of the pilot IRS exercise conducted in Ojo and Ikorodu LGAS as well as the high

community acceptance and cooperation informed the decision to scale up the exercise to Badagry,Ojo, Amuwo Odofin,Ibeju-Lekki,Kosofe and Ikorodu LGAs ,making a total of 19 LGAs/LCDAs in the first phase.The second phase of the exercise will start very soon in other LGAs and LCDAs and this will be complemented by the larviciding in some selected LGAs. “In the area of case management,the state continues to make available WHO recommended anti malaria drugs free to all clients in public health facilities in the state,in addition to that pregnant women are provided with IPT and long lasting insecticide nets free of charge in all public health facilities in the state.”

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

Crisis hits Lagos cattle market

U

NLESS the Lagos State Government makes moves to douse the heightening tension there, it may soon have a major crisis to quell at the Animal Market located near the popular, Abattoir, Oko-Oba, Agege.

Members of the Cattle Dealers Association (CDA), the umbrella body of cattle traders in the market, are boiling with rage over the continued management of the animal market by a contractor against the interest of the stakeholders.

The body controls the supply, distribution and movements of animals throughout the country, and in particular, in the Lagos State Abattoir, Oko-Oba. The abbattoir is a major source of income for the state government through gates fees, fees from loading and offloading of animals, slaughter and animal byeproducts.

On April 8, the association took its grief to the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Alausa, Ikeja, through a petition entitled: “Protest against the handover of Animal Market of Lagos State Abattoir, Oko-Oba, Agege Lagos to Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd.” The petition was copied to the state Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service (SSS); Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Justice and Agriculture respectively; Area ‘G’ Police Command and the Truck Drivers Association in the market, among others.

The association, through the petition, expressed disgust that the state government did not deem it necessary to liaise with the body as a major stakeholder in the market before deciding to return management of the market to Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd. The petition states further: “In the past months, people who do business in the abattoir and major stakeholders heaved a sign of relief over direct control of the animal market by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture. The period produced substantial turnaround and reversal of the filth, stench, decayed or nonex-

By Dada Aladelokun

istent infrastructure which characterized the period of Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd was in charge of the market. Also, the indiscriminate and excessive imposition of levies on those who do business in the market was reversed. Yet, the revenue contribution of the market to the state government’s coffers went up. Importantly, the Ministry created conducive business atmosphere in the market and reduced tension of divide and rule, high handedness and exploitation for which the era of Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd was known.

“However, while we the stakeholders and traders who do business in the Abattoir are still recounting the injury, harm and losses the dastardly wicked, tyrannical and inept administration of Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd on us, rumour filtering into the market suggests that Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture has perfected plans to return the management of the Animal market to same Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd. It is our position to emphasise that Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture is not oblivious of the rot, corruption and bad blood that characterized the first period Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd-controlled the Animal Market. Similarly, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture is not forgetful of the dramatic rise/turn around in revenue generation to the State Government from the market during the period it is in control of the market, in contrast to the period Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd was in control of the market.”

It states further: “It is however instructive to mention that if Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture is satisfied with the way Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd controlled the market in the first term, we want to categorically state that as major stakeholders in the market, we shall not accept the return of Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd or agree to work with it.”

It therefore urged state Ministry of Agriculture to continue to run the market or advertise for the recruitment of another manager to take over its running. Such a manager, it said, should be well grounded in the art of breeding, rear-

•Cattle market ing and trading in cows. The animal business is best understood by cattle breeders and rearers. These are the people who government should partner with in the running of the market.

The body therefore urged the Ministry of Agriculture to rescind the idea of handing over the Animal Market to Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd. The ministry, the group urged, must quickly convoke stakeholders meeting where the leadership of the association will remind the Government of the imperatives of not foisting or imposing Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd on the market.

A trader, Muri Salau, who spoke with

Newsextra said: “I want to believe that there is one senior government official who is bent on returning the control of our market to Idrisu Yaro & Sons Ltd for personal gains. But to us, the smooth running of the market is a major concern. This is why the state government must give us someone or a competent company to run it.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), it was learnt, has waded into the matter by arresting some state government officials and members of the CDA. However, sources hinted that the state government was working on all cylinders to ensure the return of sanity into the market.

ent farming. Those that are rich transport their farm produce to weekly markets in the neighbouring villages such as Maya and Okolo. Eager to make a living, they sell their goods at ridiculously cheap prices to middle men who transport them to cities and sell them at higher prices.

Opete Village head, Yekini Ayoola, has therefore called on government and publicspirited individuals to come to their rescue.

He made the call while recounting their ordeals to the missionaries who thrilled them with drama and donation of household items and educational materials. Chief Ayoola said: ”Iam very grateful for your concern for me and my people. I am par-

ticularly appreciative of donations. But permit me to use this opportunity to make an appeal to both the local and state governments to provide our village with some basic social facilities.”

The foremost amenity he entreated for is electricity.

Chukwu appeared to be one of the young ones to salvage the village. Filled with the enthusiasm for exemplary leadership, he said he chose to study Animal Science in order to make use of the natural endowment available in the area for the betterment of the residents. He will however need financial aid to attain his education dreams.

Community craves infrastructural development

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ESIDENTS of Opete village in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State have called on government to ease their plight by providing them with basic social facilities.

The living condition in the village typifies a rural African setting where life is very close to nature. A group of missionaries visited the village recently. They said the village lacked potable water, electricity or any modern facility. Information has it that a good number of the inhabiltants are from Benue, Ebonyi, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

They came in search of green pastures while a few of them claimed they wandered to the land during the civil war.

They lamented that as remote, deserted and underdeveloped as their village looks, politicians still find their ways to campaign and promise them great things.

While pathetically explaining their ordeals, they said that they had been voting in elections but have not seen any of the promised amenities.

In the village, education is gold as only those that can travel to Eruwa, a nearby village, taste post-primary education.

Presently, Chukwu Monday Chidozie, an orphan, who recently gained admission to study Animal Science at the University of Ibadan is the only one that could be said to have a bright future among the whole lot.

Even the admission did not come to him on a platter of gold. He said before he could finish his secondary education at Obaseki High School, Eruwa, and sat for JAMB exam, he had to intensify his farming activities.

As for basic amenities, they are nonexistent. They have to go to bed as early as 6.30pm to avoid groping in the dark which envelopes the village. There is no electricity. As if that is not enough, they take rough paths to their huts.

Still on their social life, they inter-marry and procreate at early ages. In terms of shelter, thatched houses supported with palm

•Opete village head home

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

fronds are all they could flaunt. It is a few number that could afford plastered houses.

Even Opete village head, Yekini Ayoola, an octogenarian, could only pride himself on such building when his counterparts in the neighbouring towns live in ultra-modern buildings and ride in cars.

An abandoned water project with the inscription PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund) is the only partial government presence in the village. It now serves as children playing ground for the children.

Economically, the village lives on subsist-

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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Monarch seeks constitutional roles

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• Governor Fayemi

HE Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Abel Ajibola, has appealed to the coming National Assembly to assign constitutional roles to traditional rulers to enable them adjudicate on some categories of civil matters as a way of decongesting the courts.

Speaking during his 62nd thanksgiving coronation anniversary at St. John’s Anglican Church in Ilasa Ekiti , the longest serving monarch in Ekiti State and other traditional rulers said some of the cases being handled by conventional court processes are better handled by the royal heads to decongest the courts and afford speedy trial of the few issues in the courts.

Oba Ajibola noted that unless the trend is halted, the litany of cases being filed by

Minister revokes N27m project

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HE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has revoked a contract of an abandoned block of eight classrooms in Government Science and Technical College, Area 3, Garki-Abuja.

The minister while on a visit to commission a rehabilitated and equipped library as part of “The Bring Back The Book” initiative in the school discovered that the project has been abandoned for a long time and therefore ordered its revocation.

He insisted that the way” we do things in the country must change. ” Senator Mohammed recalled that the revoked contract was awarded to M/s Ell Services Nigeria Limited in 2009 for the sum of N27 million and was expected to have been completed within a period of 36 weeks.

The minister therefore directed that the same contract be re-awarded to another performing contractor on site, M/s B. Chons Nigeria Limited currently handling a laboratory complex in the school.

While commissioning the newly refurbished

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

and equipped library, the minister assured that the FCT Administration intends to build more modern libraries across the Federal Capital Territory to encourage students imbibe a reading culture.

Senator Mohammed remarked that the administration will deliver a sound institutional framework that will improve the quality of education and enable FCT pupils and students take their proper position amongst their peers globally.

The minister called for self reexamination by all stakeholders by taking the challenge of “The Bring Back the Book” initiative to improve the standard of education.

Welcoming guests to the occasion, the Principal, Government Science and Technical College, Area 3, Garki–Abuja, Mrs. Christophine Nnabuife, praised the FCT Minister for his uncommon strides in the area of education, thereby making the FCT schools conducive for both teaching

Honour for Ekiti ALGON chiefs

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HE Ekiti State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae, former chairman of Ikole Local government, and the treasurer, Hon. Femi Ajayi who also doubled as Ise /Orun Local Government Chairman have been honoured. They were honoured on separate occasions in Ado Ekiti and Ise Ekiti recently.

A statement signed by the ALGON spokesperson in the state, Mr. Gbenga Sodeinde, said Chief Akin-Fasae was conferred with the award of Hero Of Ekiti Democracy by the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU), University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD) chapter, while, Ajayi was honoured by the Ajegunle community in Ise Orun Local Government Area for his outstanding contribution to the progress of the community and Ise/Orun as a whole While presenting the award to the ALGON chairman, the FESSU President, Comrade Ajayi Babatunde who led other students to the occasion in Ado Ekiti, said Akin-Fasae had been a touch bearer of democracy whose outstanding leadership qualities are worthy

Ekiti of emulation Babatunde, however, expressed appreciation to ALGON chairman and the state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for the feat performed so far in the education sector, especially in the reduction of school fees of tertiary institutions in the state Replying, the ALGON chairman who thanked the students for the recognition, said government would continue to place much priority on the welfare of the students and the people of the state Similarly, the Ise-Ajegunle community led by their Baale (Head Chief) Ismaila Olagunju, and the youth leaders, Mushood Ganiyu and Samson Adeosun respectively praised their efforts in transforming the community.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Wole Olugboji who represented the governor, assured the community of more government presence, saying that the state government was determined to elevate the standard of living of the people.

•The ALGON Chairman with the Fessu EXCO after the award

Edo screens 6,000 for breast cancer

Ekiti

O

VER 6,000 persons have been screened for breast cancer in Edo State by the state government in the last two years.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said plans were underway to provide state of the art cancer facilities to aid early detection of the disease.

Oshiomhole, who was represented the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Peter Ugbodaga, stated this while declaring open the 1st Family Doctor’s Day, organised by the Edo State Chapter of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (EDOSOFPON), noted that it was his desire to ensure quality healthcare for the residents and assured that his administration’s target was to join the Federal Government to

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

litigants at various courts for adjudication in the country would continue to cripple the judicial administration in the country.

“Before now, it was the traditional rulers, kings and chiefs, who had been stabilising their communities, adjudicating on issues and settling disputes. They took care of even very criminal cases. So, it will be for the betterment of the nation and the strengthening of judicial process if the traditional rulers are allowed to play such a crucial role again as was being done in the past”, Oba Ajibola said .

He further canvassed the creation of Ekamefa Local Government Area with headquarters in Ilasa Ekiti, saying this will help develop the area and bring governance closer to the grassroots.

The monarch, who noted the mass production of yam in the community, which he said could be of industrial benefit to the state if harnessed,pleaded with the state governor for the completion of the Yam Barn project initiated in the town by the immediate past administration.

Oba Ajibola, who observed that the last elections were free, fair, violence-free and credible in his community, urged the victors to fulfill their election promises to the people, noting that is the only way of building confidence in the electorate for future elections.

• MD/CEO BD Consult, Mr Tola Bademosi (left), Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju and Product Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Richard Idahor, at the Media Parley on Indomie Independence Day Heroes Award held in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

Govt to build schools for Almajiris

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HE Federal Government is to build schools for itinerant scholars commonly referred to as Almajiris.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this in a statement posted on his facebook page entitled:

Abuja From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

‘Growing our GDP by investing in citizens’ saying: “During the campaigns, one of the things I noticed in my tours all over Nigeria is the income disparity amongst the geopolitical zones. I am not comfortable with disparity and I am committed to use every means possible to change the situation.

“Now I requested for and studied data on the income disparity amongst our zones and was able to determine that the zones with the highest level of education have the highest GDP and per capita income and there is no gainsaying that the key to upward mobility in income is education. This is the reason why I have focused on education almost to the point of obsession.

“Though it may take time, I see the income disparity closing because of the investments we are making in education that will see every state have at least one federal university. Now we are not just focusing on tertiary education or even conventional education. This administration is also in the process of building over a hundred model schools specifically targeted at the itinerant scholars commonly •A cultural group performing during the International Museum Day celebration in Jos,Plateau State referred to as Almajiris.”

RATTAWU praises govt over broadcast EMBERS of the Radio, equipment Television and Theatre Arts

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Workers Union (RATTAWU) in Delta State have praised the state government for the provision of state-ofthe-art-equipment for Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) in Asaba and Warri respectively.

Speaking during the delivery of the equipment, Comrade Onoriode Mukoro, Chairman of RATTAWU, DBS Warri chapter, expressed gratitude to the state government for the provision of the multimillion naira equipment and pledged the readiness of the workers to put them to good use.

In continuation of the digitalisation programme of the state-owned broadcasting outfits, the two stations two took delivery of equipment worth millions of Naira recently.

At the Warri station, a 20-kilowatts UHF TV transmitters that will ensure the full digitalisation of the television stations for improved signals and wider outreach was delivered. Other items delivered to the station included;

33

120KVA industrial UPS, power surge suppressor, manual patch panel, and a dummy load. It also included audio amplifier and wave form monitor with rack mounts, a wohler vu metre, audio mono distribution amplifier as well as four harris video distribution amplifier including an audio/video processor and other items.

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Oma Djebah who was conducted round the station by the Acting General Manager of the station, Mrs Mabel Anuta, expressed gratitude to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for making the digitalisation of the station a reality. He said the entire process was borne out of the governor’s resolve to improve on the stateowned media outfits and make the state the first in the federation to beat the NBC deadline for total digitalisation in 2012.

In a meeting with the management and staff of the station shortly after the inspection, the commissioner charged them to show more commitment to their duties in order to justify the huge investment by government through the provision of the facilities.

Briefly ‘Nigeria is free of rinderpest’ THE World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has presented Nigeria with a certificate of proof that the nation is free of Rinderpest.

This certificate was presented on the May26, 2010, but celebrated the day recently to mark the global eradication of Rinderpest in Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture, Prof.

Sheikh Ahmad Abdallah who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, disclosed this during the Global Eradication of Rinderpest Day in Abuja, stating that the eradication had been taken over a 100 years of concerted effort by the Federal Government.

He said: “The Federal Government is in partnership with several development partners as well as international organisation that deal with animal health since the first outbreak was recorded in 1886.”

Police warn vehicle owners

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HE Lagos State Police Command have warned owners of vehicles parked at the Okota-Isolo Division to remove them immediately or forfeit same to auction.

They are: 1. Honda Legend-JK55KJA 2. Volkswagen Golf-CZ40IEKY 3. Toyota Carina – CE 742KJA 4. Volkswagen Commercial bus – XB 199KWU 5. Volkswagen LT 28 commercial bus – XB821 AAB 6. Isuzu Jeep – DC 978 LSD 7. Honda Accord – CA 135 FKY 8. Mercedes Benz car (accidented) – AT 533KUJ 9. Peugeot 504 – HP910 KJA 10. Burnt Volkswagen bus unregistered

Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

eradicate polio in the state by 2012.

He explained that 34 general hospitals in the state have been renovated.

He said: “Our target is to ensure early detection of cancer and that is why our Comrade Governor has invested massively in the renovation of the Benin Central Hospital where state- of- the-art equipment will be provided. If we are able to screen cervical and breast cancer and achieve early detection, we will save a lot of lives. The facilities will also ensure that by 2015, we reduce drastically communicable and incommunicable diseases”.

State chairman of the EDOSOFPON and immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state, Dr

•Governor Oshiomhole Osahon Enabulele said it was important for families to have a family physician.

Fed Govt set to implement SPEAR project

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HE Federal Government is set to implement the Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions (SPEAR) project. It has a life span of three years, from September 1, 2010 to March 31, 2013.

The Executive Director, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Chief Olasunkanmi Shobowale, disclosed this during the inaugural meeting of the national advisory council of SPEAR project Nigeria in Abuja, stating that though the project started on September 1, 2010, it was formally launched on December 2, 2010.

• Council Manager, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Mr Raphael Bello Flanked by President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Lagos State President, Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya (left) and NULGE PRO, Afolabi Ajose during the 2011 Berachah PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO held at LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Lagos

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Members of the advisory council are: Prof Babayaro Abubakar, Executive Secretary Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, (ARCN); Mr. Oladesu Awoyemi, Chairman Crop Variety Release Committee; Dr. Mattew Omidiji, President of Seed Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN)and Sani Miko, Country Director, Sasakawa Global 2000.

He said: “The SPEAR project is a pilot project implemented in three African Countries, Nigeria in West Africa, Malawi and Zambia in South Africa. The key goal of this project is to unlock the African agricultural crop productivity and make it not only profitable but competitive in global commodity market.

“The plan is to increase the number of improved varieties officially released, shorten the period of release and make improved cultivars available to small holder’s farmers.

“The second objective of this project is to facilitate the enhancement of genetic access and transfer from crop research institutes to private companies.

“The wealth of experience of the three- man advisory council is needed to move this project forward by contributing to the nation’s food security programme and Africa at large.

“The National Advisory Council (NAC) comprising of key stakeholder group is to advise the project on planning, setting priorities and monitoring of project activities in the country.

The executive director pointed that the advisory council is serviced by SPEAR national commission which is expected to develop, analyse and propose changes to the current regulatory framework for the national adoption of the variety release system and inform the SPEAR advisory council on progress through minute report of the commission.

Finance managers hold seminar

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HE Association of Certified Chartered Accountants has held its quarterly seminar on talent management.

The focus of the seminar was to train the employees of financial institutions and

Lagos

By Nneka Nwaneri

keep them abreast of current issues as they relate to their functions.

