May 2, 2014

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•Suspected thugs arrested with guns in Iyin-Ekiti •AND MORE •Fayemi to opponents: declare your assets ON PAGE 11 •Why I’m opposed to Bamidele, by Adebayo

•THE SCENE OF HORR OR: The Golf car used for the bombing...last night.

HORROR:

Car bomb kills 9 in Abuja Bloody May Day as 11 are hospitalised after another Nyanya incident

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WHERE ARE THE 234 GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 AT THE GOVT SECONDARY SCHOOL, CHIBOK, BORNO STATE?

A car, which we suspected to be a Volkswagen Golf, was parked and three people quickly ‘rushed out of it. They had barely moved away when the explosion shattered everywhere. The ensuing commotion could not allow residents of the area to trail those who brought the car ’ N IGERIANS closed the May Day celebration on a bloody note last night. Nine people died in a car bomb . Eleven were taken unconcious to the hospital. Many others were injured.

The scene of horror was Nyanya, where 75 people were killed 17 days ago.

From Yusuf Alli, Yomi Odunuga, Gbade Ogunwale and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

The blast occurred near a park opposite the spot where the April 14 incident occured.

The explosion rocked the Nyanya overhead bridge, flinging pedestrians down onto the road.

The bomb went off less than one and a half kilometers to a military checkpoint mounted to prevent such incidents in the area.

According to an eye witness, the incident happened at about 8:20pm when vehicular traffic was high.

The toll was confirmed by the National Emergency Management

Agency(NEMA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Boko Haram is suspected to be behind the attack.

The BBC reported that eyewitnesses saw 20 bodies at the scene.

Continued on page 2

•SOCIETY P15 •SPORTS P23 •BRANDS P26 •AGRIC P38 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P59

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

NEWS Why I want International support to rescue school girls, by Saraki

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•T AKE HEAR T: Vice President Namadi Sambo (speaking) during a condolence visit on him over the death of his brother, Capt. Yusuf •TAKE HEART Sambo, in Abuja…yesterday. With him are: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) and Chief Executive, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Mr Femi Otedola

Kidnap of girls’ll end Boko Haram activities, says Gumi

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ENOWNED Islamic Scholar Sheikh Ahmed Abubakar Gumi has said that the kidnap of school girls by the Boko Haram insurgents will end the group’s activities.

In a statement in Kaduna, Gumi said security agents should encircle the Sambisa forest and use aerial surveillance that would lead to the capture of the abductors, adding that time was running out fast on them.

He wondered why it has taken the military so long to use the drone developed and manufactured by the Nigeria Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna. If the drone is working, said

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Gunmi, this is the right time to use it.

To him, it is ironic that “nobody wants to take responsibility and honorably resign for more responsible officials to clear the mess”.

He said: “When there was a bomb blast in Jaji cantonment during the hey days of explosions in the northern capital cities, the cantonment commandant was sacked and retired from the Army. This spirit of accountability has suddenly vanished.

“This abduction is an end game for whoever is responsible for the killings, bombings and

terror all over in general. The abductors - whoever they may beare confined in space and time for the first time. The abducted girls are known, therefore, lies will have to end. The abductors must be identified. These girls hold the answers to all the melodrama that is called war against Book Haram.

“The space is Sambisa forest – a must- since there are confirmed cases of escapees from it.

The time is also against the criminals. Encircle all outlets from the forest, take aerial surveillance – shouldn’t we wonder now if the drone purported to have been manufactured in Kaduna Air Force base was not really a dummy? – or get the help

from United States.

In his view, Boko Haram’s objectives have not crystallised.

“The freed girls would also talk. And nobody in the system yet wants free flow of information on what is truly happening.

I am still surprised why there are no free interviews with the runaways?”, he said.

To him, young girls “are the greatest stimulus for sympathy on human psyche while the international community, the locality and every soul was touched by this barbarism”.

“Therefore, I see – insha Allahthis is the end game of the saga called Boko Haram. There will

hostage.

It was learnt that some of the girls made “startling” revelations, including the complicity of some locals in their abduction.

This, a source said, will make security agents to grill some teachers in the school.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of these girls

had the interaction on audio and video tapes. The essence of this is to guide the operations of the military and other rescue teams.

“From their submissions, there was complicity of some locals in the abduction because some of the insurgents were known to the girls. Security agents will also

Continued on page 60

Abduction: Security agents quiz ‘lucky’ Chibok school girls

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ILITARY Intelligence and security agents have interacted with some of the 48 girls who escaped from Boko Haram camps, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The escapees were said to have written the school certificate examinations in other schools arranged by the government of

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Borno State, which is set to submit the list of the abducted students and their photographs to the police to assist the military in tracking them.

The military and security agents quizzed the escapees as part of the ongoing search for their colleagues still being held

Continued on page 60

ENATOR Bukola Saraki is advocating international assistance to rescue the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State.

In a stament yesterday, the former governor of kwara State praised security personnel for their “unwavering efforts in trying to locate the children abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok”.

The statement said: “Since this ugly incident occurred, it has been evident that these rescue efforts require the full support and cooperation of both Nigerians and our friends and allies in the international community – especially those that share our borders.

“Nigeria has always demonstrated that it is always ready to extend its hands in support when there is a crisis in the international community - as demonstrated by our continental peacekeeping efforts. It is time for the international community to do the same.

“Given the terrain of the concerned area, the same level of technical support that the international community has provided in trying to locate the missing Malaysian Airline flight MH370 must at this time be extended to Nigeria.

“The degeneracy of this abduction has demonstrated that now more than ever, the world must come together to combat

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

terrorism for the sake of our shared humanity.

“Nigeria will embrace every act of support from our friends.

No meaningful efforts are too small, and no attempts to bring back our girls will be considered insignificant.

“With the reports of the abducted girls being ferried to neighbouring countries – fluid intelligence gathering and sharing at this time is also highly crucial. This is why I would like to also appeal to our friends and allies to provide our security agencies with any relevant information that will help in completing this mission.”

Saraki said the military should support “in every way possible – in the same way that our political resolve must continue to remain strong”. “And, as a country, we must remain unrelenting and unanimous in demanding that the abducted girls be united back with their families,” he said.

The former governor advised the Federal Government to update the world on the progress being made as well as the challenges being met with the rescue efforts.

“This is no easy task; to surmount this, we must all work together.

All hands must be on deck.

Together, we can bring back our loved ones’” Saraki said.

Nine die in Abuja car bombing Continued from page 1

A joint statement by the Head, Public Relations NCSDC, Emmanuel Okeh and the Press Officer of NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel, last night, said: “While security agencies have corndoned the area of an explosion this evening in Nyanya Abuja, response agencies have moved injured victims to hospitals and at least nine (9) lifeless bodies have been deposited in the mortuary while 11 unconscious victims are receiving medical attention in different hospitals in Abuja.

“Other injured victims too are being attended to ”The public is urged to cooperate with security agencies and avoid rushing to the scene to

guard against hampering the efforts of the various agencies working together to ensure public safety”.

An official source said: “We have taken the victims to National Hospital, Garki Hospital and Nyanya General Hospital.

Most of the victims received First Aid treatment at Nyanya General Hospital.”

The source said: “A car, which we suspected to be a Volkswagen Golf was parked and three people quickly rushed out of it. They had barely moved away when the explosion shattered everywhere.

“The ensuing commotion could not allow residents of the Continued on page 60

Protests in Lagos, Kano, Ilorin over abducted girls

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Ex-British PM to visit Jonathan

IGERIANS had a sober May Day yesterday – no thanks to the abduction of 234 school girls in Borno dered over recent years.”

ORMER British Prime Minister Gordon Jonathan. “I’m not prepared to criticise the In his capacity as United Nations special Brown will meet with President Good- Nigerian government. We’re dealing with a State. envoy on education, he said, he would be urgluck Jonathan in Abuja next week for group of terrorists who have kidnapped chilThe Government Secondary ing the Nigerian government to take meadren … The sensible way of dealing with this talks on the rescue of the abducted Chibok School, Chibok pupils were sures, with international support, to make is to help the Nigerian government to deal girls. snatched away from their hosschools more accessible and safer. with a problem in their own country that is Brown, who is a United Nations adviser, tels on April 15 by Boko Haram More than 10 million children in Nigeria very substantial.” said in a piece published in The Guardian of gunmen. They are yet to be did not attend school, Brown said. As well as “Two hundred girls have been abducted, London that Nigeria should get the internafound. widespread barriers to children’s attendance kidnapped, taken into a forest area and their tional community’s military assistance to resMay Day rallies became a – including child labour, child marriage, child parents don’t know whether they are about cue the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. platform for protests over the trafficking and discrimination against girls – to be murdered, or used as sex slaves, or Brown said he had approached the British abduction. he added that in northern Nigeria there was about to be trafficked into other countries,” government to discuss the possibility of milThere were protests in Lagos, “a persistent campaign to deprive children of said Brown. itary assistance. Asked if he anticipated a Kano, Ilorin and Maiduguri. the opportunity to go to school as part of the Relatives told The Guardian that the girls positive response, he said: “I think people Borno State Governor Kashwider aims of Boko Haram”. had been forced into marriage. “We have will want to help, yes.” im Shettima said he was confiThe jihadi group was responsible for “probheard from members of the forest commuStressing the urgency of locating the kiddent that with God, the girls ably 5,000 deaths” in northern Nigeria in the nity where they took the girls. They said napped girls, Brown told The Guardian: “The would soon reunite with their past five years, “including a very large numthere had been mass marriages and the girls international community must do something ber of pupils, because a target of Boko Haram are being shared out as wives among the parents. to protect these girls. We could provide milis to go into schools to bomb and to burn Boko Haram militants,” said Samson Dawah, He said his administration itary help to the Nigerians to track down the them”. Boko Haram means “western educaa retired teacher whose niece Saratu was whereabouts of the girls before they’re diswould do everything possible tion is a sin”. among those kidnapped. persed throughout Africa– like air support, to get the girls back home.

Children, said Brown, should “not be afraid Brown added: “For years now, girls in for example, if that was thought necessary.”

The leadership of the Nigeria of having to go to school in the face of terrornorthern Nigeria have been prevented from Brown declined to say whether he planned Labour Congress (NLC) and ism”. He added that schools should be progoing to school by terrorists and by the failto travel to Borno State where the girls were some women, led by Prof. Hautected places, like hospitals, under the ausure to protect them in safety. We’ve seen hunkidnapped. wa Biu, stormed the Borno State pices of the UN or Red Cross. dreds of girls and boys who’ve been murHe said his intention was to support Government House to protest the abduction. policemen who said they had no lessness in the face of brutal killFrom Bodunrin Kayode, Maiduguri, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Shettima told them that “people are fasting”, adding: “God Mojisola Clement, Lagos Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano permit to protest at the CMS bus ings, kidnap and abduction of stop before making their way to Nigerians”; “immediate rescue is not a God of injustice; He is goes out to all the parents who them that special letters would Onikan Stadium. After camping of the kidnapped girls and imjust and I know we shall surely have children in the hands of be presented to the governor for outside the stadium for some proved security”, among others. get them back for you at the fullthose criminals inside the forest.” President Goodluck Jonathan.

Seun Kuti was calling for urhours with their placards, singness of time and through his In Lagos, the Change Move- ing and obstructing vehicular gent action in search of the ChiBefore the workers left for the judgement.” The women, all long trek to the Government ment Nigeria, led by Seun Ran- traffic, the group made its way bok girls when the power was tears, were in the company of House, they prayed for the ab- some-Kuti, son of the late Afro- into the stadium to hand over cut off. the labour leaders at the Govducted girls. A minute silence beat legend, Fela, signed a peti- the document to the governor.

“We want our girls back. We ernment House, Maiduguri. was observed for all those who tion they wanted Governor BaIn the letter signed by are all one Nigeria; those girls Said the Governor: “I assure died in the lingering insurgency. batunde Fashola to pass on to Oludamilola Adegoke, the are part of us. Government you that the best is yet to come NLC Chairman Titus Abana Dr. Jonathan. They had defied group demanded “an end to needs to take action and stop on this matter and my heart addressed the workers, assuring tear gas canisters thrown by riot government docility and help- giving condolence messages.

F

•Brown

They are our future mothers,” he said.

In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, students and members of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO) stormed the Metropolitan Square venue of the Workers’ Day celebration in protest against the “general insecurity in Nigeria”.

The NLC described the rising insecurity as “worrisome”.

The placard carrying protesters expressed concern over the kidnapped of school girls.

Some of the placards read: “Where are our sisters? “Where Continued on page 60

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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NEWS MAY DAY SPECIAL

No good news fo

• President Goodluck Jonathan (right), Minister of Labour Chukwemeka Wogu (left),Deputy Speaker House of representatives, Emeka Ihedioha (second left) and National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abdulwaheed Omar,during the May Day Celebration in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Kaduna Textiles is up for sale, signifying the end of a rich era. This may be a signpost of what will become of other textile industries in Kaduna which have found it difficult to operate, reports TONY AKOWE, KADUNA

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• Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second left), Deputy Governor of Oyo State Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo (left), Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu (second right) and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Badejoko Adeniji at the May Day Celebration to mark the Workers Day in Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

• Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (right), Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun (left) and Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties Comrade Didi Adodo at the 2014 May Day rally to celebrate Workers' Day in Benin City...yesterday.

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (right) discussing with the state Head of Service, G.C.Adiele at the 2014 May Day celebration in Umuahia... yesterday.

USA Ibrahim is one of the thousands of ex-workers of the dead textile mills in Kaduna. He now ekes a living as a commercial motorcyclist. His last job was with the Arewa Textiles. The company was closed in January 2005.

For him, life has been terrible since the company was closed without his entitlements paid.

According to him, “we are finding it extremely difficult to cope in this harsh economic condition of the county. As a man, I have to struggle to find what I can do. We involve ourselves in all kinds of menial jobs at construction sites. My wife roasts corn on a daily basis. Sometimes, I go to assist people on the farm and get paid.

I operate Okada when there is nothing I can do. I do anything that can bring some legitimate money. I have four children; two are out of school because I cannot fund their education.

The remaining two are in primary and secondary school, and I am struggling to pay their school fees. Accommodation has been the worst. The landlord has threatened to eject me the two room apartment I am renting at the moment. The landlady understands the situation and she has been patient because when I was working I used to pay her promptly. I want the company to be re-opened so that we can be paid our entitlements.”

This is the sad story of workers of Arewa Textile Plc, one of the textile factories that operated in Kaduna in the past, employing a large number of workers running three shifts. But the company closed shop when the owners decided to venture into politics. The owner of the company, the late Chief Paul Achimugu, contested the 2003 governorship primaries in Kogi State and lost. Close watchers of the company believed rightly or wrongly that the late Achimugu took money from the company to contest the election. The company never came out of that venture. Even though there were signs late 2013 that the company would reopen, recent development has showed that the future of the company is bleak and may never reopen.

The owners have indicated their intention to sell the company.

Interestingly, workers of the company were made to believe that the company was going into a refinancing deal with the Bank of Industry (BoI) after allegedly defraying all bank debts and paying outstanding workers’ salaries estimated to be N1billion.

The workers were told then that the owners have given assurance that they would receive their salaries before the plant reopens. The workers were happy because their union, through its Deputy Secretary-General, Chimezie Sylvester, assured them that the daughter of the sole owner of the company, Dr. Nemile Achimugu, had opened discussions with the Union Bank Plc and labour on the plans to reopen the factory. He noted that Dr.

• Remains of Arewa Textiles Achimugu called a meeting of all departmental managers, supervisors, senior staff union executives, and junior staff union executives to discuss the plans to revive the company. He also told them that that the management has signed an agreement with the receiver (Union Bank) to recover its assets and all security documents with the bank within six months. The workers got a promise that the bank officials would enter the premises within two weeks to take inventory of what remained of the company, while it would settle its debts to the bank and begin payment of workers entitlements.

“We are hopeful that with the ongoing efforts and commitment of Achimugu, workers’ entitlements would be settled as soon as possible and Arewa Textiles brought back to operation,” he said.

Sadly, Arewa Textile is one of the textile companies that operated in the state, providing employment and business opportunities for residents of the state. The others include Kaduna Textiles, which is the oldest textile factory in the state and possibly in the country, Finetex, Nortes, Supertex, United Nigeria Textiles, Chelco and Poly Fibre. Investigations revealed that while others paid the entitlement of their workers when they closed shops, Finetex, Nortex, Arewa textiles and Kaduna textiles failed to do the same.

However, for these factories, efforts at reopening the factories have proved abortive. Workers of Kaduna Textiles, for example, have constantly protested to the owners, the Northern Governor’s Forum to pay their entitlements. All they have succeeded in doing is extract a promise that they would be paid without success. In one of their memo to the Northern governors, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria expressed disappointment with the continuous closure of Kaduna Textile.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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MAY DAY SPECIAL

ws for workers from North’s textile firms

• Another view of Arewa Textile factory

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General Secretary of the Union, Issa Aremu said: “The union is disturbed by the continuous closure of Kaduna Textiles Limited since 2002. Even more worrisome is the continuous delay in settlement of the entitlements of KTL workers by its owner -19 Northern States of the Federation.

KTL workers are suffering untold hardship due to non-payment of their benefits since the unilateral closure of the factory in 2002. The union since September 2005 obtained a court judgment for settlement of the entitlements of the workers amounting to N687,073,346. 00. Unfortunately, the management and owners of the company (19 Northern States) have remained insensitive to the plight of these workers in spite of repeated appeals, prayers, rallies and protests by the union. In March 2013, the NGF set up a Committee of five governors headed by His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed with Governors of Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi and Borno states as members. The committee was mandated to look at KTL and proffer recommendations on the way forward. The report of the committee is yet to see the light of the day.

We again call on the Northern Governors and the management of Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL) to settle the terminal benefits of KTL workers. But beyond settlement of the entitlements of KTL workers in particular, the Northern Governors must also bring back to life Kaduna Textiles Limited (KTL), the oldest textile company in Nigeria and indeed Africa and the proud legacy of the late Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello”.

Investigations revealed that some northern governors are insisting after the Governor Abdulfatah committee submitted its report to the Northern Governors Forum that those responsible for the present state of Kaduna Textile Limited must be brought to book before their states would make

any monetary contribution towards injecting life into the company. It was also learnt that some of the owner states are not happy that key management positions in the company were dominated by people from particular states in addition to the fact that some of the governors were said to have been unhappy about the employment ratio of their states.

Similarly, in 2010, the Federal Government said it was making effort to revive the sector. The government was building on past efforts which included the Cotton rebirth programme initiated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. The government launched a N100 billion textile revival fund aimed at breathing life into the textile industries in the country. VicePresident Namadi Sambo, who launched the fund at the UNT Plc premises in Kaduna, told Nigerians that the government regarded the revival of the textile industries as a topmost priority. He identified the obstacles leading to the collapse of the sector as the collapse of critical infrastructure, such as power, roads, water, etc resulting in the high cost of doing business for the manufacturing sector and the lack of price competitiveness of Nigeria’s manufactured products; gross under-capitalisation in the face of costly new technologies; lack of long fibre and use of contaminated cotton which combined to generate very low yarn count and quality; lack of other necessary local inputs largely derived from petrochemicals due to the hitherto epileptic performance of the country’s refineries; competition from smuggled fabrics which displaced Nigeria’s exports to the West African market.

He said: “These as identified were responsible for the collapse of the textile industry in Kaduna, which in its glorious days was reputed as one of the major textile production hubs and perhaps the only existing cluster of textile manufacturers in Africa. This was a cluster that accounted for well

over 70 percent of the working population of Kaduna in the 1980s and 90s… Our Founding Father of this industrial success had the vision of a similar textile industrial complex to that of the Manchester of the United Kingdom.”

He also said at the occasion that “the foregoing problems of the textile industry informed the approval by the Federal for the Federal Ministry of Finance to raise and disburse through Bank of Industry (BOI) the N100 billion Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Fund through a bond issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The Fund is meant for onlending by BOI as the primary obligor for the expansion, refurbishing, resuscitation and modernisation/retooling of existing textiles, ginning and all other assorted cotton industries as well as the cultivation of cotton. We have pursued and have had to set up committees at both state and Federal levels to come up with practical recommendations that can address these identified challenges. These committees made far-reaching recommendations and followed them with concrete steps aimed at addressing them. We then identified with the challenges of Power and approved the siting of the 215mw thermal power plant to address the challenge of constant power supply.”

However, four years after these initiatives, which were widely applauded by Nigerians and the textile union, there is no visible sign that the government effort is yielding any result. The UNT Plc that was supposed to be the first beneficiary of the Textile Revival Fund still runs skeletal services at its Kaduna plant. While the Textile union has continuously said that the plant was functional, a visit to the plant speaks otherwise. Women who sell fabric in front of the plant told The Nation that only skeletal services is going on there as they had to constantly take their fabrics to the Lagos plant for finishing. Other fac-

tories in the state have remained under lock, without any hope of reopening. Even though some foreign investors have come to access some of the plants with a view to taking them over, The Nation was informed that taking over the factories would mean a complete replacement of the machines. One of such is the visit of some Pakistanis who showed interest in investing in the state and help revive the ailing industries, including textile, surgical equipment, agriculture, rail transportation, pharmaceuticals, tricycle production, leather, sportswear and poverty alleviation. During their visit late 2013, the Pakistanis told Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero that they were willing to bring in new technologies to revive the industries. One of them, Muhammad Sandal, told the governor that they visited two of the textiles factory in the state, adding: “We visited two textile companies (KTL and Finetex); we have seen the machineries and the technology is older, we can bring our technicians here to introduce new technology and new machineries.

More than 20, 000 people can be involved in that (textile) industry.”

Yero assured them that the state would partner with the Pakistani industrialists in the area of agriculture, education, rail transport, solid minerals, textile, poverty alleviation and pharmaceutics. He said the 19 northern governors would also partner with the industrialists to revive the moribund Kaduna Textile Limited to boost the economy and enable the country export textile materials.

He said: “Kaduna is an industrial town, a textile town, most of the companies in the late 60’s and early 70’s are textile. KTL belongs to the 19 northern states and it is our desire to revive it, the 19 states governors will be interested in partnering with anybody to revive the company.”

Interestingly, smuggled cheap foreign textile fabrics have continued to flood the Nigerian market without

any concrete move to arrest the drift to ensure the revival of the sector.

Despite several promises, smuggling, especially through the northern border has continued to be on the rise, while cotton production has been on the downward slide. The moribund nature of the textile industry is believe to be responsible for the depletion of the local market for cotton farmers coupled with the fact that the little cotton that was produced was exported by produce buying agents.

The consequence for the local ginneries/textile manufacturers that were still in operation was inadequate supply of cotton which warranted them to import at huge cost to close their supply gap. However, it is believed that the revival of the textile sector goes beyond just improving the technology and providing the need power and improving cotton production. The dumping of cheap fabrics on the country through must be addressed by government and relevant stakeholders.

When The Nation visited the premises of some of the factories, it was discovered that they have been completely taken over by shrubs and bushes. Many of the machines and other facilities have been vandalised while many of the buildings were without roof. Some of the facilities are believed to have turned to breeding ground for criminals. While the owners of Arewa Textiles have indicated their intention to sell the plant by advertising it, it was not immediately clear whether the workers have been paid off or whether they are being carried along in the process. Officials of the Textile Union who have been actively involved in the process of negotiating the entitlement of the workers could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report. The General Secretary of the union, Issa Aremu was away in Abuja and asked The Nation to meet him in Abuja as “the telephone is not a reliable option”.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

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NEWS

Jonathan to World Bank: Nigeria not poor

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday faulted the World Bank report which placed Nigeria among the five poorest countries in the world, saying “the nation is not poor’’.

Addressing workers at the May Day rally held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the President said: “The challenge of the country is not poverty, but redistribution of wealth.’’

He said the realities on ground did not portray the country as a poor nation, but a nation whose abundant wealth needed to be evenly redistributed.

The President added that his administration was working assiduously and putting policies in place to ensure that Nigerians had access to financial resources to create wealth for themselves.

He said: “Nigeria is not a poor country. Nigerians are the most travelled people. There is no country you go that you will not see Nigerians. The GDP of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at close to 7 per cent.

“Aliko Dangote was recently classified among the 25 richest people in the World.

“I visited Kenya recently on a state visit and there was a programme for Nigerian and Kenyan

business men to interact and the number of private jets that landed in Nairobi that day was a subject of discussion in Kenyan media for over a week.

“If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries.

“Some of you will experience that there is an amount of money you will give to a Nigerian who needs help and will not even regard it and thank you but if you travel to other countries and give such an amount, the person will celebrate.

“But the World Bank statistics shows that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. Our problem is not poverty, our problem is redistribution of wealth.’’

The President added that “probably wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it and that is why my administration is committed in terms of financial inclusiveness and we are working very hard to achieve this.’’

Jonathan noted that in the agriculture sector, government introduced the electronic wallet for farmers in rural areas so they could access income through bank facilities.

He said government was also moving agriculture from just a rural development programme to wealth creation and major business programme, adding that government had taken pro-active steps and policies to stabilise power “so that small and medium-scale enterprises will thrive.

“The key commitment of government is to make sure that so many Nigerians have access to finance so that they will be able to create wealth for themselves.’’

The President also read certain political undertones in the processes of ratings by international bodies and global rating agencies.

He explained that “so many countries were downgraded economically in the few past months including some African countries.

“They looked at Nigeria and we gave explanations and they could not see any convincing reason but to downgrade our economy, they left us as BB minus.

“They said elections are coming, politicians are shouting at themselves, it may affect their economy, we will no longer give you stable outlook but give you negative outlook, which is same BB minus.

“When so many countries have been downgraded, they said Nigeria is one of the five poorest countries.’’

Jonathan assured that with the support of Nigerians and in particular, the organised labour, the nation would overcome its challenges and take its pride of palce in the globe.

“We must collectively move this country to where we want to go.

Government is working with labour leaders and workers of this country to create wealth. We will sure move this country to where we want to go.’’

The President also reiterated that the on-going National Conference was not personal but meant to evolve a roadmap that would redefine Nigeria.

He said he had no personal agenda for initiating the Conference, but for the common good and progress of the country.

He added that “a number of people came to me that any President that set up this kind of conference must have a roadmap set for him.

But I said to them that the roadmap is the roadmap for Nigeria.

“Jonathan has no personal roadmap for the conference. You can go and ask the over 500 people that are there whether I have sent any emissary to anybody to define anything for my own interest. I repeat, the issue is not Jonathan, I have spent three quarters of my life on earth.

“What we want is a Nigeria for

our future generation. We will lead our country to where we want to go.’’

The President noted that the overall interest of the country informed the nomination of many representatives of organised labour, civil society organisations and youths to the conference.

This is the first time that the government is having a national conference and labour has such a number of representatives, he added.

He said the civil society was robustly represented at the conference and the first time that youths were well represented.

“There are 18 youth representatives at the conference which has never happen. We believe that as elders, we must prepare a country for the young generation and build a nation for our children and grandchildren.

“The conference is to redefine Nigeria,” he assured.

He noted that the resolution of the conference would be sent to the National Assembly to be implemented for national good.

“I believe that at the end of the conference, if the resolutions are agreed by everybody, I will be able to work with my brothers, sisters and friends in the National Assembly to see that whatever they agreed on sailed through.”

Permanent Voter Cards’ll be used in Ekiti, Osun

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•From left: Chief Executive, Kudakam Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Atinuke Aka-Bashorun, former Lagos State Attorney-General, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja chapter, Monday PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON Ubani, during the NBA’s Alao Aka-Bashorun lecture in Lagos...yesterday.

By Wale Adepoju

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be used for the Ekiti State governorship election on June 21 and the Osun State governorship election on August 9.

It said it would not deploy card readers for the governorship elections. Rather, the card readers will be used along with PVCs for the 2015 general election.

INEC, in a statement by Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, said: “This is to correct reports in some sections of the media on Thursday, May 1, 2014, that card readers will be deployed for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. The reports misrepresented Acting INEC Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, as having said card readers will be deployed for the governorship elections.

“What the Acting Chairman said was that PVCs, and not Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) that were issued in 2011 and during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two states, will be used for the imminent governorship elections; while card readers will be deployed in 2015.

This is in line with the Commission’s programme to incrementally fortify the electoral process against age-long susceptibility to abuses.

“PVCs were distributed simultaneously in Ekiti and Osun states from Friday, 7thMarch, 2014 to Sunday, 9th March, 2014, preparatory to the governorship elections. CVR was also conducted in the two states from Wednesday, 12thMarch, 2014 to Monday, 17th March, 2014.”

APC to Chikwe: your comments on girls’ abduction insensitive

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned comments credited to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Women Leader Kema Chikwe allegedly doubting the abduction of over 200 school girls from Chibok in Borno State.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said: ‘’It has been said that politics should not be brought into issues of national security.

But how can anyone keep quiet in the face of this glaring assault on the sensitivity of a whole nation by a supposed leader of the ruling party? Who indeed is attempting to politicise a national tragedy, undoubtedly the worst in the history of

School girls’ abduction saddens me, says ex-minister

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HE National Women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Kema Chikwe, yesterday denied doubting the abduction of the 234 Chibok school girls, allegedly by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State on April 15.

An online publication creditted her with a statement doubting the abduction.

In a statement yesterday, Mrs Chikwe said: “As a mother, I have remained heartbroken and deeply pained by the unfortunate incident. My heart and thoughts have continued to go out to these girls and their families, hence my decision to mobilise other women to pray for them.

“However, it has come to my attention that part of my

speech at the prayer session, especially the questions I raised concerning the circumstances surrounding the abduction of these innocent girls was largely misunderstood.“ “Indeed, with every sense of responsibility, I wish to reiterate that this is not the time to sensationalise issues, particularly those relating to these innocent girls whose fate we are all deeply worried about.

“In this regard, we all must ensure that we are not distracted in anyway whatsoever but collectively focus our energies towards actions that will accelerate the rescue and safe return of these girls to their families.”

our nation, if not the PDP? ‘’Does this explain why the President and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces has not deemed it fit to make a national broadcast to assure a dumbstruck nation that he is indeed in charge, to give hope to the shellshocked parents of the girls and to inspire the military,

Borno to have visited the school, even in defiance of intelligent reports? If the military cannot make Chibok safe for its Commander-in-Chief to visit, who in that town is safe? We submit that no part of this country should be out of bounds to the President and

three weeks after this unprecedented national tragedy? Is this why the President and Commander-inChief has yet to visit Chibok? ‘’If security concerns are responsible for the President’s failure to visit Chibok, how is it possible for Gov. Kashim Shettima of

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Commander-in-Chief. No where in which our military men and women are deployed should be out of bounds to our President and Commander-in-Chief. ‘’A fringe group first mooted this idea of the abduction not being real and was ignored. But now that it has been raised to the level

of a party’s stand, it is time for all Nigerians to speak out and condemn this absurdity.

Is Chikwe saying that the military that has been working round the clock to rescue the girls is only play acting? Is she also saying that the President who called an expanded National Security Council meeting on the issue is only horsing around?

Enough of this absurdity. ‘’We urged our patriotic soldiers and indeed all concerned to ensure that these innocent girls are returned home safely to their parents.

We commend all the groups that have staged public protests to force the authorities to act faster on this issue for their efforts. We say all hands must be on deck to end this national nightmare as soon as possible.’’

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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NEWS MAY DAY CELEBRATION Oshiomhole approves yearly salary increment From Osagie Otabor, Benin

• Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (third right) acknowledging cheers from workers during the May Day celebration in AdoEkiti... yesterday.

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has promised to grant yearly salary increment to the state’s workers.

The governor spoke yesterday in Benin during the May Day rally at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The governor reminded the workers that May Day was not to celebrate any increase in salary but to cherish and remember those who were jailed or killed on the streets of Chicago because they damanded basic rights for workers to form trade unions, negotiate and speak with one voice.

He told the teachers that he would not be intimidated to drop the conduct of the competency test for teachers on the altar of politics.

Oshiomhole said: “We found some teachers who did not know how many local governments are in the state. I was scandalised when an Edo teacher said the University of Benin is a local government, and you asked me to retain such a teacher! I will not. I have my duty to the Edo child.

It is the duty of the poor man who attends a public school. I am a child of a poor man. I cannot abandon an Edo child because I want to win the next election. There are choices to be made.

“The challenge of leadership is tested on an occasion like this.

Nothing has been said that I did not expect. This movement has taught me to have courage. It gave me the values to be myself anywhere, anytime any day...

“When you supported me to be governor, it was because I was troubled about the future of our country and I believe I can make a difference from my state. I was clear that difference must begin by preparing the Edo child for the future. We cannot pretend over the affairs of teachers in the state. I cannot preside over the ruining of our children. I do not want to think like a politician.”

The rally became a battle of wits between Oshiomhole and organised Labour, especially the teachers.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) were unhappy with the government over what they called unfulfilled promises.

Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) showed their discontent when they wore straight faces during the march past and refused to salute the governor.

TUC state Chairman Charles Oronsanye said the union was angry that the governor failed to sack the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Major Lawrence Loye.

The also expressed displeasure over retrenchment of workers, competency test, promotion in the public service and non-payment of 27 months of salaries to workers of Bendel Brewery.

Other reasons for their grievances, according to the TUC chairman, were funding of salary payment for state-owned institutions and contributory pension scheme.

Oronsanye said: “The current approach by Edo State Government is a fire brigade approach, military in nature, rigid and again witch-hunting. We urge the government to change its tactics, embrace civility, follow due process and carry the workers along.”

NLC state Chairman Emmanuel Ademokun said the euphoria of May Day celebration was waning across the country because of job losses and ill-treatment meted out to workers.

Fashola to Labour: don't blackmail govt with strikes L AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has advised Labour unions to stop blackmailing the government with strikes.

The governor noted that Labour should always explore amicable ways of resolving industrial disputes with governments and their employers.

Fashola spoke yesterday during the May Day celebration at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

The governor said the frequent use of industrial actions to pursue workers' cause undermined productivity.

He said: "Strikes, for me, should be used only as a last resort. It is perhaps the vehicle that is used only when other op-

By Toba Agboola

tions have failed, not when the management of a union is angry with an employer. We cannot achieve anything when we are quarrelling.

"If you read the Nigerian Labour Law and follow the process in the law, you will realise that it is not even easy to go on strike.

"I don't know, for example, how many people who participate in strikes know that if you participate in an illegal strike, you can be liable for conviction of a criminal offence.

"In essence, strikes don't do anybody any good. It decreases productivity and affects progress and development of any society. There are lots of strikes embarked upon which workers themselves don't know the reason or purpose for."

Fashola expressed sadness over the abduction of schoolgirls by the Boko Haram in Borno State.

The governor urged Labour to unite against insecurity.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve workers' welfare.

The state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Akeem Kazeem regretted that workers were no longer enjoying good life because of increasing insecurity, bad economy and lack of good infrastructure.

He said Nigeria was the leastpaying employer of Labour in the world.

The state Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Idowu Adelakun urged all tiers of government to make the welfare of workers a priority.

He said there was no way the country would realise its vision 20:20:20, if the welfare of workers was not given priority.

Amosun promises 1,000 housing units, others to Ogun workers O GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has promised to deliver 1,000 housing units for the civil servants.

The governor has also resuscitated car and housing loans to the workers, the people he called the engine room of any government.

Amosun made the promises yesterday during the Workers’ Day celebration at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The governor said 200 units of the houses would be ready

by May 29 and another 500 in December.

He said the others would be delivered later.

Amosun said his administration was committed to prompt payment of workers’ salaries, training and retraining of the workforce.

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•Governor urges Nigerians to fight insecurity

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

He said: “In the last 35 months of our administration, we have been unwavering in the discharge of our duty to better the lot of our workers. We have consistently taken the issue of the on-the-job training of our workforce seriously.

“Our administration believes that a well trained and retrained civil service will increase productivity and resultantly raise our administrative competence. Across all cadres and levels of the public service, we have continued to make fund available for this purpose.

“...I must say that I am particularly happy that the era of non-payment of salaries, leave bonus and pension arrears have become a thing of the past in the Ogun State public service. Workers now collect their salaries and various allowances as at when due.

“Only few weeks ago, our administration released N1.5 billion to clear the backlog of pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration and those that retired in the course of our administration. Let me reassure you that we are fully aware of the vital position occupied by the workers and we would not at any time hesitate to imple-

ment other programmes that will make our workforce happy.”

Also, the governor has urged governments at all levels and Nigerians to reflect on the prevailing insecurity in the land, particularly the growing insurgency in the Northeast.

Amosun advised that all hands should be on deck so that insurgency and other vices would not push the country to the brinks The chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ishola Ambali urged all workers and other Nigerians to give peace a chance so that the nation could develop.

Ambali hailed Amosun for his worker-friendly policies, especially the prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of pension arrears, infrastructure, transport, women empowerment and economic development.

‘Nigeria’s minimum wage, GDP are fake’

FORMER chairman of the Yobe State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mohammed Bukar, has said the N18,000 minimum wage for workers across the country is fake.

The former union leader also criticised the recent rating of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as unreal.

Bukar addressed reporters yesterday in Damaturu, the state capital, after the May Day celebration.

He noted that the rising inflation and market prices, as well as high taxation made the minimum wage unrealistic for workers.

Bukar said: “The so-called minimum wage that we talk about in Nigeria is very unrealistic because of the biting inflation, uncontrollable market prices and high taxation. The truth is that if you go to the market today, people give their prices based on your appearance. This is wrong. How can you judge the pocket of an individual from his appearance?

“These are the problems we are experiencing as workers in the country. With the high taxation and other factors, what the

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Nigerian worker is earning is far less than the so-called N18,000 minimum wage. Governments at all levels must act fast to solve these problems.

“If you have a high inflation rate and the larger population is living from hand to mouth, how can you then claim that you have the best GDP in Africa? This is fake statistics that does not reflect the true position of the economy in every elementary sense.”

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The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lawan M. Bukar, urged the government to review its poverty reduction policies to accommodate the poor and the less privileged.

He said: “...If the poor cannot sleep due to insecurity and hunger rumbles in their stomachs, the overfed rich cannot either.

Everybody and everything, including the country, will be endangered. So, the government must review its people-oriented and poverty reduction policies.”

Enugu workers demand pay rise

NUGU State workers yesterday demanded pay rise that will be commensurate with the prevailing economic realities.

The unions, under the aegis of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Confess (NLC), decried the hardship an average worker was passing through.

The state TUC Chairman Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe said the current salary structure of the state public service had become almost meaningless against the economic re-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

alities.

He said: “A situation where a civil servant receives less than N1,500 and N1,000 monthly rent subsidy and transport allowance does not in any way relate to the present economy.

“We are aware that the minimum rent for one room apartment in Enugu urban is N5,000 while two and three bedroom flats range from N20,000 to N30,000 per month.

Obiano promises to end workers’ problems •‘I’m the change Anambra needs’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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NAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano told the workers yesterday that their problems will soon end.

But the governor said his administration would not tolerate laxity that might slow down the development of the state.

Obiano spoke at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the May Day celebration.

The governor told the workers that he was the messiah they wanted for in Anambra State.

He promised to make the workers proud of hard work and honesty.

The Trade Union congress (TUC) state Chairman Ifeanyi Okechukwu said the union did not get a vehicle from former Governor Peter Obi. He urged Obiano to help the union’s members with a functional vehicle.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) state Chairman Patrick Obianyo urged the governor to set up a committee to probe recruitment by his predecessor during its twilight days

Elechi urges workers to be securityconscious

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi has urged the state workers to improve on their security-consciousness.

The governor spoke yesterday at the Abakaliki Township Stadium during the May Day celebration.

He said the call was expedient because “the menace of terror, coupled with its increasing diversity and sophistication, makes it incumbent on all citizens to be alert at all times”.

Elechi said: “Like every other manifestation of evil, I am convinced that terrorism is a passing phase in our national life and, by the grace of God, our nation shall overcome.”

The organised Labour in the state condemned the spate of killings, abduction and destruction of property by the Boko Haram sect, mostly in the Northeast.

The chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrades Joseph Nweke and Elias Oduma, regretted the death of over 70 people in the Nyanya Motor Park bomb blast in Abuja.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

NEWS WORKERS’ DAY

MAY DAY CELEBRATION

Why Nigeria is not winning terror war, by NLC

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MID tight security, workers yesterday marked the May Day at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan reiterated his promise to bring to book the perpetrators of the Nyanya blast and to secure the freedom from Boko Haram’s den, the abducted schoolgirls.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwaheed Omar said: “In spite of the relative huge security votes in the past few years, it is weak and inadequate. We also believe conflicting political interests, ambiguous operational order and primordial sentiments are some of the factors undermining the counter-terror war.”

According to him, the Nyanya bomb blast is an eye-opener that to win the terror war waged against the country requires a collective effort.

“It is immoral to play politics with the lives of people.

Accordingly, we demand an end to this unholy pastime, this dirty politics. We must all rise in unison, shoulder-toshoulder and confront this

•Jonathan vows to bring perpetrators to book From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

common enemy once and for all.

“We are almost certain that if anyone was left in doubt about the universality of this war, the Nyanya bomb blast has erased all of that. While we do this, it is important government confronts the root cause of this violence. The government must of necessity and urgency deal with issues of functional educational, unemployment and poverty.”

Omar raised concern about the capacity and willingness of the Federal Government to win the war.

The NLC, which Omar said appreciates the complexities of the war, demanded that there should better initiative and more commitment to fight the insurgents.

He said: “We do not need anyone to tell us that we have a serious situation on our hands. The war on terror does not seem to be going on well at the moment.

“Our security forces, despite gallant efforts, have suffered reversal, taking direct hits in their critical assets areas, raising concerns about their capacity or willingness to win this war. We are not unaware of the complexities of a war of this nature, but we demand better initiative and more commitment.“ The theme of the 2014 May Day is: Building Enduring Peace and Unity: Panacea for Sustainable National Development.

Omar stressed that in spite of the government’s efforts, the situation, particularly in the Northeast, is deteriorating.

According to him, the initial gains of emergency rule, clearly, have been lost and the momentum squandered.

The Boko Haram elements, he said, have grown into a terror group, striking at high targets with devastating effects.

Omar added: “Indeed, the choice of targets, regularity of strikes, weapons used, coor-

dination and sophistication of their operations make them not only the leading terror group but the group to dread.

We feel seriously concerned about the state of the nation’s infrastructure.“ The main entrances of the Eagle Square were not left wide open to workers and other spectators – unlike last year.

Security was tight yesterday. Some of the workers had not entered the venue at 11am when President Goodluck Jonthan came in.

The celebration was low key, with few spectators.

Omar noted that “kidnapping, armed robberies, smuggling, communal and sectarian clashes, oil theft and human trafficking are rife”.

“Arguably, the most threatening of these is the insurgency in the Northeast. This has witnessed several violent killings, including attack on schools. One of the most trying of these has been the kidnapping of over 200 teenage girls at Chibok, Borno State.

As Nigerians await the release of some of them still being held by the terrorists, our hearts bleed and we pray for their safety and release,” he said.

Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Bobboi Kaigama described the theme of the 2014 May Day as apt, especially in view of the comatose nature of the nation’s socio-economic infrastructure, the near-breakdown of security and recent spate of killings and destruction of property in the Northeast and some other parts of the country”.

He stressed that “the fact that we are in the midst of crisis is no longer disputable”.

“Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred,” Kaigama said.

“Our economy is threatened by incidents of violence and terrorism due to unalloyed greed and irresponsibility on the part of many of our successive leaders and our collective failure to nurture our hard-earned democracy and prepare the nation for a new progressive age,” he added.

Amaechi: Labour leaders junketing with politicians From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HE Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has accused Labour leaders of frolicking about with politicians instead of protecting the interest of the suffering workers.

The governor also said most Nigerians were becoming helpless because the Federal Government was not effectively handling security matters.

Amaechi spoke yesterday at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt during the May Day celebration.

The governor urged Nigerians to rise against impunity.

He said: “The leaders of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) know the problems; they know the solutions.

But they do not want to go for the solutions. I do not know why and I do not know if they have compromised.

“There has never been any successful democracy in Nigeria without the contributions of the NLC and the TUC. Few Nigerians just sit and cart away our money and you think that we will not die of hunger! And because there is hunger in the land, there is bound to be violence. The fact that a few people are stealing the money in itself is social, economic and political violence.

“Today, all of us who are Labour leaders are junketing and enjoying with politicians. So, the poor masses are suffering because they have nobody to speak for them. They are voiceless and there is no leader to lead the voiceless. They are hungry and there is nobody to address their hunger.”

The governor advised that Labour leaders be at the forefront of the struggle to ensure a better society, rather than being afraid of confronting those at the helm of affairs.

