The Nation May 28, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

PDP raises panel on Suntai NEWS

Page 60

•Governor’s health for probe

Foreign UN to honour 17 Nigerians P61 Sports Enyeama leads Eagles to US P24 Business Seven bid for Kaduna DISCO P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2499 TUESDAY, MAY 28 , 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Joint Task Force ‘kills Boko Haram chief, three others’

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

HE Multinational Joint Task Force has captured three key Assembly Points of Boko Haram insurgents and killed three, including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba, the military said yesterday.

Besides, the Force has arrested 25 suspected insurgents during a foiled bid to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

But the insurgents killed a security operative.

These disclosures were contained in a statement by the Defence Headquarters, signed by its spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, on the update on the ongoing special operation in Borno State and two others —Adamawa and Yobe —where a state of emergency is on.

The statement said the Special Forces had also intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents, urging them not to give up but fight to the end.

The statement said: “Troops of the Special Forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end.

“The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to reContinued on page 6

•ALL FOR CHILDREN: Aerial view of the calisthenics display at the Oodua World Children’s Day held at the Osogbo Township Stadium, which was attended by children from all Yoruba-speaking communities in Nigeria and other West African countries, with formations such as OSUN A DARA, WE ARE THE WORLD, RAUF REVOLUTION...yesterday

Amaechi: my life in danger My suspension is witch-hunting Plane issue is pure politics

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•Amaechi...yesterday

HE Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election fiasco may have hit a dangerous level, with Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi alleging a threat to his life.

“I want to say the way these people at the federal level are acting, they may come after my life. So, when you pray, pray for me,” the governor, who was suspended by his party’s National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday, said.

He spoke on a wide range of issueshis suspension from the PDP, the suspension of the Obio/Akpor Local

‘

I want to say the way these people at the federal level are acting, they may come after my life. So, when you pray, pray for me From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Government executive, the police siege to the council secretariat, his continued membership of the PDP and the NGF election.

Amaechi spoke last night at an Interactive Session, with the theme:

CPC, ANPP, others kick as PDP suspends Rivers governor

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HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday suspended Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the party.

It said Ameachi was suspended for refusing to obey the “lawful directive” of the Rivers State Executive Committee asking him to rescind his dissolution of the elected executive council of

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said it relied on Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b) for the action.

By his action, the party said, Amaechi violated Articles 58 1 (b), (c), (h) and (m) of the PDP

constitution.

The statement by the party said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) at its emergency meeting on Monday, 27 May, 2013 considered the petition submitted by the PDP Rivers Executive Committee against His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, for violating ArContinued on page 6

’

“Consolidating on Rivers of our Dreams” at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt with youths in Rivers State.

He said the NWC issued a press statement to suspend him without any invitation and fair hearing.

INSIDE

•Sour grapes (Editorial) •Winners & losers •Pgs. 4-6, •House members kick 19&64 •Olatunji Dare: Doing what they know how to do best “I was not invited by the National Working Committee of PDP. I was not given fair hearing. What I heard was that: why did I refuse to reinstate the suspended Obio/Akpor Local Government executive? Who Continued on page 6 •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (right) watching as Captain of Ogedegbe Primary School, Obukowho, Sheriff, lifts the Channels Kids Soccer Competition Cup, a Children’s Day programme, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos Mainland…yesterday.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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NEWS NGF CONTROVERSY

Winners, •Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle), Managing Director, SABmiller Africa Mark Bowman (right) and SABmiller Operations Director, West Africa Simon Harvey, after a meeting in South Africa... yesterday.

•Jonathan

•Amaechi

The outcome of last Friday’s battle for the chair of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has continued to generate ripples across the country. But one thing that is certain is that it has produced winners and losers, writes AUGUSTINE AVWODE WINNERS •Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc Mr. Bello Maccido (middle) greeting the Chairman, Mr. Oba Otudeko (right) at the bank’s pre-Annual General Meeting luncheon in Lagos... yesterday. With them is Group Managing Director, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Rotimi Amaechi

Leading the pack of the winners is Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He was able to retain his position as chairman of the Forum in the face of a massive opposition, particularly, from his party. He

scored 19 votes to beat Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang with 16 votes.

Pro-Amaechi governors There is no doubt that the support of the 11 progressive governors led

by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi turned the table in favour of the winner. To that extent, they too,

Reps, lawyers, Tsav condemn PDP over Amaechi’s suspension •’It’s a bad omen for democracy’

•Accountant-General of the Federation Mr Jonah Otunla (left); former Deputy Governor of Kogi Dr Philip Salawu; representative of the Auditor-General of the Federation Mr Onojeta Solomon and the Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, at the ICAN Merit Award of the Abuja District Society in Abuja... at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

• Head, Corporate Communications, Dana Air Mr. Tony Usidamen (middle) speaking at a news conference to mark the first anniversary of the crash involving its aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday. With him are Media Relationship Manager Mr. Sam Ogbogoro (left) and Head Commercial Mr. Obialor Mbanuzuo.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

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EMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the suspension Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Minority Leader of the House Femi Gbajabiamila described the move as an act of desperation.

He said: “This tells you how low a government will go when desperate.

This is an accidental government.

There is supposed to be an art and a science to governance but this one possesses neither. First it was the State Assembly members that were purportedly suspended and now it is the governor.”

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Dakuku Peterside said it was a bad omen and a major setback to Nigeria’s quest for true democracy.

Peterside, in a statement, said: “This is an inauspicious moment to suspend a popular governor who is not only marking his 48th birthday but was also a few days ago, re-elected by his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as Chairman.

“This news is baffling and a major blow to lovers of democracy because

By Leke Salaudeen, Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Abuja and Musa Odoshimokhe it violates the right of an individual to associate freely, to vote and be voted for in any democratic process. The NGF is not an extension of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), thus not governed by the constitution of the PDP. This is also a major impediment to PDP’s future as a party as Governor Amaechi is seen in Nigeria today as one of the most outstanding governors.

“What would it benefit a political party to suspend its most performing governor? Therefore, to my mind, this decision is not only ill-timed but ominous and capable of threatening the foundation of democracy, especially the process of free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria.

“This ignoble action of the PDP Working Committee signposts what to expect in the build up to 2015: divergent views will not be tolerated and this is dangerous”.

Deputy Minority Whip Datti Ahmed (CPC Kaduna) said the PDP members were bad losers.

He said: “This has shown what PDP

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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NEWS NGF CONTROVERSY

losers of the battle for NGF

•Akpabio

•Jang

are winners. They include all the governors of the Action Congress Nigeria (ACN), those of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the governors of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). As the progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives swung the pendulum in favour of Aminu Tambuwal during the election of the Speaker, the governors played the decisive card for Amaechi last Friday. The seven other PDP governors who stood by Amaechi are also winners.

LOSERS Jonathan The general perception is that Amaechi’s problems stemmed from his face-off with President Goodluck

•Yuguda

Jonathan. To that extent, it is believed he wanted another person as the chairman of the NGF. But Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Rueben Abati last weekend dissociated his boss from the crisis in the NGF. He said contrary to the impression of presidential partisanship and interference, Jonathan is not interested in whoever emerged as chairman.

The popular view, however, remains that the president was a major loser in the contest.

PDP Governors’ Forum Perhaps, the greatest losers are the PDP governors, who went into the contest as a unit under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-

•Fayemi

•Imoke

GF). Notwithstanding their numerical advantage, they were floored.

PDP, Tukur, Anenih

The PDP as a party, its chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and its Board of Trustees chair, Chief Tony Anenih also ‘tacitly’ supported the operation-get-rid-of-Amaechifrom-the-NGF-leadership project.

The outcome has obviously jolted them.

Shema and Yuguda Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema and his Bauchi State counterpart, Isa Yuguda can also be said to be losers. The fact that neither agreed to step down for the other marked the beginning of the end for the antiAmaechi forces in the Forum. Their

refusal to yield to entreaties led to the emergence of Governor Jonah Jang, who 48 hours to the election was not in the picture of those to contest the position.

Jang His choice as a compromise candidate came rather late and he lost the race. Even though the PDP governors have rallied round him, the result did not favour him.

Akpabio Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio is also in the league of the losers. He failed to rally his colleagues in the Forum he leads to actualise the wish of the party, despite their numerical strength. He

NGF crisis unfortunate, says ex-Perm Sec

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RETIRED Permanent Secretary in the old Ondo State, Chief Deji Fasuan, has described the crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) as unfortunate.

Fasuan spoke with reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The NGF now has two factions led by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

He said: “It is a tragedy of a nation that a forum which has no constitutional backing or legal sanctity could generate such furore among the ruling elite in Nigeria. The ongoing division between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is a bad omen for the country.”

“The NGF operates freely like a drivers’ union or hairdressers’ union. I ask why must a nation be made to stand still by a mere forum that has no bearing for the welfare of the people?

“The truth must be told. We have seen the handwriting of 2015 on the wall. There will be two presidents in 2015, one legal, the other declaring himself president.

“This we must admit will add up to the existing scenario that something negative might happen to this country in 2015. We should watch out.”

is all about; it is about illegality and rigging. They are just giving us bad example because they are bad losers.

This decision cannot stand because he has to freedom of association to vote and be voted for.

“He has not committed any offence.

Even the PDP knows it cannot stand.

You cannot suspend somebody for exercising his fundamental human rights. We in the opposition are very happy about what is happening in the PDP. It is nemesis and it shows that PDP is on its way to the grave.

“Everyday is for the thief one day is for the owner. It is the injustice that they have done that is haunting. They are expelling the democrats among.

Let them suspend more we are waiting for them. This is the right time for them to join the opposition.”

Chairman, House Committee on Anti- Corruption Abiodun Faleke condemned the decision. “Suspension? For exercising his right to vote and be voted for. It shows the type of party PDP is.”

Another member, Sokonte Davis (PDP Rivers), said the action was laughable.

He said: “Every person, who is elected and took oath of office and allegiance as a state governor, is expected to be above reproach, temperate, self controlled, respectable, reliable, impartial, dependable, honest, forthright and God fearing. The governors agreed to form an association and named it Nigerian Governors’ Forum. They unanimously agreed to hold election for the chairmanship position. Election was held and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was declared winner. A few hours later Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who is neither the returning nor electoral officer, declared Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State as winner. Couldn’t the governors resolve this quietly or they simply want to satisfy the President? Now Amaechi is suspended from the PDP. Is this Democracy? What are the factional governors teaching the youths?

A shame of a nation !”

Senior lawyers, such as Emeka Ngige (SAN), Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Dr. Fred Agbaje condemned the NWC’s decision.

Ngige said: “It is unfair. The Na-

He said: “It is unfortunate that this is the only time I have heard that somebody is punished for winning.

If canvassing for the support of his colleagues is a crime, why is the defeated anointed candidate not equally suspended since he has opposition members like Peter Obi who supported him?

“On the other hand, why participate in a process you expect only your party members to be lobbied? They shouldn’t have gone into the elections at all since they already have their own governors.

“I think that this action has made the party to become opprobrious to the generality of the country. In fact , I am yet to believe that the story is true.

If it is true, then all the denials that the main purpose of the Rivers State crisis is not to chase Amaechi and his supporters from the party have turned out to be lies. Those who play or want to play God should not forget that power belongs to God and he gives it to whomever and however it pleases.”

A former Lagos State Commissioner for Police, Abubakar Tsav, said the suspension was unfair.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

tional Working Committee shouldn’t have relied on the report of the faction that is at the logger head with the governor. Moreso, the NWC didn’t summon Amaechi to appear and defend his action. Anyway, there is no cause for alarm. I am sure the governor is equal to the task. What is playing out is part of the script written by the powerful forces in the PDP to deal with Amaechi. He should challenge the suspension in court.”

Ali said the PDP was vindictive. He said: “Political party is like any other association. You are free to join and abide by the rules. But in the case of Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, there are elements of vindictiveness the way PDP is handling the matter. Nigerians are embarrassed by politics of hatred, intolerance and that everybody in the party should go to the same direction as exemplified

by PDP in the Rivers State crisis. I want to believe that his suspension is out of his victory at Nigeria Governors’ Forum chairmanship election.

“The country is faced with serious challenges like epileptic power supply, insecurity of life and property

•Shema

played a prominent role in the campaign against Amaechi’s second term.

Obi Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who doubles as the chairman of the Southeast Governors, said the region’s governors would not support Amaechi. He reiterated the stance on Sunday, when he declared that four of the five governors in the region were for Jang.

Imoke Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, who leads the Southsouth Governors, also failed to rally his colleagues in the region to speak with one voice. which would be tackled by government rather than dissipating energy on petty and primitive politics.”

Dr. Agbaje said the PDP has succeeded in cutting “noses to spite its ugly faces”.

He said: “The suspension can never demean the political ruggedness, popularity, astuteness and irokoness in Amaechi. PDP leadership is jittery and acting politically demagoguery and a clear case of infantile puerility.

What is wrong in Amaechi exercising his freedom to freely associate?

This is the question every right thinking member of the Nigeria society should ask PDP leadership. What PDP did to Amaechi better put thus: ile oba to jo, ewa lo bu si. (A burnt king’s house will turn out more beautiful) Tukur deserved to be commended for leading PDP astray.

However, the National Vice Chairman of PDP, Ishola Filani, said the decision was in order.

Filani said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) must have articulately verified their facts before they decided to suspend him from the party. Suspension is usually done with a view to investigate an offence levelled against somebody and that is what the NWC has done. This is in principle with democracy but however, I am not in any position to pass judgement on what has happened. He is only on suspension and has not been expelled from the party.”

A member, Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers) said the action was appropriate. “ I have said the party is superior to its members. Without discipline we cannot progress, however, fairness, equity and due process must be complied with in the process,” he said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

NEWS Joint Task Force ‘kills Boko Haram chief’

Amaechi: my life in danger Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

group.

“Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force carried out an operation which resulted in the capture and destruction of the insurgents’ assembly points sited on the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori area north of Baga.

“The towns and settlements have now been secured while cordon-and-search operation is also ongoing in the area after the insurgents have been dislodged.”

The statement which could not be independently confirmed, added: “Meanwhile, a total of 25 insurgents were rounded up while three died, including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba, who has been on the list of most wanted persons.

“This incident happened during an encounter with troops of the task force as the insurgents were finalising moves to carry out an extensive terrorist operation around Maiduguri.

“The captured ones were all apprehended with their weapons, which include rifles, pistols, double barrel guns and various calibres of ammunition, during a raid operation of the JTF in Kumshe and Bulunkutu area.

“In Sambisa forest, troops combing the forest continue to make more discoveries.

“A man who had been held hostage in the forest since last year escaped, bound in handcuffs as his captors fled during the troops’ attack on the biggest camp in the forest. The freed hostage is being treated by the Task Force.

“The troops are dominating the forest as they find a number of fresh grave, more arms and ammunition, burnt vehicles and other equipment. More updates as the operation continues.”

•Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria and Representative to ECOWAS, Mr. Berth. J. Ronhaar on a visit to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Lagos...yesterday

How I became victim of judiciary’s injustice, by ex-judge

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FORMER judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, Mr. Justice Okechukwu Okeke, yesterday said he was “a victim of injustice in the Nigerian judiciary”.

The judge, who retired on May 19, spoke at a valedictory court session presided over by the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

He alleged that a Supreme Court Justice once attempted to influence his ruling.

Following three petitions against Justice Okeke, which arose from cases he was handling, the National Judicial Council (NJC), in a May 6 letter, “seriously” warned him to desist from acts prejudicial to the judiciary’s integrity.

But Mr. Justice Okeke challenged the NJC to publish his responses to the petitions.

•I can’t comment, says Supreme Court CR

By Joseph Jibueze and Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

“I plead with the NJC, in the interest of justice and the benefit of the citizens of this great country Nigeria to publish in any national newspaperunedited - the said petitions and my responses to them,” he said.

Such publication, he said, would comply with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and afford Nigerians the opportunity to form their opinion on the petitions’ merit or otherwise.

Mr. Justice Okeke said his travails began with his adjudication of an application filed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) versus convicted former Oceanic Bank Managing Director

Mrs Cecilia Ibru.

The application was for an order granting AMCON leave to apply for the issuance of a writ of execution (possession) by the court’s registrar in respect of the Federal Government properties forfeited by Ibru following an order made by the court’s former Chief Judge, Mr. Justice Dan Abutu.

Justice Okeke said the application was argued on March 1.

Satisfied that a case had been made out for the exercise of the court’s discretion in favour of the applicant, he granted the application as prayed.

He said: “On 6th of March, 2013, I received a call from the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court that Honourable Justice Clara Ogunbiyi of the Supreme Court of

Nigeria was furious with me for granting leave to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, which led to the ejection of her daughter and sonin-law from No. 5A, George Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“I explained the position to him. In his characteristic policy of non-interference with his judges in the discharge of their duties, he advised me to hear any application for the discharge of the order of 1st of March whenever filed.

“On 8th day of March 2012, one Funke Ogunbiyi came to my Chambers at about 9.04 am, completed the visitor’s form in which she stated her address as No. 5A, George Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and wrote her phone number…She was led into the chambers.

Continued on page 9

suspended them?”

The youths at the forum replied: “The Rivers State House of Assembly.”

“Who has the power to investigate Obio/Akpor council executive?” Amaechi asked again.

The youths replied: “The State Assembly.” “….So, you see the political witch-hunting? It is so ridiculous. My party (PDP) must rise above political witchhunting,” Amaechi said.

“Governor Amaechi did not suspend Obio/Akpor Council(executive). I hope you know, I have the power and my power is to dissolve.

I can dissolve Obio/Akpor Council(executive). But I have not done that. What the Assembly is doing is that they are investigating corruption. But the party said they should not investigate corruption, is it fair?” The youths thundered “no.”

“If they are not guilty, then they will re-instate them, but if they are guilty, then we will ask for the dissolution of the council. We have not even gone half, and the party (PDP) says ‘re-instate them’.

It means that the party likes corruption. Let the Assem-

bly resume and commence investigation; let’s see what goes on. Whether there is corruption or not, it is the business of the Assembly. I have been a speaker, and I know the powers of a Speaker and the legislature. I used it when I was a speaker,” Amaechi said.

He advised the police to obey court orders by vacating the Obio/Akpor council premises, and allowing normalcy to return to the council.

“What are the police still doing at the Obio/Akpor Council building? The court gave an order to the police to vacate Obio/Akpor Council; they disobeyed, and the police are still stationed there,” he said.

Amaechi also expressed displeasure over the development in Obio/Akpor council which forced Rivers State workers to go on strike, adding that due to the absence of doctors in Government Hospitals, they (government) now transfer patients from public to private hospitals to ensure they survive.

“The Federal Government does not care; they only stationed police at Obio/Akpor council. Even if everybody Continued on page 7

Amaechi’s suspension . illegal, says NEC member

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NOTHER big controversy erupted yesterday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s suspension.

He was suspended without dues process because the PDP has no Disciplinary Committee in place, a party source said.

Only the National Executive Committee (NEC) can constitute a Disciplinary Committee for the party, the source added.

The Rivers State Government described Amaechi’s suspension as a political witch-hunt.

According to a top member of the NEC, the PDP has no Disciplinary Committee in place.

The source said an attempt was made at the last NEC meeting in July 2012 to constitute a PDP Disciplinary Committee, but members could not agree on

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the nominees.

The NEC member said: “The NWC headed by Bamanga Tukur cannot suspend Governor Rotimi Amaechi because Article 59.3 of the PDP Constitution says only NEC can do so.

“I could recall that when NEC met last in July 2012, we were to constitute the National Disciplinary Committee, but we could not agree on those to be nominated into the panel.

“As far as NEC is concerned, we have not even constituted a Disciplinary Committee. Whatever they have put in place cannot stand because only NEC can raise a Disciplinary Committee.”

He went on: “They are claiming to be hiding under emergency; they should explain to NigeContinued on page 7

Parties kick as PDP suspends Governor Amaechi Continued from page 1

ticles 58 1 (b), (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“The National Working Committee, after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.

“This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the party to enforce discipline at all levels within the party.”

Sections and Article quoted by Metuh from the PDP 2012 Constitution as amended reads, 58 1 (B) “subject to the provision of this constitution, the Party shall have power to discipline any member who says or does anything likely to bring the party into disrepute, hatred or contempt; “(c) disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party;

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ANPP, CPC: it’s a wrong step

HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for suspending Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

They spoke in separate statements in Abuja .

The ANPP said the action is dangerous for democracy while the CPC described it as a wrong step and another evidence of President Goodluck Jonathan’s desperate move to be re elected.

The statement by ANPP National Publicity Secretary Emma Eneukwu said: “The suspension of Amaechi is a colossal affront on democracy and a dagger in the soul of its practices.

“We ask? What is the crime of Chief Amaechi? We proffer an answer: he won election as Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum by 19 votes to 16 scored by his closest challenger.

“Even though we respect the internal di(h) engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of party; (m) false, refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously.

“57 (3) The Working Committee, at any level of the party, and

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

mension of the recent decision of the PDP, but as committed democrats, we are constrained to react in view of its wider implication in our nation’s democratic practice.

“We wonder at how a political party that lays claim to democratic usages could rise to suspend one of its own for winning an election!

“This action rubbishes its claim to any democratic credential, as it has clearly shown that it practices despotism and the tyranny of a cabal.

“We worry at this dangerous development and ask Nigerians to take due notice of this charade and place it in perspective in view of the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

“As a political party, we are alarmed at this unwholesome development and urge all lovers of democracy to remain vigilant and join us in our resolve to resist this burgeoning cankerworm.”

CPC National Publicity Secretary Rotimi

the Executive Committee (at the Ward Level) may, after preliminary hearings, suspend a member from the party for a period not exceeding one month, during which period the member so suspended shall lose his right to contest any elections, and shall be referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee.

“59 (3) Notwithstanding any

Fashakin, CPC said: “The CPC, undoubtedly, is pained by the portent of this infra-dig to the entrenchment of inspiring democratic values in the polity. “We believe that there are democratic instruments available for resolving differences between a President and governor in a Presidential system, without unduly overheating the polity.

For instance, in 2010, Ms Jan Brewer, the Republican governor of Arizona state in the United States of America assented to a bill that gave Police officers wide latitude to stop people suspected of illegal Immigration.

The US President, Barack Obama did not show his objection by planning some surreptitious impeachment of the governor – as PDP Presidents are known for. “Instead, he sought judicial interpretation of the matter. In a five against three unanimous votes, the US Supreme Court threw away this offending clause. That is the way of the rule of law, which is still alien to the present crop of leaders of the PDP.

other provision of this constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Ad-

Continued on page 9

visers or member of any of the legislative houses. “(5) subject to the provisions of this constitution, the National Executive Committee shall have power to expel any member of the party for acts of indiscipline or misconduct which brings, or is likely to bring, the party into disrepute.

“29 (2. b) in case of emergency,

•Tukur

act on behalf of the National Executive Committee subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee.

The party named Mr. Joe Gadzama SAN as chairman of an 11-member panel to investigate Continued on page 7

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

7

NEWS

OOU extends registration deadline

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HE Ogun State Government and the Governing Council of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, have extended the deadline for the registration of students.

They gave students one week to pay their fees.

This is in line with the National Universities Commission's (NUC's) directive that all universities must regularise their records with the commission and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The government extended the deadline following appeals by traditional rulers, prominent indigenes, parents and students.

It directed the institution's senate to organise a special examination for students who have missed part of the ongoing examination.

In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said: "In view of the appeals, the government hereby directs as follows: All students affected must pay their backlog of fees within seven days of this announcement.

"Fresh students, who still wish to take up admission for the 2012/2013 session but failed to meet the matriculation deadline, must pay all their fees within the period.

"These set of students will take the matriculation oath at a special ceremony. All stale students without full fees should apply and take a leave of absence."

LUTH doctors seek justice for 'attacked' colleague

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HE Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, has decried alleged verbal attack on one of its members, Dr. Aiyedun Akeremale, by the Head of the Accident and Emergency (A & E) Department, Dr. Kunle Badmus.

It gave the hospital's management two weeks to look into its complaint and take disciplinary actions.

The association accused Badmus of talking down on young doctors and physically assaulting them in the presence of patients.

It alleged that about two years ago, Badmus slapped the former president of the association, simply identified as Dr. Momoh. The doctors alleged that Badmus assaulted the Senior Registrar, Family Medicine, simply identified as Dr. Akujobi, last year.

They urged the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; LUTH Board Chairman; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN); the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA); the Director of Administration and the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee to intervene and "save them from further assault".

The association said the alleged verbal attack on Akeremale was witnessed by doctors, nurses, record officers, patients and their relations at the A & E. It alleged that Badmus instigated a patient's relation to

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

write a petition against Akeremale and described the action as "contrary to the Code of Conducts".

It demanded the removal of Badmus as the Head of the A & E; that he should be sanctioned and that he should not be granted leave until the probe is concluded.

ARD President Dr. Ugwu Iziga said: "The association is more interested in discussing the training of doctors and other developments in the health sector, but in a situation where professionals cannot dispense their services in a relaxed environment, there is need to urgently address the situation.

"The case in question is that of assault. There are rules addressing that in the civil service. We are waiting for the management to address the situation. We want the person involved to be punished. We do not want the innocent to be punished or victimised.

"More so, there have been established cases in the past and they were not addressed.

We feel it is important to dis-

T

•HoD: I didn't assault anyone

courage such acts. The Federal Government has a standard for the work environment and we want everybody to maintain decorum in the workplace.

We have confidence that the LUTH management would address the issue because a new board is in place. Justice delayed is justice denied, so we want to ensure that the right thing is done.

"We cannot fold our hands while our members are being assaulted. If something occurred about 17 days ago and we are yet to see actions in form of investigation or disciplinary actions, we believe additional two weeks would be sufficient for the management to take decisive actions.

"There must be examples, so that there would be decorum in the work place. We do not want people to be injured at the workplace."

ARD General Secretary Dr. O. Bankole said: "We are not taking sides, but the workplace should be conducive for our members to discharge their duties."

Ekiti approves N497m for projects

HE Ekiti State Government has approved N497 million for developmental projects.

Of the sum, N300 million is grants to aid self-help projects in 82 communities and N197,250,000 would be spent on developing other communities.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, announced this at the opening of a two-day interactive workshop on "Strategies for Community Transformation" at Midas Hotels in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

It was organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment.

PDP suspends Rivers Governor Amaechi Continued from page 6

the matters connected with Amaechi’s suspension.

Metuh, who announced the setting up of the panel, said the panel was expected to submit its recommendation to the party’s NWC. Metuh isolated the decision to suspend Amaechi from the crisis arising from the outcome of Friday’s election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum won by Amaechi against the expectation of powerful stakeholders in the ruling party.

He based Amaechi’ s suspension on his refusal to rescind the decision by the Rivers State House of Assembly suspending the executive council of the Obio/ Akpor Local Government in Rivers State.

According to him, it was incumbent on the governor to rescind the decision, as directed by

a faction of the executive committee of the Rivers chapter of the PDP. “Going by the party’s constitution, the governor was expected to have rescinded the suspension order handed the executive council of the Obio/Akpor Local Government by the Rivers State Assembly,” Metuh added.

Asked whether the suspension of the council was the first of its kind in PDP-controlled states, Metuh said it was the first under the Bamanga Tukur-led NWC. He stressed that the party was less concerned with similar suspension of councils in other states under previous leadership of the party.

The PDP spokesman said the decision to suspend Amaechi was not meant to pull the governor down.

“We did not take the decision

to pull anyone down. We are not out to destroy or condemn the governor. We are not saying that Ameachi is wrong. When you are administering a party, you must ensure there is discipline in the party,” Metuh said.

Asked whether as the national leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan was consulted before the decision to suspend Amaechi was taken, Metuh said the party did not have to consult the President before taking a decision.

Other members of the Gadzama panel are: Victor Kwom, Inalegwu Onche, Friday Nwosu, Udorji Amedu, Ola Kukoyi and Wakil Mohammed.

The list also include Yusuf Jangwe, Mrs. Bola Doherty, Tanimu Adamson and Anicho Okoro, who is to serve as secretary to the panel.

rians what was at stake to have suspended a governor from the party. But the constitution is explicit that once a NEC member has a purported disciplinary case, it is only NEC that could deal with it.

“So, PDP members and Nigerians should ask questions on how the NWC has decided to arrogate to itself the powers it cannot wield.”

Article 59.3 reads: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, public office holder(i.e. Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers, Deputy Governors or member of any of the legislative houses.”

But a member of the NWC

said the suspension was done under Section 29(2.2) (b) of the PDP Constitution.

He said: “The NWC can take decision on behalf of NEC, if there is an urgent need for it.

This section is our legal backing for suspending Amaechi.”

Section 29(2.2) (b) reads: “The National Working Committee shall, in case of emergency, act on behalf of the National Executive Committee, subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee.”

Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said: “We are concerned as we believe this is a political witch-hunt. It is worrisome. The reason given is the suspension of the Obio Akpor Council.

“This is purely a legislative matter and done in accordance to the laws of local government councils in Rivers State.”

A United States group, the

Centre for Advancement of Justice and Peace in Emerging Democracies (ICJAPED), has dismissed Amaechi’s purported suspension from the PDP as illegal, null and void.

The ICJAPED made its position known in a statement by its Coordinator of African Region, Dr. Stephen Briggs The statement said: “Amaechi’s suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an affront on the collective psyche of Nigerians as well as an acceptance of the victory of Governor Amaechi in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum election.”

According to the organization, “it is most unfortunate, tragic and odious that the PDP is taking action at this time our democracy should be seen to be growing”.

“This is a clear evidence of the illegality, tyranny, blackmail, pettiness, incompetence, recklessness and arrogant misuse of pow-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Mrs. Adelabu said Governor Kayode Fayemi created the ministry in January to enhance economic, socio-cultural and political activities.

She said the administration was focusing on improving the living standard of rural dwellers, improving the leadership capacity in rural communities and supporting communityinitiated projects at the grassroots.

Mrs. Adelabu said every community would benefit from the government's grants before the end of the year.

Amaechi: my life in danger Continued from page 6

Metuh did not give a time frame within which the panel is expected to submit its report to the leadership of the party.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in a statement, said: “We are concerned as we believe this is political witch hunt. It is worrisome.

The reason given is the suspension of the Obio/Akpor council.

This is puerile.”

Amaechi’s suspension illegal, says NEC member Continued from page 6

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Akin Osibogun, said: "I am aware of the matter and it is not a physical assault case as some quarters are insinuating. It is that of a senior staff gingering up his junior. If that is misconstrued as verbal assault, we are set to investigate further."

On the allegation that Badmus wanted to evade being investigated by travelling abroad, the CMD said: "The case under investigation is not that of a grievous offence; only then can he be restrained.

There is administrative procedure and that is what we are following. I have interviewed the two men involved and Akeremale does not seem to have the attitude some people are putting up.

"We are following the procedure to establish if there was serious misdemeanour by Badmus. From my interaction with the two of them, it is just as I said; a case of a superior trying to correct his subordinate. And mind you, no relation of any patient has writ-

ten me on the conduct or otherwise of Akeremale."

Badmus said he was surprised by the allegation that he had been "slapping" young doctors.

He said: "They are mauling my character. I am a civil servant. They should channel their misgivings to the right place and enquiries would be conducted. I am a law abiding citizen. Medicine is my profession and I have respect for humanity and life.

"Two years ago something like this was alleged. I am used to such. I have been through that with them. If in the process of supervising a young doctor one is misconstrued, then let enquiries establish the truth. Categorically, I can state that I did not slap any of the young doctors."

Akeremale said he was not physically assaulted.

He said: "In a situation where someone will come and be dressing you down as a doctor in the sight of your patients, invariably the patients lose confidence in you and your morale is affected."

er by President Jonathan and his lackeys, or garrison boys in the PDP. The only difference between this and a military government is that the players involved in the current charade are all civilians with no military uniforms. “ “We urge Amaechi to remain unruffled by this latest move to destroy him and continue to focus on his developmental strides instead of thinking of this Jonathan contrivance which has rubbished all claims to decency, statesmanship and integrity that the President claims.

“History will judge all of us. The destruction of our institutions and values in pursuit of petty personal interest as well as egomaniac domination of our political space will fail abysmally like a pack of cards.

“The circle is complete and this is the time for all men and women of goodwill to stand up for truth and to resist evil. We all should rally round Amaechi.”

should die, they don’t care.

Now the entire state will be grounded, because the police have refused to vacate the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat. They don’t want to know; we are not important to the Federal Government; we are not important at all.

“You know what it took for us to stop militancy in the state. But only last week, they organised militants to return to the streets of Port Harcourt, is that not shameful? You all knew how the militants spent our money, raped our women, killed our parents and young men. Immediately the militants stopped protesting, the police said, nobody should protest again,” Amaechi said.

He urged youths to pray to God to intervene, adding that there is nothing wrong as governor of Rivers State and member of the PDP to ask for his right, which the PDP is now describing as anti-party.

Said the governor: “Internal democracy is important in our party. If they fought me by all means, and I still won the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election, what should they do? They should have joined me to thank God. Because what it means is that God has spoken. It happened when I was in Ghana; I fasted and prayed for six months, 6am to 6pm, and God made me governor.”

Amaechi spoke on his immediate political pan, saying: “I will not leave the PDP. I will go to court.... The plane issue is same politics, pure politics. For one year plus, a minister refused to sign im-

port permit. I’m sure you are aware of the House of Representatives Committee report on the plane issue.”

Amaechi urged the Federal Government to allow democracy to reign supreme.

“They should allow the police to work for the benefit of the public. And imagine, if you and I cannot go to court to seek for protection, where else can we go to? They have refused to accept the court decision. And if the police continue, we shall mobilise Rivers people to come out en masse and I will be in front to lead the protest,” he said.

On the NGF election, Amaechi said: “You will see it on the internet when the governors were voting, all the governors were there and you will also see the counting. We (governors) agreed to voting, and all the governors voted. So, any governor who said he didn’t vote is lying against the nation because all of us are on oath to govern properly; so, we should not lie. Every governor voted; you will see the video. If we leaders of Nigeria today are refusing to accept the results of a properly organised election supervised by the Director-General of the Governors’ Forum, and somebody brought a paper that was signed in April.

“If you check that list, it was signed in April and you brought it on May 24 after the governors have finished voting their chairman into office. That list is not part of our election.

There is a rumour that they want to go to court to stop me as NGF chairman. We are ready to meet them in court but they should not go through the backdoor to get an order,” Amaechi warned.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

8

NEWS CHILDREN’S DAY

Osun gathers Yoruba monarchs for maiden Oodua Children’s Day

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VER 50 royal fathers from various Yorubaspeaking communities and cities across Africa yesterday converged on Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for a unique celebration of the maiden Oodua World Children’s Day. The Oodua World Children’s Day is Osun State’s initiative aimed at bringing together children from Yoruba-speaking communities to revive the cultural values of the Yoruba race in the youths.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the Yoruba cultural integration can only be meaningful if children, who will carry on the culture, are properly socialised into it with the right inculcation of values.

His address, entitled: Towards Global Yoruba Integration, was delivered at the Osogbo City Stadium, the state capital, where the colourful event was held. The event, which was to commemorate Children’s Day, was attended by eminent Yoruba personalities and selected

children from Ekiti (100), Ondo (83), Ogun (100), Oyo (100), Lagos (100), Kwara (50), Kogi (50) and Edo (25). Delta State as well as other West African countries of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Sierra Leone; South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba; the Caribbean and the United States were well represented at the event.

Aregbesola explained that the promotion of the Omoluabi ethos in Osun State is aimed at re-awakening the cultural and value consciousness of the people to make them realise the beauty of Yoruba virtues and give them a sense of pride in their culture.

He said: “We are of the conviction that the realisation of the socio-cultural and economic integration of the Yoruba race can be greatly enhanced by imparting that vision into our children.

“Indeed, such a cultural renaissance agenda cannot succeed without including the children, for they are a key factor in its success.”

The governor stressed that among the various programmes being implemented in Osun, education will be the best. Aregbesola said his administration has begun the most ambitious projects in education.

He said: “The schools we are building are state-of-the-art with modern learning infrastructure. They have sprung up everywhere and will be ready in the shortest possible time. We are feeding our children with nutritious meals everyday. This is because of the realisation that it is only a well-fed child that can muster the mental capability to learn.

“We have also provided free uniform to our school children.

Next week, by the grace of the Almighty, we shall begin distributing Opon Imo to all senior secondary pupils in the state.

This is the first of its kind in any part of the world.”

The governor stressed that the Yoruba race constitutes a significant part of the global population, with civilised and

dynamic culture as well as the potential to become a powerful force in the world, if it gets its acts together and forge a common and united front.

He added: “We can begin right from here, the cradle of the Yoruba race, to plant the seed that may germinate into something that will in time surpass the wildest dream of the brains behind the idea.”

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, described the trans-state Children’s Day as a unique event that must be sustained for the progress of Yoruba nation.

The Oyo monarch, who was flanked by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in a single outing for the first in many years, said the Yoruba people need to come together for the benefit of the race.

He noted that Yoruba monarchs and those in the Diaspora have once again united for the progress of the Black Race.

Pigeons were released as a symbol of unity among Yoruba rulers across the globe.

Ajimobi summons heads of 15 schools over pupils’ ‘improper dressing’

•Ajimobi

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday summoned to his office head teachers of 15 schools among those that participated in the match past during the Children’s Day celebrations.

The teachers are to explain why their pupils were improperly dressed during the ceremony.

The governor spoke at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state capital, after taking the salute for the celebration.

He indicted the teachers for the allegedly shabby appearance of their pupils.

Ajimobi said he took particular notice of the affected

Oshiomhole urges religious bodies, others to invest in children

Okorocha to Imo kids: your future is in your hands From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged voluntary organisations, traditional and religious institutions as well as corporate bodies to invest in the upbringing of children, especially in the general environment where the children learn and play.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, the governor spoke at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the state capital, during this year’s Children’s Day celebration, with the theme: Our Children, Our Future, Our Collective Responsibility.

Oshiomhole said everyone has a responsibility to ensure that children become good, productive and law-abiding citizens.

Gaidam warns parents against child abuse From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has urged parents to stop sending their children to the street for hawking and other dangerous errands.

The governor said there is need to secure a better future for children through good education and sound moral upbringing.

He said these should not be jettisoned for mere economic gains of the family.

Gaidam spoke through the Commissioner for Youths, Aji Bularafa.

The governor also warned parents to monitor their children to know the company they keep, adding that such close watch will prevent them from indulging in vices, such as cultism, alcoholism and smoking of dangerous substances.

schools, which comprised 11 nursery/primary schools and four secondary schools.

According to him, the dressing of the pupils was unacceptable.

The governor noted that while some of the children put on torn clothes, others appeared dirty and unkempt, with their shoes not matching their uniforms.

Ordering the head teachers of the affected schools to report to his office immediately, Ajimobi also directed officials of the Ministry of Education to visit the schools to assess their environment.

He said: “The dirty appearances of the pupils are a reflection of the low quality of supervision of the head teachers and the principals of their schools. I won’t tolerate that because in Oyo State today, quality is the game.”

•GIVE ME FIVE! Governor Fashola shakes hands with Master Seyinfoluwa Joshua Paul during his registration of pupils at celebration in Ikeja…yesterday. Watching are Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga (third left); Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Gbolahan Daodu (fourth left) and others.

PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

Fashola cautions children against drugs, cultism

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday urged children in the state to stay off drugs, shun cultism and other social vices that can derail their future.

