The Nation May 31 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

News PDP leaders take battle for Speaker to Reps-elect Sport 13 in Eagles’ camp for Nigeria/Argentina match Business Court restrains CBN from sacking Afribank’s chair

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VOL. 6, NO. 1776 TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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EXPLOSIONS IN CITIES

Bombs: 15 dead in cities Anyim is SGF

13 dead in Bauchi

•NSA Azazi reappointed as Cabinet is disbanded

Two victims in Abuja

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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Two kids injured in Zaria •A woman and her son, victims of the blast, at Diamond Crest Hospital, Zuba ... yesterday.

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ORE bombs went off yesterday, as the casualty figures of Sunday’s explosions were released.

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead and scores injured in the explosions in Zuba, near Abuja, Bauchi, Maiduguri and Zaria on Sunday night – hours after the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja amid tight security.

Thirteen people died in the explosions at the Mammy Market inside the 33 Artillery Brigade barracks in Bauchi on Sunday night.

Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika told officers and men of the Command in Bauchi

‘

I ran there quickly and I saw him rolling on the ground, writhing in pains, with one leg blown off. He was crying, ‘please help me’.

From Yusuf Alli (Abuja), Austin Tsenzughul (Bauchi) and Tony Akowe (Kaduna)

yesterday that 40 people were injured in the blast.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said two people died in the Zuba explosions; 11 others were injured.

There were more explosions yesterday in Maiduguri and Zaria, where a blast also occurred on Sunday night.

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Gen. Ihejirika said the explosions were “an act of terrorism”. “It is a challenge that you must face,” he told his men.

He said anti-terrorism and dog units would be introduced in the Army.

The Federal Government yesterday introduced some tough antiterrorism measures.

Former Minister of Defence Continued on page 3

•A victim, Peter Iliya, at Living Rock Hospital Maternity, Zuba.

PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Six killed in Oyo drivers gun battle •Police chief Bolanta speaking ... yesterday

Many injured as police arrest 20

SEE PAGE 4

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday appointed former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF). He reappointed Gen. Owoye Azazi as the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Anyim will be sworn in today at the Executive Council Chambers at noon.

The President also dissolved the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and disengaged his aides.

A statement last night

by Musa Aduwak, Director of Information, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, which announced Anyim’s appointment, also said the exit of the political appointees “brings to a close the former administration, and marks the beginning of the new one”.

The statement added: “In accordance with the appointment letters of members of the Federal Executive Council, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and other political appointees, their appointments ended on May 29, 2011.”

The President thanked the former political appointees for their service to the nation.

He lauded their patriotism and dedication, and wished them God’s blessings in their future endeavours.

•MARITIME P18 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P25 •ENERGY P37 •AVIATION P45

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

NEWS EXPLOSIONS IN CITIES Mrs Saudat Joba had made several trips from her Bida base in Niger State to Abuja.

As a tycoon, she had always come on business trips in the company of Simiu, ‘her brother’. But the trip on Sunday was not lutch-free. Simiu, who had accompanied her on such trips for more than 11 years became one of the two casulties of the explosion at a drinking bar in Zuba, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mrs Joba told The Nation’s Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga and correspondent Dele Anofi how the Sunday trip went awry.

•Nagora of Zuba, Mohammadu Bello (middle) at the scene of the bomb blast at International Market Zuba in Niger State

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

‘I just heard a loud sound as if a trailer’s tyre had burst’

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HAT brought you to Zuba International Market and could you recollect what happened last night (Sunday)?

We came from Bida to buy some beer. There was no power supply when we got there and when I discovered that it was getting too late, I told the owner of the shop to hurry up and that was when he told us that the generator was faulty. He then told us that they would have to change the tank of the generator.

The place was dark; the owner joined us and held his handset (phone) to illuminate the place. I collected the phone from him while the other boy was loading the cartons. As he gave me the phone and I was pointing it towards the cartons, I just heard a loud sound as if a trailer’s tyre had burst. What first came to my mind was that probably a trailer came to that park to drop goods and the tyre got burst.

Before I knew it, sand was all over me, I was shaking. I first staggered, but I was able to hold on to the cartons of beee near me. Momentarily, I saw people running and I joined them. There was no time to think at that moment but after few steps, I regained consciousness, I looked at myself, no cloth on me again, my wrapper had disappeared, I looked well, I could see only my knickers and the T-shirt I wore under. I wondered what could have happened.

Just then, a man was asking me about the blood on my body, I looked and wondered where it could have come from. I then realised that I couldn’t hear anything though I could see.

You must be really scared and confused?

Yes. But suddenly at that point, I saw one of the boys that sold the goods to us. He was shaking as he pointed at something on the floor and I saw my brother, ‘pointing back at the boy, shouting’ ‘please help me, don’t let me die, please don’t let me die’. The boy was telling me, pointing in the direction, saying see your brother, see your brother. I ran there quickly and I saw him rolling on the ground writhing in pains, with one leg blown off. He was crying, please

How bomb was planted in Zuba

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ORE facts emerged yesterday on how a local bomb was planted at a drinking joint (known in local parlance as Beer Palour) at the Lagos park of the Zuba International Market, Abuja.

The bomb, which went off at about 8:35pm on Sunday, claimed the lives of two persons while nine others sustained critical injuries.

Eyewitnesses told The Nation that one of the victims died instantly as the bomb burrowed a deep hole on the tarred floor within the complex.

One of the victims, Simiu, had come to the market with a trader to buy beer in wholesale from Bida, Niger State.

While Simiu’s leg was blown off and his shirt torn into shreds, the other victims were left with various degrees of injuries.

When The Nation’s reporter visited the scene of the blast, men of the anti-bomb unit of the Nigeria Police were seen combing the place for evidence.

One of the security personnel, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bomb had been identified as locally assembled and was brought into the busier outer part of the joint which was covered with canopy and left on the floor unnoticed.

He said: “I can authoritatively tell you that the bomb was locally made because from what I can see, the materials used are not the imported ones. I can also confirm it was brought in a polythene plastic bag. From the impact, one can easily detect it to be locally made.”

Asked why the bomb should be brought to a public place like the market, the official said he suspected that the bomb was meant for the inauguration ceremony of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Eagle Square.

His words: “They could not get there because of the tight security measures put in place in and around the Square and the metropolis genhelp me. At that point, I carried him on my back. Everybody was talking at the same time. Some said that even if we take him to the hospital, the doctors won’t attend to him. I dropped him again; I was begging people around us to help me with some money for Okada and the police because, amid the confusion, my intention was to go to the police station with him so that the police would handle it. Someone gave me N100 and put me inside a Kabukabu (an intra-city taxi, I came to the police station, and saw a man coming

From Yomi Odunuga and Dele Anofi, Abuja

erally but unfortunately they have to place it somewhere. I am sure that was why they have to come to a place like this and in the night when no one would notice.”

Another witness who identified himself as Mr. Audu said: “As early as before 7am (Monday), they came around and they have been doing their job since. The only problem is just this crowd that would not allow them to do their job.

Not that they are stopping them but they are just moving around the place as they like. The police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) are really having a difficult time controlling them.

“I gathered that the bomb was in a polythene bag and placed on the floor. The way that place was dug, It cannot be anything else but a bomb and I suspect it was a local bomb because, if I remember well, the one that happened in Mogadishu Barracks even brought down the building. But this one just dug a hole, even the cartons of beer kept nearby were not affected”, he said.

The Nation spoke with the shop owner’s spouse, who was not at the shop when the incident occurred.

Her words: “I was not at the shop when it happened but he called me immediately after but I could not come until this morning. He told me on the phone that something terrible happened that they threw bomb in our shop “I immediately asked after his condition and the others, he said he was affected by the shock and that he did not sustain any injury. He said it was one customer that was seriously injured.

He said the man’s leg was chopped off by the explosion. That another one’s eye was affected, with several others injured. Right now (yesterday morning) my husband is also in the hospital and we later heard that the man whose leg

out of the station who said he heard the sound too thinking it was a burst tyre. He said he just came from somewhere and he is going back but that I should go in and report.

Did he offer to assist?

The man took me in his car and three policemen joined us and we went back. By the time we got back, the gate of the market was closed.

By the time we got back to the shop, my brother was nowhere to be found. One person pointed at one corner where we found him.

Somehow, we got the car started,

was cut off had died.

Asked on the impact the blast would have on the business, she said: “Being a Sunday, we normally have big sale as many people will come to drink and buy on wholesale, from what I can see, I cannot quantify the loss. My husband even told me that the customer has already paid over N70, 000 for her goods. Where the money is right now, nobody knows and we don’t really care because with all the injured people, who will start looking for money?

Mrs. Orji could not, but vent her anger on the perpetrators. She said: “It is only God that will repay those people back. The man that died must have a family, what will happen to those he left behind now? Why can’t people have mercy on innocent people for God’s sake? See where we are, does this place look like Aso Rock, what money have we stolen from government? Can’t they go those that are responsible for Nigeria’s problems? Why can’t we love each other, why did we hate ourselves so much? If we love ourselves, the thought of making another person unhappy would not cross our minds. Let Nigerians find a place in our hearts to love each other and our government to know that the offices they are occupying should be to make life easy for their fellow Nigerians”.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi has directed the Abuja Operation office of the response agency to move victims of the explosion to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital today for proper medical attention.

The NEMA rescue team yesterday assisted in moving the victims to private hospitals in Niger state. While it was reported that three people were admitted yesterday, the number of victims had increased to 11 in hospital. The death of Simiu and one other person was also confirmed.

by then I couldn’t see the policemen again. I started the car but I couldn’t concentrate. There and then they put him in my car, at that point, I lost concentration, he was in agony, still yelling ‘help me, don’t let me die, please pray for me not to die.’ The people around were crying and at the same time praying and assuring him, you won’t die, he was answering amen, amen. Suddenly, he started shouting, give me water, I am thirsty, give me Coke.

Everybody was saying no, no, when you get to the hospital you will get

everything you need. At that point I couldn’t drive any longer A man took the steering, the rain was falling, the wiper was not functioning again, the impact of the blast broke the windscreen. We headed straight for the police station before we got here, he had stopped breathing.

What time was that?

I don’t know. It must be more than two hours after the incident. I was running around to get help. I don’t know when I dozed off, before I Continued on page 3

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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NEWS EXPLOSIONS IN CITIES

15 dead as bombs rock Abuja, other cities Continued from page 1

Adetokunbo Kayode reviewed the incidents with the service chiefs.

A Presidency source, who pleaded not to be named because “the matter is sensitive”, said: “We have reviewed the situation and we can no longer treat those behind these explosions with levity.

“The government has decided to take very strict, coordinated and concerted action against the perpetrators of bomb explosions.

“We thought that the explosions would end with the campaign and the elections but the way things are going, the blasts are threats to national security.

“With the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, we are ready to guarantee security of lives and property.

“We will be decisive and civil, but, unfortunately, when we take drastic steps, the media will be the first to criticise us.”

Another source said the Chief of Army Staff was sent to Bauchi to “take stock of things”.

He added: “Preliminary investigation into the two incidents in Zuba and Bauchi by security agencies has started.

The outcome will determine how the government will go about its coordinated action.

“Anti-bomb units in various agencies have begun forensic examinations of shrapnel and elements retrieved from the explosions sites.”

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Muhammad Sani Sidi, has ordered that the injured be evacuated to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Head of Public Relations of the agency, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, said: “We have taken over the care of the victims from the Government of Niger State.

Initially, the 11 victims were admitted in private hospitals, but they were taken to the specialist hospital for enhanced treatment.”

The triple bombings at the Shadawanka Army barracks in Bauchi occurred on Sunday evening in a popular section of the Mammy market at 8:08pm. There were many patrons in the place.

All the victims are said to be civilians. Officials declined comment on details of the vic-

tims.

The casualty figure announced by the Army Chief conflicts with those given by other officials. Bauchi Police Commissioner Mohammed Indabawa, said five persons died.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Army, Jos, Major-General Sunday Idoko, described the incident as “unfortunate”.

He said Army barracks within his command are porous since there are no perimeter fences. Besides, in his view, “security should be everybody’s responsibility”.

The 33 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen Agbo Robinson, whose command overseas the Mammy market, said only two persons died.

The Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), “all in all, 14 people died, 29 hospitalised with various degrees of injuries, but eight were treated and discharged”.

An object suspected to be a bomb yesterday exploded at Ungwan Juma community in Zaria, Kaduna State, injuring two children. It was the second explosion in Zaria within 12 hours.

Earlier on Sunday evening, while the state was still celebrating a peaceful inauguration, a bomb exploded at a popular drinking parlour in PZ area, injuring two people.

Although there was no major casualty in the two incidents, eye witness accounts said the two kids were on their way to fetch water when the bomb exploded. They are hospitaled.

Before Sunday’s inauguration, there were threats by a faceless group claiming to be Boko Haram to disrupt the ceremony.

The threat led to high security cordon around the metropolis, especially at the Murtala Square, venue of the inauguration.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Aminu Lawal (DSP), said the explosions were not caused by a bomb, but an explosive.

There was anxiety yesterday in Maiduguri when a bomb exploded on Baga Road in the Borno State capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from eyewitnesses that the bomb exploded at a road side around 8 a.m.

“We were on duty at the bank when we heard a big sound close by, but we later discovered that it was a bomb

•A victim (Benjamin Gideon ) at Diamond Crest HospiPHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE •Another victim receiving treatment ... yesterday tal, Zuba ... yesterday.

‘I just heard a loud sound as if a trailer’s tyre had burst’ Continued from page 2

woke, the police had taken him to the mortuary.

How close were the two of you?

He was an orphan. Not that we were related by blood. He was from Iwo, Osun State and I am from Igboho, Oyo State.

But when we met more than 11 years ago before he got married, he introduced himself to me and I found him to be of good behaviour. I took him like my brother, and no one would know that we were not blood relations. We were very close. He was about 38 years old, a mechanic by vocation but whenever I want to travel, he would take me. I even got him a driver’s licence. He had two children, the first a fouryear-old and the younger one less than one year. This is horrible. This man had no premonition of death. We were chatting, laughing, discussing yesterday morning. I have never seen such a thing in my life. What is fairness in this? Whoever is planning this should remember that we would all

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have to account to our creator one day.

How can one just be going on his own, innocently, only to meet an untimely death? Nigeria is spoilt and we say we have a government, innocent souls dying for what they did not cause. Why can’t the governments give them what they are looking for? This country is not for one person alone.

We are not collecting anything from government. We are feeding ourselves, we are clothing ourselves, we even provide water, light for ourselves, the roads are not good, no security of lives and property, no free education or health, we are providing all these things for ourselves. Yet, the government cannot protect us from these wicked people. I am a widow providing for my family. This young man was trying to protect his family from hunger, yet, the government is just looking. Those in government should know that the blood of the innocent people that are just dying in this country would be on their heads because if they do the right thing, maybe all these killings and bombings would not occur.

My husband is also in the hospital and we later heard that the man whose leg was cut off had died. planted at a roadside by unknown persons,” Mr Simon Owoh, a security guard in a commercial bank, said.

Owoh said the bomb was planted in anticipation of people passing through the road in the morning.

“We thank God that nobody was around when the

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explosion took place,” he said.

Police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi declined comments on the incident.

The police had alerted the public over planned attacks by suspected Boko Haram (Western education is sin) members.

•Saudat Joba

•Mrs Orji

PDP leaders take battle for Speaker to Reps-elect again today

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OR the second time in week, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today meet with members-elect of the House of Representatives on the party’s position that the Speaker should emerge from the Southwest.

The party is also working on Plan B to prevail on the members-elect to jettison the amendment to the Voting System before the election of a new Speaker on June 6.

Six candidates are jostling to be Speaker.

They are Aminu Tambuwal

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

(North-West); Muraina Saubana Ajibola; Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande; Emeka Ihedioha; Eziuche Ubani; and Bethel Amadi.

By the party’s zoning formula, it ought to be a straight fight between Ajibola and Adeola-Akande from the Southwest.

But Reps-elect from the North, especially the NorthWest, are teaming up with their colleagues from the Southeast to alter the zoning formula.

The party is however insist-

ing on the retention of the zoning formula which favours the emergence of the Speaker from the Southwest.

Most Reps-elect from the Northwest and the Southeast are still adamant.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that some leaders of the PDP are expected to meet with Repselect in Abuja today on the position of the party which borders on the concession of the choice of new Speaker to the Southwest.

The party leadership last Wednesday met with Reps-

elect, but most of them were adamant.

Some PDP leaders at the last meeting were a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih and the acting National Chairman of the party, Dr. Mohammed Haliru Bello.

The meeting left Reps-elect divided along pro-Southwest and anti-Southwest.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are meeting with these Reps-elect again on Tuesday as part of a fence-mending mission to allow them to appreciate the

position of the party.

“We have noticed that their ranks have been infiltrated by some influential PDP leaders who are opposed to Jonathan.

In the face of the rejection of the olive branch of the party, there were indications that the PDP has a Plan B to prevail on the members-elect to jettison the amendment to the Voting System before the election of a new Speaker on June 6.

“The party will insist on the reversal of the Open-Secret Voting System recently put in

place by the House.

“I can tell you that the amendment carried out by the House will never stand,” a member of the National Working Committee of the party said.

Chairman of the Justice Committee of the House, Seriake Dickson, who is an ally of the President and one of the coordinators of the proSouthwest project, said: “The so-called amendment is untenable and inoperable. By parliamentary standard worldwide, parliamentarians do not vote in secret.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

NEWS Three feared dead in Lagos accident

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HREE people were feared dead yesterday in an accident at the Iyana-Oworosoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge.

The incident occurred around 11:45am and the vehicles involved were heading towards Lagos Island.

It was gathered that a fully loaded 14-seats commercial vehicle with registration number XN101EKY which left from at Iyan-Oworosoki bus stop, developed mechanical fault on the road.

As a result of the said fault, the driver of the bus lost control and another green Volkswagen bus with registration number, XT891SMK rammed into the faulty bus from behind.

According to eye witnesses, the driver of one of the buses and two other passengers in the commercial bus were feared dead.

It was learnt that the three of them were badly injured on their fore heads and were almost lifeless as at the time a Lagos State Ambulance service vehicle marked, LA150AO8 which took them to the hospital arrived.

About seven other passen-

By Jude Isiguzo

gers sustained various injuries and were rushed to the Island General hospital for treatment.

The accident caused serious traffic on the bridge while some of the survivors had to walk from the scene back to Oworonsoki.

It was the officers in charge of Anti-Fraud at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Mr Bode Ojajuni that called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Adekunle Police Station to inform he of the incident.

One of the survivors, Alhaji Mustafa Olusanmin, said it was the commercial bus driver that caused the accident.

He said: “When the driver noticed that the vehicle had a fault, we told him to park and fix it but he said it was not possible because he did want LASTMA people to arrest him. When five of us insisted that we would not continue the journey, he parked and we came down. The driver immediately changed lane and another vehicle which was coming from behind rammed into it”.

Lamido urges combined efforts to tackle security challenges

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OVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has called for concerted efforts between Nigeria and Niger Republic to tackle border security challenges.

Lamido spoke when he received the governors of Danmagaram, Alhaji Umar Isiyaka, and Maradi, Alhaji Ahmed Sidi of Niger Republic, who visited on Monday in Dutse.

Lamido stressed the need for the governors of states that share borders to address the security challenges in the border towns.

Sidi congratulated Lamido for his re-election and prayed that God should grant him patience and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state.

Christ’s School Alumni gets acting Exco

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HE United Kingdom branch of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Alumni Association has appointed a temporary committee to manage its affairs, pending an election.

This followed the dissolution of the Executive Council, led by Minister of Finance Olusegun Aganga.

The decision was taken last Saturday at an emergency meeting of the officers and elders of the Association in

London.

The seven-member committee, which will be presented at the association’s general meeting in July, is led by a London doctor, Akin Ojo. Other members include Messrs Soji Temilade, Sanya Haastrup and Tolulope Olonisakin.

The Legal Adviser, Treasurer and Secretary of the dissolved executive council are also members of the temporary committee.

Ekiti indigenes in UK back Fayemi

•Suspected NURTW members arrested over the Ibadan clash...yesterday

Six killed in Oyo NURTW clash •Many sustain gun shots ,police arrest 20

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EMBERS of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) resumed hostilities yesterday in Ibadan, barely 24 hours after the inauguration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

No fewer than six people were killed in the renewed bloody violence between the loyalists of Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a. Tokyo and Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila a.k.a. Auxilliary .

About 20 vehicles including commercial buses and private cars were razed and vandalised in the violence which started as early as 7.30am.

One unidentified policeman sustained deep machete wound , while two others were reported dead in the bloody fight.

Business activities were suspended as hundreds of traders at the ever busy Iwo Road axis of Ibadan was deserted.

Some hoodlums also looted shops and ware houses

T

Foreign dignitaries depart Abuja

A

LL the foreign presidents who came for the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan have left for their respective countries.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the last batch left at 1 p.m.

They were the Liberian President , Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

and her Zambian counterpart, President Rupiah Banda.

NAN also reports that there was no disruption of flight both at the domestic and international wing of the airport on Monday.

Also, traffic at the international terminal was normal, as there was no flight delay nor cancellation.

along Iwo road , while people were molested .

Many people also sustained varying degrees of injury while running for safety.

There was pandemonium as the feuding members of the NURTW drove recklessly on the road, wielding dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, knives, clubs, iron rods, charms and guns to hack opponents down.

As at 5pm, normalcy was yet to be restored despite the efforts of the state Police Command to quell the bloody fight.

Police Commissioner Adisa Baba Bolanta, while speaking to reporters, described the renewed hostilities as the handiwork of some leaders of the NURTW who were bent on reclaiming the leadership of motor parks to assume full control.

He said his men had arrest-

ed some people promising to ensure that those responsible for the killings would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Bolanta said one of the NURTW members was killed while attempting to inflict machete cut on a policeman who was left with no other option than to shoot him dead.

Bolanta said his men are “on top of the situation.” He said people should not entertain any fear.

It was gathered that trouble started when members of a faction of the union in the state, said to be loyal to the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stormed the Iwo-Ife road axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway motor park to take over the park from the faction said to be loyal to the former administration of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala. .Eye witness account said members of the invading faction on arrival at the Iwo road -Egbeda motor parks fired several shots into

•Bolanta...speaking with reporters ...yesterday

the air to scare those already controlling the parks. The other faction reportedly fired back.

Alao-Akala on the eve of his departure last week, de- proscribed the union.

The NURTW was proscribed by the State Government in August last year following leadership crises that engulfed it.

Alleged N8.2b fraud: Akala’s 11 ex-commissioners for ICPC today

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Ekiti Patriotic Forum (EPF) in the United Kingdom (UK) has urged all Ekiti people to support the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his deputy, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka.

In a statement by its coordinator, Mr. Femi Adefolaju, EPF congratulated Ekiti people on the success of the April elections and urged newly elected legislators at both the federal and state levels to make the state proud.

It also warned the Federal Government against unnecessary interference that can damage the peaceful co-existence of Ekiti people.

EPF praised Fayemi for being part of the initiators of the Southwest Development Commission.

Last week, Fayemi visited the UK and met with some international organisations on how to develop the state.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Akala

A

BOUT 11 former commissioners in the cabinet of ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala have offered to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission today in respect of investigation of alleged N8.2billion fraud.

The ex-commissioners may be grilled in Abuja by a team of operatives already on

standby for the exercise.

Those likely to be quizzed are commissioners for Finance, Works, Health, Agriculture, Education, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Environment, Commerce, the Accountant-General of the state.

Investigation by The Nation showed that the commissioners offered to appear before ICPC last Thursday after the former State Executive Council had taken a decision that they should make themselves available for grilling.

It was learnt that the excommissioners opted to report in ICPC following threats

that they might be declared wanted by the commission.

A top source in ICPC, said: “We are set for the former commissioners because they have five petitions against them bordering on award of contracts between 2008 and May 2011.

“The petitions also are in respect of alleged diversion of Local Government Funds, mismanagement of Excess Crude Funds and state resources to the tune of over N8.2billion “They are also expected to tender minutes of the State Tenders Board, all payment vouchers, and list of companies that got contracts in various ministries.”

A former Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mukaila Aborode, con-

firmed that he will be in ICPC today with some of his colleagues.

He said: “We have repeatedly said that we have nothing to hide because we served selflessly to the best of our ability.

“We will be in ICPC on Tuesday; we don’t want to be seeing as rejecting the invitation of the commission.

“I think it makes sense to appear before you start hearing funny stories that some people have escaped abroad.

We are ready to defend our actions and to prove that we did well in office.

Contacted, the Resident Media Consultant to ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, confirmed that the ex-commissioners have “decided to report to the commission.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

5

NEWS Firm denies abandoning Osun TV project

A

•Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko (left) and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who visited him at the Government House, Akure...yesterday

FIRM, Arogunye Nigeria Limited, has denied media reports that it received funds from the Osun State Government for an unexecuted project.

Its denial is contained in a May 5 petition to the government by it’s lawyer, Kolawole Famakinwa, entitled: “Re: Catalogue of how meagre resources of Osun State were squandered in the past seven years.”

The company admitted being awarded a contract for the construction of a television station by the state government in 2005.

It said it completed the project and was waiting to be paid what was left of the contract sum when the station was destroyed by fire.

It claimed that its inclusion

Falana demands inquest into army/police clash A

CTIVIST-lawyer Mr. Femi Falana has urged the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to conduct an inquest into the killing of two senior police officers by suspected soldiers.

He said the inquest must begin within seven days.

In a letter to the Chief Coroner, Justice Yetunde Idowu, Falana said: “Take notice that if you fail or refuse to accede to our request within seven days of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the

By Joseph Jibueze

Lagos State High Court to issue an order of mandamus to compel you to carry out your duty without further ado.”

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Badagry Police Station, Mr. Samuel Salihu, and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Samson Okodusi, were killed last Tuesday following a clash

between policemen and soldiers.

Other police officers and innocent citizens were also injured. Some are still at the General Hospital, Badagry.

The killings reportedly occurred when the police officers approached the 424 Army Barracks for a meeting with the Commanding Officer, in connection with an earlier incident in which a soldier was allegedly killed by police-

men at a checkpoint in Badagry.

Some suspected soldiers were said to have taken the law into their hands, killing five policemen, including the DPO and DCO. Falana said: “In view of the controversy surrounding the cold murder of a soldier, some police personnel and innocent persons in Lagos State, we request that you conduct an inquest into the incident, pursuant to Section 45 (1) of the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law, 2007.”

Motorists allege extortion by council workers on Akure road

OTORISTS are complaining about the activities of a group, which has been reportedly extorting money from them on the Ilesa-Akure expressway.

It was learnt that motorists are randomly stopped by a group of six youths at a spot before Owena, Osun State.

Sources said members of the group wear clothes bearing the inscription of Oriade Local Government, Osun State.

Narrating his experience to our reporter, a victim said:

M

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“They stop vehicles in a very crude way, forcing them to stop suddenly by throwing a plank with many nails in their way like armed robbers.”

The victim, who was travelling to Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, on Friday, said he was terrified by the “fierce-looking” boys and the woman, who sat by the bush, and operated like robbers.

He said they demanded a council levy and delayed him

He said the boys were working for a consultant hired to be collecting levies, but declined to speak on the legality of operating on a federal highway.

Fatiregun said: “They were hired before I came into office, but I allowed them to continue the collection of levies because we don’t want to be losing money to other states, particularly Ondo State. They are working for the consultant generating revenue for our council.”

He urged motorists to always collect receipts for payments made to the group.

for about an hour, until he gave them some money.

The victim said: “What rights have they to operate on a federal highway, demanding an undisclosed levy and asking whether the car I was driving was mine or belonged to a company?”

The Nation’s office has been flooded with complaints about the group.

Caretaker Chairman, Oriade Local Government, Chief Taiwo Fatiregun said he authorised the group’s activities.

Falae seeks national development policy

F

ORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to adopt a National Development Programme that will boost the economy.

Falae, in a telephone interview with reporters, said there was need for a well defined-National De-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

velopment Policy that would enhance all sectors.

He also urged the President to end the mindless killings in some northern states.

Falae said: “President Jonathan must address the mindless killings that have been going on in some parts of the country for a

long time. They cannot continue to butcher people like goats. No investor will want to come to this country because of these killings. They will think Nigeria is unsafe for business.

“The primary task of the President is to re-build people’s confidence in his administration. We cannot develop if there is no trust.”

A

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

jostling for speaker.

They are all from Ondo South Senatorial District, where the position is zoned to by the leadership of the Labour Party (LP).

The zoning of deputy speaker to Ondo North, particularly Akoko division, was reportedly rejected by some lawmakers.

Incumbent Deputy Speaker Dare Emiola

(Akoko Southwest 1) and Olatunji Dairo (Owo Constituency 11) are interested in the position.

Sources at the House queried why Emiola, who is from Oka-Akoko, is battling to retain the seat.

A source said: “It will be unfair, if Emiola is retained as deputy speaker.

“In Akoko, there is a deputy governor, senator, House of Representatives

in a list of contractors, who purportedly collected money from the Osun government for contracts not executed, published in an advertorial in a national daily on April 19 portrayed it in bad light.

The petition reads: “The contract to design, supply and install production facilities for the Iwo Reality Television Station at Iwo town was awarded to our client on October 11, 2005, to be completed in six months with 70 per cent mobilisation. The balance of 30 per cent has not been paid till today.

“Our client, in pursuance of the contract, contacted its foreign partners in Germany with whom the execution of the contract was carried out and perfected. The project was completed on March 10, 2009,

and waiting to be handed over, when it was gutted by fire on March 26, 2009.

“Efforts of our clients to be funded for further supply and reinstallation were delayed by the then government, despite various meetings to perfect the project, before it was approved on November 30, 2009. However, payment has not been made.”

Famakinwa said the fire was not caused by the firm, adding that his client could not be held responsible for the damage.

He said the company has a good reputation worldwide, lamenting that the publication is adversely affecting its image.

Famakinwa said: “The publication has occasioned and is still occasioning to the company, public ridicule and odium.”

Ekiti doctors to give free healthcare From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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HE Association of Resident Doctors in the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, is planning to visit rural communities in Ekiti State to give free treat-

ment.

President of the Association Dr. Abiola Omodan made this known in Ado-Ekiti at the maiden edition of the Association’s Annual Lecture entitled: “Medical ethics in the face of emerging medico-legal issues in Nigeria,” and a N30 million Fund Raising Dinner for the association’s secretariat.

He said: “We plan to go to the villages to meet the needy, who may not be able to come to the hospitals in the cities.”

Omodan said the visit would enhance Governor Kayode Fayemi’s agenda of improved healthcare.

EACOED workers on strike

W

ORKERS of the E m m a n u e l Alayande College of Education (EACOED), Oyo State, have begun an indefinite strike.

They are protesting the nonpayment of nine months arrears of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) by the immediate past administration of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

At the peak of the agitation by unions in the college and the Ibadan Polytechnic in 2008, the Chairman, EACOED Governing Council, issued a letter on behalf of the government on September 17, 2008, approving the new salary structure from January 2008.

The workers said the implementation began in October 2008, instead of January, leaving arrears of nine months.

Acting Chairman of the College’s Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Mr. Kingsley Oke and his counterpart for Senior Staff Union, Mr. Agboluaje, alleged that the management, under the

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

leadership of Provost Amos Alabi, misguided and instigated the Governing Council to take punitive actions on the workers to silence the agitation.

They said: “The termination of the appointment of some union leaders and the death of five workers, coupled with the harsh and unfriendly atmosphere that reigned supreme in the college, affected in no small measure the agitation for the payment of the arrears.

“More worrisome is the employment of 67 new workers by the management on the order of Alao-Akala, four days to the end of his administration.

“Due process was not followed in the appointment, thus amounting to gross abuse of office.

“The college has found it difficult to pay our monetisation and CONTISS arrears. Yet, it is employing without following due process.”

Ondo monarch urges police to curb bank robberies From Damisi Ojo, Akure •Falae

Leadership battle splits Ondo Assembly QUIET but fierce battle for the leadership of the Ondo State House of Assembly has begun.

The Seventh Assembly is to be inaugurated in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday.

Incumbent Speaker Samuel Adesina (Odigbo II); Oye Aladetan (Ilaje 1); Gbenga Edema (Ilaje 11) and Olu Akinwe (Irele) are

By Eric Ikhilae

member. Even the chairman of the LP is from there.”

Two former speakers, Bakitta Bello and Taofeek Abdulsam, hail from Akoko. Owo holds no key position in the present administration.

A lawmaker, who pleaded for anonymity, urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to intervene and prevent a crack in the Assembly.

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HE Olukare of Ikare in Ondo State, Oba Akadiri Momoh, has called on the police to curb incessant bank robberies in his domain.

The monarch spoke while hosting the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sani Magaji, in his palace. He also called for the establishment of a special police squad that can swiftly respond to distress calls.

Oba Momoh said there can’t be meaningful development in an environment where security is porous.

He said: “The rate at which banks are raided in Ikare is highly alarming and calls for concerted efforts from all the security agencies. The attack is forcing some banks to close as early as 2pm.