He said: “You, as Labour leaders, have not asked what we need to do to get this democracy working? Why is there impunity? Why are policemen being used against Nigerians? Why should Nigeria lose over 200 children and nobody is talking? It could be your turn.”

Health workers give govt 15-day strike notice From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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EALTH workers have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement outstanding agreements it entered into with them.

They said they would go on an indefinites strike, if the government fails to release the circulars that would back the negotiated issues.

The health workers, under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Professionals Association (AHPA) addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja on their grievances.

On May 10, 2012, there was an agreement between the Federal Ministry of Health and JOHESU over five important issues.

These include the reconstitution of the boards of tertiary health institutions; promotion of its members from CONHESS 14 to 15 as directors; increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years; implementation of the 2008 job evaluation report; implementation of the Abdullahi Bello Presidential Committee Report on Harmony in the Health sector.

The workers criticised the Federal Government for reneging on its agreement to please the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

JOHESU said the NMA threatened to embark on strike, if the government honoured some of its (JOHESU’s) demands.

Mr. Felix Faniran, the National President of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), spoke yesterday on behalf of the group.

He said the unions had been negotiating with the government for over the issues, adding that the government turned back because of the threat by NMA.

RATTAWU to begin strike From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T •From left: The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrchris Oruge; Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Chika Onuogbu, PHOTO:NAN during 2014 May Day celebration in Port Harcourt...yesterday

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Aregbesola urges workers to unite

SUN State workers yesterday formed themselves into two factions to celebrate the Workers’ Day in Osogbo, the state capital.

While a faction held its rally at the Government Technical College, Osogbo, the other held its at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, also in Osogbo.

Ahead of the celebration, there had been a leadership crisis rocking the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), leading to two rallies at different locations.

The rally at the Technical College was led by the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alhaji Saka Adesiyan, and a factional chairman of the TUC, Mr. Francis Adetunji.

Mr Akinyemi Olatunji, also a factional chairman of TUC, led the rally at the Freedom Park.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola attended the rally at the Technical College, where majority of the workers were junior and artisans.

But those at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, where the governor was represented by his Commissioner for Human Capacity, Mobolaji Akande, were senior civil servants.

•Osun workers hold two rallies From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Aregbesola assured the workers that his administration was committed to their welfare.

The governor said the government would always consider workers’ welfare first, adding that his administration would not neglect them in the scheme of things.

Aregbesola urged the workers to be united and work for the growth and development of the state.

The governor promised that the government would continue to pay their salaries and allowances regularly.

He advised the workers to increase productivity in the service to the people.

Aregbesola noted that for Osun State to sustain its transformative strides and break new grounds in good governance for the wellness of the people, the workers must function effectively.

The governor, who stressed his administration’s commitment to professionalism in the civil service, added that this had enabled

it to cover more grounds in its quest to modernise the service for optimal performance and in conformity with the 21st century.

He said Osun placed high premium on human resource development for the vast contributions it could make to the administration’s objectives.

Aregbesola said to ensure that the capacities of the workers were improved and developed, his administration was devoted to their welfare and well-being within the resources at its disposal.

He said: “You will recall that recently, cheques were distributed for car refurbishment loans.

Notwithstanding the unexpected huge shortfall in federal allocation to the state, we have been striving hard to keep up with our statutory financial obligations to our workers.

“Leave bonuses, 13th-month bonus, which has increased from 20 per cent to 100 per cent, and payment of pension arrears, among other entitlements, have been prompt. I have recently approved the Housing Equipment/ Mortgage Scheme Programme

for Civil Servant Cooperative Societies, both at the state and local government levels and Labour unions.

“The mortgage side of the scheme enables government workers to own houses of their own, while the equipment side enables them to acquire household equipment and appliances of their choice with friendly repayment terms.

“The programme is another demonstration of my administration’s commitment to improve the standard of living of government workers in the state of Osun.”

The governor described the drop in federal allocation to states as cruel and unjustified.

He said: “There is no other way to view this setback in view of the tormenting impediments it causes states and their dependents, not least their workers.

“There is just no acceptable logic in the fact that allocations dwindle while oil revenue accruable to the nation does not drop from about the $108 per barrel that it is. Startlingly, those managing our affairs in Abuja still tell us that their benchmark is $75 per barrel. This cruelty has to stop. It is hurtful and senseless.”

HE Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) announced yesterday that it will begin a warning strike on May 9 as a prelude to an indefinite industrial action.

RATTAWU’s National President Yemisi Bamigbose, who spoke in Abuja on the union’s demands to the government, said the action was to make the government to take immediate action.

The union leader explained that there “is gross neglect in every aspect, which has resulted in serious decay in the sector”.

Bamigbose added: “This decay is not only affecting the performance of media workers but there is also clear evidence that the entire populace will soon be seriously affected. The union is, therefore, using this medium to call the attention of the public to the issues as well as their consequences on the nation.”

The union leader said RATTAWU, with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other stakeholders in the sector, had called the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that states and the central government were not funding the nation’s digitisation adequately.

He said: “Connected with this is the allegation of a foreign company, Gotv, which was alleged not to have the licence to operate digital terestial television in Nigeria but has been operating, contrary to the law and the directives of the Minister of Information that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) should stop its operation.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

9

NEWS

2014 MAY DAY

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (second left); his deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun (left); Head of Service Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (middle); Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Seyi Adebanjo (second right) and Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State chapter, Comrade Ishola Ambali during the Workers' Day celebration at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta...yesterday.

•Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (middle) with Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State chapter, Comrade Idowu Adelakun (second right); Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Oluseyi Williams (fourth right); Commissioner for Establishments, Training & Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase (second left) and others cutting the May Day cake at the Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke (middle) presenting a laptop to one of the workers, Mr. Francis Adie during the provision of 5,000 laptops to public and civil servants in Calabar...yesterday.

With them is House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Larry Odey.

•Medical and health workers marching during the May Day celebration in Bauchi...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (middle); Special Adviser on Labour Matters Comrade Bisi Fakayode (left); Head of Service Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed (second left); Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Kwara State chapter, Comrade Farouk Akanbi and Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Kwara State chapter, Kolawole Olumoh cutting the cake to mark the Workers’ Day celebration at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square...yesterday

•Imo State indigenes disengaged from Abia public service in 2011 appealing to Governor Rochas Okorocha to assist them at the celebration in Owerri…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) acknowledging cheers from members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), during the Joint NLC/TUC May Day celebration in Osogbo, the state capital ...yesterday

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

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‘Corrupt leaders should be shot’ O

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PUBLIC commentator, Chief Areoye Oyebola, has said Nigeria needs a hurricane of change to become a great nation.

Oyebola, a former editor of the defunct Daily Times, advocated a revolution to right the wrongs of the past and set Nigeria on the path of greatness.

Delivering a lecture, titled: “A nation in pretence: Picture of celebration of a century of colonisation”, at the Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Oyo State, the veteran journalist explored Nigeria’s political history and suggested a pragmatic and courageous leadership to redeem the nation.

He said the people who brought Nigeria to its present pathetic state should be lined up and shot.

The programme, which was organised by the Oluyole Social Elite Club, was attended by academics, politicians, lawyers, business men and women and diplomats.

Oyebola said only

‘

It is shameful that the Federal Government rejected the arguments of many Nigerians and reputable media organisations that it was unwise, insensitive and wicked to spend billions of naira on celebrating colonial enslavement when majority of Nigerians live in abject poverty and are deprived of the basic needs of life by greedy, callous, notorious and corrupt rulers.

’

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

detribalised Nigerians with integrity should be allowed to occupy apex positions in the country.

He said Nigerian rulers were worse than the colonialists and condemned the fanfare that attended the last centenary celebration by the Federal Government.

Oyebola said: “With the absurdities, as well as the naivety, mediocrity and shallowness of thought of its rulers, Nigeria was recently brought to the most ridicu-

lous century of its colonisation and the 1914 amalgamation.

“It is shameful that the Federal Government rejected the arguments of many Nigerians and reputable media organisations that it was unwise, insensitive and wicked to spend billions of naira on celebrating colonial enslavement when majority of Nigerians live in abject poverty and are deprived of the basic needs of life by greedy, callous, notorious and corrupt rulers.”

He queried the President’s

decision to honour the late Lord Frederick Lugard and the late Gen. Sanni Abacha during the centenary celebration, saying: “If President Goodluck Jonathan knows how many Nigerians he hurt deeply by his indefensible decision to honour Abacha, he will be very unhappy. The decision to honour Abacha was a terrible one.

“What is worth celebrating in a country where the only issue that unites the political elite is unbridled corruption, which has made the country one of the three most corrupt in the world? It is worse to note that Nigeria, which was one of the richest in terms of natural resources in the 70s, has become one of the 25 poorest.”

Oyebola said one of the country’s greatest problems is poor leadership, adding that it is inappropriate to call those at the helms of affair in Nigeria leaders.

Island Club denies backing Omisore

•Ex-President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr. Chris Uwaje (left) presenting the Pay-TV Operator of the Year Award to the Public Relations Manager of StarTimes, Mr. Anetor Nehemiah Irete, during the Beacon of Information and Communications Technology Awards at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.

By Funmilola Adewunmi

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HE Lagos Island Club has denied a media report that it endorsed Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its candidate in the August 9 governorship poll in Osun State.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Diji Vera-Cruz, the club said the report contradicts its nonpartisan principles.

It said: ‘‘Our attention has been drawn to a publication in some Newspapers, titled: ‘Lagos Island Club Endorses Omisore’.

“The club disassociates itself from the story. It is customary for the club to rejoice with its members on their achievements . The Island Club has maintained a strict stand on partisan politics since its inception in 1943 and has never deviated from this position.”

Vera-Cruz said congratulatory messages were sent to Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Omisore when they emerged the governorship candidates of their parties.

He said sending congratulatory messages to them does not imply endorsement, adding: “The letters should never be interpreted as an endorsement.”

•Omisore

Oyo State Chief Judge Mrs. Badejoko Adeniji has freed 11 awaiting trial inmates of the Agodi Prison in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Those freed are Wale Ogundiran, Olatunji Babatunde, Saheed Ayinde, Nifemi Sefiu, Seun Aworemi, Omokemi Folorunsho, Adeola Adegbesinwa, Kehinde Amope, Sulaimon Akintayo, Idowu Ajagbe and Hammed Faraz. They were accused of offences ranging from assault to stealing and disturbance of public peace.

The CJ told reporters that prison decongestion was a major duty of the judiciary and could not be ignored, adding: “The number of inmates released may look small compared with the number of inmates listed for consideration, but we hope to be back in about three weeks’ time to continue from where we stopped today.”

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Fashola advocates regional integration globally

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has restated his call for regional integration as a development model across the globe.

Hosting the Head of the European Union’s (EU’s) delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion at the State House in Marina, Fashola stressed the need for cooperation among nations.

He said: “It is interesting that you hold the view that regional integration will soon catch up with the rest of the world. Size is important, but collaboration is also important. Team work can produce amazing results”.

Fashola said the success of such collaboration would depend on how the integrating nations playing their individual roles and act in the interest of the team.

He said such arrangements sometimes run into murky waters when some of the collaborating nations feel others are not playing their roles well.

The governor said: “I know that in some of these arrangements, some people feel they are doing more than they

•Hosts EU delegation should and some feel they are doing less than they should.”

Using the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an example of regional integration, he said: “I should know because Nigeria is not just a member of ECOWAS but a driver of ECOWAS. The integration of West African states is not without its problems and benefits. Of course, it is a model in the making; there is nothing in the world

T

that is perfect.”

Arrion said he was in Lagos to foster a better relationship between the state and the EU, adding that he had some experience in handling West African affairs, having worked in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia.

He said he was ready to share the EU’s experiences with Lagos, describing the organisation as “the most achieved integration union in the world”.

At the occasion were Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Ben Akabueze; his Commerce and Industry counterpart, Mrs. Olusola Oworu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Foreign Affairs Ms. Caxton-Martins and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Hakeem Bello.

Arrion was accompanied by the EU’s First Secretary, Head of Trade and Economic Section, Mr. Massimo De Luca, and the Economic Officer, Mr. Ibi Ikpoki.

ASUU-LASU gives management seven-day ultimatum

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, has given the institution seven days to address its demands.

The union’s Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the ultimatum became effective on Wednesday.

The ultimatum is the third

since March 24 when the union issued a 14-day deadline for the university’s authorities to reverse the increase in school fees.

ASUU said the fee hike led to a drop in student enrolment.

It lamented the institution’s “no vacancy, no promotion” policy and the non-implementation of the 2009 University Miscellaneous Provision Act, which

is operational in other universities.

At the expiration of the first ultimatum on April 7, a 21day deadline was given to the authorities and it elapsed on April 30 without the management addressing the issues.

Idris said lecturers would go on an indefinite strike if the issues are not addressed at the expiration of the fresh deadline.

Oyo CJ pardons 11 inmates From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Urging those freed to shun crime, she said: “You have learnt your lessons and if you should return here for any reason, there would be no pardon again.”

Ajagbe said: “I was wrongly accused of stealing. I thank God I am now a free person. It’s been hell over here.”

APC youths back Aregbesola

By Innocent Amomoh

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OUTHS in Ede North and South local government areas of Osun State have endorsed Governor Rauf Aregbesola for a second term.

The youths marched round the ancient city of Ede. The endorsement rally, organised by the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Youth Vanguard, was led by the Southwest Coordinator, Comrade Majeed Yahaya; Osun State Coordinator Olopade Qadri; the Secretary, Sarafa Bibire; and Women Leader Madam Shekete Toyin.

Yahaya said APC will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 9 poll.

He said the APC National Youth Vanguard was planning a two million-youth march a week before the elections in Ekiti and Osun states, adding: “We will prevent violence and rigging during the elections. In Osun, we are solidly behind Aregbesola, who in his first term in office has turned the state’s fortune around.”

Man ‘kills’ girlfriend in Ondo From Damisi Ojo,

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Akure

MIDDLE-aged man, Ayorinde Igbasan, has allegedly killed his girlfriend, Tope Ajibade, in Okitipupa, Ondo State. He also tried to kill himself.

The incident occurred on Tuesday.

It was learnt that Igbasan accused the late Tope of infidelity and a fight ensued.

Sources said Igbasan stabbed the late Tope with a knife and stabbed himself.

People intervened and rushed them to the hospital.

Tope died on the way to the hospital.

Igbasan is still being treated.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said Igbasan had been transferred to the State Trauma Centre in Ondo.

He said: “Preliminary investigation is in progress and the suspect, who was unconscious, is responding to treatment.”

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

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NEWS

EKITI 2014 Fayose: probe APC’s claim on my office

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•Fayemi campaigning in Iyin-Ekiti...yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Ekiti police arrest suspected thugs in Iyin-Ekiti

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CORES of suspected thugs carrying guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons were arrested yesterday in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The suspected hoodlums stormed the palace of Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area to prevent a meeting of the town’s monarch with Governor Kayode Fayemi.

A source said the thugs were in the town to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Fayemi, from campaigning in the local government.

Fayemi was on campaign tour of six towns, including IyinEkiti, the hometown of Opeyemi Bamidele, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the June 21 election, Igede and other towns in Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Area.

The suspected hoodlums were taken to the Iyin Division-

•Warn against violence, siren abuse From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

al Police station where they reportedly made statements.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Felix Uyana has directed governorship candidates of parties to get police permit before using siren and cars with tinted glasses.

Uyana spoke on Wednesday at an emergency security meeting with 18 governorship candidates in Ado-Ekiti on the June 21 election.

“It is illegal for any of the gubernatorial candidates in the state to use vehicles with siren and tinted glasses without first obtaining permission from the State Police Command,” he said.

Uyana said the police not happy with the way some candidates were conducting their

campaigns.

He said the command was shocked to realise that in spite of the appeal and warnings made to them in the past to avoid fomenting trouble while carrying out their campaigns, they continued to ignore the warning.

“The incidence of politically motivated crimes, such as malicious damage to posters, billboards, banners and other valuable property of fellow candidates, including attempted murder, has continued unabated.

“The menace cuts across three major political parties and from our investigation, the only deference between them is in terms of depth of involvement,” the police boss said.

According to Uyana, the level of intolerance so far exhibited by all political actors

toward one another is unjustifiable.

The commissioner said the command had so far recorded 25 politically-related criminal cases of which 14 had already been charged to court.

He said the remaining cases were at various stages of investigation.

The police commissioner said it had also been observed that most of the political parties and their candidates vehicles without registration numbers.

He said others also use vehicles with siren and tinted glasses indiscriminately.

Uyana warned political parties and directors of their campaign organisations that “drivers of such party branded vehicles will be prosecuted and such vehicles will be impounded.’’

He urged the political parties to preach peace and ensure that their supporters are not allowed to engage in any violence.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Alhaji Halilu Pai, said the meeting was to remind the various stakeholders in the election of their responsibilities in the electoral process.

Candidates of the various political parties include Mr Ayò Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kole Ajayi of Accord; Seyi Osekita of Alliance for Democracy (AD), among others attended the meeting.

The Director-General of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Bimbo Daramola, represented the governor and candidate of APC, while leaders of the various political parties also attended the meeting.

Why I’m not supporting Bamidele, by ex-Governor Adebayo

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ORMER Ekiti State Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo has said he decided to back Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term because of his impressive performance and in deference to the laid down power ‘agreement”.

Adebayo said he refused to support the governorship aspiration of his towns man and Labour Party ((LP) candidate Opeyemi Bamidele, because he failed to heed his advice and that of others that Iyin Ekiti, where they both hail, could not produce governor, barely 10 years after it produced one between 1999 and 2003.

Ekiti has about 132 towns and communities divided along 16 local government and three senatorial districts.

Adebayo, who spoke at the Re-Elect JKF Campaign rally in Iyin Ekiti yesterday, appealed to the people of the town to reject Bamidele and vote massively for Fayemi, whom he said had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state and Iyin.

Adebayo told the cheering crowd of supporters that they would be labouring in vain if they make the mistake of voting for Bamidele, adding that the LP candidate does not represent the collective wishes and aspirations of the Iyin people.

Adebayo said: “I am the one

LP candidate: I’ll govern with fear of God THE Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Opeyemi Bamidele, has said he will govern the state with the fear of God, if given the mandate on June 21.

Bamidele spoke at a mega rally in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The rally was attended by Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, LP National Chairman Dan Iwuanyanwu and other dignitaries.

They visited the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe who charged him to be focused on what he is doing. Thereafter, the chieftains went to the rally ground where Bamidele told the mammoth From Sulaimon Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

who introduced my brother Opeyemi to you and appealed to you to vote for him when he wanted to become a legislator.

But less than three months after he was elected into the House of Representatives, he came to tell me he wanted to become governor.

“I sat him down and told him the futility of his aspiration. Because one, he has not done anything to justify the confidence of the people that put him in the House. Two, I told him Iyin-Ekiti where we both come from had less than ten years ago produced a governor that Ekiti people will see us (Iyin-Ekiti) as greedy and unreasonable people if we now want to produce another gover-

crowd that had waited for him since morning that he was passionate about Ekiti development, saying that was the reason for running for the governorship election.

The LP candidate said if elected he would not put the state into debt.

Mimiko urged the people to vote for Bamidele because he is a man that can be trusted, adding: “he is a well-experienced as a lawyer, lawmaker and someone who was in the executive arm of government in Lagos State for over a decade”.

nor while other towns have yet to do so.

“I then advised him to delay his aspiration till the time it would be okay for an Iyin man to come out. But he refused and said he must be governor at all cost and that he could do it alone with or without the support of the people.

“Iyin-Ekiti has benefited tremendously from the Fayemi administration in terms of people-oriented projects and number of appointments. Iyin alone has about three commissioners and other strategic appointments under Fayemi, and given the quality of work he is doing, I want you to vote massively for Fayemi.”

Fayemi, who hailed Adebayo for being a true leader who

is not given to primordial sentiments, promised to do a lot more for Iyin people if voted in for a second term, adding that he is moved by the need to provide good governance for the people.

In an veiled reference to his opponents- the duo of Bamidele and Ayo Fayose, Fayemi said one is inexperienced and not trust worthy, while the other is reckless and had made a ship wreck of his first assignment. He added that he remains the best choice for Ekiti people, having been tested and found worthy.

At the palace of the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, the monarch prayed for the realisation of Fayemi’s aspirations, adding that the administration had done a lot for the town and

•Adebayo

Ekiti.

Oba Ajakaiye said he was sure the community would get a better deal in Fayemi’s second term.

He appealed to Fayemi to ensure that adequate security is put in place ahead of the June 21 elections so that the peace being enjoyed in the state is not compromised.

On the governor’s entourage to Iyin were Otunba Adebayo, Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu, Speaker of the House, Dr Adewale Omirin; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi; APC Chairman, High Chief Jide Awe; Commissioner for Environment, Dr Eniola Ajayi; Commissioner for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo.

HE Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO) has urged security agencies in Ekiti State to investigate the claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose, planned to burn his campaign office.

The Director-General of AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, in a statement yesterday, said: “APC members are noted for accusing other people of planning to do what they are plotting to do.

“For Governor Kayode Fayemi and his APC people to have made such an allegation, it means that they have facts and they must be made to come and substantiate it.

“The police and other security agencies in the state must, therefore, investigate the allegation because it is obvious that the allegation is just a diversionary tactic.”

Fayemi to opponents: declare your assets

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has challenged candidates in the governorship election to declare their assets and stop peddling lies that he owns a university somewhere.

The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti at the 2014 May Day celebration.

Fayemi said: “I am the first governor in this state who declared his assets publicly. No other governor in this state has ever voluntarily declared it. If you go to the internet, those who are on the internet, google the assets of Kayode Fayemi and his wife, what I own before I became governor I have not added one thing to it and I challenge and dare anybody to come out and bring information to Ekiti people that I own anything, including a block that I have added to my house either at Isan or Ibadan or anywhere else that I have house in the world.”

On the alleged non-payment of pension, Fayemi said his government does not owe any pension but the purported debt is the arrears of pension owed the pensioner covering a period of 10 years, adding that it is not possible for government to clear the backlog of debt at once.

The Chairmen of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Ayodeji Aluko and Mr Kolawole Olaiya, commended Fayemi for prioritising the welfare of the workers, saying that the present administration has increased salaries about three times.

Olaiya called for a review of the Revenue Allocation formula saying that the upward review wOULD enable States have enough funds for meaningful development and make the State work for the people.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

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N an effort to chart a new course in the nation’s entertainment industry, a number of dignitaries, last Wednesday, converged on the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos at the second edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference organised by Nigerian Entertainment Today.

Hosted by comedian and TV show host, Tee A, the conference featured six different sessions: Media, Business, Music, IT (Info Technology), Social Responsibility and Nollywood. Four of the six sessions were preceded by keynote speeches delivered

by Prof. Pat Utomi (Business), Tuface Idibia (Music), Social Responsibility (Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde) and Nollywood (Emeka Mba).

Anchored by different moderators, each session included a discussion that featured a group of panelists discussing different topics as they affect the entertainment business in Nigeria. The panelists included comedian Basketmouth, Storm 360 Chairman, Obi Asika, Jobberman co-founder, Ope Awoyemi,

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Pat Utomi, Omotola, others gather for Nigerian Entertainment Conference

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

pop artiste, Dr SID, Toni Kan, Chairman of COSON, Tony Okoroji, Olisa Adibua, actor Ramsey Nouah and founder of the AfricanMovie Academy Awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, among many others.

The conference, popularly known as NECLive, kicked off with a welcome speech by the Editor-In-Chief of NET Newspaper, Ayeni Adekunle.

In his speech, Ayeni, who was the chairman/executive producer of the conference, talked about the entertainment industry’s many shortcomings, despite the perception of its’ progress.

“Today should be indeed a happy day. But it’s not. I feel pained because I know that there’s so much work to be done. And we’re not even scratching the surface. How can we get the best from the system, if the industry is not

Akin Oni is dead

HILE Nollywood and, indeed, Nigerians are still mourning the death of top filmmaker and director, Amaka Igwe, another movie icon, Akin Oni, popularly known Sparks, has died.

He passed on at 81 on Wednesday at his Mcneil, Lagos residence.

Unlike Amaka, who made her name in script-writing,

producing and directing, the late Oni was a gaffer who worked with notable filmmakers like Dr Ola Balogun, Hubert Ogunde, Al Fox, Mederois, Ade Afolayan (Ade Love) and John Williamson (Niger Films), among others.

In his active years as a gaffer, he trained a number of prominent lighting technicians currently serving in the Nigerian film industry today.

•Omotola

•Utomi

well structured and funded?” he asked.

NECLive 2014 highlighted a number of problems plaguing the entertainment industry, including distribution, piracy, content ownership, collective rights and royalty, absence of infrastructure and social Responsibility.

Speaking on the theme for this year’s conference was: ‘Creating Pathways to the Future’, NET Editorial Board Chairman, Chris Ihidero, said: “The future is changing rapidly, such that whatever we know at present pales into insignificance at an alarming rate’. All over the world, rapid manifestations are occurring in the production and distribution of entertainment while we are still largely play-

ing catch up with out-dated platforms. If we were behind by a few decades before, we may be moving behind by perhaps half a century if we do not properly chart pathways to the future of the Nigerian entertainment industry.”

Prof. Pat Utomi, who spoke on “Solving the Distribution Problem Once and For All”, stressed the importance of those involved in providing entertainment on radio, television, film and theatre to treat their works as importantly as any other business in order for it to thrive.

“Showbusiness has to be treated like business. And because you love it, you need to learn how to apply things that people have learned from enterprise. Our idea was to set

up an alternative distribution structure that will better serve the interest of both content owners and consumers, so we set up Exodus Entertainment with the sole aim of effectively distributing Nigeria entertainment products (CD, DVD and Magazine) to all of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, African Pop icon, 2face Idibia, who spoke on “Slaying the Collective Rights Monster”, stated that one of the major problems was the issue of ignorance or lack of understanding of the subject. “Artistes and music executives/ administrators have to take time out to learn about the ins and outs of the subject so as to understand what they are getting into.”

He also said there should be only one CMO (collective management organization) for a developing nation like Nigeria. “How has having multiple CMOs impacted the subject of royalties and the owners of the rights in Nigeria?

One thing is for sure, having more than one CMO operating within the industry has not helped further our cause as rights owners because, being a developing nation, everyone is busy looking out for their own interests,” he said.

In her paper entitled: “Why We should Care”, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, raised two major issues in her presentation: education and leadership.

She said that although success

is not compulsorily tied to education, it is advisable to be educated. “There are many layers to being famous or being a celebrity and education prepares us for these layers so we can reach our full and be trusted with more responsibilities. Social responsibility, as you can guess, is a lot of responsibility and expression. You might at some point be required to speak to different types of group of people as I am doing right now ... Simply put, talent will Never be Enough,” she said.

The fourth speaker and final speaker of the day, Emeka Mba, delivered a paper on ‘Building a Sustainable Film Industry.’

The current Director- General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it was important to recognize that the old order in Nollywood is changing.

“Those who choose to maintain the status quo will find themselves on the wrong side of history and I dare say on the short end of the money stick,” Mba said.

He also advised practitioners to be curious rather than critical. According to him, “Ask questions that provoke reflection and further inquiry. Do not create a fortress mentality. Ideas don’t work unless you speak up.”

Just like the inaugural edition, the conference ended with the NET Honours to18 individuals, includin Ebenezer Obey, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Sunny Okosun, Daddy Showkey, OJB Jezreel, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, among others.

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PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX -PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

•Sultan Abubakar (second left) cut the tape to open the new Aiyepe Central Mosque. With him are Governor Amosun (middle); Ogbeni Aregbesola; Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government Ahmed Wale Shittu (right) and Alhaji Oyefeso (left)

The ‘biggest’ mosque in Southwest was opened last Sunday in Aiyepe Ijebu in Ogun State. Sultan of Sokoto and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona led other dignitaries to the event. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

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HEN he received the invitation to the opening of the mosque, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, was reported to have said: "A mosque of this magnitude, if I'm still alive on that day, I will be there."

The Sultan kept his promise. He was in Aiyepe-Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State last Sunday for the opening of the biggest mosque in the Southwest - the Aiyepe Central Mosque - which can accommodate no fewer than 5,000 worshippers.

The edifice brought glory to the town, placing it on the world map for tourists to visit.

Touted as the biggest in the Southwest, the inauguration of the mosque drew many dignataries, including Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and others to the town.

The Sultan’s and Awujale’s arrival marked the beginning of the event.

“Visitors” dubbed the event as a 'carnival.’

To the indigenes, it was the celebration of another Aiyepe Day. The event attracted Islamic scholars and Chief Imams from the Southwest and Edo State.

They were led by Sheikh Mustapha Ajisafe, President-General, Council of Chief Imams and Alfas in Southwest and Edo/Delta.

Royal fathers were also there in large number.

It was a day of cultural displays with the Yoruba and the Hausa showcasing the best of their culture.

The Yoruba shone in Agbada, buba and sokoto; the Hausa capped their dresses with turban.

The Yoruba proudly employed Gangan and Iya Ilu - talking drums – to praise their monarchs, the Hausa responded with Kakaaki - long flute.

The crowd yelled in response to the show of culture and brotherhood and chanted Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest!).

Religious tolerance, the hallmark of the

A town’s finest hour ‘Biggest’ mosque in Southwest opened

Southwest, was also on display . The AiyepeIjebu Christians, came in their numbers to celebrate with their Muslim brothers. They embraced one another to the delight of the gathering.

An elated Oba Adetona enthused: "This is our culture; this is what gives us pride and we cannot thank Allah enough for the peaceful coexistence between different tribes and religious sects.

"There is no house or family in the Southwest that you do not have Muslims and Christians as members of the household, and we live in peace; we do not discriminate because we are brothers,” he said.

Amosun, who could not contain his delight at the structure, promised to liaise with Imams in Egbaland to see how they could replicate such a gigantic edifice in their domain.

Ogbeni Aregbesola described the mosque as a great development for Islam and Muslims.

The duo, went round to exchange pleasantries with the low and the mighty.

The gathering was impressed with their gesture.

The three-hour event started on a prayer note.

It featured recitation from the Holy Quran, keynote address, soul-inspiring lecture and prayers for the nation.

In his welcome address, Aiyepe Muslim Community Chairman Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso described the mosque as one of the biggest in the country. He said it was built on a land area of 30,000-square metres with the mosque covering 6,400-square metres and ablution centre on 850-square metres.

Began in 1987, the over 5,000-worshipper capacity mosque, according to Oyefeso, is worth

N2 billion.

"It is, indeed, a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you all to this historic event representing a major milestone in the life of Aiyepe Community and Ogun State in general.

It is a well known fact that Aiyepe is predominantly populated by Muslims who in so many ways have demonstrated their unusual love for the practice of Islam. This edifice before us all is a testimony to that fact," he said.

Oyefeso hailed those who pioneered the project in October 1987 and saluted those who completed it.

Oba Adetona, who chaired the occasion, congratulated Aiyepe people for the initiative.

The mosque, he said, is another testament to the great things happening in Ijebuland.

"It is rare to see a community in this country with this kind of structure. May Allah bless those behind this project, especially the late Prince Shafi Shittu and the late Alhaji Salabiu Ladejobi.

Like the name of this town Oju aye pe si aaye yii (the world eyes are here)," he said.

The monarch praise Sultan Abubakar for his efforts at uniting Muslims and ensuring peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims.

Delivering an address on the Importance of Mosque NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede said a mosque is not only a worship centre but a place of learning.

"The mosque is also a temporary accommodation for visitors to any town, a court of law, centre of socialisation and training centre. We are not surprised that the first university in the world started in the mosque," he said.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, in his lecture, enjoined the community to remain united.

•Oba Adetona

Aregbesola said: "If not that Makkan Mosque is bigger and has more reward to pray than other mosques in the world, I would have come here to perform I'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadan). But we all know that mosque is bigger than mosque," he said.

Amosun praised Mr Biodun Sobanjo, a Christian, who donated N1 million during the fund raiser for the maintenance of the mosque.

"Though you are Omo Alhaja, you have demonstrated that whether you are a Muslim or Christian, we are one," he said.

He congratulated Oba Adetona for witnessing the opening of the mosque which foundation he laid 27 years ago.

After inaugurating the mosque, Sultan Abubakar led the Jama'ah (congregation) in Zuhr prayer.

Afterwards, the large gathering was entertained with various cuisines including Ijebu dishes - Ebiripo and Egusi soup.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

16

SOCIETY A TOWN’S FINEST HOUR

•Obiri of Idobiri-Aiyepe Oba Adebisi Okubanjo (left) and Asiwaju of Aiyepe Chief Ganiyu Sadiq

•Prof Oloyede

•Prof Daud Noibi

•Chief Imam of Ijebuland Alhaji AbdurRazaq Salaudeen (left) and Sheikh Ajisafe

•Alaiye Aba of Aba-Aiyepe Oba Rauf Sulaimon (left) and Alakan of Ilakan-Aiyepe Oba Musibau Oseni

•Ogun State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Tola Banjo

•From left: Sheikh Bello; Sheikh Robiu Adebayo and Sheikh Thaoban Adam

•MD/CEO Staco Insurance Plc Alhaji Shakiru Oyefeso

•Ebumawe of Ago•From left: Alhaji Wale Sonaike; Dr Muiz Banire; Hon Abiodun Mafe; Alhaji Zikrullahi Iwoye Oba AbdulRazak Adenugba Hassan and Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salith

•Chief Imam of Aiyepe •Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN) (left) and Tayese Adinni of Yorubaland Alhaji Shakirudeen Alhaji Bisiriyu Adebayo Owolegbon Ibrahim

•Senator Lekan Mustapha and Iya Suna of Ogun State Alhaja Kuburat Shittu (A.k.a Cash Madam)

•From left: Ustadh Jamiu Trimidhi; Sheikh AbdurRasheed Mayaleeke and Imam Jinadu

•Oru of Imoru Oba Muniru Basorun

•Mr Biodun Sobanjo

•From left: Alhaja Fatima Oyefeso; Alhaja Balikis Sonaike and Arabel CEO Hajia Shareefah Andu

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

17

18

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

SOCIETY

Golden cheers for a ‘blind giver’ The General Manager Business Development Division of JubileeLife Savings and Loans Limited and Area Pastor, Province 12, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos, Pastor Shem Oladiji Oluwagbayi, has marked his 50th birthday at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel and Resort, Victoria Island, Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

T

HE Lekki Hall of the Radisson Blue Anchorage Hotel and Resort was decorated with colourful bounties penultimate Wednesday. It played host to captains of industries, technocrats and religious associates, who despite their schedule, came to honour the one they adoringly call Pastor Shem, who marked his 50th birthday with a spectacular dinner.

But for the elderly among them who chose to wear traditional attire, all came in black suits with shoes to match and accompanied by their spouses, in obedience to the host’s invitation. It was an indication that it was not only a dinner affair; it was an occasion to be lectured by the management guru and Chairman of the occasion, Elder Felix Ohiwerei.

For them, Pastor Shem is worth celebrating. An Ipokia prince and seasoned banker, Shem is one of those behind the transformation of Jubilee Development Foundation, (which was established to mark RCCG’s 50th anniversary), into a mortgage bank. He was the first member of staff and the inspiration behind the success of the bank.

Guests were not only served with

•The celebrator, Pastor Shem, wife, Edith, flanked (left) by daughter, Ayinoluwa and Elder Felix Ohiwerei (right).

continental and local dishes and wines, a life band supplied Christian tunes to their pleasure. A young Christian comedian ‘Godly’ also cracked interesting jokes.

When the birthday boy was ushered into the hall, he was simply celestial. Dressed in a shimmering white suit with a diamond laden shoes to match, he was accompanied by his wife, Edith, dressed in a black skirt suit, and their two children Ayinoluwa, girl, 14, and Inioluwa, the boy of the house, in tow.

Elder Ohiwerei gave a good account of himself as a management guru with the talk he gave on the occasion.

Speaking on “Life, Career and family,” Ohiwerei tasked all guests, especially the men, to pay closer attention to their family. For him, the only way to build a virile home and society is for men to be closer to their families.

Drawing from personal experience, Ohiwerei urged all those at the event not to leave their children to the care of the maids.

Ohiwerei, who admitted that career is important as it helped build brighter economic fortunes, added: “Your children need you; career is important; money is important, but your presence at home is more important to bring up the children. If you don’t give your children time they may grow to develop

nannies and maids’ mentality.”

JLSL Managing Director, Mr. Wale Osusanya who moderated the testimonies, described the celebrator as a focused and reliable person.

“You can misunderstood him when you first meet him, but when you closely observe him, you will understand his passion for success,” he said.

Pastor Gbenga Mayungbe, JLSL’s General Manager, Mortgage, who was Pastor Shem’s pastor, said: “Over the years, we have become very close family friends and very few people understand me like he does. He is a go getter and highly spiritual,” he said.

Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayegbae, described the celebrator as a man of his words.

Asipa Akinyemi Oladeji, said: “He is an epitome of hard work, a great character and unassuming.”

Member Federal House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, described him as a blessing.

“I was on the verge of changing parish when you came and confirmed to me that it’s worthwhile doing business with God. He is a blind giver of no limit, lover of God, frank preacher and an asset to the Kingdom of God,”

he said.

Pastor Fred Odekhian described him as a true man of God who has the interest of the people at heart.

When the celebrator took the stage, he got a rousing ovation. He thanked God for his life.

Pastor Shem said he got his lift in life because he gave up everything.

“The most important thing to remember is to be ready to give up what we are for what we want to become,” he said.

His wife, Edith, got a shock when her husband, before the guests, admitted he never really appreciated her and begged her forgiveness.

He sealed the plea with a big cake, bouquet of rose and a chest of gift; the first, he said, in 17 years of their wedlock. The gifts, he said, were to mark a reunion.

The couple were joined on stage by their children, Elder Ohiwerei and his wife, Margaret, the Personal Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer among other men of God and the JLSL management and other associates, to cut the birthday cake.

Evangelist Tope Alabi later climbed the stage and rendered enchanting songs from her repertoire of evergreen songs which got the guests gyrating to the songs.

ANWAR-UL-ISLAM MOVEMENT OF NIGERIA 98TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LAGOS

•From left: National President, Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Akanni Oshodi; Past President Alhaji Rafiu Oyenubi; Alhaji Fatai Doherty (standing at the back) and Chairman Ad-Hoc Planning Committee, Hakeem Asapetu.

•National Chief Imam and Missioner of Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmad Yoosuf.

•Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Kosoko.

•Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (right) and National Treasurer, Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Tajudeen Adam Yakub.

•Alhaja Rasheedat Sanusi (right) and Dr Humulkair Anjorin

PHOTOS: SANUSI RAHMAN

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THE NATION FRIDAY,MAY 2, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIAL

Weaning the world off its sweet tooth

Good news

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• That 48 Awaiting Trial inmates pass GCE excellently is something to cheer

T is very rare for any good or cheering news to emanate from Nigerian prisons. Tales normally associated with the country’s beleaguered prison system are those of sadness, sorrow, pain and despair. Ironically, the International Centre for Prison Studies cites Nigeria as having one of the 10 smallest incarceration rates in the world, with an average of 32 out of every 100,000 Nigerians in prison. This translates to a prison population of approximately 60,000 out of a total population of about 160 million Nigerians. Yet, despite this relatively small number of prisoners in a populous country like ours, and the substantial revenues accruing to the Nigerian state, especially from oil, the prisons are largely as decrepit and dysfunctional as virtually all other spheres of our national life.

Not only are Nigerian prisons overcrowded, they are chronically unhygienic and thus breeding ground for all kinds of diseases. A key feature of civilised societies is a prison system that treats inmates with civility and dignity. The aim of such prison systems is to reform the criminal as much as possible, with the hope of re-integrating such deviants as useful members of society. On the contrary, the hallmark of the Nigerian prison system is to further dehumanise the prisoner and make the criminal even worse than he or she was before imprisonment.

Not only do inmates perpetrate the most atrocious crimes against each other, prison officials routinely exploit and bru-

talise those supposedly under their care and watch.

It is against this background that we consider quite refreshing and encouraging the recent report that 48 inmates awaiting trial at Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos performed excellently at the last November/December 2013 General Certificate of Examination (GCE). Each of these inmates, of the 102 that wrote the examination, obtained the required credits to get admitted into higher institutions. While receiving a presentation of gifts to the inmates by members of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) during the Y2014 Law Week, the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr Emmanuel Bamidele, said the inmates “when they finally regain their freedom, can seek admission into any university of their choice since they are awaiting trial”.

He further disclosed that the prison has a Rehabilitation, Restoration and Reintegration programme designed to enable the inmates get educated so they can lead useful lives after leaving prison. This is a most commendable initiative that must have been responsible for the opportunity given the inmates to study for and write the examinations. It is very important that people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law are not made to believe that they are in a hopeless and irredeemable condition. Even then, it is depressing that, as Mr Ekundayo revealed, out of 1,761 inmates in Ikoyi Prison, 186 are convicted while 1,575 have been awaiting trial for between five and 13 years.

This points, once again, to the urgent need to undertake radical prison reforms that will involve speedy dispensation of justice to substantially reduce the population of inmates awaiting trial as well as ensuring that convicted prisoners live in dignity and decency. The condition of our prisons is one indicator of the quality of our values as a people.

We commend the example of the Ikoyi prisons and urge that efforts continue to be made to sanitise and upgrade the country’s prisons. This is to provide inmates the opportunity and conducive environment for the acquisition of knowledge and skills to give them hope for the future. It is certainly unsatisfactory, for instance, that much of the near N47.5billion allocated to Nigerian prisons in the 2014 budget will reportedly go for recurrent expenditure rather than new programmes and facilities.

‘This is a most commendable initiative that must have been responsible for the opportunity given the inmates to study for and write the examinations. It is very important that people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law are not made to believe that they are in a hopeless and irredeemable condition’

Gone, like a comet

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•Amaka Igwe’s sun set at virtual noon. But her flash of life only underscored her brilliance

MAKA Igwe, 51, exited like a comet. But her short and eventful life again underscores the saying: not how long but how well we live. It is doubtful if another can replace this sparkling star, in the constellation of Nollywood, Nigeria’s local film industry.

Mrs Igwe, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur, wife, mother and daughter (to her aged mother), died on April 28, after an asthmatic attack.

A thoroughbred professional, she died on virtual duty. The attack that ended her life reportedly came in Enugu where, with her husband, Charles, she was on a pre-production tour, on account of a new Igbo sitcom project she was to launch soon.

Amaka Igwe was different from the pack. Her enterprise was beyond doubt. Even as a secondary school girl

‘In a male-dominated society, Amaka Igwe was a role model for the smart, brilliant and competitive female — and she did that without sacrificing her matrimonial and family life. When she died on April 28, she had been married for 21 years, had three children and was known more for the merit of her work, than salacious scandals from her home’

at Idia College, Benin, she organised variety shows which attracted the feepaying public. That was aside from gifting her school — by teaching the school troupe — the famous Atilogwu dance; which reportedly became the school’s official dance.

That entrepreneurial spirit would blossom in her later life with a chain of enterprises, all anchored on entertainment and showbiz: Amaka Igwe Studios, BoBTV Expo, Top Radio 90.9FM and the latest, Q Entertainment Networks. This entrepreneurial streak was all the more remarkable, given that her first degree was in Education/Religion at the Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife), Ile-Ife, and another master’s degree from the University of Ibadan.

Aside from her non-business academic training, the fact that she left a teaching job at the Anambra State University of Technology and another in Oil and Gas, to cut a niche in motion pictures and allied entertainment made her a poster girl for converting her passion to entrepreneurial and commercial success.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about this woman was the integrity of her enterprise. Entering Nollywood when it was a fad to just “churn out something”, hoping the sheer novelty of the new local motion picture industry and the pioneering fever of the market would just lap it up, she set her eyes firmly on quality and excellence.

Right from Checkmate, a television soap and the hilarious Fuji House of Commotion, her signature was quality, which crowned sheer genius. No wonder then that both were award winners — and they linger still in the viewers’ minds, even

long after they were aired.

Even during the era of home videos, when film funders but art philistines pushed movie directors/producers to push out sub-standard films, Mrs Igwe stuck to her mission of excellence, producing two critically acclaimed works in Rattle Snake and Violated.

Though some critics would insist that she somewhat later fell for the lure of “pushing something out, hoping the works would find their levels in the market”, the abiding image of the Amaka Igwe artistic essence is a visionary mind, which quality projected the present big cinema era, when competition was still marooned in the highly limited home video sub-market.

In a male-dominated society, Amaka Igwe was a role model for the smart, brilliant and competitive female — and she did that without sacrificing her matrimonial and family life. When she died on April 28, she had been married for 21 years, had three children and was known more for the merit of her work, than salacious scandals from her home.