The governor inspected the children’s parade at the Police College, Ikeja, during this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

He emphasised the need for children to avoid social vices as well as cult groups but to remain focused on their studies.

Fashola recommended the Boys Scout, the Red Cross, the Traffic Club and Power Kids Club for children, adding that his administration has endorsed and empowered them for youths to join.

The governor recalled that there had been some unpleasant reports of kidnapping in the state.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

He cautioned the children to be vigilant.

Fashola said: “To avoid those (bad) people and remain safe, you must desist from boarding any unregistered vehicle or vehicles that is not painted in the state yellow and black colours.

“You should also be wary of the type of company you keep and be careful about how you associate with strangers by refusing to be tempted with gifts and money.

“When you are confronted with any issue, seek your parents’ guidance and teachers’ advice; never shun their warnings.”

Fed Govt to establish national children’s resource centre children, Akwa Ibom State From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

•Akpabio

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HE Federal Government will establish a National Children Resource Centre next year for the development and welfare of

Governor Godswill Akpabio has said.

The governor broke the news yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, at this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

He said the government has also provided funds for the establishment of a National Modern Child Development Centre in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to provide vocational skills for street,

school and out-of-school children.

Advising governments at all levels to invest adequately in children to guarantee their future, Akpabio said he was happy that of the 22 states that have passed the Child Rights Act, Akwa Ibom is among the first to have achieved the feat.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Valerie Ebe, the governor said his administration would

constantly mobilise resources to address the educational, psychological, social and morals needs of children.

He said: “Our actions should be guided and motivated in the best interest of the child. Children play a cardinal role in the development of every society.

They are the backbone of our today, our hope for tomorrow and faith in the future.”

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday urged the children to take advantage of the free education and other child-friendly programmes of the government to build a better future for themselves.

The governor urged them to be forward-looking, confident and resistant to the mentality of having any poor background.

He noted that such negative mentality would not do their future any good but by taking their destinies into their hands.

Okorocha spoke on this year’s celebration’s theme: Our Children, Our Future, Our Collective Responsibility, held at the Heroes’ Square, Owerri, the state capital.

He advised the children to be problem solvers and take their education seriously because greatness is about getting problems solved.

He said: “The development we seek lies in our sacrifices for our children to gain quality education with the children of the poorest of the poor having equal opportunity with their privileged counterparts.

Ibadan club fetes 500 kids From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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OR the first time in its 33 years of existence, an Ibadan-based socio-cultural group, Omo Aj’orosun Club, yesterday hosted 500 children at a party for this year’s Children Day. President of the club, Khaliq Adebisi Shittu, hailed members of the club for their support and cooperation.

He said the children’s party was part of the youth development agenda of his administration in the club.

Shittu said it was aimed at complementing the government’s programme for youths and, by extension, securing the nation’s future.

THE NATION TUESDAY MAY 28, 2013

9

NEWS

How I became victim of judiciary’s injustice, by ex-judge Continued from page 6

“She introduced herself as a daughter of Honourable Justice Clara Ogunbiyi of Supreme Court of Nigeria, that she was living with her husband at No. 5A, George Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, and that the mother …directed her to tell me to discharge the Order of 1st March, 2013 as there was no basis for the order.

“I advised her that since they have filed a Motion on Notice for the setting aside of the order of 1st of March, 2013, that their counsel should meet the registrar of the court for a date for their motion,” Mr. Justice Okeke said.

According to him, after considering the processes filed, he dismissed the application to set aside the order and ad-

EFCC begins trial of oil subsidy suspects

By Adebisi Onanuga

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LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja heard yesterday that about 20,000 metric tonnes of premium motor spirit (petrol), imported from Sweden, in respect of which three oil marketers are standing trial, never got to Nigeria.

A prosecution witness at the ongoing trial of the three suspects, Hammed Lawal, made this known to the court presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole and their company, A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, with allegedly fraudulently obtaining payments from the petroleum support fund as subsidy for the importation of petrol to the tune of N1,341,471,735.67.

Lawal told the court that the analysis on the documents of claims by the oil marketers showed that the suspects did not supply the products.

Justice Okunnu adjourned further hearing till June 5.

Conference gets more support

By Gbenga Aderanti

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HE organisers of the Conference of All Nigeria Progressives Merger Group in the United Kingdom have expressed joy over the number of people participating in the forthcoming conference.

The event is in response to Nigeria’s changing political landscape emanating from the progressive political parties’ merger.

It is designed to examine the complex realities of contemporary Nigeria as a nation at the crossroads; a nation in search of a strategic direction to sustain nation building in the face of poor governance and the democratic paradox imposed on the Nigerian state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

The conference is scheduled for June 20 in the Hilton Docklands, United Kingdom.

vised the interveners/applicants to take their case to the Court of Appeal.

“Hell was let loose on me,” Mr. Justice Okeke said, adding: “The interveners/applicants and their counsel wrote a petition against me which they backdated 18 th March 2013 to the NJC.” Despite the petitions and “warning”, the former judge said NJC, in a May 13 letter, wished him “happy retirement after putting in years of dedicated and meritorious service to, particularly, the Federal judiciary”.

Justice Auta, who is a member of the NJC, said he would not comment on the allegations and issues Mr. Justice Okeke raised concerning his travails.

He described Mr. Justice Okeke as a man of honour.

“The occasion underscores the important principle that excellence in the discharge of one’s responsibility and selfless service to the nation are virtues worthy of perfection and emulation,” Justice Auta said, adding: “Hon. Justice Okeke, above all, is a true Igbo man…You may have a second view to his own on all things or have a second view about him on many things, but there is always unanimity of opinion about his honesty. His integrity is impeccable.”

Among guests at the court session were former Chief Judges of the court, Abdullahi Mustapha and Rose Ukeje; states Attorneys-General, including Ade Ipaye who rep-

resented Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Peter Afuba, his Anambra counterpart; Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Chief Theodore Ezeobi, Dr Joseph Nwobike, Mr Kemi Pinhero, Mrs Funke Adekoya and Mr Rickey Tarfa, among others.

Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, yesterday refrained from commenting on the allegation by Justice Okechukwu Okeke (Federal High Court) that Justice Clara BataOgunbiyi of the Supreme Court once attempted to influence his decision in a case.

When The Nation contacted him through the telephone, he said he could not comment on such an allegation because he was not present when it

was made.

“I don’t know anything about the allegation. I am not in Lagos, where you said the allegation was made. I am in Abuja. I don’t know what hap-

pened in Lagos.

“So, how do you expect me to be reacting to an allegation that I do not know anything about and was not where it was made?”

Continued from page 6

survival of our democracy.

Indeed, the increasing desperation of the President is already causing more trepidation as we move towards the 2015 elections. It is our hope that the President will arrest this drift to the Abyss of his Party and the anticipated collateral damage to the polity.

The CPC said it was appalled by the sordid affair that the recently concluded chairmanship election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) degenerated into.

ANPP, CPC: it’s a wrong step “It is in this vein that we view the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the manifestation of a Party at war with itself. It beggars belief that the PDP decided to jettison the law of natural justice of not being Judge in one’s cause. It is a Party whose implosion is imminent. Unfortunately, there is no voice of reason anymore because this despicable leadership style ensures obsequious subservience! We hereby enjoin the Nigerian people not to lose sight of the portent of the deplorable tactics to the

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

10

NEWS Ondo residents protest ‘plan’ to relocate poly

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ESIDENTS of Ile-Oluji, headquarters of IleOluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, yesterday protested an alleged plan to relocate the proposed Federal Polytechnic in the community to Idanre, a neighbouring town.

The protesters, comprising youths, commercial motorcyclists and senior citizens, reportedly chased the town’s monarch, Oba Stephen Adedugbe, out of his palace The protest began around 9am at the main roundabout in the community and moved to the place.

The protesters accused the monarch of converting money meant for the town’s development to personal use and hijacking government projects in the community.

Speaking through one of his chiefs, Oyebade Adeoba, who is the Odofin of Ile-Oluji, Oba Adedugbe debunked the allegations, describing them as

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

blackmail.

He said the youths came to his palace earlier and asked him about the alleged plan to move the proposed polytechnic to Idanre and he told them he was not aware of it.

Oba Adedugbe also debunked the allegation that he was hijacking government projects.

He urged the youths to embrace peace in the interest of the community’s development.

The protesters barricaded

all roads leading into the town and sang various songs.

They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Bring back our school”; “Bad leaders, where is our Federal Poly in Ile-Oluji” and “Jegun must react to our demand”, among others.

The Area Commander of the Ondo Police Command, Hamzat Ameyi, came to the scene, where an indigene told him the protest was not political.

Anti-riot policemen have been deployed in the area to maintain order.

Oyo to demolish 40 buildings

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S the rainy season begins, over 40 houses are to be demolished in Oyo State to prevent flooding.

The Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Mr. Lowo Obisesan, said the government has served demolition notice on the owners of

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the buildings.

He said the buildings are either standing on water channels or on flood planes.

Obisesan said 25 buildings would be demolished in Ibadan and 16 in Oyo, Ogbomoso and Saki.

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday urged residents to go for medical check ups regularly.

The governor warned women against regarding cancer as the “handiwork of the devil or witches”, which can be cured spiritually.

He spoke through his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, at the palace of the Ewi of AdoEkiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, during a cancer awareness walk across the state capital.

The occasion witnessed the kick off of a week-long free cancer screening in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Ifaki, Ijero and IkoleEkiti.

Explaining that N100 million was spent on the last free health mission, Fayemi said: “This was to ensure that our people live a healthy life.”

He advised residents to eat fresh foods, rather than items that had stayed long in freezers, “which could have lost their nutritional values”.

Fayemi said: “Do not ascribe

‘No faith healing for cancer’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

any ailment to spiritual attack.

Our people are fond of saying they are being afflicted by witches and wizards, even when they are suffering from a purely medical problem. I advise you to always take your medical problems to doctors, rather than pastors.”

The governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi, said: “Despite our campaigns, some still believe that this disease is caused by witches and demons. Uptil now, scientists are unable to come up with a cure, so what we are left

with is for people to go for early detection screening before it reaches stage three or four, when it can no longer be managed.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, urged residents to take advantage of the free screening.

Also at the walk were the wife of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Olori Bosede Adejugbe; Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi and her counterparts in the Ministry of Environment Dr. Eniola Ajayi and the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Wole Adewumi.

Mimiko sacks council chairmen

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HE Ondo State Government has sacked caretaker chairmen in the 18 councils. This is in spite of the earlier extension of their tenure by the House of Assembly.

In a statement, the state gov-

ernment said new council chairmen would be sworn in today. Governor Olusegun Mimiko did not conduct council poll in his first term.

His decision has left many lawmakers in shock.

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Dominant operator: Why MTN has not complied N IGERIA’S dominant operator in the voice segment of the telecoms sector, MTN Nigeria, says it has not implemented the directive issued to it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) because it does not want to hurt its subscribers.

It said it wants to execute the regulators’ directive in a manner that will not negatively affect its customers. The implementation of the directive, according to the NCC, ought to have taken effect May 1st.

The NCC, in its recent industry review, noted that phone calls between MTN customers cost three times lower than calls to other networks, stressing that, “This is indicative of the likely establishment of a calling club for MTN subscribers.”

Based on the report and desirous of providing a level playing field for all the operators, the NCC directed the dominant operator to, among others, “Collapse of On net and Off net Retail Tariffs: The differential between the on– net and off net retail tariffs will be immediately collapsed. The tariff for on net and off net will be the same, and subject to periodic review.”

Investigation by The Nation shows that the contrary has been the case as the telco has largely failed to comply with the regulator’s directives.

Justifying the failure of the telco to obey the directive of

By Lucas Ajanaku

the NCC, General Manager, Public Affairs, MTN, Funmi Omogbenigun says, it is the duty of the NCC to approve tariff structure, arguing that the telco was still in talks with the regulator with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable modus operandi and modus vivendi to implement the directive, “By law, NCC must approve tariffs; as such we are currently in discussion with the NCC. We are also discussing the issue of implementation with the NCC, to ensure that their direction is implemented in a manner that causes the least possible negative impact on our customers, if any,” she explained in a electronic mail or email to The Nation.

According to her, the tariff charged by the telco on its on/ off net tariffs remains extremely competitive when compared with what other operators charge in the market.

“With respect to the other comments in your enquiry regarding MTN tariffs our response is that the differential between our on/off net tariff is extremely competitive compared with other operators.

Indeed the differential between on/off net tariffs for one network is as much as 1000%,” the general manager added.

The NCC’s industry review had shown that phone calls between MTN customers cost

Seven prequalified bidders emerge for Kaduna DISCO

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HE National Council on Privatization (NCP) at its 4th meeting of 2013 held yesterday approved four prequalified bidders for Afam Power Plc and seven prequalified bidders for Kaduna Distribution Plc. The four prequalified bidders for Afam are Primeniza Energy Limited; Televeras Group; Foby Energy Limited; and TES Power Limited.

The seven prequalified bidders for Kaduna Disco are: Axis Power Distribution Limited; Nahco Consortium; Incar Power Limited; Aiteo Consortium; LEDA Consortium; Northwest Power Limited; and Copperbelt Consortium.

According to the Head Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, who made this disclosure in a statement .It explained that this was the prequalified bidders would be invited to the financial bid opening stage after the submission of the required post-qualification security.

The statement recalled that a total of nine bids were received for Afam Genco and 11 bids were received for Kaduna Disco on 16 April 2013, in accordance with the approved transaction timeline, the evalu-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ation of those bids was conducted between April 18 and 28, 2013 by two teams of eight evaluators with representations from BPE, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Ministry of Power, CPCS, NIAF and Nexant.

The first stage of the evaluation was the establishment of completeness and substantial responsiveness of the proposals.

Of the nine proposals received for Afam, seven were deemed to be complete and substantially responsive and were passed to the technical evaluation stage; and from the seven responsive proposals emerged the four prequalified bidders. Of the 11 proposals received for Kaduna, seven were deemed to be complete and substantially responsive and were passed to the technical evaluation stage.

He said the Council has in this regard, adopted the principle of continuing due diligence on all the prequalified bidders. Consequently any bidder found to have made representations that cannot be corroborated or create doubt about their financial/technical capability will be subject to disqualification.

three times lower than calls to other networks. MTN, which has about 44 per cent of the market share, must cut the difference in price by collapsing on/off net calls and face further scrutiny to ensure the telecoms landscape is made competitive for all the other operators, the NCC insisted.

“The Commission has resolved that the Dominant Operator (MTN) in the mobile voice market shall be required to adhere to the following obligations:

“Accounting Separation: The Commission will immediately enforce and implement Accounting Separation on the dominant operator ”Submission of Required Details: The Commission may require the dominant operator to submit details on specific aspects of its operations from time to time as the need arises.”

The NCC added that it shall make a determination of pricing principle to address the rate charges for on-net and

off-net calls for all other operators On the Dominat operatorship in the ‘Wholesale Leased Lines and Transmission’ which Globacom shared with MTN, NCC said it will impose price cap/price floor for wholesale services and price floor for retail services which shall be subject to periodic review, adding it will also “immediately enforce and implement accounting separation on the joint dominant operator.”

Nigeria is Africa’s fastest growing telecoms market with a population of 167 million people. She has a subscriber base that is slightly above 113 million at the end of 2012, according to the NCC. MTN Nigeria is the market leader with about 50 million lines while Globacom had 24 million subscribers. Airtel has about 23 million customers while Etisalat has 15 million, according to data on the NCC’s website.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS CBN shouldn’t rush to cut Rates, says Sanusi

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shouldn’t rush to cut interest rates even as inflation is forecast to remain within its target this year, the apex bank’s Governor Lamido Sanusi has said.

Rate reductions will depend on whether the government can control spending, Sanusi said in an interview in Marrakech, Morocco, where he is attending the annual meetings of the African Development Bank.

The banking watchdog left its policy rate unchanged at a record high of 12 per cent on May 21, concerned by the threat of rising spending as the government battles Islamist insurgents in the northeast. Inflation has stayed under 10 percent for four consecutive months, meeting the bank’s target.

“The central bank shouldn’t rush into cutting rates and then raising,” Sanusi said. “How much room we have to cut depends on what happens in the fiscal space.”

Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala said last week the economy needs lower interest rates to help spur output.

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BPP blames Ministry for delay on Lagos/Ibadan expressway

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HE Bureau for Public Pro curement (BPP) has ab solved itself from any blames in the delay on the commencement of construction work on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

BPP’s Director-General, Emeka Ezeh, said the delay in the takeoff of the project lies solely with the Federal Ministry of Works.

Ezeh was represented by Ayo Aderibigbe, Director of Compliance, Certification and Monitoring, at the opening ceremony of the second phase of a two-week procurement training course for senior procurement officers of Directors level. He denied insinua-

T

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

tions that the Bureau was delaying the project implementation and execution of the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway.

Noting that the ministry drives the process, he said when they are through, they will send it to the Bureau for Due Process Certification, which will forward it to the Federal Executive Council.

For now the procurement process is still with the ministry, he stated.

He said: “The BPP is not delaying the process. Certification comes to us for works that are

pend on the Federal Ministry of Works. “When they finish, they will forward it to us to issue a Certificate of No Objection, and then we will forward it to the Federal Executive Council for approval,” he said.

Ezeh said BPP has been able to save N450billion since its inception, and N22billion last year, adding that these savings have been directed to other needs of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and were not kept by the BPP. He said the Bureau saved about N450 million in 2007, explaining that this year’s collated savings has not been made because of budget complications.

$2b global funding coming for processing zones

HE proposed Staple Crop Processing Zones (SCPZ) to be established by the Federal Government have attracted $2 billion worth of commitment from global development partners, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

Adesina, who spoke at the maiden meeting of Agribusiness Group Summit in Abuja, yesterday, said apart from the World Bank which is providing $1 bil-

Naira weakens at interbank

HE naira eased against the greenback on the interbank market yesterday as expected dollar sales by some foreign oil companies failed to materialise, exerting pressure on the local currency, traders said.

The naira closed at N158.30 to the dollar at the interbank, weaker than Friday’s close of N158.10 naira.

N1billion and above; for goods, N100 million and above; for consultancy services, N100million and above.”

However, “for all those below that threshold, he said they are being carried out by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),”.Therefore for contractors to say we are stalling project implementation is not true. For the Lagos Ibadan/ Expressway, BPP is not the procuring entity; we are only regulating the procurement process,” Ezeh, explained.

He said the time line for the execution of the project would de-

Foreign oil companies operating in Nigeria normally sell hard currencies to local lenders to buy naira to meet their monthend obligations. Traders had expected the month-end cycle to begin, but said none of the oil firms sold dollars yesterday.

At a foreign exchange auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria sold $371.7 million at N155.74 to the dollar, after offering $400 million, compared with $300 mil-

lion it auctioned at the same rate at last Wednesday’s auction.

“The market was a bit quiet today (yesterday) until there was a bit of dollar buying by some banks covering client positions,” another dealer said.

Traders expect month-end dollar sales from oil companies to start trickling in this week, which should keep the local currency within the range of N158N158.50 to the dollar.

lion, the initiative will also provide tax incentives for local and foreign investors who are willing to invest in the zones.

He said: “Global financial institutions have endorsed the staple crop processing zones. Development partners have rallied around the agricultural transformation agenda with commitments totaling $ 2 billion, including the World Bank with $ 1 billion, the African Development Bank (AfDB) with $500 million, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with $100 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with $100 million, Department for International Development (DFID), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”

The Minister added that the

move was to attract private sector companies to set up food manufacturing plants in areas of high production, for import substitution, adding that the government will also upgrade infrastructure, especially the provision of power, water and roads as part of measures to reduce cost of doing business within the zones.

Adesina said the meeting was organised with the attendance of head of businesses and chief executive officers to seek private sector partnership in developing the nation’s agribusiness.

In the area of wheat production, he said plans are afoot to facilitate a two-year massive production of 2.2 million metric tons of the crop by 2015.

He said the production will replace 68 per cent of wheat being imported into the country and save the nation N431 billion annually.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Baby needs N2.8m for heart surgery

What is a hole in the heart?

Eighteen-month-old Oluwatofunmi Bello is living with a hole in the heart. He needs N2.8 million to have a corrective surgery in India. But his parents cannot afford the fee. What becomes of him? WALE ADEPOJU reports

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T a very tender age, little Oluwatofunmi Bello is shouldering a big problem. He has a hole in the heart and he is only 18 months old. Because of this ailment he cannot do what many of his peers do. He cannot run around like them; he cannot engage in physical activities. To save him from this life-threatening ailment, he needs N2.8million for a corrective surgery in India.

His mother, Mrs Modinat Bello, said she noticed the symptoms in her son last September when he fell ill after a bout of convulsion.

She said: “Oluwatofunmi was always opening his mouth from birth as if gasping for breath. He could hardly suck breast too and sometimes breathing through the mouth.

“That was in September last year, when my son was taken to the Lagos

K

State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where cardiologists said he has congenital heart disease (double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis).”

She said it was a Consultant Paediatric/ Paediatric Cardiologist, Dr Barakat Animasahun, who recommended that Oluwatofunmi be taken to India for surgical intervention.

Mrs Bello, who is a petty trader, said her son has been a patient at the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of LASUTH since then. “His hospital registration number is N0257149. I have to take him to the hospital once or twice in two weeks or any time he has convulsion,” she said.

Mrs Bello said she is a single mother of three, with no resources to care for them, adding: “His father, Mr Wale Bello, who is a spare

• Master Bello

parts dealer at Jankara Market, Ijaiye, an outskirt of Lagos, has not been supportive in any way to the child. I have been shouldering the burden all alone.”

Mrs Bello is appealing to the government, companies and wellmeaning individuals to help her dying child get over the health condition.

An account has been opened with First Bank: Modinat Bello: 2022616133, for financical assistance.

A hole in the heart is a type of simple congenital heart defect – a problem with the heart’s structure that is present at birth. Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.

The heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum.

With each heartbeat, the right side of the heart receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. The left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart.

Some babies are born with a hole in the upper or lower septum. A hole in the septum between the heart’s upper two chambers (the atria) is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). A hole in the septum between the heart’s lower two chambers (the ventricles) is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD).

A hole in the septum can allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-

How Kanu Heart Foundation works

ANU Heart Foundation (KHF) is a charity organisation established by the Nigerian International and former English Premier League football striker, Nwankwo Kanu (a.k.a Papilo), who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The foundation was established in 2000; to help underprivileged African children and young adults, living with different heart ailments in Nigeria and other African countries respectively, obtain the cardiac surgical operations needed.

Kanu is trying to raise $35

million (N5 billion) to build a Cardiac Specialist Hospital that will offer free surgery services for children between one and 12 years while adult patients’ treatment will be highly subsidised.

KHF has carried out 452 open heart surgeries since inception

in 2000.

All surgeries were done in foreign countries such as England, Israel, India, and Sudan.

The capital flight involved is much.

The Federal Government has given the KHF a piece of land in Abuja for the project.

‘Nigeria is the world’s noisiest’

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XPERTS have described Nigeria as the noisiest in the world, warning of its inherent danger to hearing.

They said there was an urgent need to arrest the situation because of the developmental and social impacts of hearing loss.

Speaking at a conference on Developental and Social Impacts of Speech Disorders in Africa, the founding President of Speech Pathology and Auditory Association of Nigeria (SPAAN), Prof Clement Bakare said hearing loss affects quality of life and the nation.

He said: “It has a negative impact not only on physical, emotional and mental health of an individual, but also on work and school performance. Hearing is necessary for effective communication in most work settings.

“Compared with those with normal hearing, workers with severe profound hearing loss as well as workers with mild to moderate loss are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed, leading to significant adverse personal and social effects.”

Bakare, who delivered the key note address entitled: Developmental and social Impacts of speech and hearing disorders, said: “With quality of life, studies have found that hearing loss is associated with side effects, such as embarrassment, fatigue, irritability, tension, stress, anger, avoidance of social activities, depression, negativism, rejection by others, reduced

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

general health, social isolation, paranoia and reduced overall psychological health.

“Although these effects differ depending on the individual and degree of loss, it is however important to understand the widespread effects hearing loss can have on one’s quality of life. Inability to communicate effectively is a major factor affecting quality of life.”

Also, the President, SPAAN, Prof Julius A. Ademokoya, said avoiding noise is highly important because: “The part of the ear that picks up sound is called Coplair and it is a combination of cells and very sensitive to noise.

So, the more the coplair is exposed to a high degree of noise, the more, the danger of becoming deaf or having hear impairment.

Hear loss and gradual hear loss are high in Nigeria due to its position as the loudest noise producer in the world.

“The experts in this association are made up of audiologists and speech pathologists. We work hand in hand with experts in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists. Just as we counsel people on how to avoid what can cause loss or damage of hearing, so do we offer solutions to defective speech pathologies/disorders like stuttering, mis-articulation, stammering, cleft palate, tie tongue. Parents must not wish away the speech defects in their children,

but seek out solution quickly in hospitals.”

Prof Ademokoya, who is Head of Speech Pathology and Audiology Clinic, Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan, (UI) said: “Defective condition of the speech organs must not be brushed aside as some great speeches have been rendered by personalities, who are great in the history of man like Martin Luther Kings, Nelson Mandela and Barak Obama. Without the power of good speech organs, they won’t have been able to make such history turning speeches.

On how SPAAN came about establishing Nigeria as the number one noise producing country in the world, Prof Ademokoya said: “Anywhere you stand, it has been established that noise will disturb. It could be that of radio, vehicles, religion organisations, children playing, garages/parking lots, grinding machines, generators, parties, demonstrations/ riots among others.

“The more you lose your hearing, the more you are disturbed psychologically. Nobody is happy discovering he is losing his hearing. Power of hearing and speech is what scientists say differentiates man from animal.

Man is elevated above animal because of developed speech and hearing. And that gives him dignity as a gregarious animal.”

He cautioned that young Nigerians are the ones fast losing their hearing and: “It was estab-

•Prof Bakare

lished through a research conducted by the Unit of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Department of Special Education, UI, that new intakes (undergraduates) are fast losing their hearing as a result of excessive noise.

“Such sources of hear loss include earpiece of radio, handset or tape recorders, listening to loud music at disco parties. That is an unfortunate development because such devices emit certain level of noise that impairs the ear. It is unfortunate because before they reach 30 or 40 years, they would permanently have lost their hearing, as against ageing which is a natural process.”

He urged the government to set up a commission to reduce air pollutions, like banning of cer-

poor blood, causing the oxygen-rich blood to be pumped to the lungs a second time.

Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of ASDs and VSDs have greatly improved. As a result, a child with a simple heart defect can grow to adulthood and live a normal, active, and productive life because his or her heart defect closes on its own or has been repaired.

Types of holes in the heart Atrial septal defect An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the part of the septum that separates the atria (upper chambers of the heart). This heart defect allows oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium to flow across the atrial septum into the right atrium instead of flowing down to the left ventricle as it should. This is inefficient because oxygen-rich blood gets pumped back to the lungs, where it has just been, instead of going to the body.

An ASD can be small or large. Small ASDs allow only a little blood to flow from one atrium to the other. Small ASDs don’t affect the way the heart works and therefore don’t need any special treatment. Many small ASDs close on their own as the heart grows during childhood.

Medium to large ASDs allow more blood to leak from one atrium to the other, and they are less likely to close on their own. Most children with ASDs have no symptoms, even if they have large ASDs. •Source: www.daviddarling.info

•Prof Ademokoya

tain aircrafts as some countries did in recent time, create awareness for the citizens on hear loss and how to avoid same.

“Governments in some countries have put in place devices to measure levels of sound. Human being should not stay in a place that has any noise above 75 or 80 deciphel for more than four hours. Government should train more audiologists as the present ratio is one audiologist to one million people. Audiologists are about 150 throughout the country, as well as speech pathologists.

“For individuals, just as you go for routine screenings and checkups, do also include for hearing.

Just as conditions begin unnoticed, hearing loss is gradual, and may go unnoticed,” he added.

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AVIATION Connecting a flight between Nigeria and South American countries is a nightmare for many passengers travelling to these places. To ease their headache, Arik Air is securing traffic rights and airport slot into São Paulo and Rio De Janeiro airports from the Brazillian authorities. KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR examines the benefits of direct air link between Nigeria and Brazil.

Restoring air link between Nigeria, Brazil S

INCE 1994, when Brazilian carrier - Varig Air - stopped flying into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, passengers have been suffering on that route.

Many passengers going to Brazil have had to explore the option of either flying to European countries, such as United Kingdom and France or Middle East countries, like the United Arab Emirates, before linking flights into Brazilian cities, such as São Paulo, Brasilia, Rio De Janeiro and Recife.

The attendant difficulty in connecting direct flights for Nigerian passengers into Brazil has forced many to pay twice the original air fares and lose time that sometimes run into almost two days of moving from either Europe or Asia and Middle East to get to Brazil.

Worried by the trend, the Federal Government, a few years ago, gave the green light to Arik Air to fly on the Lagos-São Paulo route.

This excited many passengers on the route, especially as it was an answer to their prayers and would accelerate economic development between the two countries.

Many passengers, who described it as one of the best things to happen to trade relations between Brazil, which is the sixth largest economy in the world and Nigeria, the most populous black country in the world.

Speaking on the benefits of the restoration of direct flights, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Mr Vincent Okoedin, said: ”We have been waiting for this opportunity to come for a long time. Bra-

zil and Nigeria were linked by air until 1994, when Varig stopped flying to Lagos from Sao Paula. Since that time, there have been a closure of the airspace between the two countries and this has severely affected the movement of the people and goods between the two countries and we know how important air connection is to link these two economies and markets.

The lack of air connections between the two markets has severely affected commerce, trade and investments between the two countries.

“Many Brazilian companies have been avoiding Nigeria sorely because of this problem. This is because it takes them a minimum of two days to get to Nigeria from here and vice versa. This has been a big issue in trade connection between the two countries.”

On how the Nigerian mission in Brasilia will assist Arik Air to secure traffic rights and slots into Brazilian airports, the ambassador said: ”I see the issue from two angles. The first is that we must engage the government of Brazil to ensure that Arik Air is given all the slots it needs to proceed, and also landing rights that it needs in São Paulo, where it is difficult to create landing rights at this time.

Speaking on the areas of cooperation between the two countries, he said: ”As I said earlier Brazil is the sixth biggest economy in the world. Brazil has areas where it offers advantages to Nigeria. One is

agriculture. Brazil exports a lot of agricultural produce from meat to poultry, to soya, to coffee. Brazil offers advantages in energy. It has the energy capacity of 121,000 mega watts. Then, Brazil is a manufacturer of many industrial products including vehicles, trucks, and cars for instance, and many household goods. All these are goods that can feature in trade with Nigeria.”

Also, the Deputy Managing director of Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, said the airline was happy the way the link between the two countries were very eager for us to restored.

He said: ”We have seen the eagerness in both the civil aviation authority, the ministry, the banks and even the manufacturers have shown their eagerness in this project that Arik Air has taken up. So, I believe it was a very good journey for us.”

On how to secure traffic rights for the airline, Sanusi said: ”In my experience of getting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and slots into a country, this is the first time I am talking to the civil aviation department and the regulatory agency and they are showing willingness to help the airline get slots.

They are eager to say we know that in the BASA agreement you have four frequencies, but we do understand that there are physical restrictions into Sao PauloAirport, but we are willing to work with you to make sure you get the best slots to start operations.”

BA offers special fare BRITISH Airways has launched what could best be described as the most amazing offer of the year.

The new offer, which is available for trips to the United Kingdom, and select destinations in Europe and North America, allows affords customers the unique opportunity to purchase a ticket for their companion for just $50!

Known as the ‘Companion Fare Special,’ the new promo according to a statement, comes barely a month after its ‘Quick Hop’ offer for its World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World customers travelling to London and other European destinations.

According to the airline, BA customers travelling to London and other destinations in the UK, Europe and North America from Lagos and Abuja on the World Traveller (Economy) class can now extend to their companions or loved ones, the opportunity to experience the unparalleled service within the luxurious ambience of British Airways cabins for just $50.

Aero to buy two Q400 aircraft AERO airlines is taking delivery of two Q400 regional aircraft to serve its short haul routes, as part of the new operational strategy of the carrier.

The two regional aircraft, when they arrive in the next few weeks, according to the Accountable Officer of the airline, Captain Russell Lee Foon, will bring to 12 the aircraft in the fleet of the oldest Nigerian carrier.

Other aircraft type, according to the statement, are the Boeing 737 category, which the airline deploys for both its medium and short haul routes.

Speaking at the weekend when Aero unveiled its plans to extend flights to Douala, the commercial

Etihad boost operations

ETIHAD Airways has finalised the agreement to acquire three airport services companies, which will accelerate and consolidate the development of in-flight catering services, ground handling and cargo operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Formerly part of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the three companies, Abu Dhabi Airport Services (ADAS), Abu Dhabi In-Flight Catering (ADIFC), and Abu Dhabi Cargo Company (ADCC), are being incorporated, subject to receiving of regulatory approvals, into Etihad Airport Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Etihad Airways.

The companies, which employ more than 4,000 people, according to a statement, are being integrated into the airline’s existing organisational structure to maximise synergies and operational scale.

‘Airlines to deliver $6.4tr goods’

AIRLINES may ferry over three billion passengers and deliver goods worth $6.4 trillion this year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Montreal.

Speaking at the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) environment workshop, the Director-General, Tony Tyler said it would be difficult to find an economic sector that did not have some link to aviation, adding that there were enormous additional scope for aviation to be a catalyst for economic development and prosperity.

Meanwhile, IATA has described Africa as one of aviation’s smallest markets, stressing that the seeds of liberalisation were taking root and that the airlines in the continent were exploring different business models.

However, it added that aviation’s ability to fulfill its potential, as a catalyst for economic growth and development in Africa, would require increased infrastructure investment by governments and a broad stakeholder commitment to improve safety.

Tyler, who stated that no industry had a long-term future if it was not sustainable, noted, “achieving our environment targets is a key element of our license to grow.”

Airlines to save $1m on Boeing 787-8

•Managing Director NAHCO Aviance Mr Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo receiving IATA Authorised Training Centre Certificate from IATA Country Manager Ms. Funke Adeyemi in Lagos.

A BOEING 747-8 Intercontinental has completed its first test flight with a package of performance improvements, including enhanced GE engines.

This is designed to improve the fuel efficiency of the popular jetliner.

With the completion of the improved performance test on the airliner, operators of the equipment are expected to save $1million yearly on each aircraft, as fuel efficiency will improve by another 1.8 per cent.

With Boeing Flight Test and Evaluation Capt. Kirk Vining and Chief Pilot Capt. Mark Feuerstein at the controls, the aircraft took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle approximately four hours later.

“It was a great flight and the engines performed as expected,” said Capt. Vining. “This is an important milestone for the flight test program.”

The airplane Performance Improvement Package (PIP) includes improvements to the GEnx-2B engines and Flight Management Computer (FMC) software.

Boeing’s continuous efforts to improve the 747-8 family have resulted in an accumulated 1.5 per cent gain in fuel efficiency since the first airplane was delivered less than two years ago.

These new improvements will give operators of the aircraft an additional 1.8 per cent more efficiency.

Experts condemn House report on Rivers, NCAA face-off over aircraft

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HE House of Representatives was biased in its probe of the row over the ownership of a Bombardier Global Express aircraft allegedly owned by the Rivers State Government, some aviation experts have said.

Sheri Kyari, an aircraft engineer and Uche Ojaji, a pilot, said the lawmakers were unfair to the Federal Government, the Nigeria

Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) in their report. The lawmakers upbraided the government, NCAA for undue interference on the handling of the matter.

Kyari said: “It is embarrassing that the revered House of Representatives could make public such one-sided report without objectively looking at the case on the

table and also carrying out thorough investigation; rather, it hurriedly put out a report and blamed those it had already indicted before investigating the incidents that led to the disagreement between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Rivers State government.

“By that action, the House is now functioning as the regulator which should not be so. I don’t

expect them to come up with a report without hearing from NCAA, Caverton Helicopters and the Ministry of Aviation. The National Assembly should be able to balance its investigation by giving Caverton Helicopters fair hearing.”

Ojadi called for a system where NCAA would monitor the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) so that it could step in

during situations like the matter between Rivers and the NCAA. He said: “NCAA as regulator has oversight responsibilities. It issues clearance to aircraft to fly and NAMA enforces that regulation; so if NAMA does not act appropriately NCAA should step in. NAMA should not have allowed the aircraft to even take off when its clearance certificate had expired.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

19

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

A new response in the war on terror

Sour grapes • PDP plays a desperate card as it suspends Rivers State governor for winning NGF election

I

T is endgame in the Presidency’s hooded fight against the Rivers State governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. The Goodluck Jonathan presidency, operating from the trenches of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has carried on what seems like a zero-sum feud against the governor of the oil-rich South-south state for nearly one year now. What seems like a definitive denouement came last Friday as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, chaired by Governor Amaechi held its election. And a clearcut battle line was drawn as Amaechi chose to stand for re-election against entreaties by his party top-notch and the presidency not to contest. Thus the NGF election was remarkably sepulchral for PDP; it must have been searing to the soul of the party as two of its governors stood against each other as the party could not reconcile itself.

The election was held late into last Friday night: Governor Amaechi of Rivers State versus Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State. The actuality however, is that it was the Presidency, PDP and Governor Jang massed against Amaechi. There are only 36 governors with one absenting. There were 35 votes cast by secret balloting but counted openly.

About 23 of the governors are members of PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF), freshly minted to aid the stop-Amaechi-battle. Yet when the votes were counted last Friday, Governor Amaechi won by 19 votes to 16 for Jang. But the presidency and PDP camp would not live with the Jonathan shame of a David slaugh-

moves are to dredge up legitimacy and confound the populace.

Yesterday, the PDP seemed to have played its last card by suspending Governor Amaechi from its fold. In a release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, he quoted a communiqué released at the emergency meeting of PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC). Metuh noted that the NWC had been moved to action consequent upon a petition by the Rivers State Executive Council of the party. The grounds for suspension of Governor Amaechi were based on Articles 57 and 58 of the PDP constitution.

So many issues arise from what may be described as PDP epic endgame. First,

tering Goliath. They tried to muddy the water and throw in undisguised subterfuge.

Even though the entire process was video-taped and that there were only a total of 35 votes, yet they insist it was rigged. According to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State who is the vice chairman of the ‘aggrieved faction’, the process was flawed because Amaechi would not step down as NGF chairman before the election. Hear him: “Amaechi insisted that he was going to be chairman of that election in which he was candidate, he produced some papers that he called ballot papers, there was no way we could trace the source, we don’t know whether they were pre-marked or whatever…

“We kept emphasizing the point that it was wrong for Amaechi as an out-gone chairman who was also a candidate to preside and pick the method of election.

When they refused to listen and they said they were continuing with it, what do you expect us to do?”

The ‘aggrieved faction’ led by Governor Jang has gone on to form a parallel body since last Friday; they have hurriedly met with the party’s BoT chairman, put advertisement in the newspapers and have visited Vice President Namadi Sambo in Aso Rock Presidential Lodge.

All these hurried and obviously nervous

has Amaechi been suspended for contesting this election or for winning it? Why was he not suspended before he entered the election? Why has the NGF and who leads it suddenly become a PDP issue and national cause célèbre? Before the Goodluck Jonathan administration, and in fact since the inception of the NGF, never had there been rancour over who headed the forum; there had never been an election as they had always changed guards by consensus. In Amaechi’s suspension, is the PDP not unwittingly suspending all the governors who voted him in the election? What does this portend for the party and for Nigeria at large?