“We urge the police authorities to create a rapid response squad and deploy more riot policemen in the area. This is an issue every responsible government must take serious.”

Magaji said mobile policemen had been deployed in the area to control crime most especially bank robberies.

He assured residents of adequate security and urged them to assist the police with information about criminals.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

6

NEWS

Police, MASSOB clash in Imo

Community writes Elechi over killings of kinsmen

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MUDA community in Ezza North local government has petitioned Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi over the alleged killings of their kinsmen during the last month’s elections.

They alleged that the last attack occurred on April 19.

The petition was signed by Ezeogo Joseph Onwe, Awoh Livinus and Larry Igwe.

The petition reads in part: “Government was notified on April 21 and requests were made for heavy security presence in Amuda autonomous community to forestall future attacks. But, unfortunately, on April 22 these same hoodlums unleashed mayhem on Amuda. Four persons were killed while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

Police spokesperson John Eluu denied knowledge of the attacks.

•We lost three members, says Uwazuruike

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HREE members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were feared dead in a clash with the police in Imo State.

The clash in which 340 others were arrested occured last weekend.

The MASSOB members were reportedly on their way to Okwe in Onuimo local government, the country home of

Anambra disburses N21.7m to farmers

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OVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has disbursed N21.7 million to farmers under the National Programme on Food Security and Root and Tuber Expansion Programme Credit Facilities.

Obi spoke during the launch of the 2011 farming season at AUSCO Farms, Awka, last weekend.

He said the empowerment was part of measures to reposition the agriculture sector ,urging the farmers to assist in eradicating hunger and poverty.

According to him, the state has become a reference point in the payment of counterpart contributions and the government would soon re-

Owerri

their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, for the celebration of the 44th anniversary of Biafra, when they were accosted by the police.

It was gathered that the MASSOB team from Anambra State was confronted at Irete, near Owerri, the Imo State capital, by the police.

Uwazuruike decried the clamp down on his members.

He said: “The police killed three of my members and arrested over 600 of them. A lot of them were wounded.

“We were marking the 44th anniversary of Biafra in a peaceful manner and they (Police) confronted us, killed our members and arrested many of them. What have we done wrong? Are we not entitled to celebrate our day? What of the Boko Haram, go and see what they are doing in the

North?” he said.

Police Commissioner Alhaji Ibrahim Maishanu confirmed the incident. He said the MASSOB members were stopped for questioning when an argument ensued.

Maishanu said both parties sustained injuries, but denied any loss of life.

He confirmed the arrest of about 340 MASSOB members.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

lease counter-part funding to enable farmers access loan.

The governor said 1,000 jobs would be created in the sector.

According to Obi, the government was working aggressively on roads and bridges to provide easy access to communities.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Godson Ezenagu said the state had procured fertilizers, tractors, seedlings and chemicals.

According to him, Obi has subsidised the prices of fertilisers.

The owner of the farm, Chief Austin Ndigwe, thanked the governor for the gesture.

Amosun laments sorry state of Ogun Assembly

•From left: Mrs Sade Ajetunmobi, President Nigeria Peoples Legislative Advocacy Centre; With her are Mr Hyacint Chinweubba PHOTO: ADEJOH DAVID and Mr Segun Fawekun at a news conference in Lagos ...yesterday

Oil sector roots for Allison-Madueke

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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From Emma Mgbeahuike,

OVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun yesterday inspected the shut Ogun State House of Assembly,exressing sadness over the stste of the complex.

The complex, he noted, was not only taken over by weeds and reptiles, but also unfit for “fertile legislative function.”

The Assembly was shut on September 6 last year, when nine minority lawmakers loyal to former Governor Gbenga Daniel broke into its Chamber, purportedly sat and suspended Speaker Tunji Egbetokun and 14 others.

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HE oil sector operators in the country are rooting for the reappointment of former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Speculation has been strong that President Goodluck Jonathan may re-

By Joseph Jibueze

tain some of the out going Ministers and the Petroleum Minister is favoured because of her acceptance by key oil operators.

Among the reasons being adduced to support the Minister is her various achievements since she was appointed in March last year, which have brought unprecedented development to the country’s oil and gas sector.

She attributed the development to President Goodluck Jonathan’s determination to ensure reforms in the sector which she said has frustrated the age- long cabal who had hitherto deprived Nigerians of the benefits of adequate and timely supply of petroleum products across the country.

The minister, while delivering a paper entitled “Investment Opportunities in Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Sector” in Houston, Texas recently added that the ongoing re-

forms have put Nigeria on course to meet the needs of potential investors in the sector owing to continuity and predictability in policies.

Madueke said the recent focus on the domestic gas sector for which the country is driving growth in gas utilization from one billion cubic feet per day to about 5 billion cubic feet per day by 2015 is being predicted to be the most aggressive growth in gas.

She added that this is also stimulating a higher level of investment activity in the sector which was last seen in the early days of oil discovery in the country.

“Recently, upstream gas production for the domestic market alone, has been receiving a dedicated spend of between $1.5bn to $2bn annually from the Federal Government of Nigeria. No other sector in the Nigerian economy draws this level of investment activity” she said.

Madueke, who is the first female to head the Petroleum Ministry in Nigeria, recalled that President Jonathan recently directed for a structured accelerated implementation of the Gas Master Plan to ensure the rapid growth of the domestic gas sector.

“In addition, we introduced a more stringent and bankable contractual framework for the gas sub-sectors through the establishment and development of world class Gas Supply and Purchase Agreements, Gas Transmission Agreements and more recently the Gas Transmission Network Code. Our aspiration is to create a contractual framework that is as bankable as those for the export market, thus high-grading the quality of the domestic gas market - a critical requirement for attracting investment.”

This we have done” she noted.

Drama as NAFDAC raids Onitsha drug Onitsha.

HERE was a mild market Some of the seized drugs are drama at the Onitsha

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Bridgehead Drug market following a raid by officials of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Three suspected fake drug suspects were apprehended while drugs worth millions of naira were confiscated.

The NAFDAC officials stormed the markett about 2.00 p.m.last weekend in company of a masked informant who conducted them round some shops where there were suspected fake drugs.

While the exercise lasted, the traders gathered and

From Adimike George, Onitsha

peeped into the masked face of the informant to see if they could identify him .

But NAFDAC hit a brickwall as most of the targets had removed the fake drugs.

However, some drugs were seized and three persons arrested.

The exercise ended abruptly when the traders threatened to unmask the informant.

But policemen shielded him and the NAFDAC officials until they reached their vehicles and zoomed off to the agency’s zonal office in

Diclofen Forte 550mg, Bonjela 10mg, Ventolin (Salbutamol) 2mg, Lapain 500mg and Alaxin 60mg.

NAFDAC Deputy Director in-charge of Public Relations and Protocol, Abubakar Jimoh, said the action was part of NAFDAC’s new method of silent surveillance aimed at stamping out fake drugs.

He said: “This is also part of our routine surveillance in our concerted efforts to rid the country of fake and counterfeit drugs. We are using the Tru-Scan Machine to detect some of the fake drugs before taking them to our laboratory for tests”.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

NEWS Reps-elect urges Kwankwaso to probe Shekarau From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

IF a member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Suleiman, representing Fagge Federal Constituency of Kano has his way; Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will probe his predecessor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker told The Nation that Kwankwaso should ascertain how the huge liabilities and foreign debts were accumulated under the immediate past administration.

Suleiman, who defeated Danlami Hamza, a threeterm lawmaker of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), said: “Definitely, I am of the opinion that wherever things went wrong, we should find out so that the government will sit down and take the next line of action to save the state and its people from the impending financial mess the past administration plunged the state into.”

Akume alleges persecution of ACN members

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ORMER governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, has alleged the persecution of members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Akume, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and re-elected on the platform of ACN to represent Benue Northwest, alleged that Governor Gabriel Suswam has been unleashing terror on the people for daring to vote massively for a progressive party.

He spoke at the induction programme organised by the ACN leadership for all the party’s National Assembly legislators at the weekend at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The senator maintained

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

that people of Benue decided to pitch tent with the ACN because of their conviction that it remained the only party that could guarantee a better future.

Akume warned that the current wave of arrests, harrassment and murder of members of the ACN in the state could derail the democratic governance in the country.

His words: “We in Benue used to support the Peoples’ Democratic Party but because of injustice, people resolved to pitch their tent with a progressive party which they believe will help them actualise their political dreams. I can tell you that the whole politi-

cal landscape of Benue has changed and things are not the same again.

“And since the people of Benue gave their verdict on the Suswam administration by rejecting it at the polls, no one, particularly, leaders and members of the ACN have known peace. Suswam is always planning to silence the party in the state at all costs.

“Recently, our governorship candidate, Prof. Steve Ugbah was arrested on the orders of Governor Suswam on a trumped up charge of inciting the people. Ayede was assassinated by elements within the PDP. We reported the matter to the police, but instead of apprehending the culprits they were busy acting the scripts of Governor Suswam by arresting Ugbah and a host of other

chieftains of our party.

“So many people have been killed in Benue. The police know the perpetrators of the heinous crime but refused to act.”

Akume said: “I am saying without any contradiction that today PDP is a minority party in Benue. No matter where you go in the state today, the people are talking about the broom revolution.

“There is every need to find an urgent solution to the reign of terror being unleashed on the people of Benue

by Governor Suswam out of his desperation to silence the ACN by all means possible after manipulating the elections in his favour.

“What is going on in Benue now is capable of derailing the current constitutional de-

‘The kind of Speaker Reps need’

By Eric Ihilae

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Dakingari begs opposition for support From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

WITH a promise to deliver more dividends of democracy, Kebbi Governor Saidu Dakingari at the weekend unfolded his plans for residents of the Northwest state.

He urged opposition political parties to join hands with his administration to take the state to loftier heights.

Dakingari spoke after his inauguration by the state Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Umar for fresh tenure of four years.

He said: “The time has come to set aside those things that separate us. They should join our hands and our hearts together for the good of our state.

“After the voters have spoken freely and openly through the ballot box, now is the time to work together for Kebbi State to reach its full potential. We did not underestimate the magnitude of these challenges, but at the same time we never doubted our ability to successfully meet them.”

Community leader for burial A COMMUNITY leader, Mrs Rose Ekwunife Bechi, will be buried on June 3.

She died at the age of 70.

A release by Mr Emmanuel Bechi said the remains of Mrs Bechi will lie in state at her home town Isi Afia Ogbu Abatete before her burial.

Until her death, she was a devout Christian and a member of many social organisations. She was a leading member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers (CCM) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Coker Orile Iganmu Lagos where she worshipped.

She is survived by four children.

mocracy in the country. It is public knowledge that figures have been manipulated to force Suswam on our people during the last general elections, so the governor is now taking the advantage of the current situation to continue to terrorise our people.

“With the performance of the ACN governors and the party’s progressive agenda it remains a party. I joined the ACN because of its progressive agenda and the excellent performance of its governors.

“In Benue State now, there is total disillusionment on the part of our people because the whole system has collapsed.

When the President came to Benue, the only thing Governor Suswam could showcase for him to commission was a refurbished school.”

• Senate President David Mark (left) being assisted by chairman, House Committee on FCT, David Idoko (right) in decorating the Vice- President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr Stephen Musyoka with Idoma dress during Musyoka’s visit to the Senate PHOTO: NAN President in Abuja… yesterday

Environmentalists urge Reps to pass Tobacco Control Bill today T HE Environmental Rights Action (ERA) yesterday urged the House Representatives to pass the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) today.

Its Director, Corporate Accountability and Administration Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the House of Representatives would make history by passing the bill on the day the world is making the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).

He said the passage and assent of the bill would discourage tobacco use, a habit responsible for half of the death of its users worldwide.

He spoke to reporters yesterday during the organisation’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) programme in Lagos. The theme of today’s

•Mark World No Tobacco Day

By Wale Adepoju

World No Tobacco Day is the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Oluwafemi said the House of Representatives passed a Tobacco Control Bill in 2008, sponsored by Hon Friday Itular and Bassey Etim, adding that the Bill did not address the critical issues of tobacco use.

Tobacco use needs to be controlled because it is a public health concern, he added.

Oluwafemi said failure by the House of Representatives

to pass the Bill would amount to wastage of taxpayers’ money, because the incoming lawmakers would have to commence the process from start.

“If they don’t pass the Bill before the end of their tenure, they would have to start the process of the passage from scratch which has economic effect on the country,” he said.

Oluwafemi said the Bill conforms to the WHO/FCTC, adding that tobacco currently kills about six million people annually. “It is projected that it will kill 10 million people by 2030,” he said.

He added: “The Bill from

the Senate has passed first reading in the House. Let me on behalf of tobacco control groups in Nigeria salute the zeal and enthusiasm already shown by the sponsors of the bill and the House. This has given us the hope that the House will once again rise up to this challenge and concurs to the bill from the Senate.

“It is also noteworthy to mention that all the provisions raised in the bill by Hon Itular and Etim have also been comprehensively addressed by the bill from the Senate in order to ensure that it conforms with the standards recommended by the FCTC “The bill has taken into cognisance every aspect of tobacco control and devised ways to protect our people from the dangers associated with smoking.”

GROUP, Nigerian Peoples Centre for Legislative Advocacy (NCLEA) has said the nextSpeaker for the House of Representatives must be a man of “integrity, great character and of indisputable sense of dignity and strong moral reputation.”

It said its profile of an ideal head of the lower legisaltitive house was informed by the need for the nation to break from its unenviable past where the House of Representatives was headed succeedingly, by people with questionable integrity.

The group who advocated for the retention of the house’s leadership in the southwest, added that such a person must be “credible, hones and of sound mind.”

NCLEA, in a statement by its President and Secretary, Hyacynth Chinweuba and Sade Adejumo, endorsed the candidacy of Muraina Saubana Ajibola for the Speakership position.

It stated that its choice of Ajibola was not influenced by the reported support of his candidature by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It stressed tat it was interesting that no one has doubted Ajibola’s integrity, noting that no one has equally questioned his “sound educational background, his sense of honesty, dedication to duty, high moral ground and his untainted social and political history.”

NCLEA acknowledged the right of every Nigerian to aspire to the office of the Speaker of the House, but said such an individual must be a person with integrity and respect for the provision of the nation’s constitution.

Daily Times: ‘AGF didn’t order Anosikes’ arrest’

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HE Management of Folio Communications Limited has described as misleading the report that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Adoke, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, to arrest its Group Managing Director, Mr. Fidelis Anosike and his brother, Noel.

In a statement in Lagos at the weekend by the compa-

By Eric Ikhilae

ny’s spokesman, Mr. Ayodeji Seriki, it alleged that the reports intended to whip up public sentiment and embarrass the Anosikes.

“Much as our company will not do anything negative to distort court process, we condemn in totality a situation whereby some individuals are using their positions in the society to oppress and smear

the image of our corporate entity,” the statement said.

Seriki stated that the AGF admitted in the letter, that it was unfair on the part of the Police not to have investigated Mr Anoisike before prosecution.

“Till date the Anosikes were never served with the charges, but only read about them on the pages of newspapers. Before now, they have petitioned the office of the IGP

on this oversight and there was directive to that effect.

“With this background, it is clear that some people somewhere are just cooking stories, with the purpose of misleading the public because investigation should, as a matter of fact, come before prosecution,” Seriki said.

The company accused the AGF of bias in his handling of the case.

“Tthe AGF, who should be

seen as being impartial, appears to be bent at making sure things work in the favour of a certain Senator who is neither on the board of the newspaper conglomerate nor a director of Folio Communication.

“The AGF is expending so much energy and fund that would have been used to pursue critical issues of corruption and other problems on Daily Times.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

NEWS

Amaechi swears in SSG •Rivers Assembly elects Speaker, Deputy

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NEW Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) has been sworn-in by Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He is George Feyii.

Feyii takes over from Magnus Abe, the senator for Rivers Southeast.

Amaechi said Feyii was appointed on merit and urged him to discharge his duties responsibly.

The governor said as the first member of the new cabinet , the task before the SSG was enormous.

Amaechi also dissolved the sixth session of the House of Assembly, and inaugurated the Seventh Assembly.

He urged members of the Seventh Assembly to see their duty of making law as an important aspect that would aid development and move the

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

state forward.

The Assembly immediately convened to elect its leaders.

With the gallery filled by their supporters, the lawmakers elected Otelemabara Amachree from Asari Toru Constituency 1 as Speaker.

Amachree was elected by 31 of the 32 members.

He has been in the House since 1999, a factor that aided his election.

The House also elected Leyi Kwane of Khana Constituency 1 as Deputy Speaker.

This is Kwane’s second coming to the House. He was there in 2003 but was not reelected in 2007.

The lawmakers adjourned till Thursday to elect other principal officers.

Award for Akpabio

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KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has again won the Man of the Year Award from Paradigm Communications Ltd, publishers of National Daily.

Akpabio also won the award last year at a ceremony which took place in Lagos.

Presenting the award at a ceremony at the Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba, Akwa Ibom State, Ambassador Olusegun Olusola said Akpabio’s performance compelled the newspaper to nominate him again.

Olusola said the unique feature of this year’s award was its movement to Uyo, as a way of acknowledging Akpabio’s strides as well as celebrating with him on his second inauguration.

Akpabio said the award would spur him to do more for the people.

Dedicating the honour to the people who gave him the opportunity to serve, the governor said he would continue to answer his critics with the commissioning of more projects in his second term.

•Amaechi (left); Deputy Governor Tele lkuru (right) with Ikuru’s wife, Mina (second left) and Amaechi’s wife, Judith, cutting the inauguration cake at the state banquet at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Resist pressure, Akanbi urges Jonathan

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HE pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to resist pressures from those who may want him to take actions inimical to the peoples’ interest.

He spoke at a birthday prayer session for Hajia Hasfat Aremu, the mother of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Vice Presi-

•NLC condemns Kwara stampede From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

dent, Issa Aremu.

His words: “First, he must fight corruption. Once he fights corruption and ensures the empowerment of the people, education, good governance and fear of God within reasonable time, he would move the country to a greater height.

“He must be principled to say no to pressure from political associates, where necessary. He has to eschew personal aggrandisement. After all, he told us that when he was in school he had no shoes. It is

God who made it possible for him to get there despite all opposition.”

Speaking for NLC, Aremu condemned last Friday’s stampede at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Twenty people were reportedly killed when a fence collapsed as they were rushing for money and local fabric (Ankara).

Aremu urged politicians to devise other ways of investing in the citizenry.

His words: “A similar trag-

edy took place last November at the same venue when 11 people reportedly died during a scramble for free rice at an occasion organised by the PDP. “The above tragedies underscore the level of poverty in Kwara State.

“It does not portray the state in good light.

“For whatever intention, the practice of gathering people for goods to be given to them as though they are beggars must end.

“Politicians should concentrate on fulfilling their electoral promises.

“The organisers of the event must be prosecuted.”

New laws for Cross River schools HE Cross River State Government is to pass a law to set standards for the establishment of private primary and secondary schools.

Governor Liyel Imoke made this known at a meeting with primary and secondary school pupils during a session organised by A State fit for a Child (ASfaC).

T

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

ASfaC is the pet project of the governor’s wife, Obioma.

Teachers will be tested as schools will not be accredited unless they have fields for recreation, enough desks, and laboratories.

Subjects will not be ac-

credited, unless they have enough qualified teachers.

The governor warned that any official who approves any school that does not meet the standard will be sanctioned.

Imoke said hawking and street trading by adult and children is banned, adding that children must work with their parents in an environment that will not stop their education.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

NEWS

Mark urges African leaders to minimise internal crises

‘Post-election violence storm in tea cup’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has debunked insinuations that the post-election attacks on some northern monarchs portended a revolution against traditional institution. He said the attacks were like a “storm in a tea cup”.

Aliyu said the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) success in last month’s elections in some northern states was a political hype, adding that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still the major party in the North.

Speaking yesterday at his home in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted members of the state council of traditional rulers who came to congratulate him on his second term, Aliyu said the post-election attacks should not be seen as an act of disrespect to the monarchs.

He said: “Contrary to the views of some people, the traditional institution remains sanctimonious. What happened was instantaneous and cannot be used as a yardstick to measure the level of respect Nigerians have for traditional rulers.”

Police arrest suspected robber

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EN of the Lagos Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a notorious robbery gang that has been terrorising the public for some time.

The gang was reportedly operating at Banana Island Estate, Ikoyi, about 10.10pm when some residents alerted an anti-robbery team from Ikoyi Police Station which moved swiftly to the area.

The Police reportedly arrested a man identified as Patrick Awa, but his suspected partner, Emmanueul

By Titilayo Banjoko

Madugu, escaped.

Awa was said to have been arrested with a pump action gun.

A source said the suspect has made “useful statement” that would help the Police in investigating the crime and enable them to clamp down on fleeing members of the gang.

The Police said the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigation.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

•Mark

S

ENATE President David Mark has urged African leaders and governments to work out a mechanism for resolving internal crises instead of taking their cases to the International

Criminal Court (ICC) or the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for arbitration.

In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark reminded the leaders of the need to ensure good governance, equity, justice and fair play as avenues for reducing or eliminating conflicts.

He spoke when he received Kenyan Vice President Steven Kalonzo Musyoka in Abuja.

Mark said: “If we can resolve our crisis amicably,

we would not need to go to the ICC or the UNSC for resolution. Africa must minimise its member-states and people from going to the World Court. It should be a last resort to go to the World Court for arbitration.”

He advocated a continuous bilateral relation between Nigeria and Kenya, noting that since Kenya occupied a strategic position in Africa, it should use this for the good of the people.

Mark called for mutual cooperation between Kenyan and Nigerian parliaments to make laws for the citizens.

Musyoka thanked Nigeria for its support and coopera-

tion in resolving its internal crises, expressing optimism that measures in place in Kenya would enable its people to get justice.

He noted that the ICC was hasty in publicising the names of suspected masterminds of some crises in international media.

Musyoka said the cordial relations between Nigeria and Kenya led to the opening of direct flights between both countries, adding that some measures had been put in place to revamp the Nigeria/Kenya business council to further promote trade and commerce.

Igbo community tasks Kwankwaso

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HE Kano State chapter of the “Ohanaeze Ndigbo” has urged Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso to ensure that its means of livelihood was protected.

In a statement yesterday in Kano by its Chairman, Chief Tobias Idika, the group said: “Although we have been assured of a place in your government, we also seek absolute protection of our means of livelihood.”

The group also implored the governor to provide adequate infrastructure in the areas where its members reside, especially the ‘Sabon Gari’ Commercial District.

“The ‘Sabon Gari’ area, which is a non-indigenes settlement, has been neglected for a long time, with no good roads, water, electricity and sanitary facilities,’’ the statement noted.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second right); his wife Dame Abimbola (right); his deputy, Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire (second left); and her husband Mr. Abiodun Adefulire at the inaugural ball for Fashola’s second term at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos...on Sunday.

15 pupils collapse at inauguration

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O fewer than 15 school girls reportedly collapsed at the August 27 Stadium during the swearing-in of Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam in Damaturu, the state capital.

Some of the children were rushed to the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital.

A source, who did not want to be named, told The Nation that “most of the children were suffering from dehydration and exhaustion caused by the excruciating sun”.

The source debunked the rumour that some of the children died, adding that what most of the children needed were Vitamin B complex supplements through intravenous means.

Our correspondent, who visited the Accident and

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Emergency (A&E) Ward of the hospital yesterday, counted about 15 school children on admission.

They were mostly from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Damaturu.

Most of the girls were reportedly discharged yesterday and have returned to their school.

The Principal, Hajia Laraba Aji Mala, and the state chairman of the Teaching Service Board, Maijawa Dawayo, refused to comment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Yahaya Barde, told The Nation that he has directed the chief pharmacist of the hospital to ensure that the drugs needed for the girls’ treatment were provided.

Citrus yellow is Dulux ‘colour of the year’

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HEMICAL and Allied Products (CAP) Plc has unveiled Citrus Yellow as the Dulux Colour for this year.

The Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr Larry Ettah, said the ‘Colour of the Year’ event had gained global reputation because of the enormous resources deployed into the study of colour and its dynamics.

He said every shade of colour symbolised certain characteristics.

According to him, Citrus Yellow, is a light, airy colour that symbolises a freer spirit, sense of fun and positive energy. Ettah said: “This beautiful colour gives everyone hope and optimism for the future as it is illuminating, cheery, refreshing and uplifting.”

He said the Colour of the Year event had gained a global reputation because of the enormous resources deployed into the study of colour, its dynamics, and how it affects work and relaxation.

•From left: Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Mrs Bisi Fayemi; and Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori at the ceremony in Lagos...on Sunday.

Keke NAPEP trademark is ours, says Fed Govt

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HE Federal Government has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to rule that it owns the Keke NAPEP trademark.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN) told the court that NAPEP is an acronym for the National Poverty Eradication Programme, an agency of the government.

He was responding to a suit by Autobahn Techniques Limited and Alban OfiliOkonkwo.

Autobahn had sought the exclusive use of the trademark and the name “Keke NAPEP”, but Adoke, through his lawyer, Mr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), said no one could prevent government agencies from using

By Joseph Jibueze

their acronyms or their names.

NAPEP admitted that Autobahn was contracted to supply and distribute the tricycles to be branded “Keke NAPEP” to show that it was a NAPEP initiative.

Adoke said without NAPEP’s knowledge and consent, Autobahn reportedly registered ‘Keke NAPEP’ as its trademark for which it wanted to hold a monopoly over an initiative the government designed to alleviate poverty.

Adoke argued that NAPEP, sued as fifth defendant, was an initiative of the government which established it as part of the scheme to eradicate poverty.

He added that it was set up to, among others, help state and local governments to develop direct anti-poverty programmes, including micro-credit and micro-finance institutions.

Adoke said NAPEP had designed and executed a number of poverty eradication programmes like the importation/distribution of tricycles (‘Keke NAPEP’) for use in intra-city transportation for commercial purposes.

Adoke said “Keke” is a Yoruba word for bicycle, tricycle and other similar contraptions, adding that the application of the word “Keke” to tricycles in popular lingo emanated about 1996-1999 during the tenure of Brig-Gen. Mohammed

Buba Marwa as Lagos State administrator.

He said it was during the period tricycles became a means of transportation in Nigeria, with the public referring to them as ‘Keke Marwa’.

The minister noted that the government’s tricycles took the ‘Keke NAPEP’ appellation through public reference to them when they were distributed to beneficiaries.

Adoke said it was part of his duties as then Chief Law Officer of the Federation to advise the government on the protection of public interest and rights, and disallow any individual to dominate or monopolise the government’s poverty alleviation programme.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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NEWS INAUGURATION DAY 2011

•President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming Kuwait’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Saad Alasousi to the State House, Abuja…yesterday. With them is Kuwait’s special envoy, Mohammed Abu Alhassan

•Service chiefs all: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (left); Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Muhammed Umar and the Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim at the inauguration of President Jonathan in Abuja...at the weekend.

•High Chief Theophilus Akinyele and his wife at the swearing-in of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan...at the weekend

•Former Gombe State Governor Mohammad Goje (right) presenting a handover document to his successor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, in Gombe...at the weekend.

•Prof. Ademola Ariyo and his wife Motunrayo at Governor Ajimobi’s inauguration

•Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam taking the oath of office at the IBB Square, Makurdi...at the weekend

•President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ambassador Olu Sanu and his wife at the swearing-in of Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan...at the PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI AND STATE HOUSE weekend.

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Should governors nominate ministers?

Many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are mounting pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse his directive that governors should nominate candidates for ministerial slots. They believe that it has further increased the powers and influence of the ‘state party leaders’ to the detriment of those outside their camps, Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the issue.

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INCE President Goodluck Jonathan saddled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors with the partisan task of nominating only members for ministerial jobs, there have been rows.

Some questions have been raised about the method. Will the governors recommend to the President credible party chieftains for the critical assignment? Would they push forward names of lackeys and stooges who cannot challenge their domineering postures? Would performing ministers who are not in the good books of the governors make the list? Will the process be fair to all? Will it lead to the appointment of credible people as ministers at this critical time?

More questions; few answers.

According to the constitution, each of the 36 states is expected to be represented in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by a minister. This is in tune with the spirit of federal character aimed at fostering equity and ensuring a sense of belonging.

As representatives of the component units, the ministers, however, are expected to have a national outlook like the President, who has the entire country as his constituency.

Opinions are divided on the presidential directive, which, according to sources, has been endorsed by the leadership of the ruling party with little reservations. The party, it was learnt, felt slighted by the directive. The National Chairman, Alhaji Dahiru Bello, was inundated with complaints by many state leaders, who feared that the governors have been further strengthened to monopolise party privileges.

Many think that the President is trying to make the governors godfathers in their states. This is because many of them appoint their commissioners without dictation or imposition by the party.Those who share this view have described the next ‘council of ministers’ as governors’ liaison officers in the federal cabinet.

A political scientist, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos at the weekend on the condition of annonymity, argued that President Goodluck Jonathan has deliberately surrendered his power to directly appoint ministers to the Governors’ Forum, of which he was a member for a brief period between 2006 and 2007.

He pointed out that, under the presidential system, the ‘executive President’ is strengthened by 1999 Constitution to nominate his choice as ministers. “He is at liberty to assemble a good team of even non-partisan Nigerians, who can do the job, without any encumbrance. It is like abdicating the duty to governors who are likely to recommend their hatchet men, cronies and lackeys as ministers. Governors would rather nominate politicians, instead of experts,” said the university don.

A Lagos politician, Alhaji Isiaka Adekunle-Ibrahim, reasoned that the ministers nominated by the governors may be compelled by their sheer sense of attachment to be more loyal to the governors than the President, who they are accountable to as cabinet members.

“The President may have unwittingly created discord in his party. Ministers who have performed creditably may not be nominated by the governors, if they are perceived as threats to their future ambition. There is nothing on ground to guard against the misuse of the power or privilege to nominate,” he added.

Top PDP sources, said President Jonathan carrying the governors along to ensure harmony in the state chapters of the party. The goal, they added, is to avert the recurrent situation whereby governors, who are state party leaders, work at cross purpose with ministers, who are expected to work harmoniously with them for the success of the party at elections.

The President, it was learnt, was fed up with the constant rivalry between the governors and ministers because many ministers have also eyed the governorship or raised aspirants to challenge the aspirants supported by the governors.

In many PDP states, the party has often been polarised into the camps of governors and party colleagues, who are dubbed “Abuja politicians” by the governors’ men. When the two factions struggle for the soul of the party in the state, the party had always been the main casualty. Ahead of the primaries that heralded the general elections, PDP states boiled over the contest for supremacy between governors and National Assembly members on one hand and governors and ministers on the other hand.

As the party leaders, governors were in a vantage position to manipulate the primaries to favour themselves or their anointed candidates. In Oyo and Ogun states, it backfired.

Although gunmen Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his men succeeded in edging out Senator Teslim Folarin of the primaries, the centre could still not hold as things fell apart.

Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who suffered similar

• President Jonathan acknowledging cheers during his inauguration ceremony.

fate, left the party with his followers. PDP fell at the polls.

Thus, those who oppose the President’s style believe that the governors have been inadvertently empowered to act as dictators in their states.

Since the Third Republic, governors have assumed such awesome powers, unlike in the Second Republic when they were regarded as primus inter pares by the members of the executive councils they presided over as chief executives. In that previous era, governors could not isolate themselves from the pack of democrats who constituted their teams.

The new breed, who had blazed the trail, were not rooted in the democratic culture of earlier period, which thrived on internal democracy, constructive dialogue and wide consultation.

In the Second Republic, which was generally regarded as an era of strong political culture, party supremacy was upheld and governors, ministers, commissioners, special advisers and state and federal parliamentarians were bound by party constitutions, directives, guidelines, rules and regulations. For example, the Kwara State strongman, Dr Olusola Saraki, once recalled that, at the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) caucuses, these elected functionaries knew their limits, adding that when the party caucus met, the National Chairman presided and the President attended as a party chieftain.

The beat completely changed in 1999. Failed PDP governorship candidates became automatic ministers and arrow-

‘Under the presidential system, the ‘executive President’ is strengthened by 1999 Constitution to nominate his choice as ministers. “He is at liberty to assembly a good team of even non-partisan Nigerians, who can do the job, without any encumbrance. It is like abdicating the duty to governors who are likely to recommend their hatchet men, cronies and lackeys as ministers. Governors would rather nominate politicians than experts’

heads of the party in their states. The chapters and the governors put heads together to nominate credible chieftains for ministerial positions. But immediately the governors stabilised, the buck, henceforth, stopped on their tables.

In 2003, former President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a cabinet comprising seasoned experts and politicians. Based on expertise advice, he nominated the technocrats for screening in the Senate. But governors were instrumental to the nomination of scores of politicians. The formula employed for their selection was devoid of equity. Those who had scores to settle with the governors were denied the opportunity, despite their qualifications, competence and service to the party.

In 2007, governors were completely in charge. Only the candidates endorsed by the governors made the list. The governors also instructed the senators from their states to ensure that they scale through the screening hurdles in the Upper Chamber. A few of them who were lucky to be appointed by the President without consultation with and involvement of the governors soon fell out of favour with the governors and the party at the state level.

