The Nation May 31, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Mr. President, what marking scheme does one need to know that...the average Nigerian is worse off today than he or she was before you assumed office?...The so-called 6.5% economic growth...is meaningful only on paper. How does that help the thousands of university graduates who are scrambling to work as truck drivers? How does it make Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or the East-West road safer for Nigerians? —SEE PAGE 2

—Action Cong eria (A CN) rresponding esponding to the Pr esident’ s mid-ter m rre epor Congrress of Nig Nigeria (ACN) President’ esident’s mid-term portt

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2502 FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•Ajimobi writes Jonathan over Ladoja’s activities in Oyo –PAGE 62

Abuja businessman held over huge arms discovery Amigo Supermarket, Amusement Park owner arrested

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From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ECURITY agents are holding an Abuja businessman in whose home a catche of arms has been found hidden in a bunker.

Mustapha Fawaz is the co-owner of the popular Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park – both in Abuja.

Security operatives named the three Lebanese suspects yesterday.

The assorted firearms were neatly concealed inside coolers and packed inside a bunker in a bungalow on Gaya Road, Bompai, Kano.

The cache of arms was linked to the terrorist group, Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is a Shi’a Islamic militant group and political party based in Lebanon.

The Commander of 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.–Gen. Ilyasu Abbah, who spoke to reporters at the site where the arms were discovered, named the suspects as: Abdallah Hassan Fadallah, Mustapher Fawaz and Abdullahi Tigani.

They have been moved to Abuja for further investigation.

The army chief recalled that one of the suspects, who he described as an Abuja businessman, was once arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for undeclared $60,000 found on him.

He was on his way to Lebanon.

Brig.-Gen. Abba said the assorted weapons found in the home of the suspects were linked with the Lebanese-based Hezbollah.

The suspects were quoted as saying that the weapons were meant to fight Israeli and Western interests in Nigeria.

“Even if they were meant to fight Israeli and Western interests in the country as

•Military chiefs inspecting some of the arms and ammunition

•Some of the coolers of arms and ammunition •Soldiers bringing out one of the coolers

THE ARSENAL •17 AK 47 riffles •11,433 bullets •76 military grenades •One Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG2) •21 RPG bombs •nine pistols •103 PMT Slap

Continued on page 2

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

HE cracks in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) got wider yesterday, with 15 members lining behind Plateau State helmsman Jonah Jang as he opened the secretariat of his faction.

Jang lost the Forum’s chairmanship to Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi by 16 votes to 19 in last Friday’s election but claimed victory. He is popularly believed to have been the President’s candidate, despite Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s insistence that he had no interest in the election.

Continued on page 2

•A bag of ammunition and other containers

27 lawmakers vow to stand

by Amaechi T

Jang, 15 others open office

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•Some of the recovered bullets

•Amaechi

HE plot to impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi seems doomed, with 27 of the 32 lawmakers, including Speaker Otelemaba DanAmachree, backing the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The lawmakers, in a statement tittled “Resolution-Our stand, yesterday said: “We

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

have observed with consternation dangerous rumors making the rounds, even appearing on the pages of National Dailies that we, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been finan-

cially induced to impeach His Excellency,Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, C.O.N, Governor of Rivers State, and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to catContinued on page 2

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

NEWS Abuja businessman held over huge arms discovery Continued from page 1

•From left: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka; and King of African Renaissance Mission, Olofindji Akande; at the 450-year-old village of Igbale Aiye, in Commune de Ketou, Akpoutokou, Republic of Benin...yesterday

27 lawmakers vow to stand by Amaechi Continued from page 1

egorically state as follows: •that we have not and will not receive any pecuniary gratification or marginal oil fields •that we are united in our resolve to commit our unalloyed loyalty to His Excellency , Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi , Governor and the people of Rivers State.

•that we the undersigned do not contemplate the impeachment of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi as an option.

•we reiterate our loyalty to the President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Leader of our Great Party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Amachree, yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, expressed shock about the rumour that eight of the 27 proAmaechi lawmakers had joined the five legislators loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to impeach the governor.

The leader of the Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, a lawyer, also in Port Harcourt, after laughing on the phone for about three minutes, urged the public not to mind the rumour mongers, who said eight of them had joined the “rebels”.

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Lloyd, who represents Emohua Constituency, said: “We are solidly behind His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. As I speak with you (4:07 pm), all the 27 of us are in a place in Port Harcourt, celebrating Democracy Day. I can allow you to speak with each of my colleagues. They then chorused: “Hurray”.

“The enemies of progress should stop lying against us.

We will not succumb to pressure to abandon Governor Amaechi. All the 27 lawmakers will not support the plot to impeach the performing and focused governor of Rivers State.”

The Speaker of the Rivers Assembly also wondered why the “Abuja forces” could be so desperate and bent on impeaching the governor.

Amachree said: “There are strong rumours that some of the 27 lawmakers, who were suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 29 by the Felix Obuah-led Rivers State chapter of the party have jumped ship, because of political and financial carrots, allegedly dangled before them.

“I also heard the rumours and read the report in a national newspaper (not The Nation). I personally checked on the 26 other lawmakers and they all restated their loyalty to the

Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“I am not aware, if at all, that any of the 26 other lawmakers has been compromised. I am confident that my colleagues will never be part of any plot to impeach Governor Amaechi.

“I am warning against assumptions and reports that intend to impinge on the integrity of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

The speaker also called on “well-meaning people” of the state to continue to pray for the speedy return of peace and normalcy to the state and the PDP, a party he said they had been building since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999.

The pro-Wike lawmakers are: Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor II Constituency), Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III).

The re-election of Amaechi as the NGF chairman in Abuja on Friday angered President Goodluck Jonathan and others fighting the Rivers governor, who felt humiliated, with the National Working Committee of the PDP, at an emergency meeting on Monday, suspending Amaechi for alleged anti-

party activities, based on a petition from the Rivers chapter of the ruling party.

The NWC of PDP stated that the NGF chairman refused to reinstate the suspended Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and the 17 councillors, who were suspended on April 22 by the members of the Assembly.

Amaechi, at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, told youths that his life was in danger. He also stated at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Tuesday that he was not scared of impeachment.

The declaration in 2012 by Amaechi, an Ikwerre from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area, that it would not be fair for any Ikwerre person to aspire to succeed him in 2015, stirred the hornet’s nest, as the statement did not go down well with Wike, also an Ikwerre, from Rumuepirikom community, who intends to run for governor in the next election.

Five of the 32 members of the House loyal to Wike voted against the April 22 suspension of the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, his deputy and all the 17 councillors. The minister of state for education is from the Local Government and was a two-time chairman of the council.

they claimed, are Nigerians not working in those organisations? “Gen. Abbah queried.

He also noted that the building of a bunker inside a building to conceal weapons confirms the suspects’ ulterior motive. Bassey Etang, Director of State Security Service (SSS) in Kano, said: “We cannot say how long the weapons have been in the bunker. The rust you see is as a result of the conditions they have been exposed to, but they are still serviceable. Again, we cannot link them with Boko Haram, until the conclusion of investigation, but we suspect such group, like Hezbollah, can have links with Boko Haram.”

Some of the items recovered from the bunker are: 17 AK 47 riffles, 11,433 bullets, 76 military grenades, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG2), 21 RPG bombs, nine pistols and 103 PMT Slap all concealed inside coolers.

Narrating how the discovery was carried out, Gen.

By Augustine Avwode

The ACN wondered why President Jonathan is suddenly irritated that Nigerians have not given his administration a pass mark, after about three years in the saddle and two years since he was elected. ‘’Mr. President, Nigerians need no marking scheme to know that the rate of unemployment went up, under your watch, to an unprecedented 23.9% by December 2011, according to figures given by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Today, the figure must be hovering above the 50% mark! ‘’Mr. President, Nigerians need no marking scheme to know that under your watch, security of lives and property, as well as the welfare of the citizens - the raison d’etre of any government - are at the lowest ebb. A day before you demanded a marking scheme from Nigerians instead of giving them better life, a popular musician was attacked by a nine-man gang that snatched his car and deprived him of his money in the country’s eco-

nomic capital city - the fate being suffered daily by millions of your compatriots! ‘’Mr. President, what marking scheme does one need to know that despite the seemingly impressive economic figures being reeled out by your administration, the average Nigerian is worse off today than he or she was before you assumed office?

“What we are seeing is growth without development.

The so-called 6.5% economic growth announced by your Finance Minister is meaningful only on paper. How does that help the thousands of university graduates who are scrambling to work as truck drivers? How does it make Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or the East-West road safer for Nigerians? ‘’Mr. President, what has been the impact for Nigerians of the high foreign reserves figure and the stable exchange rates for the naira reeled out by your Finance Minister? Is it not a cruel irony that as Mr. President was luxuriating in phantom economic indices on the

second anniversary of his administration. Nigerians across the land could not even watch him on television because the power situation has been exceptionally poor in recent times? ‘’And in case Mr. President thinks it is only the opposition and the media - his administration’s favourite whipping boys – that are scoring his administration low, the Washington-based global advocacy and campaigning organisation, ONE, was listing Nigeria - under President Jonathan’s watch - and DR Congo among. ‘‘Laggard countries’’ pulling Africa back from reaching the MDG goals by 2015? Surely, this global body did not use any ‘Jonathan-style marking scheme’ to name Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana and Ethiopia as the top performing countries in Africa (on the MDGs), even when they are less endowed than Nigeria?’’

ACN queried.

The party said it would not have wasted its energy on commenting on the mid-term performance record of the

Continued on page 6

Jang, 15 others open office Continued from page 1

At the ceremony in Abuja were: Idris Wada (Kogi); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna); Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).

Others are: Theodore Orji (Abia); Peter Obi (Anambra); Steve Lawani Deputy Governor (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Garba Umar (Taraba acting governor); and Deputy Governor of Gombe State.

Jang cut the tape to open the secretariat building tucked in a serene environment in Maitama District.

Shortly after the ceremony, the governors moved into the building where they held a meeting that lasted

ACN to Jonathan: no need for marking scheme

HE average Nigerian is worse off than he was when President Goodluck Jonathan came into office, the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) said yesterday.

The party was reacting to the mid-term pass mark the Federal Government awarded itself on Wednesday.

The ACN which is merging with others to form a mega party ahead of the 2015 poll, made its position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It said despite the seemingly impressive economic figures being reeled out by the administration, “what we are seeing is growth without development”. The so-called 6.5% economic growth announced by your finance minister is meaningful on paper,” the party said. It wondered how the statistic will help the thousands of university graduates who are scrambling to work as truck drivers or how it will make Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or the East-West road safer for Nigerians.

Abbah said: “On 28 May, a combined team of the JTF involving the NA of the 3 Brigade here in Kano and the Kano State DSS conducted a thorough search of this house located at No 3, Gaya Road, off Bompai Road, Kano belonging to one Abdul Hassan Taher Fadlalla, a Lebanese national who is currently out of the country.

After a painstaking search of the premises, the search team uncovered an underground bunker in the master bedroom where a large quantity of assorted weapons of different types and calibre were recovered.

“The bunker was specially constructed for this purpose. It is worth mentioning that the arms include antitank weapons, rocket propelled guns, anti-tank/antipersonnel mines, among other dangerous weapons.

All the weapons and ammunition recovered were properly concealed with several layers of concrete and placed in coolers, drums and bags neatly wrapped.

Jonathan Administration, had the President not isingenuously decided to blame imaginary enemies of his administration for his token achievements in the face of mounting challenges facing the country.

It urged President Jonathan to shut his ears to praise-singers, “especially those of the pig-at-the-trough hue from across the Atlantic who have never seen an African government, no matter its governance record, that is unworthy of their association, as they hunt for cheap funds from despotic governments across the continent to rehabilitate themselves back home. ‘’Mr. President, it is never too late for you to put your shoulder to the wheel, shun the political jobbers around you, reinvigorate your cabinet by chasing away the deadwood there - though some of them come highly recommended on paper - and giving Nigerians a more purposeful governance. ‘’When that happens, Mr. President, you will not need to waste valuable time on lectur-

about two hours.

Jang told reporters after the meeting that the need to move the secretariat of the NGF from the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge informed the acquisition of the new secretariat.

The governor added that his faction was making moves to unite all the 36 governors and bring them under a single umbrella of the NGF under his leadership.

Also speaking after the meeting, Dickson said the faction would ensure that the NGF is insulated from adversarial politics.

According to him, the Forum would no longer be made to antagonise President Goodluck Jonathan; neither would it be used for personal aggrandisement as it used to be.

He flayed what he described as the grandstanding of the NGF under Amaechi.

•Mohammed ing your much-sapped compatriots on how to assess your administration, and you would have succeeded in rending those seemingly implacable critics of yours in the media and the opposition jobless,’’ the ACN said.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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NEWS • President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving the report on the National Broadband Plan for 2013-2018 from the Co-chairman, Presidential Committee on Broadband, Mr Ernest Ndukwe (right) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

With them is the Chairman, Visafone, Mr Jim Ovia.

War on terror The war on terror in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states is taking its toll on the people, especially traders, whose businesses are at their lowest ebb, writes Christian Science Monitor

A •From right: Managing Director, First Bank Plc Bisi Onasanya; an author, Mr. Adekunle Osibogun; First vice-president, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Debola Osibogun and Ademola Adeyinka, at the youth responsibilities and rights enlightenment programme and the launch of a book The citizen's book on governance in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Chairman, Heirs Holdings Tony Elumelu (right), founder, Robert S. Lauder Foundation Ronald Lauder (left); and President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Donald Kaberuka , at AfDB’s Annual Board of Governors Meeting at Marrakech, Morocco...yesterday.

• Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhil (right) speaking , at a news conference on the arrest of drugs’ countefeiters in Lagos...yesterday. With him are Investigation and Enforcement PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS Director Mr. Garba Midonald and Laboratory Service Director Stella Denloye (left).

TATTERED “Wanted” poster with an infamous screen shot photo of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau promises a lucrative bounty for anyone who can help capture him or any of his commanders.

Yet there is little incentive for residents in this battered Nigerian city – epicenter of an ugly four-year revolt – to help find him.

President Goodluck Jonathan weeks back has taken decisive action against Boko Haram by declaring a state of emergency across Nigeria’s northeastern states. A recent military crackdown at least briefly ended a discussion of an amnesty for the group that claims radical Islamist credentials.

But many here believe a declaration of war is not a real solution. They say the poverty and inequality that stoked anger and resentment towards authorities and aided the group’s rise must be addressed to secure long-term success in quelling the insurgency.

“In the long run it is a social problem,” says Aisha Ibrahim, a journalist in Maiduguri. “Leaders should have been more sensitive to the idea of poverty. Boko Haram has attracted a lot of sympathy from the lower-class and the downtrodden.”

Boko Haram continues to be feared greatly by locals. They deal ruthlessly with suspected informants. “A meat seller was dragged off for speaking to police,” explains Ibrahim Abubakar, a trader, as he arranges purple onions into a perfect pyramid on his stall.

“People know them and they know you,” he says of Boko Haram, whose members have carefully infiltrated the population in Maiduguri, embroiled in a bloody rebellion since 2009.

Violence in April caused some of the highest fatality numbers since the insurgency began, prompting President Jonathan to declare the emergency across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa areas. He admitted that the government had lost control in some parts of the states – some estimate that 10 of the 27 local government areas in Borno had come under Boko Haram rule.

The military crackdown is the most concerted government effort to date to crush a group responsible for more than 3,000 deaths since 2010. An additional 2,000 troops were reportedly deployed to those states within 24 hours, accompanied by air and ground assaults on camps hoarding weapons.

A week ago the military cut mobile phone service in much of the northeast as part of a strategy to “prevent

•Joint Task Force (JTF) patrolLing the streets of the restive Maiduguri.

Report: The United States' Country Report on Terrorism 2012 released yesterday shows that America is worried about the split of Boko Haram, which gave birth to Ansaru, which is targeting western interests, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

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HE United States is worried about the split of the Boko Haram, which gave rise to Ansaru, the State Department Country Report on Terrorism 2012, revealed yesterday.

The report said the U.S.’s worry had to do with Ansaru’s penchant for attacking western interests.

“Of particular concern to the United States is the emergence of the BH faction known as "Ansaru," which has close ties to AQIM and has prioritised targeting Westerners - including Americans - in Nigeria,” said the report.

The report is an assessment of trends and events in international terrorism between January 1 and December 31, 2012.

It contains a strategic assessment, a country-by-country breakdown of counter terrorism efforts, sponsors of terrorism and terrorism havens.

The report faulted the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Law of 2011. It said the weakest part of the law “is that it does not clearly delineate the lead agency to investigate suspected terrorist crimes”.

An overview of the report published last night on the website of the Department of State said: “The militant sect "People Committed to

intelligence from spreading within the group,” a military source in Maiduguri told the Monitor.

The military offensive on Boko Haram has “sent tens of thousands of residents” of northeastern Nigeria’s

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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NEWS

r takes toll on Yobe, Borno, Adamawa

•A handout picture released on May 25 by the military showing members of the Defence Headquarter inspecting an alleged Boko Haram base in Kirenowa. PHOTOS: AFP

America worried by Ansaru’s emergence

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the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad," better known by its Hausa name Boko Haram (BH), conducted killings, bombings, kidnappings, and other attacks in Nigeria, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and the widespread destruction of property in 2012.”

The report said states where attacks occurred more frequently included Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe.

It said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was not exempted.

“No terrorist attacks occurred in the southern states of Nigeria,” the report said.

It accused members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) of committing indiscriminate and extrajudicial use of force, including killings of civilians and Boko Haram suspects.

It said the government's efforts to address grievances in the North such as high unemployment and a dearth of basic services, continued to fail, as did the security forces' efforts to contain Boko Haram.

The United States, said the report, urged the Federal Government to employ a comprehensive security strategy not predicated on the use of force, adding that the economic and political exclusion of vulnerable communities in the North should be addressed.

The report said the government actively cooperated with the United States and other international partners to prevent further acts of terrorism.

It criticised the government for being slow in freezing the assets of people suspected of money laundering for terrorists.

Said the report: “ In 2012, Nigeria made significant progress in addressing its outstanding deficiencies, including through the adoption of amendments to its Money Laundering (Prevention) Act. “While Nigeria regularly froze the assets of individuals and entities designated under relevant UNSCRs, and others designated by the United States under U.S. domestic designation authorities only, delays some-

times occurred. All requests to freeze assets must first be sent to the National Security Adviser, who disseminates the information to relevant financial institutions and Nigerian government agencies. Consequently, delays of up to four weeks occasionally occurred before authorities would block assets. Nigeria did not monitor non-profit organisations to prevent misuse and terrorist financing.

“Nigeria is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Nigeria was publicly identified by the FATF in February 2010 for strategic anti-money laundering/ combating the financing of terrorism deficiencies. In October 2011, Nigeria was named in the FATF Public Statement for its lack of progress in implementing its action plan.”

The report lauded the country for seeking regional and international cooperation to end terrorism.

“At the June 7 Ministerial Plenary Meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), Nigeria announced it would partner

with Switzerland to co-host a Sahel Working Group meeting on combating the financing of terrorism in early 2013. In January, the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force launched three projects under the Integrated Assis-tance for Counter-Terrorism initiative to support Nigerian government efforts to combat terrorism. Nigeria is a lead member of the Economic Community of West African States and has committed ground forces and logistical support for a possible intervention force in Mali. Through its Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria has taken a lead role in initiating a multilateral dialogue between regional countries on how they can better coordinate their efforts to confront networks of terrorist groups that span international borders,” the report said.

It gave a breakdown of terrorism incidents last year to include: • On January 20, multiple nearsimultaneous attacks in Kano were carried out on at least 12 targets including police stations, an immigration office, and the Kano residence of an Assistant Inspector General of Police. Over 150 persons were killed and hundreds wounded.

• On January 26, a German construction worker was kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano city. On June 1, he was killed by his captors in a raid on the house where he was being held.

• On March 8, an Italian citizen and a British citizen who were kidnapped in May 2010 in Kebbi state, were killed in Sokoto state by their captors during an attempted rescue

by Nigerian and British special forces.

• In April, assailants attacked Theatre Hall at Bayero University, Kano, with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and gunshots, killing nearly 20 persons.

• On April 26, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) simultaneously exploded at the offices of This Day newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna, killing five persons and wounding many.

• On June 17, attacks on three churches in Kaduna state killed worshippers and instigated violence throughout the state. At least 10 people were killed and an additional 78 injured in the ensuing riots, as groups barricaded roads, burned mosques, and used machetes to attack and kill. In response, the Kaduna state government imposed a 24-hour curfew and deployed additional security forces; however, violence between Christians and Muslims continued for nearly one week.

• In July, the assassination of three traditional Muslim leaders was attempted in Borno, Yobe, and Kaduna states respectively. None of the targets was killed.

• On July 30, police stations and markets in Sokoto were attacked, resulting in the death of six persons.

• In July and August, churches were targeted in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kogi states. The total killed in these attacks was 22 persons.

• On December 19, a French engineer was kidnapped in Katsina state, near the Niger border. Ansaru, considered a splinter faction of BH, claimed the kidnapping, and the victim's whereabouts remained unknown at year's end.

Borno State fleeing from their homes to find refuge in neighboring Niger and Cameroon, according to IRIN, the United Nations humanitarian news network. Security analysts fear that applying pressure on the three states

may divert insurgents to other parts of Nigeria, such as Kano, where Boko Haram has already staged brutal attacks.

Maiduguri, once part of a thriving ancient empire, now hosts some of the

poorest people in Nigeria. A lockdown on trucks entering the state has exacerbated problems for traders, who grumble about the climbing price of food.

“Farmers are complaining,” says

Abdul Mukhtar, who struggles to sell a few broken carrots and bruised tomatoes. “They aren’t allowed to transport their food to the markets where the masses can buy them.”

The soldiers themselves have been

The weakest aspect of the Prevention of Terrorism Law of 2011 is that it does not clearly delineate the lead agency to investigate suspected terrorist crimes •U.S. President Barack Obama

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received with mixed feelings.

“When we saw soldiers we were afraid of their presence,” says Mr. Mukhtar. “But it has given us some confidence that peace will be restored.

People are still afraid that Boko Haram will come back angrier than before.”

So far, the movement has proved to be remarkably resilient against Nigeria’s military might. Members are adept at melting into the country’s vast desert hinterlands, and have effectively regrouped in the past. Nigerian armed forces have “experienced more resistance than they had envisaged,” the military source says.

For more than a year, fragile states across the Sahel have struggled to police their highly porous borders.

There has been a relative free flow of illicit weapons to the Sahel from fractured post-revolution states such as Libya. The permeable frontiers have allowed for Boko Haram to coordinate with Al Qaeda- affiliated groups.

Yet brutality by the Army in civilian areas has exacerbated the problem.

There are concerns that arbitrary violence by soldiers against civilians will push more locals to join the rebel cause. At the African Union’s 50th anniversary in Addis Ababa over the weekend, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there were “credible allegations” of “gross human rights violations” by the Army. Several weeks earlier Mr. Kerry urged Nigeria’s military to adhere “to the highest standards” and not be found “engaging in atrocities.”

Flip-flopping approaches to the problem indicates a lack of coherency on the president’s part, according to some Nigerian analysts.

Boko Haram has repeatedly rejected peace talks, citing the government’s insincerity following a series of failed mediated negotiations.

The launch of the recent military operation may render hollow the president’s offer of an amnesty to insurgents who relinquish their weapons.

However, the government has agreed to release some women and children – one of the primary demands of the group. And some analysts say a tough crackdown may in fact be the opening bid for serious talks on amnesty.

In the short term, Nigeria’s military are likely to record successes against Boko Haram. But the difficulty will be winning back the trust of the people in Maiduguri.

“Unless they can take the people with them, any victories by the military will gradually unravel,” according to a senior western diplomat in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The vulnerability of unemployed youth in Nigeria’s northeast leaves them open to Boko Haram’s narratives, which have only been augmented by weak governance and the poor delivery of basic services. Boko Haram members, who live in the city’s poor communities, command the loyalty of those who have languished into poverty.

“The ideology and the social roots are interdependent,” a government source offers. “The social issues provide a breeding ground, allowing the extreme ideology to take root. After 2009, the primary recruits were unemployed youths.”

“It is not the hardware of tanks and equipment that matter even though these are easier and more lucrative to some officials,” writes Kole Shettima, chairman of the Centre of Democracy and Development, in an editorial entitled “Bread not Bullets” published in a local paper.

“A population-centric approach is essential to the success of any counterinsurgency. It is popular legitimacy that will provide the intelligence necessary to fight insurgents and terrorists

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (sixth left) with the Presidential Committee on National Broad Band Plan for 2013 after the Presentation of their Report at the Presidential Villa Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

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DHQ dismisses Shekau’s claim

HE military yesterday dismissed as “empty propaganda” claims

by Boko Haram’s leader that soldiers have retreated during an ongoing offensive.

The Defence Headquarters said its campaign since May 15, following the declaration of a state of emergency in three states, has heavily damaged the Islamist insurgents.

In a video obtained by French News Agency, AFP, on Tuesday, Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau said soldiers have at times “turned and ran” when facing Islamist fighters and rejected military boasting about the success of the operation.

“We consider it as empty propoganda,” defence spokesman Brigadier Gener-

•Nigeriens, Chadians among fleeing insurgents al Chris Olukolade said of the video.

Brig. Gen. Olukolade also said yesterday that the types of arms being used by extremists appeared to come from outside of Nigeria and represented a significant shift compared to the light weaponry the militants previously used.

Gen. Olukolade showed AP journalists an image of what he described as a shell from an anti-aircraft gun mounted to the back of a pickup truck— weapons previously unseen in Nigeria’s long-simmering Islamic insurgency.