Is it an offence to win a free and fair election? This is the message the PDP has sent to Nigeria:. oder is sin; the gangster is king. We condemn that.

Why would an ’aggrieved faction’ obviously defeated at an election they claim was flawed form a faction instead of seeking party intervention or legal redress? How could a group that claimed that an electioneering process was flawed

Amaechi

turn around to claim victory in the same election? The surfeit of chicanery and bad faith by this forum of Nigeria’s governors is not only reprehensible but points to the quality and calibre of men occupying very high positions in the land. Is this a sampler of how they run their various states?

Most curiously, in the midst of all this routing of the PDP, for that is what all this is, President Jonathan plays the ostrich, insisting that he is neutral. A release on Sunday by Reuben Abati, President’s Special Adviser on Media and publicity states: “We have noted with regret the mischievous effort by sections of the mass media to portray President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as an interested party and the main loser in yesterday’s (Friday’s) election of the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

“Contrary to the impression of presidential partisanship and interference in the affairs of the governors’ forum erroneously conveyed by some headlines in the media today (yesterday), President Jonathan who is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Africa Union Summit in Addis Ababa, had no preferred candidate in the NGF elections and could therefore not have been “floored” by any other candidate as some newspapers sensationally reported.”

It is not possible that the president is neutral in the Amaechi feud which has simmered and festered in the past one year. Indeed, it requires little discernment to see the hidden fingers of the presidency in this unnerving affair that has left Rivers State prostrate in the last few months. The telltale signs are numerous; from the orchestrated Rivers State PDP crisis to the stalemate in the State House of Assembly on to the attempt to unseat Governor Ameachi as the chairman of the NGF among other troubles thrown in the governor’s path, there has been venom of animosity from the presidency towards the governor. It is primitive, graceless and beneath the the dignity of a republican leadership.

Every Nigerian who loves democracy is appalled by the gangster-like conduct of the sore losers of a clear election. More condemnable is a presidency that sneaks a subterranean plot against all the niceties and decencies of democracy. If this is how the presidency and his PDP hope to prosecute the politics ahead of 2015 polls, then the signs are ominous indeed. Nigerians need to be saved from this savage style of leadership.

‘Is it an offence to win a free and fair election?

This is the message the PDP has sent to Nigeria: order is sin; the gangster is king. We condemn that’

P

RESIDENT Obama’s speech on drone strikes and Guantanamo suggests movement in the right direction.

Better late than never, President Obama has moved to establish more rigorous standards for the targeted killings of Americans and foreigners alike away from a battlefield. The need for what he called “strong oversight of all lethal action” was one theme of the president’s address Thursday at National Defense University. Another, equally overdue, was his renewed determination to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and expedite the repatriation of dozens of inmates who have languished there despite being cleared for release.

Beyond these changes in policy, Obama’s speech offered tantalizing signals that the president is contemplating a downsizing of what many — but not Obama himself —refer to as the global war on terror. Even as he defended the use of drone strikes and other efforts against “specific networks of violent extremists,” the president warned that “a perpetual war —through drones or special forces or troop deployments — will prove selfdefeating and alter our country in troubling ways.” And he said that he would work with Congress to “refine, and ultimately repeal” the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force that has served as the legal authority for far-flung attacks on suspected terrorists.

All in all, the speech pointed to a major repositioning.

In discussing the use of unmanned drones to kill suspected terrorists — a policy that has cost roughly 3,000 lives in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia — Obama didn’t acknowledge that he was changing the rules. But he mentioned that he had signed a document on Wednesday that would allow targeted killings only if a suspect posed a “continuing, imminent threat to Americans” and could not otherwise be captured. There also would have to be “near certainty” that civilians wouldn’t be killed. Finally, and perhaps most important, Obama said that “the high threshold that we have set for taking lethal action applies to all potential terrorist targets, regardless of whether or not they are American citizens.”

On Guantanamo, Obama said that he would lift an executive branch hold on the repatriation of 59 prisoners from Yemen and indicated that he would press Congress anew to lift other restrictions that have made it impossible to close the facility. He also hinted that he might revisit the decision by an administration task force that more than 40 inmates could be neither put on trial nor released, consigning them to the sort of indefinite detention that Obama has described as “contrary to who we are.”

Drones have undermined American diplomacy, and Guantanamo haunts America’s global standing today in part because Obama for too long has shied away from a confrontation with Congress over what has become an emblem of overreaction and abuse. His newly muscular language is welcome; even better would be comparably strong action.

– Los Angeles Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The state of emergency recently declared in the three north eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States is a manifestation of the open confession by General TY Danjuma earlier this year that the North is the middle of a civil war. The pre-independence and immediate post independence Northern Nigeria of which the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa were very visible has since January 15, 1966 evaporated. What remained had been the broken shells of a once monolithic, cohesive edifice whose inheritors are unable to concretely patch together.

The North has witnessed many sacrileges committed under the cover of some primordial considerations alien to the North of the Gamjis and the Balewas. From the neglect of education to non-appreciation of positive development programmes, the North has seen it all. Now, it is harvesting these

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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

North’s long wait for another Sardauna

sacrileges that are blood chilling, confounding and distracting. There was Maitatsine. Now, there is Boko Haram, the emergence of which a worthy personality like the Sultan of Sokoto, His eminence, Alh. Saad Abubakar linked to the negligence of the Northern leadership sometimes earlier this year. Between the Sultan’s confession on the Northern backwardness and the horrendous attacks being witnessed in the region leading to the declaration of the state of emergence is a thin veil of the tragedy of leadership values decline.

Many watchers of the Nigerian polity flimsily categorize power

distribution in Nigeria into political, commerce and education with its advantages among the three dominant ethnic groups. The south western zone dominated by the Yoruba is said to be the custodian of education and public service.

The East, the Igbo stock to be specific, is said to hold sway in commerce while power is said to be in the custody of the North. Unfortunately the trade-offs arising from this categorization have not been converted to national development gains. The North suffers the most. The other segments are also accomplices in the desolation of the nation.

Now each of the legs on which Nigeria stands is weak and wobbling waiting for other solid trees to replace them. The Gamji was the tree on which the North stood in the first republic. Awolowo was the Iroko that revolutionized the West. Zik of Africa and the Owelle of Onitsha provided the shade in the East. Since these three mighty trees fell in the large compound called Nigeria, the leaves have been withering, their fruits dried, and their roots rotting. Now we wait for the rising of new Gamjis, Iroko and Arabas.

With the elimination of Sardauna and Tafawa Balewa, the North lost

ing superior fire power than the Nigerian Police as a result of the more sophisticated arms at the disposal of the assailants.

That leads us to another irony.

How come that the Nigerian Police, 30 years ago, were more efficient in policing with just mainly batons than now when over 90 AK 46-armed police officers would be deployed to arrest just a chief priest of a cult group?

A calm but critical assessment of the policing system in Nigeria would reveal the absence of a significant component of effective policing, that is, people-oriented policing system, otherwise, tagged community policing, where policing policies directly derive from the social forces that shape the relationship between the police and the citizenry. In order words, the ordinary citizen of Nigeria to whom the platitudes of “the Police is your friend” always refers, is so removed from the utopian dynamics of police/citizen friendship as obtains in other climes as to be of any benefit to the police in the area of intelligence gathering, the sine qua non of acceptable modern policing system.

Rather, our policing system, and indeed, the mentality of an average

police officer in Nigeria is to conceive all conflict situations requiring police attention as war crisis situation necessitating maximum display of hardware of force at the expense of software of intelligence gathering.

The perceived excellence of the Nigerian Police in international Peace-keeping missions is traceable to its orientation of militarism, which comes handy in war situa-

tions, where, for most times, foul is fair and fair is foul. Until there is a conscious policy formulation to make for a paradigm shift in the mentality and orientation of our policing system in Nigeria, protection of lives and property; peace, order and social justice, the raison d’être of modern police will yet remain a mirage.

• Chris Edache Agbiti, Esq., Abuja

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tion, lack of respect for the rule of law, bad leadership, and false agenda.

They have bound our judiciary and even crippled the mass media. They do not pave way for the people to participate in decision making; they make policies that will enrich them and impoverish the masses and thus face incessant criticism by Nigerians.

Nigerians have not in one day lauded the performance of the PDP since 1999 and this is because they have failed woefully and completely.

They have failed in all ramifications.

The people are fed up with stories and false manifestoes.

The truth about PDP is that they have nothing to offer and it is im-

Nigerian Police and peace-keeping mission

IR: One of the many ironies of our national life as a country that I have had to grapple with is the accolades that the Nigerian Police Force always coast home with from international keeping missions, where such accolades are juxtaposed with their performance at the domestic front. On various international peace keeping missions that the Nigerian Police participated, it has always been tales of laurels and accolades. Pundits have tried to locate the reason in a number of theories. One of such postulations, usually supported by the police, is that on such missions as the UN Peace keeping, this school of thought holds that our Police are usually exposed to first class facilities that make for their excellent performance.

The Nigerian Police and some acclaimed experts have always latched in on this testimony to further advance the corollary which, regrettably, they always reduce to the magical effects of cash. Thus, whenever there are critical challenges to policing such as the recent horrendous experience of the massacre of the Nigerian police both in Bama and Nasarawa, one always hears of such cheap argument as the assailant hav-

its soul. The Sardauna was not celebrated for his wealth but for his worth and his work as the architect of the modern North. He inspired the establishment of GAMJI Bank, the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation, and New Nigerian newspaper. He worked for the North as an unforgettable icon, because in the politics of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, he tried to weld the North into one.

Under him, the slogan was One North, One destiny. But he also wanted a handshake across the Niger even though it was misconstrued as a subtle northernisation.

He was personally responsible for discovering some of future leaders of the North, coaching and mentoring and fixing them where their potentials will be developed to the maximum.

Many were northerners that the Sardauna personally drafted to the military and the police and the public service from Barewa College. Although the Sardauna had an aristocratic background, he did not despise the lower class, nor did he promote tribal chauvinism within the North. His influence was so strong that most major Northern landmarks are dedicated to his memory, beginning with the Ahmadu Bello University. If this is the esteem with which the Sardauna is held, it is regrettable that not many candidates have emerged to continue in his name.

• Ridhwanullah Abdullah, Malumfashi, Katsina State.

PDP is bane to growth of our democracy

IR: If we are to be frank with ourselves, the main hurdle to the growth of our democracy is PDP. Our democracy is almost 14 years now, and the PDP still believe that they are the reason why our democracy still lives. For how long are we going to continue with this make-believe democracy?

The reason why our democracy has lived so far is not the success or size of the ruling party but the steadfastness and the struggle of the good people of Nigeria. If Nigeria had been left with the PDP, it would have been a thing of the past.

PDP has been associated with so many unpleasant and dishonest acts ranging from election manipula-

possible for someone to give what he/she does have. The PDP have not for once accepted the blames for not doing well but rather they blame opposition parties for their non-performance.

Meanwhile, the crises within the party today is a sign and message to Nigerians that we have missed the road and their nonchalant attitudes towards providing social amenities to raise the standard of living of the people is manifestation of the challenges we are facing now. We can not surmount these challenges, unless we are determined and ready to oust PDP from power.

• Waziri Mohammed, Mokola, Ibadan.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

COMMENTS

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The tribute given by Labaran Maku, the Information minis-

epublican ipples

Olakunle Abimbola

Praise Chinua! Bury Chinua!

Re: Ther ew as a Chin ua here was Chinua

T

HERE is a mail making the rounds in social media network routes. It has come on the heels of the savage butchering of a British soldier in broad daylight. It is doubtful if anyone remains who has not heard of the despicable incident that happened in the Woolwich area of London on Wednesday just gone by.

The man, Lee Rigby, known as Riggers to his friends and family was first hit by a vehicle, then dragged into the road, then using the tarmac as their slab, the assailants, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale had his head chopped off…

In case you have not seen it, I post below, excerpts of the mail, essentially a call to Nigerians, to deny our connection with the assailants suggesting that the links are nothing but tenuous.

“Nigerians all over the world should speak out and condemn the beheading of a citizen yesterday in UK. The beheading was done by a British citizen and not a Nigerian as speculated; his name does not confirm his nationality. This lunatic was born in the United Kingdom, never been to Nigeria, [he has been] issued a birth certificate in the UK and holds a British passport.

Suddenly he is now a Nigerian?

This guy is not a Nigerian..... British born Michael ‘Mujahid’ Adeboloja with an accomplice yesterday beheaded a British Soldier on a street in Woolwich, London.... Nigeria should just be left out of this...”

As with most viral media messages, it is not clear who has authored this but the person is clearly a passionate and patriotic compatriot. Their response reminds me of our erstwhile Minister of Information Professor Dora Akunyili’s response to the matter of the botched American airline bombing attempt. She declared then that suicide bombing is “not in our character”. Hers was the official coalescing of the views of many who chose to deny the culprit, to find reasons why he should not be identified as one of us, in spite of the fact that his father, a highly placed, and ostensibly responsible and respected member of the Nigerian society. “Oh, his mother is from Yemen”.

“He schooled in Togo”.“He was resident in London; see what they have done to our son”. That’s was the closest we came to identifying with him.

To those sentiments above, I should add the age old one that is common in Nigeria when things go awry– the wicked have done their worst! Though not uttered on that occasion, it was implied at least in the compassionate views expressed about the villain. This sort of denial is rampant on such occasions especially within the domestic sphere. It is evidence of a blame culture, a refusal to accept responsibility to contribute to the restoration of

This‘monster’ is our brother!

By Oluyinka Esan a broken equilibrium. We are quick to wash our hands and distance ourselves from the aberrant. We would rather not explore the unpleasant situation to see if and how we might be culpable in the transgression. So homes are broken on account of erring children. “A good child is the father’s” we say; when a child offends the mother is to be punished – excised from the family home with ignominy, for polluting the stock.

Very well but whatever happened to the view that it takes a village to raise a child? We now live in a global village. Many who were born in Nigeria are raised, or are raising children in various parts of the world.

As a British Nigerian, here is my reply to the call to shun the Woolwich attackers. I deplore the act unequivocally, regardless of who may have committed it. I am definitely disappointed that the despicable deed can be associated to Nigeria even if remotely. I understand why compatriots resent such associations but we should not bury our heads in the sand or deny our own. The name Adebolajo attests to a Nigerian connection. And deplorable as the crime may be, as a Nigerian, I will not disown Michael Adebolajo, nor should you. We should stop to consider his folk. How they must feel at this time. How they must feel at the monstrosity he’s turned out to be. We should all be concerned that other seed of Nigerian descent do not become so corrupted. What can we do to ensure that Nigeria’s children walk uprightly and attain glorious heights? That should be our concern. After all, when British-born Nigerians do well, we are happy to claim them as our own. Let’s not be fair weather friends. This monster is our brother. At least he is our brother’s son.

Regardless of the bad press that prevails at this time, I am still proud to be a Nigerian for the fact that one deviant element does not reflect the whole. I know there are many more like him, in perhaps not so dissimilar ways. They exist in Nigeria, in the UK and in other nations of the world. May I remind us of Anders Behring Breivik, the man who in 2011 killed 77 people in a bomb attack and gun rampage in Norway? Norway is not known for violence, neither is Newtown, Connecticut U.S.A. the

scene of the chilling gun attack that claimed the lives of 20 children, six adults including the mother of the gunman. That gunman then killed himself – 27 lives in all, wasted just like that in December 2012 and for what?

Bizarre, yes; just like the acts of the deranged Michaels.

So you see – it is not about nationality, race or religion.

They are depraved, and they should be dealt with appropriately.

Undoubtedly, media representations are important.

They influence how individuals and groups are defined.

So, I understand, even appreciate the objection to the media labelling of these guys, done by introducing a qualifier which distances them from the dominant group.

By describing them as being of Nigerian descent, there is a distancing from these Britons; perhaps as a means of explaining the barbaric nature of the act. After all, previous acts of terror had been brazen and brutal, but none had been so savage – head chopped off with a cleaver in full glare of the public. It is stuff from nightmares, played out in horror films, best not imagined, but it happened.

The media is justified to present the facts and we must be measured in our reaction to the reports.

Rightly, the mail going round lists Nigerians who have brought glory to the Britain - the land of their birth, and to Nigeria - the root of their parents. Sadly, the behaviour of the duo is shameful. Yet, we and folks whose name they share, need not despair. The name Adebolajo may not ring a bell; but till now it had not been associated with notoriety. There are enough Nigerians doing good and I am glad. So yes, warts and all, of my Nigerian heritage I remain proud. The lessons it has taught me I will use.

The discipline I have learnt from my culture I’ll deploy. I shall thus strive to do my bit, for God and for country.

• Dr Esan lectures Broadcast Journalism in the United Kingdom.

‘Regardless of the bad press that prevails at this time, I am still proud to be a Nigerian for the fact that one deviant element does not reflect the whole. I know there are many more like him, in perhaps not so dissimilar ways. They exist in Nigeria, in the UK and in other nations of the world’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

22

COMMENTS

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HE recent release of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) continues to elicit both negate and positive debates among students and stakeholders. In fact, this year’s UTME has become starkly controversial than any other period in recent history, simply because of the intricacies that surrounded the exam from start to finish. Many had expected positive outcome from the exercise but alas, the exercise appeared as one in futility, if the results and statistics coming from the exam body are anything to go by.

According to JAMB, the number of prospective candidates who bought forms and sat for the exam totalled 1, 644, 110.

Out of the 1, 644, 110 candidates, 1, 629, 102 applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while just a paltry number of 15, 008 decided to go for the Dual Based Test (DBT). With this staggering number unprecedented in the history of the exam body, one would have thought quite a handful would easily have passed or made at least a good grade to proceed for the post-tertiary exams in their chosen university. Reverse was, however, the case. Of this huge number, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, only 10 out of the 1, 644, 110 candidates who

‘Is it that many Nigerians are not ready to embrace the innovative skills JAMB has put in place for a good conduct of its yearly exam or JAMB itself does not understand the psyche of the average candidates to whom they are setting exams for? What exactly is wrong with the system that things continues to get worse annually without a long term solution?’

S

OME ominous sign is already in evidence that President Goodluck Jonathan is gradually transforming into a full-blown dictator. His Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah has with bare-faced impunity, overtly engaged the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi in a proxy warfare; dramatising the most heinous breach of public morality on behalf of the President, thereby blunting the edges of official conduct and civility. No one can deny the fact that the minister is on errand for the President.

Aviation and the state are synonymous. The aviation is federal government and federal government is President Jonathan.

Since her assumption office, the minister has visited untoward tardiness on the industry which ought to be the nation’s signpost for excellence. One aviation correspondent spoke of her obstructive dominance as the sole reason holistic reformation can never be allowed in the industry as long as she presides over the corruption-plagued ministry.

If the “Transformation” sloganeering is possible with the minister of aviation, why is it that no Nigerian airport was listed among the best in Africa in the 2013 Skytrax World Best Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal EXPO, Geneva, Switzerland? To be rated, airports must be top notch in the areas of safety and security, friendliness, passenger facilitation, functionality, among other criteria which all Nigerian airports lack.

South African airports dominated the top 10 ranking in Africa, with Cape Town International Airport emerging the Best Airport in Africa, followed by Durban King Shaka International Airport and Johannesburg (Tambo) International Airport in 2nd and 3rd places respectively. This year’s awards, voted by airport customers from around the world, garnered 12.1 million responses.

Egypt’s Cairo International Airport was ranked 4th while the 5th position went to Mauritius International Airport. East London Airport, South Africa, was placed in the 6th position; Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, 7th; and Port Elizabeth Airport, South Africa in 8th position.

Reflections on the crisis of education sector

By Raheem Oluwafunminiyi sat for the examination scored 300 and above, with 628 other candidates scoring between 270 and 299. Furthermore, a total of 12,110 candidates’ results were being withheld for examination malpractices, while the results of another 68,309 candidates from various centres were undergoing further screening to ascertain their capability. A total of 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid “due to multiple shading or no shading at all”, while 47, 974 candidates remained absent.

With these appalling and shocking results, there is no denying the fact that something fundamental is wrong with the Nigerian education system. Since the results were released, accusations and counter-accusations from JAMB, parents and students on the conduct of the exam have been flying around. Just like the year before, this year’s UTME was fraught with series of anomalies and problems. Cases where candidates could not find their names on the examination day, wrong combination of subjects assigned to candidates or even the failure of the so called biometric system as a result of laptops running out of battery power, became rampant all over the country. As if that was not enough, the high level of cheating unprecedented in the history of the UTME reared its ugly head with parents, students, teachers, invigilators, mercenaries, security personnel and JAMB officials, all colluding to give candidates a field day.

Prof. Ojerinde claimed that students were no longer serious about their studies and accused most of them of failing to read the two novels recommended by JAMB from which questions were set in a particular subject. He went further to absolve JAMB of any misconduct; expressing confidence in the board’s

marking process, even as parents and candidates continue to fret at the shocking and heart-breaking scores.

What bothers this writer is how long this educational malfeasance will continue at a time when viable education in saner climes is evolving dramatically by the day. Is it that many Nigerians are not ready to embrace the innovative skills JAMB has put in place for a good conduct of its yearly exam or JAMB itself does not understand the psyche of the average candidates to whom they are setting exams for? What exactly is wrong with the system that things continues to get worse annually without a long term solution? Are we that unintelligent to understand where we are getting it wrong, or how come it is always a clash of two titans—JAMB and prospective candidates—with neither admitting fault? For how long would we continue to lament and watch this fragile sector as education go down the gutters of malfunction?

This writer is of the belief that what is happening is a result of contemporary systemic failure where education, right from the home to both the primary and secondary schools, have failed to raise a critically conscious generation with moral values. At the end, we breed children who are only interested in having quick success without hard work. For the simple fact that many of these candidates have not had the pre-requisite upbringing from childhood which is a tool for success after hard work, desperation sets in. Many wish to pass at all costs and in a bid to do that engage in so many acts inimical and detrimental to self and society.

For as long as we neglect these simple values, we should expect the worst in the following years. Since those who are meant to regulate the educational system

Aviation minister’s proxy war

By Erasmus Ikhide Morocco’s Marrakech Menara International Airport and Seychelles International Airport ranked 9th and 10th respectively.

South Africa also made a clean sweep of the Best Airport Staff category with Cape Town International Airport, Durban King Shaka International Airport, Johannesburg International Airport, East London Airport, and Port Elizabeth Airport occupying all the five positions. So, where is the Nigerian aviation reform?

Addressing the House of Representatives Joint Committee of Aviation and Justice a few days ago, the aviation minister told the committee that Rivers State governor has ran foul of the aviation laws and threatened him with the EFFC and ICPC for operating illegally and violating some Sections of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) laws, as if the Rivers State aircraft imbroglio is responsible for the poor rating of the Nigerian Aviation industry under her watch.

But she buckled when the joint chairman of the hearing and chairman of justice committee, Ali Ahmed quoted copiously from relevant Sections of the NCAA Act, especially Section 35 which forbids any form of sanction until due notification in writing to aircraft owners was done. Attempt to lie through Caverton Helicopters that the Rivers State Governor has been “operating without valid airworthiness or legal certificate aircraft registered in the name of Bank of Uttah Trustees, but used/operated in the name of Caverton Helicopters” backfired. The Rivers State government presented a letter before the committee on the revenue collected by NAMA on April 26 which indicated payment of $ 389 to the federal government by the Rivers State government for the usage of aviation facilities. In the same token, the minister feigned ignorance of the fact that the aviation authorities ever knew that the Bombardier jet in question has been carrying

Coat of Arms of Rivers!

Aviation minister has been unable to prove the righteousness of her cause in this matter.

Nigerians cannot be deceived as to where the body and soul of the minister reside. She has refused to dedicate herself to the revitalisation and rebranding of the aviation industry so as to take out the trash. Under her, mediocrity, incompetence and failure perfectly converge to neutralise the nation’s aspiration for aviation sanity.

Stella Oduah, no doubt, is craving for clout.

She has debased her office for political partisan fights. She is pushing through an opportunistic reform - on behalf of President Jonathan - which forbids private jet owners from air-lifting friends or associates. Under the present aviation reform, President Jonathan alone will be legally permitted to fly over the nation’s airspace with more than 10 presidential aircrafts for campaigns while presidential aspirants of other political parties will have institutional hurdles to contend with. How offensive can this be in a supposedly democratic society?

The unfolding senecio should not surprise Nigerians. From the outset of his presidency, even on the campaign turf in 2011, the President, aside the nebulous “Transformation Agenda” made no pledge to Nigerians hence none was broken! A “Transformation Agenda” that promises virtual deception to over 200 million citizens can not translate to good governance overnight, including the overhaul of the aviation industry.

For all the President’s rhetoric on “Transformation Agenda”, the reality is that it is just a fig leaf for conscious power grab.

President Jonathan may continue to pursue his oppressive tendencies with fidelity for all he cares, Nigerians are never known, as a people, to permanently attune themselves to oppression and tyranny without asserting their freedom.

Dictators of all hue begin just the same way

have failed to do their jobs efficiently, that very stage of child upbringing suddenly develops series of flaws. When we look around us, hundreds of mushroom schools spring up every day with little or no regulations to guide their activities.

Even the ones which are government owned lack facilities to assist the students in educational development. A student who has not seen chemical elements like acid and ammonia or has not been taught how to dissect common rabbit in his biology class or does not have in his agriculture laboratory common seeds like cotton seed, cowpea etc., would have nothing to offer during school, state or national exams.

Our schools are replete with stagnant, weary and redundant teachers who have no iota of passion in them for teaching.

Most of them lack teaching skills hence teach nonsense. It is these set of students, having been taught by these drop-outs, who eventually, in a bid to be part of the few available spaces in the tertiary institutions resort to desperate measures to pass. At the end, when the results emerge, they blame the system, even as the system is heavily to be blamed.

Until we go back to entrench and instil moral value in our education system, things will surely continue to get worse.

Since it is a reality this year that not even 300, 000 will be admitted to study their course of choice owing to the abysmal results, all stakeholders, especially the government, must begin a process of reorganisation, re-orientation and reawakening to ensure that this appalling failure does not repeat itself. If we think this problem is one of those usual ones to shove aside, then we must be ready to bear the consequences, a situation which will be dire.

If the National Youth Service Corp, NYSC had once discovered two of its prospective corps members could not write their names, soonest, we shall have doctors prescribing pain killers for rashes.

It is gradually happening in our midst, therefore, we must not wait else, a time bomb should explode right before our faces.

• Oluwafunminiyi writes from Lagos the meekly Jonathan strides with consistent vindictiveness, crude politics and opportunism. One can only locate all of this on poor judgment. The truth is that we do not have a president in Aso Rock.

Nigeria, like any other country under the yoke of dictatorial dereliction, will certainly overcome the appurtenances and deception masquerading as leadership. It happened in the perilous days of President Ibrahim Babangida; we saw the exhibition of raw and murderous power in the ruinous years of the demented dictator, General Sanni Abacha; we bemoaned and stampeded the repellent administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Third Term Agenda. We celebrated their vanity and fickleness in grand style such that will forbid intending dictators to recoil to self-consciousness and vigilance, that they too will have their days in the hall of infamy.

In this trying times, Nigerians cannot afford an absolute dictator driven by unrestrained ambition and propensity to breach the laws and the constitution he swore to uphold; using extreme and cruel tactics to subdue his own people. Putting power into wrongful use amounts to weakness on the part of a leader.

President Jonathan may still grasp the essential cause – and with chance, possibly help the nation to shape the new future.

Stella Oduah, no doubt, is craving for clout. She has debased her office for political partisan fights.

She is pushing through an opportunistic reform - on behalf of President Jonathan - which forbids private jet owners from air-lifting friends or associates.

INSIDE

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

Page 25

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Jega promises better elections in 2015

- Page 26

Foundation upgrades Abuja cemetery

- Page 27

•President Jonathan

Presidency pledges more houses for Nigerians P

Minister warns council chairmen against corruption - Page 27

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has promised that his administration would ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality and affordable houses, even as he said that his government has realised that the private sector is the key towards achieving more housing units within the shortest possible time.

He gave the assurance during the foundation-laying ceremony of the Para-military villages housing scheme.

He noted that his administration was committed to encourage any step towards achieving mass housing, adding that he will do everything possible to strengthen the Federal Mortgage Bank in order to realise the objective.

His words: “In this regard, we are determined to recapitalise the

From Gbenga Omokhunu

Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. We will strengthen Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Authority and all other institution; considering the roles they will play in the realisation of our objectives.”

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, explained that the

public-private partnership (PPP) initiative was embarked upon to deliver decent and affordable houses to the officers and men of the Para-military services.

He added that the idea was meant to shore-up the officers’ confidence and improve their welfare.

“It is important to note that the houses which are made up of 3bedroom detached and semi-detached bungalows and 2-bed-

In this regard, we are determined to recapitalise the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. We will strengthen Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Authority and all other institution; considering the roles they will play in the realisation of our objectives

room detached and semi-detached bungalows, when completed, will be sold at affordable rates to beneficiaries.”

Moro assured.

Managing Director of Byuans Resources Limited, Dr. Mathias Byuans, stated that, apart from getting affordable housing benefit from the initiative his organisation embarked upon, more than 800, 000 jobs will also be provided for Nigerians through the project.

He, therefore, appealed to President Jonathan to prevail on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed to allocate more land for the project, adding that so far, about 24 state governments have given lands in their respective states for the actualisation of the mass housing for Para-military officers nationwide.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW

Jega promises better elections in 2015 T

HE chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has said that series of activities have been put in place to ensure hitch-free general elections in 2015.

He promised that the 2015 general elections will be superior to those conducted in the past.

After the 2011 general elections, the INEC boss said the commission had been engaged in internal and external reviews by understanding the strengths, challenges and opportunities it experienced as a first step towards understanding what might be facing INEC in 2015.

Jega spoke in Abuja at a Multistakeholders’ Forum on Elections in Nigeria. The forum with the theme: “Tasks and Responsibilities towards 2015 Elections, was organised by the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD). He said the issue of secu-

T

EN newly-elected councillors in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have been sworn in at the council’s secretariat. They were urged to work hard towards promoting peace as well work as a team in the interest of the council.

Chairman of the council, Mr. Peter Yohanna Ushafa, who presided over the ceremony, also swore in the Vice-Chairman of the council, Mallam Abubakar Bala Mutawalli, for a second term in office.

He called on them to set aside all personal interests for the general interest of the people that voted them into power.

“I encourage you to serve with all your heart and might. I also

From Gbenga Omokhunu

rity must top the agenda of several things to be considered to ensure a hitch-free 2015 general elections.

He was represented at the occasion by a National Commissioner, Dr. Abudukadri Oniyangi.

With about 22 months to the 2015 general elections, Jega said the commission cannot afford the luxury of thinking that there is time.

His words: “It is often said that an election is a process rather than an event. It is cyclical because the conduct of an election announces the beginning of preparations for the next one.

Every activity an electoral management body conducts after a set of elections is meant to study, examine and plan towards an upcoming one.

“In this sense, the series of activities the commission had undertaken shortly after April 2011 general elections are geared to-

All hands must be on deck to ensure a hitch-free 2015 general elections. Permit me to say that the kind of roles that may interest us intensely range from issues of security, voter education and public enlightenment, training, and mobilisation of people to exercise their constitutional rights, among others

T

•Nkoro

“Nigeria has no choice other than to focus on building and nurturing electoral democracy because available evidence suggests that democratic governance is fundamental to realising critical human development goals, including the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is because democratic elections are a key avenue to facilitate genuine participation by all citizens in public decision-making process.”

Council swears in councillors From Bukola Amusan

implore you, as major stakeholders of peace, to avoid anything capable of jeopardising the relative peace being enjoyed in the council,” he urged.

He thanked the residents of the council for renewing his mandate at the polls, even as he called on politicians in the area, including those that could not make it at the polls, to close ranks and support the leadership of the council.

“To the capable and trusted staff of this great council, our partners in progress, we also

count on your continuous cooperation in the task of implementing the policy thrust of this administration,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chairman of the council, Mallam Abubakar Bala Mutawalli, assured residents of the council of more purposeful leadership. He also solicited their support and pieces of advice.

Speaking on behalf of the councillors, Mrs. Mary Makama, representing Dutse Ward, thanked the electorate for their confidence in them and promised not to let them down.

Seven of the councillors

Group laments govt’s insensitivity HE Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has vowed to mobilise market women, artisans and other stakeholders against the federal and state governments.

COEASU President, Asagha Nkoro told newsmen at a briefing in Abuja that the Federal Government had continued to exhibit uncaring attitude to the plight of lecturers by failing to implement negotiated agreement.

wards making the 2015 general elections a far better and more effectively organised than the previous elections, including the immediate past elections.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure a hitch-free 2015 general elections. Permit me to say that the kind of roles that may interest us intensely range from issues of security, voter education and public enlightenment, training, and mobilisation of people to exercise their constitutional rights, among others.

“The commission is, at all times, ready to listen to suggestions from all stakeholders in the political and electoral process towards improving and perfecting our electoral system.”

Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Daouda Toure said:

From Gbenga Omokhunu

The union listed the refusal to commence renegotiation process as contained in the 2010 agreement, none conduct of Needs Assessment, imposition of IPPIS, proliferation of satellite campuses, exploitative tax regime and the refusal to release White Paper of the visitation panel as contending issues government must resolve.

Lamenting that the Federal Government had not responded to issues raised by the union since it embarked upon the strike on April 29, Nkoro, who was with the General Secretary, Nuhu Ogirima, also accused some state governments of abandoning their fundamental responsibilities in states-owned Colleges of

Education.

According to him, the refusal of governments to pay attention to the union was an indication of lack of respect for the masses who struggled for their children to attend colleges of education because they could not afford university education.

Nkoro said: “It is quite incontrovertible that the refusal of the respective governments and various authorities to expeditiously address the issues could induce the union to invoke measures that would impede/paralyse the smooth running of the entire colleges of education system.

“Ultimately, the peaceful and congenial atmosphere for which the colleges of education have been known would be difficult to guarantee,

It is quite incontrovertible that the refusal of the respective governments and various authorities to expeditiously address the issues could induce the union to invoke measures that would impede/paralyse the smooth running of the entire colleges of education system

namely Dantani Yusuf - Bwari Central Ward; Mary Makama Dutse Ward; Jibrin Danbaba Kuduru Ward; Ahmed Danjuma - Igu Ward; Reuben Timothy Ushafa Ward; Dimas Gwamna - Shere Ward and Mohammed Koko - Kawu Ward won on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The other three councillors, Yunusa Hamza - Byazhin Ward, Haruna Mohammed Kubwa Ward and Muhammad Salisu - Usuma Ward won on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

I encourage you to serve with all your heart and might. I also implore you, as major stakeholders of peace, to avoid anything capable of jeopardising the relative peace in the council

should the situation persist with the manifest impunity on the part of the government and the colleges’ management and councils,” he added.

According to the union, the consistent manifestation of gross discrimination in addressing matters of common interest in tertiary institutions was not in the best interest of

the sector.

Nkoro also blamed some governors for not complying with the 65 years retirement age and contributory pension scheme, underfunding and infrastructural decay among others; especially in Osun State Colleges of Education in Ilesa and Ila-Orangun; and FCT College of Education, Zuba.

Firm introduces unity game

A

NEW game show is coming to Abuja. The game known as Unity Game Show is expected to promote peace, unity and harmony by uniting Nigerians from different ethnic groups.

The Director of Blacksmith Global Resource Limited, Stephen Nnam disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja.

Stephen said: “The unity game show is a weekly reality TV/Radio quiz initiative designed as an effective national tool to promote peace.”

He added: “We intend to institute in the minds of the citizens the true essence of integration, uphold the unity, increase awareness, encourage tourism, preserve and promote the valuable customs while mending fragile relationships among various ethnicities in the country.”

The director noted that the concept is a “time-based” quiz

From Jane Maha

platform, adding that: “contestants represent themselves and their geo-political zones in a feat to ‘gain more’ points in cash benefits. The questions will be based on issues concerning the contestant’s region and each week‘s show ends with every competitor winning a cash reward.”

He expressed the hope to partner with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, government and the private sector for finance and security.

Correction In our Tuesday, May 21 edition, the photograph on pages 25 and 26 is that of Christie Adejoh Onucheyo and not Mrs Faridah Wada as indicated. The error is regretted -Editor

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

27

ABUJA REVIEW

Sambo praises minister for projects execution

V

ICE-PRESIDENT Namadi Sambo has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed for embarking on projects that would help in developing the capital city, even as he urged that more projects should be executed to bring about the much-needed development.

Sambo gave the commendation at the inauguration ceremony of the 250 hectares Abuja Industrial Park Project in Idu District, Abuja.

He said: “I am highly delighted and impressed with the performance of the FCT Administration under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed. This is because, on my way from the Presidential Villa to this venue, it is projects after projects, projects after projects by this administration.”

He emphasised that the FCT Administration has displayed a high sense of responsibility and responsiveness in the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

The Vice-President reiterated that the FCT Administration’s policy of ensuring that grants of land has built-in value to the nation’s developmental strides, in terms of infrastructure provision and wealth creation, is highly commendable.

His words: “The FCT Administration has displayed a high sense of responsibility and responsiveness in the implementation of the Transformation Agenda. Its policy of ensuring that grants of land such as the present one, has built-in value

T

HE AL-MUHIBBAH Foundation, a non-governmental organisation coordinated by the wife of the FCT Minister, Hajia Aisha Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated the Christian wing of the Gudu Cemetery, Apo, FCT. The foundations’ Director of Programmes, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, who represented the chairperson/founder, recalled that “the foundation, while inaugurating the Muslim and the pagan sections at the foundation’s two years anniversary last year, did

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Onike

addition to the nation’s developmental strides in terms of infrastructure provision and wealth

creation, is highly commendable.”

Sambo therefore, congratulated the FCT Administration and particularly the Minister, Senator Mohammed on this initiative and

I am highly delighted and impressed with the performance of the FCT Administration under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed. This is because, on my way from the Presidential Villa to this venue, it is projects after projects, projects after projects by this administration

ingenuity to provide robust infrastructure in line with the dreams and aspirations of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He remarked that President Jonathan is determined to drive the country’s economy using members of the organised private sector; adding that the Federal Government will provide incentives like tax holiday and support from its agencies.

Welcoming guests to the occasion, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said that the project which enjoys active support of the government of Turkey •Continued on Page 28

•Sambo

FCT gets community-based health insurance committee

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HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has established a technical committee on community-based health insurance scheme in order to ensure affordable access to healthcare services in rural communities in the territory.

There are currently 861 communities in the six area councils of the FCT. Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, said the scheme aimed at protecting the rural poor from the burden of paying for healthcare directly from their pockets.

“The FCT Community-based Health Insurance Scheme aims at providing access to healthcare services for the rural poor. Each rural beneficiary becomes a CBHIS subscriber the moment he or she signs up to the programme by paying a token for rural

health insurance scheme.

“Families do not have to divert money that is supposed to be used for food and education to treat illnesses. They do not have to sell their household assets to pay for healthcare services for their family members,” said Akinjide, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwan Moham-

med.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to create an enabling environment, develop a policy and legal framework, strengthen institutional arrangements and provide regular and sustained financial support through increased target coverage of health.