Mrs Igwe was a great and remarkable woman, a twinkling star of her generation. We condole with her family: her husband, Charles Igwe and their three children. Our prayers also go to her grieving mother, with pain almost beyond relief, of losing such a brilliant daughter in her prime. But we call on the Amaka family, nuclear and extended, to take heart that her short life was replete with achievements and professional nobility.

• Information will help consumers cut back on calories

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BESITY is the world’s biggest threat to health and sugar is the source of many of the calories that cause weight gain. Excessive weight is a contributory factor to cancer and chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

For many years governments shrugged their shoulders at sugar consumption, which accelerated after sugars were introduced into processed foods – ironically to deal with a health scare in the 1980s concerning the use of saturated fats.

But now pressures on scarce healthcare budgets and resources are making them look again. This year Mexico, which along with the US boasts the world’s fattest population, became one of a handful of governments – and the biggest emerging market – to slap a tax on full-calorie soft drinks. These are much loved by its corpulent population. Mexico is the world’s second-largest consumer of carbonated drinks per capita. Of course the problem is not confined to emerging markets. Take Britain for instance. Obesity costs the National Health Service more than £4bn a year.

The solution, always easy to say, is to eat less and exercise more. But giving up sugar is hard given our addiction to treats, plus the additional renunciation required. The World Health Organisation recently halved its recommended daily allowance, saying we should have no more than six teaspoons a day – less than one fizzy drink.

Much of the sugar we eat sits unannounced in various forms within processed foods – upon which we are increasingly reliant – most often in the form of high fructose corn syrup, a cheaper sugar alternative.

Governments have started to make tentative attempts to regulate sugar consumption. True, much of this revolves around public education through initiatives such as labelling. The aim is to allow consumers to make more informed choices. Some countries are moving beyond public information. Norway and Mexico already tax fizzy drinks. Some US states including California and Illinois are proposing similar measures. A debate is beginning in the UK where the chief medical officer said in March that a sugar tax may be necessary.

There is logic to taxing the harm caused by sugar consumption. It would allow governments to recover the costs the overweight impose on society as a whole – especially in countries with a public healthcare system. Raising the cost is generally an effective way of limiting use.

But before lumping sugar in with other health threats such as tobacco and alcohol, there are other things that governments might want to try.

One is to improve public awareness of the dangers of different types of sugar. For instance, the sugars in fruit are fine when eaten but when bought as a juice they are no better than a soda.

Food needs to be properly labelled. Progress is being made, such as overdue reforms to US food labelling, championed by Michelle Obama, planned to show added sugars. The UK’s Department of Health has also reformed labels to help shoppers monitor their intake of harmful food using a simple traffic light system. There is a case, however, for making this sort of information mandatory rather than voluntary. And it goes without saying that governments should not subsidise sugar production – as the US and EU still do.

If this all fails to curb consumption, a tax should be considered. The outcome need not be regressive. It could be used to raise revenues to promote healthy activities, such as physical education in schools, and cheap vegetables for those on low incomes.

Focusing on sugar’s harm is important but its role in our ever- widening waistlines is only part of the story. We must not lose sight of the real aim, which is to lead healthier lives.

- Financial Times

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

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Dep. Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Can we stop countries from waging wars against other countries in today’s world? Our history books are filled with accounts of how countries waged wars against other countries. The USA-lraqi war is still fresh and vivid in our memories. In the last century, our world witnessed two global wars: World War I and World War II. But, war does no country any good, whether it is an internal civil war ignited by ethnic hatred or not. War stalls the development of countries, and causes the massive devastation of their infrastructure. Think about Afghanistan, SierraLeone, Liberia, Sudan and others. Have Sierra-Leone and Liberia totally recovered from the destruction and devastation they suffered when they were engulfed in civil wars?

Ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, and fight for political supremacy are the causes of internal conflicts in some African countries. In Kenya, the Kikuyu and Luo ethnic groups do not see eye to eye with each other.

The conflict in South-Sudan, the newest nation state in Africa, is

S

IR: Since 1999, there has been a high level of misunderstanding among the citizens of Nigeria; misunderstanding in religion, ethnicity and region. Nigeria, once a peaceful nation during the time of our founding fathers has today become a case study in ethno-religion crisis.

Gone are those days when leaders promote peace and harmonious coexistence among the citizens. Today’s leaders know nothing more than protecting their personal interest and interest of their families leaving the majority to suffer in poverty. Most worrisome is the manner with which citizens are set against themselves in order to divert their attention from the evils

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

A country at war

traceable to ethnic chauvinism.

Like Kenya and South-Sudan, Nigeria is polarized along ethnic and religious lines.

Although the Boko Haram group predates President Jonathan accession into office, the group has intensified its bloody campaign since he became president. The North-east is now a hot-bed of violence.

Daily, the Boko Haram kills innocent people. They’re decimating our population by detonating bombs in public places. The latest bloody deed executed by the Boko Haram group was the detonation of bombs in the Nyanya bus terminal, Abuja.

Scores of people lost their lives in the attack.

Again, the group has been compounding the educational woes of the North by preventing north-

ern youths from acquiring western education. Members of the group would raid schools in the north-eastern states and kill students and teachers. Many schools in the North-east of Nigeria have been closed down owing to the activities of the Boko Haram. Now, the North has a lot of catching up to do in terms of education. Are the Boko Haram members aware that the futures of northern youths without education are blighted? Can illiterate youths bargain for the region at the national level? Can they drive the developmental initiatives of their leaders in their states?

The activities of the Boko Haram have the potentials to cause the disintegration of Nigeria. No nation-state splits without first descending into

civil war. Our diversity is our strength. Like America, we can harness our diversities in many areas to achieve national development.

But, the issues of ethnicity and religion have continued to polarize us. Let us sink our differences and become a peaceful, united, and politically stable country.

Nigeria belongs to us all; we have no other country. So, let us desist from engaging in acts that can pitch one group against another group in Nigeria. Recently, Governor Murtala Nyako and Lamido Adamawa made comments that have deepened the divisive fissures in our body politic. As statesmen, they should be circumspect in their utterances and doings.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Awka, Anambra State

would hardly be a clear boundary that divide us into separate nations.

Today, Nigeria is no longer what it was used to be. There is inequitable distribution of resources, the leaders are not committed to the well-being of the masses; greed and selfishness is the order of the day.

Nigeria has remained an underdeveloped country despite the fact that we are blessed with rich human and material resources that would have been harnessed for the development of all.

Most of the problems we face today are by-product of disunity among us. The lack of unity has paved the way for corruption to thrive and our leaders steal our pat-

rimony day in day out while we fold our arms watching and supporting in disunity. Everything is done in Nigeria today on the basis of religion. This has cost countless lives of innocent Muslims and Christians, while many are rendered homeless.

Until we realise the damage that lack of unity has done to our corporate existence and development, Nigeria would have a long way to go. Urgent actions should be taken to unite Nigerians to put a stop to all these problems. We must bear in mind at all times that the cord of nationhood is too strong to be broken.

•Rahmat Lemu netrahmatlemu@yahoo.com

Nigerians must unite being perpetrated by the leaders.

We must admit that Nigeria is not the only multi-religious country in the world; neither is she more religious than other nations in the world. Why should we allow the peaceful foundation laid by our heroes go down in vain? We need to trace that essence that saw our founding fathers through their years of struggle for independence.

We have truly lost the essence of one nation.

Let us understand that we cannot move forward in this atmosphere of chaos and disunity. We need to know that the cord that has bound us together cannot be broken. Even if we decide to break up as some individuals have suggested, there

Re: Owambe Prince in Aso Villa

S

IR: Hardball’s piece titled “Owanbe Prince in Aso Villa” only gives credence to the axiom that “when one has no particular talent for anything, one takes to the pen”. It’s shameful that Hardball took on the Great Prince of Benin Kingdom with his acerbic pen on the back page of The Nation of April 29. The said piece was maliciously structured to expose the Crown Prince to odium and opprobrium. The clear attempt

by Hardball to crucify the personality of the Crown Prince via vile-diatribe is not only outrageous, and preposterous but despicably sacrilegious.

Is it now a crime to visit Aso Villa?

Is it wrong for the Crown Prince to visit whosoever he wishes to visit?

Why is Hardball trying to know what the Crown Prince was doing there? I mean how does it affect him?

The same Hardball would have gone gaga with illimitable elation if the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom had lambasted the President and this administration. As a matter of fact, he would have created a colourful headline from the ‘lampoonisation’ of the Ijaw Man. He will not even stop there, he will also go the path of sycophancy hailing the Prince for doing their biding but since the Crown Prince failed to do their bidding, he went to press to run a sacrilegious and most lugubrious piece of the century. Those who know Hardball should please let him know that the Crown Prince is not just an individual but a venerable institution. Hardball needs to know that the Crown Prince has his own fundamental human right to freedom of association and expression. So where he goes and those he associates with and what he says should not be the business of Hardball. If Hardball thinks he is short of things to write on, he should go into farming or better still join the Army to fight terrorism.

• Godfrey Ehi .O. Benin City.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 16

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COMMENTS

Youth, like dried leaves (2) (The alpha youth and other monstrosities) Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

T

HE alpha myth presents a sociological dysfunction; men and women in their youth are mentally programmed to live as brutes, on our watch. Eventually, they fully evolve into beasts, half-formed humans and different forms of fiendish creatures but this hardly poses cause for concern; their bestiality essentially codifies the essence of the contemporary ‘alpha’ culture. Like all things affiliated with social class and boundaries, the ‘alpha’ myth manifests as a premeditated horror in the Nigerian psyche.

The alpha civilization, like an infamous fad, has caught on amongst scions of Nigeria’s ‘high-society’ and in particular, the so-called ‘young, successful and upwardly mobile’ Nigerians.

This culture is perpetuated as justification for aggressive, cut-throat, selfseeking and often sexually dominant behaviour by presumed elite specie of both genders.

There was a time however, when such abnormality was identified as an exclusive perversion of the dominant male in a patriarchal culture but contemporary trends and happenstances reveal that the female gender is as culpable and romantically smitten to the

bestial civilization as the male gender.

This argument breeds true at the backdrop of feverish bids by the contemporary female to match her male counterpart in every sphere of endeavour; while this can never be condemned as an aspiration of the female gender, the latter’s simultaneous pursuits of the vain and the perverse to the detriment of self and society cannot be made light of. Further argumentation along this path may throw this discourse off its tangent hence the need to stay on track.

There is no justification for the contemporary Nigerian youth’s obsession with the ‘alpha’ civilisation; but they are taken by it anyway and at every opportunity, they seek to justify it and their fascination with it.

This justification could be likened to what Benny Goodman identifies as quasi pseudo-scientific principles largely drawing from evolutionary biology’s “survival of the fittest” philosophy and antiquated political economic theory misapplied to social life.

This myth is persistently used to justify the alpha breed’s lust for dominance, and in pursuit of this objective, propagators of the alpha culture deliberately blur the lines of reason and morality by hinging their lusts for sta-

‘The tragedy of this reality subsists in the consequence of having such youth evolve as the driving force or leadership of the Nigerian youth and future. It is very important that Nigeria does not fall into the hands of this breed for the following reasons: the alpha breed suffer a lack of sociological imagination. They are unable to link their personal experiences and narratives to the structures and realities of society they live in, at the time they live in it’

I

N a truly democratic society, sound policy is always sound politics, meaning that the probability of gaining the electoral votes is informed by how sound policies or programmes are, and as such should provide the basis for seeking political leadership.

Sound policy connotes different meanings to different electoral candidates. For the incumbent for example, a sound policy relates to the policies or programmes being implemented upon which the incumbent candidate is seeking electoral votes for re-election. Here the people can readily assess the performance of the incumbent.

In the Nigerian context however, sound politics is not always informed by sound policies or programmes. Opposition candidates rarely engage in sound politics by campaigning on the basis of any alternative policies or programmes for the people, as they usually have none. Rather, politics is shaped by violence, character assassination, bribery and corruption, political thuggery, fear mongering, etc.

In a true democratic setting, the incumbent is always on its toes in terms of making decisions and policies that improve the lives of the citizenry. This is because the opposition is always an alternative government in the waiting, based on the credibility of its alternative programmes and policies, and what they would do differently if given the electoral mandate.

This is a lesson that the political gladiators in Ekiti State and the entire South-west should have learnt by now. Rather, what seems to be playing out is a flawed logical reasoning that antecedents do not matter. Whereas the incumbent can readily point to what his/her administration had undertaken, the same can hardly be said of the opposition candidates.

It is also quite legitimate for the opposition to rubbish or discredit any development programmes or projects, reforms, etc., that the incumbent has undertaken so far. What the opposition candidates have not always told the citizens is ‘what would they do differently if they have the mandate?’, or ‘what alternative or better programmes they have that are potentially more beneficial to the masses’? It is through credible opposition that political dividends are beneficial to the people.

The Ekiti social security scheme for the elderly citizens is one of the most popular people-oriented developmental programmes in Nigeria in recent times. It is one programme that has endeared the present administration in Ekiti State to the hearts of stakeholders around the world. The moral consciousness and value of any society is judged by how it cares for its elderly citizens. Improved health-care means aging population as people live longer, but the elderly are also becoming vulnerable due to rapid urbanisation and inability to respond to socio-economic shocks when they occur due to old age. The care for the elderly is sacrosanct in Western countries and the only political debate around it is how the opposition will improve it.

Of course, there are some Non-Governmental Organisations

tus and power on a farfetched natural order and superior individual traits.

Truth is, the prevalent alpha culture afflicting the Nigerian youth and taking root in the society unmasks the depths of value erosion and unequal social relationships triggered by class, gender, ethnic and religious misrepresentations.

Alpha lust is a vanity exercised by “those who can” based on their privileged backgrounds and abilities – often rich spoilt kids, the educated and elite – over “those who can’t” and “who may never can;” the latter have to do battle with several odds to overcome class, ethnic and gender barriers. The alpha stereotype also erodes the human capacity for empathy, without which it truly manifests as an alpha dog eat dog world. This debilitating mindset causes the self-styled alpha breed to assume that selfishness and cruelty are the only acceptable crutches to attaining their dreams of sophisticated individualism and materialism.

There is great prestige attached to the ‘alpha’ club and daily, more segments of the Nigerian youth divide struggle against reason and humaneness to gain acceptance and belong to this presumed elite divide. Besides the usual rich, spoilt trash personified by children of perverse segments of the privileged and the ruling class, selfstarters emerging from the backwaters and the comatose middle-class engage in mad, desperate pursuits to gain entrance into the contemporary alpha club.

The fastest and surest routes to achieving alpha membership span access to enviable Ivy League education, topnotch employment in high-end industrial sectors, politics, advance fee fraud and entertainment endeavours.

Thus it has become the norm to see the Nigerian youth of varying pedigree fall over each other in a sordid hustle to become part of the alpha. The attain-

ment of acclaim and material success in whatever field of endeavour they engage in signifies their arrival into the elite league of Nigeria’s alphas. And in keeping up with their class, they indulge in excessive consumption and acquisition of material goods including expensive sex, automobiles, wristwatches, the ubiquitous bling bling and choice apartments in highbrow areas, among others. The successful acquisition of these things signifies their arrival in the elite club of alphas.

Of these youth, the segment peopling the country’s economic and industrial divide provides a perfect illustration of Scambler’s ‘greedy bastards hypothesis.’ The hypothesis asserts that there are: ”strategic behaviours at the core of the country’s capitalist-executive and power elite. The ‘capitalist-executive’ are a core ‘cabal’ of financiers, CEOs and Directors of large and largely transnational companies, and rentiers…This cabal have come to dominate the political class.”

The tragedy of this reality subsists in the consequence of having such youth evolve as the driving force or leadership of the Nigerian youth and future. It is very important that Nigeria does not fall into the hands of this breed for the following reasons: the alpha breed suffer a lack of sociological imagination. They are unable to link their personal experiences and narratives to the structures and realities of society they live in, at the time they live in it.

Goodman avers that to the alpha breed, persistent unemployment is simply a consequence of personal failures not a result of an insidious and unfairly tilted labour market structure to the advantage of the privileged; obesity is a personal and moral weakness unrelated to institutionalized laziness, availability of cheap calorie rich foods and entrapment in high carbon systems; poor people are basically

poor because they lack a diligent work ethic not because of institutional and ethnic racism; countries are underdeveloped because they lack a capitalist ethic rather than as a result of past and current imperialism.

The alpha breed persistently blames the individual, emphasize personal responsibility and ignore power relationships and structures, which are rigged in the privileged’s favour. Empathy is a luxury for the weak in this context, for to empathise would mean examining the real reasons for success and failure in one’s ‘peers’ to gain an understanding of the hopes and ambitions and the barriers to fulfilling such in an unjust world.

The alpha however, behaves in this way because society enables them to do so; contemporary society thrives on a morbid and inordinate obsession with materialism – within this prevalent clime, money imbues its owner with power, and power and money are worshipped. This scary reality imbues the alpha with incontestable power amongst other facilities; and continual rationalization of it essentially sounds off as a self-aggrandizing myth of monstrosity, misappropriation of the society’s scarce resources and exploitation of the weak.

It has no moral basis and contrary to claims by science that we are enslaved and ruled by our hormones, genes or “reptilian brains,” we have culture and society to civilise ourselves.

Culture and society are human constructions that impacts upon us and leave us amenable to change thus even as the alpha breed wields the big stick and they determine the rules, they can be forced to lay down the sticks while we make conscious efforts to remould society to project more humanitarian ethics and behaviour.

It’s about time we rid our psyche of monstrosities that have learnt to tout as the Nigerian spirit. How?

Sound policy as sound politics: The Ekiti example

By Damilola Olajide & Thompson Ayodele (NGOs) providing one-off benefits to the elderly, but little is known about their impacts on the beneficiaries, especially widows/widowers. The Ekiti scheme provides a monthly N5000 cash payment to the eligible beneficiaries. The programme is unique in the sense that it is the first of its kind in West Africa, and this is why the international community is keen about its impacts. Also, Ekiti State budget is largely constrained by the monthly allocation from the federal government, in which the share is second to the lowest. The question becomes whether the programme was another political rhetoric. There is also the question of sustainability and effectiveness in order to justify allocation of resources.

Today the programme is now in its third phase, with nearly 20,000 on the government list and more than four times more on the waiting list. The federal government has shown interest, whilst other states such as Osun and River states are emulating the programme.

An international organisation, the Partnership for Economic Policy Canada, recently commissioned an independent impact evaluation research of the Ekiti scheme. This research is using a highly rigorous methodology to establish the scientific evidence of the impacts, beyond the anecdotal evidence provided in newspapers or political statements. The research is to support potential co-funding by international organisations and to further provide credibility for other externally funded programmes and projects in the state.

Whilst this study is ongoing, some clear facts of public interest have emerged from the baseline survey of a representative sample of over 6,500 eligible beneficiaries, randomly selected across the 163 electoral wards in the state. Firstly, the scheme is non-discriminatory, ensuring that the eligibility of all potential beneficiaries in each ward in the state were properly assessed on the basis of their means, without any consideration for party affiliation.

Secondly, the majority (seven out of 10) eligible beneficiaries are women and more than half amongst them are widows/ widowers. Also, well over half of the eligible beneficiaries have had food shortage in the household in the past and in two out of three households; a member will go without three-square meals in at least one day in a week. For those who are receiving the benefit however, food shortage has declined signifi-

cantly, with no member of the household going without food anymore.

Moreover, we sought to test the perception of the elderly on the programme. Firstly, eight out of 10 believe strongly that the intervention is timely and adequate to meet their basic needs. Secondly, nine out of 10 senior citizens believe strongly that the state government cares for them, whilst nine out of 10 say they are happier and pray that the scheme will continue into the future.

In conclusion, the preliminary analysis supports the general view that the welfare scheme will improve the living conditions of the elderly in the state. The interest that the Ekiti programme has generated is a clear demonstration of the importance attached to it by stakeholders around the world. The notion of sound policy is sound politics plays out in the Ekiti social security scheme, as it provides an example of an intervention in which those who are affected have strong perception of the efficacy of the programme.

For the incumbent, the scheme provides a basis for seeking a re-election, in addition to other development-related programmes and projects. For the opposition, it provides a criterion against which they could assess their potential to provide a better alternative. It is hoped that the wise electorates of Ekiti state will allow how sound policies and programmes are to motivate their voting decisions in the forthcoming election.

The more the politicians realise that sound policy is sound politics, the more they are more likely to play it as it should be played and the more the society will benefit in the long-run.

• Dr. Olajide and Ayodele are with the Initiative for Public Policy Analysis, based in Lagos

‘The interest that the Ekiti programme has generated is a clear demonstration of the importance attached to it by stakeholders around the world. The notion of sound policy is sound politics plays out in the Ekiti social security scheme, as it provides an example of an intervention in which those who are affected have strong perception of the efficacy of the programme’

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

22

COMMENTS

‘You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them.

But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power--he's free again’ - Alexander Solzhenitsyn

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HERE is something quite instructive that power mongers in Nigeria and other Third World countries must learn from what happened recently in South Korea. The country’s Prime Minister, Chung Hong-won, resigned from power amidst public outrage over his leadership’s perceived slapdash handling of the Sewol ferry disaster. The Sewol ferry sank on April 16, with only 174 people out of the 476 on board reportedly rescued. Equally sad is the fact that majority of the passengers were students and teachers from Danwon High School in Ansan, a city near Seoul. This, no doubt, means that a large chunk of the trustees of the posterity of South Korea was destroyed in that ugly incident.

This conduct of voluntary official resignation is surprising because such a patriotic act is uncommon where yours sincerely emanated from. Thus, it was bemusing to see contrite Chung in a televised address declare on behalf of the government he served: "As I saw grieving families suffer with the pain of losing their loved ones and the sadness and resentment of the public, I thought I should take all responsibility as prime minister…There have been so many varieties of irregularities that have continued in every corner of our society and practices that have gone wrong. I hope these deep-rooted evils get corrected this time and this kind of accident never happens again."

He went further: "The right thing for me to do is to take responsibility and resign as a person who is in charge of the cabinet."

The South Korean embattled prime minister underscored his empathy for human life when he finally retorted that the "cries of the families of those missing still keep me up at night". Well, some pundits might not see anything extraordinary in what Chung did because in South Korea, prime ministers are often fired when the government takes responsibility for major disasters. But his latter declaration merely shows the conscience and humanity in him; otherwise, he would not have agreed to be the fall guy let alone take "all responsibility" by resigning from his plum job. Chung is not just leaving the job, President Park Geun-hye has instructed he leaves after clearing the mess from the ferry disaster.

After a bout of reflections over this laud-

I

N all of life histories, there are very few circumstances that stand the test of time; just as there are only a few people, who defy the odds to become a success out of unpleasant situations. For these countable few, seemingly ordained from above and given certain roles in life to play, neither lack nor abundance; hate or love; time or season or, even the common challenges of life are able to thaw their courage, though they try.

Rare breeds doing rare things, perhaps, their resolute and special nature underscores why it is said that stars are born and not made. This is, without doubt, where you belong.

Driven by the virtues of courage, fueled by a clear vision, determination, commitment and the strength of heart, Tinubu has proven the worthy leader he is over the years. Asiwaju has practically exemplified the triumph of vision over challenges; wis-

‘Even his most cynical critics are convinced that as a social crusader for the Rule of Law and untiring change agent, no history of modern Nigeria can be complete without giving due mention to his name having been instrumental to the growth of the democratic process and advocacy of fair play, regardless of creed and ethnic background’

07011117777

Power and the South Korean example

• President Jonathan

able occurrence in far-away South Korea, my mind wandered over the egregious corruption and intractable Boko Haram-led abductions and killings going on in this country without meaningful official panacea. Quite vividly, this column reflects on the attack, sometime, of Federal government Girls College in Yobe State, where lives were lost, properties burnt and several students and teachers kidnapped. Adamawa State is not left out of these gory tales while Borno State remains the centre-stage of mind-boggling Boko Haram pogrom. Currently, the coun-

try is still agonising over the abduction of over 234 girls in Chibok area of that state.

Yet, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan looks so confused that it has not offered any meaningful solution to the problem. The teenage girls abducted while writing their WAEC examinations have not been released and the president doesn’t realise that he lacks the moral right to remain in power. This singular act of his makes me doubt whether he listens to foreign media like the CNN, Al-Jazeera and even SkyNews. Otherwise, he would have known that he has since lost his legitimacy to continue in power.

Rather than come up with effective solution that could bring lasting peace into the country, the president is presently ingrained in the dirty politics of his re-election. He was in Kano and Ibadan to do ‘azonto’ dance while parents and families of the abducted girls and victims of the Nyanya bomb blast are in serious pain and agony. Under similar circumstances, someone in South Korea has resigned for badly managing a national disaster.

The president, because of his enormous powers, does not feel the pains being felt by other Nigerians. What has been happening is to see presidential aides defending the presidency’s intolerable indices of crass ineptitude and other unpardonable errors as if defending their inalienable inheritance.

Their paymaster must have forgotten that power is transient. The president would never consider resignation because he has been intoxicated by power. After all, Edmund Burke, a great philosopher and thinker of British ancestry, once observed

Tinubu: Reflections on the colossus @62

By Abdulwahaab Oba dom over brawn. Wise as he is well-educated; connected as he is well-respected; and above all, selfless, Jagaban, has today, single-handedly given the South-west direction and leadership, having fittingly stepped into the shoes of the late sage and South-west leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

With unmitigated zeal, heý blazed an amazingly unforgettable trail during his study years, first, at Richard Daley College, Chicago Illinois, where his brilliance earned him a place in the honour grid of the college and later, at Chicago State University, Illinois where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Accounting and Management. A prefect of his class, his academic brilliance brought to him the Outstanding Student’s Award, University Scholar’s Award, as well as a Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance, respectively.

Down-to-earth and a grassrooter, he distinguished himself so much so that in short space of joining active politics, the ever progressive, dynamic and critical people of Lagos elected him a Senator of the Federal Republic in 1992.

Ever since, he hasý not looked back as he continues to break new grounds and demystify things thought difficult. Whether it be in politics or business; accounting or management, he showed very good understanding that made everything he elected

to undertake look like A-B-C. But more than anything else, it was his quest for redefining and redesigning the way politics is played in the Southwest region on one hand, and Nigeria, in general that earned him a well-deserved respect from peers and everyone alike.

After I had lost election as president, Nigeria Union of Journalists, I recall Asiwaju’s soothing words: “It’s not about you, but Nigeria’s democracy. I don’t care who wins as long as it entrenches democracy. Go and bring the winner”, he had charged. Garba Muhammed never forgot his advice and encouragement when I eventually came with him to Bourdillon, the headquarters of progressive politics.

“It’s all about democracy, not the personality. Support democratic ethos and you will find us, the progressives, dependable allies”, he had assured him.

Interestingly, it is this passion for good leadership and well-being of the majority that has endeared him to the people both great and small, in business and in politics. Like the dynamite packaged small, but with far-reaching impact on explosion, Asiwaju’s political philosophy has provided the light which, today, has lit the nation’s political landscape and providing it with alternative.

Indeed, over the years, he has proved of a truth that it is not all about size but the idea. From the last man standing, after the progressives’ mandates were stolen in some parts of the South-west, he has spread the tentacle of growth and development

that though powerful men ‘may be distressed in the midst of all their power but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.’ That is what Dr Jonathan is doing, which is peculiar to the leadership attitude in Third world countries. Such leaders according to Stephen Vincent Benét thought that because ‘they had power, it amounted to wisdom.’

So sad, what we have in Nigeria is buckpassing because no government official believes he should be sacrificed for systemic rot that supersedes his/her coming to power.

In every disaster, rather than toe the path of honour, the nation’s leadership sees the hands of political opponents in every disaster that befell it. Such leaderships as we have today and perhaps in the past are paranoid, despite their obvious ineptitude. This is one salient reason we have a system in which citizens are penalised for honesty and as such, everyone has learnt to lie to power through nauseating flatteries.

A sinking government in Nigeria might not embrace the South Korean example because truth is silently interred in the corridors of power with no one being ready to courageously exhume it. And that is the tragedy of power under the Nigerian situation which has given birth to the death of genuine feeling; the dearth of inspired response and the flight of awareness that make it possible for most men of power to feel in their veins, the pains/miseries of other men. The Nigerian leadership has eyes and still cannot see. It has overtime, under this ruling party, grown so callous and yet unashamed.

The president, except for the flight of honour, should see reason for common sense, common honesty and common decency - not the pursuit of 2015 elections and how to strategise on his return to power. Dear President Jonathan, a word, it is often said, is enough for the wise!

‘A sinking government in Nigeria might not embrace the South Korean example because truth is silently interred in the corridors of power with no one being ready to courageously exhume it’ to the remotest parts of Nigeria. In spite of the Abacha persecution as a result of activities in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which kept the military government on its toes, he remained dogged as a master strategist.

For decades, he remained unflinching in his belief and quest for a society where everyone has equal rights and can aspire to any office without discrimination.

With awards haul of Best Governor in Nigeria in 2000 by the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce; the year 2002 Best Practices Prize in improving the living environment, awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and the UN Habitat Group, among others, as an astute political strategist, he has never lost any political battle.

A tested leader, mentor, accountant, resource manager, father and role model, he was instrumental to brokering the merger of opposition parties leading to the birth the All Progressive Congress (APC), a party that has since put the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on its toes.

Indeed, even his most cynical critics are convinced that as a social crusader for the Rule of Law and untiring change agent, no history of modern Nigeria can be complete without giving due mention to his name having been instrumental to the growth of the democratic process and advocacy of fair play, regardless of creed and ethnic background. A rare leader, he remains the most vociferous voice in the call for Nigeria’s to return to the path of true federalism and fiscal federalism, which guarantees state governors fully funded mandates.

As he marked a fruitful 62 years on earth, surely, he is more than deserving of a drink and a dance. I share with the Asiwaju the joy of the moment and wish the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom, Niger State, a belated Happy Birthday and more record-breaking achievements.

•Oba is chief press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

23

BUSINESS

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Privatisation: Falana sues VP over sale of Geregu Generating Company

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ICE President Namadi Sambo has been sued before a Federal High Court, Abuja over the sale of Geregu Generation Company Limited.

The suit dated April 24, 2014 and number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 328/14 was filed by Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) on behalf of Yellowstone Electric Power Limited.

Other defendants in the suit are National Council on Privatisation; Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited and Seoul Electric Power Limited.

In the origination summon, Falana listed two issues for determination of the

By Adebisi Onanuga

court.

He asked the court to determine whether the first, second and third defendants have the power under the Privatisation Rules and Guidelines and the Proposal for Request to extend the deadline for the Preferred Bidder to post the preferred bidder’s bank guarantee for Geregu Generation Company Limited beyond April 14, this year.

He also asked the court to determine whether the first, second and third defendants were not under a legal obligation to designate the plain-

tiff as the preferred bidder for Geregu Generation Company Limited since the fourth defendant failed to post its bank’s guarantee for Geregu Generation Company Limited before April 14, 2014.

He sought five reliefs from the court including an order of perpetual injunction restraining the fourth defendant/respondent from posting its preferred bidder’s bank guarantee to the first, second and third defendants/respondents and from accepting the posting of fourth defendant/respondent preferred bidder’s bank guarantee for the purchase of Geregu Distribution Company Limited.

He asked the court for an order directing the first, second and third defendants to declare the plaintiff as the preferred bidder , the fourth defendant having failed to post its bank guarantee for Geregu Generation Company Limited before April 14, 2014.

Falana is seeking a declaration from the court that the first, second and third defendants are under an obligation to designate the Plaintiff as the preferred bidder for Geregu Generation Company Limited forthwith since the fourth defendant has failed to post its bank guarantee for

Geregu Generation Company Limited before April 14, 2014.

He is also seeking for a declaration that the fourth defendant has failed to comply with the requirements for a preferred bidder as set forth in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for The Sale of Shares in Ten Gas-fired Generation Companies Developed under NIPP dated August 19, 2013 and the Privatization Rules and Guidelines having failed to post the preferred bidder’s bank guarantee for Geregu Generation Company Limited on or before April 14, 2014 and for such further order(s) as the court may deem fit to make.

In a nine-point affidavit deposed to in support of the

F

ary made the company’s first profit warning since 2004, partly on unprofitable operations in the Americas.

Shell Class A shares rose 2.9 percent to close at 2,347 pence in London, the biggest jump since April 26, 2012.

“The new CEO set a multiyear journey at Shell to improve returns,” said Bertrand Hodee, an analyst at Raymond James Financials Inc. in Paris.

The “results were surprisingly strong. A very good start for the year.”

number of years, and have N5million capital to operate micro insurance, you can operate in any part of Nigeria except a state capital, then people will be ready to go back to their village to do the business.”

He said although the Commission has been working hard,, it needs to do more to achieve results.

He praised the Commission for its achievements in micro insurance, noting that the effect would only be felt when operators and distributors are encouraged.

He said the provisional minimum paid-up capital r e qu i r e m e n t of N150million for life micro insurance business, the N200million for general micro insurance business,

and N350 million for composite micro insurance business should be decentralised into national, regional, local government and sole operation.

He said: “Looking at the amount of investment and effort put in by NAICOM and the Deutsche G e s e l l s c h a f t f ü r I n t e r n a t i o n a l e Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) of Germany to deepen insurance through micro insurance compared to where we are now, I will say we have not attained the level we should reach.

“Old Mutual, a foreign operator, is here and it should not do the business that AIICO, Leadway and others have been doing. In some other countries, when an investor from another

Shell’s profit beats analyst’s estimates on higher gas earnings R OYAL Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA), Europe’s big gest oil company, reported first-quarter results, beat analyst’s forecasts on higher natural gas earnings.

The shares rose the most in two years in London.

First-quarter profit excluding one-time items and inventory changes slipped three per cent to $7.3 billion

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

from a year earlier, The Hague-based Shell said today in a statement. That beat the $5 billion average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

The results included a record $3.3 billion “underlying earnings” from stronger liquefied natural gas operations, following acquisitions from Repsol SA and related businesses, Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry told analysts. “We saw

T

strong LNG trading environment.” The earnings were partly offset by a $2.3 billion charge related to refineries in Asia and Europe, Shell said.

Shell, which deploys about $80 billion of its capital in North America, has gained from fuel prices that have risen about 36 percent in the continent for the quarter. Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden, who took over from Peter Voser this year, in Janu-

Govt needs $35b to meet 20,000MW target

OR Nigeria to meet the target of 20,000 mega watts, it needs $35billion, Mr. Sam Nwanze, Director of Finance and Investment, Heirs Holdings, has said.

He spoke at the opening of the plenary of the power sector workshop of the African Business Summit and Business Associations conference in Abuja.

Nwanze said: “Nigeria needs approximately $35 billion to get to the government target of 40,000 megawatts by 2020. When people hear that figure, they see problems. At Heirs Holdings, we see opportunities.

He said during the power privatisation, his firm, through Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), took over the Ughelli power plant in Delta State in November last year.

“In less than three months under the management of TranscorpUghelli Power Limited, Ughelli Power more than doubled its generation capacity from 160 MW to 360 MW. “This kind of substantial progress, as well as TUPL’s pledge to increase power

• From left: Director, Chams Plc, Alhaji Idi Farouk; Group Managing Director, Demola Aladekomo and Chairman, Very Revd Ayo Richards, at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos.

originating summon, Oluwafemi Adedeji averred that pursuant to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for The Sale of Shares in Ten Gasfired Generation Companies Developed under NIPP dated August 19, 2014 (the “RFP), the first, second and third defendants solicited bids for ten generation companies owned by the third defendant, including the holding company for the Geregu II Generation Plant (“Geregu Generation Company Limited”).

He said through the RFP, the first, second and third defendants stipulated the time within which the bidding was to be completed in accordance with the extant rules of privatisation.

generation at the Ughelli plant to 2,000 MW within five years, shows that the private sector has the knowledge, resources and vision to successfully drive the power sector’s development,” said Nwanze.

He continued: “It is possible for Nigeria to attract external financing to meet the power requirement, but we have to be strategic. When we speak of the requirement for $35 billion, the amount looks huge, but it is achievable through long term financing and patient capital.”

He added: “This is essentially an Africapitalist approach to resolving our power challenges.

“Heirs Holdings operates on this principle, which advocates partnership between the public and private sector through longterm, strategic investments that create economic prosperity and social wealth.”

At the forum where Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, European Union (EU) Ambassador, Michel Arrion, other national and international participants.

Decentralise micro insurance, NAICOM urged

HE National Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM) has been asked to decentralise micro insurance business to deepen its penetration in the country.

NAICOM’s Consultant Yomi Soladoye who gave the advice in Lagos said about seven groups have shown interest in obtaining the operating licence following the release of micro insurance guidelines in November, but that none has actually done so.

“Micro insurance has been taking place in this market for a long time with about 20 insurance firms underwriting the business.

I expect an influx into the business from both operators and distributors.

“What I see happening is

By OmobolaTolu-kusimo

that NAICOM is creating an enabler for the good work it has done that will instigate, encourage, or compel existing distributing channels which are the underwriters and new channels to come up and go into the business.

He said NAICOM needs to decentralise the issue of N350 million, N200million, N150million into national, regional, local government and sole operation, adding, “if they accent to such an arrangement, then they will be able to create more awareness on the business to potential operators by advertising.

For instance, if you are an existing insurance agent and have spent some

• Fola Daniel, Commissioner for Insurance

country comes in, they are compelled to open a micro insurance branchfor every one branch in the city or after five years of operation, micro insurance should form 15 per cent of their portfolio,” he added.

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e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

Long road to mega affiliation deals Since two global agencies Publicis and Omnicom announced their $35 billion merger plan last year, things have not worked out as expected. Their disagreement on who gets what is stalling the sealing of the merger. They are, however, looking beyond their planned merger to invest in some agencies in Nigeria. ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI reports.

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F the plan falls through, the proposed merger of two global agencies – Publicis and Omnicom – will shake the advertising world. The proposed $35 billion merger was announced in July last year, but since then, things up have not worked as expected.

They have yet to agree on who gets what.

Despite these teething problems, they are looking beyond their differences to fish in some local markets. Publicis is eyeing some agencies in Nigeria, especially the Biodun Sobanjo-led Troyka Holdings comprising Insight Communications, Azzagai, Optimum Exposure, Media Perspective, MediaCom, The Quadrant Company and Halogen Security.

In a report by Reuters, Publicis and Omnicom have not agreed on who will be the legal acquirer, which is delaying crucial paperwork with the United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the report.

Despite the companies owning 50 per cent of the new entity, analysts say that technically one has to acquire the other for accounting reasons. For now, Omnicom and Publicis have stopped meetings of about 70 integration committees, where they present their networks, teams, organisation, the Journal said, citing sources. The companies are also unable to agree on the filling of senior posts in the to-be-created

advertising behemoth, particularly the position of chief financial officer. While Omnicom wants its finance chief Randall Weisenburger to be the new CFO of the merged entity, Publicis is backing CFO Jean-Michel Etienne for the job.

Legal and tax issues are also threatening the planned merger.Last Tuesday, Omnicom said it could not to predict when the deal would close, following uncertainty over approval from antitrust authorities in China, a big market for Publicis, and for establishing tax residency in the United Kingdom.

When the planned merger was unveiled last year, some agency chiefs thought that under the deal, the Nigerian market may not matter to Omnicom and Publicis, except that of Middle East, Asia and South Africa, which is key to the French and United States marketing communication giants.

As a member of MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey), which global economists and financial analysts regard as new kids on the block, the country’s growing economy appears to have attracted the global advertising groups.

Those privy to the Publicis-Troyka deal

since last year told The Nation that the proposal was stalled by the Advertising Practitioners Council (APCON) reform, which changed the ownership structure of advertising agencies from indigenous, local, national, foreign to international.

According to APCON, every foreign agency coming into Nigeria is expected to produce a bankers’ credit guarantee of N500 million and produce N500 million cover from an indigenous bank and insurance firm.

Under the National Categorisation of •Continued on page 27

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Brandnews

Quality service key to our success, says firm

T

HE founder of Paga Mobile Payment Limited, Mr Eyitayo Oviosu, has said quality services have made Paga a top brand in the mobile payment market.

Speaking at the fifth anniversary of Paga,Oviosu said the mobile payment market has grown with banks also venturing into the business hence making the competition more deeper for compa-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

nies which provide payment solutions for retail payment.

He noted that despite the competition, the industry has continued to grow as all licensed mobile money firms are working towards efficient service delivery to their customers.

“There are many companies in the mobile payment industry and I think we are all going towards

Anti-malaria campaign begins

R

ECKITT Benckiser has restated its commitment to create innovative solutions for the consumers.

The Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, spoke at a community engagement to commemorate the World Malaria Day in Lagos.

He said in demonstration of the company’s commitment to innovation and consumer satisfaction, its insecticide brand, Mortein, was collaborating in the global fight against malaria.

“The vision and mission of RB (Reckitt Benckiser) globally is actually providing consumers healthier lives and happier homes. That is our vision, and that is why we up wake every day, and go to the office to create innovative solutions for the consumers. To achieve that vision, we see that malaria is a serious threat to the health of the consumers and that is why we are taking it very seriously and partnering with government to fight against it,’’ he said.

Silivrili further said the launch of Mortein anti-malaria campaign in Nigeria and across some other African countries, two years ago, was also part of the company’s leadership in innovation and responsi-

ble corporate citizenship.

During the community engagement at Tego Barracks open field, Marine Beach in Apapa, hundreds of residents trooped out for malaria screening conducted with the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

Also as part of the World Malaria Day, Mortein presented certificates and baby gift items to some new babies at the General Hospital, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Primary Health Centre, Ijora.

Among the beneficiaries were Mrs. Gift Odia and her baby boy and Mrs. Kafayat Tajudeen and her new born girl. The children were picked for being born on April 25, the World Malaria Day. Residents at the event also received free cans of Mortein and insecticide treated nets.

He Silivrili assured Nigerians of Mortein’s unshaken commitment to the fight against malaria.

The Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Ayodeji Joseph; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Omodele Osunkiyesi and Sarki Hausawa of Lagos State, Alhaji Sani Kabiru represented by the Sarki Hausawa of Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, commended Mortein and stakeholders for fighting malaria in the state.

Glitz, glamour greet Lagos Carnival

I

T was, indeed, a momentous and glamorous event as Nigerians and tourists thronged the Tafewa Balewa Square in Lagos to witness the glitz and glamour of Lagos Carnival, which has as theme Lasgidi.

It was sponsored by Nigeria’s premium non-alcoholic drink, Maltina. The rich blend of colourful display and cultural aesthetics was thrilling as Maltina brought smiles to the faces of consumers who won high-end gifts such as refrigerators, generators and others.

The Senior Brand Manager for Maltina, Adewole Adedeji, expressed satisfaction with the execution and management of the carnival, which provided the platform for the brand to extend its ‘sharing happiness’ mantra with consumers at the event.

“Maltina is all about sharing happiness, and as is our custom we have seized this opportunity to connect with our consumers to ‘share happiness.’ The carnival provides an ample opportunity for families and friends to connect and relivehappy moments which sum up the objective of the Maltina brand,” he said.

He added that Maltina will continue to look out “for those events that bring the opportunity for us

to engage our consumers, reward, and connect with them. It is all in the process of building brand loyalty and we will continue to plug into such big event as the Lagos Carnival and the AY comedy show. It is all about sustaining our brand culture of sharing happiness.”

In line with this, Maltina gave Badmus Ajoke, winner of the Lagos Carnival beauty pageant competition tagged Agbeke Eko, an allexpense paid trip to the magnificent Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort in Cross River State.

During the activation, a Fuji talent, Toheeeb Jenyo, who is only 12 years old, was discovered by Maltina and rewarded with a new refrigerator.

Also, Sunday Udodirin, a banker won a generator. Dignitaries at the event include Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola; his Deputy Mrs Orelope-Adefulire, Minister of Tourism, Mr Edem Duke; Commissioner for Tourism and Governmental Relations, Mr Disun Holloway and other members of the State Executive council.

Traditional rulers and market women were not left out of the carnival, which was a culmination of a week-long Black Heritage Festival to celebrate the rich African cultural legacy.

same business, which is how we can deliver mobile payment to Nigerians whether in your business or individuals,” he said.

Also, the firm’s Head of Agent Network Sales, Jay Alabraba, noted that Paga is working hard to create awareness for users.

“Paga is becoming a brand. For many people, we are an established brand because of the trust we have created through consistency and quality offering. This

makes a product to become a brand. So, our ability to innovate and remain consistence in our transaction. So, for the fact that we want to ease payment challenges for customers, we created values that will enhance convenience for the customers. So, those key things have made us a brand ... It’s about giving consistent service and high quality service.