• From left: : ICAO Regional Air Traffic Officer, Dakar, Mr. Sadou Marafa , Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, {NAMA}, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Auyo and the IATA Assistant Director for Africa on Safety Operations and Infrastructure, Ms. Tanja Grobotek during the ICAO Tactical Group ‘s inspection of air traffic facilities at PHOTO: AYODELE JIMOH ISAAC the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

At the event, members, as well as experts had a good time sharing experiences with the participants on current issues and challenges in the industry such as what role of the finance person is and what professional ethics and measures that should be put in place so that people can safeguard the practice and make it of world standard.

Speaking at the seminar, the country manager of ACCA, Mrs. Toyin Ademola said Nigerians are hardworking and committed people sometimes spending as many as three hours to get to work and still give their best.

However, the Regional Director of Team Building Africa, Mr Ajiblola Ponnle attributed the problem of low input to work to the higher institutions where workers come from.

“The system is broken,” he said. “So people can’t give what they don’t have. Still, employers expect you to deploy skill you never had.

“The need to make real impact requires a little bit of re-training. Employees should be thought skills they never had because if they are not, they can never give their best.

Vitus Ezinwa, the Principal Partner of Talentwise said there was a time when one in four people were being employed. But it has now degenerated to 1 in 12.

“The education system has failed. It is now difficult getting people with the relevant skill to perform at the level where they should start off with.

THE NATION

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

Victims of violence demand justice

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ENSION that enveloped Saki, in Saki-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, following violent attacks unleashed on supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) by hoodlums shortly after the National Assembly elections is yet to lift.

The attackers were believed to be supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Similarly, hundreds of ACN supporters at Irawo and Ago-Are in the Saki East Local Government Area have protested and demanded the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the mayhem.

No fewer than 12 supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saki, Oyo State, were severely injured from attacks by hoodlums.

Newsextra gathered that the incident happened after the National Assembly elections when the ACN supporters were awaiting the results.

Information later spread to the town that ACN had won the Senatorial seat, which prompted jubilation from the teeming supporters.

Suddenly, the community radio station known as OkeOgun FM went on air to declare Mr. Hosea Agboola, of the PDP as the authentic winner of the election.

Shortly thereafter, a convoy of commercial buses loaded with hoodlums stormed the town, armed with guns and cutlasses , shouting “PDP, we are the winners,” The thugs moved from ward to ward both in the Saki East and West Local Government Areas

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

searching desperately for ACN supporters.

At Isale-Ola, (Saki-West), popularly known as ACN base, the hoodlums unleashed terror, as no fewer than five ACN supporters were dealt severe machete cuts.

The Balogun Adinni of Saki, Alhaji Gani Moshood, while narrating the incident to our correspondent said “an 18-seater passenger bus loaded with thugs and armed with dangerous weapons invaded the ACN base and started unleashing terror on ACN supporters.

“The thugs were led by one Okoro and Jamiu.

Similar attacks were carried out in front of the monarch’s Palace, the Okeere of Saki, where some ACN members, including one of the party leaders, Mr. P.A Ojongbodu, were seriously injured. Some ACN members were arrested by the police, but later released after investigation confirmed their innocence.”

ACN Secretary in the area Mr. Sunday Ogunmola as well as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Adeyemo Alake also confirmed the barbaric attacks Newsextra investigation further revealed that scores of ACN supporters, including a pregnant woman were severely injured at Ward 4 Irawo and Ward 8 Ago-Are in the Saki-East Local Government area.

Among the injured ACN members were Alhaji Moshood Bamore, Mr. Yusuf Oseni and Semiu Rafiu, as well as Mrs. Nurat Abass, the pregnant

•An expectant mother on hospital bed

woman who lost her pregnancy as a result of the attack.

When Newsextra visited her at a private hospital in Ogbooro, she was seen screaming in pains, but could not speak with our correspondent because of her state of unconsciousness.

Efforts by our correspondent to contact both the Saki-East and West Divisional Police Officers

‘Nigerians now politically wiser’ •Continued from Page 29

conducted elections remained one of the best in the history of the nation, devoid of the usual manipulations.

Adeniyi, who is returning

for the second term, said: “We have to commend INEC for a job well done. Specifically kudos should be given to Professor Attaihru Jega who ensured that the election was

devoid of rigging and manipulation.

“Jega has written his name in gold for putting an end to election debacle that haunted the nation in the past.”

•ACN leader with broken arm

were not successful, as they were said to be away on official assignments.

But a competent police source told Newsextra that one Okoro, who led the hoodlums on the attack, has been arrested, while another gang leader known as Jamiu has been declared wanted in Ogbomoso.

However, the victims have called on the state Police Commissioner and Director of State Security Service (SSS), to arrest and prosecute, without further delay, all those involved in the dastard mission, with a view to bringing them to justice.

Leader of the protesters, Mr. Waheed Idris, told the Newsextra at Irawo that “there would be no

peace in the area until justice is seen to be done. We also want the elections into the House of Representatives and Senate purportedly won by the PDP candidates cancelled because it was fraught with malpractices.

ACN candidates won the elections but their mandates were stolen for the PDP. We won’t accept this at all.”

Hon. Khalid Olabisi contested the House of Representatives seat in Saki West and Saki East Federal Constituency on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, while Dr. Wale Okediran of the ACN slugged it out with Mr.Hosea Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Oyo North Senatorial District.

Health Minister urges capacity building among dental therapists

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HE Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu has called on dental therapists to take the issue of capacity building very seriously.

The minister made the call in Abuja at a training workshop on Current Concept in Fluoride Therapy organised by the Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria.

The minister who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr. B. Okoeguale said the capacity building is key to the development of any profession, adding that the participants should take the training workshop very seriously in order for them to be better equipped to meet up with international best practices as well as compete favourably with their counterparts in developed nations.

He implored the participants not to leave anything to chance by participating actively in the workshop to develop themselves.

He said: ”You must participate and come up with issues troubling you; by not participating, you are not helping yourselves’’.

He cautioned them against being carried away by the monetary gains of the programme. He said the knowledge that will be acquired should be of paramount importance, stressing that the knowledge acquired will never be lost.

He expressed satisfaction that Nigeria

The objective is also to sensitise government, oral health products manufacturers, importers and other stakeholders on the need for fluoride agent in our daily use as well as to educate the general public on the prospective efficacy of fluoride •Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

is beginning to get things right, adding that if the current momentum is sustained, the country will not be regarded as a third

world.

While expressing satisfaction at the level of preparedness by the organisers and resource persons, he enjoined the participants to take advantage of the

workshop and also the internet to develop themselves.

“It is just the beginning, we shall get there,” he said.

The Registrar, Dental Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria, Mrs.Aramide A. Keshinro said that over the years, the Board had embarked on training and retraining of its professionals to deliver quality services.

She reminded the participants that as professional dental therapists and nurses, educating themselves periodically will improve the quality of service they provide their employers and patients.

She enumerated some of the objectives of the workshop to include creating a common forum for effective interaction between dental therapists, dental health technicians, dental nurses, and dental surgery assistants, to boost standard in health regulating activities and acquaint professionals and other stakeholders with the current concepts in fluoride application.

The objective is also to sensitise government, oral health products manufacturers, importers and other stakeholders on the need for fluoride agent in our daily use as well as to educate the general public on the prospective efficacy of fluoride.

THE NATION

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

NGO trains Ekiti council staff on budgeting

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EW Initiative for Social Development (NISD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in AdoEkiti has held a capacity-building workshop for heads of budget departments and directors of administration and finance across selected local governments and civil society organisations in Ekiti State.

Prior to the workshop, it was agreed by chairmen of some local governments that there was need to improve budgeting at the local governments. Consequently, the NISD, with the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), conducted the two-day workshop.

The process of budget preparation is sometimes seen as tedious, and not always clear how the effort that is required leads to any productive output. Again, budgets are seen as imposing constraints that are hard to live with, and establishing goals that are hard to meet.

The workshop, entitled “Budget Tracking and Citizens’ Engagement” was aimed at enhancing the understanding of budget, its processes, procedures and systems, and ensuring compliance with these procedures.

It was also aimed at promoting efficiency and easing attempts at monitoring performances of budget while enhancing the understanding by the local authority of the complex relationship between power relations, rights and the budget.

The state deputy governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, in her keynote address commended the NGO for its tremendous efforts at enhancing capacities across the tiers of governance and commitments to infrastructural developments in the state.

Mrs. Olayinka noted that some of the organisation’s laudable services to humanity included the renovation of a six-block classrooms, construction of a two-unit toilet facilities at Ogbese Comprehensive High School, Ogbese, Ise-Orun Local Government Area and the publication of 2, 000 copies of

• Participants at the workshop From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

laws protecting the rights of women in Ekiti State.

She further noted that the training will assist the state in the actualisation of the administration’s eight-point agenda.

The workshop, which was declared open by the deputy governor through her Special Adviser, Mrs. Kehinde Daramola, was held at South-western Hotel.

It was also aimed at promoting efficiency and easing attempts at monitoring performances of budget while enhancing the understanding by the local authority of the complex relationship between power relations, rights and the budget

LASTMA to introduce radar watch

By Emmanuel Oladesu

•Badejo

P

LANS are underway by the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) to introduce the hand-held radar watch to capture vehicle speed and plate numbers on intra-city roads, Commissioner for Transport Prof. Dele Badejo has said.

He also reminded Lagosians that the laws banning teenage driving was still in force, warning that offenders would be punished.

The commissioner said that the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), would be reinvigorated in its full automated form, adding that, in conjunction with other related transport agencies, LASTMA would maintain less that three minute response to break to break downs on the roads.

Badejo told reporters in Lagos that the ad-

ministration of Governor Babatunde Fashola would continue to re-orientate the drivers so that they could cultivate the culture of obedience to traffic rules and signs. The aimed, he explained, is to stem avoidable deaths on Lagos roads.

For decades, the Lagos metropolis groaned under constant traffic snarl. Keeping an appointment was hectic and many businesses suffered. Traders displayed their wares on highways and vehicles moved on the road at a snail speed. drivers and commuters flouted traffic rules. The city was becoming a jungle where laws merely existed for window dressing.

To restore sanity, LASTMA was set up by the state government. Like all innovations, the activities of the agency were first resisted by people who preferred business as usual.

However, Governor Fashola gave the agency his full support.

Badejo, whose ministry supervises the agency, gave it a pass mark, adding that there is room for improvement.

He said the radar watch would assist in tracking down offenders and remind road users that they are under scrutiny.

Badejo spoke on the success of the BRT, which he noted, had marked another stage in the implementation of the mega city initiative. “The social, economic and environmental benefits associated with the scheme are very enormous”, he added, lauding the expansion of its corridors. He said, though the average life span of the buses is 22 years, is is between eight and nine years in Nigeria because of bad roads.

He also said that the eight zonal offices of LASTMA have been increased from eight to 21 to ensure improved traffic control.

“Our target is to have 30,000 buses to meet the expectation of the state and we have 1,100 to. Ome million people are lifted daily by the buses. BRT is not an all-comers busi-

ness. Government will continue to provide infrastructure; private organisations would provide the buses and run them.

“Routes would be assigned. Corridors of interest would be identified. New operators would get approval before the end of this administration”, he said.

Badejo said the BRT buses are popular because there is price stabilisation and overloading is prohibited, adding that, though the cost of diesel has gone up, the transport fare has not changed.

“When the man on the wheel gets to a BRT bus stop, and sees a lot of people on the queue, he is under pressure. We are re-orientating them on this”, he added.

The commissioner spoke on other aides, including the solar system and wider communication gadgets germane to efficiency.

He said, when response time for broken down vehicles was slow, 25 trucks were purchased, in adition to the existing privately owned ones.

“The breakdown of vehicles for 10 minutes takes 45 minutes to clear. But Now, the average response time to broken-down vehicles is five minutes. We redistribute traffic away from the corridor experiencing traffic snarl’, he added.

Badejo expressed worry over the menace of tanker drivers. He said over 3,000 tankers

come to Lagos daily and many of their drivers for the first time.

“Trailers break down due to the questionable conditions of the long vehicles and lack of knowledge of the Lagos roads by their drivers. The collapse of the rail system led to the multiplicity of the tankers on the roads, thereby putting much pressure on them” The commissioner lamented that the roads, which were constructed over 30 years ago, were not reconstructed until the advent of Tinubu and Fashola administrations. “This is why Lagosians should thank Governor Fashola for the dualisation of Igando road, Isolo-Okota road, and Amuwo-Odofin-Okota road.

On water transportation, Badejo said: “the Fashola Administration has developed the ferry system. Lagos State Waterways Authority was set up to manage intra-water transportation along Ikorodu/Marina, Obadore/Orsborn, Ijede/Obadore, and Mile 11/Apapa/Marina axis”.

He said whoever takes over the baton from him should take the traffic situation seriously.

“Issues relating to discipline, public relations, training, welfare and infrastructure development, especially signage and traffic signs, should be improved upon”, Badejo advised.

When the man on the wheel gets to a BRT bus stop, and sees a lot of people on the queue, he is under pressure. We are re-orientating them on this

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

36

We are therefore compelled to appeal to your (the President’s) compassionate heart, known to the whole world, to give the old father of our brother a deserved sense of importance of a father who sacrificed his most precious possession to the Nigerian cause before he goes to join his ancestors

T

HE killing of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the post-election violence has evoked memories of a Corps member who met a similar fate in Kano back in 2004.

Mr. Chukwunwike Oguejiofor Orafu, posted to the city following his graduation from University of Port Harcourt, was killed that year in the violence that gripped the city.

His family is disturbed that seven years after he died, Corps members are facing the same fate in the same part of the country.

The Orafu family also wants their late member given national recognition.

Chukwunwike got a well-deserved Second Class Upper Division. Then, his father, the Very Rev Felix Orafu, a retired preacher, who was about 73 years old, felt proud that his son was the best in the accountancy department. He had high hopes that as soon as the promising boy returned from the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme where he was to serve his country, he would return home, pick up a job in any of the blue chip firms as an accountant and begin to play his role as the first son of the family.

Muslim fundamentalists had a different plan for him and his aged father. Even his uncle, Mr. Sam Onyechi who assisted him throughout the university as his next of kin was also very disappointed and sad when the news broke in 2004, that their son and nephew had been killed by bloodthirsty Muslim apologists during the Kano riot that claimed lives and property. That incident killed all the aspirations of the people and buried their dreams.

Seven years after, the family is still mourning the loss of their breadwinner that was not. They are still weeping that they or the authorities of the NYSC could not find his lifeless body so that they could give him the honour of a burial. They are even more perplexed that other NYSC members, like their son, are still being killed in the same northern part of the country while on national assignment.

The family is not happy with the federal government. They are as angry with the authorities today as they were seven years ago, when they started writing to the NYSC about the killing of their son. In their first

G

Family seeks recognition for slain Corps member

•The late Chukwunwike Orafu

By Joseph Jibueze letter to the NYSC, the father had said” A follow-up letter from Onyechi on behalf of the family was also sent to the NYSC after they had waited for months without seeing his corpse. In it, he said, “Nothing also came out of this. And the family kept waiting and hoping against hope, especially after the NYSC authorities wrote to the family acknowledging receipt of their letters and promising to do something.

With the recent killing of some other Corps members and the con-

ENDER equity interest groups have called on the President-elect Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to ensure gender balance in the formation of the new government in keeping with his promise to give women 35 per cent of the appointments if re-elected.

On campaign, the President had promised to give 35 per cent of his cabinet appointments to women if elected.

Therefore, ahead of the formation of the new government, various advocacy groups have urged him and all elected governments to make good the President’s promise and accommodate women in the emerging governments.

The groups say it in line with the National Gender Policy, the 35 per cent Affirmative Action of the Bejing conference in China and international instruments which the nation is a signatory to.

sequent action of comfort from the federal government, the family is naturally disturbed that seven years after, the government did not do anything to show them some form of soothing balm.

This time, Onyechi has written to the president. He wants action. He wants the president to show the family that their son did not die in vain.

He wants the boy to be recognised as the first NYSC martyr that Nigeria ever had. And, a compensation of some sort would not mean that they are asking for too much.

Hear him: “Mr. Chukwunwike Oguejiofor Orafu who incidentally

was the first Corps member to arrive Kano for his Youth Service in 2004, hence his NYSC No. KN/04/ A/001, was slaughtered by rampaging Moslem youths on a religious riot within Kano metropolis and his phone number which the wicked killers held onto for days thereafter was being answered by the vampires who severally warned several frantic relatives and friends who called the number to stop making further calls to the phone because the owner of the phone has been beheaded, after which the voices will rattle off strings of Hausa invectives and roar with laughter at the plea to please have mercy on our brother who committed no crime against them.

“Despite several searches and adverts for missing persons placed by us and even the NYSC too, our brother is yet to be found several years after, lending credence to the claim of the nightmarish voices that they had actually killed him. We had made representations to the NYSC demanding that they, the Kano State Government and the Federal Government whom our brother was serving should pay adequate compensation for the young man whose life was snuffed out in such a brutal manner but no tangible action was taken.

“This young man so coldly killed in his prime in this gruesome manner was a blazing star who made a Second Class Upper Honours Degree in Accountancy, graduating from the University of Port Harcourt as the Best Graduating Student of his Department and Faculty and won both the Department and the Dean’s Awards for Academic Excellence. He was the first-born son of an aged and retired reverend gentleman, the Very Reverend Felix N, Orafu who is now above 80 years old and still mourns the terrible unbearable loss of his dear son to people he did no harm to.

“It will not be out of place to say that our Chike was the first NYSC MARTYR and should be known officially as that. It is therefore very saddening and a reopening of old wounds when we learnt of your humane gestures of personal contact and recognition of the families of the

recently slain colleagues of our dear brother with proper and due compensations paid to the bereaved families while our brother lies unsung, unmourned and unrecognized somewhere in the wilderness of Kano. At least some solace was given to the families of these recent colleagues of his, who had dead bodies to bury with a proper mourning.

Our brother cannot be properly mourned as we have no corpse to shed our tears on.

“We are therefore compelled to appeal to your compassionate heart known to the whole world, to give the old father of our brother a deserved sense of importance of a father who sacrificed his most precious possession to the Nigerian cause before he goes to join his ancestors.

We ask that your esteemed office give adequate recognition to this victim of wickedness by immortalising his name and pay adequate compensation to our family as you graciously did to that of others who suffered the same fate, to ameliorate the sense of injustice and chronic pain in our hearts over these years.

