May 25, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

NDLEA’s siege to NEWS Page 6 Kashamu’s home stays

MORE •37 senators-elect back Lawan/Akume ticket •AND ON PAGES •INTELS to LADOL: stop harmful propaganda 3,7&54 •Pray for Buhari not to make ‘mistake’, says President •Jonathan handing over nation in deep crises, says APC

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3225 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: STATES GOT N2.92TR FROM ECA IN FOUR YEARS, SAYS OKONJO-IWEALA P3

Buhari to inherit N8.1b Presidential Villa debts Sambo Committee to submit report today

W

HEN Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari moves into the State House after the May 29 handover, he will be confronted with N8.185,575,211.50 debts.

President Goodluck Jonathan will on May 28 conduct Buhari round the Villa – the seat of power in Abuja where facilities are said to be ageing.

About N3,647,793, 305.76 is needed to fix the infrastructure at the Villa.

These highlights are con-

SOME OF THE DEBTS

N3,647,793,305.76 •The cash needed to fix infrastructure at the Villa

N1,234,913,628.92 •Contracts/service providers

N1,238,876,080.16 •Staff claims From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

tained in a report submitted to the Federal Government Transition Committee, which

is headed by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The committee is expected to submit its report today to the Ahmed Joda-led APC Transition Committee.

The liabilities include contracts/service providers (N1,234,913,628.92), staff claims (N1,238,876,080.16), local contracts commitments and liabilities, including Julius Berger Nigeria (N6, 946,699, 131.34).

The report said: “The President had on December 3 last Continued on page 3

•From left: KAM Industries Managing Director Dr. Kamarudeen Yusuf; WEMPCO Western Products, Group Managing Director Lewis Tung; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria President Frank Jacobs; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote during a dinner in honour of Aganga and the unveiling of a Photo Story of MITI Transformation in 42 Months, in Lagos … at the weekend.

•SWEET VICTORY: Chelsea's team players and officials after receiving the Premier League trophy after the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and SWEET VICTORY PHOTO: AFP Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London ... yesterday. Chelsea were officially crowned the 2014-2015 Premier League champions.

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15, LAST YEAR EVER RETURN?

Economy dying, manufacturers warn as fuel scarcity grounds cities NEWS PAGE 3

•Telecoms, airlines affected •NNPC raises hope as firm releases 13m litres

•BUHARI CAN’T FIX EIGHT YEARS DESTRUCTION OVERNIGHT, SAYS OBASANJO P3

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

NEWS •President Goodluck Jonathan (left) greeting Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo after the Presidential Thanksgiving and Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the National Christian Centre, Abuja ... yesterday.

With them are: Senate President David Mark; CAN President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim and others.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Manufacturers seek deregulation of oil sector

M

ANUFACTURERS warned at the weekend that the economy would die, if the crippling fuel scarcity continues.

The Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industries (LCCI) called for a drastic response to the situation which, it said has a risk of social unrest.

A faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is threatening a strike over the crisis.

The scarcity has virtually crippled the economy, with

By Simeon Ebulu, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie and Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

telecom firms warning that they could scale down their services for lack of diesel to power their base stations.

Air travel has been hit as flights have been either cancelled on the domestic routes or the frequency substantially slashed.

Food prices have risen steeply in many parts of the country due to the cost of transportation.

LCCI President Remi Bello,

in a statement, said most economic and social activities had been paralysed, with the danger of an imminent shutdown of the entire economy.

“There is no evidence of active engagement with stakeholders in the petroleum industry to bring an end to the crisis. The government needs to demonstrate accountability to the people,” he said, adding: “The impression should not be created that governance has been abandoned. The administration has responsibility for the management of

government business till the very last day of its tenure.

The country and the economy should not be allowed to continue to drift as if there is no one in charge “The power sector has practically collapsed, with power generation slightly above 1000 megawatts.”

Bello warned that the option of alternative power generation, which the private sector has resorted to, “ is fizzling out, with the acute shortage of petroleum prodContinued on page 60

Buhari can’t fix eight years rot overnight, says Obasanjo

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Obasanjo said the expectations are enormous, but advised Nigerians to accept the fact that what was destroyed in the last eight years cannot be fixed overnight by Buhari.

He expressed the confidence that the Buhari administration would “perform,” adding that Nigerians now have a “ new opportunity” to make the country work.

Obasanjo, who quit party politics to assume the position of a statesman, spoke yesterday in his Abeokuta residence at the Presidential Hilltop Estate, where he hosted Southwest women leaders.

The women leaders, including the Iyaloja - General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu - Ojo, were led by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson.

The former President noted that the new opportunity is God - given, adding that the “good things” about the next administration is that the man that would head it, Buhari, is

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

neither “a greenhorn nor a novice” in governance.

According to him, Buhari was once in the saddle, even if it was under a “different circumstance” and would use his experience to navigate the country to the right direction.

Obasanjo alluded that Nigerians are quite clever and good followers when one is honest but difficult to manage or lead as soon as a leader begins to practise “cover up” or try to play “ostrich” on them.

He said that there was a very high expectation about the incoming government to sort things out quickly for Nigerians, but also added that there is equally a high level of goodwill locally and internationally in its favour.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman urged Buhari “not to be frightened” by the enormous expectations and the daunting challenges of the country.

According to him, Buhari should take the right steps within the next three months of being sworn in when Nigerians are watching and

counting to see what would be done to better their lot.

He advised Buhari to be open to Nigerians, and not take them for granted, praying that Nigeria and Nigerians would not miss this opportunity God has provided to get the country out of trouble.

Obasanjo said: “When you met me before the elections, there was a very important issue you discussed with me. I raised the issue with the concerned authority and I got a reply that it would be addressed, and I am sure the issue has been addressed.

“All you have mentioned again here today, we must all look at it together. The situation was like this when I took over in 1999; no light, no fuel, but it didn’t take us so long before the issues of light and fuel were resolved.

“There’s something very important that I observed – the incoming President has a lot of experience; he’s not a greenhorn. It is not as if he hasn’t been into power before, he is experienced.

“He knew what we did to turn things around, even when we were there together

during the military regime; we did it together, and it was as a result of our performance that we were invited to do it again.

“What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest. He’s someone that would perform but we must exercise patience, ýbecause what has been destroyed for eight years can not be undone overnight.

“Like the Chinese proverb, ‘the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step’, it is not only first step but first step in the right direction because if you took a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination.

“Let’s give Buhari some time; let’s support him with prayers and relate with him with support. Like you’ve said, it’s everybody’s duty, not only those who have governed before; all of us are keen about Nigeria.”

Earlier, Mrs Lawson, who lauded Obasanjo for his fatherly role in Nigeria, urged him not to stop advising the incoming administration.

She said Nigerians are in agony – over fuel crisis, unemployment and insecurity,

Buhari to inherit N8.1b Presidential Villa debt Continued from page 1

year approved the release of N3,394,168,460.95 for the payment of recurrent/overhead debts and capital debts due to other contractors, consultants and service providers. This is yet to be released by the Federal Ministry of Finance, it said.

President Jonathan, according to the report, on April 15 directed the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to look into the State House appeal for the release of at least N4billion to make part-payments out of the total outstanding debts of N8,185,575,2111.50 “to sustain the existing mutual and cordial relationships with the owed firms. This is still being awaited”.

The report said the N8.1b liabilities are outside the expenses on the renovation of the Defence House, the main residence/ president’s office, Aguda House/ Vice President’s office and other guest houses under the transition programme.

“The bills for these transition programme works are yet to be received and will be additional to the 2015 annual Service Level Agreement for the State House Facilities with an annual average commitment of N3,531,793,631.77 certified for 2014,” the report added.

Facilities at the State House have started aging and the budgetary provision increasingly becoming inadequate.

‘Calabar Convention Centre, best in Africa’

T •Obasanjo

among others – and urged the former President not to abandon Buhari in the onerous task to make Nigerians proud again as two good heads are better than one.

“So, Your Excellency, we believe that you still have a lot to offer from your wealth of experience and we know that you will honour us.”

“We pray that you will finish what you have started, now that you have ensured that a government, which you know will take care of the masses, has been elected,” Mrs Lawson said.

States got N2.92tr from ECA in four years, says Okonjo-Iweala

S

TATES shared N2.92 trillion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) between 2011 and 2014, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the EconomyDr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, stated last night.

A statement from the ministry of finance said the Federal Government’s share in the corresponding period is N3.29trillion.

The ministry released the statement in response to the

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

question by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) last week that the minister should give account of the ECA cash, claiming that $20b was unaccounted for.

The statement from the ministry noted that the “figures show that they (states) received N966.6 billion in 2011, N816.3 billion in 2012, N859.4 billion in 2013 and N282.8 in 2014. The low fig-

•Fed Govt got N3.29tr ure for 2014 reflects the steep decline in revenues due to the impact of the crash in global oil prices which began in the middle of the year.”

Akwa Ibom got the highest with (N265 billion), Rivers (N230.4 billion), Delta (N216.7 billion), Bayelsa (N176.3 billion), Kano (N106.5 billion) and Lagos (N82.9 billion) from the ECA. Kwara (N52.8 billion),

Enugu (N51.6 billion), Gombe (N47.7 billion), Nassarawa (N46.9 billion), Ekiti (N46.8 billion) and Ebonyi (N44.3 billion) received the least amount.

The statement said: “The summary of the inflows and outflows from the Account shows that the opening balance was $4.56 billion in 2011 and reached a peak the following year at $8.7 billion before declining to $2.3 billion in 2013. The balance as at

The report said: “The primary challenge facing the State House has been the inadequacy of successive budgetary appropriations. The State House annual appropriations do not match its actual activities, thereby leading to regular recourse to additional funding from Intervention Fund from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“About 283 of the temporary staff not found eligible for regularisation were with the approval of His Excellency, the President given contract. appointments renewable annually based on performance and fitness. “ However, payment of their salaries(an average of N8million per month) is from State House overheads provision, which remains a huge challenge to State House.

“The existing infrastructure for mechanical, electrical and associated components have aged and are performing well beyond their design lives.

“The proposal for their replacement/ upgrade has been reviewed and certified by the Bureau of Public Procurement in the total sum of N3,647,793, 305.76. However due to paucity of funds, phased implementation is being adopted for the most vital and critical works, starting with Phase I in the sum of N693, 119,509.55 “Inadequate office space to accommodate staff of the State House and inadequate operational vehicles for the efficient discharge of the activities of the various departments and units of the State House, including shuttle buses within the State House Complex and between the State House and the State House Medical Centre.”

May 2015 is $2.07 billion.”

The fluctuation in the ECA the statement “reflects the sharing of the proceeds usually requested by state governors as well as the practice of Augmentation which involves additional sharing from the ECA when available funds are not adequate to meet revenue projections.”

The finance ministry noted that Subsidy and SURE-P payments are also made from the ECA.

HE Project Coordinator of the Calabar International Convention Centre, CICC, Mr. Reginald Longdon, has described the centre as the best in Africa. He also commended the vision of Governor Liyel Imoke for establishing “a one-stop conference centre in the state.”

Mr. Longdon said the concept was not about the building, but about the long-time vision of Governor Imoke to construct an iconic edifice that will serve as a catalyst to drive the tourism offering of the state.

He said as well as open up potentials, it will escalate footfalls into the Tinapa Business Resort.

The project is due for inauguration today.

Already, 12 bookings from both local and international organisers out of 20, are said to have been confirmed ahead of its unveiling.

While describing the unique features of the CICC, Mr. Longdon said the centre has a main auditorium with a sitting capacity for 5,000 during conferences, Continued on page 60

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

4

NEWS COUNTDOWN TO MAY 29... 4 DAYS TO GO

PDP... Too c

•From left: The Nation Assistant Editor and winner, Best Report on CSR & Industry, Seun Akioye, Sport Reporter and Overall Best Reporter of the Year, Taiwo Alimi and CAMPUSLIFE Reporter and Future Writer of the Year, Gilbert Alasa displaying their awards at the Promasidor Quill Awards at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja...at the weekend.

In another four days, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be in opposition at the federal level and in many states. The party is broken by internal crisis. Many are wondering if it is ready to play credible opposition, writes SUNDAY OGUNTOLA.

A •Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony O. Elumelu after delivering a lecture on “Africapitalism as a Catalyst for Africa's Development” at Oxford Union, United Kingdom (UK)...at the weekend. With him is Oxford University Dean Peter Tufano.

•Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo (left) presenting a cheque to Head of Operations, Children Developmental Center (CDC); Ms Ebele Oputa. With them is the the CDC’s Accountant, Mr. Oluwafeyijimi Omobowale (left).

•Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman Peter Igoh presenting ICT books to the Rector, Benue State Polytechnic, Prof. Hycinth Oluma. With them are NCC Secretary Felix Adeoye (left) and NCC Deputy Director, Policy, Dr. Henry Ekemadu.

LL through last week, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was enmeshed in one trouble after another. In one day, its National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Tony Anenih resigned. The ripple effects of the resignation are expected to be felt this week, as the party prepares for its new role - the opposition.

For PDP, things have really fallen apart. Sixteen years after ruling the country, it suddenly lost its grip and got dislodged from power. The momumental losses it suffered at the presidential/National Assembly elections on March 28 and the governorship/Houses of Assembly elections on April 11 have left the PDP on the brink. The unfolding developments have shown that the party may not get its bearing in a short while.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari polled 15,424,921 votes to defeat incumbent and PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan, who got 12,853,162.

Expectedly, the presidential defeat orchestrated a major shift in the nation’s political arena. Many states, which the PDP would, easily, have won, started looking the APC’s way. Several alignments and reengineering took place in many states. By the time the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections were held on April 11, the PDP had suffered a devastating reversal of fortunes.

The presidential loss was defining but the loss of many states hitherto considered PDP strongholds was very debilitating. The party’s governorship candidates lost in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Imo, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa Adamawa, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger and Zamfara.

Of the 28 contested governorship seats, the APC won 20, leaving only eight for the PDP, which prided itself as the largest political party in Africa. It was a massive tsunami that left the ruling party tumbling from its Olympia height. On May 29, when the governors-elect are sworn in, the APC will have 22 governors, leaving 14 states for the PDP. In the National Assembly, the PDP’s tales of woes could not be stopped. Voters rejected many of the candidates fielded by the party, ostensibly in protest of the imposition of many of them. The protest votes launched the APC to the status of majority party in the Eighth Senate with 64 senators-elect. The PDP could only produce 45 and the Labour Party (LP) settled for one. The development eventually sealed the fate of the PDP in presiding over the next Senate.

The APC, with a clear majority, looks set to produce the next Senate President and other principal officers of the Upper Chamber.

That, again, is a big setback for the PDP, which has produced successive Senate President since 1999.

In the House of Representatives, the APC also emerged the clear leader, winning 214 federal seats.

The PDP settled for only 125. The difference of 89 seats is already huge enough. But the APC might make more hauls when elections are held in the 11 federal constituencies of Jigawa State, where the waiting in the wings to occupy the governorship seat.

If the APC wins the seats as being projected, it will have 100 representatives more than the PDP. Going by how politics has already played out, the 10 representatives elected on the platforms of the LP, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord, might up end defecting to the APC. This will further entrench the party’s commanding influence in the Green Chamber.

With 81 lawmakers elected on its platform, the APC swept to victory with the highest membership haul from the Northwest. The PDP could not produce any House of Representatives member from the zone.

The Southwest delivered 47 seats for the APC as against PDP’s 20.

In the Northcentral, the party got 41 seats and left eight for the PDP. In the Northeast, the APC secured 40 seats to PDP’s seven. The PDP’s strongest zone is the Southsouth, where it produced 52 members as against APC’s three. The three seats came from Edo State.

In 2011, the PDP had 208 lawmakers in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) produced 70 and the then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) had 40. The implication is that the APC has a better chance of producing the next Speaker and principal officers of the House of Representatives.

Since it suffered the unprecedented electoral misfortune, the PDP has been hit by a gale of defections. Its former stalwarts and chieftains have been leaving in droves with their supporters. Even diehard PDP faithful are beginning to review their membership. Many are upbeat that the party might never survive the next four years.

Their skepticism is not misplaced.

Since the PDP lost its ruling status, it has been confronted by serious infighting, intrigue and wrangling.

Some of its governors have been vociferous in their condemnation of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC members, they contended, did not do enough to lead the party to victory and therefore should quit.

The party officials, on their part, have countered such claims, insisting the governors, instead, should be held responsible for the party’s dismal performance. Many of them, the NWC members argued, imposed candidates and made it impossible for voters to support them.

The cat-and-mouse game degenerated to Mu’azu’s resignation as the national chair. Mu’azu, fondly call ‘The Game Changer’, had resisted pressures from many PDP governors to resign for leading the party to defeat. Such move, the former chairman argued, will further polarise the party and leave it dead and buried.

His resignation was followed by that of the BoT chair, Chief Anenih, who

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

5

COUNTDOWN TO MAY 29... 4 DAYS TO GO

crippled to play credibile opposition?

•Dr. Jonathan

•Mark

•Anenih

•Mu’azu

his admirers often call ‘Mr. Fix it’.

Though Anenih said his resignation was to pave the way for President Jonathan new role as BoT chairman after leaving office on Friday, some of the governors who are aversed to the President’s leadership style have vowed to quit and form a new political party.

The development, political observers say, will further aggravate the crisis in the party, especially when it was discovered that the duo of Mu’azu and Anenih were forced out of office.

Unsatisfied with Mu’azu’s exit, some PDP governors have renewed their insistence that other members of the NWC and the NEC should follow suit.

If anything, it (Mu’azu and Anenih’s resignation) leaves a bitter taste in the throat of their supporters and sympathisers, confirming the party’s penchant for changing its top helmsmen at the flimsyest excuse.

‘

Will PDP be able to play opposition politics?

The blame-game and name-calling among chieftains has left the party in disarray, making many to wonder if it will ever survive and be able to play opposition politics. The thinking is that this is a most unfamiliar terrain for a party that is used to being in power and spoilt by the perks of office. To suddenly find itself on the other side of the divide could be a burden too heavy to bear.

National Secretary of the LP Kayode Ajulo believes the PDP lacks the wherewithal to assume the role of a viable opposition party.

Ajulo said: “I must say this with all sense of responsibility that the PDP cannot function well as an opposition party because it lacks the capacity to play such a role in Nigeria.

“I must say that the characters in the PDP prefer packaged food than going to the kitchen to cook. They like already-made things. So, you can’t expect such people to be in opposition.”

He said the gale of defections is a clear signal that PDP members cannot be a good opposition. Ajulo explained that those who will play opposition politics must be sacrificial and prepared to put their lives on the lines.

Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra Central) knows what it takes to be in opposition. According to him, it is never an enviable role to play in any democratic dispensation. Ngige has tasted both sides. He was Anambra State governor under the PDP and a senator under the APC. He said: “I must thank all those who remained steadfast in APC because playing opposition can be frustrating and tempting.

•Gulak

I must say this with all sense of responsibility that the PDP cannot function well as an opposition party because it lacks the capacity to play such a role in Nigeria

•Nigeria after the general elections on April 11.

‘’Though I was receiving overtures from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, I rejected them because the principles on which we formed that party have been jettisoned and bastardised.

“At the amalgamation of some political parties to form the APC, I decided to run for governor but many notable politicians told me that though I am a good candidate, it was better for me not to run because I would never be allowed to win as the forces against me were numerous.

“However, I insisted on running because God had told me that the APC will form the next Federal Government. Though I did not win the governorship, I was consistently telling our people that the APC was the best bet for Igbo in Nigerian politics.”

Ngige believes that most PDP members in the Southeast will soon switch over to the APC. “I know many of these Igbo contractors cannot play opposition politics and their next move may be to move into the APC,” he said.

Playing opposition politics requires men of strong political will to put their lives on the line. Most PDP chieftains, unfortunately, were attracted by the patronage they were getting from the party in the past 16 years. Without such undeserving perks and inducements, it is hard to see many of them sticking out their necks for the party.

Such strong men must also be

willing to stake their resources to oil party structures across the states without seeking immediate rewards.

“That is difficult to imagine among the current crop of leaders parading themselves as PDP chieftains,” Charles Okon, a political analyst said.

Okon went on: “How many of them will be willing to invest their resources and not expect returns immediately? How many of them will fund the party with their dwindling fortunes and refuse to be bought over by the ruling party? How many will look away from whatever the ruling party have to offer and maintain that the PDP is the only way to go?

“If we look well, we might not find up to 10 of them in the country.

Why? It is because they are used to spending government money to fund the party and its programmes.

Without the attraction of government funds, many of them will stay away or switch camps.”

But to Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to the President, the party will cope well with its newfound opposition status.

He said: “I can assure you that we are ready. Some of us will never decamp. No matter what, we will stay back and build the party. We will put the ruling party on its toes and ensure that we spotlight all their (APC) mistakes and failures to the nation. It will be tough, but we will do it. We have to, because we have no choice really. There is nowhere

•Ajulo

else to go but to build the party.”

Senate President David Mark is also confident the party will do well as an opposition.

Mark said: “We are going back to the drawing board to do a critical review and fashion out a blue print that would get us out of the woods for good.

“The role of opposition is strange to us, but it is not a death sentence.

We should be ready for the challenges. We are prepared to play a credible opposition. I believe the nation, and indeed Nigerians will be the best for it.”

What future awaits PDP? The future appears very bleak for the PDP. Hemmed in by heavy defeats, growing defections and internal bickering, it is clear that a turbulence future awaits the party. Yet, it is in the interest of the fledging democracy for a big party like the PDP to survive and offer credible opposition to put the ruling party on its toes.

Experts say the party might cave in under heavy yokes and goes into oblivion. They said the PDP must survive before its can stand the chance of bouncing back. For the distressed party, survival will not come easy. But, therein lies the hope of the PDP, the experts contend.

Many believe the party needs to consider mergers with smaller parties to regain its intimidating aura.

Some governors, who were toying

‘

with the idea of pursuing their political future in a new party may have had a rethink, following the resignation of Mu’azu and Anenih.

The new thinking is to consider smaller political groups, associations and parties to strengthen the party.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh said the option was very much on the table.

In a statement, Metuh said: “We have a name, tradition and values.

Sixteen fruitful years as the guardian of Nigeria’s democracy cannot be nullified by the reason of temporary setback. We shall rise beyond all and regain our rhythm.”

To also survive, the party needs to embrace reconciliation and embark on internal restructuring.

Gulak said: “We must purge ourselves and know those who are genuinely for us. The era of assuming those who mill around are PDP members is over. They must be proven and tested over time before we become convinced.”

For the PDP to purge itself, it must rein in its members who, despite warnings from the party’s hierachy to shield their sword, continue in the blame-trading game over who and what caused its defeat at the polls.

Though the future appears uncertain, the PDP must learn how to play opposition politics. How well the party succeeds in doing this will go a long way in determining its survival.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

6

NEWS Ogbulafor tells PDP NWC members to quit

NDLEA to Kashamu: stop the blame game

A

FORMER Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, has called on the members of its National Working Committee (NWC) to resign voluntarily.

Ogbulafor, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia yesterday, said the members should take the path of honour by bowing out of the committee.

He added that the members should resign in the interest of the party and pave the way for fresh hands to pull the party out of the woods and reposition it ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He described the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, as a welcome development. ‘’I feel happy about their resignation because I feel they did so in the interest of the party. ‘’So, I feel it is better for all the committee members to voluntarily resign if they love the party and want it to survive,’’ he said.

Ogbulafor urged the committee to accept responsibility for the party’s woeful performance in the 2015 general elections and the failure to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan for a second tenure. ‘’The party played the politics of hate and exclusion,’’ he said, adding that ‘’past national chairmen were completely excluded and were never invited to offer our own ideas on how to deliver Jonathan. ‘’When I was the chairman, I controlled 28 states and a majority in the National Assembly and also won additional four states for the party. ‘’Some of us performed better and have good ideas on how to keep PDP in power for as long as I predicted,’’ he said.

Ogbulafor, who predicted that the party would rule Nigeria for uninterrupted 60 years, said that the feat was possible had the party sustained the line-up. ‘’I made the prediction in clear conscience and realisation that it was achievable, given that PDP controlled 28 states, majority in the National Assembly and local government administration. ‘’So, there is nothing that could have stopped PDP, if we were able to control the line-up.’’

Ogbulafor blamed the woes befalling the party on the emergence of a ‘’reform group,’’ saying that the group created factions within it.

L

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Kashamu

A

LL was calm yesterday at the Lekki, Lagos home of Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu.

But the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agecncy (NDLEA) operatives maintained their presence, keeping vigil to ensure that the politician, who is holed up inside his home, did not slip away.

The House was stormed by the operatives on Saturday but the politician remained indoors, refusing to surrender himself.

The agency is expected to approach the court today for an order or a warant to enable it effect the arrest of the politician. An extradition request has been sent to the Federal Government by the United States (U.S.).

The U.S. claims he has a drug re-

lated case to answer, but the Ogun State senator-elect insists he is innocent.

The NDLEA yesterday advised him to concentrate on the facts of his case rather than blaming former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olabode George for his problem.

Its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, who said this yesterday, explained that the agency has so far been acting on the side of the law concerning Kashamu’s extradition.

According to official report, Kashamu has been on the wanted list of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Kashamu was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States on charges brought against him by ICE. According to U.S. court documents, Kashamu was accused of being the leader of a prolific heroin trafficking ring based in Chicago, Illinois. He was then known as “God”, “Daddy” and “Kasmal”.

•Ogun APC hails agency He is wanted to stand trial on charges of conspiracy and importation of controlled substances, namely heroin, into the U.S. dating back to 1994.

Kashamu, who holds dual Nigerian/Beninese citizenship, has taken multiple preemptive actions to thwart U.S. extradition efforts such as making claims that he was a victim of mistaken identity, and that his deceased brother was responsible for the crimes he was being sought after in the U.S. He has filed injunctions at federal courts in the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. and in Nigeria to prevent his arrest and prosecution.

“These are issues that Kashamu should prepare to address rather than point accusing fingers at eminent elder statesmen who have no connection with the ongoing investigative process. The senator, who was placed on house arrest at the weekend, is expected to appear in court in less than 24 hours.

“We expect Kashamu as a distinguished senator-elect to demonstrate ample confidence in the Ni-

gerian judicial system and stop the blame game,” NDLEA said.

The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed moves by the NDLEA to extradite Kashamu to the U.S. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sola Lawal, the party said the NDLEA has lived up to the integrity and impartiality, which it is expected to uphold.

The party, while distancing the people of the state from the person and character of the accused, said: “People should not mistake the person of Buruji Kashamu, who won election in the state, as what our people stand for.

“They have always been people of dignity, integrity and transparency. The qualities inherent in Ogun State people had led to many firsts in diverse areas of endeavour.

“The emergence of Kashamu in Ogun politics, therefore, is only a pointer to the decadence that eats up the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which produced him. No doubt, in a more civilised and politically correct socio-political environment, such an individual would not have become a candidate of a right-thinking party, how much more winning an election.”

APC lawmakers for retreat

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•From left: Chairman, Toyota Plc Mr Michael Ojo (left) presenting car key to Olanipekun Smath, FirstBank Category Buyer, at the Toyota Customer Award Night at Civic Centre, Lagos. With them is Mr. Henry Ojuoko.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a twoday retreat for all its House of Representatives’ members-elect in Abuja today and tomorrow.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the retreat will be held at the Rockview Hotel Wuse 2 area of the city.

It urged the members-elect to arrive at the venue where accommodation arrangement has been made for them, by 6 p.m. today, adding that there will be a cocktail in their honour and party leaders at 8 p.m. same day.

“The two-day retreat is part of efforts being undertaken by the party to ensure that the legislators hit the ground running for the benefit of Nigerians,” APC said.

Planned extradition of senator-elect lawful, says Falana

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has explained that the planned extradition of senator-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Buruji Kashamu to the United States (U.S.) is in accordant with the rule of law and in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act. In a statement in Lagos yesterday, titled: “Legal Implications of Kashamu’s extradition”, Falana advised the senator-elect to surrender himself for trial in the U.S. instead of embarking on a prolonged legal battle in Nigeria.

The learned silk, who contended that the fundamental right of Kashamu to personal liberty has not been violated in any way so far, added: “But if he insists on his innocence, let the law take its course through the extradition proceedings”.

The statement reads in part: “The Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and the U.S. was signed on June 24, 1935 while it entered into force on June 24, 1935. The treaty was signed with the U.S. by the British colonial regime, which then exercised dominion over the territory of Nigeria.

“When Nigeria obtained political independence from the Britannic

By Adebisi Onanuga

Majesty in 1960, the treaty was, like several others, adopted by the Federal Government. By virtue of Article 3 of the treaty, extradition shall be reciprocally granted for crimes or offences such as murder, manslaughter, administering drugs or using instruments with intent to procure the miscarriage of women, rape, threats, by letter or otherwise, with intent to extort money or other things of value, larceny or embezzlement, fraud or fraudulent conversion, obtaining money, valuable security, or goods, by false pretences, crimes or offences or attempted crimes or offences in connection with the traffic in dangerous drugs.

“Under the treaty, extradition shall not take place if the person claimed he has already been tried and discharged or punished, or is still under trial in the territories of the High Contracting Party applied to, for the crime or offence for which his extradition is demanded.

“If the person claimed should be under examination or under punishment in the territories of the High Contracting Party applied to for any other crime or offence, his extradition shall be deferred until

the conclusion of the trial and the full execution of any punishment awarded to him. Even though the treaty is silent on civil proceedings challenging the legal validity of the extradition of any person the exercise may be stayed or suspended if there is a court order to that effect.

“By virtue of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the AttorneyGeneral or a court shall not surrender a fugitive criminal, if satisfied that the offence in respect of which his surrender is sought is an offence of a political character or that the request for surrender, although purporting to be made in respect of an extradition crime, was in fact made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions or was otherwise not made in good faith or in the interests of justice; or that, if surrendered, he is likely to be prejudiced at his trial, or to be punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty, by reason of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions,” he noted.

Falana explained that in the case of Kashamu, the order of the Federal High Court that he should not

be extradited has been set aside by the Court of Appeal.

“Although the appeal filed against the decision is pending at the Supreme Court, there is no order of execution or interlocutory injunction restraining the Federal Government from extraditing Chief Kashamu to the U.S. to stand trial for drug trafficking. Hence, the PDP chieftain and senator-elect has initiated a fresh suit at the Federal High Court to thwart any move to extradite him to the United States!

“As the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN has not been legally prohibited on the matter he is reported to have concluded arrangements to commence extradition proceedings on the basis of a request made by the United States pursuant to the Extradition Treaty.”

He noted that before Kashamu parted ways with President Olusegun Obasanjo in the PDP and before the appointment of Mrs. Roli George as the director-general of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the senator-elect had been on the wanted list of the United States for drug related offences.

“Therefore, the allegation that Chief Obasanjo and Chief Olabode

George are behind the ongoing moves to extradite the senator-elect is illogical, spurious and diversionary,” the Lagos lawyer said.

Falana advised that instead of politicising the planned extradition proceedings, Kashamu should be prepared for the legal battle ahead, adding: “He is lucky that he is detained in his own house. But for his status as a member of the ruling class, Chief Kashamu would have been bundled to the NDLEA detention facility in Lagos, where he would have been denied access to his phone.”

He added that the decent treatment being accorded the PDP chieftain was part of the intangible dividends of democracy.

Only the rich are detained in their homes as the concept of “house arrest” is unknown to our criminal justice system, Falana said.

He noted that under the military rule, the embattled PDP leader would have been arrested, handcuffed and handed to American security officials.

According to the rights activist, “He would have been further manacled and flown to the United States for trial. At the material time, extradition proceedings were not conducted in any court.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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NEWS

Senate President: 37 senators-elect back Lawan/Akume ticket T HIRTY-seven senatorselect out of the 59 elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform are backing Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The senators under the auspices of the Unity Forum drawn from four-geopolitical zones issued the statemenet on their stance yesterday.

It was signed by Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, representing Southwest, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Northeast), Senator Barnabas Gemade (Northcentral) and Senator Abu Ibrahim (Northwest).

The senators said they decided to build consensus around the candidature of Lawan/Akume to make things easy for the party and putting the interest of Nigeria first.

The members of the forum said efforts were still being made to convince other senators-elect to support the Lawan/Akume consensus candidates.

They insisted that the alliance of Senators Lawan and Akume with other members offered the APC the best window of opportunity to resolve the issue of the Senate

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

presidency and take the Senate to the next level from the legacy left by the 7th Senate.

The forum said: “Given the conflicting media accounts surrounding the issue of the prospective candidate for the Senate presidency from the APC, we of the Unity Forum are constrained to make this clarification.

“This response has become necessary because we do not want to portray our party as a collection of desperate, indiscipline and selfish people.

“Rather, we believe that party preservation and the overall interest of the party should be paramount at this point.

“For the records, there was no time before the retreat, during the retreat or after the retreat where and when the issue of a primary election to pick the Senate President was tabled or agreed upon.

“Nowhere in the party leadership structure can we find the mandate for the conduct of any election with regard to the emergence of the Senate Presidential candidate.

“Any contrary information, out there in the social or any

kind of media is false, selfserving and intended to mislead the public.

“As far as we know, the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, gave the advice that we all meet in an effort to build a consensus among the different camps towards finding a harmonious solution.

“That was how far it went.

There was no election that was called. It was now left for the APC members at the retreat to internally bond together to find a workable solution.

“To this end, different caucuses met from the entire geopolitical zone to discuss the candidacy of those contending for the Senate Presidency.

“After the caucusing, the members of the Unity Forum comprising of senators from the Northeast, Northcentral, Northwest and Southwest reached a resolution to support the Senator Lawan Ahmad and Senator George Akume ticket for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.

“This collaboration is encompassing and accommodating of all the tendencies within the party in the over-

all interest of the party and Nigeria.”

The senators added: “Presently, about 37 senators have agreed to the Lawan/Akume arrangement. We decided to disclose this to check the falsehood flying around.

“What we are trying to do is to make things easy for the party by putting the interest of Nigeria first.

“In the light of the above, we wish to state expressly that the effort to convince more senators to participate in the consensus building within our party is ongoing.

We recognise the discretion of each senator to vote any candidate.”

The forum said while it could not blame anyone for personal ambition, such ambition “cannot be superior to the stability, credibility and cohesiveness of the National Assembly”.

But the statement said the “alliance forged by Senators Lawan and Akume alongside other members offers the APC the best window of opportunity to resolve the issue of the Senate presidency and take to a higher standard from the legacy left by the 7th Senate”.

GTBank seeks NJC’s intervention in N5.2b judgment

By Adebisi Onanuga and Precious Igbonwelundu

UARRANTY Trust Bank (GT Bank) Plc has urged the Chief Justice and the Chairman of the National Judicial Commission (NJC), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to order probe into the conduct of Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja over a N5.2 billion judgment against the bank.

The suit was filed by Dr. Ted Isegholi Edwards against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and five others, including GT Bank.

This was contained in a petition dated May 18, 2015, written by the bank through its counsel, Anthony Idigbe (SAN), and sent to the office of the CJN. The President of Court of Appeal and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were also copied.

Justice Ashi had last Monday, ordered the bank to pay the plaintiff N5,240,516,186.21 for debiting the plaintiff’s account without his consent.

Justice Ashi, who struck out all the other defendants apart from GT Bank for lack of jurisdiction, also ordered the bank to pay 21 per cent interest per annum on the judgment sum at the prevailing interest rate, whichever is higher calculated from December 12, 2014 up till date of judgment.

It will also include post judgment interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is liquidated.