So, our unique selling point is offering convenience,” he added.

Developed on the premise that simple and easily accessible payment solutions would endear shoppers, businesses to reduce customer’s frustration of dealing with cash and other inadequate payment channels, Oviosu, however, said through innovative product offerings, a strategic agent network and sheer determination, Paga has become the market leader in the mobile payments industry in Nigeria.”

Long road to mega affiliation deals

• Sobanjo •Continued from page 26

agency ownership, foreign direct investors cannot own more than 25 per cent while under the foreign ownership structure, foreigners cannot own less than 74.9 per cent and 100 per cent.

Publicis planned 25 per cent equity in Troyka will create huge upset as it may consume Starcom Media brand identity, Starcom Media Vest.

At a forum in Lagos, Mr. Gorge Thorpe, founder of Mediareach OMD, Tequila Nigeria, TBWA Concept, criticised APCON’s reform as it affects foreign direct investment, saying it would prevent growth.

“Protectionism best serves the short term to longer term interest of the advertising industry.

APCON should please rethink the Proclamation on Registration and Licensing Regime in the Advertising Industry,” Thorpe said.

But Sobanjo believes that the industry should embrace good business model to survive.

Also last year, Dentsu, a leading global agency made moves to buy bigger equity in two leading agencies but was stopped by APCON reform, which gives the number of equities a foreign agencies can acquire in a Nigerian agency.

The global agency, however, engaged Media Fuse, founded by former Media Perspective Managing Director, Emeka Okeke.

Under the arrangement, Media Fuse is a beneficiary of the Carat affiliation. It was gathered that Dentsu’s equity involvement of 25 per cent in Media Fuse will cover the acquisition of big advertising

shops and other auxiliary businesses in the integrated marketing and advertising services.

When contacted over the PublicisTroyka planned merger, Sobanjo said he was hearing about it for the first time. “I’m hearing this for the first time from you but if you said you heard that why not wait for Troyka to tell the world.” But, in response to inquiry by an industry online publication, marketingedge.com.ng, Sobanjo said: “I am afraid there is little or nothing to say at this point. At the appropriate time, I hope we sure will let you know. For now, we continue to follow the things we read and hear.”

A source, who just left Insight, told The Nation that, though Troyka is into something big that will shake the industry by the time the management sees the project through, the media would be informed. “For now, it remains within the group but the only person who can talk on it is Mr. Sobanjo,” the source said.

The Managing Director of Starcom, Mr. Ayo Kupoluyi, told The Nation that though it is true that Publicis has pitched tent with Troyka Group, that will not make businesses to move. “What I know is that Publicis has agreed to pitch tent with Troyka Group. I don’t know about sweeping Starcom off its businesses. Our GMD is the authorised person to speak on the details as he represents the group,” he said.

On the future of Starcom Media, Kupoluyi told an online publication: “For me, the future is very bright at Starcom Media. As it is, details of the partnership between Troyka and Publicis are still un-

known, but what we know is that our former partner has taken its decision. Business for me is not about emotion, what is permanent in business is the interest. Business itself is dynamic. If the wind of business does not blow favourably in your direction today, it does not mean that is the end of the world.

In our own line of business, accounts come and go. At Starcom Media, we are very positive and the future is very bright.”

Kupoluyi said some of the businesses the media shop handles were won through local pitches, where the agency was rated purely for its professionalism and competence.

He said there were other businesses too, which were won through global pitches. These, he explained, can only be moved out of the agency if the local clients so desire. But for some, he said, they would naturally move in line with global account re-alignment.

Despite the apprehension over the effect of Omnicom’s and Publicis’ merger on advertising agencies in Nigeria, some stakeholders told this reporter last year that it is a global phenomenon that will not affect Nigerian agencies that have relationship with the global agencies. The CEO of DDB Lagos, Mr. Ikechi Odigbo, said: “I don’t foresee conflict at the subsidiary levels. The global networks though are owned by the two holding companies that have come together, but they have bouquets of global brands they work for. At local levels, they will not be operating as if they are sister companies. If a pitch is thrown open they could all compete.”

The CEO of X3M, Mr. Steve Babaeko, said while the advertising industry is trying to make a mark on the continental level, the effect may be pronounced in the Middle East, Asia and India than Africa where Nigeria belongs. Mr. Kayode Oluwasona, who was then the CEO of Rosabel, an affiliate of LeoBurnett, said: “It is a global phenomenon. It is holding company goal. At the international level, they are merging to deepen their financials. For us in Nigeria, yes, some agencies are part of Omnicom and Publicis groups, but globally it is the issue of the biggest.”

For, now, Publicis and its partner, Omnicom are still struggling to conclude their merger.

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

28

THE NATION

BUSINESS

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326

SHOPPING

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Why foreignn retailers can’t ian market resist Nigerian Many foreign retailers are setting up businesses in Nigeria to gain a firm foothold in a marketplace where most consumers are brand loyal and value good services.

TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

W

ITHIN the global business community, Africa is believed to be the last frontier for proper growth, which is why global attention is focused on Nigeria, the most populous country in the continent.

With an estimated 167 million population and huge market, foreign investors can no longer ignore the huge investment opportunities in Nigeria, considering the fact that most consumers are brand loyal and discerning; they value good services and products. These, perhaps, explains why many foreign retailers see Nigeria as the investment destination of choice and are, therefore, rushing to have a foothold in a marketplace that offers tremendous opportunity for bountiful return on investment (RoI).

South African retailers are leading the pack of foreign investors who have seen the profitable opportunities in Nigeria’s retail market. South African retailers have since been notching up exceptionally strong trading in shopping places where they are situated in Nigeria. These South African retailers, it was learnt, carry out researches to understand the unique set of consumer needs and norms before venturing into the business.

In doing this, the retailers from the Rainbow nation, as South Africa is called, recognise that there is more brand recognition for foreign retailers in Nigeria that requires a marketing strategy that goes beyond advertising, store opening and extends to launching a new brand, which has continue to make them seek opportunities in the market.

A South African clothing retailer, David Botha, is one those that ventured into the retail business in Nigeria and has since been counting his blessings. Botha entered into Nigeria a few years ago with the hope of using the country as platform to expand the frontier of his retail business headquartered in South Africa. Today, the foreign retailer is more satisfied doing business in Nigeria than in South Africa or any other African country.

Botha has since brought his world-class retail store with all the international standards, guarantees and returns poli-

•Stores at The Palms, Lekki.

cies attached to his products to Nigeria.

Having done his feasibility, he understands that Nigerian consumers are hungry for quality and innovation, which is why he provides the latest international fashion at affordable prices and in trendy/stylish stores situated across the country.

As pointer to the profitability of retail business in Nigeria, many retailers who started with one store have opened several others within a short period of time, as new shopping complexes owned by foreign nationals keep springing up in the country every now and then.

For instance, Mr. Botha told The Nation Shopping that he already has four stores in the country and will be opening new ones as soon as he finds space. “I started out with one store in Ikeja City Mall in Lagos, opened another one in Surulere, within Lagos. In my second year of doing business in Nigeria, I opened another store in Heritage Mall in Ibadan, as well as in the Grand Towers Mall in Abuja,” he disclosed.

More than anything else, it is the innovation that the foreign retailers brought to bear in the business that ensured their expansion. Some of them who spoke with The Nation Shopping say they are committed to learning how they can improve on the way they do things to make current and future customers’ shopping experience as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. “We are not simply copying what we do where we are coming from, we are customizing our business to suit the needs of Nigerians in

the various regions in which we have stores,” Sander Norman of Ikeja City Mall, said. Constant research into the needs of customers is believed to be partly responsible for the rapid growth of retail business in Nigeria.

The success of these foreign retail businesses is also attributed to the passionate and dedicated efforts of the staff, which is why the retail owners invest heavily on staff development and training. As the investors acquire more stores, they hire more staff and develop them strictly from within.

“We make use of an organic growth model, whereby we largely promote staff members from within our business. There are numerous staff members who hold senior positions now, who began their working career with us as casual employees,” Botha said.

Expectedly, the coming of the foreign retailers has rubbed off on the local economy.

Apart from continuously investing more capital into their businesses, which contributes immensely to the growth of the local economy, the investors have also been contributing greatly to employment generation across the country. Most of their businesses are run by Nigerians. Sander confirmed this much when he said that apart from employing Nigerians, foreign retailers regularly take Nigerians for training in other countries and are often excited by the fantastic potential of the team members.

“We promote our business from within and

‘

Expectedly, the coming of the foreign retailers has rubbed off on the local economy. Apart from continuously investing more capital into their businesses, which contributes immensely to the growth of the local economy, the investors have also been contributing greatly to employment generation across the country

’

we have only one expatriate who will be replaced by a Nigerian by the end of the year,” he said.

With experts projecting that in a few years time, many more retail shops and new shopping malls would dot Nigeria’s retail business landscape, the spin-offs to the local economy are expected to increase. More foreign investors in the industry will want to be part of the current growth and there will be many opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop new store brands and different types of entertainment offerings, restaurants and fast food businesses.

New foreign stores will enter Nigeria and will result in various retail-related job opportunities, as well as prospects to supply such stores with all the various services they will require. Also, experts have said these retailers will provide onestop-shops for people to browse while doing their shopping, as well as meet their friends and families, and also enjoy themselves during their free time.

Part of the innovation the retailers would bring to the table is to ensure that new items reach their stores weekly, thus ensuring that customers always have the freshest, latest items available when they visit the stores. The thinking is that foreign retailers who wish to make impact in the market where consumers are known for their increasing sophistication and taste must customise their models to meet the unique consumer needs and aspirations because mall dwell times are increasing and foot counts are growing.

Nigerians enjoy a first-world shopping environment that is pleasant, safe, cool, unrushed and which offers a complete retail experience from shopping to relaxing at the food court. That is why the call for more foreign retailers is gaining the support of more shoppers.

Sander has a piece of advice for retailers planning to enter the market: “If you are prepared to develop a countryspecific model and invest in research to support a supply chain, get the right stock, provide the best price and render the best services, because there’s a bright future in Nigeria.”

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

•Omare

IJ AW YOUTH IJA

UNDER SIEGE

ERIC Omare, a lawyer and spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), speaks on the growing influence of the Ijaw in the Niger Delta and other issues affecting the region.

He says IYC should not be seen as a wing of the ruling PDP.

RESIDENTS of two neighbouring communities, Usumotong and Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, are living in constant fear of an outbreak of violent clashes. If care is not taken, bloodbath looms.

•PAGE 33

•Imoke

•PAGE 35

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

PAGE 29

ISOK O N ATION ISOKO NA OGAGA Ifowodo, a poet, teacher and human rights activist, believes the Isoko Nation has not earned its due from Nigeria. Compared to other nations in the federation, he argues that Nigeria has a lot to pay back to Isoko people.

•Ifowodo

•PAGE 34

Kids’ abductors on the loose in Calabar From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

P

ARENTS in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, are living in fear. Reason: kidnappers are targeting children.

It has assumed a frightening dimension. The targets are children under 12, irrespective of whether they are from rich or poor families.

These little ones are not abducted for money. There will be no strange phone calls to family members negotiating ransom and the modus operandi of exchange. Once abducted they are never seen again!

Several theories, from abduction for rituals, trafficking and sale to childless couples, have been worked up to explain this strange development which is on the increase.

Many a parent now takes extra precautions to save their children from the hands of these men of darkness, whose activities are painting the city in bad light.

•Continued on page 31

Ex-militant chief battles oil theft From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

H

How society, govt caused militancy, by Amaechi

E was one of the notorious militant leaders in Niger Delta during the heyday of militancy. He commanded a famous camp known as the Amabulu Federated Community (AFC) located in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

But “General” Felix Timilaemi has since abandoned arms struggle having embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal Government. As a fully repentant militant leader, the former creek general is disturbed at the increasing cases of economic sabotage in the region.

Timilaemi is unhappy that Ekeremor, his local government area, is one of the hotbeds of illegal oil bunkering, illicit refining of petroleum products, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities relating to oil theft.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 30

•Continued on page 31

•Amaechi

ALSO INSIDE

•New Dawn in the creeks as U.S. partners youth •PAGE 32 •Foundation lifts health in Delta with N100m •PAGE 34 •Rivers CP to traditional rulers: fish out criminals•PAGE 35 • YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

30

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Govt, society responsible for militancy, s

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during the inauguration of Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014, spoke with reporters on his administration’s commitment to education and other issues. BISI OLANIYI was there.

I

S it true that the Rivers State government is indebted?

Why have you not seen the name of Rivers State among the states that owe banks in the country? I was talking to one of my friends who works in a bank and I said please, I need you people to approve our N100 billion bond, because we have borrowed a total of N280 billion and we have repaid down to N80 billion and will finish the payment by June this year. Then, we will be free from debts, but I still need N100 billion bond to complete our ongoing projects.

Are you not surprised that if you borrow N200 or N300 billion, you should be on the list of indebted states? The reason why we are not is because once the money comes, we say take the one we owe you and put the rest on projects. At times, in Government House (Port Harcourt), there will not be food to eat. If we are so indebted, why are banks chasing us around? We want to give you money, despite all the noise the opposition is making. It is because they see the way we pay.

We receive about N8 billion from Internally-Generated revenue (IGR).

We pay all to the banks. The reason why we receive N8 billion is because we blocked all the holes where people receive money and share among themselves in government.

In fact, if we had met government the way it was before the militancy, we should be making at least N11 billion. The reason why it is ordinary N8 billion is because so many people had left Rivers state. If they had come back, we should be doing N11 to N13 billion. No money for the governor.

Do not give money to any big man.

Let us use it to work.

Even if we take the N100 billion bond and decide to use our IGR, in one year, we have paid you the N100 billion, because in one year, N8 billion will give you N96 billion. So, you are left with N4 billion. When they say I will leave the state heavily indebted, it means somebody is not observing what is going on. They should call for our books.

Will you return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which you left in 2013 for the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), because the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, your former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011, said at Omoku in Rivers State that you were begging to come back to the PDP? No, I am not returning to the PDP. That man (Wike), they should check him whether he is okay. I have finished with the PDP. I have told them.

I made a promise that if they return the Kalabari oil wells, we will see how it goes, but until that happens.

Beyond the oil wells, I have told them, they have approached me, if they want, I will call the names of those that approached me, but that is not an issue. There are issues that are fundamentally different between me, the PDP and the APC. If I am a progressive, It must be seen in the type of life I live, in what I do, how I relate with people and the type of governance. We introduced popular free education, gave laptops to children to

take home. There so many things we are doing that are contrary to the ideologies of the PDP, but they are wonderful men and women.

Are you begging to return to the PDP, as alleged by the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike?

I said people should ignore him (Wike). Are you sure that if I tell the PDP’s leaders that I am coming back in ten days, they will not send a dance party here? One problem with leadership in Nigeria is that when you are a President, a governor or a minister; what you say must be factual. You cannot be part of gossip.

So, that young man (Wike), who claims to be the Minister of State for Education, who does not know what it means to be a minister, is saying I am begging to come back to the PDP. What is PDP? I beg you, please do not ever ask me question about that young man (Wike), because I will not answer you.

Port Harcourt is the World Book Capital between April 23, 2014 and April 22, 2015. How has it been?

Most times, when they congratulate my friend and sister, Koko Kalango (Project Director of Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014), I say to myself, she is doing well, but they should not forget that the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 is a Rivers state government project.

I like the fact that she is also showing prominently, because at the end, when we leave office, she will be able to stand on her own and start up with the relationship she has built with the Rivers state government.

I ran into Koko Kalango by accident. She asked me to come and read to the children. She was doing her book reading programme. She invited the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and wanted me to read to the children, which I did.

I said to her, I wanted you to do one assignment for me: to organise an annual literary festival, to be sponsored by the Rivers state government.

I reminded my good friend (Kalango) some weeks ago that she got so frustrated that one time, she came to me and said: “I do not want to continue anymore, I want to stop,” and I said no, you cannot just abandon it like that. I told her to do that for me for two or three years. So that we can establish a structure for the literary festival, that will be independent of government.

Within the one year, we made success. An indication that God wanted to bless her and a lot of things happened. First is that it has moved from the Garden City Literary Festival to Port Harcourt Book Festival. It has also moved on for us to contemplate establishing a book centre, worth N3.5 billion, not owned by the government, but by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), called the Garden City Literary Association.

The NGO has got land, close to the Golf Course in Port Harcourt and has commenced the construction of the library. I hope other constructions will also commence. That is the first transformation.

The second transformation is somewhere along line, she (Kalango)

brought the idea of competing for the World Book Capital and I said that will not be a bad idea. So, we funded her to compete and we won the nomination. It was wonderful that she did that.

When she came to me and said we won, I asked her what the World Book Capital is all about and she explained that it is like the Kane Festival by film makers and that is what it is to book readers. She said we should take charge and begin to prepare for 2014.

Since then, we have gone to several book fairs. I was at the London Book Fair, but I was not able to go to the Frankfurt Book Fair. So, we are trying to create our own book fair, where our writers will write more and the printers will print more.

What are your administration’s plans for the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014?

The Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 will end on April 22, 2015 and we will hand over to South Korea. We budgeted nearly N4 billion for the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014, which commenced on April 23, 2014.

We are building libraries, but I call them reading rooms, in the city of Port Harcourt. They are about seven and we are having 23 in all the local government areas. We will equip and furnish the libraries. The book centre we are building, privately, it does not belong to the Rivers state government, it belongs to an NGO, because Shell (the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited) and others are funding it.

What benefit will the Rivers State Government derive from having Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014?

It is about perception. We have been able to put structures on the ground and make books available for people to read. Which means, we will spend more money in the area of education, but what will the state benefit from the global level? How we are able to position ourselves and how much we are able to tell people we have changed and we are no longer the city you used to know about criminality and all that, but now a state that is focusing on academics, books and technology and all that?

At the local level, we must let people know that we are building seven libraries. I call them reading rooms. Why I call them reading rooms is because I have seen them in the United Kingdom. They are big enough to be libraries, they have the books you are looking for, as it is in the libraries and they have tables and chairs and other facilities. Those ones we will try to establish before we go.

So, we will not have to go to Bernard Carr (in Port Harcourt) to read.

You know we actually have a library near D-Line (also in Port Harcourt), which the Federal Government took over and it is abandoned. The Rivers state government tried to take it over one time and we were blackmailed. So, we left it again for them.

When Shell (SPDC) completes the private library it is building for the NGO, I do not think anyone will complain about the standard of the

•Amaechi library and the reading rooms we will have scattered all over the place.

Will it be right to state that your administration’s efforts in education is responsible for nominating Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014?

I suspect it is one of the reasons they awarded us that. They looked at the level of achievements in the area of education. We have done quite a lot in the area of education. Even in the area of power.

We have about four power stations.

First of all, that of the Federal Government has gone comatose. We have not been able to carry out maintenance work for some time now and everybody is harassing me to bring money for the maintenance of our generating capacity.

Basically, I will go and look for money for them next week. We sold, but people have not yet taken possession. Once we sign the agreement, our hands are off. You generate your own power. Most people forget that there are other areas and what everybody is saying is education.

We have completed seven of the model secondary schools, but why we have not opened the doors for the public is because we need at least N800 million per school. We need to pay school fees for all the children and buy every other thing. Remember, we said, bring your child naked. We clothe them and feed them for nine months in a year; send them back for three months on vacation.

We want to begin the construction of the university (new Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) at the Greater Port Harcourt City), because we want to pursue primary, secondary and tertiary education. It is worrisome when you produce wonderful children that use computer in the primary schools and you see them to secondary schools that do not use computer. What do we do?

The seven model secondary schools completed so far cannot take all the children that will graduate from the primary schools. They cannot. So, we need to do something. We are trying

to renovate the old secondary schools and even when we finish renovating them, we need to equip them with ICT and all that, so that they can transfer that knowledge that they have. If we do not do those things in the secondary education, it means that the children will lose all they learnt in the primary education. How many universities in Nigeria are ICT compliant?

So, if they go to one local university that does not have all these things, then they may also lose the knowledge they have acquired in the primary and secondary education. That is why we are building a new university, to make sure we do not lose what we have learnt in the primary and secondary schools.

We need to establish a standard first and that was why we appointed Prof.

Otonti Nduka as the Chairman of our Quality Assurance Department. We want to first and foremost establish the standard we are looking for. Then, we will get others to comply with our standard.

How do you ensure that high quality and experienced teachers are recruited in your schools to maintain standard, considering the fact that some of the newly-recruited teachers are poorly trained, without studying education?

No, I do not think that you are completely right. We did training for the people who were employed as teachers. I will find out from the Commissioner for Education (in Rivers State), because they need to put an instruction that all of them must obtain minimum of NCE. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, you will not know how to teach Literature. What we are saying is that you have to have a Bachelor of Arts in Education Literature. We did not get enough. We got a large number of qualified teachers, who had gone to either College of Education or University of Education. Those without such qualifications, the way to go about it is that within their six months of employment, they should get an NCE or a Diploma in Education, just to get the basic rudimentary knowledge of education. Then, they can teach.

What are your expectations of the new writers, considering the fact that

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

, says Amaechi ‘

The society and government are 80 per cent responsible for the so-called Niger Delta militancy, which I referred to as crime. I realised that there are social elements that need to be addressed, to enable parents ease the burden of life and one of it is education

‘ most of them are detached from their environment or reality?

Most of you look at Literature in the manner Shakespeare wrote Literature, which he described as dancing with flowers, when your house is burning with hunger. From what you are saying, I do not think Prof. Wole Soyinka belong to that school. If you look at the way he creates his words, you will think he belongs to the people that believe in the literariness of Literature.

Literature has to do with the way you arrange your words, arrange your sentences and the manipulation of words and comparison to people like Chinua Achebe, who just wanted to tell the story or comparison to people like Ngugi Wa Thong O, who does not just want to tell the story, but to tell the story from a particular perspective, to change the world positively.

I have no expectation from the new writers that are emerging, but to create employment and reduce poverty ravaging the country. We are in a country where you and I will be here one day, trying to eat food, but you see people rushing, not to eat the food, but to eat you and I. If you do not want them to eat you and I, then we must start now, to utilise the available resources available to the state, to empower people, create opportunities for Nigerians, who live here, not only Rivers people.

If you listened to the first argument I had with the elders, I said I had nothing against the Protestants, the born-again churches. I support them. Even though people criticise them for the material tendencies that emanate from their preaching, but you must realise that they are also avenues for employ-

ment.

Do you know how many pastors that they have recruited that are now employed? There are those who were not called, but called themselves to the service of God, but they create employment. You see, as they open one branch to another, they create employment for people, by appointing people to head the branches.

What are your administration’s plans to sustain the achievements recorded in the education sector and do more before the expiration of your tenure on May 29, 2015?

You cannot plan education without first and foremost knowing what it will cost you to do so. Take the primary education for instance, we had a budget, even the secondary education. We had a budget of N166 billion for the 24 model secondary schools.

Then, it was N4.1 billion. Now, it is N4.5 billion.

I have forgotten what was the cost of the 750 model primary schools we intended to build. We did not envisage the kind of economic hardship we found ourselves in. We did not envisage that we will have large appetite for projects. I realised that people were urging me to stop and stop. We were strategic. We knew that there will be so many problems to address.

Take Diobu (in Port Harcourt) for instance; when you go to D-Line (also in Port Harcourt), you will see the wonderful projects that we are doing (roads). We are extending that to Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. The Diobu people are saying we have to come and do something in Diobu.

When I saw the bill, it was huge.

We have an economic and business plan, but it was linked to socialist realities and the socialist realities were informed by the security crises that we had. I met children who told me they were arrested, their siblings were withdrawn from school and two days after, they were driven away from the houses they were staying. Then, I saw my friends with their Range Rovers, my age-mates, about 18, 19 years, driving around town with girls and I asked them, how did you get this money to buy these cars? They said come and be initiated and I got initiated and I started shooting gun. The society and government are 80 per cent responsible for the so-called Niger Delta militancy, which I referred to as crime.

I realised that there are social elements that need to be addressed, to enable parents ease the burden of life and one of it is education. So, we said we will bear the burden through free education and free healthcare.

In some states, when they say free education, they just pay teachers’ salaries and that is all, but we decided to approach the schools and pay all the fees, so that the children could go to school.

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Kids’ abductors on the loose in Calabar Continued from page 29

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SINGLE mother of three children, aged four to 10, told our reporter: "I now pray double about the safety of my children.

Whenever I am not with them, for instance when they go to school my mind is never at rest until I see them again, safe and sound. Personally I have also taken precautions on my own to ensure their safety. I don't let them play around the house anymore. Now I ensure they are always indoors if there is nothing necessary to take them outside. It has become a worrisome situation and we are praying they should do something urgently about it. We know Calabar as a peaceful place devoid of all these kinds of things. Now we don't know what is happening."

David, a resident of Ikot Ansa in Calabar Municipality, narrated a case of where a child who was supposed to be dedicated on a Sunday was abducted the night before.

He said: "It was a really unfortunate development. The family it happened to is one that I am close to. Every arrangement had been made for the dedication. The food and drinks were ready, the camera man had been paid to cover the event, invitations had been sent out and every arrangement had been made for the dedication to go on. Unfortunately when everyone woke up in the morning, the baby was nowhere to be found.

"Someone had come in and abducted the child. The baby

could not have crawled away because it could not crawl yet and besides it was on a bed.

The mother has been in a coma and the father is hysterical. It is such an unfortunate development."

Recently, it was reported of how a four-year old boy, Effiong, son of a bank security man and a fried yam seller was abducted at the Ekorinim axis of Calabar in a car with no registration number.

Also, earlier this year, a three year old boy, Victor, was snatched by an unknown persons in a church during service.

A couple of weeks ago, the Atakpa Police Station in Calabar attracted a mammoth crowd. They were people who had gath•Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke ered to catch a glimpse of some persons arWorried by the developrested for allegedly attempting ment, a member of the State to kidnap four little girls.

House of Assembly, Ngim It was gathered that the chil- Okpo, brought a motion of Urdren, aged between four to six gent Public Interest "on the inwere hawking sachet water on creasing incidents of child the street when the attempt snatching where in recent was made by some men inside times, have been several reporta vehicle to snatch them. ed cases of kidnapping of innoAlarm was raised by people cent children by some unscrunearby and the police inter- pulous elements for alleged ritvened to save the children. ual purposes".

Police Public Relations officHe called on the House to er, Hogan Bassey, confirmed pass a resolution to compel "relthe development saying inves- evant government agencies to tigation was on-going. sensitize members of the pub-

lic against falling prey".

Also, the State Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey, has advised members of the public to take notice of this emerging threat to the safety and security of their children and wards.

He advised parents against sending children on errands without the company of adults or grown-ups; he also advised children against straying out of the home without the notice of their parents and children who trek to school alone even when they are not old enough should not be left on their own.

He said: "There are also instances where children are snatched from the arms of their mothers or guardians by abductors who pretend to offer them lift in their cars; others are abducted right from their homes while their parents are not at home or in another part of the house.

"Abductors seem to be having a field day while our children are no longer safe, even in the privacy of our own homes.

This is a very disturbing development which must be checked.

"Parents must cooperate with the police and other security agencies by giving them useful information about suspected criminals wherever they are found within their vicinity or anywhere else. The Commissioner of Police has been alerted about this development and requested to notify all police formations in the state capital and direct the DPOs to stamp out this new menace.”

No doubt, parents and guardians seek end to the menace.

Ex-militant chief battles oil theft Continued from page 29

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N fact, he is pained not only because the Federal Government is losing significant revenue to the activities of oil thieves, but also the ecology and the environment of the region is under threat and may soon become extinct.

Already, the waters have changed colour through contamination by oil slicks from vandalised pipelines; the mangroves are mangled and rendered lifeless by fire and thick dark smokes bellowing from illegal refineries and the air has become poisonous through crude cooking of crude oil.

To arrest the situation, the ex-creek warlord has embarked on a personal crusade to stop oil theft in his local government area.

Niger Delta Report visited Ekeremor and discovered that Timilaemi has constituted a small army patrolling the creeks to identify and destroy illegal refineries.

The ex-creek warlord has already destroyed 30 illegal refineries and 12 boats used by oil thieves in the council.

His troops comprise 240 youths who were formerly members of his camp but later embraced amnesty. Everyday, the youths in group of different speedboats patrol the creeks to clamp down on illegal refineries, identify broken pipelines and impound Cotonou boats used for oil theft activities.

Speaking to Niger Delta Report, Timilaemei lamented the environmental hazard caused by oil theft and illegal refineries in communities of Ekeremor.

He believes that with minimal support from the government and oil companies, his one-man crusade will completely eradicate the menace.

“Using military operations only cannot stop economic sabotage.

People like me who understand their terrains and who are passionate about the Nigerian economy should be engaged to fight this monster in our communities.

“As a patriotic citizen of this country and a true son of Ekeremor, l believe that we need to help this country and also preserve our environment. So, l have taken it upon myself to bring illegal oil bunkering (kpo-fire) to a minimal level. “ I have destroyed illegal refinery camps in Ekanghende creek, burnt boats and ensured that the two points where the vandals connect their hose on Shell’s pipes were clamped.

“Pipeline vandalism in this area is becoming too serious that I have to take it upon myself. This is a one-man crusade against oil theft, illegal refinery and oil bunkery. There are a lot of environmental hazard in this area and I took it upon myself to put a stop to it. We must completely stop it,” he said.

The creek general rued the worsening economy of the council which he blamed on pipeline vandalism. He observed that the people of the area known for their fishing occupation could no longer thrive in the business.

He observed that different species of fish which are averse to

crude oil had disappeared from the waterways. “People are now jobless. They cannot get any fish in the river because our waters are polluted by crude oil,” he cried.

He said people should take collective responsibility instead of always heaping blames on the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) which is operating in the council. He also called on the government to show seriousness in the war against oil theft by involving the communities.

According to him, it has got to a level where government should come to the aid of the people to prevent further deaths. He said Shell and government should partner with him insisting that under his watch no pipeline would be broken and no illegal refinery would operate in any community within the council.

Felix, however, noted that persons engaged in oil theft were hungry and jobless. He said decentralising the war against oil theft by establishing community task force would help to engage some of the youths.

“We are the indigenes of this community and we know our people. We know our boys and we know how we can tackle them.

The best thing we should do is to get these people involved. Let’s bring the boys together, sensitise them to say bye-bye to oil theft,” he insisted.

He assured the federal and state government of a radical change in Ekeremor, stressing his readiness to destroy any camp establish to destroy the economy of Nigeria.

Explaining their operations, he said: “This is the only place we have. We don’t have any other place to go. We have burnt many properties. They have even tried to penetrate and buy us over to get those properties and we say no. What we have decided to do at the moment is to get those properties and burn them off.”

Timilaemi called on Shell to begin skill acquisition programmes in the various communities to engage the youths and take them away from the streets.

He warned oil thieves to stay away from the council and vowed to burn their vessels if they ventured into the area. “I wont compromise my position because l wont allow people to destroy our environment and render our economy useless,” he said.

He has some words for community folks engaged in oil theft.

He said: “There is no progress in oil theft instead there are many dangers. I advise every man and woman to desist from oil theft, it won’t help you, it will damage your future.”

A member of the Council of Chiefs in Ekeremor, Chief Amagono Dunyin, said the elders were behind Temilaemi in his crusade to end the menace. He maintained that the chiefs frown at illegal bunkering.

“The vandals come into the council from different areas to carry out their activities. We are urging General Felix and his boys to ensure they stop the illegal activities in the environment.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

Dawn in the creeks as U.S. partners Niger Delta youths I

with the traditional rulers.

It also shows how illegal bunkering led best friends to become arch enemies, unleashing terror and bloodbath on opposing camps destroying living and non-living things.

Shot in the various communities, each of the short films that make up Dawn in the Creeks portrayed the natural day-to-day activities in the regions -dredging, fishing, trading, language and farming.

But beyond the scramble and battles for survival, the films portrayed communal love and strength; it showcased the need for the people to resolve conflicts peacefully and be their brothers’ keepers.

The short films, which were shown for about 15 minutes each, kept the audience, including wife of Rivers Governor, Mrs. Judith Amaechi, Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilisation Operations Frederick Barton and US Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle thrilled, especially because the young film makers were able to accomplish them with just a month’s training.

But what motivated these youngsters to such venture?

According to the director of Truce, Stephen Moses, his group’s story was inspired by their resolve to make the youth in the region and Nigeria shun violence.

“There are things every human knows he or she can do but without the means to deliver, the dream will die. Honestly, when this opportunity came, I did not believe it. I thought it was one of those lies but when at the end of the training I saw myself an improved and better person, I could not help but thank God I did not miss

•Barton (right) speaking at the premiere of Dawn in the Creeks. With him are Entwisle (left) and the ‘ambassadors of peace’.

it.

“Our message basically is projecting a Niger Delta that is violence-free.

We want our youth to know that they can make their points, resolve issues without violence.

“Also, we also want them to know through our films that there are many resourceful things they can do to earn a living without engaging in illegality and violence,” he said.

For the producer, Lisa Otuma, her ultimate goal is to rebrand Niger Delta and let the world see the new Niger Delta that is violence-free.

“Our region has over the years earned negative reputation and so, we want to rewrite our story. We want to tell our stories ourselves for the world to know we are peaceful people and can live in peace,” she said.

Similarly, the Director, Save our Souls, Vincent Akporero, said he was happy to be part of the project because he wanted to be seen as a role model.

“We want to impact positively on our generation. We do not want to be seen as villains but as worthy role models. We are using our movie to tell our people that we do not have to fight and kill ourselves. We do not have to destroy pipelines and kidnap people. Life is not all about violence and we must learn to settle our differences peacefully,” he said.

To Amata, his interest in the project was fuelled by his love to affect lives.

“There is nothing like going to the grassroots, meeting and connecting with these people really touched me.

It is so amazing that they could touch me the way they did.

“The project will continue because each group has been provided with equipment and money to start off and tell important stories.

“We have just started. This is like a pilot programme and by July, we will show the entire series of how they were screened and selected and then, we will go immediately into the sea-

sons.

“We are mandated to do three seasons within 12 months and I trust they will deliver.

“They will learn new initiatives and ways to market their films along the line. That is how I do my business. I learn new ways of marketing and selling my films and I am impacting it on them and so they have no choice than to succeed,” he said.

Reactions Reeling with excitement, Mrs. Amaechi hailed the talents of the film makers, commending them for their drive to make a difference through entertainment.

“I believe that someday, the Niger Delta will be known to the world for its famous films. I saw wonderful talents in display and I know that Niger Delta is a beautiful place.

“I was thrilled and I know they will go places with the necessary guides.

This opportunity has shown that we have great men and women who can

make the world a better place,” she said.

Entwistle, who could not hide his excitement, told The Nation that he was proud the U.S. was part of the success story.

“I believe in Nigeria. We had thought of something we can do to reduce violence as well as reform election behaviours of the youth. But, this is so great that the young Nigerians did their films to tell their stories in order to use same to preach peace and security.

“Yes, the U.S. is sponsoring but the content is 100 per cent Nigerian. We hope that in the future, we will be able to step away to have Nigerians come in and sponsor such projects.

“We spent about $4million on the project but what matters is that we are supporting Nigerian youths to preach the message of peace through their own stories.

“Aside sponsoring these films in the region, the U.S. is doing a lot in

JTF, trade unions unite to fight oil theft O IL theft. The phrase appears to have become permanently fixed in Nigeria’s crime diary. Every day, people break pipelines with venom, setting up illegal refineries in dexterity and ferrying with swiftness stolen oil out of the creeks of the Niger Delta.

But, the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, is relentless in its war against economic sabotage. Like the proverbial hunter that keeps shooting at a bird that refuses to perch, the JTF especially in the regime of Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, has continued to explore every possible means to end the endless economic sabotage.

Maj-Gen. Atewe recently sought a collaboration with trade unions to facilitate the war against oil theft. Swali Market Association, representatives of keke NAPEP Association, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) and Spare Part Dealers Association were among the trade unions that met with the commander at the Headquarters of JTF in Yenagoa.

Maj-Gen. Atewe described trade unions as a key element in the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta Region. He said that the fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil theft is a collective responsibility and should not be left in the hand of security Agencies alone.

“Security is everybody’s business and should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone. There should be synergy between stakeholders, community leaders and the JTF especially in the areas of giving out credible information that will aid the task force to carry out its mandate” he said.

He insisted that the JTF would not successfully tackle the menace without partnering with stakeholders. He requested for credible information about the activities of oil thieves in the creeks to enable him confront the saboteurs headlong.

Apart from the economic damage, he said illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism have left the region in the throes of environmental and health hazards.

He said: “I am looking for information on the activities of these criminals and I assure you that we will not give out the source of our information. The fight against criminalities in Niger Delta can only be reliable and effective through providing timely information to us.

“Apart from the economic lost, the continues rupturing and breaking of oil

Eric Omare, a lawyer and spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), speaks on the growing influence of the Ijaw in the Niger Delta and other issues affecting the region. SHOLA O'NEIL met him.

T

Mention Niger Delta and the images that come to mind are crude oil, oil theft and illegal bunkering , but a project bankrolled by the American government is creating a new Niger Delta using the medium of film-making, writes PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

T gulped about $4 million. So, it was understandable that expectations were high as viewers matched into the cinema hall of SilverBird Galleria for the premiere of Dawn in the Creeks, a baby of the United Department for Conflict and Stabilisation Operations.

The series bears the touch of ace director Jeta Amata and 21 young people drawn from three communities, including Nembe in Bayelsa State and Ozoro in Delta State, who have resolved to rebrand the region with their stories.

The screen opened with Amata’s search for “the ambassadors of peace” in the creeks. The audience was carried through the journey of the shortlisting and the reasons each of the 21 youth was selected.

They looked unrefined like the crude oil and hardly believed anything positive could come out of the exercise but one month later, having shot and premiered their own movies; these lads now see life beyond violence.

Dawn in the Creeks is a combination of three television series, including Save our Souls and Truce written, produced and directed by the 21 youngsters in groups of seven.

It is a reality TV series that follows teams of Niger Delta youth as they embark on a journey to create films in the Nollywood style, showcasing stories of non-violent transformation in their communities.

It portrays the horrible and pitiful lifestyle an average Niger Deltan is subjected to ranging from water and food pollution, cultism as well as negligence by multinational oil companies operating there in connivance

‘Why IYC is seen as a wing of PDP’

Nigeria. In the Middle Belt and North, we are trying to promote mediation and reconciliation,” said Entwistle.

To the U.S. Consul General Jerry Hawkins, the project was aimed at showing the world that there was a lot of possibilities in the Niger Delta.

He described Dawn in the Creeks as a combination of Nollywood, Hollywood and diplomacy, adding that he was hopeful the youngsters would become agents of change in the region.

Chairman, SilverBird Group, Ben Bruce described the project as a way forward to greater things in the region.

He said with such empowerment, the youths would be engaged and would also create jobs and make money.

“It is about taking individuals out of nothingness, idleness and empowering them to create employment as well. It is a step in the right direction and we need multinationals to fol-

low suit. Once you support and empower the people, crime level will drop,” said Bruce.

Former Managing Director, Nigeria Films Corporation, Afolabi Adesanya, said it was exciting to see the young generation finding its voice, images and narrating its stories.

“It is a turnaround from the violent era of militancy that we witnessed in the region. I am thrilled to see young people looking inwards to see what they can do to change their communities for good without government support.

“This can only make their communities better with strengthened bonds among the people. The films are true reflection of happenings in the region.

We are beginning to witness a paradigm. Shift towards internal conflict resolution and it is only the people who through their telling their stories, can make that happen,” he said.

Firm hands over houses to beneficiaries in Yenagoa

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

pipelines causes a lot of health hazards to the people of the region thereby polluting the environment which could in turn result in the out-break of epidemic.”

Maj-Gen. Atewe said the ongoing military exercise in the creeks was aimed at eradicating all forms of illegal oil bunkering in the region. He said the exercise was to create a good atmosphere for oil companies to do their legitimate business to boost the nation’s economy.

He assured the associations of JTF’s readiness to execute its mandate professionally and called on all stakeholders to join in the fight against criminality and other sundry crimes.

He informed the union leaders of the composition of JTF and said the outfit had been expanded to include other paramilitary agencies. He named the newly incorporated agencies as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and oil companies.

Maj-Gen. Atewe stated that the newly included agencies have helped JTF to dominate the creeks and waterways in the region. He said the development has provided aggressive aerial surveillance of oil installations aimed at checking activities of economic sabotage.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Erebuo ThankGod, thanked the commander for the interactive forum.

He said the opportunity has helped stakeholders to contribute their ideas on the best way to tackle security challenges. He said the suggestions proffered during the meeting would help the commander to actualise the mandate of JTF. He assured the commander of his union’s support in fighting criminalities in the region. Also, the Chairman of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association Bayelsa State chapter, Henry Igborigi, sought the JTF’s assistance in checking the movement of vehicles to mechanic village.

He pledged his association’s support in the war against oil theft promising to give JTF credible information to actualise its mandate.

•Hawkins and wife Annie

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•From left: Prof Utuama, his wife Nelly, Mr and Mrs Edwin Smooth, Chief Tunde Smooth carrying the baby, Jeremy Smooth and Mrs Tunde Smooth at the reception after the dedication and baptism of Jeremy.

A baby dedication with a difference

I

T was double celebration for the families of Chief Tunde Smooth and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama. Apart from joining millions across the world in the celebration of Easter, the two families also celebrated the dedication and baptism of their grandson, Jeremy Preye Smooth at the St Andrew Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area. It was followed by a grand reception at the residence of the Smooths at GRA, Warri.

IRST Investment Group, an organisation that specialises in the building of houses for prospective buyers, has handed over keys of some of its houses to the beneficiaries of the housing scheme in Bayelsa State.

The handover ceremony, which took place at Igbogene in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, was declared open by the Bishop of Bomadi Vicariate, Most Revd Hyacinth Egbebo.

While dedicating the houses to God, Rev. Egbebo hailed First Investment for their rare business acumen and vision that has translated into houses for the people.

Chairman, First Investment Group, Bayelsa State, Mr. Fiemeya Ayebebabogha, said the goal of the firm is to make housing easy and affordable in Yenagoa and its metropolis.

Ayebebabogha said the group is also out to support humanity, especially as regards housing.

He enjoined beneficiaries to make life more meaningful for their people, through the instrumentality

•Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson

of housing.

Ayebebabogha maintained that government alone cannot meet the housing needs of all Bayelsans.

He called on well-meaning individuals to contribute to the development of humanity by investing in the housing sub-sector.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Akene Iuroebi, thanked the firm for their ingenuity and dedication to making house affordable to Bayelsans and keeping to global best practices.

HE election that brought the Udengs Eradiri-led exco was dogged by controversy; what is the situation now?

The election into the IYC in October 2013 was inconclusive. Some persons went ahead and declared some of the candidates as winners, which resulted in several protests. The national leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, under late Senator Tari Sekibo nullified that election. That nullification was confirmed by Chief Edwin Clark, in a leadership meeting in Abuja. Thereafter, the leadership of Ijaw nation mandated the Adviser to President Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon Kingsley Kuku, Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Dr Felix Tuodolor and Elder TK Ogoriba to lead a process to conduct another election. That election was done in February 2014 and new leadership emerged under Comrade Udengs Eradiri and I also emerged as the spokesperson. Peace has returned to the IYC. On the use of money to influence outcome of the election The problem is that in recent times some people seem to look at the IYC as a political wing and extension of the ruling party (PDP) with a view to using the platform to achieve their political aims and support their candidates in an election. I think that is the reason why there have been a lot of issues regarding the election.

Ordinarily, IYC election, like any struggle organisation, ought •Omare not to be affected with money. But now there seems to be a lot of money involved in the election. This present leadership is already reacting to that by way of initiating a review process, which will substantially address the issue of campaign funding. Money will no longer be an issue at the conclusion of the constitution review process.

What is the relationship between the IYC and other ethnic youth bodies in the Niger Delta?

The foundation of the IYC is the Kaiama Declaration and one of the articles of that declaration is to extend arm of friendship to other ethnic nationalities. The founding fathers of the IYC realise the fact that we cannot achieve resource control or self-determination without working with other ethnic nationalities.

From the onset we realised that there is need for IYC to work with other ethnic groups. Part of the things the new leadership is doing is to reach out to other ethnic nationalities in the region with a view to addressing some of the issues affecting the region. For example, one of the most tropical issues now is oil theft. You cannot address it without involving other ethnic nationalities such as the Itsekiri, Urhobos, Ikwerres, Ogonis etc because the oil facilities are not only in Ijaw land; they are in other ethnic nationalities. So you need everybody involved.