We look forward to his aged father visiting you in Aso Rock and being given a warm Presidential Sympathy; this would do his aching heart a lot of good and salve his wound.

“In addition, Your Excellency Sir, we earnestly beseech you to review the NYSC Programme which has obviously not achieved the desired unification of Nigeria and indeed deserves to be abrogated, but if still considered of any value by your astute judgment, then postings should be within one’s regional setting for the safety of our youths who are our hope for tomorrow.

This callousness must be stopped.

We wish to commend the effective intervention you made in the recent spree which otherwise would have resulted in more loss of innocent lives.

Suffice it to say that your letting the NYSC to continue without adequate restructuring automatically means more souls being lost in future and then predictably Nigerians will be compelled to generally abandon the programme by themselves, like so many families are already threatening to do.”

‘Give women 35 per cent appointments’

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

According to a report last week, President Jonathan has commenced arrangement for his fresh tenure.

The report stated that the President met with the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Obudu Cattle Ranch over zoning of offices and new federal cabinet.

Against this background, the group called on President Jonathan and the National Executive Council (NEC) of PDP to direct that all nominations from states and sectors for every positions should have at least the name of one woman out of every three nominated as a clear

Therefore, women should be given leadership positions, that is, principal officers at the respective levels of parliament and more specifically the National Assembly

strategy for achieving affirmative action.

They also demanded that women be given full consideration in the appointment of principal officers for the National Assembly from the ruling party.

The groups further requested that a minimum of 15 ministerial appointments be given to women even as they insisted that the list of advisory personnel should reflect at least 35 per cent of women.

They also urged the President and PDP NEC to ensure that the composition and appointments into government’s boards reflect a minimum of 35 per cent of women in the leadership and membership.

Reasoning that women constitute half of the national population, the group said that there are more female voters than men, hence, it is expected that women as well as men would work together to move the Nigerian nation forward.

Observing that women fully participated and exercised their franchise in the just-concluded elections, the group therefore insisted that Nigerian women should be adequately represented in the new government.

Also noting that women performance in last elections was quite abysmal, the group argued that offering them important assignments in government will enable them to contribute positively to the development of

the nation. To achieve this, Affirmative Action which stipulates the 35 per cent representation of women in every arm of the government must become a reality.

In their words: “The 2011 general elections were seen as a good platform to authenticate the voting pattern of Nigerian women.

This has been done and proofs exist of the active participation and support of women to the 2011 campaigns and elections. Hence the need for focused advocacy for the conscious and quality inclusion of women in the structures of the newly elected government and Parliament through actions and pronouncements that confer to women opportunity to contribute concretely to national development by the actualisation of 35 per cent Affirmative Action for women in appointive positions (ministerial, advisory level- special assistants, heads of key parastatals, membership of boards etc) They continued; “greater visibility in the arms of government particularly in the legislative arm is important considering that the outcome of the elections show reduced numbers.

“Therefore, women should be given leadership positions, that is, principal officers at the respective levels of parliament and more specifically the National Assembly,” they concluded.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

37

CITY BEATS

CRIME Alleged forgery of IG’s, DIG’s signatures: Two freed

A

SURULERE Chief Magistrates’ Court has discharged two men accused of forging the signature of the InspectorGeneral of Police for lack of diligent prosecution.

The accused were also freed of forging the signature of a Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police in charge of ‘’D’’ Department, Alagbon Close, Lagos.

Donatus Orji, 46, and the late Salami Jato, who were clearing agents, were first arraigned on January 20, 2010 on a nine-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and stealing to which they pleaded not guilty.

The accused had been remanded in Ikoyi prison since January 2010 because they could not fulfill their bail conditions.

Jato has since died in custody, the court was told.

They were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a

civil servant with a landed property in Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired and stole N800, 000 from the house of a businessman, Mr George Nwamana, at Ijegun, a Lagos suburb, on December 4, 2009.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravenes Sections 390 (9), 467 (3a), 473, 484 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Abiola Soladoye said she decided to strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution by the police.

She warned the accused to refrain from committing such crimes in future.

Soladoye, however, said they could be re-arrested and charged to court if the police authorities were ready to prosecute them.

Also, a 29-year-old man, Obinna Ezenwa, who was arraigned for allegedly stealing N1. 5 million be-

F THE COURTS SROM ECURITY TIPS • • • • • • • • • • •

• Ringim

longing to a trader, Mr Chukwudi Egbeuchi, was discharged.

Standing trial for fraud and stealing at the court, Ezenwa, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution said the offence was committed on August 27, 2010 at Block 1, Agric Market, Odun-Ade, OrileIganmu, a contravention of Sections 390 and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Soladoye had at their arraignment granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Court remands student in prison for stabbing friend

A

N Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos has remanded a 19year-old student, Adedayo Abubakar, at the Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly stabbing his friend.

Abubakar appeared before Magistrate Mr Tubosun Abolarinwa on a one-count charge of unlawfully stabbing Ismaila Oris with a broken bottle.

The accused plea was not taken by the court.

The magistrate ordered him to be locked up in prison custody pending the

advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Ebi Ajala, told the court that the accused and his elder brother were friends to Oris, who later died as a result of the injury sustained during the attack.

According to him, the accused allegedly committed the offence on March 20 along Idowu St. in OlodiApapa.

He said that Abubakar, his elder brother and Oris were together when the deceased took a broken bottle and

stabbed Abubakar’s brother on the neck.

“Abubakar thought that his elder brother was dead as a result of the attack so he took the broken bottle and stabbed Oris in retaliation,’’he said.

The prosecutor said Abubakar’s elder brother survived the cut while Oris later died due to loss of blood.

Ajala said the offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State and punishable with death on conviction.

The case was adjourned to June 23 for further hearing.

Ijegun residents cry for help

By Jude Isiguzo

•Alkali

I

JEGUN residents in Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have petitioned the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Yakubu Alkali over the activities of armed robbers.

They urged the CP to order his officers and men to increase vigilance patrols at night in the area, as this will help check the activities of armed robbers in the area.

About three weeks ago, some residents who were returning from work were attacked by a gang of 26 armed men around 11:30pm.

All their They money and almost valuables were taken killed away by the us hoodlums.

Last Wednesday, three other persons, including a journalist were attacked.

They had got a hint that the robbers were on prowl in their neighbourhood and they ran into hiding, hoping that the men would soon go away.

After waiting for about 45 minutes, they decided to continue their journey home, unknown to them that the robbers, about 10, had laid an ambush for them.

Sources disclosed that as soon as the trio decided to continue their journey, the hoodlums numbering about 10 came out from where they were hiding and attacked them.

The bandits collected N51,000 from one of the victims and some other valuables, but the other two who did not have money on them, got the beating of their lives.

Infact, the robbers at a stage threatened to kill

them, but for the intervention of another member of the gang.

One of the victims, who pleaded anonymity, said: “They almost killed us. They asked us what we were doing on the road at that time of the day without money.

They said we did not deserve to live and that the best thing was for them to kill us.

It was just God that used another member of the gang to save us.”

Another resident, Olusola Ahmed begged the CP to increase security in the area as these hoodlums no longer allow them to sleep well.

He said: ”We know that it’s not easy but the police should please come to our aid.

In this area we can no longer sleep with our eyes closed. You can be woken up by gun shots anytime. The situation is bad.”

Police spokesman, Mr Sam Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command is doing everything possible to put up a good security network in the state.

Jinadu said the police is always ready and prepared to respond to any kind of distress call at anytime of the day.

Be cautious when entering private vehicles that operate as taxis Avoid spending the night with free women In crowded bus stops, hold tight to your bags and pockets in order not to be robbed by pick pockets Do not leave your children with strangers, especially in religious places of worship.

Always secure your residence by locking up the place.

Do not allow a stranger to embrace you in the public as such person may be out to pick your wallet Mind how you leave your car with strangers as some may be robbers.

Be observant inside and outside bank premises in order not to be trailed by robbers.

Provide adequate security for cash in transit, including the use of police escort, also stop keeping money or valuables inside your car.

Help the police to help you. Let us join hands to rid our society of crime. It is our collective responsibility.

Report suspicious movement within your vicinity to the Police, never confront crimi nals as your life is very important, call the police on the following numbers: Police Control Room 1 emergency/distress call telephone numbers 07055350249, 07035068242, RRS Control 2 Alausa 08065154338, 07055462708, Control Room 3 SHQ: 08079279349, 08063299264 and 767 Toll free line.

MISSING PERSONS 1.

One Dorcas Adeniyi ‘f’ aged 17yrs old about 5ft tall fair in complexion speaks English and Yoruba languages fluently. If seen contact one Eunice Adeniyi ‘f’ of No. 75 Dopemu road Agege Lagos or Dopemu Police Station.

2. One Ruth Atoyebi ‘f’ aged 20yrs old about 5ft tall dark in complexion she is deaf and dumb. If seen contact one Toyin Atoyebi ‘f’ of No. 26 Odalume street Shogunle Lagos or Shogunle Police Station.

3. One Uloma Precious Ezekwe ‘f’ agen 16yrs old about 5 ft tall dark in complexionspeaks English and Igbo languages fluently. If seen contact one Mary Emeziem ‘f’ of No. 29B Oshun Stret Alausa Ikeja or Alausa Police Station.

4.

One Foluke Sunday ‘f’ aged 11yrs old about 3ft tall, Dark in complexion speaks Yoruba language fluently. If seen contact one Samuel Ayodele ‘m’ of Raji Owolagbo Street off Kokoro abu Ikorodu Lagos or Ikorodu Police Station.

5. One Temitope Aboyin ‘m’ aged 25yrs old about 3ft tall, Dark in complexion, speaks Yoruba and English Languages fluently. If seen contact one Gbadageshi Aboyin ‘m’ of No 72 pipeline street Ejigbo Lagos or Ejigbo Police Station.

6. One olasunkanmi Olaigbe ‘m’ aged 24yrs about 5ft tall light in complexion, speaks En glish and Yoruba Languages fluently. If seen contact one Mrs Olaigbe ‘f’ of Block 7 flat 5 dairy farm low cost housing Estate opposite Agege Stadium or Pen cinema police station.

STOLEN VEHICLES 1. One Honda Accord with Reg. No. JX 592 Eky with Chasis No. IHGCM56323AO61544 and Engine No. K24A0100121. If seen contact any nearest police station.

2.

One Mitsubishi space wagon with Reg. No. CV 182 KTU colour Green with chassis No. JNBLNN33WTZ003640 and Engine No. 4663506554. If seen contact any nearest police station or Agege police station.

3.

One Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. FM 888 LND. Colour Red with Chassis No. JTDBL40E399066 and Engine No. 2ZR-4199729. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Iponri police Station.

RECOVERED VEHICLES The Lagos State Police Command recovered 22 vehicles from June 30th to July 7, 2010, suspected to have be stolen from different locations in Lagos and the vehicles can be located at the station mentioned against each of the recovered vehicles as follows:S/NO NAMES OF VEHICLE

REG. NO

COLOUR

LOCATION

1.

V/WAGON PASSAT

PE 293 AAA

GREEN

ISHERI OSUN

2.

TOYOTA HIACE

XE 300 WER

WHITE

FESTAC

3.

NISSAN SUNNY

XR 91 EPE

LSCC

IKOYI

4.

HONDA ODDYSE

FQ 977 LND

BLUE

MUSHIN

5.

MIT GALLANT

BD 211 KSF

BLUE

GOWON ESTATE

6.

TOYOTA COROLLA

DC 242 JJJ

BROWN

SHQ

7.

NISSAN PREMIERA

AS 369 USL

RED

OKOKOMAIKO

8.

MIT LANCER

EU 228 APP

GREY

OJOKORO

9.

TOYOTA HILUX

BH 949N EPE

WHITE

YABA

10.

KIA BUS

XU 499 AKD

WHITE

MAN CENTER

11.

MERCEDES BENZ

DF 666 MUS

SILVER

DENTON

12.

MITY GALLANT

DX 537 FST

WINE

ASWANI

13.

TOYOTA PRADO JEEP

TY 240 KJA

SILVER

EPE

14.

MIT MONTERO JEEP

CF 700 FST

GREEN

ISOLO

15.

NISSAN PATHFINDER

EC 198 GGE

ASH

ONIKAN

16.

KIA SPORTAGE

CA 299 KJA

SILVER

ABATTIOR

17.

TOYOTA CORROLLA Members of the public who have claims to the recovered vehicles should check at the police station mentioned against each recovered vehicles with original documents.

Claimants should endeavour to check the engine numbers as the original registration numbers may have been tampered with.

38

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

39

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

40

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “President Goodluck Jonathan must employ new tactics to make a change.

Bureaucracy and political rhetoric cannot fix Nigeria’s problems. He should employ private sector rules and provide resources for private companies to hand the power sector.”

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, during the 20th Anniversary of Tell Magazine in Lagos last week.

CITYBEATS F

OR residents living in communities around Kosoko, and Aka Road or Adebayo Agboola Way, up to Ijanikin and Alhaji Usman Magaji Road, which leads to Ilogbo, all in Ojo Local Government Area, only the state government can lift them out of the ‘hopeless’ life they have been consigned as a result of the bad roads in the area.

The residents are angry with the Ojo Local Government Area officials for their failure to work on the roads and have called on the Governor Babatunde Fashola to step in and fix the network of roads.

Their anger stemmed from the fact that the council “is insensitive” to their plight and has turned deaf ears to all the infrastructural challenges they are facing, especially roads and drainages.

According to them, the impact of the government is not felt in the area and the leadership of the council is not bothered.

They said the only motorable road is the Ilogbo Road that leads to the home of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan.

A resident, who lives on Aka Road by Kosoko bus stop, described the state of roads as sad and hopeless.

The resident, who did not want his name published, said the situation became worst in the past five years and that efforts by residents to salvage the roads through communal efforts were stopped by the council.

“There is nothing on ground in this community to show that there is a local government here. We see how other places are being developed, but nothing is happening here. We are yet to see what they spent all the monies they get from the monthly allocations that they collect on.

“Can you imagine that a major road such as Adebayo Agboola Way, which links Jakande community to other communities around us is impassable? Even Magaji link road that is supposed

A community at the mercy of a bad road

•The flooded Adebayo Agboola Way, Ojo Local Govt Area.

By Jude Isiguzo

to take you from Transformer bus stop to Ajangbadi and Alaba International Market is a sorry sight”, the resident said.

The resident, who owns a property on the street, said since the

‘

T

‘

Of the 50 men arrested, 25 were being prosecuted over violence on children, while the other 25 were in government’s custody awaiting prosecution

’

rains started this year, it has become impossible for motorists and even pedestrians to come into Aka Street through Kosoko Road because of the pool of water that has refused to dry up.

Mr Abimbola Hakeem, a resident of Magaji Street, said the resi-

Can you imagine that a major road like Adebayo Agboola Way, which links Jakande community to other communities around us is impassable?

Lagos moves to tackle violence against children HE Lagos State Government will not relent in its pursuit of programmes aimed at tackling violence against children.

The government said violence, which ranges from rape, assault and torture, among others, has become a major source of concern as it is targetted at children of all ages irrespective of status and religion.

Addressing journalists at the ongoing ministerial press conference in Alausa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, (WAPA), Mrs. Risqat Akiyode, said the government had arrested over 50 rapists and some of them were on trial.

PHOTO: JUDE ISIGUZO

Mrs. Akiyode, who lamented the increasing cases of child abuse in the country, noted that at least 137 children in Lagos State have suffered various forms of abuses in the last one year.

Said Mrs. Akiyode: “Of the 50 men arrested, 25 were being prosecuted over violence on children, while the other 25 were in government’s custody, awaiting prosecution over abuse on children.

According to her, 73 children abused by men, have been reconciled to their parents, adding that the government was ready to prosecute offenders under the Child Rights Law. She said the ministry had deployed five buses to carry out motorised campaign against child abuse, but that child abuse has continued as some parents and guardians refused to comply with the law.

Meanwhile, the state, she said, had disbursed N1.28 billion as loans to small-scale traders under the Lagos State Micro-Finance Institution (LASMI) in the last four years.

Mrs. Akiyode added that this year, N585 million had been disbursed by LASMI as loans to traders.

’

dents were even confused and did not even know who to hold responsible between the state and the council.

The motorcyclist that took this correspondent round the neighborhood to see the state of roads told him not to waste his time writing any story because at the end of the day nothing good will come out of it.

The okada man said: “Oga it has been a long time that newspapers and television people have been coming here to do stories on these roads but, at the end, the government will not do anything about

them. Last year, Residents the council chairwaiting man and his for a people came to inspect the roads miracle and promised to do something about them but you can see things for yourself.

“We even heard one time that the state government had awarded the contract for the construction of Jakande Road. We do not know what to believe again.

We are just waiting and believing God that one day, a miracle will happen and the roads would be constructed. We have been voting for the Action Congress of Nigeria in all the elections. I do not know why we should not enjoy the dividends of democracy like others in Lagos”, he lamented.

Another resident, Mrs Nene Okezu, blamed the state of roads in the area on bulk passing between Ojo LGA, Iba and OtoAwori Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

She explained that, because the community is situated between Ojo LGA and Iba and Awori LCDAs, the leadership of the three councils have been passing the road construction to one another.

According to her, until this problem is resolved, it will almost be impossible for the roads to get attention.

She, however, pleaded with the state government to step in and save the community from the embarrassing situation.

The Community Development Association Chairman of Ilupeju, Dr Charles Agomuo, said the state government has been promising to construct the road for a long time but none of the promises has been fulfilled.

He said: “We are begging the state government to rescue us from this terrible situation. All the businesses in this area are not functioning; residents are suffering, some who own properties here have abandoned them and relocated to other places. Our children are suffering because, getting to school and coming back home have become hectic.”

•Mrs Akiyode (middle); Managing Director, Micro Finance Mr. Musiliu Gbolahan (left) and the Director Press & Public Relations, Mr. Segun Adedokun.

Photo: Omosehin Moses

She stated that the ministry, through LASMI had partnered with eight approved micro-finance banks to disburse the funds to the active poor in the state.

According to her, “In order to further reduce poverty in the state, the ministry has signed a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coca-Cola Company Plc to roll out 2,000 iconic kiosks that will be distributed to women, men and the youth.

“This is a specially-branded multi-purpose kiosk that will solve the problem of paucity of

conventional shops in the state,” she stated.

On child development, the permanent secretary disclosed that 508,094 primary school children had been dewormed in the last four years to reduce the scourge of worm infestation.