A PDP chieftain in Lagos State, who berated the governors for their over bearing attitude, said: “They perceived the ministers as competitors, instead of partners in progress.

This also have implications for the development of their states.”

He gave insight into the reason for investing the governors with the privilege, saying that “the President may have started courting the governors who hold the ace across the states ahead of 2015.”

The PDP chief added: “The Governors Forum, as we have seen, is a powerful and influential political bloc. They are so powerful in the PDP and many of them used to have their ways, no matter the odds.”

However, many Nigerians are concerned that the next cabinet may not be significantly different from the last one, which many believed, did not do enough to earn public adulation.

Adekunle-Ibrahim said the next body of ministers would reflect the character and direction of the Federal Government in the next four years.

He querried: “Should merit be thrown away at this critical time when the country needs transformational leadership?

What does Nigeria need at this time? A team of ministers licking the boots of the governors or ministers ready to serve the nation meritoriously without blemish?.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Greek debt fears weigh on euro, world stocks

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HE euro slipped and world stocks were stuck yesterday with fears of a Greek debt default undimmed and US and UK market holidays keeping many investors on the sidelines.

The shared currency was down 0.4 per cent and European shares were flat in anemic trade, although German utilities sagged after Berlin’s decision to shut all nuclear reactors by 2022 in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima disaster.

German utilities RWE and E.ON were among the biggest fallers, down by around 2.4 and 1.7 per cent respectively, while shares in renewable energy companies rose.

Greece’s debt crisis continued to deter investors from searching out higher risk assets.

European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials are expected to deliver their verdict this week on Greece’s faltering drive to bring its budget deficit under control.

Prime Minister George Papandreou, has failed to win backing from the opposition to adopt fresh austerity steps, as demanded by the EU and IMF, raising concerns over whether Greece will receive its next tranche of bailout loans.

Adding to the pall of debt gloom, a government minister in Ireland said it may have to ask for another loan from the EU and IMF because it will struggle to return to debt markets to raise funds next year.

The euro fell to $1.4280.

Traders said it faced resistance around $1.4350 and above.

Remarks such as ‘great Australian’, ‘larger than life’ are sometimes used where they are not appropriate. But in the case of Kerry Packer both of those descriptions are entirely appropriate. He was a great Australian, he was a larger than life character and in so many ways he left his mark on the Australian community over a very long career in business, particularly in the media and also that other great passion of his, Australian sport - John Howard

may Court restrains CBN from OPEC raise output 27.5m sacking Afribank’s chairman tobarrels a day A T

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from giving effect to a letter purporting to remove Osa Osunde as Chairman of Afribank Nigeria Plc. Justice James Tsoho, in a ruling on an ex-parte application by Osunde last week, also suspended the purported letter dated May 12, 2011 and held that Osunde was at liberty to remain in office as a director and Chairman of Afribank.

He also held that the orders are to subsist pending the hearing and determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction filed by Osunde, challenging his removal from office by the building

By Eric Ikhilae

watchdog.

The CBN had, in the May 12 letter signed by Sanusi, titled “Withdrawal of approval to remain as director,” claimed to have sacked Osunde from the board of Afribank.

Upon receiving the said letter, Osunde through his lawyer, Onyebuchi Aniakor, sued the CBN, Sanusi and Afribank.

He is praying the court to among others, determine whether Sanusi could validly remove him from office without affording him the opportunity to be heard in accordance with the provision of Section 36 of the Constitution and Section 48 (2) (b) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA).

Osunde is also seeking an

order restraining the defendants whether by themselves, servants or privies from preventing him from performing his lawful occupation as a director and Chairman of Afribank until his tenure of office duly expires.

In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiff contended that he was never fingered in any act of abuse of office. He claimed that he was never found to be indebted to Afribank and that neither the CBN nor Afribank ever confronted him with such allegation.

In the supporting affidavit deposed to by Pamela Unegbu, it was stated that Osunde, was as at the hearing of the application, being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission (EFCC) allegedly at the instigation of Sanusi.

She claimed to have been informed by Osunde that his travail stemmed from a N17 billion loan his company, Fidelity Finance got from Union Bank on March 18, 2008 for the purpose of purchasing Afribank’s shares.

It further averred that Afribank approached the said Fidelity Finance in late 2008 for the sale of 840,452, 500 units of the said shares on the agreed sum of N21.86 per share in the sum of N18.37 billion.

Unegbu added that for these purposes, Afribank made a apart payment to Fidelity Finance in the sum of N6,078,183,289.90 with an outstanding balance in the sum of N12.3 billion in favour of Fidelity Finance.

Oil falls below $115

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

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

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

HE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will probably raise oil production quotas next month as the group seeks to ‘assuage’ pressure on consumer nations to release emergency stockpiles, according to JPMorgan Chase.

OPEC will boost targets to as much as 27.5 million barrels a day when it meets on June 8 in Vienna, the bank said in an e-mailed report.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is ‘indicating’ it may tap inventories as unrest in Libya continues to disrupt exports, it said.

The 11 OPEC members bound by quotas pumped 25.82 million barrels a day in April compared with a target of 24.85 million, according to compiled data.

“Political pressures to release oil from strategic reserves will increase if supplies fall short this summer, and those concerns will be heightened if OPEC leave quotas unchanged,” said analysts at the second-biggest United States bank by assets, led by New Yorkbased Lawrence Eagles.

“The recent political changes within the Middle East-North Africa region and externally with the West may add a different dimension to producer goals.”

•From left: National President, Internet Marketers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Mrs Olakitan Wellington and National President, Association of Information Marketers of Nigeria (AIMN), Dr Sunnu Obazu-Ojeagbase, discussing during the Second Annual Conference of AIMN.

Another financial crisis looms, says expert

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HE executive chairman of Templeton Asset Mana-gement’s emerging markets group, Mark Mobius, has said another financial crisis is inevitable because the causes of the previous one haven’t been resolved.

“There is definitely going to be another financial crisis around the corner because we haven’t solved any of the things that caused the previous crisis,” Mobius said at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo yesterday in response to a question about price swings. “Are the derivatives regulated? No. Are you still getting growth in derivatives? Yes.” The total value of deriva-

By Collins Nweze

tives in the world exceeds total global gross domestic product by a factor of 10, said Mobius, who oversees more than $50 billion. With that volume of bets in different directions, volatility and equity market crises will occur, he said.

The global financial crisis three years ago was caused in part by the proliferation of derivative products tied to US home loans that ceased performing, triggering hundreds of billions of dollars in writedowns and leading to the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in September 2008. The MSCI AC World Index of developed and emerging market stocks tumbled 46

per cent between Lehman’s downfall and the market bottom on March 9, 2009.

“With every crisis comes great opportunity,” said Mobius. When markets are crashing, “that’s when we’re going to be able to invest and do a good job,” he said.

The freezing of global credit markets caused governments from Washington to Beijing to London to pump more than $3 trillion into the financial system to shore up the global economy. The MSCI AC World gauge surged 99 per cent from its March 2009 low through May 27.

The largest US banks have grown larger since the financial crisis, and the number of

“too-big-to-fail” banks will increase by 40 per cent over the next 15 years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Separately, higher capital requirements and greater supervision should be imposed on institutions deemed “too important to fail” to reduce the chances of large-scale failures, staff at the International Monetary Fund warned in a report on May 27.

“Are the banks bigger than they were before? They’re bigger,” Mobius said. “Too big to fail.”

The money manager had earlier said at the same event that Africa has an “incredible” investment potential and that he has stakes in Nigerian banks.

RENT crude oil fell below $115 a barrel yesterday, heading for its first monthly decline this year, as investors weighed the prospect that Europe’s debt crisis and a sputtering U.S. economy may slow demand.

Public holidays in the United States and the UK yesterday were limiting trading volume. The US driving season, when gasoline demand usually rises, traditionally starts after Monday’s Memorial Day holiday.

Brent crude slipped 36 cents to $114.67 a barrel by 10:07 a.m. EDT, having held above the first technical support level of $114. US crude dropped 42 cents to $100.17.

“Trading volume is very thin with the UK and US markets not in. The only factor that I can see is a slightly firmer US dollar, which may put pressure on prices,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank.

The euro slipped against the dollar on yesterday, running into chart resistance as investors remained on edge over how Greece’s debt crisis will be tackled.

A stronger dollar can reduce investor demand for dollar-denominated commodities such as oil.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

NASCON records 30% rise in profit

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

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

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

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

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

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

By Tonia Osundolire

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•From left: Winners of Gulder promo, Mr. Abel Augustine, Mr. Ugwu Stephen and Mr. Sunday Abiodun during the Gulder promo prize presentation held at Lagos Breweries Bar, Nigerian Breweries Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

NERC, FIRS to ensure tax payment in power sector T HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have agreed to partner in ensuring that taxes paid in the power sector are properly remitted and accounted for.

The duo reached this understanding last weekend at the third in the series of Distinguished Visitors Programme of NERC that featured the Chairman of FIRS, Mrs Ifueko Omogui-Okaro, who solicited the Commission’s partnership in building the two organisations as enduring public institutions.

NERC Manager, Media Relations, Mr Michael Faloseyi disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The Distinguished Visitor Programme is a platform of NERC where Nigerians with exemplary track records are invited to share

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

their success story with the Commission’s staff.

Mrs Omogui-Okaru, in her lecture, said her management approach was to ensure that FIRS has capacity to do what it is supposed to do. She said: “What we are doing is all about capacity building. It is about ensuring FIRS has capacity to do what it is supposed to do.”

She said the tax reform being spearheaded by the agency would be better enhanced when Nigerians learn how to report and not just complain about short comings and misdeeds.

She solicited Nigerians support for the Personal Income Tax Bill that was first presented to immediate past National Assembly and represented before the outgoing lawmakers. The bill is yet to be-

come a law.

The Commission’s Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, in his remark, said the impending review of electricity tariff will ensure that taxes paid the power sector are accounted for and transparently remitted.

Both organisations have agreed to work out modalities for the establishment of tax support desk in NERC as a follow up to this agreement. Taxes paid in the sector include, personal income tax, values added taxes on power consumption as well as company income tax.

Amadi said the his organisation would ensure improved power supply through smart regulations and that NERC will continue as a learning institution through organisation of more knowledge sharing forum as a recipe to emerge as a leading institute.

Jonathan’s planned economic transformation lauded

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ORMER President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr Simon Okolo, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to begin the planned economic transformation from the agricultural sector.

He made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba, the Abia commercial nerve centre.

Okolo noted that developing the agricultural sector remained the surest way to kick-start the industrial take-off of the country, diversify its economy, create jobs for the people

and alleviate poverty.

“Through agriculture, the country will get the raw material inputs to set up small-scale industries that will employ the youths.

“Increased production of agricultural goods will ensure adequate food for the people and also increase revenue from the export of the surplus,” he said.

Okolo expressed the hope that Jonathan’s plans to step up production of some major agricultural produce, local production of fertiliser and other farming inputs, would eventually lead to a ban in the importation of many products by 2015.

He described the president’s economic plans as “a giant breakthrough for the nation, if actualised”.

Okolo said that the establishment of a fertiliser plant would not only revolutionise agricultural production in the country but also reduce importation and save Nigeria’s foreign currency.

He noted that the country spends billions of dollars on fertiliser import annually, which in most cases, get to farmers late due to delays at the ports and government bureaucracy.

Okolo stressed that failure to reposition the country’s economy might take the nation many years backward.

IMF job: G8 leaders back Lagarde

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8 leaders all back French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde’s bid to run the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, said last Sunday, as the candidate attacked a call to investigate her role in a 2008 legal case that may harm her chances.

France was careful not to speak out about Lagarde’s candidacy during a Group of Eight summit in Deauville last week but Juppe said all eight nations were firmly behind Lagarde.”

Among the eight heads of state and government, plus the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Council who were there, there was unani-

mous support for Christine Lagarde,” Juppe said on Canal+ television.The top IMF job is vacant after Dominique Strauss-Kahn quit over attempted rape charges in New York, which he has vowed to fight.

The United States last Sunday stuck with its policy of not announcing support for a specific candidate.”I won’t go beyond what we’ve said, which is that we support the process that’s been set up by the IMF to find a successor and we support a process that produces the best possible candidate,” said spokesman for President Barack Obama, Jay Carney.The main obstacle in Lagarde’s way is the possibility of an inquiry into her role in

a 2008 legal settlement involving paying 285 million euros ($408.2 million) to businessman Bernard Tapie, an ally of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Opposition Socialist Party politicians have accused Lagarde of abusing her authority when she awarded the money to Tapie.Lagarde, who flew to Brazil last Sunday to drum up key emerging economy support for her IMF bid, questioned the legal and factual basis of the public prosecutor’s call for a formal inquiry into her role in the Tapie case, saying some aspects were false in an interview with Europe 1 radio. She has said her conscience is clear over the case.

HE Management of National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc (NASCON) has recorded a 30.4 per cent rise in its profit before tax, while also growing its earnings per share to 60 kobo, as against 46 kobo for the preceding year.

The result was for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

While turnover hit N2.2 billion for the period under review as against N2 billion, a 10 per cent increase, gross profit was N825 million, from N606 million, a 36.1 per cent increase.

The first quarter results showed the company returning to profitability as against the year ended December 31, 2010, when turnover grew by 1.4 per cent to N8.89 billion as against N8.7 billion in 2009.

Both the profit before and after tax for 2010 shrunk by 24.1 per cent and 10.5 per cent while the EPS also reduced to 62 kobo, a decline of 11.4 per cent from its 2009 figure of 70 kobo.

At a general meeting held on September 29, 2006, the shareholders approved the acquisition of assets, liabilities and business undertakings of Dangote Salt Limited and the issue and allotment of additional NASCON shares as purchase consideration.

The principal activities of the company are refining and marketing of salt in different grades-refined, edible, kitchen, butter, table and industrial.

There company has invested in the acquisition of offshore companies, refining and packing machines, investing in advertising and promotions and development of the foods businesses in the country.

Group wants minerals development fund established

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HE Mining Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday in Abuja called on the Federal Government to establish a Minerals Development Fund (MDF) to assist the mining sector.

Its president, Alhaji Sani Shehu, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the association was faced with three needs that had been hampering its growth.

Shehu said one of those needs was heavy financial injection by government as enshrined in the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007 to develop to the sector.

Minerals and Mining Act 2007 stipulates that artisanal and smallscale mining operations in the country should have technical assistance and or funding of the World Bank through sustainable management of mineral resources projects.

“We are appealing to president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, to, in the spirit of economic diversification of the government, to as a matter of urgency, establish this Mineral Development Fund.

“The third challenge is the sensitisation and mobilisation, in which case, the association is ready to partner with government to sensitise miners at every level.’’

Shehu said that another problem was rules and regulations which, he said the association received few weeks ago.

He said that members of the association were willing to pay their royalties to government and were environmentally conscious to mine with consideration for health and safety regulations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

MARITIME

Customs to embrace global practices

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HE management of the Nigerian Customs Service, said it is set to make the service a world class institution in terms of trade facilitation, revenue generation and suppression of smuggling.

In an attempt to turn the service to a world class institution, the management of the service, The Nation was told, has always implored and seeks the support of stakeholders in the maritime industry to help it in the battle to weed out bad elements bent on giving the service a bad name.

Speaking with The Nation in his office in Lagos, the Acting Area Comptroller, Federal Operation Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Victor Dimka, said men of the service, importers and their agents have been told by the leadership of the Customs that the 48hour cargo clearance target is alive.

The management of the service, Dimka said, believes that a 24-hour cargo turn around time is desirable, as it would translate into higher revenue generation for the service and turn the service to a world class institution.

The management of the service, the Area Comptroller said, had from inception of this administration, thrown its doors open based on the fact that the leadership of the service realised that the task at hand requires cooperation, collaboration and support from the key stakeholders in the cargo clearance exercise at the ports.

The management, Dimka said, has always implored and sought the support of stakeholders to help it in the battle to weed out bad elements bent on giving the service a bad image.

He said since the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, took over the service, the incidences of sharp practices have reduced drastically and the commensurate stiff pen-

S

NAGAFF collaborates with SON Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

THE National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has assured the management of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) of its support and collaboration on its zero tolerance position on corruption in the port.

NAGAFF praised the Director-General of SON, Chief Ikem Odumodu over his determination to make the conformity assessment programme of SON to yield the desire result of government expectation to check the influx of substandard, fake and adulterated products.

Speaking with reporters in his office on Friday, the Founder of NAGAFF, Dr Bonface Aniebonam, said he was happy that Chief Odumodu is spearheading the anti-corruption crusade in the ports and border stations across the country.

He said it has become obligatory for NAGAFF to start to educate and enlighten importers to follow government regulation by obtaining SONCAP certificate for all their imports.

The NAGAFF chief, however, urged Chief Odumodu to review the measure being taken to penalise SONCAP defaulters.

“The price tag of N500, 000 and N1m defaulting fee and deposit should be reviewed. This is to avoid a system that will increase smuggling activities. Let the attitude to it be that of corrective measure than being punitive. We are saying this to avoid imminent congestion in the port,” Aniebonam said.

He also urged the Director-General to visit the ports and hold meetings with stakeholders as a man coming from the private to public sector.

The NAGAFF Founder, however, regretted that none of the nation’s sea ports could be ranked among the first 125 top seaports in the world in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness.

•Apapa port, Lagos.

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

alties meted out to all law breakers are unprecedented in the history of the service.

Officers and men of the command recorded 1,029 seizures between January 2011 and April this year. The seizures represented over 600 per cent increase in output when compared with activities of the same command in the corresponding period of last year.

The total duty paid value of the seizures made by the command between January and April is about N1.4 billion. The command had also successfully prosecuted and convicted no less than five suspects between January to date.

At the Ogun State command, where Deputy Comptroller, Mr Richard Oteri has been in the saddle for three months, investigation revealed that an astounding 350 seizures were made by the command. The estimated Duty Paid Value

Securing the water ways

•Dikko

•Area Comptroller, FOU Zone “A’, Victor Dimka

(DPV) of the goods is over N240 million.

If this is juxtaposed with the seizure statistics of same period in 2010, the development represents over 466 per cent increase.

Also, the Tin-Can Island command in Lagos, has recorded monthly revenue generation in the region of N14 billion to N16 billion since the beginning of the

year.

The Area Comptroller of the command, Mr Austen Warikoru, told The Nation that the command has successfully blocked all avenues for revenue leakages.

This, he said, boosted the revenue generation of the command without jeopardising trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government.

Stakeholders seek attention on seafarers training

TAKEHOLDERS in the maritime sector said they were not happy over the slow pace of manpower development in the industry and urged the Federal Government to emulate the Philippines in terms of seafarers training.

They regretted that Nigeria with a population of about 150 million has only one maritime institution compared to the Philippines, which the stakeholders said, has over 40 maritime academies with a population of 80 million people, noting that this has made the Philippines the supplier of over 30 per cent of the world’s seafarers requirement.

The stakeholders noted that Philippines earns over a billion dollars from seafarers reparation.

Speaking at a public lecture organised by the stakeholders in Lagos last Friday, the Chairman, Sealand Investment, Mr Emeka Ogoegbunam, said they were tired of having foreigners dominating the industry and called for a comprehensive plan that would change

Maritime Watch

the situation.

He said there is the urgent need for the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive and robust manpower developmental plan for the maritime sector to promote national development and stop the loss of billions of naira to foreigners yearly.

Ogoegbunam condemned the situation where foreigners are dominating the nation’s maritime industry.

He canvassed a robust intervention that would solve the problem. He condemned what he called isolated intervention that always favour foreigners.

Ogoegbunam also sought robust, consistent, versatile and dynamic policies which are in tandem with global issues to achieve the desired level of efficiency in the maritime sector.

The General Manager, Olas Shipping and Gas, Mr Benjamin Solomon, said the nation’s maritime sector has

not moved forward since the demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) that was responsible for training professionals in the industry.

Solomon emphasised the need for manpower audit, which he said, would help the nation determine the shortfall and ascertain the number of maritime institutions required to train personnel over a period of time.

The need for additional training schools to develop competent manpower for the sector, Solomon said, would help youths obtain internationally recognised credentials and have positive impacts on unemployment and crime.

Solomon blamed the dearth of professionals in the industry on the government’s neglect on the training of professionals.

He added that the industry will move forward if the government will co-opt the

private sector in its manpower development strategy.

In his paper entitled The Challenges of Seafarers Training in Nigeria-A way out, a maritime lawyer and university don, Mr Dipo Alaka, said shipping is an international trade where rules of safety of vessels are governed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention.

He said there is the need to establish a maritime training school that will be responsive for the changing needs of the highly competitive and technologically advanced sector.

“Nigeria’s cabotage laws require the employment of Nigerians aboard commercial ships operating in the coastal and inlands waterways, but most indigenous ship owners cannot find enough qualified crew members to man their vessels.

Establishment of more training schools, Alaka said, would ultimately provide a complete programme of maritime instruction.

THE Federal Government has been advised to protect the nation’s territorial waters from illegal fishing and develop naval capability to deal with hazardous waste dumping and piracy.

Some members of the Fishery Society of Nigeria (FISON), gave the advice while speaking with The Nation in Apapa, Lagos last Friday.

A member of the group, Mr Tolani Adegboyega, said the country needs to work with foreign partners to develop capacity that could help it tackle the crisis caused by piracy and illegal fishing.

He said the dumping of toxic waste in the maritime domain and the increasing crimes in the coastline require commitment on the side of the Federal Government to provide capability and cooperation with foreign partners to build its maritime capability.

Adegboyega pointed out that security experts around the Horn of Africa have developed theories over the increasing piracy cases.

He noted that Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand had set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

Adegboyega observed that the insecurity in Africa’s waterways had forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

Specifically, coastal and inland states had seen their vital trade links threatened by pirates, a situation that led to rising costs that their populations must bear.

“As at now, there are no clear answers as to the best ways to ensure maritime security, nor are there clear answers as to what percentage of resources nations should allocate to maritime security to best facilitate the goal of furthering development,” he said.

ISPS can’t stop security problem THE Managing Director of Export Development Agency, My Bolaji Adesegun, has picked holes in the much-touted International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), saying the policy is not the solution to maritime security in the country.

Speaking with The Nation in Apapa on Friday, Adesegun said before the ISPS code was introduced, the shipping industry in West Africa has had maritime security problems.

He lamented that the shipping, oil and gas industries have expanded without carrying the host communities along.

Adesegun observed that ISPS was made to protect certain interest against terrorism. He, however, said that when the core needs of the people of the shipping host communities are met, the issue of maritime security challenges will be reduced.

The Managing Director said the neglect of the host communities has resulted in the insecurity being experienced in the Niger-Delta area.

“In the Niger Delta Area, the country has a huge human capacity, a huge maritime, oil and gas industry, a huge coastline, but has a single maritime training institution which is grossly inadequate so that the militants could be gainfully employed.”

According to him, the fastest way to engage the militants fully, is by sending them to the local and international maritime labour market with all the necessary International Maritime Organisation (IMO) certifications.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Lagos’ 10MW project •In spite of constraints, the state continues to find solutions to its power problems

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AY 25 marked another day of lofty achievement for Lagos State, as the state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola commissioned a 10MW plant to provide 24-hour power supply to target infrastructure and streets within Lagos Island. The initiative is expected to power the General Hospital, Lagos High Court and the High Court Annex, Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, JIC Taylor Court House, Lagos State House, Marina. It will also power street lights in 20 streets on the Island.

Uninterrupted power supply is desirable everywhere, but where it seems impossible to provide it everywhere and at all time as it is in our peculiar situation, there are specific places and institutions, including the aforementioned places, that should not be without electricity for a minute.

This is not the first time the state government would be embarking on such project. Back in 1999, Lagos State Gov-

‘Uninterrupted power supply is desirable everywhere, but where it seems impossible to provide it everywhere and at all time as it is in our peculiar situation, there are specific places and institutions, including the aforementioned places, that should not be without electricity for a minute’

ernment under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Fashola’s predecessor, entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Enron for the purchase of electricity and onward distribution to heavily industrialised and specifically strategic areas such as Ikeja, Apapa, Oshodi, Victoria Island, Marina, and Lekki axis.

Although legal constraints proved a formidable albatross, and thus hampered the delivery capacity of the project, Lagos nonetheless blazed the trail in the conception and implementation of an ideal IPP as it is known in Nigeria today.

Notwithstanding the hurdles, the state has since moved on. In 2008, it added Akute Power Project, a 12.15MW plant to serve the Akute Intake Facility of the Lagos State Water Corporation, demonstrating the resolve of the government to bring development to Lagosians by all legitimate means possible.

We commend the commitment and doggedness of the Lagos State government in helping to resolve two important issues for the country. First, that our extant laws on power generation and national grid arrangement are not only obsolete and laughable, but in view of the reality and demands of the modern day Nigeria, are counterproductive. Human societies are dynamic, so must be their laws and instruments for social cohesion.

When the idea of national grid was conceived, it was perhaps noble, and well intended. However, the circumstances as at then have changed tremendously, thus necessitating an overhaul of the system; after all, laws are made for the people and not otherwise. The lesson is simple;

the Federal Government must not always remain impervious to criticism or suggestions on the basis of who is giving the advice or suggestion, but rather on sound and logical reasoning. The sad reality is that blank application of these laws without discretion, retards federalism rather than enhance it.

Secondly, the attempted implementation of an IPP by Lagos State government put the state on collision path with the Federal Government and opened up the debate on the approach, running, and sustainability of our federal structure and development. The result today has shown that the way forward is for Nigeria to practice federalism as it should be.

Gladly, some states of the federation have taken the bull by the horns, and have ventured into the development of IPP (with varying capacities) to enhance supply of their domestic power needs. It is the way of development, a salutary detour from the cumbersomeness of the national grid system that is already tired and inefficient. Any state that desires industrial take-off and capacity-building must necessarily buy into the IPP scheme.

The advantages are many. Power is key to any industrial breakthrough. The alarming rapidity with which industries close down in Nigeria is not unconnected to the epileptic supply of electricity to the industries, coupled with the prohibitive cost of providing power through alternative means. Adequate power supply is therefore a veritable means of arresting unemployment. In the long run, it will also help to improve the people’s conditions of living.

Wake-up call •Observer group’s observations tally with Uwais panel’s recommendations

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HE Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) just gave Nigerians a wake-up call when it insisted that president should lose the power to appoint members of the electoral agency from the chairman, national electoral commissioners and state resident electoral commissioners. That was despite the April elections, which most observers, including the COG, have declared credible.

In a 65-page report it gave Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman in London, United Kingdom, COG also advocated a special court to try election cases, to facilitate the swift trial and conviction of electoral offenders, to wean Nigerians from electoral impunity.

These two suggestions, it must be recalled, were among the recommendations of the Muhammadu Lawal Uwais’s Electoral Reform Panel. But the two were dropped by the government of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, despite vociferous protests by political pressure groups.

But if the COG admitted the April elections were credible, and the elections were pulled off without these two recommendations, why its insistence on the two now? The answer is simple: good men are good; but good systems are better. To the extent that the two recommendations would strengthen the systemic conduct of credible elections, the COG’s suggestions stand on excellent grounds.

Granted: an exultant President Goodluck Jonathan, a mere political subaltern compared with the veterans who

had been sitting presidents before him and yet could not conduct passable elections, has every right to croon over the April polls. An upbeat President had said he hoped post-election cases would drop to a mere five per cent, if not less, by 2015.

He based his optimism on two reasons.

First, his ability to pick Prof. Jega as INEC chairman, who later went to justify the presidential confidence by conducting an election that has been hailed by most.

And secondly: his proven determination not to interfere in the process; and his insistence that every vote must count.

A polity that, after eight years of the Obasanjo presidency was surrendering itself to the grim reality that votes would again never count in this “democracy”, and even the grimmer consequences of such inevitable democratic meltdown, has every right to be relieved and to toast the President.

But as it is, the improved polls were founded on no systemic pillar, other than the supposed good conduct of the President (which is debatable, for many still believe the elections were free but hardly fair, since the sitting President enjoyed uncommon advantages); and the noble motives of Prof. Jega (which many still insist, without strict systemic checks, could easily have gone awry).

Nevertheless, what could have happened if the presidency were to revert to an Obasanjo with his do-or-die, take-itor-chuck-it electoral mindset? And INEC to an Iwu, an electoral chief so cocksure of the inevitability of the triumph of electoral evil over good?

If the President really means delivering even a better election in 2015, then

he must look beyond personal strivings.

He must ensure systemic means that would not only buttress the efforts of electoral chiefs with good motives but also checkmate ones with rotten intentions.

The President, with the National Assembly, and indeed all Nigerians, should therefore pay more than a cursory attention to the COG recommendations. There should be a revisit to the Uwais’s recommendation that the President should cease to directly appoint electoral chiefs.

There also must be prompt prosecution and conviction of electoral criminals, no matter how highly placed in society.

That is the twin way to ascertaining saner future polls: the presidential hands-off to, ab initio, protect the integrity of the poll; and the prompt jailing of electoral criminals to discourage electoral impunity. Here then, is the structural path to better future elections.

‘The President, with the National Assembly, and indeed all Nigerians, should therefore pay more than a cursory attention to the COG recommendations.

There should be a revisit to the Uwais’s recommendation that the President should cease to directly appoint electoral chiefs.

There also must be prompt prosecution and conviction of electoral criminals, no matter how highly placed in society’

The Mideast peace process: no plan for talks

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HIS is the time for bold ideas to salvage IsraeliPalestinian peace efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel did not seize it. In his address to Congress, he showed — once again — that he has no serious appetite for the kind of compromises that are the only way to forge a two-state solution and guarantee both Palestinians their long-denied state and Israel’s long-term security.

President Obama showed more rhetorical initiative when he spoke, but he doesn’t appear to have a strategy forrevivingnegotiations.MahmoudAbbas,thepresident of the Palestinian Authority, is refusing to come back to the table and is apparently betting his people’s future on a misguided deal with Hamas and symbolic gestures.

Thisismorethanjustawastedopportunity.Continued stalemate feeds extremism. And there is a deadline looming: Absent negotiations, Palestinians plan to ask the United Nations in September to recognize their state. The measure won’t get them what they want, and the United States will veto it when it gets to the Security Council. But the exercise will further isolate Israel and Washington.

President Obama vowed to revive the peace process but checked out when Mr. Netanyahu rejected his demand for a settlement freeze and Mr. Abbas refused to negotiate without it. Mr. Obama got back in the game last week. In a speech on the Arab Spring, he goaded allies, including Israel, to take political risks for peaceful change.

What drew the most attention was his call for negotiations on a Palestinian state based on Israel’s pre1967 borders — with mutually agreed land swaps. The idea has been the basis of all negotiations for more than a decade, including those backed by President George W. Bush.

Mr. Netanyahu immediately insisted that Israel would never return to the “indefensible” pre-1967 boundaries.

Playing to his conservative base at home, and on Capitol Hill,heignoredthesecondhalfofMr.Obama’sstatement about “mutually agreed swaps so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.”

Pretty much everyone but the hardest liners — on both sides — assumes that in a peace deal Israel will retainmanyofitsWestBanksettlementsandcompensate Palestinians with other land. On Monday, Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged as much, saying that “in any peace agreement that ends the conflict, some settlements will end up beyond Israel’s borders.”

His aides had raised hopes that Mr. Netanyahu would offernewideastorevivetalks,buttherewasreallynothing new there. He insisted that Jerusalem “will never again be divided” and Israel’s Army would remain along the Jordan River. And while he basked in Congress’s standing ovations, Ethan Bronner reported in The Times that in Israel the trip was judged a diplomatic failure.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Mr. Netanyahu’s “same old messages” proved the country “deserves a different leader.” Palestinians dismissed the visit and said they would focus on nonviolent protests leading to September.

So what happens now? More drift and recriminations, unless Mr. Obama comes up with a plan to get the parties into serious talks. We see no hint that he is working toward one. We are told that he has no immediate plans to appoint a new envoy to replace George Mitchell, who resigned, or to send Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to the region. Negotiations will become even harder once the unity government with Hamas is formed and it gets closer to September.

Time is running out.

– New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Permit me to congratulate Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on his 54th birthday Wednesday May 25. Without sounding immodest, Governor Aregbesola is indeed a great man. Not many people took him serious when he decided in 2005 to launch Oranmiyan and signify his intention to contest Osun State governorship election of 2007, except those who have worked closely with him and have known the stuff he was made of.

Fewer people still gave him any chance when he decided to challenge the daylight electoral robbery that temporarily put Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on the saddle for three years. However, the man has a heart of steel, encapsulated in a lithe body, radiated in a wide smile and harmless mien. Buoyed by the support of the people of Osun State, he fought bravely and courageously, up to the Court of Appeal twice and in the end, on November 26 last year, he was vindicated. Oyinlola was sacked and Aregbesola took his rightful position as governor of Osun State.

He has proved that he is truly an Ijesa warrior, with Ogedengbe blood flowing in him. He is also Oranmiyan incarnate, exercising influence all over Yorubaland.

Today, he is the man of the moment, a natural leader that the people are willing to follow to any length. They demonstrated this love when they voted overwhelmingly for all the candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in all the elections.