In its petition, the bank stated that the manner the proceedings of the court were carried out engendered injustice, making it believed that the trial judge must have been compromised in the discharge of justice in the matter.

It also asked that all culprits which the investigation may uncover be decisively brought to the books in accordance with the CJN’s established and renowned principles, which uphold natural justice, equity and good conscience.

The bank expressed worry over undue speed with which it claimed the court handled the matter, arguing that the justice of the matter has been sacrificed at the altar of speed.

It contended that the proceedings allegedly showed a clear determination by the judge to grant judgment against it.

The bank hoped that the CJN should direct that appropriate steps be taken to ensure that the injustice meted to the bank as a result of the said judgment is not allowed to stand.

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Speakership: Over 230 Reps support Gbajabiamila/Monguno ticket From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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•From left: Director, WAPIC Insurance Mr. Niyi Olufade, Executive Director Olufemi Obaleke, Managing Director Ashish Desai and Executive Director Oyebode Ajeniyi at a media parley in Lagos.

250 Ebola volunteers return amidst jubilation

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WO hundred and fifty Nigerian volunteers against Ebola returned into the country yesterday after successfully helping to halt the spread of the deadly virus in some West African countries.

The volunteers were honoured with a commemorative plate by the Liberian government, bearing the inscription: “The Love of Liberty”.

President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to receive the volunteers, who were deployed to the West Africa sub-region on December 3, 2014.

The volunteers, who worked in Liberia and Sierra Leone, arrived in Abuja yesterday morning.

They were sent to the West African countries after containing the deadly virus brought into Nigeria by a Liberian Patrick Sawyer.

The volunteers were said to be in perfect conditions and free of the ailment.

A chartered Ethiopia airplane that conveyed the returnees landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport at about

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

2.38am yesterday morning.

The flight was delayed for about three hours in Freetown.

They were later driven to a hotel in Central Abuja after security checks and screening at the airport.

One of the officials told reporters that the volunteers did not contact any infection; adding: “They spent between 26 to 42 days under inspection as their stint ended, before their journey back to Nigeria. But they would still be put under scrutiny watch.

“By the regulation, they have all gone beyond the period required for monitoring. But we shall apply the same scrutiny to give Nigerians the assurance that nobody is bringing in Ebola again,” said Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

“These are the most educated, experienced and exposed individuals in terms of knowledge of Ebola and how to fight it.”

Olawale Mayegun, who convened the contingent before their deployment to join other

AU volunteers in Ebolastricken countries last December, said the volunteers followed protocol required for dealing with Ebola.

“We thank them for following our protocol. No contamination,” said Mayegun.

“They are an asset for Nigeria and an asset for Africa. Let us treat them as heroes and heroines. Nigeria is proud of them,” he added.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health, Linus Awute, thanked God “that a disease that came in to threaten the sub-region has been suppressed.”

“We were able to do this through the collective under-

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taking of the entire people of Nigeria. While you were there, everybody prayed and wished you well,” he added.

A volunteer said: “Everybody is looking on Africa today, that Africa’s solidarity initiative is working “The first step to dealing with Ebola is to deal with fear. So, we overcame fear and we triumphed.”

Liberia was declared free of Ebola last week by the World Health Organisation. No new cases have been reported in Sierra Leone lately, officials said, though the last suspected cases are still under observation for 42 days before they are declared free.

MEMBER-elect from Bauchi State, Dr. Mohammed Sani Abdu, has said over 230 members-elect for the 8th House of Representatives are supporting the candidature of Femi Gbajabiamila and Mohammed Tahir Monguno as Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Dr. Abdu, who spoke with reporters in Abuja yesterday, said in terms of qualification and acceptance, “only Gbajabiamila and Monguno fit the bill to be the Speaker and Deputy Speaker”.

His words: “I know that Femi is a very big veteran in the House.

Everybody knows him and how thorough he has worked consciously for the opposition with all his knowledge, power and everything. I’m sure over 230 people of 360 members have endorsed Femi for the speakership, and we’re still counting.

“Majority of the PDP members, who are pledging behind the line, are waiting for their house to be in order. If not, they will all come into our camp.”

On why Monguno should be considered for either the position of Speaker or deputy, Abdu said Monguno first came into the House in 1992, and hence possessed experience, knowledge and stability.

According to him, in the Northeast, the Gbajabiamila/Monguno ticket has support from 40 of the 48 members-elect, adding: “In Bauchi alone, we have 10 of the 12 members.”

Ethiopian PM to inaugurate Dangote’s $480m cement plant

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EADING Cement manufacturing firm Dangote Cement Plc will next week Thursday commission its 2.5million mtpa cement plant in Ethiopia as the company inches towards the mark of 40 million mtpa total production capacity globally before the end of 2015.

The Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Haile Mariam Desalegne, is expected to perform the opening ceremony at an event that will be graced by top members of Nigerian business community.

A statement from the Dangote Group indicated that the government and the people of Ethiopia are excited about the timely completion of the project and the economic prospects of having such a huge company in the country.

Nigerian guests would be flown to Ethiopia next week Wednesday, June 3 to witness the event on Thursday, June 5 and would be brought back to Nigeria on Friday, June 6.

The Dangote Cement plant said to be the single largest Investment by an African will be the fifth in the series of the offshore plants of the company that have rolled out cement within the last one year in African continent, coming after Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia.

PDP accuses Buhari of snubbing hand over programme

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, of snubbing the events lined up by the Federal Government for the May 29 hand over.

Expressing disappointment with what it termed the lack

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

of democratic discipline by Buhari, the party faulted the non-participation of the President-elect in Christian and Islamic prayer sessions over the weekend.

Gen. Buhari had travelled

to the United Kingdom on Friday to observe a rest after weeks of consultations and crowded post-election engagements with local and international groups and personalities.

But, a statement yesterday by the National Publicity of

the PDP, Chief Okisa Metuh, said Buhari owed Nigerians explanations on why he snubbed the prayer sessions scheduled for Friday and Sunday for Muslims and Christians respectively to usher in four years of his in-coming administration.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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NEWS We’re dying, Ondo electricity workers cry out

Residents deplore bad roads From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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UNDREDS of contract staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Ondo State marched on Akure, the state capital, to protest the nonpayment of their severance package.

The aggrieved protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “We served for over 15 years without payment and benefits”; “Over 70 casual workers are yet to be regularised in Akure business district”; “No regulation, no payment and many of us are dead” They said they were laid off verbally and the management had been promising to pay them.

The contract staff lamented that many of them have served for 15 years, with nothing to show for it.

A protester, Tunde Bada, said it was very unfortunate that after two years of privatisation they are yet to receive anything from the government.

“We are Nigerians and how can we serve in our fatherland without pay?

“Some are dead and it is so sad that they died without receiving their benefits.

“We are pleading with the government to help us, we are dying, you can see some of these aged people, we have dependents.”

Jacob Aluko lamented that he could not afford to feed his family again.

Aluko, who was the head of the Human Resources Department at Idanre, urged the incoming government to listen to their complaints by ensuring they are paid.

School of interior design coming

By Adegunle Olugbamila

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HE Interior Design Association of Nigeria (IDAN) has partnered the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to float a certificate programme in Interior Design.

The programme, which will come under the platform of UNILAG Consult, is aimed at giving a face to the interior design industry, ridding it of quacks and giving practitioners a sense of belonging.

IDAN President Titi Ogufere said this at a briefing announcing the group’s annual Gida Uno Ile Exhibition (Guide) billed to hold simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja.

Ogufere said IDAN, which was established seven years ago, is also a member of the International Federation of Interior Architect/Designers (IFI).

She said the exhibition is the third in the series with the theme: ‘Design for All’ “This year’s event would witness an exciting twist from the previous ones.

“It is designed with a concept of fragment locations across the country.

“Exhibition will take place in different participating showrooms of registered members of IDAN simultaneously.”

•From left: Member, Queen of Apostle Old Girls Association, Chief Annette Adejumo; representative of Our Lady of Apostles Sisters, Rev. Sis. Nuala Edozien; Emeritus Archbishop of Catholic Church, Felix Alaba Job; Principal, Queen of Apostle Commercial Grammar School, Mrs. Aderike Ojeyinka and Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Tescom, Mrs. Teresa Olaitan, at the thanksgiving mass to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen of Apostle Commercial Grammar School in Ibadan …yesterday.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Obafemi Hamzat (second left); Special Adviser Works and Infrastructure Ganiyu Johnson (middle); his wife, Funke; Managing Director Kajo-Summit Construction Company Kamorudeen Danjuma (right) and Bamigbose Martins at a send forth for Hamzat and Johnson in Ikeja, Lagos…at the weekend.

One killed as OPC members clash in Ibadan

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HE factional crisis rocking the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Oyo State, claimed its first casualty yesterday.

Dauda, also known as Eranla, was killed when some OPC members from Beere, Ibadan, attacked their Apete counterparts, claiming that the head of the Apete faction, ‘Bendel’, was no longer a registered member of OPC .

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

It was gathered that the Beere faction claimed that the Apete group had ceased to be OPC members.

A source said the Beere group believed that their brothers from Apete had ceaselessly tarnished their image,despite not being a functional chapter, and so after several appeals, they

stormed Apete yesterday to deal with them.

When Bendel’s group was attacked, Dauda ,who had a set of twins last year, was killed.

An eyewitness said it was easier for people to recognise Dauda because his mother is a famous pepper seller.

Dauda’s remains have been taken away by policemen.

Armoured Personnel Carriers

(APCs) were stationed to restore sanity in the area.

Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said the police have restored peace and sanity in the area.

“Our men are on ground to forestall any further outbreak of law and order. Residents should not panic because we are on top of the situation,” he said

Giving me conditions to join APC hypocritical, leaders to concentrate their OUSE of says Bamidele energies on how to redirect Representatives the nosediving fortunes of

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member Opeyemi Bamidele has declared that he followed due process in joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bamidele in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, condemned the position of APC ward leaders in his hometown, IyinEkiti, who listed some conditions to be fulfilled before he could be admitted into the party.

He claimed that the ward party chiefs are being used by those he described as “unscrupulous leaders”, who are afraid of his astuteness and ingenuity in politics.

The APC leaders in Iyin Wards A and B in a communique at the end of a meeting said they learnt of Bamidele’s defection in the media as the ward executives were not carried along.

In a 10-point communique, Ope Ogundele and Folorunso Adeuyi listed certain conditions for Bamidele before he could be admitted into the party.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Bamidele described the stand of the Iyin APC leaders as “not only antithetical to democratic norms and ethos but also hypocritical smacking of ignorance about the party’s modus operandi”.

He argued that Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution vested on individual citizens, the right to join or exit any party without hindrance, once such person has not been expelled or suspended from such party.

Bamidele, who represents Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun Ifelodun Federal Constituency, said he told the National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni, and he got their blessings.

He wondered where ward executives got the affrontery to act in such a “brazen manner” saying such an action suggests that they are ignorant of the constitution

and party operations.

“How on earth“would the ward executive have more powers than Odigie-Oyegun and Oni, who gave me the green light to cross over to the APC? The lawmaker advised the ward chairmen against committing what he described as “insubordination and flagrant violation of the party supremacy” in their disastrous quests to massage the egos of some politically irrelevant party leaders, whose political prowess had plummeted by their haughty and cunning actions.”

He said: “If these ward leaders had not displayed naivety, they ought to know that going by the normal party practice and conventions, somebody of my political standing must contact the national leaders of the party and effect the defection after getting the go-ahead, before thinking of contacting my ward for registration.”

Bamidele urged the ward

the party, rather than allowing some egocentric leaders to mislead them .

He said: “Where were these people and their so- called leaders when Bamidele was heralded in to APC rally with a standing ovation in Ado Ekiti when he came at the instance of the national leaders of the party to become part of Buhari/Osinbajo presidential campaign project in Ekiti State?

“Why did they not reject the massive contribution of Bamidele and his group between January and March 28 that led to Buhari securing 41per cent of votes in Ekiti State?

“Genuine APC leaders in Ekiti State are happy that Bamidele is back within the fold because they are confident that with his coming things can not be the same in Ekiti State.

“I am sure the national leaders of APC know what to do to abate this political nuisance.”

HE state of roads in the four local government areas of Akoko in Ondo state has become a matter of concern to indigenes.

Residents described the development as a serious set back to the socio-economic development of the area.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in Arigidi-Akoko, John Ogunleye, said many indigenes living outside the state are uncomfortable with the situation.

He said: Many of our sons and daughters have decided to stay away from home because of the unmotorable nature of roads in Akokoland.

“They are not happy to come home and investors have stayed away” Ogunleye said the UgbeSimerin-Epinmi Road is the worst, noting that a toll gate was erected on a bridge illegally by touts, who collect between N50 and N200 depending on the size of the vehicles.

He said the bridge was made of wood and posed a danger to users.

The APC chieftain said the Oke-Agbe-Afin-Ese Road contract was awarded 16 years ago.

“It is still the same way.

Only motorcyclists can ply the road and they charge exhorbitant fares. ”Ajowa-Igasi-Eriti-OmuoOke-Ekiti is the worst as passengers trek with loads on their heads to the markets.

“Ikare-Oke-Agbe-Omuo and Ikun-Ipe are also calling for quick attention.

“There can never be meaningful development without motorable roads,the government should emulate Ekiti with good road network.”

Oyo, Chinese firm sign MoU on light rail

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HE Oyo State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm, CCECC, for the building of a light rail transport system covering about 24 kilometres within Ibadan, the state capital.

Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan at the week-end, Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the development as another milestone in his administration’s quest to modernise major cities in the state.

He said the project was long overdue for the state with a population of over 10 million, stressing that any city with a population of at least two million required a light rail system of transportation.

“We believe that in our quest to modernise Oyo State, particularly in the area of transportation having a light rail system is a sine qua non.

“Ibadan as a city, and indeed, Oyo State, with over 10 million people, is overdue for a rail system that can move people in large numbers from places to places. Rail is the largest and most effective transportation system to achieve this.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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NEWS Obasanjo loses younger sister From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo‘s younger sister, Madam Adunni Oluniola EwejeObasanjo, is dead.

The late Madam EwejeObasanjo, commonly referred to as Mama Eweje, died last Tuesday at an Ota private hospital after a brief illness. She was 76.

Obasanjo broke the news yesterday when Southwest women leaders visited him in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The women were led by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson.

The delegation, which includes the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu - Ojo, prayed for Obasanjo.

Low-key inauguration

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has directed that his second term inauguration be low-key.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Festus Adedayo, in a statement yesterday, said: “The governor has ordered an austere inauguration, bereft of the traditional fanfare synonymous with such occasion. Only light refreshments will be served at the occasion.

“All activities for the second term inauguration will start and end at the Adamasingba Stadium on May 29.

“By implication, an interfaith thanksgiving service will be held at the stadium, alongside the swearing-in the same day.

“There will also not be any post-inauguration luncheon..”

‘No to anointed candidate’

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AWMAKERS-elect in the Lagos State House of Assembly have resisted an attempt by a “kingmaker” to foist his speakercandidate on them.

Members had shunned a meeting purportedly called by the “kingmaker” to resolve the impasse of who becomes the speaker, when the House is inaugurated on June 4.

It was gathered that many members boycotted the parley, which they saw as a booby trap set for them by the “kingmaker”.

They, however, vowed not to succumb to any intimidation and harassment.

The lawmakers-elect said they will not compromise their beliefs by endorsing a member, who is not capable and competent as well as one whose candidacy is not supported by his colleagues.

They said: “We have resolved to put the people’s interest above all others by supporting the best candidate, who can take the House further in the tradition of excellence for which the Lagos Assembly is noted for.

“We are the representatives of the people and we have promised to give them the best in legislative representations.

“We are trying to avoid the House of Representatives situation, where every Speaker imposed on members was removed.”

Negative image affecting Ekiti, says Fayemi

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ORMER Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said all the negative news from the state was affecting its economy.

The former governor spoke yesterday when he visited the Hausa community to show his sympathy over the losses it incurred in the violence that rocked Ado-Ekiti last week.

Fayemi, who visited the Hausa at Shasha, on the outskirts of Ikere-Ekiti, where they had been relocated, promised that the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration would assist them.

The ex-governor inspected the burnt Erekesan Market.

He visited the Ewi of AdoEkiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, to commiserate with him.

The former governor, who was accompanied by some officials of his administration, said his visit was to identify with the people during these trying times.

He urged all Ekiti people to unite and fight against kidnap-

Fayose lifts curfew

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Ado-Ekiti on May 22, following a civil disturbance.

The governor, in a state broadcast, described the crisis between the Hausa and commercial drivers in Ado-Ekiti as unfortunate.

He urged residents to be law abiding and conduct their activities in a manner that would not cause further breakdown of law and From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

ping and other crimes for the state to witness peace and development.

Fayemi said kidnapping is unacceptable and must not to be allowed to fester for the state to be investors’ haven.

He said the negative image Ekiti has acquired in recent times is affecting its economy.

Fayemi said: “Some of my colleagues and friends would

order.

Fayose said the government lifted the curfew after security agents had restored peace in the state.

Fayose said the government had placed N2 million ransom on anybody that could provide information which could facilitate the arrest of the kidnappers, who abducted 11 people.

He said kidnapping was strange to the state, warning that the government would fight it.

have accompanied me to Ekiti but many of them declined the invitation as result of the spate of violence and kidnapping.

“I don’t think Ekiti deserves this negative label, which is why I am calling on well meaning indigenes to join hands with those who are willing to return peace to the state.”

Fayemi expressed sadness that the good relationship that existed between indigenes and Hausa settlers had be-

Official portrait for Ambode

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Crisis in Ekiti PDP over substitution HE Peoples Democratic of candidate Party (PDP) in Ekiti State is embroiled in another

crisis over who will represent Ado Ekiti Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly.

The battle over who represents the constituency is between the winner of the November 29, 2014 primary, Odunayo Talabi and his agent, Musa Arogundade.

Talabi, who is popularly known as Arinka, is accusing the party of “fraudulent substitution” of his name at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after winning the primary.

He is also aggrieved that a suit was filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of Arogundade by the party, which claimed that he did not win the Assembly primary and sought an injunction restraining him from parading himself as the PDP candidate for Ado Constituency one.

According to the PDP primary result endorsed by electoral officer, Oluwole Ojo and Returning Officer, Abiona Oluremi, Talabi scored 34 votes while the second contestant, Obayemi Toyin scored one.. The number of accredited delegates was 37.

In a letter to INEC through his lawyer, Akinyemi Omoware, Talabi maintained that he was the winner of the

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NDO State residents are complaining of the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

The scarce product is sold at between N200 and N350 per litre.

Commercial drivers and motorcyclists are having a field day as they charge exorbitant fares.

In most of the filling stations in Akure, PMS was not available.

At the few stations where the commodity was sold, there were long queues of vehicles and kegs, despite the exorbitant price.

The situation was the same in Ore, Ondo, Owena and Okitipupa. The situation has affected social and commercial activities.

The mega station of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in Akure was locked up.

It was however gathered that petrol was not supplied to the mega station since last week.

Akinde advises Buhari, Osinbajo

AGOS State Governorelect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday released his official portrait.

He said he would want to be addressed as Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State.

A statement by his media team said the governor-elect would not want any other appellation to be added to his name.

"He hereby puts it on record that from May 29, he wishes to be addressed as Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State," the statement said.

The portrait produced by famous photographer TY Bello shows Ambode in a black suit, a white shirt and a blue tie.

The portrait can also be viewed on www. akinwunmiambode.com

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come strained.

He called on stakeholders to join hands to end the twin-monsters, “which is strange to the culture of the land”.

Oba Adejugbe thanked Fayemi for his visit, urging the former governor not to rest on his oars in ensuring that peace reigns in the state.

The monarch said a committee had been set up to take an inventory of the property damaged during the clash.

Fuel scarcity bites harder in Ondo

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

primary held on November 29 and the Assembly election held on April 11.

Apart from having his name published on the INEC list, Talabi claimed that he was declared winner of the poll at units and wards upon collation of results.

The letter reads: “As your (INEC) Office may wish to know our client was not aware of any case needless to say being served any court process respecting the said suit.

“Arogundade Samuel Musa was the agent of our client at the party’s (Assembly) primary held on 29th November, 2014 whereas our client was declared the winner of the primary election. He (Arogundade) indeed endorsed the result sheet of the primary as such.

“The opponent of our client who participated and contested the primary with him was Obayemi Toyin, who did not contest the result of the primary.

“Arogundade Samuel Musa indeed served as the PDP party agent at Unit 08 of Ward 3, Ado Local Government in the

poll conducted on April 11.

He indeed endorsed the result sheet at the unit as such.

“Against the backdrop of the foregoing, it is bizarre how a candidate in an election could at the same time be a party agent at the same election.

“Much worse is if a person who never participated in the party’s primary nor had any nomination papers with your Office could claim to be the candidate of a party to overreach the lawful candidate.

“In the circumstance, we are suspecting criminal, connivance by your office with Arogundade Musa and his ilk in perpetrating this criminal act of forgery, alteration, impersonation and tampering with INEC materials in a manner prejudicial to the rights and interest of our client.

“Pleas note that much as we expect your office to take necessary action, we are by this letter informing you and law enforcement agencies of the criminal acts perpetrated for discreet investigation.

“It is common knowledge that the days of impunity and gross abuse of powers, offices and positions are gone by.”

HE Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Bishop Adebayo Akinde, has urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, not to betray the confidence Nigerians have in them.

He spoke at the third session of the diocese’s Third Synod in Yaba at the weekend.

He said: “I urge them to make the peoples’ welfare their priority. Endeavour to tackle urgently, issues pertaining to the welfare of the generalities of Nigerians.

“Make a visible effort to rise up squarely to the challenge of insecurity. Attend to the provisions of basic infrastructure, such as regular power supply, potable water, good roads, improved health care and facilities and revamped educational system.”

Rev. Akinde called on Nigerians to be patient with the

By Joseph Eshanokpe

incoming administration, cooperate with it by paying their taxes promptly, be lawabiding, and show concern for government properties and infrastructure.

He praised President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the March 28 election.

The cleric also praised Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola “for the legacies he is leaving behind’’.

He urged the Governorelect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to consolidate on Fashola’s achievements “and indeed, raise the bar higher in good governance and provision of amenities whereby living in Lagos becomes more pleasant’’.

Speaking on “Teach the youth today and fashion the future”, Bishop Akinde said the youth must know that they are future leaders and prepare themselves for this task.

Osun worker had depression, says doctor

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HE family doctor of a sanitation officer in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State has refuted the report linking his patient’s suicide attempt to unpaid salaries.

Last week, a newspaper reported that Olufemi Owolabi attempted to commit suicide because he had not been paid.

But Dr. Ishaq Opakunle said Owolabi had clinical depression, which sometimes lead to suicide.

He said tests carried out on Owolabi and inquiries from his family showed that he had attempted to commit suicide in the past.

The doctor said he gathered from the family that depression led his patient to relocate from the North some years back Opakunle said: “He (Owolabi) looked unkempt, depressed, and haggard.

“He was vomiting and weak. I was told he drank herbicide.

“I asked the patient why he attempted to commit suicide, but he refused to answer.

“His mother said he tried to take his life when he was in the North. It is most likely once a man attempts suicide, he may attempt it again.”

Mrs Rachael Owolabi said her husband did not attempt

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

suicide because of unpaid salaries.

She said he was not the only unpaid worker in the state.

Mrs. Owolabi said her husband had been battling depression.

The patient’s sister, Mrs. Yemisi Oladipupo, who also works in the local government, said her brother’s suicide attempt should not be linked to unpaid salaries.

She said: “The incident cannot be connected to unpaid salaries at all. Though, our salary arrears have not been paid up to date, people have started receiving alert for February salary now. So, why would he kill himself because of salary?

“I believe it was the devil at work and it is a family affair.

I see no reason why our family should be dragged into politics.

“The detractors goofed when they said he is a senior civil servant; he is a Level 4 officer.”

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), David Owoeye, denied speaking to reporters on the matter.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•The protesting students...yesterday

•The hand of a victim

PHOTOS: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Robbers invade LUTH again •Doctors, students, others lose valuables •Students protest insecurity

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OR the umpteenth time, robbers invaded the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) early yesterday, attacking doctors, students and others in the workers’ mosque.

The gun-wielding robbers struck few minutes after 3am, and carted away cash, handsets, laptops and wristwatches, among others.

Enraged by the raid, students locked all the gates leading into the institution around 4am.

Many were said to have been injured, while scampering to safety.

No fewer than 15 persons were said to be in the mosque during the attack. They included students who came to read because there was no light in their hostels and relatives of those admitted in the

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By Tajudeen Adebanjo and Wale Adepoju

hospital.

Some students who went to report the incident to the security were reportedly harassed, maltreated and beaten, infuriating their colleagues who mobilised others to fight back.

All entreaties to the students by some senior officials to reopen the gates were rebuffed.

Some police officers broke the gate leading to Mushin to gain access, leaving the ones at Idi-Araba.

The students protested against what they called erratic power supply and insecurity.

According to the College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical

HE Bode Edun Foundation has launched a Light-Up Oshodi project over the weekend.

The foundation with support from its sponsors and partners, installed 100 street lights in the inner streets of the seven wards of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos.

The founder, Mr Bode Edun, said

Science Students Association (COMPSSA) President Folasade Anthony, the students were robbed while reading at the mosque.

A student, who simply identified herself as Alhaja, said the robbers, who were armed with guns and machetes, operated freely.

She said after the operation, the robbers ran towards the gate and jumped over the fence.

Alhaja said a student, who went to alert the security men, was slapped by a guard.

“This was what irked the students and we decided to protest. We also locked the gate, leaving only the Mushin gate opened,” she said.

A worker who preferred anonymity, said robbery was becoming rampant in the hospital.

•Folashade addressing the crowd ... yesterday. With him are Prof Okanlawon (left) and other students

He said the hospital has in the last two months been under robbers’ siege.

Some doctors and nurses working in the laboratory were robbed recently, he said.

According to him, the college and LUTH need to do something about security.

The mosque caretaker said he was surprised, adding that

respect for the mosque.”

CMUL Deputy Provost Prof Abayomi Okanlawon and Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee Dr Wasiu Adeyemo persuaded the students to reopen the gates.

They promised that management would look into their grievances.

Foundation launches ‘Light-Up Oshodi Project’ the foundation took it upon itself to help light-up every nook and cranny of Oshodi to help citizens at night.

“The importance of street lighting cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

“It is on record that the provision

of street lights by the Lagos State Government has helped to curb the tide of armed and small robberies in Lagos. We are simply contributing our own quota as a non-profit organisation to the development of council,” Edun added.

The residents and elders of Simbi Street, Ijaye, Edun , Brown and other adjoining streets where the installation has been completed expressed joy over the project.

The Chief Imam of Ijaye Mosque, Alhaji Wasiu Atanda, said “as a son of the soil, our son (Bode)

I’m dying, kidney patient cries out

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this is the first time in his 15 years at the mosque that such a thing has happened.

He said the students came to read because there was no light in their hostels, adding: “It was when I got here that people started telling me how the students were robbed. It was really shocking that robbers do not have

HEN Adesoji Adebola, an estate surveyor, first experienced renal pains in February last year, his family didn’t realise that it had a serious problem at hand.

His face and legs were swelling up, followed by severe bouts of malaria. At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, he was initially diagnosed of infection and he was treated for it.

He thought it was all over, but in April, he was diagnosed of kidney failure. All efforts to save him began.

But there was a snag - the dialysis machine at LUTH did not work, leading to his transfer to a specialist hospital.

“He was just talking incessantly for over 24 hours. We had to rush him back to LUTH where they said he would have to undergo dialysis immediately. Unfortunately, the machine wasn’t working and we had to move him to a private clinic,” his sister, Adebukola Adesoji, said.

At the Dialyser Specialist Medical Centre in Oshodi, Lagos, where Adebola was admitted, he was told that his kidneys had packed up. To live, he has only one option: He must undergo an urgent kidney

By Seun Akioye

transplant in India. He was also told that on his kidneys have been destroyed by infection. Also his Packed Cell Volume (PVC) was less than 20, hence he would need blood transfusion every time he goes for dialysis.

When The Nation contacted the hospital, its Medical Director, Jacob Awobusuyi, said: “He has kidney disease and it is a permanent one. The infection which caused the problem is glomerulonephritis, an inflammation which the body produces and it has destroyed his kidney.”

Awobusuyi said Adebola would need an urgent kidney transplant which would cost at least N7 million, adding that the patient also needs a kidney donor urgently.

For now, Adebola undergoes dialysis twice weekly at about N45,000 per session; the family is groaning under the financial stress.

Adebola is appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to help him raise the fund. “I’m dying; Nigerians should please help me.”

Donations, the family pleaded, can be made into his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account number: 0011516188 under the •Adebola on his sick bed name, Adesoji Adebola.

recognises our need in the area and always rises up to the occasion to help solve our problems. So, I am not surprised that his foundation is coming up with this project”.

The foundation promised to do more to alleviate the suffering of the residents.

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Agenda for Buhari (1)

Nigerians need real change

Power and infrastructure: a roadmap S T

HE greatest paradox of the administration of out-going President Goodluck Jonathan is that it seems to have been flying without wings these past five years. Though there is a muchvaunted Transformation Agenda, it turned out to be merely an empty slogan with neither substance nor intent by Jonathan and his team to effect change.

The result is that the rot in the system only deepened in Jonathan’s time as signposted by the state of power and infrastructure in Nigeria today.

With less than one week to the end of the Jonathan era, the nation seems to be about to unravel. Electricity generation has fallen to an all-time low and the nation has been assailed by near blackout for a few weeks now, with its attendant deleterious effects on other sectors of the economy. Key physical infrastructure like road and rail systems have remained largely dilapidated and unsustainable for driving a modern economy.

The Muhammadu Buhari administration must therefore critically revisit the power and infrastructure templates with a view to totally revamping them and retooling them along the path of a twentyfirst century economy. Nigeria’s power situation which indeed has become a conundrum seems to have stumped all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations for the past 16 years. The chief reason is that it has been mired in corruption and the more the billions of dollars being thrown at it, the more hopeless the situation is.

With an estimated $25 billion supposedly spent since the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to date, power output at this moment sub 2,000 megawatts even though the potential capacity is said to be about 10,000megawatts. But consider the folly of building

gas-fired generating plants – about 10 of them over the last 10 years – without the composite gas facilities to power them.

Today, most of the new plants cannot be switched on and rolled into the national grid because the gas component was not factored into the plan ab initio.

Several of the supporting power facilities like sub-stations, initiated over the last 10 years in far-flung areas of the country were largely abandoned after huge contract sums had been paid and in some cases, twice over.

Though most of the generating and distribution arms of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were unbundled and privatised over a year ago, the impact has been insignificant. The divestment process was froth with fraud as cronies and party men that had no financial and technical capacities to run power firms were favoured.

But 18 months down the line, neither generation nor distribution has improved. Such basic matter as installing of metres to forestall arbitrary billings has not been carried out by the distribution companies (Discos). Instead, they have seemingly been content with creaming of the old, decadent order while corralling the government to approve scarce public resources for them as long-term loans. They have also enjoyed tariff hikes even when hardly any value has been added.

The transmission arm of the sector which has remained under the control of the Federal Government has been blighted by inertia as the new management firm, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is embroiled in management tussle since it was set up. Not much improvement has been made on the old facilities and hardly any new one added. The result is that TCN has no

capacity to take up to 5,000 megawatts of power if such quantity is generated anytime soon.

Like power, road and rail infrastructure remain very weak and undeveloped. The major road arteries like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Lagos-Benin Expressway, the Enugu-Aba Expressway and the East-West road spanning from Benin to Port-Harcourt need to be upgraded and built to modern day standards. Same for some of the major highways in the north like Kano to Maiduguri and Abuja to Kaduna.

Time is now too to set machinery in motion for modern rail lines in Nigeria.

This is a vast country and the roads would always face rapid dilapidation if they are not supported by vast rail network. Massive and quality development will always elude this country if government does not see modern rail system as sine qua non to her modernity.

It is the same with air transport. The plan to make Nigeria the hub of air transport in Africa must be pursued by the continued development of her existing airports – both passenger and cargo facilities. For maritime transport too, the lock-down witnessed in Nigeria’s prime ports in Lagos in the last one month makes the argument for immediate revamp valid. The rail line in Nigeria’s number one port at Apapa needs to be revamped and modernised urgently so that trucks would never have to impede activities there any longer.

The Buhari administration must understand that power and transport infrastructure are the twin engines on which a modern state is run. Therefore, it must adopt a bold new approach – it needs international long-term financial grants but more important, minders who are brimming with integrity, professionalism and patriotism.

Statistical scandal NBS chief’s claim that only 4.6m Nigerians are unemployed is far from the truth

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AST week, the nation’s chief statistician and chief executive officer of Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Dr Yemi Kale, threw at the millions of unemployed Nigerians, what many would call a statistical fraud. According to the bureau chief, only 4.6 million Nigerians are unemployed. That number amounts to 6.4 percent of the labour force, which his bureau gave as 72, 931, 608. He also claimed that using a 40-hour benchmark, fully employed Nigerians stand at 55, 206, 940 while those unemployed using 20-39 hours, stand at 13, 052, 219; but using 1-19 hours benchmark, the number is 3,145, 383. Finally, he gave the category of Nigerians who are doing nothing, as mere 1,527,067.

‘Those employed to provide the statistical data to aide our governments in planning must be ready to provide the grim figures. It would not help the system for our statisticians and bureaucrats to be fixated on cooking up favourable data that will not change the stubborn reality on ground’

Understandably, Dr. Kale is coming from the same barn that overnight rebased the Nigerian economy, and catapulted it to the biggest economy in Africa.

For us and many other Nigerians, the numbers do not add. Not when unemployment has been rightly described as a time-bomb that could derail the peace and security of Nigeria. Even without resort to cooked figures, the number of unemployed youths in a megacity like Lagos, where most young Nigerians across the country migrate to, in search of jobs, is more than the number thrown up by the bureau.

Interestingly, at the 2015 World Economic Summit in Davos, youth unemployment was a big issue. According to one of the panellists, youth unemployment in Nigeria is about 50 percent.

Strangely, according to NBS in 2014, referring to the National Population Commission estimates, the Nigerian population estimate was 167 million in 2012, of which half are young people, aged between 15 and 34. So what has changed dramatically between 2012 and 2015, if not the cooking of figures? In his contribution on youth unemployment at the Davos summit, Aliko Dangote was quoted to having said, “Our entire society is in danger of destruction”, unless urgent attention is paid to this dangerous trend.

Part of the challenge of un-employment is that technology is trumping employment opportunities across the world, so we appreciate that the problem is not a Nigerian problem alone.

But the Nigerian situation is aggravated by corrupt governments, which breed inefficiency in the provision of necessary infrastructure, to drive the economy. Therefore, those employed to provide the statistical data to aide our governments in planning must be ready to provide the grim figures. It would not help the system for our statisticians and bureaucrats to be fixated on cooking up favourable data that will not change the stubborn reality on ground If NBS wants a realistic data, it should conduct one across the mega cities, particularly during the working hours, as Nigerians reject that cooked-up statistics, and urge the in-coming administration to disregard it. The glaring scenario of grave unemployment bears out in big metropolis like Lagos, Kano, Aba, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Ibadan and many others. Across all these cities, the share waste of human capital is alarming, as youths roam about, playing games, when they should be at work.

Probably what the eye can see, statistics cannot capture.

IR: The PDP government has failed Nigeria in the past decade and half. Nigerians do not need tinkering on the margins. We need real change in orientation from decadence to real growth with equity, employment and inclusion.