She further explained that the technical committee was expected to

The FCT Community-based Health Insurance Scheme aims at providing access to healthcare services for the rural poor. Each rural beneficiary becomes a CBHIS subscriber the moment he or she signs up to the programme by paying a token for rural health insurance scheme

come up with an institutional framework for the Community-based Health Insurance Scheme in the FCT. The committee, which is chaired by the FCT Minister of State, has as members the Emir of Jiwa, His Royal Highness (Dr.) Idris Musa; Director of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Ari Isa Mohammed; Secretary of FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed and Director of Primary Healthcare in Area Council Services Secretariat, Dr. Sani Muhammed.

Other members are Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Mr. David Gende; Dr. Hope Iloeaja of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); Dr. Hamza Aliyu of NHIS, and Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar of the Millennium Development Goals.

The Director of the FCT Area Council Health Insurance Scheme serves as Secretary to the committee.

Foundation upgrades Abuja cemetery From Bukola Amusan

promise that the Christian wing will be inaugurated in due course; a promise that is being fulfilled today.”

Commenting on the numerous landmarks and achievements of the foundation, the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Israel Akanji said: “I am so happy that the promise

made by Mrs. Mohammed sometime last year at the inauguration of the Muslim wing of the cemetery has been fulfilled. May Almighty God continue to bless and protect Hajia Bala Mohammed.”

He used the occasion to emphasise that his association, in collaboration with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), will oversee the use of the newly inaugurated wing of the cem-

etery in line with universally-accepted best practices; noting that the era of impunity on burial sites; especially this Gudu Cemetery by members of the public and relations to deceased will be curtailed.

Reacting, Hajia Zainab Umar of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) called on other NGO’s in the territory to emulate Al-Muhibbah Foundation’s humanitarian services and benevolence to mankind; adding that other NGO’s must rise up to cater and take care of man’s final and permanent resting places(cemeteries).

Hajia Mariam Lari Adamu of FCT Muslim Welfare Board praised the virtues of AlMuhibbah’s Foundation; stating that Allah has a great reward for people and organisations that respond to the plight of the needy and mankind in generally.

Al-Muhibbah Foundation erected the perimeter fencing of the Gudu Cemetery, constructed and built inter-locking access roads including solar-powered

lights and gate house to the cemetery.

In a related development, the foundation was at Kuje Area Council, FCT, to inaugurate and hand over the perimeter fencing of over one hectare to the AlAnsar (The Helpers) Orphanage and donated food items worth several thousand of Naira to the home.

Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, Director of Programmes who represented the organisation posited that the foundation is driven by a passion to assist the needy.

Responding, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar, Naibatal Amirah, said Al-Ansar (The Helpers) is an Islamic non-governmental organisation established in 2003 with the aim of assisting and empowering the less-privileged members of the society; especially women and children and to run an Islamic-oriented orphanage in the FCT based on the fundamental principles embodied in the glorious Quran.

She thanked the Al-Muhibbah for reaching out to them in their moment of need.

I am so happy that the promise made by Mrs. Mohammed sometime last year at the inauguration of the Muslim wing of the cemetery has been fulfilled. May Almighty God continue to bless and protect Hajia Bala Mohammed •Food items donated

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

28

ABUJA REVIEW

Minister warns council chairmen against corruption From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

•Senator Mohammed

M

INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has vowed that he will ensure that the area council chairmen in Abuja accounts for any misappropriation while in office.

Mohammed stated this during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected chairmen of the FCT area councils at the Banquet Hall of the FCT Minister’s official residence.

He also charged them to put the security of lives and property on the front burner of their administrations as the era of politicking is over.

Senator Mohammed emphasised that security remains a major concern and all efforts must be put into ensuring security of lives and property within their domains.

His words: “Security remains a major concern and as you take office, you must hit the ground run-

ning to ensure security of lives and property within your domains.

“This administration has set up machinery for effective surveillance of the FCT and you will be expected to immediately commence effective security monitoring of your area councils as well as collaborate with the FCT law enforcement agents to achieve a round-theclock watch over your domains.

“I will ensure that you account for any misappropriation in your area council.”

The minister assured that the FCT Administration, as usual, would continue to ensure that all the area councils receive all funds due to them from the statutory allocation.

Mohammed, therefore, called on the new chairmen to reciprocate the FCT gesture by avoiding waste, ensuring accountability in the management of public resources and complying fully with the Procurement Act. He reiterated that his administration will not shirk its responsi-

bility for effective supervision of their operations and warned that ‘any chairman found wanting would be made to account fully for his commission or omission.’

The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide hoped that the new chairmen would complement the efforts of the FCT Administration to fast-track development at the grassroots.

Oloye Akinjide advised that the “welfare of the people remains the greatest law and the greatest manifesto above political party, section or creed.”

She reiterated that election is over and the forest fires are over; adding that what remains is the challenge of development, which neither turns in winner nor loser, neither victor nor vanquished.

“We will remain committed to building a plural and inclusive society in the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general,” the Minister of State stressed.

Those sworn-in included Yahaya Garba Gawu-Abaji Area Council; Micah Y. Jiba-Abuja Municipal Area Council; Yohanna Peter Ushafa- Bwari Area Council;

Security remains a major concern and as you take office, you must hit the ground running to ensure security of lives and property within your domains. “This administration has set up machinery for effective surveillance of the FCT and you will be expected to immediately commence effective security monitoring of your area councils

Abubakar Jibrin GiriGwagwalada Area Council; Ishaku Tete Shaban-Kuje Area Council and Daniel Ibrahim-Kwali Area Council.

The chairmen were sworn in by the Acting FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar who was represented at the occasion by Justice Hussaini Baba Yusuf of FCT High Court, Maitama District Abuja.

The chairman of Bwari Area Council Mr. Yohanna Peter Ushafa who responded on behalf of other

chairmen, appreciated the kind gesture of the FCT Ministers and promised to co-operate with the FCT Administration in achieving its policies and programmes.

The event was witnessed by important personalities in the Federal Capital Territory including the Senator representing the FCT, members of the House of Representatives representing the FCT, traditional rulers, leaders of political parties, youth leaders as well as community leaders.

Minister praised for projects execution •Continued from Page 27 is direct fallout of the State Visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Federal Republic of Turkey in 2011 in the course of his economic diplomacy tour of selected countries.

The minister, therefore, expressed the gratitude of the administration and people of the Federal Capital Territory to Mr. President for initiating and facilitating this investment window for the territory.

Senator Mohammed further stated that during the conceptualisation, the administration put into proper focus the primary policy objectives of the country’s manufacturing sector.

“This is with a view to significantly drive the economy for increased productivity, expansion of value addition, enhanced competitiveness of finished goods and production of surplus for export. We are hopeful that Abuja Industrial Park will assist in ensuring a shift from a low technology based pro-

duction system to more modern production processes,” he added.

The minister also said that major component of infrastructure to be provided by the company, M/s Zeberced Limited of Turkey include a 24km road network; 10.4km of clean water reticulation; 8.6km electrical network; 9.6km of sewer line; 9.7km storm water drains; 29km telecommunication network; 24.1km of natural gas pipeline; a water recycling plant; waste water treatment plant; rail station to link existing national corridor as well as an independent power plant.

He further stated that the project involves a total of 177 factory plots divided into five sets of various sizes to accommodate factories and light industries; training and research unit; cold storage and warehouses facilities; shopping mall, hotels, parking spaces, helipad as well as public and religious facilities including police station, Custom area, bank hall, fire station, filling station, and clinic, among others.

29

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

as a country that has acceded to international instruments for the protec‘ Nigeria tion of rights of the people and for the fact that we are bound to apply customary

international law, some of the provisions of the said Chapter Two constitute law in terms that they have become part of the customary international law which our See page 32 courts are bound to apply.

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

INSIDE: Courts and budget: Implications for access to justice -Page 31

Emergency: Quest for legal teeth The implications of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states dawned on the people when President Goodluck Jonathan sent the proclamation to the National Assembly.

The lawmakers have granted his request for powers to control the states’ funds, sparking a row over the legality of his demand. ERIC IKHILAE examines the contending issues •SEE page 30

‘We are ready to enforce the Constitution’ -Page 32

Sanusi, others get June 26 date -Page 33

‘How to tackle corruption, insecurity’

• David Mark

• Tambuwal

Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, a managing partner in the law firm of Aluko and Oyebode, is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL). The Section will hold its Seventh Annual Conference in Lagos next month. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Oyebode speaks on the topic of the conference, the future of the economy, foreign participation in the conference, lawyers’critical role in an emerging economy and other national issues.

W

-Page 34

Procedures of Tax Appeal Tribunal -Page 35

Group decries rights abuses in Niger Delta -Page 36

Respect merit, integrity in SAN’s appointment -Page 37

• Oyebode

‘Lawyers are critical partners in an emerging economy’

HAT is the theme of the Seventh SBL Cconference?

The theme is: the Legal profession in an emerging economy.

Why did youn choose that theme?

The reason for that is that Nigeria is actually coming up as a great global economy. You can see this from different figures which the international financial institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and so on have released. We are on the course of becoming a major global economy and we felt that the position of the legal profession was one that needed reconsideration; how do we tackle the benefits of this significant growth in the economy; how do we tackle the challenges or benefits of population growth with Nigeria growing to become one of the most populous black countries in the world? How do you tackle the problems of population growth upon infrastructure and we felt that our lawyers need to sit back and dimension our proper place in this economic growth.

Who is the keynote speaker in the conference?

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Mr Highgrieve Khaitan. He is the managing partner of Khaitan and co. which is one of India’s largest practices. The reason for bringing him is essentially to get a better idea of how the legal profession in India has been able to deal with the issues of growth, how they have dealt with the issues of population growth, economic growth, growth of varying religions, varying States, varying ethnic nationalities and so on.

How they dealt with rural population and so on, so we thought that India has the easiest structure that look very much like Nigeria, that is why we felt that we should have a speaker from India. We are also having speakers from all over the world. For instance, the British Nigeria Law Forum in the United Kingdom (UK) is participating, the Nigerian Lawyers Association in New York is participating. We have several other international lawyers from major law firms across the world coming to speak at the conference. This, in itself, sets the stage for a successful conference.

•Continued on page 31

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D • Continued from page 29

T

HE President’s proclamation of state of emergency in Yobe, Maiduguri and Adamawa states on May 14 attracted divergent views. This became intense when details of the proclamation was made public by virtue of the “Emegency Powers (General) Regulations 2013” sent to the National Assembly some days after President Goodluck Jonathan’s announcement.

Initially, the controversy was whether or not the President was right in retaining democratic institutions and elected officers during the emergency period. Now, the argument is on the propriety or otherwsie of certain provisions in the emergency regulations, which the National Assembly has since adopted with little or no modification. Of great concern to critics of the emergency regulations are those provisions that give sweeping powers to the President under the emergency rule, particularly to directly administer the finances of the affected states and subject the governors to his orders.

There is, particularly, the query as regard the legitimacy of the whole process, the President having, in the second paragraph of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2013, claimed to be exercising “the powers conferred on me by Section 3 of the Emergency Powers Act No 1 of1961 (as modified) and of other powers enabling me in that behalf.”

Since the history of emergency rule began in the country in 1962, the recent declaration of emergency rule by President Jonathan could arguably pass as the second most controversial, the confusion experienced under President Olusegun Obasanjo not withstanding. The1962 emergency rule was considered most controversial because many saw it as unwarranted, and an atempt by the then Federal Government to protect one of its own, S. L. Akintola, who was sacked as Premier in the opposition-controlled Western Region.

The Western Region House of Assembly had impeached Akintola and replaced him with Dauda Adegbenro. But Akintola refused to step down, resulting to a crisis, which the Federal Government capitalised on and declared an emergency rule which saw the appointment of Dr. Moses Majekodunmi as the Sole Administrator.

Under President Obasanjo, emergency rule was imposed twice; first in Plateau State on May 18, 2004 (where a Sole Administrator, in the person of General Chris Alli replaced the elected Governor Joshua Dariye) and in Ekiti State (where General Adetunji Olurin replaced Governor Ayo Fayose as Sole Administrator). Before now, President Jonathan had imposed emergency rule in 15 local government areas in four states of Niger, Plateau, Yobe and Borno.

As announced by the President, the affected local governments include Suleja (Niger), Jos South, Jos North, Riyom, andBarkin Ladi (Plateau), Damaturu, Geidam, Potiskum, Buniyadi-Guja and Gasua-Bade (Yobe), Maiduguri Metropolitan, Gamboru Ngala, Banki Bama, Biu and Jere (Borno). While everyone seems to have agreed that the sacking of democratic institutions and elected officers under President Obasanjo was an aberration, public opinion is divided in relation to the legitimacy of the powers conferred on the President with the National Assembly’s acceptance of the Emergency Powers Regulation 2013. Basically, the disputation over the legitimacy or otherwise of the powers granted the President in relation to the administration of the states under emergency rule revolves around one core issues.

That is, the ability to effectively resolve the inevitable contradictions between exercise of emergency powers and strict observance of human rights in a democracy. In otherwords, the conflict is over the preservation of guaranteed constitutional rights and derogation of these rights in an era of extra-ordinary circumstance that requires a state of emrgency.

Those, who are convinced that the President and the Legislature are in order on the provisions of the Emergency Power Resolutions 2013, argue that under emergency rule, things are not always what they were before. To them, emergency rule usually suspends some functions of all arms of government,alerts citizens to modify their behaviour and can be used to suspend rights and freedoms, even if guaranteed under the Constitution.

They blamed the controversies on the failure of the Constitution to spell out the mode, shape and design an emergency rule should assume when declared. They argue that in developed societies, emergency rule and its impact on human rights and freedoms, and governmental procedures are regulated by the Constutution or a law spefically enacted to regulate and limit the powers that may be invoked under state of emergency. In the case

• Joseph Nwobike

•Hon

• Prof Sagay

• Fagbohungbe

Emergency: Quest for legal teeth of Nigeria, they observed that Section 305 only gives the President proclamatory powers in the event of a state of emergency and spells out circumstances that compel the declaration of a state of emergency, but fails to explain whether existing democratic institutions and officials should be excluded form performing their official functions during emergency rule. They deny claim that the Emergency Power Act of 1961 has been repealed. They argue that the absence of a specific enactment by the National Assembly, repealing any law implies the law is still alive.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike and Sebastine Hon, have also argued along this line, concluding that the President was in order.

Nwobike said: “There is nothing unconstitutional about the powers conferred on the President in relation to the powers of both the governors and houses of assembly in the affected states.

“The natural and legal incidence of the proclamation of a state of emergency is that extraordinary legislative and executive powers would be conferred on the president and the National Assembly.”

Hon concurred, noting that the President can declare a state of emergency under the 1961 Act for at least three reasons.

He argued that the 1961 Act has not been repealed by any Act or law. Hon contended that it is a settled principle of law that any law not repealed expressly or by implication still has force of law.

“The second point flows from the first. It is that any Act or law not so repealed is, by

section 315 of the Constitution, an existing law, capable of full enforcement. The third reason is that section 305 of the Constitution which has imbued the President with power to declare a state of emergency is not self executing.

“In other words, it has not made exhaustive provisions on how Mr President will exercise those powers or the extent to which he can make the declaration. In constitutional jurisprudence, the provisions of the 1961 Act will, therefore, become available for his use to execute or carry into effect his powers under section 305 of the Constitution. This is settled principle under constitutional jurisprudence.

“For these reasons, Mr President is right to have acted under the 1961 Act,” Hon said.

On the legality of the President assuming control over the funds accruing to the states under emergency rule, Hon argued that since neither the Constitution nor the 1961 Act has placed obstacles in the way of the President, and since a state of emergency postulates or at least contemplates curtailment of even constitutional rights, the actions of Mr President are fully constitutional. “And mind you, money answereth all things, hence if Mr President does not have an eye on the moneys accruing to those states, his outing may end up in a fiasco. This will spell doom for the entire polity.

“But bear in mind that a state of emergency, as the name suggests, is structured to deal with an emergency.

“It permits, in all practical sense, a deviation from extant constitutional protections, even though it does not imbue the President

‘There is nothing unconstitutional about the powers conferred on the President in relation to the powers of both the governors and houses of assembly in the affected states’

with power to sack elected officials, as was wrongly done by former President Obasanjo.

Speaking as an authority on constitutional law and constitutionalism, I will boldly say that Mr. President has got it right in all his actions over the state of emergency declared in the three volatile states.

“If the states feel aggrieved, nothing stops them from approaching the Supreme Court for interpretation. But the assurance I will boldly give you is that the Supreme Court is not likely to take a position, which is radically different from the one taken here. I speak with all sense of humility and objectivity,” Hon said.

However, critics are of the view that it is unconstitutional for the President to seek to assume the powers and responsibilities of states’s democratic institutions. They argued that by assuming control over funds meant for the affected states, issuing orders to the governors, the President has rendered the Houses of Assembly in those states idle. This, they arue, is because issue appropriation in states and law making in states belong to the Lagislature. They contend that by not empowering the President to dismantle democratic institutions during emergency rule, the Constituyion envisages a situation where those institutions and officials are allowed to function unhindered. They equally fault the process, arguing that the law on which the President relied in assuming such huge powers is a dead law that can not be revived. They contend that the Emergency Powers Act 1961 is a lifeless law by virtue of Section 4 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) , Decree No 21 of 1990 and Paragraph 1(a)(ii) of the Schedule made unde it To Prof Itse Sagay(SAN) and Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), the President misses the point on this.

Sagay said: “The 1961 Act is deformed and no longer a law. It was deleted when the 1990 Laws of Nigeria were being enacted. So, that provision is contrary to the present Constitution and will amount to an act of nullity because it went away with the First Republic.”

He also faulted the powers of the President to control the funds meant for the affected states.

“It is absolutely illegal. The powers of the President and the National Assembly are clearly stated in Section 11 of the Constitution. Funds are provided for in Section 162 as part of the Federation Account.

“There is the Supreme Court pronouncement on that in the case of AG Lagos vs AGF 2004 where the apex court held that it is illegal for any part of the federating unit to withhold another’s funds.” Sagay said.

Fagbohungbe said “in as much as he (the President) did not remove the governor and the Houses of Assembly, they should be allowed to perform their roles with the exception of security issues.

“The President, by his proclamation, said he was taking over issues of security in those states. His intervention should be limited to security issues,” he said.

Fagbohungbe blamed the controversy that greeted the emergency declaration on the failure of the Constitution, in Section 305, to spell out the mode and shape an emergency rule should assume.

“There is no law to explain how state of emergency should be. Section 305 only gave how it should be declared.

“The National Assembly should learn from this and make laws to regulate and spell out how emergency rule should be operated,” Fagbohungbe said.

Whichever way one looks at it, the nation is sure in accord on the point that the insecurity problem, part of which the emergency rule is meant to achieve, is desirable. The point of departure exists only in the mode the state of emergency should assume.

Sadly, the Supreme Court mixed an opportunity to establish an authority in this regard when, in 2004, it refused to deal with the case challenging the Plateau emergency rule on merit.

Governor Dariye and others sued in the name of “Plateau State of Nigeria and House of Assembly of Plateau State. But the apex court held that the suit was not instituted with the permission of then Sole Administrator, Gen Alli, whose position formed part of the grievance the suit sought to resolve.

As it stands now, it is expected that the National Assembly and the apex court would learn from this a provide ways of ensuring that the mode future state of emergency would assume is spelt out in separate legislation.

The national legislature should also seek ways on empowering state governors to be able to take charge of security issues in their domain as against what currently exist in Section 214 to 217 of the Constitution.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

31

LAW & SOCIETY A paper delivered by the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) at the 18th Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in Cape Town, South Africa

Courts and budget: Implications for access to justice

•Continued from last week

The Sharia Court of Appeal

T

HERE is a Sharia Court of Appeal for the Federal Capital Territory and any state that requires it. This court has appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law, which the court is competent to decide in accordance with the Constitution. The court comprises a Grand Khadi and other Khadis as the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly (as the case may be) may prescribe.

The Customary Court of Appeal

There is a Customary Court of Appeal for the Federal Capital Territory and any state that requires it. This court has appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of customary law and comprised a President and such number of Judges as the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly (as the case may be) may prescribe.

Magistrate courts, Area courts, Customary courts and Sharia courts

In addition to these courts created by the Constitution, the inferior courts of record or ‘other courts’ also exist by the names Magistrate Courts, District Courts, Area Courts and Customary Courts which are established by the National Assembly in respect of the Federal Capital Territory, and the State House of Assembly in respect of a state. These courts are of limited jurisdiction as specified in their enabling laws and appeals from them lie to the High Court, Sharia Court of Appeal or Customary Court of Appeal as the case may be.

Below is an illustration of the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria.

2.Budgeting procedure for courts under the 1999 Constitution

The 1999 Constitution provides how the Courts should be funded. The source of fund-

ing of each court depends on the category the particular court falls under, that is, whether it falls under the ‘superior courts of record’ or it falls under the inferior courts of record or ‘other courts’. The superior courts of record are funded by the Federal Government and state courts under this category in addition are funded by state governments.

2.1.Source of funding

The constitution spells out three sources by which the Judiciary shall be funded. These are: a) The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. b) The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State and c) The Federation Account.

a) Consolidated revenue fund of the federation The 1999 constitution provides in sections 84(2) and (4) that the remuneration, salaries and allowances payable to judicial officers of superior courts are charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. This position received an authoritative pronouncement of the Supreme Court in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia State & Ors, where the court held thus: “It is the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and not the Federation Account that is charged with the salaries of Judicial Officers in the Federation.”

The recurrent expenditure of the offices of the judicial officers of superior courts of record as provided in Section 84(7) shall also be a charge upon the consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

Flowing from the above provisions of sections 84 (2), (4) and (7), both the capital and recurrent expenditure of judicial officials of courts of superior record shall be taken from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. Thus, the remunerations, salaries and allowances of judicial officers and overhead running cost will be funded by the Revenue Fund of the Federation.

b) The Consolidated Revenue Fund

of the state

Section 121 (3) of the Constitution provides that, any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of courts concerned. The combined reading of Section 124 (1), (2) and (4) shows that the remuneration, salaries and allowances payable to the state judicial commission shall be charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state.

c) The Federation Account

Section 162 (1) of the Constitution directs that the Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which “shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except proceeds from income tax of the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

By subsection (9), any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Federation Account shall be paid directly to the National Judicial Councils for disbursement to the heads of courts established for the Federation and the States established under Section 6 of the Constitution (the superior courts of record).

2.2. Allocation to the National Judicial Council

Funding of the judiciary/court through the NJC is from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation and a particular sum is being allocated each year from this fund. The yearly Appropriation budget contains the allocation for each beneficiary of the fund as provided by the Constitution. An examination of appropriation to the NJC from the nation’s budget in the last ten years shall be made in order to determine whether there has been an increase or decrease in court funding. Also, the ratio of the allocation to the NJC to the actual fund and to that of other beneficiaries will be made in order to ascertain the adequacy

• Prof Azinge

of court budget.

In 2004, there was an issue and appropriation of N1,302,523,844,588 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund out of which N30 billion was budgeted for the National Judicial Council. This accounts for 2.3 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In 2005, the Issue and Appropriation of N1,799,938,243,138 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for 2005 was made with a budget of N33 billion to the NJC. This accounts for 1.8 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue fund.

In 2006, there was an issue and appropriation of N1,899,987,922,467 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for and the NJC was allocated N35 billion. This accounts for 1.8 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In 2007, there was an Issue and appropriation of N2,266,394,423,477 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for 2007 and the budget to the NJC was N43billion.

• To be continued next week

‘Lawyers are critical partners in an emerging economy‘ • Continued from page 29

How do you think Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can assist in swift administration of Justice?

Technology is key in the development of any economy. Today, our judges still write judgments in long and this, no doubt, takes time.

As quickly as we can, we need to get court reporters who will assist the judges with this process, especially with regard to witness statements and writing of court proceedings.

What you will see is that it will speed up the deliberations in court . Those kind of things will help the court process and ensure speedy justice delivery.

How does the SBL hope to address the recent developments arising from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to legal practitioners on Anti-money laundering in Nigeria?

Well, the NBA at the national level has taken a position on the issue, to challenge the process.

How did you manage to organise this year’s conference. What was the role of the committees?

We have done it in the usual way. What I mean by the usual way is that first and foremost, it is critical to us that all our committees participate in the SBL conference. The conference is nothing without its committees. So, each one of the different committees has taken off from the conference theme which is, The legal profession in an emerging economy. All our different committees, whether it is arbitration, banking and finance or oil and gas, have taken off from that particular view, following the agenda and schedule of the conference, all the committees have arranged their own sessions as part of the conference. So, we expect a very successful conference in 2013.

How many participants are you expecting at the conference?

Last year, we had registrations of almost 700 participants. We expect that this year,

• Oyebode

we will have the same number of participants. we expect to have in attendance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, our chief host as usual, will be the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Over the period of the conference, we are going to have our hot topic and the hot topic for this year is on infrastructure and the power reform. These are issues that are particularly important for business lawyers, but particularly more important because of where Nigeria is as an emerging economy. Without power, our economy will not grow, again, we’re going to have a separate session that will deal with that. We are also looking at having a session that focuses on ‘amnesty’ with respect to the Niger Delta, how the amnesty programme of the Federal Government has impacted on the Niger Delta people, as well as increase production for the Nigerian oil

sector- from as low as 1.8 Million barrels back to 2.2-2.3 Million barrels. Just as a result of the reduction in pipeline vandalisation, blow-ups and other such militant activities. These are the kind of issues as far as we are concerned, that will change the way that lawyers and other stakeholders engage in the process. And that is why for us, it’s not about business lawyers talking to themselves, it is about business lawyers talking about all the different issues that affect all of us.

Is the conference the primary activity of the Section?

The different sections and committees of the SBL have activities through the year. We are not just talking about having one big conference, we are talking about other activities as well. Our hospitality and tourism committee has had two sessions. Our banking and finance committee has had sessions, our capital market committee has had sessions, our telecommunications law committee had also had different sessions, all on topical issues and things affect our day-today lives.

We have also seen an increase in registrations and membership. So really, it is not just about the conference, but membership of the committee.

How do you measure the success of the Section given the recent setback in the Section?

So when you ask, how do you measure success?, success for me is the fact that a wider population of Nigerian lawyers know that there’s an active Section on Business law, that Nigerian lawyers who practice around the world, want to come back to our conference (want to use our conference and use it as a basis for their integration into the society.

The fact that every year, we are able to get international speakers to participate in our conferences, people from other jurisdictions, who feel that this is a good way of engaging with the legal community. The fact that, for instance, we recently signed a Memorandum of Understandingn ( MoU) with the Law So-

ciety of England and Wales, where we are collaborating with the Law Society, where we exchange ideas, where we have a mutually beneficial relationship with them both for Continuing Legal Education, and for sharing of resources. That in itself, is a sign that the Section on Business Law has come to stay, it is respected by its peers around the world, that stakeholders in Nigeria would want to be a part of what the SBL is doing- and more importantly that Nigerian lawyers in Diaspora want to be part of the SBL activities. That for me, is the success of the SBL. Can you say that the SBL has lived up to your expectations?

One of our set goals after inauguration was the Continuing Legal Education (CLE). So, for as long as we continue to train our lawyers, for as long as we are able to increase the knowledge of our lawyers, we will do well. A lot of the issues the SBL addresses is about knowledge. It is about education, while some of these bother one ethics. Hence, for as long as we continue to train our lawyers; for as long as we are able to increase the knowledge of our lawyers, we will do just fine. And I know that the NBA, under the capable leadership of Okey Wali (SAN) has taken on the whole issues of ethical and disciplinary rules as one of the things that will be change in his adminstratrionof the NBA. You will see that the CJN also has taken the issue of corruption and discipline in the judiciary to the the forefront.

There is a coalition of efforts between all of us, to make sure that we focus on the issues that affect all of us. For us, our biggest issue is CLE. And the fact that our committees are continually having sessions where we are training people, where we are trying to bring up our practices to global standards; that for me, will make sure that we are contributing to making sure that the standards of legal practice continues to increase.

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LAW PERSONALITY Prof. Bem Angwe is the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He was recently elected chairman of the Human Rights Institutions in West Africa. In this interview with the Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on the Commission’s readiness to protect Nigerian’s rights as contained in Chapter Two of the Constitution despite being not justiceable, demolition and forced eviction of Nigerians in various parts of the country, kidnapping, state of emergency, among others. Excerpts:

‘We are ready to enforce Chapter Two of the Constitution’

Y

OU were recently elected chair man of the human rights institu tions in West Africa. How do you feel about this and what do we expect from you in this respect?

Well, the election of Nigeria and, invariably myself as the chairman of the Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, is a mark of the recognition of the role Nigeria is playing in the West African sub-region in relation to the protection of human rights. During this period, we will ensure that Nigeria champions the cause of human rights protection. Very soon, we are going to embark on a tour of all the countries within the sub-region and we are going to meet with governments at all levels to ensure that we adequately sensitise the governments about their obligations to the people within the sub-region. We are going to work closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that human rights are not only recognised within the Sub region, but that they are also observed and respected.

How do you feel about the human rights condition of the country now?

I am sure that you are aware of the current human rights situation in the country that whole international community is concerned about, beginning with the series of demolitions of residential buildings and forced evictions of the citizens by the various authorities or institutions of government to the killings that have recently taken place in the country.

Can you mention some of these incidents to be specific?

Well, you are aware of the present situation in the northeast where there have been reported cases of killings of people, you are also aware of what happened in Baga, where people have been alleged to have been killed by the security forces.

You are also aware of what happened in Nasarawa State, where security agents were killed by unknown persons.

Now, the international community, like the nation and Nigerians are concerned.

There are cases and allegations of forced demolition of residential houses and forced eviction of Nigerians by different government authorities and institutions. What is your reaction to these developments?

With respect to demolition and planned evictions in the country, we first received complaints from the residents of Mpape people here in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. We also received complaints from the residents of Rivers State, over the demolitions that took place in Water Front in Port Harcourt. We received complaints and petitions from the Makoko people in Lagos and, most recently, from the Badiah people there in Llagos.

So, what is your reaction to all these petitions and complaints?

We have been telling all the agents of governments and various authorities that the due processes of law must be followed before any demolitions are carried out or their planned eviction of Nigerians from their residence. First of all, government continues to justify these actions on the grounds that these people are either licensees or in occupation of these areas unlawfully. Our commission has taken a very giant step towards trying to put an end to these issues planned demolitions or forced eviction. I want to let you know that as a commission here on daily basis, we receive more than 200 petitions from all over the world, particularly from members of the Amnesty International with respect to these forced evictions and demolitions.

So, what have you done in this respect?

Well, I have led a team of investigators from the commission here and we went to Mpape, we went to Lagos, we

went to Port Harcourt and to all these places where demolitions took place.

We also engaged the governments and despite the various interventions by this office, most of which yielded fruitful results because we were able to prevail on various governments to stop such demolitions in Abuja here, Lagos and in Port Harcourt. Despite these efforts, there are still incidents of forced evictions in the country.

What is the commission doing to address these?

What the commission has been able to do in this respect will be to carry out a public inquiry, where all the various stakeholders will be invited, where the aggrieved persons will be invited, where the perpetrators, the government authorities will all be brought together and holistically, the issue will be looked into together and the commission will come up with very significant and fundamental recommendations. We are hoping that after the public inquiry, the commission will come out with policy guidelines which the government will adapt. We will recommend the same to the government to adapt, and this will become a working document for all government authorities to follow, in cases where they plan to remove people from where they are residing and then we will recommend the payment of compensation to all the aggrieved persons. We will come up with either policy issues and recommendations that we once and for all put the issue to rest Why has the commission not taken definite steps following the investigations that were carried out in some of those places?

The reason that the commission has not taken definite steps following the investigations that were carried out was the fact that some of these complaints that were received, the complainants already decided to take them to courts, so, some of these matters are before the courts and as a result of that, he is very hesitant in coming out with final determinations. So, as not to interfere with the proceedings in the courts. For that reason, we are carrying out these public inquiries and we are hoping that these efforts by the commission will bring to an end, cases of forced demolition in our country.

Kidnapping of innocent citizens has become almost a daily occurrence in the country. Recently, the wife, daughter and driver of a Justice of the Supreme Court were kidnapped. How do we overcome this national challenge?

This commission has continued to engage the Nigeria Police and other security agencies with regard to the need to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Recently, the commission called upon the Federal Government to take steps that will ensure the safety of Nigerians and to provide security for Nigerians. Security is very vital to human rights protection and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the protection of the human rights of all citizens and all persons living here in Nigeria. To this end, we do consider it as a principal obligation that the government owes, it is a duty that the government must undertake for the interest of the populace. So, we are a national human rights institute that is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of people have continued to ensure that the government lives up to its obligations. Despite that, most of these incidents that have occurred, we have called on the Police that they must ensure that not only that the perpetrators are found, but that the rights of the victims are protected in a way that the perpetrators are found, the victims are released. So, it is one major challenge that we have in this country but apart from the fact that we ask the government to take prompt steps to have these

• Angwe

kidnapped victims to be released and to ensure the protection of Nigerians, we also engage the government to ensure that the root causes for some of these activities are addressed. You may find that these activities can also be linked to the general insecurity and the general factors that today are responsible for what is happening in the country. Most of them stem from the high rate of unemployment in the country, the high rate of poverty in the country, of cause poverty cannot be used as an excuse for people to engage in criminality. You do find that when people are unemployed, when people are so poor, they have no food on their table and all that, they can engage in engage in all manner of activities. So, it is the responsibility of the government to take all these factors into consideration and look at the whole situation holistically and then adopt the strategies that will bring to an end all such incidents. But again, as a commission, we call upon all Nigerians to work and to support the government in this area.

It is the responsibility of every Nigerian to rise and then support the Nigerian government because this situation is such that we cannot fold our arms and allow the government alone to take actions. We owe the responsibility to every Nigerian to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities and law enforcement agents. Most of these criminals who are responsible for these activities are living among Nigerian and some Nigerians do know them. So, Nigerians must cooperate with security agencies and support the government In which ways can we co-operate with the government to tackle these menace?

One way of co-operating with the government is by reporting the activities of such people, people that we know that do these acts must be reported and people must take steps to co operate with the security agencies so that the perpetrators of this evil act will be apprehended and punished, accordingly, when they are punished, then this will serve as a deterrent to future occurrences The President recently declared state of emergency in three states, namely, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. How

do we ensure the protection of the rights of civilians in those states?

Yes, we have for a long time been advising the security agencies to adapt and to comply with the rules of engagement, particularly when dealing with insurgents. There are two issues here, first, the security agencies must accept, as stated by the President, when he said, in those areas, the activities of those unknown persons constitute a war being declared against the sovereignty of Nigeria. If we do agree today that there is a war being declared then we must comply with the rules of the law of armed conflicts.

What does the law on armed conflicts say?

The law of armed conflicts states that where a person is not participating in an armed conflict, such a person must be spared and must not be attacked.

So, in this regard, we have called upon the security agencies to ensure that humanitarian law is made applicable in this kind of situation, that is to say, innocent people must be spared by all means and then if engagement is made, it must be directed only at the combatants that is the people who have taken up arms against Nigerians and against the security agencies.

It is only in this way that you will ensure the protection of the rights of the people in that place. In a situation where members of the so called armed groups lay down their arms, then it becomes obligatory for the security agencies not to attack them.

But to arrest them and have them properly prosecuted in the manner accepted by law. And again, if we take it that there is no armed conflict in that place, it then means that we must comply with human rights law and human rights law dictates that people should only be treated in accordance with the provisions of the law. Now that we have a state of emergency and the rule of law temporarily seemed to be modified, the modification of the rule of law in this area should not extend to a point whereby the rights of the people are completely ignored.

The rule of law must be looked upon and the combatants must comply with the rules of engagement.

Some Nigerians, civil society groups and rights institutions have consistently called for the provisions of Chapter Two of the constitution to made justice able to enhance better life for the people. What is your position on this?

We have said it before, as an institution that is responsible for the protection of the rights of Nigerians, there are ample provisions in the constitution that makes Chapter Two of the constitution justiceable because if you look at Section 13 of the same Chapter two that we are talking about, it states clearly that all organs of government must ensure the implementation of the provisions of that Chapter which then means that for the Courts, they are under a constitutional obligation to bring into meaning and effect the provisions of Chapter two. So, the fact that there is another Section in the constitution that says yes, the provisions of Chapter two are not justiceable, another provision in the constitution still says that the organs of state are under an obligation to ensure that Chapter is implemented. But apart from that, Nigeria as a country that has acceded to international instruments for the protection of rights of the people and for the fact that we are bound to apply customary international law, some of the provisions of the said Chapter two today constitute law in terms that they have become part of the customary international law which our Courts are bound to apply. So for us as an institution that has the obligation and a mandate to enforce these rights, we will at any given point in time, when we receive a complaint in this direction, we shall proceed to enforce such rights that are contained in Chapter of the constitution by virtue of the fact that this do constitute part of the customary international law, but again, much of this provisions of Chapter two are contained in some of these international instruments like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which Nigeria acceded to and which Nigeria has ratified and of which, Nigeria is under an international obligation to ensure the implementation and enforcement.

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USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads.

Accordingly, the public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal / Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

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99th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

he administration assumed office two years ago as a result of a free, democratic, and peaceful election. This administration is proud of this, and has since inception worked so hard to improve the social-economic situation of the State after the dismal performance of the immediate past administration. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso inherited a debt of over N70 billion, numerous abandoned projects worth billions of Naira with public servants on strikes due to either failure to fulfil promises or unpaid salaries. The first few months occupied Government's attention towards the setting up of viable base for the development of the State. The administration's key programs are in the sectors of education, agriculture, housing, health, commerce, Yourth and women empowerment.

Throughout the election campaigns, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had made strong commitments to the people of the State to the development of these sectors. Education is now being made accessible to all with the construction of more schools, classrooms and laboratories. The Government is expanding educational infrastructure in order to cope with the demand of the teeming population. More than 2000 qualified teachers were employed to man these schools. In the process of improving the quality of teaching staff hundreds are sponsored for higher education. Of recent, agreement was reached for the sponsorship of teachers under the Science Technical School Board to attend training in Britain. This is besides the establishment of a new university, the Northwest University, which has already admitted over 1000 students.

On agriculture, the administration is determined in its transformation through the provision of inputs, such as fertilizer, mechanization, and training. Agricultural institutions, such as the Livestock Institute, Poultry Institute, Farm Mechanization Institute, Irrigation Institute and Fisheries Institute were established to train the teeming youths in modern methods of agriculture. Fertilizers worth over N4 billion were procured and distributed to farmers for rain and dry seasons farming periods. The aim is to ensure that farmers are engaged in agriculture all year round. Efforts are being made to transform the State farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Because of the importance attached to infrastructural development, the State is changing as roads construction within and outside the metropolitan Kano is consuming over N100 billion, while over N7 billion is being expended on housing projects at Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo cities.

The administration is aware of the need for the provision of good shelter leading to this gigantic housing progress never seen in the history of the State. These cities are being established to be serviced by adequate drainage systems, roads and other infrastructures.

To accomplish more Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, presided over the ninety -eighth (98th) sitting of the Kano State Executive Council meetings during which deliberations were held upon policy issues and programs among which approvals were granted for release of funds to enable execution of various projects that positively touch on the lives of the citizenry and spans all sectors in a bid to provide complete transformation.

Reflectively, two sectors were highlighted in the most recent respective two (2) sittings (i.e. the 98th and 97th sittings). These comprised the Education and Agricultural Sectors. Vivid and tangible achievements were highlighted as accomplishments that have already transformed the highlighted Sectors. This way, road construction and infrastructure was focused upon during the ninety-ninth (99th) Kano State Executive Council sitting held today Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 (12th Rajab, 1434 AH). The sitting was premised on the central theme "Provision of reliable Road infrastructure".