He started his government on the most wonderful note of creating 20,000 jobs. This has become a model adopted by the World Bank to be studied and applied to other states of the federation. This is good news.

The Bible says in Proverbs 29:2 that ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people

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Governor Aregbesola’s giant strides mourn.’

The people of Osun have been happy and rejoicing since he came to power compared to the siege imposed on them by the ancien regime. There is peace in Osun State now, no more fear of indiscriminate arrests, attacks and killings.

Since he came to power, he has adopted a modest style. He

dropped the appellation of ‘His Excellency’, claiming that it is only God that should take that title and has restricted himself to the simple ‘Mister’ herein called ‘Ogbeni’ in Yoruba. He has been living in the small presidential guest house, instead of the palatial governor’s lodge in the state house. He has also directed that nobody should use government

money to congratulate him on his birthday. He has been frugal with government’s money.

I and other progressives in Osun State say a happy birthday to the Ogbeni himself. We wish you many fruitful years of service to Osun State and Nigeria in the future.

• Olu Joseph, Ilesa, Osun State

Stop the politics of blood IR: If indeed democracy, gives people the unquestionable right to elect their leader, then the deplorable action of those characters who chose to dramatize the poem titled “Night Fall in Soweto” in broad daylight in parts of northern Nigeria, question the very essence of word democracy. Let them not forget Woodrow Willison, who in an address to congress in 1917 said that “the world must be made safe for democracy, its peace must be planted upon the tested foundation of political liberty”.

Nigerians exercised their political liberty by nailing the political ambition of the “GENERAL” with the power of their votes in an election adjudged to be free and fair by Man and God. While the President went everywhere saying “my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”, the other man went somewhere saying “it’s our turn to rule and we must win”.

But how can you win? When you have no political structure in the south. How can you win? When you got majority of votes cast in only two geo-political zones,

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which is just a part of Nigeria? The Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is indeed a product of Dieu-son-acte(an act of God). If you think I am wrong, why not look at his political profile, for the only thing you will see there, is what God can do for a man among men.

The case of the slain corps members can be likened to a case of “homo lupus hominem” (man is wolf to man) as postulated by Aristotle.

Claude Mekay, was right when he told us in his poem that, “if we must die, let it not be like dogs”, but Nigerians on national assignment were slaughtered like dogs. Oh what a painful way to die! Let me express my heart-felt appreciation to Mr. President for his act of bona notabilia (notable good) by adopting the principles of tokenism with his show support to the families of the slain corps members. Just as it will amount to a Lugubrious misnomer, and cotra bonos mores (against good morals) to use the word “compensation” to describe the kind gesture of the President, the only acceptable and sincere compensation is to bring to book, those tragedians and monstrous ogres who conspired to act that black comedy on fellow citizens.

Now is the time for us to abolish the politics of blood in Nigeria. For I have no doubt in my mind that, the fate that befell the families of the slain corps members at this time of inconsolable grief is a cruel one. But the inescapable fate that will befall those machinators who brought this sorrow on humanity will be worse.

It will not only be contra valid but splendide mendax (splendidly false) for them to think that even if they escape the punishment of man, they can escape that of God. As I urge Nigerians to ask them, what were their gains for turning call up letters into death certificates? What were their benefits for turning places of primary assignment into the worlds most despicable Golgotha? What were their profits for turning pollin units into slaughter houses?

Like President Jonathan, I say enough is enough. But for those who have ears to hear, please let’s try to guide our actions with the word’s of Robelt Green Ignesoll, that “give to every other human being, every right you claim for yourself”. God bless Nigeria .

• Godfrey Ogbaisi Benin City, Edo State .

Akingbola Vs EFCC: NJC please step in

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IR: I write to express my disdain over the mild drama that was reported at a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday May 18, 2011, when the case involving the former Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank, Dr Erastus Akingbola came up.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, have since written a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta following what they described as “strong objections” to the conduct of Justice Charles Archibong who is handling the case.

The commission, in a petition dated May 19 and signed by its Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conduct of the judge as it relates to a matter it is prosecuting in connection with a former bank chief while insisting that the judge’s manifest and unconcealed interests in the case and other EFCC matters cannot ensure justice.

Mr. Daudu on his part was also quoted to have said that the judge has descended into the arena and had become embroiled in the mess of the controversy; adding that with the instruction of his client, the EFCC, he has unequivocally lost confidence in the ability of Justice Archibong to deliver justice in the matter.

This is no doubt a very serious allegation against the judge in particular and the judiciary in general and therefore should not be swept under the carpet.

I strongly advise the National Judicial Council, NJC, to put machinery in motion to determine the veracity or otherwise of the allegations. The judiciary should ensure that corruption cases are dispensed with speedily as that is the only way a corrupt-free society can be guaranteed. All hands must be on deck to achieve this. It is possible, please let us do something.

• Anthony Favour Ojelimafe Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma- Nigeria

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IGERIA on the march again, ... on the march again ... MKO, is our man ooooo ...”

Anyone familiar with the electioneering preceding the 12 June 1993 presidential election would be familiar with the sheer gaiety and giddy expectation with which the Olakunle people rendered the above quoted Abimbola song, from the radio jingle and tellordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) evision commercial of Basorun Moshood Abiola, MKO’s presidential campaign.

Aside from “Baba ni governor wa ...” the song that, much later in 2007, launched Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, into the conAnother military shadow hovering round the current dispensciousness of Lagosians, after an especially stormy nomina- sation, like a ghoul, is David Mark. From accounts that Prof. tion process of his Action Congress (AC, now Action Con- Humphrey Nwosu gave, he played an ignoble role in the trungress of Nigeria, ACN), it is doubtful if there was a more cation of MKO’s mandate, allegedly threatening to kill the presipopular campaign song in Nigeria’s recent political history – dent-elect if his mandate was ever consummated. Yet, he is at least in the political South West. there strutting over the republic as a fourth-term senator, and Adults sang the MKO campaign ditty with gusto. Children angling to become a second-term president of the Senate. gyrated to its gripping lyrics and enchanting music with reck- Ironically, Mr. Mark has been a fitting symbol of the pseudoless abandon. A change was in the air – and an exciting one at democracy that this order was exemplifying, with each of his that. You could almost tell, by the wild way that jingle caught subsequent election getting more controversial than the previon, especially among children, who would win the presiden- ous one. tial election.

It is tribute to telling symbolism that, from the anti-democratic MKO was that change. On 12 June 1993, for the first time in temper of leading lights of the Obasanjo era, May 29 often reminds Nigeria’s political history, the progressive political bloc Nigerians of the military imposition of pseudo-democracy; while trounced the conservatives in Nigeria’s first pan-Nigeria man- June 12 oozes the pristine democratic order Nigerians crave. date, hailed as the cleanest and fairest election ever held in It is meet then that the political progressives started falterthis country. But the wilful abortion of this electoral land- ing on 29 May 1999, the very day civil rule returned. It marked mark would lead to a series of events, many of them tragic, the day they powered into office on the heroics of their prothat forced the birth of the current Fourth Republic.

June 12 agitation. It also marked the day, four years later, But the Fourth Republic itself has so far been a Trojan horse, by they were shooed from power by the same reactionary forces which the political wing of the military, though soundly defeated that concocted the June 12 debacle. by pro-democracy forces, attempted to snatch victory from the That, therefore, would explain why the ACN, the platform on jaws of defeat. Olusegun Obasanjo with his gruff military tem- which the progressives are storming back into national reckoning, per, pseudo-messianic complex and conceited imperial presi- is wary of that date, given the rash of inductions on legislative dency, was the worst to have been chosen to lead a country transiting agenda for its newly elected state and national legislators. from 14 straight years of military rule, two of which was spent on “Beware of being lost in the Abuja dream,” Asiwaju Bola the stillbirth Third Republic. Until the April 2011 elections, the Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State and ACN national Fourth Republic was aborting on account of voodoo voting. leader, had cautioned the National Assembly legislators-elect at the finale of such inductions in Osogbo, Osun State, on May 26.

‘How can 2015 be different from 1983 That was no empty warning. Prelude to the fall of five of the six Alliance for Democracy (AD) governments in 2003, the PDP and 2003? It is simply for ACN to stick to destroy the opposition had started in earnest. The to its national legislative agenda and stratagem sweet-poison pitch was “a government of national unity” (GNU); but the suck-in-and-destroy motive was clear. Vincent Ogbulafor launch a vigorous legislative push for would pop up later, boasting PDP would rule for 60 years. Senachange in the area of political restructor Mahmud Waziri would later die quietly, as an innocuous special adviser on an innocuous matter to President Obasanjo. turing and fiscal federalism.’

But whoever now remembers both were founding members

of the All People’s Party (APP now All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP); and Senator Waziri the party’s first national chairman? Such was the stupendous success of the PDP dummy that ANPP is struggling back into the National Assembly as only the second strongest opposition party after ACN. That was a reversal of role as at 1999, when it was next only to PDP. It is just as well ACN has avoided that GNU patriotic trap. But so did the AD in 1999. Still, that did not stop an ever scheming President Obasanjo from destroying the party, leveraging on the late Bola Ige’s bitterness on being edged out in AD’s caucus primary that handed over the party’s presidential ticket to Olu Falae. That push to get even would push the venerable Ige to his death; and the AD to its demise; aside from smashing the infectiously popular Afenifere, hitherto pristine Yoruba sociopolitical rallying club, as a formidable political machine, that determined who got what.

It would also unleash on the polity the progressive reprobates that became ultra-reactionary elements, happy and merry apostles of political mainstreaming, zesty foot soldiers of brazen electoral muzzling, and evil but unfazed poster boys and girls of South West atrophy and underdevelopment of the last eight years.

True, they are all in political Siberia now. But so were they in 1979 at the advent of the Second Republic; and in 1999, at the start of this Fourth Republic. Yet, four years later in both cases, they had powered back into reckoning – by hook or by crook.

So, how can 2015 be different from 1983 and 2003? It is simply for ACN to stick to its national legislative agenda and launch a vigorous legislative push for change in the area of political restructuring, fiscal federalism; and chart a clear-cut alternative path to the ruling PDP’s journey to nowhere, for 12 years, running to 16.

As it ought to be clear to all by now, the progressive challenge is what is keeping this democracy. Ideologically, PDP could swallow and disgorge ANPP at will, and nothing definitive would happen in the polity, since both parties are conservative soul mates.

But the crisis of Nigeria’s democracy has been the umpteenth reactionary attempt, by the national conservative powers-thatbe, to forcefully gobble up the progressives, in sham elections.

That ended the First and Second republics. It aborted the Third Republic. And, to say the truth, the present order was sagging until the electoral rebound of April which, though not stellar, was a sure improvement on 2003 and 2007.

The ACN-led progressives could make a bold bid to capture federal power by 2015, if the votes count. With better nationwide spread than the old AD, the prospects cannot be better.

It, however, must knock its national legislators into a potent force in legislation for development; and also forge its five states in the South West into an integrated rapid development unit, to show that Nigeria’s future lies in developmental federalism – all that in four short years!

Will the progressives go for it or would they, as usual, stumble after a four-year power interregnum, in their traditional West? Time will tell!

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I am waiting for that day when the argument canvassed for the liberalisation of the power sector will extend to the railways. Or, is it a case of liberalisation being good for the power sector but not good enough for the railways? Is President Jonathan thinking along the lines of moving to get the Railways Act repealed fast to the lay the long anticipated foundation for future private sector investment? Or, is the nation doomed to the colonial relic laid in 1896?

I often wonder whether any administration can be taken seriously which underplays the importance of the railways.

The story of refined petroleum products has remained an apt illustration of the dweller on the banks of the river washing his hands with spittle. At the moment, the cost of diesel and kerosene has shot through the roofs.

In parts of Lagos last week, kerosene actually sold for N160 per litre – so much for product availability. Between the former – industrial fuel and the latter –which is a household fuel, the ordinary citizen, already pauperised in the hostile economic environment is further done in. Soon enough, the nation will get back to the wearisome debates on the quantum of subsidies on the current fuel pricing templates instead of the substance of how to get more refineries on board in record time.

What are the administration’s thought on these? Ambivalent or simply indifferent?

I guess there is no use over flogging the issue of power. The administration insists that everything is on course. Being on course in this case means waiting endlessly at the table hoping that food will be served at some point. Unfortunately four years is only a short while away.

Like every Nigerian, my prayer is for President Jonathan to succeed. Success for me means fixing the power conundrum and the railways. With those two, the manufacturers would not even need “subsidies”. Imagine the economy, presently doing a seven percent growth with the state of power and railways infrastructure. Trust the economy to launch into supersonic speed with the two sectors working maximally.

Because so much depends on the man with the goodluck charm, we simply cannot afford to cease praying!

“N

epublican ipples

Progressives on the march

IVEN the centrality of economic issues to the myriad of problems afflicting the nation at the moment, one expected that President Goodluck Jonathan’s 17-page, 2,337-word inauguration speech would be a bit more forthright on the subject. For a President who has had his hands on the lever since February 9, 2010 when he first assumed office in acting capacity, it is disappointing that he chose, yet again, to be astoundingly tentative on a subject on which his achievement or lack thereof would ultimately make or mar his presidency.

Never mind the boquet of wishes or outlandish projections of growth; the truth is that the economy is not only sick but is actually shrinking, no thanks to the combination of factors in the operating environment. More jobs are being lost than are created. While a critical sub sector like transportation has remained non-starter because of government’s nonacknowledgement of its primacy in the development mix, energy – whether as in fuel or electricity is remembered only when the tale of frittered opportunities and criminal indifference is being told.

I had looked forward to a broad outline of the President’s thought, something more definitive at least in terms of the direction of the economy. Unfortunately, aside the extravagant promises of action and endless dissection of problems, one could not see any sense of urgency of approach let alone concrete and workable solutions which captures and addresses problems holistically. For a President who promised everything new and urgent, what we see – if we see anything at all – are glimpses of old, worn solutions presented in new packages even when there were no evidences that measures or even the routes being contemplated paid off in the past.

Let’s start with the latest proposition being put on the table to bail out the manufacturers: waivers and subsidies dressed as incentives announced by the President in his parley with the business community Monday May 23.

Waivers and subsidies – or whatever – are by design meant to cushion the impact of rising costs which render local manufactures uncompetitive. Of course, the idea of regime of waivers or subsidies are not entirely novel – or even bad - particularly when things are going minimally. Obviously, companies willing to create jobs or those seen as positively helping to cut down on imports deserve every support they can get.

The only problem is that waivers didn’t work in the past.

Indeed, it actually spawned the now familiar industry of rent and racketeering even while the supposed beneficiaries ended up being served the short end of the stick. The question really is whether our manufacturers need the selective exemptions administered by some bureaucratic fat cats more interested in the filthy lucre than the prospects of relieving their pains.

To start with, how will the regime of waivers help a manu-

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Jonathan’s chance facturer, who, starved of power from the public source, cannot even get diesel to run his plant at reasonable costs? Would the government also provide subsidy for transportation or even assist to hedge against fluctuations in interest and exchange rates which have now constituted new sources of migraine?

Why not concentrate of fixing the problems as a better counterpoise to the labour of shuttling between factories and the bureaucracy all in the bid to participate in some benevolent waivers?

Let’s move to the railways. What does the President Jonathan think of the sector? Hard to see. Presently, goods are being transported from the South to the North and vice versa by road at great costs to the fast crumbling infrastructure. The railways modernisation planned by the Obasanjo administration, jettisoned by the same PDP administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua – has since been scaled down to basic realignment of disused tracks! The last anyone heard of them was on the eve of the elections – when a well timed programme to showcase the so-called completion ended in a fiasco; the coaches careered off the supposedly straightened out tracks only days after they were certified fit for human cargo!

The collateral to the underinvestment in the railways is the quantum leap in the opportunity costs to the nation with each passing year. What of the countless instances of carnage on the roads caused by tanker drivers forced to move refined petroleum products from Lagos to parts of the North as a result of collapsed pipelines? To that we can add the man hours lost in daily traffic as a result of the intransigence of ubiquitous tanker drivers - our home-grown highway terrorists!

Will anyone ever sit down to compute the cost of railways decline on the economies of the towns and cities served along the routes?

‘Like every Nigerian, my prayer is for President Jonathan to succeed. Success for me means fixing the power conundrum and the railways.’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EMEMBER General Augustine Bizimungu, the Rwandan army chief under whose watch over 800,000 Hutus and moderate Tutsis were murdered in the 1994 genocide that almost ruined the east/central African country? What of General Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb military commander who ordered the massacre of thousands of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995 at the height of the Bosnian war?

If you have not heard of these two military officers or can’t remember their stories again, I am sure the recent murder of three Nigeria Police officers and no fewer than eight other policemen in Badagry by elements believed to be from the 242 Recce Battalion of the Nigerian Army is still fresh in your memory. The Battalion, based in this historic border town, is commanded by Colonel Nabasa.

These three army officers, apart from their military background, if you look closely, seem to have one thing in common: blood or rather accusation of blood in their hands.

While Bizimungu and Mladic have been charged with the murder of these innocent souls by the war crime tribunals in Tanzania and The Hague, Nabasa is still under investigation by the Army authorities and could be similarly charged.

As the story of the arrest of Mladic last Thursday in Lazarevo by Serbian police after a hunt lasting almost sixteen years hit the international news channel, one cannot but feel a sense of relief that this butcher of Srebrenica is about to face justice for the murder of these innocent Bosnians. His arrest came on the day the gory details of the killing of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Badagry Police Station, Mr. Suliman Samuel, a Chief Superintendent of Police, his Divisional Crime Office (DCO),Samson Okedusi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and eight other policemen by these yet “unknown soldiers” came out in most Nigerian newspapers.

The story of the murder of CSP Samuel and co, in summary, began with the murder, a day earlier, of an off duty military personnel by a policeman apparently on a stopand-search duty in company with colleagues,

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OLITICAL wisdom is rare in this country. It is a only a few politicians of repute who have that rare courage and humility to display political wisdom when it matters most in order to douse tension and hatred. During the second republic, the likes of the late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of the defunct United Nigerian Peoples Party (UNPP) used to call it politics without bitterness. By that the old political horse meant that in this game of intrigues and power play, a good leader should know when to accept defeat and when to say congratulations to an opponent so as to allow sleeping dogs lie.

Ikedi Ohakim, the immediate past governor of Imo State, in spite of whatever political pundits and cynics say of him, is a man imbued with political wisdom, courage and humility.

As soon as the result of the governorship election was announced and the Owelle Rochas Okorocha was declared the winner, Ohakim congratulated him immediately. This was a rare display of political wisdom, sportsmanship and brevity, a feat that is not common in the current Nigerian political environment.

That this singular act, Ohakim showed the whole world that he is indeed a man of peace and wanted Imo State and his people to make progress.

As a matter of fact, this singular gesture, lessened the political tension that a had built and mounted in Imo State. In fact, the people who had been in the throes political game play and the ensuing

‘Owerri will continue to embellish the minds and hearts and the souls of those who love beauty and are ready to cherish and preserve the same for the sake prosperity and history’

Unknown Soldier at the Badagry roundabout. The police team involved were rounded up by some soldiers and taken to the Recce Barracks at Ibereko and put in detention. Hell was let loose the following day by some irate soldiers out to avenge the murder of their colleague as they descended on the police station and searched vehicles on the ever busy Lagos-BadagrySeme highway to fish out policemen for severe punishment and even death. The high point of this jungle justice was the cold blooded murder of the DPO and his team who were on a peace mission to the barracks on the invitation of Colonel Nabasa, by these “unknown soldiers”.

Considering that a lot of spin has been put on the story of the incident by both the Police and Army authorities, it might be difficult if not impossible to know the truth even after the release, if at all, of the result of the joint investigation promised by the leadership of the two security agencies.

The rest of us ‘bloody civilians’ would not be surprised if the result conforms to the position of the Army that none of its personnel was involved in the murder of these police officers. It would also not be a surprise to us if one or two policemen were made scapegoat for the shooting to death of the off duty military personnel. But we are not likely to accept any result that fails to apprehend and punish not just those directly responsible for the killings and mayhem on both sides, but also their commanders. If nobody high up is held responsible/accountable for the actions or excesses of their subordinate(s), in addition to the main culprit(s), this kind of things would continue

to happen.

Nobody is accusing Generals Mladic and Bizimungu of directly murdering their victims but rather for allowing it to happen under their watch. For allowing his men to go on rampage in that reprisal attack on the police in Badagry, the Commanding Officer of the 242 Recce Battalion has a case to answer. It is, either he sanctioned the attack or he did not know what his men were doing, in which case, he is incompetent and therefore should be punished accordingly after a thorough and fair investigation. This would send a message to the entire armed forces, both officers and men that the days of impunity are gone; that the Nigerian people, including the leadership of the armed forces would no longer accept the usual practice of blaming ‘unknown soldiers’ for every atrocity committed by them whether against the civilians or their colleagues.

The Police are by no means left out. The culture of pulling the trigger by policemen on innocent civilians or non-uniformed persons at the slightest provocation/opportunity and blaming such shooting or any attendant death on accidental discharge is not acceptable to Nigerians and should be stopped. We have tolerated this excuse for too long. Though in recent times the courts have been punishing policemen who engage in this act, the police authorities are not doing enough to stem this deadly trend. If DPOs are held responsible for the actions of their men, then they would be more alive to their responsibilities and whip their men into line.

Beyond condemning and punishing those involved in the recent Army-on-Police may-

The Imo Ohakim left behind

By Nnanna Ukah confusion, saw in him a different Ohakim who truly wished and prayed for a new era for his people.

Indeed, in a true democratic dispensation, it is the prayer of the people that the welfare of the led is ever upper most in the minds of the political class. Ohakim further demonstrated this when he declared openly that he was not prepared to challenge the result of the election in court.

This was contrary to the stand of most of his counterparts in other states of the federation most of whom could not extend hands of fellowship to the opponents.

Some even swore to fight the outcome of the election in court, but not Ohakim.

Today, there is absolute peace and tranquility in the state simply because the former governor and his lieutenants chose the path of tolerance and peace.

As one wise man said, while the capacity of a man for justice and peace make democracy possible, it is the real propensity of a man for injustice and rancour that make democracy necessary.

In as much as Ohakim can be excused for some of his lapses while in office, we shouldn’t forget in a hurry a lot of other developmental programmes he achieved to make Imo State excel.

Today, Owerri, the state capital still remains an enviable city where visitors and tourists converge daily to have fun and savour the environment. The green and clean programmes he instituted has distinguished Owerri as a serene, beautiful, neat and model city that even his keenest critics could not fault. While in office he was commended all the way for a job well done.

If at least 40 percent of our cities are planned, organized, and ordered like

Owerri is today, a lot of Nigerians will not like to travel out for holidays and recreation. It is for this and more that Ohakim must be commended for his wisdom, foresight and courage. It is not always that people are blessed with such a leader who has that sought of political authority and tenacity to dare where angels are afraid to thread.

Ohakim truly and genuinely turned Owerri around with trees, flowers, lawns and pathways that adorn the whole place.

Once you are in the city, you are immediately drawn by awesome nature and opulence of the landscapes, the streets and pavements.

These are some of the landmarks of a modern city and it was this that pushed Ohakim administration to make Imo State a one city state. A one city state simply means a place where both communication and transportation are made easier through a wider network of roads. In other words, from every nook and cranny of the state, one can easily access the state capital and people can drive without much ado.

Ohakim did not only dream this for the state, he actually constructed large network of roads in all the three senatorial districts of the state so that going to Owerri from every angle became easy. Today it is easier to get to Owerri from the rural places. For those who do not shy from the truth, the state had never had it so good since the days of Chief Sam Mbakwe (1979 – 1983) as the governor of the state.

Between then and now, Ohakim was able to institute laudable projects to move the state forward. It is on record that he provided an enabling environment for the youths to thrive and prosper. In this respect he created over 10,000 jobs within

hem, it is hightime all the security agencies came together to proffer lasting solutions to the incessant inter-agency violence that is not only tarnishing the image of the armed forces and police but also disgracing us ‘bloody civilians’ and the nation. Are you guys not ashamed?

International peacekeeping is one of the few areas where Nigeria has earned the respect of the international community, especially the United Nations. If our military and police continue to behave like this sooner rather than later that respect would be lost and nobody would invite us for any such operation in future. And where would that leave us especially now that we are looking for a permanent seat, to represent Africa in the UN Security Council? Things like this count and our rivals eyeing that same seat, South Africa and Egypt don’t behave this way. Their armed forces, police and other security agencies are better behaved. Why can’t ours?

There should be a better and more civilised way of resolving whatever differences or problems between military and paramilitary personnel. Military personnel in particular should learn to subordinate themselves to the rules that govern the rest of us when they are in our midst, including obeying the police, traffic management agencies and bus conductors by paying their fares.

When they are in their barracks or offices they can use their laws.

‘This would send a message to the entire armed forces, both officers and men that the days of impunity are gone; that the Nigerian people, including the leadership of the armed forces would no longer accept the usual practice of blaming ‘unknown soldiers’ for every atrocity committed by them whether against the civilians or their colleagues’ a period of two years. Equally he made a civil service more responsive and amenable to the yearnings of the state.

Today one does not have to spend days and weeks to obtain important documents from the offices. The former governor promptly instructed heads of departments and parastatals to ensure that civil service wore a new face, hence the slogan, the new face of Imo State.

The state truly thrived on this new face – the face of humility, service to the people and that unequalled urge to make an environment conducive for habitation. All these are to obvious to see that in a long time to come, the glow in Owerri will continue to embellish the minds and hearts and the souls of those who love beauty and are ready to cherish and preserve the same for the sake prosperity and history.

While it is incontrovertibly true that the people have spoken with their vote, we in Imo State should never forget that Ohakim, the Ochinanwata, this young leader so blessed indeed passed through this state. We have to continually pay that respect to him, for putting the people first in all that he did. He displayed a true mark of a leader, a pace-setter, a peace maker and genuine patriot.

• Ukah writes from Okigwe

‘Indeed, in a true democratic dispensation, it is the prayer of the people that the welfare of the led is ever upper most in the minds of the political class. Ohakim further demonstrated this when he declared openly that he was not prepared to challenge the result of the election in court’

NIGERIA/ARGENTINA FRIENDLY

‘2022 World Cup 13 players hit was bought Eagles’ camp by Qatar’ Pg. 41

Pg. 24

Nation Tuesday, May 31, 2011

FREE COPY

•Jack Warner PAGE 23

Scandal has damaged FIFA —Blatter F

IFA President Sepp Blatter said "great damage" has been done to world soccer's governing body by bribery allegations against two senior executive committee members.

Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner were barred Sunday by an ethics committee from all FIFA business pending a full inquiry into allegations, the Caribbean soccer leaders were paid $40,000 each to back the Qatari's now-abandoned presidential bid.

Blatter was also investigated as part of the probe but was cleared.

The Swiss leader said on Monday that, in recent days the scandals had done "great damage to the image of FIFA." The path has been cleared for Blatter to be re-elected for a fourth term Wednesday after bin Hammam withdrew from the election hours before being suspended.

FIFA ETHICS COMMITTEE

No further investigation on Sepp Pg. 41

•Blatter

Valcke's e-mail to Jack 'is genuine’

Pg. 41

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

2012 AFRICAN NATIONS CUP

NIGERIA/COASTA RICA TIE

CAF satisfy with preparations

Eguavoen loses first match as Dream Team V boss

CAF’s INSPECTION mission has declared its satisfaction with the pace of work going on in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea ahead of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

The team, led by Guinean-born Almamy Kabélé Camara, visited the Gabonese capital Libreville last week and toured different sites within the city and in Franceville, Moanda,

•Kabélé Camara

Ngouoni and Bongoville.

Sites visited included the SinoGabonese stadium at Angondjé, training stadiums, the CAF village, the Laiico and Méridien hotels, as well as different hospitals and mobile health centres.

“We are happy with the progress of work ahead of the 2012 AFCON,” Camara told reporters at the end of the visit. “We visited sport, medical, rail, road and hotel infrastructure in Libreville and Franceville. Following our observation, we can say that there is a clear readiness for the showpiece at all the sites. At this rate, we are convinced that the work will be completed in the next three months,” he said.

The team, however, deplored the low Internet bandwidth in Gabon and urged authorities to boost it before the competition, which kicks-off on January 21.

Observation from sites in neighbouring Equatorial Guinea also showed a satisfactory progress, according to the CAF mission.

•Humbles 1-0 in San Jose

T

HE chief coach of the Nigeria’s Under 23 team, Austin Eguavoen has lost his first competitive match as the handler of the team. The Dream Team V despite putting up their reportedly best performance in recent matches were beaten 0-1 by hosts Costa Rica in an international friendly played at the North American capital, San Jose through a controversial goal converted in the dying minutes of the tie played in the late hours of Sunday.

According to our camp source, the Dream Team V got to a rather bad start when influential winger and Leicester City of England’s Daniel Chima Uchechi had to be substituted within the first five minutes of the encounter owing to a thigh injury and replaced by Heartland of Owerri’s Osas Okoro.

Only 14 players made the trip to Costa Rica owing to problem with issuance of visas to Costa Rica and these players are

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Dele Ajibode, Femi Thomas, Obiorah Nwankwo, Nurudeen Orelesi, Edet Ibok, Sone Aluko, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Daniel Chima Uchechi, Osas Okoro, Ayo Saka, Kingsley Udoh, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Solomon Okpako and Harmony Ikande.

It was gathered that the country’s U-23 team took the game to the Costa Rican but were undone by the injury to Uchechi and near misses in front of goal with Aberdeen of England striker, Sone Aluko and Okoro the major culprits.

They returned to Nigeria yesterday to begin preparation for their departure to Tanzania .

The Eguavoen led team used the tie as a preparation for this weekend’s Olympic first-leg qualifier in Dares-salam against Tanzania with the return-leg billed for June 19th in Benin.

Nigeria is seeking a second shot at the Olympic gold medal won in 1996 with Kanu Nwankwo as the captain.

TP Mazembe fail to appeal CAF CL Ehiosun turns down Sundowns' deal DR CONGO CLUB TP Mazembe did ed-hot Nigerian striker from Sundowns, but there have been disqualification not file an appeal against the Ekigho Ehiosun has turned good interest from Europe and I Confederation of African Football's (CAF) ruling that barred them from the rest of the 2011 CAF Champions League following the fielding of an ineligible player.

The reigning African champions were given three days to appeal the decision handed to them on May 14, but reports suggest that the Organising Committee for CAF Interclubs Competitions is yet to get word from Mazembe.

“A club has three days to appeal after receiving a ruling. We are currently not aware of an appeal from Mazembe,” CAF’s Director of Communications Suleiman Habuba told the BBC. However, a statement published on the club’s website late last week

suggests the Corbeaux have not backed out.

“We have hired two major law firms in Switzerland and France so that justice is done,” the statement read.

Some local observers in Lubumbashi, where the club is based, say the fear of a graver sanction if the appeal was rejected probably forced Mazembe to cower.

They eliminated Tanzania’s Simba in the second round, but the Tanzanian champions lodged a complaint to CAF about Mazembe’s new recruit, Janvier Besala Bokungu's eligibility.

Simba argued the player was still contracted to Tunisia’s side Esperance.

Mourinho recommends Zidane for bigger Madrid role ZINEDINE ZIDANE is set for another promotion at Real Madrid.

The departure of former general manager Jorge Valdano will see Zidane even more hands-on at Real from next season.

Real coach Jose Mourinho has insisted on the Frenchman becoming more and more involved with

football matters at the club - and it was significant Zizou was involved in their last major transfer strategy session, while Valdano was frozen out.

Zidane is expected to take a virtual first team coaching role from preseason - having daily contact with the players, offering advice and also discussing tactics with Mourinho.

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

Federer powers on ROGER FEDERER continued his rampant progress through the French Open draw with a 6-3 6-2 7-5 victory over Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in Paris this afternoon to reach a record 28th consecutive grand slam quarter-final.

The 2009 champion is yet to drop a set and, a wobble at the start of the third set apart, it was another

•Federer

commanding performance on Court Philippe Chatrier in a repeat of last year's fourth-round encounter.

Federer has beaten Wawrinka in nine of their 10 meetings, with the 14th seed's only victory coming in Monte Carlo two years ago. Wawrinka's task was made even harder by the fact he had played for more than four hours to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous round, and he found himself a break down in the fourth game as Federer once again showed something approaching his best form.

The 16-time grand slam champion was hitting the ball well off both wings, hurting Wawrinka particularly with huge forehands, and he wrapped up the first set inside half an hour.

Wawrinka battled hard to hold onto his serve at the start of the second but there was nothing he could do two games later when Federer crunched a forehand on break point, and in no time the third seed was 5-1 ahead.

A stunning reaction forehand off a thumping Wawrinka return gave the 29-year-old the set, so it was something of a surprise when Federer was then broken for the first time at the start of the third.

R

down a potentially lucrative switch to Mamelodi Sundowns as he is eying a move to Europe.

Ehiosun, 22, has hit five goals in six senior appearances for Nigeria, prompting interest from the South African PSL side, who sent a scout to Abeokuta to monitor the forward and table an offer.