There is suspicion that Ijaw youths are exerting undue influence to the detriment of other ethnic nationalities in the region because an Ijaw man is the President and the amnesty programme is being heavily tilted in your favour.

Yes, there have been such complaints but you have to look at it in the context of what is happening and how we got to where we are. The complaint is basically arising from the benefits from the amnesty programme. But if you go back to the history of militancy in the Niger Delta, you will agree with me that militancy was mainly an Ijaw affair. We appreciate the contribution of other ethnic nationalities but the arm struggle was more of an Ijaw affair and the essence of the amnesty programme was to rehabilitate those who took up arms.

There was supposed to be a component of the programme that would take care of nonviolent agitators who didn't take up arms but it seems that the attention for now are those that took up arms and those are mainly Ijaws. I do not think there is any deliberate effort to marginalise other ethnic nationalities.

Are you impressed with the execution of the amnesty programme, the process and outcome?

In my view, the amnesty programme is a success in many ramifications. It is a success in respect to bringing peace in the Niger Delta; in cases of oil facilities sabotage and oil production has also increased. A lot of people that ordinarily would not have had the opportunity of obtaining education or training in various forms have now obtained those trainings. In my view, the amnesty programme under the leadership of Hon Kingsley Kuku seems to be the only measure between the government and the Niger Delta people. If not because of the amnesty programme, I don't think majority of our people would have had the impact of the Goodluck President…

The gains of the programme are being eroded by the illegal bunkering and shut-ins because of vandalism and sabotages.

I agree with you that some the gains of the amnesty programme are being taken away by oil theft. When we assumed office one of the issues we take very seriously is oil theft. We believe that it cannot be resolved by mainly saving Mr A, B or C is responsible. We have to adopt a holistic solution. I followed proceedings of the Delta State Oil and Gas conference on oil theft and I think stakeholders correctly identified the causes and actors - communities, security agencies and multinationals. Recently, Mr President said in Holland that the Federal Government has budgeted $1 billion to address the issue, but we think it is not enough to budget N1bn, you must engage the relevant stakeholders for it to have the required effect, like the amnesty programme. In the days ahead, the IYC will come out with its position with other ethnic nationalities. Once the stakeholders agree that it most stop and the right steps are taken, the issue will be addressed.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

34

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

Nigeria has been unfair to Isoko Nation, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, a lawyer and human rights/political activist recently informed his Isoko people of his intention to represent them in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He told BOLAJI OGUNDELE in this interview why he joined the race.

W

HAT was that gathering a moment ago all about?

It was to declare publicly my intension to enter the race for the Federal House of Representatives to represent the Isoko Federal Constituency. The Isoko people have only one representative and I intend to be that representative.

They have a representative until now, why would they need another one in place of the current occupier?

It’s obvious, I don’t think he has represented the Isoko people well, there is nothing we can say or that can be attributed as a gain or benefit from the federal government that his representation has made possible, nothing. In fact, the loudest cry out of Isoko land right now is that of extreme marginalisation, to the point of near ostracization, as if we are not part of Nigeria, like what is part of Nigeria in Isoko land is its oil and gas, not the people, not the land, but the oil and gas and which is of course piped away under our feet and the one that cannot be piped away is flared into the air to further pollute the atmosphere. In terms of the people and the land in Isoko, here’s no federal presence, it’s as if we are not part of Nigerian and if a representative of the Isoko people in the federal legislature has not been able to draw attention to this, then he’s not been doing a good job, obviously someone else needs to do that job.

What do you think you will be doing differently if your people decide to send you to the House of Representatives?

Of course, it automatically means that I will be a louder, more effective advocate of the people to redress the injustice, the long running injustice being done to Isoko land. I can list a whole lot of things being done to Isoko land; Isoko is almost being excluded from the amnesty programme, which leads to the training of youths of the Niger Delta to develop their human capacity, acquire skills that can make them productive and responsible citizens. You can go through the list of all the people who have been benefitting, may be you’ll find a handful, but even there, within what is meant for the Niger Delta, Isoko is being excluded. I know that the job of a member of the House of Representatives is not limited to his constituency because it’s a national law making body, I am a lawyer of 23 years standing at the bar, I’m a human rights and democracy activist, I’m a writer and scholar, I think I know what it takes to make good laws for the country. I’ve been a public commentator right from my days as a student and I currently write a column for Vanguard every fortnight so I have been deeply entrenched in the issues of Nigeria right from the start, you will only say I am only now turning my attention to so

called local issues, but all politics is local, you cannot separate the local from the global.

You cannot separate the absence of good drinking water in Oleh from the absence of good drinking water in Kafanchan. You cannot separate insecurity in Ozoro from insecurity in Yobe or Mubi. So all local issues are in the end global, it is only now that I’m actually drawing my attention to the local issue, knowing full well that they are also global.

But I am fully conscious of the fact that as a member of the National Assembly, my duty is not only to my community, but to the whole of Nigeria and I am sure that under any standard objective measurement, I will be the best candidate to occupy that seat.

Before we start about what will you will be doing when you get there, let us talk about the process of getting there.

Nigeria’s politics depends very much on money, they say, are you ready to spend money the way of Nigerian politics?

One of the reasons why I’m going into this race is that I hope, by my campaign, to point towards the direction where our politics should go. I hope to show that if you involve the people, you don’t necessarily need to rob the bank or loot the treasury to the bottom before you can be elected to office, in fact the truth is that money politics does not really work. What we have seen is that the will of the

people is never allowed to be expressed; people vote one way and fictitious results are announced somewhere else or they prevent voting all together, snatch ballot boxes, cause confusion, hire thugs who will be shooting on that day and scare people away, they thumbprint the ballot papers and announce results.

If you allow the will of the people to prevail, as we saw with June 12, as we have seen in pockets of elections here and there, money becomes a factor, but not the determining factor and it is a factor because we know to move from point A to point B you will buy petrol, you will pay to print posters.

You will do some other things which money must necessarily do. If it’s only that kind of money that you spend, we will not say it’s moneybag politics, it’s just the necessary amount of money you need to spend.

However, I’m fully aware that our politics has been so corrupted and sometimes you can’t blame the people; they vote for a candidate and just four years the candidate has become a multi-millionaire and when time comes again, the people will say ‘we voted for you and all you did was becoming a millionaire’. So in a way, it’s a certain kind of demanding something back and it’s their money that has been stolen.

The only message I have for those who will come under the influence of money politics is ‘if they bring their money they have stolen from you,

•Dr Ifowodo

take it, prepare yourself a good meal, eat it, but then go to the polling booth and vote your conscience. I can assure you that in my campaign, we will rely on ordinary people, people who want change in Nigeria, who will be willing to contribute their money to the

campaign and they can only contribute only as much as we need to do the necessary work of organising, not to buy votes, that’s not what our money will spent on.

You have chosen to vie on the platform of the APC and they say around here that the

Foundation lifts health sector in Delta with N100m M TN Foundation has donated mobile clinic worth over N100 million including medical consumables lasting for a year to the Delta State government.

The event which held recently was witnessed by a large crowd including the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and members of the State executive council.

The colourful event held at Asabathe Delta State Capital.

The project is under the first phase of the MTN Foundation Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme (MTN F Y’ello Doctor Project) Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan praised the telecommunication giant for contributing to its human capital development agenda, urging the private sector to emulate the good gesture.

Uduaghan, while recounting his experience as a young medical doctor, said the mobile clinic”gives me emotional memories”.

According to him, as a youth corps

FromOkungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

member, he had two jobs which comprises manning the local health centre and the mobile clinic.

He said the mobile clinic was deployed to remote communities.

Uduaghan said the most fulfilling aspect was the ability to give healthcare to rural folks.

He said: “The more fulfilling part of my job was the ability to provide healthcare to these rural folks. The healthcare means a lot to these people.

We take the rural poor for granted, because health means a lot to these people.”

He appealed to the MTN Foundation for support in its dialysis programme, adding that such support would enhance the first kidney transplant performed at Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

He assured that the mobile clinic would be used for the purpose for which it was donated, while advising the medical personnel to put the

•Uduaghan (second left) cutting the tape to inaugurate the Y'ello Doctor in Asaba. With him are Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (left), Ms. Ugboma and Commissioner for Health Dr. Joseph Otumara.

equipment to good use.

The Executive Secretary, Nonny Ugboma, said the event was in “keeping with the promise MTN made to Nigerians when the MTN Foundation was established in 2004: to improve the quality of life in our communities”, adding that through

this intervention the telecommunication giant is “contributing to government’s efforts to enhance the quality of health care in the country thereby improving and transforming lives”.

The project, which is in its first phase has a total of 6 state-of-the-art

mobile clinics deployed in six states nationwide including Abia, Delta, Ogun, and Taraba and one each in the North Central and Northwest zones of the country.

The project has been inaugurated in Taraba, Abia, Ogun and Delta states.

•The m

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

35

NIGER DELTA REPORT BRIEFLY

, says Ifowodo ‘

The PDP is a rigging machine - that is the only way they get to power, they don’t win free and fair elections, not only in Delta state, everywhere.

May be now and then there are good candidates and they win free and fair, but in general the PDP has been a huge votes rigging machine

‘

South-South is exclusively PDP, what do you hope to do to turn the table?

That is a fiction, a myth; that idea that Delta state is a PDP stronghold. If you know how all the elections have gone, they have been very contentious, even going as far as the

tribunals and the Court of Appeal. So that already tells you that it is not a place where PDP can come and have a landslide.

We also know that the PDP is a rigging machine - that is the only way they get to power, they don’t win free and fair elections, not only in Delta state, everywhere. May be now and then there are good candidates and they win free and fair, but in general the PDP has been a huge votes rigging machine and this is not only me saying that; after every election monitors will issue their reports, after 2003 it was deemed as a joke, even Yar’adua himself admitted it and that was why his promise was to set up an electoral reform commission, which he did and Justice Uwais issued a fine and brilliant report on how to save our polity from the rigging machine called the PDP. Of course, I know that other parties rig, but it’s the party in power that takes the biggest blame for rigging.

We saw what happened to the Justice Uwais report; they cherry picked it, selected the ones they wanted and left the meat of it and threw it away.

Delta state is not a PDP fortress, late Senator Ewerhido won from a minority party, the DPP. But speaking for Isoko land, I can assure you that Isoko land is far more progressive than that and that they will resist any attempt to rig this election and that if their will is freely expressed then the APC will have what will amount to a landslide because APC stands for change, the people of Isoko land, whom I’m going to represent as Isoko Federal Constituency, are yearning, pining, dying for change and they will go with the APC

‘Empowerment projects behind my popularity’

O

NE good turn, they say, deserves another. This is true for the people of Rebisi community in Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt, who have given the nod to Hon. Wodo Lucky Stanley, the Councillor representing Port Harcourt Ward 11 in Port Harcourt City Local Government of Rivers State to seek a second term.

The lawmaker told Niger Delta Report that his people want him to go back so as to complete some projects he has initiated in his constituency. Hon. Wobo was elected in June 2011 and has two months left to go.

But his constituency projects especially in the area of youths and women empowerment, through his 30, 30, 30 pet project speaks volumes of him. He said the idea was to change people’s impression toward some councilors who are unable to provide the dividends of democracy to their various constituencies.

Branded the “Action Councillor”, his achievements have not only stands him out in the midst of crowd; it has also made him a political celebrity in his ward and outside his constituency. This is attested to by awards he has received since he was elected. He has also been pencilled to receive a Honorary Doctorate Degree Award in Grassroots Politics and Empowerment by a USA-based university.

He received an award of Excellent Service and Humanity from Rotaract Club of Port Harcourt and a Character Award, from the League of Character Club of Nigeria. His achievements also attracted his alma mata, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), to confer Exemplary Leadership award on him.

Wobo explained it was on this premise that his people decided that he should ask for more tenure to complete some of his projects he initiated in his ward.

He disclosed that despite his contribution to empower

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

youths in the area of skill acquisition he also registers 30 youths for the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) as well as give N20,000 non-refundable loan to 30 women in the area.

“The money I gave to women was to assist them to start up something especially the traders. One other thing that has made me prominent in my ward is my ability to ensure that people, especially p r e g n a n t women, have access to free medical care.

“I am very happy that I am serving my people in this capacity and I will be glad to •Stanley have more as they requested. My lovely wife is the pillar of my encouragement for giving me the go-ahead for the empowerment programmes taking place in my ward.”

Cross River communities under siege

R

ESIDENTS of the neighbouring communities of Usumotong and Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State are living in constant fear of an outbreak of violent clashes.

The local government, which is incidentally where Governor Liyel Imoke hails from, has been involved in violent clashes in the recent past over farmland, where over 15 have been reportedly killed from both communities.

Though the disputed land had been confiscated by government and soldiers drafted to the area, the feeling of an impending clash is still palpable.

When our reporter visited the warring communities security agents were spread in

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

various locations.

However in various other locations, groups of young men were spotted with machetes and dane guns in combatant moods.

A resident of Ediba, Ekoro, who spoke to our reporter, said despite security presence they are still living in fear.

"We believe warriors of both communities are mobilising themselves even as we speak to unleash more mayhem. Several deaths have already been recorded because of this crisis and we are praying more lives are not lost," he said.

Also a resident of Usumutong, Enya, said the situation was a major challenge to both communities

and social and economic activities have been seriously affected.

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, representing the Central Senatorial District where the troubled area falls, said extending development to the communities is part of the strategy that will guarantee the return of peace.

Ndoma-Egba, who was recently on an inspection tour of projects facilitated by him in the six local governments that make up the senatorial distric,t ran into a contingent of youths along the Ediba and Usumutong boundaries carrying weapons and seemingly preparing for a clash.

Speaking on the situation, Ndoma-Egba said: "Even while we were there, there

was some build up of tension where you saw some people moving with cutlasses and dane guns, and you saw also the presence of soldiers and policemen. I believe the way to solve the problem is to take development to the people.

"That is why in spite of the crisis, we are still striving to take development to the people believing that when they see development, when they see substantial progress in their lives, their lives will have so much meaning that will remove that tendency to be prone to wasting people's lives that could be enjoyed.

"So part of the strategy to bring peace to the area is to push development to them to as much as possible to see how that would bring peace to the area."

POWA urges policemen to be responsible

T

HE chairperson of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Rivers State chapter, Mrs Chinyere Ogunsakin, has urged police men to look after their families, even when on special duties.

She spoke during a visit to the MOPOL 19 barracks when the expectant wife of a policeman who has not contacted his family for seven months, Mary Emmanuel, was presented to her. The husband is on special duties.

Mrs Emmanuel, who is seven months’ pregnant woman, has three children.

She gave a tearful account of how she had not seen or heard from her husband for the past seven months.

She explained that her husband, who

The mobile clinic presented to the Delta State goverment

The MTN Foundation Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme, according to Ms. Ugboma, is just one of the many projects under this portfolio include the MTNF Medical Support Project (MSP) MTNF Eye Sight Restoration

Intervention Scheme(MTNF EyeRIS), Annual MTNF Community Health Screening Project and the MTNF Sick Cell Project.

Ms. Ugboma said MTN also invested in education and economic empowerment.

R

By Jude Isiguzo

has been on special duties in Plateau State, has not called or sent any massage

to his family, adding that she suspected that her husband might have died. She said all attempts to reach him have failed.

Mrs Ogunsakin, who could not hold back tears , donated cash gift to the family for their upkeep. She called for contact to be immediately made to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police to search for Emmanuel.

The POWA chairperson called on officers to be more responsible, responsive and family-oriented.

During the visit, Mrs Ogunsakin interacted with the kids at the Presbyterian, Catholic and Apostolic nursery and primary schools in the barracks.

Rivers CP urges traditional rulers, chiefs to fish out criminals

IVERS State Commissioner of Police Tunde Ogunsakin has urged traditional rulers and chiefs to assist the police fish out criminals.

Ogunsakin said criminals live in communities and the only way to effectively police communities was when the chiefs help fight against crimes.

He spoke during a meeting between the police and traditional chiefs in Port Harcourt.

Ogunsakin said he would

By Jude Isiguzo

ensure the reconciliation of aggrieved members of state’s Council of Traditional Chiefs.

The CP, who expressed his respect for traditional institution, said the forum was predicated on the need to ensure peace and security in the state.

He said his mission to the state was to enforce the law, maintain peace and order and ensure a crime-free society.

Ogunsakin said he was in

Rivers State to strengthen, restructure and revamp the police.

The chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Ginikanwo, Gbenemene Tua Tai, said the council was willingness to work with the commissioner who he described as a complete professional policeman.

In the interactive session that followed, a number of is-

sues were raised by the royal fathers present. The issues raised include: the need to locate the point of supply of arms into the state, equipping of police in communities and provision of protection for traditional rulers and informants.

They hailed the CP for the cordial relationship he has established with service chiefs, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other stakeholders since he assumed office.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

P

OLITICS is a game that outsiders are bound to find fascinating, especially the variant practised in this clime. A father can sell his son or daughter all in the name of politics. Blood, in politics, is not thicker than water. In politics, a relationship of decades can come crashing down all because of interest. Like they say, in politics, there are no permanent friends but interests. This means what matters is interest. To hell with everything else.

Today, I want to tell the story of two political men whose relationship of late, to me, typifies politics Nigeriana! One answers Goodluck; the other is called Godswill.

In political terms, Goodluck is more relevant.

He controls power at the centre. Godswill operates at the second wrung of the ladder.

For some time now, Goodluck has been having running battles from all angles. He needed people to work with him in tackling the challenges. Godswill was one of those who stuck out their necks for him. On his behalf, Godswill abused everybody possible. With words drilling with sarcasm, Godswill fought Goodluck’s enemies.

With the way the duo carried on, it was like no one can ever see through them. But the first sign that people like me saw which made us feel all that glitters is not gold was when a man who goes by the name King, another close ally of Goodluck, started campaigning to succeed Godswill, a development that obviously did not go down well with His Excellency.

I wondered then what was wrong. I asked why Goodluck would be sponsoring a candidate for a position his chief loyalist had his own agenda. I got no answer. Now, the answers are tumbling out and we sure will get more as the days go by.

In case you are still wondering, Goodluck is none other than our President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan. And Godswill is His Excellency— the good boy of Niger Delta— Obong Godswill Akpabio, who rules over Akwa Ibom.

Check the newspapers of recent, especially The Nation, and you will have a feeling that a political war is on in Akwa Ibom. Daily, advertorials upon advertorials are published.

Some by pro-Akpabio elements; others by antiAkpabio elements. Two important ones, which put in perspective the relationship between Goodluck and Godswill, appeared last week in this newspaper. One was the communique of a meeting by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party held a meeting at the Government House, Uyo, where a vote of confidence was passed on Akpabio and a vote of no confidence was passed on the Adamawa-born Ahmed Gulak, who was sacked on Tuesday as Political Adviser to the President. The attack on Gulak was seen in bad faith by Chief Don Etiebet, who said he shunned the meeting for reasons,

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Goodluck and Godswill

•Jonathan

•Godswill

including the fact that it was supposed to have taken place at the party’s secretariat. Etiebet feels attacking Gulak, who might have been in Uyo on the president’s instruction, amounts to attacking Jonathan himself. He feels Akpabio should not have allowed that to happen. To him, if Gulak committed any infraction, the governor ought to have reported him to the president privately instead of ridiculing him publicly. Did Gulak’s sack have

anything to do with this? Former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai does not think so. He believes Gulak will resurface as the Director-General of the Jonathan-Sambo Campaign Organisation. PDP chair Adamu Muazu sees Gulak as arrogant.

The poser from all these is: Is all well between Jonathan and Akpabio, especially as it concerns who leads the state next? Neither of them has publicly acknowledged any

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

Isoko is almost being excluded from the amnesty programme, which leads to the training of youths of the Niger Delta to develop their human capacity, acquire skills that can make them productive and responsible citizens. You can go through the list of all the people who have been benefitting, may be you’ll find a handful, but even there, within what is meant for the Niger Delta, Isoko is being excluded __

‘

Dr Ogaga Ifowodo

R

rancour, but some say things may fall apart soon. And I ask: is history about repeating itself? In 2007, when then Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah was leaving office, Akpabio, who was his Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, was not his choice. He preferred Bob Ekarika, his son-inlaw. But, the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, favoured Akpabio. At the end of it all, the Presidency had its way and Attah was made to nominate a deputy. He chose his former Commissioner for Information Patrick Ekpotu, who did not last long before falling out with Akpabio. His successor as deputy governor has also since been replaced.

Akpabio has not publicly acknowledged who his choice for a successor is. Many believe it is Udom Emmanuel, his latest Secretary to the State Government, who was a top gun in the banking world. The governor has clearly said he would prefer his successor to be from Eket. Emmanuel is from Eket. But is Aso Rock thinking the same way with Akpabio? If not, then we may see a replay of the 2007 scenario, when Akpabio emerged.

The battle, no doubt, has begun. Last week, Commissioner for Finance Bassey Akpan and Commissioner for Rural Development Effiong Abia were sacked in what observers say is a continuation of the intense politicking in the build up to the 2015 elections. The governor also approved the immediate removal of the chairmen of some Boards of government parastatals and agencies. The affected chairmen include those for Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited (APICO), Sunny Udom; Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited (AKWCL), Patrick Ifon; Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation (AKNC), Dan Akai; and Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Alex Nyong. The Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Management Board (AKEPMB), John Asikpo; and that of Akwa Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development, Tony Esu, were also sacked.

The decision to sack the commissioners and the aides, explained the government, was “in view of the need to re invigorate the machinery of government and drive further the Uncommon Transformation Programmes of the state.” But, beneath this official reason is politics. Politics of 2015. Akpan, for instance, wants to be governor. He is said to be strong.

So, interests have clashed and things have got to give way, simple! After all, there are no permanent friends, but interests.

It is worthy of mention here that the battle for the soul of Akwa Ibom is not just a matter of Goodluck and Godswill. Many people of Ibibio extraction are also unhappy with the governor. They say he cannot choose for them.

Akwa Ibom is sure a state to watch as we journey to 2015. The plots are unfolding. Stay tuned.

•Last Word is Niger Delta Report’s verdict on Southsouth affairs

Brick House…Danagogo’s home goal

IVERS State-born Minister of Sports Dr Tammy Danagogo was until some months back a commissioner in the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He became a minister few eeks after quitting the administration to take sides with the federal forces battling his then boss.

Before him, a fellow Rivers indigene and Ikwerre son, Nyesom Wike, has been in the Goodluck Jonathan cabinet and was a major force in the Rivers crisis. Wike, like Danagogo, was also in Amaechi’s administration as Chief of Staff.

As colleagues in the cabinet, Danagogo and Wike are now the best of friends or what explanation can there be for Danagogo’s endorsement of Wike as Amaechi’s successor.

The Sports Minister, in an advertorial in this newspaper, spoke at a summit in Ahoada, where some Kalabari and Bonny leaders met.

Danagogo described Wike as a dogged fighter for the enthronement of democracy in Rivers State. He also equated himself with the people of Kalabari and on their behalf endorsed Wike.

Obviously aware of the fact that since 1999 a section of the state has been in power and that Wike hails from the same area with Amaechi, who will finish a second term of four years next year, Danagogo warned against zoning. For obviously selfish reason, he became an advocate of merit over zoning. He forgot that his party, the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believes so much in zoning that it is an integral part of its manifestos.

Danagogo’s posture is in sharp contrast with that of his people in the riverine area, who are seriously campaigning for the position.

Some weeks ago, Rivers Ijaw elders placed an advertorial in this paper and came close to declaring Wike as wicked for daring to take what belongs to their people: Rivers governorship.

The elders, in a statement on their behalf by the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Leaders of Thought, signed by Prof Dagogo Fubara, Alabo Biekpo Jack, Amaopusenibo Diri, Dr Francis Minimah, Capt Paul Akins, Sunday Paul, Chief John Egongh, Mr Ubokineme Owor and Gilbert Mkparo, said the Supervising Minister for Education “caused a few self-serving politicians in the two local government areas, ostensibly, to induce the endorsement of his governorship ambition, and cause same to be published and carried in both print and electronic media”.

They said: “We shall resist any such attempts at turning the two local government areas into a theatre of war. Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro people are too sophisticated to mortgage their tomorrow for a pot of porridge today. No amount of money can make us sell our right to the Brick House, come 2015.

“While we do not begrudge any person or

group in Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro communities from taking any political position, it is our unequivocal stand that such a position should, and must not have the colouration of the majority of the people. The quest for pecuniary benefit by a few selfish polliticians in the area leaves a sour taste in our mouth. Such elements are willing tools in the campaign for the promotion of divisive tendencies. Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro communities had gone through very painful moments of political reclusion, and we do not intend to go back there.

“In so far as the people of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas are concerned, we have either considered, nor approved any Governorship candidate for Rivers State. We therefore call on all discerning, nor approved any Governorship candidate for Rivers State. We therefore call on all discerning minds to discountenance the induced, misleading and deceitful planned endorsement of Chief Nyesom Wike for the exalted office of the Governor of River State.”

Obviously, the position of these leaders of thought that a Kalabari man like (Danagogo), an Opobo man or a Bonny man should be given a the chance to lead the state means nothing to the sports minister. He prefers to be led by another Ikwerre man for another eight years! Call it a home goal and only a few will argue it.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

37

SHOPPING

PZ Mamador oil shines at Lagos food fiesta

F

OOD festivals are key part of the culture of most vibrant and successful economies.

They are colourful and important addition to a country’s attraction for tourists.

Countries, such as America, German, Britain, and Austria,boost hundreds of food festivals, which allow them to showcase their food culture and leading food brands.

Now, Nigeria has keyed into the trend, which is why Aresveepee Limited, an events company, organised the just concluded inaugural edition of the Nigerian Food Fiesta at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

PZ Wilmar, makers of Mamador oil, decided to support innovation and entrepreneurship when they sponsored a table at the food fiesta, frying and cooking all sorts of delicacies-burns, fish, puff and the likes with Mamador cooking oil. At the event in which leading cooking brand emerged after 15 months of entering the market, has won the hearts of several consumers who have tasted and believed it is 100 per cent pure.

Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

A restaurant owner, who uses Mamador oil since it entered the market, said she has more customers than before. Mama Serah of Delicious Food Restaurant in Gbagada, Lagos, said she hasn’t used other cooking oil since she got to know about Mamador.

“For my kind of business, I need a healthy, affordable, and tasty cooking oil and Mamador fits into my choice of a perfect cooking oil.

I add a little to my meal and my customers keep coming. They now eat healthy meals at my place,” she said.

The product has since found itself in major stores, groceries, supermarkets and shopping malls across the country Mamador is said to provide tasty and healthy meal solutions. As cuisine, cooking habits, and tastes continue to evolve, the brand is the helping hand to the woman who is the meal provider in the kitchen by continually helping to create good food moments.

The brand, according to its mak-

•Deputy Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, Mr Williams Effiok, inspecting the longest table at the Mamador stand.

ers, has been formulated as the best cooking oil, bringing renewed excitement to retailers and consumers.

Mamador oil is sold for between N1, 000 and N300, depending on the size.

Ndidi Ezeudeuyi, a brand management staff member of PZ Wilmar, said: “The company is

•Eniola Ositelu (MM of ICM), Rachel from Truworth, Ifeoma from Gene Bendi, Easter Bunny, Efe from EXP marketing, & Bright from Mango & Kidz Ccountry.

Winners emerge in Ikeja City Mall promo

W

INNERS have emerged from the just concluded Ikeja City Mall two-fold promo tagged, Easter Bunny & 50th Consumer promo.

While six winners who emerged from the ‘Easter Bunny Promo’ won prizes from gifts donated by stores in the mall, four winners from the ‘50th Consumer Promo’ received shopping vouchers to shop in select stores in the mall.

Participating stores gave out mouth-watering gifts to lucky winners. Owen and Gert gave a pair of shoes and shirt; US Polo Association gave out four polo shirts; Silverbird Cinema gave out 10 movie tickets and Swatch gave out wristwatches, V- shop gave out Ol-

ympus camera, Kidz Country, Jack &Jones, Mango, Mr Price and Enzzo gave N10,000,N20,000, N25,000, N30,000 and N40,000 shopping vouchers. DSTV gave out a complete GOTV set while Black up & Montangne gave N8,000 worth make-over to 20 people.

The two-fold promo is to reward loyal shoppers who bought items worth N20, 000 and above in a purchase receipt during and after Easter. The promo, which kicked off on April 7, ended two days ago with a draw.

Throughout the promo, drop boxes were positioned at the three entrances of the mall, where shoppers deposited their receipts with their details written on them.

For the 50th consumer promo, receipts were submitted to the Marketing Manager of the mall, Mr. Eniola Ositelu.

The concept of the 50th consumer promo is that sales representatives of all stores in the mall would count shoppers that walk into their individual stores till they get to the magic number 50. Then, the lucky person is expected to spend N20, 000 in that particular store to qualify for the raffle draw. But if the shopper spends less, the next shopper to spend the required amount takes that slot.

In attendance at the mall’s management office were representatives of the mall’s tenants, the mall’s management team and reporters.

in partnership with the largest cooking oil makers in the world to bring this high quality cooking oil to Nigerian consumers.”

“At PZ, we firmly believe in our mission to bring high quality healthy nutrition to consumers and as leader of cooking oil brands in

Nigeria, we are delighted to be in support of the first food fiesta in Nigeria.”

She added: “Cooking can be fun only if the right ingredients are used and to make tasty meals always, it is important to buy only trusted cooking oil.”

S

quickly growing accustomed to mitigating purchase risk by tapping into the vast pools of information assembled online.

Online shopping to hit $371b by 2017

HOPPING has undergone a revolution, and it is still changing. It started with an Internet bookstore and an online swap introducing new ways to shop.

Fast forward two decades, and online shopping continues to grow.

In its report, “US Online Retail Forecast, 2012 to 2017,” Forrester predicts that online shopping will reach $371 billion by 2017, when it will account for 10 per cent of all retail sales. The explosion of digital devices and media, open information, real-time word of mouth, and same-day delivery illustrate the landscape is still being created. Today’s shopper is different. The old paradigm days of browsing aisles, reading box sides, and asking questions of store associates have already been replaced by shoppers beginning their research in the digital medium — not just for heavily researched and considered categories like durable goods, but also for lower-priced, fast-moving consumer goods.

Why? We’re afraid of making the wrong choice: Will I like it? Will my friends like it? Will it actually do what it says? Is it safe? Is it healthy? Is it green? When I went to a baby store recently with the assignment of buying a car seat, I couldn’t get comfortable with the idea of just picking something off the shelf and buying. I had to sit in my car first and research brands and models on my phone. Once in the store, I still couldn’t pull the trigger on the one I liked without first checking reviews online. We’re

The Multi-Device, Multi-Tab Shopper Under the old paradigm, people would signal their entry into the market by visiting their favorite store at a convenient time and browsing the right aisle to learn about options. For some purchases, it was worth the hassle of walking or driving to another store to compare more options; but in practice, most shoppers would buy from the first store they visited. Product brands and retailers made huge investments to create the right experiences in and around each retail chain to win that shopper.

In the new and still-changing paradigm, entry into the market for a new product purchase is much less linear — and much less centered on a visit to a single retailer. The stimulus to buy something may happen at any time. Most of us have a digital device at hand during most of the day: at work, it may be a PC; on the go, it may be a smartphone; at home on the couch, it may be a tablet.

We always have the ability to run a Google search or visit a retailer website to start learning about options. On the initial search, we may bookmark, pin, or email a couple options to investigate later.

Source: google

From right: Franchisee,Mr Biggs, Nnewi Sam Nnamonu; Finance Manager, Famous Brands, Adele Conradie; Director, UAC Restaurants Mark Hedderwick; Franchisee, Mr Bigg's, Abuja, Chichi Nwabueze; CEO, Famous Brands, Darren Hele; Group Managing Director, UAC Larry Ettah; Managing Director-UAC Restaurants, Derrick Van Houten; Franchisee, Mr Bigg's Broad Street, Funmilayo Olukogbon; Franchisee, Mr Bigg's Illorin 2, Moses Oluwasegun and Finance Director UAC Restaurants, Mr Muftau Fasasi, during UAC Restaurants Franchise Conference at Golden Tulip FESTAC Hotel, Lagos.

38

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Farmers from rural communities have been the focus of the adopted villages project undertaken by the Federal Government designed to institutionalise sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor.

Stakeholders see the project as having the potential to end rural poverty. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Tackling rural poverty through adopted villages A

IKALI Musa (not real name) is a farmer in the North.For years, he has been a subsistent farmer, planting maize and beans. Often times, he had experienced low yields or total crop failure due to poor rainfall.This is because his farm is situated within a dry land and susceptible to drought.

Added to this, he has not been benefiting from new agricultural techniques.

Musa is not alone in this predicament. There are thousands of rural subsistence farmers who have no access to farming techniques and input.

For these farners however, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The adopted village model of agriculture initiated by the Federal Government is beginning to turn the fortunes of these farmers around.

Under the scheme, Musa and others will be trained on modern farming methods and cultivation of drought tolerant crops (DTCs).

This will inevitably translate to improved yields and transform their lives from subsistence to commercial farmers.

Under the initiative, government and private organisations are increasingly adopting villages across the country.

The adopted villages’ project, which is akin to the extension worker’s scheme introduced in the defunct Western Region by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is designed not only to make farmers aware of the latest technologies but also demonstrate these on their farms.

At the end of the year, the village is expected to turn into a model for farmers from other villages to emulate.

Sakadadi is a quiet agrarian community in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. It is noted for growing maize but things have since changed for the communtiy after the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liasion Service (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria decided to adopt the village to impart technologies available in maize production.

A team from NAERLS are usually deployed in the village to enlighten farmers on how to plant, and dress the seeds, apply herbicides and fertiliser for improved crop yields.

The project has been making tangible impact on the quality of life and incomes of members of this community as the quantity and quality of agricultural output has increased.

As a strategy, research institutes are using the adopted village scheme to change the fortunes of local farmers. A farmer who identified himself simply as Abdulrahman said the scheme has changed the fortunes of his community. “We not only produce to feed ourselves and families now, we also have excess which we sell to get income to send our kids to school,” he said through an interpreter.

Determined to address the poverty challenge among rural farmers, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has directed the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) to revisit and revive the concept of adopted villages. ARCN asked research institutes to adopt villages to facili-

• Gwary

• Chikwendu

• Odedina

tate the trial of new research findings and dissemination of information technologies to farm families in the adopted villages.

Subsequently, successful researches from the adopted villages are adapted and replicated in new locations to benefit farmers.

In support of this initiative, the World Bank has approved a major funding forARCN to implement a project known as the West African Agricultural Productivity Project (WAAPP) to promote value chain innovation platforms in the adopted villages.

NAERLS, in collaboration with WAAPPNigeria conduct activities in seven adopted villages located in five agro-ecological zones across the country. These include Sakadadi,Kaduna;Nasarawan-Buhari, Kaduna; Tudun-Iya, Katsina; Shuwari, Borno; Nwogi, Niger State; Okolo, Oyo State, and Lodu-Imenyi, Abia.

The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, has two adopted villages.They are Oniyo village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. It is about 21kms Northwest of Ogbomoso town. The second is Moloko-Ashipa, located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Some of the activities carried out in adopted villages include evaluation of organic-base fertiliser for cassava/maize/melon, on-farm testing of high yieldng and pest resistant varieties of rice and dissemination of ethno-veterinary technologies and improved management practices to sheep and goat farmers.

Agricultural colleges are adopting nearby villages to help farmers improve their methods and increase yields.

In Oda village, Ondo State, the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure has a success story to tell with educating farmers in modern poultry management. The result is better eggs production and daily sales. The maize/cassava inter-cropping system chosen

by Eleyewo village farmers was used as a training resource for improving productivity in the system.

The Coordinator, WAAPP /ARCN adopted village programme, FECA, Dr Samson Odedina, said the programme has increased yields for small cassava farmers at Eleyowo village in Akure South Local Government of the state. Though village level processing facility was manual, farmers have been able to identifiy opportunities within the cassava value chain.

According to him, last year, the programme commissioned and trained Eleyowo farmer groups on cassava value addition with equipment support to enable them do business profitably.

FECA is one of the three colleges of agriculture adjudged qualified for second round

funding.

ARCN project of adopted villages and schools is based on performance in spreading proven agricultural technologies to schools and communities.

WAAPP-Nigeria’s National Project Coordinator, Prof Damian Chikwendu, said the programme was designed to strengthen the NARS to contribute to technology development, dissemination and adoption of new technologies to boost agricultural productivity through the adopted villages.

He said the specific objectives of adopted villages and schools are to enhance food security and market competitiveness, empower resource-poor farmers, enhance job and selfemployment opportunities for youths and women and augment sustainable natural resource management efforts of the communities.

So far, beneficiaries’villages have increased from seven to 23, while groups in the villages have increased from 21 to 105. Direct farmer-beneficiaries have reached a total of 16,500.

About 17 secondary schools nationwide are participating with over 18,500 pupils’ enrolments.

He said WAAPP and some universities are disseminating information on improved agricultural technologies through adopted villages to farmers. The institutions include Bayero University, Kano; Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto; Abubakar TafawaBalewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Technology, Yola; University of Agriculture, Makurdi, University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Abuja, FUNNAB Abeaokuta, FUT Akure, University of Nigeria, Nsuka; University of Calabar and the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

On the effective dissemination of agricultural technologies through the adopted villages and the Agricultural Research Outreach Centres (AROCs), he said the universities are expected to reach a minimum of 10,000 farming families in their vicinities. They are, particularly, required to note the performance indicators as part of their success stories. Such indicators, he said, include the number of people that are adopting the technologies as well as those taking to farming as a result of the new technologies.

The adopted villages and AROCs are located in the immediate localities and in the secondary schools in the neighbourhood of the research institutes, all within 20 kilometre radius.

The components of the projects are designed for developing technology and transferring such technologies to farmers. At the moment,

experts are seeing positive things coming up to farmers through the adopted village model scheme.

Crop protection specialist, Prof Daniel Gwary, said helping farming families increase production in a sustainable way and selling more crops is the most effective way to reduce hunger and poverty over the long term.

Gwary, who is of the Department of Crop Protection, University of Maiduguri, said helping farmers improve their yields requires a comprehensive approach that include the use of seeds that are more resistant to disease, drought, and flooding; information from trusted local sources about more productive farming techniques and technologies and greater access to markets.

For this reason, he said the ARCN has set up AROC in adopted villages and schools to help researchers interact and develop technologies that meet the needs of farmers in various agroclimatic conditions in the country.

He said the research centres will provide effective linkage between extension, research and farmers; and enable researchers to be aware of the social and economic environment in which their developed technologies will be applied.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of an AROC in Bwari Area Council, ARCN Executive Secretary, Prof Baba Yusuf Abubakar, said the programme would engage 5,000 farmers yearly in the participating area councils.

Represented by Director of Coordination and Technical Research of the council, Prof.

Olusola Oni, he said the research centres would provide effective linkage between extension, research and farmers; and enable researchers to be aware of the social and economic environment in which their developed technologies will be applied.

“The programme is impacting on the FCT through the dissemination of proven agricultural technologies and innovations from the NARS to farming communities and secondary schools in Abuja Municipal, Bwari and Kuje area councils,” Abubakar said.

Handing over the centres to the community and the school, the Coordinator of the programme, Dr Ronke Alao, said the inclusion of secondary schools in the programme is to spur pupils’ interest in agriculture and increase the application of improved technologies in their household farms.

While appreciating the gesture on behalf of farmers in the area, the leader of the farmers, Sarkin Noma, Salisu Galadima, commended ARCN for considering Kawu village, adding that farmers in the community will take advantage of the centre to improve their farming activities.

The programme is a collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, the West African Productivity Programme in Nigeria (WAAP-Nigeria) and support from the World Bank.

For watchers, the project has demonstrated the viability of poverty reduction through entrepreneurial capacity building. It could be repeated elsewhere.

‘The adopted villages and AROCs are located in the immediate localities and in the secondary schools in the neighbourhood of the research institutes, all within 20 kilometre radius’

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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AGRICBUSINESS

‘Why Nigeria cannot export cassava’

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IGERIA cannot export cassava because of the high cost of production, Country Manager, Harvest Plus, Paul Ilona, has said.

He said it is not profitable for farmers to export cassava at $220 (about N36,520) per tonne when locally the farmers spend more than N40,000 per tonne.

Besides, he said the sector still employs unimproved methods in the production of the crop, passing through the ordeal of producing small quantities for nearby markets.

Ilona said cassava crops face increasing competition through increased imports of competitively priced products because most farmers are yet to apply new biotechnology to improve their yields.

There are barriers to entry owing to the large scale of some of the market, quality requirements, variability in

Stories by Daniel Essiet

price, and the established contacts between European and North American importers and major exporters such as Thailand and Indonesia.

He said the Thailand cartel were dominating the market, making the export market highly competitive for new entrants.

Ilona said the local market for cassava is large and constitutes some products.

Thus for the markets to grow, there is need to expand the consumer base.

While there are indications that the wider North American and European populations are interested in new “exotic” foods, the expert stressed the need on the part of producers, processors and distributors to package, price and promote cassava foods locally.

According to him, if the country must play its leading role in the cassava production area, the increasing difficulties associated with commercial farming should be looked at.

He urged the government and stakeholders to adopt new technologies that would maximise the emerging opportunities for better nutrition.

“To revolutionise and boost agriculture, the country must also place premium on biotechnology in view of its vast potentials to multiply yields and nutrient capacity,“ he said.

Other experts agreed that the country cannot export the crop to foreign markets in commercial quantities for greater financial gains both to the country and the farmers due to consistent application of old-fashioned methods by farmers.

Wanted: Legislation on improved animal welfare From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

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TAKEHOLDERS have called for a new legislation to improve animal welfare in the country.

Speaking at a workshop to mark the World Veterinary Day, they also called for the education and enlightenment of the public on the importance of animals, adding that good animal welfare reduces the risk of disease transmissible to human and improves food safety.

A United States expert from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr Lora Davis, said compassion should be extended to animals because of their human-animal bond which has therapeutic effects.

She said responsible animal management affects land use, climate change, pollution, water supplies, and habitual conversation.

She urged veterinarians to be involved where animals are at risk or are about to be placed at risk and should not be complacent.

According to her, looking after animals improve their productivity, help to feed the population as well as reduce poverty in the society, adding that legislations, training and adequate financial and human resources are needed to improve animal welfare in the country.

She said: “In Nigeria, there is a weak animal welfare legislation and enforcement even as there are entrenched negative attitudes towards animal, inadequate political participation, declining cultural, and value system.”

The Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr. Markus Abong, said the council was working to ensure that animal welfare issues were properly captured in the curriculum of institutions in the country.”

Also, the former Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Junaid Maina, said the welfare of animal was as important as that of humans since contaminated beef could cause serious harm to human.

He called for the proper enforcement of the Animal Disease Act of 1988 that provides for the loading and off-loading of animals.

He added: “If we emphasise on this, we should be able to curtail this menace of cattle rustling. In Nigeria, 30 per cent of animal slaughtered are from the neighbouring countries and these stolen animals are actually ending up in our abattoirs.”

‘Nigeria needs more agro cargo ports’

T •From left: Mobex Technical Company Limited, Lagos, Mr Idowu Adeoya; Objective 4 Leader (Nigeria), Natural Resource Institute (NRI),United Kingdom,Dr Louise Abayomi; Managing Director, Thai Farm International Limited, Ogun State, Mr Louw Burger and Food Safety and Quality Specialist, Natural Resources Institute, United Kingdom, Dr Andrew Graffham at a cassava forum in Lagos.

Illegal fishing causing job losses, say expert, report I LLEGAL fishing is causing the nation job losses considering the number of households depending on the industry for their livelihood, a fisheries expert, Prof Martins Anetekhai, has said.

Anetekhai, who is the former Dean ,Faculty of Science,Lagos State University (LASU), said illegal fishing undercuts honest fishermen and seafood businesses that play by the rules.

West African nations lose about CFA 170 billion to ‘pirate fishing’

by North Korea every year, according to a Sub- Regional Fisheries Commission’s report released to the African Press Agency.

West African exports of fish products to the world market has declined from $500 million in the early

80s to $250 million the study reveals.

Though they are renewable resources, they are becoming scarce and expensive due to harsh realities of the market and overfishing by foreign vessels, especially North Koreans, whose 200 trawlers illegally fish in African waters yearly, the report claims.

The commission said big North Korean fishing vessels use, among other things, cables, levelling ropes and dynamites, flouting international regulations which prohibit the use of such types of fishing tools.

It explains that illegal fishing ac-

tivities are costing the West African region about three million jobs or 10 per cent of the workforce, considering the number of households depending on the fisheries industry for their livelihood.