So, Council restated the incumbent administration's resolve to continue with efforts of the construction of roads within and out of the metropolis. This was heralded by the granting of approval by Council for the release of the sum of N2,799,180,827.37 during its ninety fourth (94th) sitting to enable the construction of Tsanyawa Local Government five kilometer road, Yantaya to Kofar Dawanau road and Myoangu road.

Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, presided over the ninety-ninth (99th) Kano State Executive Council sitting today Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 (12th Rajab, 1434 AH) during which thirty seven (37) memoranda were submitted for deliberation from seven (7) MDAs. Twenty four (24) memoranda deliberated upon by Council were approved for execution with an expenditure of Three Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Eight Hundred Ninety Thousand, Three Hundred and Six Naira, Thirty Kobo (N3,283,890,306.30) covering twenty (20) projects. Thus: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted twenty two (22) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Ten (10) of them were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Extend Assistance to the Bereaved Families of Two (2) Deceased Officers who were Victims of Terrorists Attacks on 25th February and 11th March, 2013 respectively:Office of the Acting Director General, Special Services Directorate requested the release of the sum of N2,000,000.00 to the bereaved families of Dahiru I. Majiya (Commanding Officer, MOPOL 9 Kano) and Bala Muhd. Juyi (Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship Institute, Kano). The two (2) Officers were killed by unknown gunmen. The request was approved.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of N1,000,000.00 to each of the respective bereaved families making a total of N2,000,000.00 in all.

In the same vein, the families of Late Soldier in the person of LCPL Musa Abdullahi and two (2) others PTE. Adamu Murtala and CPL Emmanuel Iriniya were submitted. The first person died while the other two (2) sustained injuries during a raid operation conducted on duty at Unguwa uku on 31st March, 2013.

Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 in respect of the three (3) persons to be distributed as follows; i. Family of deceased Soldier LCPL Musa Abdullahi = N500,000.00. ii. PTE Adamu Murtala = N250,000.00. iii. CPL Emmanuel Iriniya = N250,000.00.

Approval was granted as requested by Council for the release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Office of the Acting Director General Special Service Directorate for disbursement to the respective families of the victims. b. Request for Funds to Offset Bills of Recurrent Bandwidth Charges Installed in Six (6) Schools Across the State:The Ministry of Science and Technology requested the release of funds to offset bills for recurrent bandwidth charges installed in six (6) Schools across the State. Details were presented for Council's consideration while the aggregate sum of N7,652,474.99 was requested for release to address the purpose.

Considering the significance of the request, Council approved the release of the sum of N7,652,474.99 to the Ministry of Science and Technology to offset bills of recurrent bandwidth charges installed in six (6) Schools across the State according to the specific details presented. c. Request for Funds to Refurbish Ten (10) Divisional Libraries:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request on behalf of Kano State Library Board, through contents of this memorandum. Details were presented for consideration essence of which was that first phase of the refurbishing exercise on the ten (10) Divisional Libraries was successfully executed. So, the request was for the release of the sum of N12,257,657.46 to enable execution of the remaining part of the project to completion.

Approval was granted by Council for the release of the requested sum of N12,257,657.46 to the Kano State Library Board to enable execution of the remaining part of the project of refurbishing ten (10) Divisional Libraries across the State. d. Request for Clearance and Release of Funds to Enable Conduct of the 3rd Batch Vocational Youths Empowerment for 150 Prospective Trainees:The Kano State Hospitality and Tourism Institute has just graduated its second set of 145 trainees and is set and ready to commence training of the third (3rd) batch of 150. As such, Authorities at the Institute submitted its request for clearance and release of funds for the 3rd batch of training by Council. Selection of the 150 beneficiaries was proposed to be conducted in liaison with the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC). The new training session is scheduled to commence in the first week of June, 2013. Six (6) major courses will be covered which include hospitality studies; commercial laundry; events planning and management; interior design and decoration; art planning and drawing as well as leather work. As such, the authorities at the Kano Hospitality and Tourism

Institute requested the release of the sum of N30,954,000.00 to enable conduct of the 3rd batch of training for 150 beneficiaries drawn from across the 44 LGCAs in liaison with the State CRC. e. Request for Funds to Reactivate/ Functionalize Kafin - Agur Community Irrigation Project:The 500 hectares potential Kafin - Agur Community Irrigation Project is thirteen (13) years old but mostly remains fallow and unutilized. So far only 100 hectares of the 500 are currently utilized.

With concern, the Ministry of Water Resources reported to Council that even the 100 hectares currently under irrigation requires the following attention to be fully productive: i. Hydro - pump (6") repairs

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

ii. Approach Channel re - construction iii. Re - construction of stilling well iv. Re - construction of field channel v. Provision of working materials So, the Ministry of Water Resources requested for the release of the sum of N3,280,000.00 to enable refurbishing of the Community Irrigation Project at Kafin - Agur.

The request was considered relevant and congruent to the Agricultural policy of the present administration as Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,280,000.00 to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable reactivation of the 100 hectares part of 500 hectares in use at the Community Irrigation Project situated at Kafin - Agur. f. Request for Approval and Release of Funds to Purchase One (1) 250 KVA Electricity Generator for Office Use and Four (4) 20 KVA Electricity Generators for Use by The Chairman and Three (3) Board Members of State Pension Funds Trustees:The Office of the Executive Secretary Kano State Pension Funds Trustees submitted a request for release of funds to enable purchase of five (5) Electricity Generators for use as specified at the sum of N20,967,012.00 for the use of the Headquarters and management staff of the Board to address the incessant power outages to complete the initiated effort at furnishing the new Office of the Pension Fund Trustees.

Council noted, considered and approved the sum of N20,967,012.00 from the Pension Fund Trustees' fund to purchase the five (5) electricity generators for use as stated. g. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the 2nd Year In Office Anniversary of Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request from the Committee that organized the first year in Office of the 2nd tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The request was for the release of funds by Council to enable conduct of the 2nd year in Office anniversary of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Details were presented for Council's consideration.

Prudent consideration by Council of the proposal presented prompted the approval for the release of the sum of N50,000,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to State Government for onward payment to the stated Committee to enable the conduct of a befitting 2nd year anniversary ceremony of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The first year in Office anniversary ceremony was considered as satisfactorily conducted by Council.

2. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. All were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for the Release of Funds to Enable the Construction of Five (5) Kilometer Road Project at Tsanyawa Local Government Council Area:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning politely reminded Council of its approval granted for the construction of five Kilometer roads in each of the 44 LGCAs Headquarters. Yet, only 38 of the contract have been awarded and are at various stages of progress.

The laudable policy is to actualize the urban status of each of the 44 LGCAs Headquarters.

Nevertheless, Tsanyawa LGCA is among the six (6) LGCAs whose Road Project remains to be awarded. Due process was adopted and followed by Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), which informed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to request from Council approval for the release of the sum of N1,735,325,110.13 to enable the execution of construction of the five Kilometer Road Project at Tsanyawa LGCA. Relevance of the request and congruency of the project with the policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N1,735,325,110.13 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the construction of the Road Project at Tsanyawa LGCA according to the details presented. b. Request for Funds to Enable the construction of a Dual Carriage Way along Kwanar Yan' Taya to Kofar Dawanau Road:The contents of this memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council reminded the sitting of the laudable policy of construction/repairing/maintaining general infrastructure within the State especially roads. In pursuit of this, KNUPDA has identified Kwanar Yan' Taya to Kofar Dawanau road as a strategic 1.05 Kilometer dilapidated but heavily/frequently used road linking Aminu Kano Way, Katsina Road and Gwarzo that requires the construction of Dual Carriage Way. The road is a major entry and exit route to Kano City with very high propensity to ease traffic congestion.

The KNUPDA assessed the level of works required which informed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to request for the granting of approval by Council for the release of the sum of N908,294,924.18 to enable the construction of the road.

Considering the significance of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N908,294,924.18 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to expedite action in the execution of the stated project in view of its significance. c. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Re-construction of Myoangu Road, Nassarawa GRA, Kano:Myoangu road is one of the roads that required reconstruction in Nassarawa area. It is a major road that links Race Course Road to Arakan Road through Nassarawa Hospital Road but has dilapidated to a stage that causes vehicular damages and accidents. Reconstruction of the road will certainly ease traffic congestion and provide easy passage for the teeming road users.

As such, details of the level of work required in the execution of the project was presented for Council's consideration and granting approval for the release of the sum of N155,560,793.06 to enable execution of the project.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N155,560,793.06 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the reconstruction of Myoangu road Nassarawa GRA in view of the significance of the project.

3. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE The Office submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. All were approved for execution as follows: a. Notification of Appreciation Submitted by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE:The Head of Civil Service presented a correspondence from the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics in which the Association expressed appreciation to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE for approving its demands for the implementation of CONTISS 15 migration for both Teaching/Academic and Non-Teaching Staff of Tertiary Institutions in Kano State.

Further, the Governor was applauded by the Association on his track record for favorably acceding

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Importantly, it was resolved to extend such a singular message to the Governor during the General Execution Council meeting of the Association held on 26th February, 2013 in Ozoro Delta State.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. b. Request for Additional Funds to Facilitate the Conduct of Pre-retirement Training Program for the State and Local Government Employees Due to Retire:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N5,732,000.00 during its sitting of 2nd January, 2013 for the pre-retirement training of the first batch of 333 employees of the State and Local Government Services due to retire between January and April, 2013. Yet a date has not been slated for the flag - off of the training program for the first batch of retirees. Presently, a second batch of 263 employees is due to retire from the Services of both the State and Local Governments between May and August, 2013. So, it was proposed that the two (2) batches of retirees should be merged for the training program to be conducted towards the end of May, 2013. As such, an additional sum of N1,924,750.00 was requested for release by Council to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable conduct of pre - retirement training program for 596 retirees at the total cost of N7,656,750.00. The program is fashioned for the participants to be exposed to various income generating/earning trades and skills in Agricultural production as well as small and medium scale enterprises.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the additional sum of N1,924,750.00 to top up the earlier released N5,732,000.00 released to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the conduct of the envisaged 1st and 2nd batches pre - retirement training program for retirees from the Services of the State and Local Government Services as presented above. c. Presentation on Application of the Tenure Policy:The Office of the Head of Civil Service reminded Council of requests by some MDAs regarding certain issues incidental to the application of the tenure policy. Council granted approval for a Director in the Office of the Civil Service to travel to Abuja to seek further clarification from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. This official was able to discuss possible solutions to some of the thorny issues with relevant schedule Officers and obtained copies of some circulars issued to clarify similar issues, which arose in the wake of implementation of the tenure policy at Federal level. Copies were presented for Council's perusal. Essentially, most of the requests for clarification currently receiving attention are largely from the Academic (Judiciary Institutions) and the Medical profession. They usually want to know whether or not certain categories of their Staff would be affected by the tenure policy. Established contact with Schedule Officers in the Office of the Head Civil Service of the Federation and provisions of relevant Federal Circulars prompted Office of the Kano State Head of Civil Service to recommend the following clarifications on all issues presented.

Thus: i. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government including Tertiary Institutions irrespective of their status/quasi-Legal status are not exempted from the tenure policy and should therefore take necessary action/steps to implement it if they have not already done so. ii. In line with the contents of Federal Government ruling NO. C.2262T/71/ of 23rd December, 2009, the tenure policy does not apply to Medical Consultants and Lecturers of Tertiary Institutions.

However, all Medical and Academic Staff/Non-Academic Staff serving as Directors or its equivalent at Headquarters of MDAs are also affected. iii. Further, migration from Salary Grade Level to another is not, and should not be regarded as promotion. Rather, it is an adjustment based on prescribed conditionality, which does not affect the seniority or terminal point of any Officer in the Service. By implication, Officers who prior to their migration were designated as Directors or its equivalent and have spent 8 years notwithstanding their migration are affected by the tenure policy. Such Officers should, therefore, proceed with activities preparatory to retirement.

Council acknowledged the presentation and granted clearance on issues raised in the circular as clarified and directed compliance by the affected MDAs. d. Presentation of Report from the 5 - Member Executive Committee on a Bill to Provide Amendment to the Koranic Schools (Registration and Movement) (CAP. 74) Laws of Kano State 1991:In his mandated role as Chairman to the 5 - Member Executive Committee on a Bill to provide amendment to the Koranic Schools (Registration and Movement) (CAP. 74) Laws of Kano State 1991, the Head of Civil Service presented recommendations of the Committee for Council's consideration and subsequent approval.

Arising from careful study of the Draft Law/Proposed amendments as well as intense deliberations, the Committee submitted the following observations for Council's consideration; i. The State has already in place the referred subsisting Law. ii. The proposed amendment of the Law as contained in the Bill is in respect of Sections 6 and 11 as tabled below.

Section Existing Provision Proposed Amendment 6 No Koranic Malam shall migrate with any of his A Koranic Malam shall not abandon Students from one locality to another without valid or neglect any Almajiri entrusted to Transfer Certificate. him and any Almajiri found begging in the streets commits an offence and both the Malam and Almajiri shall be liable for committing an offence under this Law. 11 Any person who fails to comply with the provisions Any person who fails to comply with of this edict is guilty of an offence and is liable on the provision of this Law is guilty of conviction; an offence and is liable on conviction a. For the first offence to a fine not exceeding one for a term of imprisonment which hundred naira or imprisonment for three (3) may extend to two (2) years or with a months. fine which may extend to fifty b. For a second offence a fine not exceeding two thousand Naira or both. hundred naira or imprisonment for four (4) months, provided that where a person who is below the age of 18 commits an offence under this edict he shall be arraigned before a Juvenile Court.

Based on the observations and recommendations from the Committee, Council approved the adoption of the amendments to the subsisting Law so as to improve the regulation and management of the Almajiri System of Education in the State. e. Request for Funds to Facilitate Professional Training of Ten (10) Selected Staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning:The Office of the Head of Civil Service handled the referred issue as directed by Council in respect of ten (10) selected Staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to undergo a one (1) year "Professional Training in Aerospace Survey" at the Regional Center for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS).

The Officers are to attend the postgraduate training on salary option arrangement while the entire course costs an aggregate sum of N5,769,170.00, which was requested for release by Council to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable the selected Officers attend the one (1) year professional training.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N5,769,170.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable the ten (10) selected Officers from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning attend the one (1) year postgraduate professional training in Aerospace Surveys organized by RECTAS. The endeavour is considered in line with the empowerment policy of the present administration.

4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Kano State Ministry of Education. Both were approved for execution. Thus: a. Request for Funds to Enable the Conversion of Challawa Cotton Ginnery into a Viable Secondary School:The conversion/transformation of unused/underused Government owned buildings/structures into viable and required usage by the citizenry of the State is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. The education sector is yet the utmost beneficiary of the policy. Many unused public buildings/facilities have been converted for use as Schools. Examples are; Gidan Ado Bayero, Magwan Water Restaurant, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport Yard at Kofar Nassawara, Psychiatric Hospital Yadakunya, the WRECA Workshop at Tiga, which were converted to the temporary site of Northwest University, First Lady Government Girls Secondary School, Governors College, Jan Baki Government Girls Secondary School, and Technical College respectively.

Once again, the Ministry of Education has identified the defunct Challawa Cotton Ginnery as a viable site for conversion into a Secondary School and requested for the release of the sum of N42,678,392.28

by Council to enable the execution of the project.

Considering the relevance of the project to the policy of the present administration Council approved the release of the requested sum of N42,678,392.28 to the Ministry of Education to expedite action in the project of converting the Cotton Ginnery at Challawa into a viable Secondary School. b. Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of Examinations and Assessment of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities:The on-going Mass Literacy Campaign exercise coordinated by the State Agency for Mass Education was launched by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE in May, 2012. The entire program has matured to a stage that calls for the following: o Conduct of Mid-Program Examinations for Mass Literacy Campaign Classes including post literacy program for workers education; to assess learning achievements after 3 months in order to assess program in curriculum coverage, aptitude of learners and performance of facilitators.

o Conduct of Transitional Examinations for post literacy participants of workers education program to be conducted after 9 months of post literacy program in order to qualify the learners to move to the 2nd 9 months cycle of the program. o Conduct of external assessment by coalition of NGOs (CSACEFA and NOGALSS), State partners in Adult Education delivery in the State to determine the efficacy of the program.

The Ministry of Education requested Council to approve the release of the sum of N8,916,900.00 to enable the State Agency for Mass Education conduct Examinations and Assessment of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N8,916,900.00 to the State Agency for Mass Education to conduct the stated Examination and Assessments of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities.

5. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES This Ministry submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Both were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Enable the Settlement of the 2013 Counterpart Funding of Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda:Counterpart funding of the Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda is a continuous endeavour agreed upon by the two (2) parties on the current contribution formula of 70% Kano State, 30% Leventis Foundation. The 70% counterpart share funding from the State Government was computed to be N52,663,615.20. Details were presented to Council for consideration.

As such, the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested, through contents of this memorandum, Council to consider and approve the following: i. Release of the aggregate sum of N75,163,615.20 (i.e. N52,663,615.20 counterpart fund + N22,500,000.00 for post training packages). ii. Procurement of and allocation of one 40 - 50 Seater bus in respect of the Leventis Foundation/ Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested aggregate sum of N75,163,615.20 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources as counterpart funding and procurement of post training packages for the beneficiaries of the training at Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda for the year 2013. b. Request for Funds for the Procurement of Organic Fertilizer for Distribution to Farmers for the 2013 Cropping Season:Positive transformation of the Agricultural Sector is among the Cardinal resolutions of the present administration. Provision of correct qualitative and modern inputs to boost agricultural production is among the cardinal resolutions for which a lot has been achieved since inception of the present administration. As such, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources requested for the release of the sum of N110,000,000.00 for the purchase of 1,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the 44 LGCAs for the 2013 cropping season.

The request was considered relevant by Council as approval was granted for the release of the sum of N110,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable the procurement of 1,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the 44 LGCAs for the 2013 cropping season.

MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Higher Education. One (1) of them was approved for execution. Thus: a. Request for Funds to Enable Accreditation of Engineering Programs at Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil:The contents of this memorandum notified Council of the requirements for the registration of graduates in Engineering to practice is the Accreditation of the programs by Council for Registration of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). As such, COREN communicated its intention to visit KUST, Wudil to conduct accreditation exercise. As such, the Ministry of Higher Education requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N68,728,972.00 to enable KUST, Wudil face the accreditation visitation by COREN. Details of the requirements were presented for Council's consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N68,728,927.00 to the KUST, Wudil to enable the University satisfy its accreditation requirements for Engineering Programs.

6. MINISTRY OF HEALTH The requested sum of N28,971,535.77 was approved for release to the Ministry of Health to facilitate the procurement of the required equipment/furniture for the renovated Gezawa General Hospital in order to complete the initiated project of renovating the highly required health delivery facility as the project is congruent with the policy of the present administration, which resolved to transform the health sector in its entirety.

UPDATE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 99TH EXCO SITTING 1. GRADUATION OF STUDENTS FROM FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK INSTITUTE, TUKWUI Council noted the successful graduation of 400 students from the fisheries institute and 132 women from the livestock institute.

2. VISIT BY THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY COMMISSION TO KANO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WUDIL Council noted the visit by a delegation from the National University Commission (NUC) to Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil and the successful accreditation of a number of courses.

Similarly, Council wishes to commend the Team and also assured Government's continuous support to ensure that the University attains greater heights.

3. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE GOVERNOR Council witnessed the Presentation of Award to the Governor at a lecture/symposium held on the 22nd May 2013 organized by the National Institute of Management (NIM) as Best Governor ''Prudent with State Resources''. Council also witnessed the presentation of award to the Governor by NAS for his support to the rule of law, Good governance and Continuous Assistance to the needy.

Similarly, Council also witnessed the presentation of an Award of Excellence to the Governor by the Yoruba Community Kano Chapter for his gigantic stride in transforming different sectors in Kano State.

4. GRADUATION OF THIRTEEN (13) INDIGENES OF KANO STATE FROM THE NIGERIA AIR FORCE TRAINING SCHOOL Council welcomed the (13) successful graduates from the Nigeria Air Force Training School who paid a courtesy call. During the visit, they presented an Award to the Governor for his immense contribution towards generation of employment opportunities and educational progress in the State.

5. VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR TO MILE TWELVE(12) MARKET Council noted the visit by the Governor to Mile 12 Market, Lagos, where he inspected and discussed with the indigenes of Kano and other Non-Indigenes making a living on the need to cooperate and ensure peaceful co-existence. To this end, Government is looking at the possibility of incorporating some of them into the State empowerment Program.

6. MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS/FLOOD VICTIMS OF WARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT Council noted the stakeholders meeting in respect of Flood victims of Warawa Local Government with the Deputy Governor. Council also noted the successful completion of 70 units of phase one (1) houses, which were constructed by the State Government out of over 800 houses at Molum Ward, Warawa Local Government. The State Government is committed and has budgeted billions of Naira for the construction and resettlement of citizens affected by last year's flooding. The Federal Government has given a Grant of N400,000,000.00 to assist the State in the resettlement of the flood victims. Council wishes to inform the general public that the official ceremony of handing over the keys of the first phase houses will be held soon at Molum Ward as the second phase of the exercise is in progress.

Council wishes to advise those who are yet to benefit from the exercise to take measures to avoid problems as the rainy season is fast approaching.

7. TRANSFER OF KANO PILLARS FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYER Council noted the successful transfer of Kano Pillars Football Club player, Papa Idris to an organization known as GBS Consortium, which is based in London at a fee of Fifty one thousand US Dollars ($51,000). Council also noted that the fee for the transfer has been paid into the State Treasury.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Contact (KAROTA) for: Breakdown of Vehicle, Traffic Congestion, Accident, Illegal / Wrong Parking through the following number. - 08091626747. State Police Command could be contacted on 08032419754, 08123821575. State Fire Service may also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For further information on Government activities visit us at: www.kano.gov.ng/new Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following numbers on - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government click to www.kano.gov.ng/new

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture

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LEGAL OPINION

Alleged contempt: Sanusi, others get June 26 date A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has fixed June 26 for hearing on an application praying it to open trial in the alleged contempt case against Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi, Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Umar Ibrahim and 13 others.

Justice A. Abdul-Kafarati chose the date last Thursday after entertaining arguments from parties on the priority of application to be taken.

Plaintiffs’lawyer, John Okoriko, urged the court to first consider his clients’application, which seeks an order setting dawn the motion for committal for hearing despite the filing of applications for stay of proceedings by the defendants.

He argued that it was the practice that a court must first preserve its integrity and dignity by dealing with issues relating to the disobedience of its order, before taking any further steps.

He relied on the Supreme Court decision in the case of Ebhodaghe and Okoye, reported in (2004) 18 NWLR (Pt 905) page 472 SC at pages 494-495.

In the alternative, he argued that the court could still proceed with the contempt proceedings even when a stay of proceedings is granted in the substantive case, on the ground that the contempt case was independent of the civil case.

Okoriko also urged the court to hear and grant the plaintiffs’ pending applications seeking the appointment of its Registrar to assume custody of the assets of the first defendant (in the civil suit) with the other defendants.

On this point, he relied on the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Okafor and Okafor, reported in (2000) 11 NWLR (Pt 677) page 21, particularly at page 32.

Defence lawyers led by S. S. Ameh (SAN) argued otherwise, insisting that the court must first deal with their applications seeking to stay proceedings and also challenging

the court’s jurisdiction to here the case.

He argued that where many applications are contesting the attention of the court, it must give priority to that challenging its jurisdiction.

Justice Abdul-Kafarati elected to hear the applications seeking stay of proceedings along with that praying that the contempt proceedings be conducted.

The contempt charge against Sanusi and others, was initiated by plaintiffs in a N7.013billion suit against Fortune Bank and five others, for allegedly dissipating the bank’s assets despite an order restraing the defendants and their agents from tampering with Fortune Bank’s assets in their custody pending the determination of the main suit.

Named with Sanusi, Ibrahim and their organisations, in the contempt charge are the Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ladi Balogun and his bank; his counterpart in Fidelity Bank and Union Bank - Reginald Ihiejiehi, Emeka Enuwa and their banks.

Others include two agents appointed by the CBN to manage Fortune Bank’s assets - Tobe Iwobi and Abdulwahab Abdulrahman; a lawyer in the firm of Simmons Cooper Partners, Dapo Akinosun, Udochi Iheanacho and Fortune Bank.

The plaintiffs in the substantive suit are Bedding Holdings Limited, Postal Innovations and Systems Limited and Chief Sylvester Odigie.

The defendants include Fortune, NDIC, CBN, Attorney-General of the Federation, Fidelity Bank and FCMB. The plaintiffs had instituted the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/844/ 2011 claiming N7,012,944,550 as special and general damages against the

defendants arising from the plaintiffs investment in the first defendant (Fortune Bank) from 2005 since CBN and NDIC took it over for allegedly being in liquidation.

Subsequently, the court gave a mareva order made ex-parte on November 25, 2011 and another interlocutory order made on February 21, 2013 restraining all the defendants from tampering ar taking steps to dissipate Fortune Bank’s assets in their custody pending the determination of the substantive suit..

The plaintiffs averred, in an affidavit supporting their motion for committal, that despite the subsistence of the mareva injunctions, the defendants have taken steps to deplete Fortune Bank’s assets.

They cited purported moves to sell Fortune bank’s main property in Lagos - Fortune Towers - to Union Bank and alleged depletion of the bank’s funds in an account with FCMB by the defendants despite the subsistence of the order restraining them from tampering with Fortune Bank’s properties and funds until the determination of the substantive case.

The plaintiffs were customers to Fortune Bank until the CBN’s banks’ consolidation policy.

They stated, in a supporting affidavit, that they had a fixed deposit account with a balance of over 230million around 2005, but that the bank allegedly frustrated their efforts to access the funds for several business transactions, in the cause of which they suffered huge loses, business interests and incurred debts running into billions of naira.

In their response to the suit, the defendants filed notices of objection, challenging its competence and the court’s jurisdiction.

The court has since dismissed the objections and assumed jurisdiction, a decision the defendants have appealed.

They have now filed applications for stay of proceedings pending the determination of their appeal.

“The leadership of the NBA has demonstrated deep concern about this seemingly intractable situation which is not only undermining the sanctity of human life, but has also portrayed the security agencies as incapable of reining in the challenges posed by belligerent elements who are hellbent on unleashing mayhem on innocent members of society and visiting untold hardship by engaging in systematic destruction of both private and public properties.

“It was borne out of this deep concern for the deteriorating security situation in the country that the NBA, under her current leadership convoked a National Peace and Security Summit as a priority programme in January, 2013.

“It is apposite to state that social justice cannot find expression in a system where the rule of law does not prevail. It is therefore

trite that the two concepts are inseparable.

“This explains why the NBA has remained consistent at the vanguard of advocacy for all strata of governance in the country to evolve and pursue policies and programmes that will entrench social justice. This is one of the surest ways to dousing discontent that inevitably results to insecurity.”

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

‘Social justice, a panacea for security’

N

IGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN) has said the society can only be secure if there is justice.

Speaking at the NBA Gombe Branch Law Week programme, he said insecurity is stalling Nigeria’s development.

Wali was represented by NBA Second Vice-President Mr Stephen Abar.

He said: “The topic chosen by the Gombe Branch of the NBA for this year’s Law Week could not be more apt given the prevailing state of insecurity being experienced in most parts of Nigeria and particularly in the North - Eastern parts of the country.

“The state of affairs has constituted a serious impediment to development and is even threatening to undermining the territorial integrity of the Nation.

•Abar

LEGAL DIARY

Institute holds Centenary law Summit

THE Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) will hold three day Centenary law summit Date: June 3-6. Venue: Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Time: 10 am. Special Guest of honour: President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Chief host: Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, (CJN). Theme: Law and Society: 100 years of legal development in Nigeria.

Eastern Bar Forum’s Governing Council’s election for Saturday

THE Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) will on Saturday, hold elections into its Governing Council of the Forum. The association had at its last meeting in Port Harcourt set up a three-man electoral committee headed by the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in Imo State, Mr Donald C. Denwigwe (SAN), to midwife the election of new officers for the Forum, the elected new officers will be inaugurated take over from the Kemasuode Wodu led executives whose tenure will expire on June 3.

The elections will start by 9. am at Sir, Emma Akwaiwu Law Centre, High Court premises, Aba, Abia State.

Chairman of the branch Hosting Committee, Mr. Victor Nwaugo, said the branch will hold a welcome sitout for all members at Enitona Hotel, Aba while Cresta Hotel will accommodate delegates who come from outside the state for the event.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Jonathan and Southeast politics

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the southeast leaders gave com mentators a lot to relish, when he visited Enugu re cently, to inaugurate the remodelled Akanu-Ibiam International Cargo Airport, and lay the foundation for its international wing. Some of the commentaries, including this paper’s Hardball, used such sensual superlatives to describe the meeting, such that you could mistake the narrative as a scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Yet, the remodelling that took place in the southeast had been completed at the Lagos and Kano airports, without the President extracting from those political zones, the type of political capital that the southeast leaders effusively stuffed into his pockets.

At the so called town hall meeting at Enugu State Governor’s Lodge, major political leaders from across the five states of the region were excited to be associated with the event. Indeed, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who gave the vote of thanks had a herculean task going through the protocol list of the past and present eminent personalities present; and those he left out, Governor Peter Obi, had to be quickly recognised.

On the high table with all the governors from the region, were the preeminent leader of Ndigbo and, indeed, Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who from the comments appeared to be the convener of the political event, passed off as the inauguration of Federal Government’s project.

As the eminent persons at the meeting kept pouring encomiums and edifying President Jonathan, by their words and conduct, one thing kept agitating my mind: for what price? To put it more succinctly, what has President Jonathan done for the southeast geo-political zone since he became the President, which according to his own confession at the town hall meeting, gave him the highest number of votes in 2011, to merit all the attention? Of course those votes are without prejudice to millions of other votes he garnered from Ndigbo across the country.

Again, while eulogising President Jonathan and promising him the support of Ndigbo in 2015, I again asked: for what price? To put it clearly again, what has the leaders extracted from Mr President in exchange for their support and vote in 2015?

I just hope that Igbo political leaders are not selling on credit? No doubt the people of the region had been done-in by the Federal Governments since after the civil war, otherwise an international appoint would have been built in the region, just like in other regions, during the oil boom of the 1970-80’s. As President Jonathan correctly stated at the ceremony, the southeast is home to commercial entrepreneurship in Nigeria, yet the region had been deliberately denied a platform to practice their trade. Notably, with the southern fringe of the region in present Rivers state forcefully appropriated out of the zone by the Nigerian state, the region is doubly jeopardised as a landlocked region. To make matters worse, the dredging of river Niger as an alternate access for the zone has been deliberately frustrated.

I guess that it is in this state of frustration that President Jonathan’s promise of an international cargo airport has become a big tantalizer.

Of course with time running out for the major beneficiaries from the ruling party in the zone, over all the unfulfilled promises made to Ndigbo

by President Jonathan prior to 2011, and with the new political realignments that are seriously threatening President Jonathan’s reelection in 2015, both groups also saw the airport project as a saving grace. As I have argued on this page, I condemn the deliberate holding down of Ndigbo and other regions through duplicitous and skewed federal system of government, as that is the cause of our national underdevelopment.

A dysfunctional Nigeria is a zero sum game. No region, including the temporally advantaged southsouth, will make a genuine progress with the debilitating political structure in place. While I will be happy to fly directly to Europe or America from the long deprived Enugu airport, instead of through the existing international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt or Kano, I do not believe that the entire Ijele of the southeast should assemble to celebrate just a promise of that fundamental right. Now if Jonathan fails to deliver, as he has failed to deliver the second Niger Bridge and a dredged River Niger, what will happen to all the goodwill already extended? Indeed, who will come out from the alternate political stable to lead the battle in another direction?

This wholesale alignment with Jonathan’s politics brings me to the reaction of the predominant political leaders of Ndigbo to the realignments that gave rise to the All Progressive Congress (APC). In my view, it is yet again unfortunate that the famed handshake across the Niger has failed to fully materialise, leaving the southwest and the core north as the major drivers of this new alliance to provide an alternative to the bumbling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). My hope for a new Nigeria, however, remains the emergence of a new political movement based on clear templates for solving the demons plaguing Nigeria, and drawing power from the scandalised youth, to birth a new country.

Unfortunately, President Jonathan understands the Nigeria’s underbellies and is working hard to exploit it. Again, unfortunately, a nation ran on patronage over the nearly four decades of military and quasimilitary ascendency had left Ndigbo the most vulnerable, and they are hasting to recoup. However, despite the glaring challenges from that era, there is need for clear-thinking in the effort to gain momentum in the emerging Nigeria. One sure way is for the zone to agree on where they stand on the core national questions and compare notes in seeking alliances.

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LAW & SOCIETY Corruption and insecurity seem to have defied solution. What is the way out? This formed the theme of discussion at the Seventh Edition of the late Alao Aka-Basorun Annual Lecture in Lagos, writes ADEBISI ONANUGA

‘How to tackle corruption, insecurity’

H

OW can the twin problem of insecurity and corrup tion be solved in Nigeria?

That was the question speakers at the Seventh Annual Lecture in honour of former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, the late Alao AkaBashorun, sought to answer.

Aka-Bashorun was also an NBA President.

The event was organsed by the NBA, Ikeja Branch as part of the activities marking its Law Week.

Speakers lamented the socioeconomic problems confronting the nation. They also proffered solution to them.

Notable Nigerians at the event held at the Bar Centre, Ikeja GRA include two formerAttorneysGeneral of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) and Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN),former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i, Femi Falana (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Pa Tunji Gomez,Dr Muiz Banire and son of the honouree, Segun Aka-Bashorun, spoke volume of the importance of the topic ; ‘Law, corruption and the future of Nigeria’.

The chairman of the occasion and former attorney-general of the federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), who kickstarted the lecture, regretted that corruption has eaten deep into the nation’s fabrics.

Prince Ajibola lamented that Nigeria leads as the most corrupt nation in the world. He advised the government to seriously address problems of insecurity and corruption in the country saying, “otherwise the situation in the country would turn chaotic”. He advised further that government should accord immediate attention to our socio –economic problems and save the country from collapse.

The Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Monday Ubani, said corruption has become a bane to national development as it has reduced the country from being a giant to a liliputian. He said that this was why the lecture organised in honour of the late chairman of the branch, Alao Aka-Bashorun was aimed at proferring solutions to insecurity and corruption, the two cankerworms hindering the nation’s development.

Mallam El-Rufa’i in his paper said the country is sitting on democratic bomb in view of the myriads of economic problems facing the country including corruption, insecurity and unemployent among others.

El-Rufa’i, who identified unemployment as a prime problem, said it would be difficult to talk peace in a country where there are millions of idle hands nor talk about security where people are hungry and don’t have access to good social amenities.

The former minister whose lecture was entitled, “Impunity, Injustice and Insecurity: What Role for the Law”, said Nigeria needs to create three million jobs yearly to tackle its employment problem.

El-Rufai said, “42 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed.

According to him, the Nigerian government was spending N2 billion daily on security, instead of investing on infrastructure and human capital development.

El-Rufai questioned the N100 billion earmarked for the Amnesty Programme of the government, noting that it has not solved the problem of pipeline vandal-

ism and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

“Our oil production output is at its lowest since 2009 as a result of oil theft and closure of facilities by oil companies.That is why the government is borrowing more than ever and dipping into the nation’s foreign reserves,” he added. el-Rufa’i decried the amnesty announced to the Boko Haram saying that it will not work if the fundamental issues like lack of opportunity, social injunctions, unemployment, Poverty and lack of rule of law persist.

According to him, the Federal Government was spending N2 billion daily on security, instead of investing on infrastructure and human capital development.

The former FCT minister asserted that granting amnesty to people who take up arms against the state would not solve the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.

“Even if you grant amnesty to Boko Haram, without addressing the fundamental issues such as lack of opportunities, poverty and social injustice, it will not solve the problem,” he said.

He said Boko Haram was averse to accepting amnesty because they are not like the Niger Delta militants who were fighting for economic goals.

He pointed out that the amnesty granted the militants in the Niger Delta has not abated the fundamental issues that arose in the area.

He lamented the declaration of the state of emergenccy in three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa which he said did not follow the constitutional provision that provides for 30 days for the National Assembly to rectify the statement before the declaration.

“We did not stand by the rules, we have set for ourselves”, he said.

To tackle insecurity, E-Rufa’i suggested the abolition of Federal Character, enthronement of liberty and the rule of law.

He decried high level of corruption in the country stressing that nothing is happening in the federal government apart from stealing.

The former minister said corruption constitute danger to the survival of the country and that there was need for a change of policy that will guarantee liberty and rule of law.

He challenged legal practitioners to fight against extra-judicial execution in Nigeria as recently witnessed at Nasarawa, Aluu 4 and in Baga in Borno State.

Erudite Professor, Akin Oyebode, advocated life incarceration for those who engage in corruption and other forms of stealing from the Public purse.

Prof. Oyebode, who noted that Nigeria is at a crossroads on issues of corruption, insecurity and other socio-economic crises, said “there is crying need to send the right signals to the rest of the population and the international community that we are indeed a seIf-respecting people , wedded to zero tolerance for corruption, opposed to impunity and dedicated promoters of equality before the law.”

The professor of international law remarked that “if we are truly intent on securing respect for our flag, passport and good name, we must do whatever needs to be done to join the rest of the humanity by evincing the will not to condone corruption.

• From right: NBA Chairman, Monday Ubani; el-Rufai, Mrs. Atinuke Aka-Basorun, Prince Ajibola, Prof Oyebode, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), Mr Afro Fayokun and Tunde.

•From left: Osahon Ihenyen, Adesina Ogunlana Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare, Ubani and Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Emmanuel Bamidele, during Bar visit to Ikoyi Prison.

• From left: Jimoh Lasisi (SAN), Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Dr Banire, during the seminar.

“Failure to take immediate action along these lines would only result in our being grudgingly tolerated by the rest of the world in spite of our much-taunted status of ‘giant of Africa’ with a manifest destiny to lead Africa and the entire black race”, he said.

He decried the growing corruption and impropriety among judicial officers and law enforcement officers.

He said that the laws and agencies put in place to fight corruption in the country “came to naught as a result of selective enforcement, double standards, ad hominem application and other lapses.”

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Godwin Kanu Agabi, expressed disagreement that the judiciary is corrupt.

He warned that though there may be few challenges, we must not destroy the confidence of our judges. According to him “No nation has a perfect judiciary. We owe our judiciary the sustainance of our democracy.

He also lamented that although Nigeria has fine laws but the seemingly lack of the power to punish offenders has continue to breed corruption.

He traced the origin of corruption to the lack of manpower problem compounded by the civil war, when the Easterners withdrew from Nigeria. He argued that the development provided opportunity to people who are not qualified to fill the man power need created by the civil war, who incidentally said are still occupying those positions till date.

At a “Forum for Lawyers to Xrayed the Court Rules 2012 and the Evidence Act 2011(Electronically generated evidence) Fundamental Rights Ruled 2009” also held at the Bar Centre, prior to the Aka-Basorun lecture, the Chief Judge of Lagos state, Justice Ayotunde Phillips urged lawyers in the state to make effective use of the new High Court of Lagos State(Civil Procedure) Rule 2012 for attainment of justice.