But sources close to the player told KickOffNigeria.com they were only interested in a move to Europe, with interest coming in from French champions Lille, Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam and an unnamed Turkish Super Lig club.

The Warri Wolves striker himself tells KickOffNigeria.com he was in no hurry to leave Nigeria.

"My agent told me about the offer AFRICA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Nigeria win three gold in Dakar

N

IGERIA at the weekend won three gold,one silver and one bronze medal at the just conluded 30th edition of the African Wrestling Championship which ended on Sunday in Dakar,Senegal.

The three Gold Medals were won by Sinivie Boltic from Bayelsa State in the 96kg weight class of the men’s free style event,Amas Daniel also from Bayelsa in the 60kg weight category of the same freestyle and Blessing Oborodudu also of Bayelsa State who competed in the 59kg weight class of the women events.

Amarachi Obiajunwa from Imo State got the silver for Nigeria in the 72kg weight category in the women fight while Sammy oziti from Bayelsa State that fought in the women 48kg weight division accounted for the bronze medal to bring Nigeria’s total medal won at the championship to five.

Nigeria went with six wrestlers (three men and three women )and three officials.

Only one wrestler,Adibo Dick who competed in the 84kg weight category of the men freestyle event did not win a medal having lost in the quarter final stage of the competition.Technical adviser of the Nigeria wrestling federation Dr.Daniel Igali who led the Nigerian Contingent to the African wrestling Fiesta in Dakar,has commended the Nigerian wrestlers for their excellent performance at the just concluded continental wrestling Fiesta.

According to him, Nigerian Wrestlers have proven that they are really a force to be reckoned with when it comes to wrestling game .He urged them to keep the flag flying.The team is expected back in the country on today.

think I will wait for that. For now, my focus is to help Warri Wolves in the League and to do my best to help the Super Eagles qualify for the Nations Cup," Ehiosun said.

NIGERIA/ARGENTINA FRIENDLY

13 players hit Eagles’ camp T

HIRTEEN players have arrived at the Super Eagles’ hotel camp in Abuja ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against their Argentine counterparts.

SuperSport.com has learned that the duo of Chibuzor Okonkwo and Ehiosun Ekigho had already breezed into Nigerian capital territory ahead of the 1pm deadline of Monday handed to the playing personnel of the Super Eagles.

Among players that arrived early at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja are the three goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide.

Others also in camp at present ahead of the deadline are Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche, Kalu Uche, Joseph Yobo, Isaac Promise and Emmanuel Emenike.

Reports said the presidential inauguration in the Nigerian capital on Sunday was responsible for the camp of the Super Eagles being opened on Monday instead of Sunday.

AhmedMusaandPeterUtakahadearlier declared that they will arrive in the country on Monday after they had to stay back

and play for their clubs in the Dutch and Danish leagues on Sunday.

Other players yet to arrive at the team’s camp apart from Musa and Utaka are Dele Adeleye, Yusuf Mohammed, Efe Ambrose, Taye Taiwo, Fengor Ogude, Nosa Igiebor, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Joel Obi. It is also now clear that Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi placed on stand-by for the game against Argentina will take no part since their international switch is still pending.

Ahmed Musa in top flight •As VVV Venlo escapes relegation

T

HE Dutch club of Nigeria international Ahmed Musa, VVV Venlo, will feature in the top flight next season after they won a promotion/ relegation playoff against FC Zwolle.

On Sunday, Musa’s club were held to a 2-2 draw at home, but survived the dreaded drop as they had beaten Zwolle 2-1 three days earlier. Also staying up are Excelsoir, who outscored Helmond Sport in the other promotion/relegation playoff.

They defeated Helmond Sport 42 after also winning the first leg 51. However, the club of Nigeria international Oluwafemi Ajilore, FC Groningen, failed to qualify for

NBF shifts National Championship HE Executive Board Committee to June of the Nigeria Boxing federation

T

rose from its board meeting held at the federation Secretariat on Friday to announce the postponement of the National Boxing Championship which ought to have been held in Ibadan in May. Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation Dr Patrick Uwagbale who just received his Doctorate Degree in sports administration from the University of Ibadan after a successful completion of the Doctorate programme,said the postponement was due to logistics as NBF want to give all Boxers the opportunity to showcase their skill.

The tournament will now hold from June 11-17,2011 at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

According to him, the federation wants to package a befitting Championship that will be second to none Since the championship would be used to select the boxers that would give Nigeria good representation at the forthcoming All Africa Games (AGG) scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique, September this

By Innocent Amomoh year.

He said Nigeria cannot afford to fail at that tournament and that is why the Boxing federation is bent on selecting the bests that will win medals for Nigeria at the games.

Regretting any inconvenience the shift in the date must have caused the state, Dr Uwagbale urged the stakeholders to ensure that their boxers attend the tournament. He added that those that excel during the Championship will get automatic invitation to camp ahead of the AAG. It would be recalled that the NBF had fixed may ending for its National Bojxing Championship only for the date to be changed due to circumstances beyond the Federations’ control.

A total of 22 Boxers are expected to be selected for the All Africa Games Camping Exercise at the end of the championship.

Abidal honour to lift trophy ERIC ABIDAL expressed his gratitude to his Barcelona teammates after they gave him the honour of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy.

The defender has completed a remarkable comeback this season after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour on his liver just 10 weeks ago.

Abidal returned to help Barca to European glory in Saturday night's final against Manchester United, and

•Abidal

raised the prestigious trophy for the Catalan giants in the aftermath of their 3-1 win.

The 31-year-old was grateful for that honour, saying: "I'm so thankful for the gesture from my team-mates.

"I can't explain the emotions I have.

It's spectacular."

Haruna goes down with Monaco

C

APTAIN of the national U-23 team, Lukman Haruna along side his Monaco team-mates may be playing in the lower league in France next season, as the former French Ligue 1 side has been confirmed relegated.

For the first time in 35 years, Monaco got relegated after losing 2-0 at home to Lyon on the final day of the Ligue 1 season on Sunday.

Third-bottom going into the game at Stade Louis II, Monaco needed a positive result to stand any chance of avoiding the drop but fell to second-half goals by Pape Diakhate and Lisandro Lopez.

French champions in 2000 and Champions League finalists in 2004, Monaco -- who sacked coach Guy Lacombe in January and replaced him with Laurent Banide -- will play in the second tier next season for the first time since 1977.

Victory ensured Lyon finished third, four points above Paris Saint-Germain, meaning they will enter next season's Champions League in the play-off round.

With Monaco desperate for points and Lyon jaded after a long season of offpitch turmoil, a cagey first half witnessed just one clear chance, with Jimmy Briand dragging a shot wide at the end of a Lyon counter-attack.

The hosts had to wait until the 53rd minute for their first real sight of goal, but Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris proved himself equal to Chris Malonga's left-footed curler.

FIFA ETHICS COMMITTEE

No further investigation on Blatter •Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi (l) vies with Kenyan defender Victor Mugabe during the international friendly football match in Abuja

Cardiff sacks manager Jones CARDIFF SACKED manager Dave Jones on Monday in the aftermath of the Welsh club's latest failure in the Championship play-offs.

The Bluebirds missed out on promotion to the Premier League for the second successive season after losing

Inter beats Palermo to win Italian Cup INTER MILAN beat Palermo 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico here on Sunday to lift the Italian Cup and rescue an otherwise disappointing season.

It was Inter's fourth Cup success in the last seven years and Palermo's third defeat in as many trips to the Cup final.

Samuel Eto'o was the hero for Inter, scoring a brace and taking his season's tally for the club to 37 goals in all competitions, beating his previous best total at Barcelona by one goal.

"In football the important thing is to win and without the victory my record wouldn't have been as sweet," said the Cameroon captain.

For Inter boss Leonardo it was his first trophy as a coach.

the Europa League next season.

ADO Den Haag beat Groningen to the ticket for the Europa League.

ADO won the first leg 5-1. After extra time it was still 5-1. ADO took the penalties better, so they qualified for Europa League.

"It's a huge satisfaction in an entertaining year, with many changes, for me and for Inter," said the Brazilian.

"Being able to finish the last game of the season with two trophies is fantastic," he added referring to the Club World Cup, won in December under his predecessor Rafael Benitez.

Ezequiel Munoz briefly gave Palermo hope late on, although he was subsequently sent off, before Diego Milito sealed the victory in injury time.

"We had a go but it wasn't enough, the more experienced side won," said Palermo coach Delio Rossi, who was also dismissed in the finale for venting his fury.

to Reading in the play-off semi-finals earlier this month.

Cardiff, who were beaten by Blackpool in the play-off final last year, had already squandered a good chance of winning automatic promotion this term after a poor run of results towards the end of the campaign.

Jones had been in charge at Cardiff for six years and he knew failure to win promotion could lead to his dismissal as the club's board had backed him with substantial funds in the transfer market.

•Jones

FIFA's Ethics Committee has confirmed that president Sepp Blatter will not face further investigation amid bribery claims.

However, football's governing body has temporarily suspended executive committee members Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, over allegations both men were involved in negotiations to offer financial incentives to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

Fellow CFU members Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester have also been provisionally suspended with a full investigation to follow.

While the four have been suspended, FIFA hs stated that the committee members will be treated as innocent until proven guilty.

The alleged bribery claims come from a meeting of the CFU which took place on May 10 and 11. It is claimed that bundles of cash, believed to be around $40,000 (28,000 euros) were given to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad.

All four suspended FIFA members were present at the meeting with Bin Hammam claiming Blatter was aware of some wrongdoing, itself a breach of FIFA's ethics code.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke also confirmed that the presidential election, due for June 1 will go ahead as planned; stating that there is "no reason to postpone."

Blatter is the only candidate for the presidency, after Bin Hammam withdrew from the race in the early hours of Sunday morning.

'2022 W/C was bought' by Qatar’ SUSPENDED FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has stated that Jerome Valcke, the organisation's general secretary, claimed that Qatar 'bought' the 2022 World Cup hosting rights.

Warner made his claims in the wake of Fifa's decision to suspend him from all footballing activity pending a full investigation into his alleged involvement in a bribery scandal.

"On May 18 when I realised that the political battle between [FIFA president Sepp] Blatter and [AFC president Mohamed] Bin Hammam was getting out of hand I wrote to secretary general Valcke

telling him, among other things, that the outcome of the elections may cause some fracture in the Arab world which we can ill afford now and that I will like to ask Bin Hammam to withdraw from the race," he said, before producing and reading from an email from Valcke.

"For Mohamed Bin Hammam, I never understood why he was running [for the Fifa presidency]," it read. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like [Blatter] anymore. Or he thought you can buy FIFA as Qatar bought the World Cup."

Warner, bin Hammam slam FIFA ASIAN football boss Mohamed bin Hammam slammed his suspension by FIFA over corruption claims on Monday, as his ally made explosive

•bin Hammam

new graft allegations against world soccer chief Sepp Blatter.

After a weekend of high drama at the tainted football body, bin Hammam accused FIFA of briefing media against him, while vice president Jack Warner said Blatter gave one regional grouping $1 million with no questions asked.

The latest claims follow Sunday's extraordinary events when bin Hammam sensationally withdrew from his FIFA presidential race against Blatter, and just hours later was barred from football activities pending a graft probe.

Most Asian football bodies contacted

by AFP were not immediately able to comment, but heavyweights South Korea confirmed they were still supporting the Qatari.

"There has been no change yet in our official position," a Korea Football Association spokesman said.

Asian members could walk out on election –Platini

UEFA PRESIDENT Michel Platini has stated that the Asian members of FIFA could decide to walk out of Wednesday's presidential election.

Current president Sepp Blatter is the only candidate left for the position of Fifa supremo, following AFC chief Mohamed Bin Hammam's decision to withdraw in the wake of bribery allegations.

Platini feels that the Asian representatives could express their dismay with the recent accusations of corruption by boycotting the election.

"I remember that in 1999 Asia left, I don't know if they will do that again.

I think the election will go ahead but I don't know," The Frenchman said, referring to Asia's walkout at the 1999 Congress over the allocation of World Cup places.

However, Blatter is unmoved by the prospect of a possible Asian protest, and stated that he expects all members to be present.

"I have already faced that once and the Congress went on. They will be

there I am sure."

Bin Hammam, along with FIFA vicepresident Jack Warner, have been suspended by the organisation's ethic committee pending further investigation, while Blatter was cleared of any wrongdoing.

•Platini

Valcke's e-mail to Warner 'is genuine' FIFA SECRETARY general Jerome Valcke said on Monday that an email he sent to FIFA vice-president Jack Warner suggesting the 2022 World Cup was "bought" by Qatar was genuine.

The email was made public by an angry Warner soon after he was banned from all football-related

•Valcke

activity by Fifa's Ethics Committee on Sunday.

At the time the email was sent on May 18, Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was still standing against Sepp Blatter for president -- but he was also banned by the ethics committee on Sunday on alleged bribery charges along with Warner.

Bin Hammam withdrew his candidacy to be president just hours before the ethics committee met on Sunday.

Warner showed the email from Valcke to Reuters, which stated: "For MBH (Bin Hammam), I never understood why he was running.

"If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB (Blatter). Or he thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the WC (World Cup)'."

Valcke confirmed the authenticity of the email on Monday.

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

A land deal gone awry •UNILAG,

Arepo community in property tussle

•Built-up area of the disputed land.

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

Twelve years ago, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) acquired a piece of land at the fast developing Arepo off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for its Home Ownership Scheme (HOS). There is now a raging dispute over the land, which was bought by the late UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jelili Omotola, from Chief Surakatu Biobaku Sobande. Forty-five would-be owners, who have started developing their portions of the land are being prevented from completing the projects in which they have sunk millions of naira. Two families are laying claim to the land, leaving UNILAG in the cold. OKWY IROEGBU reports.

I

T was done with the best of intentions. As a Vice-Chan cellor versed in land law, the late Prof. Jelili Omotola knew what it meant for a worker to have a roof over his head. So, when he saw a virgin piece of land off the LagosIbadan Expressway, he knew immediately that his dream of promoting a house ownership scheme for workers was about to be realised. He made inquiries and got to know the owner of the land.

He bought 4,006 hectares of the land for N3.12 million from Chief Surakatu Biobaku Sobande, who is said to have acquired the property from Ogun Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC). Twelve years after, the story seems to have changed. UNILAG workers, who subscribed to the land under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), cannot take possession yet.

Why? There is a dispute over the land. Two families are laying claim to the property, which is registered as No.52

in Volume 600 at the Land Registry in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The land allegedly forms a portion of 5,138 hectares allocated to Sobande by the (OPIC).

Investigations conducted by The Nation showed that the documentation of the title to the property has been concluded and the legal title to the land vested in the university. The original copy of the Deed of Assignment and the original copies of the Governors’ and OPIC consent are in UNILAG’s custody.

But there was a twist when some of allottees wanted to take possession of the land they had paid for and were prevented from doing so. They were chased away by thugs allegedly procured by one of the warring families.

“In fact, one of our colleagues, Mr. Babalola Lateef, who had already started building and was almost at the point of completion had his building pulled down in March, this year because of his failure to pay additional N4 million re-

•Surveyors seek input in public •How to protect cities officers’ properties valuation facilities, by experts - PAGE 26

quested by one of the families,” according to the Secretary, University of Lagos Arepo Housing Estate Allottees, Mr Jacob Adebisi Adeniyi.

In their claim of ownership, an agent and representative of the Akinsanya family, Mr Victor Olajide, told The Nation in an interview, that the land in question belongs to the Akinsanya family but that years back, OPIC took and gave 10 hectares of the said land to one Alhaji Biobaku Sobande as compensation for his acquired land in Agbara, and he in turn sold a part of it to UNILAG. He said: “When we noticed that some people were encroaching on the land we expressed our displeasure with this and this resulted in my client entering into agreement with Alhaji Sobande in the presence of the area Commander of Police in Sagamu, because to the best of our knowledge •CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•‘Don’t play politics with the power sector’ - PAGE 27

- PAGE 28

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

N

IGERIA Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV) has condemned their non-involvement in the activities of the Code of Conduct Bureau in asset valuation.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the reform committee of the institution in Lagos, NIESV President Mr Bode Adediji called on the bureau to redress the inadequacies observed as they are the only professionals trained to undertake asset valuation and management.

He wondered how properties declared by civil servants and politicians can be assigned a value without their input.

He also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to use the construction sector to revamp the economy. He said the majority of unemployed people are artisans in the sector who are hit by the downturn in the economy.

He said: “Once the construction sector is in shambles the whole economy will be in trouble. We cannot continue to depend on trading to run an economy as large as ours”. Adediji regretted that some bills passed by the house, which are land related such as the Public Procurement Act and the soon to be passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was deliberated upon without the input of surveyors who are land managers.

He appealed to the Jonathan to appoint professionals as ministers in the three key ministries of Housing & Urban Development, Works and Environment.

He said the appeal was as a result of the need to move the nation forward in terms of infrastructure development and housing. On the need to reform the constitution of the institution, he disclosed that this is the fifth time such exercise will be carried out and that the whole idea is to reposition the practice of estate surveying, build capacity and be relevant in global practice.

Surveyors seek input in public officers’ properties valuation

•Third from left: Mr Bode Adediji and other members of the NIESV Reform Committee last Wednesday, in Lagos.

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

On the law on insurance of public buildings, the surveyor wondered how the government intends to make it effective without provision on who values the property before

it is insured.

Having identified all the missing gaps, he called on the government to redress them. He also called on the government to explore alternative building materials which he argued would help in

A land deal gone awry •Continued from Page 25

the land was taken by government allegedly in good faith for public use not to be parcelled to individuals or group.”

According to Olajide, the Akinsanya family did not sell land to the University of Lagos and therefore does not have business with them in any material way. Referring The Nation to the provisions of the Land Use Act. He said: “Land Use Act said land should be used for public use. The government was not supposed to give land acquired from a particular family to another to the extent that it was apportioned for sell.

“This action of the government negates the spirit behind the establishment of the Land Use Act as Sobande cannot give what he does not have. As far as the Akinsanya family is concerned, they have no case with the university”.

Asked why he collected a cheque of N200,000 from the university, which was allegedly made to cover initial requirements before foundation and decking can be done? He said that the money was paid to the Baale of Arepo through him as his secretary before the Akinsanya family came up to make claims on the land.

According to him the Baale was favourably disposed to the university having the land until the Akinsanya family started laying claim to it. But in an interview with Sobande, he confirmed that

he sold the land to the University of Lagos and was fully registered and documented through a Deed of Assignment.

He showed the relevant documents to back up his claim that the land was duly given to him by government and that he sold a part of it to the university. He insisted that the Akinsanya family was trespassing on the land by selling it off to new buyers.

The Nation, however, discovered that the Akinsanya family decided to encroach on the land when their appeal to the university to pay N6.8 million against the initial demand of N40 million for the 5,708 as compensation met a brick wall from the authorities.

One of the allottees told The Nation in confidence that the inaction on the part of the university management at the appropriate time exposed them to the current imbroglio.

He regretted that the school authority treated it with levity probably due to the fact that no management staff is involved in the over 45 disputed plots.

He said the government and public spirited individuals should appeal to Akinsanya family to desist forthwith from encroaching on the land by selling portions to land speculators and persons.

He warned that if not checked, the problem may lead to breakdown of law and order as the group will take measures to ensure that they retrieve what duly belongs to them.

•FHA hydroform house, Lugbe, Abuja

•Goshen Estate, Lekki, Lagos

bringing down the cost of has building materials. This, he explained, the potentials to reduce the cost of housing while bridging the housing gap.

On the high cost of cement, he said: “I will support the

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

government to do everything possible to reduce the price of cement because it has gone to an all time high and besides, the sector cannot afford the high cost as it negatively affects the provision of houses.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

27

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

How to protect cities facilities, by experts T

HE Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) has proposed city limits to preserve infrastructure in the nation’s major cities.

They said if a city is meant to have a population of 10 million people and adequate infrastructure already put in place, anything beyond the planned figure will put pressure on the city.

President, NIA, Tunji Bolu, made this known at the Lagos Architects Forum 2011 with the theme: Lagos 2.0-a livable city.

He advised that as soon as a city exceeds its projected population, the government should proceed to establish a satellite town that will be self sustaining with the necessary infrastructure as the city.

Underscoring the need to have city limits, he cited the case of Lagos where the BRT planned for a targeted number of the city dwellers with air-condition and comfort have lost all that because of overstretched capacity as more people now stand rather than sit with open windows negating the very purpose for which it was set up.

He called for a buffer zone between Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states so that a development in one state will not spill over to the other, thereby depriving the people such development was made for in the first place the attendant benefits He criticised the fusing of Mowe/ Ibafo, a satellite town in Ogun State with Lagos.

Responding to a question on how the government can possibly know when a particular infrastructure is over stretched due to over population as there is dearth of statistics

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

and planning information, the institute’s Vice President, Ibrahim Haruna observed that it is possible with good governance and sound political will in place as people will pay their tax which will be documented.

He explained that the concept of city limits is what makes Cairo the capital of Egypt thick as the name has become a generic name with a conglomeration of about seven cities.

Earlier in her welcome address, Chairman, NIA Lagos, Mrs Abimbola Ajayi commended the Lagos state governor on his transformational efforts and the bringing of sanity to the physical development in the state.

She said the discourse at the forum will focus on urban and city development to make the state vibrant and livable, friendly city of harmonious and sustainable communities in the area of urban housing, real estate development, urban city design and green architecture. In his speech governor Babatunde Fashola urged the architect to use the forum as an advocacy instrument.

He praised the theme as appropriate to the vision of his administration in transforming the state into African model city as it ranks 3rd largest city after Tokyo and Bombay.

The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Mr Adedeji Taiwo, said the states have been faced with challenges in their

Surveyors to get Truth and Reconciliation Panel

T

HE President elect, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Survey ors (NIQS), Mr Agele Alufohai, has promised to establish Truth and Reconciliation Panel to resolve outstanding disputes.

Speaking at his swearing-in at Abuja, he said the truth and reconciliation panel would reconcile surveyors and ensure that they work in unity and forget the past.

He said: “We shall continue to review our constitution until we get a constitution that we shall all be proud of, there shall be continous training and development to enhance member’s professional competence.

“I will uphold the institute’s professional practice, will ensure capacity development for members for the benefit of Nigerian. Quantity Surveyors calls for the best practice at all times with clients and beneficiaries getting the best service rendered.

“The Institute has gone through turbulent moments in the past few years, the Council has collectively resolve to put all sad memories behind them.

“We should embrace peace, we should respect and trust each other, as ours is a disciplined profession,

•Sanitary wares on display at the architects forum last Friday

quest to have a livable city in areas of physical planning and development control, housing, transportation.

He said: “But we are irrevocably committed to tackling the challenges as we engage the services of consultants to come up with a regional masterplan for the state.

“We have also upgraded

blighted areas and in the process we enforce town planning laws and regulations to have sanity in the environment”.

He also revealed that the state has achieved the 30 days Governors consent time limit and 60 days to obtain Cof O. He also disclosed that about 60 percent of the state’s yearly budget is spent on infra-

structure renewal and expansion.

However, he confessed that the resources of the state cannot accommodate all the infrastructure development project it desires to achieve.

He, therefore, called on the private sector to partner with the state in infrastructure provision and housing development.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

founded on trust, and a deep sense of commitment and responsibility.

We should exhibit a greater sense of responsibility to ourselves and to each other.

“I appeal to you today and seek the cooperation of all members, past officers and Presidents, in our quest to render selfless service to the Institute and humanity.

“Today, you can make a mark on the life of members by simply contributing your quota to the progress and advancement of the profession.

“The pride and satisfaction of becoming fully invested in the success story of NIQS cannot be measured or quantified. Let us take bold steps to solve our material challenges and rebuild our unity.”

In his remark, the immediate past President of the Institute, Chief Felix Okereke Onyeri, called on government to see the Construction Industry as a key role to play in the growth and development of any nation.

He said it provides the physical infrastructure that other sectors of the economy need for growth and development and it should be among the largest employers of labour.”

•Luxury duplexes at upscale Ikate area of Lekki, Lagos

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

N10b Lokoja water works begins test-run

T

HE Kogi State Government has completed the N10 billion Greater Lokoja Water work project. It is to be inaugurated next month.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Emmanuel Bello, said this at a forum in Lokoja.

Bello said test-run of the new water scheme is in preparation for its inauguration next month.

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

He said the completion of the new water project which has the capacity to generate 10 million gallons of water daily, is a big relief as it would put an end to the perennial water shortage in the city.

Bello also said the new water scheme would complement the existing water works in Lokoja and raise the level of water sup-

ply to Lokoja and its environs from the present two million gallons per day to 12 million gallons.

He added that the new water project would raise the level of total water supply to residents of the state to 30 million gallons per day from 20 million gallons per day.

The construction of the water scheme started in April 2008.

Bello said the project has been connected to all existing structures

to ensure effective distribution of water from the new waterworks to parts of Lokoja and adjoining towns of Ganaja, Zango, Kabba junction, Obajana, Gadumo and others.

He said a committee has been set up to work out affordable water rates for all categories of users, stressing that no government the world over could provide water free of charge.

He said payment of water rates

is to guarantee sustainability and durability of the project in line with the World Bank policy on water.

Bello said the state government would soon sign a two-year maintenance and operational agreement with the contractor.

Under the agreement, he said engineers and technicians in the ministry would be trained on how to operate and carry out regular maintenance of the waterworks.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

28

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Building Issues

Why you need to factor in maintenance in your building

•Grace Court, Makoko, Lagos

NEMA tasks states on dam upgrading

T

HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has tasked state governments on dam upgrade, stoppage of erection of buildings across waterways to forestall flooding that could destroy lives and properties.

NEMA Director-General Alhaji Mohommed Sani Sidi said this at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting on challenges of 2011 flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness in Abuja. He stated that the major cause of flooding was dam breakages.

He said: “Some of the envisaged causes of flooding are erection of building across waterways, poor management of dams’ excessive rainfall, construction of building

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

along waterways.

“Against the backdrop of the aforementioned cases, the agency has sent a formal letter to the states and relevant stakeholders to draw attention to these issues and proffer remedies to forestall possible incidents as witnessed in many parts of Nigeria in 2011 “He said the 2010 rainy season came with excessive flooding and impacted about 24 staes, amongst, which were Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa and Kaduna. He listed others as Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto and Yobe.

“The major cause of the flooding was excessive rainfall, with dam breakages and blockages of drainage systems exacerbating the problem as predicted by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET).

“2011 rainfall forecast states that the rain may be earlier than normal. It also points to negative impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, hydrological and health sectors of Nigeria with attendant socio economic consequence,” he stressed.

The D-G said stakeholders are called upon to provide an avenue to reflect on the flood disaster of 2010 and come up with measure to prevent a reoccurrence in 2011.

Meeting on East-West Coastal Road kicks expected to create a multiple cenHE Federal Government has begun processes lead- off in Yenagoa tres of economic activities, wider “business connections and give di-

T

ing to the take-off of the Trans -Coastal Road Project with the presentation of environmental aspects of the project to the communities where the road is expected to pass through.

Tagged the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Stakeholders Consultative Forum, the Project Coordinator, Professor S.A Braide, told participant drawn from Delta, Bayelsa and Edo States the construction of the Coastal road will be done in eight segments and by multiple construction firms.

Prof. Braide noted that one major advantage of the project would be national intergration of the coastal

From Isaac Ombe Yenagoa

communities of the region at the end of the multi billion naira project.

Also in his presentation, the Head of the Engineering Unit of the Pearl Consultative Design, Nat Okoroma said the project will commence from Odukpani junction on the Calabar/Ogoja road in Calabar and run through coastal communities of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo and Edo states.

Enumerating the economic benefits of the project to the people region, Okoroma said the project is

rect access to waterways that are not currently utilised, ”it will enhance the exploitation of oil and gas and promote a high sense of integration among the people of the Niger Delta.

Over 7,000 persons are expected to be employed around the Niger Delta region when the project is in place.

Over 160 bridges, two suspension bridges, cable bridges in Forcadoes, Bonny and Escravoes are expected to be constructed on the road which was part of the Niger Delta Master Plan drawn for the region by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

‘Don’t play politics with the power sector’

T

HE Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has charged the Federal Government not to play politics with the power, industrial, transport, water, oil and gas sectors, saying there is need to appoint competent and committed engineers to pilot the power sector particularly.

The President, NSE, Engr.

Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, stating that President Goodluck Jonathan should take into consideration the essence of Nigerian Development Content.

He said: “It must be made mandatory for core investors to demonstrate Nigerian content within the entire company structure, including equity participation.

“The benefits will include employment generation, cheaper electricity and real capacity and entre-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

preneurship development of our expertise in the power sector.

“One of the early tasks the President should embark upon is to also set a time frame for active diversification of energy sources for power generation, like hydro oil and gas, coal, wind, biomass, sola, tidal etc.

“The road map did not detail renewable power resources, which is the way forward for world electric power development.

The World Body of International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD) declared the year 2010 as the Hydropower Development year for Africa, and with Nigeria having great potentials in this sector.

“NSE is saying the government should partner with ICOLD, other similar world bodies and the NSE

for the development of renewable energy.

Manufacturing is another mandate for rapidly bridging the infrastructure deficit. Most countries have used the opportunity of oil resources to build robust production capacity.

“The country still needs high level of construction activities to build infrastructure to build infrastructures, for the enhancement of the economy, this has not translated into corresponding high level of employment of Nigerians at the professional level.”

The President said there is the need to revisit and implement the national construction policy of May 1991. The development of home grown Nigerian construction companies is an imperative to which the government must genuinely commit.

MAINTENANCE is almost alien in our way of doing things in the country. This goes for the individual and the government. Some people tend to see maintenance as a waste of time and money until there is total breakdown.

Buildings are constantly, decaying and getting dirty. When a building needs the service of an artisan, such as a plumber, having someone there to take care of that immediate need reduces costs in the long run and it is the single most important aspect of any building. There are many good reasons for preventive maintenance and chief among them is that it keeps up a building's appearance and extends its life span. It also prevents the loss of the original concept , as less material is lost in regular, minimal and small-scale work than in extensive restoration projects.

It makes economic sense as it may reduce or potentially eliminate the need for, and the extent of, major repair projects. Repairs can be disruptive and costly in terms of material and finances, so extending the period between repair campaigns by carrying out maintenance places less of a burden on a person.

A small but regular investment in tasks such as the routine cleaning of gutters and drains can be much cheaper and less inconvenient than having to cope with a serious case of sagging foundation.

Manufacturers for instance recom-

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

areas of moisture intrusion due to cracking in the sealing around windows and doors or any cracks in paint that need to be touched up. Ensuring no sprinklers are spraying against the building or trees pushing up against the building. Looking at the parking lot to see if the asphalt is worn and in need of resealing or if weeds has taken it over.

Plumbing and electrical problems should be checked early and regularly as they can cause major upset in a building. For instance if there is a leaking pipe inside a wall it may wear out the building with a resultant effect of collapse, toilets should therefore be regularly checked to see to it that they are properly secured to the floor or run and that the flow of water for instance at each fixture is not too much or too little.

‘One can never be too sure of how strong a foundation remains except through regular investigations by a professional’

mend several things for the products we have in our homes but hardly do we apply them and we should realise that if we do not apply them in terms of observing the maintenance schedule we should not really complain about the quality of a particular product.

Examples are things such as roofing. The manufacturer recommends yearly inspections and maintenance.

Nobody does a roof inspection every year or has ever done it, not considering how many years they have had the house. Here, we intend to think that things last forever even without us lifting a finger.

Same goes for heating and AC units, these should get yearly maintenance and in fact every three months is recommended with the filters being changed every month if necessary. Nobody does that. The ducting should be cleaned every year, nobody does that.

For electrical, the panels should have yearly examinations for the connections to ensure they are tight and in some cases have the system examined with thermal imaging to see if there are any spots which indicate potential trouble. Nobody does that.

As far as plumbing goes the water heaters should be drained every year and the pressure regulator should be checked on a regular basis to ensure the pressure is not getting too high.

The structure of the building should be checked every year to see if there are any issues such as settlement or any unusual movement especially with the incessant collapse of building. One can never be too sure of how strong a foundation remains except through regular investigations by a professional.

The site should be examined to ensure the exterior does not have any

The truth about fittings and buildings is that as soon as it is installed it begins to deteriorate.

Proper maintenance can prolong the life but may not stop aging or wear and tear.

The quality of the maintenance is another issue. I have seen buildings that had a regular maintenance that were in need of serious repairs in many areas.

The place was just being cleaned, and even that was not done well. Good maintenance requires someone that cares and is not afraid to get their

hands dirty. It requires people really looking and writing down items observed that need attention and then doing them on a systematic basis.

My suggestion is to have someone look over your building on a regular basis that has no interest in whether something is good or bad and giving you a list of those things found that need attention. In this case you need a thorough breed professional who understands the art involved in a building and fixtures.

If this has not been done in the last five years I strongly suggest this now. I suggest this be done at the very least every five years.

Here are just two of the many areas that a good thorough general visual inspection could uncover for you that could save you many thousands of naira over the long run and unfortunately in this country many people do not want to be bordered with it - insurance.