SEND YOUR STORIES, VIDEOS AND PICTURES TO CITY BEATS at ynotcitybeats@gmail.com OR SEND AN SMS TO 08033054340

SLIDING TACKLE

“I must state that what those pushing for a parallel FA are condemnable. It is a step that will not do our football any good. Those behind it should do a re-think in the interest of our football,

Monday, May 23, 2011

42

Veteran sports journalist, Emeka Inyama condemning the actions of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers to set up a parallel FA body alongside the Nigeria Football Federation.

Can Unuanel survive the Ocean surge?

O

•Falcons’ captain, Precious Dede leads teammates against Guinea’s danger-woman Salimata Simpore at the African Women Championship in South Africa

AHEAD OF FIFA WOMEN WORLD CUP

Omagbemichartsway forward for Falcons

E

X- SUPER Falcons’ captain, Florence Omagbemi has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to forget the lost against Ghana and ensure that Falcons play series of friendlies ahead of the World Cup starting next month in

•Says, friendlies key to team's success

By Innocent Amomoh

Germany.

The United States of America (USA) based former

international, who currently work as a coach told NationSport that, for the team to do well in the women's Mundial, the proposed

2011 CHANNELS KIDS CUP

Competition gets underway today

A

LL is set for the 3rd edition of the Channels Kids Cup which begins today at the Campus Square in Lagos. In this year's edition, Command Children School, Ikeja and St. Jude Catholic School will kick-start the competition at 9am.

The second match of the day will be between Ibadan International School and Agidingbi primary School, which will be followed with the match between Ochad primary school and St. Bernadette school.

Other matches slated for today includes; St. Stephen primary school vs Ifako international school. Muslim Mission Primary School vs Totland Schools. St Michael Primary School vs Lagos Progressive Primary School.

St. Agnes Primary School vs St. Paul Primary School and State Primary School vs Ire Akari Estate Primary School.

Eight Schools namely defending champions Ladilak primary school, Bariga, UNILAG Staff School, Akoka, Dr Soyemi Memorial Primary school, Festac town, Straitegate primary School, Magodo, Mimofera Primary School, Lagos Island,

Isaacville primary school, Ketu, Santa Maria private school, Mushin and Maryland

primary school, Maryland were given a bye into the second round.

Avoid distraction in NFF—Inyama

V

ETERAN sports journalist-cum football administrator, Chief Emeka Inyama has described moves made last week by a group of football stakeholders in the country to float a parallel football governing body in the country as a distraction which will not do the nation’s football any good.

Inyama while condemning the move spearheaded by Harrison Jala’s National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), noted that the floating of a parallel FA amounts to bringing the game to disrepute, a step which no true lover of the beautiful game should take.

“I must state that what those pushing for a parallel FA are condemnable. It is a step that will not do our football any good. Those behind it should do a re-think in the interest of our football,” Inyama stated.

The Abia state former sports commissioner was, however, quick in charging the nation’s soccer governing body, NFF to

ensure that every stakeholder is treated in a fair manner in line with FIFA’s fair play slogan for the good of the game.

He noted that some aggrieved members of the nation’s soccer family only resort to going to court when they feel they are being sidelined or being cheated out rightly.

Inyama stressed that the issue of the election into the national league board which he won, but yet to start exercising his mandate, is a case study on how not to handle football matters.

“I won an election into the NFF board via the national league and months after nothing concrete is being done to ensure I get justice. The national league board has not been allowed to function, even when I have been sworn in alongside other board members and the NFF has been foot-dragging on the issue of setting up and arbitration panel.

These are trends which the NFF must not allow to continue.

friendlies for them by the NFF must be prosecuted.

"If the male teams are engaging in friendly matches now and then, why should the female national team, preparing for the World Cup not have their own share of such opportunities? We are fond of implenting our programmes very late and when the team fails, the coach will be castigated.

"The World Cup is a different ball game and should be taken with the seriousness it deserves especially now that we are no longer minnows. Every team will be taken seriously and i just hope we will not be disgraced," she cautioned.

Omagbemi, who retired from active football as one of the longest serving captain of the female national team, further said camping the team in Austria preparatory to the World Cup is a welcome development, but added that in the cause of this, the team must be put through tests that will toughen them for the task ahead.

"The sack threat by the NFF to Eucharia Uche is to me not the way out. Infact it should not arise at this crucial time when the Falcons needs all the concentration that they can get, and the support from all Nigerians. We must rally round this team if we want a good outing in Germany;" she said.

The Super Falcons recently failed to qualify for the All African Games slated for Mozambique later in the year, after lossing to the Ghana Queens on a 2-3 aggregate decided penultimate week.

CEAN Boys may have won the Nigeria Premier League in 2006 and Coca-Cola FA Cup (now Federation Cup), in 2008, but it’s ironic that the young club has made more news with its high turnover of coaches in recent times.

In this report, SuperSport.com’s Ojeikere Aikhoje wonders if newly appointed coach, Samson Unuanel, now understands the politics of the club as he returns to continue the job he abandoned in 2008.

Coaching is like politics.

There is no permanent friend, only permanent interest.

Ocean Boys hailed sacked coach Larry Eceli as the ‘messiah’ when he led the club to a string of victories after the sack of his boss, Kennedy Okogba. Last Friday, Eceli was eventually thrown into the labour market after recording poor results in the second round of the league.

The exit of Eceli opened a window of opportunity for former coach, Samson Unuanel to return to the club.

Unuanel is no stranger at Ocean Boys. This is his second spell as head coach of the club.

He coached the team briefly after his impressive performance at Prime, but had to leave unceremoniously.

Unuanel, who equally left Niger Tornadoes in controversial circumstances, now has the unenviable task of changing the fortunes of the team.

The decision to sack Eceli has earned Ocean Boys a place in the history books as the first club in the NPL to sack two coaches this term. In fact, Ocean Boys now have a history of high turnover of coaches.

Coaches-turnover is not only a Nigerian problem. A number of top clubs across the globe - from Atletico Madrid to Newcastle United, Paris St. Germain, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Amsterdam - have become notorious for destructive coaching turnover.

Enyimba once had the high turnover disease, but they seem to have a stable structure now as Okey Emordi was retained to maintain continuity.

Top flight coaches like Maurice Cooreman, former Super Eagles boss, Tunde Disu, Bendel Insurance’s most successful coach, Lawrence Akpokona as well as former Super Eagles and Barcelona star, Emmanuel Amuneke have worked at the Yenagoa based club at one time or the other.

Interestingly, Cooreman left the club despite the historic league success in 2006. It was the same story after Evans Ogenyi won the former CocaCola FA Cup, in 2008.

After Amuneke’s exit last term, former player, Kennedy Okogba, was appointed head coach. Okogba was in charge on the eve of the present campaign, but was sacked just after three matches.

His sack was announced after Enugu Rangers battered

the club 5-2.

“Okogba got a free hand to recruit players, but didn’t get the right players,” media officer of Ocean Boys, Eddy Ohis, said to SuperSport.com.

The high turnover of coaches doesn’t help any team.

Mistake: The departure of top stars like Charles Omokaro and Chimezie Mba during the January transfer window meant Eceli had to groom another playmaker-cumscorer for the club.

He juggled his team and succeeded in turning Chigozie Christopher and Andrew Michael into dangerous weapons to punish other teams. In fact, Christopher’s five-star performance enabled the club to pick points and by the end of the first round Eceli moved the club from the bottom four to a relatively safe position on the log.

However, Eceli and Ocean Boys committed a sacrilege by opening the door for their best stars to leave during the midseason break. Christopher headed for table-topping Dolphins; while Michael was allowed to join WAFU Cup champions, Sharks.

The absence of both players has clearly depleted the squad as their replacements are struggling to cope with the pressure of top flight football.

SuperSport.com learnt that Christopher was loaned to Dolphins since the club was unable to pay his huge outstanding wages.

Michael, who was shocked at the decision of the club to allow him join Niger-Delta rivals, Sharks, has already scored for his new club. He scored three goals for Ocean Boys (against Dolphins, Juth and Sharks) in the first round of the league.

After three matches in the second round, the club has only managed to pick one point at home against Enyimba. Eceli was eventually sent packing after the 1-3 loss at struggling Plateau United.

Other top stars like Ndubuisi Nkoro (Heartland), Markson Ojobo (Enyimba), Onyekachi Akakem (Heartland) and Bola Lekan (Sunshine) also left for greener pastures.

If Eceli approved the exit of these players, then his sack is justified. However, it amounts to abuse of power, if the coach was unaware of their departure to rival clubs.

Unuanel’s Second Coming: The task before Unuanel is herculean and all eyes will be on him to deliver. His duty is to build a new team at a time top stars were allowed to stroll out of the team during the midseason break.

There is no doubt that he will still be under intense pressure from the club hierachy and impatient fans anxious for quick results.

Eight points separate 17th placed Plateau United and Ocean Boys placed 15th.

At any rate, the Edo state born coach is aware of the fact that his most important duty is to steer the club away from troubled waters.

R

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

43

• An example of a software

The wonders of technology It is a fact that technology is changing so many things and can make people to work harder. Recently, a package called System Application Product (SAP) was introduced to keep tab on workers’ performance, among other functions. Many firms, especially multinationals, have embraced it. Experts argue that the device would make workers more effective, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE. • STORY ON PAGE 44

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

44

JOBS

The wonders of technology A

WAVE of changes is sweeping across the labour landscape as companies now use high technological devices in their operations. Unlike in the past when organisations employed and assessed the performance of their workers manually, it is no longer so.

Technology has offered a new window of opportunities. Individuals and firms are not ready to be passed by. In recent times, firms have been acquiring various packages or softwares to get the best out of their workers.

The packages include Peach Tree, Sun System, Sage, MSI Accounting, Quick Book, Pegasus; System Application Product (SAP) and Oracle.

The packages have helped in stimulating the performance of workers, as well as bringing the desired growth to the companies. Accounting/financial workers use the packages a lot.

The packages are multi-dimensional and flexible. They are made to fit into different situations in an organisation. Of these, the System Application Product (SAP) is attracting interest among companies.

Incidentally, the package shares name with its producer. SAP International Limited produces the SAP package or software.

Founded in 1972 in Germany, the company has a rich history of innovation and growth. Findings have shown that the company has sites and development locations in more than 50 countries. The locations are mainly in Europe and United States. However, the company is gradually making in-roads into Africa. It is bringing its software to countries in Africa. Nigeria is one of such countries.

Globalisation is responsible for this development.

In the past three years, multinationals in Nigeria have been accessing the software to stimulate growth. Of importance is that they are deploying the software to keep data about their employees. The reason is because they want to monitor, keep and maintain a

healthy workforce. They want to keep the best hands. They are not ready for waste. The Nation learnt that many foreign-owned companies now use the software to ascertain the growth of their workforce.

A careful observation shows that companies in the manufacturing and oil and gas sectors, have embraced the package. They spent a fortune on the package. Conservative estimate put the cost of acquiring the software in excess of N50 million.

This excludes the cost of training workers on how to use the software. A computer engineer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it costs a company N1.2 million to train a worker on how to use the software.

The Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Mr Tim Akano, said many firms use the software to encourage growth. Akano said the technology helps in determining the true position of an organisation.

He said: “SAP is an application or software that many companies are now embracing. The software determines whether an organization is doing well or not. It helps companies to do their work faster and smarter. Through the software, a company can easily achieve a higher work rate. For instance, a company that uses the software would spend one hour to do the jobs that hitherto required ten hours. This is a big advantage for companies that want to cut-down cost, and at the same time, increase productivity.

Akano said the software is helping companies to keep data about their employees, adding that the software has a component that meets such needs.

“The software can be deployed to achieve different objectives. It can be used by different departments in an organisation. It can be used by the human resources department. When this happens, the company would be able to access information relating to the

• President, NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar

performance of its employee, and used it to achieve certain goals”, he added.

Also, the Enterprise Server and Storage Manager, Hewlett Packard Nigeria Limited, Mr Okpaka Chukwuma, toed similar path.

Chukwuma said there is no doubt that firms are using the technology to encourage growth. He said the package boasts of different components or modules, adding that firms have taken the advantage of the components to record growth.

He divided the components into two areas, noting that each component performs a specific function for a company.

“There is what I can call customers’ relationship management module. As the name implies, the module helps in managing and coordinating activities among customers. Another one is business intelligence module. Through this, a company will be able to know whether its doing well or not. It enables a company to know the grey areas in its operations, and subsequently provide solutions to them.

Based on this, a company can use the module to assess the performance of its workers. It can use the module to find out the department that is under-performed or under-

• Akano

staffed. This would enable a company to hire more people. Often times, the module helps a company to create more specialised departments to grow the company. So, it is not all the time that the software helps a company to downsize. It can as well create new jobs”, he said.

Similarly, a top official of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Jasper Hamaker, said the company has restructured its operations to achieve growth. Hamaker, while speaking during the company’s pre Annual General Meeting Press Briefing in Lagos, said the company has used SAP software to determine workers that are due retirement. He said the company did not retrenched as Nigerians are meant to understand, but had to find out workers that have stayed too long in service.

He said such workers have been paid their entitlements, adding that the development resulted in huge costs incurred in the process of restructuring the company.

In a related development, a computer engineer, Friday Adejube said the software is gaining.

Recognition among multinationals. Adejube said through the software, companies are able to project into the future, and further put in

place precautionary measures to avoid unforeseen circumstances.

He said the software helps companies in conducting a research about their operations.

“Though the software is expensive, the end justifies the means.

When a company is using the software, its financials would be in check. The issue of incurring unnecessary costs would not be there.

Companies that use the software know the right time to absorb or retrench workers.

I think the software would enable companies to keep a moderate workforce, as against a situation where there are many unproductive workers. The software has a data storage facility that enables companies to keep as many information as possible,” he said.

From the above-mentioned, the changing face of technology is not only helping the jobs’ market, but also the companies. And with the introduction of the software called SAP, there is more to employees’ management.

In fact, workers would now be conscious of their conducts, knowing fully well that they are been assessed through the software. The question is: Will there be a change of attitude on the part of lazy workers? Time will tell.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

A

NEW year is fast approaching and you need a new impetus for the ever-elusive job. The article is a help for developing a master strategy.

Just as you need different traps for catching mustangs, bears, and fish, you will need various strategies for hunting for an engineer opening, a psychologist assistant position, or a nurse internship.

There are, however, a few steps that are the same, no matter which forest you are hunting in. Let’s start with those.

1. Just as in any other kind of hunt, the first thing you need to do when starting a job hunt is to decide what exactly it is that you are trying to catch. It is very important to have a good idea for the kind of job you want. It will be your foundation for the whole job search process - start to finish.

Here are a few questions to help you figure out what you will be hunting for: • Am I happy in my current career field?

• What kind of activities do I enjoy doing the most in my daily life?

Job hunt : The master plan

By Olu Oyeniran

What do I strongly dislike?

• What do I imagine my day to be like three years from now?

• Do I enjoy working in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere or corporate environment?

• What do I want my job responsibilities to be with my next employer?

A good idea might be to take a few career assessment tests. Such as Myers-Briggs (MBTI) personality indicator, Career Quiz on monster.com.

2. When you know what kind of prey... khm... job you will be hunting for, it’s time to prepare your “equipment”. You will need a few key items to succeed in capturing your perfect job: • A resume that makes you look better than the competition • A cover letter that captures the recruiter’s attention and makes them want to know more about you • References from your colleagues

and/or school professors • A valid email address and a phone number where you will actually pick up the phone • A network of people (!!!) who could potentially help you in your endeavors • and a decent looking set of clothes to wear at the interviews 3. After you prepare your “traps”, you need to decide, where you will be hunting and what will be the best way to use your equipment to get that job. There are a few strategies that could be used simultaneously or sequentially during the hunt: • Networking - applying for jobs through the people you know, getting references, using professional networks such as linkedin.com and plaxo.com • Posting your resume and cover letter on job search sites such as hotjobs.com, craigslist.org, monster.com, and others • Contacting employers directly by sending letter to human resources, calling, or walking in to

drop off your resume • Using staffing agencies and recruiters to help you in your pursuit • Submitting your resume to potential employers through job search sites.

4. After you decided on the hunt strategy and actually went out to the woods... khm... job sites, you will get closer to your “prey” - the potential employers will start getting back to you by phone and email. You will go through phone screens, preliminary interviews, and full on evaluation processes. It is very important to show your best during this stage. Interviews is where you figure out whether or not the job will be right for you and where the employer figures out whether you will be right for the job.

5. And finally - you catch that deer - you get an offer of employment letter. You think this is where it ends?.. Nope! This is where my favorite part begins. The negotiation

game. A lot of people are so psyched that they got their mustang, that they forget to feed it, tame it, and build it a nice stall. In the job search terms - people forget to make sure they actually like the whole benefit package.

It is not over when you get an offer! You need to compromise on the terms so that both you, and the employer are happy! This is where the negotiation game begins.

After you have negotiated the desired benefit and salary package, start date, and stock options - sign the offer. Congratulations! You are now happily employed.

PS: A job hunting group has been created on my facebook page (oluoyeniran@yahoo.com)

This article is based on an original one by Maria Kuznetsova (ezinearticles.com).

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

45

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

CEO

African farmers are making money through organicallygrown crops meant for European markets. Nearly 5,000 farmers in the West Coast are benefiting from it. DANIEL ESSIET spoke with the Executive Director, Olu Obasanjo Centre for Organic Research and Development (OOCORD), Prof Jonathan Babatola, the arrow head of this revolution.

Excerpts:

• Babatola

‘Consumption of organic foods is safeguard against cancer, diabetes’ M

ANY people in the developed countries are uncomfortable with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). What is your view?

Combining genes from different organisms results in genetically-modified organisms. GM products include foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibres. Genetic modification is any change to the traits of an organism achieved by intentional manipulation. Through genetic modification, scientists can transfer the genetic material responsible for certain positive behaviours or traits in one species to another in a faster and more precise fashion.

Scientists can improve crops by transferring genes that code for desirable traits such as disease and insect resistance from one variety to another.

Genetic modification permits food devel-

opers to add or enhance useful traits or remove undesirable traits. Like other tools deployed in the sciences, it has both advantages and disadvantages. There are people in developing economies who are still skeptical about genetic modification (GM) in agriculture. The challenge is convincing consumers that they are not dangerous to health.There are ethical issues surrounding GMOs. Let us talk about the ethical issues Take the case of GM in livestock production. To alter the genetical make up of an animal, to get another character, you may need to develop a particular trait.You may need a gene from a pig. When you put this gene in, the outcome will pose a challenge because a Muslim might want to eat it and Muslims don’t eat pig.