Interconnections must be established among economic, social and environmental dimensions of development. Nigeria needs to invest in agriculture and agro-processing enterprises. Rampant corruption, sectarianism, cronyism and gross mismanagement of public funds must face a frontal attack, not arresting one individual for public consumption but all who have stolen the nation’s wealth must face the full wrath of the law. Dismissing or suspending a few police officers does not mean restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms, there must be total reform in the Nigerian Police. We voted for change and change we must see after May 29.

PDP government has failed. Controlling inflation, important as it is, is not enough. Measuring progress in economic growth and per capita income terms is necessary but not sufficient condition for improving living standards of all. Launching a new vision without providing a roadmap about its implementation, monitoring and evaluation isn’t helpful. For that reason 2020 vision died on the very day it was launched in part because the then president hadn’t seen the final version, it was a rushed plan. The drafters of the vision never provided the methodology and indeed it was planned to fail.

Overemphasis on export in agricultural produce including foodstuffs has damaged the environment through de-vegetation and chemical pollution, overfishing and deforestation and reduction of food supplies in the domestic market contributing to severe under-nutrition. Poorly fed women produce underweight children with permanent physical and mental disabilities, children develop smaller brain size than normal and constrain their ability to learn and underfed adults don’t have the energy to perform optimally.

Exchange rate adjustment in favor of exports has made the price of imports very expensive for consumers and investors. Keeping inflation so low has reduced money in circulation and drove interest rates so high that few investors are able to borrow and invest. Consequently economic growth has declined considerably following exhaustion of excess capacity. Nigeria’s economy needs to grow at an average rate of 10 percent to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2020.

Nigeria is well endowed in human, natural and financial resources. The problem is poor leadership. What General Muhammadu Buhari needs is a government of all stakeholders to sort out the mess that has accumulated since 1999. Those who have helped cripple the economy of the nation must not be allowed to serve again, no matter the party they belong. Nigerians can’t afford another failed four years under Buhari.

Gen. Buhari must avoid the mistake of rushing to choose his cabinet ministers without knowing who they are. We should not have criminals in government again. Nigerians are hopeful that our children unborn will see why we voted out the PDP government and be grateful for the future opportunity that will be provided to them by the Buhari regime.

• Comrade Ahmed Omeiza Lukman, Kiev Ukraine.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is indeed disgraceful and disheartening to witness the lingering political turmoil that has pervaded Ekiti State for some time now. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near abating and instead it is dangerously degenerating into an apocalypse.

The Ekiti people are nationally and international known for their forthrightness, doggedness, principles, deep-rooted in cultural values, high level of intelligence and high education achievements.

These have fetched them acronyms such as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ and lately the State of Honour and not the prevailing distasteful, dishonoured and damaging appellation of the state of ‘Stomach Infrastructure’.

Ekiti people should therefore be worried about the insalubrious happenings in our dear state today.

Do all these sterling attributes still add up in reality? My candid an-

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

Fayose and Ekiti political apocalypse swer would be a firm NO and the quicker we all realise this, the best for us so that the lost glory of the state could be quickly restored. The political brouhaha orchestrated by supposedly political leaders in the name of politics will neither do the political leaders, the state nor the people any good.

Since politics, democracy and governance is centred on the governed i.e. the people, can we now in all honesty say that the deadly politics which has reduced governance to zero level in Ekitis state

Deregistering political parties

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IR: I read with delight that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intends to deregister some political parties. Most of the so-called political parties are merely social clubs.

There is nothing political about them. It was an error, in the first place, to register them as political parties. Political parties are based on ideologies of Right (capitalist), Left (socialist) and Centre.

If asked to show the difference between their parties and those which were registered earlier, most of them would not be able to show any. And if they cannot show the differences, why not join them?

With fewer political parties, it will be easier for the INEC to exercise the oversight function on political parties, and the burden on INEC to make tape-like ballot papers, in order to capture symbols of political parties will ease. The task of the electorates to search for the

symbol of the party of their choice will be removed. Most of these socall political parties are never heard of and their symbols not known until they are seen on the ballot paper.

After deregistering the social clubs which have been given status as political parties, INEC should ensure that only political associations which can show evidence in their papers that they are different by ideologies from the existing political parties are registered. Applicants merely giving themselves different or new names and picking different symbols should not be considered for registration as a political party. Freedom of association enshrined in our Constitution should not be used to indiscriminately register an association as a political party • Dr. Joseph T. Orkar, Ankpa Road G.R.A., Makurdi

is for the interest of the people?

During the campaign prior to the election, Governor Ayodele Fayose admitted that mistakes were made during his first tenure and said he had learnt. He professed to being a changed and matured person. Sadly, not long after being declared winner and even before his inauguration, he returned to the old ways. Impunity, political intolerance and browbeat of constitution in display. A grave assault on the judiciary where a state high court judge was beaten up, court staff openly assaulted and vital documents carted ways during the despicable act.

After his swearing-in, instead of creating the best atmosphere to work with the state legislators, Fayose resorted to creating disaffection among the lawmakers. He

S

prevented the 19 APC members from performing their constitutional duties and supported the seven PDP members to stage a kangaroo impeachment against the bona fide Speaker. That marked the beginning of the crisis that has brought the Ekiti State to this awful situation.

With all these happenings, it is bewildering that our respectable traditional rulers and the leaders of thought have kept an undignified silence; some are even partisan. These respectable leaders have shown lack of concern when they should rise up to their natural and moral responsibilities to find amicable solutions to the problems before it degenerated to this point.

No doubt, their timely intervention would have probably saved us from this unpalatable siltation

we are in now. They abdicated their social responsibilities and before their own eyes, the reputation of Ekiti State is being thrown to the mud, the state is engulfed in crisis the end of which nobody can predict.

Enough of keeping aloof, enough of sitting on the fence it’s time to do something.

Every character involved in getting Ekiti State to this abysmal mess and those by the virtue of their positions who ought to act one way or the other to save the situation but failed to do so should know that posterity will judge them accordingly. Those who train thugs and empower them with arms to cause mayhem, destroy and to kill their brothers and sisters in the name of politics should know that a day of reckoning is in the offing; for what goes around comes around. These youths, sooner or later, will turn the guns against the suppliers and they shall be the greatest victims of their own evil deeds.

• Lanre Atere, Moodiesburn, Glasgow, UK

Save Our Soul to IGP Arase

IR: I write on behalf of the retrenched officers of the Oyo State command of the Nigeria Police. We were retrenched on the ground of age in January 2007 during the regime of ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero. The retrenchment cut across all federal parastatals, and paramilitary organizations.

Then, the Federal Government ordered payment of entitlements to every affected person in the exercise. This was duly observed in every parastatal and paramilitary organization – excluding the Nigeria Police. The reason given by

the authorities of the Nigeria Police was that the affected would be soon be called back to service.

Between 2008 and 2010, few officers (rank and file) were called back to service while the rest were left out because they had no godfathers.

When all our hopes to be called back to service throughout 2010 to 2012 became fruitless, we decided to pursue our entitlements, so that our service for years would not be zero.

In May2014, a signal came from the Police headquarters Abuja to state headquarters that we should submit all necessary documents

including our bank account numbers and pay slips to facilitate the payment of our entitlements. We complied with the instructions and were assured of payment into our various bank accounts before the end of year 2014.

To our dismay, we have not received anything and not even heard about the payment till date.

We are appealing to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to call on the Police authority, to release our entitlements even though some of our colleagues have died while waiting.

• Adebiyi Ayoade, Ibadan.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

COMMENTS

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ATURE is so important in the existence of man that nobody lives without depending on it for survival.

In fact, nothing can exist outside of nature. Human beings live in houses, towns and cities and depend on sunshine, rain, clothes and food for survival and growth. In a sense, nature is the platform on which living creatures ride to live and from which they derive all they require for survival, including their respiration. Nature is ever kind, gentle, patient, honest and helpful to all creatures, showing much understanding and respect for their survival instincts and making adjustment for their incursions.

Unfortunately, the greed of man and his avaricious tendencies has always made him attempt to wipe out nature or twist its course of operation for his own selfish gains. From the very beginning of his existence, and with increasing intensity, human society has adapted nature and made all kinds of incursions into it. An enormous amount of human labour has been spent on transforming nature. Humanity converts nature’s wealth into the means of the cultural, historical life of society. Man has subdued and disciplined electricity and compelled it to serve the interests of society. Not only has man transferred various species of plants and animals to different climatic conditions, he has also changed the shape and climate of his habitation and transformed plants and animals. If we were to strip the geographical environment of the properties created by the labour of many generations, contemporary society would be unable to exist in such primeval conditions.

Man is constantly aware of the influence of nature in the form of the air he breathes, the water he drinks, the food he eats, and the flow of energy and information. And many of man’s troubles are a response to the natural processes and changes in the weather, intensified irradiation of cosmic energy, and the magnetic storms that rage around the earth.

In short, we are so connected with nature that we cannot live outside it. During their temporary departures from Earth, spacemen take with them a bit of the biosphere. Nowhere does nature affect humanity in exactly the same way.

Its influence varies. Depending on where human beings happen to be on the earth’s surface, it assigns them varying quantities of light, warmth, water, precipitation, flora and fauna.

Man and nature interact dialectically in such a way that, as

‘As a people, we need to really come to terms with the significance of an improved environmental habit. When we deliberately choose to act in manners that endanger the environment, we are the ones that would certainly bear the consequences of such actions’

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ITH a regrettable connivance or even collaboration with a section of the Nigerian media, an ugly precedence is being created wherein the performance of top government functionaries, especially state chief executives, is being based entirely on the mood of proprietors of media houses. I would, without mincing words, state that the good people of Abia State are victims of a clear blackmail that has made it impossible for them to properly place their outgoing governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, in history.

This is most unfortunate. My honest view is that if the blackmail succeeds, Abians may never again see a ‘good’ governor, at least not in the foreseeable future. The reason is simply that those responsible for the media siege on the state are most unlikely to relent, having failed to get their cronies into the Government House, Umuahia through the last general election. Already, the incoming governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, was served notice to this effect when a newspaper in a recent front page commentary referred to him as “part of the infamous Orji administration”.

I sympathize with the good people of Abia State because theirs is the only state in Nigeria that has two national newspapers unleashed on it and to the extent that today, only just a few of the citizens, including those who have distinguished themselves in their career and in service to the nation, have any integrity left of them. As things stand, no set of citizens in Nigeria have had their lives so scrutinized by the media as Abia citizens of late.

Recently, I was forced to join in the fray to discuss the notion that Igbo political leaders are all buffoons for not leading their people into the Buhari/APC train. One after the other, visible newspaper columnists from a particular section of the country took time to deride the Igbo and their leaders for voting (unwisely) for President Goodluck Jonathan.

They described Igbo leaders as lacking in vision and that Nigeria has taken off without the Igbo. One even turned his column into an award giving platform from where he handed out garlands to ‘deserving’ Igbo politicians, that is, those who were ‘wise’ enough to join the APC/Buhari train.

This is a digression but it probably illustrates my position that it is double tragedy for the Igbo for their sons and daughters who overcame the initial reluctance of delving into newspaper business to use their new-found trade to heighten the vulnerability of their people in the media. The outgoing governor, Chief T.A. Orji, has borne the brunt of that perfidy so far but now that he is going, who next? As we have seen above, the in-coming governor, Ikpeazu, has been put on notice.

I have decided to raise this issue because it is becoming evident that Abians have allowed a certain clique in the na-

Understanding the sacred status of nature

By Lateef Ibirogba society develops, man tends to become less dependent on nature directly, while indirectly his dependence grows. This is understandable because while he is getting to know more and more about nature, and in the process transforming it, man’s power over nature progressively increases, but in the same process, man comes into more and more extensive and profound contact with nature, bringing into the sphere of his activity growing quantities of matter, energy and information.

However, man’s technological and scientific breakthroughs over the decades have had certain negative impact on the natural landscape of the earth. Forests, for example, have been destroyed for arable land to increase; the land has been over-grazed, thus exposing it to abnormal conditions. This was all done in the name of civilization. But as time passed, the interaction between man and nature became characterized by accelerated subjugation of nature and the taming of its elemental forces. Mankind became increasingly concerned with the question of where and how to obtain irreplaceable natural resources for the needs of production. Science and man’s practical transforming activity made humanity aware of the enormous geological role played by the industrial transformation of earth. Consistently and continually, man discovered and devised new pattern of coping with the daily challenges of life.

Modern industrial activity has embraced ruthless ways of crushing global natural systems. Indeed, the prevailing trend of the modern world is the pursuit of activities that portend great danger for the future existence of the earth. In finding solutions to the complex world’s challenges, man unconsciously creates other problems that are often too difficult to manage. Climate change, overpopulation, loss of topsoil and fresh water, increasing rates of species extinction, deforestation, imperiled coral reefs, unstoppable invasive species, toxic chemicals that remain for eons in the environment, persistent human poverty and hunger, and an increasingly inflated and unstable world financial system are some of the results that unwholesome human induced activities have brought upon the world.

The problem of eliminating industrial waste is also becoming increasingly complex. The threat of a global ecological crisis hangs over humanity like the sword of Damocles. His keen awareness of this fact has led man to pose the question of switching from the irresponsible destructive and polluting subjugation of nature to a reason-

able harmonious interaction in the “technology-man-biosphere” system. Whereas nature once frightened us and made us tremble with her mysterious vastness and the uncontrollable energy of its elemental forces, it now frightens us with its limitations and a new-found fragility, the delicacy of its plastic mechanisms. We are faced quite uncompromisingly, with the problem of how to stop, or at least moderate, the destructive effect of technology on nature.

Human activity at various times has involved a good deal of irrational behaviour. Labour, which started as a specifically human means of rational survival in the environment, now damages the biosphere on an increasing scale and on the boomerang principle—affecting man himself, his bodily and mental organisation. Under the influence of uncoordinated production processes affecting the biosphere, the chemical properties of water, air, the soil, flora and fauna have acquired a negative shift. Experts maintain that 60 per cent of the pollution in the atmosphere, and the most toxic, comes from motor transport, 20 per cent from power stations, and 20 per cent from other types of industry.

Many people seem not to understand that the quality of our lives as human beings is substantially a reflection of the quality of the environment which we inhabit. Many still seem not to comprehend that the environment which we inhabit, like kola in Igbo culture, is life in itself. It is whatever we give to the environment that it gives back to us. No more, no less. Most cities of the world experience environmental abuse as a result of the ignorance of the people when it comes to environmental matters. It is from this perspective that one really takes exception to various habits and activities of Lagos residents that portend great danger to the environment. How, for instance, does one explain such despicable attitudes as defecating or urinating in public places, indiscriminate refuse dumping, drainage blockage, construction on waterways, drainage alignments, throwing of refuse into canals and such unauthorised places, turning garden and parks into arena for environmentally unfriendly activities among others ?

As a people, we need to really come to terms with the significance of an improved environmental habit. When we deliberately choose to act in manners that endanger the environment, we are the ones that would certainly bear the consequences of such actions. Hence, preserving the sanctity of nature should be everybody’s responsibility because when nature fights back, no one could cope with its rage.

• Ibirogba is Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Lagos State

Orji: An alternative viewpoint

By Ethelbert Okere tional media to pass a verdict on their behalf on their outgoing governor. As noted above, media observatory is necessary for democracy but there is everything wrong in a people allowing the machinery of appraising their leaders to be hijacked by one or two individuals who have a grip on a section of the media. Abians seem to have either abnegated the responsibility of overseeing and monitoring their state or have caved in under the intimidation of a certain cabal from the state which has access to the media.

It strikes me that the siege laid on the state for eight years is yet to abate even a few days to the exit of Governor Orji. A few days ago, I came across an article by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, where he was again ‘apologizing’ for choosing T.A. Orji as his successor. I thought Abians have heard this so often that it has become trite. Now that T.A. Orji is leaving, the regret for making him governor is no longer necessary and mouthing it is, in fact, an inadvertent way of telling Abians that they were foolish enough not to have removed Chief Orji in eight years. But something tells me that Abians are no fools to have left the governor to pilot their affairs even if there was a mistake in throwing him up. And I know I am not alone on this but it is left for the good people of Abia state to say so.

To be sure, Governor Orji could not have pleased everybody in the state; or could he have posted a superlative performance but what I am completely against is the claim that he did so badly that, to use the words of a certain newspaper, the people now have “a chance to shoo Orji out of Abia State Government House, Umuahia and earnestly pray that the shadow of such a pretender democrat never darkens its hallways again”. In all honesty, that is too uncharitable not just to the governor but to the entire citizenry of the state. Things couldn’t have been so bad for Abians that a fellow who had their mandate for eight years could be so disdainfully described.

But more importantly, I think the language in the above passage cheapens the essence of what the write up was meant to achieve. As far as I am concerned, it is the final outcome of a mindset that has lingered for years and which the operatives in that outfit profess not out of their individual convictions but in awe of an over-bearing proprietorship.

With due respect, I think ex-Governor Kalu ought not to have repeated some of the issue he raised in his recent article on his successor, at least for the simple reason that after eight

years of repeating the same thing over and over again, the impression Nigerians would finally go away with is that he, Kalu, has no fresh ideas on how to continue with the fight with his erstwhile friend.

Differently put, some observers would say that he has lost out. While it shouldn’t really be a matter of victor and vanquished, I ask, will Orji Kalu still do articles or T.A. Orji after May 29? I had thought that the expiration of Governor Orji’s tenure would make the fight between the two friends die a natural death. Last October while we were at Igbere for the burial of the late Dimgba Igwe, I had told Kalu, who hosted us in his country home, Camp Neya, that I wasn’t happy that his quarrel with the governor had lingered that long. Before he made a comment, he pointed at Governor Orji’s official portrait hung at the back of his desk and said, “he remains my governor”. Thereafter, Kalu went ahead to say that he was ready to make up with the governor as soon as the opportunity comes.

Well, between October 2014 and now is not a long time but the tone of his recent article does not show that willingness.

Well, I have now come to the conclusion that so long as Chief Theodore Orji remains at the Government House, Umuahia, that opportunity envisaged by Kalu may never come. So, let’s hope that now that Governor Orji will soon be out, it will come.

Back to Abians in general, I think that a fellow who brought back the political elite together to work for their collective good deserves a place in the state’s Hall of Fame. In my view, it is wrong for Abians to allow the type of precedence being created by recent newspapers commentaries on the outgoing governor. After all, it is said in our native parlance that he whose dog is being abused is also being indirectly abused. I salute Governor T.A. Orji who came, saw and delivered.

‘Governor Orji could not have pleased everybody in the state... what I am completely against is the claim that he did so badly that, to use the words of a certain newspaper, the people now have “a chance to shoo Orji out of Abia State Government House...’’

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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COMMENTS

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OUR days on, the mantle of leadership of this country will switch over to president-elect, Gen. Mohammed Buhari. On that day, he would be sworn in as the president of the country for the next four years following his successful election.

Preparations are on top gear with expectations very high on the good things to come with the change of leadership in national affairs. Representatives of governments, groups and individuals have been generous with suggestions on what the incoming government should do to make the needed difference. Issues that have been a recurring decimal, among others include the urgency to battle corruption, insecurity and the parlous state of the nation’s economy.

Incidentally, these were some of the key campaign promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under which platform Buhari won the election. If there are constant references to them, they serve as reminder to the incoming administration of the imperative to live up to the high expectations of the people.

In this wise, institutions, persons or groups that ought to attract the prying eyes of the new government in its new direction have been fingered very relentlessly. So also are the necessary policy measures to be initiated for our economy to rebound. There seems to be a wide range of consensus that things must be done differently for this country to move forward. Not surprisingly, corruption in all its ramifications stands out as one cankerworm that must be uprooted for these high-minded expectations to be met. There seems to be a wide range of consensus that we are now ready for this all important crusade irrespective of the pervasiveness of the malfeasance and envisaged reluctance of some vested interests to embrace the new direction.

The way the issue of corruption is being bandied, the impression one gets is that people are expecting a very quick fix to the cankerworm. But that would be a very limited understanding of the pervasiveness of the matter. It would imply that we are yet to come to

‘It is nigh impossible to fight corruption in a setting where ethnicity and religion are in constant competition with the government for the loyalty of the citizens’

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

As Buhari takes charge terms with the dynamics of the matter. Corruption is more encompassing and pervades the entire gamut of the nation’s social fabric. It is every where. It has eaten very deep. Such a debilitating problem cannot lend itself to a quickly procured remedy as is currently being expected. This is more so because some of the systemic dysfunctions that are at the root of corruption will take a long time to lend themselves to serious therapeutic response. Some of them are deeply rooted in the very structure and organization of governance framework.

Others have their root in the defective manner the Nigerian federation evolved. The role of ethnicity, religion and some other primordial influences in sustaining corruption can only be ignored at a great risk to the envisaged fight. So also is the defective federal structure that vests the powers of life and death on the central authority. There is also failure on the part of our leaders (past and present) to institute socialization processes capable of producing true Nigerians (in the way an American will regard himself) the kind the Israeli did through their Kibbutz system.

It is nigh impossible to fight corruption in a setting where ethnicity and religion are in constant competition with the government for the loyalty of the citizens. It is difficult to fight corruption in a milieu where civic institutions are seen as instruments of dominance by one ethnic group against the others. That exactly is the point the Nigerian federation finds itself now. So if we focus on institutions of governance without taking into account the latent sources that influence behavior at those formal levels, we may not get the right handle to

YOU can’t hate the roots of a tree and not hate the tree. You can’t hate Africa and not hate yourself – Malcolm X

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ODAY, Monday May 25 is Africa Day! What then about it when a billion Africans worldwide in 2015 muddle through without African consciousness? We have all the structures: Africa Union, (AU), African parliament ad ifinitum but we lack the real thing that would drive the African institutions, African consciousness. How many Africans remember Africa (Liberation) day? It’s time we reinvented pan-Africanism with a demand for a continentwide obligatory observance of Africa Day. We must promote the education and consciousness about African Renaissance!

On May 8, every year, Europeans in unison pause (with public holidays!) to mark the Victory over Nazi Germany’s aggression and oppression in Europe during the Second World War. Sixty million people (including thousands of Africans) reportedly died during the Hitler’s war of attrition.

But lest we forget; as many as some 100 million African lives were lost to 19th century European brutal colonial terrorism and 300 years of the transatlantic slave trade earlier! Younger Africans must be aware of the enormous sacrifices of the founding fathers who through resistance and nationalism fought for African liberation. Otherwise we lose them permanently to complacency and complicity that may nourish a repeat of the tragic history of enslavement and colonization. No thanks to loss of memory, Africa is sliding back into primitive tribal wars (witness South-Sudan), xenophobia, crude and violent tribalism (ala South Africa), ethno- religious wars (Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Central Africa Republic). These mutually destructive war-types in the past undermined African communities before the colonial predators came calling. Modern-day visa lotteries and serial Mediterranean tragedies with boats carrying thousands of African migrant workers sinking underscore the truism that lack of memory ruins a continent.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the chairperson of the African Union Commission must bring some renewed energy and pro-active activism into the Africa Union (AU) secretariat if Africa must matter in a globalized world. I searched in vain for the 2015 theme of an anniversary of the Africa Day. One recalls an OAU of Togo’s Edem Kodjo (1978 - 1983), Nigeria’s Dr. Peter U. Onu (1983 - 19 85) and Tanzania’s Dr Salim Ahmed Salim (1989 - 2001). OAU commendably offered Africa the needed leadership in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and last vestiges of colonialism in Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola. Nigeria is better positioned by its chequered history in the struggle for African liberation to lead a renewed pan-Africanism. But that is if its outgoing leaders halt the last minute reported criminal scramble for “take away” of the commonwealth. Or better

it.

If we focus on proper husbanding of our revenue without considering how to whittle down the prebendal nature of our politics, we may not achieve optimal results. This point is further underscored by our geo-politics that places higher premium on where the candidate comes from rather than suitability and ability to do the job. The logic of geo-politics in our case is rooted in the warped notion of sharing the national cake rather than issues of affirmative action or balance.

The underlying thinking is that it is only when one of theirs ascends to that high office that their interests can be adequately taken care of. That has been the general feeling and it cannot make for real progress.

Even with many years of living together since independence, rather than wane, these tendencies have been on their ascendancy.

They got to a point about two years ago that two former heads of state, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida had to issue a joint statement lamenting the degenerate level the nation had sunk within this ignoble matrix.

They were alarmed at a situation where some of those they hitherto regarded as patriots were increasingly beginning to question the basis for Nigerian unity. And their ranks are not few. The fears they then expressed were further taken to a dangerous level during the last electioneering campaigns and are bound to influence public perceptions for some time to come.

The thing to consider is why we have not progressed beyond the things that divide our people. We need to factor in the role of the elite in sustaining and reinforcing these cen-

trifugal tendencies and whose interests such divisions largely serve- that of the elite or the fetchers of wood and drawers of water.

As Buhari moves to confront issues of corruption and development, he is bound to be challenged by these systemic dysfunctions some of which will entail fundamental restructuring of the polity. He has to take both a short and long term perspective of them. Yes, he can start with the leakages in the system. He has said every Nigerian would be made to live within his means. For this to happen, all avenues for fleecing the government must be plugged and blocked. But corruption is not all about stealing money from the government coffers. It is also about giving disproportionate attention to some geo-political zones to the detriment of others. It is all about a skewed distribution of public goods based on some other hazy exigencies.

It is the same phenomenon that gives rise to allegations of alienation and marginalization by the constituent units. Things must have to be done the right and proper way for the fight to be won. There are institutions of government that have been notorious in shortchanging the public. They too must have the searchlight beamed on them. One of such institutions is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The corruption that goes on within that organization during elections must be stamped out without much delay. Since elections are the basis for conferring legitimacy in a democratic setting, a corrupt electoral process is unlikely to produce leaders who can meaningfully wage a relentless war against the cankerworm.

So the fight must start from the electoral body.

Much of the problems that marred the last elections in many places were as a result of INEC officials compromising their positions. Not only did they sell authentic results sheets to the highest bidders, falsification and mutilating of results sheets were all traceable to these officials.

Somehow, there is the feeling that we should let go and move forward. Fine! But there is no guarantee people will be that patronizing the next time round.

Buhari must move to unite the country; give all a sense of belonging through inclusive policies. He must at once, identify and redress the sources of frustration which forced Obasanjo and Babangida to deplore the increasing loss of confidence by patriots on the continuing basis for the nation’s unity 54 years after independence.

Africa: Once upon a continent

By Issa Aremu still, if the incoming ruling party officials stop agonizing over sharing (as distinct from production) formula based on their zones, regions, villages and clans. On assumption of office this weekend, Presidentelect General Muhammadu Buhari must definitely act local to re-fix Nigeria. He must however with equal energy think and act African and indeed global. General Murtala Muhammed almost single-handedly roused Africa to action over southern African liberation with the famous Africahas-come-of-age speech. Africa today begs for quotable leaders! We need self-reliance. If poorer Africa built OAU Secretariat independently, why would Africa with triple figure GDP rely on China to remodel AU secretariat years after? Contemporary Africa parades big chieftains, with their wives, wealth and power but little vision, idealism and love of the continent. Africa Day raises the nostalgia of eminent great African statesmen like Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa, Sekou Toure, Murtala Muhammed, Samora Machel, Amilcal Cabral, Thomas Sankara, Nelson Mandela and non-state pan Africanists like Mariam Makeba, Ngugi Ngig) wa Thiong’o, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, my late dear friend and pan-Africanist, Dr Tajudeen Abdulraheem who died on Africa Day in a tragic accident in Nairobi six years ago.

At the founding of Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, Nkrumah rightly observed that independence “is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs”. IMF and World Bank taunt Africa as an emerging market with alluring growth rate of seven per cent. But market for whose goods? In the 70s, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang and enjoined us to “Buy Africa”. Apart from South Africa, which accounts for 27.3 percent of the subcontinent’s total Manufacturing Value Added, the whole continent is littered with smuggled, second hand and imported goods from Europe and China.

Nigeria scandalously exports crude and imports refined petroleum products. It’s time to Make-in-Africa, add value to the abundant raw materials, and create jobs for the youths.

Africa should be the value addition and beneficiation/job destinations – impossible without electric power. In 1963, Nkrumah had noted that “Our continent ....exceeds all the (other continents) in potential hydroelectric power, which some experts assess as 42% of the world’s total”. Fifty years after, Africa economy groans under the weight of power poverty.. We cannot drive industrialization with power

outages in Accra, Lagos or Johannesburg!

Fifty-four heads of government Africa are almost thrice heads of government that make up the Euro zone of 19 countries. European Union, (EU) remains unapologetically insular, tightening immigration laws by the day. Recently its leaders said they would “destroy boats used by smugglers to bring migrants across the Mediterranean”.

Indeed the EU is set to present a resolution to the UN Security Council to that effect. No voice so far is heard from the continent whose territorial waters are now an arena of gunboat diplomacy. Who then speaks for Africa? Some 29 billionaires in Africa are distributed almost between Nigeria and South Africa. Yet the two countries harbour as many as 100 million poor! We must urgently compliment the wellbeing of the few with the total well-being of all Africans.

The challenges of production and distribution in Africa call for bigger economy of scale which is only possible with economic integration and United States of Africa!

Again Nkrumah saw it all earlier: “Our objective is African union now. There is no time to waste. We must unite now or perish”. The Maastricht Treaty which established European Union was signed on November 1, 1993, 30 years after OAU was formed by far sighted philosopher-leaders – kings of Africa. EU today exhibits robust common big market and common citizenship. What is good for Europe has long been envisioned by African founding fathers. Let’s realise the vision. Happy Africa Day. • Aremu, mni, is Secertary-General, Alumni Association of the National Institute, AANI, Kuru Jos.

‘The Maastricht Treaty which established European Union was signed on November 1, 1993, 30 years after OAU was formed by far sighted philosopher-leaders – kings of Africa.

EU today exhibits robust common big market and common citizenship.

What is good for Europe has long been envisioned by African founding fathers’

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

THE CEO

Wanted: Stricter measures to stem illegal tobacco trade - P. 29 News Brief NCC threatens to sanction MTN over ‘illegal’ tariff plans THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the weekend ordered MTN Nigeria Communications to stop implementing a tariff plan called MTN TruTalk+ or face serious sanctions as the regulator said it did not give any approval for such service.

–Page 27

‘Nigeria’s business environment hostile’ Bi-Courtney boss, Mr Wale Babalakin (SAN), has described the business operating environment in the country as “very frustrating”, “nerve-racking” and “nervecracking”.

–Page 27

Audi to launch three new SUVs by 2020

‘Agric vital to sustained economic growth’ - P. 37

Foreign portfolio investments hit N440b

A

S a result of the successful conduct of elections and this week’s change of government, foreign investors have shown increased appetite for Nigerian portfolio investments.

Latest update on foreign portfolio transactions at the stock market showed that foreign investors are staking more on Nigerian equities than they are taking out.

For the first time since the beginning of this year, the foreign portfolio investment (FPI) report by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed positive net foreign inflow as foreign portfolio inflow outpaced outflow.

The report showed a hearty but modest reversal of the sustained downtrend that

• Investors look beyond May 29

By Taofik Salako

has seen a built-up of deficit foreign transactions in previous months.

The report indicated that total foreign inflow rose to N54.20 billion in April as against outflow of N49.75 billion, representing a modest positive net inflow of about N4.45 billion. Total foreign transactions thus stood at N103.95 billion as against total domestic transactions of N102.91 billion during the month.

The latest report represented a positive shift for the market. In March, foreign portfolio outflows of N52.41 billion outpaced inflows of

N50.15 billion.

The report used two key indicators-inflow and outflow, to gauge foreign investors’ mood and participation in the stock market as a barometer for the economy.

Foreign portfolio investment outflow includes sales transactions or liquidation of equity portfolio investments through the stock market while inflow includes purchase transactions on the NSE. The NSE report is regarded as a credible gauge of foreign portfolio investments in Nigeria as it coordinates data from nearly all active investment bankers and stockbrokers.

The report also showed marked improvement in domestic participation in the stock market as risk-averse investors left the sidelines to drive the bargain-hunting that characterised the month.

Domestic transactions, which had stood at N81.46 billion in March, added N21.45 billion to close April at N102.91 billion.

Altogether, total foreign transactions in the past four months stood at N439.57 billion, including sales transactions of N234.84 billion and buy transactions of N204.73 billion. Domestic transactions accounted for N325.52 billion out of the cumulative transaction of N765.09 billion recorded within the four-month period.

AUDI is planning to launch three new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) by the end of the decades, including a Q1 crossover, range-topping Q8 and one with electric drivetrain.

–Page 40

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$54/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8.4%

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

• From left: Funke Aiyepola, Managing Director, Union Trustees Limited; Binta Max-Gbinije, Secretary-General, Association of Corporate Trustees(ACT), Funmilayo Ekundayo; President, Abdulkadir Abbas; Deputy Director, Securities Offering, Securities and Exchange Commission, Tokunbo Ajayi; Vice President, ACT; Fatah Kadiri; Assistant Secretary-General, ACT; and Bolanle Oyelade; Financial Secretary, ACT, during the association’s 1 st Quarter Training at UBA House in Lagos.

‘NPDC cannot operate divested Shell’s assets’

T

HE Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), lacks the capacity to operate the divested Shell and partners’ oil blocks transferred to it by the government, sources at the state-run oil firm said at the weekend.

They told The Nation that the NPDC and NNPC workers’ strike over transfer of the operatorship of the oil blocks to their private sector joint venture partners, is baseless because the assets are grossly under-produced for lack of technical and financial capabilities on the

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

part of NPDC. A source at NNPC said the production figures churned out by the striking workers of NPDC under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) referred to as (NUPENGASSAN) were incorrect and have never been attained.

NPDC’s NUPENGASSAN in advertorials claimed the company produces 130,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), indicating a monthly production of at least 3.9 million barrels and

plans to increase it to 250,000 bopd by end of this year.

The workers also claimed that NPDC took the operatorship of oil mining lease (OML) 30 from Shell at 15,000 bopd, but has increased to 55,000 bopd while OML 26 operatorship was taken at 2000 bopd but has now been increased to 10000 bopd and when new wells are drilled and tied in, the daily production will rise to 15,000 bopd. They also said when OML 42 operatorship was taken in 2012 from Shell, daily production was 14,000 bpod, but now it produces 27,000 bopd and will be increased to 60,0000 bopd by end of the year.

The source faulted the claims, saying that production from

seven assets OMLs 26, 30, 34, 40, 42, 65 and 111 operated by NPDC produced 1,207,612 barrels in January, 1,813,948 barrels in February and 2,569,900 in March.

A breakdown showed that in January, this year, OML 26 produced 51,402 barrels, February 125,805 barrels and March 127,100 barrels giving an average daily production of 3,381 barrels; OML 30 – January 259,186 barrels, February 566,044 barrels, March 939,300 barrels with average daily production of 19,606 barrels; OML 34 – January 409,513 barrels, February 332,346 barrels and March 446,400 barrels with average daily production of 13,203 barrels.

Nigeria ‘ll earn $20b from Egina FPSO, others, says LADOL CEO

By Akinola Ajibade

N

IGERIA will earn $20billion from the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (,FPSO) and other projects taking place in LADOL Free Trade Zone(FTZ) in Apapa, Lagos, if the project’s plans sails through, the Managing Director, LADOL Integrated Logistics Enterprise, Dr. Amy Jadesinmi has said.

Ms Jadesinmi said both the federal and the states’ governments would generate the amount from the projects in form of taxes and other levies.

She said the taxes would be domiciled in Nigeria, as against a situation where countries, such as United States, and Korea are making a lot of money from the country for rendering oil and gas services.