Like any major investment you need to put aside time frequently to keep your house in the best shape possible and be certain it retains its value.

Here are five tips to keep your property in the perfect condition: Check the roof: One of the first places to see damage on a house is the roof. You need to check your roof periodically, as problems here can go unnoticed until they become a big predicament (and you get leaks). Do a visual investigation for slipped, fractured or badly damaged tiles. Look at the pointing and get someone in if this is in a bad condition. You should remove moss from tiles if it's starting to take charge. And give gutters a decent clean out regularly, removing all leaves and weeds before they can clog anything up.

•Contributions, questions? e-mail: quichi3cities@yahoo.com

29

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Retired Justice of the Supreme Court Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo is the chairman, Osun State Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which concluded sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, last week. He is also the vice-chairman of the panel of enquiry set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to probe the postelection violence. In this interview with JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, Justice Uwaifo speaks on the essence of the commission, why the judiciary must be reformed, and the need for true federalism.

•Justice Uwaifo

‘Each geo-political zone should have T Supreme Court’ HE Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) concluded sitting af-

ter Governor Rauf Aregbesola gave evidence. What were the challenges?

Members of this commission were selected from different states. So, at times, to meet together presented some difficulties.

Some of the members are legal practitioners who are busy and had to meet their clients.

I do arbitration also, so, to meet with others could be a problem at times, but because of the ease of communication, we

•Ex-Supreme Court Justice faults mode of judges’ appointment, promotion were able to sort things out. But we were able to do our best and it’s fairly alright.

How would you assess the attitude of people toward the commission, and how did it affect its work?

Ex-minister, others seek bail – P.31

I am glad that you asked this question. It has always bothered me. It does not appear to me that many people understood the purpose of this commission. It is truth and reconciliation commission. It is not where you

CJ urges adherence to separation of powers – P.32

come to litigate or argue and all that. Many witnesses came. Counsel who led them in evidence felt that they had to win or loose.

That was not the purpose of the commission at all. The purpose was to reconcile the society.

What did the commission set out to achieve?

The essence of the commission was to give people the opportunity to say what they did, show remorse, repent and reinte•Continued on page 31

Aregbesola relives ordeal as TRC ends sitting - P.33

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

30

FATIONAL ROM THEBC OURT N AR

NBA President:Allegation of contempt malicious O N May, 18 there were reports in the media which alleged that the NBA President, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) allegedly walked out on the court of Justice Charles Achibong of the Federal High Court in Lagos in the case of Akingbola VS EFFC where he was counsel to the prosecution /Respondent.

Expectedly, reactions poured in torrents to this sensationalised report, text messages of various sorts bombarded cell phones of lawyers while the Internet bustled with discussions mostly directed against the person of Daudu. The NBA boss was condemned without being heard.

Those who have an axe to grind with him simply capitalised on the issue and began the most sinister and disparaging campaign against Daudu. Many of Akingbola’s apologists and other detractors described the alleged action as a cog in the pursuit of the accused persons’ liberty. Many lawyers have also joined the fray by posting invidious comments on the Internet without bothering to ascertain what actually happened. In their court, they have already prosecuted and convicted Daudu for this seeming act of disrespect to the court.

Shortly after I received an SMS and bewildered by the report, I called Daudu to hear him out and as usual he took his time to explain. He gave a blow by blow account of what transpired in court on that day. It then dawned on me that the president was misrepresented in the media.

The bottom line is that the president did not do what he was alleged to have done.

I believe the report Daudu gave me on the incident as it correlated with how I know he would behave even before I had the privilege of citing the record of proceedings which corroborated my believe.

The J.B (SAN) Daudu I know is not a sort of person to who would behave contemptuously to the court. Yes, he is a courageous lawyer, who will not hesitate to speak his mind, but having known and interacted with him in many fora, I know that he would not walk out on court in the course of proceedings.

Even at the level of personal interaction with other people, Daudu is known to be accessible, considerate, humble and firm. Nobody who really knows him would accuse him of grandstanding, snubbing, impatience and vanity.

It is unfortunate that despite Daudu’s denials and efforts to put the record straight by painstakingly giving a vivid account of what transpired in court, the detractors and the fifth columnists within the Bar have sustained, mala fide, their campaign of calumny.

They are calling for; they are instigating one disciplinary action or the other against him.

As lawyers we should always strive to be seized of the truth in any matter before we start to pass judgment; that is what natural justice demands. Even though by his judicial oath, Justice Achibong cannot join issues on the pages of newspapers thereby making it difficult to hear his own side of the story, it is however, my intention to X-ray the rules of professional conduct vis-à-vis the action taken by the NBA president to see whether the NBA president is culpable or not.

A lawyer is an officer of court by virtue of rule 38 of the RPC. It is only a lawyer that enjoys the privilege, indeed the right of being an equal minister in the temple of justice

‘By rule 31(1) of the Rules of professional conduct, a lawyer shall always treat the court with respect, dignity and honour. This of course, is without prejudice to his duty to pursue his client’s rights and claims with courage, zeal, vigour and undeterred by any fear of judicial displeasure or punishment’

•Daudu SAN • Murray

By Abdul-Rasheed

OPINION with the judge on the Bench. See Controller the Nigeria Prison Vs Adekanye (NO1) (2002) 15 NWLR (pt 790) 318. This right is, however, not an immunity or licence for impunity to undermine or disrespect the court rather it places paramount duty on counsel never to mislead the court but to assist it in ensuring that justice is dispensed in all cases. In Fawehinmi VS NBA (No 1) 1989 2 NWLR (pt 105) 494 at 523, the supreme court per Obaseki J.S.C stated inter alia, “……….. a legal practitioner’s duty to the court to promote and foster the course of justice is paramount” By rule 31(1) of the Rules of professional conduct, a lawyer shall always treat the court with respect, dignity and honour. This of course, is without prejudice to his duty to pursue his client’s rights and claims with courage, zeal, vigour and undeterred by any fear of judicial displeasure or punishment. Rule 35 brings in the additional requirement of courtesy; counsel need not be subservient to be courteous or respectful. A lawyer occupies a vital position in society, a position which in truth has bestowed on him very onerous and critical duties and responsibilities in the development of the society and in ensuring the entrenchment of social justice.

This, is the raison d’être in Rule 1(1) of RPC which provide; Rule 1 (1) “A lawyer shall uphold and observe the rule of law, promote and foster the course of justice, maintain a high standard of professional conduct, and shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner” Under rule 14 (1) of the RPC, it is the duty of a lawyer to devote his attention, energy and expertise to the service of his client. He is also duty bound, subject to any rule of law to act in a manner consistent with the best interest of the client. (Emphasis mine) Did Daudu breach any of the rules; did he misconduct himself? Some writers on this issue have argued that Daudu being the president of the

NBA should lead by example and desist from acts capable of being interpreted as arrogance to the court.

While I agree with the proposition that he should lead and he has been leading by example; I do not agree that the action of the NBA president on the fateful day amounted to disrespect. In his interview with Thisday Lawyer published on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Daudu put it poignantly “I didn’t walk out on the judge”.

He went further “All we did was to ask that our application for stay of execution and proceedings be heard, and his Lordship went ahead to dismiss the application without even hearing us…… The most annoying of this incident was that the judge gave no reason for dismissing our application. It is elementary law which every law student knows that a judge must give reasons for every decision he makes….” Giving the scenario that played itself out in court on that day, after the dismissal of the application which he purported to move and which was the duty of the judge to hear and determine one way or the other being on court schedule for that day. Daudu has not shown any act of disrespect and discourtesy to the court by seeking leave of the court to cease participating in the proceedings which leave the court graciously granted without qualms as evident in the record of proceeding. Daudu did not step out of that court without first seeking permission of the judge and I fail to see how that can be interpreted as walking out of the court.

People should not deliberately confuse the capacity in which Daudu appeared as a private legal practitioner plying his trade with his status as Numero uno of the Bar. The nonsalaried office of the president of the Bar does not preclude the incumbent from acting as counsel to willing clients. So, it is puerile to suggest that Daudu, who has not spent a kobo of NBA’s money since assuming office (even for official duties), should disclose his fee and transfer same to the coffers of the NBA. It is sad and uncharitable

for commentators on this issue to portray Daudu in bad light as a result of the sensationalised media report.

Those who know the NBA president fairly well will agree that he exhibits in his conduct both within and without the court the highest standard of professional etiquette and he does not compromise on issues of ethics and courtroom decorum. He takes his seniority and silk seriously and will not trade off the interest of his clients. He has won many landslide victories in court because of his courage to fight oppression and injustice through the instrumentality of the law.

He has stood tall where other minnows crawled and has the audacity to challenge misapplication of certain principles of law even at the highest level of the Bench.

Daudu is a thorough bred professional and an enigma in law.

He is independent minded and has remained a metaphor who means different things to different people.

Early this year he was unfairly pummelled by critics on his stand on corruption in the judiciary with particular references to the Court of Appeal Bench.

His comment then was interpreted as taking sides with the Chief Justice of Nigeria against the President of the Court of Appeal in the “roforofo fight” that plagued the highest echelon of the nation’s judiciary.

They, however, had a change of mind when the same Daudu sued the CJN on behalf of NBA for allegedly breaching the procedure for the award of silk. The process has, as a result of Daudu’s action in court, stultified the award of silk for the year 2011. It is satanic to demonise the NBA president for pursuing the case of his client with courage.

Those who know Daudu well will also agree with me that he would be the last to bring the hallowed chambers of justice to ridicule or disdain.

ABDUL-Rasheed is the immediate past Publicity Secretary of the NBA

Court discharges orders against IBG, Ibeto

A

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has vacated the interim orders it made in November last year against IBG Investment Company Limited, restraining it from removing assets from its Port Harcourt factory pending the determination of a suit brought against it by Afribank Plc. The court had, upon an ex-parte application

by Afribank, ordered IBG not to remove or dismantle a single unit Model G4-40 complete Kovako Pneumatic Shipunloader in its Port-Harcourt factory pending determination of the bank’s substantive suit, accusing the company of being indebted to it.

The order discharging the interim orders was made by Justice Benedicta Molokwu on May 12 while ruling on an application by IBG and its promoter, Mr. Cletus Ibeto, challenging competence of the said interim or-

By Eric Ikhilae

ders.

Justice Molokwu upheld arguments by IBG’s lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN) to the effect that the plaintiff deceived the court into granting the said orders by hiding salient facts from it.

The court specifically held that Afribank, represented by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), concealed the fact that there were other pending cases between parties in respect of the same subject matter.

“In my humble view, the pendency of the other suits and the order of court, to maintain the status quo, in the issue of the first defendant’s (IBG) indebtedness to the plaintiff, are crucial issues that ought to have been brought to the court’s notice in seeking the

ex-parte orders.

“The provisions of the court’s rules in Order 26 Rule 11 allow applications such as the present one (IBG’s application). Also, in view of the fact that all the averments in support of the application were neither challenged nor contradicted, they are deemed to have been admitted.

“The court has no choice than to believe them and act on them. In consequence, I hereby accede to all the reliefs sought by this application,” the court held in granting IBG’s prayers.

The court further held that from the uncontroverted evidence before it, it was obvious that the property in dispute was no longer vested in Afribank, one of the issues which Afribank purportedly failed to disclose to the court.

• Justice Ibrahim Auta, Chief Judge, Federal High Court

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

31

LAW COVER CONT’D

‘Each geo-political zone should have a Suprem Court’ •Continued from page 29

grate themselves with the society.

If you had watched the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee, some witnesses began to weep for what happened before. Even Bishop Desmond Tutu wept at a point when he was giving evidence. It was all in a bid to bring reconciliation.

For instance, a particular woman who had her baby strapped to her back was attacked and the baby was killed. When counsel was cross examining the woman, he was showing such antagonism and I said, this woman lost her baby. You should feel sorry for her first before you ask her the circumstances.

So, that were some of the difficulties or challengesg.

Do you think that TRC achieved its mission?

Well, we are hoping that people would look at our report with level-headedness.

The whole society has been severely politicised. Violence became a weapon to bring people to one’s side or to win election. That is not how democracy should be.

We hope people will begin to realise that you don’t have to kill yourself to bring somebody to power. Once he gets there, he forgets you and your family.

As a member of the Presidential Election Violence and Civil Disturbances Panel, otherwise known as the Sheik Ahmed Lemuled panel, what are the similarities and dissimilarities between it and the TRC? The Lemu panel is meant to deal with a different situation - that is violence before, during and after the presidential elections – while the TRC was to appraise what happened at a point in time and reconcile the society.

Some people have criticised the Lemu panel that it doesn’t have coercive powers.

They argue that the panel lacks powers to subpoena witnesses to appear before it.

How would you react to this?

Some of those people saying this are doing so ignorantly. I don’t want to really comment much on that panel. That panel is a fact-finding panel and the President used his executive powers to set it up. He didn’t rely on any legislation like was done in Justice Chukwudifu Oputa’s panel. He exercised the executive power.

How will you respond to the assertion that the panel lacks coercive powers?

That you don’t have coercive powers to make people to appear before it does not really matter. People will come out and say what they want to say. Those who don’t want to come let them not come. It doesn’t really matter. It is not a court of justice, so that shouldn’t bother anybody.

Some lawyers believe that it is improper for you as a retired Justice of the Supreme Court to serve as a vice-chairman to Sheik Ahmed Lemu who retired as a Grandi Khadi.

How to you react to this?

Well, this is a national assignment and I am glad to be recognised to render service

• Aregbesola

• Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-

to this country. As for the chairman of the panel, I have met him recently; he is an exceedingly intelligent man, a very honest man from what I have seen.

He is an old man, older than me and he has a lot of experience. So, the fact that I was in the Supreme Court and he retired as a grandi khadi shouldn’t come into it at all.

This panel is going to deal with very difficult political situation in the North, in the South and so on.

I am even happy that he is the chairman, particularly, with what happened in the North. We will now be able to put heads together to get to the root of the matter.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been inaugurated for another four-year term. What are you expectations from him with respect to the rule of law and deepening democratic norms and values?

I see President Goodluck Jonathan as a very forthright, humble and simple man, whose sole ambition is to see that this country gets back to sanity. We have potential; this country is blessed, and so if we harness our potential we will be one of the best in the world.

This is our country, no matter what you think you are, whether you go to Britain, you go to Germany or you go to France, your home is your home and Nigeria is lucky. Look at the weather, look at the natural resources, mineral and human resources, they are there in abundance. So, I believe that the President should be allowed to do his work.

What do you have to say about the class of

people the president is considering for ministerial appointment?

I have been reading the papers of recent and I am really worried by the type of people the president is said to be considering for ministerial appointments.

I think technocrats and those who have the future of this country in mind should be given opportunity.

Why are you worried at the list of people for ministerial appointments?

I am worried because I saw a bandwagon of politicians. Even those who have helped to bring down this country, their names are there too. I am highly worried; I don’t know what people are doing to our president.

They should give him the free hand to pick those who will help him to move this country forward. But with the present class of people, I am afraid.

What do you expect from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, so that we can have the much-desired reforms in the judicial?

A justice minister doesn’t really have much to do about that. The National Judicial Council (NJC) is responsible for that. I feel that the NJC should approach its work with more seriousness. They should avoid the laissez-faire approach to work.

Can you give us an example?

For instance, if you want to appoint a judge, what do you look at? Is it because his name has been sent from one state or the other? What do you look at in that person?

If you want to elevate a judge, say, from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, what do you look at? I suggested all this in my vale-

Alu

dictory speech. Until that is done, we are not likely to have the best of the Judiciary.

We have people who can make it in our Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, I have read Judgments by our Judges. We have very good judges but if they are not given opportunity, they cannot do anything. The NJC is not performing its duty as it should. What are the indices or parameters to assess a good judge for appointment or promotion?

It has none. They just look at you and say: ok, this one is from here, they approve him or her. This will not help us.

How should it be done?

In America, to appoint a judge to the Supreme Court for instance, what he said several years back, he will be reminded of it, and then he will now be asked to defend it and if he cannot defend it, he will not get the job. That is not done here. You send a name to the Senate for confirmation, they say, come, take a bow and go, that is absolutely unacceptable. They should get people who should cross examine them, people who have a loaddown of a nominee’s past antecedents, and begin to ask questions about his integrity, his recording ability, scholarship and all that.

People have canvassed the appointment of senior lawyers and professors to the Supreme Court Bench. What is your take on this?

Well, I once suggested that you can appoint good professors, good Senior Advocates into the bench. If you appoint such people, they will provide the platform for improving justice delivery in the country.

But it must be done not by way of favour.

Such people so appointed must prove that they are worthy of such appointment. Once you bring them in, they now have a vision which they must fulfill to the glory of the country.

How can we get the best from the judicial system?

My view is that the Constitution should be amended, so that we have true federalism. We now have six geo-political zones.

There is no reason why each zone should not have a judicial system whereby you have the High Court, Court of Appeal and if possible a Supreme Court to deal with all matters.

Why should you send a land matter from Edo State to the Supreme Court when if you have a judicial set up for the Southsouth Zone, they should resolve it and allow only serious constitutional matters to get to the national Supreme Court as it is done in America.

All matters from a given geopolitical zone should end up in the highest court in that zone. But, once there is a constitutional issue involved, one that will affect the entire country, that issue should be sent to the national Supreme Court for determination.

That way, the Supreme Court will be able to deliver judgments of high standards in respect of constitutional matter so that this country can move forward.

Alleged money laundering: Ex-minister, others seek bail A FORMER Minister of Works, Dr Hassan Lawal, who is facing money laundering charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, has filed a formal bail application.

It has been fixed for definite hearing on June 6 and 7.

EFCC had brought two separate charges against Lawal. One is against him and 15 others, in which he was accused of laundering over N19billion.

The second is against him and two others.

He was accused of laundering about N42million.

The court, presided by Bilikisu Bello-Aliyu, had refused Lawal’s earlier request for bail after he was arraigned on May 11 on the N19billion case.

Lawal had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but he was not granted bail because there was no proof of evidence before the court yet.

The court gave the EFCC one week to furnish it with the proof of evidence, but Lawal’s lawyer, Mr Mahmudu Abubakar Mogaji, said the agency is yet to do so.

EFCC had opposed the bail application

By John Austin Unachukwu

because it believed the defendant may likely jump bail.

It told the court that granting the defendants bail may jeopardise the case. Some of them are still at large, the agency said.

Mogaji said his client ought not to have been arrested without sufficient proof of the crime he allegedly committed.

His words: “Before you arrest a person, you must have conducted a thorough investigation and established a prima facie case.

“Section 36 (6) of the Constitution provides that before you arrest a person, you must tell him in the language he understands details of his offence at the point of arrest. This was not done to my client.

“Ordinarily, when this is not complied with, the court could quash the arrest and release the person.”

One of the charges read: “That you, Dr Hassan Lawal ‘M’, while being the Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Adeogha Godwin Ademola ‘M’, Digital Toll

Company Limited, Swedes Control Intertek Limited, Proman Vital Ventures Limited, PEB 04 Nigeria Limited, Lassa Limited, Odomac Nigeria Limited, Okala Philip Yakubu ‘M’, and Thahal Paul ‘M’, sometimes between 2006 and 2009 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired among yourselves to defraud the Federal Government of the sum of N4,872,000,000.”

The charge added that it was “with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said sum and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 14 (1) (b) of the same Act. Some of the alleged laundered sums were said to be property of Kogi and Nassarawa states.

Another read: “That you, Dr Hassan Muhammad Lawal ‘M’ and Aisha Okuboye ‘F’ on 9th October 2009 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did commit an offence to wit: transferred the sum of N15,000,000.00 being proceeds of an illicit act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and also punishable under Section 14 (1) of the same Act.”

•EFCC Chairman Farida Waziri

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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FROM THE COURT

Lagos Chief Judge urges adherence to separation of powers

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

C

gabriel AMALU

HIEF Judge of Lagos, Justice Inumidun Akande has urged the new executive and legislative arms of government to ensure the protection and independence of the judiciary so that it is no longer marginalised or deprived of constitutional rights and privileges.

She said the constitution precludes any of the arms of government from usurping or unduly interfering with the functions and responsibilities of other organs.

Justice Akande, who spoke while swearing-in Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said her administration of oath to the state chief executive was further proof that each of the three organs of government is separate and constitutionally empowered to function indepen-

with

By Joseph Jibueze

dently.

None of them should, therefore, be viewed as an appendage of the other, she said.

“It is the cordiality, understanding and effective functioning of these independent organs of government that make for lasting democracy and good governance in any society,” Justice Akande said.

According to her, the smooth transition from a democratic government to another in line with the constitution should elicit in Nigerians a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

The Chief Judge expressed hope that the judiciary would enjoy a better understanding and excellent working relation with the execu-

email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

•Justice Akande at the event tive “than what obtained in the last administration.”

The swearing-in marks Justice Akande’s last major official engagement as she retires next month when she turns 65. She is expected to be succeeded by Justice Ayotunde Philips.

•Justice of the Supreme Court Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Justice Toyin Oyekan-Abdullahi of the Lagos State High Court at the event

•Justice Funmilayo Atilade and Justice Ayotunde Philips of the Lagos State High Court

Court orders arrest of businessman

A

LAGOS High Court in Ikeja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of businessman, Prince Ghenga Osibote over his alleged complicity in a case of murder.

The warrant was issued sequel to the advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan to the effect that the suspect and two others be charged with the offences of conspiracy and murder.

In her legal advice to the court’s Chief Registrar, marked CP: No 6835/2007, the DPP directed that Alade Aregbe, Prince Agbabiaka Monsuru and Prince Gbenga Osibote, be

By Eric Ikhilae

charged with conspiracy to commit murder, contrary to Section 324 of the Criminal Code and murder in relation to the death of one Ikechukwu Onyemachi .

Onyelekere was said to have been murdered on September 4, 2007 at Idi Apa, Okota, Lagos State.

In 2008, Aregbe and Agbabiaka were arraigned before Justice Mufutau Olokoba of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja. The police at State SCID, Panti, Lagos, alleged that Osibote was at large.

Consequently, Justice Olokoba is-

sued a bench warrant for Osibote’s arrest. Justice Olokoba issued a form No. 6 (warrant of arrest), directing the Inspector-General of Police and all police officers to arrest Osibote and bring him before the court to face the charge No. ID/46/2008.

When the case came up last week, the police said efforts to arrest Osibote have so far proved abortive. It was alleged that an attempt to arrest him last Tuesday at the Okota Police Station failed as he purportedly escaped, leaving behind his car.

Jusice Olokooba renewed the arrest warrant and adjourned further hearing for June, 28.

Rotarians work and play in New Orleans ODAY’S piece dear readers, is going to be a little different from the usual. Today I would not deal with issues of law and public power in Nigeria as we understand it; rather I would write on other forms of power. The type that is exerted by pressure groups or nongovernmental organisations, (NGOs), but which when harnessed, has as much influence, if not a greater influence than the power of public institutions and authorities.

I will write about Rotary, a worldwide organisation of professional and business leaders, united in rendering service to humanity. As is done every year, Rotarians gather in a major international city where they combine fun and play as they plan how to make the world a better place. This year’s convention was hosted the city of New Orleans, United States and what a great fun it was for thousands of us that made the convention.

With my wife, Rita, by my side, the rotary convention provided attendees an opportunity to enjoy great entertainment, great fellowship, great speakers and a great venue. But you may ask why Rotarians should travel from across 200 countries of the world to a single city to do what they could do through representatives, or even via modern communication and social network platforms. I think the answer lies in the spectacular opportunity to meet one another, to feel one another, and to enjoy one another.

Rotary’s usually exhilarating international conventions provide the opportunity to every member of the nearly 1.22 million Rotarians worldwide, to come together at a single venue to work, while having fun. The New Orleans convention was no different, as Rotarians had a chance to brainstorm on how to bring an end to the menace of polio, which was originally initiated by Rotarians, and had gulped billions of their dollars, talents and time. At a session, Bill Gates, the co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, announced that eradicating polio was now his foundation’s top priority, and he urged his Rotarian partners to intensify their effort to wipe the disease off the face of the earth.

The work also included workshops on how to push for a better and healthier world, through the provision of water to communities, programmes on health and hunger, among others. Rotarians were also told how every year, they spend through their community service projects investments worth $I billion. Also how their youth and young adults programme is the best in the world. The sad story of Hurricane Katrina was relieved, and Rotarians heard how their colleagues helped to bring succor, through rebuilding houses for the weak and infirm.

The venue of the convention this year happened to be the famous city of Jazz, New Orleans. With a rich potpourri of colours, peoples, of cultures, the city is probably one of the foremost multicultural centers of the world. Originally owned by the Indians, it was the French nationals that became dominant as settlers took over. It was also for several decades under Spanish dominion. The mingling of whites and blacks witnessed the birth of a large population of creoles. This proud admixture of Spanish, French, Creoles and several other cultures defiantly held their new culture, as distinct and sacrosanct. One surviving strain is that the districts are referred to as parishes.

So, the entertainment was enduring. Many artists were on hand to entertain the 18,500 members of the family of rotary representing about 151 countries and geographical areas of the world that took part in this year’s convention. Grammy award winning trumpeter and band leader, Irvin May field; trumpeter and singer Kermit Rufins, and Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith’s favourite singer, Michael Martin Murphy were on hand to entertain Rotarians and their guests. There were the festivals at the famous Bourbon Street, which one of us cynically referred to as the new city of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Rotary’s traditional entertainment schedule known as the House of Friendship as always held the best attraction. There, Rotarians had the best opportunity to make new friends, meet old ones, watch international fashion shoulds eat, drink, listen to music, check out club’s projects, seek out partners for new projects, buy rotary materials and gift items, and roam about in the expansive venue center. There, was also the hosting event for Rotarians by cluster of local clubs, where a lot of food, drinks, culture and general entertainment are on display.

One very interesting thing about most American cities is that they are prepared to host mega events. Rotarians can attest to this as they have in the past decade held conventions in many cities in the United States, and the stories of great venues remain the same. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in the heart of New Orleans, is built to host great events.

As I enjoyed the architectural master piece, I was saddened that Nigeria may likely not host Rotary convention in the near future principally because, no city in Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja could boast of such a convention centre.

The visit also held new excitements and surprises for my wife and I. This included the enchanting road networks, massive highways, layers of flyovers, architectural masterpiece, the American big taxis, that will pass for jeeps here, the sweeten food, new families and friends, the discovery of long lost friends and relations, and the several visits. One such visit was to the city of Tucson in Arizona, where Charles and Ije Ebunoha spared no effort to make us confortable and happy. Overall, the convention has prepared me to pilot the affairs of my club, as president for 20112012.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

LAW & SOCIETY The Osun State Truth and Reconcilliation Commission (TRC) last week, in Osogbo, public sitting at the State High Court premises in Osogbo with a promise to submit its report to the state government very soon. Before the Tribunal rose for the day, the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, narrated his ordeal in the hands of former Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his men.

Aregbesola relives ordeal as TRC ends sitting A REGBESOLA narrated his travails from the moment he began consulting leaders across the 30 local governments in 2005 on his plan to contest the 2007 Governorship election.

He said series of coordinated and state sponsored attacks were launched against him and his supporters.

Aregbesola said: “My movement became a subject of intensive surveillance, while unfriendly attacks were launched at my person physically, psychologically and verbally. They include the following: “April 16, 2005. The failed attempt to abort the launch of Oramiyan, our campaign organisation in Osogbo, the state capital. The venue was fixed for Osogbo Township Stadium, but as soon as our programmes were put in place, the Oyinlola government deployed brute force, through the police, to stop the event from taking place.

Many of our supporters were prevented from entering Osogbo. As the new spread rapidly, more people amassed for the programme and a major confrontation almost ensued.

“As the leader of the movement, I was to be prevented from entering Osogbo. But for a smart decoy, the police, acting on Oyinlola’s orders, would have arrested me as soon as I entered Osogbo. The Oyinlolaled administration undeservedly aborted our rally. Were it not for sheer determination, our democratic rights would have been curtailed under the guise of state security.”

Aregbesola also testified that opposition members were verbally assaulted during Oyinlola’s administration, saying: “It is important to call your attention to the undignified use of language by Oyinlola since he became Governor in 2003. His conduct and utterances can easily provoke even the docile to anger and revolt.

“Take for example our campaign organisation, Oranmiyan, which means ‘I am triumphant’ in English. Oyinlola, on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) network, referred to us as ‘Oranmiyan, meaning another calamity.’

“While you may want to consider this as a simple inter-play of politics and sarcasm, it was an unrefined use of an unbecoming one-liner laced with crude abuse of the cultural heritage of our people by a man, who was supposed to be the epitome of cultural strength of the people of Osun State.

“Oyinlola’s attempt to vulgarise it was an attempt in self-immolation. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, chided him for that.

“Oyinlola also punned the name of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in the rigged 2004 local government election in Iwo, Alhaji Razaak Salinsile, as ‘Sanasile, meaning ‘set the house on fire,’ a coinage that gave an entirely different meaning to the cherished Yoruba name.

“There are several instances showing that Oyinlola had no respect for other people, or in any case, not sensitive enough to their feelings. “Oyinlola was clearly intolerant of the opposition, which in a democracy is lawfully nurtured and allowed to fledge in the overall interest of the governed.”

Aregbesola mentioned the assassination of Sulaimon Assan-Olakojo, on May 16, 2005, a major financier of his campaign. He also spoke on “The first attempt on his life on May 25, 2005, when his friends organised a birthday rally at an open ground opposite International Breweries, Ilesa, to commemorate his 48th birthday.

Aregbesola said: “As we were going to the venue in a convoy, Wale Oni, a well known rough neck on Oyinlola’s pay roll and ex-Deputy Governor Erelu Olusola Obada, led a gang of dare-devil men, wielding guns, pick axes and other deadly weapons and attacked our convoy.”

“Using the axes, the thugs ripped off a section of my campaign bus at the exact side I used to sit. The clear intention of the mur-

By John Austin Unachukwu

derous gang was to scythe me to death.

“When they discovered I was not on the bus, the thugs went berserk and pounced the on occupants of the vehicle.

“The leader of the gang, Oni, was arrested and handed over to the police. He was released shortly after on the order of Erelu Obada. Needless to say Oni has since then become the ‘Lord of the Manor’ at his Irojo Quarters residence in Ilesa. He is untouchable, feared, loathed, ruthless and above the law. Not a whimper of his dastardly act was heard again.”

On Oroki Day, 2006, Aregbesola testified that another attempt was made to assassinate him.

He said: “The Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), under the leadership of Alhaji Adekilekun Badmus, invited me as a Special Guest of Honour to the 2006 edition of Osogbo Oroki Day. Oyilola’s security details prevented me from taking my seat. I decided to leave, but on my way to my car, the security details opened fire on me. My Mercedes Benz jeep was hit with several bullets, fired by professionally trained snipers. ”Miraculously, I managed to escape, but my supporters were not so lucky as they were stripped naked, badly assaulted and attacked by thugs under the notorious banner of “14 MOPOL,” trained and led by Liadi Gbadamosi, known to be close to Oyinlola.

“Within hours of the incident, Police Commissioner Sulaimon Fakai appended his signature to a full page advert sponsored by Oyinlola and published in all national newspapers the following day, accusing me of sponsoring the attack. The Police poured unmerited and unprofessional invectives on my as he heaped all blames on me for the attack which I suffered.

“We have indestructible video evidence to tell the story as it was. From the running of events under Oyinlola’s scheme, the stage was set to send me, my party into the dungeon.

“His utterances and barefaced lies after the botched assassination attempt fell flat at the production of the video recording of the event. Oyinlola watched how his snipers rained bullets on my car, while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs descended heavily on branded Oranmiyan vehicles.

“They yanked off doors, smashing glasses and windscreens, during the Oroki Day crisis. As if that was not enough, Oyinlola sent a falsely grounded petition to the Police, which served as the basis for my arrest and incarceration for three weeks by men of the Lagos State Police Command.

“Freedom did not come my way until I approached a Lagos High Court, which ruled in my favour and awarded N5 million against the police for illegal arrest and detention. It is instructive to note that in flagrant disregard for the Rule of Law, the cost has not been paid till now.”

Aregbesola spoke about the vandalisation of his campaign billboards since 2006 and the attack on his father’s house in Ilesa on March 26, 2007.

He narrated how his octogenarian mother was forced to leave Ilesa for Lagos.

Aregbesola said: “Oyinlola and the PDP were unrelenting in their onslaught against members of my family and I My mother is a kola nut trader at the popular but ancient Atakunmola market. Prior to this time, the old woman had spent her entire adult life in Ilesa, never residing outside the ancient city.

The story changed when I decided to engage in a lawful democratic contest for the governorship seat.

“Realising that her life was under threat, my mother had to forcefully run for her dear life by relocating to Lagos.”

Oyinlola, Acting PDP State Chairman Sunday Ojo-Williams and former Registrar of the Osun State High Court, now Judge, Mrs Olamide Oloyede, failed to show up before the panel.