You can see the kind of possible ethical

problem that may arise.

You may need a gene from a dog to improve a particular character? How do you deal with people who don’t eat dogs, what happens to them? These are some of the ethical issues.

There are significant risks associated with genetic engineering process. The influx of foreign genes into common food plants opens the door for new, unexpected allergies, which may produce allergic reactions.

Also, it is very important we emphasise caution in the application of GM. Proponents of GMOs try to make a point by comparing the negative impact of malaria and genetically modified foods.

They said malaria kills more people than GMOs. The fact that malaria kills more than GMOs doesn’t mean we should go ahead and adopt GMOs because it kills less.

Whatever the case, we shouldn’t expose people either to the health threats of malaria or GMOs. Are organic products nutritionally superior to conventional ones?

In some cases they may be superior. In others, they may not. One common thing is that they are devoid of chemical pollutants, which cause cancer, high blood and other life threatening ailments. I attended a workshop in Japan in 2004; it was about food and vegetables for health. Presenters came from US and Europe. They were able to show that consumption of organic vegetables militates against diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.

What separates organic agriculture from GMO agriculture?

• Continued on page 46

46

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

CEO

‘Consumption of organic foods is safeguard against cancer, diabetes’ • Continued from page 45

In organic agriculture, we encourage farming practices without inputs of chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

Largely, we are talking about a production system that is managed and responds to site specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.

In organic agriculture, we don’t use genetically modified materials.

This is because of the side effects that may come up later on life through constant consumption of such products.

We grow crops that have not been genetically altered and have not been grown using any synthetics.

It is just the natural way of farming relying on nature-made fertilisers and no man-made pesticides.

Agribusiness conglomerates and their supporters dismiss organic farming, claiming it produces yields too low to feed a growing population. Because of this, GMOs are associated with commercial agriculture. Does organic agriculture have the capacity to support mass production of food crops?

Mass production of crops and livestock must be matched with both health and nutritional benefits of what is producing. You are mass producing eggs for example. Do you consider whether there are the factors in the egg that are inimical to the health of the consumers? The market is free. You can decide to buy GMOs and eat or buy organic products. It is purely a matter of choice.

In organic agriculture, we consider risks to human health. Environmental hazards include the possibility that the novel genes will – through hybridisation – make their way into other species, which might disrupt ecosystems.

I advised a friend to abstain from drinking. He said he couldn’t and that he believes something has to kill him. He has taken a choice. It is not good to take alcoholic drinks.

He wants to continue with drinking because something will kill him. That is his position in life. For me, I have to be cautious of what I eat to live long. Better and long productive years. Not just living for living sake. For consumers, I believe they should make effort to abstain from certain foods, once they are aware of the health dangers. Organic products are based on ecological and biological principles and have fewer environmental costs.

What is the market like within West Africa for organic foods?

The market for organic food in West Africa is fast expanding. It is only in Nigeria that we yet to make impact because the sector is not well known. I know of a tea company in Odukpolo, Ogun State.

They produce dat tea.

The tea produced is organic. We have developed a national certification mechanism that is internationally accepted and accredited.

We have started. The market for organic foods has been growing very rapidly. Demand for organic foods is expected to grow by between five per cent and 15 per cent

annually during the next five years.

There are opportunities for Nigerian farmers to grow some tropical products that cannot be grown in North America or Europe. For example, products such as organic cocoa, fruits and vegetables. Nigeria has a wide range of ecologies and the climatic conditions are suitable for production all year round.

Unlike Europe when the winter months cannot produce some crops that we produce here.

Usually, there is a price premium for organic products. The price is a little higher than the price for conventional foods. You can produce both conventional and organic.

Those who want to buy organic will buy them. Those who don’t care where their food comes from can buy the conventional products.

The market is expanding globally.

West Africa is already catching up with it. But Nigeria needs to catch up faster because we have greater potential than any of the West African countries in terms of crops, fisheries or livestock. Anything you can think of. This is the reality.

Which organic products from the sub region are hot in the global market?

Organic cocoa, cotton, rice, yam, banana, plantain, fish, livestock, vegetables. There is a wide range of it. Fruits such as mangoes, citrus, cashew and pear are hot produces. The market is expanding.

Very soon by the grace of God; we are going to promote organic products among major shopping centres in Nigeria.

Nigerians will be able to buy organic products from big shopping complexes, farms, smaller shops and private distributors. We want to have organised sales outlets to bring organic produce closer to potential buyers. We will get shops and super markets to sell certified organic produce. Anybody can go there and buy. If you go to big mall in the UK and US you will find organic produce sections. Conventional produces sold along side.

You decide what you want to buy.

Can genetically-modified and organic crops co-exist?

GMOs, conventional agriculture, and organic farming can co-exist.

They are already co-existing. We have a market-driven system.

There are Nigerians willing to pay a premium for organic products as they are people who are interested in conventional foods.

Do you consider land reforms a challenge to organic farming?

The truth is that land reforms are essential. However, the landless people who are artisan need land to farm. Whether for rent or purchase farmers need land. The issue is that land should be made available for them so that they can make

• Babatola a living out of farming. The land should be available for distribution to landless peasants. The reality is that over 70 per cent of Nigerians are involved in agriculture.

Yet we are not feeling the effect. In the United States, less than 15 per cent are involved in agriculture.

They are feeding Americans and other parts of the world. There is some thing wrong with our system.

Graduates are leaving school by the day. There are no jobs for them because our educational system has not caught pace with our development. Lets put it this way, our development has not caught up with our educational system. If development had caught up with our educational system, as people are graduating from the universities and polytechnics, they will be moving immediately into one job, business or venture. Today, people wait five, six years to get a job. Many graduates now make do with okada riding. Young graduates. This is not the best for this nation.

Looking at the potential of the sector, can it pay living wages like other aspects of agriculture?

Agriculture is the same every way. What labourers on the farms are being paid is dependent on what the farms are making. The question is, are the farmers breaking even? Whether it is conventional or organic farming, we observed that people carry out farming activities as a way of life not as a business. We are trying to orientate our farmers to take farming as a business. Running farms as business ventures with profit motive.

It is important to achieve sustainable level of profitability from farm business.

For a farm business to perform well over time, all aspects of its operation must be functioning efficiently. The technical aspects of

pasture and crop production, livestock genetics and management, price risk management, financial monitoring and capital allocation decisions all must work together to give the best overall result.

A farm should be able to manage those factors that are critical to success. The farmer has to be able to calculate his cost of production, identify where it is useful, and find opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. Farmers should be able to identify the most profitable opportunities to take.

After deducing the overheads, labour cost, transportation, rent and payment for infrastructure and all that. When you have factored all these cost centres in your business plan, you will be in a position to now break even. Most times, farmers go into planting without carrying proper risks and profitability plan. Some farmers are civil servants.

After close of work, they move into their farms. They deploy their vehicles which they use to work to transport produces from the farms and help in other runs. They don’t factor the use of their vehicles and how it well deploy for farm it can pay than using it for movement to the office.

Most times, they realise later that using it for farm work does more damage and generate losses at the end of the day. Farm work has help to destroy the cars of some civil servants because the returns from the farms are not good enough to maintain the vehicle. You find out that the yields are not good enough to pay for the damage done to the car. To that extent that is bad business. If you are going into any business, you must look at the economies of such ventures before you go into it. The same time is applicable to farming. I tell you, there are many areas in agriculture that

‘There are significant risks associated with the genetic engineering process. The influx of foreign genes into common food plants opens the door for new, unexpected allergies, which may produce allergic reactions.

Also, it is very important we emphasise caution in the application of GMOs’

you can go into and make profit if done properly.

Why is the impact of organic farming still small?

A lot of Nigerians are not aware and educated on the benefits of organic products. Public awareness of what organic agriculture means and consumer demand for organic produce is very low. Nigerian is lagging behind in the development of organic agriculture.

Researchers and consultants spend time with local farmers and community-based organisations.

Have you been able to achieve much in the bid to educate people more on the benefits of organic farming?

We are in touch with farmers. We have a network – The Nigerian Organic Agriculture network. We have a project running, which is to trained farmers and get them aware of the potential of organic agriculture. We have registered 2,000 farmers as part of the network and this is continous. Very soon we are going to organise a national training that will involve about 10,000 farmers. By the time we do this, we expect a tremendous multiplier effect nationwide. We will get more farmers to appreciate and apply organic farming principles. We are going to train them to a level that whatever they produce, there will be a ready market for them abroad. Our farmers will be taught to grow certified organic crops by meeting international standards. All crops that are to be sold as organic must be certified.

What do you think can improve the competiveness of agro businesses in Nigeria?

One is that our farmers must begin to see their activities as business ventures. Our farmers still see farming as a way of life and not as a business. We must make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute and prepare our produces. There must be a paradigm shift for farmers to appreciate the fact that farming can make them rich.

What are your proposals for change in the sector?

The government has to provide the enabling environment for the farmers to carry out their activities and make profit. Here, I am talking about improving infrastructure such as roads, electricity and all. I need what I went through as a young man trying to dry cocoa in the farm. Those days, we used the sun. With technology we can use conventional driers to use remove water from the cocoa to the moisture level that I want and take it to the market. It saves you so much stress compared to the old method. I had to sit in the sun with the cocoa as a young boy to get it dry because my school fees had to be paid. You can remove all these sufferings from agriculture. The age of farmers is at a level that they are becoming unproductive.

Therefore, there is need for new entrants-younger people to go into agricultural production. Be it conventional, organic, depending on where they think they can make money. Money answers all things.

The farmers need money to buy seeds tools, tractors and other things to enhance his work. They need money to buy machines, seeds etc.

“We want an agency that will ensure that money is available to the farmer at a single digit rate. So he will be able to repay the money and make profit. Crop production is a professional thing. But our farmers don’t realise this. You shouldn’t plant in an area without asking for soil test. Our farmers are not used to testing capacities of their soils before going in to plant. Fertilisers are just applied like that. We should begin to find out what our soil can carry. What measures to take to ameliorate damages to the soil? This takes us to the purview of soil management.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

47

CAPITAL MARKET NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-05-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 0.50 1

Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 14,000 7,000.00 14,000 7,000.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name ELLAH LAKES PLC FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 4.26 1 0.50 3 0.50 21 8.00 26

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMP PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 4 2.10 46 8.77 50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 6,206 25,134.30 1,000 500.00 42,703 21,351.50 386,785 3,091,449.84 436,694 3,138,435.64

AIR SERVICES Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 195,318 411,017.10 587,022 5,233,854.50 782,340 5,644,871.60

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 2 0.50 7 2.60 9

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 102 8.13 35 1.77 61 6.56 25 4.00 34 7.30 137 2.70 403 13.52 60 0.66 345 16.01 54 9.95 71 1.41 76 1.90 92 1.50 128 8.40 2 1.09 23 2.20 219 6.70 64 3.08 60 1.07 13 1.18 189 15.25 2,193

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 4.18 43 230.00 19 6.50 6 2.49 109 86.57 5 0.93 183

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,547 1,273.50 26,341 66,352.50 28,888 67,626.00

BANKING Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,620,797 13,130,481.42 1,082,954 1,953,280.14 552,487 3,624,426.52 353,402 1,413,732.07 440,894 3,211,612.14 8,727,350 22,737,064.67 4,255,801 57,681,435.05 3,393,593 2,259,620.26 5,090,390 81,793,143.47 656,656 6,505,309.30 27,568,105 38,557,590.91 2,691,554 5,165,634.04 7,146,600 10,465,295.00 4,199,721 35,128,665.18 1,183 1,230.32 1,243,712 2,742,561.46 5,634,378 37,791,506.71 711,147 2,125,047.31 6,933,220 7,040,106.10 489,208 571,416.14 18,333,650 280,319,601.68 101,126,802 614,218,759.89

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 3.12 17 1.43 18 INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS

Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 14 8.20 3 0.55 13 5.60 30 No of DealsQuotation(N) 4 0.50 22 0.66 26

Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC INTERL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COM PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 42 0.85 13 1.04 7 3.22 10 0.50 15 1.61 2 0.50 49 0.50 3 0.57 1 0.50 20 0.54 2 0.74 2 2.03 1 0.50 11 0.50 1 0.50 4 0.50 3 0.50 9 0.51 195

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 8 1.30 8

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 77 1.36 77

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 0.51 5 0.50 6

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 336,735 8,257,130.08 392,300 4,556,903.03 392,827 51,078,693.24 4,986,697 218,386,105.51 6,108,559 282,278,831.86

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 12 12.34 4 24.28 1 1.76 4 10.53 21

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 219,000 109,500.00 2,267,000 1,496,220.00 2,486,000 1,605,720.00

INSURANCE Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,605,990 5,720,061.46 1,532,000 1,595,760.00 385,750 1,200,782.50 1,040,000 520,000.00 1,313,753 2,146,062.45 60,389 30,194.50 10,951,959 5,475,979.50 608,000 346,480.00 3,000 1,500.00 16,391,239 8,526,571.68 16,806 11,932.26 3,148 6,138.60 45,000 22,500.00 2,513,339 1,256,669.50 8,000 4,000.00 7,200 3,600.00 184,000 92,000.00 175,909 89,740.50 41,845,482 27,049,972.95

LEASING Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200,842 252,328.50 200,842 252,328.50

MARITIME Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 20,000 83,600.00 125,435 28,785,357.89 149,602 971,547.92 59,512,703 148,186,630.47 406,982 34,626,476.71 28,218,050 26,242,786.50 88,432,772 238,896,399.49

BUILDING MATERIALS No of DealsQuotation(N) 54 25.20 32 11.75 29 130.00 61 43.70 176

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 14,186 111,064.44 41,250 21,862.50 120,630 652,156.64 176,066 785,083.58

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

BREWERIES

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,900 5,928.00 432,067 626,837.81 433,967 632,765.81

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 56,590 663,800.70 6,568 167,418.32 16 26.88 15,000 150,150.00 78,174 981,395.90

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,199,717 3,079,856.02 2,199,717 3,079,856.02

MEDIA Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 80,000 40,800.00 57,000 28,500.00 137,000 69,300.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 1.44 3 0.50 1 0.50 28 0.63 33

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200 274.00 200,000 100,000.00 200,000 100,000.00 2,929,035 1,842,692.05 3,329,235 2,042,966.05

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 14 0.50 14

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,249,296 2,624,648.00 5,249,296 2,624,648.00

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 4 0.50 3 2.83 1 5.78 8

Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 2.00 49 36.00 1 7.48 60 1.09 43 40.05 30 27.16 184

Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 1 5.22 8 52.11 9

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 550,200 275,100.00 112,500 320,645.00 100 550.00 662,800 596,295.00

PACKAGING Company Name No of DealsQuotation(N) NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMP PLC 42 2.70 Sector Totals 42

CONGLOMERATES

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 500 950.00 531,738 18,993,484.54 100 711.00 3,484,270 3,692,747.91 146,104 5,788,902.18 162,211 4,382,616.61 4,324,923 32,859,412.24

CONSTRUCTION Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 300 1,488.00 26,466 1,447,770.86 26,766 1,449,258.86

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 2 2.00 1 0.54 3

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 13,000 26,100.00 50,000 27,000.00 63,000 53,100.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 13 46.00 35 21.50 88 18.35 63 13.26 64 89.01 15 5.07 20 5.67 24 37.46 23 400.00 1 29.20 15 0.50 11 0.66 372

Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMAALS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 7 1.26 16 1.96 13 27.18 17 4.27 2 1.96 55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 288,174 755,931.04 288,174 755,931.04

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 119,203 5,493,936.30 358,519 7,695,579.73 1,788,216 32,837,256.95 1,935,818 25,730,487.43 466,409 41,668,398.70 216,180 1,067,982.00 535,052 2,986,450.23 370,992 13,570,389.12 54,733 21,791,278.38 50,000 1,460,000.00 1,451,428 726,834.53 811,538 548,021.94 8,158,088 155,576,615.31

Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 36 20.50 8 0.50 10 72.00 38 36.75 12 5.59 8 163.00 178 54.00 9 195.50 299

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 119,438 2,388,362.94 50,433,200 25,216,600.00 19,360 1,326,723.90 166,872 6,116,501.03 112,670 603,281.80 13,298 2,070,359.22 2,200,563 117,027,324.87 12,743 2,491,398.25 53,078,144 157,240,552.01

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 3 6.84 13 4.99 16

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 18 17.11 18

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,500 48,750.00 148,701 738,160.73 156,201 786,910.73

REAL ESTATE Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 134,208 2,359,140.23 134,208 2,359,140.23

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 2 0.69 2

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N) 3 0.65 3

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 85,000 58,250.00 85,000 58,250.00

TEXTILES

HEALTHCARE

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 17,342 11,265.10 17,342 11,265.10

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 77,417 96,378.79 1,094,100 2,189,943.19 123,419 3,220,104.00 164,590 703,129.30 16,377 30,624.99 1,475,903 6,240,180.27

Company Name No of DealsQuotation(N) ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 60 15.49 Sector Totals 60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 35,374,572 531,243,692.20 35,374,572 531,243,692.20

Overall Totals

356,910,955

4,137

2,072,606,564.28

48

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

CAPITAL MARKET

Okereke-Onyiuke: Stakeholders hail court judgment

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the capi tal market have hailed last Friday’s Federal High Court ruling nullifying the actions of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on the removal of the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke.

Justice Mohammed Idris had nullified the removal of the former DG and awarded the sum of N500 million to her as exemplary and aggravated damages.

But the SEC in a statement last Friday, by its Head Media, Mr Lanre Oloyi, said the commission is appealing against the court judgment.

While acknowledging that

By Tonia Osundolire

Okereke-Onyiuke may have had some issues with the Commission, the stakeholders alleged that due process was not followed in removing her from office.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Mr Mike Itegboje, said the court judgment was the first phase of many to come, stressing that it has intended consequences.

He, however, said that as a broker, what is of importance to him is the effect the court judgment would have on the market for both local and foreign investors.

Describing the scenario as a game played by the power blocs, he said

Investors exchange 2.316b shares

T

HE market was relatively quiet with activities skewed to the sales side.The All-share Index (ASI) cumulatively lost nine basis points. While the banking sub-sector went to the bears.