Speaking through her representative, Justice O.O. Femi Adeniyi, the CJ described the new Lagos High court rule as an innovasion and that it was made simple for judges and legal practitioners to apply in litigation and dispensation of justice. She said the Evidence Act 2011 has also been amended to remove clauses that could affect quick dispensation of justice.

Former Lagos State commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, who did a critique of the Civil Procedure said that some aspects of the document would not help to fast track litigations and dispensation of Justice in the state.

He listed them to include order 24 rule 1, order 3 rule I, order 15 rule1(2) and order 25 among others.

He suggested a review of the civil procedure rule in order to ensure that its purpose is not defeated.

Other activities of the law week included a visit to Ikoyi Prisons by members of the bar where the CJ disclosed her plans to release more of the inmates awaiting trials.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

35

LAW & SOCIETY

Processes, procedures of Tax Appeal Tribunal

By Hilary N. Onwe

2004). (ii) Personal Income Tax Act Cap 104, 1993 (now cap p.8 LFN 2004). (iii) Petroleum Profits Act Cap 354 LFN 1990 (now cap p.13 LFN 2004). (iv) Value Added Tax Act No 102 1993 (now cap VI. LFN 2004) (v) Capital Gains Tax Act Cap 42 LFN 1990 (now cap C1 LFN 2004) (vi) Any other law contained in or specified in the first schedule to this Act or other laws made or to be made from time to time by the National Assembly.

Paragraph 11(2) provides “The Tribunal shall apply such provision of the tax laws referred to in resolution of any disputes or controversy before it”.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal has no criminal jurisdiction, thus paragraph 12 of the fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act provides: “Where in the course of its adjudication, the Tribunal discovers evidence of possible criminality, the Tribunal shall be obliged to pass such information to the appropriate criminal prosecuting authorities, such as the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation or the Attorney-General of any state of the Federation or any relevant law enforcement agency.”

On powers of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, it is trite that a tribunal is usually empowered by its enabling instrument to make its own rules where this is not provided, the appointing body does so.

Generally, there are certain powers Tribunals have for the due administration of justice. Some of such are; powers to: (i) Summon and enforce the attendance of any person and examine persons on oath; (ii) Require the discovery and production of documents; (iii) Call for examination of wit-

• Onwe • Continued from last week

•Jurisdiction and powers of the tax appeal tribunal

J

URISDICTION relates to the au thority given to a court or tri bunal to deal with matters. It refers to a defined area of responsibility which a court or Tribunal has power to entertain matters.

Jurisdiction of the Tax Appeal Tribunal is, therefore, the authority which the Tribunal has to decide matters brought before it. Jurisdiction is conferred by law. The law establishing a tribunal usually sets out its powers, functions and structure. The jurisdiction of a Tribunal would usually include the issues, parties, relevant or applicable laws and its territorial limits.

The jurisdiction of the Tax Appeal Tribunal is contained in paragraph 11 of the fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, thus 11(1) provides: “The Tribunal shall have power to adjudicate on disputes, and controversies arising from the following tax laws (hereinafter referred to as ‘the tax laws) – (i) Companies Income Tax Act Cap 60 LFN 1990 (now cap c.21 LFN

What is his occupation?

A grade school teacher was asking students what their parents did for a living. “Tim, you be first,” she said. “What does your mother do all day?” Tim stood up and proudly said, “She’s a doctor.” “That’s wonderful. How about you, Amie?” Amie shyly stood up, scuffed her feet and said, “My father is a mailman.”

“Thank you, Amie,” said the teacher. “What about your father, Billy?” Billy proudly stood up and announced, “My daddy murders people, steals from them, and drinks.” The teacher was aghast and promptly changed the subject to geography. Later that day she went to Billy’s house and rang the bell. Billy’s father answered the door. The teacher explained what his son had said and asked if there might be some logical explanation.

Billy’s father said, “I’m actually an attorney. But how can I explain a thing like that to a sevenyear-old?”

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

LEGAL JOKES Are you talking to me?

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. “Isn’t it true,” he bellowed, “that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?” The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn’t heard the question. “Isn’t it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?” the lawyer repeated. The witness still did not respond. Finally, the judge leaned over and said, “Sir, please answer the question.”

“Oh,” the startled witness said, “I thought he was talking to you.”

Question and answer jokes How many lawyer jokes are there? Just two, all the rest are true.

What’s the difference between a lawyer and a trampoline?

You take off your shoes before you jump on a trampoline.

What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a lawyer? An offer you can’t understand.

What is a criminal lawyer? Redundant.

How many personal injury attorneys does it take to change a light bulb? Three—one to turn the bulb, one to shake him off the ladder, and the third to sue the ladder company.

Why does California have the most attorneys, and New Jersey have the most toxic waste dumps? New Jersey got first pick.

What’s black and brown and looks good on an attorney? A doberman pinscher.

Free advice at social affairs?

A doctor and a lawyer were attending a cocktail party when the doctor was approached by a man who asked advice on how to handle his ulcer. The doctor mumbled some medical advice, then turned to the lawyer and remarked, “I never know how to handle the situation when I’m asked for medical advice during a social function. Is it acceptable to send a bill for such advice?” The lawyer replied that it was certainly acceptable to do so. The next day, the doctor sent the ulcer-stricken man a bill. The lawyer also sent one to the doctor.

nesses or documents; (iv) Review its decision; (v) Dismiss an application for irregularity, and (vi) Do anything, which in the opinion of the Tribunal is necessary or incidental to its function under the enabling law.

Paragraph 20 of the fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, provides for powers of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

By paragraph 20(1) it is provided that the Tribunal may make rules regulating its procedures.

As expected, paragraph 20(2) provides that the Tribunal shall have powers to summon and enforce attendance of any person and examine such person on oath, to require discovery and production of documents, receive evidence on affidavits, call for examination of documents and witnesses, review its decisions, dismiss application for fault, decide matters ex parte, and do anything, that in its opinion is incidental or ancillary to its functions.

Paragraph 20(3) provides that proceedings before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings and the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for all purposes.

5. Rules of Procedure of the Tax Appeal Tribunal Rules of procedure refer to the manner in which parties initiate and prosecute appeals before the Tax Appeal Tribunal. As usual with other courts or Tribunals, there is a regime of rules for initiating and conducting proceedings in the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

Paragraph 21 of the fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, provides: “The Minister may make rules prescribing to be followed in the conduct of appeals before the Tribunal” However, paragraph 20(1) of the same fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, provides: “The Tribunal may make rules regulating its procedure”.

The implication is therefore that in addition to the rules the minister may make under paragraph 20 of the 5th schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, as provided, the Tribunal may also augment such rules especially where there is a lacuna.

The rules of procedure of the Tax Appeal Tribunal are contained in the Tax Appeal Tribunal procedure rules. This rules which came into effect on 1st September, 2010, was published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, official Gazette No. 67.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal Rules, 2010, consist of 24 orders of 28 rules and two schedules. The subject of the rules in numbered Orders, range from citation to interpretation, through form of commencement of appeals; to place of instituting appeals, parties and representatives, service of processes, also hearing, applications, discontinuance of appeals, to adjournments, written addresses; determination of appeal, enforcement of decisions, etc.

Under the second schedule to the rules, pro forma of Forms required for various aspects of the Tax Appeal Tribunal proceedings were exhibited, for example: Form title TAT 1: Notice of Appeal; TAT 2: Proof of Service; TAT 3: Respondent’s Reply acknowledging Receipt of Notice of Appeal; TAT 4: Notice to consolidate appeals; TAT 5: Notice of Discontinuance; TAT 6: Witness Summons; TAT 7: Warrant to Arrest witness; TAT 8: Hearing Notice The forms should state the name of the zone of the Tribunal and the place it is Holden. The names of the parties to the appeal should be clearly written.

It is to be noted that the Tax Appeal Tribunal rules, 2010, does not pretend to be a perfect document.

Thus in order 22(4) of the rules, it is provided that “where any matter arises in respect of which no provisions or no adequate provisions are made in the Rules, the Tribunal shall adapt such procedure as will in its view, do substantial justice between the parties”.

6. Proceedings and Decisions of Tax Appeal Tribunal Paragraph 20(3) of the fifth schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act, provides: “Any proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding and the Tribunal shall be deemed a civil court for all purposes”.

From the above provision; it is clear that proceedings in the Tax Appeal Tribunals are judicial proceedings of the civil court genre. It follows that the usual norms of practice in the courts shall apply to the proceedings in the Tribunals. The Tribunal proceedings are held in public, witnesses to be sworn an oath before testifying, Tribunals can summon witnesses and commit for contempt, etc.

It should be pointed out however that due to the flexible nature of the Tax Appeal Tribunals, strict rules of evidence is not followed. Again, parties may not be represented by legal practitioners; a party may represent himself in person or by any of its officers.

The summary processes of legal proceedings in the Tribunals are 1.Appellants (Plaintiffs) initiates proceedings by Notice of appeal attaching claims, list and statement of witnesses if any, and documents intended to be relied upon; 2.Respondent is served with Notice of Appeal and accompaniments by tribunal registry, which is duly acknowledged; 3.Respondent replies, stating his/ her side of the story within 30 days; 4.Hearing notice served on both parties at least 7 (seven) days to date listed for hearing; 5.On the hearing date, both parties are heard, witnesses examined, documents admitted as exhibits; 6.Any necessary interlocutory applications are considered by Tribunal; 7.Upon completion of hearing, including, written addresses and adoptions, the Tribunal makes its decision called ‘Award’ which is recorded in writing and signed by chairman of the Tribunal.

Notice of the decision of the Tribunal which contains the amount of tax chargeable under the relevant assessment shall be served on the Tax Payer by the Tax Authority.

It is to be noted that a decision, award or judgment of the Tribunal, shall be enforced as if it were a decision of the Federal High Court. A copy of the decision shall be registered with the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court by the party seeking to enforce it.

Appeals from decisions of the Tribunal lie to the Federal High Court only on point of law. A party which is dissatisfied with a decision of the Tribunal may give notice of appeal in writing to the Secretary, within 30 days after the date of the decision.

The Secretary upon receipt of notice of appeal shall transmit such notice to Chief Registrar of Federal High Court along with all exhibits tendered during hearing.

It is to be pointed out that irrespective of pending appeal on a decision of the Tribunal, tax shall be paid in accordance with the decision of the Tribunal within one month of notification of the decision.

Conclusion Tax matters linger for years in the regular courts. This results in loss of tax revenue to the different tiers of government. This is more so, as some tax payers deliberately resort to tax litigation to evade taxes.

The need for a tax dispute resolution mechanism to efficiently resolve tax disputes timeously and conveniently became imperative. This explains the agency of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, as a tax dispute resolution centre, devoid of the delays and rigors of the regular courts.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal is a specialised court for the expeditious resolution of tax disputes with some measure of predictability. Because of the time value of money, it is trite to say that substantial justice in tax conflicts obtained without delay will not only promote tax compliance but attract inflow of investments.

The establishment of the Tax Appeal Tribunal is a milestone achievement for the Nigerian economy. It is certain that, as an administrative tribunal, the Tax Appeal Tribunal would provide First-line tax dispute resolution services. The guiding principles of the Tribunal are; flexibility, fairness, speediness, efficiency professionalism and affordability.

In a recent visit by the Zonal Chairmen of the Tax Appeal Tribunals to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the head of Nigerian Supreme Court extolled the wisdom of the Federal Government in establishing the Tax Appeal Tribunal, noting that, there is need to strengthen such specialized courts to take off pressure from the regular courts.

As the Chief Justice of Nigeria rightly observed, the Tax Appeal Tribunal has the capacity to reduce the heavy cause list on the Federal High Court. It will also promote voluntary tax compliance by providing the Tax Payer with a convenient mechanism for tax dispute resolution.

It is expected that by the time the Tax Appeal Tribunal is fully institutionalised in Nigeria, as in other jurisdictions, it will raise the bar for the nation’s tax system.

It is also expected that the zones of the Tribunal will increase from the present eight zones, to thirty-six, as each state of the federation will be a zone.

The Establishment of the Tax Appeal Tribunal is, indeed, one of the best things to happen to the Nigeria’s tax system.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal should be understood for what it is – an Executive or Administrative Tribunal which is part of the Nigerian Tax System. It is an instrument used by the administration to expeditiously settle tax conflicts.

The courts in Nigeria are especially called upon to look at the Tax Appeal Tribunal from the administration point of view rather than as a formal court.

This is in line with the view expressed by His lordship of The Federal High Court, Lagos, in the case of OCEAN and Oil Ltd V. FBIR, when the court ruled that the Applicant not having gone to the Body of Appeal Commissioners (BAC), first, as provided in section 54(1) of the Company Income Tax Act, before approaching the Federal High Court to protest alleged undue tax assessment, the suit was premature.

It is to be noted that Tax Appeal Tribunal replaced the BAC, invariably this pronouncement of the court, will apply to the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

The Taxpayer in particular, is advised to take advantage of the existence of the tribunal to settle tax grievances with tax authorities at the different tiers of Government.

The Tax Appeal Tribunal is friendly, inexpensive and businesslike in its approach to tax dispute resolution. The tribunal has enormous powers granted under its enabling instrument, to annul or reduces tax assessment in appropriate circumstances, and to grant waiver of interests and penalties as justice demands.

• Onwe is Secretary, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southwest Zone, Ibadan

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

36

LAW & SOCIETY

Group decries rights abuses in Niger Delta

T

HE degradation of the Niger Delta was the subject of dis cussion at a lecture organised by a non-governmental organisation, Crusade for Justice.

Participants said in spite of effort by the government to solve the problem, the problems persist. Speakers said these problems are reflected in the high level of poverty that pervaded the area.

More worrisome to them is the fact that the people of the area that own the land from which the resouces that feed the nation is derived are left poor and deprived and are not able to do anything about it.

When they take the multinational companies, whose activities destroyed their land to court, they come back the worst for it as the companies appeared stronger than even the Federal Government.

In an opening remark at the 11th Anniversary and Annual lecture of Crusade for Justice with theme, “Oil and gas, human rights and the Nigerian state: an Overview in Lagos, the President and founder of the Crusade for Justice, Mr. Richard Nwankwo, quoting a United States Institute of Peace(USIP) report tiltled “ Blood money in the Niger” said that the country lost over $100 billion to crude oil thefts between 2003 and 2008.

He also said that about 150,000 barrels of crude are stolen daily at a rate of $111.92 adding that “this translates to about $16.788 million daily and $6.14 billion yearly” among other crimes.

Nwankwo suggested that those who are found to be involved in the crime should not only be made to forfeit their loot but also made to face life sentences.

Nwankwo lamented that Ogoniland, as small as it is, had provided Nigeria with over N700billion with which it financed its activities and developmental projects in other communities. He said that these developments, in whatever form one sees it, amount to violations and injustice when views from the prisms of chapter two of the 1999 constitution.

By Adebisi Onanuga

The Justice Crusader argued that at this critical level of the nation’s development, there is the need for the establishment of human rights and environmental courts in all locations where oil and gas, as well as related activities are going on. He pointed out that this shall form the bulwark to support and protect interests and rights of the Ogonis against the powers of the oil giants “who are so powerful that without any concerted and constitutional intervention by the state, Nigerians whose communities fall within the oil and gas exploration zones would remain prostrate and incapacitated to stand up in defence of their Godgiven human rights”.

The lead speaker, Dr. Yemi Oke of the Postgraduate School, University of Lagos in his paper titled, Oil and gas, iuman rights and the Nigerian State: right-based approach to energy governance in Nigeria” noted that the controversies generated by the 10 percent share proposed to the resource-bearing communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill(PIB) further reveals a lack of congruent framework to ensure fairness in the distribution of gains derived from the exploitation of oil and gas and other natural resources in the country.

According to him, “the nature of Nigerian state is such that a development strategy anchored on exploitation or utilization of natural resources may hardly produce a win-win situation between local owners of the resources and other stakeholders due to the current political economy of impunity in resource utilization which result in inequitable and socially unjust distribution of the resources”.

He said that the violation of human and environmental rights may continually pitch the oil producing communities against operators especially the multinational corporations unless there is a clear departure from the existing political order.

“Abject poverty, violent clashes, kidnapping, extortion, over-in-

• From left: Ikemba of Nnewi; Dr Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu; Hon Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Dele Adesina(SAN) and Ms Esosa Uche-Aliyu at the event.

voicing, subsidy fraud and other despicable ills characterised the oil and gas sector of Nigeria”, he said adding that “these social ills manifest vividly not only in the oilbearing communities, which produced virtually all of Nigeria”s crude oil but also on the generality of Nigerians”.

To redress the situation, Oke argued that there is need for rethinking of resource rights in the country adding “a functional approach to effectuating the provisions of the law should be adopted to ensure that resource right provisions in the constitution, statutes and other international instruments ratified and adapted by Nigeria form the basis for legally enforceable resource based human-rights by seeking judicial and other administrative remedies in the country as practiced in other countries.”

He observed that Nigerian statutes are replete with abuse and inactive rights provisions in terms of natural resources ownership management adding that the injustice inherent in nonjusticeability of the provisions of chapter two of the constitution on Fundamental Objective and Directive Principle of State Policy has continued to pitch the resourcebearing communities against government and resource exploiting companies in the country, like Shell and other major oil companies in Ogoniland.

The don suggested that Nigeria should adopt the Ghana model of resource control that “promotes a form of partnership between large-scale miners and small scale (artisanal) miners” adding that the sustainability benefit of a peaceful and harmonious

stakeholders co-existence that go with this are lacking in Nigeria.

The don lamented that the energy sector of Nigeria has been bedeviled with high level of corruption that has defiled all known solution.

Oke lamented that the country is receding rather than advancing in the struggle to attain transparency in the oil sector in spite of all local and foreign initiative made to bring about transparency in the sector.

Mr. Dele Adesina(SAN), a discussant, pointed out that there is a direct relationship between oil resources and the development of Nigeria. “We have a situation where a section is blessed with resources that the entire nation can live on, yet that section of the country is the most backward.”

He said that there is no way we can talk of oil and gas in Ogoniland without talking about the late Ken Saro wiwa. “His offence was asking for what to be used to develop their land. The issues that produced Saro Wiwa are still very much with us today”, he noted. For Adesina, it is time for us in Nigeria to start appreciating the fact that if oil is from there, a little more attention should be paid to Ogoniland over other parts of the country. He said that it is only in Nigeria that a multinational company is more powerful than the government adding, “this must stop if Nigeria is to move forward.”

The Founder of the Centre for Criminal Justice Reform, Dr. Paul Obianaso who claimed to have spent about nine months in the Nigee Delta while carring out a research, in his contribution said that he was not sure whether he

was in Nigeria with what he saw there. “What is happening in the Niger Delta and human right is enough to make the president not to seek re-election”, he retorted.

Lagos Lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana who was represented by the chairman of the Nigerian BarAssociation(NBA)Ikeja Branch, said that that there is nothing thjat is structually right about Nigeria “where a section is made to look like heaven while the section that lays the golden egg is degraded.”

Falana said that there is need for talks by the different nationalities that made up the country. “We all need to be awake and demand for good governance, dividends of democracy and justice for Nigeria to move forward. This is a national call”, he stressed.

The Lagos state chief Judge, justice Ayotunde Phillips who was represented by Justice Latifat Folami, lamented that at functions such as the one organised the human right group, Nigerians tend to amplify the fact that there is corruption in the country. Much as he agreed with the notion, she equally argued that therer are a lot of good things about the country. She remarked that instead of criticising the government all the time, Nigerians should think about what can be done to turn things around in the Niger Delta. “Nigeria is not going to go away. It would remain here for all of us”, she said.

This year’s annual lecture of the human right group was held in honour of the Speaker Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Justice Ngozi Osadebey-Azinge of Delta State High Court.

How to use Information Technology (IT) and software for effective legal practice was the thrust of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Section on Legal Practice ( SLP’s ) workshop in Lagos. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

Lawyers get IT training

W

ITH the proclamation by the Chief Judge of Lagos, Ayotunde Philips that the Lagos State Judiciary will soon go online and her taking necessary steps to train judges and registrars on the use of IT tools, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Section on Legal Practice, SPL, last week organized a workshop for lawyers on the use of IT in case management.

The workshop, which was organized as NBA-SPL’s social responsibility, was done for sole professionals and small law firms, who on their own may not be able to afford the cost for such trainings and software.

Participants were taught how to use the Law Pavilion Case Management System, which was designed to accommodate portability and mobility as it enables the legal practitioner to travel with all needed materials in his or her Ipad.

This action, according to Chairman of the NBA-SPL, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN), was as a result of the fact that many lawyers were yet to understand and effectively appreciate the business of law and technology.

She said the section was geared towards positioning young lawyers on evolving legal practice so that they can handle more matters with less time.

“From the number of people who are here, it is clear that they are interested and willing to adapt new practices. Obviously, the whole process is to ensure that we have speedy and effective justice system. From the lessons gained here today, it means as a lawyer, you can work anywhere you are as long as you have your Ipad and the relevant software.

“So, it is not only when you are in the office, you can manage your cases, view your course list and do research even while you are travelling. So, it makes practice easier and more efficient, and also safe time.

“Especially in Lagos State, where the courts will soon adopt IT filing and other processes, we are already training the lawyers to be ready so that they would not lag behind when the courts start.”

Presenting a paper entitled

“productivity enhancing tools: what software can do for you,” Law Pavilion’s Product Development manager, Mrs. TitilolaAyotunde-Rotifa, said with over 8, 500 reported Supreme Court cases, the software is designed for legal practitioners with a search engine to conduct searches across myriad of issues.

She said it has Civil Procedure Rules of High Courts; it is continuously updated with Laws of the Federation and contains a new case management platform that allows small law firms and sole practitioners the opportunity to coordinate their briefs.

“Technology allows for E-research through the use of e-library with access to the most recent judgments, opinions and texts; E-filing, case management, cause list, transcription, virtual lawyering, cross border transactions and increased knowledge beyond borders.

“As attorneys and law firms compete for clients they are routinely challenged to deliver services at lower costs with greater efficiency, thus firms develop practice-specific processes and utilize contemporary technologies to assist in meeting such challenges.

• Mrs Adekoya (SAN) (right) and Mrs Bunmi Ibraheem at the training held in Lagos.

“Law practice management processes and technologies include case and matter management, time and billing, litigation support, research, communication and collaboration, data mining and modelling, and data security, storage, and archive accessibility.

“Legal case or matter management software has two primary

functions: it helps to better use, manage, consolidate, share, and protect information, and it tracks and shapes the business process. Because the most useful forms of such software can integrate data from multiple systems, departments, users, and business entities, its use can increase a firm’s business advantage,” she said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

37

LAW & SOCIETY Concluding part of a paper delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at the conference of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan (UI).

Religion and security: a legal perspective • Continued from May 21

T

HE remaining three counts were on the verge of being thrown out by the court when the Yar’Adua regime approached me for an “amicable resolution” of the criminal case.

It took appreciable time to persuade Okah to accept amnesty. But when he did, he undertook a tour of the camps and succeeded in persuading other militants to accept amnesty and to turn in their weapons to the state. It was at that stage that the Niger Delta leaders became involved in persuading the militants to accept amnesty. Although the relative peace, which was restored in the Niger Delta has allowed the state to increase oil production oil theft, hostage taking in exchange for ransom and other dangerous crimes have been on the increase. With the resumption of hostilities by the MEND, it is patently clear that amnesty is not a panacea to the menace of insurgency by youths who believe that they are fighting official negligence, environmental pollution, poverty, corruption and other economic crimes being committed with impunity by the ruling class.

Religious groups which used to wield moral influence on the state have become an extension of the seat of power. Instead of acting as a moral check against injustice and corruption, which have become a threat to national security leaders of religious groups are busy acquiring stupendous wealth whose source they can hardly explain. In the circumstance, the practice of religion by clerics and the manipulation of religion by political leaders have combined to constitute a major threat to national security.

As the nation awaits the list of those to be made Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) by the Privileges Committee this year, Rotimi Eghaghe, a Benin-based lawyer, believes that merit and integrity should be the watchword in conferring the title

Respect merit, integrity in SANs’ appointment T HERE is no doubt that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is the most exalted position to which any legal practitioner in Nigeria can aspire to. The criteria for appointment to such exalted position in the legal profession undoubtedly requires the presence of certain qualities like MERIT AND INTEGRITY as well as the sacred observance of a preset standard of behavior in and out of the legal profession.

In Nigeria and going by the “Guidelines for the Conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)” 2012 made at Abuja on December 14, 2012, the objectives, principles and procedure for the appointment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria states in Section One as follows: S. 1. The award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a privilege awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who:a. are in full time legal practice b. have distinguished themselves as advocates: and c. have made significant contribution to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria

The role of the legal practitioners privileges committee (LPPC): Section 3. of the guidelines states the role of L.P.P.C thus: “The Legal Practitioner privileges committee shall exercise full control and management of the process of appointing senior Advocates of Nigeria. The primary mode of Consultation will be a way of confidential reference from

By: Rotimi Eghaghe

Judges of Superior Courts, including the Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal as well as Chief Judges, not as primary means of selection of candidates but more as a final check in the selection procedure” The power to select candidates to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rests squarely on the almighty Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LLPC) and this committee is headed at present by the honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon. Justice Aloma MARIAM MUKHTAR (GCON).

In the Next few weeks, the 2013 edition of the appointment of successful candidates to the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria will no doubt be made public and/ or published by the Legal practitioners’ privileges committee. However the pertinent question that agitates the mind of the generality of the people including members of the Legal profession is the process and/ or procedure adopted by the Legal practitioners privileges committee in their selection of candidates for appointment to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, how merit driven it is how integrity based the selection process are.

The need for the selection process to be marit and intergrity driven:

Merit and integrity driven process of selection will no doubt bring the best from the bar since the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a privilege awarded as a mark of EXCELLENCE to members of the Legal profession. Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) are therefore the Nigeria Bar Association’s first eleven. Since the award is a privilege awarded as a mark of excellence to the members of the Legal profession, there must be an objective way to asses applicants which will depend on competence based on the number and quality of cases presented but not frivolous election procured by Applicants that are determined at interlocutory stage and integrity based on the opinion of judges and peers.

There is also a consensus of opinion amongst both Lawyers and the general public against making individuals with less than 20 to 25 High Court cases Senior Advocates of Nigeria. This is predicated on the fact that at over 25 High Court contested cases, the applicant must have seen a lot in practice and procedure; Evidence, Court room mannerism, proper etiquette at the bar for it is taken that on average for one Suit to be Contested and determined, the applicant must have been to Court for an average of 10-15 times, when multiplied by the number of Cases, the applicant must be

• Rotimi

distinguished from applicants who only show up during address stage to borrow the Case just for his or her name to appear in the Judgement.

Another worrisome development in the process for the selection of those to be awarded the rank is the tampering of Judgment dates at the Registry of the Legal practitioners privileges Committee (LPPC) at the Supreme Court by changing the date of Judgement because of the 10 year old rule. Now who will watcher?

With due respect members of the Legal practitioners privileges Committee may not be aware of this development but it’s a fact and a daily occurrence at the Registry.

• To be continued next week

Conclusion From the above analysis, we have demonstrated that the secular status of the country has been compromised by the Constitution, which has failed to separate religion from the state. The ambiguity of such official policy has been exploited by the political class to engage in divide et impera tactics.

Those who are genuinely looking for solutions to the menace of insurgency and political violence in the country are advised to study the reports of Ambassador Galtimari and Sheik Ahmed Lemu.

Both have traced the root causes of the crises and suggested solutions which include the prosecution of terror suspects and dialogue with moderate ones. Judges are to be sensitized to appreciate the danger of granting bail to terror suspects.

But the Federal Government is not prepared to implement the above recommendations and several others so as not to maintain the status quo. Hence the diversionary embrace of blanket amnesty for terrorists. Nigerians must not allow the state to pool wool over their eyes. Accordingly, the Amnesty Committee for the members of the boko haram sect should be disbanded as it is totally uncalled for. The Federal Government should therefore be compelled to carry out the directives contained in the white papers issued in May 2012 and several other relevant ones which it has undertaken to implement. More importantly, the State should withdraw from religion and direct all public officers to make religion a private affair.

• From left: Ijeoma Agwu, S. Kwange, A. Ukpi, Prof. Clement Dakas (SAN), Justice Mukhtar, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), Prof Paul Idornigie, Prof. Obiora Okafor and Prof. Adebambo Adewopo during the visit.

T

How we will get lazy judges, by CJN

HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam AlomaMukhtar(CJN) has vowed to rid the judicial system of corrupt and inefficient officers.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), she said, would, henceforth use its performance evaluation reports to weed out incompetent and indolent judges fro m the bench.

The CJN said this while receiving Nigeria’s Judicial Performance Evaluation 2008 - 2011 research editions, compiled in seven volumes by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in her office. She noted that it is highly absurd to observe that some judges can’t even deliver up to two judgements in a quarter. ‘’We are now thinking of looking at the performance evaluation of the judges for the purpose of discipline. If a judge cannot deliver three to four judgements in a year, there is no use keeping him on the bench other than to be shown his or her way out,” she

By John Austin Unachukwu

said.

Justice Mukhtar said she didn’t know how bad the situation was until she directed all judges to seek for permission through their heads of courts before travelling abroad. ‘’The Nigerian Bar Association has also been complaining about the attitudes of judges to work this days.

Many will leave their work and travel for days abroad. This is why I insisted they must obtain approval before travelling abroad. Until this directive, I never thought things were all that bad, because some of the judges will be seeking for permission to travel abroad while the courts were in session, despite the six weeks holiday they are entitled to in a year’’.

The CJN went further to state that judges are expected to commence with the court proceeding by 9am, but there were instances where many of them do not resume work until 11am or noon while the litigants, their wit-

nesses and lawyers keep waiting in the courts. ‘’These litigants are human beings.

They go to court sometimes with their witnesses and lawyers and were told that the judges were not around. Sometimes after coming to court without seeing the judges, they abandoned their cases in the court.

It is not fair. ‘’These are part of the reasons the NJC undertakes performance evaluation from time to time, both at the trial and appellate courts to determine productivity of the judges and their courts in the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Supreme Court is not exempted. ‘’The NIALS’ performance evaluation has come at a better time because it will go a long way to compliment the ones carried out by NJC performance evaluation committee,’’ she said.

While presenting the seven volumes of the performance report, the Director General of the Institute, Prof.

EpiphanyAzinge (SAN), said most courts in Nigeria are unable to dispose off half

the cases before it in a particular legal year.

“Most courts in Nigeria are unable to dispose off, half the cases before them particularly in the last seven years, these are sad commentaries about the efficiency of our courts”, Azinge said.

Also, according Prof. Azinge, “ there are no clear indicators to monitor cases carried over from a previous legal into the succeeding year to enable both the court and litigants to track their performance”.

“The performance of the court in these Two areas which are very essential to justice delivery, have regrettably fell short of the expectation of judiciary performance as contained in the volumes researched and compiled by the Institute in the last seven years” he noted.

Azinge, however, expressed optimism that the volumes will assist the CJN in charting a part to speedy dispensation of justice and the overall reforms currently going on in the sector and tackle the rising cases of bellow average performance of judges.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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LAW REPORT

Will cannot be voidedbecause ‘Igiogbe’ wasbequeathed to someoneelse lished decisions beginning from Arase V Arase (1981) NSC 101; 5 SC 33; ldehen V. ldehen (1991). The Court of Appeal in Igbinoba V. Igbinoba (supra) did not go beyond the established law that no one can derogate from the eldest son’s exclusive title to his father’s lgiogbe upon final rites of “Ukonwen”. Suleiman Galadima, JSC.

In The Supreme Court of Nigeria Date: April 19, 2013 SC. 135/2004, 2013(4) LEDLR-16 IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD CHRISROPHER MITCHELL CHUKWUMA-ENEH SULEIMAN GALADIMA CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI STANLEY SHENKO ALAGOA BETWEEN

EDWARD OMORODION UWAIFO

APPELLANT

AND 1. STANLEY UYINMWEN UWAIFO 2. MRS ELIZABETH EHEZOGHE IGBINOVIA 3. MRS GRACE EBENOVBEVBE KASIM 4. MRS LOVETH AIZE EMOKPAE 5. MRS AGHATISE UWAIFO 6. MISS JOY AGHAMUOKU UWAIFO 7. GREGORY SAMUEL O. IZEVBUHE

RESPONDENTS

8. ATEWE O. UWAIFO 9. BENJAMIN O. EHENUWA 10. THE PROBATE REGISTRY EDO STATE 11. DAVID UWAIFO Issues:

W

HETHER the Court of Appeal was right in affirming the Judgment of the trial High Court to the effect that vacant land under Benin Customary Law cannot constitute Igiogbe and thereby failed to follow its earlier decision in IGBINOBA VS. IGBINOBA (1995) 1 NWLR (PART 317) 375.

Facts: The Late Daniel Ediagbonya Uwaifo, a Bini man subject to its customary laws, died on 29/8/85 in his house at No. 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin City. In his life time he built another house in the same compound at No. 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin city and gave this No. 2 out to tenants and collected rents.

However in June 1975 , these two houses were shared to other children which excluded the Appellant who is the first son of the deceased.

Aggrieved, that he has been disinherited by his father, appellant took the matter to the High court and filed this action challenging the validity of the will having regard to the provision of Section 3 (1) of the Wills Law of Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 which is still applicable in Edo State.

After trial, the trial Chief Judge Hon. Justice C.A.R. Momoh in a well-considered Judgment granted some of the Plaintiffs reliefs in paragraph 17 (a) (b) and (c) of the Amended Statement of Claim with relevant modifications.

Dissatisfied with this, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal against some part of the judgment. The court dismissed the appeal. He further appealed to the Supreme court.

Ratio: Under Bini Native law and custom neither testamentary disposition nor family arrangement can deprive the eldest surviving son of the Igiogbe The Will of a native of Benin City cannot be voided simply because the lgiogbe (the house he lived and died) was not bequeathed to his first son. The will is only void to the extent of the deceased father disinheriting the first son of the Igiogbe.

In the instant case, the appellant made an error by misinterpreting the dictum of Justice Obi in Igbinoba V igbinoba to mean that the Igiogbe included vacant land because there has been no decision on this issue under the Benin Customary Law Notable dicta On whether vacant Land can be regarded as part of the Igiogbr, it is to be noted that from the above passage, it is quite clear that “vacant land” was not an issue considered by the Court of Appeal, Benin in IGBINOBA case (supra). Since it was not an issue before that court, it did not pronounce on the point. I agree with the learned counsel for the Appellant that the subsequent Court of Appeal decisions could not be expected to rely on its past decisions on a point not earlier pronounced upon. What the Court of Appeal did in the case was simply to follow the earlier well estab-

LEGAL DIARY

Fashola swears in six judges today

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Raji Fashola will today swear in six new high court judges for the Lagos State Judiciary.

The ceremony will hold at 10 a.m. at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Among the new judges is the former Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court, Mr.Ganiyu Safari.

Others include the daughter of the late Chief Tanimose Bankole-Oki, the former chairman of the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Ms. Folashade Bankole-Oki, wife of Babatunde Ogala, former chairman, Lagos state House Committee on Judiciary, Mrs. Oyindamola Ogala, a magistrate, Mr Michael Akintunde Savage, Mrs. Sedotan Ogunsanya and Mr Wasiu Animashaun.

On the custom of Bini people with regards to the Igiogbe As the learned trial Judge had rightly observed, and I agree, there is no customary law against devising the lgiogbe by Will to the rightful beneficiary, that is, the first surviving son, but it is against Bini Customary Law to disinherit the eldest son of the ldiogbe as was done in this case or to share it to others. In view of this the learned trial Judge rightly held that the Will is invalid only to the extent that House No. 4 Ohuoba Street, declared as the lgiogbe was devised to persons other than the Appellant; and the entire Will cannot be voided on the sole ground that the lgiogbe was so devised. As long as the Custom of Bini people prevent a Testator from devising his lgiogbe to any other person other than his eldest son, to that extent the Will of Pa Daniel Ediagbonya is invalid. However, the deceased’s Will is not invalid in its entirety. Suleiman Galadima, JSC For all intent and purpose and on a composite reading of the Wills Law in conjunction with the Benin customary law, the contested will is only void to the extent of the deceased father disinheriting the appellant to the Igiogbe; it is his right and he therefore must be allowed to inherit and enjoy same. The deceased father in bequeathing the Igiogbe along with his other properties for purpose of disinheriting the appellant is in violation of the Bini customary Law. Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC On the provisions of section 3(1) of the wills law of Bendel State Section 3 (1) of the wills Law which is quite explicit on this point reads thus, “subject to any customary law relating thereto’ it shall be lawful for every Person to devise, bequeath or dispose of by his will executed in manner hereinafter required all real estate and all personal estate which he shall be entitled to either in law or in equity, at the time of his death and which if not so devised, bequeathed and disposed of would devolve upon the heir at law of him or if he became entitled by decent of his ancestor or upon his executor or administrator’” stanley Shenko Alagoa, JSC Legislation Section 3(1) of the Wills Law of Bendel State of Nigeria 1976.

Judgment: Suleiman Galadima, JSC:- This case arose from what the Appellant as Plaintiff consid-

ered unfair treatment meted out to him by his late father (Pa Daniel Ediagbonya Uwaifo) in his will by which he shared his estate to his children but disinherited the Appellant thereby denying him his right to inherit his father’s “Igiogbe” as his first son. Late Daniel Ediagbonya Uwaifo lived and died on 29/8/ 85 in his house at No. 4 Ohuoba street, Benin city as a Bini man subject to Bini customary laws. In his life time he built another house in the same compound at No. 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin city and gave this No. 2 out to tenants and personally collected rents. However in June 1975 these two houses were shared to other children which excluded the Appellant.

After the completion of his father’s final burial ceremony, Appellant was informed for the first time that his father made a will which was later read at the Probate Registry of the Benin City High court. It now dawned on the Appellant that he had been completely disinherited by his late father.

It is against this background that the Appellant went to the High Court and filed this action challenging the validity of the will having regard to the provision of Section 3 (1) of the Wills Law of Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 which is still applicable in Edo State.

Pleadings were ordered and exchanged and subsequently amended. By paragraph 17 of the Amended statement of claim, the Appellant as Plaintiff claimed against the Respondents as Defendants jointly and severally as follows: “a. A declaration that the Will of the Plaintiffs late father Pa Daniel Ediagbonya Uwaifo dated the 26th of June 1975 is invalid, null and void and of no legal effect whatsoever by reason of non-compliance with the Bini Customary Law of succession and section 3(1) of the Wills Law, cap.172. b. A declaration that any purported bequest under the said Will of the property at Nos. 2 and 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin City where the Plaintiffs father lived, died was buried (otherwise known as his “lgiogbe”) to the defendants is contrary to Bini Native Law and Custom and is therefore null and void. c. A declaration that under Bini Customary Law, the lgiogbe can never be shared to any person other than deceased’s eldest surviving son (in this instance, the plaintiff) and consequently the purported devise of the compound at No. 2 & 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin City by the deceased in his said Will to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Defendants is null and void and of no effect whatsoever. d. N37,385 being the rents the Defendants have collected from the twenty-three rooms/stores and one big shop in the “lgiogbe” at Nos. 2 and 4 Ohuoba Street, Benin City for 58 months that is September 1986 to May 1991 at the rate of N655.00 per month.

• Continued next week

CPC DG to get peace prize

•Atoki

T

HE Director General, Con sumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Catherine Dupe Atoki, has been nominated to receive the prestigious Gusi Peace Prize because of her contributions to peacekeeping in the realm of human rights advocacy in Africa.