•From left: Mrs Funmi Falana, Yunus Yustaz (SAN) and Chairman of the Commission Samson Uwaifo JSC (rtd)

•Secretary of the Commission Nurudeen Ogbara, and Bamidele Aturu

•Mr Rufus Oyatoro and Prof Ayo Atsenuwa

•Secretary to Osun State Govt. Alh. Moshood Adeoti ( right) and Deputy Gov. of the State Mrs Titilayo Tomori

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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LAW & SOCIETY 49TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS, HELD IN THE GAMBIA

•From left: Mrs Isatuo Alwar Graham, Representative of the Minister of Justice, The Gambia, Reine Alapini-Gonsou, Chairperson of the African Commission and Mrs Julia D. Joiner

•Sheriff Gomez, Minister for Youth and Sports the Gambia and Fatou Lamin Faye Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia

•Nigerian Commissioner to the Commission, Dupe Atoki and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Gambia Esther John Audu

•From left: Abba Saharaui, Abdalla Amar-Libya and Abdusalam Amara

•From left: Mr Stanley Ibeh, Mrs Ossai Ojigbo and Dupe Atoki

•From left: Ms Adam Jobe, Juliet Nkea and Eugenie Colley

•Dr. Uju Agomoh and a participant at the event

•Tammy O’connor and Mr Kadiri

•Miss Ene Enonche and Mr Saka Azimazi

•Participants at the session PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Lagos plans underwater gas pipeline to power business districts B

ARRING any change in decision, the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has opted to build a gas pipeline that would supply gas from Ijora to Marina to power the planned second phase of the Island Power Plant, which will generate 114MW of electricity estimated to fully power the entire Central Business District (CBD).

Fashola, who disclosed this during the inauguration of the first phase of the Island Power Plant, which generates 10MW, said the seemingly obstacle to achieving the 114MW generation for supply to the CBD within the estimated time of 24 months, is gas. But to overcome this, his government will take the gas across the lagoon.

He said: “We need 114mw to power the entire Lagos Island Central Business District and it is possible to deliver this in 24 months.

The only thing that stands in our way is to get gas across from Ijora to Lagos Island. But whatever it is, I will take that gas across the Lagoon.”

By Emeka Ugwuanyi, Assistant Editor (Energy)

Apart from the economic gains including job creation opportunities for the teeming unemployed Nigerians, boosting profitability for the industries and other business concerns that will benefit from the power project by accessing constant electricity, the project will also impact positively on the social lives of the people living within the area.

It will boost industrialisation.

Fashola, however, noted that what excites him most on actualisation of the project is the improvement in life and longevity of the people in the area. He said: “This country is not lacking in ideas and policies.

What we need is to follow our views and visions. We shall not be afraid to fail because at certain points we shall get it right. It will reduce the emission and the noise which have adverse impact on the quality of our lives and ultimate life expectancy.”

The Governor said: “The dearth of electricity has propelled our citizens to self help, compelling them to be generators of their own electricity resulting in emergence of all manners of domestic power generating sets. This has resulted in very high cost of electricity which unfortunately accounts for 30 per cent of operating costs of any business.

“This has many adverse social costs that are almost limitless in their dimension, erosion of disposable income for fuel to provide power, frustrations, health hazards, security failures, unemployment and so much more.

“This is the third Independent

INSIDE •Shell decries oil theft, operation disruption in Niger Delta

•••Page 39

•How PIB can revamp NNPC, industry

•Side view of the 10MW Island Power Project built by the Lagos State Government

Power Plant (following the 270MW at Egbin and the 12.5MW at Iju} that the Lagos State Government is undertaking and completing.

“This facility, built to highest global thermal operating plant standards will now provide 24 hours constant power supply to public facilities within the Lagos Island axis.

The project, which includes an 18km dedicated underground distribution network, will supply power to the General Hospital (Lagos Island), the High Court, High Court Annex (TBS); JIC Taylor Court House, Igbosere; Maternity Hospital and the State House (Marina).

The power plant will also provide electricity for the street lights on Broad Street, Tinubu Square, Bamgbose Street, Igbosere Road, Lawson Street, Moloney Street, Strachan Street, Okesuna Street, Hawley Street, Catholic Mission Street, Ganiyu Smith Street, Glover Street, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Street, Brook Street, Joseph Street, Campos Street, Campbell Street, Ajele Street, Odunlami Street and Kakawa Street. To achieve this, the street lighting furniture on all of these 20 streets have been refurbished. The plant is powered by gas

ment of our dear country. It is, therefore, imperative that we overcome this challenge, if Nigeria truly aspires to join the top twenty flourishing world economies by the year 2020, which is just less than 10 years away.

Consequently, this rather unfortunate situation is clearly more visible and critical in Lagos State, given its peculiarity, as the economic hub of Nigeria and the West African subregion. Lagos, with a population of 18 million people according to UNHabitat is projected to emerge as the third largest mega city in the world after Tokyo (Japan) and Bombay (India) by 2015.

In addition, this state accommodates 22 industrial estates, 2,000 industrial complexes, 10, 000 commercial ventures, sea and air ports. It also serves as host to head offices of financial institutions, telecommunication giants, oil companies and upcoming information and communication technology players. As a result of all these, the state has the largest power demand in the country and this has now been estimated to be in the range between 10,000 and 12,000 as against the 3,000 - 4,000mw being generated nationwide.

‘Govt needs more investment in agriculture to enhance biofuel’

•••Page 40

I

F the biofuel industry must become a toast of investors, the government has to raise investment in agriculture where raw materials for the industry are mostly derived from.

Giving the advice recently in an interview with The Nation, the Manag-

•Operators anticipate rise in oil price •••Page 40

By Bidemi Bakare

ing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Eterna Plc, Mahmud Tukur, said it is disheartening that the government who initially exuded excitement and enthusiasm about biofuel at a time is suddenly taking a back seat, a devel-

OIL PRICES MAY 20-27

Light Crude

Source: Rigzone.com

engines with diesel engines as backup.

The inauguration of this plant immediately puts out of use a minimum of 30 diesel generating sets of between 100 – 1,000 KVA each, eliminating the inevitable pollution; noise and carbon monoxide caused by generators. This plant also has a vast cost saving component to the state government of 46 per cent over project whole life cycle.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Works, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr P. O. Bamgbose-Martins, an engineer, stressed the importance of power to development and good life.

He said: “It is common knowledge in Nigeria today that the provision of uninterrupted power supply, which is critical in our drive to develop and sustain our economic life, has been the bane of the nation. We all experience the frustration arising from the constant interruption of public power supply, be it in our homes, places of work, schools and social gatherings. This irregularity in supply to all categories of consumers has adversely affected the socio-economic develop-

Brent Crude

opment attributed to the low participation in the industry.

He said the biofuel market and industry can only get a look in from investors provided they can be guanranteed sustained and increased investment in agriculture most particularly in biofuel product materials such as sugarcane.

“When the government first conceived the idea of biotechology particularly biofuel, it gave an impression that it was going to pursue it vigorously with the excitement it displayed.As a matter of fact, one was forced to think that with such initial enthusiasm from the government it was nt going to take long for the industry not stabilise.

“But alas the situation has changed now as the excitement has given way to despondency on the part of the government.

“If you ask me I think the government’s recent decline of interest in the industry may not be unconnected with the percieved low par-

ticipation from investors,” he said.

Tukur said investors’ low embrace of the technology too may correspondingly be connected with the uncertainty that pervades the availabilty of agricultural materials required for the technology.

He said: ”While one may want to absolve the government for its subdued interest owing to poor participation by investors in the technology one must also not forget to note that the government never performed any better to assure investors of a sustained investment. This it would have done by boosting agriculture particularly for products required for biofuel.

“Understandably, no investors would want to invest in a venture he is not sure of.More like saying that an average investor wants to put his money where his mouth is.Do not forget that the biofuel industry is still nascent and evolving and as a result • Continued on page 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

39

ENERGY

Shell decries oil theft, operation disruption in Niger Delta D ESPITE the acclaimed success of the amnesty programme, the level of oil theft and disruption of operations of oil companies in the Niger Delta still remain high, it was learnt.

Shell, in its recent report on operating environment in Nigeria, criticized the increasing uncomplimentary activities some unknown persons carry out on its facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The report noted that many years of oil and gas operations in the region have generated billions of dollars in revenue for the government.

For instance, the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Muitu Sunmonu, said in the past five years (2006-2010), SPDC was able to generate about $31 billion for the government while Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), which manages Shell’s offshore business in deepwater, also

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi, Assistant Editor (Energy)

generated about $3.8 billion in taxes and royalties over the same period for the government totaling about $34.8 billion.

Shell had in the report lamented that despite the huge money that goes into the coffers of government, the majority of the 30 million people living in the Niger Delta remain poor and unemployed is high there too.

Unrest, according to the company, has grown and out of frustration by the lack of benefits from oil production, communities have targeted the operations of energy companies including SPDC demanding better public services and a great share of government revenues.

The report said: “The unrest has turned into a worrying criminal

movement, which feeds on massive thefts of crude oil. Heavily armed and well-organised groups attack oil and gas facilities in the delta, shut down operations, kidnap staff and sabotage pipelines. Rival gangs and ethnic groups have clashed violently in several of the delta’s towns. Barges take stolen oil to tankers waiting offshore for export.

“There is also a massive illegal refining business based on stolen crude oil. All this has reduced the amount of oil SPDC is producing, created environmental and social problems from oil spills and reduced government revenue that could be used to develop infrastructure and services.”

On the statistics of attack on Shell personnel, facilities and disruption of its operation, the report said: “How much oil is stolen is difficult to estimate and varies according to

the source. Between 2009 and 2010, there were 155 reported incidents of crude oil theft from SPDC facilities that involved vandalism, spills, fire or arrests while there were 211 such incidents between 2009 and 2009.”

Similarly, Sunmonu said between January and end of April this year, Shell has recorded over 35 incidents of sabotage. “Sabotage in the operation of Shell is not abating,” he added.

The Shell report also noted: “In 2010, authorities arrested 187 people and seized among others 20 tankers, 15 vehicles, 28 barges and 38 other boats. These almost represent a small fraction of the true scale of the problem.

“In early 2006, a series of attacks forced SPDC to shut down most of its operations in the western delta.

As a result of these and other attacks,

Nigeria has lost a substantial amount of its oil production. In September 2007, SPDC began restarting its western delta operations. Work is ongoing, though security problems continue. The threat to people working in oil and gas operations in the delta remains high.

“In 2010, gangs kidnapped 26 SPDC employees and contractors and 52 in 2009. Tragically, one contractor was killed in an armed assault in the same period. However, SPDC is pleased that the Federal Government’s amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is working. The enabling environment helped by the amnesty resulted in a significant increase in Nigeria’s oil and gas production and provided better access for inspection and maintenance of assets.”

Shell, however, highlighted its contribution and support toward ensuring lasting peace in the Niger Delta region adding that it applies peaceful means in resolving issues in areas it operates.

Nigeria to send proxy to OPEC meeting next week

•From left: Mr. Nuhu Wya, Minister of State for Power; Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources; Mr. Austen Oniwon, Group Managing Director, NNPC; Mr. Ciro Pagano, Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Oil Company at the signing of Gas Supply Agreement with PHCN in Abuja...Friday.

OLLOWING the planned dissolution of the cabinet by President Goodluck Jonathan this week, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke will not attend the meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) next week.

Nigeria will send a stand-in government official to the meeting because by the time the meeting will hold next week, Nigeria will be without an oil minister.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meets next week to discuss its members’ oil output quotas with prices hovering above $100 a barrel.

“There will be no gap to worry about, we will be sending a representative to the meeting,” a spokesman for Nigeria’s state oil company told Reuters. He did not say who the representative would be.

President Goodluck Jonathan new government was inaugurated on Sunday and his cabinet is expected to be dissolved soon after. Jonathan has said it would take two weeks for his new cabinet to be assembled following his

F

signing in ceremony, while the civil servants will run the various ministries in the interim.

Despite the increasing calls on OPEC to review the supply quotas of its members, the organization, which meets on June 8 in Vienna, Austria, has not given any indication that it would discuss output increase at the meeting.

In view of civil uprising in some of the Middle East and North African countries, the price of oil has remained high over the past months.

The Oil Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed bin Dhaen al-Hamli told a conference in Turkmenistan that world oil markets were well supplied and that no refiner had complained of difficulty in securing supplies.

OPEC has insisted that fundamentals are not behind the rally in oil prices, which rose above $100/barrel.

The latest Platts survey of OPEC and oil industry officials and analysts estimated April production from the 11 members bound by quotas under a 24.845 million bpd target increased to 26.18 million bpd.

•Onasanya

•Ihejiahi was producing 600 million cans per annum and as we sit His Excellency, we have achieved financial closure to move it to 1.2 billion cans per annum and all of it has been taken up from offtakers internally within Nigeria. I share this to demonstrate the sheer capacity and opportunities in our country and if we can only have government that is actually interested in developing the country, the rest of it should be left to the entrepreneurs who abound in our country.”

Who wins the contest?

Banks compete for Lagos power projects’ financing

I

T was a game of wits between the chief executives of First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc when they subtly exercised their marketing know-how to clinch the financing of the contract for the construction of the second phase of the 114 megawatts (MW) power plant of the Island Power Plant and other power projects scheduled for implementation by the Lagos State Government.

The event was at the inauguration of the 10MW Island Power Project at Cable Street on Marina, Lagos – the fastest power plant ever built in Nigeria.

The project was accomplished within 18 months under the private, public partnership (PPP) between the Lagos State Government and private sector.

In view of the huge success recorded in achieving the project, which was made possible by Negris Group and Shell Gas Nigeria through Green Fuels Limited and financed by Fidelity Bank Plc, other banks have begun to position themselves to finance the second phase of the project, which Fidelity Bank also doesn’t want to lose.

The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, First Bank, Mr Bisi Onasanya and Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi were called upon to speak as proposed offtaker and financier respectively, however, both of them used the opportunity to flaunt the capacities of

their banks and finely wooed the governor to be favoured in financing the second phase.

Onasanya said: “I am glad that the Island Power Project will able to generate 114MW in the second phase.

Please be rest assured that First Bank is waiting for the commencement of the second phase so that we can finance it fully.

“I have a passion for this country and I know the governor has a passion for this country. We can imagine the impact that power would have.

On the scale of priority we have so many problems but if we can just solve the power problem in this country every other problem will fall into place. The day we solve the power problem, we have laid the foundation of the future of Nigeria because as it is today we are just struggling like if on treadmill and what we have seen today is a good example to not just other state governors but even the Federal Government to take the bull by the horn, learn from this governor and let us have the right things done.

“Let’s put our money on the things that will develop this country and make it move forward. First Bank head office which is located on this Marina presently utilises about 4.5mw electricity. Presently, we base on three marine generators generating 1.5mw each. You can imagine the environ-

mental nuisance on the Marina, almost every bank has its own power generating station using generators along that axis. Beyond that you can imagine the cost of maintenance of these generators which because of constant usage 24 hours.

“We have switched permanently from public electricity. You can imagine the cost of running these generators in a big institution like First Bank and replicated in the over 600 branches that we have and yet they complain about cost of banking and banking services. The reality is that the cost of building infrastructure has made it enormously expensive for Nigeria businesses to be profitable. It is a shame but we have to deal with the problem.

“Every business and every person sitting down here is almost a local government of his own, you generate your electricity, generate your own water except in Lagos State where you have water. It is painful and I think we need to learn from our governor and move this country forward. I congratulate you sir and assure you that you are the one delaying the implementation of the second phase.”

In his speech, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi said: “I greet my friend, brother and colleague who has been busy marketing, Mr Bisi Onasanya. But the only thing I will say is that he

woke up too late.

“This is the second project Fidelity is financing in Lagos. We also financed the Akute Power Project for a different operator – Oando. I also want to whisper to his Excellency that we are in the running for another plant but I won’t disclose the name of the plant because I think only His Excellency knows about it. His Excellency also was at the inauguration of the PZ can manufacturing plant in Agbara by the President last year. I just want to say that at the time you came, that plant

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

40

ENERGY

How PIB can revamp NNPC, industry The National Assembly has failed to pass into law the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is a major bill considered to be the panacea for the oil and gas industry. Stakeholders highlight how the bill could have helped in revamping the industry and the national oil company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), reports BIDEMI BAKARE.

I

T is apparent that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) could not get a smooth sail at the National Assembly as vested interests allegedly stalled its passage.

The non passage of the bill is now attracting lots of displeasure from many stakeholders who felt the passage of the bill could have provided a golden opportunity to correct many flaws and deficiencies inherent in the policies within the oil and gas industry.

One of these deficiencies is the obsolete act that set up the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a national oil company with a mandate to ensure that the potentials of the oil and gas industry are fully exploited in the overall interest of the citizens.

But whether the corporation has been able to deliver on its mandate is still left to be seen. This is because rather than being a competitive national oil company like its contemporaries across the world the corporation has continued to struggle for relevance even in the country.

NNPC although has since inception made certain strides in the industry but there is no denying the fact that the corporation is still miles away from its destination Perhaps if the lawmakers had seen this larger picture, they would have expedited action on the bill, passed into law for the presidential assent.

Unfortunately, they never saw it that way.

But while the issue may have been laid to rest, experts are still ruing the non passage of the bill, which has denied Nigeria the opportunity of addressing many shortcomings of the industry including the revamping of the NNPC Act. Alhaji Auwalu Ilu, President Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, said had the PIB been passed into law it would have served as a veritable instrument for correcting the lapses and loopholes in the NNPC Act which has made it difficult for the corporation to operate as a commercial entity.

He said: “If you look at the NNPC Act you would discover that a lot needs to be done for the corporation to operate as a commercial entity. This was supposed to be part of the essence of the PIB had it been passed into law. It would have taken care of this issue.

“NNPC is not in the position to borrow as it is not run as a private commercial company. To get the best out of the corporation it is expected that it would have to be run as a fully integrated commercial company that can borrow funds and do projects and be involved in oil trading, running filling stations and running refineries on a commercial basis without any hindrance.”

Ilu, who doubles as the Managing Director of Ultimate Gas Limited, said apart from addressing the defect in the NNPC Act the PIB if it had been passed into law would have taken care of the incentives needed for the exploration and exploitation of our gas potentials within the country.

He said: “It is a known fact that Nigeria has not done well in harnessing the potentials of its gas resources. For so long, concentration has always been on oil while our gas resources are left to lie idle. We have not been doing enough in the exploration and the exploitation of our gas resources. Rather than harness these resources we prefer wasting them away in the name of flaring. I think if the PIB had been passed it would have addressed issues on how we can commercialise our gas resources for the benefit of all. The bill would have considered making pricing of gas attractive enough for operators to invest. The impact this would have made would have been massive in the end.”

The Business Development Manager, Owel Linkso, Johnson Duru, an engineer, said the non passage of the bill may likely ground activities in the industry. According to him, this action or inaction by the National Assembly may have a snowballed effect in the sense that aggrieved people particularly from the Niger Delta may be persuaded

•Austen Oniwon, Group MD, NNPC

•Ilu

to join issues with the oil majors for their ignoble roles in the non passage of the bill. This, he said may rub off on the daily production by the operators.

Apart from that, he said the NNPC which is supposed to be the prime beneficiary of the bill would continue to remain the government’s lap dog and a simpleton.

He said: “The PIB was supposed to address the act setting up the NNPC so as to make it competitive like its contemporaries such as Petrobras and Petronas. But now that it has not been passed it would continue to be the whipping boy among its peers.

Had it been passed it would have been possible for the NNPC to compete favourably with the oil majors in the exploration and production of oil and gas just as others do.

“So, it’s going to be business as usual in the corporation. What we are going to witness is nothing but stasis and inertia. No movement, no

progress.”

Duru noted that the newly constituted National Assembly would have to watch it and ensure it expedites action on the bill if it must be seen to be on the side of the people.

“Now that we have a new set of people at the National Assembly they must make sure they do what is right. The snag however, is that this new National Assembly may have to start deliberaions on the bill all over again. The bill may have to go through the first, second readings and all other stages again. Don’t forget that a large number of them are new in the assembly. So, the bill may have to be looked at again clause by clause to ascertain the implications, advantages and disadvantages of passing the bill. That notwithstanding, I expect they do a thorough job on it and pass it in record time for Nigeria and Nigerians to get the best bargain for their resources.”

Operators anticipate rise in oil price

S

TRONG demand in emerging markets has set the stage for another runup in oil prices as producers struggle to make up for the loss of Libyan exports.

Without an increase in production from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), demand will exceed supply in the latter half of 2011, and influential analysts predict that crude prices will return to the peak levels of earlier this year.

According to reports by Globe and Mail, higher prices are a boon for Canadian oil producers but are being blamed for a shift in consumer spending as households around the world spend more of their discretionary income to fill up their fuel tanks. Some observers, including the International Energy Agency, which represents industrialised countries, have consistently warned that high crude prices threaten to derail the global recovery.

Even an increase in OPEC production may not be enough to prevent rising prices, as investors will then focus on lack of spare capacity among the cartel’s producers, and the fact that most additional production would be heavier crudes that cannot be processed by many of the world’s refineries.

“As inventories and spare capacity fall, prices will need to move higher to limit demand,” Hussein Allidina, a commodity economist with Morgan Stanley, said. Morgan Stanley raised its 2011 and 2012 tar-

gets for Brent crude to $120 a barrel and $130, respectively, from $100 and $105.

But while oil demand is stagnant to falling in North America and Europe, it continues to climb in China, Latin America and the Middle East, reflecting higher growth rates and rapid industrialisation.

China reported that its oil consumption in April was 9.2-per-cent higher than in April, 2010, down slightly from the March pace but still a sharp increase, given that Beijing has allowed retail fuel prices to rise

dramatically.

“Demand for crude has slowed a bit in India but it hasn’t slowed as of yet in China,” Patricia Mohr, vicepresident and commodity economist at Bank of Nova Scotia, said.

“And the emerging world is key to any strength in commodity prices internationally. All of the growth in oil demand is in emerging markets.

Oil prices jumped last week after Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. both raised their price forecasts for the North Sea Brent crude traded in London.

Brent – which has become the benchmark for light crude on world markets – climbed $2.43 a barrel to $112.53. The North American benchmark, West Texas intermediate, rose $1.89 a barrel to $99.59.

Consumers have been counting on some relief at the pump since crude prices began to slide two weeks ago amid signs of slowing growth in the United States, and the anticipated end of the US Federal Reserve Board’s extraordinary easing, which has pumped huge amounts of liquidity into the system.

‘Govt needs more investment in agriculture to enhance biofuel’ • Continued from page 38 may be riskier to venture into.”

To improve and reverse the situation, Tukur suggested that the various agricultural programmes geared towards boosting agriculture by the

government should be succesfully implemented and consolidated.

“The three tiers of government should be involved in the agriculture for us to boost biofuel industry.

Whether at the local, state and Federal Government levels, farming

must be extensively done. It’s commendable that they have been putting in place various agricultural programmes. But it must not stop there. They should ensure that the programmes are prosecuted to a fruitful end. Therefore, the government

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

65.00

85.00

60.00

AP

65.00

85.00

50.00

Total

65.00

85.00

65.00

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

100.59 115.19 100.59

Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

299.05 309.20

0.36 0.02 0.36

0.36% 0.02% 0.36%

05/27 05/27 05/27

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME 0.76 4.37

0.25% 1.43%

05/27 05/27

Oando

65.00

85.00

65.00

Mobil

65.00

85.00

65.00

Texaco

65.00

85.00

65.00

Nymex Henry Hub Future 4.52 Henry Hub Spot 4.36 New York City Gate Spot 4.60 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

Energy

65.00

85.00

65.00

Fagbems

65.00

85.00

60.00

Nipco

65.00

85.00

55.00

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 25.51 3.75 17.23% 05/27 Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 35.02 1.05 3.09% 05/27 BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 47.79 2.98 6.65% 05/27 Source: Bloomberg.com

INDIGENOUS

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME 0.16 -0.01 -0.04

3.62% -0.23% -0.86%

05/27 05/27 05/27

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

must make sure that such crops meant for biofuel production are planted on a large scale. Such crops as sugarcane, sorghum and beni seed etc.“ On the part of the company, Tukur said although they are planning to do LPG for now they would feel obliged to invest in this cleaner fuel once they are convinced the government is really and truly committed to the initiative through its actions.

“For us at Eterna, we are pleased to say that we are looking first towards investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to boost our market base. Thereafter, we will be looking at biofuel.

We shall be looking at ethanol and all other biological extracts. As a distribution company we will be ready to plug in to the distribution network any time. We are glad that the Federal Government through the CBN is again advancing it through agricultural agenda. Naturally when you are look at it you would realise that these products including biofuel and diesel have a direct relationship with agriculture. So, once we are sure that the government is committed to boosting biofuel through agriculture we will key in. For us, biofuel is still in our objective but we are downplaying it a little bit. And that’s why we are looking at LPG before biofuel,” he said.

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

AVIATION

Why flights are delayed, by Arik Air boss

F

ACTS have emerged on why airlines either delay or cancel flights.

Chairman of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, has blamed the development on oil marketers.

According to him, the marketers inability to supply the required quantity of aviation fuel is responsible for the problem.

He said even when airlines may have paid for the required quantity of fuel, its scarcity may force the airlines to either cancel or delay flights, adding that airlines are making losses daily.

Arumemi-Ikhide spoke when a team from General Electric (GE) visited the airline’s facility at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos .

He explained that the situation has a pitch where domestic airlines have to seek the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the matter, as the scarcity of aviation fuel is adversely affecting the operations of domestic airlines, who have to pay much more for the osciliting price of the essential product which has perked between N90 last year to between N170- N190 per litre.

He explained that until something is done about the oscilating price of aviation fuel, which has en-

• Sets up aviation academy Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

gendered scarcity, airlines will continue to graon under the yoke.

Arumeni affirmed that with the weekly consumption of over hundreds of thousands of fuel, it is difficult for a single marketer to supply such to any airline without issues.

He affirmed that it is for this reason that Arik Air last year secured a mini fuel tank at its facility in Ikeja, to serve as back up in the event of the product scarcity such that its flights will not be adversely affected.

He explained that with over 150 flights daily on the domestic scene, the cancelation of delay of a few flights should be understood, as no airline will set out to make the travel experience difficult for passengers.

Meanwhile, Arik Air has said it would es-tablish an aviation academy to train its workforce and the personnel of other airlines.

Its Chairman, Johnson ArumemiIkhide, disclosed this in Lagos when the Vice President of General Electric, John Rice, and General Manager in Nigeria, Francesco

Mastronardi, undertook a facility tour of the airline’s facilities.

He explained that the academy would not train core aviation professionals, the types produced by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. It is not going to be a parallel organisation to compete with NCAT. “We want to have an aviation academy in Nigeria. We are not going to start flying aircraft and training pilots. In the academy, we are going to have graduate trainees, train them in route planning, route analysis, accounting, marketing and receiving calls,” he stated. Arumemi-Ikhide stated that aviation is a highly-skilled business and “we are trying to grow the skill to ensure that our commercial department is strengthened.”

Shedding light on the visit of General Electric, he said the company is a partner and supplier of engines and spare parts used by the airline.

“They are here to look at our growth and see how they can work with us to improve our efficiency

so that Nigeria could be the hub of aviation in the West African sub-region,” he stated. In his remark, Mastronardi described the airline as having a “very broad business module and it is a full service and high quality airline.”

The chairman explained that the prevailing scarcity of aviation fuel in the industry has affected the operations of airlines, forcing it to either cancel or delay flights, depending on the availability of fuel from the marketers.

He explained that with the fluctuation in the price of aviation fuel, which hovers between N170 and N180 per litre, there is no way airlines will not adjust fares, adding that the increasing costs of airline operations will push fares on the higher side.

Ikhide said that when President Goodluck Jonathan visited Lagos a few days ago, the issue of the oscillating price of fuel was brought to the front burner, as airline operators were finding it difficult to keep their operations profitable, as the operating environment has become more suffocating.

He explained that foreign airlines were not too affected by the

• Arumemi

increasing price of fuel because their managers are either involved in hedging, or pay in dollars to the major oil marketers, from their head offices, are thereby free from the ever changing exchange rate, which affects domestic carriers.

The Arik Air boss explained that if the trend continues, air fares will continue to increase, as airlines have to grapple with purchasing spare parts in dollars, a development that could have negative impact on their operations.

DANA Air launches Fly ‘n’ Ride promo

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ANA Air is set to launch a new promo which will see one lucky guest of the airline ride away in a new Kia Picanto car, every week for 45 weeks.

Tagged Fly ‘n’ Ride, the promo is the first-of-its-kind in Nigeria’s aviation history and it is scheduled to begin this week.

Jacky Hathiramani, Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, said: “At Dana Air we are committed to enhancing the flying experience of our guests by providing a consistent, satisfactory, intentional and proactive experience. The introduction of the Fly ‘n’ Ride promo is further proof of our commitment.

“The aim of the promo is primarily to reward our loyal guests and the most frequent flier each week will go away with a star prize of a brand new Kia Picanto. The more you fly, the greater your chance of winning. So, keep flying and keep winning,” added Hathiramani.

Last year, Dana Air caused a stir in the aviation industry when it introduced its Fly ‘n’ Win promo in commemoration of Nigeria’s

50th Independence Anniversary.

For 50 days, the airline gave away instant gifts comprising Philips DVD players to one lucky guest on all its flights. At the end of the promo, 756 guests won gifts and Mr. Bolaji Orederu, a naval officer, went away with the star prize of a Kia Rio. Commenting on the Fly ‘n’ Win promo, one of the winners, Mr. Edwin Michael, had said: “At first I did not believe that there would be a winner on the flight, as I am yet to meet anyone who has ever won a gift in a promo. I am happy to say that the Dana Air promo is real. I won and my gift was given to me instantly.”

Dana Air has grown to become one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, operating up to 27 daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Uyo. Recipient of several awards for aviation service excellence, the airline is reputed for its efficient customer service, world-class inflight services, on-time departure and arrival, innovative e-airline products and high safety and quality standard.

Qatar Airways appoints new chief commercial officer

Q

ATAR Airways has appointed airline veteran Marwan Koleilat in the newly-created role of Chief Commercial Officer.

With 35 years experience in the aviation industry, Koleilat returns to the airline’s head office in Doha, after leading Qatar Airways’ operations in the Far East since 2004. He reports to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

In his new role, Koleilat will be responsible for all commercial operations of the company, which today operates a fleet of 97 aircraft to 100 destinations worldwide.

Commenting on the appointment, Al Baker said: “Marwan has a wealth of industry experience, including his long tenure with Qatar Airways where he has worked since the airline’s launch in 1997.

“We are delighted to welcome Marwan back to head office to help further strengthen the company’s commercial operations as we continue our exciting expansion plans.”

Koleilat joined Qatar Airways in 1997 as Sales & Marketing Manager for Qatar. He progressed rapidly over the years and assumed various managerial roles in Qatar Airways’ global network, including an assignment as the Area Manager in Abu Dhabi and thereafter, moved to Bangkok as Regional Manager for the Far East.

In 2004, he relocated to Singapore as Senior Manager Commercial Operations for the Far East. In 2008, he assumed higher responsibilities as Senior Vice-President for East Asia & South West Pacific and, under his leadership, Qatar Airways’ operations in the region grew exponentially.

• President, National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami (left), Secretary General, Aviation Round Table, Mr Sam Akerele and Senior Adviser, NAAPE, Capt. James Bello, at a press conference in PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE. Lagos.

Benefits of airlines, ground handling companies’ partnership

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EDIUM-term cost savings are on offer if airlines and ground handlers can partner their way out of a low price spiral.

Ground operations have suffered from investment shortfalls in the past few years but the future could hit new heights if the sector can strengthen collaboration efforts.

From an airline perspective, working with such tight profit margins – just 1.4 per cent is forecast for 2011 – means they have to keep a tight rein on costs. Safety is never compromised, but naturally airlines want the best possible deal when outsourcing ground services.

“The whole sector is caught in a low margin business,” according to Marcel Witzig, Head of Ground Operations at SWISS. “Everybody involved is asked to produce to the lowest cost possible. Airlines cannot absorb all the financial risks imposed by the regulations and authorities. Ground handlers need to increasingly operate more inno-

vative technology to reduce their own costs.”

The investment deficiency in the ground services sector is underscored by the huge annual bill for ground damages – some $4 billion.

Even this figure may be a severe underestimate as it relates only to direct costs and derives from a relatively small survey conducted a decade ago. Indirect costs, such as the rebooking of passengers or the cost of the aircraft out of service, have been estimated to range from four to 10 times the direct cost.

Often incidents are related to a lack of training or obsolete equipment.

For example, a belt loader has its cab on the opposite side to the first point of contact with an aircraft, so drivers are effectively unsighted and judging when to stop. Laser guidance technology – readily available and in common use on many commercial vehicles – would ensure equipment couldn’t physically hit an aircraft.

There are also plenty of initiatives

aimed at reducing damage as well as tackling the whole issue of ground safety. IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) has completed more than 288 audits. As of March 2011, 61 providers are on the ISAGO Registry at 85 locations.

The program has also gained broad support from several aviation authorities and has been mandated in Lebanon and Turkey. Work is ongoing with other authorities to make ISAGO an accepted standard. Ground damage accounted for 11 per cent of all accidents in 2010, down from 17 per cent in 2008 when ISAGO launched. ISAGO additionally helps generate considerable cost savings by making case-by-case audits redundant.