The study, which resulted from a fisheries summit in Dakar, Senegal last month, further showed that due to such activities, local fishermen are unable to make a living from their economic activity, forcing youths to make desperate and sometimes deadly measures to seek greener pastures outside Africa.

It makes reference to the thousands of young men and women from Africa who drown yearly when their boats capsize while trying to cross the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean into Europe.

‘Inflation, interest rate stifle poultry growth’

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HE troubled poultry industry is not poised for a turnaround, the Vice-President (Agriculture) Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Mr Stephen Oladipupo, has said.

According to him, progress in the industry is stifled by inflation and high interest rate.

Oladipupo said the sector has seen difficult years, weighed by soaring feed costs and weak consumer demand.

He noted that the big run-up in corn and soybean prices has brought the industry to its kneels. The reason, he said, is the cost of raising animals, adding that feeds made mostly from corn and soybeans are now very expensive.

Besides, he said there were too many variables which are beyond the control of industry players.

Lagos Chapter Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Adedotun Agbojo, said the industry may collapse because of high cost of feeds,

adding that this has reduced returns on investment.

Because of the shortage of grains, by-products, oil cakes, prices of animal feeds have been on the rise, necessitating an increase in the cost of animal feeds to where most farmers are not able to sustain their products.

Farmers, he said, were managing their farms at a loss and as a result, many have already started reducing numbers, especially in poultry.

Poultry feeds by their quality and price are some of the major factors in determining the cost of poultry products, such as eggs, broilers and profitability of the poultry farm, he added.

Farmers, he noted, have had to absorb the increases without being able to increase the price of a crate of eggs or chicken.

He warned that if the trend persists, most poultry farms would have to reduce operations or close shop.

Poultry feeds produced by commercial feed mills, he said, were handicapped by inadequate raw materials.

He added that the increase in diesel cost by about 70 per cent has added to the problem.

The Director-General Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Mr. Onallo Akpa, said though the industry contributes over 25 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP), many farmers were being forced out of the business. He said: “Poultry producers who are still in business are operating below installed capacities and at a loss because of the high cost of basic raw materials for feeds.”

He lamented the electricity tariff, multiple taxation, high interest rate on lending and dumping of poultry products through smuggling which, he said is responsible for all kinds of diseases with attendant depreciating life expectancy.

HE construction of new private ports for agro exports is vital to attracting foreign investors to the sector.

President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr Tola Faseru, said global agribusinesses eyeing the international markets were concerned with inadequate numbers of ports to assist them move their produce, adding that this is a major reason for the country’s decreased ability to compete in the international market Despite being one of the continent’s largest agriculture exporters, the country has made little investment in the agro export logistics over the years, resulting in inefficiency and increased food export costs.

He said the ports and railways would need to double capacities to match the rate of growth in agro commodities produce across the country.

He said transport costs from the farm to the port, are higher and can be returned if the logistics system is improved.

The National President, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr Victor Inyama, urged operators to improve facilities at the seaports. He said the bulk of agricultural produce are exported through the ports.

According to him, the ports lack sufficient capacity and infrastructure to handle the increasing quantities of agribulk exports.

There are breakdowns of facilities during the peak periods, with queues of trucks building up outside the main ports’ gates, while vessels, too, struggle to find berths, he added.

Also, the spokesman for the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, RoboAdhuze, called on the government to be serious about declining transportation infrastructure to avoid significant short and long-term damage to the sector.

He said agro-industrialists have more reasons to lament, adding that the ports system and its logistics counterpart are letting them down. In parallel, significant efforts need to be made to finally build new railways and also to pave roads, to provide suitable connection between the production areas and the selected northeast ports.

Imo to revive Avutu Poultry Farm

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HE Imo State government has pledged to revive the multi-billion naira Avutu Modern Poultry farm, Obowo, established by late Governor Sam Mbakwe, but was later abandoned by successive administrations in the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha made the promise during a tour of the Obowo Local Government Area.

He said the government had engaged some foreign and local agricultural experts comprising a South African-based firm and Crux Industries (Nig.) Limited to resuscitate the farm.

The Managing Director, Crux Industries Nig Limited, Sir Frank Ibeziem, said the firm’s premises is a shadow of itself with dilapidated, decayed and ramshackled infrastructure, adding that arrangement had been concluded to restore the firm.

This entails feasibility studies, installation of a one million water tank, administrative and residential blocks and at least, two poultry beds which would stock above 30,000 birds, he said.

His words: “Imo Poultry capacity is 2.5 million birds a year, 40 million eggs a year, 13,000 birds a year, processing plant with cold room, hatchery, feed mill, 45 poultry houses in nine plots.”

Ibeziem, an industrial chemist, who was accompanied on the visit by other members of his management and Emma Anyanwu, had earlier called on the traditional ruler of Avutu autonomous community, Eze Abel Chukwuocha, in his place where Eze Edwin Iheanyichukwu Onubuogu and Eze Rufus Adndu also received him.

He pleaded for the cooperation of the Avutu community to enable his team to realise its mission.

Responding, the royal fathers through Eze Abel Chukwuocha noted that the revival of the poultry had become a challenge to the government, commending it for taking the bull by the horns to bring it back to life. The monarchs pledged their support for their project.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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BUSINESS

‘NNPC committed to gas delivery’

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•From left: Yakubu; Prof. Utomi and Group Executive Director Business Development, NNPC, Hajia Aisha Abdulrahaman, at the event.

Ogoni community seeks speedy trial of case against Shell

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HREE years after suing Shell in a London Court for oil spillage, the Bodo community in Ogoniland in Rivers State, is seeking speedy hearing of the case. The community has asked its chiefs and London solicitors - Leigh Day & Co - to fast-track the hearing of the case.

The Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Mene Slyvester Kogbara, told The Nation that the over 15,000 villagers wanted the matter tried speedily. He listed the group to include farmers, fishermen, artisans and traders.

The council, he said, also demanded from the lawyers why the case is delayed and what should be done to fast-track the hearing.

He said: “The community is worried about the delay hence the pressures from different angles to ensure that the case is fast-tracked.

The pressure is coming from the Council of Chiefs and the community. Meetings have been held to get the right support on the issue. Our solicitors have promised to fly to Nigeria in the next two weeks to give us the updates vis-a-vis efforts being made to speed up the hearing of the case.‘’

By Akinola Ajibade

Mene said the community believes that the court would favour it. ‘’We are not contemplating failure at the London Court where Leigh Day & Co has been standing as our Solicitors since the case started a few years ago.

The last thing on our mind is defeat at the court. We have enough evidence that the oil spills have ravaged our land and affected socio-economic activities.

Shell has accepted responsibility for over two oil spills in 2008 that polluted the waterways of the fishing communities, even though it is insisting that the volume spilt and the number of those who lost their livelihoods as a result is exaggerated.

“Though the case has suffered delay, the victory is sure because the court has promised to be fair to all the parties concerned on the issue. Once there is a fair hearing and presentation in a court, victory is assured. Part of the demands is that Shell should come and clean the land since the communities are running short of food supply.’’

Mene said the community would not disclose the amount of compensation expected from Shell in line with the advice of their lawyers.

He said other community affected by the oil spills are Bomu, Gbe, K& B, Dere, and Kpor Gol. ‘’For technical reasons, we have agreed individually and collectively not to disclose the worth of the compensation expected on the issue of spillage and its attendant destruction to the environment,‘’ he added.

Efforts to get Shell’s spokesman, Precious Okolobo, to speak on the issue proved abortive. Text messages and calls made to him were not replied.

The battle for compensation began six years ago when the community discovered that spills from oil exploration have affected their land. The spills from Shell wells have ravaged many areas in the Niger Delta. The region has been hit by problems, including sabotage, kidnappings of oil workers, theft of crude, and conflicts between communities over clean-up contracts or compensation deals.

‘Enabling environment’ll make Nigeria oil, gas leader’

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REATION of a stable and investor friendly environment will help Nigeria maintain its position as Africa’s leading oil and gas producer, the Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Resources (OER) , Mr Olapade Durotoye, has said.

He listed short, medium and long term strategies that would keep Nigeria as Africa’s oil and gas leader.

He said in the short term, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be such that it would clarify both local and foreign investment decision making.

He explained that the marginal field award round due this year would unlock reserves to the independents oil firms, through the relinquishment clauses in place for proved undeveloped fields and divestments by international oil companies (IOCs).

He canvassed local legislation that would grant indigenous independents a competitive advantage and reinforced action

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

by the government and other stakeholders to ensure sustained curtailment of militancy and political strife in oil and gas producing areas, as well as crude theft reduction.

He urged the Federal Government to find alternative solutions to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Joint Venture (JV) funding problems, which the JV operators complain of unduly delays operations.

In the medium term, Durotoye said implementation of pro-exploration regulatory reforms is vital, adding that the continued global economic recovery eases capital markets and improves smaller independent producers’ access to funding.

He called for support to the power sector reform, which he

noted has increased domestic gas demand and has boosted Nigeria’s domestic gas industry.

On the long term, he urged the government to key into the long term progressive energy policies from producing countries and also support the increasing technology transfer to indigenous independents as a result of partnerships with IOCs. He stressed the need for liberalisation and consistency of government policies as enabler for economic and indigenous players’ growth.

Durotoye said harnessing the opportunities in the sector requires careful management of known risks,adding that on macroeconomic level, the global economy is slowly emerging from the crisis and activities are on the increase giving rise to future growth from emerging and frontier markets to replace demand growth in the developed world.

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it is committed to the Federal Government’s gas revolution agenda to ensure efficient gasto-power and gas-to-industry deliveries and sufficient gas supply for domestic consumption.

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu, spoke during the combined opening ceremony of the batches 073 to 079 capacity building programme of the NNPC tagged Chief Officers Management Development programme (COMDP) in Abuja.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, said Yakubu noted that the NNPC is saddled with ensuring that the abundant gas value chain is explored maximally, stressing that the corporation must do everything possible to make the gas revolution agenda succeed.

Yakubu admonished the participants to come up with creative ways of dealing with the target of fully monetising the gas resource endowment of the nation, which remains a crucial deliverable of the Federal Government’s gas revolution Agenda.

He emphasised that the management was fully committed to supporting the capacity development programme and will continue to provide all resources required to sustain growth of the programme.

In his lecture titled: “Gas

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

commercialication and economic growth,” Prof Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School, said the NNPC is required to deliver on the mandate of the gas-to-power strategy execution and effectiveness.

He noted that there was every need for the NNPC to build human capital focused on the gas knowledge economy that will ensure domestic gas utilisation and provision of strong gas infrastructure to protect the environment and bottle the gas for effective consumption.

The Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, NNPC, Dr. Dan Efebo, assured the participants of the preparedness of management to expose them to knowledge that will deliver on the various core mandates of the corporation.

The COMDP batches 073-079 comprised 375 candidates and they are expected to run a fourmodule programme, which includes leadership, problem solving research work, oil and gas fundamentals and emerging trends in oil and gas industry.

The programme, which is mandatory for senior staff, has equipped several members of staff with skills and competences for transition to management cadre in the last 24 years.

IPMAN chief harps on productivity

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HE National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo,has appealed to members to be committed to building a stable petroleum sector.

Okoronkwo, who made the appeal in Lagos, advised members that through such commitment the association would move the downstream sector forward and avoid intra-organisation wrangling.

He urged members to develop a sustainable model that would ensure uninterrupted fuel supply in distribution chain.

He called on the government to develop fuel haulage by rail through fixing the railways.

He also called on members to shun corruption and ensure steady distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria to prevent scarcity.

Okoronkwo, who took over from Aminu Abdulkadir, promised that his leadership would be devoid of selfishness and pursuit of parochial interests adding that accountability and efficiency would be the watchword of his leadership.

He expressed his readiness to stop the incessant harassment and victimisation of IPMAN members in some of the association’s units and give priority to their welfare.

Okoronkwo also commended the stability and growth in the petroleum sector during the tenure of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke.

He said a monitoring team would be inaugurated to ensure conformity in all the IPMAN outlets nationwide.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

The IPMAN chief said the association is leading the campaign on use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as against kerosene and noted that many Nigerians had switched from the use of kerosene to gas.

He assured that IPMAN would continue to work with Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in all the PPMC’s depots across the country to ensure seamless product supply to all nooks and crannies of the Nigeria.

Okonkwo said IPMAN members control over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s petroleum product retail outlets, a development that makes the association a dominant player in the downstream market, he added.

He also described the Nigerian Content Act as a major enabler for building indigenous capacities for the long term survival of the oil and gas industry.

“Nigerian Content Act is another achievement that epitomises the depth of the minister’s patriotism.

The step is to create opportunities for indigenous participation in the development of the nation’s oil and gas industry.

“Nigerians require leaders with a clear idea of what is required to attract real development to the society,” he said.

The IPMAN chief, however, condemned the activities of the pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves, saying the development has been a great challenge to optimising output from the nation’s refineries.

Chevron chief advises on Niger Delta growth

T

HE Executive Vice President of Policy and Planning of Chevron Corporation, Rhonda Zygocki has said the only way the Niger Delta region can reach its full potential is when all stakeholders start working together in new collaborative ways to provide an integrated platform for building capacity towards conflict resolution and long term development in the region.

Speaking during her visit to Nigeria, she said: “The Niger Delta will only reach its full potential when all stakeholders start work-

ing together in new collaborative ways to provide an integrated platform for building capacity for conflict resolution and long term development in the region.”

Zygocki, who was in Warri, Delta State as part of her working visit to Nigeria, took time to assess the progress being made by the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative (NDPI), established by Chevron in 2010 as part of its social investment strategy in collaboration with its Nigerian affiliate.

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THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

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POLITICS In this piece, the National Coordinator of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, highlights the achievements of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and contends that the people of the two Southwest states will vote for continuity in the proposed governorship elections because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates have nothing to offer.

Comtempting Yoruba Nation

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HAT Nigerian state, even at 54, remains a project of opposites, with the dubious reputation of exporting what it does not have while importing what it has in abundance, is very illustrative of her character and global standing.

That Nigeria’s report card on global corruption index has consistently been within the worst and most corrupt 10 nations in the last two decades is equally heart rendering and unpleasant to recall.

Otherwise, how can anyone explain the objective situation whereby Nigeria, the six or eight largest exporter of crude oil, contrastingly has over 80 per cent of its citizens among the poorest people in the world. Its no exaggeration that even in the last one and a half decades, Nigeria has pumped out averagely two million barrel of oil at averagely $100 per barrel per day. A simple analysis of such exercise will prove that Nigeria has earned huge billion dollars or several trillions of naira.

There is no commensurate evidence of such earnings on Nigerians. However, the Nigeria state is even having difficulty to regularly pay N18,000 basic salary to its workers. States and local governments have their monthly allocations slashed by 40 per cent in the last six months. Our social services have remained grossly scandalous, while every critical infrastructure has decayed and unsuitable for the 21st century.

Nigeria, according to the latest World Bank Annual Report, 2013, is among the world’s five extremely poor countries namely – India, China, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Furthermore, the United Nations Development Project 2013, Failed State Index Report indicates that Nigeria is placed as 153rd country out of 186 countries surveyed. No one should treat the matter with levity. The report also revealed that China and India have lifted 400 million and 300 million out of extreme poverty in the past 30 years. The Nigeria’s case is a regular degeneration of the standard of living of her citizens.

While the Nigerian state has spent several conflicting billion dollars figure on improved power supply from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure to the current one of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan regime, latest statistics on power generation, transmission and distribution have truly averaged two thousand megahertz at its peak, very humbling in deed.

The Nigerian state since under President Obasanjo has deceptively paid leap services about its determination to fight corruption; inspite of its setting up of two main anti-corruption organisations, EFCC and ICPC. The Jonathan administration aping his boss has ignored the House of Representatives recommendations on oil subsidy and uncovered crude oil criminality and corruption. The real oil barons remain untouchable.

No important friend of the Nigerian state involved in the racketeering that caused the country over two to three trillion naira loss has been successfully prosecuted thus far. The deputy director prosecuted for stealing 29billion naira was asked to pay 750,000 fine and sin no more. Except for crude experiment in the Nigeria state, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Aba Moro should have resigned or sacked for corruption and for presiding over a dubious recruitment exercise that rather than get our young people employed got them dispatched out of existence.

A very unique Nigerian system has even resulted in deceptive pastimes (exploiting the judiciary to escape genuine prosecution) particularly whereby most politically exposed persons e.g. governors, legislators, top public servants who have been charged for corruption by the EFCC and ICPC respectively have had their various prosecutions stalled. In some of the trial sessions and after several dubious adjournments, many of the accused have been granted perpetual injunctions restraining the anti-corruption bodies from further arresting nor prosecuting some of them. In fact some of the accused persons on trial in the immediate times have been acquitted and are already warming up to contest for governorship e.g Ayodele Fayose and Elumelu etc. However, the Nigerian state has now added a very disturbingly provocative stance to its unfortunate

characterisation by exhibiting gross insensitivity to public feelings, on who will be their candidates in the next set of election particularly in the south west zone as if there is no limit to political recklessness and shenanigans.

The latest political decision of the ruling PDP government to nominate an accused person who is still being prosecuted for criminal offence and someone who was prosecuted for murder until the so called acquittal of court ruling for Ekiti and Osun states respectively and possibly other accused persons being prosecuted for criminal matter and another former lawmaker whose discharged ruling remains suspect for Oyo and Ogun states respectively, represents a powerful exposition of the depth of contempt the PDP leadership has for the Yoruba nation as a whole.

No one should be under any illusion as to why Fayose and Omisore are the prized choices. For example, the ruling PDP must have had sessions of debates and conclusions before they deliberately picked aspirants with various negative bagaqes. While in Ekiti, 13 Aspirants out of 14 or 15 wanted a consensus, Fayose insisted on an “arranged” party primary nomination. No doubt, he has the ear of the ruling party executive and the presidency. The immediate reactions of the other aspirants were sharp and vengeful before each one recoiled to his or her shell except Prince Dayo Adeyeye who has and lately Abiodun Aluko since then have become the right hand men of Fayose perhaps after some negotiations. The silence of the others perhaps should not be construed as endorsement.

In the Iyiola Omisore’s so called emergence in Osun State, the PDP establishment must be playing a cruel joke on the Yoruba nation having regard to his immediate past history:- impeached deputy governor; suspect and accused person tried in Chief Bola Ige’s assassination; dubiously pronounced to have won a senatorial election while he was still at Agodi prison. What an entry by Nigeria into the Guinness Book of Records. Thanks to the electoral infamy schemed by the imperial General Obasanjo’s presidency.

Senator Adeleke’s withdrawal and interaction with the media on the PDP primary in Osun is an eye opener.

Furthermore, the choreogphed political ballon of the two had been devastatingly exploded in 2011 when they contested senatorial elections and were roundly defeated. One can therefore, state that their individual choices were not because they were rated as the best candidates rather it appears to represent the PDP pre-arranged answer to possible electoral heist in both Ekiti and Osun states in June and August instant. Along with such evil thought and design had emanated the constant categorical pronouncements of President Jonathan, Vice President Sambo and the new PDP Chairman, Alhaji Muazu that they will certainly win back their states in South-West zone. No one should ignore their crude threat because we have been warned by VP Sambo that Ekiti and the State of Osun are going to be battle ground.

I have no quarrel with positive aspirations and fanciful political media posturing. One can venture to advice caution in the current circumstances. The first and second republic in Nigeria collapsed much more on massively rigged elections, particularly in the Western Region.

The Yoruba nation has historically rejected products of rigged elections and they are most likely going to reject imposed politicians even now that they have now been experiencing active and productive governance. The NNDP and the NPC in the first republic and the NPN in the second republic secured for themselves “land-

• Opadokun

slide victories” which resulted to “gunslides” in return.

Those of us who laid down our lives for restoration of democracy to Nigeria with the attendant oppression, repression, dehumanization, detention, loss of blood and sweat, forced exile and ultimate sacrifice can again give them an unsolicited advice that they should perish the thought of using the variously discredited politicians in Yoruba nation to set confusion and crisis into our areas for their own selfish agenda.

Current governments of Ekiti and Osun states are responsible and responsive to peoples expectation The Yoruba Nation, except in Ondo State that I will not comment on in this commentary, have witnessed unequal productive and result oriented governance in all ramifications in recent times. Ekiti and Osun States whose governorship elections are slated for June and August 2014 respectively have seen practical demonstrations of credible specimen of what modern governance should be. No objective assessors can deny that Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola have performed creditably on the provision of social services and total re-vamping of infrastructure. From whatever parameters you decide to put them on scale, the two helmsmen have delivered on their individual promises they made. Fayemi has transformed educational standard including the upgrade of the capacity building of teachers that was initially opposed by the NUT, the renewal and re-configuration of the schools structure and environment has led to higher significant results particularly in the secondary school results in both WAEC and NECO examinations.

In Osun, Ogbeni has radically transformed the entire educational service. Through a well considered policy emanating from the report of the State Summit on Education, earlier on in the state of Osun, and has virtually turned most schools into construction sites. Most primary and secondary schools built during the Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s premiership of government have decapitated and constituted disasters in waiting before they were pulled down.

In their places, schools of the latest modern technology in architecture and engineering are being built. I cannot remember a government in modern times that has gone ahead to provide uniform for pupils free of charge. Primary and Secondary School pupils are being given a meal per day with the right nutritional values as reasonably suggested

by UNESCO. The duo of Governor Fayemi and Aregbesola have raised the bar on public education. While Fayemi is pursuing a policy of one child per computer, Ogbeni Aregbesola has scored a global feat in the provision of the TABLET OF KNOWLEDGE for the secondary pupils. Ogbeni Aregbesola has received global award for a uniquely pioneering technological device. In Osun, through this spectacular exercise, the Ogbeni’s government has deliberately empowered school pupils in the State of Osun to join the global community in technological expansion conquest. This feat will forever remain a milestone in Nigeria, continent and global community.

Government has saved billions of naira for itself and parents that they would have had to spend on text books. Efforts as we gather reveal that the Tablet of Knowledge will soon be manufactured in Osun to cater for the West African Region’s demand.

On infrastructure, except for crude politicisation of events, what Governor Fayemi and Governor

‘The latest political decision of the ruling PDP government to nominate an accused person who is still being prosecuted for criminal offence and someone who was prosecuted for murder until the so called acquittal of court ruling for Ekiti and Osun states respectively and possibly other accused persons being prosecuted for criminal matter and another former lawmaker whose discharged ruling remains suspect for Oyo and Ogun states respectively, represents a powerful exposition of the depth of contempt the PDP leadership has for the Yoruba nation as a whole’

Aregbesola have done in their two states are positively unequalled. Construction of urban and rural road has no historical precedence. The two states aesthetics reconfiguration along the greening of environment is unprecedented. As recorded by the media, Governor Fayemi in his on-going political campaign tour has been receiving enthusiastic support and pledge of loyalty because the various constituencies are satisfied with his performance and are therefore seeing to be commending the Ekiti Governor for fulfilling his election promises to them all. Watchers are regularly witnessing how community leaders, their traditional rulers and their political leaders are outspeak each others to praise Governor Fayemi and promising him of their electoral mandate so that he can do much more for them.

I am particularly curious to know the kind of financial gymnastics these darling governors have been engaged in, considering the fact that Ekiti and the State of Osun are in the 30 bracket positions in their allocations from the federation account. The two states are agrarian and civil service states. There was no meaningful evidence of productive governance by the PDP predecessors in offices. Whether you like or hate the duo, there are manifest evidence visible to the eyes that they are working and their two states are regularly getting better.

Where are Governor Fayemi and Aregbesola finding the resources to achieve the many spectacular services for their people? The duo are taking very important decisions to radically change the economic fortunes of their states through agrarian revolution. Capacity building in modern agriculture services including overseas training and its management are being vigorously pursued so that expanded agricultural activities will lead to agro-based industrial establishments. The great stride in agriculture is because the government wants to provide necessary employment for the teeming unemployed youth and to expand the base of economic prosperity of the people. No objective observer can fail to see the rehabitation of the few business ventures that have become moribund before they came to governance. I have heard and read in the media how the Ikogosi Warm and Cold Water Spring has become profitable through its turn around by Governor Fayemi.

Aregbesola has taken bold step to expand the base of tourist activities in the state of Osun. The Osun Osogbo annual festival has been receiving international attraction following Governor Aregbesola determination to attract tourists to many unique locations in Osun state, UNESCO has even named some of the annual festivals in its global tourist calendar.

Governor Fayemi and Aregbesola are bringing their pedigree, international exposure and connection to bear on their current services. Their wide network, local and global, is assisting the duo to secure global and national development support thereby positively partnering with the state governments. e.g in provision of water, agriculture and markets.

Let me confess to readers that when it was known that Governors Fayemi and Aregbesola have established social security or social welfare scheme variously described as Itoju Awon Agba, I thanked God for bringing the duo into governance for such a time as this like the biblical Mordecai told Queen Esther.

I and two friends authorised some credible young professionals to visit both Ekiti and State of Osun respectively to discretely examine the public feelings and opinions over the social welfare programme. In Ekiti state, the professionals interviewed recipients and people from their various local communities. The paultry Five Thousand and Ten Thousand Naira monthly allowance has had very positive spiral effects on to the economy of the various communities. It has fundamentally impacted on the physiology, sociology and psychology of the rural communities. The certainty of monthly allowance has resulted in recipients engaging in cooperatives activities, helping them to plan for their daily existence and prospects for future prosperity.

In the State of Osun; the Itoju Agba is not only God-sent; the senior citizens are given free medical treatment. Mobile clinics regularly visit them while emergency situations are promptly attended to. While Governor Aregbesola employed 20,000 youths in his first 100days, the unique employment system has received national and international approval as a case study even for the management of the World Bank, thereby making the Ogbeni’s mobilization capacity through various groups to become infectious. Graduates of the mobilized youths are being trained in various area of discipline which they have personally chosen so that after their training they are being given seed money to start up or their own to the extent that many of them are now employers of labour. After a set rotated out, new set are enlisted.

The PDP governing the Nigerian State should not even contemplating using their current authority on operational powers on the security agencies to manipulate the upcoming elections because events in Nigeria now are open to a wider range of social media coverage.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2 2014

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COMMENTARY

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N their deep-rooted research, scientists decided to coin a formula (H2O) and use it to analyse the natural contents of water. From such analysis, they identified the various types of water and its uses in an environment. They then concluded that water is actually the source of life for all living organisms. Water is ubiquitous in the environment. It comes from both the space and the earth.

According to Encyclopedia Encarta (1993-2008 edition), water is the major constituent of any living matter as it constitutes about 50 to 90 percent of the weight of living organisms is water. The basic material of living cells called protoplasm consists of a solution in water of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, salts, and similar chemicals.

Water acts as a solvent transporting, combining, and chemically breaking down these substances. Blood in animals and sap in plants consist largely of water and aids transportation of food and removal of waste material. It also plays a key role in the metabolic breakdown of such essential molecules as proteins and carbohydrates.

This process, called hydrolysis, goes on continually in living cells.

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Muslims and use of water Salat. Such a person cannot participate even in Salatul-Janazah on the body of the deceased person which he has just cleaned up until he has taken the purification bath.

Unique hygiene

Composition

Because of its capacity to dissolve numerous substances in large amounts, pure water rarely occurs in nature. During condensation and precipitation, rain or snow absorbs from the atmosphere varying amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases, as well as traces of organic and inorganic material. In addition, precipitation carries radioactive fallout to the earth’s surface.

In its movement on and through the earth’s crust, water reacts with minerals in the soil and rocks. The principal dissolved constituents of surface and groundwater are sulfates, chlorides, and bicarbonates of sodium and potassium and the oxides of calcium and magnesium.

Surface waters may also contain domestic sewage and industrial wastes while ground waters from shallow wells may contain large quantities of nitrogen compounds and chlorides derived from human and animal wastes.

Waters from deep wells generally contain only minerals in solution.

Almost all supplies of natural drinking water contain fluorides in varying amounts. The proper proportion of fluorides in drinking water has been found to reduce tooth decay and similar ailments.

Apart from concentrated amounts of sodium chloride, or salt, seawater contains many other soluble compounds, as the impure waters of rivers and streams are constantly feeding the oceans. At the same time, pure water is continually lost by the process of evaporation, and as a result the proportion of the impurities that give the oceans their saline character is increased.

Rainy season

Now, in Nigeria, like in many other African countries, we are approaching another season of rains when, as usual, water will be found everywhere but none will be available for drinking. This is the season in which the sky opens up its generous bowl to pour down water in abundance. But the earth has no room to accommodate the gesture.

This is a period when plants and animals feel that their needs for survival have been grossly exceeded. The world is often flooded with water everywhere and humanity becomes restive. The bounties of Allah seem to be too much for the need of man. In Europe, Asia, Africa and America, the story is one and the same.

The world is grappling with a deluge.

Blaming nature

When this happens, the tendency is for the scientists to lay blame at the doorstep of what they call global warming.

They will give many reasons, including the depletion of the Ozone Layer, as the cause. But many centuries before scientists began their research, the unlettered Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had taught Muslims how to handle environmental dryness as well as deluge. One of such solutions is to thank Allah and request for a moderation of His largess. This is the time to realise that moderation rather than excess of anything is the best in man’s

life. In Islam, there is no cause or effect of a matter that is not known or cannot be controlled by Allah. Whatever happens in the life of man is by Allah’s permission.

The world is like a queue. You enter it at a point and come out of it at another point. This is one major lesson which every Muslim has come to learn through the observance of daily prayers (Salat). In Salat alone where queues are essential, a lot of lessons are there to learn.

Ritual baths

The very basic lesson to learn in Salat is hygiene. As a new convert to Islam, you have to undergo a ritual bath called Ghuslu-s-Shahadah or Ghuslu-d-dukhul fil Islam (convert’s ritual bath) is performed with water. When you want to observe any Salat, be it obligatory or supererogatory, you must perform ablution with water. This is called Wudu’. If there is no water, you take to Tayammam (dry ablution). As a Muslim, after an intercourse with your spouse, you must perform a ritual bath called Ghuslul Janabah before you can observe any Salat.

When a Muslim woman completes her monthly menstrual period she must perform a ritual bath called Ghuslul Haydah before she can resume observance of Salat.

A Muslim woman who has just completed her blood-dripping period following child delivery must perform a ritual bath called Ghuslu-n-Nifas before she can resume observance of Salat.

A newly born baby in Islam must be taken through a mandatory bath called Ghuslul Wiladah which is also done with water.

Muslim pilgrims must commence their Hajj or Umrah activities with a ritual bath called Ghuslul Hajj or Umrah at their respective Miqat before they enter the condition of Ihram. When a Muslim, male or female is dead, a ritual bath is performed on his or her body. This bath is called Ghuslul Janazah. Anybody who carries out a bath on a dead body must also undergo a ritual bath of purification called Ghuslut-Taharah mina-n-Najasah (bath for purifying self from filth).

This is because a dead body in Islam is like a filth which must be disposed of as soon as possible before it starts to decompose and thereby constitute health hazard for the living. Whoever touches such filth has had a share of it and must therefore cleanse up before observing any

Muslims are expected to clean up with water through ablution at least five times a day. And, as a prophetic tradition prescribes, they are also expected to perform ritual bath on Fridays in preparation for Salatul Jum’ah though such bath is Sunnah (optional) rather than Fard (obligation).

Naturally, women, especially Muslim women utilise water much more than men.

They are the ones who take care of the children and, in the process; they clean up for them many times a day. Besides, women are the ones who must clean up for menses every month. They are the ones who must clean up ritually after 40 days, following child delivery. They are the ones in charge of matrimonial kitchens where they use water day and night. Thus, when the demography of women in any society is compared to that of men one can imagine the quantity of water consumed daily or weekly by women.

Given the fact that water plays a central role in the life of a Muslim therefore, two important conclusions can be reached. One is the fact that Islam is absolutely a religion of purity. And that is why Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said that “Allah is pure and He will not accept anything impure.” The second is that Muslims are the greatest consumers of domestic water in the world. This is because, besides using water socially, commercially or domestically like other human beings, an average Muslim uses additional one third of total water used by any non-Muslim on a daily basis.

Muslims’ attitude to dryness

It thus becomes understandable why Muslims feel more worried when there is dryness and water cannot be easily accessed. This is what led to the idea of a special prayer called ‘Salatul Istisqai’ (rainseeking prayer). This prayer randomly observed by Muslims when shortage of water becomes acute cannot be observed without water ablution. It is a way of reconfirming to Allah that the main purpose of our existence on earth is to worship Him just as the purpose of keeping domestic animals is to serve man. Salatul Istisqai which is usually followed by heavy rainfalls is a major evidence of an existing covenant between Allah and His faithful servants. The wonderful effect of that Salat contradicts any scientific theory. Non-Muslim meteorologists have always wondered how possible it is for rain to fall at an impossible time, following a congregational prayer by some Muslim faithful in a locality or region. But to their amazement, they have regularly seen the potency of such prayer in bringing rain not only for Muslims but for all and sundry. The question is: ‘can any other religious group do same to the advantage of mankind? This one trillion Naira question is still begging for answer even almost one and a half millennia after the introduction of Salatul Istisqai as a bringer of rain.

Seeking rain water

That Salatul Istisqai (special prayer for rain) actually brings rain even in a severely dry season remains a puzzle to unbelievers, especially in the West who see everything, including God, as a product of sci-

ence. Yours sincerely first took part in the observance of Salatul Istisqai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a student in that country, in 1976. The two rakat prayer had hardly been concluded when the sky opened its door and rain started falling in torrents. It rained for nine hours continuously in that desert country and flooded the entire Emirates like the historic deluge in Prophet Nuh’s (Noah) time.

It took more than a week before normal social and commercial activities could fully resume. I have since participated in the same exercise twice thereafter, once in Nigeria and once in Saudi Arabia.

The effect of Salatul Istisqai is not necessarily immediate. At times, it may take a week or more before the rain starts pouring. And, if, after some time, following the observance of Salatul Istisqai, rain does not come, the Salat can be repeated. Allah has a design for everything. He knows when rainfall will best serve the need of man.

And in seeking such a favour, Muslims must not try to jump the queue.

Manner of observance

Any participant in Salatul Istisqa’ is expected to be in a sober mood and be absolutely confident that the prayer would be accepted. The essence of raising one’s hands to Allah in prayer is to further confirm that there is no intermediary between man and Allah in worship and in prayer. Allah Himself emphasises this in the Qur’an by saying to Prophet Muhammad thus: “When my servants ask you about Me, tell them that I am very close to them. I accept the prayers of those who seek from Me but let such seekers expect the giving from Me alone; let them be confident in My ability to accept prayer so that they may be guided aright”. However, there is need to correct the wrong notion being spread around that dresses must be worn inside out by those who will partake in Salatul Istisqai. There is nothing like that in Islam.

The effect of Salatul Istisqai in bringing rains is just symbolic of all other prayers

by Muslims. No genuine Muslim prayer is ever turned down by Allah. Acceptance of prayer may not be exactly in accordance with human expectation, it may not be as promptly as man wants it but eventually, a Muslim will realise that his prayer has been accepted by Allah without an intermediary.

The role of water in Hajj

Unknown to the non-Islamic world, performance of Hajj every year is a great blessing to humanity rather than just a mere act of worship by Muslims. Hajj is the biggest congregation of human beings on earth.

Allah loves and respects congregations of pious people who praise Him and pray to Him for the needs of the world. That congregation is essential for the continuity of human existence. There is no country in the world today without Muslim pilgrims joining their brethren from other parts of the world in requesting Allah to save the world from perishing. And each year, as such prayers are accepted, the world is confirmed saved despite the evil moves of Yajuj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) as well as their agents who are ignorantly pursuing their own destruction every minute. Thus, like Salatul Istisqai which brings water to everybody and not Muslims alone, Hajj is to the benefit of mankind and not Muslims alone. Thus, its preservation must be ensured by everybody in the interest of continued human existence.

Conclusion

Without water, it will be difficult to observe Salat or to fast in Ramadan or to give Zakah or to perform Hajj. Without water, it will be impossible to bear children and bring them up, or to keep farms and sustain them.

Water is life. But this is not for Muslims alone. The difference is that Muslims use part of the water to show gratitude to Allah by worshipping Him. Others use it for mundane life alone which is sheer vanity.

Knowledge is like water which softens the earth for seeds to germinate and for plants to be nourished to fruition. Knowledge in Islam is much more important than worship. No one can validly worship Allah without knowledge. And if for this reason alone, it should behoove the entire Muslim Ummah of the world to join and cooperate in using water to worship Allah. That is the essence of knowledge. It cannot be trivialised.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

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SOCIETY

Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, hosted the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West to a special programme tagged: Jesus Festival 2014. AMIDU ARIJE reports

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T was a time of praise and thanksgiving at the open field of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital. Members and guests gathered for a special programme tagged: “Jesus Festival 2014.”

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) helped to reduce the traffic snarl on Oba Akinjobi, Road leads to the church. Other security agencies also had a hectic controlling human and vehicular moments inside and outside the church.

The church members shone out in various customised shirts designed for the occasion. Church members also pitched their tents on the field according to their zones and archdeaconry.

It looked like a political gathering but it was not.

It was a programme to praise God and thank Him for His mercies upon the church.

The programme is an initiative of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion Bishop James Olusola Odedeji was the host.

The Boys and Girls Brigade of the Cathedral entertained the gathering.

Each archdeaconry also marched round the field while Rev Odedeji and other ministers of God stood and waved.

Festival of songs and praises •Bishop Odedeji (second left); his wife Lydia; Dean Archbishop Vinining Memorial Church, Ven Abel Ajibodu (left) and Chief Olusegun Osunkeye PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHAEL

Afterwards, songs of praises continued.

Chief Olusegun Osunkeye took the congregation through a bible reading.

It was followed by a sermon by the Rector of St Francis of Asisi Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria, Kaduna State, the Rt Revd Praises Omole-Ekun.

His sermon centered on creation, redemption and restoration.

He urged Nigerians to desist from

ungodly activities to receive the blessings of God. "God's blessing to mankind is that: It must be fruitful, you must multiply; replenish; subdue and you must have dominion on the land," he said.

He called on the country leaders to be more patriotic in the governing of the affairs of the citizenry.

"Our leaders should become more patriotic, most of the leaders are only interested in what they will gain and not the interest of the people," he said.

Rev Omole-Ekun urged the leaders not to abuse the privilege of office God gave to them.

"Our leaders should understand there is an honour and privilege in what God has given them they should not abuse it," he said.

He prayed for the deliverance and salvation of all people present on the occasion.

BJ Sax band entertained guests after the sermon.

Speaking on the importance of the

festival, Bishop Odedeji said it is meant to increase the spiritual level of the members and thereby making them closer to God. "The major vision of this diocese is the spiritual growth of our members, if our members are spiritually grown, other things will follow," he said.

He urged Nigerians to be their brother's keeper and shun every form of violence or activities that may ginger violence in the country.

He seized the occasion to remind the leaders of trust God placed on them and urged them to provide adequate security for the people.

"Leadership is very important, every citizen is entitled to right of security, our leaders should wake up from their slumber. I believe if everyone cooperates and the leadership lead as expected, this situation will be better, there is no place in the world where we don't have disaster and calamity but the one in Nigeria is alarming and the leaders of the country should be cautions that God will ask them on what they did," he said.

"Nigerians are living in fear, poverty is everywhere, wherever you go, you will see poverty written on people's faces, I pray this doesn't not boomerang, when the poor man cannot sleep, the rich man will not sleep; for those at the helms of affairs it is high that we see to the security of our people," he said.

The festival came to an end with prophetic declarations and Episcopal benediction

The wedding between Mojisola Sarah, daughter of Pastor Moses Abimbola and Olabanji Oluyemi, son of Mr Olabode Ogunrekun, has been held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Court of His Majesty in Ipaja, a Lagos suburb. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

Their day of joy

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HEIR smiles were infectious as they were joined in holy matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Court of His Majesty in Ipaja, a Lagos suburb.

Family members, friends and colleagues looked resplendent in the chosen uniformed dress (Aso Ebi).

All were joyous.

The couple, Mojisola and Olabanji, looked cute.

Mojisola shone in her white flowing gown. Olabanji decked in a black suit.

Hand-in-hand, the bride and her father walked into the church to meet the waiting groom.

The opening hymn “A new thing” was taken to commence the event.

The church service was supervised by the Zonal head of the church, Pastor Fred Odekhian. The sermon was delivered by Pastor Wale Odeyale.

Pastor Odeyale urged the couple to be submissive to each other.

He urged the bride to submit herself to her husband and the husband to love his wife.

There were signing of marriage register and presentation of certificate shortly after the officiating priest declared them man and wife.

A processional hymn was taken after the couple had been blessed.

The reception, held at Estate Festival Hall, was anchored by St. Rhymes.

The couple arrived the venue in a chocolate brown Land Cruiser.

The band of So Fine entertained the gathering.

The reception was chaired by Mr Samuel Oladimeji. It started on a prayerful note.

The couple's parents were called to the podium as the ceremony began.

Their entrance into the hall was greeted with ovation and dances.

The conviviality increased when the couple entered; all stood to

•Bride’s parent, Mr Abimbola and his wife, Lillian

•Groom’s parent, Mr Ogunrekun and his wife, Felicia PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

•The couple, Mojisola and Olabanji

welcome them. They were accompanied into the hall by their bridal train.

Oladimeji thanked God for the success of the occasion.

He enjoined the couple to take to

the words of God as preached in the church.

Marriage, he said, is for companionship and must be based on love and trust.

He supervised the cutting of the

cake.

The bride described the day as most joyful.

"It is my joyous day; he is very loving and understanding," she said.

The groom described the day as

his happiest.

"I'm so happy and excited that, at last, I have a wife. She is very loving, caring and intelligent," he said Guests were served choice foods and drinks.

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SOCIETY

The final funeral ceremony of Madam Nusirat Tijani, mother of the Chief Executive Officer of Medris Integrated Technologies, Mr Kamoru Tijani, has been held in Lagos, writes NNEKA NWANERI

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Speech of Introduction

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•Deceased’s son Mr Tijani and his wife, Oluyemisi

•From left: Hameed Ogunnaike; Lateef Adams; Tijani; Rahman Alarape; Gbenga Ojo; Taofeek Colley; Dipo Oyetayo and Gafar Sulaiman PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

•Azeez Sanni

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•Deceased’s daugther Mrs Owolegbon; her husband Raji and Princess Adefunmi Adeleke-Adedoyin

HE late Madam Nusirat Tijani, according to many, was a peace loving and industrious woman.

She was a trader in Lagos until she retired home to Oyo in Oyo State.

She died on January 3, after a brief illness. She was 76.

Though she had four children, one of them died about five years ago. She is also survived by five grandchildren, three great grand children and her widower.

The eighth-day Fidau prayer was held in Oyo on January 10, and a final burial, to celebrate her life was held at the Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Hall in Lagos on April 18.

Earlier in the day, short prayers were said in the Lagos homes of her children for

Exit of a ‘sweet mother’

those that could not make the Fidau prayer in Oyo. There were lots to eat and drink.

The uniform ankara fabric chosen for the occasion was sewn in different styles by guests. It dominated the occasion. The late Madam Tijani’s children and their spouses, were in lace with red headgears and caps.

The family members ensured that guests were well taken care of. Women also distributed souvenirs to guests.

The deceased’s first son, Kamoru Tijani, the CEO of Medris Integrated Technology Communications and

AWARD

Medris International Properties Ltd, said he would remember his mother for her pieces of advice to her children.

He recalled that when he was younger his mother would cook and serve not only her children, but also the neighbours.

“Though I wasn’t present at the time of her demise, my aunty who was with her on her death bed said she requested severally to see me few hours before she died.

“I learnt she said a lot of prayers for all her children before she died. She will be remembered for her kindness and charity; she was always

giving. She was an Alasalatu woman and held a title in her Oyo home town.

Mrs Olasunmbo Owolegbon, the deceased’s daughter, described her mother as a woman who lived a fulfilled life.

“My mother was an accommodating, neat and very religious woman. I never valued her until I went through the experience of giving birth to my first child. It was then I began appreciating her and knowing what she went through.” She said.

Members of Anwar-Ul-Islam College, Agege Old Students Association (ACAOSA) were there to support one of their own, Kamoru Tijani.

BIRTHDAY

•Revd Samson Adebisi Sanyaolu assisted by his wife, Christiana Oluremi to cut his 70th birthday cake.

•Ogun State Commissioner for Health Dr Olaokun Soyinka presenting an award to Chairman Hygeia group, Mrs Fola Laoye, during the maiden edition of the Nigerian Health Care Excellence Award (NHEA) organised by the Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) and the Anadach Group in Lagos

VERYBODY likes to feel like an important person. Respect is one of the valuable things we learn in Africa. As important as respect for others is, I dare to say that people consider self respect even more important. You doubt me?