She said: “The returns on investments on oil and gas projects in the LADOL Free Trade Zone are high.

Money that would have been spent abroad would now come to Nigeria in form of taxes. Based on this, a lot of money is going to be repatriated in form of taxes for socioeconomic developments.”

She said beyond $3.5billion Egina FPSO project, there are other oil and gas projects going on in the zone.

“Besides the fact that different tiers of government are going to make money from the projects, the multiplier effects of the projects to the economy are huge. Jobs are going to be created in the oil and gas sector, which means more activities in the economy. When one sector grows, other sectors are bound to benefit,” she added.

Ms Jadesinimi said Nigeria is on the path of becoming the oil and gas hub in West Africa, in view of the multi-billion dollar projects undertaken by the country.

She said countries, such as Ghana and Ivory Coast do not have FPSO facility, adding that Nigeria has the capacity to undertake big- ticket transactions in its oil and gas industry.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had ordered that the $3.5bilion FPSO facility be moved from Lagos to Bayelsa State. Besides, the cost of the project was increased by $300million from $3.2billion to $3.5billion after a legal tussle on the issue.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

26

BUSINESS NEWS

• From left: Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; winners of the Sterling Bank Gunners Promo, Messrs. Adeyeye Olufemi and Sakariya’u Adeleke and Executive Director, Retail & Consumer Banking, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Grama Narasimhan, at the presentation of travelling documents to the winners of the promo at the corporate head office of the bank in Lagos.

Firm secures $3b facility for gas, power projects

M

ANAGING Direc tor/Chief Execu tive Officer, Jehata Nigeria Limited, Jameel Jammal, has said the company has secured a N2.7 trillion ($3billion) loan from a consortium of banks in the United States (U.S.) to build gas production plant in Nigeria.

The banks, he said, included Solace Chartered Bank, Black Morgan Finance and Bank Link Limited in the US, adding that the loan would last for 20 years.

According to him, if the project is executed, it will increase power generation by 1500megawatt (Mw) to the national grid.

In addition, it would creates over 7000 job opportunities to Nigerians, adding there are 160 expatriates coming into the country for the project with their technical expertise.

Meanwhile, the company had completed drilling boreholes in Adamawa State, provision/installation of e-

By Ambrose Nnaji

library, in Abuja while Abuja Power Station, Abaji and construction of a 2,000 housing units, Zaria are ongoing, he said.

He said the company has other meaningful projects that would serve the needs of many Nigerians, including mass housing project and industries The project, which was billed for launch in November, last year, however, is suffering a setback due to unresolved land issue with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), he said in a telephone interview at the weekend.

He also said the local banks were not willing to play their own part to ensure a smooth take off of the project.

According to him, for any foreign investment you are bringing into the country, the local banks are required to stand for you to guarantee such foreign loan, ex-

pressing the dissatisfaction that local banks are not willing to comply He said: “The FCDA is refusing to approve our land even when the management of the company had offered them 5percent ownership but till today we have had no answer and the budget is suffering.

“We are waiting for the government to intervene so that we can get that land. We have the fund to pay for the land we are not asking for it free. The place we are asking for the inhabitants have left the place, there is no activity going on there, no farming, no fishing, they are very happy that we will create jobs for them, a new town would be built, and electricity, gas and water would be provided.’’

He continued: “We are just waiting; we expect that there is going to be a change in the FCDA administration, may be the new administration when they come in will give us the way

“The whole project is being frustrated, our expatriates are ready to come in, and our equipment is ready for shipment.”

Jammal said the only way to overcome the incessant fuel scarcity is to encourage investors who intend to establish private refineries adding once are have private refineries we would be have more availability of the petroleum product.

“The scarcity is just because the product is not there. If private investors are allowed to operate we are looking at N50 per litre or less,” he added.

He, however, informed that the President-elect, General Buhari had assured that the new administration would give attention to such a laudable project.

“We have contacted the president-elect and he said we should just hold on until the after the handover. We would sit at round table and see how we can move forward,”he added.

Zinox chief urges Buhari on knowledge economy, others

T

HE Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo-Stan Ekeh, has urged the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to build a knowledgedriven economy, invest in infrastructure and rebuild the ailing national economy to boost development and economic prosperity of the people.

Ekeh, who spoke in Lagos during the official unveiling of the partnership between Technology Distributions (TD), a subsidiary of Zinox Technologies and EMC, global players in the data storage field, said the nation will witness technological explosion soon.

According to him, with a population of 180million people without birth control, he said the nation is now breeding kids that are “digital from birth”.

He assured the partners that the worst is over for the country as the new leadership will do the needful to oil the engine of the economy, adding that the strategic initiative will go a long way in enhancing the profile of technology distribution and penetration on the continent for the benefit

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

of all.

Managing Director, EMC, Levant and Emerging Africa Region, Mr. Nazim Fraijat, said the addition of TD to EMC’s Global Business Partner Programme is in line with the organisation’s desire to deepen the pace of technological innovation in the West African sub-region and on the continent as a whole.

He said: “We are happy to officially welcome Technology Distributions into our Business Partner Programme. Our delight further stems from TD’s status as one of the biggest and most structured ICT distributors in Nigeria and the West African region as a whole.

“In view of our desire to make further in-roads into subSaharan Africa, we are confident that this partnership with TD will undoubtedly accelerate the rate of access to the wide range of innovative solutions that EMC is known for world-wide.”

General Manager, EMC West Africa, Mr. Nicholas Travers, who delivered the keynote presentation, traced the

organisation’s global trajectory and competence in the areas of storage, cloud computing, data security, content management and Big Data.

According to him, EMC which is already a renowned global leader in the storage and information technology (IT) field, also has key interest in West Africa and Nigeria in particular.

In his view, this interest is justified by the short space of time in which EMC has expanded its operations in Nigeria, going from having a single employee in 1999 to employing about 45 workers at present, while maintaining offices in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.

Ekeh said the pact with EMC serves to reaffirm TD’s prime position as the major driver of technological revolution in Africa. Ekeh, who commended EMC’s growth after just six years of operations in the country, also encouraged solution providers and resellers to take advantage of the unique opportunity offered by the partnership to grow their businesses.

He said: “TD has maintained its position as the leader of the

ICT distributor space over the years despite strong competition in the market place. This is why we see this partnership with EMC as strategic as it will go a long way to expand access to technology on the continent, especially considering the status of EMC as a major player in the global IT scene.

“I wish to encourage all of our solution providers and resellers to take advantage of the unique partnership being officially unveiled, especially in view of the sheer scale of TD’s wide reach and after-sales support infrastructure which is unmatched in the sector as well as the innovative solutions in storage and data which EMC brings to the table.

“Despite the current state of pessimism in the economy due to falling oil prices and the fluid state of the naira, I must reassure you that there is much to be hopeful about in Nigeria’s business space.

We are Africa’s biggest economy and we have the right calibre of people in the incoming administration who will build on the gains recorded by the outgoing administration.”

Shell’s assets transfer not illegal, says PwC

S

OME operators in the oil and gas industry have condemned the controversies surrounding the transfer of Shell’s divested assets to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and the association of government officials with inadequacies in the operation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The operators, who spoke to The Nation in confidence, said the negative reports involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and other government officials in NNPC’s process of spending from its income before paying into the Federation account and the transfer of divested Shell’s oil blocks to NPDC, an arm of NNPC, are unfair as such rules guiding the NNPC operations have been there before now. Besides, the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) forensic report on NNPC said the Corporation’s actions were not illegal, they said.

Citing the PwC report, one of the operators said that the auditing firm noted on Page 16 that the report accepts and relies on the legal opinion of the Attorney General of the Federation that the transfer of former Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) assets to the NPDC was not illegal. “We have relied on the legal opinion provided to the Senate Committee by the Attorney General (AG) on the subject of the transfers of various NNPC (55 per cent) portion of oil leases (OMLs) involved in the Shell (SPDC) divestments which impact crude oil flows in the period. The AG’s opinion indicated that these transfers were within the authority of the Minister to make. Thus, these assets were validly transferred to NPDC.” The PWC report therefore indirectly responds to some reports that Minister has acted illegally in the transfer of those assets to NPDC.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

The PWC report also debunked the idea that the NNPC spending its income to run operations before paying into the Federation account is illegal. As troubling as the PWC report may be, it does nothing to show that the Minister or the President is the cause of the problems at NNPC. The Jonathan administration even tried to remove fuel subsidy and the bad feeling that he was sensitive probably caused him recent election. NNPC business model is a subsidy minded model.

This model is responsible for several of the weaknesses and lapses in the Corporation, the operator said.

According to the operators, the PWC report found that the problems with NNPC are very long standing and deep rooted, and certainly did not start with the present government.

The report also makes it clear that many of the practices and procedures of NNPC though fall below international standards, are legal in Nigeria because of the laws that set up the NNPC. Anyone appointed Petroleum Minister under the current structure of the Ministry and the NNPC will never have a free hand to manage the Corporation in accordance with normal company practices.

The PwC report showed that the bad structure of the NNPC was established by law and can only be changed by law. It is on record that Alison-Madueke repeatedly appealed to the National Assembly for help to reform the Petroleum Ministry, and the NNPC through the Petroleum Industry Bill but got zero support from them. Hence the NNPC remained in the confusion that she inherited from others and for which she is now being almost solely blamed. The PwC should now be invited to look at every agency of the government operating in Nigeria, and let’s see how many will pass the test.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

27

BUSINESS NEWS Promote embedded power generation, Nebo urges NERC

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

M

INISTER of power, Prof Chinedu Nebo has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to create incentives, such as tax holidays and costreflective tariff, among others, to woo investors to build embedded power generation plants to boost supply.

He spoke in Lagos after inaugurating the Niger Delta Power Holding Company's 330/132/33kv transmission substation, 2x300MVA on 330/33kv and 2x60MVA on 132/33kv facilities built under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

Nebo, who represented Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the adoption of embedded power generation is key to solving the nation's power problems because it is easier to build embedded power plants and get them connected to the national grid.

He said the government has put in place a policy that will ensure the implementation of embedded type of power generation.

He said: "Embedded generation is the fastest way to bring light to Nigerians.

We have policies that give that direction. What we are working on now is to incentivise the investors because it is much easier to and much more proficient to do 10 different 20 megawatts (MW) power stations than to do one 200MW power station.

"Building a 200MW power station will take you three-to five years but you can deploy these other ones within a year.

So embedded generation is the key and NERC has been directed to ensure that whatever needs to be done by the regulatory agency to make sure that people are incentivised to do embedded generation."

Ukodie marks 30 years of ICT journalism with three books

P

IONEER information communication tech nology (ICT) journalist, Aaron Ukodie, will in July launch three books to mark 30 years of his journalism career in the ICT sector.

The books are The Privatisation of NITEL: An Archetypal Government Agency, Nigeria’s Path to ICT Development and The Lead Story.

Ukodie started journalism as Communications reporter in The Guardian in July of 1985 and since then he has put all his years of journalism in the sector, making modest contributions to one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy.

According to him The Privatisation of NITEL records the many failed efforts and intrigues to make the company play leading roles in the ICT sector and the almost 15 years bid by BPE to privatise it, which has culminated in its successful sale to NACOM in 2014.

The book also shows how publicly -run companies in Nigeria are managed, and canvassed the case for government to play less role in business.

Poor power supply cripples socio-economic life in Kano

R

ESIDENTS of Kano State may soon be plunged into darkness as the state power supply from the national grid has dipped to less than 30megawatts (Mw), which may eventually affect the socio-economic activities in the commercial city to the verge of collapse.

Going by this development and based on the feelers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of the possibility that the nation might soon be thrown into darkness as a result of system failure, if additional attention is not placed on electricity generation.

Speaking to reporters in Kano, the Managing Director, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) Alhaji Jamil Gawuna, said

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

the prevailing worsening state of electricity supply to the state now threatens the operations of the company.

He lamented that since the beginning of May, the states under the operational zone of his company have being receiving 30 Mw, against a total requirement of about 500Mw. According to him, the 30Mw been allocated to the state includes a standby order given to the company to allocate 30 per cent of total allocations to the area to neighboring Niger Republic.

What this implies is that when the allocation to Niger Republic is deducted, the consumers in states under it

are left with almost zero allocation, he lamented.

He said: “On behalf of the management of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), I wish to draw the attention of the Federal Government, and electricity consumers in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa to the issue threatening electricity supply in the zone.

“This is issue is worrisome state of electricity supply which the zone has being experiencing since the beginning of this month. For the past one month now supply to the area has reduced to about 30 per cent.

“This dismal allocation includes the 30 per cent standby order which we have for the neighboring Niger Republic.

Also we have experienced 12 shut downs in the past one

month in the zone, and this is compounding other difficulties that we are experiencing to remain in operation.

“Because of the grave situation at hand, I am forced to contact one of the director of the TCN, to complain to about our situation, and he told me that the declining supply was because of shrinking generation which according to him has gone down to about 1005Mw.” On the negative impact of situation at hand on revenue profile of the company, Gawuna revealed that inadequate supply of electricity has pushed his management to be running at a lose, since it took over the ownership of the electricity asset .”Since we took over the ownership of the company

we have been paying within an average of N1.2 billion every month for electricity supply, and a monthly wage bill of about N400 million, as well as addition N100 million for network maintenance.

“The total cost of operation is about N1.8 billion. On the average, what we are generating is about N1.2 billion, you can see the lost that the company is incurring every month, and for us to remain in operation we have to go borrowing from banks, or increase our equity.

“This was one o the reasons, why the DISCOs in the country are asking for tariff hike to address the deficit incurred as result of these expenses, and to assist us me returns on investment,” he explained.

‘Investment in rural infrastructure ’ll boost food production’

By Daniel Essiet

A

• From left: President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu; President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and Deputy President NBCC, Prince Dapo Adelegan, at the NBCC Breakfast Meeting in Lagos.

NCC may sanction MTN over ‘illegal’ tariff plans

T

HE Nigerian Commu nications Commission (NCC) at the weekend ordered MTN Nigeria Communications to stop implementing a tariff plan called MTN TruTalk+ or face serious sanctions as the regulator said it did not give any approval for such service.

The Commission also barred MTN from further advertisement of such service in the print, electronic media or its websites.

In a letter dated May 19, this year with ref No NCC/ MTN/18/15 endorsed by the Head, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr.

By Lucas Ajanaku

Efosa Idehen and Head, Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, the regulator said the records of the Commission showed that the operator has no approval before embarking on the new promotional tariff plan.

The Commission said its Compliance Unit revealed that the new tariff with daily access fee of N5, allows subscribers to call all networks at 11k/ sec and N20k/sec to United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), India, Canada and China.

“The Commission’s investi-

gations showed that MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd has already configured this tariff plan on their network and has therefore implemented same without the appropriate regulatory approval. Consequent upon the above, the Commission thereby directs MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd to immediately discontinue this Tariff Plan and all associated advertisements regarding same or otherwise face regulatory sanctions accordingly” NCC said, adding that the action contravenes Section 108 (1) of the Nigeria Communications Act 2003.

The NCC has initiated this

action in fulfilment of its mandate under Section 89 of NCC Act 2003 having carried out a compliance check on the recently introduced MTN Nigeria Limited TruTalk+ Tariff Plan.

A statement by its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, explained that following the compliance check, it was confirmed that MTN Nigeria is advertising a Tariff Plan called MTN TruTalk+ in the print and electronic media.

The NCC investigations showed that MTN Nigeria had configured this Tariff Plan on its network and has, implemented it.

Babalakin: Nigeria’s business environment hostile

B

I-COURTNEY boss, Mr Wale Babalakin (SAN), has described the business operating environment in the country as “very frustrating”, “nerve-racking” and “nerve- cracking”.

Speaking as guest lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNFEMGA) yearly reunion convention in Ile-Ife, Osun State, he lamented that factors that make business thrive are either non-existent or operate at sub-optimal level.

With challenges of doing business in Nigeria: The Muslim options as the theme of his talk, he described business as “a terrain for the lion hearted”.

“We are talking about doing business in Nigeria when elec-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

tricity is still a scarce commodity. The less than 4,000 megawatts that is available can only provide electricity for 40 million Nigerians at one bulb per person. This is a nation of about 170 million. If we are doing business, what are we doing?

Business is about creating a competitive edge and strategy,” he said.

He blamed Nigeria’s poor manufacturing capacity on the difficult business terrain, which he said has made the country unable to compete globally.

He said: “What business do we have in Nigeria? Apart from oil, I hear that Nigeria is a giant of industry. A country that assembles semi-finished products calls itself a business country. Is that industry?

“What is Nigeria content? Is

it the plug? Or is it the tyre? I am not aware of any products manufactured in Nigeria. Volk Wagen came to Nigeria and went to Brazil at the same time 40 years ago. The same company established in Brazil then now produces aircrafts, while Nigeria is still assembling. Talking about agriculture, I once went round to see how far we have gone but couldn’t find any mechanised farming. Farming is not about planting one or two crops at the back of your house but large scale farming that can be sufficient for all.”

Babalakin said Nigeria is experiencing difficulties because it has not fixed its education sector.

“We are always so shortsighted. When the standard of education was going down we started sending our children abroad. But for how long? be-

cause if you don’t curtail mediocrity it will spread and catch up with all of us. When you look at it, the amount of money parents spent on education abroad exceeds government budget on education. If such money is spent nationally to upgrade our universities to international standard, it will provide quality students which will be readily available for the market and in turn the market will expand and economy will improve,” he said.

Despite the challenges of doing business in Nigeria, Babalakin said Nigerians should not give up. If they fail, he advised them to learn from their failure and try again.

“Nigeria is tough but it is a land of opportunities. Remember nobody is going to help us unless we help ourselves,” he added.

CONSULTANT to World Bank, Prof Abel Ogunwale, has canvassed investment in rural infrastructure to boost food production.

He said if this was done, it would help to accelerate the process of bringing acceptable living standards to the citizens within the farming communities and could have profound consequences for the nation’s future economic growth.

According to him,the economy needs a larger allocation in the budget towards boosting investment in rural and farm infra to achieve growth, eradicate poverty and tackle next food price rise.

In the stalled agric reforms scenario, he noted that poverty is likely to maintain its grip on a large population, adding that the sector needs all measures to convincingly address gaps in access to infrastructure.

To boost farm and food sector, he prescribed huge investments in warehousing and cold storage, besides research, education, extension, irrigation, fertiliser, and laboratories to test soil, water, and commodities.

According to the don, because of lack of investments there are wide differences in yields across the country, calling for ‘every effort’ to provide support measures for encouraging food production and keeping the prices low.

To achieve, he advised the administration to work on a roadmap to prevent leakages and better targeting of support, mainly in food and fertiliser sectors.

According to him, financing agricultural services, research and development, and rural investments have proven central in fast-tracking development of the agricultural sector.

He said farming must also be attractive for entrepreneurs, with an environment that supports technological innovation and new ideas for marketing, adding that this encourage young people to return to the land.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

28

SPECIAL REPORT The acquisition by Skye Bank of Mainstreet Bank, has repositioned the entity to being a key player with the status of tier-1 bank, reports, ALVIN AFADAMA.

Skye Bank’s 70 per cent growth buoyed by new acquisition

T

HE operating business envi ronment in the country is not as conducive as it should be given the depressed naira and spiraling cost of doing business.

The unfriendly business environment is made worse by the hefty transactions costs of a take-over target, coupled with integration bills which constitute depressants to a bank’s bottom line.

However, Skye Bank waded through these stormy waters unscathed, even increasing retained earnings for future growth as its 2014 full year results have shown.

The results submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week revealed that the bank upped retained earnings in the year under review from N19.73 billion in the 2013 financial year to N33.7 billion, representing a 70.6 per cent growth.

In combination with equity and share premium, the bank’s total equity swelled to N132.26 billion from N121.4 billion, indicating a 9 per cent rise. An increasing and robust equity base is a necessary condition for protecting and growing depositors funds. It is the pillar upon which modern banking rests.

It may seem curious why a bank that recently made an audacious but significant acquisition of Mainstreet Bank for N126 billion, made such an appreciable return and beefed up shareholders’ funds.

The fact that the bank is positioning to play in the tier one space may well be the reason.

It confirms suggestions that the bank is on the verge of making significant investments to consolidate its gains last year and define its playing field in the new financial year. It’s about deepening its root in the retail market, which is estimated at about $700 billion.

That much can be read from the Mainstreet Bank’s acquisition, which is expected to be fully integrated with the parent bank by June. By subsuming Mainstreet, Analysts say Skye Bank would fea-

ture among the first four banks in the country. This is so because the new entity would boast of about 450 branches across the country.

Commenting during the early stages of the acquisition, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Proshare, Olufemi Awoyemi, said: “The acquisition will clearly improve the industry positioning of Skye Bank to between seventh and eighth position, depending on the applied parameters.

“Specifically, and using their 2013 audited financial statements, the combined entity will rank eighth in terms of Profit Before Tax (PBT), Total Assets and Deposits.”

The newly acquired competences will allow the bank achieve cost reduction, business optimisation, stronger profit and greater ability to offer business convenience to retail and commercial customers across all geographies, analysts have posited.

The bank had in a statement after the acquisition, said the move, will bring valuable synergies from the mutual-focussed areas of commercial and retail banking of the two entities in a larger Skye Bank. The bank noted that its focus is on retail and commercial banking, which are also the target areas of Mainstreet Bank Limited.

Financial analysts are also convinced that the bank will automatically leapfrog other banks in the tier-2 category to become a major tier-1 player in the banking industry.

The 2014 Financial results indicate that Operating income was up marginally to N69.33 billion from N68.5 billion, which goes to speak of the bank’s improving ability in efficient cost management. This was on the back of a 2.4% rise in interest income from N105.3 billion to N107.85 billion.

Though interest income rose only in marginal terms, it nonetheless shows that the bank is succeeding in its maturity transformation function. This much is demonstrated in

the loan deposit metric, which slowed in the period under review.

Interest income is an indicator that helps explain how well a bank is doing in its maturity transformation quest.

The bank’s headline and bottomline profits in the period under review were temperedby impairment charges, regulatory payments and higher operating cost, including cost of acquisition Mainstreet Bank (N126 billion) among other costs. These muscled-down pre-tax profit 46.7% from N19.65 billion to N9.74 billion.

Because these depressing cots would have been trounced, the bank would likely see improved headline and bottom line profit in the first quarter of 2015 as the profits of Mainstreet Bank would be reflected in the books of the integrated Skye Bank.

The bank has over the last year grew assets 27% from N1.12 trillion to N1.42 trillion, helping to provide a stronger cover for deposit liabilities. The metric improved to 1.5 from 1.3. This is as the bank has grown deposits 15.7% to N952.3 billion from N823.3 billion.

A robust deposit base is an indication of a bank’s strong marketing ability especially in the area of attracting and mobilising deposits.

Deposit mobilisation is a key indicator of a bank’s growth prospects given the emergence of a very choosy class of emerging middle class in Nigeria.

The Group’s Liabilities consisting of deposit base and other accruals rose to N1.29 trillion during the period compared to N995 billion achieved a year ago.

Speaking on the results, the bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said in spite of the challenging operating environment, the bank carefully grew its risk assets portfolio, attained a 15.7 per cent growth in deposits, supported customers in critical and productive sectors of the economy, and de-

• Oguntayo

‘Financial analysts are also convinced that the bank will automatically leapfrog other banks in the tier2 category to become a major tier1 player in the banking industry’

clared a fairly decent profit.

Oguntayo said the recent acquisition of Maintreet Bank Limited, which has resulted into a much larger franchise of over 450 branches, provides the bank with enhanced capacity to provide easier access to its teeming customers, and explore various opportunities in diverse segments of the Nigerian Economy.

The results definitely portray some cheery news for investors who have watched their investment grow in the last financial year.

The stock price has grown 28.8 per cent since mid-February to N2.46 from N1.91.The bank has consistently figured as the third least risky stock. The bank’s stock was the safest banking stock on (NSE) for the week ended February 27th. This happened at a time when most stocks took a hit following the N793.17 billion portfolio outflow from the Exchange.

Oguntayo assured those who have kept their investment with the bank, along with other

stakeholders that the synergies and economies of scale expected from the Mainstreet acquisition will begin to manifest from the current financial year, while promising current and potential customers of consistent quality service on all electronic platforms and in the business locations.

At the expiration of the June timeline for integration, Nigeria’s banking space may very well welcome a change in the competitive dynamics as Skye Banks joins the elite group of other first tier banks.

Integration would consist of fusing IT infrastructure, Risk Management, Human Resources, Operations, and Strategy, sources close to the transaction say.

Skye Bank will begin to play in this elite group structuring ticket transactions needed to vault the Nigerian economy, achieve a wider spread to better serve it customers’ needs, while ramping up margins that come from a larger volume of transactions.

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Waiting perpetually for a perfect time

By Goke Ilesanmi

skills even when the driver had been encouraging him to be driving alone.

Different experience

• Ilesanmi

A

S human beings, we almost always like to wait for a per fect time to take necessary action about our plans. Is there any time called “Perfect”? I need your answer, please. Some years ago, a friend of mine bought a car and got a man to drive it and also teach him driving because he could not drive.

As expected, whenever the man wanted to teach my friend, the learner sign “L” would be hung on the number plate with the driver sitting beside him and guiding him.

Surprisingly, after one year of learning, my friend was still using the “L” sign and totally dependent on the driver to guide him while driving. I was compelled to ask why he was still using the “L” sign and could not drive unguided. He said he wanted to PERFECT his driving

I had a different experience while learning driving. Within one month of learning, the man teaching me just alighted from the car one particular evening as if he wanted to buy something. Then he bent down, opened his mouth and let loose an intercontinental ballistic missile into my ears, which almost deafened me. I thought the world had come to an end! What did he say, you may want to know? He said he just remembered he had one important appointment to keep with one rich man he had just met for business assistance. Reluctantly, I nodded in agreement but the ocean of confusion had engulfed me from within. Would I say he should not go to see the man that wanted to assist him? That would be selfish of me.

Flashing thoughts Some thoughts flashed across my mind. One of them was to get a towing van to tow the car from there.

Another was to look for just anybody that could help me drive it home, but that could be very risky.

My dilemma became heightened because the man had never encour-

aged me to use the “L” sign that could have given me some protection from other road-users. After about five minutes of total confusion, I decided to start the engine of the car, then engaged the gear, accelerating little by little and gaining confidence gradually as I was driving along.

I finally got home and became very happy that I prematurely achieved a feat that I had thought could only be possible in three or four months from then.

The second day, the man came and commended me for driving home alone without hitting another vehicle. Then, he confessed that he did not have any appointment the previous day but just wanted me to master driving early as I was learning fast. In one month of learning driving, I started driving to other states unlike my friend. So whatever plan you have to execute, do not wait for any perfect time. Perfect time is a figment of imagination. If you believe there is a perfect time, then NOW is the “perfect” time to act.

Contradiction and flexibility We like to blow hot and cold every time. We are quick to admit in one situation that nobody is perfect but God when it comes to doing some things. So we always resign our fate to attaining excellence

not perfection. But it is ironical that when it comes to implementing our plans, we quickly hide under the pretext of seeking a perfect time to board the flight of perpetual procrastination.

Even our perfect God is not rigid about perfection. Genesis 1:31 says, “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was VERY GOOD….” “Very good” is used not “Perfect”. According to Psalm 8:1, “O Lord our Lord, how EXCELLENT is thy name in all the earth….” “Excellent” is used not “Perfect”.

It is human nature to always look for perfection before taking action.

When God told Moses that He wanted to use him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses gave excuses thus in Exodus 4: 10, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” But he should have known that God was aware of his shortcoming. God then replied him, “…Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”

Average lifespan and interpretation We need to take action fast because Psalm 90:10 says, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten….” The noun phrase “Threescore years and ten” means 70 years in modern English. The implication of this is that we have a short

lifespan, especially when considering the fact that Methuselah lived for 969 years and Enoch 365 years.

By daily interpretation, 70 years is about 25,568 days, including extra days of leap years involved. By the time one is 20 years, one must have spent above 7,300 days; at 30 years, one must have spent above 10,950 days; at 40 years, more than 14,600 days must have gone, leaving one with about 11,000 days. At 60 years, one must have spent 21,900 days, remaining about 3,650 days out of 70 years. This interpretation is not meant to instil fear in you but to motivate you so that you can discard your long-awaited vehicle of perfect time. We will continue with this discourse next week.

PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details.

GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

29

ISSUES

•Illegal tobacco product

Nigeria loses $200 million yearly to illicit tobacco trade. As the world marks the yearly World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on Sunday, May 31, with the theme 'Stop Illicit Tobacco Trade', stakeholders in the tobacco business are pushing for more stringent measures to halt the illegal trade and save Nigeria from financial haemorrhage caused by tax evasion, unemployment and public health. They call on anti-tobacco campaign groups to step up their game against illicit traders in the tobacco business, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Wanted: Stricter measures to stem illegal tobacco trade A

BUBAKAR Yaya Yaro (not real names) has been in tobacco trading since the days of Nigerian Tobacco Company. This was long before the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), started operations in the country.

Yaro, an indigene of Benue State, from a humble background, had his fortune turned around by the tobacco business. Despite not having access to western education, Yaro who, has four wives and 30 children, was able to have 20 of his children in various universities, polytechnics and technical educational institutions across the country.

Ten others are enrolled in some of the best private secondary schools in Abuja.

Yaro is one of the key distributors of tobacco products, but last year, about 30 Customs officers stormed his residence in Abuja. Eye witnesses thought the officers

had come to pay homage, but the manner they drove through the streets brandishing their guns left no one in doubt that the officers were there for something serious. Yaro is believed to be connected to a network of illegal tobacco trading. Pronto, the 60-year-old man was whisked away to answer queries on alleged importation of illegal tobacco products worth

‘

$60 million and tax evasion among others.

The officers, according to a witness, acted on a tip-off from some traders of the product whose businesses are being affected by Yaro's illegal distribution network. Besides illegal importation, Yaro's alleged involvement in illegal labelling of approved brands is one of the reasons why customs turned the heat on

Illicit tobacco trading is a threat to local industries, drains national income through evasion of taxes, duties; drain on foreign exchange (used in smuggling).

Proceeds are a threat to national security and combating illicit trade in tobacco products and destruction of seized products can be a very costly process that creates considerable waste to regulators

’

him, leading to his eventual arrest.

Illegal tobacco trading is not new in Nigeria. A 2005 study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that more than 30 per cent of cigarettes smoked in Nigeria are smuggled. Amore recent (2012) publication by the World Custom Journal, however, claimed that the volume has dropped to less than 10 per cent. The BATN estimated that the economy lost a whopping $200 million yearly to illegal trade in tobacco.

Investigation by an online news portal reveals that the products are smuggled under an adopted approach whereby dealers move illicit shipments of tobacco across Nigeria's porous land borders using car trunks. Also, few months ago, the Consumer Protection Council raised an • Continued on page 29

30

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

ISSUES

‘

• Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko •Continued from page 28

alarm over importation of a brand of cigarettes, Esse, into the country for Nigerian consumer- considered to be illegal.

Apparently Nigerians were already consuming cigarettes from the future; cigarettes in circulation in July and August 2014 had a manufacture date of September 2014.

Concerned stakeholders say the CPC circular should trigger an alarm about the illicit trade in tobacco products, which is a global business worth over $50 billion yearly. "The link is obvious. While Esse might be a brand legitimately imported into the country by Black Horse Tobacco Company, this episode with the fake date of manufactureindicates how far those who flood markets with illicit products will go. First, they manufacture under conditions which our Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) know nothing about and are not in a position to approve of. Next, they deliberately cheat the country of revenue by avoiding import duties and then they undercut the local manufacturers who employ thousands of Nigerians and pay their taxes reportedly in the tune of N20billion and counting," said a concerned stakeholder, Olugbenga Olugbenga Adanikin.

According to Euromonitor, a global market intelligence publication and some health experts, illegal tobacco trading affects demand and supply of the legal tobacco companies and poses danger to the health of Nigerians as a result of consumption of illegal imported products.

"The tobacco market (particularly cigarettes, which accounts for most volume sales) saw a weaker increase in 2013 than it did in 2012, as it recovered from the fuel price crisis of 2012, when pack prices increased for the first time in five years.

"Nevertheless, the volume growth in 2013 was actually slightly weaker than the growth over the review period, as demand for cigarettes has largely stabilised. The steady increase in demand was due to a decrease in illicit trade and a mild increase in consumption, primarily due to the increasing population, urbanisation and Westernisation. Smokers are also increasingly choosing higher-priced cigarette brands, helping to drive relatively strong growth in value terms. The proposed National Tobacco Control Bill is expected to have a small impact on sales, particularly through a restriction on the sale of single sticks. However, if prices are raised due to an increase in taxation, this will inevitably fuel another large rise in illicit trade given Nigeria's porous borders," Euromonitor stated.

On the consumption of illegal imported tobacco products, a research by Nicotine & Tobacco Research, described illicit tobacco trade as a critical public health issue because lower prices enable greater consumption and more damage to health and simultaneously decrease the money available for state-funded health care.

"The public health significance of increased consumption of a substance with known health hazards is unarguable, but almost nothing is known about the relative health risks of smoking tobacco obtained illicitly. Illicit tobacco can be adulterated by producers and sellers to increase weight and therefore profits, grown using techniques that elevate concentrations of heavy metals and other toxic substances, or simply mishandled in ways that increase the potential for damage to consumers' health. Furthermore, the perceptions of illicit tobacco consumers seem to be in direct opposition to these health harms," the research stated.

Also, SON underscores the dangers of illicit tobacco trading to the Nigerian economy,

•DG, SON Joseph Odumodu

•Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Wanted: Stricter measures to stem illegal tobacco trade public health among others. According to the agency, "illicit tobacco trading is a threat to local industries, drains national income through evasion of taxes, duties; drain on foreign exchange (used in smuggling). Proceeds are a threat to national security and combating illicit trade in tobacco products and destruction of seized products can be a very costly process that creates considerable waste to regulators.

Also, consumers have little recourse as illicit products mostly do not offer warranties and money back guarantees," SON said.

SON said further that the negative impact of illicit marketing of tobacco products could be devastating as it promotes social vices negative social values via deployment of proceeds and promotes unemployment, adding that such products are a threat to safety of lives and property "Most times they do not meet quality and safety requirements, pose health and safety risk. Life-threatening and destruction of seized products pose serious environmental risk to society," said SON. Meanwhile, the Head of Regulatory Affairs, grim West Africa, Mr. Sola Dosumu, painted a bigger picture of the economic impact of smuggling on manufacturing industries, governments and distributors when he said the tobacco sector across the globe loses a total of £17 billion yearly to smuggling, while Nigeria loses $200 million yearly to illicit tobacco trade.

He gave the breakdown as follows: "Governments lose £12 billion yearly in terms of revenue, tobacco manufacturers lose £3 billion annually and other stakeholders in the trade lose £2 billion yearly to smuggling across the world." He noted that illicit cigarettes worth approximately $10 million were seized and destroyed by regulatory agencies in Nigeria between 2008 and 2013. He added that the major reason illicit trade exists is the economic opportunity it offers for the smuggler and illicit vendor to make money and also for the consumer to save money.

BATN said further that as a legal operator illicit trade means different things especially as it undermines brand value of approved brands if it is counterfeited. "A counterfeit (imitation) of a genuine brand of a product. It is apparent that the intention is to defraud both the consumers, government and brand owners of their money/revenue/return on investment. Locally produced and consumed goods for which no excise duty (tax on tobacco products) is paid.

Products intended for duty free sales, but which end up in local markets. Genuine products brought into the country and declared

for personal use but which are in excess of the custom allowance.