“To the best of our understanding, at the moment (the insurgents) are in disarray.

They are on the run and so many of them have been

captured,” he told AFP. Shekau’s whereabouts, which cannot be determined in the video, remain unknown.

“I don’t know his location but I know that intelligence is trailing him,” Olukolade said.

Shekau called on likeminded Islamists in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

Gen. Olukolade suggested the plea for foreign assistance implied weakness.

“If they are still firmly on ground why does he need help?”

Gen. Olukolade told AFP he has seen no credible evidence of soldier misconduct

in the offensive.

With the military having cut mobile phone service in much of the northeast and access to remote locations restricted, rivals claims about the conflict have been impossible to verify.

Olukolade said that air strikes used so far have primarily included covering fire for ground troops tasked with storming Boko Haram camps.

The military has claimed the destruction of several such camps, primarily in Borno state, Boko Haram’s traditional base.

Boko Haram has waged its insurgency since 2009, with an estimated 3,600 lives lost, including killings by the security forces.

Abuja businessman held over huge arms discovery Continued from page 2

“These discoveries were not accidental, but the outcome of an ongoing robust counter terrorism investigation by the Department of State Security Services, Abuja in the past several months.

“The investigation also confirms the existence of a Hezbollah Foreign terrorist cell in Nigeria. Consequently, the DSS on 16 May, 2013 arrested one Mustapha Fawaz, the co-owner of the popular Amigo Supermarket, as well as the Wonderland Amusement Park, all in Abuja.

“Thus, his arrest and confession unveiled other members of the foreign terrorist network which led to the interception of one member of the syndicate named Abdullah Tahini, a Lebanese national, at the Mallam Aminu

Kano International Airport with undeclared amount of 60,000 United States dollars on him enroute Beirut.

Thereafter on 26 May, 2013, one Talal Roda, also a Lebanese with Nigerian passport, was arrested in this same house.

“All those arrested have confessed to have undergone Hezbollah terrorist training and further implicated one Fauzi Fawad, also a co-owner of Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park. However, the fellow is now at large. The arms and ammunition were targeted at facilities of Israel and Western interest in Nigeria. The security agencies are making frantic efforts to unveil the true situation. At the end of investigation, all those involved will be prosecuted.”

Why my successor must come from Enugu North, by Chime Lakyo massacre: SSS retires as its standard bearer from the influx of people into the F the words of Enugu Nasarawa Director Nsukka, will win in the state, state, noting that the law State Governor Sullivan

I

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Chime are anything to go by, his successor will come from the North Senatorial District (Nsukka).

Chime told stakeholders at a Town Hall meeting in Enugu yesterday that it will be the turn of the zone to occupy the highest office in the state after the expiration of his two-term tenure in 2015.

The governor, whose pronouncement drew thunderous applause from his audience, said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arrangement is to pick its next flag bearer from Enugu North.

The pronouncement may have put to rest speculations that Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is from Enugu West, has been eyeing the governorship slot.

Ekweremadu’s posters have flooded some major streets of Enugu and Nsukka.

The governor said although candidates from other zones might spring up to contest on other platforms, the issue of who becomes the governor solely lies in the hands of the voters.

He expressed optimism that whoever the PDP picks

being predominantly PDP. Chime also expressed his support for the creation of Adada State to make up the shortfall in the number of states in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

His words: “It is not in our power to create a state, but of course we are fully in support of the creation of Adada State and we are doing all we can to make sure it is actualised.”

The governor told his audience that measures had been put in place to rid the streets of Enugu of the destitute.

He lamented the increase in street begging resulting from

banning the practice was still in force.

He described as unfortunate that some of the beggars, who had been rehabilitated, resorted to alms begging as a business.

“Begging is an offence against God and the law,” the governor said.

On the communal crisis between Oruku and Umuode communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Chime said it was an embarrassment to the state.

He called on the communities to embrace dialogue to settle whatever misunderstanding they may have.

I’m not involved in Amaechi’s suspension, says First Lady

F

IRST Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday denied having a hand in

the suspension of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Working Committee.

In a statement last night , Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayo Osinlu described the allegation as

“not only dubious, but also diversionary, unfair, unkind, and therefore totally unacceptable”.

According to him, the First Lady is not an official of the PDP as such could not have led ‘the elders of the party by the nose’ to take such a decision.

The statement reads “It has again come to our notice that a new twist has been introduced to the carefully orchestrated scheme to

anchor the political fortunes or survival of certain embattled politicians on a deliberate demonization of the First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan.

“We consider it laughable that it can be assumed by any sane person that the First Lady could possibly “summon” the members of the NWC of the party for the purported purpose of handing down “stern directives” on crucial party decisions.

“We ask, on what platform? Within what contexts?

In what capacity? Is it not an unfortunate insult on all the elders that constitute the NWC to insinuate that they were assembled by the First Lady, or anyone else for that matter, and instructed on positions of the party? And why couldn’t Leadership’s “investigators” name at least a few of those in attendance of this famous meeting? the statement said.

F

OLLOWING alleged operational lapses, the State Security Service(SSS) last night retired Director in Nasarawa State, Mr. Haliru Musa, with immediate effect.

Musa, who was initially scheduled for dismissal, got a waiver to proceed on retirement.

The Lakyo massacre left more than 80 policemen and security operatives dead including 10 young officers of the SSS. It was gathered that a high-scale investigation into the incident showed some operational lapses and poor surveillance by the SSS in Nasarawa State.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The probe of the attack on policemen and SSS operatives revealed that the alleged invasion of Lakyo was not properly planned. There was no far-reaching surveillance and the operation was conducted without tact.

“Even when the director took a plunge to deploy his men for the operation, there was no back up for such a risky assignment.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The Nasarawa State SSS was also found not to have carried its headquarters in Abuja along the strategies in place for the operation.

“If it had been well coordinated, the possibility of the operation failing would have been remote. Going by the level of training exposure of the SSS operatives killed, it amounted to losing members of a vital youthful wing of the service.

“So, there were operational lapses and he director was recommended for dismissal.

But following representations, the DG of SSS, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita, decided with his management to retire Musa.”

Another source added: “The operation was a bit of a consequence from political conflict in the state and the SSS director should have been more circumspect.

“One cannot deny the fact that the crisis within the CPC in Nasarawa State fueled the crisis in Lakyo which led to the mass killing of policemen and SSS operatives.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

7

NEWS

Aliyu weeps as ex-FCT minister Kotangora is buried N

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu wept yesterday as the body of former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mamman Kotangora was buried at his home town, Kotangora, at 5.10pm. The town stood still for the late general.

His remains were escorted by military officers and flown to Kotangora in a helicopter.

The remains were interred at the palace of the Emir of Kotangora according to Muslim burial rites.

The two rakat prayers for the burial were led by the Chief Imam of Kotangora, Central Mosque, Sheikh Shehu Rimaye, with thousands of mourners in attendance.

FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed led the Federal Government delegation, which also included the Minister of State, Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi and the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) Chairman, Mr. Christopher Kolade.

The National Assembly was represented by Senator Ibrahim Musa, Niger North, the senatorial district of the late

Stakeholders seek speedy passage of NEPAD Commission Bill

•Jonathan, Mark Obi, others mourn

From Augustine Ehikioya, Onyedi Ojiabor (Assistant Editor) and Sanni Onogu, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

general, as well as Senator Zaynab Kure, who is also representing Niger State.

The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps Artillery, Maj.Gen. Amnon Kwaskebe, represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika Azubuike, at the funeral.

President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, were among eminent Nigerians who yesterday expressed shock over Kotangora’s death.

In a statement by his Spe-

cial Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said the nation will always honour the memory of Kotangora for his patriotism and service to the nation in various capacities.

The statement reads: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the late General’s family, the Kotangora Emirate Council, Governor Babangida Aliyu and all the people of Niger State.

“The President joins them in mourning the illustrious and indefatigable former Minister of Works and the FCT who, even in retirement, continued to serve his fatherland with zeal, vigour and enthusiasm whenever he was called upon to do so...”

Dr Jonathan prayed God Almighty to grant Kotango-

ra’s soul eternal rest.

Mark described the late Kotangora as a fine military officer and a gentleman.

He said: “I received with shock and deep sorrow the news of the death of General Kotangora. I feel so sad about this. I never knew he was even sick. He was a brilliant officer and a distinguished administrator.

“I recall the revolution he brought to bear in the construction of road networks across Nigeria as the then Minister of Works and Housing.

“He was an honest person and a disciplinarian who never compromised on standards.

He was a goal-getter.”

In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President noted that the late Kotangora was a true nationalist and a patriot who stood to be

S •The late Kotangora

counted when it mattered.

The NSGF expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former minister.

A statement in Minna by Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the Chief Press Secretary to the forum’s Chairman and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, described the late general as a patriot who died in the service of his fatherland.

“He was an uncommon statesman, a dependable ally, a devout Muslim, a great military officer, a highly disciplined gentleman and a respected mentor of his subordinate officers,” the statement added.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

TAKEHOLDERS in the New Partnership for African’s Development (NEPAD) yesterday urged the National Assembly to ensure a speedy passage of its bill for the establishment of the NEPAD Commission in the country.

The stakeholders expressed worry about the disadvantage Nigeria is facing because of the absence of a commission on the partnership.

They spoke at the National Assembly with the Senate Committee on NEPAD during a public hearing on the bill.

According to them, the establishment of the NEPAD Commission in Nigeria is long overdue.

The bill, which has already scaled third reading in the House of Representatives, is due for third reading in the Senate after the Senate Committee on NEPAD gets the inputs of the public and completes its assignment on the bill.

Apo Six: Court upholds prosecution’s right to recall witness From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

J

USTICE Ishaq Bello of the Abuja High Court yesterday upheld the prosecution’s decision to recall a witness in the trial of six police officers who allegedly killed six traders in Apo, Abuja, on June 8, 2005.

The prosecution, led by Chris Uche (SAN), had invited the witness - Ede Ayuba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) - to conclude his evidence. But the defence opposed the invitation.

Defence lawyer, Ricky Tafa (SAN), challenged the re-invitation of Ayuba, who tendered guns and other weapons allegedly recovered in connection with the incident, on the grounds that the move contradicts Section 237 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Uche countered and urged the court to overrule Tarfa’s objection because the witness was only to conclude his evidence by tender supporting exhibits.

Ruling, Justice Bello held that the recall of the witness is in accordance with the relevant sections of the law. He, therefore, overruled the defence’s objection.

The trial resumes on July 10.

•A cross section of athletes during the unveiling of the Athletics Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday. Inset: Governor Babatunde Fashola (left); Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire talking to Little Naomi Isaac, a swimmer, at the PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES event...yesterday.

NUT to begin strike over non-payment of 27.5% allowance

T

HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) will tomorrow begin a total strike in 11 states over nonpayment of 27.5 per cent “teachers’ peculiar allowance”.

The affected states, according to the NUT National President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, are: Benue, Cross River, Bornu, Ekiti, Ogun, Ebonyi, Edo, Kogi, Niger, Zamfara and Sokoto.

Olukoya told reporters in Abuja that the decision was from the National Executive Council (NEC) of NUT

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

against what he called the continuing default by “these derelict, unpatriotic and selfserving political leadership in these states to pay the long overdue 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance.”

At the NUT meeting was the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National President, Comrade Abdulwahed Umar.

The strike, Olukoya said, will be used to also demand

for the payment of the 2011 N18,000 minimum wage by some states.

The proposed strike, Olukoya insisted, will not abate until the union is paid the outstanding package for the teachers.

According to him, security agents should ensure that the teachers are not harassed during the strike.

He said: “Teachers in the 11 states will begin a total work boycott with effect from June 1. You will recall that on August 6, 2008, and follow-

ing a protracted strike by Nigerian teachers to press home our demands for the recognition and granting of Professional Salary Structure (PSS) to teachers - popularly called Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), and after all processes had successfully passed through the Joint Consultative Council Reference Committee and the plenary body with successful passage of the resolution by the National Council on Education, the Federal Government developed cold feet in the imple-

mentation, even after the matter had successfully passed for mention at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“That day, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), under the leadership of their Dr. Bukola Saraki and Namadi Sambo, then of Kwara and Kaduna states, as Chairman and Secretary, did not only enter the affray but also successfully negotiated with the NUT and granted 27.5 per cent ‘Teachers Peculiar Allowance’ and made it payable with effect from January 2009.

“While some state governments, after much struggle, came to terms with the provisions of the agreement, it is regrettable that five years after, 11 states are still in their state of prevarications.

OUR ERROR The advert on page 10 of Wednesday, May 29, 2013 signed by COCIN (Public Relations Officer) was published with the Church of Christ in Nation old logo. The error is highly regreted.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 31, 2013

8

NEWS ‘I did not probe if ex-NIMASA DG gained from contract’

By Joseph Jibueze

A FEDERAL High Court, Lagos, yesterday heard that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not investigate whether the former Director-General (DG) of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye, made personal gains from a contract awarded for the supply of 100 Blackberry smart phones.

An EFCC investigator, Ibrahim Ahmed, said his enquiry indicated that the phones were actually delivered.

The contract was said to be worth N22,050,000.

“I did investigate whether the accused made any financial gain from the contract,” Ahmed said.

He said he also did not find out whether the contractor, Anchor Offshore Services Limited, was specially promised the contract by Omatseye.

He was testifying in the trial of the former NIMASA boss, who EFCC re-arraigned before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia on an amended 27-count charge bordering on a contract scam.

He pleaded not guilty to the counts.

His re-arraignment was due to the transfer of the former judge, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.

He was charged with alleged illegal transfer of the agency’s fund and contract splitting estimated at over N1.5 billion.

During cross-examination by defence counsel Olusina Sofola (SAN), Ahmed said the other contractors who bid for the supply did not make any complaints about Anchor enjoying any special favour from Omatseye.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned till June 26 for continuation of hearing.

T

HERE was a drama yesterday at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, as the presiding judge in separate appeals filed by Hamzat al-Mustapha and Lateef Sofolahan, withdrew from the panel.

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa’s withdrawal stalled the hearing of the appeals, which the appellants filed last year against the state government, challenging the death sentence passed on them by a Lagos High Court, since the other judges, Justice Joseph Ikeyegh and Justice Fatima Akinbami, could not proceed with the matter.

The lead judge, who did not give details of his withdrawal, said he took the action based on personal reasons.

Immediately the court registrar announced the case and the lawyers wanted to announce their appearances, Justice Saulawa said: “I want to let the cat out of the bag.”

By Precious Igbonwelundu

He gave an analogy of a similar matter he handled in Calabar, Cross River State and how his life and those of his colleagues were threatened, but they stood firm.

Justice Saulawa said after the judgment was delivered, several petitions were written against him and as such he would not want a similar situation.

“My name was mentioned and I was an aggrieved party.”

Joseph Daudu (SAN) was the lead counsel for alMustapha. Olalekan Ojo led the legal team for Sofolahan and Lagos State SolicitorGeneral, Lawal Pedro (SAN), led the team for the respondent. al-Mustapha is praying the appellate court to set aside his conviction for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola by the lower court.

In his brief of argument, the

former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha said he was convicted of serving in “a hated administration”, describing other allegations of murder against the administration as “spurious conjectures.”

In the 40-paragraph brief of argument filed by Daudu, the judgment of the lower court was described as “needlessly long”, which according to the lawyer, showed “the trial judge was “at pains” to justify her decision to convict my client”.

He said the judgment was based on “unreliable and discredited” testimonies of the star witnesses of the prosecution.

Before delivering ruling on his disqualification, Justice Saulawa admitted an amended respondent’s brief of argument in Suit 469B, filed by Sofolahan, dated May 16, as properly filed and served.

Pedro in the amended brief

•al-Mustapha

is urging the court to dismiss the appellant’s appeal, stating four issues for determination.

He urged the court to determine whether based on the evidence before the court, Justice Mojisola Dada was right to have found Sofolahan guilty of conspiracy to commit felony and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment.

Delivering ruling, Justice Saulawa granted their prayers and formally withdrew from the case.

He adjourned the matter till June 10 for hearing of the application by a new panel that will be constituted.

A FEDERAL High Court, Lagos, yesterday ordered officials of the Ikoyi Prison to allow an indisposed convict, Adeyemo Abiodun, get medical attention.

Abiodun was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the sale of an adulterated teething mixture, My Pikin.

He was sentenced by Justice Okechukwu Okeke on May 17, alongside Ebele Eromosele, both employees of Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., manufacturers of the teething syrup.

Justice Mohammed Idris gave the order for medical treatment, following the hearing of an exparte application filed on behalf of the convict by his counsel, Mr. Osaro Eghobamien (SAN).

Eghobamien in his application, prayed the court to allow the convict whom he said collapsed for the second time in custody, to be admitted in a nearby hospital for proper medical attention.

Justice Idris in his ruling, ordered that the convict be allowed to seek medical attention at the prison’s clinic.

Reps ban same sex From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

H

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Adeola (right); his deputy, Auwal Jattau; members of the committee, Haske Hananiya, Raphael Igbokwe and James Faleke, after a session with the Ministry of Works, PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE at the National Assembly, Abuja... yesterday.

OUSE of Representatives yesterday passed into law the same sex prohibition bill after its consideration in the Committee of the Whole.

The committee passed the bill with minimum alterations.

The content of the bill with the title: “A bill for an act to prohibit marriage or civil union entered between persons of the same sex, solemnisation of same and for other matters related therewith”, stipulates 14-year jail term for anyone that contravenes the law.

In the same vein, the piece of legislation prohibits the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations.

Sylva loses bid to quash charges, travel

EFCC opposes marketer’s bid THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday opposed an application by an oil marketer, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, seeking to quash a fraud charge brought against him.

The anti-graft agency made the objection in a counter-affidavit filed by its counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court.

Ogunbambo was charged with N976.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

The EFCC is prosecuting him alongside Habila Theck and a firm, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Ltd. The accused are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of forged documents.

The court has not fixed any date for ruling on the application.

However, it adjourned the substantive trial till October 22.

Convict to seek medical attention

al-Mustapha: Appeal judge withdraws from panel

•Ex-Governor appeals against court’s decision From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

•Sylva

F

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, yesterday lost his bid to stop his trial for alleged money laundering offences.

A Federal High Court in Abuja refused his prayer that the charges against him be quashed. The court also turned down his prayer for a permission to be allowed to accompany his wife, Mrs. Alayingi Sylva, on a foreign trip.

Justice Adamu Bello, in separate rulings, dismissed two motions filed to that effect by Sylva, for lacking in

merit.

Sylva, in the first motion filed in June, last year urged the court to quash the sixcount charge against him on the grounds that no evidence in the proof of evidence linked him to the offences alleged; that the proof of evidence did not disclose a prima facie case against him; that the charge is frivolous, unconstitutional and amounted to an abuse of court process.

He had, with the second motion filed in April, sought the court’s leave to accompany his wife on a medical trip abroad. He said his wife was due for an urgent surgery in London and needed his company.

Refusing the first motion, the judge held that it was premature for Sylva to contend that the charge was frivolous and that there was no evidence linking him with the offences al-

leged.

The judge, relying on the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Alamieyeseigha vs the Federal Government reported in 2006, 16 NWLR part 1004, held that there was a distinction between the summary trial conducted by the Federal High Court and the trial by information as done in the state High Court. “Under the summary trial, the question of whether the proof of evidence is sufficient could only be determined after the prosecution has closed its case and if a no-case submission is made by the defence. It is then the court can decide whether or not a prima facie case is established, not before,” the judge held.

Justice Bello further held that the summary trial procedure was constitutional, but that the procedure that was not constitutional was that adopted by the accused person because, by his mo-

tion, he sought to prevent the prosecution from proving its case against him.

He held that by seeking to quash the charge before the prosecution is allowed to present its case, amounts to denying it the right to fair hearing, since the accused has had the opportunity of pleading not guilty to the charge.

The judge also relied on the Supreme Court decision delivered on April 19 in the unreported case of Ralph Nwazurike vs the Attorney- General of the Federation, numbered: SC/207/2008. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, it was established that in summary trial, proof of evidence must not necessary accompany the charge, but that the accused was at liberty to apply to the court for additional information relating to the charge.

It was also the decision

of the apex court that the accused, under summary trial, is only entitled to know the nature of the charge and not the nature of the evidence.

Guided by the apex court’s decision, Justice Bello refused to quash the charge at this early stage.

In refusing the other motion, Justice Bello observed a number of conflicting information in the exhibits tendered by Sylva.

The judge noted that while the letter referring Mrs. Sylva to Cromwell Hospital, London for treatment was written by a Nigerian doctor at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, no response was addressed to the Nigerian doctor by the London hospital.

The judge elected to accord the case an accelerated hearing and adjourned till July 8 for the beginning of trial.

Sylva yesterday appealed against the court’s decision.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

9

NEWS

Protect your voter cards, Aregbesola warns electorate

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the people to be wary of politicians, who are trying to lure them into selling their voter cards.

He spoke in Ibokun, headquarters of Obokun Local Government Area, at the inauguration of the Aregbesola Campaign Office, which was facilitated by the Assistant Director (Community Forum), Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.

Describing such transaction as illegal, the governor wondered why some politicians were striving to return to power through illegal means, despite the fact that they failed the people when they were in power.

He said: “For 14 years of democracy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been in power at the centre, but the people have not seen any development they have attracted to our state and other states of the federation, despite the huge resources available to the government at the centre.

“The Federal Government takes 51 per cent of the coun-

•Aregbesola addressing the crowd... on Wednesday. try’s resources and states share only 26 per cent. Despite that, no impact of the Federal Government is felt here, except for the police.

“It is from our share of the 26 per cent that we have attracted the huge development you are seeing to our

Gbonigi: developed countries behind Nigeria’s problems

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ETIRED Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi yesterday accused developed countries of adding to Nigeria’s problems while pretending to be its friend.

Rev. Gbonigi said they cause trouble in the country by “colluding” with Nigerians in acts of terrorism and economic degradation.

Speaking with reporters, he said: “They add to our problems. They collude with Nigerians to cause trouble, loot our treasury, destroy our economy, carry out acts of terrorism and cause insecurity in the country. We should tell them that they are not our friends but our enemies.”

Rev. Gbonigi accused some politicians and civil servants of fraudulently enriching themselves at the expense of the people.

He said unemployment, as well as greed and insensitivity to the plight of the people by some leaders pose great danger to the nation’s democracy and unity.

Rev. Gbonigi urged the government to address the problems before things get out of hands.

He urged citizens to cooperate with the government to address the nation’s challenges.

The cleric prayed that God’s love would continue to sustain the country.

A

Students donate blood

BOUT 100 students and staff of the Lagos State Skill Acquisition Centre, Mushin, yesterday voluntarily donated blood to the state’s blood bank during a blood donation drive organised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC).

They said the donation was their way of helping others.

The Principal of the centre, Mr. Gabriel Adetiloye, said there was shortage of blood in hospitals and urged people to donate blood to save lives.

Speaker decries poor value system

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AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has decried the deteriorating value system. He said no nation can prosper with lazy youths.

Ikuforiji spoke in his office on Tuesday while hosting the Lagos State Tertiary Institutions’ Speakers’ Forum and the 2012\2013 Miss LASU, Ajoke Badmus.

He said youths have lost their relevance, especially students, who were once vanguards of the voiceless.

Recalling the past glory of student unionism, Ikuforiji said the National Association

By Oziegbe Okoeki

of Nigerian Students (NANS) used to be the conscience of the nation.

He said: “If youths go into a permanent slumber, the nation would retard permanently. We are at the bottom of the pit right now. We must retrace our steps to right the wrongs. You must be determined to make a difference.”

Ikuforiji hailed the Chairman of the Speakers’ Forum, Miss Titilayo Arikawe and Miss Badmus for distinguishing themselves, despite being women.

state within two-and-a-half years. They were also here, but they achieved nothing.

“The progressives have only ruled for six-and-a-half years, comprising the four years of Chief Bisi Akande and my twoand-a-half years, and for that period, there has been devel-

opment in Osun, while the PDP was here for seven-anda-half years with nothing to show for it.”

Aregbesola said his administration was determined to transform the state into a Mecca of sort and make it a model for development in Af-

rica.

Oyintiloye said the development Osun is witnessing was well-planned.

He said Aregbesola deserves to be reelected by the people.

Oyintiloye said he and some other people pooled resourc-

es together to set up the campaign office and champion the governor’s reelection crusade in the council.

The governor met with traditional rulers in the local government, who said his reelection would benefit the state.

Supreme Court rules on Oni’s suit today

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HE Supreme Court will today rule on whether or not the October 15, 2010, Appeal Court Judgment, which declared Dr. Kayode Fayemi winner of the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti State, was biased.

The Justice Isa Ayo Salamiled appeal panel held that the poll was marred by irregularities and ousted the administration of Mr. Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was earlier declared winner of the election.

On March 14, 2011, Oni and the PDP filed an application at the Appeal Court in AdoEkiti, the state capital, urging it to set aside the judgment that ousted him.

Tthe Appeal Court dismissed the application on February 27, last year, and the appellants approached the Supreme Court.

O

•Police warn Ekiti residents against violence From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Oni is seeking an order quashing the judgments of the two courts; the constitution of a fresh panel to hear the election petition and an order directing the House of Assembly Speaker to take over governance of Ekiti State, pending the determination of the appeal.

The seven-man panel, chaired by Justice Tanko Muhammad, will rule on the applications today.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, told reporters yesterday that the parties have been warned against causing trouble in the aftermath of the judgment.