A turnover of 2.316 billion shares worth N13.68 billion in 26,227 deals was recorded last week, in contrast to a total of 1.62 billion shares valued at N13.81 billion exchanged in the previous week in 29,796 deals.

The banking subsector was the most active during the week (measured by turnover volume); with 878.74 million shares worth N7.16 billion exchanged by investors in 14,874 deals. Volume in the banking subsector was largely driven by activity in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. Trading in the shares of the four banks accounted for 386.46 million shares, representing 44 per cent and 16.7 per cent of the subsector’s turnover and total volume traded during the week respectively.

The mortgage subsector, boosted by activity in the shares of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc followed on the week’s activity chart with a subsector turnover of 629.68 million shares valued at N318.36 million in 212 deals. Trading on Aso Savings and Loans Plc accounted for 95.32 per cent

By Eshiet Uyoatta

of the mortgage subsector.

Last week, the banking subsector led on the activity chart and was followed by the conglomerates subsector.

Two of the four sectorial indices appreciated during the week compared with all four that appreciated during the preceding week. The NSE Insurance Index rose by 0.94 points or 0.55 per cent to close at 172.54, the NSE Oil/Gas Index went up by 3.82 points or 1.16 per cent to close at 332.97 while the NSE Food & Beverage Index depreciated by 12.45 points or 1.46 per cent to close at 846.30. The NSE Banking Index depreciated by 9.71 points or 2.39 per cent to close at 399.22.

Twenty-eight stocks appreciated in price during the week, lower than the 45 of the preceding week. Guinness Nigeria Plc led on the gainers’ table with a gain of N25 or (12.2 per cent) to close at N230 per share while Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of N11.00 or (7.24 per cent) to close at N163 per share.

Fifty-four stocks depreciated in price during the week, higher than the 43 of the preceding week. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc led on the price losers’ table, dropping by N1.74 or (11.6 percent) to close at N13.26 per share while Ashaka Cement Plc trailed with a loss of N1.60 or(5.97 per cent) to close at N25.20 per share.

it will either erode or enhance the market.

His words: “It is good to laugh because the judgment has intended consequences. It will either erode the market or enhance it. It depends on how it affects the market because if it is positively, then we are lucky but if it is negative, then we are in trouble. Also, we have to look at the long or short term effects, how the foreign investors will see us.”

Besides, he said brokers are neutral on the matter because “we want a platform to trade and make money for ourselves and our clients.”

Commenting on SEC’s move to appeal the judgment, he said: “Remember, there are more cases in court, we will all wait and see how it unfolds. SEC’s move to appeal is an angle and there are many angles to it. I see it as a game unfolding.”

A cross section of brokers who were on the floor of the NSE last

C

By Eshiet Uyoatta

increase of 84 per cent over 2009, while Profit After Taxation of N863 million was recorded, showing a growth of 153 per cent over the previous year.

He explained that the Back Duty assessment of N179 million provided for in the accounts of 2009 was satisfactorily resolved in December 2010 with N81 million written back to the profit of the company.

Ettah stressed that the company would continue to offer high quality products and services to discerning consumers.

He noted: “We expanded our operations by opening three additional Dulux Colour Centres in Lekki, Port Harcourt and Kaduna. “ We also introduced the Dulux mobile centre, the first of its kind in Africa, to bring colour to the dooesteps of the consumers.”

On the future of the company, Ettah said: “We will continue to grow the business through innovation and excellent customer service delivery. We shall leverage on the strength of our technical partners in colour mastery and offer differentiated colour solutions to our customers. “ The business shall lead the drive in ensuring sustainability of its products and the environment,” the chairman stated.

in that respect, because when you have power, it is not enough until you apply due process. Anyone who fails to follow due process will repeat the procedure. It is similar to the case of Bernard Longe’s of First Bank, whose case can be described as failure of authority.”

He described the judgment as an embarrassment to SEC and the nation as a whole. He said SEC has failed to follow due process and needs to be careful since a court ruling can do and undo.

On the ruling of the action taken (removal of the former DG) on August 5, 2010, the court had described it as “reckless and hasty.”

It said the actions of the capital market regulator was “irrational” and devoid of “fair hearing.”

In August last year, the SEC had appointed Emmanel Ikhazoboh as the Interim Head of the NSE. After eight months in office, a new Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Onyema was recruited to run the Exchange.

He resumed office on April 4, 2010.

•From left: Head, Development Finance, Oceanic Bank, Felix Oyakhamon; representative of Tractors Owners Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Y.A. Olagoke and a representative of TAK Tractors, Sudhir Kumarat, at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) in Lagos last week.

Lafarge WAPCO to issue bonds

CAP Plc rewards shareholders AP Plc has recorded what shareholders of the company termed, “an impressive result ” in the 2010 business year.

The management also rewarded the shareholders with 300 kobo dividend payment, as well as bonus issues. As a result, shareholders lauded the company’s management over its sterling performance.

In his address at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Golden Tulip Festac, Lagos, the Chairman, Larry Ettah, said: ‘’In view of the good performance, I am delighted to inform you that the Board of Directors has recommended the payment of a final dividend of 200 kobo for your approval. ‘’This is in addition to the interim dividend of 100 kobo paid on November 22, 2010. This brings the total dividend for 2010 financial year to 300 kobo.”

He said the Board has also recommended a bonus issue of one new ordinary share for every ordinary share held.

Ettah stated that despite the challenges of 2010, CAP Plc performed quite well, as turnover rose by 20 per cent to N3.64 billion as against the N3.03 billion recorded in the previous year.

He said Profit Before Taxation was N1.14 billion, reprsenting an

Friday when the news broke, said: “In the face of the law, it indicates that all through last year and up till now, Okereke-Onyiuke is still the DG of the Exchange. She has never been removed. It means she can come back and resume work.

Anybody in that position other than her for now, will be taking a risk.

We expect her to resume on Monday (today) as DG.” Almost similar view was echoed

by National Coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, who said he was celebrating the court verdict.

Speaking with The Nation on phone last Friday, he said the judgment was a further step on the importance of due process.

He said shareholders have always been clamouring for due process for companies they have shares in and also wish the regulators toe that line without being consumed with the power in their hands.

“We have always been saying due process. There is more to come

L

AFARGE WAPCO Plc has concluded arrangement to issue bonds to refinance its loan.

Chairman of the company, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, who disclosed this with shareholders last Friday at the company’s 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), said the funds are being raised through bonds due to the interest charged by banks.

He said the •225 million (N45.27 billion) syndicated multi-currency medium-term loans arranged to fund the expansion, has been fully drawn and repayment scheduled to commence in the last quarter of 2011 by which time it is expected that the new plant would have been fully commissioned.

Commenting on the expansion project, he said that the 2.2 million metric tonnes Lakatabu capacity expansion project at Ewekoro is progressing well with the completion leaving the company with total cement production capacity at 4.4 million metric tonnes per annum.

Meanwhile, the shareholders have also approved that their company veer into the business of energy production, distribution and trading among others.

The Directors of the cement-production giant, Lafarge WAPCO in a resolution also sought the permission of the shareholders to engage in the business of power generation,

•Shareholders okay energy business

By Tonia Osundolire

distribution, trading, energy or power rentals, as well as the managers of electric power works.

Osunkeye said WAPCO is considering the power business to be able to provide for their own use and sell or export any excess to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (if they are interested) or neighbouring countries, which in turn will yield profit for the organisation.

He added that the modality is in process.

“We record heavy capitalisation to power our plants. We have had to restore a 90 mega watt generating plants for electricity in other to be able to produce continuously 24 hours in a week.

In other countries they do not even have to have generators for power plants, the national grid will supply all their needs. But in order to survive in Nigeria, you have to have generators. We are not transmitting to any person, it for our own use, it is like necessity.”

He added that there will be enough capacity and some excess in some years to come for export. “Currently, the company will be using about 70 per cent of what is put on ground.

We are thinking of either selling

the excess to neighbouring countries or into the national grid for PHCN to take and pay us. The modalities are still being worked out,” he said.

He however, assured shareholders of sustainable growth and continuous sustainability of the company.

“The company’s commitment to innovation and customer care; ongoing Lakatabu capacity expansion project; several performance improvement activities; commitments to the value of health and safety and Corporate Governance, will continue to make the company an investor’s choice,” he said.

However, the company recorded a net profit after taxation of N4.88 billion, which means that excluding the exceptional income in respect of insurance claims recorded for 2009, net profit after taxation remained flat despite a marginal reduction in turnover.

The company’s turnover in 2010 dropped by 3.8 per cent compared to 2009 as a result of the prolonged wet rainy season, rise in inflation rate from 9.8 per cent in 2009 to 11.8 per cent in 2010, significant increase in prices of petroleum products and its knock-on effects on transport, energy and cost of service.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

49

CAPITAL MARKET Banking sector claims 66% of market activities

B

ANKING stocks dominated activities at the exchange last

week.

The total volume of shares that changed hands in the sector stood at 650 million units valued at N5.78 billion in 9952 deals. All in all the sector controlled 66.26 percent of the total activities recorded at the Exchange last week.

Last week, investors staked N8.73 billion on shares as against N6.84 billion a fortnight ago; this means that, more was invested last week at the Exchange compared with the amount invested a fortnight ago.

The Insurance sub-sector followed with 57.63 million units worth N 43.56 million in 527 deals.

On average, the Insurance subsector accounted for approximately 5.86 per cent of the total activity and 0.49 per cent of the total fund invested at the Exchange during the week under review.

Last week, shares of Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc were the toast of investors as they were actively traded in terms of volume and total investment.

But unlike the penultimate week when investors parted with N6.86 billion on 810 million shares, they spent N8.73 billion on 980 million shares last week.

In terms of transactional volume, the Conglomerate sub-sector’s performance represented an improvement of about 4.83 per cent last week.

The total weekly value of stocks in this sub-sector stood at N 0.42 billion.

Capitalisation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped to N8.21 trillion last week, down from N8.24 trillion a fortnight ago.

The All Share Index also decreased from 25,813.71 to 25,717.73, representing 0.37 per cent depreciation on weekly assessment.

The braIndex® rose by 0.17 per cent compared with the previous week while the NSE All-Share Index inclined significantly by 1.90 per cent on the Index points.

The returns of both benchmarks were less than two index points and attributable to the introduction of uncertainties surrounding business activities that have resulted in high investment risk within the environs of the Exchange.

On a year-to-date basis, both benchmarks - the NSE All-Share Index and the braIndex® - showed gains of 2.61 per cent and 3.27 per cent.

Stock Market Sectoral Performance Investors in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc exchanged 91.36 million units in 1071 deals worth N1.41 billion. The average number of deals remained well over 214 deals per day during the week.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc was second with 89.32 million shares worth N1.22 billion.

In the Insurance sub-sector, N.E.M Insurance Co. (Nig) Plc led with 14.27 million shares worth N7.61 million. The sectoral volume amounted to almost 43.56 million units and constituted over 32.75 per cent of the sector’s trading volume.

Companies Appraisal The most active company in the Banking sub-sector was Zenith Bank Plc with 91.36 million shares worth N1.41 billion in 1071 deals, followed by the First Bank of Nigeria Plc with units of shares amounting to 89.32 million. The company closed the week at N1.22 billion in 2085 deals.

Among the most active companies in the Insurance sub-sector

Table 1: A Five-Day Moving Average Data of the Market Indices Change(%) Weekly Average Weekly Depth

Market Capitalisation (%) 0.25

All-Share Index(%) 0.24

Year To Date (YTD)

2.60

2.61

3.27

Month To Date (MTD)

1.21

1.23

1.78

Week To Date(WTD) Values

(0.36) All-Share Index

(0.37)

0.17

25,717.73

17.16

Market Cap(trillion Naira)

braIndex®

8.21

As of closing on May 19, 2011

Average 0.69

Source: NSE & bra Limited Table 2: Stock Market Summary Statistics for the week ending May 19, 2011.

Period Market Capitalization (Trillion) #12/05/2011 8.22 13/05/2011 8.24 16/05/2011 8.25 17/05/2011 8.25 18/05/2011 8.23 19/05/2011 8.21 Source: NSE & Bra Limited

All-Share Index (Base Points) 25,736.37 25,813.71 25,826.50 25,821.85 25,788.06 25,717.73

braIndex® (Base Points) 17.43 17.22 17.23 17.31 17.14 17.16

Table 3: Statistics on Weekly Sectoral Contribution Sectors Banking Conglomerates Telecommunication Food Beverages and Tobacco Insurance Source: bra Limited

% of Total Trading Net Worth 66.26% 4.83% 0.25% 5.53% 0.49%

Trading Net Worth(in Naira Millions ) 5,789.77 422.46 21.90 483.92 43.56

Figure 1a: The All Share Index and braIndex® Performance at a Glance

Source: BRA Computation

Source: BRA Computation

were NEM Insurance Co. (Nig.) Plc, Continental Re-Insurance Plc, Aiico Insurance Plc, Law and Rock Union Insurance Plc and Goldlink Insurance Plc. In the Conglomerate industry, apart from Transnational Corporation Plc, PZ Cussons Plc was very

active in terms of trading. The total companies’ worth stood at N225.77 million.

The Telecommunications industry was also active in terms of the market value of trading activity.

Chams Plc, Starcomms Plc, Daarcomm Plc, Multiverse Nigeria

Plc and MTI Plc were some of the most active stocks in the sub-sector.

Last week, shareholders of Diamond Bank Plc, Ashaka Cement Company Plc, West African Portland Cement (WAPCO) Plc and Cement Company of Northern

Nigeria Plc saw the value of their investments earning profit by almost five per cent while investors in the UAC of Nigeria Plc, Dangote Cement Company Plc and Unilever Nigeria Plc made less than five per cent loss on a daily basis.

50

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

CAPITAL MARKET Bond and Money Market Review

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RADING at the bond market moderately rose by 0.56 per cent from N1.76 trillion a fortnight ago to N1.77 trillion last week.

The index at the market was bullish, starting the week at 1,454.93 points, rising by 636 basis points as against 1,033 basis points a fortnight ago, before ending the week at 1,461.29 points.

The average index stood at 1,455.26 points compared with 1,434.77 points the previous week.

The 30-day, 60-day and 90-day indices jumped by 6 bps, 21 bps and 25 bps to 11.66 per cent, 12.33 per cent and 12.83 per cent respectively.

Among the 15 traded bonds, almost all their prices appreciated while those of two remained unchanged.

The top price gainer was the 5year bond, 4.40 per cent FGN April 2015, which appreciated by 122 basis points to close at 75.00. The lowest was the three-year bond, 10.50 per cent FGN May 2012, which slightly rose by 7 basis points to end the week at 98.79.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was only able to sell foreign exchange worth $499.89 million to authorised dealers at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) window as against the $300 million a fortnight ago.

The dealers had demanded $499.89 million before the auction while the actual amount offered stood at $500 million.

Investors in treasury bills also parted with N126.73 billion on three different financial instruments maturing between three and 12 months.

The bonds comprised the N30 billion (91-day), N46.7 billion (182day) and N50 billion (364-day) tenors at the stop rate of 9.40 per cent, 10.40 per cent and 10.99 per cent respectively.

The public subscriptions were N58.017 billion, N74.017 billion and N178.773 billion for the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day coupons.

The over-the-counter bond market notched up by 2.59 per cent last week, yielding N160.43 billion with a turnover of 197.8 million units in 1,301 deals. The amount compared favourably with the N157.84 billion invested on 192.8 million units in 1,296 deals a fortnight ago.

The activity was boosted by the 20-year bond, due in July 2030 with 10.0 per cent coupon rate.

It traded 41.95 million units valued at N31.30 billion in 316 deals.

This was followed by the three-year bond, 5.5 per cent FGN Feb 2013, which traded 33.55 million units valued at N30.04 billion in 281 deals.

Sixteen of the available 34 FGN bonds were traded during the week, compared with 12 the previous week.

The margin bid of the WDAS started the week at N153.38/USD, appreciated by 33 kobo, before closing at N153.05/USD while the central rate stood at N153.25/USD in lieu of N153.71/USD recorded a fortnight ago. The highest successful rate was N153.25/USD as against N153.71/USD the previous week.

At the interbank and parallel segments of the market, the rates also appreciated by 32kobo and 120kobo to close at N153.68/USD and N154.26/USD respectively.

The short-term Nigerian Interbank Treasury Bills True Fixing Yield (NITTY) decreased in May to 11.67 per cent on the 30day bill to as high as 12.83 per cent on the 90-day NTB. This represented a decrease from the previous month’s values of 11.81 per cent and 12.88 per cent respectively. Figure three plots the NITT Yield curve for the last three months.

Capitalisation hits N1.77tr Table 4: Key Statistics of Market’s Stock Performance as at May 12, 2011 S/N

Company Name

Share Price Gain (‘N)

% of Shares’ Gain by Investors

TOP FIVE GAINERS BY PRICE 01

Dangote Cement Plc

127.32

4.76%

02

Mobil Plc

152.00

2.50%

03

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc

88.00

1.14%

04

PZ Cussons Plc

34.50

4.49%

05

CAP Plc

22.03

4.72%

UAC of Nigeria Plc

40.01

-3.75%

02

Cadbury Nigeria Plc

21.60

-1.85%

03

UAC Prop Plc

17.00

-2.91%

04

First Bank of Nigeria Plc

13.51

-3.63%

05

Presco Plc

7.35

-5.00%

TOP FIVE LOSERS BY PRICE 01

Source: NSE and bra Limited Indicator Turnover Value Deals FGN Bond Index Market Capitalization Index Weekly Returns (%) Index Year-to-Date Returns (%) 1-Month Returns (%) 3-Month Returns (%) 12-Month Returns (%)

CurrentWeek 197.8 million N160.43 billion 1,301 1,461.29 N1.77 trillion 1.75 5.24 0.59 5.25 18.42

PreviousWeek 192.8 million N157.84 billion 1,296 1,454.45 N1.76 trillion 1.68 5.21 0.52 5.22 18.40

% Change 2.59 1.64 0.47 0.56 4.16 0.36 13.46 0.57 0.10

Source: BRA Figure 2. FGN Bond Index (Year-to-Date)

Source: FMDA Primary Market Auction

Figure 25: Nigerian Interbank T-bill True Fixing Yields

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

51

LABOUR

Women demand 40% representation in union leadership

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HE women’s wing of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is set to occupy 40 per cent of the leadership positions in their union at the next election.