"Illicit trade is attractive because it provides cheaper alternatives to genuinely priced products. Illicit operators can afford to offer their fake products at well below market prices because they are evading applicable taxes, are not investing in research and development for safer products, neither are they affected by the huge costs of running a genuine business. Most times, they have no addresses, it's almost impossible to track and trace the product source in the event of a manufacturing defect.

If not tackled, illicit trade has the ability to take over the legal industry impacted by its activities," said BATN. As a result of the dangers posed by illicit trade, the world marks World Tobacco Day on May 31 and the tobacco industry is prepared to address the challenges of illicit trade while the anti-tobacco groups are expected to look beyond fighting against legal tobacco business concerns and focus on the more pressing issues of illegal trade.

This new commitment reflects on the theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day: 'Stop illicit trade of tobacco products'.

"Every year, on May 31, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. For the World No Tobacco Day, we are calling on countries to work together to end the illicit trade of tobacco products. From many angles, the illicit trade of tobacco products is a major global concern, including health, legal and economic, governance and corruption. The illicit tobacco market may account for as much as one in every 10 cigarettes consumed globally, according to studies, including information supplied by the global customs community. The European Commission estimates that illicit trade in cigarettes costs the EU and their member states over 10 billion euro yearly in lost tax and customs revenue.

"Illicit trade is not a problem just in highincome countries; almost all countries throughout the world are subject to illicit trade in some form or another. In response to the threat posed by illicit tobacco trade, the international community negotiated and adopted in November 2012 the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, the first protocol to the WHO FCTC," WHO said.

The organisation said the goals of the WNTD campaign is to raise awareness on the harm to people's health caused by the illicit trade in tobacco products, especially the youth

‘

In our industry, we believe that we should market and sell our products in a responsible manner and that our products should not be accessible in any way or form to children or persons under the legally acceptable age. This means that we do not sell, communicate, market or dialogue in any way with persons under the age of 18 years in Nigeria

’

Governments lose £12 billion yearly in terms of revenue, tobacco manufacturers lose £3 billion yearly and other stakeholders in the trade lose £2 billion yearly to smuggling across the world

’

and low-income groups, due to the increased accessibility and affordability of these products due to their lower costs.

Part of the goals is also to show how health care gains and programmes, tobacco control policies, like increased tax and prices, pictorial health warnings and other measures are undermined by the illicit trade in tobacco products.

"Illicit tobacco products hook young people into tobacco experimentation and use because they are more affordable. Such illicit products also mislead young tobacco users by not displaying health warnings and sometimes involving children in illegal selling activities.

Illicit trade takes tax revenue away from the Government, which could have otherwise been spent on the provision of public services, instead directing such funds into the hands of criminals.

“Illicit trade strengthens corruption and weakens good governance," WHO said.

Also, the BATN stated in an email interview with The Nation Nigeria tobacco industry is actively involved in the campaign and fight against illicit trade of tobacco products not only in Nigeria but across West Africa. "BAT made a decision to invest in Nigeria in 2000 and in 2001; a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria with a responsibility to reduce illicit trade which had an 80 per cent share of the market at the time of signing the MoU. "The illicit products did not meet specific standards set by the Government and contributed to loss in taxes. To ensure our responsibility is fully met, we have a dedicated unit internally focused on AntiIllicit Trade (AIT). We also work closely in collaboration and have MoUs with government agencies to create awareness against the ills of illicit trade, provide predictive intelligence on plans to smuggle products; demonstrate how its denies governments of revenue in excess of £12billion yearly; the consumer the right to genuine products and robs brand owners who have invested a lot of money behind their brands, their identity. We also support capacity building for members of these organisations in training their staff to identify, monitor and fight illicit trade successfully. We believe that the only way to eradicate illicit trade is if we join forces with government agencies, brand owners, consumers and with our neighbouring countries to stop the influx of these fake goods," said BATN. On how it will deepen the global campaign in Nigeria, the company said: "In our industry, we believe that we should market and sell our products in a responsible manner and that our products should not be accessible in any way or form to children or persons under the legally acceptable age. This means that we do not sell, communicate, market or dialogue in any way with persons under the age of 18 years in Nigeria.

We also campaign that all our business partners agree to these terms before they do business with us. All communication material to be used for dialogue with adult smokers should be mature in look and feel and not appeal in any way to children. We believe that in fighting illicit trade tobacco products would remain a product of choice for the adult consumer and would not be easily accessible to children. We therefore strongly believe and advocate for a robust campaign on illicit trade as it will clearly prevent youth access and ensure that legal, regulated products which can be tracked and taxed are available for the adult consumers who have made a choice to smoke."

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

31

MONEYLINK

N2.7tr CRR refunds push interbank rates to new low T HE interbank lending rate fell to an average of 8.5 percent on Friday from 14.25 per cent last week. The rate decline followed about N2.7 trillion refunds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to commercial banks after Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision to harmonise Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 31 per cent on both private and public sector deposits.

CRR is the minimum cash, as a percentage of customer deposits and notes that each commercial bank must keep with the CBN as reserve.

It is a powerful monetary tool often used by central banks to control

Stories by Collins Nweze

money supply in the economy.

The CRRs were until last week at 20 per cent for private sector deposits and 75 per cent for public sector deposits and are meant to protect depositors, and ensure banks have sufficient cash at all times to meet the day-to-day demands and cash withdrawals of their depositors.

The CBN refunds to banks, analysts said, is in line with its new regime but about N191 billion in re-

tired Treasury bills was repaid, boosting liquidity in the market.

Traders said market liquidity was also increased by flows of about N198 billion in budgetary allocations to states and local government during the week.

The secured Open Buy Back eased to eight per cent from 14 per cent last week, below the CBN’s 13 per cent benchmark rate. The overnight placement also fell to nine per cent against 14.5 per cent last week.

Analysts predict lending rates would likely be stable this week on

further cash flows from the government to its crude oil production joint venture partners as well as other remittances to government agencies.

The MPC considered that the current discriminatory CRR on public and private sector deposits has not only constrained the policy space but could inspire moral hazard by private market participants.

Consequently, it was recognised that while additional tightening measures may not be appropriate now to avoid overheating the economy, a harmonisation of the CRR was imperative to curb abuses and improve the efficacy of the monetary policy.

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

Ecobank secures $15m facility from U.S. export scheme

E

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee; Board Chairman, Hajia Maryam Ladi Ibrahim and Chairman, Auditing Committee, Prof. Emmanuel Okoye, during a meeting in Lagos.

‘Why Graduate Internship Scheme contract was engage was done, 2,000 interns OLLOWING the directive by were deployed to FNL. terminated’ could the Coordinating Minister for However, according to GIS, months

F

the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the termination of the partnership between the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and Forecom Networks Limited (FNL) on the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), the GIS has clarified why the pact was terminated.

In a briefing with reporters in Lagos, the GIS alleged that FNL did not keep to the terms of the contract.

“We have decided to use one of the firms with large number of interns as an example to serve as a deterrent to other partners that do not keep to the terms of the contract,” the Head of Operations, GIS, Akubo Adegbe said.

“The GIS will like to state that it will not hesitate to prosecute firms and/or interns that operate outside its guidelines,” he added. The GIS is one of the components of the Sure-P

set up in 2012 by the Federal Government to reduce unemployment in the country.

He explained that qualified graduates and companies register on the GIS website, which then deploy graduates to firms where they can gain valuable experience for 12 months. A monthly stipend is paid to each intern for the 12-month duration of the internship by the GIS, on the basis of how many days they work. So, companies can get free manpower in exchange for adequate mentoring of these graduates. There are about 22,000 interns currently on the scheme and up to 3,900 firms serving as valid employers.

According to the FNL, problem started when the firm approached the GIS to recruit graduates for mobile money business. Apparently, after the required background check on the number of graduates the firm

after the graduates were deployed to the firm as interns, they were not deployed to work on mobile money business. Some interns were deployed to man the office of the FNL in Lagos and some of its state offices in Nigeria as officers that were to mentor other interns. This is not in line with the guidelines of the scheme, which demands that interns must be mentored by experienced staff of the partnering companies.

Meanwhile, after terminating its partnership with FNL, GIS said it has taken steps to reintegrate the affected interns. “There would be internship opportunity fairs in the approved pilot states within the next three weeks to redeploy all interns that are still interested in the scheme to other organisations. The GIS will contact organisations that will take the interns located outside the pilot states.

COBANK Nigeria said it has utilised a credit line under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Export Credit Guarantee Programme. The GSM 102 programme, the bank said in a statement, provides credit guarantee to encourage commercial financing of U.S. agricultural commodity exports, thereby assisting U.S. exporters in making sales that might not otherwise occur.

The Credit Line Under the US Government Export Guarantee Programme is reserved exclusively for the export of agricultural products from the U.S. It has facilitated increased trade of agricultural products between U.S. exporters and Nigerian importers and provided an avenue for competitively priced financing for longer tenors to both exporters and importers.

It further provides the exporter guaranteed payment; enables exporters to agree credit terms with importers even as there is no minimum transaction size.

T

Nigeria, Iran bilateral trade volume hits $50m

HE trade volume between Nigeria and Iran is estimated at $50 million annuallyand it is poised to rise in coming months as both countries deepen trade relations.

Speaking ahead of the first Iran Solo Exhibition holding from June 9 to 11, in Lagos, the Iran Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi, said despite sanctions by Western countries on his country, it is determined to boost its trade relations to leading global economies such as Nigeria.

He said Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region, with an estimated 77.3 million population.

“Iran is the 18th largest country in the world, with an area of 1.64 million kilometer square. The economy is characterised by a large hydro-

Stanbic IBTC Bank, IE Business School partner

S

TANBIC IBTC Bank and the IE Business School, in Spain, have signed a direct financing agreement to help people acquire the relevant skills in entrepreneurship and business development.

The parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos to kick-start the partnership in which the lender will provide loan facilities for students enrolled in IE’s top ranked programmes. IE is ranked third Business School in Europe by the Financial Times. Its Global Executive MBA was recently ranked first by the Economist.

The collaboration, which will be operative for an initial period of one year from this month, and re-

newable for another year, covers financing for IE’s MBA and Executive MBA programmes. Stanbic IBTC Bank will finance part or the total cost of the programmes which IE offers to qualified candidates who have been accepted to the programme. The financing will come in the form of an Unsecured Personal Loan (UPL).

Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue, said the partnership fits into the institution’s goal of fostering economic empowerment through strategic interventions that enable individuals and businesses realise their aspirations.

He noted that it was the pursuit of this objective that informed the

creation of the Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series which made its debut last year to build a new cadre of leaders among people and businesses in Nigeria.

“The partnership with IE opens another window of opportunity to empower people for self-development and actualisation. It is in sync with our operating mantra, which is moving forward. At Stanbic IBTC Bank, we are mindful of the fact that socio-economic growth and development are anchored on sound education and robust infrastructural base. This conviction underscores our strategic interventions in critical sectors of the economy, including education,” he said.

IE’s Vice Chairman, Diego Del Alcazar Benjumea, said the institu-

Executive Director, Corporate Bank at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms. Foluke Aboderin, said the GSM 102 Facility which has the ability to be up-sized, has been used for Structured Trade Finance transactions with Cargill Financial Services International, one of the subsidiaries of the leading international commodities trading house, CARGILL Inc. Deutsche Bank played the role of confirming and partner bank.

She said the recognition of Ecobank, a member of the Ecobank Group by the U.S .government further highlights the unique advantages of partnering with a counterpart who has widespread foot print across the African continent.

With presence in 36 countries in Africa, Ecobank is well positioned to provide easy access to international counterparties that have transactions across Africa, the emerging frontier market with significant untapped opportunities and strong demographics.

tion is dedicated to building business leaders worldwide, adding that the bank was chosen for the partnership after a thorough appraisal revealed its uncommon commitment to multi-sectoral capacity-building and economic empowerment.

Having become Africa’s biggest economy, with its rebasing throwing up previously under-reported sectors such as telecoms, entertainment, and retail, IE´s Country Director, Eniola Harrison, said Nigeria requires, in both the public and private sectors, a critical mass of skilled manpower to drive its future growth, while sustaining its growing international profile and reputation.

carbon sector, small scale agriculture and services sector. We also have a noticeable state presence in manufacturing and financial services,” he said.

Koozechi said Iran ranks second globally in natural gas reserves and fourth in proven crude oil reserves.

He said the exhibition holding at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, is an opportunity for big Iranian companies to gather in one roof to showcase their services to Nigerians.

He said: “The capabilities of Iran are not recognised in Nigeria but the exhibition will introduce our economy. Also, Nigeria and Iran will both reap the benefits of the exercise”.

The Ambassador said Iran manufactures 1.5 million cars annually, adding that the exhibition will create opportunity for Iranian companies to build spare parts factories in Nigeria.

He said Iranian companies are advanced in technology with good knowledge of oil and gas exploration, refinery building, electrical engineering, transformer production, steel production. He said Iranian firms can also build helicopters and repair airplanes.

Some of the Iranian companies expected at the event include Iran Transfo Commercial Company, which sells and markets transformers, artin taps which manufactures sanitary products, Kabir Panel Co which manufactures sandwich panels, Novin Ceram Co which deals on tiles and ceramics among others.

Vice President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs Dipe Fisho-Oridedi said the group wants better business collaboration between Nigeria and Iran.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-05-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-05-15

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

33

EQUITIES

Foreign core investor sells Nigeria’s Beta Glass F

RIGOglass S.A.I.C, the Athens, Greece-based foreign core investor in Nigeria’s Beta Glass Plc has entered into an agreement to sell the Nigerian company and related business in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a new investor.

Frigoglass S.A.I.C is the parent company of Frigoglass Nigeria Limited, which holds the majority shareholding in Beta Glass Plc. Beta Glass is the leading supplier of glass packaging in Nigeria and other West African markets and its customers included blue chips such as Nigerian Bottling Company

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

(NBC) and Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. A regulatory filing at the weekend indicated that Frigoglass has agreed to sell its glass operations to GZI Mauritius Limited, the holding company for GZ Industries Limited. GZ Industries has manufacturing operations in Nigeria and it is reputed as the largest beverage can manufacturer in West Africa.

The acquisition of Beta Glass is a major expansionary drive for GZ, which had earlier started expanding its operations into Kenya. Ma-

Dangote optimistic on local sugar production

jor shareholders of GZI included Standard Chartered Private Equity.

According to the transaction details, Frigoglass would receive a net cash consideration of $225 million for the sale of the glass operations.

The enterprise value was put at $403 million. Frigoglass will receive $200 million in cash immediately after the completion of the transaction and will subsequently receive $25 million in two tranches over the following two years.

The glass operations being sold included Frigoglass’ glass container operations in Nigeria and Dubai as well as the complementary plastic crates and metal crown businesses in Nigeria. Frigoglass has also reached agreement to ac-

quire the minority interest in its Frigoglass Jebel Ali business in Dubai, which will also be part of the transaction.

As part of the deal, the glass operations management team in Nigeria and Dubai will also be transferred with the business. The business has 1,588 employees in Nigeria and Dubai.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of this year. Frigoglass is expected to use the gross proceeds from the transaction largely to reduce its debt.

Greece had suffered enormous economic meltdown and still wriggling in the aftermath of the 2009 global economic recession.

Chief executive officer, GZI

Mauritius Limited, Motti Goldmintz, said the acquisition represents an important step in the long-term strategic ambition.

According to him, together with the company’s strong aluminium can business, the acquisition of Frigoglass glass, plastic crates and bottle crowns businesses, allow it to provide its beverage customers with a complete range of packaging solutions.

“We are excited about this landmark transaction, enabling us to capitalize on the strong long-term container glass opportunities, a critical building block for establishing a leading pan-African packaging materials platform,” Goldmintz said.

•Pays shareholders N4.8b dividend

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ANGOTE Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc plans to grow its capacity to be able to produce about 1.5 million tonnes of locally refined from locally-grown sugarcane within the next 10 years.

Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, told shareholders at the annual general meeting of the company in Lagos that the company’s backward integration project would create immense opportunities for all stakeholders, including the Nigerian economy and the shareholders.

According to him, the target of the company over the next 10 years is to produce 1.5 million tonnes of refined sugar from locally grown sugarcane that is processed at its own onsite facilities in locations close to key Nigerian markets.

He said the company will maximise opportunities from the extended value chain in sugar production, including fuel ethanol and the generation of electricity from the factories.

“We believe that our expansion project will generate more than 100,000 job opportunities in the coming decades,” Dangote said.

He explained that the reduction in dividend payout for the 2014 business year was due to the significant investments required for the company’s backward integration projects.

According to him, the company needs additional funding and the board took the prudent decision to reduce dividend payment for the year from 60 kobo per share to 40 kobo.

“This is a transitional situation, requiring our short-term sacrifices in order to build for the future, and is necessary for us to maintain prudent capital and liquidity levels to sustain our operations, in tandem with our backward integration projects,” Dangote said.

He pointed out that the company remains committed to its dividend policy of making returns to shareholders at the end of each business year but the actual dividend will depend on the company’s financial performance, investment decisions, liquidity levels and banks balances.

The shareholders approved the distribution of N4.8 billion as dividends for the year ended December 31, 2014. This represented dividend per share of 40 kobo.

Key extracts of the audited report for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed a turnover of N95 billion. Profit before tax and profit after tax stood at N15.3 billion and N11.6 billion in 2014 compared with N16.3 billion and N10.8 billion respectively in 2013.

Dangote blamed the decline in performance partly on the heightened insecurity in the north eastern Nigeria as access to key markets was hampered while the company, like others, also had to

grapple with reduced consumer purchasing power and periodic menace of low-priced unlicensed imported sugar.

Group managing director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr. Graham Clark, said the company has continued to implement efficiency and increased output as part of its operational focus.

He said the company is in the process of upgrading its quality systems towards achieving the Food Safety System Certificate(FSSC 2200), a Global Food Initiative (GFSI) recognised scheme, before the end of 2015.

“This certification will further boost our food safety standards and position our product as the preferred brand to companies in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries in Nigeria,” Clark said.

•From left: Managing Director, FBN Insurance, Valentine Ojumah; Chairperson, FBN Insurance, Adenrele Kehinde; Director, FBN Insurance, Margaret Dawes and Company Secretary, FBN Holdings, Tijjani Borodo, at the Annual General Meeting of the insurance company.

Lafarge Africa promises better future as shareholders get N16b dividend I T was a bright weekend for shareholders of Lafarge Africa Plc as the company showcased the early benefits of its consolidation and distributed about N16 billion as cash dividends to shareholders.

The annual general meeting at the weekend in Lagos also witnessed the retirement of the iconic chairman of the board, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and the assumption of office by leading investment banker, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun.

Addressing the shareholders, Osunkeye said the consolidation of the Lafarge businesses into Lafarge Africa has transformed the company into a group which is well equipped to continue its acceleration notwithstanding challenges in the market place.

He outlined that with the consolidation, Lafarge Africa’s cement production capacity has grown from 4.5 million tonnes to about 12 million

•Osunkeye retires, Balogun becomes chairman

tonnes while 3.5 million cubic meters of ReadyMix concretes and over 5.0 million tons of Aggregates have been added to the portfolio.

He noted that the company has doubled its turnover from N100 billion to N200 billion while the earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) has grown from N36 billion to N55 billion. He added that N99 billion of cash was generated from operations in 2014.

“All of this is building on the foundation which was laid over the last few years, and the transformation into Lafarge Africa Plc is a natural progression to take our company to the next level,” Osunkeye said.

He assured that while the company’s Nigerian businesses

have shown strong growths, the medium to long term outlook remains positive for the company’s South African business noting that the recent strengthening of Rand against Naira will increase the value of the South African profits to the group.

Osunkeye, who received standing ovation from the shareholders, said he was leaving Lafarge Africa in a capable hand that could take it into the next level.

“Balogun is a seasoned and committed director with breadth of experience across finance, strategy and management. He is very familiar with Lafarge’s business in Nigeria and Africa and I am sure he is the right person to chair the Board going forward,” Osunkeye said.

He expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and urged them to extend the same level of support to his successor, noting that it was a privilege and honour to have served on the board of the company for 14 years and as chairman for five years from October 2009.

Shareholders approved the distribution of N15.86 billion dividend, representing a dividend per share of N3.60, 9.1 per cent above N3.30 distributed for the 2013 business year.

In his remarks, group managing director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Guillaume Roux said the good performance of the company was due to management’s commitment to corporate governance, innovation, customer service and cost efficiency.

He assured shareholders that the company would continue to enhance their investment’ value by creating better returns in the years ahead.

We ‘ill drive growth with corporate governance, says ETI

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COBANK Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc will continue to lay emphasis on best practices and good corporate governance as it seeks to consolidate its growth and deliver better returns to shareholders.

Chairman, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, who gave this assurance at a reception for shareholders of the holding company, said the company has continued to implement the 51-point corporate governance action plan approved by shareholders last year.

He said the company has implemented substantial part of the corporate governance while efforts are ongoing at resolving outstanding areas.

He added that the governance structure at the board level was also

being reviewed to produce an oversight architecture that would enable the board to be most effective in executing its oversight and reform agenda for ETI. He noted that the good corporate governance at the company has started to impact on its overall fundamentals and share price.

According to him, between June 30, 2014 when the present board of directors was inaugurated and May 11, 2015, the company’s share price increased from N16.89 to N23.27 within the period, representing a 37.8 per cent increase.

“Cost efficiency with cost income ratio has gone down from over 70 per cent a year ago to about 62.7 percent as at the first quarter of 2015 and is still going down. Our return on equity has improved markedly from 15 per cent in 2014 to 19 per

cent in this first quarter and still increasing,” Ikazoboh said.

He pointed out that the group’s non-performing loan ratio had dropped to less than four per cent, assuring that the company would build on this solid balance-sheet foundation to ensure strong performance in a sustainable manner.

Ikazoboh reiterated that the Ecobank Group would continue to be an independent pan- African institution owned by Africans and other investors who subscribe to the pan African ideals of the company.

“The ETI board of directors is strongly determined that your bank be the star performer you have always envisioned it to be. We shall take some difficult decisions in the short-term but we are confident that these decisions will reap benefits in the immediate future,”

Ikazoboh said.

He assured that the pan-African company has a bright future that will guarantee higher benefits for all stakeholders.

The board of ETI Plc recommended a bonus issue of one share for every 15 shares already held by shareholders as return for the immediate past business year ended December 31, 2014.

The bonus recommendation came as the financial services group announced that its net profit rose by 179 per cent in 2014. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts showed that net profit after tax jumped to N65.68 billion in 2014 as against N23.57 billion recorded in 2013. Pre-tax profit rose by 144 per cent from N35.37 billion to N86.44 billion. Gross earnings had grown by 19 per cent from N319.56 billion in 2013 to N379.32 billion in 2014.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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Taxation

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria (i)

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HE idea of introducing VAT in Nigeria came from the study group set up by the Federal Government in 1991 to review the entire tax system. VAT was proposed and a committee was set up to carry out feasibility studies on its implementation. In January, 1993, the then government agreed to introduce VAT by the middle of the year. It was later shifted to 1st September, 1993 by which time the relevant legislation would have been made and proper ground work done. The actual implementation however, did not commence until January 1994 after the promulgation of the Value Added Tax Decree No. 102 of 1993. According to the decree, a ‘VATable’ organization is an existing manufacturer, distributor, importer or supplier of goods and services.

VAT as Replacement for Sales Tax. The rationale behind replacing Sales Tax with VAT was informed by a number of factors and considerations, notable among these are: The base of the Sales Tax in Nigeria as operated under Decree No. 7 of 1986 is narrow. It covers only nine categories of goods plus sales and services in registered hotels, motels and similar establishments. The narrow base of the tax negates the fundamental principle of consumption tax which by nature is expected to cut across all consumable goods and services. VAT base is broader and includes most professional services and banking transactions which are high profit-generating sectors.

Only locally manufactured goods were targeted by the Sales Tax Decree of 1986, although this might not have been the intention of the law. VAT is neutral in this regard. Under VAT; a consideration part of the tax to be realized is from imported goods. This means that under the new VAT; locally manufactured goods will not be placed at a disadvantage relative to imports.

Since VAT is based on the general consumption behaviour of the people, the expected high yield from it will boost the revenue collectible by governments with the minimum resistance from taxpayers.

Definition VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and service consumed by any person, whether government agencies, business organizations or individuals. The target of VAT is consumption of goods and services and unless an item is specifically exempted by law, the consumer is liable to the tax.

It can also be defined as a tax on spending/consumption levied at every stage of a transaction but eventually borne by the final consumer of such goods and services. It is levied at the rate of 5%.

The Nigerian VAT System has the Following Features: It is a Multi-Stage Tax System Under this principle, VAT is imposed at every stage of the production chain from the manufacturer to the consumer (see below example).

Credit Mechanism In order to eliminate the cascading effect of taxation at every stage of production, a credit mechanism system is installed to allow VAT paid on imports or purchases of raw materials (input taxes) to be deducted from the VAT charged on sales (output taxes) and therefore, the tax to be paid by a taxable firm is the difference between output tax and input tax. This credit mechanism acts as a safeguard against the negative impact of the tax so that VAT is made neutral to price determination (VAT is not an element in the price). The credit mechanism also helps VAT to promote export drive in view of its neutral characteristic to international trade. In export trade, the total input taxes incurred on production is refundable.

Tax Invoice System The VAT system is invoice based and not cash based.

Understanding the Nigerian VAT System There are some key facts which will help us understand the implementation of VAT in Nigeria. Among these are: (i) VAT is a tax on consumption. The tax is borne by the final consumer of goods and services because it is included in the price paid. (ii) The tax is at a flat rate of 5%. (iii) The tax is collected on behalf of the government by businesses and organizations which have registered with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for VAT purposes. (iv) A business or organization which has registered for VAT is classified as a “registered person”. Such persons will pay 5% VAT on goods and services purchases but can claim credit for this tax (called input tax) when sold. (v) 5% VAT (called output tax) is included in the price of all goods and services supplied/sold by registered persons.

(vi) The “registered person” has to make regular VAT returns and either pays to, or receives from the FIRS, the difference of the input tax and the output tax. (vii) VAT returns (and payments) are normally made monthly to the FIRS tax offices on or before 30th day of the month following that in which the supply was made. (viii) To claim a credit for input tax, a registered person must hold a “Tax Invoice”. (ix) Records and accounts have to be kept.

Although VAT is a multiple stage tax, it has a single effect and does not add more than the specified rate to the consumer price no matter the number of stages at which the tax is paid.

Illustration 1: If a product moves from Raw Materials Producer (A) to Manufacturer (B) at N1,000.00 then to wholesale (C) at N1,500.00, then to Retailer (D) at N2,000.00; and finally to the consumer who pays N2,500 to the Retailer, VAT payable to government at 5% rate of VAT on the product is as follows:

• Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan presenting an FIRS Tax information pack to Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, President Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) during his visit to FIRS recently in Abuja.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

BUSINESS

Towards improving electricity supply The dismal state of power supply in the country was at the centre of a book launch in Lagos. Titled: The Developments in the Nigerian Electric Power System (1973-1998), it will serve as reference material to present and future adminstrations in the country, reports AKINOLA AJIBADE

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HEN Chief Philip Asiodu mounted the podium to deliver his speech, the audience who converged on the Institute of International Affairs(NIIA), Lagos for a book launch, listened with rapt attention.

As a retired ‘super’Permanent Secretary and former Economic Adviser to exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo, there was perhaps no one among the guests more qualified to speak on the happenings in the nation’s power sector in the last 26 years.

The elder statesman cleared his throat and began his speech but midway into his presentation, power went off, causing embarrassment to all the guests.

Two other speakers on the occasion suffered similar fate as their speeches were punctuated by intermittent power failures.

Given the importance of the event- the launching of a book titled: The Developments in the Nigerian Electric Power System(1973-1998), co-authored by Lawrence Amu and Foluseke Somolu , the power outages was seen as a big disappointment by guests that graced the occasion.

This is because successive governments have spent huge sums of money to fix the sector, but to no avail. Instead of having stable electricity, the country has been witnessing erratic power supply.

Little wonder that speakers, at the event, took their turns to x-ray the problems in the sector as contained in the book, while at the same time, proffer solutions to them.

Asiodu, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said the problems in the electricity sector are both individual and institutional.

He said while some of the problems are committed by individuals, others come from institutions of government such as the ministries and offices in charge of procurement and contracts.

He said selfishness, on the part of some government officials contributed greatly to the problems in the sector.

He said turbines are not working optimally, coupled with the fact that the government was unable to wheel gas to them for electricity generation.

He said the questionable status of the turbines brought into the country during the era of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) and poor gas supply was responsible for their low output.

Asiodu said a concept called ‘’ Emergency Power Turbines’ was developed during Obasanjo’s regime to misappropriate funds.

He said: ’’By this, people collected money, travelled abroad to buy secondhand turbines and come back to say that they have paid for new turbines. When this happens, the issue of collecting, for instance, 15 per cent or more as bribe is certain.”

According to him, the government approached notable institutions abroad to carry out a study on where thermal and hydro plants would be cited in the country to ensure optimal generation of electricity.

The report, he said, was yet to be found years after it was conducted, adding the country must free itself of corruption before the power sector can improve.

Asiodu, a former permanent secretary under the regime of former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), said

•Asiodu

•Somolu

faulty privatisation programme embarked upon by President Goofluck Jonathan, was part of the problems bedevilling the sector.

He said the hopes of many Nigerians were dashed, following the inability of the power generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs) to improve power supply two years after the Federal Government sold the assets of the defunct PHCN to them.

He said: “The government chose a wrong model when it sold the assets of PHCN to private investors in 2011. The issue of what we can do and capable of doing as regard the sector was not taken into consideration by the outgoing government. Instead of the government to look for people who can do the job and further deploy them into areas where they are needed to achieve productivity, it did not.’’

He said politics took over the management of the power sector after President Obasanjo left office in 2007, stressing that the development had resulted in poor electricity generation in the country.

Asiodu said the country generates less than 6, 000 megawatts (Mw) of electric-

ity for its over 170 million population. ‘’The electricity megawatts is not enough to meet the needs of the 170 million population. Many that are out of jobs today would have been employed if there is reasonable power supply. The industries would operate well, expand their capacities and employ more people. But this could not happen because the country does not produce enough electricity to drove the economy,”he said.

Also, Amu, one of the authors of the book, said there was the need to revisit systems and practices of truth, honesty, and competence that existed in the country before in order to move the electricity sector forward.

He said planning was at the heart of the sector, urging the in-coming government to plan and implement policies to avoid mistakes made by the previous governments in the power sector.

He said the book chronicled developments in the sector vis-a-vis the policies formulated by the government to facilitate its growth, adding that it would help present and future governments to address the problems besetting the industry.

UNIDO, SON implement 12m euro NQI project

Nexus opens shop in Ikeja AKER of home appliances, Nexus, has opened its first shop in Lagos as part of its p lan to expand consumer touch points in the country and reaffirm its commitment to delivering quality customer service.

The shop, which provides consumers with an exciting avenue to experience and interact with firm’ lineup of products is strategically located on the Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

The launch witnessed a lot of fanfare, tour of the showroom, product trials and notable faces from the music and movie industry.

Its Head, Brands and Corporate Communications, Deekay Group, Damilola Owolabi, said: “We are thrilled to unveil our first Nexus brand shop in Nigeria. Nexus is a dynamic brand that has over the years enjoyed a vibrant relationship with its customers and will not stop at brand shops to engage, but will initiate several consumer friendly activities and communications going forward to constantly thrill and delight its consumers. One of such initiative is the “Life has just begun” campaign with the sole objective of making home appliances a necessity for all. So, we are asking consumers to get ready for a journey with Nexus which will bring comfort, style, and pleasure to different homes across Nigeria.”

Head, Sales Deekay Group, Christy Augustine, added: “With the opening of the brand shop, our customers can see our various range of affordable products. Consumers are also assured of genuine Nexus products and every purchase is backed up with a two year warranty and after sales service. This masterpiece is expected to foster a deeper and more meaningful connection between customers and the Nexus brand.”

Nexus, a part of an ever-growing brand portfolio of Deekay Group; a

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premier mixed trading and manufacturing company with over 40 years’ rich legacy of launching business in the market, conceived the Nexus Home Appliances brand over two decades ago to demonstrate its belief in the seamless fusion of style, functionality and durability into the home appliances industry.

Since the opening of the Nexus brand shop in Ikeja, the store has become a hive of activities as lovers of quality from various parts of the Lagos metropolis have continued to throng the shop to purchase their household items.

Brand Shop Manager, Mr. Oladosu Olalekan, said the patronage from customers had been wonderful since the shop was opened to the public few weeks ago.

“Our customers have been coming to buy their favorite items. Some have been coming to make enquiries about the latest product from the Nexus range of quality products. So far, the responses are encouraging,” he said.

He also enjoined customers to take advantage of the 15 per cent discount on all products. This special discount, however, will end by this month end.

The well-stocked store parades the best in home appliances ranging from fridges of all sizes with elegant designs to meet the taste of its customers. Also in large quantities are: gas cookers, chest freezers, water dispenser, industrial fan, table top microwave, inverters and stabilisers.

On display at the spacious showroom are: cookers – deep fryer, rice cooker, pressure cooker as well as ovens of various sizes and designs.

With the opening of the brand shop, customers can seevarious ranges of affordable products. Consumers are also assured of genuine Nexus products and every purchase is backed up with a two-year warranty and after sales service.

Professor Frank Okafor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said poor infrastructure was inhibiting the process of the power sector, arguing that failure of the government to address the problems means the country would continue to experience irregular power supply.

Okafor, a lecturer in Electrical and Electronics, said the sector is battling with obsolete equipment, such as transformers, transmission substations and others, advising the government to replace them with new ones.

He lamented that the country has not been able to provide laboratories that can be used to test electrical equipment since 80s, adding that the development is affecting the sector.

He said: “ There is no brand of 30KVA transformer that can be tested in Nigeria. There was a facility for testing the equipment in the 80s and 90s, but today, there is nothing like that. This, among other problems hinder the progress of the sector. How can a company distribute electricity effectively when the equipment used in providing such services are either not working or obsolete?”

The Chief Executive Officer, Sahara Power Company, Kola Adesina, urged power firms to put in place measures to improve power generation.

Adesina, whose firm bought Egbin Power Plant, in addition to owning Ikeja Electric (IE), a power distribution company, appealed to the government to give attention to gas production.

He urged the in-coming government of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to prioritise to gas production/ distribution to enable turbines generate to improve electricity supply.

Another problem, Adesina said the new government must tackle is high tarrifs, noting that there has been no correlation between power supply and tarrifs given consumers.

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HE representative of United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr. Shaukat Malik, has said both Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and UNIDO have started the implementation of the National Quality Infrastructure(NQI) for Nigeria project, worth 12million euro.

He spoke at the World Metrology day with the theme: “Measurement in National Development” organised by SON in Lagos.

The project, which is to be funded by the European Union (EU), is aimed at supporting the improvement of standards and quality control agencies in order to advance the quality of products and services.

Malik said the project is to boost the competitiveness of the country’s

By Toba Agboola

private sector and ensure the protection of its consumers.

“We recognised that the increasing importance of metrology within globalised markets puts more emphasis on the link between costs and quality, quantity and trade,” he said.

The UNIDO Representative noted that without the use of metrology, the simplest of transactions may be open to abuse as it then becomes difficult to regulate trade.

Malik explained that the UNIDO through its NQI project, will take up the reins to finalise strategic activities to support the metrology towards international recognition.

Director-General, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said the establishment of

the national metrology institute will help the country to boost her export base by providing the required confidence and reliability in the export goods.