Speaking through the com-

‘

We have deployed our men in strategic positions across the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order that may arise as a result of the judgment

’

mand’s spokesman, Mr. Victor Babayemi, Wakama said: “We have deployed our men in strategic positions across the state to fore-

stall any breakdown of law and order that may arise as a result of the judgment. However, we do not foresee any crisis.”

The State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Jide Awe, said no member of his party would foment trouble, adding that no one took the law into his/her hands “even when the situation was more uncertain”.

He said ACN had confidence in the judiciary and “would not involve in any action that would desecrate the temple of justice”.

Oni repeatedly said the suit was not intended to ridicule the judiciary but to “expose the bias in the judgment that ousted him from office”.

Ibadan residents get free kerosene, eggs

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday distributed 50,000 litres of kerosene and eggs to Ibadan residents to mark this year’s Democracy Day and his second year in office.

Over 1,000 people benefited from the gesture, which was sponsored by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Mr. Abiodun Gbolagade.

The distribution took place at Fema Golden Heritage Petrol Station along Abbey Technical School road, Ibadan.

Ajimobi said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the people’s suffering.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Solid Minerals, Mr. Matthew Oyedojun, said his ad-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ministration was determined to make life easier for the people.

He said: “Kerosene is quite expensive now and many people cannot afford it?

These are hard times for them and with each of them collecting four litres of kerosene and half a crate of

E

eggs, these will go a long way in feeding their families.”

The governor hailed Gbolagade for putting smiles on the faces of the people in Oluyole council and urged other politicians to emulate him.

He said there was need to continue to reach out to the masses through similar initiatives, so that they would

feel the government’s presence.

Gbolagade said the gesture was to complement the governor’s efforts to alleviate poverty.

He said: “Ajimobi has, in the last two years, been delighting the people. He has improved infrastructure and ensured peace in the state, which makes every other thing possible.”

Fayemi for Eighth Ransome-Kuti Lecture

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi will tomorrow deliver the eighth Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Memorial Lecture at the Old Great Hall of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.

He will speak on “Tackling health and social inequity in Ekiti State”.

In a statement, Fayemi’s media aide, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the governor

would share how his administration has tackled social inequity as well as how it has transformed Ekiti, despite the state’s lean purse.

The lecture would be chaired by Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

It will feature a question and answer session and will be streamed live to all internet enabled laptops, tablets and mobile devices.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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NEWS 15 arrested over Ondo crisis From Damisi Ojo, Akure

F

IFTEEN persons have been arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in Monday’s and Tuesday’s protests in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

They would be arraigned soon.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Patrick Dukumor, told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that no one died in the protests.

He said his men restrained from using arms to curtail the crisis.

Dukumor said: “Those young people wanted to burn the palace, but we professionally handled the situation. I was on the scene of the incident with the Ondo Area Commander and other senior officers. No life was lost.”

He said a policeman, who was injured, was taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, on the order of Governor Olusegun MImiko.

Dukumor said normalcy had been restored in Ile Oluji.

He urged reporters to always clarify issues from him.

Ogun bans trucks from Ibara Bridge

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RUCKS weighing over five tons will no longer be allowed to pass through the Ibara Flyover in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as from June 10.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, announced this yesterday in a statement.

He said barricades would be erected on the bridge to ensure compliance.

Olaniyonu said the decision was to ensure durability of the bridge and ensure the safety of motorists.

Why we lost at tribunal,

by Ondo CPC candidate

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in last October’s governorship election in Ondo State, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, has said the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Abuja, did not respond on time to his petition for the constitution of a fresh panel to hear his petition.

In a letter to the PCA on Monday, Ehinlanwo said CPC sent the petition on April 18, but did not get a reply until May 11, the last day of the election petition tribunal’s life span.

The letter reads: “We are of the firm opinion that if immediate action had been taken on the petition, the constraint of time insinuated in your response would have been largely overcome. For some reasons, which we suspect might border on administrative laxity and incompetence, a response was supposedly only written over 10 days after our petition was delivered to your office. ‘’This is even more distressing, given the clear urgency implied in the petition. More saddening was the fact that it took several visits and rigmarole, lasting many days at the tribunal’s office at the Court of Appeal, before we were eventually handed a copy of the response, which should have been given to us immediately the letter was available.

“Your response was given to us on April 11, 12 days after it was available. It is needless to say that there was no evidence, as far as we know, that the response was ever dispatched to our designated address. We find what appears to be the delay in responding to the petition, including the one that seemed to ensure that the response only got to our hand when the statutory time had lapsed, quite unfortunate, disappointing and a reflection of serious administrative laxity and incompetence. ‘’This type of administrative inefficiency in the Appeal Court will only succeed in undermining the goals of the justice system, where no individual or group should be denied justice and where justice should be delivered speedily. ‘’It is against the aforementioned background that we urge your Lordship to address the administrative laxity and incompetence that seem to have compounded the initial problem we brought to your notice, rather than solve it. ‘’More importantly, we urge your Lordship to ensure that justice is not denied to our party and our candidate through a mix of actions and inactions – deliberate and otherwise – which seem to be making dim our resolve to present our case and evidences in respect of the October governorship election.”

Man, 39, held for ‘impersonation’

A

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

39-YEAR-OLD man, Wasiu Azeez, has been arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for allegedly printing fake letterhead papers, recruitment forms and other sensitive documents of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Azeez was allegedly arrested in the act yesterday by men of the NSCDC State Command.

The Commandant, Mr. Shem Obafaiye, said the suspect allegedly introduced himself as an officer of the corps.

He said a tip-off from the NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja revealed the suspect’s whereabouts.

Obafaiye said: “Investigations showed that he became involved in dubious activities three years ago, when he started extorting money from applicants who desired to enlist into the NSCDC. “The suspect was apprehended for forgery of purported NSCDC recruitment forms, impersonating an NSCDC official with a fake uniform decorated as a Level-12 officer, which is Chief Superintendent.

“We recovered fake NSCDC letterhead papers and other items from the suspect. He would be transferred to the corps headquarters in Abuja for further investigation before he is arraigned.”

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (middle); the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Bureau of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr. Foluso Daramola (left); the Executive Director, Corporate Services, IPNX Nigeria Ltd., Mrs. Shade Efiong-Bassey; IPNX Group Managing Director Mr. Ejovi Aror (second right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure and Public Utilities Mr. Kayode Jegede after the presentation of the Teleconferencing System to the governor in Ado-Ekiti...on Tuesday.

Why some states don’t recognise May 29 as Democracy Day, by Fayemi

D

EBATES as to which day represents Nigeria’s Democracy Day took a clearer dimension on Wednesday as Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi explained why Ekiti and some other states recognise June 12, rather than May 29, as the nation’s Democracy Day. Speaking with reporters during the monthly “Meet Your Governor” programme in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Fayemi said aside the fact that some governors did not assume office on May 29, June 12 marked

the “remarkable day” Nigerians trooped out to elect a civilian president after a decade of military rule.

He said although the election, which was adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was annulled, the event remained a watershed in the country’s history.

Fayemi said May 29 was a mere symbolic transition from military to democratic rule, stressing that the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12 election was what gave birth to the democracy

enjoyed in Nigeria today.

He said June 12, given its significance, should be the nation’s Democracy Day, adding that there would not have been May 29, 1999, but for the event of June 12, 1993.

Fayemi said: “Many lives were sacrificed on that day and thereafter while fighting for the democratic experience the nation is witnessing now.

It is important to note that without June 12, 1993, there would be no May 29, 1999.”

On infrastructural develop-

ment in the state, the governor said no violator of town planning rules would be spared in the ongoing demolition of structures obstructing the waterways and those too close to the road.

He said the demolition was delayed because some property owners went to court to challenge it.

Fayemi said landlords with authentic Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and approved building plans would be compensated.

Lagos’ll allocate 4,219 mortgage homes before December, says Fashola

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said the allocation of houses under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS) would begin before the end of the year.

Fashola spoke on Wednesday during an interview on the Lagos Television Station to mark the 6th anniversary of his administration.

He said over 4,219 housing units in 12 locations across the state would be ready for allocation before the year runs out.

About 540 units are located in Sangotedo, 270 in Ogba, 36 in Shitta, 60 in Ilupeju, 73 in Mushin, 660 in Agbowa, 540 in Ajara, 720 in Ibeshe, 144 in Iponri, 168 in Oyingbo and 1,008 in Ijora Badia.

The governor was interviewed by the former President of the Nigeria Guild of

Editors (NGE), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye of the Vanguard; the Editor of The Sun, Mr. Steve Nwosu; Ms. Mauye Ogun of Channels and an activist, Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi, first son of the late Lagos lawyer, Mr. Gani Fawehinmi.

Fashola said: “I assure you that before this year ends, we will start the process of allocating the houses. The allocation would be done by public draw.

We are almost done. We are trying to eliminate the need for anyone to be a relation or friend of any government official before he/she can get a house.

“We have prepared forms and set up a Lagos Mortgage Board. We are recapitalising the Lagos Building and Investment Company (LBIC) to give mortgages. We have set up arbitration rules and gone

through the mortgage documents. We have prepared the draw rules. Draws would be made in public.

“We have set guidelines for those who would be eligible - those who pay their taxes so it will not do to rush to go and pay the tax overnight because we built the houses with taxpayers’ money. It is only fair that those who have been paying faithfully get priority.

“We will not ask you to pay cash once. You will deposit 30 per cent equity of the value of the house you choose and pay the rest over a minimum of 10 years.”

On affordability, the governor said: “I have always said there is no low cost cement or low cost iron rod sold to the government. We borrow at the same interest rate. Our

upstage our government, but we assure them that they will soon find out that our people have since left the realm of bitter politics.

“The politics we play in Oyo State now is that of interrogating whoever wants to ask for the people’s votes. What this means is that our people would ask them questions. It is no longer politics of thug for thug or violence for violence.

“Their coming together can be likened to that of a sparrow and a crocodile. It will end up in disaster. During the battle between Ladoja and his former deputy, who unseat-

ed him, our state was labeled a theatre of war. If you left your home for office in the morning, you were not sure you would come back in one piece in the evening.

“It went so bad that our House of Assembly, that same hallowed parliamentary chambers where the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo sat to address parliament and incubate those world-class policies, became a theatre of war where a driver sat on the Speaker’s chair to hit the gavel on the table.

“This is one of the questions our people would ask them: Do you want to return us to

•Fashola

contractors charge us the import duties and all of the cost attendants of bringing in the raw materials to build the houses.”

Fashola hailed the first civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, on his achievements in housing, regretting that he did not stay long enough to institutionalise the process.

Ladoja, Alao-Akala can’t remove Ajimobi, says ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has said former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala cannot remove the ACN-led administration.

It likened the coming together of the duo to the “gang-up of a sparrow and crocodile”.

ACN was reacting to a media report that the former governors had set up a 10-man committee towards harmonising their 2015 governorship ambition.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN said: “We wish the duo well in their gang-up to

Golgotha, the place of blood?

Our people will ask Ladoja and Akala pertinent questions.

“They will demand to know why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting them for allegedly stealing public funds.

“They will ask them to list their achievements in office and compare them with those of Ajimobi in two years. More fundamentally, they will demand whether this coming together is in the people’s interest or to score some ego points.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

RMAFC appoints 53 consultants to screen banks on revenue collection T HE Revenue Mobilisa tion Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has engaged 53 consultants to verify and reconcile revenue collected by banks on behalf of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday at the launch of the exercise, the Chiarman, RMAFC, Elias Mbam, said the Commission discovered leakages involving banks which have agreements with the FIRS and the NCS. Twenty-one banks are involved in the revenue collection exercise.

He alleged that the banks milked the Federation Account by levying excessive charges on the revenues collected by the two agencies, a development he stressed was unacceptable.

Asked if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was involved, Mbam stated that “the CBN banks all collections and moves them straight to the Federation Account and is not involved in the irregularities.”

The leakages he insisted,

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

“involves banks which have agreements with FIRS and NCS in the nature of excessive charges and Cost of transactions (COT), which is not acceptable.”

To this end, the RMAFC has requested the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to open a special account with the CBN into which all recoveries made shall be paid, in respect of this exercise.

Mbam explained that “the consultants shall be paid their relevant professional fees and the balance shall be remitted to the Federation Account for distribution to the three tiers of government.”

The RMAFC chairman said the “best way to confirm these irregularities is to engage consultants. RMAFC does not know the amount involved and will leave this

• Commission to plug leakages in Federation Accounts

to the consultants to determine.”

He defended the large number of consultants for the exercise, saying that “all the 21 banks are collecting banks for the FIRS and NCS, and they have branches all over the country, as a result, the RMAFC has distributed consultants to specific banks and time frames and the FIRS and NCS to stop these leakages.”

He said the Commission “engaged large consultants to complete the assignment on schedule as it would take too long for very few consultants to complete the assignment.”

The exercise is scheduled to commence on the 3rd of June, 2013 and to be com-

pleted on the 15th of August, 2013 when the lead consultant is expected to submit a final report to the RMAFC. However, the exercise may go beyond 2008, if the need arises, “but we need to work within this time frame first to know the extent of the leakages,” he said.

The RMAFC appointed J.K. Consulting, led by Joseph Kayode Nayeju, former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) as the lead consultant. Mbam said he has “reasonable international experience to lead the exercise.”

The other 52 consultants, i n c l u d i n g PriceWaterhouseCoopers, will carry out the verification and reconciliation exer-

cise covering January 2008 to June 2012.

Mbam said RMAFC was compelled to undertake the exercise when both the nonoil monitoring committee and the mobilization department of the RMAFC observed some irregularities in the remittances of revenue from some collecting banks, adding that “the Commission views this as a serious leakage to the Federation Account.”

On March 19th, 2013, the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) gave approval to RMAFC to engage consultants to verify and reconcile revenue collections and remittances by the banks in order to recover any excess deduction

and stop further leakages.

Mbam noted that “the essence of the exercise is to ensure transparency and accountability in revenue remittances into the Federation Account, and given the seriousness with which the RMAFC and FAAC view this assignment, it is hoped that all consultants will collectively bring their professional experience to bear on it in order to achieve the desired result.”

He appealed to all the lead and collecting banks to cooperate with the consultants to ensure a very successful exercise which is to promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in the business relationship between the banks and the government.

Bristol Helicopters to train pilots with $4.8m

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RISTOW Helicopters is to spend $4.8million (about N758.4m) on training of its pilots, the Managing Director, Capt. Akin Oni, has said’

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

The said it would spend $300, 000 each on 16 pilots this year.

Oni said the training of pilots, engineers and other technical

personnel was a yearly exercise by the company, adding that the current pilots would be trained at the Ilorin Aviation College, in Kwara State.

He explained that the selected candidates were picked from 2,000 applicants, while the training is expected to last for between seven and eight weeks.

He informed that after the initial training at Ilorin, they would proceed for further training to Bristow Academy in Florida, United States of America.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS

Reps move to stem pension fraud From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

• Speaker, House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal

A

BILL for an Act to re peal the Pension Re form Act of 2004, and enact the Pension Reform Act of 2013 has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The new law is intended to stem the tide of fraudulent practices in the management of pension. In the course of debates, members argued that the present Act was

filled with lacunas that are being fraudulently exploited.

The Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor, who spoke while moving the motion for the second reading of the Bill, said millions of pensioners fund were being stolen due to the lacuna in the current Act, saying that the proposed enactment would not only stem such unwholesome practices, but also bring pension management in the country in conformity with international best practices.

Samson Okwu, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Pension, stated that the pension department in

• To probe $40m Internet monitoring contract the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was working at cross purposes with National Pension Commission, and that the new enactment would reduce corruption, reposition and unify the management of pension.

Members noted that it has been difficult for Nigerians to access their pension benefits and supported the passage of the Bill. It was referred to the House Committee on Pension matters for further legislative action.

Also yesterday at plenary, the House asked that the monetary jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the Fed-

eral Capital Territory (FCT) be increased to a minimum of N10 million from the present N250,000.

The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion by a member, Toby Okechukwu, the House therefore urged the Chief Judge of the FCT to recommend to the FCT Minister an increase in the jurisdiction, in line with section 17 of the District Court Laws of Northern Nigeria.

Section 17 of the District Courts of Law empowers the FCT Minister, upon the recommendation of the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, to in-

crease the jurisdiction exercised by District Judges in the FCT. While mandating its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure that the resolution was fully complied with, the parliament further urged the FCT Minister to immediately increase the monetary jurisdiction of the magistrate (District) courts as may be recommended by the FCT Chief Judge.

Okechukwu had while leading debate on the motion argued that the action if taken would enhance the dispensation of justice, adding that the current monetary jurisdiction of 250,000 Naira introduced since 1997 upon the recommendation of the then Chief Judge of the FCT was no longer in tandem with present day realities.

“The current monetary jurisdiction exercised by the District Courts no longer reflects the rental realities in the nation’s capital, hence the need for increase in jurisdiction of the courts.

Also, the House voiced its opposition against the award of a $40million internet spying contract to a foreign company by the Federal Government.

The project was to monitor computer and Internet activities of over 45 million Nigerians.

According to the lawmakers, the process of awarding the contract failed due process and in breach of Fiscal Responsibility Act, and Bureau of Public Procurement Act,

2007.

As a result, House Committees on Information and Computer Technology, Human Rights, and National Security, were mandated to conduct inquiry into the project and report back in three weeks.

The Federal government was however advised to suspend all action with regard to the contract pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance raised by Ibrahim Gusau (ANPP, Zamfara), who noted that the project violated basic privacy provisions of Chapter 4 Section 37 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The contract, he said, under the guise of intelligent gathering and national security, may not be the answer to the security challenges currently confronting the country, saying that the rights of Nigerians to privacy have been violated by the project, Gusau added, “The clandestine project was awarded by the Jonathan administration to Elbit Systems, an Israeli Info-tech firm, to spy on millions of Nigerian internet users. “ It is seen as part of the government’s widened clampdown on free media, and unrestrained use of the internet to attack government officials and policies”.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the House when it was put to voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

Govt to implement National Broadband Plan

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O W A R D S revolutionalising communication technology in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday promised that his administration will take immediate steps to fully implement the report of the Presidential Committee on a National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap.

He made the promise at the Presidential Villa Abuja while receiving the report from the committee jointly presented by the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson and the CoChairmen of the Committee, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Mr. Jim Ovia.

According to him, the successful implementation of the National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap will help to positively revolutionize communications in Nigeria.

He said that he wholly subscribed to the committee’s view that broadband is to the 21st century information age what electricity was to the industrial age and would therefore give the fullest possible support to the effort to ensure that Nigeria is wholly integrated into the global digital communications network.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Technology, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said: “Any country that lags behind in the current age of ICT will miss a lot. That is why we have cre-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ated a separate Ministry of Communications Technology to facilitate the establishment of the best digital communications infrastructure in Nigeria and optimize our adoption of global best practices in the use of information and communications technology.

“I thank you for your work and I assure you that the report will be adopted by government and implementation will begin immediately because our people are hungry for information and we are in a hurry to fully integrate our country into the digital communications age.” He added The Presidential Committee, which was established in September 2012 to develop a broadband strategy and roadmap for Nigeria, said that the key objectives of the plan which it has evolved are: to promote pervasive broadband deployment in the country; increase broadband adoption and usage and ensure the availability of broadband services at affordable prices to maximize its socio-economic and political benefits.

Internet and broadband penetration in Nigeria is expected to achieve fivefold increase within the 2013-2018 implementation period.

To this end, all state capitals and urban cities in the country are expected to have metro-fibre infrastructure installed within the period.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

14

AGRO-BUSINESS

Plantation owners insist on palm oil import tariff P

LANTATION Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON) has called on the Federal Government to retain the 35 per cent tariff duty on the importation of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) to save the local industry.

Its Executive Secretary, Mr Fatai Afolabi, told reporters in Lagos that the group is disturbed by reports of concession and waivers being granted to traders to import CPO and refined products.

This, he said, was done despite all the tariff and the president’s assurance in the budget not to grant concession and waiver to import commodities which the country could produce.

By Daniel Essiet

Urging manufacturers to explore the untapped resources in the palm oil market, Afolabi said the sector could become more productive, if the multinationals and Asian companies join plantation owners on planting.

The manufacturers accused some foreigner of working with some individuals within the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment to clear the way for the CPO to enter the country and become an emerging market for vegetable oil in Africa and the world.

Nigerians must know what the government’s policy is on the im-

portation of palm oil what its plans are to ensure that billions of naira invested in oil palm plantation by Okomu Plc, Presco Plc, Dansa Agro Plantations Limited, Real Plantation, A and Hatman, Siat Nigeria Limited, IMC Limited, JB Farms Limited, Saturn Farms, and Aden River are not wasted.

In the past few months, he said companies have refused to buy CPO from local producers, adding: “Their claim is that it is cheaper for them to buy palm oil from the international market.

“But analysts have computed the variables and discovered that it is impossible for these companies to get CPO at the international market at the prevailing international

market price, pay for shipping of the bulky commodity and pay the full 35 per cent duty on it and still get it cheaper than the local market price of CPO. “The only way their claim to obtain palm oil from the international market at a cheaper price than the local market can be correct is if they are short paying the government in the area of import duties and levies.”

He said tariff reduction would be of no use, describing it as part of a grand design to stifle local palm oil production.

Afolabi said Nigeria could afford to expose itself to sabotage by competitors. The country, he said, must follow the protectionist path

of Indonesia and Malaysia. “It is certain that the Malaysia’s CPO tariff is set to undermine the Nigerian Oil PalmTransformation Agenda. In the circumstance, the most appropriate response by Nigeria is to reinstitute the ban on importation of CPO,” he said.

He warned that if cheap and low quality palm oil is dumped in Nigeria, the rural economy would suffer and that Nigeria’s natural resources and biodiversity would be affected.

He said: “The dumping of cheap and unfortified palm oil in Nigeria also has implication for the oil palm component of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the present administration.”

and men who have been trained in various agricultural skills at the Songhai Delta, Amukpe, a reputable training institution in Delta State. The scheme, which is aimed at training youths in Niger Delta in various aspects of agriculture, took off in January 2008. The NDDC said it has trained over 6,500 youths of the region in various agricultural practices at Songhai.

“All NDDC Agric Skills graduates who have formed themselves into cooperative societies and have met necessary criteria for the credit scheme are encouraged to exercise patience for subsequent phases,” Amadi said.

He said the commission had so far trained 11,000 youths in vari-

ous agricultural skills, out of which 1,100 are members of various cooperatives. He charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the scheme, adding: “This programme, if properly embraced by you, shall bring about accelerated social economic transformation of the Niger Delta.”

The commission has promised to increase food supply by building rice processing mills across the oil producing states to produce rice in commercial quantity. Amadi said: “We started commercial rice farming as far back as 2007 with nine pilot farms in the region. Our giant rice processing plant at EleleAlimini in Rivers State will soon start churning out tonnes of high quality rice.”

NDDC’s agric revolution The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is returning to the land in developing the nine states comprising the agency. It is also empowering indigenes of the states to till the land under its agriculture enhancement programme. NNEKA NWANERI reports.

I

N the fifties and sixties, agriculture was the mainstay of the economy. The regions then had commodities which generated revenue for them at the international market. The Western Region had cocoa; North, groundnut; East, coal and Midwest, rubber. Everything changed with the discovery of oil.

The wealth that came from oil made the country to dump agriculture.

We are paying the price for our action today. With the fear that oil may soon dry up, reality has suddenly dawned on the country on the need to diversify the economy.

Many countries, among them Israel, have since seen the potentials in agriculture. Israel earns $714 million yearly from food export, while Nigeria spends billion of naira on imports.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is tapping from Israel’s agricultural prowess for the benefit of its member states.

The Israeli Embassy is collaborating with the NDDC to rejuvenate and modernise agricultural practices in the oil-producing region.

The commission is also working in conjunction with other stakeholders in its efforts to reactivate the agricultural potentials of Niger Delta and empower farmers.

The commission has procured over 100 tractors for distribution to the ministries of agriculture in the nine Niger Delta states to boost food production. NDDC Managing Director Dr. Christian Oboh told reporters at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that for Nigeria to tackle youth unemployment and be selfsufficient in food production, the country has to go into mechanised farming.

He said: “We have realised the need to fast-track the process of getting our youths to be properly engaged and also to ensure that we play our role in the transformation agenda of Mr. President especially in boosting agriculture. In this vein, NDDC has acquired over 100 tractors to support various ministries of agriculture in the nine states of the region to boost food production. These tractors will be distributed to cooperative societies or individuals who are ready to go

into full time farming.”

The commission also facilitated the training of eleven agricultural engineers in mechanised farming.

The beneficiaries were trained in India on tractor maintenance and operation and are now at the core of the commission’s mechanised agro-development plan across the region. Oboh described the engineers as worthy ambassadors whose knowledge would strengthen the N1 billion revolving loan scheme the commission initiated for Niger Delta farmers in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.

He talked about NDDC’s determination to pursue programmes that would boost agriculture to make it compete with the oil sector as a major economic base in the region. He urged the beneficiaries of the training to use their skills and knowledge to further contribute to the development of agriculture in the region.

Mr Ene-Ita Ene Okpo and his colleagues who benefited from the training said they were grateful for the opportunity given them by the NDDC. He said they would put their experience into practice. “Our training was fruitful and rewarding, we were trained at the Research and Development Centre on how to dismantle and couple various kinds of tractors. We were exposed to the best practices in mechanised farming,” he said. Another beneficiary, Edikan Eshiet said they had a “very challenging period in India,” adding that with the experience gained, they were better equipped to handle tractors and other farming equipment.

NDDC’s Director, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Godspower Amadi said the training arose from the need to train the staff who will further train others on tractor maintenance and operation. He said mechanised agriculture would enhance food production and create jobs for the youths. The director said the specialised training was part of efforts to boost food production through mechanised farming in the Niger Delta, noting that the NDDC had previously donated 27 tractors to the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) group, for delivery to farmer cooperatives in

• Some tractors.

their respective host communities.