Let me tell you this short story. I once heard that a gentle man (if we can call AMODU LANRE OLAOLU him that) attended a pro( Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. gramme and was invited on 07034737394 stage to perform a function @lanreamodu but he just didn't respond.

The announcer invited him again thinking that he wasn't paying attention the first time, but he still didn't respond.

On stage was a perplexed announcer, in the audience were people wondering what was happening, with a few who knew the man glancing nervously in his direction, and on his seat was the man looking on.

Can you guess what was going on? You probably guessed right! But let's continue the story. After the most awkward two minutes most people had endured in their lives, which actually seemed like eternity, it suddenly dawned on one of the organizers and he rushed on stage to whisper something to the announcer. Then, the announcer smiled nervously, adjusted himself and apologized to the 'distinguished personality' for the embarrassment. Then, he started the introduction again; this time, he remembered to include all the man's several titles (eg Dr. Chief…). How about that?

You may think that was off colour, but I think many of us care about how people address us more than we dare to admit. Anyway, why should we battle with people about how they want to be recognized? Just give to Caesar what belongs to him and let the programme move on. But seriously, there are people who deserve respect even if they don't demand it. Imagine inviting Professor Wole Soyinka to deliver a talk at your programme and you simply say, "I will like to invite the speaker of the day to come on stage now, please put your hands together for Professor Wole Soyinka." Really, that is too simple an introduction for such an achiever. If you consider the number of months it took you to book appointment with him, coupled with how difficult it was to fit your programme into his schedule, you will introduce him better.

So, what is a speech of introduction? It is the kind of speech you give mostly to introduce a feature speaker to an audience. Considering that it is referred to as a speech, it is something you should really prepare for. Let's agree on something right now before we go on, anyone you invite to a programme, whether a celebrity or not, deserves proper introduction. Don't invite anyone you don't believe in enough to introduce properly, or the audience will not have much respect for him/her.

A speech of introduction is very important because it sets the pace for the presentation of the guest speaker. The audience must accept a speaker before they are willing to listen to him/her. The person introducing the speaker must be able to generate enough expectation for the speaker to build on. It all has to do with the psychology of the audience. There are three major determinants of the audiences' willingness to listen to a speaker: 1.

If the speaker is already known 2.

If the speaker is introduced by an individual the audience respect and this individual seems to respect the speaker too.

3.

If the speech of introduction is properly done, reflecting the speaker's past achievements No doubt that there are some people who need no introduction. In fact, attempting to speak of their achievements would seem like reducing their worth. This can only be applicable if the person is considered really great by the audience. According to Michael and Suzanne Osborn in their book on public speaking, "a good speech of introduction will usually do three things: make the speaker feel welcome, establish or strengthen the ethos of the speaker, and prepare the audience for the speech that will follow." The following are a few considerations you should have when writing a speech of introduction: 1.

Make it very brief because it is not about you but the speaker.

2.

Find out as much as you can about the speaker. Also make sure that your information is accurate. The only thing worse than a poor introduction is claiming that your speaker has done things he/she never did.

3.

Learn to pronounce all the names correctly.

4.

Create respect for your speaker by magnifying (without exaggerating) his/her achievements.

5.

Mention the sacrifice the speaker made to be able to honour the invitation.

6.

Tell the listeners how fortunate they are to listen to this great speaker.

7.

Generate a warm reception by asking the audience to please rise and welcome the guest.

8.

Turn the microphone over to the speaker and let him/ her take the floor.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

SOCIETY

A prince of Leyo Ruling House in Ondo, Dr Seyi Roberts, has given his daughter, Princess Morounke, in marriage to Oluwasegun, son of Prince of Otileta Ruling House in Owu,Abeokuta, Ogun State. The solemnisation took place at the Anglican Church for all Nations on Victoria Island, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

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HE wedding was classic. A display of exotic cars; a show of beautiful traditional attires, formal and dinner outfits.

It was the wedding of Princess Morounke, daughter of Dr Seyi Roberts of the Leyo Rulling House in Ondo and Prince Oluwasegun, son of Prince Olusunmade AkinOlugbade of the Owu, Otileta Ruling House in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Guests came from far and wide to share in the couple's joy.

The service was held at Church of the Resurrection, 1004 Flats on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Amid the opening hymn, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," the bride entered the hall with her father. The groom was already in the church dressed in a dark grey long suit with white shirt.

Venerable Yinka Akinlade was the officiating minister.

Venerable Segun Ladehinde of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos, in his sermon urged the couple to love each other.

He told their parents to stay off the couple’s affairs.

After the sermon, the church choir led the hymn, "Trust and obey," after which Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole joined the couple in holy matrimony and blessed them.

The wedding continued with the signing of the marriage register, taking of the Holy Communion and thanksgiving.

The clerics later took photographs with the couple and the choir led the closing hymn "To God be the glory" .

Outside the church, the couple's parents, familiy members and friends took turns to take pictures with them.

The wedding train moved to the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, for the reception.

The hall was covered in blue with white fabric and lights design on the wall. Chairs were set round tables.

Guests looked gorgeous in choice outfits. A bevy of beautiful women dressed in white attire led guests to their seats.

The couple's fathers were the first to be called into the hall together with family members and friends.

The mothers came in next.

The couple arrived at the venue in a cream Rolls Royce.

The reception kicked off on their arrival. They were ushered in by the bridal train of about nine women and nine men. The chief bride's maid wore a long brown dress while the other women were on uniformed blue long dress of different styles. The men wore long dark grey suit.

The bride was all smiles, looking elegant in her flowing gown.

They danced to their reserved seats, to music supplied by World Class Disk Jockey (DJ).

Akinsope Robert and Dr Leke Osunniyi anchored the event.

Pastor Yinka Ahove said the opening prayer.

Chairman on the occasion, Mr George Etomi, urged the couple to let God be the foundation of their marriage.

He told the groom never to forget Princess’ birthday, nor tell her that he loves or prefers another woman and to ensure that he wears the wedding ring always.

The couple moved to the cake stand. They cut the cake at the spelling of L-O-V-E and fed each other.

The bride's father, Dr Roberts, told the guests his reaction the first time he met Segun.

He said Segun is the son of his friend adding that this, confirmed that Segun is his son too and there was no need for further investigation on the man his daughter brought home.

Ayodele Ojerinola, a friend to the

A royal wedding •Mrs Ibru (left) supervises the couple, Oluwasegun and Princess Morounke, cutting the cake

•Prof Kofi Duncan

•Mrs Saraki (right) and bride’s mother Mrs Alero Roberts

•Groom’s father Akin-Olugbade and his wife Folake

•Groom’s mother Mrs Adewunmi Osagie; Venerable Muyiwa Oyewole and wife

•Mr Etomi (left) and bride’s father Dr Roberts

•From left: Mr Wole Adeboye; Prof Adebayo Williams and Amb Olukorede Willoughby

•Communications and Technology Minister Mrs Omobola Johnson and her husband

•Dr Doyin Okupe and his wife, Yemisi

•Otunba Adekunle Ojora and his wife, Erelu Ojuolape PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

groom, described Segun as his longest standing friend that brought him back to Nigeria after 17 years.

Segun went on his knees before his bride and sang a special song for her - “All for love”- by Bryan Adam.

Princess smiled all through.

After the song, he told the guests that Princess was behind all his achievements, adding: "She is everything to me."

spinsters in dinner dress and high heels scrambling to catch the flower. Together with the bride, they danced in uniformed steps before she threw it.

The event continued with dancing to rhythms by Faith Music Life band.

The groom's father, Prince AkinOlugbade, wished the couple a happy married life. He described

He looked into her eyes and said: 'I love you' sealing it with kisses.

The event continued with the bridal dance.

The couple's parents took turns to dance with the bride and her groom after which the couple had their dance alone.

Mr Akinbo Akin-Olugbade proposed the toast.

The throwing of the bouquet saw

his son as a brilliant and hard working young man who has passion to design and build cars.

Roberts urged them to continue to love each other.

Present were: The Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; wife of the former Kwara State Governor, Mrs Toyin Saraki and Managing Director, The Guardian, Mrs Maiden Alex Ibru, among others.

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BUSINESS EXTRA

General Telecom, FirstBank bicker over mortgaged property

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ENERAL Telecom Plc and FirstBank are at loggerheads over a property used by the former to secure a loan from the bank.

The telecom firm has petitioned the Inspector -eneral of Police (IGP), saying the bank engaged unprofessional means in its alleged sale of its mortgaged landed property, but the bank said the company’s claims were a selective narration of the transaction between both parties.

The bank also faulted the interlocutory injunction being sought by the firm to stop it from selling the security even when the bank has already sold the property.

The telecommunication company also alleged in its petition that the bank is using touts and soldiers to forcefully enter the property to take possession for the

By Jude Isiguzo

purported purchaser in disregard of due process and of the law.

It also alleged that policemen at the Ilupeju Divisional Police Headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, who were called in to flush out the invaders brought in by the bank to take possession of the property, have refused to charge those arrested to court for the destruction and injuries inflicted on their workers.

The company further alleged that the police division is now being instigated by the bank to put it in possession of the property notwithstanding the fact that the matter is now before Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos High Court 39 (Commercial Division), Lagos.

It appealed to the IGP to

prevail on the Ilupeju Division to charge all those arrested in connection with the invasion of the property and physical assault on its staff to court and order a full scale investigation into the alleged alteration of the deed of the mortgage and its presentation to the Lagos State Governor for his consent and registration with both the Lagos State Land Registry and the Corporate Affairs Commission with a view to bringing all those involved to book.

In the petition, the telecom firm’s Attorney, Michael O. Omonusi, said First Bank, without its knowledge or consent, has allegedly sold to an unknown purchaser its mortgaged property at No. 4, Marconi Road, Palmgrove Estate, Lagos, valued as at August 2009 at over N195million and covering an approximate area of 2,

SMEs helpful in addressing unemployment, says Oteh From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

• Ms Oteh

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HE Director-General, Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, has identified Small and Medium Enterprises as the main solution to the intractable problems of unemployment in Nigeria.

Ms. Oteh who spoke yesterday at the ongoing 20th annual conference of the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said research by international institutions, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Organisation (UNO) have shown that SMEs are important for economic growth.

Oteh said: “SMES do not only contribute to the GDP growth and creation of decent jobs, but they also enable inclusive growth due to the

A

broad base population participating in the economy through millions of SMES. “Globally, SMES account for over 95 per cent of the business population, constituting between 60 to 70 per cent of employment and contributing between 50 and 60 per cent.”

She experessed optimism that the Bayelsa government’s initiatives would positively impact on the state’s economy by reviving the private sector.

“The initiative would also stimulate entrepreneurship amongst the enterprising youths of the state and create an ecosystem that enabled SMES to thrive,” he said.

She highlighted the importance of SMEs in some countries and said 96 per cent of businesses in Nigeria are SMEs, adding that they contribute about 75 per cent to employment in Nigeria and adds 47 per cent to GDP. Oteh said in a country like China, 99 per cent of businesses fall into small businesses, while Japan has 95 per cent of its businesses in SMES. She commended the efforts

of Governor Seriake Dickson and his administration for focusing and providing support to SMEs in the state.

She said: “Setting up the Bayelsa SME fund, the Bayelsa SME council and Bayelsa Micro finance Agency are all significant and commendable steps that will surely boost entrepreneurship in this state.

“We do recommend that in addition to these efforts the government considers setting up business incubators to provide not just financial support not SMES but also nurture them holistically to grow into bigger productive engines of growth.”

Also, Governor Seriake Dickson said his administration was pioneering revolution to engineer the state’s economy.

He said that his government was preparing a state for life beyond oil, adding that SMEsremained the way forward.

Dickson also stressed the importance of security in actualising economic growth and development.

He expected the summit to come up with solutions on how to advance knowledge of small businesses and how to confront challenges of SMES

Aviation workers in procession against S part of activities agencies’ merger its victims are yet to recover. marking the Work Nigerians must not allow

ers’ Day in Lagos, hundreds of aviation workers yesterday embarked on a long procession from the General Aviation Terminal in the domestic wing to the international wing protesting the proposed merger of aviation agencies.

The workers in three agencies, namely, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NIMET), defied the early morning rain in Lagos to march against the policy .

The workers wore lemon reflective jackets with the inscription : ”Aviation workers reject merger of NAMA, NIMET and NCAA, aviation workers say no to merger of NAMA , NIMET and NCAA.”

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

They workers danced and chorused solidarity songs expressing their opposition to the merger policy, which they said is against international aviation rules and regulations.

Placards and posters bearing “merger is against ICAO regulations,proposed merger of NAMA, Nimet and NCAA is inimical to the development of the aviation industry in Nigeria” among others, were also on display.

Mr Emmanuel Chukwu, one of the union members, described the government’s action as against international civil conventions.

He said : ”Aviation workers will not allow the merger to stand .This was how the defunct Nigeria Airways was similarly dealt a blow and

the present talk see the light of day.”

For Ekanem Ekanem, chairman, FAAN branch of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN ), the federal government decision in merger will amount to a clog in the wheel of progress.

“We give kudos to government for the equipment provided for NAMA and Nimet especially, those two agencies has register their marks across the globe in the last two years positively, then why disrupt this progress in the name of merger” he queried.

An official of Airlines Operators of Nigeria AON disclosed that a former Managing Director of one of the agencies had sold the idea to merge the agencies to the federal government.

777.875 square metres, with a five-bedroom detached house and a warehouse, warehousing its over $1.5million CDMA Telecom equipment with which it secured an overdraft facility of N20million, and has engaged soldiers and miscreants in its attempt to illegally take possession for the purported purchaser in disregard of the court processes on the matter served on it.

The company augured that it received an overdraft facility from the bank on 7th November 2008, using the landed property as security under a mortgage dated 3rd March 2010.

It alleged that First Bank, without its knowledge or consent illegally altered the mortgage from N20 million to N26million as stated in the mortgage deed prepared by it and in its custody and presented same to the Governor of Lagos State to obtain consent to the ‘forged’ mortgage deed and registered it also with the Lagos State Land Registry as No. 25, Page 25 Volume 2038 and the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja.

The company admitted it had difficulty meeting up with the servicing of the facility at some point, but that it was able to secure a concession from the bank to vary the term of the mortgage and agreed at a reconciled indebtedness of N31million to be paid to the bank within 12 months, commencing from 25th February 2013 to redeem the mortgaged property.

Following on that, the

telecom company said it made a payment of N5, 166, 668.00 out of the sum and gave a letter of commitment on 26th December 2013 to the bank, assuring it that it would honour its obligations to it within the 60 days left of the rescheduled payment time, or at worst sell 600 square metres of the land valued at N60 million to pay off the debt.

“As the deadline for the final payment approached, we made several abortive attempts to meet the account officer, we finally succeeded on 10th February 2014 through an Executive Director in the bank, who instructed that the account officer, one Rasaq Yusuf, be fished out, we were there with three cheques dated 10/ 2/2014 in the sum of N25, 833, 333.33 drawn on GT Bank Plc in favour of First Bank for the liquidation of the mortgage debt but they were rejected by it on the ground that the property had been sold 10 days earlier, we were informed orally and for the first time; then belatedly in writing thereafter by a letter backdated to 10th February 2014, they were followed by letters of threat to forcefully evict us if we do not vacate the property on or before February 17, 2014,” the company further said, adding that scared that the bank might carry out its threat, it ran to the court to file a suit on February 14, 2014 to restrain the defendant from carrying out its threat.

But the bank’s lawyer, Mr. Tomiloba Olagunju, in a counter affidavit to the

telecom firm’s motion on notice, argued that the company’s claims were a selective narration of the transaction between the two parties.

He faulted the interlocutory injunction being sought by it to stop the bank from selling the property when it has already been sold.

General Telecom, according to him, defaulted the terms of repayment of the facility despite several demands from it and a concession by way of a waiver of some portion of the debt.

The bank said General Telecom did not adhere to the terms of the agreement and was forced to cancel the concession. After several meetings between the two parties, the Managing Director of General Telecom, the bank stated, was informed of its resolve to recover the loan sum from the security offered by it and the mortgaged property was valuated and sold for N145million and the sum applied to liquidate the company’s N42, 710, 246.05 indebtedness to it as at January 29, 2014 to leave the telecom firm with a credit balance of N95, 039, 753;95.

Olagunju further explained that the bank in a letter dated 10th February 2014 informed the company of the development and requested that it informs it of any of its accounts it would want the credit balance transferred and requested also that it evacuates some stocks it had earlier alleged were stored in the premises or it would take “alternative legal steps to remove the items.”

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EQUITIES

Investors lose N554b as depression climbs to 6.88%

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IGERIAN equities wriggled through April with a marginal negative month-on-month return of -0.68 per cent, building on the bearish trend that had characterized the stock market in the first quarter.

The negative return in April further depressed the overall market performance so far this year, increasing the four-month average loss to 6.88 per cent. This implies that an average investor has lost 6.88 per cent of its portfolio so far this year.

Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed April at N12.672 trillion as against its opening value of N13.226 trillion for the year.

The benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), closed April at 38,485.48 points as against its opening index of 38,748.01 points for the month. However, aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities showed an increase of N226 billion from N12.446 trillion to N12.672 trillion. The difference between the ASI and market capitalisation might not be unconnected with the listing of the firstever upstream company-SEPLAT Production and Development Company, on the NSE during the month. The high-profile listing had

•Nigerian equities lose 0.68% in April Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

led to review in the pricing rules of the Exchange.

The performance of the stock market in April underlined the cautious investors’ appetite and showed the dragging effect of the first quarter decline. The performance of the Nigerian equities market was largely bearish during the first quarter of the year. In January, February and March, the market consistently recorded losses of 1.8 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively. This was in sharp contrast to the corresponding period of 2013 when the market returned about 17.7 per cent in the first three months. In terms of activities, the average daily volume of transactions of 380 million units for the first quarter of 2014 was also lower than 512 million units in the corresponding period of 2013.

The ASI closed the first quarter of 2014 with a drop of 6.25 per cent to close at 38,748 points while market capitalization dropped by 5.89 per cent to close at N12.45 Trillion. Total market volume for the quarter also fell by 26 per cent at 22.83 billion while total market value rose

marginally by 6.3 per cent to close at N269.4 billion.

The performance so far in 2014 contrasted sharply with performance in the corresponding period of 2013, when Nigerian stock market had rallied whooping capital gains of N3.10 trillion within the first five months of 2013.

The market had subsequently built on this momentum to close 2013 with a capital gain of more than N4.25 trillion. The 2013 business year set the stock market on a new high with average full-year return of 47.19 per cent, its best performance since 2007.

Aggregate market capitalization of all quoted equities on the NSE closed 2013 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N8.974 trillion for the year. This represented a whooping increase of N4.252 trillion. The ASI recorded full-year return of 47.19 per cent rising from its opening index for the year of 28,078.81 points to close the year at 41,329.19 points.

The performance in 2013 significantly surpassed the much applauded return in 2012 when equities posted average return of 35.45 per cent, equivalent to capital gains of N2.44 trillion. The stock market

had closed the first half of 2013 with average return of about 28.8 per cent, equivalent to N2.45 trillion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all equities on the NSE had closed the first half at N11.426 trillion while the ASI had closed the first half at 36,164.31 points.

Major investment firms and analysts believe Nigerian capital market will be characterized by restrained bargain-hunting amidst evident lull in investors’ appetite in the remaining months of second quarter of 2014 as the market oscillates between external pressures and domestic regulatory transition.

Leading market pundits and analysts said they expected the market to be somehow tepid in the remaining months of the first half, although there could be some modest resurgence. With a negative first quarter return of -6.25 per cent, most opinions seemed to tilt towards a negative close for the market in the second quarter.

Investment experts at BGL Plc, GTI Capital, FSDH Securities, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) and CBO Capital said they did not expect an overtly bullish market in the second quarter, although there were several bargain stocks that could enliven the market.

Group deputy managing director, BGL Plc, Mr. Chibundu Edozie said

Chams outlines growth strategy to sustain profitability

A

FTER posting a net profit of N188 million in 2013, Chams Plc has outlined its growth strategy and priorities in 2014 and beyond with a reassurance that ongoing initiatives would surmount industry challenges and stabilize the profitability of the information and communication technology company.

Addressing shareholders at the annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, directors of Chams said the company was poised for stable growth with several initiatives, partnerships and restructuring expected to impact positively on performance in the years ahead.

Chairman, Chams Plc, Very Revd Ayodeji Richards, said the industry outlook and the corporate strategy indicate a robust future for the company.

According to him, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector has now become a key driver of economic activity in Nigeria and other developing markets with myriad of ICT solutions now required to support business in various sectors of the economy, including financial services sector, telecommunications sector and trade.

“The ICT business is so huge and indefinite in many respects. Our focus therefore will be on the identity management and payment industries. The structure and nature of economies in this part of the world leaves a huge gap to fill, given that there is an absence of core identity infrastructure, which

also makes it difficult for the payment system to thrive,” Richards said.

He outlined that Chams has maintained leadership in the identity management industry with several significant projects undertaken with various public and private institutions.

“We have implemented and are working on projects that include: Biometric Matching Solution project led by CBN Banker’s committee, National Identity project led by NIMC, Identity Management project for the State of Osun, Identity Management project for Anambra State, You-WIN biometric data capture project, PHCN biometric data capture project, Call Centre project for Telcos and banks in partnership with Tech Mahindra, Payroll Automation project for the State of Osun, Osun State Residency Card, Internal Generated Revenue project for Anambra State and Internally Generated Revenue project for Abia State,” Richards said.

He pointed out that the demand for identity management and transaction payments solutions is likely to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0 per cent until 2018 with the likelihood of demand growth arising from the ongoing implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashlite policy; increasing financial inclusion and the digitization of commerce.

According to him, while there are challenges in the short term,

the board of directors is confident that the outlook for the identity management and payments industry in general and Chams specifically is positive over the medium to long term.

He added that the company has been investing in far reaching development programmes aimed at strengthening its structure to provide cushion for any shock or disruption that may arise from the competitive operating environment that is fast becoming more global than local.

Group managing director, Chams Plc, Demola Aladekomo, said the performance of the company in 2013 confirmed that the various initiatives that had been put in place have started bearing fruit.

“To consolidate on our performance in the last financial year and maintain our profitability is quite commendable and we are confident that things can only become better for us. More gratifying is the fact that we have sustained our topline growth trajectory, an indication that we have continued to increase our market share and remain competitive. We have entered into some partnership agreements that will have positive impact on our performance in the coming years,” Aladekomo said.

According to him, the priorities of the company in 2014 include completion of the ongoing restructuring across the group and dedication of its energy towards deliv-

ering value to all stakeholders; upgrading of its card personalization bureau to EMV-certified standard and fostering strategic alliance with its partners based in South Africa and Israel.

He added that the company would also strive to launch new card products and solutions into the market; sustain growth in its market share; achieve a profit growth of 300 per cent while continuing to engage the investment community and keep them abreast of developments in the company.

In the 2014, Chams will also drive the implementation of the Bank Verification Number project initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee. It is implementing the one-year project in partnership with Dermalog Identification Systems, a leading global company in the field of bio-payment. Chams and its technical partner, Dermalog, will work for five years on the Bank Biometric Matching Solution Project, which is expected to create 1000 new jobs for young professionals.

Apart from its benefits to the national economy, which is bridging the formal and informal economy, the Bankers Biometric Matching Solution project and the increasing uptake of identity management products and services by private and public enterprises are expected to usher Chams into a new era of strength, financial stability, improved cash flow and profitability beyond the 2014 financial year.

the capital market would remain cautious and undecided, although it may not witness a major decline.

According to him, the outlook for the market is unclear as the market has so far failed to respond to a number of impressive corporate financial announcements of listed companies.

“The cautious mode of the market is likely to be sustained through the first half of the year until the new CBN Governor resumes in June and monetary policy direction becomes clearer especially in relation to exchange rates.

We however do not foresee a further precipitous decline given that the market currently presents significant bargain opportunities to investors,” Edozie said.

He noted that the bearish run in the equities market was due largely to foreign investors selling down in response to the global investment risk reappraisal in the wake of US active tapering of its quantitative easing and hence rising interest rates abroad.

Edozie pointed out the influence of foreign portfolios in Nigerian market noting that among peers and emerging markets, the Nigerian stock market was the second worst performer in the first quarter; behind Russia which declined by 8.8 per cent during the period.

Reckitt Benckiser confirms talks to buy Merck unit

B

RITAIN’s Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc has confirmed that it was in talks to buy Merck & Co’s consumer health business, the latest asset up for grabs in a wave of recent pharmaceutical deals.

The consumer products group over the weekend emerged as a front runner in the auction for the unit, best known for Coppertone sunscreen and Claritin allergy medicine, sources told Reuters.

Germany’s Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) is also vying to buy the unit, which could fetch about $13.5 billion.

“RB confirms that it is in discussions with Merck regarding an offer for its consumer health business,” the company said. “We understand that we are part of a competitive process.”

Bayer Chief Executive Marijn Dekkers indicated that the company still aims to be the world leader in over-the-counter medicines. While acquiring Merck’s consumer health business would go a long way toward achieving that goal, he did not tip his hand on the Merck bidding process after Bayer announced its firstquarter results.

Dekkers, on a conference call with analysts, said in order to become world number one in OTC the company needed not only significant organic growth but also “bolt-on acquisitions.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

55

MONEYLINK Diamond Bank GDP rebasing ‘to assist Nigeria attain Vision gets recognition 20:2020 project’ T D

HE Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing exercise suggests that by mere statistical adjustments and better measurement of Nigeria’s economic activity, the country is on its way to achieving the Vision 20:2020 target, Opeyemi Agbaje, CEO, RTC Advisory Services Limited, has said.

Agbaje, who spoke in Lagos, said the rebasing makes Nigeria the 26th largest economy in the world and biggest economy on the continent.

Speaking on Nigeria’s Economy in first quarter 2014: Issues and Outlook, he said GDP rebasing does not imply an increase in national income and productivity. He said GDP is not a measurement of income, but of economic output and production within an economy.

“GDP rebasing doesn’t alter our

poor performance in terms of poverty, unemployment and inequality-GDP rebasing doesn’t change the material conditions of individuals, homes and firms within the economy,” he said.

Agabje said what GDP rebasing does is give Nigeria a more accurate picture of the current state of our economy and presents a more credible and contemporary report of the state of sectors and overall activity within the economy.

He said: “Nigeria’s GDP rebasing clarifies some previously unresolved incongruities in our economy, like why the large global telecommunications companies and

would have been irresponsible and incompetent. On the other hand, no one earns any plaudits for merely re-basing GDP just like no one receives commendations for using a time piece that correctly tells the time. We simply now know the reality about the size of our economy, which is a good thing,” he said.

On the benefits of the exercise, Agbaje said Nigeria would now have better economic data for policy analysis and planning. Also, the size and global ranking of Nigeria’s GDP means it has acquired increased strategic stakes within the context of the global economy. “The case for Nigeria being a BRINCS (Brazil, Russia, India, NIGERIA, China, South Africa) economy is probably compelling in the light of us becoming a $510 billion economy.

sector analysts under-estimated the potential depth and size of the sector pre-digital mobile license auction in 2001."

The exercise, he said, also clarifies issues relating to why per capita GDP appeared somewhat larger than previously thought. He added that i is a commonsense measure consistent with global best practice that simply updates a country’s assumptions and templates for measuring our level of economic output.

“Continuing to use a base year of 1990 to quantify output in Nigeria contrary to global convention of rebasing at least every five years

IAMOND Bank Plc has been recognised for its market leadership in the Nigerian Banking industry. The lender was presented the award of the Best Issuing Partner Bank in the sub-Saharan African category by the International Finance Corporation.

The award was presented to the bank’s officials at the inaugural Global Trade Partners Awards dinner held at the conclusion of the IFC Sixth Global Trade Partners Meeting. The meeting took place last week in Lisbon, Portugal and it attracted over 350 delegates from 56 countries.

Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas delivered the opening keynote address, kicking off two days of insightful discussions on building cross-border banking networks, developing innovative solutions for agribusiness and commodity finance, and enhancing global value chains by financing small and medium enterprises.

“Our annual conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to learn from global experts and develop business leads in all regions,” said Georgina Baker, Global Head of Trade and Supply Chain Solutions at IFC. “We are pleased to acknowledge those banks that innovated or worked extensively with IFC last year to support the growth of emerging market trade and help more countries and firms integrate into global supply chains.”

The Global Trade and Supply Chain Solutions team at IFC was formed in 2010 to integrate working capital financing and trade facilitation initiatives with IFC’s award-winning Global Trade Finance Program and Global Trade Liquidity Program.

Firstmonie subscription now one million

S

UBSCRIPTIONS to FirstMonie, the mobile payment solution of First Bank of Nigeria Limited has crossed the one million customer mark.

In a statement, the bank said the feat is coming less than two years of its operations in the country, adding that the product is aimed at enhancing service delivery for the unbanked and under-banked within the population.

Its Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake AniMumuney, said surpassing the onemillion mark on the FirstMonie platform, shows the extent the bank will go to ensure that our customers have more choices of accessing banking services from any location they find themselves.

“We are pleased by this achieve-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ment, which signifies the level of Firstmonie’s acceptance amongst subscribers. We believe that the tremendous growth it has recorded so far illustrates the important role it plays in providing easy access to financial services for customers on the go,” she said.

She noted that the Firstmonie platform which was created to align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policy to promote a cashless or cash-less economy in Nigeria offers an excellent medium for subscribers to disburse funds efficiently and securely to their loved ones across the nation.

FirstMonie was launched in September 2012 as part of the lender’s innovative drive to enhance financial inclusion and reduce the rate of

unbanked adults in Nigeria. The solution was created to provide convenient and safer banking for the under-banked and unbanked to access their bank account and transfer funds with the use of their mobile phones.

This enables subscribers to send and receive money, pay bills, buy airtime and make sundry purchases in Nigeria without owning a bank account. The transaction on the platform has no time barriers and can be carried out at any time of the day.

The platform also supports wealth creation by providing opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs across the nation and has been involved in several notable initiatives worthy of note are The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant, The UNICEF Fund Disbursement Scheme among others.

• CEO, FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

NIDF

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

O/PRICE

SEPLAT 596.50 UNIONDICON 13.44 AFRIPRUD 2.90 CUSTGODYINS 2.25 COSTAIN 1.41 DANGSUGAR 9.50 ZENITHBANK 21.92 JBERGER 68.89 ETI 13.15 INTENEGINS 0.53

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

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

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 30-4-14

SYMBOL

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

C/PRICE

CHANGE

626.31 14.11 3.04 2.35 1.47 9.90 22.70 70.90 13.50 0.54

29.81 0.67 0.14 0.10 0.06 0.40 0.78 2.01 0.35 0.01

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 30-4-14

SYMBOL CADBURY AIRSERVICE RTBRISCOE ETERNA ABCTRANS CUTIX PRESCO OKOMUOIL NESTLE UPL

O/PRICE 79.00 2.25 1.25 3.79 0.86 1.99 42.00 35.00 1,080.00 4.15

C/PRICE 75.05 2.14 1.19 3.61 0.82 1.90 40.12 33.50 1,040.00 4.00

CHANGE -3.95 -0.11 -0.06 -0.18 -0.04 -0.09 -1.88 -1.50 -40.00 -0.15

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name Offer Price AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 154.22 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.71 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,634.20 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,061.91 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,063.29 FBN HERITAGE FUND 114.62 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.39 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 2.50 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,910.24 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND

Bid Price 153.47 9.08 1.07 1.17 0.72 1.33 1,631.63 1,061.01 1,063.01 115.44 114.59 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 2.44 1,903.64

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

1.2719 1.3210 0.9270 1.1677

Movement

1.2834 1.3210 0.9446 1.1677

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

56

NEWS

Confab extension: Secretariat clarifies position T HE National Conference has described as untrue reports that the Federal Government has extended the deliberations by six weeks.

It said no request was made to the government on extension of the threemonth conference, adding that the only extension was in-house to give the committees time to conclude their findings.

A statement by the conference’s Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Akpandem James, described as unfortunate the report by some media outfits.

“If there is need for an extension, a request for that would emanate from the conference secretariat to the Presidency, and no such request has been made to the Presidency. The secretariat is not aware of any extension by the Federal Government.

“The leadership of the conference met with chairmen, co-chairmen and deputy chairmen of the 20 standing committees.

“Many complained of the shortness of time for committee work, citing the workload and assistance required from external sources. It was agreed that an extra week be added to enable committees tidy up their activities.’’

He said since the World Economic Forum was slated between May 5 and May 8 in Abuja and because some delegates and facilities for the National Conference will be involved and engaged for

‘It must be emphasised that the conference secretariat lacks the power to extend the conference and has made that position clear at every point the issue is raised’

By Precious Igbonwelunu

the Forum, May 12 to May 15 was approved for the extension.

Speaking further, Akpandem said: “As a follow-up to that agreement, the Conference Secretary, Dr Valerie-Janette Azinge, communicated to committee chairmen on April 30. It was clearly entitled “Extension of Time for Committee Work.”

“The letter reads: Recall that the meeting of the chairman of the national conference and principal officers with the chairmen/co-chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees agreed that the time allotted for committee work was inadequate. The meeting also considered the adjournment during the May Day and World Economic Forum events, which requires the participation of delegates. “”As a result, I convey to you the decision to extend the time allotted to the committee work as reflected in the revised Work Plan.

“Ensure that you conclude

the work of your committee during this allotted period.”

“At the Monday meeting, the committee leaders also expressed concern over the time allotted for drafting the conference report and noted that it was too short. A suggestion of four weeks (of four working days each) was proposed. ‘’The conference leadership said if that is done, it would mean an extension of the conference duration, which the secretariat lacks the authority to do.

“Accompanying the letter to the chairmen, on Wednesday, was a tentative Work Plan, which was to explain the possible scenario should the proposal to use four weeks for drafting of the conference report be adopted. It was an internal document to guide committee chairmen, and not a notice of extension of the duration of the conference.

“It must be emphasised that the conference secretariat lacks the power to extend the conference and has made that position clear at every point the issue is raised.

“The conference Chairman, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, had told the committee leadership on Monday that if it “becomes necessary”, a request would be made to the authorities, and the secretariat will act when approval is granted. ‘’It is unfortunate that despite the availability of this

Scholarship for motherless children at Heritage Homes

A •Conference Chair Justice Idris Kutigi information, which was given to reporters, most went ahead to rely on information from delegates, who were not well informed on the matter, and who are neither committee chairmen nor deputy chairmen; and who were neither part of the Monday meeting with the leadership nor were directly notified of the extension of time for committee work,” the letter said.

NON-GOVERNMENT organisation, Mature Mind Initiative (MMI), yesterday gave scholarship to 18 school children at the Heritage Motherless Homes.

Executive Director of the organisation Olatunbi Hason said from next academic session, MMI would provide scholarships to some of the children.

He led a team, which included MMI’s secretary Bimbo Balogun, to the home as part of the May Day celebrations.

Hason said: “This is the third orphanage home we have visited and I can tell you that there is need for quality investment in the education of orphanage children. ‘’Most of the children here need to go to school; we also need to provide quality teaching aids for the school.”

Hason decried the neglect

By Paul Oluwakoya

of the education of many of the children.

“I have seen a 15-year-old child in one of the homes, who is in primary one. This is to tell you that the education needs of many of these children are neglected and we are intervening with the scholarship,” he said.

The home’s Administrative Officer, Kola Akinola said the education of the children needs the intervention of wellmeaning Nigerians.

He hailed the MMI for its intervention.

“We want to thank the NGO for donating ceiling fans and the swings, among other things. ‘’Fulfilling the pledge of the scholarship will give hope and future to any child they will be sponsoring to school,” Akinola said.

Zuriel named most powerful 11-year-old globally

N

EW York & Singapore-based Business Insider, has listed Nigerian-American child prodigy, Zuriel Oduwole, as the most powerful 11-yearold person worldwide.

Business Insider, a leader in Technology, Money, Entertainment and Market News named Oduwole in its annual list of the World’s Most Powerful 100 Individuals – one at every age from 0 to 100 years old released this week.

Oduwole, founder of Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, Girl-Child initiative, it said, was the most powerful

11-year-old, following his interview as the youngest person, by Forbes.

“Oduwole started the “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” programme to inspire girls in Africa to achieve their dreams of education, has interviewed a dozen presidents and prime ministers fin Africa and was named in December as one of the most influential Africans by New Africa magazine.”

The list includes one year old Margaret Hager-Bush – grand daughter of George Bush, eight-year-old Infanta Leonor in line to Spanish Monarchy, 15-year-old Malia

Obama - President Barack Bama’s daughter, at 26-yearold soccer star Lionel Messi, 29-year-old Mark Zuckerberg Facebook founder, and 31-year-old Kim Jung Un – North Korean leader.

Others include at 42 Elon Musk – South African founder of California-based Telsa Motor Company and one of only three Africans, at 50 Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, at 52 Barack Obama, 58-year-old Bill Gates, at 60 Chinese President Xi Jinping, at 66 former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, at 77year-old Pope Francis.

Abducted school girls: DHQ hands over information flow to Borno govt

T

HE Defence Headquarters has directed the Borno State Government to take charge of information on progress report on the search for the 234 abducted Chibok school girls whose whereabouts remained unknown.

In a statement yesterday by its Director of Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the DHQ said most of the pieces of information being given the DHQ by various sources on the abducted girls were mischievous, spurious and sensational.

The statement said: “In view of the need to provide daily updates on the search for the abducted girls, the Defence Headquarters has directed that henceforth, progress reports on the search will be handled by the Borno State Government.

“The security forces on ground in the state have been directed to coordinate with the State Government and provide them with necessary information on the search for the girls.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces understands and appreciates the concerns being shown by all citizens in and out of the country on the unfortunate incident of abduction of some female students from Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State.

“Alongside the search for the girls, the military is currently committed to various security operations in most parts of Northern Nigeria where troops are deployed in

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

forests and mountains combating terrorists and armed gangs of various descriptions”.

The statement reaffirmed the unflinching resolve of the Armed Forces to continue to discharge its responsibility in defending the territorial integrity and the people of Nigeria in the most professional manner.

“This will apply in the search for the missing girls which is currently ongoing with other security operations nationwide.

“A lot of information has been received in the efforts at securing the freedom of the girls. The Armed Forces assures all Nigerians that it will continue to appraise every information received during this operation accordingly.

“Unfortunately however, most of the information, some of which have been mischievously publicised for sensational reasons, have always turned out to be spurious and of no operational use.

“Disturbingly, some of the reports have been mischievously sensationalised and publicised with a view to heightening tension and inflicting more pain on the nation as envisaged by the terrorists.

“Nevertheless, the forces will remain disposed to receiving, analysing and applying all relevant information on this issue.

“While it will not relent in its efforts in this search, the Armed Forces is mindful of

the fact that some of the information with which it has been inundated are actually a ploy to distract it from its goal of dealing with terrorism and other violent crimes aimed at crippling the nation.

While the military’s efforts at recovering the girls are continuing, the Government of Borno State whose Commissioner for Education has been giving a regular update on the incident at the initial stage, is enjoined to continue in order to satisfy the necessity for information flow”, the statement added.

The DHQ described the Borno State government as being appropriately placed to continue regular press briefing on the search for the girls, for the reason that the incident occurred in its facility.

According to the military, this is in line with best practices in other climes, more so as all agencies of every tier of government are expected to continue functioning in the state.

“Accordingly, security agencies on ground in Borno State will continue to interact and support the State Government officials in their efforts to inform the public on the Chibok incident and progress in the search without any prejudice.

“The Nigerian Military has always subscribed to the importance of information flow to the public and will continue to sustain this policy in all its internal security operations”, the statement concluded.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

57

NEWS

JTF destroys eight illegal refineries, boats

T

•Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) Nta Ekpo presenting a gift to the Indian High Commissioner ArGhanashyam at a workshop in Abuja. With them is Defence Attachee Elvis Oglafa.

A

No official position on zoning in Akwa Ibom, says Etiebet

MEMBER of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atuekong Don Etiebet, said yesterday that the party was yet to take a stand on the zoning of the 2015 governorship seat in Akwa Ibom State.

Etiebet, who spoke in Uyo, the state capital, after his arrival from Abuja, condemned the state’s chapter of the PDP for holding its state executive council meeting at the Government House.

The former Minister of Petroleum said the PDP cannot take a resolution on how to zone the governorship seat while barring other aspirants from contesting.

He said all aspirants, irre-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

spective of their senatorial districts, should be allowed to take part in the PDP primaries.

His words: “All what I am saying is that there is no official PDP position on zoning.

“Zoning arises as a result of consensus. The party as I know cannot take a resolution to say that we zone the governorship slot to this constituency and bar other people from expressing their interest. That doesn’t hold water.

“Everyone should be al-

lowed to express their intentions and aspirations and then go to the people to receive their blessing.

“The party cannot say only aspirants from a certain part of the state should be the ones to go. That is not proper.”

Etiebet, however, explained that a candidate may emerge through consensus based on the agreement of other aspirants, but it is not for the party to decide for the aspirants.

“I told all the aspirants to step down for Obong Victor Attah in 1998. That was my

action addressed only to the aspirants and not to the party and all the aspirants agreed and made a statement which was recorded that they had “ceded” the candidature to Obong Victor Attah.

“Therefore, Attah became a consensus candidate endorsed by all the aspirants.

Consensus is not determined by the party, it is determined by the aspirants.

“If we allow all the aspirants to come and we elders talk and they agree fine but if the aspirants do not agree, we will ask them to go to the ballot box.”

No going back on competency test, says Oshiomhole

•Oshiomhhole

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the competency test for teachers will hold in the interest of the Edo child.

Addressing workers at the May Day rally yesterday, the governor said he would not be intimidated.

Oshiomhole urged workers to unite in the fight against insurgency, saying no nation develops in an in-

A

secure environment.

On the competency test for teachers, he said: “I have a duty to restore the dignity of teachers. I am sure comrades that we know our future begins today, and that today means investing in education.

“I did not start by building an ultra-modern government house, as many governors have done.

“I did not start by building residential guest house and I have made no investment in building guest house, but I decided from day one that I will build schools that can compete with private ones.

“We have introduced one pupil-one desk and I am doing these because proper teaching and learning cannot take place in an atmosphere that is not conducive.

“If I have made such investments and I proudly show them on television, God will give me the courage to look the teacher in the face and ask if he is qualified.

“I want you to remember me when I have left office as the one who had the courage to look at the electorate and ask them, if they are qualified to teach.

“I have a duty to the Edo child and I want you to remember that it is the children of the poor who are in government schools.”

Oshiomhole said as a product of a public school, he would not allow the future of the Edo child to be undermined.

He said: “The purpose of the competency test for teachers is not to sack anybody.

Kidnap suspect arrested

KIDNAP suspect, Gift Obu, whose gang clashed with the Navy while attempting to abduct a doctor has been arrested by officers of the anti- kidnap unit, Mini Okoro Police Station in Rivers State.

The suspect was arrested after he sent some text messages to the victim, Dr. George Ela, few days after the foiled kidnap attempt.

Ela reported the threat to the

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

police. He said he abandoned his job and went into hiding for three months.

The victim said when the suspect was arrested; he discovered that he is not from Delta State as he claimed but one of his kinsmen in Abua/ Odual Local Government Area.

The head of the anti- kidnap unit, Imen Akaniyeme, said

Obu had been charged to court.

Akaniyeme said: “The suspect’s name is Gift Obu; he was part of the gang which attempted to kidnap Dr. Ela but naval officers thwarted their plan.

The driver of the gang was killed and the rest escaped.”

A police source said a politician had been pressuring the police to release the suspect.

He said the politician also hired a lawyer to represent him.

“We need more teachers in the state and I have employed more teachers than any other administration.”

The governor urged workers to stand and speak for Nigeria.

“We should be united in the fight against Boko Haram. We should be united against terrorism, because we need a peaceful state to practise politics.

“Right now, across the country, I only hear the voices of ethnic champions, people who speak for the East, people who speak for the Southsouth, people who speak for the Southwest, speak for the Northeast and Northcentral, among others.

“Where are the spokespersons for Nigeria? Everyone has become an ethnic champion.

“Even those who have the opportunity to preside at the national level, they have recoiled to their parts of the country.

“I urge you and I to build solidarity across the Niger.

You must build solidarity across all the primordial sentiment.”

On Edo Line, Oshiomhole said: “I have directed that all those who were laid off should be reinstated and their salaries paid.”