According to Odumodu, the establishment of the institute will eliminate the incidence of inaccurate and short measures in trade, manufacturing, export and import activities in the country He said apart from ensuring improved health standard of the citizenry, it will also ensure safe environment by providing accuracy in measurements.

His words: “Metrology, which is the science of measurements, is key to achieving 30 Gross Domestic Product for the manufacturing sector.

• From left: Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Alero Ladipo; Managing Director, Advert Striker Limited, Mr. Ayo Oyebade and Managing Director, Jumia Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Doer, during the West Africa Bloggers conference in Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

37

THE CEO How can agriculture aid economic growth? It is by structural transformation of the sector, says Prof Damian Chikwendu, National Coordinator of West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria, in this interview with DANIEL ESSIET.

‘Agric vital to sustained economic growth’ N

IGERIANS are calling for economic and structural change through agriculture. How can this be achieved?

Sustained economic growth using agriculture cannot happen without structural transformation of the sector. This requires broadening production from small to medium scale. It means upgrading the processes, enhancing farm produce and raising agric productivity. In the past, we have had little successes in improving agriculture because farming is practiced in subsistence level. For us to achieve high economic growth, it will be powered by a structural transformation of the farming sector, with incentives and measures that encourage farmers to take agriculture as a business. In this instance, several aspects have to come together, including promoting agro businesses, to move from producing low value commodities to high value industrial products.

With this, agriculture can now be harnessed with other sectors of the economy to promote sustained growth and structural transformation for increased employment.

So, changing the perspective of farmers to approach farming as a business will create profound change in their mentality. The goal of training farmers as business people will not only be to contribute to food and income security, but also to put more money into their pockets. The new direction, which WAAPP is championing, is to train farmers to see agriculture as a sustainable business and to make the shift from subsistence farming to farming for profit.

Financing and poor infrastructure are some the challenges facing agriculture. How can this be addressed to support the increasing number of investors?

We are facing a situation where budgets are becoming tighter for the government to fund infrastructure. At the same time, I believe the government can still address the issue both through prudent capital projects spending and public–private partnerships (PPPs). PPPs are useful for financing agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation schemes or storage facilities, or providing services that will benefit smallholder farmers. If we are to bring life into the economy, a lot of funding have to be deployed to fast-track new agricultural infrastructure.

We need infrastructure to stimulate and transform a lot of promising agricultural ideas and businesses into profitable commercial investments. Where the necessary agricultural systems and facilities are lacking, you see a situation where it will take a long time for new agric businesses to take off not to talk about becoming profitable.

Agriculture is crucial if we are to achieve inclusive economic growth. To achieve this, infrastructure investment is important. What we need is a committed leadership to drive a development plan with the target to transform the local economy to be agric sector dependent in the face of dwindling oil revenue.

After decades of neglect, how can the sector be fixed to work with the small-scale operators?

Clearly, the factors that drive transformation in agriculture are the adoption of technology and access to finance and skills training which we are currently delivering to small farmers. We are working to scale up small farming to increase efficiency at the farm level. The feedback we are getting from supply-chain based interventions in terms of improved food production clearly shows that small-scale farming can be a viable business.

How will you describe the state of agriculture?

I will say that agriculture has been recognised as capable of driving economic change and innovation while at the same time expanding opportunities for job creation. Right now, the government through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) sees farmers as crucial to building the economy to deliver opportunity to all, central to innovation, wealth creation, and job growth, as well as to political stability. Unfortunately, obstacles in the business environment hinder such opportunities. Farmers face chal-

• Chikwendu

‘There are tremendous opportunities in crop and livestock sectors where Nigerians can invest and reap economic benefits. With the studies we have done, I believe Nigerians can invest in the crop and the returns will be enough for them to make money and livelihood. Crops such as cassava, rice, mango, sorghum have vast potential for higher return on investment’ lenges with regard to capacity, financing, and market access. It is cheery that experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs have now turned their attention toward building the agric sector. This attention reflects recognition of the need for multifaceted support to drive food production. I believe agro-food products raise the chance for greater success.

Also, agriculture means opportunities for processed and packaged foods. This is the

time to encourage local farmers and businesses to boost their competitiveness, which is healthy for a nation. That’s why there is all the more room for opportunities in the agro-food sector. The competitiveness of the agro-food sector, and the variety it offers, also makes our produce coveted by international consumers.

You have sponsored research in diverse crop varieties in an effort to create a resil-

ient food system. Can you recommend any agribusiness that will be profitable and most beneficial in Nigeria?

There are tremendous opportunities in crop and livestock sectors where Nigerians can invest and reap economic benefits. With the studies we have done, I believe Nigerians can invest in the crop and the returns will be enough for them to make money and livelihood. Crops such as cassava, rice, mango, sorghum have vast potential for higher return on investment. There is potential in poultry production. The poultry sector is witnessing a surge of investment, driven by both stronger demand for the end product and the good paybacks. There are still significant opportunities for more Nigerians to invest in poultry production. As you are aware, WAAPP, in collaboration with the Zaria-based National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), and some six private hatcheries decided to popularise and introduce to the Nigerian poultry farmer the “Shika-Brown parent Stock”, a new species of poultry that can lay eggs for two years consecutively. The specie, is an indigenous innovation resulting from years of intensive research efforts was first released by NAPRI but remained largely on the shelf ever since due to lack of funds to propagate the innovation. We want to see farmers and Nigerians invest in the production of ShikaBrown day old chicks because it is profitable. There is market demand for poultry products nationwide. We want to work with private hatcheries to ensure the success of the Shika-Brown project. The release of the Shika-Brown specie is one of our major achievements.

Why WAAPP when there are other programmes?

I think members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) believe the region is the right arena for a new agricultural development strategy and support. There are strong complementarities between areas of production and consumption and the ecological diversity. As economies and trade become increasingly globalized, regional integration is seen as a key vector for positioning the region on the world stage. WAAPP is intended to address the many challenges to regional agriculture. it has also become increasingly important to put agriculture back at the heart of the development agenda and promoting agriculture requires funding and WAAPP is key to actualising the regional vision and making it effective in a context where institutional, human and financial resources are in short supply. WAAPP Nigeria’s targeted support for researchers and producers is absolutely crucial. There is need for access to fertiliser and seed, plus better training so that the farmers can consolidate their holdings. In other words, peasants must be transformed into entrepreneurs.

Why are you supporting research institutes, universities and Federal Colleges of Agriculture to reach farmers?

In WAAPP, we believe it is important we support farmers to produce more food, plough new and marginal lands more rapidly. This can only be achieved if agricultural research is funded to help raise crop yields sustainably – getting more crops per hectare of land.

What specific research gaps can WAAPP fill by allocating funds to research institutions?

We support universities, research institutes and colleges of agriculture to focus on the needs of farmers, different crops, different diseases and different problems accessing markets. Our partners address challenges relating to food insecurity and rural poverty. We are putting science to work in boosting food production through our partnering research institutions. There are some good universities that have special programmes to address our focus areas. They have trained lots of good scientists, researchers and scale is considerable. We need to support these institutions to train more Nigerians in good farming practice and technology.

Why is WAAPP seeking to restructure the Agricultural Research Council?

•Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

38

THE CEO

‘Agric vital to sustained economic growth’ •Continued from page 37

We are doing this because we want to see a situation where the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) can be transformed into a more efficient and functional body capable of driving agricultural development in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are leading a study that will develop relevant documents aimed at restructuring ARCN. Even though the ARCN was established in 2006 with the mandate of coordinating, supervising and regulating agricultural research, training and extension in the fifteen National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and 11 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, there is so much inefficiency within the structure that not is helping it to manage the research institutes to be able to respond to government’s demands for cost-effective management and generation of appropriate technologies, agricultural growth and the individual needs of the rural poor.

In India, we observed a strong link between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The NARS, which comprises of 30 research institutes, 60 project Directorates, 78 Indian Coordinated Research Projects, 61 States Agricultural Universities, 6 Deemed Universities and Agricultural Faculties in many traditional universities, are under the coordination and supervision of ICAR in terms of funding of research activities. In China, funding of research is heavily dependent on government, although institutes are made to access funds for research projects through competitive research grant scheme. From Brazil, the EMPRAPA model could be domesticated to an extent in Nigeria.

How can research institutes be improved on for better efficiency?

When ARCN was established in 2006, it was given the statutory mandate of coordinating, supervising and regulating agricultural research, training and extension in all 15 National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) and 11 Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCA) across the country. From all practical indications, the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), which is primed on coordination, is not working well for Nigeria. It is not responding to the government’s demand for cost-effective management, generation of appropriate technologies, agricultural growth and the individual needs of the rural poor. WAAPP has taken the lead by providing insight to the government of Nigeria and experts on the best approach that could make agricultural researches relevant to the farmer, and most importantly to the consumer.

To make ARCN really work, it must be transformed from a coordinating to a managing council. A situation whereby the council has a board that is completely separated in operations from that of the research institutes creates vacuum that is the reason most researches are not useful in Nigeria. Brazil, India and China are countries that Nigeria must learn from in this regards. I must tell you the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, sponsored by WAAPP, undertook study trips to Brazil, India and China where the team of experts and researchers took time to study how the Indian example could be replicated in Nigeria. The objective of the study tours was to understand the organisation of agricultural research systems in the countries with a view to transforming ARCN into a more efficient and functional body capable of driving agricultural development in Nigeria. In India, we visited the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Gurgaon and other similar institutions. In China, we visited the CAAS facilities including the Gene Bank in Beijing, while in Brazil we visited the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Headquarters,

• Chikwendu

Ministry of Agrarian Development among other research locations. We are trying new models to link small farmers to inputs and markets to transform the economy. Models to scale up small scale farming and increase efficiency at the farm level have begun to emerge.

Are you making any effort to promote commercialisation of research products?

We have realised that most researchers do researches for promotion. This is the reason some research institutes are not even known by the people in the community they are domiciled. Because of this WAAPP has set a benchmark that ensures that the institutes must find a way of being relevant, first to their immediate environment. So they are made to adopt at least two communities. A situation where technologies are developed and remain on the shelf for several years without being adopted by farmers may not arise because of the processes involved in technology development and testing.

WAAPP already is working with the Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos towards the development and commercialisation of research outcomes.

It appears you are taking small scale farmers seriously?

The entire agricultural system is dominated by small farmers. They account for 90 per cent of the sector. Given this fact, our focus is mostly on this group of farmers. By supporting small farmers, we believe we’ll be supporting most of the agricultural system, by extension the largest component of the economy. So, WAAPP work is focused mostly on identifying the bottleneck constraining the development of smallholder farmers and as a result, contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.

Are there any concrete results or impact of WAAPP work so far?

We work with a number of research institutes, universities and colleges of agriculture to maximise the contribution of quality farming to reduce the yield gap and drive an agricultural development agenda.

Through our support, small scale farmers with little financial means are able to access good seeds, buy inputs, which makes it possible for them to make money and improve their investment in fertiliser, seeds, and labour. Through adopted villages, experts from research institutes, universities and Federal Colleges of Agriculture (FCA) offer expertise to address farmers’ problems within such localities. We work with scientists to identify the systemic bottlenecks within key parts of the agricultural sector.

In order to determine these bottlenecks, it’s critically important for us to have access to strong research and strong data, which we are achieving now. At the systemic level, as I said before, WAAPP has had a number of interventions that we believe will increase the productivity of farmers in the near and long term. A few examples of those include the production and distribution of certified seeds. That change, now, more accurately reflects the reality on the ground as well as the future we’d like to see. We have collaborated with a number of institutions on using satellite technology and remote sensing and addressing the issues of soil fertility and soil information.

Can you say something more on innovation platforms?

An innovation platform consist of various groups, including farmers, agro dealers, transporters and others with interest in agriculture to pursue a common goal. The

‘I believe innovation platforms can lead to renewed economic growth and sustained competitiveness.

Such networks can be presented as prescriptions for rural economic recovery. Such initiatives should be replicated across the country if the nation is to reduce poverty and improve food security and advance good governance, peace and security’

broad aim is to find best approaches to adding values to the supply chains of crops like yam, cassava, rice, maize, mango and aquaculture, being their focal crops. The innovation platform holds a lot of promises for agricultural development in Nigeria, as it would add value to agro products and their strings of value chains. We are working with Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) across the country. They will nurture the programme and also use it to gain experience, in which case they are kept busy. As you may have observed this there is a greater demand not only for demonstrating the actual impacts of research but also for maximising impacts through targeting research benefits to poor people. Nigeria has the potential to establish a vibrant and profitable agricultural sector. A range of private and public efforts have demonstrated strong potential and that growing markets can be unlocked. A lot of information is shared to support the collection, storage, processing, retrieval and dissemination of information on commodity markets. Large processors have been able to negotiate with empowered producers on issues of prices, bulking points and access to other services. This has increased the trust and relationship between the different actors.

I believe innovation platforms can lead to renewed economic growth and sustained competitiveness. Such networks can be presented as prescriptions for rural economic recovery. Such initiatives should be replicated across the country if the nation is to reduce poverty and improve food security and advance good governance, peace and security. With innovation platforms, farmers will be linked with buyers, input suppliers, credit, and access to training and technical assistance. The farmers will receive training and technical assistance from extension officers on demonstration plots. Key practices include soil and water conservation, weed control, crop nutrition, and better postharvest handling techniques. In turn, benefitting farmers will provide training to other farmers around their demonstration plots. We are determined to provide farmers with the skills they need to both improve their own productivity and teach others to do the same.

Through our innovation platforms, we are looking at the key crops that farmers are growing for food security. These include cassava, sorghum, rice, maize and yam; in each of these we’ve identified with specific research institutes and clusters where these crops are prominent. And we are working with research institutes, universities and FCAs to strengthen extensions workers – to ensure that they provide farmers with the most appropriate agronomic practices, and at the same time provide farmers with seed and fertiliser on time as well as mechanisation and markets. So the combinations of these are interventions that we’re bringing to farmers in the near term. So far, we have recorded successes where farmers have begun to plant drought resistant crops, diversify away from planting just one or two crops which are very vulnerable to climate change.

We have seen some successes, but definitely more needs to be done. The varieties the research institutes have developed have great potential to improve resilience against, drought. The new varieties can enhance nutrition through breeding to increase nutrition.

One issue that you have always raised is that of the absence of a functional extension system. Can you comment on it?

Like I have always observed, lack of effective extension services is a major challenge to small scale agriculture commercialisation.

The existing extension services are poorly resourced and key messages do not filter down to the rural small scale farmers who need them most. Without a basic understanding of good agricultural practices, most small scale farmers cannot grow sufficient crops to move past subsistence farming. A lot of blames are placed on the door steps of ADPs which is not entirely correct. The ADPs do a lot of things besides providing extension services. Besides, there is the issue of proper funding. Having identified this, we have decided to support a reform of the extension system in such a way that ADPs can be repositioned to promote farmer driven approach.

Under this approach, the extension officers will be trained in modern practices and methods that would help farmers to adopt good agricultural and business practices. The benefitting farmers will then share the knowledge within their communities. We are working with research institutes, colleges of agriculture and universities to organise programmes to teach farmers using demonstration plots.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

‘Crooks can’t manage NIMC’s infrastructure’ Recently, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had a running battle with its workers as some aggrieved unionist protested the sack of their colleagues. Its Director-General/CEO, Chris Onyemenam, says the management of the infrastructure of the Commission is too sensitive to be left in the hands of people without character. He says NIMC has succeeded in producing and e-ID Card that has the elicited the recognition of global bodies, such as the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) can never be left to be managed by people with questionable integrity. LUCAS AJANAKU met him.

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OR some years, the country has been on national identity. What are the unique features of the e-ID Card the Commission is giving the country?

What we have now is a system that assures and uniquely says you are who you say you are and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) can confirm this conclusively.

In our systems, this is represented by a set of 11digit number that cannot be duplicated and is verifiable in a secure manner. And before the numbers are issued to anyone, care would have been taken to ensure through a specific process that is repeated for every such entry of personal information that your information had not been previously entered into the system, by the use of your biometrics (face, fingerprints and as we will soon upgrade to iris), because there is a National Identity Database (NIDB) where the data is stored. That is the beauty of what we have. And you know what, it is secure, see with a disaster recovery/ business plan and Nigerians and local firms are significantly involved.

Also, the National e-ID Card is the only government International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) compliant token whose document signer is resident and managed in Nigeria.

In November this year, your tenure is expected to end. What legacies are you leaving behind ?

By the time I leave hopefully at the end of my tenure in November this year, the most important legacy is getting an electronic identification scheme for Nigeria. We have also been able to set up a straight identity verification scheme for Nigeria. My team and i will be remembered for three thing; the winding up of the defunct DNCR has been completely achieved and there is no such thing as DNCR anymore, and if you investigate properly, you will find that there are institutions that have been wound up either by policy or laws still find a way of remaining around. That is not the case with the DNCR. Second, the three decade problem old of ascertaining or deciding on how to uniquely identify Nigerians has been laid to rest and that to me is an important legacy and I am sure that my team and I will be remembered for our pioneering efforts in ensuring that there is a departure from the past ways of doing identification in Nigeria. Like I very often say, we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used when we created them, that was what I learnt from Albert Einstein. The thinking we had before led to an obsession with national institutions and the private sector, focusing on card issuance as an end to its self. Sometimes these cards can be duplicated or obtained from a business centre nearby.

Of what use would this be to Nigeria and Nigerians?

Positively of course! This is one legacy of President Jonathan’s administration that will be useful for the incoming administration. My understanding is that the incoming administration has security, unemployment and social welfare payments as very cardinal programmes to pursue and you must first be able to ascertain who each individual is before talking about eligibility for one social welfare programme or the other. That’s i why the safety Nets Projects is already tied to this NIMS project. You must be able to talk of a foundation identity before talking of a functional identity. And so, it is very central or core to any attempt at addressing security social welfare issues particularly when you want to implement social welfare programmes like paying stipends to the unemployed or other deserving citizens, payment of benefits to farmers like we are currently working to deploy with the Federal ministry of Agriculture, payment of pensions to pensioners, payment of any other social benefit to citizens and for any other government transfers. So that process of providing unique identification for ensuring that such programmes get to the targeted population is already in place. This is an important programme for all times honestly and Nigerians should be appreciative of the effort of all NIMC staff.

Secondly, a foundation identity provides you with the important tool not only facilitating service delivery across the public and private sectors abut also for fighting crime. It is going to complement the works of the security agencies.

I alluded to the fact that access has been given to one of the agencies that is able to use the database to verify the identity of individuals and by

•Onyemenam

the time we put it to use in some of the other government agencies and even in the private sector, the rate of identity related frauds will just take a dive downwards.

Also unique identity means you can count the number of unemployed and channel them through a scheme using the card and luckily there is a payment solution on it. So it helps you to organise schemes around specific programmes based on eligibility indices, which is similar to what we are currently doing with the Ministry of Agriculture.

There was a face-off between management and workers at NIMC. What could have precipitated this?

The main issue is that some members of staff who falsified their service records and thus have been profiting from that fraud were asked to go on account of a disciplinary process recently concluded. The issues at stake are fake appointment, promotion, conversion, and advancement letters and NIMC have had to follow the process as laid down in the rules and regulations for the Public Service to deal with such cases. The workers had the opportunity for fair hearing, which is a Disciplinary Committee, set up to determine the extent of the fraud but they choose to go to court. It didn’t start yesterday, it didn’t start in 2014; it started in 2012, when the Commission began the process of absorption of the DNCR staff and the payment of promotion arrears, which in itself started 2008.

And so when they went to court in mid-2014 to try to stop the process, we obeyed the court order and stopped. After between seven and eight months, the case came to a close and the Commission won at the National Industrial Court. The court had decided that it was not possible for the Court to interfere with an administrative or a disciplinary process between an employee and an employer, and therefore,

the Union, seeking an intervention of the Court to stop such a process on its behalf was an anomaly. We then took our time, to invite them again, this time thsi year to come and clear themselves from the allegations following the queries issued, and some of them came, and a few were exculpated, and have since been issued their proper placement letters. Other felt it was till a court issue and failed to avail themselves the opportunity of an appearance that in its self is a violation of a public service rule.

There are others who did not come and somehow, felt that Management should allow them to continue to profit from what we call a fraudulent act on their side. By the way, we have reported the criminal aspect of this issue to the police. This is what is required of us because the criminal aspect of their conduct is not for us to deal with. It is the administrative aspect that has to do with discipline that is our responsibility, and we have gone through the whole process. There are public sector institutions that are supposed to help ensure that indeed an adequate and appropriate fair hearing were present at the disciplinary committee sittings: the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Federal Civil Service Commission and he Federal Character Commission were all duly represented.

However, the Union, representing staff members have decided for whatever reasons to resist the outcome of the disciplinary process, suggesting that they encourage such fraudulent acts, and clearly want to divert attention from the major facts and issues at hand.

Were the affected workers not employed under your management?

No. This set of workers, were not employed

by NIMC. They were among those whom the

‘One of the most important reasons we embarked on the evaluation of the quality of the assets we took over was first to be sure of what we were inheriting. The second thing is that if you want the unique identification system to be globally recognised and acceptable, we needed to benchmark our service and organisational infrastructure in terms of deployment and processes to accepted standards globally and one of the tools or index used is the information security management system’

Commission had to take over from the defunct Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) and essentially, if you take over the assets and liabilities of an institution, it is only proper that you look into the quality of the assets and liabilities you have inherited, to determine whether the ownership you are now being conferred with by virtue of the provisions of the Act that made it possible is acceptable.

That enables you to decide on the next issues: trainings postings, redundancy, recruitments and others.

For these set of workers, however, it has nothing to do with whether they are competent, whether they needed training, or whether they could fit into the new scheme. It had more to do more with the character of the person we are talking about. Because if you could falsify your own service records, and you expect to be given the responsibility to attend to and manage and operate personal information and the collection, processing and use of database that people should rely upon, it takes a lot away from the entire National Identity Management System (NIMS) infrastructure. If you have a character issue of that nature, it is indeed a huge issue if someone with a questionable integrity is the gatekeeper of the infrastructure that should help us achieve a secure identity system and that is the crux of the issue. The dilemma is what to do with a staff member who has put in several years of service including years during which he profited from fraudulent act he perpetrated which represents his character as inimical to the safety and future of the project.

So why are you taking action at this point in time?

Really not sure your question is couched rightly, but here is the answer. This process started long ago. It was preceded by at least three verification exercises. First was the one we did in collaboration with the service providers approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2008 to enable us know the assets we were taking over in terms of numbers and categories. That led to the elimination of what we may refer to as ‘ghost workers’ because they didn’t turn up for verification.

Second was when they were to be sent back to the office of the Head of Civil Service, since they were pool staff. Then there was a third verification exercise which was jointly don with the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation which was successfully done and brought out conclusively, the issues on which they were given opportunity to explain. That opportunity was given in June 2014 and the sitting of the Disciplinary Committee was delayed by the court action for about eight months s mentioned before. It was after the ruling of the court which was in our favour that we subsequently recommended the process. It happened to be between now –March-April this year. The Board gave its approval only last two week.

What would you have done if you were in my shoes?

I cannot because I am about to end my tenure in a couple of months, refuse to do my job properly, and thus pass on a liability or leave behind an organisation and infrastructure that will simply have an unintended consequence for my successor. One of the most important reasons we embarked on the evaluation of the quality of the assets we took over was first to be sure of what we were inheriting. The second thing is that if you want the unique identification system to be globally recognised and acceptable, we needed to benchmark our service and organisational infrastructure in terms of deployment and processes to accepted standards globally and one of the tools or index used is the information security management system.

There are various levels of certifications for identity and database management infrastructure: the data centre, the data capture, network, connectivity and others. What that shows when you obtain these certifications simply put, is that you have a very good and safe identity management infrastructure. We wanted to ensure that that was in place, because one thing that can make you lose your certification overnight is if you have questionable integrity, and so we were always conscious of the need for background checks to be conducted as fast as possible so why leave these ones that we started to work on long ago because I am leaving office in about six months from now?

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

40

MOTORING

Audi to launch three new SUVs by 2020

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UDI is planning to launch three new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) by the end of the decade, including a Q1 crossover, range-topping Q8 and one with electric drivetrain.

This was revealed during the carmaker’s 126th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Neckarsulm. The cars are a few of the newcomers which will take its range to 60 models by 2020 – up from 52 in 2015. The company will invest •24billion (£17billion) in its facilities by the end of 2019, developing new technologies and increasing production capacity.

New SUV models will arrive starting with the Q1 next year, which Audi confirmed in 2013 will be underpinned by the same platform used in the A3 and broaden the A1 family to include a crossover version. The Q8 – which will take on the Mercedes-

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

Benz GL-Class (soon to renamed the GLS) will follow in 2019 and is likely to share its platform with the new Q7 launching later this year.

There are fewer details about the third SUV, which Audi says will be a sports-focused model featuring an electric drivetrain, due in 2018. This could denote fullyelectric system similar to the forthcoming Tesla Model X, or possibly a plug-in hybrid or range-extender setup – both of which have been displayed in concept cars and production models.

Audi says the newcomers will set out the foundations for ongoing growth. The carmaker delivered 591,000 cars in the first four months of the year and, with the new Q7 and A4 arriving during 2015, it expects this to be a record year.

Peugeot to set up factory in Morocco

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RENCH carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced plans to set up a factory in Morocco.

The plant, possibly near the city of Kenitra, would have an initial production capacity of around 100,000 vehicles, the source said, echoing a report by Bloomberg news agency.

A Peugeot spokesman said the group was currently focused on developing sales in Morocco before envisaging any industrial presence in the North African kingdom.

“In the medium term, we are thinking about an industrial presence to accompany the development of our brands in the region,” the spokesman said, adding Morocco was one of the countries being considered.

Reuters reported in November that Morocco, where Peugeot has outsourced research and development activities, featured among the projects of new boss Carlos Tavares as he seeks to increase the French carmaker’s footprint in lowerwage countries.

Porsche out with ‘faster’ 911 GT3 R

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ASED on the powerful 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a new customer racer for GT3 series around the world: The 911 GT3 R. Boasting more than 500 hp (368 kW) the new racing 911’s evolution is embodied through lightweight design, enhanced aerodynamics, increased efficiency, improved handling and further optimised safety, as well as the lowering of service and spare parts costs.

Adapted from its road-going sibling but in a race track-formatted model, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and a wheelbase which has been lengthened by 8.3 centimetres.

This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners. These important racing attributes are further enhanced through the application of lightweight solutions for the body, add-on parts and suspension, optimising the car’s centre of gravity.

The lightweight body design of the 911 GT3 RS production sports car featuring an intelligent aluminium-steel composite, has proven to be the ideal basis for the race car.

The roof, front cover and fairing, wheel arches, doors, side and tail sections as well as the rear cover, are made of particularly light carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP). All windows – and for the first time even the windscreen – consist of polycarbonate.

Powering the new 911 GT3 R is a cutting-edge four-litre flat-six unit which is largely identical to the high-performance production engine of the road-legal 911 GT3 RS. Direct petrol injection, which operates at pressures up to 200 bar,

as well as variable valve timing technology ensure a particularly efficient use of fuel.

Moreover, the normally-aspirated engine offers significantly better driveability and a broader usable rev range. Power from the rear engine is transferred to the 310 mm rear wheels via a Porsche sequential six-speed constantmesh gearbox. As in the GT roadgoing models of the 911, the driver changes gears via shift paddles conveniently positioned on the steering wheel.

The aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 R also follow the example of the road car. The distinctive wheel arch air vents on the front fairings increase downforce at the front axle.

Measuring two metres in width by 40-centimetres in depth, the rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. From its 911 RSR big brother, the GT3 R has adopted the concept of the centrally-positioned radiator.

By eliminating the side radiators, the position of the centre of gravity has been improved, the radiator is better protected against collision damage and the venting of hot air through louvers in the front cover is also greatly improved.

The brake system of the 911 GT3 R has also benefitted from further modifications and, thanks to increased stiffness and more precise control of the ABS, is even better suited to long distance racing. At the front axle, six-piston aluminium monobloc racing brake callipers combined with ventilated and grooved steel brake discs with a diameter of 380 millimetres ensure outstanding braking performance.

Fitted at the rear axle are fourpiston callipers and discs measuring 372 millimetres.

•From left: Executive Director, Personal Banking Division, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu; Chief Executive Officer, Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani; and the Zonal Head, Lagos Mainland, Commercial Banking Division, Access Bank, Ralph Opara at the signing ceremony of Access Kia promo launch.

Mazda, Mitsubish recall more Takata airbags

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AYS after Japanese car parts maker Takata doubled the number of vehicles being recalled due to the company’s defective airbags, auto giants Mazda and Mitsubishi added more vehicles to the recall.

Japanese auto makers Mazda and Mitsubishi announced they would recall about 624,000 more vehicles to replace air bag inflators made by Takata.

Mazda said it was recalling about 112,000 vehicles, including the Atenza sedan, Bongo van and two models it builds for Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors. A spokeswoman said it was stil planning for any recall overseas.

At the same time, Mitsubishi Motors is calling back about 100,000 cars in Japan and 412,000 overseas, the company said.

The companies’ decision comes days after Takata’s move to double the recall of potentially deadly air bags to nearly 34 million vehicles, making it the largest automotive recall in US history.

At issue are malfunctioning inflators in Takata airbags which cause them to explode, spraying metal fragments into the passenger compartment. Regulators have so far linked six deaths worldwide to the

problem.

Experts and safety advocates say Takata’s US recall of potentially deadly air bag inflators could take years to complete, as automakers scrambled to line up replacement parts, some not from Takata.

A Takata spokesman said the company would raise output to 1 million inflators a month by September, an increase of 100,000 parts from the previous forecast and up from the current monthly level of 500,000.

Takata reported a net loss of $244 million (221 million euros) for the last fiscal year, but said it expects to return to profit this financial year despite the recalls.

Toyota ‘ll unravel Air Bag defects cause, says president

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OYOTA President Akio Toyoda has vowed to help get to the bottom of the problems with Takata air bags, the recalls for which have ballooned to about 53 million vehicles worldwide, stressing that regaining consumer trust is its concern.

Doubts are growing about whether Japanese supplier Takata Corporation has the financial muscle to deal with all the defects, a task that could take years. The ultimate size of its financial burden will remain unclear until the underlying cause of the problems is identified.

Toyoda was solemn when addressing Takata’s woes. He pointed out Toyota Motor Corporation had gone through a similar public-relations disaster over massive recalls that began in 2009, and expanded to some 14 million vehicles world-

wide, for problems including faulty floor mats, defective brakes and sticky gas pedals.

“Recalls are not just about technical problems. If there is a morsel of consumer doubt, then we have to deal with it,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a reception for the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association.

“We must aggressively pursue recalls. Otherwise, we can’t go forward,” he said.

The air bag inflators being recalled can kick in with too much force, blow apart a metal canister and send shards flying. The defect has caused at least six deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide.

Toyota has been working with the other automakers affected by the Takata defect, including Japanese rivals such as Honda Motor

Co., the hardest hit, and manufacturers such as BMW AG, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. to pinpoint the root of the air bag problem.

Toyota and nine other automakers hired Orbital ATK, an aerospace and defence technology company based in Dulles, Virgina, to conduct testing on Takata air bags.

Takata and United States’ authorities, as well as some automakers on their own, are also carrying out tests.

Although exposure to moisture for extended periods appears to trigger the problem, the root cause is still unknown.

“It’s like a sickness. You have to find out what’s causing it if you hope to treat it and fix it,” Toyoda said.

Implementation of National Council on Transport communique •Continued from last week

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N the same vein, the Council also approved the establishment of a standing Committee to be headed by the Federal Ministry of Transport with Membership drawn from the states of the six geopolitical zones and other stakeholders to Monitor the implementation of Council decisions by States and other transport - related MDAs at least twice a year before each Council meeting beginning from the year.

Shortly after the October, last year National Council on Transport conference at Enugu, I sent a letter to the Minister for Transportation, urging him not to relent in taking the necessary steps towards the speedy implementation of the above resolutions so that there will be commendable results to present at this year’s National Council on Transport Conference scheduled to hold in Sokoto.

It is, however, regrettable that as at February, this year, the Federal

Ministry of Transport has not called the proposed stakeholders meeting to deliberate on the resolutions thereby delaying their implementation.

Peradventure, the honourable Minister is deeply involved in the electioneering campaigns.Be that as it may, I would like the Ministry and all the stakeholders to know that innocent lives are perishing on the Nigeria roads everyday and every step that needs to be taken to reduce the rate of road accidents and fatalities must be taken with the degree of urgency required because life has no duplicate and the youths who form majority of road accident victims are the future leaders of this great Nation.

In all sincerity, no excuse is tenable for the delay in the result-oriented implementation of all the resolutions of the National Council on Transport meetings. I hereby use this medium to once again appeal to the Minister for Transport, Federal Road Safety Commission

Jide Owatunmise Registrar /Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

(FRSC), State Vehicle Inspection Officers, Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria and other relevant Stakeholders to swing into action without further delay in ensuring the total implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions (resolutions 5 and 9 in the Syndicate Group A on Land Transport and Resolution 4:18 in the Communique of the 2014 National Council on Transport conference).

A stitch in time saves nine.

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MONDAY MAY 25, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, 82, is a former Minister of Finance under the military administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview, the former University of Ibadan (UI) teacher, speaks on the general elections and his expectations about the incoming Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

‘Buhari should reduce cost of governance’ C

AN you assess the recent general elections?

It was a successful election during which Nigerians spoke with their votes and chose their leaders into various elective offices, including the office of the President. The elections also laid to rest the much-talked about disintegration of Nigeria as a country. We thank God for making the election possible amid fears and apprehension.

Nigerians must also appreciate the personal contribution of the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan who conceded defect even before it was concluded. This, to an extent, doused tension across the country.

I rejoice with Nigeria and Nigerians that in spite of the doomsday prediction, it went on smoothly.

What lesson has the outcome of the elections taught Nigerians?

I don’t know what lessons the elections have taught Nigerians, but personally speaking, it has shown that there I a limit to which we can rely on the media, including the socalled social media. The media hype on the elections was so high that you will think Nigeria was going to collapse. To God be the glory, the elections have proven pessimists wrong that the media could speculate, create tension, but Nigerians have made up their minds on how to move the country forward.

In spite of what people say or write, God has destined what would happen and what would be. That’s another lesson. If not that, Buhari would not have emerged the President-elect, if all the negative things said about him were anything to go by. Another lesson is also that the Nigerian electorates are now more enlightened than before and can differentiate between what they want and what they don’t want.

As someone who worked under Buhari, what should Nigerians expect from his government?

I expect discipline and austerity, which will later in the years impact positively our economy. I expect him to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria for better; turning the present economic woes to economic gains for the country and Nigerians. I expect him not to compromise his frankness, straightforwardness and thoroughness in the name of anything. In anything he will do as the President, I want him to always place the interest of Nigerians at heart and not that of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

No doubt, because he’s now a politician, his party would have some element of influence on him, but he should always remember Nigerians that voted him into power. He must not compromise critical values he believed in like his anti-corruption stance. Under no circumstance must he concede to people who know nothing but corruption. He must let people know that the situation has changed, through his actions and utterances.

With the economic situation in the country today, what should be the thrust of the policies you would like Buhari to adopt?