Amadi said in 2011, the NDDC flagged off the first phase of its Agricultural Credit Scheme meant to touch the lives of 1,660 youths from 166 cooperatives in the Niger Delta. He said N500 million was set aside as cash security deposit for the take off of the first phase of the scheme while N304 million was remitted to the Bank of Agriculture for the second phase of the programme.

According to him, the programme is also in line with the commission’s policy on agricultural development which emphasises wealth and job creation, food security and poverty reduction.

The scheme, he said, was designed for Niger Delta youths, women

Minister: armed sea robbery threatens fishing

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HE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumni Adesina, has decried the wave of armed sea robbery on the coastal waters, saying the problem is threatening the fisheries subsector.

Adesina spoke at the National Marine Fisheries Stakeholders Conference on Armed Sea Robbery organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Lagos.

The conference was attended by 81 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including the Ambassador of Vietnam, the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association (NITOA), men of the Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Defence Headquarters Marine Police, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Department of Fisheries and Cooperatives, Federal Department of Fisheries, Non-Governmental Organisations, Gentlemen of the

Press, among others.

In his keynote address delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ibukun Odusote, Adesina said apart from foreign exchange earnings, the fisheries sector contributes a lot to the economy, including food and nutrition security, income and employment generation and poverty alleviation.

He lamented that apart from killing and inflicting serious injuries on crew members, valuable items such as fish and shrimp products, communication and navigation equipment worth several millions of Naira had been carted away by the sea pirates.

Furthermore, he said over 400 fishing and shrimp vessels had been attacked since 2002 while 120 shrimp vessels were attacked by sea pirates and robbers from January last year to date.

He stressed that the socio-eco-

nomic cost of armed sea robbery and other vices scared new investors due to increased risk factor in investing in the country, adding that it led to decrease in fish production and retrenchment of workers, just as foreign exchange earnings from the sector had dropped with reduction in the number of fishing vehicles from 250 in 2009 to 122 this year.

Adesina urged the participants to work out effective ways of tackling armed sea robbery challenges facing the fishing industry.

He assured that his ministry was making efforts at addressing the issue. For instance, he said two Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) stations were being established in Lagos and Calabar, six patrol vessels had been procured, sensitisation campaign against sea piracy intensified and was collaborating with regional and international bodies to checkmate the activities of sea pirates.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

PROJECT

JOBS

ABDUCTION

Taps run again in Plateau

Akpabio to train 300 youths

Doctor relives ordeal in kidnappers’ den

Jos

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Akwa Ibom

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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Ebonyi

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Okorocha’s wife builds houses for widows

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•Mrs Okorocha

HE wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha has said that the philosophy behind her pet project, “She Needs a Roof Project” (SNARP) is to ensure total eradication of shanties in the state.

Mrs. Okorocha stated this at the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of the well-furnished ultra-modern bungalow she built for three widows; Mrs. Udochukwu Franca, Mrs. Charity Nwosu and Mrs. Regina Okwara of Umuoma Egwedu Njaba Local Government Area, Abazu Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and Ikeduru Local Government Area respectively.

She expressed her happiness over the

construction of the buildings and thanked God for using her as an instrument for transforming the lives of the indigent widows who now have shelters over their heads.

The governor’s wife used the occasion to call on people to remain steadfast in the Lord; even as she assured them that the Lord who answered the prayers of the beneficiaries of SNARP will surely not forget them in their misery.

In their respective addresses, the Sole Administrators of Njaba Local Government Area, Hon. Uche Rajis, Mr. Emma Iheanakwe of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, and their Ikeduru Local Government Area counterpart, poured

encomiums on the wife of the governor, saying it is a dream come true and not some internet projects which some past administrations were noted for.

They prayed God to sustain this goodwill of Mrs. Okorocha in the total transformation of the state. They pledged their continuous support and loyalty to the rescue mission of Governor Okorocha.

The people of Umuoma Egwedu in Njaba, Abazu Ogwa in Mbaitoli and Iho in Ikeduru LGA could not hide their happiness in thanking the wife of the governor as some beneficiaries of the SNARP emerged from their area. They promised their support and solidarity to the rescue mission of the governor.

For the beneficiaries, Mrs. Udochukwu Franca, Mrs. Charity Nwosu and Mrs. Regina Okwara, it was an impossible thing made possible; hence they were full of praises and prayers for the wife of the governor.

The event which attracted people from different walks of life featured the unveiling of the plague of the buildings, cutting of tape for the inauguration of the houses and freewill donation in support of the SNARP project in which the initiator vowed that about 270 of such buildings will be completed in the state before the end of the year.

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BOUT 6, 000 unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 35 years are to be employed by the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, (SURE-P) in Taraba State. The flag-off ceremony of the programme was held at the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, Jalingo, the state capital.

SURE-P is a Federal Government’s multi-sector initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment and alleviate poverty through the provision of social services and improvement of infrastructural facilities in the country.

Taraba State Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar said at the event that the adoption of SUREP was the beginning of a systematic process that will move the state forward; in fulfilment of the collective quest for transformation.

He said: “In Taraba State, we have not only embraced the set objectives of SURE-P but have also gone ahead to include our (own) home-grown solutions to make the programme more effective.”

Umar added that the initiative was in line with the state government’s desire to create thousands of jobs every year, even as he encouraged the private sector to do same through increased investment in the state.

The implementation of SUREP in Taraba, according to Umar, is in two phases. The first phase, he said, comprises training the youth in computer applications and fish production (how to raise fingerlings).

According to the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Youth and Sports, Alhaji Abdulhadi Haruna Lau, 600 youths would be trained in computer applications by the Muslim Council and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Another 600 youths shall receive training in production of fingerlings.

Lau further said there are about 1,700 skill acquisition opportunities for unemployed

•Some of the tricycles

Taraba SURE-P lifts 6,000 youths Provides computer training Distributes 1,900 tricycles, bicycles From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

youths.

The training, he said, will be carried out by a consultancy firm, Global Heritage and Consultancy Services Limited in collaboration with the Taraba State Polytechnics, Jalingo. The beneficiaries would be issued with certificates at the end of the training.

In the second phase, he stated, there would be distribution of motorcycles and tricycles to youths to enable them to be financially selfreliant while, at the same time, providing efficient public transportation to the public. He added that the tricycles and motorcycles would be “highly subsidised” by the state government.

Lau also said that about 1,500 motorcycles and 400 tricycles would

be distributed.

The tricycles and motorcycles will be leased to 1,900 recipients who will operate them for about one year within which they would repay only 40 per cent of the cost to government. After that, he added, the operators would take ownership of the tricycles and motorcycles.

•Continued on Page 45

•Alhaji Garba Umar

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Akwa Ibom to train 300 youths

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• Governor Akpabio

HE Akwa Ibom State government will train no fewer than 300 youths on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and entrepreneurship programme, an official has said in Uyo. The State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs Comfort Etuk, told journalists that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect.

“We have signed an MoU with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (NNPC/MPN) to train the youths in the state,’’ she said.

The commissioner said the youth would be trained on ICT and entrepreneurial scheme through the state’s joint venture with NNPC/ MPN on Graduate Assistance Programme Phase Two. She added that they would be trained for two years, and at the end of the programme each of the 300 participants would be given a laptop

NDDC gets 100 tractors HE NDDC says it has procured 100 tractors to enhance mechanised farming and boost food production in the Nigeri Delta region.

The commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Iditoye Abosede, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

The statement quoted the Managing Director of the commission, Dr Christian Oboh, as saying that the tractors would be distributed equitably to the nine-member states that make up the commission. ‘’The procurement of 100 tractors is in line with the transformation agenda of Mr President to boost the agricultural sector as well as create employment for youths. ‘’These tractors will support ministries of Agriculture in the nine states of the region to boost food production and food security.’’

He said that the commission would partner with the Governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa

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Delta Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states to establish fish farms.

The statement also said that the commission would soon inaugurate 11 completed hostel blocks out of the 18 being built in various institutions in the region. ‘’The building of hostels in various institutions of higher learning in the nine states is a programme that the current board has been seriously pursuing to its completion. ‘’When we came on board, these projects were in a very bad shape and nearly all the report of various agencies criticised the NDDC for it.

“But I’m glad that 11 of the projects are ready for use,” Oboh said in the statement.

The managing director said that 600 metres span-bridge and side drains in Akwa Ibom state was ready for use.

Akwa Ibom computer at graduation from the programme.

“About 300 unemployed graduates will be taken off the streets and will be trained to become self-reliant.

“The giving of laptops to the graduates is to further enhance the entrepreneurial aspect of the programme, so that at the end, the beneficiaries can start a job of their own,’’ Etuk said.

The commissioner said the programme was designed to enhance the employability and entrepreneurship skills of unemployed graduates in the state.

She disclosed that more than 450 unemployed graduates had been trained on ICT and entrepreneurship under the first phase of the programme.

Cleric urges fear of God PROPHETESS Funmi Shodipe of The Glorious Prayer Church, Anthony Village, Lagos, has urged Nigerian leaders to have the fear of God and do the right thing.

She revealed that God has so much love for the country that no citizen should suffer. She advised Nigerians to steer clear of crimes such as ritual activities, armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution and all manner of corruption which are on increase.

She added that God will continue to be with President Jonathan as long as he keeps to His ways and address mass poverty that is staring the people in the face.

•The President, The Muslim Congress National headquarter Nigeria, Mallam Luqman Abdul Raheem (middle) Wali of the Lagos State Chapter of the society, Mallam Monsur Adebayo and others during the society’s Walk for Life project held in conjnction with Human Concern Foundation International in Jibowu, Lagos.

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Govt partners varsity on floods

HE Bayelsa Post-Floods Management Committee (PFMC) and the Flood Research Group, Federal University, Otuoke, have agreed to collaborate in mitigating the anticipated floods in the state.

The two organisations had resolved to collaborate to proffer solutions to the impending floods in the state after a meeting held at the office of Bayelsa Post Flood Committee.

Council lifts the physically challenged IVES of officials of Mushin Local Government Area have donated some household items to the inmates of Lagos Cheshire Home.The event took place during the Children’s Day celebration.

According to the wife of the chairman of the council , Mrs Rachael Oludayo Adepitan, “ it is very important today and always to remember children who do not have parents to cater for their needs due to one circumstance or the other.The children in this house are not handicapped, you are only physically challenged, I know some of you made the Palms displayed for sales here, that means the sky is the limit for you, once you can harness your potentials”, She appealed to non -governmental agencies to assist the less privileged, especially at an auspicious time like this when attention is being focused on children the world over.

“Lagos Cheshire House is situated in Mushin, if other people from outside the state could come here to give their widow’s mite, those of us who are in Mushin where the home is situated should naturally show more love and concern for these children”, she added.

Earlier on, the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Hon. Olatunde Depitan, has appealed to parents to show an uncommon love for their children, not only during Children’s Day celebration, but always.

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At St.Jude’s Primary where pupils from 40 schools converged for the match parade, the chairman urged the pupils to inculcate good moral values in all that they do.””You are the future of this country, your welfare and well being are the priority of this government” This administration has taken it upon itself to gather children together to celebrate Children’s Day.This is a commitment, because we believe in the growth and development of the children.Your gathering here is to enable you have a sense of belonging and to interact with pupils from other schools.Every school must have a banner bearing the name of the school and a pupil in our public schools, you need to imbibe neatness as part of the trainings required for your development in all that you do.

He called on parents to stop the habit of using their children for child labour, hawking, prostitution and others, “as they are crimes against humanity. Our financial capability should be a veritable factor in the number of children we should have because it requires a lot of commitment to train a child.

Today is special for the children because, It creates attention to the welfare of the children, no child must go to bed hungry if the parents are careful and focussed

• Chief Operating Officer, RLG Communications Nigeria Ltd,Mr.Taiwo Latilo, presenting the franchise documents to Managing Director,Effects Network Ltd, Mr.Wale Azeez (left) and Managing Director,Makar Multilinks Ltd,Mrs. Modupeola Ogunleye, after both were signed on by the company as exclusive dealers for Lagos and Ibadan respectively.

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TSEKIRI Leader, Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor, has urged politicians to reframe from fanning the embers of war and disunity in the country.

Addressing reporters at her home in Surulere, Lagos, she said a lot of fears are being created in the minds of women and children who are vulnerable in any conflict.

She said: “Politicians have made 2015 to look as if that will be the end of Nigeria. They have continued to beat the drums of war and make the year to be the boarder line for survival.”

The business woman cum activist expressed dismay over government negligence of its responsibilities.

“They no longer concentrate on what they are elected to do but have engaged in the race to win elections that are far away.”

She maintained that the youth have been stripped of their rights to employment while the insecurity in the country is becoming un-

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Bayelsa Speaking at the forum, Chief Francis Doukpola, Chairman of PFMC, said that an earlier briefing by the Flood Research Group of the university had necessitated the collaboration to mitigate the expected pains on the people.

He said that the committee had solicited the support of relevant government ministries and agencies, as well as health and physical infrastructure providers to contend the floods.

Doukpola said that the committee was eager to exchange ideas with experts from the university to jointly confront the flood with requisite technical expertise.

He emphasised that the committee had been contending with the impacts of the 2012 floods that ravaged the state, adding that seven out of the eight council areas were affected by the disaster.

He said the Bayelsa Government had approved the setting up of permanent structures to serve as relief camps in rural communities to avoid overcrowded central camps.

Doukpola said that the committee had completed the first phase of distribution of 400 bags of cement to 20 worst hit families in each of the affected communities to rebuild and fortify their homes destroyed by the floods.

In his remarks, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, the ViceChancellor of the university said that the 2012 floods had compelled the institution to suspend academic activities for two months shortly after its takeoff in 2012.

Itsekiri leader urges peace

By Musa Odoshimokhe

controllable. She noted that infrastructure are decaying almost on daily basis.

“Our elected officials have not deemed it necessary to address these issues that are germane to the survival of this country, rather they keep heating the polity which vagabonds and hoodlums have taken advantage of to unleash terror.

“Those who don’t know what to tell President Goodluck Jonathan should stop advising him and keep quiet, if what they can only say is to threaten war, we want peace in this country and not war.

“The President did not come through the proclamation of war; he was voted for and should be allowed to complete his assignment

in peace. The declaration of state of emergency in states that have witnessed the complete breakdown of order will afford the governors the opportunity to critically look at the causes of problems in their states.

She said no progress would be made in an atmosphere of rancour and urged those fomenting trouble to embrace peace in order to grow the economy and make life better for the people.

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has assured officers and men of the Onitsha Military Cantonment in the state of government’s commitment to rebuild its dilapidated primary and post-primary schools.

The governor disclosed this while inspecting the on-going roads reconstruction within the cantonment.

Obi had earlier provided N100 million for internal roads re-construction at the cantonment.

He expressed happiness with the progress of work on the roads’ reconstruction within the cantonment. ‘’The Anambra State government will complete the on-going re-construction of roads within the cantonment while we will also rebuild dilapidated structures such as schools. ‘’Every responsible government must assist in building and maintaining structures that contribute to the welfare of the people. ‘’Today, I can tell you that we are supporting all organisations that make the society better for our people. ‘’So far, our government has purchased over

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• Hon Adepitan(third left) presenting a prize to pupils of Our Lady of Fatimat Pry School.

With them is the Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Mr Yussuf Olokodana.

Enoh said that the NGO was established as a result of a discovery that some graduates of higher institutions in the state had some reading challenges.

“As a provost of a college of education, I discovered that I cannot produce the best students in the college with students of poor educational background”.

“So, I decided that it is time to return to the basics,’’ he said.

Enoh said that the books were given to the pupils and their teachers free of charge, adding that the organisation’s focus was primarily on English Language subject teachers to improve their ability to teach written and oral English.

Anambra 300 vehicles for security agencies out of which the Army has got about 40,’’ Obi said.

He disclosed that the government would give one security vehicle each to the 177 communities in the state by the end of the year.

Replying, the Commander, Onitsha Military Cantonment,Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, said his men were happy that Obi’s wonderful efforts at rebuilding structures in the state had also reached the cantonment.

Gagariga promised that the army would continue to work with the government for

•Obi the security of the state.

He enjoined other state governments to emulate the kind gestures of Governor Obi

1,500 waste bins for rural communities

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HE Enugu State government says it will procure over 1,500 dumpsters for waste management in the rural areas to ensure a healthy and flood-free environment,.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Enugu on Monday, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chuks Ugwoke, said that the waste bins would cost N159 million.

He said it would help reduce indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways.

Enugu Ugwoke noted that the dumpsters would also help in maintaining a clean environment, especially in the rural areas.

According to him, the bins will be distributed to densely populated areas in the state.

“EXCO today approved the purchase of 1,500 additional Taylor Continental Galvanised dumpsters at the cost of N159

million.

“In 2011, the state government purchased over 1,049 dumpsters and distributed them within the state capital.

“This time around, we want to deploy the bins to densely populated places like Nsukka, Udi, Oji-River, Ninth Mile Corner and Awgu.

“This is in keeping with the drive of the government to ensure a healthy environment and reduce flooding, especially this rainy season,’’ he said.

Council gives scorecard

By Duro Babayemi

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HAIRMAN, Ojodu Local Council Development Area, Hon Julius Olumuyiwa Oloro has reeled out his achievements since he assumed office.He gave the account of his stewardship in a meeting with stakeholders in the council. “Each generation must be out of relative obscurity to discover its own mission, either to fulfil or betray it,”he said.

At the meeting, a workshop was conducted cation on how to live a healthy life.

The chair chief said his government was out to fulfil the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Aside, he would address the needs and welfare of the people through rural infrastructure development.

As the government continues to grow in the community, manifestations of better things are revealed in people’s confidence with his administration.

He said further: “Good governance, respect for fundamental human rights to citizenry as enshrined in the constitution and obedience to the rule of law will promote peace and progress in the society”.

In addition, transparency and integrity will be his watchword the day-to-day running of his administration.

He touched on vocational training centres, education, works, health, staff welfare, electricity,empowerment and securityas part of such achievements.

NGO donates 50,000 textbooks HE Educational Standard Revival Initiative (EDUSTAR),a non-governmental organisation, says it has distributed 50,000 textbooks to 100 primary schools across Cross River.

The group said that the gesture was part of its efforts to monitor the implementation of the reading intervention programme in the state.

Prof. Owan Enoh, the Executive Director of EDUSTAR, told newsmen in Calabar that the initiative was to encourage the reading culture among primary school pupils.

He said that the initiative was initiated by “people of like minds who are concerned about the falling standard of education in the state’’.

Anambra to rehabilitate schools

•From left: The President, The Light Bearers, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos, Bro Aramide Tola Noibi with the Arcbbishop of Lagos Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Ajayi, the Presbyter, Wesley Cathedral Oloowogbowo, Very Revd Sola Ala and the award recipient Senator Anthony Adefuye at the 2013 anniversary of the society.

• Former Chairman of the Association of Poultry Association of Nigeria Mr. Lanre Bello, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Afelumo Folarin and the National President of the Association Mr. Agbojo Dotun during the event.

Farmers urge govt to subsidise feeds

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HE Chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ikotun branch, Mr. Olufemi Steven, has urged the Federal Government to support the farmers by subsidising animal feeds and creating enabling environment for the farmers to operate.

He said a nation can only survive if governments at all levels consider agriculture as the only means to fight hunger and unemployment.

Olufemi, who spoke at a programme organised to celebrate Children’s Day with over 20 primary and secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, said it is the high time government supported production of poultry products.

He said the increase in the price of poultry products is as a result of the increase in the price of feeds and other products for the production of egg.

Speaking on the reasons behind celebrating the Children’s Day with the pupils, the farmer said the event was organised to show the children the importance of eating egg and create avenue to know that parents care about them.

According to him, “I want to urge the Federal Government to make sure that products for feeding our poultry feeds are more affordable so as to make our products more affordable for the children because every child needs egg to improve their memory.

“Nigeria is a prosperous country and government at all level need to embark on agriculture especially the production of poultry product so as to supply other neighbouring countries and improve our economy. We organised this programme along the

Children’s Day to show our children that we love them and we care for them.

“I also want to tell you that if the Federal Government invests in poultry products, that alone can tackle unemployment and high rate of poverty in the land. In our association, we have decided to get rid of hunger and make food sufficient as long as we have the strength”.

Church programme ALL is now set for a month long 30 days uninterrupted vigil of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Covenant of Peace.The programme is tagged: While Men Slept 2013 and will begin on Saturday June1 to Sunday June 30. The venue is 38/40, Lowa Street, Jumofak Bus-Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Speaking on the proramme, the senior minister of the parish, Pastor Olaitan Aromolaran, said God will visit all problem affecting his children while asleep, adding every yoke of eating in the dream, spiritual (husband & wife attack) syndrome, reproach, marital failure evil covenant among others, will be broken and destroyed as they attend this years programme.

Other men of God expected at the programme include, Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye (Regional Evangelist RCCG), Pastor G. Lawal (RCCG Governing Council) Rev. Blessing Ajayi, Pastor Niyi Aniya, Prophet Olowoporoku, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

A daring rescue in Mali saves pages of history

Familial storm •Mandela’s children’s battle over the potentate’s estate while he still lives reminds us of ourselves

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ADLY, one of the world’s most revered figures, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, who turns 95 next month, has found himself in circumstances that echo the immortal wisdom of Sophocles, the famous Greek tragedian, who wrote in Oedipus Rex, “Call no man happy until he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace.” In his twilight, physically frail and mentally weak, he is, perhaps undeservedly, faced with the embarrassment of filial torment. The former anti-apartheid politician, who served as the first black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and a recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, has had his peace murdered by the actions of otherwise intimate family members.

Two of his surviving daughters, Makaziwe, founder of the House of Mandela wine label, and Zenani, the South African ambassador to Argentina, reportedly filed court papers on April 9, alleging that George Bizos, housing minister Tokyo Sexwale and Mandela’s exlawyer, Bally Chuene, were never appointed as shareholders or directors of Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings. The three have ignored a request for them to leave the companies. The two companies, linked to Mandela, are worth about $1.7m (£1.1m).

Interestingly, the women reportedly filed the legal papers two days after their father was discharged from hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia. The two companies were set up to channel proceeds from the sale of Mandela’s handprints for the benefit of himself and his offspring. The prized handprint, said to have been accidentally created while working on a sketch inspired by his imprisonment on Robben

Island for his anti-apartheid posture, features an image resembling the African continent.

However, in defence, Bizos, 84, a renowned human rights lawyer, one of Mandela’s oldest friends who has known him for 65 years, and defended him in the celebrated Rivonia Trial of 1963 against a possible death penalty was quoted as saying, , “There is no basis to the allegations. We are not hijackers. We don’t hijack things. The public should ask themselves why five years later these allegations are being laid. We are confident we were regularly appointed at the wish of Mr Mandela five years ago.” It is worthy of note that Sexwale, 60, was a fellow prisoner with Mandela on Robben Island.

This unflattering development has betrayed the existence of lamentable cracks within the Mandela family. It is instructive that Mandela’s other daughter, Zindzi, is not involved in the court action.

Makaziwe and Zenani have been criticised for alleged greed and insensitivity, charges that apparently have the ring of truth. In the first place, it is confusing that it took five years for the two sisters to legally challenge the alleged “hijackers.”

Also, it is ironically curious that the sisters seem to be battling for what is already theirs by arrangement. This is because Mandela reportedly set up the fund as a safety net for his offspring, whom he, nevertheless, expected to pursue independent lives in spite of their father’s financial legacy. In addition, their action does their father a disservice, given his supremely positive iconic image and global stature. It would appear that their sense of entitlement based on their filial relationship to Mandela has been carried too far; and they have demonstrated a love for material treasures over familial affection. This is a truly disappointing episode.

Perhaps even more worrisome is the scenario of internecine feud among family members after the patriarch’s exit. Here, at home, with the legal fisticufs of the Ibrus and Ojukwus, this sort of rumbles are dark patches of the human.

It is relevant to reflect on the upbringing of Mandela’s children, against the background of his political activism and 27-year imprisonment for opposition to white minority rule in his country. Evidently, he was not around in their formative years. Mandela has married three times and fathered six children, three of whom have died. Makaziwe was born by his first wife, Evelyn Mase; Zenani and Zindzi, by his second wife, Winnie. His marriage to Evelyn lasted from 1944 to 1958, and Winnie from 1958 to 1996.He is now with Graça Machel whom he married in 1998. He reportedly has 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. This is the family that is threatened by an ominous storm.

‘In addition, their action does their father a disservice, given his supremely positive iconic image and global stature. It would appear that their sense of entitlement based on their filial relationship to Mandela has been carried too far; and they have demonstrated a love for material treasures over familial affection. This is a truly disappointing episode’

Gamaliel Onosode at 80 •In celebration of Mr. Straight and Fastidious

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E is acclaimed to be straight and that can be taken to mean both literally and metaphorically. This is because for most of his 80 years which he turned May 22, he has managed to keep a physique that is lean, trim and ramrod upright. Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode is also acclaimed to be a highly disciplined man and one may need no other proof than the fact that he seems incapable of growing a tummy, not even an onion-sized one, the way ‘big men’ of his age and clime are wont. In fact, his ways are so decidedly his, so defined that you could never mistake G.O. Onosode for someone else. Even his voice too – high-pitched, clear, authoritative and seeming to be always loud – is a testimony to this enigma.