He assured that those whose names were removed and had legitimate approval to go on study leave should have their names restored on the payroll.

HE Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has impounded a barge, Dera 1, for allegedly carrying suspected stolen crude oil on Brass waterways in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, said the barge was intercepted by troops from Sector 2 command.

He said the barge was in JTF custody and will be handed over to a prosecuting agency.

Col. Anka said JTF destroyed eight illegal refineries operated near Tebidade Brass Agip pipeline in Gbaramatoru, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

“We destroyed five crude oil and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) dumps filed with suspected illegally-sourced crude oil,” he said.

The JTF spokesman said the maritime component of the JTF patrolling Okpumani creek in Warri

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

South Local Government Area of Delta State destroyed two wooden boats, containing products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He said two pumping machines and a fibre boat were destroyed by the operatives.

Col Anka said the JTF handed over a ship, MV LAME, to the management of Sea Tide Marine Ltd. He said the vessel was impounded on July 9, last year, at Bonny Anchorage for carrying about 100,000 liters of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

The JTF spokesman said after investigations the product was found to be unadulterated AGO. Col Anka said the representative of Seatide Marine Ltd, Adebayo Adekite, received the vessel at the Bonny Anchorage, Rivers State.

Council presents budget

I

POKIA Local Government Area in Ogun State has presented a budget of N1.16 billion to the legislative arm of the council .

Presenting the proposal ,the chairman of the council , Hon Isiaka Wale Aderounmu, reiterated the determination of his administration to improve the living condition of the people .Specifically , he said the budget would focus on infrastructural development and improvement of socio-economic well-being of the residents .

A breakdown of the budget reveals that N246.675 million has been voted for capital expenditure while N755.875 million would be for recurrent expenditure .

According to the council chief,projects to be given priority attention

include:qualitative and affordable education ,health,social amenities,agriculture,sports and economic development.He hopes to grade and tar roads,build schools and distribute transformers, among others.

He implored residents to pay their taxes , levies and rates as and when due since the success of the budget will depend on the size of the revenue accruing to the council from the Federation Account and the internally generated one.

ADAGBA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Medetina Enoponmi Adagba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Medetina Adagba Travih. All former documents remain valid. Nurse and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, other Health Departments and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE RE: CAVEAT EMPTOR KNOW YE ALL MEN that the property situate at No 34 Child Avenue, Apapa Lagos belongs to Lt Col Charles Udemba and not Gate Coast Properties International Limited as was falsely published to misinform the public in THE NATIONS Newspapers of 17th April 2014 on page 63.

FURTHER KNOW YE ALL MEN that Lt Col Charles Udemba had never assigned or relinquished ownership and title of No 34 Child Avenue Apapa Lagos to any individual,company or organisation.

The Federal Lands Registry Ikoyi Lagos, among others are invited to note UDEMBA BARNABAS & CO (Legal Practioners) Suite C84, Banex Plaza, Wuze II, Abuja (Summon Jus).

Tel: 08030418394, 08092784732 Email: eudemba@yahoo.com

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

58

NEWS Ex-Deputy Senate President dead •Mark, Jang mourn Wash Pam

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

S

ECOND Republic Deputy Senate President John Wash Pam is dead.

A source said: “Senator Pam died of complications from prostrate cancer at the National Hospital, Abuja, at 1.30 pm yesterday.”

The late senator is survived by two wives and 18 children.

He was one of the foremost politicians from the Berom ethnic group; he hailed from Foron district of Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

His death was confirmed by his first son, Ganan Wash Pam and his Special Assistant, Williams Chieshe (Jnr).

Pam served under Senate President Joseph Wayas from 1979 to 1983.

Senate President David Mark described Pam as a democrat par excellence and one of the pillars of today’s democracy.

He said Nigeria had lost one of its democrats, who was in the forefront of the return to civil rule.

Mark noted the exploits of the late Pam, especially in the First, Second and Third Republics, saying“he died when his experience was needed.

“His death at this time of our nation’s political history is a big blow. He was a great parliamentarian who contributed positively to the political evolution of Nigeria. We shall miss him.”

Governor Jonah Jang said the state had been robbed of one of its finest politicians.

Jang, in his condolence message, encouraged the family and the state not to mourn but pray for the soul of the Berom elder.

Kwara youths condemn PDP congress From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Y

OUTHS under the aegis of Kwara Youth Voice (KYV) condemned yesterday the ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in which three people died in Ilorin, the state capital.

KYV said the congress was a disgrace to Kwarans.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, the chairman, Umar Aliyu, said: “We are concerned about the violence that dominated the exercise, leading to the killings and sporadic shooting . The scenario portends danger for 2015.

“We detest the statement credited to PDP spokesperson Olisa Metuh, describing the loss of lives in PDP ward congress as ‘apart from the case, there was no other gunshot not to talk of death’.

“We advise that politicians be mindful of their utterances and should not engage in actions that could threaten the peace and tranquility of our dear state.

“We note the peaceful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses as a pointer to the world that the interest of its leadership is to serve the people.

“Finally, we totally support and declare our allegiance to the leadership of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Bukola Saraki, and APC for the change, peace and development of the state and Nigeria.”

Ex-Kwara Governor Adamu Attah dies

F

IRST civilian Governor of Kwara State Adamu Attah is dead. He was 83.

Attah was governor from 1979 to 1983, when the Second Republic ended.

A family source said the former governor died of age-related ailment in his Abuja home .

He was buried in Kuroko, Okene, Kogi State, at 5pm, according to Islamic rites.

The funeral was preceded by a prayer session witnessed by Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim and other dignitaries.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a statement by his press secretary, Oba Abdulwahab, said Nigeria has lost the wisdom of an elder statesman.

“I commiserate with the government and people of Kogi State over the loss of this illustrious son, who contributed immensely to building a strong nation where equity and justice will reign.”

The Chairman, Senate Com-

•Ahmed, Saraki, others mourn From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

mittee on Ecology and Environment, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was a two-term governor, said Attah’s departure was painful.

He said: “Though gone, the impact of Alhaji Adamu Attah cannot be under estimated in Kwara politics and his role and contributions in the administration of Kwara State.

“His departure is painful, but the fact that his wealth of wisdom in the history of Kwara State administration will be missed is more painful.”

His former son-in-law, Femi Fani-Kayode, said his performance as governor was second to none in the old Kwara State.

“As you know he was not just a close friend and political associate of my late father but he was also the father of my first wife, Saratu and the grandfather of my

first child, Folake.

“I loved and admired Uncle Adamu deeply and I shall miss him enormously. He was indeed one of those who inspired and encouraged me to go into politics in 1989.”

Former governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State Dele Belgore said: “The late Alhaji Attah departed at a time our country needs such core professionals and genuine statesmen to offer their wealth of experience.

“One of his undying legacies and contributions to humanity was his establishment of the Obangede Specialist Hospital. He would be sorely missed.

“I commiserate with his family and the people and governments of Kwara and Kogi states.”

The National President of the Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Adeiza Abdulrahman Musa, in a statement in Abuja, described

Attah’s death as painful and a loss to Ebiraland, Kogi and Kwara states.

The statement by the group’s National Secretary, Isah Arudi Yahaya, said the late governor was not only kind but his administration brought transformation to Ebiraland.

Musa said the leadership qualities of the ex-governor would be missed by all.

Before Attah’s death, the Kogi State government had in January agreed to renovate his home in Kuroko, Adavi Local Government to hasten his relocation to his hometown.

Wada made the pledge when he visited the house, which he declared unbefitting for a former governor.

Wada said: “It is sad that Alhaji Adamu Attah is living in Abuja, instead of staying at home.

“An elderly statesman like him must live at home so that he can continue to contribute his quota to the development of the state.”

•Founder of Integration for all Children in Ireland (ICI), Yemisi Ojo (second right) with some participants at the ICI youth PHOTO: ADETAYO JOHNSON empowerment conference held at Millenium hall, Molete Baptist Cathedral, Ibadan, Oyo State.

NGO empowers 60 youths on capacity building

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ORRIED by the high prevalence rate of youth restiveness and unemployment in the country, a Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO), Integration for all Children in Ireland (ICI), has organised a youth empowerment conference in order to empower young people to attain their full potential.

The youth conference with the theme “Capacity Building” had in attendance over 60 youths from all spheres of life, held recently at the Millenium hall of Molete Baptist Cathedral,

From Adetayo Johnson, Ibadan

Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The founder of the organisation, Deceaness Yemi Ojo stated that there is need to give back to his home country by building youth capacity in order to create equall opportunity for all young people in the country.

I am from the Republic of Ireland and my NGO has been assisting the youths for over 10years, The lord minister to me late last year to have a youth emoowement conference here

in Nigeia to help in supporting our young people. When i heard that voice i hesistated but the spirit said i should move on, thank God its a reality today.

According to her, i have received alot of support morally, intellectually, and in terms of meeting young people in this country, adding that the society must support all youths who has potentials to actualise their dreams.

On wheather the youths were selected for the empowerment, Ojo explained that if they were selected it will be

viewed as marginalisation, but said there was a public awareness earlier about the conferencein media, churches and organisations.

She noted that this is the best time to give back to his home country, stressing that the youth conference is the best way to impact the youths in the country positively.

The Ireland based Nigerian noted that the youths are the future of this country but its saddened that they are not prepared and are mostly engaging in social vices.

APC gets first woman state chairperson

W

OMEN clamouring for more political positions have gotten their wish with the emergence of the first woman party state chairperson.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has elected Ms Binta Masi Garba as its chairperson.

Ms Garba was a three-time member of the House of Representatives and a delegate to the National Conference.

She is an activist and the first woman Vice-President of Commonwealth Inter Parliamentary and Women Affairs.

Ms Garba was unanimously endorsed by Governor Murtala Nyako, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other delegates during the state congress held at Lamido Cinema, Yola.

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

•Atiku excited

Speaking after her election, she thanked party elders, especially Nyako and Atiku, for making the consensus arrangement possible.

She promised to run a party that is all inclusive, saying the APC will win all elective posts in the state in 2015.

“As the first woman chairman in the country, gender to me means nothing because I have the experience and ability to take our party to the promised land through justice, equity and team work.

“My first assignment is to bring back all aggrieved members who moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and all those who lost out during the

election. “I am appealing to all aggrieved members to return to APC so that we can forge ahead.’’

Ms Garba thanked the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the 18 lawmakers loyal to APC, assuring them that they will have automatic tickets in 2015. ‘’I am moved by the love shown to me by Adamawa people, especially the party delegates, who stood all the night during the congress.”

Other executive members are Abdulllahi A Bakari (Secretary) ; Adamu Muhammed (Treasurer); Ahmed Lawan (Organising Secretary); Phineas Padio (PRO); Pakka Madugu (Financial Secretary); Mrs Lami Aguwa (Woman Leader)and

Musa Hero (Auditor).

In a statement yesterday by his media office, Atiku described Ms Garba’s emergence as historic and exemplary.

The former vice president expressed confidence in her capability to lead the party to victory in all future elections in Adamawa State.

He congratulated other candidates, saying “the party is assured of my total support, until we win all our elections”.

Atiku praised Nyako and other party leaders for the peaceful conduct of the congress.

He saluted their high level of accommodation and the spirit of give-and-take that led to the emergence of the new state executive committee.

“All is well, that ends well,” the former vice president said.

‘No strange pot in Suswam’s office’

T

HE Benue State government yesterday denied the discovery of “a strange pot” in front of Governor Gabriel Suswam’s office.

It made the denial in a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Cletus Akwaya.

The statement said: “It has become necessary to clarify this matter to avail the public facts on this matter.

“I wish to state that no mystery or strange pot as variously described in a section of the media was found in the Government House.

“The said strange pot containing fetish items was sighted by commuters at the last roundabout to the Government House Complex, which is used by the public.

“The said roundabout is in front of the home of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi and well over a kilometre from Governor Gabriel Suswam’s office.

“As soon as the incident was reported, a cleric visited the scene and said prayers and thereafter anointed the roundabout in accordance with the tradition associated with the Christian faith in such situations.

“After the prayers, the “strange pot” was removed.

There was no panic in the Government House, neither was there confusion nor apprehension as reported by the media.

The media reports’ claiming a “strange pot” was found in front of the Governor’s office were untrue, sensational and lacking in any material fact.

“We urge reporters working in the state to endeavour to abide by the core tenets of the journalism by cross checking their facts before going to press.

“Reporters must be reminded that their profession is noble and its ethics detest falsehood.

“The ethics also demand that practitioners be fair and accurate at all times.”

Engineers’ conference holds May 21

By Adebisi Onanuga

T

HE Nigerian chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) will host this year’s Professional Development Conference (PDC) in Lagos.

The three-day conference and exposition will hold at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island between May 21 and 23.

It is expected to attract over 1,500 participants and have exhibitors from within and outside Nigeria.

The ASSE, which claims to be the world’s oldest professional safety society, has been protecting the people, property and the environment since 1911.

Though this would be the first time that ASSE’s Nigerian Chapter will host a professional development conference, the association would be targeting an audience of the country’s safety practitioners from a wide variety of industries including oil and gas, construction, manufacturing and many others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

59

FOREIGN NEWS

Iraq: Al-Maliki says vote ‘slap’ to terrorism

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RAQ’S prime minister yesterday hailed a high turnout in nationwide elections as a “slap in the face of terrorism” as the United Nations announced that 750 Iraqis were killed in violence in April, the highest monthly death toll this year.

Nouri al-Maliki also invited his critics, including onetime Shiite allies, to put the bickering and rivalry of Wednesday’s parliamentary election behind them and join him in a majority government.

His remarks reflected confidence that he would get a third term in office following the election - Iraq’s first nationwide election since U.S. troops withdrew in 2011 - and retain the post he has held since 2006.

The turnout from among Iraq’s 22 million eligible voters was estimated to have exceeded 60 percent, al-Maliki said. In Anbar province, where al-Qaida-inspired militants control some parts, the turnout was around 50 percent, he added.

Election spokesman Safaa al-Moussawi confirmed that the turnout was about 60 percent, with the northern Kur-

Kerry begins threenation African tour

U

NITED STATES Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a first stop of his three-country Africa visit to discuss various issues bordering on peace and security.

Kerry, who arrived in Addis Ababa on Wednesday night, responded to few issues raised by newsmen via email.

He said: “In Ethiopia, I will co-convene the Fourth Session of the U.S.-AU High-Level Dialogue.

“I will meet with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom to discuss peace, democracy and the importance of our lasting bilateral relationship.

“In Kinshasa, I will meet with President Joseph Kabila and discuss the government’s progress in ending conflict and supporting those Congolese suffering from the violence.

“We will also discuss the DRC’s continued democratisation and its long-term stability.

“And in Luanda, I will engage with President José Eduardo dos Santos on Angola’s leadership in the region and encourage the president’s continued personal engagement in the Great Lakes peace process.

“I will also discuss bilateral policy and trade issues with Foreign Minister Chikoti.”

Kerry described the progress being made across the African continent these days as extraordinary, adding: “Africa is home to eight of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world.

“There are more democratic governments than ever before.

Best of all, each day more Africans are seeing these many benefits reflected in their daily lives.

“I am visiting the continent to celebrate that progress and help advance it further because there is always more to do.

“I am here to encourage further democratic development, promote human rights, advancing peace and security and engage with civil society groups and young people.

“I have also come to promote trade, and celebrate PEPFAR and all it’s done to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS across the continent.”

He expressed concern over the continued detention of some nine journalists who were serving various jail terms of between five to 18 years.

“This is an issue I feel very passionately about. A free and unfettered press is fundamen-

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russia militias storm prosecutor’s office

A •Kerry

tal to any functioning democracy.

“First, I will urge the government of Ethiopia to fully adhere to its constitutional guarantees afforded to all its citizens.

“When I am in Addis Ababa, I also plan to reiterate my longstanding concern about the abridgement of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.”

Kerry is expected to meet with the AUC Deputy Chairperson, Eratus Mwencha, to discuss bilateral issues of collaboration and peace on the continent.

The issues of South Sudan crises and the Central African Republic (CAR) as well as that of Democratic Republic of Congo expected to take centre stage.

Malaysia releases preliminary report into MH370

A

IR traffic controllers did not realise that Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was missing until 17 minutes after it disappeared from civilian radar, according to the preliminary report on the plane’s disappearance released yesterday

by Malaysia’s government.

In addition to the five-page report, dated April 9, the government also released other information from the investigation into the flight, including audio recordings of conversations between the cockpit and air traffic control, the plane’s cargo manifest and its seating plan.

Malaysia also released a map showing the plane’s deducted flight path as well as a document detailing actions taken by authorities in the hours after the Boeing 777 disappeared from radar.

The reports were mostly information that has been re-

leased since the jet disappeared while flying near the border separating Malaysian and Vietnamese airspace.

The plane went off Malaysian radar at 1:21 a.m. on March 8, but Vietnamese air traffic controllers only queried about it at 1:38 a.m., according to the report, which was sent last month to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The report also said Malaysian authorities did not launch an official search and rescue operation until four hours later, at 5:30 a.m., after efforts to locate the plane failed.A separate report listing the actions taken by air traffic controllers showed Vietnamese controllers contacted Kuala Lumpur after they failed to establish verbal contact with the pilots and the plane didn’t show up on their radar.

That report also showed

that Malaysia Airlines at one point thought the plane may have entered Cambodian airspace. The airline said in the report that “MH370 was able to exchange signals with the flight and flying in Cambodian airspace,” but that Cambodian authorities said they had no information or contact with Flight 370. It was unclear which flight it was referring to that exchanged signals with MH370.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak last week appointed a team of experts to review all the information the government had regarding the missing plane, and to decide which information should be made public.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said in statement yesterday Malaysia’s military radar tracked the jet making a turn-back in a westerly direction across Peninsular Malaysia after playing

COMMENTS AND DEBATE Uncharacteristically Omo N’obaic •Continued from back page The headlines may be at variance with the intention of the monarch but the headlines and pictures are what we have to draw our inferences from. He is probably the most respected royalty in the land. He is not known to meddle unduly in matters of state. Indeed, like the great king he is, his power lies in understated eminence and dignified distance from partisan frays. You never find him courting cheap photo opportunity with people in power. In fact he would tell truth to power when he must. Most important, he is known to seek the overall good of the people and he would err on the side of justice.

Two quick examples: In the heady days of the military when our monarchs were made objects of mockery and

were suborned in their dozens upon stepping on the seemingly diseased soil of Aso Rock, only one king in Nigeria is remembered to have kept his head above the muck. Various uniformed rascals wanted royal affirmation to stay forever in power; nearly all crown heads went to pay homage and genuflect to the ‘junta kings’ in Abuja except one. In fact he kept asking that the right thing be done at the risk of losing his crown.

Again he bucked the trend in his state’s politics recently when he supported an ‘outsider’ against his ‘son’ because his ‘son’ wasn’t the choice of the people and probably not fit for the job. It was a rare show of courage and character uncommon in this age. But the monarch whose word still resonates like law in his domain stood up for the overall good

of the people.

Of course we speak of no other than the revered Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa.

However, last weekend, our exemplary monarch acted out of character; he jumped into petty partisan fray. It may be argued that it wasn’t him as he was represented by the Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa. The story, however, is that the prince had carried a royal missive from his dad to President Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock. The Omo N’oba reportedly urged Jonathan to run for a second term or as the headline captured it, he “put pressure on Jonathan to run”.

Well, in an age that every iroko in the land has fallen, let’s just note that it’s quite unOmo N’obaic? Is this a sign of the new Benin Kingdom?

back radar data the next morning, nearly seven hours after the plane vanished from civilian radar.

He said he was informed about the military discovery two hours later and relayed this to Najib, who immediately ordered a search in the Strait of Malacca. He defended the military’s inaction in pursuing the plane for identification. ”The aircraft was categorized as friendly by the radar operator and therefore no further action was taken at the time,” Hishammuddin said.

The cargo manifest includes a receipt for a package containing lithium ion batteries, noting that the package “must be handled with care.”

NTI-GOVERNMENT demonstrators in a major eastern Ukraine city stormed and took over the regional prosecutor’s office yesterday as evidence mounts that authorities are losing control over swaths of the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said Ukraine should withdraw its troops from the east and south, where insurgents seeking either greater autonomy or annexation by Russia have seized government facilities in more than a dozen cities.

Moscow has consistently denounced Ukrainian security forces’ largely ineffectual “anti-terrorist” operation against the eastern insurgents and warned they shouldn’t commit violence against civilians. In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin said the removal of military units from the south and east was a “main thing,” but it was unclear if that could be con-

strued as an outright demand.

A row of several dozen riot police standing guard at the regional prosecutor’s office fired stun grenades and tear gas when some at the front of the crowd of several hundred people attempted to force their way into the building in Donetsk.

As the confrontation escalated, some in the crowd threw rocks and managed to tear shields off the police. An Associated Press reporter saw a handful of officers being dragged away and beaten by members of the crowd.

Hundreds of onlookers accompanying the protesters, who included several crying children, shouted slogans and hurled abuse.

Upon occupying the building, protesters discarded the Ukrainian flag and replaced it with that of the Donetsk People’s Republic - a movement that seeks either greater autonomy from the central government, or independence and possible annexation by Russia.

Turkish police clash with May Day protesters in Istanbul

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MASSIVE police operation has cracked down on May Day protests in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Riot officers have blocked off the city’s iconic Taksim Square and have deployed tear gas and water cannon against crowds of demonstrators.

Defying a ban on May Day protests, hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Besiktas neighbourhood of Istanbul.

Some activists threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police officers, who retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon.

The tear-gassing was so intense in the Besiktas district that some families were forced to evacuate their homes, reported Turkish news agency Hurriyet.

At least 142 protesters have been detained by police and 90 people, 19 of whom are police officers, have been injured during the protests, according to the Istanbul Governor’s Office. The Hurriyet Daily notes that the number of injured does not include those treated outside of hospitals.

Istanbul’s authorities have taken special measures to ensure protesters do not gain access to Taksim Square, which has become a symbol for the city’s anti-government protest movement. Local press reports that at least 30 special operations units have been deployed around Gezi Park - adjacent to Taksim Square – as well as armored vehicles.

In addition, the Turkish police have also deployed specially designed, portable, steel walls for the first time. The barriers are equipped with cameras and spray tear gas automatically when they are pushed against.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

NEWS

Protests in Lagos, Kano, Ilorin over abducted girls Continued from page 2

are the Chibok girls? Please find our daughters.” “Masses are dying at the expense of the few.”

“If one of us is unsafe none of use is safe.” “Mr. President, where is our $20 billion?” “President Jonathan, please stop playing with our lives.”

The CCSO presented its letter of protest to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for transmission to Jonathan.

Parts of the letter, signed by Kwara CCSO chair and secretary, Shuaib Fari and Basambo Abubakar, read: “Mr. President, the coalition of civil society in Kwara State notes with dismay the current state of the nation, especially the increase rate of insurgencies in some parts of the country and other insecurity situations in the country at large.

“It is on the basis of this development that the youths, students and other civil society organisations in the state use the occasion of the 2014 workers day to address these critical issues affecting the peace and progress of our dear country.

“The coalition expresses concern over the kidnapping of school girls in Borno State and why government has not sufficiently and tactically carried out action that will lead to their rescue. Our dear president, the first duty of a leader is to have a heart for the people; to treasure his people, love them and have a desire to give them his best all the time.

“Saving our girls right now and stabilising the security condition of this country should be of utmost priority that goes beyond giving rooms for distraction from political opponents or giving more attention to the pursuit of personal aspiration.”

The group equally requested for the president’s intervention in the face-off between Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and their colleges of education counterparts.

It said: “He who closes the gates of schools opens the gates of hell, courage, hooliganism, thuggery and violence. Mr. President should not be watching and seeing lives of his youth ruined.”

Kwara State NLC Chairman Farouk Akanbi said: “Suicide bombing in thickly populated places, guerrilla warfare and massacre of communities, farmers and herdsmen clashes, slaughtering of innocent school pupils, abduction of over 200 school girls, armed robbery, kidnap for ransom, rape of underaged girls, ritual killings call for serious concern. It appears neither solution nor respite is in sight.”

Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said now is the time for Nigerians, especially political leaders, to bury their differences and work collectively to ensure that the 234 girls are found and returned to their parents.

Kwankwaso said: “I believe this is the time to call on all of us to support Nigeria. This is the time to bury all our differences, especially those that are being created by politicians, to come and support this country. These young girls that were being abducted are not only Muslims or only Christians. And this is the time for all of us also, to close ranks and ensure that these young girls are identified and returned to their parents and to the school.”

The governor spoke when he received members of the Kano State Civil Society Forum who

protested to the Government House over the girls’ abduction.

“I am sure the message, especially in the last few days, is very clear to the leadership in Abuja (Presidency). May be they do not understand the gravity of the issue. People are beginning to understand the calamity that has befallen our country, Nigeria. It is our collective responsibility to check the trend, to stop it and ensure that every child of school age goes to school without any fear,” Kwankwaso stated.

“We are as concerned and as worried as you are, we feel very sad as parents, we feel as sad as members of the (Chibok) community and we feel very sad as leaders of this state and, by extension, leaders in the country,” he added.

The governor stressed that it is the responsibility of any government protect lives and properties, to ensure freedom of speech and freedom of movement, adding that his administration, would continue to guaranty citizens’ rights within its limit.

Governor Kwankwaso, who expressed grief over the “unfortunate” incident, told the civil society groups that their letter would be delivered to the President within 24 hours.

Mr. A. B. Mahmoud (SAN), who led the group, said that if Nigeria cannot address the case of the abducted girls, it should seek assistance from other countries. He described the abduction as a national disaster. He expressed hope that the authorities concerned would be providing accurate information to Nigerians on the matter until the kidnapped girls are rescued.

The chairman of the Forum, Malam Bala Abdullahi, and a mother,Mrs. Amina Hanga, lamented the abduction.

have no option than to storm the Sambisa forest.

“We are not comfortable with the government; if not, how can our daughters be locked in the school, then all of a sudden some people would appear with their vehicles and packed our daughters like goats, run away with them without anyone raising alarm,” she queried.

Another woman, Hayija Asmau Joda also told the BBC that the government was not living up to expectation, adding that as concerned mothers, they were disturbed about what was happening to the Chibok girls,.

“Two weeks have gone with no trace of the missing girls and the government is not saying anything about it,” she said, adding:

“We’ve not seen the government making any effort because no single girl is returned to her family. Only those that were lucky to escape, those that had the courage to jump and run away from the abductors. Some even had fractures; therefore, we know it was not the government of Nigeria that saved those girls.

“We are gathered here to show the government how sad we are, because they are not concerned.

We want to beg them to wake up and find our daughters. It is unusual to see women staging a protest, but since men are unable and women have come out to protest from many parts of the country, it is our hope that the government will now take the issue much more serious”.

Kidnap of girls’ll end Boko Haram activities, says Gumi Continued from page 2

be surprises definitely! May Allah ease their release and protect our nation from criminals and irresponsible officials”, Gumi said.

Some women have threatened to march naked into the Sambisa forest in search of the girls.

Speaking on the Hausa Service of the BBC monitored in Kaduna yesterday, one of the women who simply gave her name as Ajoke said since the government tended to be more concerned about other issues than mobilising troops to rescue the girls, they may be left with no option than to go into the forest in search of their daughters.

She said that they had given an ultimatum for their daughters to be rescued or else, they would

Nine die in Abuja car bombing

Continued from page 2

area to trail those who brought the car.”

It was learnt that the scene was branded a “safe area” and the security was not tight because of a nearby military checkpoint.

Another source said: “I was walking on top of the bridge when the bomb exploded. It threw me off balance, but I managed to run to safety. The impact of the explosion shattered the windscreen of many vehicles on the bridge.

“When I regained consciousness and I looked under the bridge, many vehicles were al-

ready in flames.

“Being the main entry point to Abuja, traffic had already built up in the area.”

Another source added: “The explosion happened opposite the park where Boko Haram struck about two weeks ago.

“There was hustling and bustling in the area because it is a major interchange leading to Mararaba-Masaka-Keffi route; New Karu-Jikwoyi road and Nyanya-Gwandara area.

“No doubt, there was heavy convergence of people because there is a night market in the area.”

Replying to a question, the source added: “I cannot tell you the exact figures, but I saw 10 people lifeless on the floor. Many people were injured.”

A source in the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), who was part of the rescue operation, said he could not immediately speak on the incident: “We will call back, we are trying to control traffic to evacuate the victims to hospital,” he said.

The military, NEMA, the Federal Road Safety Commission, and other rescue agencies were at the scene.

Security agents quiz ‘lucky’ Chibok school girls Continued from page 2

look into the activities and records of some teachers in the school.

“All the clues at our disposal are being examined in order to rescue the girls unhurt.”

A top government official confirmed that the girls were taken to different schools to enable them write the examinations.

“We do not want them to lose

this opportunity while we are searching for their colleagues.

“We are collaborating with the military and security agents to ensure safe return of the girls.”

As of press time, there were indications that Borno State may release the list of the students and their photographs to the police for onward transmission to Defence Headquarters to assist the military in its rescue operations.”

The official went on: “We have

delayed action in releasing the list because in this type of abduction, the girls would have been abused. So, publishing their names and photographs might lead to stigmatization in the society.

“Again, we have reached a stage where we have to lay our cards on the table to ward off insinuations by some people on the actual number of students abducted.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

61

CITYBEATS

'I'm committed to service'

T

By Ibrahim Adam

"SERVICE is my life and I'm committed to it. So, awards only help to motivate me to do more." With this statement, the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, reacted to the honour done him with the Global Excellence Recognition Award of Best Local Government Chairman of the Year 2014.

Bamigbetan won the award at the 10th edition of the event, held at The Haven Events Centre on Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.

The organiser, Mr Mayor Akinpelu, Publisher of Global Excellence Magazine, said the award is held yearly to appreciate those “who have contributed positively to the development of the society, through their positions.”

Bamigbetan was chosen, he said, because of his achievements which have brought development to Ejigbo despite the council’s meagre financial resources.

Bamigbetan, who described the award as a surprise dedicated it to his political mentor, former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu. He said, Tinubu inspired him to develop passion to serve humanity when he served the former governor as Chief Press Secretary.

He also dedicated the award to the people of Ejigbo for giving him the opportunity to serve them.

• Bamigbetan

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

• Braide

Police arrest five robbery suspects

HE police have recovered a chief revolver, three locallymade guns and four live cartridges from some suspected robbers in Lagos.

The recoveries were made by operatives of the Bar Beach and Oko Oba Police Stations.

Five suspected bandits are also being held at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

It was gathered that about 11. 35pm last Satur-

to their heels.

The policemen, it was gathered, chased and arrested two of the suspects who were identified as Rasaki Ogunbiji (22) and Dare Ganiyu (20).

“The items recovered from the suspects include one chief revolver and one cut-to-size locally-made pistol with two live cartridges,” a police source told The Nation.

Also about 4pm, that day, policemen attached to

Oko-Oba Division, had a gun duel with some robbery suspects.

Three of them were arrested, while two locally made pistols, two live cartridges and a stolen Bajaj motorcycle were recovered.

Spokesperson of the Police Command Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the cases were being investigated, adding that they would be prosecuted after the investigations.

ing were burnt.

The occupant of the back flat where the fire was suspected to have started was not available for comments when The Nation visited on Saturday.

Debunking the allegation that firefighters did not respond promptly, an official from the Iganmu Fire Station, Mrs Obede Faramobi, said they got a call at 15.44 hours and the officers got there at 16.18 hours because of the traffic. With four fire-

fighting trucks - three from the Lagos State Fire Service and one from the Federal Fire Service – she said they prevented the fire from causing more damage.

At The Arena, some of the affected traders said they lost goods worth several millions of naira to the inferno which burnt a structure housing about 10 shops.

A shop attendant, who identified herself as Helen, said: “If the Arena Fire Ser-

vice was not on standby, all our goods would have gone with the fire. However, it was a great loss.”

An official of the market, who spoke under anonymity, said they were yet to ascertain the cause of the fire.

To prevent fire-related losses in the state, The Arena traders urged government to establish mini fire stations around major markets and heavily populated areas.

By Wale Adepoju

stroyed by rainstorm . The tree’s branches, he said, fell into the compound and destroyed two new Pick-up vans.

He said the owner of the garden promised to prune the tree, but never did till another rainstorm last Sunday.

Olanrewaju, who said

the owner of the garden could not be reached, said the case was reported to the police, adding: “I was told to report the case to the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, which I did.

The officials promised to look at the issue, but nothing has been heard from them since then.”

By Jude Isiguzo

day, a police patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bar Beach Mr Adegoke Fayoade, Chief Superintendent (CSP), while on a stop-andsearch intercepted a Volkswagen commercial bus marked, APP 291 XG, with five occupants.

The occupants were asked to disembark for routine check; but they jumped out of the vehicle and took

Lawyer, other fire victims count losses

A

LAWYER and some traders are still counting their losses in separate fires.

The law firm of Kachikwu, Ukefu & Co, Surulere, Lagos Mainland, and The Arena, a shopping mall in Oshodi, a Lagos suburb, were gutted by fire.

The fire destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

The firm’s principal partner, Mr Emeka Jude Kachikwu, is urging the government to take urgent steps to prevent fires.

Fighting back tears while narrating his ordeal to The Nation yesterday, he said apart from the millions of naira he spent to establish the firm, he lost over 60 per cent of important documents, law reports and books and electrical appliances.

Kachikwu, who said he recently spent about N2 million to renovate the office lamented that he would have to start all over again to put it back to shape.

While packing the salvaged items into his car, he explained that he was called around 4 pm on the fateful day. On getting to his office, he found that there was nothing he could do as the whole building was on fire.

“We have been trying to see those who live at the back flat to tell us what happened. We don’t live here and we don’t work on

By Uyoatta Eshiet

Saturdays. I can’t quantify what we lost yet; it is devastating,” he said.

Mr Testimony Olumufunshere, who was on the scene said: “At about 3.35 pm, I was at a wedding reception at Ideal Girls High School, Randle Avenue, when we noticed a thick black smoke coming from the direction of the house. The elderly ones at the reception started coughing; a few of us went to the scene. Youths in the area started throwing stones at the windows to break them to let out the smoke from the house as there was no immediate response from the Fire Service. We had to restrain a man who rushed to the scene and attempted to rush into the burning building as he was shouting: “my documents, my documents.”

A w o m a n , w h o l i v es nearly, said the fire torched a house, which shares a fence with the firm, adding that part of its roof and ceil-

R

• The law firm on fire

Hoodlums, rainstorm worry residents

ESIDENTS have sent a save-oursouls (SOS) to the government over threats posed to them by an abandoned garden and rainstorm.

The residents of Egbeyemi Street at Ilupeju in Lagos are praying the government to immediately evacuate the garden which is behind a building that “harbours a destructive tree that often gives way during the rains.”

Whenever there are rain storms, they said, the tree’s branches fall off, destroying fences, vehicles and other structures.

The vehicles parked on the premises of an automobile company, DeDamak Nigeria Limited, were recently destroyed by such stormed, they said.

The caretaker of the property, Mr Sadiq Olanrewaju, said hoodlums hide in the garden at night to harm passersby.

A security official, who pleaded anonymity, said the former owner gave the garden to his son who now manages it.

“Before, he always left

the garden bushy until we called him to take care of it. Street urchins and Indian hemp smokers have turned it to their operational base”, the source said.

Olanrewaju said in March, last year, the fence of the premises was de-

• Vehicles damaged by the tree after a recent rainstorm

By Jude Isiguzo

62

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

T

WO years ago, I reflected on the challenge of residency rights in the context of our fascination with, indeed, fetishisation of place of origin. This mindset is thoroughly human, but industrialisation and modernisation has virtually erased it from the landscape of the Western world. It is very much alive in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. There is nothing inherently wrong with the mindset. In fact, it has been exploited profitably for developmental efforts in villages across the land.

However, if there is an interest in the strengthening of national integration, fascination with place of origin is a real challenge. Now that the National Conference has waded into the issue, the collective wisdom of delegates may provide the breakthrough that we need.

Pursuant to the declaration that the “motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”, the 1999 Constitution pledged that “national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.” This is the central political objective of the document that constitutes the grundnorm of the nation’s existence.

To the extent that the constitution recognises the importance of national integration as key to the realisation of unity and faith, peace and progress, its framers deserve credit. It may be argued that this recognition is only on paper. The answer to this charge is that the constitution is a written document, and its provision can only be on paper. It is the responsibility of those who pledged to uphold the spirit of the constitution to implement its provisions and transform it from an ordinary paper to a living reality in the lives of citizens.

Indeed, the document goes on to enumerate the means to the realisation of the objective of national integration when it identifies the duty of the state to “provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation; secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation; encourage inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin or of different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties; and promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic, linguistic, religious or other sectional barriers.”

The framers of the constitution truly believed that the state, through its elected leaders, can make all the foregoing happen.

B

EAUTY is transcendental. It is providence’s final testament to man’s elevated status. Beauty, no matter the form or configuration, is imbued with the divine: a bougainvillea tree in glorious bloom; a stream coursing merrily through the country side; the setting sun in blazing orange radiance over white-caped kilimanjaro and the mother of all beauties – a sculpted damsel set down all so delicately among earthlings by our creator. Yes, womanhood is the mother of all beauties ever created because it is the only kind of beauty with fluttering, seductive eyes. It is through femininity that our creator found a collocation between man and celestial beings.

Supple, two-legged beauty is the ultimate weapon that can be deployed for good or for ill. Tried and tested over the ages, carnal beauty is therapy as well as potent ammo in man’s arsenal. Humanity and his history are at their roots, the story of beauty on the wings of carnality. Races have been saved and races have been razed from the face of the earth on account of this phenomenon.

Great wars have been waged and empires have been pulled back from the brinks just by the timely flash of a demure smile. Among carnal earthlings, there is nothing the heart cannot wreak while at play on the lush landscape of beauty’s canvas. Yes, kings have given away entire kingdoms; let the kingdom and all that is in it be damned! Let all

VOL.9 NO.2836

The tragedy of this reality subsists in the consequence of having such youth evolve as the driving force or leadership of the Nigerian youth and future. It is very important that Nigeria does not fall into the hands of this breed for the following reasons: the alpha breed suffer a lack of sociological imagination.

OLA TUNJI OLOLADE AT

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

National integration and the challenge of origin

•President Goodluck Jonathan

After all, “ought implies can.” In light of the experience of the last thirteen years, it would appear that the optimism of the framers was a little bit misplaced. Of the group of four ideals that comprise the motto of the nation, we cannot pretend to be close to beginning the journey toward the realisation of three: unity, peace, and progress. The fourth, faith, is the most vague in what it includes and, therefore, perhaps the most difficult to know if we are inching towards it. Does it mean faith in the republic? Or does it mean faith in God, gods, humans or wealth and greed?

The nation has moved from militancy to terrorism in fifteen years; it has found itself in the belly of ethnic and religious whales, and the god of its creation has not been able to deliver it. It is debatable whether that god is not somewhere having a belly laugh at the expense of its creature. Didn’t he/she/it anticipate these outcomes?

Two years ago, the National Assembly also took a bite into the complex tissue of this monstrous entity. In order to give teeth to the idealistic provisions of the constitution regarding national integration and residency, the Na-

tional Assembly, as the beneficiary of the people’s sovereignty, flew again the kite of residency right. It is laudable in the context of the goal of national integration. The question was about its workability?

The Federal Government can promulgate a residency requirement: if you live for ten years in a locality, discharging your full legal and civic responsibilities, you qualify for full residency rights including the right to vote and be voted for. This is what happens in other nations.

Now, that proposal appears very reasonable until we identify one significant difference between this country (as well as many African nations) and the other countries where this works. America is a land of immigrants. Human movement is what gives the United States an edge. Mitt Romney’s father was governor of Michigan. Mitt moved to Massachusetts and became governor there. Barack Obama moved from his birthplace of Hawaii and became a Senator from Chicago. Bill Clinton was governor in Arkansas and from there he got elected as President of the United States. He then moved to New York where his wife was elected Senator. The list is long. The reason this is possible in the United States is that the idea of residency is not tied to any fundamental ideal of belonging concretised in the symbolism of umbilical cord burial.

In the defense of some of our practices, we self-indict by referencing our level of development or maturity. They say, for instance, that we are not ripe for State Police because governors will abuse it. Of course, I think this is a spurious claim. But the fundamental ideal of belonging that we all cherish doesn’t even belong to that category of practices.

Grant residency rights by law and empower individuals to be integral parts of the communities in which they reside. Grant them that right, and what do you have? At census time, they pack their families to their birthplace where they feel they truly belong. The right to free movement cannot prevent this

from happening. And what they fail to do in life, they choose to have done at death.

For the Yoruba, royalty (and everyone is included here) deserves proper hometown internment (ori oye kii sun ta).

This obsession with place of origin does not just relate to ethnic or state origins. It is an issue among members of the same ethnicity just as it is a challenge to intra-community harmony.

Consider a typical small Yoruba community with a newly developed neighborhood settled by people from different parts of the community and surrounding towns. Significantly, in deference to their different origins, they name their new settlement Ilupeju (the assembly of many towns). What is more, each settler family finds his or her way to their places of origin, probably on 6 km away for voter registration; for elections, and to their “home” churches and mosques for spiritual activities. It doesn’t matter that they can access these facilities in their new homes. Were legal obstacles to national integration removed, this tendency for voluntary separation and identification with origin is a greater challenge to effective integration.

In light of this, we should not be deluded into thinking that once we promulgate residency rights, national integration would be achieved. In the context of our cultural beliefs, it is the beneficiaries of full residency rights that are most likely to be its worst violators. Yet there is something unsettling about referencing negatively those cultural beliefs and practices that appear to counter our notion of national integration as violations. These practices have been recognised by the people as part of their being—what makes them who they are. They are what psychologists understand as identity markers. It would appear then that the objective of national integration can truly conflict with our fundamental notions of who we consider ourselves to be.

Of course, the encouragement of national integration through residency rights does not force anyone to take advantage of such rights.

Individuals and family members may choose to self segregate rather than integrate with their “host” communities. This raises a different set of issue. A settler who self-segregates in spite of the right to residency becomes suspect to the host community: what does he/ she think of us? Why live with us and not integrate? More important than legality is an enabling environment that allows people to internalise the norms of citizenship through voluntary interactions so they can collectively develop relationships that supersede their various private and group enclaves.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Ode to Beauty Haram souls therein perish!

King Herod Antipas staked half the empire to his illegitimate wife’s daughter. I will give anything, up to half my kingdom, Herod vowed, bewitched by a dancing nubile beauty.

No, the head of John the Baptiser it must be, insists the fiendish Queen Herodias. And pronto, it is served up to her on a platter, still dripping and still misting (Mark, 6v25). On the other hand, Queen Esther’s enthralling beauty saved her race from annihilation. After Esther had worked on the great King Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia, he would sacrifice even his own race to sustain Esther’s as revealed in the Biblical book of Esther.

Just as beauty is the most beautiful art of all creation, (excuse the tautology) it is also the

most ruinous. From age to age, beauty never loses its potency or power to hold man in ruinous thrall. Every generation has its array of bevies and no one is ever inured to their magical powers. But may a people never be caught in the vortex of a catastrophic beauty this must be the king of all prayers. Has beauty gripped Nigeria by the scrotum with her soft, manicured fingers? Are we all under the sedate sensation of a pleasurable pain; the kind of pain we seem too weak to resist? Are we under the spell of a most beguiling beauty?

Beauty garnished with kleptomania is raw poison. Have we handed the purse strings of our economy to a buccaneering beauty only to watch the land go to waste in the last few years? Have we been bewitched into dumping our most prized assets on the lush laps of

a queen of pearls? Remember what Cleopatra did to Anthony. In Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, a member of the ruling Roman triumvirate was seduced by the Egyptian beauty whose perfume wafted right across from the Mediterranean. And Anthony went on a cruise … abandoning the empire.

Yes, it can only be by the sheer power of feminine sorcery that more income only translates to more misery for the populace.

It is only an overpowering feminine aura that would drill harsh conditions into the people while cruising the world in wanton and licentious opulence. Only a beguiling beauty would tell the people that the economy was crashing under the weight of subsidy while cold-blooded corruption prevailed. Our imperious beauty has charmed us all into a coma, yanking off our life support, quickening our demise while perpetuating a treasury-jacking never known in Nigeria.

Oh, what Beauty Haram; deadlier than Boko Haram, one that cannot be summoned, probed or queried; one that has the presidency, the NASS and the judiciary under her wrapper. One that holds EFCC, ICPC and all critical institutions of state spellbound.

Oh, who will save us from this calamitous beauty that has afflicted our land!

•Continued on page 59

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