It is not only his economic policies that are necessary; he must also maintain national stability. There are other many areas in our national life which he must address, if he wants to succeed in office. I suggest that he should address the inability of many state governments to pay workers salaries. Ordinarily, one may want to say that it is not the Federal Government that is owing, but he should not forget that he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is shameful and a national disgrace, as well as unethical and a great disservice for governments not to pay workers that they are using to execute their progrmmes. I urge Buhari to address the issue as soon as he assumes office. If possible, I want him to give state governments that owe workers ultimatum within which to pay or face the wrath of the Federal Government. However, from available records, I must state that state governments in the country have no business not paying their workers.

The President-elect also needs to get the cooperation of the trade unions. As much as workers welfare should not be jettisoned by him, I want to canvass that there should not be wage increase for the first two years of his administration.

Since the first two years should be sacrifice, I also want to canvass for the reduction in the cost of running government by at least 50 per cent. I am of the opinion that we are wasting money in running government. I find it scandalous that our Senate President earns more than the US President. That is spendthrift which must be addressed. Although my sug-

gestion may meet with stiff opposition from members of our National Assembly, but I think this is the best for Nigeria at this critical moment of her economic life.

The Central Bank governor has tenure of four years. What do you expect Buhari to do about the CBN governor that has another four years to complete his renewable tenure?

Buhari is not only inheriting the CBN governor, he is also inheriting the entire Civil Service, so he must contend with that reality. Don’t isolate the CBN; as far as I am concerned, the CBN position is governed by law and I know that Buhari is a respecter of law. It is natural that politicians will jostle for positions, including that of the CBN governor, but Buhari should know that there are many of them that are statutory.

Hence, he can’t just remove the occupant of such a position without facing the wrath of the law that established them.

How should Buhari handle the series of new appointments by Jonathan, few weeks to his exit from office?

My reaction is that he is still the President and can still make or mar, irrespective of what anybody or group says.

All these things some people are saying about the appointments Jonathan is making in the twilight of his administration are nothing but pettiness. The task before Buhari’s administration are enormous than appointments. Nigerians must note this. He can’t succeed without national stability and discipline which we lead to eradication or reduction corruption in the country.

However, this may be difficult for him to achieve if Nigerians saddle him with mundane and petty issues. The expectation of Nigerians is so high that he can’t afford to reduce himself to petty issues of who gets what. As a former military officer, I know he will handle it with tactics and integrity, putting the interest of Nigerians first.

Do you think the Buhari of today can still have vigour to effect the desired change in Nigeria?

I will answer this question by appealing to Nigerians to support Buhari’s administration and see whether he has or lack the vigour to run the country. As someone who had the chance of working with him, I know he will run this country well.

He is a man who is highly religious, fears God and has absolute confidence in those working with him. Even as a military Head of State, he was not as dictatorial as many of his adversaries want Nigerians to believe.

I remember very well that there was a situation when he crossed the name of somebody from a list of contract brought to him for approval. Though I was not the one involved, but I went to him to know the rationale and he explained that he did not want to be blackmailed. He is such a person who carries along his subordinates in the scheme of things.

There was also an incident when the Chief of Air Staff took a proposal to him to purchase Alpha jet or do something.

What the Chief of Staff was expecting was that Buhari in his

The task before Buhari’s ‘administration are enormous than appointments. Nigerians must note this. He can’t succeed without national stability and discipline which we lead to eradication or reduction corruption in the country. However, this may be difficult for him to achieve if Nigerians saddle him with mundane and petty issues.

The expectation of Nigerians is so high that he can’t afford to reduce himself to petty issues of who gets what

‘

• Dr. Soleye

capacity as the Commander-in-Chief would just say ‘minister go ahead’. But, the service chief got the shock of his life when Buhari asked him to get in touch with the Finance Minister. In a military regime, that was strange because the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff and other security chiefs were expecting the Head of State to call the minister and say ‘minister, call your Perm Sec., and see what you can do’. But, instead, Buhari would say go and convince the Minister of Finance.

That’s Buhari’s personality for you and I don’t think he has changed. So, I expect those who will work with him to bear this in mind. As much as he will have confidence in them, they must know that they will be under careful monitoring and they should make sure that they don’t betray the confidence he will repose in them.

Do you think Buhari will survive the pressure from politicians who bank-rolled his election?

There is a limit of decadence that Buhari will tolerate, whether anybody or group financed his election or not. Having worked with him, I know he is a very disciplined and courageous man.

Should Buhari probe the outgoing administration of President Jonathan?

To me, probe is diversionary and when you talk about it, you continually look back, when actually you are supposed to be moving ahead. Probe wastes a lot of time and I want to advise that Buhari should look elsewhere. But, If in the course of running the country, he crushes people along his way, I am sure he will have the cooperation of Nigerians instead of probe.

How do you want him to handle the problematic oil subsidy and power sector?

As a former minister in charge of Ministry of Petroleum, he will know how to handle the issue. But, I want to appeal to him to handle the issue with national interest.

Do you think Buhari has the skill to fight politicians who made him president?

Why not? Let us wait and see whether he could do that or not. But, if it is the same Buhari that I worked with as Finance Minister, politicians should not expect business as usual.

I am sure he will not fight them, but he will let them see reasons why certain things can’t be going on, so Nigerians should brace up for austere period, if they want Nigeria to be a better country. They must be ready to cooperate with him, as well as ready to make unconditional sacrifice.

How do you feel when people blame the military under which you served for being responsible for Nigeria’s current economic woes?

Financial recklessness? Not in Buhari’s regime. In fact, we managed more debts; this made members of the cabinet to be calling me minister of debt management. Our debt was so high that we were paying both domestic debt and foreign debt. It was a disciplined regime and that was probably why we didn’t last two years before we were kicked out.

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I made the promise because of the love I have for you. I thank God that I made a promise and I fulfilled it. I passed through Kwara and Niger State, trekking from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm every day. I made this promise two years ago

’

Little did Suleiman Hashimu, who started it all, know that his decision to trek from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate the March 28 victory of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will introduce a new dimension to celebrating electoral victories. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE catalogues Hashimu’s experience and those of others who have emulated him.

Season of trekking

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HE victory of the incoming President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the recent election has elicited different reactions from different persons. From those who called to congratulate him like outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, to those who wrote him or those who put up newspaper advertisements in newspapers, the new leader has been inundated with congratulatory messages.

But, the ones that appear to have grabbed everyone’s attention are the increasing number of youths trekking long distances to express their love for him over his success at the poll. It was one Suleiman Hashimu who hails from Katsina State that started it. When news filtered out that he was on his way to Abuja from Lagos by foot to congratulate Buhari, Nigerians received the news with mixed feelings, doubting the possibility of such a mission.

Even after his reported arrival to his destination, some still question the authenticity of his claim. They said no media attention was solicited before Hashimu started off.

They asked who monitored him.

What happened when night fell and how did he manage to find his way through the long and tortuous road to the capital, particularly since a longer part of the way is through the bushes?

It was even speculated that he met armed robbers on the way and they used the opportunity to write the President-elect and mandated the lone wayfarer to deliver it. But, many Nigerians believe scenarios were impossible. They say such are the sort of speculative reporting concocted by idle users of the socio media who are always out to cause sensation. They insist that the young man should have been posting pictures of every point he got to on the internet.

Just when it appeared as if everyone had forgotten about Hashimu, the news went viral in the social and regular media that he has surfaced in Lapai, Niger State, where he was given a rousing welcome by residents of the town. According to one account, he stayed at the palace of the emir for two days before he continued his journey.

He finally arrived his destination on April 20 to a heroic welcome from the crowd of admirers, including the President-elect. According to the long-distance trekker, he was in Lagos when Buhari was announced the winner of the March 28 presidential election. The next day, he added, he embarked on the journey as early as 5 am. He told reporters in Abuja that the journey took him 18 days, but failed to provide details whether the take off was witnessed by any group or persons.

In addition, Hashimu did not provide details about his itinerary and resting schedule along the 746 Km journey, which ordinarily will take a car nine hours. He said it was in fulfilment of a promise he made to God two years ago that if Buhari wins, he will trek from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate the victory.

Receiving him, Buhari said: ‘’I

want to congratulate you for making it. You are a young man and you are lucky that your health did not fail you. I heard many stories about you. I understand you wore many shoes. I also understand that there were people who were generous to you.’’

Responding, Hashimu said: ‘’I made the promise because of the love I have for you. I thank God that I made a promise and I fulfilled it. I passed through Kwara and Niger State, trekking from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm every day. I made this promise two years ago. I am based in Ibadan and I started my journey from Lagos because it is the most popular city in Nigeria. I took off from Berger junction in Lagos, but I am bothered about what people say. I have made it.’’

Though he did not receive any cash reward for the feat, sources have it that it was beyond a handshake. It was speculated that an Abuja-based businessman quartered him at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, and had him properly fed and entertained.

Hashimu’s feat has opened the floodgate for other trekkers, who are also using the method to express their feeling and to congratulate the President-elect. Right now, 45-year old Mallam Adamu Abdullahi is on his way from Maiduguri to Abuja on a similar mission. He would be trekking about 868 kilometres; meaning that he would be traversing a longer distance, compared to Hashimu.

His intention is to use the opportunity to draw the attention of the President-elect to the menace of Boko Haram in the Northeast and to plead with him to wipe it away from the region. From Borno, Abdullahi would be passing through Yobe, Bauchi, Plateau and Nasarawa states. The above states have some things in common: they are all experiencing some sort of insecurity, in the form of communal clashes, cattle rustlings and religious crisis.

Addressing reporters prior to his departure in Maiduguri, Abdullahi said the journey will take him 20 days and that his intention is to complement the efforts of Hashimu; to congratulate the President-elect and plead with him not to relent in his pledge to stamp out insurgency in the Northeast, where life has become brutish, nasty and short.

According to him, his expected date of arrival in Abuja is May 20.

He urged Nigerians to join his aged mother, Mrs Zulihat Abdullahi, and family to pray for his safety as he embarks on the solitary journey through the crisis-ridden region.

Just last week, the Lagos State APC Secretariat, Ogba formally received Afolabi Adams who trekked from Abeokuta to Lagos to congratulate the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his role in pulling off in the merger that produced the APC, which would become the ruling party from May 29.

Adams commenced his journey on May 18. He arrived the APC secretariat two days later and was received by party stalwarts. He narrated how he commenced the jour-

feat ‘hasHashimu’s opened the floodgate for other trekkers, who are also using the method to express their feeling and to congratulate the President-elect.

Right now, 45-year old Mallam Adamu Abdullahi is on his way from Maiduguri to Abuja on a similar mission

• President-elect Buhari welcoming Hashimu to Abuja

‘

• L-R Mr. Ademola Saqiq, Cardinal James Odunbaku, Adams, Otunba Dele Ajomale, Chief Funso Ologunde and Hon. Biodun Salami of the All Progressives Congress receiving Adams who trekked from Abeoluta to Lagos.

• Abdullahi

ney and the stopovers he made.

According to him, he had to sleep in hotels and party secretariats on his way to Lagos.

He said: “I started this journey at OPIC Roundabout at exactly 6.40 am. Media men witnessed my take off. After that, I walked towards Olomore, Ita-Oshin and after some hours I found myself at Ewekoro near Itori.

“I received a rousing welcome at Ewekoro. The council secretary and other official received me and accompanied me to see the traditional ruler (Kabiyesi) of Itori who also gave me a warm reception. The royal father gave me his blessing and wished me a safe journey to Lagos.

“The Olu of Itori said he was very impressed by what I was doing to honour Asiwaju Tinubu. Later, I trekked to Ifo and from there to Sango Ota and finally I arrived the secretariat in Lagos.”

He added that Tinubu is the father of modern democracy in Nigeria. He said the National Leader’s determination to oust the People Democratic Party (PDP) from

power was overwhelmingly supported by people like him because under the PDP their lot has been unemployment, poverty and lack of social amenities.

Adams called on the national leader not to relent in the bid to ensure social justice across the country, describing him as a dogged fighter for the oppressed. He said hope came alive for the youth of the country when INEC declared Buhari as the winner of the election, adding that if it had been otherwise the country may not have been able to endure another four years of perpetual suffering in the midst of plenty.

He charged the youths to support the APC government and exercise patience because lots of damage have been done by the ruling PDP that would take time to fix. He said the country would face challenges because of the depth of the rot introduced by the out-going administration.

The Lagos State APC chairman Otunba Dele Ajomale expressed joy because Adams’ courage to do what others may not had the stamina to contemplate. He said it takes a very agile and physically-sound body to trek from Abeokuta to Lagos and commended him for the effort.

He said the man was carving a niche for himself, stressing that the party will not renege on the promises made that might have prompted the young man to embark on the journey.

He explained that Tinubu has always fought for the oppressed of the country, not minding whose ox was gored. He described the National Leader as a monumental asset and a gift to the country. He urged the youths to engage in

meaningful projects that will showcase the image of the country across the globe.

Besides, the trekking embarked upon to celebrate the victory of APC, others have equally promised to introduce another dimension to the victory celebration. Some are now emulating the Hashimus, the Abdullahis and the Adams’ of this world obviously for economic reasons. Such people believe that there is no way they would not leave empty-handed after the sacrifice they made and that who pioneered the celebratory trekking must have been financially rewarded or promised job offers.

The economic realities of the times have made many people to devise methods of survival.

To use the phrase that became popular after the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti, they are seeking ‘stomach infrastructure’, but how their hosts would respond to situation is another matter.

The former military Head of State started receiving congratulatory messages after he won the APC primaries at the Teslim Balogun Stadium late last year. His admirers must have started preparations on how to celebrate him if he wins the 2015 elections. Since independence, the country has been ruled by the conservatives, except for periods of military interventions.

So, the success of the progressives at the general elections could not have provoked anything less than the novel way of celebration being witnessed across the country. Incidentally, those engaged in this manner of celebration are the youths, who have also borne the brunt of the social-economic malaise in the country.

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NEWS Yero, El-Rufai pray for smooth transition

NAFDAC seals 40 illegal sachet water factories

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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UTGOING Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero and Governor-elect Nasir El-Rufai at the weekend prayed together as part of activities for the May 29 inauguration of the incoming government.

A statement in Kaduna by the governor-elect’s spokesperson Samuel Aruwan said other top government functionaries attended the prayer.

The statement said the Jum’at (Friday) prayer at the 44 Comilla Barracks Mosque in Kaduna was organised by Kaduna State Government Transition Committee.

El-Rufai said: “We are grateful to Almighty God for His kindness and benevolence. We pray for a successful transition in our state for peace, development and harmony among our people.

“We are appealing to all citizens of Kaduna State to join us in prayers and work together for progress. We pray Allah to bless our state and uphold us as we strive to provide purposeful leadership for our state.”

Deputy Governor Nuhu Audu Bajoga and Deputy Governor-elect Bala Barnabas Bantex yesterday attended the ECWA Church at the Prisons Barracks in Kaduna for the Christian prayers.

The Chairman of the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop George Dodo, urged politicians to be God-fearing and focus on service delivery.

Inauguration: Police to deploy 7,000 men in Niger From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE Niger State Police Command has said it will deploy about 7,000 policemen for Friday’s inauguration Governor-elect Abubakar Sani Bello in Minna, the state capital.

In a statement yesterday in Minna, Police Commissioner Olusola Amore said adequate arrangements were in place to ensure a hitch-free inauguration.

The police chief personnel are to be dispatched to man different and strategic areas of the venue of the ceremony to ensure adequate security coverage of the event.

The Commissioner called for the support of the people that will attend the inauguration by co-operating with his men in order to have a hitch free event.

The Police boss in the statement also commended the media for the role played before, during and after the 2015 general elections in the state.

“Your professional conduct contributed immensely towards the peaceful conduct of the elections. The elections are over and we are looking forward to a peaceful transition of government, come Friday, 29th May 2015,” Amore stated.

•Council member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Innocent Okwuosa (left) presenting a Long Service Award to ICAN President Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu at the 2015 Staff Long Service Awards in Lagos…at the weekend.

With them are: Registrar /Chief Executive, Mr. Rotimi Omotoso (second right) and Council member, Mr. Sam Onukwe

20 killed as herdsmen attack Benue communities T WENTY Tiv farmers were killed yesterday by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Iorja village, Gaambetiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The invaders were said to have also set ablaze 50 houses and destroyed other property worth several millions of naira.

Over 2,000 tubers of yams were reportedly destroyed at Iorja village, whose inhabitants are predominantly farmers.

Yam seeds and various

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

foodstuffs were also destroyed.

Over 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the affected villages are taking refuge in Mchia, Abeda Shitile, Anyiin and Tse Abi towns.

Narrating how the attack took place, a community leader, who fled to Anyiin, Chief Yankyaa Ugoh, told

our reporter on phone that herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the village at 6am and surrounded the houses.

He said: “They set houses ablaze, shot and killed Tiv farmers who attempted to escape. It was because we were taken unawares that they killed as many people as possible. We have recovered only 20 bodies.”

The community leader

said villages reduced to rubble are: Tse bee, Gafa, Ukura and Iorja.

When our reporter visited Mchia, Anyiin and Abeda, women, children and the elderly were seen sleeping on bare floor in primary schools.

There was an imminent outbreak of cholera because of the lack of drinking water and hygienic food.

Police spokesman, Ezeani Austine, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), did not reply to a text message sent to his phone.

THE National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 40 illegal sachet water production companies in Kano.

The companies were operating under various names but did not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

Addressing reporters after sealing the two companies at farm centre in Kano, NAFDAC’s State Coordinator Nnaja Nnaja solicited public support against unregistered water production.

He noted that there were several illegal companies producing not only sachet water but also yoghurt and juice that are not good for human consumption.

Nnaja warned owners of such businesses to register them to produce standard consumables.

According to him, NAFDAC in Kano, in the last three weeks, had been clamping down on illegal sachet water production companies.

Nnaja said such companies had become rampant in the state, adding that 40 of such companies had been sealed off.

The coordinator said NAFDAC was working to protect the people’s health and prevent them from consuming contaminated products.

Boko Haram lays landmines on Nigerian border

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HAD and Cameroon have said Boko Haram insurgents planted several landmines on the Cameroon’s border with Nigeria.

They noted that the landmines are dangerous to people, livestock and soldiers.

Both countries have deployed specialised units of their military to detect and destroy the mines.

Cameroon’s Defence Minister Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o said efforts to secure the country’s northern bor-

der with Nigeria were being hampered by landmines planted by Boko Haram fighters.

The minister said Cameroon and Chad military units had been deployed in the area near Sambissa forest hideout of the terrorist group where numerous mines were detected.

He said Chad President Idriss Deby had taken the initiative to send soldiers to assist Cameroon in detecting and destroying the landmines.

Ngo’o said much had been done but a lot should also be done to eradicate Boko Haram so that the people would live in peace.

Last month, Nigeria’s military launched air raids on Sambissa forest and reported that it had freed hundreds of people held captive by the insurgents. Nigerian officials also said the final push to clear out the Islamist militants was hampered by landmines.

Colonel Jacob Kodji, who hailed Cameroon soldiers

Kwara community raises N13m to rebuild market O FFA community in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has raised N13 million to rebuild its burnt Owode Market, which was razed last week.

Offa monarch, Oba Mufutau Gbadamo, spoke on the raised fund when he hosted a delegation from Senator Bukola Saraki, led by the Director-General of his ABS Constituency Office, Musa Ayinla Yeketi.

The monarch expressed appreciation to Saraki for sending the high-powered team.

He said: “Our community is deeply touched and we believe that all of us must stand up in our usual communal collaboration to come to the aid of the victims because there is no compound that does not have a person among

•Saraki sends delegation to monarch From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

them.

“Besides it’s painful that people who fend for themselves now sit at home doing nothing.”

The monarch added: “I had to quickly rush home from Umrah (lesser Hajj) to personally oversee the repair works and bring succour to the people.

“We are aware that due to the economic downturn, the government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility.

Therefore, we call on all and sundry to assist us. In fact, I have also decided not to go

on Umrah during Ramadan because I cannot see myself out of the community when my people are in pains.”

Oba Gbadamosi assured that Offa residents were praying for Saraki to emerge the next Senate President “because we are absolutely convinced that his choice will benefit the state and other part of Nigeria”.

Yeketi’s team visited the victims and inspected the damage to the market.

The team leader said Saraki was deeply touched because he considers himself a son of the town because of the love the people have always shown to him.

fighting Boko Haram, said they received complaints from residents that the mines were killing people and livestock.

The minister said the population of border villages with Nigeria had been giving useful information to competent authorities.

Boko Haram has not launched a major attack on Cameroon in the past two months.

But officials believe the mines around their havens were intended to surprise and deter the Chadian, Cameroonian and Nigerian forces fighting the militants.

APC wins 22 council seats in Rivers polls •Protest in Khana as DPP candidate calls for cancellation

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) won 22 of the 23 chairmanship seats in last Saturday’s local government election in Rivers State.

The State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Chief Returning Officer, Prof Austin Ahiauzu, declared the results last night.

He said APC won 22 of the 23 local government areas.

The Returning Officer said the election was peaceful because it was transparent.

Prof Ahiauzu said APC won 297 councillorship seats in the 302 wards while other political parties won the rest.

In Ahoada East’s wards 8 and 10, the People for Democratic Change (PDC) was declared winners of the councillorship seats.

The PDC councilor–elect in Ahoada East’s Ward 10, Mrs. Royal Onukwube, told our

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

reporter that the time had come for people to be elected into positions of power without sentiments about their political parties.

She thanked RSIEC and APC leadership for not being biased against other political parties that participated in the election.

She noted that her victory was an indication that RSIEC conducted a transparent election.

At Khana Local Government Area, the Democratic People Party (DPP) candidate, Comrade Fredick Gogorobari James, urged RSIEC to nullify the chairmanship election in the area for alleged lack of transparency.

He alleged that APC’s chairmanship-elect, Celestine Akpobari, won with the collaboration of “thugs”.

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NEWS INTELS to LADOL: stop harmful propaganda

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HE management of the Integrated Logistics Limited (INTELS) has advised the management of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL) to stop tarnishing its hard-earned reputation by engaging in propaganda.

LADOL allegedly accused INTELS of being behind the recent presidential directive to relocate its fabrication project for the Total’s Egina floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) to Bayelsa State from its Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

The Managing Director, LADOL Integrated Logistics Enterprise, Dr Amy Jadesmii, told reporters in Lagos a letter from the Presidency directed that the project be relocated to Agge in Bayelsa State or any designated oil and gas terminal located in ports in Onne (Rivers State) , Warri (Delta State) and Calabar (Cross River State).

But the management of INTELS (Onne port) during a tour of the facility by maritime correspondents urged LADOL to focus on its core area of business of managing its private jetty in line with extant laws and regulations instead of preoccupying itself with propaganda aimed at “undermining INTELS’ multi-billion dollar investments over the years built to serve Nigeria and the West African sub-region”.

INTELS management said: “While acknowledging the legitimate aspiration of LADOL to expand its business beyond private jetty, it will be counterproductive for it to predicate its business expansion on damaging the corporate reputation of INTELS built over decades of hard work and investments.

“Onne Free Trade Zone is one of the several concessions under our control and our core business is markedly different from that of LADOL and other concessionaires as approved by the Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

“As a concessionaire for Onne, Calabar and Warri ports, we handle exclusively ocean going vessels dedicated to oil and gas cargoes in line with the terms of our concession and the regulations of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). We do not handle rice, cement or sundry cargoes,” the General Manager, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Mike Epelle said.

Sources in the maritime sector also said that LADOL had in its quest to expand its scope of business, applied for permission through the NPA for integration of Egina deepwater FPSO at their private jetty but that the NPA Executive Committee after thoroughly examining the application technically and operationally said it is not possible for it to handle such operations at the jetty, which was duly communicated to LADOL. The NPA investigations showed that the width and draft of the Lagos channel cannot accommodate the facility (FPSO) because of limited room for safe maneuvering as the average depth and channels are 9.5 and 210 metres respectively, while the turning basin radius is less than the 600 metres required by global practice, which is the minimum radius for turning basin for FPSO. LADOL was informed that

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

in view of the high traffic of vessels in the channel, the integration and movement of FPSO being towed by more than five tugs could lead to a blockade of the channel for weeks or months in the event of any accident during navigation in the channel.

The sources stated that LADOL had approached directly the Ministry of Transport with a similar application which was also turned down. “But with no intent of giving up on the bid to expand the scope of its operations, LADOL resorted to engage directly with the Presidency. In a letter to the President, LADOL requested the approval for the handling of the FPSO at its facilities or in the alternative to be allowed to handle it or part of its operations at Agge Bayelsa State. The proposal requesting the President to approve the handling of the FPSO at its facilities at Agge is a clear indication that the company was interested in building such facility in Bayelsa,” the sources added.

After due consultation with the relevant authorities, the Presidency responded and directed that the operation based on technical/operational reasons as adduced by NPA, Federal Ministry of Transport, and Office of the Security Adviser to the President, the FPSO can be handled by LADOL at Agge Bayelsa if such facility area is available or in the alternative be appropriately handled at the designated oil and gas cargo terminals fully equipped with facilities to handle such operations. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in 2013 protested to the Presidency against approval that seeks to grant permission to LADOL to handle the integration of the FPSO at its facilities located in Lagos, even as further correspondence from LADOL to the Presidency on the same subject and referred to the Minister of Transport, did not receive approval, the sources said.

The Minister of Transport had recommended the FPSO integration be handled at Onne having the capacity to accommodate such a project and as spelt out in the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in a letter of 2008, to concessionaires.

To realise the full benefits and potential of the concessions, the House of Representatives in 2012 recommended that there is urgent need to enforce the ban on mid-stream discharge of cargoes as well as use of private jetties to discharge and load import and export cargo; that all oil & gas related cargoes are to be discharged only at appropriate designated terminals; that government should introduce incentives to the Eastern ports to make them more attractive to shipping companies, cargo owners thereby decongesting and reducing pressure to Western Ports; and that operators should be free to choose ports of discharging their cargoes within the designated ports of Onne, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri, among others, the sources added.

INTELS management appealed to the operators of the LADOL jetty to focus on finding solutions to their own problem because the issues are clearly matters that impinge on technical and security matters which are not under the control of the company.

Jonathan seeks prayer for Buhari ‘not to make mistakes’ P RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged Nigerians to pray for the success of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and the incoming government.

He said the prayer was necessary so that the incoming government does not make costly mistakes that could adversely impact on Nigerians.

He spoke during the 2015 Presidential Thanksgiving and Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

It was attended by Vice-President elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo, First Lady Patience, former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Senate President David Mark, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha.

Jonathan said: “I thank you for the support and I will call on you to pray for us who are leaving, because probably today is the last day I will speak to you here as the President of Nigeria.

“But you should even pray more for the incoming government because we are now trying to manage our private busi-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

nesses while they are coming to manage the whole country.

“So they require more prayers because I can make a mistake and it will affect me, but if they make a mistake it will affect the whole nation. So I call on all of you and all religious bodies to pray for the incoming government to succeed because all what we want as a nation, both Nigerians at home and abroad, is for good government, prosperity, unity and peace. We cannot achieve that without the help of God. “I am quite please today we are here not to celebrate disintegration of this country, but we are celebrating the unity of this country. We are here not for service for mass burial, but we are here having service to inaugurate the incoming government.”

“This being possible because of men and women like you who have been here praying for the country. God has designed everything.” He said Recalling that he was in the same church in 2007 as the VicePresident-elect.

In his message Anglican Primate Archbishop Nicholas Okoh noted that the thanksgiving and praises on behalf of the first family and the incoming government was a period for counting their blessings and give thanks to God like David

did in the Holy Bible in Psalm 103.

He said: “It is the privilege of God that you are going home younger, in good health and with gratitude.”

“As you leave office, you are leaving behind a new political attitude that no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”

He urged Jonathan and the first family to continue to trust in the Lord as the global stage now becomes his jurisdiction for peace promotion.

Okoh called on Jonathan and all Nigerians to forgive all those who have offended them especially in the campaigns and elections period.

He said: “How many times in this country have we come to a hedge as if the country was going to break up and somehow we come out of it.

“Nigerians also rejoice because we are not running helter skelter.

“God saved our country from the prophesy of doom. God saved us. The prophets of doom have been disappointed.” He added He said that even though Nigeria lacks some basic infrastructure, Nigerians are not hungry.

Stressing that peace is an essential ingredient for development, he urged Nigerians to properly manage the present peace in the country.

He also urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming

government as it takes time to build anything that will endure.

“And so, we appeal to Nigerians to avoid the syndrome of ‘hossana’ today, ‘crucify’ him tomorrow.”

The vice President-elect sang praises to God in Igbo, Delta, Hausa, and Yoruba languages when invited to the podium.

He prayed for God’s mercy, compassion, peace, joy, strength and long life for President Jonathan and his family as they leave office.

He also prayed that God will make Nigeria what He has promised it to be.

Scripture Reading 1 was taken by the Senate President from Isaiah 62: 1-7, while the Scripture Reading 2 was taken

by Prof. Osinbajo from Luke 17: 11-19.

An award and two Holy Bibles were given by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to President Jonathan and his wife for his outstanding Christian humility in public service, especially conceding defeat after the 2015 presidential election for the sake of peace.

Two Holy Bibles were also given to Osinbajo and his wife

by CAN. Intercessory prayers were said for the first family, the executive, legislature and judiciary arms of government, the President-elect and his family, the Vice President-elect, the church and the nation.

•Representative of Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Olaseni Ajala (left); Head of Regional Co-ordination, Emea Bayer, Ingrun Alsieben; Managing Director, Bayer Middle Africa Mohammed Jimoh; Deputy Consul-General and Head of Corporate Service, Consulate-General, Germany, Mr. Jorg Steckhan; Acting General Board Member, Mr. Michael Konig and Head, Bayer West Central Africa, Amaechi Nwachukwu, at the inauguration of Bayer Middle Africa Limited in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Cleric to Nigerians: pray for successful transition

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IGERIANS were told yesterday to pray for a successful transition this week.

Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II) of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) declared this at a special service to herald a seven-day revival.

The event will hold at Restoration Parish of the church in Akute, Ogun State.

Delivering a special sermon entitled: ‘Without God, you are nothing’, Rev. Akinadewo said the crisis in the country today was caused by leaders behaving like the Biblical King Nebuchadnezzar.

“This week is crucial in the

life of this nation. Nigerians must pray seriously. Psalm 62: 11 says power belongeth to God. But Nigerian leaders have ascribed to themselves omnipotent power, behaving like Nebuchadnezzar.

“Our leaders should remember what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. God punished him for years and only restored the kingdom to him after his repentance. For God to turn again the captivity of Nigeria, our leaders must repent and think of the oppressed”.

To him, Nigeria will only get to the Promised Land if leaders pray and seek God’s face.

“Our God is wiser than anybody. Psalm 41:1 says ‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor,

the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble’. So, as long as our leaders don’t even think of millions of poor Nigerians, there is nothing the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration can achieve. With the type of crude oil God gives us in this country, why should Nigerians be suffering? Today, people have money, no fuel to buy. A litre is being sold in some places for N500.

Power generation has dropped. Airlines are cancelling flights because of lack of aviation fuel. The economy is going down completely. This is not Goodluck Jonathan’s problem now. It is a collective one. Leaders have sinned and the only way out is for every-

body to repent.

“Many Nigerians refer to themselves as Christians and church leaders but they are worse than lucifer. They don’t even know what is in the Bible. You must not only hear the word of God but be a doer of the word. Reading the Bible is not enough to make us good Christians if we don’t practise and believe in what it says. That is the only way this country will be better.”

The week-long event will honour the Patriarch and Matriarch of the church, His Most Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Isaiah M. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu) and General Superintendent Apostolic Mother Mary A. Akinadewo.

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NEWS

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HE Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta, at the Warri Naval Base in Delta State, is under pressure to release two suspected pipeline vandals arrested by youths of Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area about two weeks ago, it has been learnt.

The suspects were arrested by vigilantes when the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) reported a drop in the pressure from its export trunk line to leaders of the Ijaw host community.

The vigilantes deployed by the community fought members of a three-man gang at the trunk line and overpowered them.

Two of the suspects were arrested and handed over to the Navy at the Forcados Terminal of the SPDC. A community leader, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent: “The boys were moved to Warri. But we heard that the Commanding Officer of NNS Delta has

NUJ poll: The Nation man solicits Akwa Ibom votes From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

TOP contender for the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) presidency, Waheed Odusile, yesterday solicited the votes of members of the Akwa Ibom State NUJ Council.

Odusile, who addressed reporters at the State Press Centre in Uyo, the state capital, promised that if given the opportunity to lead the union, he would propose that journalists in the employ of federal and state governments be treated as professionals and placed under a special media salary structure.

Odusile, The Nation Managing Editor and columnist, was accompanied by the leadership of the NUJ Lagos State Council, led by its Chairman Deji Elumoye.

The Nation man said if elected, he would propose a law that would make it illegal for media owners to owe journalists salaries.

He said: “We will propose to the government that all journalists in the employ of governments, either in the state or Federal government, should be treated as professionals. They should be accorded a special salary structure to take care of what they are doing.

“What we are asking for is simple: we are saying, ‘let us have a minimum salary structure that should be paid to the Nigerian journalists’. Once we are able to achieve that with the government, we will be able to negotiate in our private organisations.”

Odusile also vowed to fight quackery, if given the mandate to lead the union.

The member of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) said there is need to correct the image of the profession in the eye of the public.

He said: “We will eradicate quackery. Journalism should not be an all-comers’ affair.

For you to become a journalist, we are saying come and train. We are saying journalism is a profession. Let it so be recognised as a profession.

There is need for us to restore our dignity.”

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Unease in Delta community over plan to release bunkering suspects From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

bowed to pressure to release them. The plan to release the two suspects was thwarted by some top members of SPDC, who became suspicious.

“They were then moved to Warri Base. That is where they are planning to release the boys because of the influence of some persons in the matter.”

When our correspondent contacted NNS Delta’s

Information Officer, Commodore Tope Ogunaike, he denied the report.

The spokesman said the suspects were still in custody at the base.

It was learnt that some naval officials at the base were being induced to free the suspects.

A source close to the deal said a N250,000 “bail” was agreed upon, following the alleged involvement of an influential former militant leader.

Although no official of

SPDC was willing to comment on the report, it was learnt that some management workers of the multinational firm were uncomfortable with the development.

An official, who spoke in confidence, noted that the arrest was a breakthrough by some leaders of the community.

He said the community believed that the suspects and their fleeing counterpart could provide an insight into the incessant breaches of the

company’s facility.

“We and genuine leaders of Odimodi feel that those arrested, if properly quizzed, could open up on their masters and ring leaders of the attacks on our facilities, especially the 48-inch Single Buoy Morring (SBM) export line.

“Besides, those in the community, who stuck out their necks to arrest these persons, may become targets. Their lives will be in danger, if they are released without proper investigation,” the source added.

Orubebe to Ijaw: return to your ‘God-given profession’

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ORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe at the weekend urged his ijaw kinsmen to return to their “God-given profession” of fishing.

The former minister noted that leaving fishing, following the discovery of oil, had adversely affected the economy of the average Ijaw man.

Orubebe spoke in Lagos at a seminar organised by Ijaw Professionals Association (IRA) with the theme: Translating the Ijaw Vision Into Reality: Way Forward.

By Wale Adepoju

Orubebe’s paper was titled: The place of Ijaw in Nigeria: A call for strategic action.

He said: “We have stopped planning and thinking because we believe in the little we can get from the Federal Government. So, we forgot our central goal. The Ijaw people are predominantly fishermen who also engage in maritime activities.

“But oil changed the nature of our people. This is sad.”

The former minister described the situation as “our dilemma”.

Orubebe said the Ijaw, though good in alcoholic drinks production, had also abandoned same.

The former minister regretted years of neglect of the region by successive governments.