Onosode is the kind of man who defines his era, but that has to be in a different civilisation. For here in his place of birth he excelled all right, but his dour environment only encrypted him like an

‘He is also too down to earth to deserve a seat in the pantheon of Nigeria’s big men. Unimaginably, he chose to live in the Surulere suburb of Lagos State; a part of town not good enough for his senior managers when he was at the height of his corporate glory. He still lives there till today ... We salute Mr. (yes, he is simply Mr.) Onosode as he turns 80 years. Shall we just say that he is a rare gift that Nigeria never really accepted or fully utilised’

incubus which allowed an occasional peek of sunshine. In all his marvelous efforts and glorious achievements, Onosode remains that breath never exhaled; he is a tree that could have been an Iroko and perhaps the great political leader who never found a party.

He studied Classics at the University College, (now University of Ibadan) on multiple scholarships (State Scholar and University Scholar, 1954-1957) for he was extremely brilliant and top of his class.

As attestation to the quality of his mind, he won the Department and Faculty Prize; he was elected Cambridge University Jebb Scholar (1957). Onosode however, did not end up in the academia as was to be expected; he played in the boardrooms instead, earning the uncommon status of perhaps heading the most number of boards in Nigeria today.

He also chaired panels, boards, councils, commissions and committees in both public and private sectors. The list is quite long: Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Institute of Management, Federal Military Government Projects Review Committee, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, CFAO Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Stockbrokers Limited, Crusader Insurance Company (Nigeria)Limited, Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Niger Delta Environmental Survey, Global Missions Board, Nigeria Baptist Convention. There may be over 50 more if we add directorship and trusteeship of all sorts of businesses, bodies and groups.

In a country bereft of good people and leaders of character, Onosode would earn his place anywhere on the globe as a man of conscience and shining integrity. Why

do you think he is so much sought after to be at the helm, not just because he is brilliant; he is simply a gem, a rarity in a famished land where honest and decent men are few and far between. He must be a classic example that honesty meshed with brilliance, rigour and industry will never fail.

From 1960 up until the early 1990s, Onosode was the authority to be referred to in merchant banking, stock broking, development economy and even manufacturing. By the time he was 30 years, he was already Secretary, Nigeria Idustrial Development Bank (NIDB) which was known then as Investment Company of Nigeria and at 40, he was chairman and chief executive officer, NAL Merchant Bank.

It is difficult to hold anything against Mr. G.O. Onosode except that he was too straight, too strict and perhaps colourless. You are not likely to catch him in a big Owanbe party and he once said in an interview that he was not one to go to the stadium on a Saturday afternoon to watch a football match. He is also too down to earth to deserve a seat in the pantheon of Nigeria’s big men. Unimaginably, he chose to live in the Surulere suburb of Lagos State; a part of town not good enough for his senior managers when he was at the height of his corporate glory. He still lives there till today.

He could have owned half of Ikoyi and Victoria Island if he was a wee bit covetous. We salute Mr. (yes, he is simply Mr.) Onosode as he turns 80 years. Shall we just say that he is a rare gift that Nigeria never really accepted or fully utilised.

W

HEN RADICAL Islamists stormed into northern Mali last year, they seized the ancient crossroads city of Timbuktu and began to impose their vicious intolerance on people and history. They enforced a strict form of sharia law, hacking off hands and feet for perceived violations of Islam; they burned or destroyed priceless artifacts, including manuscripts dating from when Timbuktu was at the center of Islamic study of science, culture and law.

There is no replacing the books and papers that went up in smoke before the radicals were pushed out of Timbuktu this year by French military forces. But there is something to celebrate in a daring mission by several Malian preservationists, aided by a janitor and guard, to rescue about 278,000 pages of manuscripts by smuggling them away before they could be burned. The texts, many written by hand in Arabic and African languages, date to the 15th and 16th centuries, and they represent “the heritage of all humanity,” Abdel Kader Haidara, one of those who rescued the documents, told The Post’s Sudarsan Raghavan.

With about $1 million in backing from the Ford Foundation, an Islamic center in Dubai and the Dutch and German governments, the saviors of this irreplaceable repository managed to spirit the texts out of Timbuktu in 2,453 metal trunks without being caught by the Islamic radicals. The papers were at first carried by donkey caravans and then by trucks to the capital, Bamako, where they are safe from pillage.

The swift French military intervention drove the Islamists out of cities in northern Mali, and it was greeted warmly by those who suffered under months of onerous rule. The secret mission to save the manuscripts, which began last summer and was still underway when French troops arrived, shows that individuals, as well as nations, can make a difference in combating such narrow-minded extremists.

Mali is not out of the woods. Nearly a halfmillion people remain displaced in the north by the fighting and insurgency; the Islamists continue to carry out attacks. An international conference this month pledged billions of dollars in rebuilding aid based on a promise of elections, to be held July 28. But the situation is fragile. France has begun drawing down its troop presence as the United Nations prepares to deploy a peacekeeping force aimed at establishing stability and rebuilding the Malian armed forces. Whether all will go according to plan is anybody’s guess.

But it is not too soon to hail the courageous and inspired actions of a few people who saved the manuscripts of Timbuktu, an irreplaceable time capsule from hundreds of years ago. The rescue affirms a notion once voiced by Mikhail Bulgakov: that, in the face of tyranny, manuscripts don’t burn. This time, thankfully, they really didn’t.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: I crave your permission to express my unfeigned delight with the comforting news that Osun State government under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has awarded the contract for the construction of a 30km-dual carriage way from Gbongan to Akoda in Ede. As a businessman resident in Osogbo, I travel at least two times every week to Lagos. I can reliably inform that it can be very uncomfortable navigating through the road, what with its narrowness and bumpy nature.

Therefore, it is a soothing relief that the state government has decided to put a permanent end to the nightmarish experiences of motorists on that road. By reaching the decision to expand the road,

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Kudos to Aregbesola on Gbongan-Akoda road construct about four pedestrian bridges at Gbongan Junction; erect streetlights, road markings and signs; build culverts and ditches; and do landscaping with quality aesthetics, this government has yet again demonstrated its unparalleled attentiveness to the yearnings and collective wishes of the people who by votes engineered its existence. From the reports I read about the project, the state govern-

ment is just not contented with expanding the Gbongan-Akoda Motorway, it is very genuinely interested in doing it with strict compliance with standard practices such that the road can endure for another 30 years after construction.

As any informed mind would readily concur, the provision of viable road infrastructure and the accordance of quality periodic maintenance to it are very critical

and inexorable to the actualisation of lasting and advantageous socioeconomic advancement. This explains why I often get deeply horrified each time I travel on that highly portentous death path called Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

I get more particularly confounded when I hear the past and present presidents of Nigeria and their infantile poodles praise themselves for making life more comfortable

Reflections of Democracy Day

S

IR: One of the cardinal principles of the democratic system of government is the freedom of citizens to choose their leaders.

But has Nigerians been able to freely choose their leaders? The answer to a great extent is no. Since 1999, most elections in the country could hardly be said to be free let alone fair. Elections have mostly been a do or die affair where some politicians struggle to seize power by all means in order to get their sticky hands on state resources. It has been marred by violence and fraud; losers have been declared winners and winners, losers. Questionable characters that should have nothing to do with governance and indeed were never voted by citizens have emerged as leaders. The extent to which our electioneering has sunk was demonstrated in the recently conducted Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairmanship election. If an election involving only 35 votes could inspire such controversy, how much more one involving millions and in which the stakes are even higher?

Our elections should be made more transparent, effort should be made to see that people’s votes count.

Democracy as a system of government is never an end but a means.

The end should be good governance.

It should be borne in mind that the poor man on the street cares little about the system of government operated in the country. His main concern is to have his basic needs met and any government that can assist him in that regard is welcome.

If a democratic government does not meet the most basic needs of the people then there’s little to choose between it and a dictatorship. A man, for instance, must at least have something in his stomach before he can truly enjoy the right to freedom of speech.

How much has the living standard of Nigerians improved since 1999?

Not much. Some even contend that it has gone from bad to worse. And they don’t seem to be wrong judging from the rising cases of poverty induced crimes. The security situation is dismal. The level of unemployment especially among youths is simply staggering. It appears that the more the minute political elite wallow in unearned riches, the more the majority of citizens are driven further into the noxious embrace of poverty. This is wrong!

When individuals who lack what it takes to govern and in any case were never voted for find themselves in government, the result is bad governance. This exactly is the

greatest threat to democracy. It weakens people’s enthusiasm for it and makes some even antagonistic.

Something must change.

Nigerians must ensure that only the right persons make it to positions of authority. Those who find themselves in leadership positions must lead with justice and integrity.

The primary purpose of government remains the welfare of the citizens. For civilian rule to remain attractive to people, it must meet their needs, yearnings and aspirations.

Let us protect democracy; but good governance is the surest safeguard.

• Nnoli Chidiebere Aba, Abia State.

for Nigerians when that major expressway remains an immoveable, lugubrious reference point of their starkest failings as leaders. If, as important as that expressway is to Nigeria’s economic affairs Nigerian leaders of the PDP stock still find it intractable to repair and expand for our benefit, I mince no word to say we don’t have to look for any other evidence of the incapability and hopelessness of the present ‘messiahs’ in Aso Rock to translate the vision of the oftquoted transformation agenda into reality! Were the present government in Osun to have been at the centre for say four years, the seemingly insolvable purulent boil (the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway disrepair) delicately perched on the skin of our country would have been clinically lanced to the calming comfort of all.

The contractors, Ratcon Construction Nigeria Limited must get cracking on the Gbongan-Akoda Motorway post-haste. As it moves men and material to site, it must adhere unavoidably strictly to the specifications handed down to it by the state Ministry of Works. At the expiration of the 18-month period it agreed to get the job done, the construction company should be delivering nothing short of excellent work. And while I applaud the State Government of Osun for this significant move, I encourage it to keep hoisted aloft the expansive banner of distinguishing governance.

• Gbenga Awodele, Osogbo, State of Osun.

When their excellencies danced naked

S

IR: I write to comment on the just concluded chairmanship

election of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum.That an election among those who are supposed to be senior, matured, responsible, knowledgeable elected political leaders (apology to the Presidency) could go awry calls for serious concern among democratically included citizens.

Our governors are supposed to be good examples in the conduct of elec-

tion and acceptance of election results. How can an election among just 36 voters lead to a situation we have found ourselves?

Most of our elected leaders manipulated their ways into office but upon their declaration as winners, appealled to the losers to accept defeat in good faith. Why can’t our governors that lost in the NGF election accept defeat in good faith?

The Jang group is alleging that the election was invalid because of a

shadow election earlier conducted by a caucus of the group gave it to Governor Jang? This argument is not only untenable but also contrary to good democratic reasoning. How can the wish of a caucus override the general wish of the group? The group should rather show proof that Governor Rotimi Ameachi did not secure 19 votes.

Our governors must show good examples at all times. Politicians must learn to be good losers. Any

further attempt to factionalize the NGF as a result of the election would not only be injurious to the interest of the forum but could hinder our democratic progress and development as we navigate in the troubled water towards 2015 election.

I wish to personally appeal to Governor Mimiko not to squander his political credentials on this matter.

• Femi Ogunbanwo Allen Avenue, Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013 16

21

COMMENTS

Useful idiots (4)

W

E are a cliché. The want of bread disturbs our peace, but in pursuit of bread, we gun for gold and perverse glamour. Modesty succumbs to vile, honesty deserts our hearts and the beaming brightness of good forsakes our bothersome neighbourhoods.

The injustice and tyranny we claim to seek an end to have only just begun. More than an end, we perfect their beginnings.

The demolition of Nigeria is ongoing. And it is being perfected by the most useful agents of hope or destruction; the Nigerian youth. But as Nigeria ruins, we ruin too. Our overtly cherished and over-celebrated lives fall apart and the promise of our generation manifests as a pathetic lie we inherited from our fathers and forefathers. Today, we tell it to each other in the thick of despair for false hope and cheap comfort.

The history of our generation will be one continuous disaster from one timeline to the next, if we do not change. But change is what dream of it. It is what we make it out to be. Change is what we make of will. Have we such will that ignites dying embers to scorching hearths of hope and

unquenchable ardor?

We blame the ruling class and the”wasted generation” for the coldness in our hearts and their insensitivity to our plight. We claim they do not give a hoot what becomes of Nigeria or what becomes of us. But are we not deserving of evilness they visit on us? Do we really care what becomes of Nigeria? What do we care about? What excites the passion of the Nigerian youth? What would we die for? What do we die for?

We who value craftiness above sweat and continually die to get money at all cost, wish for peace and everlasting prosperity. We shan’t get what we seek but we shall get what we deserve. And we do get what we deserve, like endemic poverty and a predatory ruling class. Today, we deserve the scourge of religious extremism and the affliction of currency-activated racists and warmongers. Today, we deserve to dwell in squalor and extinguishment of our heartfelt dreams.

Today, we deserve to live like paupers in our land overflowing with riches that even the socalled developed nations could never boast of.

We get what we deserve. That

‘As you read, professional activists, racists and self-acclaimed youth leaders amongst us are repositioning themselves and strategizing to pitch their tents with our usual candidates with power of incumbency or deep pockets, come 2015 general elections’

T

HE emergence of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, as the new Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) did not come as a surprise to many keen watchers of the erudite scholar and versatile administrator vis-à-vis his activities as a cosmopolitan and pan-Nigerian Muslim activist. His antecedents speak volumes of his suitability for the position.

Indeed, his appointment on May 7, 2013, during the National Executive Council meeting of the NSCIA in Kaduna is akin to putting a round peg in a round hole.

The former President of the Association of African Universities (AAU) is very familiar with the issues that define the raison d’être of the foremost Islamic organisation, having been involved, at a very tender age, in the mobilisation and conscientisation of Muslim youths during his undergraduate days when he was the National President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). Apart from this, Prof.

Oloyede has been a member of the National Executive Council of the NSCIA since 2002 when he became its assistant secretary-general.

Above all, his position as Co-Secretary/National Coordinator of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has put him in a vantage position as the right person to champion and cement the much-needed peaceful coexistence among practitioners of the two major religions in the country. No doubt, Prof. Oloyede is a respected voice in the country today and very well admired by many eminent Nigerians and even the international community.

However, as well suited as he is for the position, Prof.

Oloyede should realise that he has a big task ahead of him, especially as he is taking over the seat from a veteran and pre-eminent Muslim leader, the late Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, who tried his best to nurture the Islamic body and made it an organisation to reckon with in the country. But much still need to be done.

Prof. Oloyede must therefore be prepared to build on and even surpass Dr. Adegbite’s legacies. The new NSCIA scribe should immediately set to work on how to further bridge the gap between Northern and Southern Muslims. This should not be a difficult task for the former vice-chancellor, being a Southern Muslim with pan-Nigerian world view, and having a lot of friends and associates across the country.

As a first step, the new head of the NSCIA secretariat should set in motion modality for erasing the manifesting dichotomy between Northern and southern Muslims in the discordant timing of the commencement and termination of the yearly Ramadan fast. Every Nigerian Muslim was happy over the national concurrence in the timing of the last

is why President Goodluck Jonathan and company epitomize the perfect leadership for our kind. Were we deserving of a better ruling class, we would elect better leadership at election time. But leadership we have now is a mirror of the Nigerian psyche. It is the best we could produce, to our ‘pleasure’ and the amusement of our malicious and covetous neighbours.

In the face of such daunting reality, I choose to believe in the Nigerian youth. I choose to believe in the immeasurable benefits of the ballot box. Bullets may serve the means and ends of revolutionary savages for a while but at the end, its electoral votes that count. Tyrannies will fall and despots will die; no degree of savagery outlasts the passion and strength of a people speaking with one voice, stoically, and quite peacefully, by their votes.

Yet it is sad to note that despite the ills we suffer and are forced to endure under the incumbent ruling class, Nigerian youths are determined to keep them in power. As you read, professional activists, racists and self-acclaimed youth leaders amongst us are repositioning themselves and strategizing to pitch their tents with our usual candidates with power of incumbency or deep pockets, come 2015 general elections.

Many are spoiling for war and secession. Some are merely mounting the soapbox to incite and talk the talk, but a great deal more are threatening to speak with bullets, machete and meat cleavers. They are vowing to go all out to realize their dreams of genocide and violent secession.

The permutations are rife in the scariest elements and details of discord: Boko Haram is on the run and the Joint Task Force (JTF) struggles to uproot its tentacles

of violence and destruction even as some slapstick comedian from the south promises to unleash more terror on Nigeria if President Jonathan does not retain his seat come 2015.

“Nigeria will break by 2015,” many of us shamelessly croon like deranged parakeets. We echo ill-will and predictions of doom mischievously bandied to us as thorough “security report,”by our perverted neighbours from the “developed world.” We are past such conditioning and “covert psychological operations,” today, we are at the threshold of combining arrant madness to malicious predictions. But the fault is never our perverted neighbours’ nor is it our predatory ruling class’. You and I are to blame for every ill that befalls us. We are to blame for violence and bloodshed we continually perpetrate in the name of politics, tribe and religion.

At the centre, a wasteful cabinet of dubious necessity grinds on while scarier candidates with hustle in the wings to take over power from our incumbent government of brutes and dunderheads. Racism consumes our souls and thousands die by the whims of malevolent politicians and godfathers. Corporate plunderers grab an ever-growing share of profits while workers’ salaries dwindle. The price of oil skyrockets, and we shamelessly import the oil we have in overabundance in our backyard.

More youths are beginning to learn that a commoner’s dream is an extravagant enterprise.

They have learnt to bury their hopes for a secure future.

Yeah, bad news is in the air.

We worry and gripe about it.

Bloggers rant about it. We have even learnt to joke about it. But it’s time we do something about it. We should endeavour to res-

cue our world. It takes so much effort to be cynical and vengeful, let us channel such efforts into more profitable enterprise, like visionary politics, honest labour and reorientation.

It’s about time we projected more progressive views of our world. Let us begin to seek the upright amongst us. They aren’t so hard to find. They are the paltry few we love to haze and deride for being too “conservative,” “stupid” and “pretentious.”

They believe in justice, equality and the rule of law. They are pious without being self-righteous, they are responsible, tolerant, and in many ways, more evolved.

I propose an agenda for our generation, a blueprint of things to be done that serve our common need for conscientious leadership, sustainable jobs, peace, security to mention a few. We need a practicable and all-inclusive plan; a proposal of shared targets and intentions with broad based support and the moral and political will to implement its mechanisms and ends.

Pamela Braide, Babatunde Olusegun (Mode 9), Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Tolu Ogunlesi and company, it’s time to breathe life into familiar gripe and protestations. We have the common need of a future worth anticipating and living.

Majority of our founding fathers were only in their 20s and 30s at the time they put Nigeria positively on the world map.

There was no magic to their strivings; they simply towed the slow, steady path of honesty, perseverance, irrepressible pride and nationalism. They never sought hand-outs on a platter of lies and loser mentality. They simply chose to become their own heroes.

NSCIA: Tasks before Oloyede

By Kunle Akogun Ramadan timing, the first in recent history.

The new NSCIA Secretary-General should also use his national exposure to begin a more serious search for interfaith harmony in the country. He should initiate a constructively engaging inter-faith dialogue between Muslim and Christian leaders with the ultimate aim of bringing religious leaders from both divides together for a sustainable harmonious co-existence. There is no gainsaying that fact that most religious crises the country has witnessed so far were instigated by the incendiary statements of some religious leaders. So, if the leaders could be made to see reason why they should preach what both religions teach to their congregation – the bottom-line of which are human brotherhood, peace and harmony – fewer adherents of any of these two faiths would want to carry arms against the other.

With Prof. Oloyede at the head of NSCIA Secretariat, it is expected that the Islamic body would take on a more proactive role in national politics, a role that is expected of religion as the conscience of society. He is expected to lead the NSCIA in championing a programme of national revival and ethical reorientation, with emphasis on the role of religious leaders in rescuing the nation from the precipice which politicians are currently pushing it. There is no denying the fact that many Muslims occupying leadership positions in the country today are not living up to their calling. So, there is an urgent need to initiate a national programme to monitor such Muslims and ensure that they serve as good examples to their non-Muslim counterparts.

This will not only help in positively projecting the image of Islam, it could also be the dawn of a new era of accountable leadership and ultimately national development.

With his pedigree of a Nigerian in a hurry to make his mark in every position he finds himself, it will not be out of place to say with certainty that Prof. Oloyede will make a difference in his new assignment and the Muslim community and Nigeria at large will be the better for it.

A shrewd manager of men and resources, Prof. Oloyede has become a reference point in university administration not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. A stickler for undiluted academic excellence and uncompromising

discipline, he left an indelible mark at the University of Ilorin where he was Vice-Chancellor until October last year.

Acknowledged nationally and internationally, he was instrumental to most of the feats achieved by the university in recent times. The tenure of Prof. Oloyede as the ViceChancellor of the University of Ilorin (2007 – 2012) witnessed an unprecedented transformation of the 35 year-old second generation university. Not only is the academic calendar now predictably stable unlike what obtains in many other Nigerian universities, the quality of graduates produced by the university has significantly imporved.

Prof. Oloyede’s sustained association with the PresidentGeneral of the NSCIA, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar is another pointer to the fact that the organisation’s headship would be a great study in harmonious team spirit. And this will positively enhance consensus building for the benefit of the Nigerian Muslim community. With God’s continued guidance, the former university administrator is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new assignment.

• Akogun is the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin.

‘However, as well suited as he is for the position, Prof. Oloyede should realise that he has a big task ahead of him, especially as he is taking over the seat from a veteran and pre-eminent Muslim leader, the late Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, who tried his best to nurture the Islamic body and made it an organisation to reckon with in the country. But much still need to be done’

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

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COMMENTS Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.

———Jeremy Bentham HE portentous cloud of absolutism hanging over the country should arouse serious concerns of men of valour. Such men are expected to stand up and challenge the budding cabal of exploitation that is sprouting in Abuja before they gain enough stability that could send most of us back to the trenches. The activists must wake up from their sleep: All writers of conscience must gather more ink and get their thoughts ready for the battle with one sole aim: To rescue democracy from the fistic grip of men that failed to learn from history. We all need to talk, agitate and possibly kick, if only to let the slaves of power realise that today is not forever.

Edmund Burke, that Anglo-Irish statesman and philosopher that served for many years in the British House of Commons as a member of the Whig party once rebelled against King George III and Great Britain during their taxation-induced disputes with the American colonies. The face-off eventually culminated in the American Revolution that brought an end to British colonial rule over the United States’ territory. The English thinker and parliamentarian of repute remarkably observed in that turbulent period that ‘All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.’ This noteworthy statement was made to rouse patriotic activism against the despotism of that epoch.

Nigeria needs such arousal from true mentors of conscience in our midst.

Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is currently building up a culture of tyranny that has made dissenting voices its prime target. Most reasonable Nigerians are bothered not because the nation has not passed through this path before but because history is replete with examples of leaders that clamp down on Nigerians long after they begin to enjoy too much power and freedom only to fall later into ignominy. Will Jonathan learn from recent history of despots like Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, that all left power in disgrace?

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum’s (NGF’s) election that held recently bears eloquent testimony to Jonathan’s feeble historical memory about how not to use power. The NGF in that election got its incumbent chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state re-elected. Thirty-five votes from equal

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I

T is trite now isn’t it to interrogate the necessity of the emergency proclamation on a vast chunk of Nigeria’s northeast region? A Presidential announcement had gone out over two weeks ago and the National Assembly has also cast the stamp of law on it giving us: The Emergency Proclamation Act, 2013. Declaring ‘war’ on insurgents who have been terrorizing the state of Nigeria since 2009 is perhaps, President Goodluck Jonathan’s boldest step in two years of his administration. It is no doubt his smartest move so far earning him loud applause by the populace. Why it took so long in coming having claimed the lives of no fewer that 3000 Nigerians, is indeed, the question many are asking?

By way of background, the large swathe of land covering the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe has the longest border areas northeast of Nigeria covering the stretch of Cameroon, Chad and Niger republics. These are largely unmanned territories; more like ‘no-man’s land’. Over the years, a motley coalition of marabouts, marauders, religious fanatics, shamans, trans-border gangs and fleeing Al qaeda elements have found home in this virtual waste land. Over the years, they have become overlords of this stark mountainous vast land and unchallenged, they continued to get emboldened and grow in influence.

These people living in the extreme fringes found more accommodation when they were recruited as political tugs and enforcers. Over time, they began to show the locals some form of leadership mixed with religious fervor, a duty governments in the area had long abdicated. This of course won them followership of the teeming masses of the citizenry. The ‘Islamist’ sects were therefore, only tried to fill a vacuum created by government over the years.

Sending a mass of troops, tanks and air-power to Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States while laudable, is really the easy part and certainly not the solution. It is at best, a palliative and at worst the beginning of a protracted terrorist war to be prosecuted in tricky desert-cum hill country terrains. What we have embraced rather too enthusiastically is unfortunately, not a shooting expedition; it is a thinking engagement, an intelligence excursion. It is an economic war and most important, a challenge to leadership. While emergency proclamation is good in so far as it wins us some respite from

07011117777

Jonathan’s war against democracy

• Amaechi

number of governors present were cast. One governor abstained. Governor Amaechi in the transparently conducted election where the ballots were counted openly scored 19 votes to Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, his main challenger’s 16.

Since the election result was announced, the centre could no longer hold as it became apparent that the presidency felt slighted by the outcome of the election. Foot soldiers of President Jonathan including Governors Godswill Akpabio, Seriake Dickson and Segun Mimiko of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Ondo states respectively have been inexorably challenging the result that was against Jonah Jang, their mentor’s obvious preferred choice. The president can say to the marines that he had no preferred candidate in the NGF

election contest – certainly not to discernible Nigerians!