In a bid to achieve this, the leadership of the women’s wing are grooming their members (the women) to ensure that the association complies with the international benchmark of women filling 35 per cent of elective and appointed leadership roles.

The women made their position on the affirmative action known at their second national conference, christened “Building women for leadership positions” held at Ilorin, Kwara State.

They, however, have the support of their male counterparts.

SSANU President, Comrade Promise Kanayo Adewusi, said the women’s wing was formed because their voice must be heard.

Adewusi also recalled that when SSANU started the women’s wing four years ago, it had no constitutional backing, but today, it is fully backed by the association’s constitution.

On women seeking election to leadership positions, he said they should help themselves by trusting each other.

“Women cannot expect to be taken there when they themselves will not support themselves. He

Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

cited Sarah Jubril, who had only one vote in the presidential primaries as an example of women not supporting themselves.

“Look at Sarah Jubril. She was the only one, who voted for herself.

What happened to the women, why didn’t they vote for her. In 2007, she had seven votes, in 2011, she had one vote. In a population where women constitute 45 per cent, you have an impact you can make, but you have to convince yourselves, and resolve to make it,” he said.

He urged the women to be ambitious and push themselves forward.

He suggested a forum for inward acceptance and also backward integration, saying the women must realise that some societal norms are binding them.

“There are those things in the society that are technically directed against women. You don’t need to fight with a gun but when you have resolute resolve, you will be able to challenge some of these iniquities and you would be able to overcome,” he said.

Adewusi also warned them against disparaging one another.

He urged them to unite because men always see them as problem solvers.

“There should be no avenue for disparaging one another. You must come together. When we men begin to quarrel, we look up to you to

settle the quarrel. Therefore, you cannot afford to quarrel. Whatever modest achievement SSANU has made today, women are directly behind it. But by this time in five years, I want women to be in front of it, no longer behind it,”he said.

Chairman of the event, former President-General of Trade Union Congress, Dr Peace Obiajulu, said SSANU women should prepare to get 40 per cent representation in the association’s next regime.

She said :”SSANU men will give us 40 per cent representation in the forth coming election. Our women have good leadership qualities.”

Mrs Obiajulu said the women should convince themselves that they are capable for work, and should go for what they want because nothing good comes on a platter of gold.

The Director General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, (MINILS), Dr John Olanrewaju, praised Mrs Obiajulu for registering the labour centre.

He recalled that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, which remained an illegal body for years, as men’s efforts to register it proved abortive.

He said Obiajulu registered the TUC during her tenure as President General of the Labour centre. He, therefore, commended her for succeeding in the registration, a feat that could not be achieved by her male counterparts.

Olanrewaju noted that SSANU has always believed in capacity building, so when it comes to building

Pass Varsities’ Retirement Bill, workers urge Senate

U

• Adewusi

women for leadership positions, it is part of the tradition for which SSANU has been noted. He said the only way to prepare people for leadership, make them relevant and responsive, is to ensure they have the necessary knowledge, skill and experience.

Talking about the affirmative action, he recalled that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) called for an inclusive leadership where no section is left out within the economy.

Stakeholders seek improved condition of service for journalists • NUJ, RATTAWU pushing for 300% salary increase

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the media industry have appealed to proprietors to improve journalists’ condition of service.

The call was made in Lagos at a media round table on “The working and welfare situation of journalists in Nigeria.”

President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mallam Mohammed Garba, said journalists deserve new salary package. To ensure the independence , objectivity, impartiality and transparency, he said journalists should be placed on salaries, allowances and general conditions of service, not less than 20 per cent of federal, states and private companies, as the case may be.

NUJ, in conjunction with the Radio and Theatre Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), are agitating for a 300 per cent increase in the basic salaries of all categories of media workers.

They are also clamouring for introduction of allowances, which include: Hazard Allowances (40 percent of basic salary), Wardrobe/ Laundry Allowance (30 per cent of basic salary) for GL 07 and above) and several others, in addition to existing ones, which have been reviewed upwards.

Garba said such salaries and emoluments should be negotiated collectively and as necessary between the NUJ, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other relevant stakeholders.

Already, President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed the submission made to him by the former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Garba appealed to private media owners to also buy into the new scheme even without prompting because well remuner-

NIVERSITY workers have appealed to the outgoing Senate to pass the Universities Retirement Bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives.

The workers, under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Universities, threatened to go on strike if the sixth Senate refuse to pass it before it closes.

In a text message sent to The Nation, president of the union, Promise Adewusi, argued that non-passage of the bill would mean a repudiation and breach of the agreement signed by the Federal Government and SSANU in 2001.

Adewusi, who doubles as NLC Deputy President, said the union shall, therefore, be at liberty to resume its suspended national strike without recourse to notice.

To prevent this, he said Nigerians should prevail on the government to honour the agreement because it will be regrettable for the government to be cited as one that does not respect agreements.

The text message reads: “It will be most unfortunate for this sixth Senate to close without concurring with the Universities’ Retirement Bill already passed by the House of Reps.

As far as SSANU is concerned, we shall interpret it to mean a repudiation and breach of 2001FGN/SSANU agreement.

And we shall be at liberty to resume our suspended national strike without recourse to notice.

“It will further definitely not be enough for the executive to claim that they sent the bill to the National Assembly. The agreement is between the Federal Government and SSANU and the Federal Government encompasses the Senate, therefore the non passage of the bill by the Senate is a conclusive breach by the Federal Government.

“The Senate still has time enough to do the needful on the bill instead of wasting precious time over the self serving scheming of who emerges Senate President of the seventh Senate.”

• Garba launching the journalists insurance scheme in Lagos.

ated workers are highly productive workers.

He also recalled that the NUJ has been agitating for salaries enhancement for journalists in the last five years.

In 2006, Garba said concerted efforts by the NUJ, in collaboration with the African Regional Office of the International Federation of Journalists, towards providing an acceptable condition of service for journalists in the country held a workshop in Abuja.

And that the workshop through West African Journalists Association (WAJA), Media Employers Organisations, the Economic Community of West African States Commission and the Francophone Intergovernmental Agency noted that highly skilled personnel shun employment in the media industry due to low pay and poor welfare conditions.

The committee set up by the workshop also observed that long hours of work, tight time lines and

electromagnetic radiation emitted from the equipment being used combine to create an unhealthy work environment, filled with stress induced ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, ulcer among others.

They also noted that journalists are exposed to accidents and injuries from high voltage equipment while maltreatment of producers and journalists in the hands of overzealous security agents, political thugs and disgruntled elements in the society are regular occurrences .

Minister of Information and Communications, Mallam Labaran Maku, said attacks and violence against journalists is unacceptable and the media and other stakeholders should rise against it, because if the press is cowed or silenced, the society will be exposed to greater danger.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Director, International Press Centre (IPC), said the press is saddled

with the constitutional responsibility of monitoring governance and holding the government accountable to the people, therefore there is a great burden of expectation on the Nigerian media.

He said the IPC , towards ensuring an easier discharge of journalism duties, is always organising capacity building programmes for journalists with the overall thrust of ensuring that there is a new direction for governance and political reporting that accords highest priority to development issues.

Osita Nweke, Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) while reviewing the current situation of public and private broadcast stations, said the conditions of service varies among the tiers of broadcasting.

He noted that those working in privately owned stations are always affected by the market forces.

He, however, said the unified conditions of service of working journalists is realistic.

• Wogu

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

52

LABOUR Ogun NUJ dissolves SWAN executives

T

HE Ogun council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has dissolved the executive committee of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Mr Wole Sokunbi, the NUJ state secretary, said in a statement in Abeokuta on Wednesday that the decision was taken during an executive meeting of the state council.

SWAN is one of NUJ’s affiliates.

He said the committee was dissolved because of its failure to conduct a general election after the expiration of its tenure nine months ago. ”The failure of the SWAN executive council to conduct the election violates the NUJ Constitution and the SWAN Constitution,” he said.

The secretary said the NUJ had constituted a three-man caretaker/screening committee to take over the administration of the association.

Sokunbi said that the committee was also saddled with the responsibility of conducting a free and fair election to usher in a new executive council to direct the affairs of SWAN in the state for the next three years.

He named the chairman of the committee as Mr Moshood Adebayo of the Sun Newspaper while Messrs Waheed Ogunjobi and Anthony Gandonu of Gateway Radio, Abeokuta, and NTA 12, Abeokuta, respectively are members.

Military Pensions Board clears air on pensions arrears

R

EAR Admiral Bala Mshelia, the Chairman of the Military Pensions Board (MPB), has said all military pensioners had been paid their increment arrears since June 2010.

Mshelia was reacting to claims credited to a pensioners’ pressure group in Oyo State that pensioners in the state were yet to be paid.

The Military Pensioners Pressure Group of Nigeria had earlier protested the alleged non-payment of pension arrears, and their action led to disruption of socio-commercial activities in some parts of Ibadan.

The group had among other demands requested the immediate payment of 12.5 per cent arrears as well as the implementation of the Federal Government’s monetisation policy.

Mshelia said records from the Oyo State office of the Nigerian Legion and the body of pensioners in the state revealed that the pressure group was non-existent.

“The group, Military Pensioners Pressure Group of Nigeria, is a non-existent body which is not known to either the Military Pensions Board or the Oyo State chapter of military pensioners.

“The officials of Oyo State chapter of military pensioners, a body recognised by the MPB to coordinate the activities of pensioners in Oyo State, are not aware of the association,’’ he said.

He, however, advised pensioners who had genuine evidence that their entitlements were not paid to approach the Board for verification and prompt action.

The MPB boss also advised all persons or groups who had problems with their pensions to approach the Board for clarification rather than resort to disturbing public peace.

Job seekers shift to unbundled PHCN firms The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN’s) unbundled companies are the toast of job seekers, who now look up to the new 18 companies for succour. DUPE OLAOYEOSINKOLU reports.

W

ITH the latest steps taken by the Federal Government towards privatising the unbundled PHCN companies, job seekers are beaming their search light on the electricity industry.

The PHCN workers, who are negotiating their severance benefit from the Federal Government, are already bracing up for new jobs in the 18 new companies emerging from the privatisation deal.

The companies include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc. Others are Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc; Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc. Besides the distribution companies, job seekers are also eyeing the Thermal Power Generating Companies. They include: Ughelli Power Plc situated in Delta State, with a total installed capacity of 972 MW, 414 MW capacity Geregu Power Plc in Kogi State, Afam Power Plc comprising Afam IV power stations located in Rivers State, with an installed capacity of 776 MW; and Sapele Power Plc located in Sapele, Delta State, which has an installed capacity of 1020 MW. Hydro Power Generating Companies are also receiving applications from jobs seekers.

Kainji Power Plc comprising Kainji Power Plants and Jebba Power Plants is among the likely jobs providers. It is located in Niger and Kwara states, while Shiroro Power Plc at the Shiroro Gorge, Niger State is expected to also fill some jobs vacancies.

Sources told The Nation that engineers, administrative and accounts officers, and skilled technicians have been lobbying officials of the Ministry of Power since they learnt that the firms are set to take off.

Government also provide the opportunity for training in anticipation of the competition and the related need for skilled manpower and expectations of higher levels of performance, which the reform will expectedly bring to the sector. It created the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN). The institution is expected to train existing and new entrants in the sector so as to position them for the new but more demanding opportunities, greater investment that is expected to follow the privatiisation.

Chairman, Communications Committee, Presidential Task Force on Power, Dr

• A transmission facility.

Abimbola Agboluaje, said PHCN workers are already moving out of the company’s headquarters to the Ministry of Power and the successor companies. He said functions have already been transferred to individual successor companies.

Majority of the rested PHCN workers are sure to find succour in the new companies, according to Agboluaje. Those who are skilled will secure better jobs, just like the case of skilled NITEL workers. They were absorbed by new telecommunication companies.

“The eventual winding-up will be a legal or court-ordered formality, occurring when ongoing staff movements and transfer of assets and liabilities are concluded...”

He said the goal of the power sector reform is to transform the sector from one that absorbs government funds every year without any improvement in service delivery, to one that supplies electric power to Nigerians whenever they want to use it and also be a source of revenue that the government can spend on social services.

Agboluaje believes the Presidential Task Force on Power will replicate the success Nigeria recorded with the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, in the power sector.

He admitted that there is continued pressure, not only from the government but also from manufacturers, the media, civil society groups and others on the Presidential Task Force on Power to deliver tangible results on power reform to Nigerians.

Agboluaje said the implementation of re-

form will continue and by the end of the second quarter, an appreciable proportion of generating and distribution capacity would have been transferred to private sector hands, new private generating capacity would have been fully contracted, while, the transmission grid would be privately managed and a reinvigorated regulator would be actively ensuring longterm sustainability of a private sector-led Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

He recalled how the Task Force organised a retreat for Nigerian and International investors in Power.

Companies were invited to submit “Expressions of Interest” in taking up 51 per cent stake (or in the concession) of the six generation and 11 distribution PHCN successor companies.

Agboluaje said a transaction adviser, CPSC Transcom, appointed in December 2010, is to assist the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in undertaking the divestiture transactions.

He said the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) was incorporated in July 2010 to address the concern of investors in the generation sector about the credit worthiness of the distribution companies.

Besides, he said the NBET is expected to purchase electricity on behalf of the distribution companies until they establish a track record of paying for the power they deliver to consumers by efficiently metering electricity consumers and collecting bills.

ASSBIFI marks World Day for Decent Work

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HE Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has marked its annual World Day for Decent Work. It was held last Thursday.

The association decried incessant factory closures, and government’s inability to “create a stable and equitable economy.”

The president, Comrade Sunday Olusoji Salako, said that “economic crisis has worsened in real sector of the economy.”

He recalled that in earlier lectures organised by ASSBIFI, it had warned that the global economic meltdown and financial crisis had battered world economic activities. He wants Nigeria to work out modalities for cushioning the effects.

He, however, wondered why the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some chief executive officers kept assuring that “the fundamentals of our economy, banks and other financial industries are strong.

“Today, we are all living witnesses to the challenges being confronted by our ailing economy, closedown and collapse of industries, extreme below productivity and illiquidity problem leading to virtual absence of access to credit facility.

“Decent Pay Agenda remains very intact, even though we are challenged by the fusion of the employer and government in Nigeria.

Whenever you report the employer to government, you are actually reporting evil to

evil. We must be united more than ever before to separate government from business ownership, especially in the private sector.

Until this is achieved, our project for a decent work agenda will be a mirage.

The President, Women Arise and Campaign for Democracy, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, said there cannot be economic growth without industrial development, which is the servicebased economy in any country.

“Even Switzerland, on its own, leads in the precision industry of all kinds. And this is where labour will need to play a vital role to stop the unbridled sale of what took longer than 50 years to establish to some few commission agents of the leaders of the last administration.”

Mrs Odumakin noted that improper planning had been the bane of economic problems. And that none of those gunning for power at the centre has offered any plan on how to revamp the economy the way the late Chief Awolowo would have done.

“When one talks to people like Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Aremo Segun Osoba and a few others, one finds people with original ideas and who are committed to improving locally.

They will even put their planning within some frame and build in contingencies. If there had been good planning, the ordinary Nigerian would not have known fuel scarcity because there would be efficient train services, standard bus systems and ferry boats in some cases at their disposal.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

53

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

54

MOTORING OAD accidents have been pointed as one of the greatest health challenges.

The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu said this at the launch of the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety with the theme: Committed to the Decade of Action on Road Safety 20111-2020.

Chukwu said about 1.3 million persons are killed and up to 50 million persons are injured on roads every year.

He lamented that the figures are alarming and worrisome.

Decade of Action, he vowed, would be a collective effort.

Chukwu urged the FRSC to curb shoddy deals and indiscriminate issuance of driver licensces to those not qualified for driving.

He canvassed compulsory medical examination for every prospective driver.

Drivers, Chukwu said, should always put on their seat belts and observe traffic signs.

He regretted that Nigerian drivers have graduated from indiscipline to impunity and called on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to enforce its laws to ensure strict compliance.

Vice President Namadi Sambo who chaired the event, said road traffic crashes have become one of the major global health concerns which every nation must work to prevent.

Represented by the Min-

R

50 million injured in road accidents annually

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

ister of works, Senator Sanusi Daggash, Sambo stressed that Nigeria as a responsible member of civilised nations would not fold its arms to witness systemic destruction of its human and economic resources through avoidable

Earlier in his address, the Corps Marshal, Mr Osita Chidoka, said most road crashes in Nigeria are attributed to lack of adequate transport system and recklessness by drivers.

Chidoka identified poorly maintained roads for many road crashes and

flagrant violation of road signs by motorists.

Other causes of road crashes, he enumerated include indiscriminate parking, obstruction, under-age driving and drunk driving.

He also decried the activities of convoys, bullion van operators which need to be examined because

they pose danger to other road users stressing that most of the time they violate traffic rules. He suggested that seminars should be organised to keep them abreast with day-to-day traffic rules.

Chidoka suggested some measures to reduce road crashes in the country to in-

clude coalition of multisectoral agency stakeholder approach, provision of ambulance and help areas within 75 kilometres of every highway, mandatory training of fresh drivers for drivers licensces, improved vehicle inspection regime and improved enlightenment on road safety measures.

Autoreg expands coverage to 14 states

A

UTOREG, a franchise under Courteville Investment Plc, is now in 14 states namely: Lagos, Anambra, Oyo, Delta, Enugu, Abia, River, Niger, Sokoto, Borno, Bauchi, Kebbi, Cross River, Ebonyi.

The firm is a business solution company designed specifically for registration of vehicle documentation and administration in Nigeria.

Disclosing this in Lagos, Executive Director, Mr Wale Sonaike said: “Before we

came on board, vehicles were registered manually across the federation which gave rise to stealing of cars and being sold within the same area. The reason was that there was no proper record to know which car is stolen or not.

“Also, there were lots of touting, thugs and counterfeiting of motor/vehicle documentation. But we can only get the solution here through our licensing stations or in the banks, depend-

By Femi Salawu

ing which one is convenient for you.

“That is, you can walk into these aforesaid places, renew your licence and walk away.

That is what Courteville is out to do to make sure that public excellence is given the best attention, service and Nigerian citizens are enjoying it.”

Autoreg has under it motor/vehicle documentation otherwise called vehicle license with a sticker park.

“Within the sticker park is a hackling permit. Hacking permit is for commercial vehicles. The permit is a licence that allows you to transact commercial businesses either for haulage or carrying goods and all have been automated.