He said: “Despite being one of the largest sources of oil in this country, Ijaw has suffered marginalisation and infrastructural neglect of our region. More than 90 per cent of the communities are yet to be connected with network of roads. Linkage to the national grid of electricity is

still a dream.”

Orubebe urged Niger Delta residents to create a strategy that would make them become less dependent on oil to enable the region progress.

The former minister would rather “allow sleeping dog lie” than talk about what happened in the last general elections and the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential election.

Orubebe said he would tow the footsteps of President Goodluck Jonathan to remain quiet on the matter.

•Cross section of the 200 new vehicles for Lagos State Law Enforcement Agencies, the Lagos State Transport Management Authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline, during its handover by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Parking Lot, Governor’s Office, Ikeja...yesterday.

INSET: Fashola (second right) cutting the tape to hand over the vehicles...yesterday. With him are: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (left); Transportation Commissioner, Mr Kayode Opeifa (second left); Environment Commissioner, Mr Tunji Bello (right) and Establishments, Training and Pensions Commissioner, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase.

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HE Chairman of Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Hassan Kadiri, who died on Friday in a hospital in Benin, the state capital, has been buried.

He was buried at 5pm on Friday in Auchi, headquarters of the local government, according to Islamic rites.

Hassan was the second local government chairman who died in office in the last two years.

The late council chief was a lawyer, politician, businessman and chief in Auchi Kingdom.

Fire razes police post in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A POLICE outpost at Ahor village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State has been razed.

The fire reportedly spread from a nearby building.

Police exhibits and documents were burnt.

The fire was said to have been caused by a woman’s stove in a nearby house.

The woman, identified as Dada Lemo, lives near the police outpost.

Lemo, who has been detained, said she was surprised that the fire spread to the police outpost, despite frantic efforts to put it out.

Police spokesman Stephen Onwochei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the police would continue to provide tight security for the community, despite the fire.

Edo workers shelve strike From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ORGANISED Labour in Edo State has suspended its planned three-day warning strike.

This follwed the government’s position that Head of Service (HOS) Jerry Obazele acted “wrongly” by “deducting workers’ salaries without consulting them”.

Labour leaders, last week, directed Edo workers to begin the warning strike over the deduction of eight per cent from their May 2015 salaries, as pension contributions.

The workers argued that the deductions contradicted the State Contributory Pension Scheme Law of 2010.

NLC State Chairman Emmanuel Ademokun said the workers were assured that earlier deductions from their salaries would be restored while a new date would be fixed for the beginning of a new pension scheme.

He said: “We have suspended the strike because the circular that led to the strike has been withdrawn; it was withdrawn when we met the governor and it was agreed that the HOS acted wrongly by issuing the circular.

“The government also said salaries withdrawn and computerisation would be restored immediately while a new date will be fixed for the commencement of a new scheme. They (workers) will resume work tomorrow (today).”

Oshiomhole’s local govt chair buried •Auchi Poly students protest council chief’s ill-health •SUG president suspended over protest From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

He had reportedly been battling cancer three months after he was sworn in.

Some youths in the local government staged a peaceful protest, calling for Kadiri’s resignation because of his deteriorating health.

It was learnt that some of the protesters, believed to be

students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, were arrested.

There is confusion over the fate of the local government’s Vice Chairman, Idaro Mohammend Alasa.

The vice chairman was said to have fled the scene of the protest when supporters of the late Kadiri almost lynched him on the suspicion that he sponsored the protest.

Some All Progressives

Congress (APC) chieftains in Auchi are said to have begun moves to prevent Idaro from becoming the local government’s chairman.

A close ally of Idaro said the Vice Chairman was not allowed to perform any role whenever the late Hassan travelled for medical treatment.

Also, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President

of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Mr Sani Kasil Abdulqadiri, has been suspended by the institution’s management for allegedly leading a protest at the Estako West Local Government Area.

The protesters stormed the secretariat, demanding Kadiri’s removal for his deteriorating health.

Hassan died last Friday, few hours after the protest.

Security agents chased the protesters away and arrested eight of them.

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FOREIGN NEWS Hezbollah vows to expand involvement in Syria’s civil war

U.S. official blasts Iraqi forces over Ramadi fall

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NITED States (U.S.) Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said the rout of Iraqi forces at the city of Ramadi showed they lacked the will to fight against Islamic State.

Mr Carter told CNN’s State of the Union the Iraqis “vastly outnumbered” the IS forces but chose to withdraw.

The head of Iraq’s defence and security committee said the comments were “unrealistic and baseless”.

The Iraqi government has now deployed Shia militias to the area to try to halt the advance of IS. On Saturday, the militiamen retook Husayba, east of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, with heavy fighting continuing in the area yesterday.

Media caption Omar Abdel Razek reports from a river crossing where Ramadi refugees are trying to get to Baghdad.

The US has invested in a policy of training and arming the Iraqi forces since it withdrew its combat troops at the end of 2011.

But Iraqi forces have suffered a number of defeats at the hands of IS over the past year, leaving behind USsupplied materiel.

Mr Carter said of Ramadi: “What apparently happened is the Iraqi forces just

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showed no will to fight.

They were not outnumbered. In fact, they vastly outnumbered the opposing force.”

Describing the situation as “very concerning”, he added: “We can give them training, we can give them equipment - we obviously can’t give them the will to fight.”

Mr Carter said the supply of training and equipment would continue, in the hope it would develop such a will.

The BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan in Washington says the comments are a stinging assessment of the army the US has been training and will embolden critics who say the only way to defeat IS is to put American boots on the ground - something Washington has so far ruled out.

Hakim al-Zamili, the head of Iraq’s parliamentary defence and security committee, criticised Mr Carter for his comments.

Iraqi Shia fighters have been deployed to combat IS west of Baghdad Thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Ramadi Mr Zamili told Associated Press the US had failed to provide “good equipment, weapons and aerial support” at Ramadi and was seeking to “throw the blame

•Carter

on somebody else”.

Mr Carter defended the US policy of carrying out air strikes in support of Iraqi ground forces and said the ultimate defeat of IS would depend on the Iraqi people.

He said: “We can participate in the defeat of IS. But we can’t make Iraq... a decent place for people to live. We can’t sustain the victory, only the Iraqis can do that. And, in particular in this case, the Sunni tribes to the west.”

Anbar province, which is predominantly Sunni, covers a vast stretch of the country west from Baghdad to the Syrian border, and contains key roads that link Iraq to both Syria and Jordan.

The fall of Ramadi, just 110km (70 miles) west of Baghdad, was seen as a major embarrassment for the government. Thousands of civilians fled.

Ethiopia in first vote since Meles Zenawi’s death

THIOPIANS have been voting for a new parliament in the first election since the death of long-serving Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in 2012.

The outgoing parliament has only one opposition MP. Mr Zenawi’s successor Hailemariam Desalegn is expected to hold on to power.

Polls closed at 18:00 local time.

No major irregularities were reported, election officials said. However, the opposition said their representatives were barred from

some polling stations.

Voting in some areas has been extended to Monday after some polling stations ran out of ballot papers.

Observers from the African Union issued an initial assessment to say the polls were conducted in a calm and peaceful manner.

Some preliminary results will be announced this week, the electoral board says. Full results are due next month.

Meles Zenawi’s Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been in power for almost a quarter of a century.

More than 36 million Ethiopians - and 57 political groups - registered for the election. Many groups are organised along ethnic lines.

Other contenders include the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum, a coalition known as Medrek (the Forum) and the Semayawi (Blue] Party, which has held protest rallies and draws support from young people.

In 2005, 174 opposition politicians won seats in the 547-seat parliament, but many did not take them up after pronouncing the vote rigged.

Download Flash Player now You nee

Iraqi lawmaker slams U.S. criticism in a television interN Iraqi lawmaker of country ing view that Iraqi soldiers had says United States

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(U.S.) military commanders are pointing fingers for their own failure to properly support the Iraqi military in the fight against the Islamic State group. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stirred controversy Sunday morning by claiming in a television interview that Iraqi soldiers had superior numbers but lost the city of Ramadi to the Islamic State group because they “showed no will to fight. ”Hakim al-Zamili, the head of the parliamentary defense and security committee, calls Carter’s com-

ments “unrealistic and baseless.”He said the U.S. should bear much of the blame for the fall of Ramadi for failure to provide “good equipment, weapons and aerial support” to the soldiers. Now he says the U.S. military is seeking to “throw the bla.

An Iraqi lawmaker says U.S. military commanders are pointing fingers for their own failure to properly support the Iraqi military in the fight against the Islamic State group.U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stirred controversy Sunday morning by claim-

superior numbers but lost the city of Ramadi to the Islamic State group because they “showed no will to fight.”

Hakim al-Zamili, the head of the parliamentary defense and security committee, calls Carter’s comments “unrealistic and baseless.”He said the U.S. should bear much of the blame for the fall of Ramadi for failure to provide “good equipment, weapons and aerial support” to the soldiers. Now he says the U.S. military is seeking to “throw the bla.

The US believes the Iraqis left behind tanks, artillery pieces, armoured personnel carriers and Humvees.

The deployment of the Shia militiamen to the Sunni province has sparked sectarian fears.

In addition to Ramadi, this week IS militants also seized the last Syrian governmentcontrolled border crossing with Iraq and, in Syria itself, the ancient city of Palmyra.

Some observers said IS now controls 50% of Syria’s entire territory - as well as a third of Iraq.

Syrian state media said yesterday that IS had killed at least 400 people, including women and children, in Palmyra since taking it over, but this has not been independently confirmed.

THE leader of the militant Hezbollah group said Sunday that the region is facing “unprecedented danger” from extremist groups and vowed his militants will expand their involvement in Syria’s civil war in support of government forces.

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah spoke during a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, vowing to battle Sunni extremists groups such as the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. He said such factions are an “existential threat” to anyone who does not agree with their ideology.

Hezbollah openly joined President Bashar Assad forces in the civil war in 2013 and its fighters have been taking part in a major battle in recent weeks against jihadis in the Qalamoun mountain region that borders Lebanon.

“Our presence will grow whenever it is required for us to be present,” Nasrallah said in comments that came after Assad’s forces suffered several defeats over the past two months - mostly in the northwestern province of Idlib and the southern region of Daraa. The western city of Palmyra, home to a set of historic Roman-era ruins, was captured by the Islamic State group last week.

“We are present today in many places and I tell you we will be present wherever this battle requires. We are up to

it and we are the men for it,” Nasrallah said speaking from a secret location on a giant video screen.

Inside Syria, a military helicopter crashed earlier Sunday at the northern air base of Kweiras, killing all of its crew, state TV said, as an activist group said it was shot down by Islamic State militants.

The TV report quoted an unnamed military official as saying that the helicopter crashed as a result of a technical problem while taking off. The report did not say how many crew members were onboard at the time of the crash.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamic State militants who have been laying siege to the base for months shot down the helicopter.

Kweiras military air base is in the northern province of Aleppo and is close to the town of al-Bab, which is held by the Islamic State group.

The Islamic State group posted a statement on a militant website claiming responsibility for downing the Syrian helicopter.

Syrian rebels have shot down helicopters in the past.

Meanwhile in Damascus, a bomb exploded Sunday morning near the city center killing a brigadier general and six of his bodyguards, the Observatory said. It added that the attack was claimed by the ultraconservative Ahrar alSham group.

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NEWS Scarcity: NNPC raises hope

Manufacturers seek deregulation of oil sector

By Emeka Ugwuanyi and Akinola Ajibade

Continued from page 3

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HE lingering fuel scarcity may continue till next month, considering marketers’ insistence on being paid the balance of over N200billion subsidy arrears owed them by the Federal Government.

It was learnt that the situation is getting worse because the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can only meet 50 per cent of the national demand and the oil marketers that supply the remaining 50 per cent have refused to import since last month.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said the Corporation has 25 days stock but noted that the scarcity got worse because of the workers’ strike.

Alegbe said: “As we speak, we have 25 days sufficiency.

Although we (NNPC) import only 50 per cent of national demand, the scarcity is not supposed to be this severe. The situation was worsened by the strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). As a result of this strike, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs) are not lifting fuel. Also, members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have not imported a litre of fuel for a long time now.

“We have been on negotiation with the striking workers since Friday and I hope the issue will be resolved before midnight today (Sunday) and the strike will be called off. We explained to them (striking workers) that this time is very wrong to embark on such strike because Nigerians suffer the impact and it is not good for a smooth transition expected in less than a week. We directed retail outlets to sell but because the tanker drivers were not lifting, they didn’t have product to sell. The supply situation will certainly improve substantially this week.”

•Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (left) welcoming Senator Bokola Saraki and Senatorselect to his residence in Asokoro, Abuja ... at the weekend.

C

APITAL Oil and Gas Limited yesterday began loading of over 13 million litres of petrol from its depot in Apapa to various states to cushion the effect of the lingering scarcity.

Managing Director/CEO Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah told reporters yesterday in Lagos that over 20,000 trucks have been penciled down for loading this week to boost economic activities.

He said the company’s facility has the capacity to load over 13 million litres approximately 400 trucks, of fuel per day. “It is our belief that this development will enable our citizens to

Capital Oil releases 13m litres of fuel

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

return to normal family and work life. We call on other petroleum marketers to follow suit and save our nation from this impending economic and social crisis,” he said.

Ubah said: “On Saturday 16th May 2015, we received an SMS ordering the suspension of loading activities in all depots from Monday 18th May 2015.

We later realised that this directive was as a result of unpaid funds owed to transporters by oil marketers who in turn are owed by the Federal Government. This development has re-

sulted in immense hardship to our fellow country men and women. We believe that a better solution can be pursued towards solving this problem in a way that does not adversely affect our dear citizens.

“We are constrained at this point and have decided that two wrongs cannot make a right. We will not be part of this sabotage against our fatherland. Therefore from this minute, we shall take the risk of opening our facilities and commence swift loading and distribution of products nationwide.”

Jonathan handing over nation in deep crises, says APC Continued from page 3

roaming the streets, jerry cans in hand, searching for everything from kerosene to fuel to diesel to power their homes, keep their vehicles on the road and keep their businesses going. They are paying as much as N300 per litre for fuel, if at all they can get it. Yet their government is not saying a word about the situation,’’ it said.

APC said while the Jonathan Administration had arrogantly told Nigerians that it remains in office and

in power till May 29, all it has been doing is sacking people and making new appointments as if it had been deprived of the opportunity to do so in the past six years. ‘’They are not interested in how to end the fuel scarcity that has paralysed the socioeconomic lives of Nigerians, they are not interested in how to raise electricity production from its unprecedentedly-low level of 1,327 megawatts, they are not doing anything to end the strike by blue and while collar oil workers, or to stop the impending one. ‘’They say they are in office till May 29th, but they do not care how workers in 18 states, who are owed a total of N300 billion in salaries under their watch, or federal workers who are owed N400 billion, will be paid. Yet they are running a budget of N1 trillion deficit. ‘’They have deliberately stopped meeting their obligations to oil marketers, which is now around 200 billion Naira, hence no one is lifting

petroleum products anymore. If the current energy crisis is not solved soonest, the telecommunications sector could even be grounded in a matter of days as service providers will have neither electricity nor fuel to power their base stations. Of course the aviation sector has already been left comatose by the fuel crisis. The whole scenario reeks of sabotage!,’’ the party said.

APC said before PDP’s and Jonathan Administration’s spin doctors distort its message, it is important to let Nigerians know that the party (APC) is not engaging in lamentations but simply keeping the citizenry informed of the situation on the ground, with just five days to handover date. ‘’If we thought the nation was being well managed and there was no problem, we would not have embarked on a campaign of change.

While we are ready, willing and able to begin to address the mammoth challenges facing us as a nation as soon as we assume office at the centre in a few days’ time, we will not hesitate for a second to keep Nigerians informed of how we have been brought to this sorry pass, with a view to avoiding such a tragic turn in the future,’’ the party said.

It expressed sadness that the nation has been on auto pilot for the past several weeks, as the outgoing administration has shown neither the capacity nor the willingness to resolve any of the crises it has contrived and foisted on the nation. ‘’This is the most vivid manifestation of the old saying that literally translates to a departing office holder defecating on the chair he is vacating,’’ APC said.

ucts”.

He said: “Economic activities across virtually all sectors are progressively grounding to a halt, communication services are on the verge of being shut down as telecommunication companies have given indication of imminent shutdown of their base stations.

“We call for an urgent intervention by President Goodluck Jonathan to bring a halt to the imminent collapse of economic and social life in the country. There should be an immediate engagement of stakeholders in the petroleum industry to discuss the outstanding issues of indebtedness and related labour matters, in the interest of the economy and the citizens. The situation should not be allowed to degenerate any further “It is in the overriding interest of the economy and the citizens to quickly deregulate the sector.”

Mobile giant MTN said it urgently needed diesel to prevent shutting down services.

MTN Nigeria posted a message on Twitter, saying most of its base stations and switches are powered by generators. The company, with 50 million subscribers, said it might be compelled to suspend service if it does not receive significant amount of fuel in the next 24 hours.

Another leading telecom company, Airtel Networks Limited, in a statement, said “the prevailing situation in the country regarding the scarcity of diesel and other petroleum products is at present impacting negatively our commitments to delivering best-in-class quality of service and seamless telephony experience to all Nigerians.

“While we are currently doing everything within our means as well as going the extra mile to ensure that all our base stations and switches are up and running, it is sad to note that it is becoming increasingly difficult to replenish current stock of diesel due to the lingering scarcity of the products.

“We are also concerned that, if the situation persists, it may have adverse effects on our network, impacting both voice and data services.”

Arik Air, the biggest airline operator, yesterday operated only one-third of its schedule. It cancelled all domestic flights on Saturday as the fuel shortage worsened.

Spokesman of the airline Banji Ola said: “We’re operating just a few flights today, maybe 30 per cent of our normal operations. We could not operate domestic flights yesterday.”

Arik Air, with 26 aircraft, cut two-thirds of its 120 daily flights. That included flights to London’s Heathrow and New York needing to stop over for fuel in Kano, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) north of Lagos, Banji said.

Aero Contractors Ltd., Nigeria’s second-largest carrier, said on its website that “all our flights will not operate regularly as scheduled” due to fuel scarcity.

In a statement, Aero said:” Due to the general scarcity of aviation fuel (Jet A1) in the

country, the airline will not be able to operate over 80 per cent of her domestic flights as scheduled.

“In the last few weeks, the supply of aviation fuel has been very irregular, which has compelled the airline to cancel some flights. We apologise to our esteemed customers for the inconvenience they may have been experiencing due to flight delays and cancellations caused by the scarcity of aviation fuel.

“We urge our customers to always check our website at www.flyaero.com or contact the call centre agent to affirm if their scheduled flight will operate. Aero regrets any inconvenience the changes will cause. All measures are being made to ameliorate the situation and revert to her regular flight schedule. We hope that the situation improves very soon.”

But Air Peace said it was not affected by the scarcity of aviation fuel.

An official of the airline said operations had been running unhindered Medview Airlines, DANA Air and AZMAN Air are also running normal flights.

The Comrade Joe Ajaeroled faction of the NLC has described the chronic fuel scarcity as a war against the citizens and a deliberate attempt to subject 170 million Nigerians to economic suicide.

The faction’s deputy President Comrade Issa Aremu, in a statement, said: “Nigeria is the only country on earth which unacceptably and criminally denies its citizens basic sources of energy; fuel and electricity?’.

“After several weeks of deliberate deprivation of petroleum products by both the government and marketers alike with all the associated hardship, it is time all Nigerians stop agonising and rise in unison against this (Nigeria’s) agony capitalism.

“With petroleum products’ prices as high as N350 per litre (far above N87 per litre!) claims and counter-claims between Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and marketers over so-called N159bn subsidy payments and all state actors looking indifferent, Nigeria is the only country on earth which unacceptably and criminally denies its citizens basic sources of energy; fuel and electricity.

“What is happening in Nigeria amounts to economicide which is a conscious subjugation of 170 million people to economic suicide and economic ruination through unsustainable petroleum import-based racket that denies petroleum products needed for mass movement of goods and services, enriches few cabal, puts pressure on foreign exchange, fuels products hoarding and promotes sheer price robbery of the already impoverished citizens.

“This is an unofficial declaration of war against the citizens by combined forces of irresponsible ruling elite and business crooks.

Economicide, just like genocide, is a deliberate and indiscriminate policy violence against a group of people with the intent to destroy the entire group physically and economically”.?

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

TRIBUTE

Dee Bob @ 90: Amazing grace continues T

HERE is always the temptation to wax emotional and hyperbolic when doing a tribute on a benefactor. But how does one comment on Dee Bob (Chief Bob Beremako Ogbuagu) without waxing emotional? Not to do so will amount to a disservice to the energy, zest and passion he throws into friendship, something many of us cannot attain, even if we were to live up to 90 years. But here is a unique specimen of God’s work, a rare human being whose personality defies age, gender, race, personal belief and status.

Thirty-one years since my first meeting with Dee Bob, I find it instructive, even intriguing, that nothing has changed in my impression of him as a charming, unassuming personage, a noble spirit who epitomizes love in its pristine expression and content. Perhaps that explains the difficulty of matching him as a role model.

Mr. Mike Gandonu, then principal of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, in Lamingo, Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria, had written a letter, aptly tagged a ‘testimonial’, introducing me to Chief Ogbuagu. That was way back in 1984, three years after I completed the mandatory national youth service and was job-hunting. Instantly, Dee Bob adopted me as one of his ‘sons’. As the years roll by, I can attest that he has never for once retreated from loyal commitment to friendship, benign mentoring and uncompromising affinity with the truth, as the fundamental and irreducible principles of living.

For a man who rose from humble beginnings to the zenith of government service, professional career and social acclaim, his ascetic life, continuous labour, hard work, compassion and total submission to the will of God will stoutly challenge contemporary preoccupation

By Emma Agu

with vanity and elite malfeasance, ignoble values that have blighted the fortunes of a rather endowed country.

From his days at the Nigerian geological service which afforded him the opportunity to traverse the length and breadth of the former northern region of Nigeria, to his services in the government of the defunct eastern region of Nigeria, Dee Bob stood out as a model of excellence and hard work, always defiantly rebuffing the attractions of nepotism, graft and debauchery. It did not come as a surprise that he was always entrusted with challenging tasks and serious responsibilities. Among the most notable, special mention deserves to be made of his role as executive secretary of the now extinct Eastern Nigeria Development Company (ENDC), under the government of the pace setting Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara as premier of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria.

Putting to practice his legendary organizational skill, broadmindedness and, to quote today’s lingo, ‘zero tolerance for corruption’, from the premier’s office, Dee Bob was able to coordinate the activities of a chain of industrial and agricultural ventures whose sheer magnitude, impact and future earned the eastern region the recognition of the fastest growing economy in the world. That was just before the Nigerian civil war.

In later years, I had the singular privilege of drinking from the fountain of knowledge of this guru in administration. That was in 1995 when, following the appointment of the managing director/editor-in-chief of Champion Newspapers, Dr. Ihechukwu Maduike as health minister, publisher Chief Emmanuel Iwauanyanwu drafted Dee Bob was from retirement, at the age

of 70, to function in a transitional arrangement pending when a replacement would have been groomed. Ever the loyal friend, Dee Bob accepted, certainly not because he needed the job but to satisfy his loyalty to friendship while utilizing the platform to render selfless service to the society.

He threw himself into the job with the zeal of a crusader. He was not a novice to journalism; he was only returning to the profession that he deployed effectively, as publisher/ editor-in-chief of the defunct Northern Advocate Newspaper in Jos, to wage a scathing war against colonial rule under the aegis of the Zikist Movement. It is one of those ironies of history that many a time, that aspect of his illustrious career is often drowned by his rather dizzying successes as Governor of Rotary Club of Nigeria and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and later, the Federation of African Public Relations Associations, FAPRA. Building on the precedence set by founding managing director/editor-inchief Prince Henry Odukomaiya and Dr. Madubuike, and drawing from his wealth of experience as administrator par excellence and public relations expert, Dee Bob ran an administration that gave a new impetus to capacity building, strengthened internal controls and guaranteed steady growth while insulating the company from the fallouts draconian operational environment of the time.

But what most workers found completely awesome was his great capacity for work and his energy which made nonsense of his age. He literally ran up the staircase to his second floor office; most young people were unable to match his pace even when, as always, he showed considerable compassion and understanding. By the time he left in February of the year 2000, after a transi-

•Ogbuagu

Not many children of my age in Biafra, I was 10 when the war started, probably heard about the directorate or Chief Bob Ogbuagu.

But everyone of us felt the agency’s impact and his work through relief materials tional period of five years, he had left an imprimatur as a trusted father, a compassionate leader, an honest man and above all, a contented personage who regarded service, love of neighbour and fear of God as the only values to live and to die for.

Perhaps that explains the fact that, in Biafra, he was assigned the very sensitive responsibility of heading the directorate of food and relief materials.

Not many children of my age in Biafra, I was ten when the war started, probably

heard about the directorate or Chief Bob Ogbuagu. But everyone of us felt the agency’s impact and his work through relief materials, notably protein enriched corn based meals and powdered milk, without which, many more kids in the war ravaged enclave would have died of Kwashiokor, no thanks to the food blockade imposed on the people of the beleaguered territory by their ‘brothers’.

For sure, at 90, this patriot has had an impressive run, touching lives. Mine is one of such lives. Beyond the favour of employment, beyond always rising to my defence each time the unfathomable but inevitable corporate intrigues played up, like many others, I will remain grateful for his unbelievable ability to discountenance human frailties, even now! Somehow, he does not have much of a choice. Visit his modestly furnished residence in Owerri, an old fashioned bungalow and you will see, hanging conspicuously on the wall: I STARTED WITH JESUS, I AM STILL IN JESUS, I WILL DIE IN JESUS. No one can make such a claim and not forgive everybody, including Emma Agu, the greatest culprits of all times.

Little wonder that, today, family, friends and associates are celebrating the life of a colossus, whose rather modest physique pales into insignificance compared with the giant strides he has recorded as administrator, journalist, public relations expert, humanist, family man and servant of God. His dear wife, Cecelia or Cee as he fondly calls her should proudly savour all the trappings of this memorable occasion. A formidable woman, a strict disciplinarian and home builder, over the years, I have watched with great admiration as she absorbed all the pressures, as her rather itinerant husband took unimaginable risks in his career. To her, to Uche and his siblings and their families, to Justice Ogbuagu (JSC rtd.) and family, to Professor Chibuzo Ogbuagu and family and all the members of the Ogbuagu clan, I congratulate you on this milestone by the patriarch of the family, Dee Bob whose life has been one illuminating illustration of God’s amazing grace.

This is wishing Dee Bob many happy returns of the day.

THE NATION MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

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TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘It is nigh impossible to fight corruption in a setting where ethnicity and religion are in constant competition with the government for the loyalty of the citizens’ EMEKA OMEIHE

VOL 10 NO 3226

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE Jonathan era ends in a few days, and he departs without the sort of farewell party that heroes get. It was a mock epic when he ascended the throne.

We thought we had made a giant of a small man. When the curtain closes, it will be a humpty-dumpty disaster, an epic collapse.

But it will be less a Jonathan collapse than the fruit of our collective naiveté. On voting day, we cursed ourselves with our thumbs.

It was an example of how democracy can fall on its own sword. Every democracy, though, is entitled to its own tears.

Yet, when his story began, many expected he would serve as a revolutionary tonic. That was what gave him a rousing mandate, if it was all based on sentiment. The sentiment was real across the country. As Oscar Wilde noted, humans are not rational beings. We are sentimental beings.

The only region immune to that infection was the core north. That region, however, has had to sulk or yelp or resort to self-help in the past six years.

But not they alone. Everybody. We all saw a man with a deceptively meek face and mellow voice and pious appeal con a nation with the apparent simplicity or even naivety of both mien and gesture. He was supposed to be the meek man upon the throne.

When his predecessor Yar’Adua was sick, a cabal with a parochial world view and ruthless will to power shielded the frail, gaunt, disappearing soul and wove yarns about a miracle rebound. He was already on his way back to office and to duty, and all his detractors wished him dead. They were half right. His detractors thought the death of Yar’Adua would give the country a sort of divine verdict: a victory over the north’s proprietary hubris that “entitled” them to rule over the rest of us.

It was though not a case of whole-hearted malice. They did not wish Yar’Adua dead because they hated them. After all, Yar-Adua was, when healthy, a modest performer. But the detractors could live with his demise because it offered a bright new vista. It enabled the nation to robe their humble candidate with a royal apparel. Bring the casket for the solemn dead. But bring the diadem and let us crown the little man made giant by fate.

So, Jonathan was a project of necessity. A son of a humble village tucked in the backwaters of oil who had no shoes and no pedigree and no royal boast. A son who had nothing but his instinctive connection to the common folk. A man Baba Iyabo loved and adopted as a son. Why not him this time instead of the hauteur of the past? Why not give him the grace of our collective claps and vault the pauper over the princes who failed?

The rhetoric and intrigue of the cabal

RIPPLES

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

Curtain closes

‘

• • Dr Jonathan

were barefaced, and they turned the national stage into a drama of the dead who must live in spite of the verdict of God. It was like the Poem In Memoriam by Leopold Senghor in which he lamented about the “dead who have always refused to die.”

No one heard Yar’Adua speak in his last days, yet the cabal said his voice roared like the waves. No one heard his muscles crackle or his feet stomp, but they said he was up and about. No one saw him, yet they made us seem blind while they alone saw. They witnessed the miracle that was meant for us.

They made us seem absent at our own theatre.

We all became Thomas Didymus. But they did not let us believe until he was in a state beyond our sight. The only commoner who could see him was a mortician.

It was also not about keeping Yar’Adua afloat but a contempt for a man because of where he came from, about a royal occlusion of a subaltern from power. This column fulminated, and defended Jonathan’s right to succeed Yar’Adua. I even titled one column, “Let Jonathan be.” It was injustice

’

and it defiled the holy order of the republican spirit to deny him.

But Jonathan eventually prevailed.

Democracy and good sense had their way over the cabal, a word that suffused the national conversation. Peace defeated peacock. With the fears of the soldier’s return to power, the nation’s breakup and constitutional stasis over, Jonathan’s victory took another narrative. It was no longer about the right of a vice president to become president.

It was the tale of a commoner who had a right to the regal palate. An Otuoke man had the right to be president. Even though his party signed a pact of zoning, he was immune. A caveman can clutch at his rights without honour. But a man of honour will not live with himself though he has a right to the prize. His honour forbids it.

That was the beginning of this column’s falling-out with Jonathan. It was clear he was not going to run a country based on

HARDBALL

STELLA ODUAH DESERVED TO BE HONOURED –PDP Scribe

H

Yes...with another BULLET PROOF CAR!

Today, we have seen him take trillions of Naira into a prodigal’s market. He bought a lot, but he brought home nothing.

We owe $60 billion. That is why, as he leaves power, power is worse than the first few days of his office when Barth Nnaji crafted the roadmap of power.

ARDBALL sure has a few things in common with Africa music legend Fela Anikulapko-Kuti. Hear, hear, you probably sneer, my dear reader but don’t we all love to associate with greatness? But if you knew Fela in his hay days and if you are a regular reader of this small strip, you would no doubt have noticed the glaring similarities in constitution, character and temperament of Fela and Hardball.

Let’s try a shortlist: Fela was audacious in a rather rambunctious manner. He was supremely confident and self-assured in the pursuit of his convictions. It did not matter to him whether you were a military of civilian president; it did not matter the shade of colour of your uniform and indeed it bothered him not whether you were bearing a machine gun or a horse-whip.

He loathed injustice and would not only spot it miles away but would pursue it with the single-mindedness of a train-robber just to win succor for victims. It was his life passion. So also was pulling down all the high, shiny, façade of hubris and of course roiling inept governments too. Remember it was Fela at his brilliant best who described

NAF rules ok! uniform as mere cloth made by mere tailor.

He also sang about “Army Arrangement”, “Unknown Soldier,” and the inimitable “Zombie,” among numerous other timeless masterpieces.

Hardball has done some too in his own little way and on this small piece of space.

He has taken on presidents both sitting and expired. He has poked his grubby nose into the affairs of all manner of compatriots, especially such affairs that are ribald and injurious to our collective well-being.

One such is the matter at hand today which concerns men of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF). Last Sunday, a detachment of NAF at the airport in Lagos behaved in a manner we know too well. They forgot that as the great Fela said long ago, uniform na cloth made by tailors; and Hardball can add that guns are toys just any man can carry.

Why are we saying this? A group of NAF men (described as officers, but Hardball doubt that officers would be in such a duty

values, but crass opportunism. It was the birth seed of impunity and corruption. When most Nigerians lined up behind him, this column warned about the danger ahead. First, I believed that he ought to have stepped aside, and organised an election as a statesman and not staked himself for the throne. His zoning pact demanded that. The moral future of Nigeria deserved it. Ambition came before country, Jonathan rode on small sentiment and he became president.

The other objection was that as acting president, his regime had begun wholesale awards of contracts of jobs not done. We were too dazed by the biography of the shoeless applicant for us to see the leaking roof.

Today, we have seen him take trillions of Naira into a prodigal’s market. He bought a lot, but he brought home nothing. We owe $60 billion. That is why, as he leaves power, power is worse than the first few days of his office when Barth Nnaji crafted the roadmap of power. The eastern brothers and sisters who loved him in spite and even because of his sins, cannot point to a second Niger Bridge. Maina, NNPC, Oduah, AlisonMadueke and subsidy parasites are poster faces of impunity and corruption. Even arithmetic was corrupted, and it took his defeat for 19 to regain its integrity, bona fides and superiority over 16.

The commoner is poor, and the country too. As he leaves office, fuel queues have returned. It was so at the beginning of his reign. It is so today as he walks into the sunset. Sad. Anticlimactic. Paralytic.

His story is the contrast to a man of history known as Mahatma Ghandi. He also came from a humble past. But he rose to become a lawyer, and during the nationalist maelstrom against British colonialism, he was both architect and point man of the fight.

But he, unike Jonathan, began as a dolled-up aficionado of western suits with jacket, white shirt and tie. His feet were not of the Otuoke variety. He had shoes.

But as the struggle wore on, he chose the path of true simplicity. Ghandi learned from Thoreau to actualise the principle of civil disobedience.

He decided to do away with the finesse of social polish and sartorial nicety. He wore a spare cloth called khadi and he gave terror to Britain. So frustrated was Churchill that he barbed him with a racist slur, calling him a “half-naked kafir.” His simple ways were marked also by fasting for the cause of Indian liberation and peace. He ranks with few men of austere dignity in history like Jesus and Budha.

Jonathan moved from the niggardly background of a shoeless man to a regime of profligacy and insensitivity. It is a bad way to draw the curtain on a man on whom a people were well pleased and invested their future.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above post) had pounced on one Muhammed Shuaibu, said to be a protocol officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and beat him to a pulp. If the NAF authority had remained mute and unknowing, Hardball would have forgiven them for honestly being mute and unknowing.

But in an official response to the victim’s cry for justice, NAF spokesman, described as Command Public Relations Officer, Logistics Command, NAF, named Joel Abioye told us that Shuaib was beaten (not to a coma though as he pretends) by his men for “breaking the rule” and seeking to use his position to outsmart his men.

Dear reader, be informed that this bloody turf war happened right in front of the departure area of our international airport.

A dozen and one questions beg for answer.

One, what are armed Air Force officers doing around the airport directing traffic? Two, why is our idea of security always about persons in uniform bearing arms? Three, is this how other countries secure their airports? Four, are NAF officers trained to brutalize fellow citizens who break their “rule”?

Let’s just say NAF rule ok at the airport!

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