But one thing is clear to keenly observant public, there is no love lost between the president and the Rivers state governor. Amaechi has so far stood up to the Abuja power drunken inclination. Rivers State’s reported two million votes is strategic to Jonathan’s 2015 re-election ambition in the South-South and he has shown through his open secret fight with Amaechi that he cannot stand an enemy of his ambition to be in charge in that state. But Amaechi is a student of activism.

The pursuit of crusades has taken him thus far in life. He battled and crushed all enemies on his path of becoming the governor of that state. So, he is back in his familiar terrain of justified confrontation. To further complicate the president’s woes in Rivers is Amaechi’s reported wonderful performance in the delivery of democratic dividend to the people.

The PDP has suspended Amaechi from its fold for celebrating his NGF election victory considered by hawks in the party to be an embarrassment to President Jonathan. The body language of the president has goaded the plot to cause further incensed political rumpus in that state. The PDP has never been a party with any sense of etiquette and whatever act of dishonour coming from it should not be a disappointment to anybody. What should bother us more is the fact that the party is trying to introduce its do-or-die politics into the affairs of an NGF with governormembership that cut across different major

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve.osuji@yahoo.com

If it requires emergency… incessant suicide bombings and stems the slaughter of innocent citizens, it is quality leadership that will win the ‘war’, sustain peace and usher progress for a new Nigeria.

Unfortunately, we are in a clime where government deigns to solve social problems without a thorough understanding of the cause. I wager that this government has not rigorously diagnosed the root cause of the Boko Haram insurgency, the violent crimes and extreme social malaise plaguing every corner of our country today. It is troubling to hear the puerile and common conclusions that poverty and underdevelopment are at the root of our current woes.

And one is doubly troubled to see government’s facile response to the problem with such policies as Almajiri Schools, road construction and other ad-hoc measures. We also shudder when we hear the president speak of glittering successes in the fight against terror.

Sorry, the problem is deep, very deep. What we suffer today is five decades of mis-governance and the trouble is that we still don’t get it; we still have not diagnosed the cancer, the ailment continues to fester. We are today, harvesting the evil weeds planted wittingly and unwittingly by the successive governments of Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Shagari, Mohammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and now, Goodluck Jonathan. It must be said without equivocation that none of our past helmsmen was an outstanding leader. They all seem to have emanated from the same umbilical cord and therefore, have used the same

reactionary template to approach Nigeria’s governance.

We are saying that governance is not rocket science. It does not require any act of genius to deliver a modicum of good governance any where; all that is required is to keep faith with the system. For instance if the federal and state governments in Nigeria keep faith with their annual budgets for the next two years, half of all our trouble will abate.

In fact, it’s the budget, stupid. It is the lack of keeping faith with the annual budgets at all levels that has impoverished the people; that damaged all the institutions and social systems.

The police college that became no better than a pig’s sty before our eyes and before the eyes of all the successive governments listed above is budget failure. The entire police establishment which over the years was reduced to a hollow shell bereft sense, essence or intelligence, is a budget issue. The BOKO Haram insurgents, the hardened youthful kidnapper, the child-trafficker and baby merchant are all largely results of impaired budgeting over five decades.

If funds trickled down to all the nooks and cranny of the country, to every facet of live of the people as designed in annual budgets, half of these problems would have been attenuated.

The other half would be tinkering with our geographical configuration and fiscal structures with the aim of unbundling the polity for better performance. For instance, why is the federal government keeping over 50% of the nation’s revenues most of which goes to running a lumbersome and parasitic bureaucracy? Does

political parties in the country.

Equally more frightening is the fact that a body of governors that are individually acknowledged to be leaders of their various states could be so vulnerable to anti-democratic inclination. How else can one describe the effrontery of Jang in proclaiming himself a winner in an election that he openly lost?

Why should he set up a parallel NGF secretariat when a de jure chairman is in place? Is this not an invitation to anarchy? Could it then be concluded that entrusting our present and future in the hands of democratically dishonourable men like Jang and cohorts is injurious to the political stability of this nation? With what has happened during the last NGF election, should Nigerians expect to see anything different in the coming 2015 elections to be anchored by these mostly democratically challenged governors?

Where is President Jonathan leading the country to? The country is not getting it right under the current dispensation and it would not be wrong to say that this democracy because of the president’s ambition in 2015 is not steeped in realistic footing. Under Jonathan, like we had under previous PDP leadership, we have two democracies: One for the rich and the other for the poor. The PDP government since the advent of this democracy teaches the people by its feral democratic example not to believe in the Nigerian system. And the danger in this is that if the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law and it is indirectly inviting every man to become a law unto himself. And anarchy is the end result.

With the way things are going, anarchy is looming ahead due to the daily injustices suffered by the people not only in Port-Harcourt but across the country. Nigeria needs a new political orientation and; an army of sincere and unrelenting advocates for the poor. This is because except there is a new state of mind, the country lies on the rim of precipice because tyranny and anarchy are twin brothers.

Let us all say a word or do something symbolic to show our utmost disdain for the way of political perdition that Jonathan and his team of jesters are leading this country. This is very important so as to nip in the bud early, the injurious war against democracy by our president. Speaking out and acting at the right time has positively helped in other nations where people like Edmund Burke once lived.

President Jonathan have the vision and drive to wrought fundamental changes in the polity that will emancipate the country and give her fresh impetus? These are the emergencies we need.

What we are suggesting here therefore, is that we just might require emergency proclamation in the nature, tenor and character of our leadership lest we would not have moved one step forward six months down the road. We ask that emergency should be the beginning of a rethink of the current mode of governance; a time to look at the template we have used over the years and make critical amends. If it requires emergency…

LAST MUG: Indecorous Obasanjo

Ouch! That is terribly in bad taste and tends towards an unbecoming meanness of mind.

How on earth could Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, statesman and member of the National Council of State (NCS) choose to attend Jigawa State function over a Presidential Democracy Day ceremony? Obasanjo did not only hang out with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State last Wednesday, May 29, he openly put down President Goodluck Jonathan and lame-ducked him to no end.

That is in very bad taste, crude and un-presidential; we expect more restraint from elders especially of Obasanjo’s status in times of national crisis and not to throw petrol at the fire.

In trying to hit at the incumbent, he is unwittingly desecrating our Presidency and that sacred stool. To think that Obasanjo brought us all to this sorry pass; that he also failed woefully in his eight years rule not being able to deliver any critical infrastructure. Yes we may be disappointed with Jonathan’s presidency but we are even more pissed off with Obasanjo’s restlessness and infantile grandstanding. What makes him think he has the divine right to choose and foist presidential candidates on Nigerians? We have learnt our lessons, which I believe includes shunning anybody supported

by Obasanjo when next we vote.

‘The BOKO Haram insurgents, the hardened youthful kidnapper, the child-trafficker and baby merchant are all largely results of impaired budgeting over five decades’

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

PEOPLE

25

THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and three others were conferred with doctorate (honorary) degrees in Science (Honoris Causa) at the third convocation of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST) in Wudil last Saturday, reports KOLADE ADEYEMI

•From left: Asiwaju Tinubu; Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Faruk and Gen Buhari

W

UDIL, a sleepy and serene town between Kano and Jigawa states came alive last Saturday. The town holds the honour of hosting the Police Academy and the 21-year-old Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST). It was the third convocation of the University that made Wudil tick that day. The highlight of the convocation was the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees in Science (Honoris Causa) on the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and three others.

Tinubu’s political associates and friends came to share in the joy of the day with him.

By 10 am, KUST asthetically adorned with one million trees, which is providing shade from the sun, for people had lost its serenity to heavy human and vehicular traffic. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd.

The event had no political or ethnic colouration. Nigerians from different ethnoreligious backgrounds and political leanings came to celebrate with the “Asiwaju of Nigeria” as Tinubu was addressed by one of the speakers at the event.

Clad in a brown caftan with a red cap to match and his trademark eye-glasses, Tinubu beamed with smile as he stepped onto the podium for the reading of his citation.

One of the university’s orators told the gathering how Tinubu struggled to make it in life.

Presidential candidate of Congress of Progress Change (CPC) Gen Muhammadu Buhari nodded in agreement when the orator addressed Tinubu as “the champion of the opposition merger.”

Then, came the moment the crowd had been waiting for—the decoration. Asiwaju Tinubu bowed as a team comprising members of the university Senate, led by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, decorated him in the regalia of a Doctor of Science (Honaris

Laurel for a political tactician

Causa).

Others honoured were Senator Hamisu Musa and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar. Alhaji Mudi Spikin, was honoured posthumoursly.

Tinubu’s associates, mostly who came from Lagos, gave him a standing ovation and also sang his praise. The crowd watched in awe as personalities posed for photographs with the Jagaban Borgu amid shouts of “Asiwaju of Nigeria”.

Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the founder and Visitor of the university, and the Chancellor, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, were the first to step out for a photograph with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Gen Buhari, governors of Ogun and Oyo states Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Abiola Ajimobi; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Emir of Dass Alhaji Biliaminu Usman, former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume; Hon. Bashir Adamu, Senator Kabiru Gaya; Hon. Kawu Ismaila; former Minister of Labour Musa Gwadabe; Deputy Governor of Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of Kano Elders’ Forum, Magaji Dambatta; former Deputy Governors of Kano State, Abdullahi Gwarzo and Magaji Abdullahi.

Tinubu described the award as a symbol of unity, saying Kwankwaso realises that, “we are one in Nigeria regardless of cultural, religious and political differences. I am touched to the heart by this expansive gesture. In doing this, you ignored the imaginary divide between North and South because of your nationalistic courage; you recognise no such divide exists except in the minds of those who would keep us down, divided and at each other’s throats.

“In your wisdom, you realised that we are one. Come what may, we shall remain one. I commend your courage and wisdom. You must maintain this standard because we need this type of courage and wisdom to see our nation through its current tumult.

“Although storms break all around us, we shall not faint. We shall not cower in fear for our purpose is right and our ways are democratic and just.”

In his acceptance speech entitled: To Develop a Nation, We Must Educate It, Tinubu said to lift Nigeria from its low state, there was the need to equip the people with the knowledge to face the challenges at hand.

Education, he said, is not an inanimate tool like a hammer that one can simply buy or borrow from elsewhere.

He said: “Education is a practical dynamic

thing that must be adapted to our needs to reflect our circumstances. Education must give us the skills needed to become architects of the destinies we seek and not become idle bystanders in our own lives. An effective educational system must turn people into positive social and economic actors. We should not abide by a system whereby 1.7 million candidates seek admission to the universities and only 500,000 places exist in private and public universities.

“It is a costly waste to educate our children with knowledge irrelevant to our society. It makes little sense to give our people skills for jobs that do not exist while the real work at hand remains undone because of lack of able labour. Often, we mimic too closely the ways of other nations. Thus, we educate our children to fit into the processes of those nations but not into our own. Too few of our youths are taught how to start their own business and make it grow into something that can hire and provide jobs for countless other people, thus enabling many to fend for themselves and their families. Too many of our youths have Law degrees. Through the desperation of chronic unemployment, many a prospective lawyer will join the ranks of the lawless.”

Quoting Publilius Syrus, Tinubu reiterated that: “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm,” pointing out that as leaders, “we can travel through the stormy sea and arrive gloriously at a safe shore. That is why I salute men like Governor Kwankwaso for his courage and vision.”

Kwankwaso described Tinubu as a renowned political figure, skilful administrator and champion of justice whose contributions to politics and business are innumerable.

“He deserves this honour; and the history of modern politics in Nigeria, particularly the emancipation of the masses, must reckon with his political personage,” he said.

Alhaji Dangote urged the honorees to be good ambassadors of the institution.

•More pictures on page 26

26

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

SOCIETY LAUREL FOR A POLITICAL TACTICIAN

•Governor Okorocha (right) and KUST Pro-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Mahmud

•Hon Tambuwal (left) and Governor Kwankwaso

•KUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Umar Gambatta

•From left: Governor Ajimobi; Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Governor Amosun

•Senator Akume

•Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus (left) and Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku

•Some of the traditional rulers at the event

WEDDING

•Groom’s Parents: Mr Adebola Elegbede and his wife, Oluwatoyin

•The couple, Mr Ajibola Elegbende and his wife Ifeoluwa

•Bride’s Parents: Raphael Adejumo and his wife Mosunmola

PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

S OCEITY Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye of Lagos Island General Hospital and Dr Aderonke Idowu of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) have tied the nuptial knot at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Agege, a Lagos suburb, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE

•The couple, Adeniyi and Aderonke

•Bride’s parents: Chief Ademola Idowu and his wife, Sade

•Gen Togun and his wife, Ibironke

•Groom’s parents: Elder Gabriel Ajiboye and his wife, Wuraola

I

Two doctors become one

T was grand and the couple looked regal in their attires. The groom, Dr Adeniyi Ajiboye, a surgeon, was decked in a welltailored black suit. The bride, Aderonke, a dentist, wore a sparkling white gown. It was a day the couple abandoned their stethoscopes to consummate their relationship.

The groom works at the Lagos Island General Hospital; his wife is with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

The couple exchanged marital vows at the New Covenant Baptist Church, Ijaiye Housing Estate, Agege, a Lagos suburb. The service began at 11am and ended at 2.30pm, thus setting the stage for the reception.

Everything at the 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja the reception venue, spoke of the high-octane ceremony. Exotic cars brought guests, who turned out in splendid native attires.

The reception, chaired by former Director of the State Security Service, Major-General Kunle Togun, started at 3.28pm. The couple was ushered into the expansive auditorium at 3.47pm, by friends and family members.

The elated couple hit the floor with beautiful dance steps that lasted 20 minutes.

Gen. Togun urged the couple to eschew

T

Ceremony

HE 5th ceremony for the distribution of vocational/occupational tools and equipment by the Majlis Shurah of the Islamic Education Trust Lagos State branch will hold on Sunday in Ikoyi Lagos.

F

Funeral

UNERAL service for late Madam Felicia Olubola Aderibigbe mother of The Nation staff, Mr Yinka Aderibigbe will hold today at the Cathderal of St Stephen Ita Asin, Modakeke, Osun State.

Entertainment of guests will hold after church service at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Modakeke, Osun State.

bickering and employ understanding, to strengthen their marriage.”

He spoke further: “Marriage is all about understanding and this is the time that you will begin to see your real selves. Aderonke (the bride), you are the one that will have to adjust your husband, albeit, subtly, and with maturity. Being a military man, I was tough and a firebrand when I got married but my wife adjusted me with a deep sense of maturity and we have been enjoying peace in our marriage ever since.

“Whenever things go wrong between you, both of you must learn to settle your differences amicably without a recourse to third party. You must also learn to trust each other because it was my own wife who encouraged me to open a joint bank account, so that we could save money together and pull resources together for the management of our home. Above all other things, you must not deny yourselves of sex, so you won’t give room for the devil or doubts. Lest I forget, you also need fasting and prayer to overcome spiri-

tual challenges and you can only do this in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and unity of purpose.”

The bride’s younger sister, Miss Olaide Idowu, an accountant, who proposed the toast, recalled how the couple met.

“I want to say that Providence played a great role in what we are witnessing today. Dr Adeniyi met my sister through me when I was writing my accounting professional examination and the rest has become history today. Patience had stood them out and then, commitment, because they have gone through a lot for each other, but with a lot of personal sacrifice, they weathered the storm and I thank God for them today.”

The couple cut their wedding cake at 4.24 pm and fed each other amid applause by guests. They later took to the dance floor, accompanied by family members and guests who showered them with naira notes.

Describing his wife, Adeniyi said: “She is my treasure and I thank God for having

someone like her who not only cherishes me but understands me a lot. By providence, we both are medical professionals and this is a plus to our union.”

Beaming with an infectious smile, Aderonke said of her husband: “He possesses everything that a woman would want in a man - cool, committed, honest and above all, very caring. I see him as my friend and dependable partner and he has lived up to that on a number of occasions.”

The bride’s mother, Chief Sade Idowu, Director of Pharmacy at the Orile–Agege General Hospital, expressed joy at witnessing the marriage.

“I cannot thank God enough for giving me the grace to witness today’s ceremony and for the peace that reigned in the couple’s lives while their courtship lasted.

I wish them a blissful and enduring marriage with all the good things of life,” she said.

The groom’s father, Elder Gabriel Ajiboye, said: “My joy knows no bounds for witnessing today’s occasion and for the turnout of family members, friends, associates and wellwishers who are here to share in our joy. I pray that God will grant them long life and bless their marriage with good children.”

WHAT AND WHERE Conference

T

HE Annual Conference Exhibition of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) will be concluded today at The Golden Gate Restaurant Ikoyi, Lagos State.

The conference with the theme: “Broadband as a Tool in Nation Building” will be chaired by Former Minister of Communication Mr Olawale Ige. Special Guests of Honour expected on the occasion are Minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Minister of Science

N

and Technology, Prof Ita Okon Bassey Ewa; Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsudden Usman and Lagos State for Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr Adebiyi Mabadeje.

The Keynote Address will be delivered by the duo of the EVC/CEO Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, and the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye.

Nikkah

IKKAH (marriage solemnisation) between Naseemah Mopelola Olayiwola and Ibrahim Olakunle Shokunbi children of late Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Oliyiwola and Alhaji Jamiu Shokunbi will hold tomorrow at Eid praying ground Jakande Estate, Ejigbo, Lagos.

F

Funeral

HE funeral service of the Aro of Remoland, Chief Mathew Abiodun Ogunyenwo will be concluded today at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Sagamu Ogun State.

Entertainment of guests will hold at Makun High School Sagamu Ogun State immediately after the church service.

M

Meeting

EETING of the Baptist Old Students Association will hold tomorrow at the Assembly Hall of the Lagos Baptist Academy.

•The late Mrs Aderibigbe •COMPILED BY BUKUNMI OGUNDARE AND TOSIN DOPEMU

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

SOCIETY

Celebrating an octogenarian The Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Samuel Bamdele Falegan, has turned 80. He marked the birthday with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel and the launch of an autobiography entitled, My Yester Years, at the Christ’s School Alumni Centre. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

T

HE elderly man arrived in the church 10 am and took his seat beside an equally elderly woman, at the front row opposite the altar.

They are the Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Dele Falegan, and his wife, Madam Olufunke. Baba as many call him, was in Agbada, Sokoto and Buba made of brown Ofi fabric with a cap to match.

Mama wore Iro and Buba with a headtie of same brown material.

The duo, responding to the music supplied at intervals by the choir, swayed sideways on their feet. They were joined in the dance by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who was in Iro and Buba made of brown colour Ofi (not of the same fabric).

All the seats in the church were filled by dignitaries from within and outside the state. They came to celebrate Chief Falegan at 80.

The service was officiated by Bishop C.T. Omotunde, who said Falegan’s success was attested to by his completion of “80 solid years on earth at a time many did not have that privilege.”

Bishop Omotunde enjoined the celebrator to rededicate himself to the service of humanity and the continuing progress of the state. He encouraged the children to take a cue from Papa “who had successfully fathered you all to attainments.”

He urged them to continue to contribute to the progress and development of the state “just as your father has been doing for a considerable length of time.”

Bishop Omotunde said the dedication and commitment of parents to their children’s progress often manifest in the church as, according to him, “parents often keep praying for their children against the instruction of pastors that they should pray for the country or state.”

He said: “For someone to know how much parents love their children, after being told to pray for country and state, listen and you will hear them praying for their own children. This is real love that the children themselves should appreciate and replicate.”

Guests later converged on the Alumni Hall of Chirst’s School, for reception. There, the celebrator’s autobiography, My Yester Years was launched.

The hall, large enough to take 500 people, was filled with guests. On display were about eight different cakes in admirable shapes, such as the piano, textbooks, Bible and white polo shirt. Also on display were various gift items given to Papa.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing

Council of the Ekiti State University, Prof. Jide Osuntokun, received a standing ovation after reviewing Papa Falegan’s new book.

In his address, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said Falegan remained one of the few leaders whose character, life style, honesty and hard work were worth emulating and celebrating in their life times.

Fayemi cautioned against the vulgar penchant for bestowing iconic status on people with “dubious reputation”, noting: “such gesture is sending a terribly unedifying message to the upcoming young generations.”

His words: “The society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people upon whom the nation should collectively bestow iconic status speaks volumes about the debasement of the nation’s value system.

“This shortcoming is further complicated by our society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people we should collectively bestow iconic status upon. Sadly the sort of people we celebrate as heroes in our society today says a lot about the debasement of our value system.”

He recalled how the young were moulded during his students days at the famous Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, such that there was no life path that a pupil chose that did not have the complement of a mentor figure among the alumni body, among whom was Falegan.

Falegan of the Fatufede warrior family of Ado–Ekiti was born on May 10, 1933. He attended Emmanuel School, and Christ’s School also in Ado-Ekiti before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone for his first degree in Economics and a Master’s in the same discipline from the University of Oregon, United States.

Baba worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he joined in July 1961 and was later seconded to the Nigerian Mortgage Bank as its pioneer Managing Director. He is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Sure-P Committee.

Among the dignitaries were: Ewi of Ado-Ekiti Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti Oba Ademola Ajakaye; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi-Ajakaye; Chief Deji Fasuan; Chief Alex Olu-Ajayi; Dr. Femi Orebe; Prof. Femi Omosinni; Ekiti State University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Gbenga Aribisala; its Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof.

Edy Olanipekun; former National President of the Christ’s School Alumni Association, Dr.Ayo Obembe; Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; Mr Akin Oyedele; Otunba Tunde Apata; Mr.Wole Ogunleye; Mr Bola Elegbeleye and Mr.Ayo Oladele.

‘This shortcoming is further complicated by our society’s apparent confusion as to the character of people we should collectively bestow iconic status upon. Sadly, the sort of people we celebrate as heroes in our society today says a lot about the debasement of our value system’

•The celebration Chief Falegan and his wife Olufunke in a dance mood

•Governor Fayemi

•Erelu Fayemi

•From right: Oba Adejugbe; his wife, Abosede; Oba Ajakaye and his wife

AQDUN NIKAH

WEDDING

•Dr Monsur Badmus and his wife former Miss Sakeenah Odunaye during their Aqdun Nikah in Lagos

•Former Miss Helen Isele and her beau Roland Ahonle after their wedding at Forth Dimension Evangelical Prayer Ministy, Lagos

SHOPPING

29

THE NATION

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

e-mail: shoppingthenation@hotmail.com

Shopping@thenationonlineng.net

The markets are still relevant

Today’s shopping trend has not succeeded in rendering the markets redundant as many Nigerians still prefer to buy from the open market, which some say offer lower prices; others say they are used to the conventional way of shopping and that open markets are more accommodating.

TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

• Fruit line Ogbete Market, Enugu

•STORY ON PAGE 32

Area boys disrupt market Where to get cheap tailoring materials Page 35

Page 35

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

30

SHOPPING

The markets are still relevant

T

HAT some people shop with ease in malls, often shunning the open markets, doesn’t mean the conventional places for shopping are no longer relevant.

The number of people who patronise the open, traditional markets are more than those who go to the malls. Regardless of the fact that the ambience of the retail stores is inviting, which is one of the reasons some patronise them and why they have been given acceptance in this part of the world, open markets still hold sway.

Despite the increasing departmental stores across the country, as well as the new purchasing trend, a larger percentage of the population believes so much in the open traditional markets because of cheaper offerings, accommodating environment, no one is discriminated against and the fact that the conventional way of shopping remains a way of life for many.

Also, accessibility has boosted the fortunes of open makets as they can be found almost in every locality across the nation unlike the malls, which are mainly located in cities. While The Palms, for instance, is said to accommodate 25, 000 shoppers every Saturday, a major market like the Idumota on Lagos Island, is said to receive much more daily.

Though it is believed that, beyond the shopping opportunities malls offer, they have positive impact on job creations and taxes, especially in Lagos where the state is doing everything possible to ensure residents imbibe the culture of paying tax, open markets create more jobs and higher tax returns.

According to the Iyaloja of Odu’a Market in Ojota, Lagos, Chief Simidele Fadayomi, markets in Lagos also pay tax aside creating jobs for people. Her words: “There is nothing the shopping malls do that we don’t do. In our markets, we follow the directives of the authorities overseeing our affairs. We don’t fail to pay our taxes.

We have also created jobs for youths who are unemployed and wasting away after completing their tertiary education. We are all self-employed. Over the years, we have succeeded in creating jobs for many young Nigerians. Even the old who don’t want to be idle have the opportunity to be in our midst. We do not discriminate like the malls where only the high and mighty can afford the rent.”

She also said though the malls, to some

• Aguda market.

• Mile 12 market

extent, are trying to outshine the conventional way of shopping which many are used to, as most major markets are transforming into modern shopping complexes with their rent on the high side, trying to emulate the so-called sophisticated shopping malls, the traditional markets still reign supreme.

“Most markets such as Oyingbo, Tejuosho, Ojota, Mile 12, Oluwole, among others, have been transformed to remain relevant in the scheme of things. They now wear new looks but not everyone can afford the shops. I am appealing to the authorities involved that as much as they want to modernise our lifestyle, they shouldn’t make things difficult. The markets that we are used to should be retained and sustained,” she said However, many people believe that the possibility of buying fake products in markets is more than that at the malls and that sometimes items are bought at higher prices because haggling is the order of the day in such shopping arenas.

Also, it is common to find people selling all kinds of junk on the floor in open markets, from grocery to household items and electronics at corner shops, road sides

and even on the highways. Majority, even those who are regular shoppers at malls cannot but buy from local markets and from street vendors.

When The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers, it was realised that many shoppers prefer the conventional way for one reason or the other.

Mr Femi Jones, a building contractor, said: “I am simply used to buying items from the open market, particularly foodstuffs. I was taught by my mother when I was growing up that freshness of food items should be my reason for buying, and I have kept to that over the years, patronising our local markets often. Fresh food items are better bought in markets rather than the long preserved ones displayed, labelled and showcased in malls today.”