Also helping to deliver service quality improvements is the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM).

If each airline publishes a dedicated ground operations manual, it can lead to variations in procedures, even for the same aircraft type. This can cause confusion for all concerned.

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AVIATION

How to secure Africa’s airspace, by IATA

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OW can Africa secure its airspace to boost its economy?

This poser remains unanswered despite efforts by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to promote safety in the region.

IATA noted that air safety has become a worry in the region because of the leaders’ seeming inability to coordinate efforts to address the issue.

“Proper coordination may be the key to improving safety,” it said.

It was learnt that many African carriers have exemplary safety records; those that have completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) have safety records of above 46 per cent compared to non-IOSA members.

But the region has been at the bottom of the safety statistics for too long. There appears to be hope, with the improvement in last year’s safety ratings. Africa had an accident rate of 7.41 Western-built jet hull losses per million sectors flown, an improvement of 25 per cent compared with that of 2009.

But it was still more than 12 times, when compared with the global average. This statistics is hurting the African carriers and, the region’s economy at large.

Passenger numbers fall af-

Stories by Kelvin OsaOkunbor Aviation Correspondent

ter an accident, particularly in the high-yield international sector, insurance premiums soar higher, and code share agreements grow in complexity and fall in number.

There is no single solution to the African safety issue because there is no single problem. “The poor safety record results from a combination of factors,” explains Guenther Matschnigg, IATA Senior Vice President, Safety Operations and Infrastructure. “It is about the safety culture, a lack of resources, the need for skilled personnel, poor infrastructure, and inadequate safety oversight.

“Some carriers do have modern aircraft and there are experienced pilots,” he continues. “But this is not the whole story. To buy a good aircraft you just need a friendly bank manager. To run a safe, reliable operation is something else again, and requires all of the factors mentioned above to be beyond reproach.”

A closer look at the data provides clues about potential safety improvements.

For example, runway excursions are particularly high in Africa. Two initiatives should prove particularly useful. In 2009, in conjunc-

tion with Flight Safety Foundation, IATA released a Runway Excursion Risk Reduction toolkit. More than 8,000 copies have been delivered to airlines worldwide and the information was backed up by 12 global workshops in 2010. As a result, IATA members have reduced their runway excursion accidents by 43 per cent since 2008. A revised version of the toolkit, produced in conjunction with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will be released in May at a Global Runway Safety Symposium hosted

by IATA and ICAO. In 2009, IATA also launched the Implementation Program for Safe Operations in Africa (IPSOA). This is an IATA-funded Flight Data Analysis (FDA) scheme for IATA member airlines in Africa. IPSOA provides carriers with a data-driven safety management system essential for ICAO compliance. As of August 2010, all of IATA’s African members had FDA programmes in place.

A recent review of IPSOA carriers indicated a nearly 40 per cent reduction in events.

Unstable approaches— where the aircraft is flying too high or too fast – are a precursor to runway excursions. Thanks to the FDA program, an airline’s safety team can focus on the pre-

cise details of an event, allowing the airline to change its training programs and operations to eliminate the problems. Identifying specific answers can go a long way to improving overall safety, with more than 100 different flight safety events tracked in the FDA programmes.

Workshops to review IPSOA and FDA performance are on going. It has already been noted that the airports with the least number of unstable approaches were those that had implemented Continuous Descent Approaches, or similar precision techniques, as recommended by IATA through its environmental campaign.

These improvements marry safety with efficiency.

The next steps involve working with the airports and air navigation service providers to tackle all contributing factors to unstable approaches.

“We are also looking more carefully at safety management systems,” says Matschnigg. “SMS has now been added to IOSA, which has been a condition of IATA membership for a while. But more can be done to help carriers in the SMS implementation phase and ensure that they fully understand the capabilities of the system.”

• Stundents of Omagwa Community Secondary School, Rivers State with Perm. Sec. Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo (4th left), during their visit to the Ministry on kiddy’s flight program to mark Children Day sponsored by PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE. Dana Air.

Nigeria, Namibia airlines collaborate

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IR Namibia, has entered into partnership with Air Nigeria, following its introduction of flights into Lagos via Accra, Ghana.

According to the General Sales Agent of Air Namibia, Mr Gbenga Onitilo, the airlines will link Southern and West Africa in an effort to afford clients an added value to existing packages.

Mr Onitilo said: “ This new service is tailor- made to suit clients with affordable and competitive rates and convenient connecting times.

“Our efforts at expanding and introducing new regions to our schedule bring Lagos onto our maps. Our clients in Nigeria are wel-

come to make reservations and queries, through our General Sales and Service Agents office in Lagos.”

Air Namibia flies to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa several times a week, we also fly to Luanda in Angola; Maun in Botswana, Lusaka in Zambia.

Air Namibia also flies into Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe several times a week to give passengers several options and alternatives in a bid to make their travel experience and connections seamless.

The service to Johannesburg is operated by a Boeing B737-500 four times a week.

The Air Namibia general

sales agent said : “ It is important to note that we are continuously committed to working with travel agents, tour operators and consolidators. They are a part of our successes and reason for existence. The relationship is valued and will continue.

We remain committed to being an airline that pays agents commission, with performance related incentives.

We are therefore using this opportunity to invite our trade partners, tour operators, consolidators and the general public to the business launch of Air Namibia taking place at Planet One, Maryland on the 3rd of June, 2011, to celebrate the effective take-off

of this historical partnership with Air Nigeria.

Air Namibia (Pty) Limited is a proprietary limited company incorporated in accordance with the Company’s Act of the Republic of Namibia. Air Namibia is the national airline of the Republic of Namibia, Government of Namibia as its sole Shareholder.”

The company’s business operations primarily involve provision of air transport services for passengers and cargo. Through its subsidiary company, Air Namibia Ground Handling (Pty) Limited, it provides ground handling services for passengers and aircraft at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Briefs Experience Dubai from Nigeria with Emirates stop-over fares EMIRATES’ passengers now have the opportunity to stopover and experience Dubai with the newly-introduced Dubai Stop-over package.

The Emirates’ Dubai Stop-over product is a hotel and sightseeing package offered worldwide as a way to introduce passengers to Dubai; a destination with something for everyone.

“Besides numerous world-class attractions, Dubai is a very safe city which is easy and affordable to get around by car, taxi or our newly-opened metro,” said Paulos Legesse, Emirates’ Nigeria Manager. “Dubai Stop-over fares are designed in such a way that all existing and potential customers can enjoy our unique offers. There is something for everyone, and we want to encourage everyone from Nigeria and around the globe to come to Dubai and experience it for themselves,” he added Packages start from as little as NGN 8,708 per person per night, for a three-night stay including visa. Passengers can choose from a full range of hotels and apartments: in the city, on the beach, self-catered to five-star luxury. The Dubai Stop-over package includes personalised meet-and-assist in Dubai, hotel transfers, buffet breakfast, taxes and service charges.

An attractive add-on for customers is the Welcome Pack which passengers will receive on arrival. This welcome pack includes the Dubai Mall privilege discount booklet, offering discounts at retail and entertainment outlets in one of the world’s largest malls, 24-hour contact numbers, postcards and others.

The Dubai Stop-over offer is available to all Emirates passengers and is combinable with all fares and not restricted to any specific class of travel.

Guests on Emirates may take advantage of the packages on both the inbound or outbound leg of their journeys, giving passengers two opportunities to enjoy Dubai and extend their holidays.

Air France-KLM bounces back to full-year profit A RECOVERY in air travel and cost cutting lifted Air FranceKLM back to a full-year operating profit, with its bottom line also boosted by a unit’s share flotation.

The Franco-Dutch group posted a 2010/11 operating profit of EUR•122 million ($174 million) on Thursday after a EUR•1.4 billion turnaround in core earnings since the previous year.

Revenue raised 12.5 per cent to EUR•23.62 billion. Air France-KLM said it was “confident” in its ability to improve operating income this year but was also focused on reducing its 85 per cent debt-to-equity ratio, prompting it to skip its dividend for the financial year to end-March.

International Airlines Group, formed by the merger of BA and Iberia, said this month it expected significant growth in operating profit this year as a continuing recovery in travel helps unit revenue and costs.

Like most airlines navigating through an economic recovery hampered by political instability and volatile oil prices, Air France-KLM expressed uncertainty about the Middle East and the aftermath of the Japan earthquake, as well as its fuel bill.

The various crises in the past few months shaved half a percentage point off its unit revenue in the fourth quarter.

“The oil price is very difficult for the world economy and air transport feels the effects more quickly than most,” said Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, whose mandate as chief executive was renewed by the airline group’s board.

US plans faster screening for low-risk air passengers THE US administration is developing a faster airport security screening for passengers considered to be low risks, the head of the US Transportation Security Administration said.

Long has wait times to get through security checks at US airports have prompted complaints from passengers and the travel industry, which has called on the government to take steps to improve the process.

“It is something we are working on in a number of ways,” TSA Administrator John Pistole told a meeting of airport executives during a speech in Atlanta.

The new “expedited” procedures could include a separate line for passengers deemed low-risk travellers, Pistole said.

He did not, however, say when any changes would be implemented and called for input from airport executives on ways to develop more efficient security checkpoints.

US authorities have faced a backlash from travellers over increased security procedures that now include full-body scanners or physical pat-downs before passengers can board flights.

The government tightened security measures in 2009 after a Nigerian man tried to detonate a bomb hidden in his underwear aboard a trans-Atlantic flight as it approached Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day 2009.

In March, a leading travel industry group, the US Travel Association, said the US government should adopt a trusted traveler programme and order airlines to permit passengers to check one bag for free to make airport screening faster and encourage more travel.

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HEALTH

‘IVF offers solution to infertility’

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OUPLES trying to achieve pregnancy for more than three years without success should consider and investigate In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as an option. Managing Director of The Bridge Clinic, Dr Richardson Ajayi, gave this advice at an interactive session with health correspondents held in Lagos.

Ajayi said: “It is advisable for couples who have tried to achieve pregnancy for three years without success to go for IVF. IVF is a method of creating an artificial condition for a natural process and it enhances an environment similar to that present in the womb to achieve pregnancy.”

He noted that various causes of infertility can broadly be classified as ovarian problems. Uterine problems; tubal problems and semen abnormalities are cases where IVF offers a solution. “The purpose of IVF is to allow the sperm and egg to meet as this is a challenge with the causes of infertility and IVF is the hallmark of treatment for infertility.” Ajayi said.

Bridge Clinic’s Scientific Director, Dr Peter Hollands, a renowned embryologist said the

T

Stories by Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

procedure in the laboratory assures of quality and sustainable outcomes. Dr. Hollands attends to details to reduce to the minimum side effects from the procedure.

He also ensures best practice as he brings to the table, a wealth of experience in reproductive medicine.

With regards to standards and regulation in the clinic, Ajayi said the IVF process of the hospital is the benchmark in assisted conception services in Nigeria with an annual certification audit carried out by the accrediting body of TUV Austria most recently led by Prof Bruno Imthurn of the IVF department in Zurich.

Ajayi said: “We have a duty and responsibility to provide our clients with the same standard of health care that is acceptable in the United Kingdom and other European countries because there is and should be only one standard for health care delivery. Our quality assurance and control processes are put to the scrutiny of our Scientific

Director.”

He also used the opportunity to intimate all present of the hospital’s activities in the nearest future which included the launch of the LASUTH IVF Facility, a facility which will largely subsidise the cost of IVF treatment.

Through this avenue, courses will be drawn up and integrated into Medical students’ curriculum to afford them the first-hand basis to learn more about reproductive health.

The Bridge Clinic also has a Foundation called ASPIRE whose main driver is LIHN – Let It Happen Naturally, a programme designed to reach out to the youths and enlighten them on infertility and its causes. The Bridge Clinic is also expected to expand its clinic network across the nation.

The Bridge Clinic is Nigeria’s first assisted conception centre.

It pioneered IVF services in Nigeria in 1999 and has recorded more than 1,200 successes since its inception. The centre was setup by Dr. Ajayi after years of practice in the UK which earned him the fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

MDCN accredits Pfizer’s Cardio summit

HE Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has accredited the annual Cardiovascular Summit organised by Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa Region (NEAR).

The accreditation was conveyed by an official letter signed by the Registrar of the council and addressed to the Country Manager, Pfizer NEAR, Enrico Liggeri.

It stated that the council at its fifth plenary session held on March 17, considered the request of Pfizer NEAR to have its annual international Cardiovascular Summit accredited for the purpose of awarding CPD credit units to participating doctors and has granted approval to this request.

In a press release, the Associate Director, Public Affairs and Communication (PAC), Mrs Margaret Olele, said the accreditation came at a time when

Pfizer NEAR is consolidating its stand as a leader not only in innovative medicine but also in the area of corporate social responsibility (CRS).

According to her, the event which started as a non promotional capacity building programme three years ago has now become a programme that doctors in Nigeria and Ghana look forward to eagerly.

“With the accreditation of the event by the MDCN in Nigeria, attending doctors now get additional continuing professional development credit units which is a pre-requisite for renewal of their annual practicing licences”, the statement said.

Reacting to this development, the Medical Director Pfizer NEAR, Dr Kodjo Soroh,

said it was a significant milestone in the annals of conferences organised by pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria.

The Cardiovascular Summit is an annual scientific symposia aimed at updating clinicians on recent trends in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Its objective is to encourage sound discussions on global best practices in the medical profession and encourage use of general guidelines and recommendations. The success of the annual event series has further strengthened Pfizer’s position as a leader in cardiovascular medicine.

The summit started in 2008 in Nigeria and extended to Accra (Ghana) in 2009 and 2010. The fourth edition of the cardiovascular summit will come up later this year and will hold in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. The theme is Think heart.

•Senior Registrar, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Chioma Uzodimma attending to a pupil from UNILAG Staff School, Master Sulaimon Abdullasis. With them are Chief Dental Nurse, Mrs Esther Ogunba; Consultant in Child Dental Health, LUTH, Dr Folakemi Oredugba; Dr Bukola Olatosi and Miss Alice Oyibo.

Health Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Laser surgery for kidney stones in India

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IDNEY stone surgery in volves removing stones through incisions. Surgeons use these incisions to gain access to the kidney and to remove the stones accumulated in its area.

Although surgery is an effective way to get rid of uric acid stones, those who are suffering from kidney stones usually treat it as their last resort.

Kidney stones can be a very painful condition where crystals present in the urine separate and form a hard mass inside the body.

The exact type of surgery for a stone depends on the size and location of the stone, the equipment available and the skill and experience of the surgeon. For many, just the thought of having any type of surgical procedure done causes them to cringe. However, you might not realise it, but the laser kidney removal process is definitely a lot less painful than dealing with the stones. If you are also considering laser surgery to remove uric acid stones, try reading this article first. It will help you prepare for the entire process by revealing the benefits and recovery time with nephrolithiasis-the medical term for kidney stones.

Recent advancements within the last 10 years have led to improvements in the procedures for removing kidney stones from the body. One of those advances has been the development of laser surgery. Now-a-days, laser surgery for kidney stone has become the most preferred and acceptable option by doctors and patients. Laser removal is virtually painless as the small medical instrument is gently inserted. The physician inserts an optical fiber often no bigger than a hair into the patients’ ureter, drawing the fiber upward until it reaches the kidney stones.

The laser is activated, and the energy burst causes the stone to break apart while leaving the ureter’s tissue unharmed.

Dr. Bojwani said: “The most common fact of kidney stone is not drinking enough water. Kidney stones are made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together, creating small pebbles formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Small and smooth kidney stones may remain in the kidney or pass without causing pain (called “silent” stones). Stones that lodge in the ureter cause spasm in the urinary system and produce pain. Laser surgery for kidney stones does not hurt. This treatment breaks down kidney stones without making any incisions.

This means more comfort for the patient and less recovery time.

Recovery time for laser kidney stone surgery is significantly less than with an open surgery. Patients are usually given one to two more days of observation after the procedure. After one or two days without any complications, patients can resume their daily activities without experiencing any problems.

Laser surgery for kidney stone Mankind has been affected by kidney stones since centuries, and has been the silent cause of renal failure. Kidney stones constitute one of the commonest diseases in countries such as UK, India, Nigeria. Pain due to kidney stones is known as worse than that of labour pain. In Nigeria, approximately half a million patients suffer from stone disease and at least 1/1000 need hospitalisation due to kidney stone disease.

Kidney stone surgery in India is now being provided to the patients across the world with latest facilities and globally benchmarked health care services administered by surgeons and physicians trained in international medical practices. India is quickly gaining ground on the global health care front, with increasing number of medical tourists taking advantage of its high-quality health care, low costs and hospitality toward international visitors. The surgeons at hospitals in India are all highly trained and experienced providing world-class medical care. There are several low cost packages available for kidney stone surgery in India, depending upon the requirements of the person. Cost comparison for some of the kidney treatment procedures between the United States and India may be worth noting.

Many of the procedures find a huge difference between the pricing (about 7/8 times when we speak of Top-end surgeons). Medical tourists come for their low cost kidney stone surgery in India and enjoy their recuperative period at the best places in India thus clubbing treatment and tourism at such affordable price.

Now that you know what it feels like suffering from kidney stone problems, the question is how to avoid kidney stones in the future. There is a greater occurrence of nephrolithiasis, or kidney stone formation, in the warmer regions of the world.

This is linked to the greater likelihood of dehydration due to the heat, which leads to a greater concentration of kidney stone forming elements in the kidneys. Dissolving kidney stone particles from larger ones into smaller ones is the key to preventing kidney stones that cause the most complications. The key to avoiding larger stones from forming is to keep the kidneys hydrated.

This may sound like a simple solution, but best of the Urologists of any country will give you three recommendations for prevention from kidney stone and those are: • Drink more water, drink more water and drink more water! “ Prevention is always the preferable way to treat kidney stones.

Remaining well hydrated and keeping the urine dilute will help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

Local contact: 07042394040, 07090830097, 08191462542, 07037065779, 08023051420

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FOREIGN NEWS

UN: Govt brutality in Syria, Libya ‘shocking’ T

HE United Nations top human rights official says the brutality and magnitude of repression in Syria and Libya against antigovernment groups is “shocking.”

Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, says the crackdown in those countries is marked by an “outright disregard for

basic human rights.”

Rights groups say hundreds of people have been killed in Syria since the start of protests in mid-March.

Pillay urged the Syrian government Monday to allow a U.N. fact-finding mission to visit the country.

The team has been awaiting Syria’s reply since requesting a visit on May 6.

Pillay also condemned the repression of protests in Bahrain and Yemen in her speech at the opening of a three-week meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Uganda ex-VP Bukenya faces graft charges

F

ORMER Ugandan Vice President Prof Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya was yesterday summoned to the Anti-corruption Court in relation to the procurement of the executive cars for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.

Prof Bukenya is facing two charges of abuse of office and fraudulent practice, according to the two case files lodged before court by the Inspectorate of Government on Monday.

S

Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Ms Sarah Langa issued the criminal summons against Prof Bukenya requiring him to appear on June 16, at 9 am. But Prof Bukenya said on Monday that he was ready for the “battle”.

The former Vice President is jointly charged with Motorcare (U) Ltd, the company that supplied of the 204 executive vehicles.

Motorcare is only charged for fraudulent practice.

“A1 (Bukenya) and A2 (Motorcare) are still at large. In

the premises I pray for criminal summons to be issued to the duo probably on same day June 16,” said State Attorney, Mr Rogers Kinobe who had earlier asked for the criminal summons for the first file in relation to abuse of office.

According to the charge sheet drawn by the IGG, the Shs9.4 billion Chogm car deal was awarded to Motorcare (U) Ltd under the ‘personal’ influence of Prof Bukenya without going through proper tendering process.

Zuma in Libya for peace talks

OUTH African President Jacob Zuma is in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, for talks with Col Muammar Gaddafi to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

A spokesman said his main objective was a ceasefire and denied he would discuss exit strategies with the Libyan leader.

One of Col Gaddafi’s advisers has told the BBC there is no prospect of him stepping

down, as the rebels demand.

On Sunday, Mr Zuma’s governing African National Congress condemned Nato’s air and missile strikes in Libya.

“We... join the continent and all peace-loving people of the world in condemning the continuing aerial bombardments of Libya by Western forces,” the party said after a two-day meeting of its executive council.

Nato imposed a no-fly zone

in Libya and began bombing Col Gaddafi’s forces in March as they threatened to overrun rebel-held parts of the country, a month after nationwide antigovernment protests began.

International pressure on Col Gaddafi continues to grow, with the G8 calling for his departure on Friday and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev saying on Saturday he no longer had the right to lead Libya.

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SPORT EXTRA

West Brom confident T Osaze will stay T

Olympic Eagles’ preparation suffers setback

HE 29-year-old Nigeria international - who has one year remaining on his current deal, netted 15 goals this season and has attracted interest from richer top-flight clubs, but Baggies sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth is optimistic of keeping him at the club.

"We have spoken to Peter and we have spoken to Peter's representatives," Ashworth told the Express and Star.

"We know where they are and they know where we are and I don't foresee any great problems in sorting out a new contract.

"Things have been held up because all of the relevant parties are away.

"But once we can get everybody together I'm optimistic we'll be OK." Odemwingie was left out of the Nigeria team to face Argentina in an international friendly next month after allegedly departing from the national team squad without permission in March.

However, spokesman for the

• Loses Uchechi to thigh injury

national team, Colin Udoh, said: "The player has just been left out for a couple of games and, knowing him as well as I do, I can assure you that he

will be looking to get back into the squad for the next Nigeria game.

"We haven't really spoken since the incident. We just

swapped text messages before he went on holidays, but Osaze (Odemwingie's Nigerian name) will soon be back playing for Nigeria."

Make Nigeria great through sport—Iloh

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EV Moses Iloh a sport icon and Patron of Sport Writers Association Nigeria(SWAN) has advised that, the philosophy of sport in Nigeria should be revisited.

Speaking on the state of sport in Nigeria and the way forward in an interview with Nationsports, Iloh said: “I do not like the philosophy of sport in Nigeria, it should be designed toward developing the Nigerian youths through sport. 60 per cent of Nigerians are youths with no opportunity for university degree “I strongly believe that talent

By Paul Oluwakoya and time minted into sport and youth will wipe away poverty, breed unity among youths and will inevitably make Nigeria a great nation Approaching sport from a positive angle, the SWAN patron said, the Nigeria Sport Commission has a nonproductive shortcomings.

“The whole concept of sport commission assessing their activities to me it is a futile exercise and not being productive. We need to have what I suggest or call; sport authority with a limited and

clearly defined responsibility that will however ensure that in every L.G.A. across the federation there is sport facilities of choice and a tax free involvement youths toward Grassroots talent hunts. You know what? Money invested in sport is to develop the Nigeria youth and not just sport” Iloh added: “Nigeria is a country that has to be developed into a great nation.

The best and shortest way into developing a nation is through sport. In sport you don’t discriminate, segregate or zone.”

HE country’s Under23 team preparation for this weekend Olympic qualifier against the Junior Taifa Stars of Tanzania received a setback on Sunday night in San Jose, Costa Rica when one of the team’s influential midfielders, Daniel Chima Uchechi had to hop-off the match due to a thigh injury sustained within the first five minutes of action and had to be replaced.

Though the severity of the thigh injury has not been confirmed as at press time, the inside camp source told nationsport that the Leicester City of England hard working midfielder was pursuing a through ball when the unfortunate incident

• Daniel Chima Uchechi

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri happened and had to be replaced that early in the match by Heartland of Owerri’s Osas Okoro.

According to the inside source, “Daniel sustained the injury while trying to chase a through ball. The thigh injury is a bit serious and I doubt it if he will be able to recover and still make it to the first leg in Tanzania. By my own experience in the game he won’t be available for the first leg at least. Daniel is a very important member of the squad and this injury is coming at a very crucial time to our qualifier.”

Camp source scooped to nationsport that the injury to Uchechi changed the strategy of the Dream Team V and it affected the players’ game throughout most part of the match before succumbing to a die minute goal from the rampaging Costa Rican which our source alleged came from an offside position.

Uchechi has been a consistent performer for the Dream Team V with about three goals in the five matches he has featured for the team including two goals against Liberia both and away and the one with Equatorial Guinea.

PUBLIC NOTICE MISSING DOCUMENTS The general public is hereby notified that the original registered Deed of Assignment relating to the property at No 5, Aderibigbe Street, Ikate, Surulere belonging to Chief J. S. O. Nnoruka is missing.

Please refer all information/enquiries concerning the said document to the Solicitors: O. O. OLUWOLE Esq. VICTORIO CHAMBERS 1, Jolaosho Street, Obanikoro, Lagos.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6

NO.1,776

Tomorrow in THE NATION ‘There is nowhere in the civilized clime where the barbaric act of security agencies assaulting one another is practised as we witness in Nigeria every time’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HERE was something re-assuring about the rites of renewal culminating in the inauguration of President Goodluck Ebele (Azikiwe) Jonathan last Sunday. The events symbolised the seamless continuity of state and its apparatus. Largely absent was the tension, the unease that had in years past marked such transitions, product of the disputed legitimacy of the president, itself product of elections what were brazenly fixed.

It was also re-assuring that they inserted a presidential Inaugural Lecture in the proceedings, as if to provide an intellectual counterpoint to all the dinners and parties, to say nothing of the glitz and the frippery, that led up to the day. They could not have found a more qualified Lecturer for the occasion than Professor Ladipupo Adamolekun, veteran international civil servant, public intellectual, and distinguished authority on public administration.

In anchoring his speech on Transformation, Adamolekun captured the mood of the nation. Renewal is fine, but is not nearly enough.

Nor is continuity any better, especially if it is continuity on the path that has brought the nation to dysfunction and despair These times demand nothing less than transformation – radical transformation, I would add.

The areas crying out for urgent transformation are self-evident: infrastructure, with emphasis on electricity, roads and railways; education, health, and job creation. To these Adamolekun added peace and security, policy stability, rule of law, the war on corruption, and electoral legitimacy.

It was therefore no surprise that Dr Goodluck Jonathan also made Transformation the theme of his Inaugural Address, adding agriculture to the priority areas, and doubling the emphasis on the collapse of the power sector that has thus far been tackled, with outcomes inversely proportional to the effort, through “power-sector” reform.

Shortly after the telecast of the Inauguration ended, a guest panellist on a television programme dissecting the President’s Address asked plaintively: Why is it that the more we spend on power projects, the more darkness we produce?”

The engineers and the policy experts will of course have their answers, complete with flow charts annotated with esoteric equations. But if, as in the past, targets are laid out at grand ceremonies, with expenditure in the zillions of Naira, only for new targets to be laid out and more zillions of Naira expended without a dramatic improvement in the power supply, the Jonathan Administration will have failed the test of being a transformative one.

So, he had better summon the political will to do sustained battle with the barons who have long cornered the commercial traffic in diesel oil electricity generators, not forget-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Beyond the rites of renewal ‘Renewal is fine, but is not nearly enough. Nor is continuity any better, especially if it is continuity on the path that has brought the nation to dysfunction and despair These times demand nothing less than transformation – radical transformation, I would add’ •Dr. Jonathan

ting the brazen theft of crude oil that has been going on unchecked for decades, and the shady practices surrounding the importation of petroleum products. He will have to prevail on the PDP to learn to operate without the billions these barons routinely pour into its coffers.

For, the more the barons prosper, the faster the prospect of “power-sector reform” retreats.

Under Maurice Iwu, INEC was formally independent; yet its obsequious and conniving chair made a thorough mess of his brief at every turn. Professor Attahiru Jega has provided splendid intimations of how a determined and independent chief electoral umpire can inspire public confidence in election outcomes over and beyond the formal independence of the body over which he presides.

As in all things, the room for improvement here is large. Dr Jonathan is a product and beneficiary of the reforms Jega instituted at INEC, and should enthusiastically support, if not actually initiate, further efforts to strengthen and perfect the electoral machinery.

But electoral reform should be seen as an

RIPPLES JONATHAN: it’s ACTION TIME

Yes sir...FEW WORDS, MORE RESULTS

aspect of the much larger issue of constitutional re-engineering. I use the latter term advisedly. For the matter goes beyond mere reform. Even if it is a mere imposition and not an actual forgery as some contend, the Constitution is defective to the point that no reform can salvage it.

In a Federation, there is no reason why the President and as many as 30 state governors should have been inaugurated on the same day. For that matter, there is no reason why all state assemblies should hold their elections the same day. There is even no reason why each state should not have its own constitution that reflects its own reality, goals and aspirations, as was in the case in the First Republic.

Whenever anyone calls for the establishment of state police, many are quick to point out that the authorities would quickly turn the scheme into an instrument for persecuting political opponents. The claim has some merit. However, the remedy lies not in forbidding the establishment of state police, but in strengthening the rule of law and the insti-

HARDBALL

T

HIRTEEN persons were killed and 40 others injured in Sunday’s triple bomb blasts at the Nigerian Army’s 33 Brigade Barracks in Bauchi. On the same day, another bomb went off at a bar in Zuba, near Abuja, killing two people and wounding eleven others. In Zaria, that same Sunday, a third explosion at a bar injured an unidentified number of persons.

From the explosions that rocked Abuja during last year’s 50 th Independence Day celebrations, to similar ones in Suleja and parts of the North shortly before the April elections, a pattern is emerging. The Sunday night blasts were clearly well-coordinated as they occurred around the 8.00 pm timeline.

Another thing that should interest investigators is that the Bauchi bombing happened in the Mammy Market. Some of the bombs that went off last year in Abuja were also planted in a similar location in the army barracks. It would seem therefore that drinking bars and military barracks are choice targets of the faceless bombers.

The police have made the usual noises about investigating the matter. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, while visiting the scene of the tragedy also talked about the army’s efforts to check the rising spate of

Who are the bombers? terror. Among other things he spoke of the establishment of a canine unit for the military police, to enhance capacity for dealing with terrorist acts.

Neither the comments of the army chief, nor those of other government officials – including President Jonathan - inspire much confidence that the security agencies are on top of the situation. The bombers up North plant their evil devices with ease and at locations of their choosing, while the authorities run around in circles. It is even more embarrassing that we are not any closer to knowing the identity of the terrorists.

Are they pro-Sharia militants who have something against bars? Is this part of a widening campaign by Boko Haram to obliterate everything Western in Nigeria?

Is this the response of frustrated politicians who are just out to make the country ungovernable?

If the bombers are too cowardly to claim

tutions of civil society to curb its potential abuse In whatever case, what makes persecution by federal police more acceptable of less invidious than persecution by state police? Why continue to maintain the fiction and its often destructive consequences that a governor is the “chief security officer” of his state when the state police commissioner is appointed by and reports to the federal authorities?

As the noted Africanist and scholar of Nigerian politics Jean Herskovits remarked in her Chatham House lecture to mark 50 years of Nigeria’s independence, the Constitution provides elaborately for the creation of states but fails signally to anticipate, much less provide for, the opposite process: the coalescence of groups of states into a single political unit within the Federation.

If they so desire, the Northern States should be free to re-constitute themselves into a Gamji or Arewa Commonwealth, and the states in the South West should be free to establish an O’dua Commonwealth. All this is of course without prejudice to the emergence of a Delta and an Ohanaeze Commomwealth.

I cite these only as examples of the many possibilities.

Electoral reform, then, should be seen as one aspect – an important aspect, I grant, of the much larger and no less urgent matter of constitutional re-engineering that should have as its central goal a return to true federalism.

President Jonathan is starting a full term as a president in his own right. He has on his side abundant goodwill that he should move with all deliberate speed to translate into respect – not the respect that flows from formal authority, but one deriving from ability and achievement. That is the path to Transformation.

He should encourage in his inner circle a few persons who can tell him what he needs to know, not those who trade in fawning adulation and saccharine glorification – like some of those television colour commentators at Eagle Square last Sunday who went on and on about how one drill or another in the military parade symbolised “total, unswerving allegiance” of the armed forces to “Mr President,” and so on and so forth.

For goodness sake, his name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; he is Mr President to you only when you are addressing him directly. In all other settings, he is simply the President.

To the extent that he is their commanderin-chief, and only to that extent, the armed forces owe him their loyalty. But in the larger national context, they owe their loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Dr Jonathan swore to uphold and defend.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above responsibility for their multiple acts of murder, then the government must step up to the plate by unmasking them. Any successful strategy against the terrorists must begin by identifying who the enemy is. The government has so far failed woefully in this primary task.

The multiple blasts underline the scope of the challenge confronting Jonathan on the security front, but whether he grasps the gravity of the problem, and the urgency it demands remains to be seen.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the United States government created a new department of Homeland Security to combat the invasion of the American heartland by terrorists.

While not advocating the creation of another bureaucracy of dubious utility, the Federal Government needs to act in a way that sends a signal to the bombers that they would be confronted and defeated. Jonathan has created the office of an assistant to the president on terrorism, but cannot point to much else by way of success stories in the fight against the bombers.

He must move quickly to repair the picture of helplessness which the administration presently projects in the face of the unrelenting bombing campaign.

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