Before her appointment, Mrs Atoki was the Chairperson, African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), an organ of the African Union (AU) She will be the will be the first Nigerian and the third African to be so honoured.

By John Austin Unachukwu

A statement from the organisers of the award says the Gusi Peace Prize, “which is considered as the Asian counterpart of the Nobel Peace Prize in dignity, integrity and respect, though not in monetary”, is a fall-out of the Filipinos Presidential Proclamation 1476, signed by the country’s former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declaring every fourth Wednesday of November as the Gusi Peace Prize International Friendship Day. A letter to Mrs. Atoki on the award dated May 12, 2013, reads: “ The Gusi Peace Prize Philippine and International Committees have decided to award the Gusi Peace Prize for 2013 to you, Catherine Dupe Atoki, for your untiring efforts, working for people’s amelioration, to find peaceful solutions for people’s welfare through human rights advocacy in the African Union “For the record, you are the first woman to head an AU organ, being the current Chairperson of the African Commission. In this capacity, you carried out many promotion missions across the continent and was received by several Presidents and Heads of State of Africa, which

provided the opportunity for you and your group to engage with other high government officials on their obligations to ensure the enjoyment of human rights by their citizens.

“You likewise ensured that African voice be heard at the United Nations through your engagements with the various UN organs including the Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for human rights. You have also delivered several papers in and out of Africa on diverse human rights themes including their impact on peace. Your significant contributions, accomplishments and achievements have made you a living paradigm for others to emulate, not only in Nigeria, but throughout the African Union, and the international community While lauding her over three decades of practice in human rights, corporate and commercial laws and her contributions to the review of laws discriminatory to women and the reform of investment law in Nigeria, the letter informed her shat she will be one of the distinguished laureates of the Award, scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the Philippine International Convention Centre.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

1

•Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ecobank, Thierry Tanoh; Managing Director, Ecobank, Jibril Aku and President Goodluck Jonathan during the bank’s courtesy call at the Presidential Villa

From left: Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Efiok Cobham; Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro and Vice-President, Namadi Sambo during the presentation of the Bakassi Committee Report to the Vice-President at the State House in Abuja

• A teacher of the Ummahaitul Muminin, Women Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Sabongari-Bwari, Mallama Hassanatu Musa (fifth right) with the graduating students during their 1st Qur'anic graduation ceremony (Walimat)

•From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali; Minister of State Power, Zainab Kuchi, Managing Director Niger Delta Power Holding Company (PHCN), James Olotu and Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Professor Modupe Adelabu during the meeting of Board of Directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company at the Presidential Villa

•Worshippers at the 2013 Navy week Inter-denominational church service.

•Education Minister, Professor Ruqqayat Rufai and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen at the weekly Federal Executive Coucil meeting at the Presidential Villa

PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

• From left: Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo,Minister of Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu, Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and Minister of Lands and Urban Development Ama Pepple during the 2013 Democracy Day Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

•Officers of State Security Service (SSS) during the candle light procession for the fallen officers of State Security Service (SSS) who died in Nasarawa State, PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE .

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

POLITICS

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TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) election has come and gone. But the ripples it has generated will take a long time to settle, writes Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE.

NGF: Divided they stand T

HINGS have fallen apart in the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, the most elitist political group in the country.

Less than 48 hours to the election that has generated much tension, an aide to one of the governors from the Southsouth told The Nation, that it would end an anti-climax. He dismissed what he called “all the hype and exaggerated buildup to the election.” The source maintained that nothing spectacular would happen.

However, the outcome of the election and the developments that have followed it have pointed to only one fact - it is not “case closed” yet. If anything, it has exposed the Forum to a bitter feud and internal wrangling.

It has dwindled the ability of the Forum to speak with one voice.

Bone of contention The bone of contention was whether Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi should seek re-election or not. The Constitution of the Forum clearly gives the incumbent the opportunity to seek another twoyears in office, if he so desires.

But, among the governors, there has been opposition to the ambition of Amaechi to seek re-election. Expectedly, this led to the polarisation of the Forum into two - those for the re-election and those that are against it. The factions have spent valuable time plotting and strategising. The intrigues have been palpable. In one instance, a new body comprising of only the governors of the Peoples Democratic (PDP-GF) was formed and Akwa Ibom State Governor Goodswill Akpabio emerged as its chairman.

At the weekend, Amaechi was re-elected. But his victory was quickly rejected by the group, which has been opposed to his return as the NGF chair.

Amaechi’s offence Amaechi’s offence, it was learnt, was that he turned the Forum into a “trade union”. He was said to be critical of the President and his programmes. Besides, it was said that his alleged ambition to run for vice-president in 2015

tin Elechi of Ebonyi, Theodore Orji of Abia, Peter Obi of Anambra and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi. Others are: Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina, Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna, Garba Umar of Taraba, Ahmed Abdulfatah of Kwara, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Gombe State Deputy Governor, Thaanod Rubainu. The rest, mostly from the opposition parties, are on the side of Amaechi.

Stable past

•Gov. Amaechi

• Dr Jonathan

T

• Gov. Jang

Furore over 36 votes

HE ballot box is in trouble. At the weekend, the Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF) election could not be an exception. The chairmanship election momentarily underscored the failure of the association to act as a model of internal democracy.

The rancorous poll mirrored the past electoral terrorism on a micro scale. Observers contend that it may be the sign of things to come in 2015.

In Abuja, one of the governors, declined to vote, thereby refusing to take sides in the divisive issue.

But the 35 votes became the bone of contention.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 19 votes, was declared winner. But the supporters of his emergency opponent, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, kicked against the result and pronounced the retired soldier winner.

Today, there is the NGF chair. But there is also a parallel chairman. The authentic vice chairman, according to the poll results, is Zamfara State Governor Aziz Yari. The factional vice chairman is Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Instructively, the two antagonistic structures reflect the North/South dichotomy. Between now and the next general elections, NGF may remain a disunited group. If there is no truce, the divided huge may ultimately fall.

Both factions have tested their strength and popularity by calling for meetings. The battle has also shifted to the pages of newspapers, with governors adorning the garb of spin doctors.

Many attribute the turn of events to the ruptured political relations between President Goodluck Jonathan and his Southsouth kinsman, Amaechi, although the President’s spokesman washed his hands off the controversy. The poll analysis showed that the President may have lost grip on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors. It is also evident that the Northern governor’s vote may have been influenced by the 2015 calculations. Jang claimed that he had their backing. Does that mean that they sold out?

According to analysts, four options are before the warring governors-fresh election, litigation, interim management and reconciliation. It was the first time the NGF election was marred with controversy. That controversy preceded the election. The inability of the governors to collectively endorse the poll is outcome confirmed the split along the Jonathan/ Amaechi divide. Ultimately, there is no way either Amaechi or Jang, the reluctant aspirant, can foster would jeopardise the chances of President Jonathan.

According to the poll results, Amaechi secured 19 votes to

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

unity, harmony and understanding in the fold.

The option of a fresh election may be stressful.

The two antagonistic camps loyal to the President and Rivers State governor would just return temporarily to their shells, only to re-emerge as combative warriors. If this occurs, the forum will definitely need strict police protection during the rerun.

In consonance with the rule of law, the two governors can approach the temple of justice for adjudication. Amaechi and Jang’s lawyers will then clash in the course of the legal fireworks before the judge. If there is no accelerated hearing, the case may not be decided before 2015.

Now that the NGF is enveloped in crisis, an interim management may be plausible, depending on the constitution of the body. But, how to constitute an interim management committee is also a challenge, since all the governors are stakeholders in the crisis. This approach, according to observers, is defeatist. It may dent the forum’s image as an organisation that cannot put its house in order.

The best option is reconciliation. Who will moot it? The lone governor who abstained from voting?

The governors who are blindly at war? Leaders outside the forum? Past governors who have records of integrity and credibility? Deputy governors who have no forum as spare tyres?

It is a costly disagreement that may take its toll on the polity. The NGF has an outstanding battle against the Federal Government. This battle revolves around the agitation for true federalism, decentralisation and devolution of powers, Land Use Act, and revenue allocation. Now that the leadership tussle is a distraction, the NGF may inadvertently abandon this popular battle for repositioning the federal polity.

The of discord may also blur the vision of the NGF and its agenda, especially the peer review mechanism. The polarisation may mitigate against the cross-fertilisation of ideas and exchange of knowledge among the governors. It can even worsen the existing border feud between contiguous states. Indeed, a dangerous precedence has been laid. Can the NGF survive the alleged presidential arrow and self-inflicted wound?

Governor Jonah Jang’s 16.

Since then, things have never been the same for the Forum.

Jang’s supporters have dis-

credited the election. They are: Akpabio, Jang, Idris Wada of Kogi, Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Mar-

The NGF has been relatively stable, since it was founded in 1999.Though it is not recognised by the 1999 Constitution, the Forum has grown to wield enormous powers and influence. Its existence has largely been justified by the provision in Section 40 of the Constitution for individuals to enjoy the right of association From inception till now, the NGF has been led by five individuals. It started with former Governor of Nasarawa State Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu from inception in 1999 to 2004. He was succeeded by former Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah who led it from 2004 to 2006. Next to chair the Forum was former Edo State Governor Chief Lucky Igbinedion. He led it from 2006 to 2007. Thereafter, former Kwara State Governor Senator Bukola Saraki took over the mantle of leadership of the Forum. He was there for the four years his second term lasted from 2007 till 2011. Amaechi took over in 2011.

The last time a similar leadership crisis rocked the Forum was in 2011. Then, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, who had been named as the new leader, was removed in a dramatic fashion. But the Forum was not polarised. This is the first time since its formation, that the group will split into two. Already, the campled by Jang has set up a parallel secretariat from where it hopes to operate.

Implications The implications for the Forum could be far reaching.

First, the Presidency is now at liberty to recognise and deal with the faction it endorses. Second, the masses would bear the brunt in one way or another. Any position canvassed by a governor that is not among the recognised group may not get the attention it deserves.

Besides, it may mark be the beginning of a major realignment of forces in the buildup to the 2015 general election. But will the NGF be the same again? The answer is a resounding no.

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PROPERTY

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28 , 2013

Tuesday, MAY 28, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

When it was built 36 years ago, Festac Town, Lagos was dubbed “Little London” because of its state-of-theart infrastructure. The once beautiful town is now a shadow of itself, with the collapse of virtually all its infrastructure. Stakeholders have met on how to restore the town’s glory, reports OKWY IROEGBUCHIKEZIE.

•A portion of FESTAC Town.

Once upon a Festac Town

F

ESTAC Town was well-planned. At the height of its glory, it was where many preferred to live. Initial house and land owners got them through a ballot system with a proviso forbidding them from renting and disposing of the properties to third parties. But all that has changed. The town is now disorganised and uncoordinated.

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has asked residents to pay ground rent to pave way for a comprehensive urban renewal. They are also to stop from changing the character of the estate. The Lagos State Government also insists on residents paying the Land Use Act, but the latter maintained that they will only pay when they see evidence of infrastructural development and urban renewal.

FHA’s position FHA Managing Director Terver Gemade said the residents have departed from the authorities original design and concept.

He said: ”Housing units were allocated to winners/tenants on mortgage repayment basis spanning a period of 25 years, now

eight years after the expiration of the mortgage tenure, some of the residents are still unable to pay up in spite of the foreclosure clauses (which have been difficult to enforce due to constant litigations).’’ He accused the tenants of contraventions in town planning rules, abuse of use of facilities and wanton conversion of residential properties to commercial purposes.

Gemade also observed that premises were overcrowded with a large percentage of alterations and attachments. He decried the unhygienic premises of most of the flats, disused containers, illegal workshops and use of open spaces. He insisted that except residents comply with the terms of the lease and pay statutory fees, the path to achieving the old glory may not be easy.

On what they have been able to do at the resident, he said following the take–over of the Ishasi Water works by the Lagos State Government via a court judgment, the authority established a mini-water works on 22 Road.

The authority for so many years paid huge sums of money to the Lagos Water Corporation to augment supply of water from the mini-water works.

Gemade said, however, that the project could not continue because of the indifference of the residents to pay services. He said the authority is partnering Messrs Kopila Water Technology. He regretted that most residents were reluctant to tap into the project.

The FHA boss said some roads have been rehabilitated and some infrastructural services in the town had been upgraded.

Residents’stand

President of the residents association, Comrade Jola Ogunlusi, said they are resisting the imposed Land Use Charge from Lagos State Government and Ground Rent from FHA because of the lack of infrastructure in the estate. Furthermore, he maintained that they have not received demand notice from FHA to pay the controversial ground rent, which he said, was fixed without the consent of the residents. He said the residents are prepared to negotiate the terms with the Lagos State Government. He accused FHA of disregarding their complaints of contraventions and conversion of open spaces to shops and other illegal abodes by some residents because of their complicity.

Ogunlusi said they have written to FHA about the selling of the buffer zone to some highly placed people to the resident’s detriment without any positive response.

He said over 20 roads are in poor condition, making life difficult for residents. He commended the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Mr Ayodele Adewale, for rehabilitating some of the roads. He lamented that other government agencies are more interested in taxes.

On their demands, Ogunlusi asked for a connection road and bridge between the estate and Abule Ado, stressing that 60 per cent of revenue made from the town should be ploughed into the development of the estate.

Fed Govt’s stance Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, criticised the residents for failing to live up to their civic responsibilities by not paying their ground rents and land use charge. She criticised them for dragging the govern•Continued on page 53

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

53

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Court dismisses suit on Austen-Peters’ Estate

A •Ms Pepple flanked by Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde(right); Adewale (2nd left) and Gemade at the meeting.

Once upon a Festac Town •Continued from page 51

ment to court instead of paying their statutory dues. Pepple insisted that except they pay their taxes, the urban renewal and regeneration plan of the government may not succeed.

The minister frowned at the accusations the residents levied against FHA of complicity in selling buffer zones and illegal allocations and asked for proof to help the government investigate it.

Lagos State’s perspective Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Mr Bola Shodipo, criticised residents for not paying their taxes and expecting development. He warned that if they continue to be recalcitrant in the issue of paying tax, development may continue to elude them as the gov-

T

•Ogunlusi

ernment cannot use taxes paid in other estates to develop them.

Earlier, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, asked the FHA to resubmit the master plan of the estate to establish what it was before and now. He warned that flagrant disregard to town planning laws of the estate would attract severe sanctions.

Amuwo- Odofin LG Mr Adewale asked the various agencies of the government to look

•Shodipo

into the infrastructure needs of the residents such as good road, water provision, sewage plants and provision of street lights. He asked for efficient management of the buffer zone to protect it.

He decried the insecurity in the estate and asked the government to do something urgently about it. He also listed his achievements in road construction, the environment and other areas and asked that other strata of the government should complement the efforts of the local government.

Lagos okays 1,427 development permits HE Lagos State Government •To relocate Mile 12 Market has approved over 1,427 de-

velopment permits out of 1,840 applications it received.

This is a significant improvement in the time frame for the evaluation of Physical Planning technical reports and the granting of development permits.

The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, said in his office that there have been improvement in the time frame for granting development permits, representing 87 per cent unlike what happened in the past.

He said the new time frame is an average of about four months unlike before when people wait endlessly before they got their approvals.

On stemming building collapse, he said the ministry would extend its services soon, especially the monitoring of the removal of illegal structures and arrest of devel-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

opers and their workers at sites beyond the regular working hours.

He said: “Beyond this, the ministry has put measures in place to curb the incidents of building collapse in the state by compulsory integrity test of buildings and construction materials in conjunction with the State Materials Testing Agency, identification and removal of distressed buildings, removal of illegal and non-conforming buildings. Others are inspections and certification of various stages of building construction and the evaluation of on-going and completed projects.”

He raised the alarm over the high rate of abandoned building projects in the state and its security implications at the last count, adding that the figure rose to

about 417, which he said, was unacceptable. The commissioner, however, said government’s efforts were yielding results as 15 developers were returned on site at the Oniru Estate in Victoria Island.

He warned that the government would penalise defaulters to check the ugly trend to preserve lives and properties.

Ayinde also disclosed the preparedness of the government to transfer the regional food stuff commodities market in Mile 12 to Parafa Ikorodu.

On the reason behind the transfer, the commissioner said it was conceived as a result of the incessant problem generated by Mile 12 Market operators and the need to relocate the market to a new spacious environment, that is wellplanned for maximum efficiency.

Quantity surveyors seek reduction in project costs

P

RESIDENT of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) Mallam Husaini Dikko has sought the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to partner to reduce project costs in the country.

Dikko said for the nation to achieve its Vision 20:2020, the building and construction industry needs to contribute to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

From Olugbenga Adanikin and Jane Maha, Abuja

He spoke at the Third Building and Construction Economic Round Table in Abuja.

Dikko said: “We require the antigraft agencies to continually collaborate with the QSRBN. Syntheses and analyses of building and construction projects cost are highly technical and the expertise may not be domiciled in the aforementioned anti-graft agencies.

“This partnering relationship will produce the synergy necessary to deal a mortal blow to corruption in this sector.”

He added that this group’s focus on transparency and accountability was critical to the realisation of the potentials of the building and construction sector.

According to him, the sector will be relevant to set agenda for the nation’s economic development.

However, he said, there was the need to set standards for project cost as well as templates to determine the cost bands across the geo-political zones of the country.

This move, to him, would bring sanity into cost of building and construction projects in the nation.

LAGOS High Court in Igbosere, Lagos State has dismissed a suit filed by a firm, Orbital Computer Services Limited, challenging the award of N13million per annum for eight years by an Arbitral Tribunal to the estate of Brig-Gen. Austen-Peters.

Justice M.O. Obadina held that the suit lacked merit.

The claimant went to court seeking an order setting aside the January 30, 2009 final arbitral award made by an arbitrator, Ikechukwu Ofalalwenofu.

Ofalalwenofu awarded N13 million per annum for eight years (N104 million) against Orbital as rent proceeds from the lessee.

The firm, which claimed that there was no dispute between it and the defendants on a property at 180, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, alleged that the arbitrator misconducted himself by assuming jurisdiction in the matter at the defendant’s instance.

Orbital claimed that there was no dispute at the time the arbitrator assumed jurisdiction as both parties were still negotiating the rent.

The firm also argued that the arbitrator misconstrued the lease agreement and did not take into cognisance the facts of the matter.

It alleged that the arbitrator erred in law when he relied on the defendant’s amended statement of claim back-dated to November 26, 2008, as well as the rental valuation report dated January 12, 2009, to support their claims.

The claimant further alleged that the arbitrator exceeded his powers by going outside the scope of reference in awarding total rent for the 13th to 20th year to be paid in advance, which is not provided in the lease agreement and neither was such claims made by the defendants.

Administrators of the estate, Victoria Olufemi Austen-Peters; Oludoyin Austen-Peters and Fabola Austen-Peters, who were sued on behalf of the estate, opposed the reliefs sought by the claimant.

In a six-paragraph amended counter-affidavit, the defendants submitted three issues for determination.

They referred the court to paragraph three of the lease agreement, which said should any dispute arise at the end of the 12th year of the lease, or at anytime, as to the rent payable for the 13th to 20th year, the parties should refer the matter to an arbitrator appointed by the President, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, and the cost shall be borne by both parties.

The defendants had through a letter dated October 2, 2008, which was the end of the 12th year of the lease, informed Orbital that the rental value of the property was N10 million per annum based on prevailing rate payable by similar establishments on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

They stated that the claimant, in a letter dated October 20, 2008, had made a counter offer of N5million per annum, which the defendants rejected through another letter dated October 24, 2008.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

The defendants averred that they applied to the President, NIESV, on October 30, to appoint an arbitrator to preside over the rent dispute, after which the claimant wrote another letter, dated November 5, 2008, still challenging the N10 million.

The defendants said the arbitrator notified the claimant of his appointment and the modalities for arbitration, while the defendants also gave a notice of the appointment of an arbitrator to the claimant.

Instead of submitting to arbitration, the claimant wrote another letter to the defendants offering N7 million and notified the defendants that the cost of arbitration will be borne by the defendants alone.

This position was turned down by the Austen-Peters, who told the claimant that both parties can no longer renegotiate the rent, since the matter has commenced before an arbitrator and that the matter can only be withdrawn if the claimant will make a formal acceptance of N10 million.

Eventually, the claimant agreed to pay the N10 million per annum and forwarded a cheque for the 13th year to the defendants, which was turned down by the defendants who insisted that parties must abide by the arbitral award.

The defendants subsequently amended its claim to N13 million per annum.

Obadina, who said the claimant’s letter of November 5, 2008, established that there was a dispute, held that there was a valid arbitration agreement in the lease agreement and the matter submitted to the tribunal was within the agreement,.

She held that there was no challenge to the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal; hence, the tribunal had the power to conduct the hearing and to make the award notwithstanding the default of the claimant to participate in the proceedings.

Obadina, who read the final arbitral award in court, held that the arbitrator did not state that the total N104million was payable at once or upfront as alleged by the claimant.

“As for the allegations that clause three of the lease agreement, which is the arbitration agreement was breached in that the award is based on the further amended statement of claim of the defendant wherein N13 million was claimed as the rental value and not the valuation of the arbitrator, this is incorrect.

“A look at the award and arbitral proceedings frontloaded by the claimant shows that the arbitrator functioned as an expert in determining the market rental value. His valuation starts from page 14 of his report. He compared properties at 52 and 45 Awolowo Road before arriving at his professional conclusion that N13 million per annum is the conservative open market rental value of the property.

“Finally, there is no evidence that the award was improperly procured by the defendants. Due process was followed from inception to conclusion of the proceedings. No ground exist to warrant the setting aside of this final award. This originating summons is without merit. It is dismissed,” Obadina said.

‘A look at the award and arbitral proceedings frontloaded by the claimant shows that the arbitrator functioned as an expert in determining the market rental value’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMA RY AS AT 27-05-13

Nestle Nigeria inches close to N1, 000

N

ESTLE Nigeria Plc drew closer to another milestone yesterday as Nigeria’s highest-priced stock started the week with a gain of N2.20 to close at N990 per share, some N10 to historic four-digit price of N1,000.

Gains by Nestle Nigeria and other highly capitalised stocks moderated widespread losses by most stocks to sustain the positive market position. Average return at the NSE inched up by 0.10 per cent to a year-to-date return of 33.15 per cent yesterday.

With a daily price modulation band of 10 per cent, a major capital appreciation could see Nestle Nigeria trending upward to N1, 000 in the next few days. There is however, the tendency for the price trend to be moderated by profit-taking transactions.

In spite of losses by 29 stocks as against 28 gainers, substantial gains by some large-cap stocks helped the market to a modest gain of N12 billion. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities improved from opening value of N11.939 trillion to close at N11.939 trillion.

The main value index that tracks all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), inched up from 37,350.53 points to close at 37,386.36 points.

Unilever Nigeria placed

•Equities in modest start

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

second on the gainers’ table with addition of N2.09 to close at N66.55. Dangote Cement rose by N1.50 to close at N1186. PZ Cussons Nigeria added 88 kobo to close at N52 while Dangote Sugar Refinery rose by 60 kobo to close at N10.50.

Market analysts attributed Nestle Nigeria’s pricing trend to improved fundamentals and stability of the stock. The board of Nestle Nigeria estimated that the food and beverage company would make an average profit margin of 18.8 per cent on every unit of sales during the second quarter ending June 30, 2013.

According to the forecasts, Nestle Nigeria’s turnover is expected to be N31.75 billion while profit before tax would be N5.97 billion during the three-month period.

After provision for taxes, net profit distributable to shareholders is estimated to be about N5.04 billion.

Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Martin Woolnough had recently assured that the investing public should always expect good results from the company, noting that the board and

management would continue to work to retain value for shareholders.

He said that the company has invested N100 billion in its Nigerian operations between 2007 and 2012, which showed the commitments of the multinational to Nigeria.

He pointed out that Nestle Nigeria would in the nearest future start work on its third factory with a view to consolidating the leadership position of the company.

Meanwhile, Cadbury Nigeria led the losers’ list as profittakers sought to monetise accumulated capital gains.

Cadbury Nigeria lost N6.45 to close at N58.08. International Breweries placed second with a loss of N1.50 to close at N26.50. Total Nigeria dropped

by N1.40 to close at N168.50.

Julius Berger Nigeria lost N1.01 to close at N55 while Flour Mills of Nigeria declined by 75 kobo to close at N85 per share.

Total turnover stood at 345.19 million shares valued at NN2.86 billion in 5,786 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 194.28 million shares valued at N1.27 billion in 2,227 deals.

Investors appeared to be focused on low-priced stocks with Unity Bank leading the activity chart with a turnover of 60.59 million shares valued at N39.72 million in 78 deals. United Bank for Africa followed with a turnover of 35.38 million shares worth N297.91 million in 552 deals.

Costain recorded a turnover of 34.9 million shares worth N54.62 million in 212 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-05-13

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

Nigeria, others to lead Africa’s growth, says AfDB •FDI to region to hit $56.6b A •$203.9b total inflows forecast FRICA’S economy would grow 4.8 per cent in 2013 and 5.3 percent in 2014, led by West African commodity exporters such as Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa is also forecast to reach $56.6 billion this year from $49.7 billion last year, after three years of decline, according to the ADfB annual African Economic Outlook release yesterday.

In 2008, flows totaled $57.8 billion.

But the Bank said a weaker global economy and a prolonged crisis in the euro zone could reduce commodity export earnings, overseas aid, migrant remittances and FDI inflows.

“Africa’s economic prospects depend on global and domestic factors, which are highly uncertain,” the report said. “According to estimates, a 1 percentage point decline of GDP in OECD member countries causes African GDP to decline by about 0.5 per cent and Africa’s export earnings by about 10 per cent.”

MDAs’ employees benefits enrolment begins

T

Total external financial flows to Africa, including FDI, portfolio investment, official development assistance (ODA) and remittances are projected to reach $203.9 billion in 2013, above a record high of $186.3 billion in 2012.

Portfolio investment is forecast to increase 30 per cent to $26.2 billion in 2013, eclipsing the pre-crisis peak of $22.5 billion in 2006. South Africa and Nigeria accounted for 95 per cent of African portfolio flows in 2012, the report said.

Remittances, which last year overtook FDI and ODA as the largest external source of finance to Africa for the first time, are expected to increase to increase to $64 billion in 2013 from $60.4 billion in 2012.

The Saharan region is likely to receive the majority of inflows, according to the report.

But investment inflows are set to remain narrowly focused on the major economies of South Africa, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt and Morocco, with the rest of the continent still heavily dependent on aid.

Although FDI to Libya and Egypt increased in 2012, continued political unrest in North Africa means sub-Saharan countries are likely to receive around 80 per cent of the investment in 2013, the report said.

“Almost the entire projected increase in FDI to Africa is expected to be in sub-Saharan Africa, while in 2012 northern Africa absorbed half the increase in FDI,” it said.

“This confirms sub-Saharan Africa’s economic dynamism as well as the hesitance of investors over

political developments in North Africa, particularly in Egypt.”

But as the euro zone crisis hurts the employment prospects of the African diaspora in Europe, remittances to the continent could grow at a slower pace, the AfDB said.

Africa’s ability to attract higher financial flows after the 2008 crisis reflects improved macroeconomic policies but hides disparities between countries, the report noted.

“Five countries account for more than 50 per cent of total external flows: Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and DRC,” it said. “In contrast, half of African countries rely on aid as the largest external source of finance for development needs.”

Capitec Bank Holdings in chasing their higher margins.

Unsecured credit rose by nearly a quarter in March, to 453 billion rand ($47 billion), from a year ago, the Reserve Bank said, easing back from a peak annual growth rate of 30 per cent in November 2012.

The central bank repeated that levels of unsecured credit, accounting for over 12 per cent of total banking assets in the economy, were still too small to pose a risk to the wider

South African financial system.

But supervisors from the central bank have “engaged” with selected banks on the high growth rate of unsecured loans and continue to monitor the segment for any potential risk, Deputy Governor Lesetja Kganyago told reporters at a briefing.

Analysts and investors have been increasingly worried African Bank Investments and Capitec Bank Holdings could be hit by a wave of

souring loans.

African Bank, which specialises in unsecured loans to low-income borrowers, posted a 26 per cent drop in first-half profit this month and wrote off 445 million rand of bad loans, sparking a rout in its share price.

The Reserve Bank said that, overall, impaired advances fell to 4.1 per cent of gross loans at the end of December 2012, from 4.7 per cent a year earlier. It did not strip out the figure for unsecured loans.

By Group Busines Editor, AYODELE AMINU

•Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

African banks ease pace of unsecured lending

S

OUTH Africa’s banks have cooled the pace of unsecured lending amid fears of rising impairments from weak growth in the continent’s top economy, central bank data showed yesterday.

According to Reuters, the market for unsecured loans, which are not backed by collateral, has grown rapidly in recent years as the country’s leading banks such as Standard Bank joined niche lenders African Bank Investments and

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 27-05-13

SYMBOL IPWA EVANSMED IKEJAHOTEL COSTAIN LEARNAFRCA LIVESTOCK COURTVILLE UTC DANGSUGAR FIDSON

O/PRICE 0.60 2.60 0.71 1.49 1.81 3.31 0.72 0.72 9.90 1.70

C/PRICE 0.66 2.86 0.78 1.63 1.97 3.60 0.77 0.77 10.50 1.78

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE 0.06 0.26 0.07 0.14 0.16 0.29 0.05 0.05 0.60 0.08

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N) Parallel Market 153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

CADBURY NPFMCRFBK ETERNA PRESTIGE INTBREW UBCAP UNITYBNK STERLNBANK CUSTODYINS RTBRISCOE

O/PRICE 64.53 1.15 3.30 0.59 28.00 1.33 0.67 2.72 1.64 1.63

C/PRICE 58.08 1.04 3.01 0.55 26.50 1.26 0.65 2.65 1.60 1.60

CHANGE 6.45 0.11 0.29 0.04 1.50 0.07 0.02 0.07 0.04 0.03

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 27-05-13

SYMBOL

By Collins Nweze

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has concluded plans to conduct an enrolment exercise for employees of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are treasury-funded.

A statement from its Head Communications Unit, Emeka Onuora, said the exercise is meant for employees in the service of the Federal Government who are due to retire between January and December, 2014 and would enable them get their retirement benefits.

The exercise, he said, will take place between June 3, and July 11 this year.

He said that the beneficiaries were selected after attaining 60 years of age or 35 years in service, whichever is earlier or 65 years in service or 70 years of age for employees of tertiary institutions.

He said the physical enrolment also covers those who have already retired but are yet to be enrolled.

“Employees are requested to attend the enrolment exercise with the originals and copies of letter of appointment, birth certificate/ declaration of age, promotion letter and pay slip indicating grade level and step as at 30th June, 2004,” he said.

Other requirements for the enrolment exercise include letter from the MDAs indicating retirement and first appointment dates, grade level and step as at July 2007 as well as the current grade level, authenticated past records of service and current pay slip indicating grade level and step.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.93 141.45 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 157.84 156.84 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.15 1.15 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.08 1.07 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,814.65 1,806.71 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.39 13.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11,745.35 11,398.85 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

57

CITYBEATS T

WO years after losing their breadwinners in a gruesome manner, they have remained in the throes of agony. Sadly, their grief has been exacerbated by the "worrisome" silence of concerned authorities that should have since soothed their frayed nerves.

They are members of families of the slain Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) and Administrative Officer (AO) of the Badagry Police Station, Lagos, who were allegedly murdered in cold blood on May 25, 2011. Some yet-unidentified soldiers attached to the 243 Recce Battalion Barracks, Ibereko-Badagry, allegedly did the havoc.

Ever since, the slain officers' aggrieved relations have remained hungry for justice and compensation. But the desire has remained a pipe-dream.

Now, they are nursing the fear that the matter may have been swept under the carpet as police authorities, to them, are suspiciously silent on it.

The slain officers were: Samuel Salisu, a Chief Superintendent (CSP); Samson Okedusi, a Superintendent (SP) and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Taofeek Afolabi.

On the fateful day, the victims were said to be on a peace mission to the army barracks, allegedly on the invitation of its commandant, simply identified as Colonel Nabasa, to settle a rift between the police and the army over the killing of a staff sergeant.

It was gathered that the soldiers ambushed, shot and killed the unsuspecting police officers who were in the DPO's personal vehicle on their way to the said meeting.

The DPO's head was allegedly smashed with stones and he died on the spot. The DCO was said to have been stoned and

• Police IG Mohammed Abubakar

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Lawmaker tackles unemployment in Ogun

• Salisu

• Okedusi

'They mustn't die in vain'

•Two years after, slain police officers' families demand justice

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondant

shot severally. He gave up the ghost too. The ASP sustained gunshot wounds, but died in the hospital few days later.

There was loud public outcry over their gruesome murder.

Mrs Temitayo Okedusi told The Nation that the police and government who promised to fish out her husband's killers had abandoned her family and failed to arrest and prosecute them.

She said: "It has not been easy. We have been feeding on the little business I do. We have not been able to access his gratuity because of the 10 per cent commission the Probate Court is asking for.

"They asked us to bring a Letter of Administration from the Probate Court, which told us to go and calculate his entire money in the bank and pay 10 per cent of the money to the Probate Court, but we do not

‘If government is assisting wives of soldiers killed by Boko Haram and militants, it should also compensate the families of policemen killed in line of duty’ have the money to pay the court; hence, we can’t get his gratuity and other entitlements. What the court is asking for and the legal fee will cost us N330,000 and I don't have that money. The family is in a tight corner as the bank needs the letter to release his money. This is why we are suffering."

Mrs Okedusi said she felt abandoned, adding: "I feel so sad because the serving policemen are not helping the wives of the dead ones. My husband died in active service, trying to

solve a rift between the police and the army. This is very devastating. If government is assisting wives of soldiers killed

by Boko Haram and militants, it should also compensate the families of policemen killed in line of duty.

"The government set aside a day for fallen soldiers, but there is no recognition for the policemen killed while protecting this country. This is unfair; government should set a day aside for fallen policemen too."

She added: "I will continue to demand justice. I want the government to find my husband's killers and bring them to book.

The family wants justice and if I have money, I would have taken the government, the police and army to court for sweeping the death of my husband under the carpet."

The late Salisu reportedly served for over 20 years, while Okedusi was killed five months to his retirement.

Efforts by The Nation to reach Force spokesman Frank Mba on the matter yesterday bore no fruit. He neither responded to calls nor replied the SMS message sent him.

• Traders at the Ifesowapo Pelewura Iron Market Annex, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island, led by their President, Chief Olawuyi Joseph, in protest against a seven-day quit notice issued them ... at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa-Ikeja ... yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Lagos orders removal of obstructing cables

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AGOS State Government has ordered Private Telecommunications Operators (PTOs) in the state to remove forthwith, their cables that are obstructing the drainage channels around the Victoria Island.

It has also invited the management of 1004 Estate in the same axis, to a meeting where it would explain why it constructed a structure on major water channel in the area, and why it allegedly prevented officials of the state from carrying out routine de-flooding project within the estate.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, made the disclosures during the ministry's inspection of

By Emmanuel Udodinma

drainage channels around the area as part measures to contain storm water, which meteorologists said, would come with the rainy season in the year.

Bello, who inspected ongoing maintenance projects at Saka Tinubu, Kofo Abayomi and Ozumba Mbadiwe among others, noted that telecoms pipes were reducing the capacity of the cross culvert on Saka Tinubu and the neighbourhood, therefore obstructing smooth water passage in the drains.

"We have sent a notice to the PTOs on the need to identify their cables and relocate them.

If they fail to do so, the state government will have no other choice but to remove them by itself. We are appealing to the operators to ensure voluntary compliance rather than enforcement. Taxpayers' money is being used to maintain public infrastructure," he said, as he also expressed displeasure at the unsanitary habit of residents of the area in managing their wastes.

The commissioner said the government would continue with its efforts to prevent flooding in the area and indeed, the state, to protect lives and property He said the blocked drain collector in the estate serves as a major collector for several

• Bello

catchment areas such as Ademola Adetokunbo, Salvage, Adeola Hopewell and Ademola Alakija, among other streets in the area.

IT was a special day for residents of Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency in Ogun State.

They defied the heavy rain of the day to partake of the event.

Some hitherto unemployed young men and women, who were trained in tailoring, hairdressing and barbing, received various tools to either launch or enhance their vocations.

It was a moment for the actualisation of an electoral pledge. Hon Kehinde Olusegun Odeneye, who represents the constituency in the House of Representatives, moved to tackle joblessness and poverty among his people. Amid praises, he donated hair-dryers, sewing machines, power generators and clippers to about 500 youths in the area.

The beneficiaries' training, sponsored by him, held between one and two years. On the gesture, the lawmaker said: "This is an initiative to help some of our youths to acquire skills such as barbing, hairdressing and fashion designing for self-employment.

Today, we are graduating 500 beneficiaries of the initiative.

They will be supported with all necessary working equipment in line with their trades."

Deputy Governor Segun

• Odeneye

By Dada Aladelokun, Assitant Editor

Adesegun, a prince, praised the initiative.

The monarch of Ijebu Imoru, Oba Bashorun Adeposi, praised Odeneye for the project.

A beneficiary, 34-year-old Olayinka Ajayi, who got a sewing machine and other tools, thanked the donor for the gesture. The mother of two, said: "I didn't expect to get this machine. But Hon. Odeneye has given me another opportunity to start my life afresh."

Uzoamaka James, a fresh school leaver, described the project as an opportunity to give youths a new lease of life, adding that it would go a long way in turning the youth away from vices like drug abuse, prostitution and robbery.

Motailatu church lifts needy pupils THE Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (Restoration Parish), Akute, Ogun State, has donated thousands of exercise books to pupils in the area.

At the event which attracted a mammoth crowd of pupils to the church's premises, Senior Superintendent Gabriel Folajimi Akinadewo, said the exercise had remained part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the church since its was founded in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in 1964, by Archbishop Isaiah M. Akinadewo.

Akinadewo told the pupils that they would be useful to themselves and the society in the future if they seize the opportunity of the donation and make good use of it.

He also called on religious organisations and corporate bodies in the country to help the downtrodden by ensuring that they enjoy such opportunities.

"There are many youths in the country with no access to this type of opportunity. You

By Tunde Awe

must make good use of this and always pray to God to give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding because Proverb 1:7 says 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge'. Don't waste your time because in our church, education is light and knowledge. If there is no light in your life, then, there is no future. In everything you do, even as young as you are now, you need the presence of God like the Biblical Prophet Samuel," he told them.

A special cash gift was given to one of the pupils, Busari Ajayi, 12, who, according to his teacher, "distinguished himself academically despite his poor background."

One of the teachers, Femi Adewale praised Akinadewo and indeed, the church, for the gesture. "We need more of this, sir, to help those in need. Today's donation will go a long way to help pupils whose parents are poor," he said.

Chaplains support SOS Children's Village IN line with its commitment to giving succour to the lessprivileged in the society, the Organisation of Nigerian Chaplains yesterday donated various items to the S.O.S Children's Village, Isolo, Lagos.

The occasion was this year's Children's Day celebration.

Brigadier Chaplain Taiwo Akinwale, who represented Chaplain-General in Nigeria, Vincent Okafor, said the programme aimed at giving the children a sense of belonging and re-assurance that the society had not abandoned them.

Taiwo taught the children to live right and make Jesus their best friend and model as according to him, He "is faithful and reliable."