Another shopper, Ms. Shade Shonekan, who works with one of the banks in Lagos, said while she appreciates the convenience of the shopping malls, she visits them only for specific items , such as designers clothes, shoes, bags and make up kits. She, however, avoids the malls on Saturdays, saying they can be crowded on such days. But not as

crowded as the open markets. According to her, many go to the famous malls to show off their status.

“I am a regular shopper at Balogun Market in Lagos Island. It is convenient for me because my place of work is a stone throw and items are cheap. I prefer to buy my children’s school items at the market.

They are cheaper and they stock the same items like those at the malls. I was told by one of the retailers here in Balogun Market that some of the upcoming departmental stores buy from the same manufacturers.

And that there shouldn’t be a reason for selling at exorbitant prices.”

For Miss Mabel Otoide, a teacher, the store has made its mark but the truth is that one cannot rule out the market. They will always be there and there are certain items better bought in an open market.

“For example, Shoprite might be selling fruits, but I only buy just a few. When I set out for fruits, I go to Ketu. If I set out for food stuff, Mile 12 is just the place.

Just as you cannot compare buying fabrics from a boutique to buying same at Balogun. I think it is a matter of what you want to shop for and how convenient it is for you.”

For the likes of Mr Obinna Ihianacho, a spare parts dealer at Ladipo Market in Mushin, the formal stores have the best offer on electronics. “With my experience on buying electronics, your best bet is to go to a shop that has a name to protect and most of the formal stores do. You might be lucky if you buy from just anywhere. But, my dear, it’s better to buy something where I know that I can always return to and know that my right as a consumer is protected,” he said.

He said further that there are certain items that cannot be found in the malls but would always be available in the market. For instance, the items we sell here cannot be got elsewhere but in specific markets like this which specialise in selling spare parts.

“If you pass through various markets in Lagos, you will notice that they appear better and more conducive now than they were a few years ago. For this and many other reasons, the presence of the malls cannot phase out the markets. A lot of people depend on the markets for their livelihood. At most, the traders will improve on their quality and manner of delivery,” said Mr Fatai Akojenu, a market executive at the Badagry Market.

Above all, operators in the open markets have said they are adapting to the new shopping trends to keep them in business.

31

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

DISCOURSE Text of a lecture delivered by Dr. Jhalil Balewa, a US-based medical doctor, at the third Afe Babalola Law Lecture held at the Aafe Babalola Multipurpose Auditorium, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

Nigeria’s U S A L V I T R A challenges:

Genesis and possible redemption

E

ARLY History: There is no river without a source. I ask for a little indulgence to go through our history so we can surgically analyse how we got to this state before we rush into a curative regimen. All evidence suggests the early settlement of Nigeria millennia before the spread of agriculture 3.000 years ago. The earliest culture in Nigeria is identifiable by the distinctive artefacts of the Nok people.

These skilled artisans and ironworkers flourished between the fourth century B.C. and the second century A.D. in a large area above the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.

Long before 1500 A.D. much of present-day Nigeria was divided into states, which can still be linked to the modem ethnic groups that trace their history to the origins of these states. These early states included the Yoruba kingdoms, the Edo kingdom of Benin. The Hausa cities, and Nupe. In addition, numerous small states to the west and south of Lake Chad were absorbed or displaced in the course of the expansion of Kanem, centered to the northeast or Lake Chad. Borno, initially the western province of Kanem, became independent in the late fourteenth century.

The sixteenth century marked a high point in the political history of northern Nigeria. Borno dominated the region for 200 years. Despite Borno’s hegemony, the Hausa states wrestled for ascendancy among themselves for much of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This is a major reason for an understated logger-heads between the Kanuris of the northeast and the rest of the Hausa-Fulani northern Nigeria, a fact that goes over the heads of most of our policy gurus.

European Slave Trade in West Africa: By 1471 Portuguese ships had reconnoitered the West African coast south as far as the Niger-Delta. Portugal’s lasting legacy for Nigeria was its initiation of the transatlantic slave trade. The Dutch took over Portuguese trading stations on the coast that were the source of slaves for the Americas. French and British competition later undermined the Dutch position, and Britain became the dominant slaving power in the eighteenth century.

By the end of the eighteenth century, the area that was to become Nigeria was far from a unified country. Furthermore, the orientation of the north and the south was entirely different. The savanna states of Hausaland and Borno in the north had experienced a difficult century of political insecurity and ecological disaster but otherwise continued in a centuries-long tradition of slow political and economic change that was similar to other parts of the savanna. The southern areas near the coast, by contrast, had been swept up in the transatlantic slave trade. Political and economic change had been rapid and dramatic. By 1800 Oyo, a constitutional monarchy, governed much of southwestern Nigeria, while the Aro, another polity, had consolidated southeastern Nigeria into a confederation. Both Oyo and the Aro confederacy were major trading partners of the slave traders from Europe and North America.

Colonial Nigeria: In 1885 at the Berlin Conference, the European powers attempted to resolve their conflicts of interest in Africa by allotting areas of exploitation. The conferees also enunciated the principle, known as the “dual mandate,” that the interests of both Europe and Africa would best be served by maintaining free access to the African continent for trade and by providing Africa with the benefits of Europe’s civilizing mission. Britain’s claims to a sphere of influence in the Niger Basin were acknowledged formally, but it was stipulated that only effective occupation would secure full international recognition. In the end, pressure from France and Germany hastened the establishment of effective British occupation and the creation of protectorates in northern and southern Nigeria.

Frederick Lugard, who assumed the position of high commissioner of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria in 1900, was occupied with transforming the commercial sphere of influence inherited from the Royal Niger Company into a viable territorial unit under effective British political control. His objective was to conquer the entire region and to obtain recognition of the British protectorate by its indigenous rulers, especially the Fulani emirs of the Sokoto Caliphate. Lugard’s immediate successor, Hugh Clifford (191925), introduced a diametrically opposed approach emphasising Western values. In contrast to Lugard, Clifford restricted the power of the northern emirs by scaling back indirect rule, while in the south he saw the possibility of building an elite educated in European-style schools. This

• Dr Balewa

was as the first evil seed of our present day problem.

British colonialism created Nigeria, joining diverse peoples and regions in an artificial political entity with little sense of a common Nigerian nationality. Inconsistencies in British policy reinforced cleavages based on regional animosities by attempting simultaneously to preserve the indigenous cultures of each area and to introduce modem technology and Western political and social concepts. In the north, appeals to Islamic legitimacy upheld the rule of the emirs, so that nationalist sentiments there were decidedly anti-Western.

Independence and Civil War: By an Act of the British Parliament, Nigeria became an independent country within the Commonwealth on October 1 1960, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first and only Prime Minister and head of government. In 1963 Nigeria became a Republic within the Commonwealth. The change in status called for no practical alteration of the constitutional system. The President elected to a five-year term by a joint session of the parliament, replaced the crown as the symbol of national sovereignty and the British monarchy as the Titular Head of State. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the Republic’s first President.

One of the most important developments during the I960s was the declaration of independence by the Eastern Region in 1967, followed by a 30-month civil war. In the face of increased sectarian violence, the Eastern Region’s military governor, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was under pressure from Igbo officers to assert greater independence from the Federal Military Government (FMG). Ultimately, on May 30, 1967, Ojukwu proclaimed the independent Republic of Biafra. He cited as the principal cause for this action the government’s inability to protect the lives of predominantly lgbos and suggested its culpability in genocide.

Initially, the FMG launched “police measures” to restore the authority of Lagos in the Eastern Region, but soon fullscale civil war broke out. Finally, in January 1970 Biafran resistance collapsed, and the FMG reasserted its authority over the area. An estimated I to 3 million died from hostilities, disease, and starvation during the civil war, and more than 3 million lgbo became refugees. The economy of the region was shattered. In several years, however, the Nigerian government achieved the rehabilitation of 70 per cent of the industry incapacitated during the war.

The Federal Government granted funds to cover the region’s operating expenses for an interim period, and much of the war damage was repaired. This single act was greatest disservice to Nigeria, the beginning of gross corruption-contracts, conspicuous consumption, absolute power abuse and unfettered disdain for law and order — to mention a few of the ills that were introduced. The regions had self-sustenance before and contributed to the fiscal functioning of the centre i.e. the Federal Government. This was the first time the Federal Government did not just trickle down but took total fiscal control of a region. Since then our regions produced nothing of substance and now became wards of the Federal Government. This was the quoin of our national moral decay.

Coups and Mostly Military Government: In the postwar period, all significant political power remained concentrated in the FMG. The influence of Yakubu (Jack) Gowon

The economic crisis, the campaign against corruption, and civilian criticism of the military undermined Buhari’s position, and in August 1985, a group of officers under Major General Ibrahim Babangida removed Buhari from power. The Babangida regime had a rocky start.

The most serious opposition centred in the labour movement and on university campuses.

who had come to power in a 1966 coup, depended on his position as chairman of the Supreme Military Council, which was created in March 1967. The regime ruled by decree in October 1970, Gowon announced his intention of staying in power until I976, the target year for completion of the military’s political program and return to an elected civilian government. But many Nigerians feared that the military planned to retain power indefinitely. ln 1972, Gowon partially lifted the ban on political activities that had been in force since 1966 in order to permit a discussion of a new constitution that would pave the way for civilian rule. The debate that followed was ideologically charged, and Gowon abruptly terminated the discussion.

The Gowon regime came under fire because of widespread and obvious corruption at every level of national Iife. Inefficiencies compounded the effect of corruption.

Crime also posed a threat to national security and had a seriously negative impact on efforts to bring about economic development. The political atmosphere deteriorated to the point where Gowon was deposed in a bloodless military coup in July 1975. The armed forces chose as Gowon’s successor Brigadier (later General) Murtala Ramat Muhammad a Muslim northerner. Muhammad was assassinated during an unsuccessful coup in February 1976, but in a short time his policies had won him broad popular support, and his decisiveness elevated him to the status of national hero. He had sought to restore public confidence in the Federal Government, reduce government expenditures on public works, and encourage the expansion of the private sector. He also set in motion the stalled machinery of devolution to civilian rule by a commitment to hand over power to a democratically elected government by October 1979.

Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba, succeeded Muhammad. Keeping the established chain of command in place, Obasanjo pledged to continue the program for the restoration of civilian government in 1979 and to carry forward the reform program to improve the quality of public service. In 1979 under Ubasanjo’s leadership, Nigeria adopted a constitution based on the Constitution of the United States that provided for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The country was now ready for local elections, to be followed by national elections that would return Nigeria to Civilian rule. Obasanjo also initiated plans to move the federal capital from Lagos to a more central location in the interior at Abuja. Ultimately, Abuja became the country’s capital in December 1991.

The Second Republic, 1979—83: In 1979 live revamped parties competed in national elections, marking the beginning of the Second Republic. The presidential succession from Obasanjo to a civilian, President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was the first peaceful transfer of power since independence.

Nigeria’s Second Republic was born amid great expectations. Oil prices were high, and revenues were on the increase. It appeared that unlimited development was possible. Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived. A number of weaknesses beset the Second Republic. First, the coalition that dominated federal politics was not strong, and in effect the victorious National Party of Nigeria (NPN) led by Shagari governed as a minority. Second, there was a lack of cooperation between the NPN-dominated Federal Government and the 12 states controlled by opposition parties. Third, and perhaps most importantly the oil boom ended in mid-I981, precisely when expectations of continuous growth and prosperity are at a height. The recession that set in put severe strains on the Second Republic. This epoch started our hollow romance with ‘our democracy,’ where our campaigns were limited to regional, ethnic, and religious instincts alone, no sharp ideological differences amongst political parties or whatever they will offer to the citizenry.

Return to Military Rule: On December 31 1983, the military seized power once again, primarily because there was virtually no confidence in the civilian regime. The leader of the coup d’etat was Major General Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner whose background and political loyalties tied him closely to the Muslim north and the deposed government. The military regime tried to achieve two goals. First, it attempted to secure public support by reducing the level of corruption; second, it demonstrated its commitment to austerity by trimming the federal budget. In a further effort to mobilise the country, Buhari launched a “War Against Indiscipline” in the spring of 1984. This national campaign, which lasted 15 months, preached the work ethic, emphasised patriotism, decried corruption, and promoted environmental sanitation. However, the campaign achieved few of its aims.

The economic crisis, the campaign against corruption, and civilian criticism of the military undermined Buhari’s position, and in August 1985, a group of officers under Major General Ibrahim Babangida removed Buhari from power. The Babangida regime had a rocky start. The most serious opposition centred in the labour movement and on university campuses. There was also considerable controversy over Nigeria’s entry into the Organisation of the Islamic Countries, an international body of Muslim states, in 1986. Buhari’s regime had initiated the application, which Babangida allowed to stand. The strong reaction among many Christians proved to be an embarrassment to the regime. Babangida remained in power until 1993, when he ushered in an Interim National Government under the leadership of Chief’ Earnest Shonekan. This step followed the military’s annulment of election results in June 1993.

To be concluded

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

32

DISCOURSE

Unlocking the innate individual treasures Text of a lecture delivered by former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Wale Omole at the 2013 National Convention of The Lions Club International, Osogbo.

T

HE world we live in today, is not only global, it is interdependent. We therefore cannot escape each others’ challenges and concerns. We are all vulnerable to effects of spread of diseases, the effects of poverty all around us, the effects of climate change in our planet and the effects of pervasive economic depression in our various continents.

The modern world, for all its blessings is unequal, it is unstable and it is unsustainable. The great mission for all of us is to positively impact our neighbours, our communities of shared opportunities, of indeed, shared responsibilities and a shared sense of genuine belonging that we are all the same.

This is the only way to demonstrate that our common humanity is more important than our over-exaggerated differences.

These, I believe is the charge the Lions Clubs International, has taken up for years. You give the three Ts of Time, Talent and Things in a determined effort to impact mankind. This is commendable. I heartily congratulate you once again as you hold your Annual Convention.

Numerous factors beyond your control, including, but not limited to incidence of perennial poverty, poor maintenance culture, inflation that won’t go away, new diseases that have no immediate cure, amongst several other reasons, make an irony of your efforts. The more you give each time, the more the problems seem to multiply the next time around. In essence, not much is changing. We may at this point in time, need to examine more effective ways to supplement and complement the current strategies.

We need to take some time off the madding crowd, as individuals and as organizations to look inside each and everyone of us, to look around us, to identify all that we have and may not know, as well as all we are missing and are ignorant about.

If we are aware of ourselves, we will be better prepared to help people, who also will become more aware of themselves and most likely discover that they are indeed better than they perceived of themselves, richer than they think they are, feel and be more useful to themselves, more useful to their neighbours and more useful to mankind.

Eckhart Tolle in 1999 recorded the story of a beggar who had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day, a stranger walked by. “Spare me some change?’ mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his time beaten plastic plate.

“I have nothing to give you”, said the stranger. Then he asked; “What’s that you are sitting on?” “Nothing” replied the beggar. “Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.” “Ever looked inside?” asked the stranger. “No” said the beggar. “What’s the point? There is nothing in there.”

“Have a look inside”, insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

Today, I play the role of that stranger who has nothing to give and who is insisting that everyone of us must look inside.

Not inside any box as in the story, but somewhere even closer.

Inside yourself and inside myself. Most of us, if not all, are beggars because we are all disadvantaged, in more than many ways, even regardless of our material wealth.

We are still looking out and begging for happiness, for courage, for boldness, for mercy, for kindness, for passion, for humility, for modesty, for purity, for confidence, for diligence, for honour, for endurance, for ingenuity, for faith, for decency, for affection, for understanding, for temperance, for wisdom, for optimism, for tolerance; searching for scraps of pleasures and fulfillment, for validation, for security, for love and above all for peace. The treasures we have within us include all of the above and beyond what we can imagine; they are infinitely greater than the world can offer. But we are internally blind to them all, because of the willful blindness of our minds.

It is possible to free ourselves from our mindsets. Some of them are family values, cultural values, places we grew up, places we worked, places we visited, the teachers we had in school, the books we read, our religious beliefs, social status, the positions we hold and have held.

For example, the mind considers it acceptable for first cousins to get married and start a family in some parts of our country, while some others see the practice as abominable. Some male adults inherit the widows of late brothers and produce new sets of children, while others will disinherit the widow of the property of her husband and allow her and her children to move out. The mind just judges the varying situations as right or wrong depending on which environment you belong and what upbringing you experience.

The problem of humanity is deeply rooted in the mind itself or rather, in our misidentification of the mind. The urgent task is the transformation of human consciousness to transcend the mind. This requires cutting through the layers of mental resistance to free oneself from the enslavement of the mind.

One simple method is to take some time off, all alone, without any disturbances. No music, no phones, no sounds, no assignments, no work, nobody around you, but just you. Get close to nature, to greenry, with natural landscape, with bloom and quietness, natural topography, somewhere far away. Let your mind be still, be present in the moment. Let your attention concentrate fully and intensely in the moment. It is possible that some negativity may set in at a point. Look on it as a failure, but as a helpful signal telling you to wake up, get beyond your mind to be present in your life.

Your very essence is immediately available to you. The feeling of your own presence envelopes you. It is not about “I am this” or “I am that.” It is your own being. It is about your real

•Prof. Omole

self. This is one established method to cure the mind disease.

The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly however, it becomes very destructive. It is a disease. If you don’t take over your mind, it takes you over with fears and agonies of life situations.

Everyone needs a switch-off button to the mind. It is then we can begin to realize that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought. Thought is only a tiny part of intelligence. It is when we know that all the things that truly matter; truth, integrity, beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace arise from beyond the mind. This is when we begin to open the door to our inner self. The moment we liberate ourselves from the mindsets, we are on the path to the discovery of our hidden self, our treasure.

This is when we know the difference between I and self. Ego is the most difficult of our mindsets. It is the conduit through which we transmit our mindsets. Ego is the false self. It sees the truth from a different lens and makes the mind very dysfunctional. It is the unobserved mind that runs your affairs when you are not present in the consciousness of your life. Ego perceives itself as a separate fragment in a hostile universe, with no real inner connection to any other being, but surrounded by other egos which it sees as a potential threat or a tool to be used for its own end.

The basic ego patterns are designed to combat its own deep seated fear and sense of lack. Ego strategies are very clever. It arrogates and assumes all it lacks, yet it never truly solves any of the problems, because, ego itself is the problem.

It is just a survival machine, not always creative, but always on the attack building up energy in the body called anger.

Never truly happy.

Research has shown that strong emotions cause changes in the biochemistry of the body. People who carry a lot of anger without being aware of it and without expressing it are always attacked verbally, contradicted in their positions by other angry people and often for no apparent reasons. They have a strong emanation of anger that certain people pick up sublimally and that triggers their own latent anger.

It is much better to focus our energy from within. This will put us in touch with the self, rather than I. Rather than what are they thinking about me? Where are they placing me? Who and who are not recognizing me? Be close to yourself rather than be close to I. I am this and I am that and all the rest, is about I. Please permit me to share a limited personal experience between I and myself. Myself has a distinct name different from my public domain name, Professor Wale Omole, which belongs to the I, rather than myself. Prof. Wale Omole, is so formal and sounds like a distant drum, so official and far away, particularly when OFR is added as suffix. It makes me feel am at work or on duty, moreso on a few occasions that I have to append my signature above the name.

‘

It is much better to focus our energy from within. This will put us in touch with the self, rather than I. Rather than what are they thinking about me? Where are they placing me? Who and who are not recognizing me? Be close to yourself rather than be close to I. I am this and I am that and all the rest, is about I

’

Even, my first name Wale is just generic and common. Wale Omole is more specific and this is the only way I address me without the prefixture “Professor”. The name Professor does not belong to me. It is non-specific and just a title. I hardly answer Prof. but only nod so as not to appear to ignore the caller.

Myself has a name I closely communicate with. When alone, it is the name of my silent moments. It is the name that resonates when making decisions. It is the name that thanks the Almighty God. It is the name to blame and admonish. It is the name to engage in deep conversation to stop me from what I may be doing wrongly. Debowale is not just a name. it is not I, it is me, the self that gives me peace. Debowale gladly learns from my errors and failures. Debowale does not lament or complain; neither celebrates nor jubilates. Debowale is absolutely free from encumbrances; has no possessions, has no university degrees, has no specializations, has no position, Debowale represents nothing, Debowale represents everything. It is my all.

Debowale is the self and the key to my own modest and very thankful treasure, it has taken me a moderate and thankful distance in a journey of infinity, without knowing how far into the treasure it will take me before it is time.

It is important to reach out to yourself to be able to help others. Each of us should try it.

You will feel this great sense of self, something in conscious experience that transcends all elements. A deep phenomenon that is sometimes hard to pin down, just feeling a glimpse of reality within yourself that is nearly out of this world. You conquer ego, anger, bitterness, fear without any room for malice. You are so bold, never feeling bigger or better than anyone. Never feeling richer, poorer, smarter than anyone. Just allowing and enjoying a sense of being and thanking God every moment.

When you reach yourself, you attain psychological consciousness that includes, but not limited to the following: (a) Awakeness, which in functional terms, is the ability to process information about the world around you and deal with it in a rational fashion all the time. (b) Introspection, a process by which you become aware of your internal state. This access to one’s mental state is an important component of the everyday concept of existence. It gives you the ability to think about yourself and see yourself as an individual of distinctiveness from others; not necessarily better, but different. Singularity. (c) Attention, which is a significant portion of cognitive resources devoted to dealing with relevant information and situations. Paying attention prevents being aware of a situation and doing nothing about it. (d) Voluntary Control, an act performed deliberately to respond appropriately to circumstances by an element of prior thought. (e) Awareness. Indeed, wherever there is phenomenal consciousness, there is awareness. (f) Supervenience. The notion that crystallizes intuition and intuitive ideas, that one set of facts can fully determine another set of facts. If physical facts about the world are fixed, then biological facts cannot vary. From intuition, you know the next step to take in most situations. (g) Cognitive software for most issues. In Cognitive Science, this is the internal capacity that deals with learning, memory, attention, categorization, linguistic behavior and competencies. It makes it possible for one to predict imminent and latent consequential actions and prepare appropriate responses to them. There is a neurobiological theory to bind various kinds of information into a unified whole to deal with many problems of mindset. (h) Materialism. The self is not acquisitive. It is the I that is wanting everything and is very greedy. The self is conscious of the emptiness of materialism. (i) Coherence. This is required for good judgment of situations. Intrinsic beliefs from understanding, coherence, awareness and consciousness prepare you to make good judgment. (j) Immune System. There is a relationship between presence and the inner body. Presence is pure consciousness reclaimed from your mind and connected to your inner body. Connectedness with yourself straightens your immune system because you actually inhabit your own body. The more consciousness you bring to your body, the stronger the immune system becomes. It is as if every cell awakens and rejoices. The body loves your attention, it is also a potent form of self healing.

Most illnesses that creep into you will not survive in your body. (k) Retardation of Aging. The awareness of the inner body is beneficial in the physical realm. One such benefit is the significant slowing down of the aging of the physical body. The inner body changes very slowly and remains strong even at older age. Your body remains vibrant, lighter, clean and lively if you are present in your life. (l) Peace. Through the inner body, you are inseparably connected to your creator and you have peace.

In conclusion, connecting with oneself guarantees awakeness, awareness, internal humility, introspection, voluntary control of situations, cognition, internal weapons against ego, greed, corruption and materialism and coherence of thought to make good judgments. Our health enjoys pronounced immunity against infection and diseases; there is also retardation of aging processes enabling one to look younger in old age.

Above all, our body becomes inseparably connected to our creator to give us permanent peace.

The Lions Club International may start a new paradigm, by getting the members who are already in tandem with self, to train others within and outside the group to access their innate individual treasures. This will be a sustainable assistance, value and worthwhile addition to the current processes you discharge to the best of your abilities.

Please know yourself beyond your I.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

33

COMMENTARY

I

N this column last week, I promised to recall an article consisting the charter which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) led the Muslims to sign with the Christian leadership in 628 CE. Promise is a debt which a gentleman must fulfil. Please, read on: “In the introduction to his autobiography entitled ‘My Odyssey’, Nigeria’s first democratic President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe wrote: “Man comes into the world and while he lives, he embarks upon a series of activities absorbing experience which enables him to formulate a philosophy of life and to chart his courses of action. But then, he dies. Nevertheless, his biography remains a guide to those of the living who may need guidance either as a warning on the vanity of human wishes or as encouragement or both”.

The above philosophical quote serves as a reminder of what the divinely appointed Apostles of God represented in the lives of their followers. Those Apostles were men who came into the world as Ambassadors of one and the only God. Yes, they came at different times, from different lands and with different tongues nevertheless, their message was only one and the same. That message is like a nation’s diplomatic mission abroad. Any qualified person could be appointed as an Ambassador to manage the mission. And from time to time the Ambassador could be changed but the mission remains the same as much as the nation which they represent remains a nation. Some of those Ambassadors could though be empowered as plenipotentiary it is unimaginable that any of them would deviate from the diplomatic policy that makes him an Ambassador for his country.

Thus, from Adam, the great ancestor of man to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the last of all Apostles of God, the message of God was one and the same because those Apostles were all sent by only one and the same God. If any difference is perceived in their mission, it could only be attributable to human ignorance through interpretations or misinterpretations in time and space.

Each time I hear of killing, maiming or resorting to terrorism in the name of religion I feel scandalised. This is not just because I belong to a religion and I am involved in its propagation but also because I know the value of life and the vice in terminating it extra-judicially. Personally, I see those who kill people of other religions for the simple reason of difference in faith as brutal vandal waging war not just against humanity but also against God. Anybody who kills or maims or indulges in terrorism may claim to be an adherent of a religion but cannot genuinely claim to be acting for that religion. No divine religion prescribes killing or maiming as an act of worship.