“Part of the benefits we offer is to improve on government revenue; also nobody can convert any person’s car without the owner’s consent as the system won’t allow it and because we have facts and figures from the actual

FRSC warns Okada riders over helmets

T

HE Ekiti State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has warned commercial motorcyclists over the continuous disregard for the use of safety helmets.

The head of the command, Mr Frances Udoma, said despite repeated campaigns in the state, the level of compliance is still very low.

“Real commercial okada riders almost always have

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti.

their class A licences, wear their helmets and their motorcycles carry number plates. But there are those we call secondinarians made up of very young boys who are more in number than the registered commercial okada operators.

“These secondinarians who do not have licences just

go to the garages and plead to be given an Okada or get it by some other means, and then begin to ride without either the helmet or any paper for the motorcycle.

Sometimes the motorbikes used here are stolen. From January to April this year, we apprehended 941 motorcycles that have no number plates.

“But they still are not de-

terred. Even when you pick all the bikes on the road, they will multiply. We have reached out to the state government to facilitate enactment of legislation on the menace to make the recalcitrant ones traceable,” Udoma said.

He warned parents not to allow their wards to convert family motorcycles for commercial use.

owner of the vehicle to know if it is actually stolen or by change of ownership.

“These are some of the benefits of having the auto-registration in every area. It is used now and the government and the governed are happy for it,” he said.

Sonaike disclosed that there are also Autoreg inspectors which allow officials of government to do remote verification of vehicle documentation.

“We are in a bid to get another 10 states so that a vehicle stolen in one location could not be re-registered in another,” he said.

Under the Autoreg platform we have a uniform database.

We are also operating beyond the shores of Nigeria. We are in a bid to get approval to start in Sierra Leone. We are already in Ghana, Benin Republic, Gambia, and Liberia and over the time, everybody will be under the Autoreg platform.

“We also have insurance on Autoreg platform,” he said.

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FOREIGN NEWS

US ‘would repeat Bin Laden raid in Pakisan’

N

United States President Barack Obama has said he would order a similar operation to that which killed Osama Bin Laden if another militant leader was found in Pakistan.

He said the US was mindful of Pakistani sovereignty but said the US could not allow “active plans to come to

fruition without us taking some action”.

The killing of Bin Laden

by US forces in a Pakistani garrison town on 2 May strained ties between the two allies.

President Obama was speaking to the BBC ahead of a European visit.

Asked what he would do if one of al-Qaeda’s top lead-

ers, or the Taliban leader Mullah Omar, was tracked down to a location in Pakistan or another sovereign territory, he said the US would take unilateral action if required.

“Our job is to secure the United States,” he told the BBC correspondent during a wide-ranging interview.

“We are very respectful of

the sovereignty of Pakistan.

But we cannot allow someone who is actively planning to kill our people or our allies’ people.

President Obama’s statement that he would be prepared to authorise further covert operations in Pakistan won’t go down well here.

Pakistanis were hugely embarrassed not just by the

discovery of Osama Bin Laden in the country, but even more, it appears, by the fact it was a unilaterally US mission that killed him.

Since then, there have been demonstrations, particularly by religious parties, against American military attacks in Pakistan, including the drone strikes

•Obama

that continue to target militants near the Afghan border.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Okocha's accident, a hoax—brother F

ORMER Super Eagles’ striker Emmanuel Okocha has described the news of his younger brother Austin Jay Jay Okocha being hurt in an auto crash in Warri as a hoax and a lie from the pit of hell.

Whispers around Lagos on Sunday suggested that Austin Okocha and the executive chairman of the Delta State Sports Council (DSSC)

By Ade Ojeikere

Pinnick Amaju were involved in an accident in warri. But Emmanuel, Jay Jay's brother, when contacted on telephone in London on Sunday night debunked the story insisting that his younger brother was hale and hearthy in the Queens' country.

NationSport sought the

views on the reported acident from Austin Jay Jay Okocha's closest friend Chikelwu Illonyensi on Sunday night he confirmed Emmanuel's pronouncement.

Chelsea sacks Carlo Ancelotti A statement on the club site said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Carlo Ancelotti parted company with the club today (Sunday, 22 May).

“The owner and board would like to thank Carlo for his contribution and achievements since taking

RESULTS Nigeria Premier League Dolphins 1-0 Sharks Heartland 0-0 Wolves Bukola Babes 4-1 3SC Ocean Boys 1-0 Rangers Crown 1-0 KadunaUtd JUTH 2-1 Tornadoes Sunshine 4-0 PlateauUtd Lobi Stars 0-0 GombeUtd Kano Pillars 2-1 KwarraUtd Zamfara 1-0 Enyimba England - Premier League Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool Bolton W. 0-2 Man City Everton 1-0 Chelsea Fulham 2-2 Arsenal Man Utd 4-2 Blackpool Newcastle 3-3 West Brom Stoke 0-1 Wigan Tottenham 2-1 B’ngham West Ham 0-3 Sunderland Wolves 2-3 Blackburn Italy - Serie A Bologna 0-4 Bari Brescia 2-2 Fiorentina Cagliari 1-1 Parma Genoa 3-2 Cesena Inter Milan 3-1 Catania Palermo 1-3 Chievo

• Ancelotti

Loss of concentration cost us Pillars match —Kwara Utd coach

T

HE Chief Coach of Kwara United, Tunde Sani has described last Sunday’s encounter between his team and the host Kano Pillars Football Club as a tough match, insisting that the loss of concentration led to his team’s defeat.

Sani, who spoke to Nation Sports after Kano Pillars trounced his team by two goals to one, at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday, said it was a fair game on both sides as both teams exhibited high level performance.

According to him, “Kano Pillars is a great team with experienced players. So our defeat could basically be ascribed to the loss of concentration after we scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute.”

He explained that his boys’ inability to consolidate their one-goal lead gave Pillars the advantage to turn the table against them by scoring two quick goals within a space of seven minutes.

The Kwara United sweat mer-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano chant said his team parades young talented players, whom he said would take the Ilorin based football outfit to greater heights in the future, adding that his team would improve in subsequent matches.

Kano Pillars Football Club defeated Kwara United by 2 goals to one to keep alive their title chase.

Striker Kabiru Sanusi had opened scores in the 22nd minute to put Kwara United in front, before Buhari Musa equalized for the home team in the 31st minute.

Kano Pillars’ Nafi’u Ibrahim fired in the second goal in the 37th minute to put the Kano based football outfit ahead in the explosive encounter.

Kano Pillars attacking midfielder, Nasiru Ali was a torn in the flesh of the visiting Kwara United as they continuously tormented the defense of his former team, paving way

Again, NationSport contacted Pinnick's media man Timi, who revealed that his boss returned to London on Tuesday and had been dishing out instructions to his staff from there.

for Pillars’ two goals.

The victory, which is the forth in a row, is coming at a time, the Kano based football club is experiencing serious financing crisis.

Speaking to sports writer at the end of the explosive encounter, the Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars, Isa Ladan Bosso showered praises on his boys for putting up a superlative performance.

Bosso said “I want to commend the efforts of the players so far, they did very well despite the financial difficulties we are having. The game was a fair one, and the officiating was good”.

The captain of Kano Pillars, Sani Halliru, who is also the goal tender, said they would not relent in their determination to secure a continental ticket.

“Despite the financial constraint facing the club, we will remain undaunted because we are resolute to represent Nigeria in the next CAF Champions league.”

over as manager in July 2009, which included winning the Double for the first time in the club's history.

“However, this season's performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season's preparations.

“Carlo will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, where he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves.

“Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager.

“There will be no further comment until that appointment is made.”

Uche grabs consolation in Real thumping

S

UPER Eagles midfielder, Kalu Uche grabbed a 33rd minute consolation as UD Almeria were thumped 8-1 by Real Madrid in the final day of the 2010/2011 Spanish football season on Saturday.

In an insipid showing at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu, the Nigerian was one of the few shining lights in the Almeria side as he crept up at the far post to steer home Albert Crusat’s excellent cross on 33 minutes, past a despairing Jerzy Dudek.

Almeria were to capitulate late on as an Emmanuel Adebayor hattrick and braces by Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema followed by a fine solo effort from the debuting Joselu com-

pleted a lop sided score line.

Uche’s strike represented his 7th of the season, a less impressive return from his 2009/2010 total where he grabbed 9 goals.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear where Uche will be playing his football next season as Almeria has been relegated from Spain’s top flight.

Kalu Uche began his European adventure at the start of the 2002/ 2003 season in Krakow with Wisps after leaving the Nigerian side, Enyimba.

At the start of the 2004/2005 season, he joined the French side, Girondins Bordeaux. He got a goal from 24 appearances for the Championnat side that season.

NEW AFRICAN SOCCER POLL

Osaze beats Gyan to EPL African Player of the Year

N

IGERIA striker Peter Odemwingie has beaten Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan to the English Premier League African Player of the season 2010/2011.

Odemwingie garnered the most votes in a poll conducted by renowned football magazine, New African Soccer that saw readers, journalists and African players in the Premier League take part.

A statement from the organizers, New African Soccer copied to GNA Sports said the Nigerian emerged tops in the poll conducted by the website with over one million voters.

"Odemwingie, who plays for West Bromwich Albion FC polled highest over Ghana's Sun-

• Nsofor makes top five derland player Asamoah Gyan who came second, and Manchester City's Ivorian star Yaya Toure in third place," the statement said.

The 29-year old Nigerian had been in spectacular form for West Brom scoring 15 times in his first season as well as being voted Premier League Player of the months of September 2010 and April 2011.

Chelsea's Ivorian Salomon Kalou and West Ham's Nigerian striker Obinna Nsofor complete the top five in the poll.

"A ceremony that would bestow the award and recognition on the players will be hosted by New African Soccer at a date to be determined soon," the statement concluded.

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘In Nigeria, hell has no greater fury than politician appointed to a cabinet post that is not gushing with juice that is lipssmacking tasty, nourishing, and endlessly sustainable. It is always about juice, never about service’ OLATUNJI DARE

VOL. 6, NO. 1,768

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

T

HE Igbos popularised the word marginalisation to capture their agony about alienation.

For all the entrepreneurial gusto, creative verve and intrepid quest of its history, the race has not enjoyed a political state of grace in Nigeria since the civil war. And evidence abounds.

They have never won a contest for Nigeria’s big saddle: the presidency. In the bouquet of prime cabinet positions, they don’t enjoy a finger of choice. They accept what they get with Lazarus humility. They are saddled with tokens, with little sop in the mouth.

Recently when President Goodluck Jonathan named one of them the head of the Nigerian army, Champagne bottles frothed gleefully in the east.

Not since the civil war had an Igbo man soared so loftily in the armed forces. The last man, the crocodile-bearing Ironsi, fell to the treacherous bullets of young and ethnically tendentious soldiers. That was the same armed forces where the Igbos dominated the officer ranks before hegemonic coupists razed them to dust.

Today it is still the same story. The Igbos seem to be the last to the dinner table when much choice food has been shared. What is the problem? Is it that they lack men of intelligence? I say no. Is it that they lack men who could be good leaders? I say no and ask, which of the others have turned governing into a model?

So who is to blame, the North, or Southwest or the Niger Delta folk? The concept of marginalisation connotes victimhood. The marginalised want to rise, but others in conspiracy and superior weapons target them for exclusion. Interestingly the issue of marginalisation came up during the presidential election sweepstakes. The Igbos pitched their tents with Jonathan. They believed that it would mean a change of baton to the East in 2015. The implication was muted but eloquent. They believed that by backing a Jonathan, a minority from an ethnic group with smaller numbers, they can take a shot at it.

Jonathan in his minority mercies would work the way for an Eastern president.

It implied that if the nation did not want an Igbo President, Jonathan will. Jonathan, stooping to conquer, did nothing to discourage that naive optimism. In the final analysis, the chief executives outdid themselves in delivering their strongholds to Azikiwe, who never made a show of his Igbo name until it was a latchkey of convenience to the Igbo heart.

And well he should have.

Now with the elections over, the Igbos are being asked to fight for something in this dispensation. They are deservedly looking for a position as speaker, and even they are finding it hard to get the others, even Jonathan, to unsheathe swords in their defence.

The reasons for this marginalisation are twofold. One, the Igbos lack what some

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

samo@thenationonlineng.net 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

Warrant chiefs reborn in Igboland

•Ojukwu

political scientists call contextual politics. What it means is that they do not know how to play politics that works in Nigeria. The second explanation is the burden of its republican ethos, which refers to the perceived equality of all and the impotence of authority.

Its lack of contextual politics is linked to its republican penchant. To succeed, a people have to adapt their skills to the society and exploit them for advantage. The Jews, in spite of their small numbers in the United States and Europe, have not acted like the blacks who hoot about tyranny. They have coalesced their best in persons and companies and in groups to extract their pound of flesh from those societies. It was the envy of this minority that gave birth to nervous Hitler. They are evidence that failure is no excuse. The Jews dominate virtually every stratum of life in Europe and America, from

RIPPLES I’LL GO MAD IF I SEE N8billion – Alao-Akala

Okay what happens if you see N10billion?...will you PASS OUT?

‘In the senate presidency and speakership of the House, the greatest enemies of Igbos are the Igbos. Hence they tend not to hold the positions for long. That is why the average Igbo calls their leaders traitors’ business to culture. It is not so in Israel itself where there are a thousand contending opinions as recorded in the book In the Land of Israel by Amos Oz, the perennial Nobel prize candidate.

Yet, they find a symmetry in their battle against their foes.

The Igbos have that potential, perhaps more than any ethnic group in the country. They have energy and resourcefulness. They do well in business everywhere. In all of Nigeria, the culture of mendicancy is least among them. The average Igbo man would rather you set him up in business than give him lunch money.

Everywhere in the country, the Igbo knack to make money generates envy. Virtually every industry succumbs to the Igbo Midas touch. Yet, in politics, in the sweepstakes for power, they take the back seat. The Igbos have to look nowhere except at themselves for this lack of

HARDBALL

I

T is no longer news that the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. denied the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, an entry visa recently. Ordinarily such an action should not be headline news – especially as every nation reserves the right to decide who it allows into its territory.

But in this case Campbell is not just any other Joe walking the streets of America. He once represented his country over here. He has also been making some very trenchant remarks not only about Nigeria’s current politics, but also her future prospects for longevity. To put it mildly he’s not exactly flavour of the month in Abuja.

Somewhere along the line, a statement was attributed to Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, claiming that Campbell would be refused a visa because of his persistent criticism of our state of affairs.

Adefuye has since denied making any such statement.

He and his staff in Washington D.C. have a totally different narrative for what transpired over the botched visa application. They claim that the American diplomat was refused the visa because of incomplete documentation.

Adefuye said in a recent interview: “Campbell applied for a visa to enable him attend a meet-

The Campbell visa flap ing of the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria, owned by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as a member of the council but he did not meet the requirement regarding the timing of application and issuance of visas as stipulated by the Embassy.”

He said the visa application was submitted on May 5, 2011 to attend the event on May 11, 2011, as a member of the Governing Council of the American University of Nigeria. He did not provide any proof that he was truly a member of the university’s Governing Council It is regrettable that Campbell was unable to get the visa he needed to visit Nigeria to conduct his business. But whatever he suffered is small beer compared to what Nigerians encounter daily in their bid to gain entry into the US. Apart from a demand for rigid compliance with all necessary documentation requirements, it virtually impossible to just walk in and procure a US visa in the manner that the American diplomat thought he could do with the Nige-

progress.

I see this in the warrant chiefs complex of the people. Since the end of the civil war, individuals rise for mention and they are not regarded with much respect in the political sphere by their own people.

The point often is that the individuals are selfish. They broker deals that sell away the Igbo birthright. The only two personalities that bound them together were Zik and Ojukwu, more of Ojukwu than Zik. Ojukwu encapsulated the Igbo Pavlovian reflex against oppression. Zik was a sunnier personage but he did not win much for the East in terms of hard bargain. Nothing represents this infighting among the Igbo elite more than the tussle for positions in the centre. In the senate presidency and speakership of the House, the greatest enemies of Igbos are the Igbos. Hence they tend not to hold the positions for long.

That is why the average Igbo calls their leaders traitors. Since the colonial times when the warrant chiefs exercised power the people did not recognise, the Igbo society has grappled with the concept of leadership that can work for them. Is it not also ironic though that when the Southeast governors decided to deliver the East for Jonathan, the thinking among the governors was different from its people. The leaders hoped for a 2015 reward at Aso Rock.

The average Igbo man voted for Azikiwe.

The real issue is that the Igbo culture calls for individuals to assert themselves in the group. Success is less about the group than the individual. So in a village setting at Christmas, we should bask in the good roads, the town hall, the street lights and the modern school complex. But Mbanefo is more interested to show off what Mbanefo contributed and how he outdid Obika whose mother smirked at him when Obika and he were teenagers.

That kind of environment will inevitably give birth to an absence of group élan at the centre. The only thing that has bound the Igbos together was the civil war. Since then it has been divisiveness, backstabbing, individual ascendancy at the expense of the group.

What the East requires now is a cultural relaunch, a second look at a system in which the group looks important only to the extent that the individual alone works. The consequence is that Okonkwo will fall tragically while the society falls to other predators. They need a summit in which they tell themselves the truth. My fear is that individual impulses will dwarf the fount of the people.

The North has turned out to be the big loser in the past election cycle. They can still look to a past of hegemony. They could claim victims of what is called the Bathsheba syndrome, the rot that comes from complacency. By the time Jonathan is done, the Southsouth will have told their story. Is the East looking for an accident of grace?

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above rian document.

Perhaps this a practical display of the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy – even if that was not the clearly stated intention. That said, it must be pointed out that the management of information surrounding what should have been a routine visa application transaction involving a private citizen of another country – not a serving official – have been allowed to be blown out of proportion and politicised.

Given Campbell’s recent history and comments about Nigeria, it is hard for conspiracy theorists not to assume that the denial had something to do with his views.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has alleged that the Federal Government unjustly persecuted Campbell for his brutally honest opinions about the country.

This whole saga was an avoidable public relations mess which portrays the nation in bad light. But perhaps the bungling started when government officials started overreacting to the comments of Campbell as though they were official US position. Perhaps someone needs to remind Abuja that Campbell is a private citizen who is entitled to an opinion about this country – no matter how unpleasant and controversial.

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