The Village's Co-coordinator and Social Worker, Dr Bolanle Nassar, said the village is for abandoned children and those she referred to as social or-

By Uyoatta Eshiet

phans and children of destitute.

Bolanle said the centre provides long-term family-based care which seeks to offer love and care that the children have been deprived of.

She said there were 100 children in the village being nursed in a family house pattern with 10 children per house and a professional mother taking care of them on a 24-hour basis.

The village, she said, relied totally on donations, 70 percent of which comes from the S.O.S International Office, Austria, while the remaining 30 percent is sourced locally.

She said the centre spends millions of naira monthly to run the village. She urged the government at all levels and kind-hearted individuals to help the children.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

NEWS

•Ogun State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun in the midst of youths during the kick-off of Green Education for the Youths to mark the Children’s Day at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta...yesterday.

Dearth of doctors decried From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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ROSS RIVER State Commissioner for Health Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita has lamented the absence of doctors in rural areas.

Mrs. Oyo-Ita said in Calabar that about 70 per cent of doctors in the state are in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital; 23.5 per cent are in private practice.

Only six per cent are employed by the state.

She said of this figure only a negligible number are in the rural areas.

The commissioner said the role of primary care doctors in urban and rural healthcare cannot be achieved without properly addressing the imbalance in the spread of doctors to the rural area.

Gunmen abduct ex-perm sec’s wife From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

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ALPABLE fear has gripped is fear among residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, following the abduction of the wife of a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anne Ziwariote, on Saturday night.

Mrs. Ziwariote was abducted barely hours after gunmen attacked Mrs. Vivian Benson, wife of a Special Assistant to Governor Seriake Dickson.

Security sources said the incidents occurred around Otiotio and Biogbolo axis of the state capital.

It was gathered that Mrs. Ziwariote’s abductors contacted the family on Sunday , demanding N5 million for her release.

Family sources said the kidnappers were apparently after one of the victim’s children, who recently returned from the United States (U.S.).

“Having failed to capture the young man, they obviously went for the mother,” our source added.

It was gathered that Mrs. Benson was beaten to a pulp by gun-wielding youths when she refused to hand over the keys to her Toyota Sienna van to them.

Policeman, three others killed in cult clash

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POLICE inspector, identified as Mathew, has been killed by suspected cultists in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Police spokesman John Umoh said the matter was being investigated. No one, he said, has been arrested.

It was learnt that Mathew left his room at Zion Street, 8 Miles, to ease himself when he ran into some suspected cultists, who were passing by.

According to a source, he

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt and Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

pointed his torchlight at them and they queried why he should do so.

He said: “They asked the man why he should point his torchlight at them.

“He did not quarrel with them. After that he just went back into his room to sleep.

“After about 10 minutes, they mobilised themselves and came back and attacked

him in his house. They hacked him to death.

“We have no idea which group it was, but we know they were cultists.”

The deceased’s neighbours said they had been living in fear as groups of boys, who they believed to be cultists, terrorise them.

In Rivers State, three suspected cultists have been confirmed dead in Omuawa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area, after a clash between Degban and Dewell cult

groups.

The clash, which took place yesterday evening, also led to the arrest of five suspected cultists by the State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

An eyewitness, Jonah Nnnana, said: “The fight started by 6:30pm between Degban and Dewell.

“Members of Degban cult said they were avenging the death of their members. In fact it was a bloody evening.”

Rivers PDP crisis: Nsirm’s application suffers setback J USTICE Silverlyn Iragunuma of the Rivers State High Court could

not hear the application for an interlocutory injunction against the Chikordi Dikeled Caretaker Committee members of Obio/Akpor; no thanks to the two-day warming strike called by Organised Labour in the state.

The application was filed by the council’s suspended chairman, Timothy Nsirim, his vice and the 17 councillors.

Justice Iragunma had fixed hearing for yesterday before the local chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) served their notice last Thursday to shun work for two days to protest the continued closure of Obio/Akpor council secretariat The NLC Chairman, Chris

•Labour strike paralyses activities From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Oruge, said workers have been subjected to hardship by the non-payment of their April and May salaries.

The strike grounded activities in various sectors, including the judiciary, financial institutions as well as public hospitals.

However, because of the Children’s Day’s celebration, teachers in public schools were excused but leaders of the three unions said all public schools would join the strike today.

At the court yesterday, lawyers, litigants and supporters crowded the court room before the matter was adjourned off record till June 6.

Counsel to the House of Assembly and the caretaker members Emenike Ebete said: “The two-day sympathy strike affected the hearing.”

Nsirim, earlier this month, led other suspended council executives (his deputy and 17 councillors), to court to challenge their suspension and to seek an order to restrain the caretaker committee members from taking over the council.

He is also seeking to know who should rightfully occupy the council when the police vacate it.

Workers at the state secretariat yesterday decried the strike.

The workers were locked out of the massive secretariat complex, as Nigerian Legion officials

turned them back.

Some of the workers said they knew about the strike but said they were not formally informed last Friday.

Also at the state-owned BraithWaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), expectant mothers, nursing mothers and other patients were stranded.

Although doctors and nurses were working, administrative workers were on strike.

But the secretary of resident doctors of the hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Agana, said: “Doctors are not on strike.”

Two mothers, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyenucheya and Sandra Bille, said: “Our babies are sick we have brought them to the hospital but they said because they are on strike, they will not attend to us.

“Doctors are ready to help us but this people refused to bring our babies files out, it is not fair.”

Troops uncover underground armoury in Bayelsa

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SPECIAL security squad and men of the Bayelsa State Police Command have uncovered an underground armoury in Koluama I Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

The weapons found in the armoury include: eight pump action guns, five Kalashnikov (AK) 47 rifles, 19 magazines and 1,700 rounds of ammunition.

They are believed to be part of arms and ammunition abandoned by ex-mil-

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

itants fleeing the area in the wake of a recent military operation.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed troops to the area, especially Azuzuama community, where 12 policemen were killed by renegade ex-militants recently.

Commissioner of Police Tonye Ebitibituwa who announced the discovery yesterday, said the arms were found buried in a desolate

building in the community.

“These arms were buried in the ground. The house was deserted. But digging up the ground, these arms and ammunition were found. We have eight pump action guns, five AK 47 rifles, 1,700 rounds of ammunition and 19 pump action guns,”he said.

The commissioner said the arms were recovered in a major operation carried out by the command and members of the special security squad, ‘Operation

Doo Akpo’, established by Governor Seriake Dickson.

Ebitibituwa said no one had been arrested. He noted that the unusual discovery indicated most communities were not safe because suspects were using them as their hideouts.

He said: “The import of what we have discovered is serious. This is not going to be the end.

“We are going to mop up more arms. With the information given to us, we will make use of it.”

Bank worker bags five years for fraud From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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BANKER , Osasere Osemwengie, has been jailed five years for fraud without an option of fine.

Osasere was arraigned at an Oredo Magistrate’s Court on a 23-count charge but was sentenced on only one count as other counts were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

He was said to have defrauded victims of millions of naira under the pretence of getting them to invest in the bank.

Osasere was arrested after he failed to refund N16 million to his childhood friend, Eugene Ason-Ikhene, who he invited to invest in the bank at a rate of eight percent per annum.

Police counsel Samuel Ogah told the court that it was in the course of police investigation that other fraudulent activities were uncovered.

The Chief Magistrate, Peter Edo-Asemota, said the accused deserved to be kept away from other members of the society for a while so that the pains he caused his victims would subside.

Community gets death threat From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

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HERE is anxiety among the people of Ubima community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, following a purported letter by some unidentified hoodlums to attack the community.

The letter, dated May 22, was pasted on a tree in one of the villages in the community, two days after the killing of two indigenes.

The letter allegedly said 15 more people were going to die before the end of the year.

Some of the indigenes, who spoke with our reporter, described the killing as unfortunate.

Chijioke Amadi said: “Since the bad boys wrote the letter few days after the killing of two persons in the community, we have been living in fear as we can no longer go out at night.

“To be frank, we are living in the community like slaves.

We don’t talk anyhow. We don’t stay in front of our houses at night because anything can happen.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

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NEWS

Brawl in Govt House over candidate From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (third left), with the celebrator, Mrs. Chinyere Annie Okonkwo (third right), her husband, Annie (right), her son, Uchenna (second right) and Patrick Chidolue (left) during Mrs. Okonkwo’s 50th birthday party in Lagos …yesterday.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Boat mishap: Divers locate vessel in ocean bed

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HE fate of 12 crew members of the ill-fated tugboat, Jascon 4, belonging to a contractor working for Chevron Nigeria Limited in Escravos area of Delta State remains uncertain last night nearly 48 hours after the accident.

It was gathered that divers searching for the sunken vessel, owned by a subsidiary of Sea Trucks Group (STG), West Africa Ventures, located it yesterday.

The vessel was towing a foreign crude oil tanker from the sea to the Single Bouy Mooring (SBM) #3, a terminal located about 30km off Escravos, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Sources said because of the size of the tankers it was neces-

•Crew unaccounted for From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

sary to use smaller vessels as the Jascon 4 to guide them to the load facility before they are filled.

It was during the course of performing the routing tension tow that the incident occurred.

The Nation learnt that there were 11 Nigerians and one expatriate, whose identity was not immediately known, on board.

Sources said there were no signs of survivors or the remains of victims, despite patrol by a search and rescue team deployed by Chevron.

The development erased any hope of finding any of the dozen crew members alive.

Chevron’s General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs Deji Haastrup confirmed that none of the crew members had been found.

But he neither confirmed nor deny our inquiry on whether the vessel had been located.

“I can only confirm that they are still conducting a search and rescue operation and so far they have still not been able to find anyone.”

A source at the offshore loading facility, owned by CNL, told our reporter that most of the crew members were sleeping in their cabins with doors locked from the inside, when the accident occurred.

Our source, who pleaded for

anonymity, said: “It was about 5am when the accident occurred. The vessel was one of the three towing a tanker to the loading point when it occurred.

“The sea was very rough and the wave was beating on the vessel and it was windy and turbulent.

“The tension rope snapped and obviously unbalanced the vessel thereby causing it to capsize,” our source added.

It was gathered that two officials from STG in the US are on their way to Nigeria as part of a fact-finding mission to the scene tomorrow.

It was further learnt that a fact-finding mission comprising the two experts, official of the Nigeria Maritime and Security Agency (NIMASA), CNL and some other government

One year after, Dana Air yet to compensate victims

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BOUT a year after its McDonnel Douglass 83 aircraft crashed into residential buildings in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State, killing 153 passengers on board, DANA Air said yesterday that the inability to give the mandatory $100,000 to the victims of the crashed aircraft is predicated on incomplete documentation, multiple claims, challenge in securing grant of probate/ letter of guardianship and legal suits by 65 families.

The airline at a briefing yesterday, however, said its insurers, Lloyds of London and the local underwriter, Prestige Assurance, are sparing no efforts in processing all claims in accordance with the law.

At the briefing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the June 3, 2012 crash, spokesman for DANA Air, Mr. Tony Usidamen, said insurers of the airline have made progress in the payment of compensations.

He said as at May 24, 95 of the 125 families, who have completed claim forms have received interim compensations of $30,000, following a legal verification of the documentation and next of kin status.

He said 11 families have received full compensation of $100,000, while 21 others whose grant of probate has just come through, would be paid full payment shortly, upon execution of release.

Usidamen said: “Delay in completion of the payment process is due to incomplete docu-

•Residents plan candlelight procession to mark event

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor and Precious Igbonwelundu

mentation, multiple claims cases and challenge in securing grant of probate/letter of guardianship. This is the case of minors and legal suits.

“Our insurers are, however, sparing no efforts in processing all claims in accordance with the law.

Progress is also being made in the compensation of ground victims and negotiations are ongoing with the affected residents to settle genuine claims within the shortest time.”

He also attributed the delay in settling the ground victims to the issues bordering on disagreement between their legal representatives and the insurers of DANA Air that are yet to reach a common position on the exact regime and amount for compensation.

Usidamen said in the event of not reaching a common ground on the regime of compensation, only the court of law would determine the matter for families that opted to go to court.

He noted that about eight families have not come up for the documentation of the victims, to file for claims, adding that some may have taken this decision on cultural grounds, because the money may not mean anything to them compared to the loss of the lives of their family members.

Mr. Usidamen said the airline has been collaborating with the

community development association to assess the needs of the residents of Iju Ishaga on how to accelerate the speedy processing of compensation to the victims of the crash.

He said the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NIACOM) has confirmed that the funds are in place for compensation, provided the families of the victims meet the conditions of documentation that would qualify them for payment.

The DANA Air spokesman said in January when the airline began operations, only one family was fully paid the $100,000. But today, about 11 families have been paid, while another batch of 21 have finalised documentation to bring the number to 32 in the coming weeks.

He further said about 95 families of the 125 that filed for claims have received the $30,000 compensation.

Usidamen spoke of plans to collaborate with the insurers and relevant agencies to ensure that the victims on board and ground are fully paid in line with the regulations of the land.

Said he: “We have not abandoned any family. We are reaching out to ensure that an agreement is reached for full payment to all victims.”

As the one year anniversary of the Dana Air crash in which no fewer than 158 people died at Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, draws near, residents of the area have planned a candlelight pro-

cession to commemorate the event.

The procession, according to one of the onground victims, Olatunji Lawal, would hold on June 2 on the site of the plane crash.

He told The Nation that the residents, especially the onground victims, have been meeting to deliberate on the way forward.

Olatunji, who said Dana Air was yet to contact them, appealed to the government to come to their aid.

Lagos State Government has begun construction work on the site of the crash.

A visit to Iju-Ishaga showed that a cenotaph was being erected on the site. Also construction work on Olaniyi and Okusanya streets are ongoing.

The project architect, Mr. Ebenezer Odeyani from the Ministry of Works, said besides the cenotaph, interlocking tiles would be fixed on the ground.

The residents, who spoke with The Nation, however, complained that they have been abandoned by governments at all levels as well as Dana Air. They urged their representatives at the federal and state levels to assist them.

One of them, Pastor Adedinu, who said his church (Christ Apostolic Church, Praise and Prayer Chapel), was pulled down during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the site, added that he had experienced hardship since the crash occurred.

functionaries would visit the scene tomorrow.

“They have located the vessel in the belly of the ocean, but because the cabins were apparently locked when the accident occurred.”

Expectedly, reports of the incident caused panic among families who have relatives working for Chevron and its contractors yesterday.

A source at the Escravos Tank Farm told our reporter that the company was inundated with several calls from relatives desperate to speak to their relations.

HE Peregrino Hall of the Cross River State Governor’s Lodge was the scene of a brawl over who emerged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate in Obubra Local Government.

A source said some politicians could not come to terms on who to select as the PDP candidate.

According to the source, Governor Liyel Imoke, who was overseeing the process, asked the stakeholders to step outside to choose from the three persons presented-Dr Kerian Nfam, Egbe Jabengo and Cyprian Ayu. He said while they were discussing, they still could not agree and tempers rose causing one of them to slap another, leading to a freefor-all fight.

“When the fight was going on, the governor came out of the hall to watch in amazement.

“We started the meeting at about 8 pm and we were there until one 1am and no side was willing to defer to the other and when the fight broke out the governor came out to watch from the balcony in amazement – there was disappointment on his face.

“The fight ended the meeting in a stalemate with the caucus members leaving at about 2am on Sunday.”

Ojukwu Transport: parties want to settle amicably

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By Precious Igbonwelundu

LAGOS High Court, Igbosere, yesterday, adjourned for report of settlement, a suit by an oil firm, West Africa Offshore Limited, against Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL).

Justice Sybil Nwaka fixed June 25, following an application by the parties that they have opted for amicable settlement.

The firm, which is a tenant to OTL, had sued its landlord over controversies surrounding the payment of N24million being rent fees on a property located at 30, Gerald Road, Ikoyi,.

Joined in the suit are Emmanuel Omuojine (first respondent), and Massey Udegbe (second respondent).

In its originating summons dated October 5, last year, by Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the oil firm prayed the court for an order directing the payment of the sum which according to it, is representing two years rent from March 16, last year to March 15, 2014.

The firm prayed the court to direct that the said amount be lodged into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar (CR) of the High Court of Lagos State for the collection of either of the respondents or as may be directed by the court.

The applicant brought the suit on the grounds that there are rival/adverse claims and instructions as to who is authorised to collect the money.

The suit was also brought on the ground that there is an express intention to institute a suit against the applicant, if it fails to follow a particular instruction.

Nwaka, after listening to the parties, fixed June 25 for report of settlement.

Achebe: Anambra thanks all

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

NAMBRA State Government yesterday thanked the international community, President Goodluck Jonathan and others for the success of the funeral of the late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Awka, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Joe-Martins Uzodike, said: “Anambra State is appreciative of what people did during the burial, especially the international community.

We thank President Jonathan and Ghanaian President John Mahama.

“There is no problem between the executive and legislature, what I had earlier said had nothing to do with the legislature.”

The government debunked the allegation that the executive and legislature are at daggers drawn.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

NEWS

ACN endorses Fayemi for second term From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Fayemi

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HE leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti Central Senatorial District has endorsed a second term for Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Rising from its monthly in Ado Ekiti at the weekend, the chapter endorsed the incumbent governor in the

Candidate for the party in the 2014 governorship polls.

Moving the motion, the chairman of the party in the district, Chief George Femi Ojo, said the development came as a result of the need for the governor to continue his good works in the state.

He said: “I Chief George Femi Ojo specifically from Ward B, Iyin, EKiti in the Central Senatorial District hereby move the motion to endorse His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the sole candidate for the 2014 governorship elections in the state under the flagship of the (A C N).”

The motion, which was seconded by the House of Assembly member representing Efon Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Ogundele Folorunso. The motion was unanimously endorsed and ratified by all the leaders, for and on behalf of the five local government areas of Irepodun/ Ifelodun, Efon, Ado, Ijero and Ekiti West.

Chief Ojo, who is also the chairman of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, specifically noted that members of the ACN in the Central Senatorial district, and specifically Ward B, Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, should disregard any other

member of the party or whoever, that expresses same interest contrary to the collective resolve of the Central Senatorial District.

He noted: “Anybody from Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government or any other Local Government in the Central Senatorial District , that shows interest in the gubernatorial race for 2014 in the state should be ignored, disregarded as such an ambition is null and void.”

The meeting had in attendance party chairmen in the five local governments, Pa. Olagunju Adigun (Ado); Alhaji Ganiyu Adeyemi Alagbada (Irepodun/Ifelodun); Mr. Ogunyemi Ibiyemi (Ekiti West); Mr Deji Ogun-

Gunmen kill two businessmen in Kano

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WO gunmen have killed a businessman and a vulcaniser at an electronics shop in Baban Layi, Kurna Asabe, Kano.

The gunmen reportedly opened fire on the two at the electronics shop, killing them instantly.

The victims were identified as Ibe Ugwuanyi, 30, a vulcaniser and Eke Osita Joseph, 35,

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an electronics dealer.

It was learnt that Ugwuanyi left his shop on Ibadan Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, to visit Joseph, said to be his tribesman at Baban Layi in Kurna Asabe.

Joseph was said to be watching a movie in his electronics shop and holding a private business discussion at the close

of the day’s business with Ugwuanyi. Some other people were said to be in the shop watching the movie with the two friends.

The gunmen reportedly invaded the electronics shop in the middle of the discussion and opened fire on the people.

Ibe, it was learnt, was shot on the forehead, while Joseph

•Woos Kwankwaso, Amechi to APC From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

cluding Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, to urgently pitch their tent with the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He said: “We hereby extend our hands of friendship and invite them to save their political future by joining the APC before the merger is concluded, so they can be regarded as part and parcel of the new party and not as new comers.”

Tofa said some governors are contemplating the move, urging them to be brave enough to act now in the best interest of the country and Ni-

geria’s young democracy, which he accused some people of trying to cripple.

The former Contacts and Reconciliation Committee Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) noted that Amaechi would not be the last of the governors and other principled leaders of the PDP to be suspended and later dismissed. He said he may also be arrested after leaving office.

“Such people,” he said, “must take a principled decision and join the APC immediately.

These include some senators and members of the House of Representatives and other party leaders who are jittery

PDP sets up panel on Suntai

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday named Senator Hope Uzodinma the chairman of a sevenmember panel to ascertain the health status of ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Suntai has been in hospital overseas since last year following an injury he sustained when the plane he piloted crashed near Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

The deputy dovernor, Gar-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ba Umar, has been acting as the governor.

Suntai was recently said to have been transferred to a hospital in the United States for further treatment.

But his condition is still subject to speculations.

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday told reporters that the party found it expedient to intervene in the situation in

Taraba.

A statement the party chairman read at the media briefing stated the terms of reference of the panel as follows: . To find out and report the extent of the political harmony or otherwise among the key stakeholders within the ruling PDP family in Taraba State; . Interact and establish the most effective approach to reduce tothe barest minimum the fears of all the contending interests in Taraba State, among others.

Kwara Poly students protest police ‘shooting’ TUDENTS of the Kwara “The student was alightof colleague said: State Polytechnic, Ilorin, ing from a taxi cab when the

S

was shot and injured on the chest. The shots resulted in their instant death.

Relatives of the victims reportedly contacted security agents, who conveyed the bodies to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital from where they were said to have been transferred to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.

Tofa predicts bad days ahead for PDP

ORMER presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa, yesterday appraised the developments in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and concluded that the ruling party is heading for the rocks.

Tofa, who spoke in Kano, said he had watched with keen interest the recent turbulence within the PDP and was not surprised.

According to him, the party, which prides itself as the biggest in Africa, is fast becoming the smallest in the country. He said it was just a matter of time for the ruling party to explode.

Tofa urged governors, in-

T

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

yesterday barricaded the ever-busy Muritala Mohammed Way, protesting alleged police shooting of their colleague.

The protesters made bonfires on the highway, thereby obstructing vehicular movement.

A police escort attached to a bullion van owned by a bank was said to have fired a shot at a taxi cab which hit the student in the leg.

The incident reportedly occurred at 2.10pm.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

As the news of the shooting broke into the polytechnic’s campus, the students were said to have trooped out.

The protest lasted about one and a half hours.

The students threw the popular Muritala Mohammed Way, Post Office area and adjoining streets into pandemonium.

Addressing reporters on the incident, a student, who gave his name as Abodunrin John,

policeman in the bullion van, belonging to one of the foremost banks, aimed at the tyre of the cab.

“Unfortunately for the student, Ahmed Dayo, a National Diploma (ND1) student in the Department of Accounting, instead of the bullet to destroy the tyre, it went straight to hit him and destroyed his leg beyond repair.”

It was learnt that the driver of the bullion van sped away, apparently to escape the angry students.

about the PDP but are hesitating to summon the courage to take a wise decision.

“They must do so now and relieve themselves of the worry and the guilt.”

tuase (Efon); and Mr Jekoyemi Bankole (Ijero).

Others include the leaders of the party in the district such as Rotimi Odu, Churchill Adedipe, Commissioner for Works Mr. Sola Adebayo, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Commissioner for Budget, Biodun Oyebanji, Special Adviser Political, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, Special Adviser Legislative and Allied Mat-

ters, Oladapo Karounwi, Special Adviser Policy and Strategy, Biodun Omoleye; Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mojeed Jamiu, State Chief of protocol, Tade Aluko, Caretaker Chairmen of the five Local Governments, Major Tajudeen Awe (rtd.) Irepodun/Ifelodun; Mr. Ropo Famubode, Ekiti West; Dr. Adio Folayan, Efon; Bode Agbeleye, Ijero; and Tope Olanipekun among others.

Akinkugbe, Duke, Babalakin canvass PPP for secondary education

T

HREE eminent Nigerians have urged the Federal Government to partner the private sector for effective funding and administration of secondary education.

They noted that a public/ private partnership (PPP) arrangement would improve the standard of education for the benefit of the nation’s future.

Emeritus professor of Medicine, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as well as a former Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Dr. Wale Babalakin, spoke at the annual luncheon and merit award ceremony of the Government College, Ibadan (GCI), held at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

They focused on the parlous state of education in Nigeria and proffered solutions.

The eminent Nigerians noted that the most feasible option for the government is to return schools to private bodies so that the new handlers can

reverse the falling standard in the sector.

Duke, who was the guest of honour, said 67 per cent of school age children in Borno State are currently out of school, adding that “this is the root of the Boko Haram problem”.

The former governor warned that if something is not done urgently, “the future is very bleak for our country”.

In his keynote address, entitled: Secondary Education As Second Fiddle – A Bewildering Paradox, Prof. Akinkugbe decried the low morale among teachers, their poor salaries, overcrowded classrooms and understaffing.

The academic said the pass rate in secondary schools has nose-dived to below 10 per cent.

According to him, the state of the age-old GCI now handles 300 students.

Prof Akinkugbe said: “The incursion of government into the area of ownership of schools has further complicated an already parlous state of affairs.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

61

FOREIGN NEWS

70 killed in Baghdad bombings

M

ORE than 70 people were killed in a wave of bombings in markets in Shi’ite neighbourhoods across Baghdad yesterday in worsening sectarian violence in Iraq.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts. But Sunni Muslim Islamist insurgents and al-Qaeda’s Iraqi wing have increased attacks since the beginning of the year and often target Shi’ite districts.

More than a dozen blasts tore into markets and shopping areas in districts across the Iraqi capital, including twin bombs just several hundred metres apart that killed at least 13 people in the capital’s Sadr City area, police and hospital officials said.

“A driver hit another car and left pretending to bring traffic police. Another car rushed to take him away and right after his car exploded among people who had gathered to see what was happening,” said bystander Hassan Kadhim.

“People were shouting for help and blood covered their faces.”

Tensions between the Shi’ite leadership and the Sunni Muslim minority are at their worst since U.S. troops left in December 2011, and the conflict in Syria is straining Iraq’s fragile communal balance.

More than 700 people were killed in attacks in April, according to a UN count, the highest monthly toll in almost five years.

So far in May more than 300 have died.

Thousands of Sunnis began staging street protests last December against Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whom they accuse of marginalising their sect since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the 2003 invasion.

Fed Govt to prosecute sellers On Memorial Day, of babies, saysJonathan Obama eulogises veterans P •‘They are heroes, each and everyone’ From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

U

NITED States President Barack Obama gave a special salute yesterday to Americans who lost their lives fighting in the Korean War, noting that it was the 60th anniversary of the conflict’s end.

Obama arrived at Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery, amid a 21-gun salute, at 11 a.m.

He was met by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, cemetery Executive Director Kathryn Condon and Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington, commander of the Army’s military district of Washington.

Linnington escorted the president to the tomb, where Obama laid the wreath and observed a moment of silence before speaking at the Memorial Amphitheater.

The president, who used last

•President Obama laying a wreath at Virgina’s Arlington National Cemetery ... yesterday.

PHOTO: GETTY

year’s occasion to pledge his support for Vietnam War veterans, spoke Saturday about the “1% of the American people (who) bear the burden of our defense.”

“They are heroes, each and

every one,” he said. “They gave America the most precious thing they had, the last full measure of devotion. And because they did, we are who we are today: a free and prosperous nation, the greatest in the world.”

Sarki Samaila and Lance Cpl. Abdullahi Shawai, who died while serving with the UNAfrican Union Mission in Darfur.

The statement by the UN Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, said that the Nigerians were among 103 military, police and civilian personnel who would be honoured in commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

The statement said that the iday of UN would be observed at UN headquarters in New York and at its field operation offices in different countries.

“This marks the fifth year in

a row the United Nations will honour more than 100 Blue Helmets who lost their lives the previous year while serving the cause of peace.

“This sombre milestone is a stark reminder of the risks incurred by individuals who put their lives on the line when they were deployed to UN missions around the world,” it said.

According to the statement, UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, will perform the wreath-laying ceremony in honour of the “fallen peacekeepers”.

It also said that the late peacekeepers would be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold medal.

UN to honour 17 Nigerian fallen soldiers tomorrow T HE United Nations will on May 29 honour 17 Nigerians who lost their lives while serving in its peacekeeping operations in 2012, according to a statement from the global body yesterday.

They are Staff Sgt. Absalom Umar, Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Abel, Cpl. Julius Emmanuel, Lance Cpl. Bashir Garba and Cpl. Thomas Idu, all of whom lost their lives while serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

Others are Lt. Martins Anthony, Lance Cpl. Sunday Afolayan, Sgt. Omega Agbalo, Cpl. Suleiman Bako, Cpl. Fali Buluma, Lance Cpl. Oko Idiku, Lance Cpl. Sanusi Jibrin, Lance Cpl. Inalegwu John, Sgt. Birabi Nkpara, Sgt Joseph Ojelade, Lance Cpl.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed disappointment over recent increase in sale of babies in Nigeria and vowed that those that are found guilty of the act will be prosecuted.

Jonathan spoke in Abuja at the 2013 Children’s Day celebration which included match past with the theme: ‘Our children, Our future: Our collective Responsibility’ Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Muhammed said the Federal Government is sad over the development and is doing everything to ensure the menace is put under check.

He said the Federal Government has also completed arrangement to introduce a free toll line, whereby Nigerian children can report incidences of abuse.

His words: “Children are the greatest assets of any nation and the foundation on which the future of nations are built.

They are the future leaders and so the best investment any nation makes on children, is worth making. It is imperative to note that children are 100 per cent of our future and that when we protect them, we protect our future. ”The administration is very much concerned about violence against women and children most especially, child trafficking, child battering and sale of babies which has become a daily occurrence in Nigeria, is receiving attention of this administration and those connected with this ugly trend will be brought to book in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws. ”In order to ensure child protection in Nigeria, the Federal Government is establishing a child helpline to protect the rights of children. The project is to enable children in any kind of crisis to call a toll-free number to find help. It will also provide information for research and anlysis relating to various types and trends of adverse incidents in different parts of the country which could be utilized towards curbing the incidence of violence, exploitation and abuse of children. I therefore urge parents/families to inculcate decent moral values in their children and to provide adequate protection for them to safeguard our future”.

In line with Section 13 of the Child’s Rights Act 2003, the President noted that Nigeria has shown keen commitment to promote and protect the rights of children to basic health.

“Section 13 of the Child Rights Act 2003 provides for the right of the child to good health and health care services, and impose this duty at all levels of government and other stakeholders responsible for health care and welfare of the child,” he added.

The President revealed that his Administration is making efforts to ensure the completion of the National Children’s Resource Centre by 2014.

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General public please take note.

MMEREMIKWU

AHUMIBE

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62

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

63

WHO SAID WHAT

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

NO.2,499

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

T the end of a visit the other day with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ota, Ogun State, in continuation of meetings with leaders of the party across Nigeria to resolve a raft of internal issues, the chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, debunked suggestions that the PDP could lose the next general elections.

‘When the time comes,” he declared, “I will assure you we will do what we know how to do best.”

The elections are not due until 2015, but the biggest vote-harvesting machine in Africa showed this past week that, despite the conflicts rocking it, doing what it knows how to do best, namely, turning winners into losers and losers into winners, is still its standard operational procedure, its trademark.

And the fingerprints of the Arch Fixer himself, Tony Anenih, are stamped all over the deed.

I am referring to last week’s election for the chair of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), an extra-constitutional body that has grown influential to the point of making President Goodluck Jonathan panicky and insecure, despite the awesome powers of his office. As a consequence, he has had to invest his prestige, as well as enormous public resources, to ensure that the incumbent chair, Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, would not win reelection.

Since it was bruited several months ago that Amaechi would serve as running mate to Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido in the 2015 presidential race, with Obasanjo’s blessing, it was clear that Amaechi’s days as chair of the NGF were numbered, and that his relationship with President Jonathan, who has given every indication of entering the race except formally declaring, as well as his political future, were in grave jeopardy.

Amaechi has been a marked man since then.

The NGF election planned for February was rescheduled for May, apparently in the hope that, by then, the assets needed to defenestrate Amaechi would have been fully deployed. The contrived kerfuffle over his official plane, operations permit and all that, was part of the grand strategy.

Meanwhile, the alleged waywardness of the NGF under Amaechi’s leadership, it has been said, was more than sufficient to make Aso Rock engineer the creation of a complaisant faction, the PDP Governors Forum, with Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom as chair.

As if to put Amaechi on notice that his number was well and truly up, Anenih, reportedly echoing the “oga” at the very top, complained at a meeting of state governors, federal legislators and state chairpersons of the PDP in Asaba, Delta State, that the NGF had become “a formidable group of power

VOL. 8

‘They should allow the police to work for the benefit of the public. And imagine, if you and I cannot go to court to seek for protection, where else can we go to?They have refused to accept the court decision.’

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Doing what they know how to do best

•Amaechi

‘As if anticipating those who might question why the divine should be insinuated into a project that bears all the marks of the profane, he declaimed: “God is a democrat, does not support rigging but if you rig and succeed, that means God approves of it.” So, there you have it’

•Jang

wielders seeking to control governments at all levels.”

Translation: The NGF had become a subversive organisation.

The body, he said, had been “hijacked by “opposition” Governors and was no longer promoting the interests of the PDP.” Just why governors elected on five different party platforms expressly for “providing a common platform for synergy, collaboration among interests” and serving as a lobby group to foster, promote and sustain democratic ethos, good governance in Nigeria, Africa and beyond” should promote the interests of the PDP, Anenih did not deign to explain.

But thus was the stage set for last week’s NGF showdown election to put Amaechi in his place.

In that dubious quest, Dr Jonathan and Anenih seem to have been worsted.

Of the 35 governors present and voting, Amaechi won the backing of 19, according to the returning officer for the election and director-general of the NGF, Ashishana Okauru, who described the poll as fair and transparent.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who had been dragooned into the race at the last minute when neither Jonathan’s favoured candidate, Katsina Governor Ibrahim Shema nor Bauchi Governor Isa Yuguda who also had his eye on the job would step down for the other, garnered 16 votes.

In the normal run of things, that should have settled it. But nobody has ever accused the PDP of subscribing to normality. And so, no sooner had Amaechi finished delivering his acceptance speech than the PDP launched its desperate bid to turn Amaechi’s victory into defeat and Jang’s defeat onto victory.

The election, they claimed, was “rigged.”

HARDBALL

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan insists he has nothing to do with fracturing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) or the crisis that attended the election into the chairmanship of the Forum. Nobody believes him.

It is doubtful whether he believes himself. Everyone is probably puzzled, wondering how Nigeria declined so precipitously that no one believes the president anymore. President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) had contempt for the truth; President Umaru Yar’Adua (20072009) evaded the truth; and now Jonathan (2009) is manipulating the truth. If the country cannot trust its president; and if the president cannot give his word and stand by it, how would the huge edifice called Nigeria stand?

Thirty-five governors voted in the NGF election on Friday in Abuja. No vote was voided.

Nineteen supported Mr Amaechi, and 16 went with Mr Jang, governor of Plateau State. But this extremely simple act of voting and of winning and losing an election became so complicated that the whole country is embarrassed. A returning officer declared the election lost and won. And it was an election in which supposedly the best and the brightest of Nigeria’s politicians, the governors, were involved. They were expected to be the embodiment of truth, correctness and wisdom. None of them was expected to indulge in self-help. But not only did one of the governors swear they had to restrain

NGF election as eye-opener themselves from exchanging blows on account of some perceived wrongs, those who lost simply ignored the courts and preferred self-help by declaring themselves winners and setting up their own paraphernalia of office. The tragedy they had just enacted was lost on them.

First, they proved incapable of organising the simplest election, in which the voting population was nothing more than 35 supposedly well-educated and polished political aristocrats. Instead, they turned out to be little better than a riotous bunch from the country’s worst slums. Second, they were supposed to be the embodiment of correct behaviour, of gravitas, of nobility. But they turned out to be so ordinary even schoolboys would be bewildered.

And thirdly, in spite of the presidency’s constant protestations of innocence, and consequent upon the defeated governors’ remarks and movements, it is clear the stunned losers are being manipulated by the presidency.

It is indeed troubling to realise that the Jonathan presidency will not expire until many top Nigerian politicians have been unmasked and demystified. Recall how many otherwise sound and sensible politicians were unmasked in the betrayal of the June 12, 1993 election and

under the Gen Sani Abacha military government. The demystification continued under the Obasanjo and Yar’Adua governments, and is now continuing furiously under the Jonathan government. Dr Jonathan, it is well known, is desperate to master the 2015 elections and wishes, among other things, to control the NGF. He will do anything, no matter how demeaning, to accomplish his goals.

The otherwise soft-spoken Mr Jang propounds a gentle theology of God and elections in which his sudden entrance into the NGF race last Friday was attributable to God, and his loss, by the most amazing sophistry ever, indistinguishably became victory. One of these days, Hardball will discourse upon Mr Jang’s frolics between Einstein’s relativity (God does not play dice with the world) and Cartesian dualism (Cogito ergo sum). That’ll be the day! Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who has lent himself lock, stock and barrel for Dr Jonathan’s capricious use, forsakes reason so joyously that, for him, there is no limit to his self-abnegating commitment to the president’s cause. The cost to his own integrity and principles is nothing compared to his fanatical and imponderable show of loyalty.

ROTIMI AMAECHI

An election with just 35 candidates rigged?

Consider what could happen in 2015, when the stakes would be much higher. Shifting gears, they claimed that the ballot papers had not been unnumbered serially. But why didn’t they point this out before voting began?

Amaechi should have stepped down so that a neutral person could conduct the poll. Again.

Why was no objection raised at the outset?

Were they severally and jointly anaesthetised?

Leaving nothing to chance, a conclave of 18 governors hastily organised another poll and proclaimed Jang the winner and new chair of the NGF. There is nothing curious here: this in-your-face brazenness is the modus operandi of Africa’s biggest vote-snatching machine.

They don’t do subtlety at Wadata Plaza.

Even by Nigeria’s standard in matters political, Jang’s speech at a special service ahead of “Democracy Day” at the Faith-way Chapel Church in Jos, the Plateau State capital, seems rather exorbitant.

His “emergence” as chairman of the NGF, he asserted without fear and without irony, was “the will of God” because he had gone to Abuja merely an as an elector, only to be chosen by his colleagues to lead the organisation.

As if anticipating those who might question why the divine should be insinuated into a project that bears all the marks of the profane, he declaimed: “God is a democrat, does not support rigging but if you rig and succeed, that means God approves of it.”

So, there you have it.

Even with his “suspension” from the PDP for allegedly defying the “directive” of the Rivers State Executive Council – of which he is chairman, by the way – to reinstate the executive council of a local government he had dissolved, and with his declaration of unswerving loyalty to President Jonathan and the party and all its grandees, Amaechi must entertain no illusions that his travails are ended.

Soon, they will charge him with engaging in “anti-party activities” and expel him.

But in whatever guise or disguise it functions henceforth, the NGF will be yet another symbol, and a constant reminder, of all that is wrong with the formation that calls itself the biggest political party in Africa.

I verily believe with his spokespersons that President Jonathan had absolutely nothing to do with these developments.

After all, he was away in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, availing a sub-Committee of the Africa of his globally recognised expertise on infrastructure, a subject so dear to his heart, and in the development of which he has achieved such transformative results at home, that he passed up his turn to address the full Summit.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above The NGF debacle has done us more good than injury. It is an eye-opener; and we now know where we stand. It has revealed the poor mettle of our governors. It has also more importantly revealed the disdain the president has for his oath of office. He had sworn thus: “I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will…”

It would be presumptuous of us to remind the president and his colluding governors the weighty oath they took on assumption of office. Apart from the distinct possibility that they have forgotten the wordings or its import in their meaningless struggle for the NGF chairmanship, there is no proof they ever meant a word of it.

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