Religion may be used surreptitiously as a cover for such heinous acts but the real motive is far from religion.

Conversation In a fortuitous casual conversation sometime ago over Nigeria’s disturbing political situation, a top Christian cleric enthusiastically told this columnist that Nigerians were the most religious people in the world. Yours sincerely did not agree with his assertion but to avoid any argument relating to religion I decided to keep mute. However, not comfortable with my silence, my interlocutor asked for my reaction to his statement.

And when I asked him for the evidence of his alleged religiousness in Nigerians, he cited the ubiquity of Churches and Mosques as well as the length of time people spend worshiping in those sanctuaries as evidence.

He added that even Muslims worship on Sundays nowadays citing examples of NASFAT, FATH QUAREEB and other ‘Assalatu’ groups.

In response, I grinned amusedly and shook my head in disagreement. I then told him that in Islam, worshiping does not necessarily take any lengthy time as the number of times to worship per day is divinely specified and no daily Salat takes more than ten minutes on the maximum. I said as for the ubiquity of Churches and Mosques in Nigeria, it is not only an evidence of disunity among the so-called worshippers but also an indication of deification of ‘MONEY’. And while insisting that religion is the biggest business in Nigeria’s private sector today, I concluded that most Nigerians would rather sweat for the purpose of money than for the love of God citing the shameless preaching of prosperity and atrocious style of accumulating wealth by the so-called religious leaders as examples.

I then challenged the Reverend gentleman to imagine removing money from Churches

FEMI ABBAS ON Femabbas@yahoo.com 08122697498

Islam’s charter with Christianity and Mosques in Nigeria today and see what would remain of them. I also went further to correct his misconception that Muslims now worship on Sundays by pointing out to him that Muslims only resorted to congregating on Sundays for prayers when Thursdays and Fridays which served as their cultural weekend days before Nigeria’s colonisation were forcefully turned into Saturdays and Sundays for them by the colonialists. After a long time of silence the Clergy man nodded in agreement with my analytical observation and confessed that until then he never gave any thought to the atrocious role which money plays in Nigeria’s religious activities.

Evidence of Ignorance What most Nigerian leaders of Islamic and Christian religions do not seem to know is that the refusal of the adherents of both religions to study and understand the doctrines which guide those religions is the main cause of religious disharmony in the country today.

This is however, not peculiar to Nigeria. It is global. Both Christians and Muslims jointly constitute more than half of the world’s population. And, it is from their common pond that the spiritual ripples which consistently make the world restive emanate. If the adherents of both religions had endeavoured to mutually study and understand the doctrines that guide their ways in life, the world would not have come under religious spell as we have today.

How many Christian or Muslim leaders know, for instance, that in recognition of Jesus Christ as his predecessor and fellow Apostle, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) signed a charter with some Christian leaders in the year 628 CE and the charter remains valid till today? In that year (628 CE), a Christian delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery went to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to seek the protection of the Islamic government under his command. The objective was to elicit the support of the Islamic government in ensuring their security against the aggression of the Persian Empire. (St. Catherine’s Monastery is the world’s oldest Monastery located at the foot of Mt. Sinai which has a huge collection of Christian manuscripts second only to those of the Vatican and is known as a world heritage site).

Prior to that event, many verses of the Qur’an had been revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) acknowledging the divine mission of all the Prophets preceding him (Muhammad (SAW) including that of Jesus Christ. And because of those revelations, no Muslim can claim to be a true believer in Islam without accepting Jesus the son of Mary as a Prophet of God. One of those revelations states as follows: “The Apostle of Allah (Muhammad SAW) believes in what was revealed to him and so do the entire Muslim faithful. Every one of them believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Apostles. We do not discriminate against any of His Apostles. They say “we hear and obey (the laws brought by those Apostles). Grant us your forgiveness Oh Lord! To you we shall all return….” (Q. 2: 285).

Another verse of the Qur’an states: “There is no compulsion in religion. True guidance has become distinct from stray. Whoever renounces evil and believes fully in God has grasped the most reliable chord that never breaks. God is all-hearing, all knowing” (Q. 2: 256).

The Charter In response to the request of the Christian

representatives cited above, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) granted them a written charter of rights as follows: “This is a message from Muhammad the son of Abdullah serving as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far that we (Muslims) are with them. Verily, I and all the servants of God, as well as the helpers of Islam hereby make promise to defend Christians because they are my citizens and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them (concerning their way of worship). Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one should destroy a house of their religion or damage it or loot it. Whoever violates this has breached God’s charter and disobeyed His Apostle. Verily, Christians are my allies and have my secure charter against all they hate.

No one should force them to fight for a course in which they have no belief or compel them to migrate against their wish. Neither is the sacredness of their covenant to be violated nor their Churches to be disrespected. And if any damage should happen to their Churches, they must not be prevented from repairing them. No Muslim should disobey this covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)”.

For details, see www.aljazeera.com and check Aljazeera Magazine under Middle East Online.

By this charter, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asserted that Muslims and Christians were brethren in faith and no one of them should fight against the other on the basis of religion. And by validating the charter till the great Day of Judgment, the Prophet had precluded any future attempt to revoke the privileges contained in that charter by any nation, group or individuals. By implication, those privileges are inalienable.

Besides, one remarkable aspect of the charter is that it did not stipulate any condition for Christians to enjoy the privileges.

Reciprocation Believing that being followers of Jesus Christ was enough a condition to enjoy those privileges, the Prophet assumed that the Christians, would be civilised enough to reciprocate that unprecedented gesture wherever they coexist with Muslims not only by tolerating the latter’s mode of worship and way of life but also by refraining from any naked or avowed act of provocation against them which could precipitate a religious rancour. Another noticeable aspect of the charter is the Prophet’s silence on any payment by the protectorate Christians which was the general practice among nations in those days.

Thus, that ‘Charter of Rights’ was a free gift.

And from it the reason becomes clear why the Islamic State under the command of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) or any of his rightly guided disciples who became Caliphs never crossed swords with any Christian group or nation throughout their regimes. If any wars like those of the crusades ever broke out subsequently between Christians and Muslims it was centuries after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Caliphs and that could not be attributed to Islam as a religion. Such could have happened due to a deliberate breach by either or both sides on the basis of human whim.

And in upholding that charter, the second Caliph, Umar Bn Khattab, refused to observe Salat inside the Church of Jerusalem when he visited the area following the liberation of that region by the Islamic State from the Persian Empire in which Zoroastrianism (worshiping of fire) was the religion. The

Church of Jerusalem had been cleared by Muslim soldiers for the observance of Salat which Umar, as Head of State, was to lead.

But when he was invited to lead the Salat, he simply ordered the soldiers to find another place for Salat and keep the Church intact for the Christians saying he would not do that which the Prophet prohibited. He then warned the Muslims who accompanied him never to convert Churches into Mosques for that would amount to bad precedent capable of breaching the Prophet’s charter with Christians.

Prior to the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah, a prophetic revelation came into the Qur’an in 616 CE which confirmed the brotherhood of Islam and Christianity. That revelation which formed a whole chapter in the Qur’an was entitled ‘The Chapter of Rome ’. It started thus: “Rome, (the nation of the Christian Greeks) has been defeated in a neighbouring land. But after their defeat, they shall (themselves) gain victory within a few years. Allah is the Supreme Commander before and after. On that day (when they become victorious), the believers (Muslims and Christians) will rejoice in Allah’s help. Allah gives victory to whoever He wills.

He is the Mighty One, the Merciful. That is Allah’s promise; He never reneges on His promise” (Q. 30: 1-5).

And true to that prophecy, the Roman Empire surprisingly defeated the Persian Empire to the ecstasy of the Muslims just nine years after that revelation and thereby paved way for Christianity to be off the manacle of the pagan Persian Empire and to thrive once again side by side with Islam. Besides, the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned about 37 times in the Glorious Qur’an giving more details about his birth and disappearance than can be found even in the Bible. Also a whole chapter of the Qur’an is dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus confirming her chastity and the miracle of the birth of Jesus. That chapter is called ‘The Chapter of Maryam (Mary).

Orientalists’ Antics However, despite all the indisputable facts mentioned above, the Western Orientalists and others who seek to foster discord between Christianity and Islam continue to focus and disseminate the differences between both religions with the intent of causing permanent conflict among their adherents. Those are the people who want the world to believe that this same Prophet Muhammad (SAW) held the Qur’an in one hand and the sword in another forcing people to accept Islam or be ready to die. The depth of their ignorance does not even reflect the illogicality of such blatant lie as the Qur’an was not compiled into a book when the Prophet was alive. And if one man had such a power to intimidate multitude enemies would he be forced to migrate?

Conclusion The doctrine of one God one mission purportedly shared in the world today by three religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) cannot be from the same perception. Each of these religions has its own revealed Book and the adherents practice their faiths according to the doctrines contained in those Books. It will therefore be wrong of adherents of one particular religion to adjudge those of others as deviants or infidels who must be exterminated.

Religion is like an examination. Those who sit down to write it using blue ink pen must not turn themselves into examiners using red ink pen to mark it. Paradise is Allah’s own domain. He admits whoever He wishes into it. And this is done not necessarily by sheer mortal’s recommendation. Only the Almighty Allah who chose our parents for us without our knowledge before we came into this world and who knows where each of us would finally be buried has the final say on everybody’s destination.

If the truth must be told, the real cause of religious conflicts in Nigeria is not intolerance as often hypocritically claimed by some people but provocation under the guise of religion. Nigerian press is particularly guilty of this by fueling such provocation. It is wrong to expect tolerance to thrive in a society where provocation and injustice refuse to abate. Propagating a religion by denigrating another is an act of provocation. And those who want peace to prevail in Nigeria must desist from such intolerable act.

Nigerian Church and Mosque leaders must refrain from negative sentiments and hypocrisy by dissuading their followers from interpreting the misbehaviour of some miscreants to mean the prescription of the religion they proclaim.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

34

N EWS Customs fails to meet target THE Apapa Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated N20.3 billion last month. This is against the N18.8 billion recorded in March.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Emmanuel Ekpa, said the figure was, however, lower than the monthly target of N39 billion.

He said the shortfall in revenue generated in April was as a result of continuing low importation into the country for some time now.

“A breakdown of the revenue figures showed that the Federation revenues stood at

• Some of the containers.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Congestion looms as 10,000 containers are trapped at ports O

• No cause for alarm, say terminal operators

VER 10,000 containers are trapped at the Lagos ports, making congestion imminent.

The containers got trapped because of the inability of the terminal operators to cope, importers said.

The terminal operators, it was learnt, cannot position for scanning more than 200 of the 5,000 containers that arrive at the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos daily.

The operators, however, say they have the capacity to position over 1,000 containers for scanning daily, adding that they are doing 200 because of an agreement with Customs.

They are blaming the problem on lack of equipment, sources said.

The spokesman of the importers, Mr Folagbade Mosaku, claimed that the operators are asking them to pay for their self-inflicted problems.

Investigation by The Nation showed that over 100 importers and their clearing agents met secretly in Lagos last Friday to strategise on how to shut down the port

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

over what they called the ineptitude of some operators.

The importers and their clearing agents alleged that in some terminals they are compelled to pay arbitrary charges that are not part of the agreement the operators signed with the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

When The Nation visited Apapa port last Friday, many trailers were kept on the highways and the port access roads because of the operators’ inability to load and off load containers.

The government, port security sources said, must find out why the operators can only position more than 200 containers for scanning daily despite the large number of containers shipped into the country.

From the beginning of this month, over 6,000 of the 10,000 containers have been trapped at the Apapa port.

The importers are also compelled to pay N1,500 as stor-

age fee on each of the containers for the first seven days after arrival.

At the expiration of the seven days, importers pay N3,000 on each container daily and after 14 days, they pay N9,000 as storage fee for the 20-foot container and N12,000 for the 40-foot container.

Some agents accused the operators of asking them to pay storage fee for the number of days they had to wait before their containers are positioned for examination.

The charges, the agents said, are inimical to their business.

The Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Apapa chapter, Mr Olumide Fakanlu, said the number of containers the operators position for scanning is worrisome.

The operators, Fakunbi said, disappoint customers when it comes to effective service delivery. He urged the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to call

them to order.

Over 60 per cent of shippers, whose goods arrived at the Lagos Ports between January and last week, he said, had paid over N1 billion for the delay that arose from the positioning of their containers for scanning.

He warned that unless the government addresses the problem, the congestion will persist.

But the image maker of the APM Terminals, Mr Bolaji Akinola, denied the allegation.

He said the terminals had invested billions of naira on equipment to position over 1,000 containers daily.

His words: “APMT has the capacity to position much more than 200 containers daily. The 200 we position daily is the quantity jointly agreed between Customs and APMT.” Akinola added that APMT is also increasing its container stacking area at Apapa by additional 300,000 square metres. The company, he said, would soon take delivery of the first batch of five Rubber-Tyred-Gantry (RTG) cranes it ordered from Kone Cranes as part of terminal yard redevelopment and expansion.

Govt moves to make dry ports functional

T

HE Federal Government is set to make dry ports functional to reduce congestion at sea ports and bring shipping services to importers’ doorsteps.

The government, sources said, would soon declare the dry ports as ports of destination and centres of exports in all its locations.

The dry ports are in Ibadan, Kano, Isiala-Ngwa (Abia), Jos, Funtua (Katsina State) and Maiduguri.

Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Mr Hassan Bello said the dry ports, otherwise known as Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations, were created by the government to solve the perennial problem of port congestion.

He said the dry ports were being driven by Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

model, adding that the government had been facing the teething problem of appropriate legal framework for the dry ports project to take off.

He said the dry ports would be more effective if arrangement was made for an effective rail service.

The Shippers’ Council boss said the Federal Ministry of Transport recently inaugurated a committee to examine the challenges facing the take-off of the dry ports.

The management of the Council, sources said, is also set to stop terminal operators from introducing arbitrary charges at port to facilitate trade at ports.

Shippers’ Council, sources said, is worried about the unholy activities of some terminal operators who will like to charge arbitrarily and it is set to checkmate

their activities.

Bello, the source said, would soon announce port charges that would be acceptable to importers, exporters and the port concessionaires.

The Council, investigation showed, has succeeded in stabilising freight rates on Nigerian-bound cargoes to boost economy activities in the country.

Bello told the paper that the council had embarked on negotiation with global shipping lines to stabilise freight rates.

He said the appointment of a commercial regulator for the shipping industry would end the monopoly of powers.

Bello said commercial regulation would increase and encourage participation of more private investors and increase the mechanism for settlement of disputes.

He said the regulator would control the entry and exit of operators, adding that the NSC had been saddled with that responsibility.

The chief executive also noted that there was a tendency by some shippers to short-change the government through false declaration.

False declaration, he explained, would add so many days to the cargo dwell time, adding that this would result to demurrage and congestion.

“We have been intervening in areas of tariffs, benchmark-ing and service delivery. A law passed in 1978 must have got some requirements for review. Now that port facilities are run by the private sector; large reforms in rail, road sector, it is expected there should be a commercial regulator,” he said.

N8.40 billion, while NonFederation revenues was N9.13 billion in the month under review,’’ it said.

He said the Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC) stood at N2.5 billion in April, while the seven per cent levy on the NDCC was N188 million.

The command said the Federation revenues consisted of Common External Tariff (CET), Import duty, Fees and others.

Non-Federation revenues are the five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), and the seven per cent Port Levy, amon one per cent among others.

CRFFN advocates alternative dispute resolution at ports THE Registrar of the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr Mike Jukwe, has urged the Federal Government to create an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) structure in the Nigerian ports.

Speaking at the Fifth Practical Maritime Dispute Resolution Seminar in Lagos, Jukwe, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders, Mr Valentino Buoro, stated in a paper entitled: Dispute resolution in the ports, a regulator’s perspective, that ADR could help produce an acceptable result in the shortest possible time.

According to him, in the maritime sector there is always one dispute to settle and this could be resolved through the ADR instead of the regular courts.

“It is a common occurrence that disputes may arise between shippers and consignees; consignees and insurers; and consignees and freight

forwarders. The obligation of our profession is to serve as healers of human conflict. To fulfill this obligation, we must have the right mechanisms,” he said.

Jukwe urged the government to give a directive that its establishments should adopt ADR processes in the resolution of disputes.

“The process is faster, flexible, consensual and above all seeks to maintain and promote business and personal relationships,” he said.

Chief Gbola Akinola, President, Maritime Arbitration Association of Nigeria in his address, said that the two-day seminar was meant to provide sound arbitration and ADR practices in the maritime sector.

“The seminar will address the different types of claims which can arise at the ports.

“To have a forum for settling commercial disputes through ADR is essential to the development of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

‘Privatisation against public interest’ THE Agenda for Good Governence (AGG), a nongovernmental organisation, has called for the review of the port privatisation policy, introduced in 2006.

Speaking at a seminar in Lagos, its Executive Secretary, Mr Rotimi Onakoya, claimed that the policy does not favour the nation.

The group urged the government to build confidence, grow wealth and create employment in the port system through proper organisation of port operation and legislation.

A maritime lawyer, Mr Dipo Alaka said: “Seven years into the concession, we are still being faced with manage-

ment, operational and administrative problems in the port concession” adding that it should be reviewed.

The Federal Government, he said, needs to develop other means of transportation, especially the rail system, to bring about an efficient delivery of goods in the sector.

The lawyer said the interconnectivity of the rail system to water ways is very important. “Marine transport is a part of the transportation system and from my professional training and experience, marine transport cannot operate in isolation from other modes of transportation, especially with rail system,” he said.

‘Why Nigerians aren’t benefiting from Cabotage Act’ WHY are Nigerians not benefiting from Cabotage Act? It is because of the acqusition of single haul vessels by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), says Executive Chairman, Blessed Agencies and Shipping, Mr Raymond Oluwa.

He said the Federal Government should be held liable for the influx of old vessels on the territorial waters.

“If you allow ship owners to bring old vessels into the country and you register them as cabotage vessels, then you must be ready to give them jobs; forget about

IMO laws and the other laws because you have collected money from the owners for registration,” he said.

Oluwa called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that indigenous ship owners are given jobs by the oil firms since they were registered

by NIMASA under the Act. Also, a maritime lawyer, Mr Festus Olayinka, identified the payment of fees while applying for waiver under the Cabotage Act as one of the reason behind the circumvention of the gains of the Act.

THE N

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

SHOPPING

Where to get cheap tailoring materials If you are a tailor or would like to buy tailoring materials, here are some pieces of advice from TAIBAT IDOWU on how to get quality ones at affordable prices

T

AILORING materials are as important as the sewing machine. They are used to decorate and complement clothes. There are a wide range at affordable prices. One is sure to get them in designer’s shops. But they might be a bit expensive compared to their depot.

To buy cheap tailoring materials in bulk, markets like Oshodi, Balogun on Lagos, Island and Aswani on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, among other markets. in Lagos, stock them in large quantities.

The Nation Shopping observed that in this part of the country, the Yoruba patronise these markets for tailoring materials more than any other tribe.

Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke sells in bulk at Oshodi Market. He said most of his customers are Yoruba. “Yoruba women patronise me more every day. In total, I sell more than

1000 items daily.

Common tailoring materials are zips (the open and close type, the ordinary zip and the invisible zip), threads in their sizes, needles(for weaving and for sewing), scissors, gum stay, suite lining, tiny and large elastics,jeans zips, etc.

Sometimes, the prices of these materials depend on their quantity. For example, a bundle of open and close, ordinary and invisible zips ranges from N 1,100 to N1,600 a bundle contains 10 dozens. The cost of thread is between N450 and N950 depending on its size. Needles go for N450 per pack and N10 per sachet, Scissors is sold for N100 and N300 depending on its size.

Suite lining cost N90 per yard, while elastics cost N1,100 and N800 for the tiny and large ones.

• Tailoring materials

Traders at Ojuwoye Mushin Market, Lagos now live in fear since area boys disrupted activities in the market. TAIBAT IDOWU reports.

Area boys disrupt market

T

HE fight among area boys (holigans) has disrupted activities in Ojuwoye Market in Mushin, Lagos.

The fight, which started two weeks ago, has put fear in traders and made most of them to close their shop.

According to the traders, they are always at alert so they can pack their goods and run if the fighting resumes.

Traders who sell fragile and perishable goods would rather not display them because of the fear of a fight.

Mrs Iyabode Alonge sells fresh eggs. She was unable to pack them and run like others when the fight, which has been on for sometime, continued about 5.30pm last Monday. According to her, the eggs were broken.

Mrs. Adejoke Alimi is also a trader who said she doesn’t have a permanent place anymore where she sells her wares. “I stay in a place and

when I see people running, I also pack my stationary and run for my life. I sell items that can be easily packed in a sack.

“At present, I sell in at a spot or go round with my items and ask shoppers if they would like to buy. I have refused to know the cause of the fight because it is very annoying,” he said.

As it is, mainly shoppers living around the market, patronise it more when they observe it is calm. Mrs Sherifat Olusanya was seen buying fresh fish.

She said: “I live opposite the market and cannot afford to go far because I want to buy foodstuffs. I get cheap bargains here, fight or no fight.

“Since the fight started, what I do is to observe the market and be sure it is peaceful, then come and buy what I want to buy quickly. I do this in less than 20 minutes. I am conversant with the prices here; therefore if I buy in a hurry, I cannot be cheated.”

‘Traders who sell fragile and perishable goods would rather not display them for fear of a fight’

• Ojuwoye market

Odo Eran meat market

O

• Odo Eran market, Itire, Lagos

DO Eran market is located in Itire area of Lagos.

Here beef and cows are sold in pieces, as well as other food stuffs. These cows are slaughtered and sold by the traders every day, thus customers are sure to get fresh meat whenever they get to the market.

Buying and selling is convenient for customers and traders, because they get whatever food they want at good bargains.

It is one of the peaceful markets in Itire.

Mr. Alade Adeagbo a meat seller said: “We are safe here.

There is no disturbance in this market and we pray not to experience fire like some markets did recently. Everything is going on smoothly and in a day we slaughter more than 20 cows and by God’s grace we sell all before the end of the day,” he said.

By Taibat Idowu

Mrs. Bashiru Gbadebo said: “Everything is in order. We have a union that settles disputes in the market .

Mrs. Ojugbade Monsurat, a shopper, said: “I prefer this market because you won’t walk far before getting all the foodstuffs you want. I usually buy in bulk here every weekend.

“To be sincere, this market is neat, despite the fact that they kill cows and do other rough work here, still it is neat, that shows how disciplined they are here,” she said.

Mrs. Immanuel Alaba, another shopper, said: “One thing I noticed in this market is that there is peace and anywhere peace is, things are successful. The traders are hard working and they cooperate.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

36

SHOPPING

One important office equipment is the paper shredder.

OLAJUMOKE AZZAN writes on how to get a good one.

How to get shredder

A

PAPER shredder can be used for selfprotection. It is useful at home, offices or commercial establishments

to destroy information that should not be seen by others.

Destroying confidential documents is a requirement in any business.Those protecting sensitive information prefers to shred the documents to ensure confidentiality.

These are mainly large offices or companies that need a large number of papers destroyed.

It also helps in saving space for plenty of paper waste produced and there are different types available for various uses. There is the commercial, the home and the office shredding machines.

Modes of operating the machine are of two types; the manually operated and the automatically operated.

The size also varies, depending on its use and shredding needs. But when buying an office shredding machine you should choose the highest quality, such as the medium-duty or the industrial paper shredder as it will be used frequently and it is larger.

It also has the capability to cut other things such as plastic, cardboard and many others.

But to ensure the security level of documents, the confetti-cut or the cross-cut paper shredder is best as it determines the shredding style.

It is also important that the shredding capacity is known so you can be sure of how much paper you should place in it, as well as its operating speed.

The size and storage of the shredding machine should be determined by the available storage space you have, as such, lack of space to keep the machine should call for

• Office Shredder a small type. But most office shredders are compact and take up very small space.

Most paper shredder that is for the office is easily adjusted to the environment of the office and maintenance is easy to perform.

It only requires oiling and taking care of the cutting blades at regular basis.

Sensitive documents, such as financial statements, trade secrets, security numbers, disbursement records, sale receipts, business letteres, customers information, personnel records, computer prints out, etc require the smallest types of shedder.

To buy one, be guaranteed of its durability, quality and performance. Go for a cheap but reliable one.

Perfumes and their uses

By Oyindamola Adewusi and Taibat Idowu

P

ERFUMES are commonly used and they come in different types, sizes and prices. Most times, the occasion and mood of an individaul should determine which one to buy. When asking what kind of perfumes you should wear in rain season, the real question should be which scent will evoke the seasonal fragrances and moods. In the dry season, light perfumes always claim to elicit memories. To choose fragrance when you go to a perfume store, endeavour not to spray on your fabrics, but on your skin and do not rub after spraying, leave it on the spot. It lasts longer that way and would help you make the right decision.

Perfumes have become an important part of our lifestyle. Ask anyone what perfume they would like to wear and you will almost get an instant answer.

It is now very difficult to find someone who says that they do not use perfumes. The original purpose of perfumes was to cover unbearable body odor, but nowadays, it has become a part of people’s overall personalities.

You can get assorted perfumes from places like delightsome gift shop, Elphina Plaza and Shoprite.

Some designer perfumes you may fall in love with.

• Calvin Klein • Dolce&Gabbana • Gucci • Ralph Loren • Dior • Hugo Boss • Prada • Givenchy • Yves Saint Laurent

Prices of household appliances

• Nollyhood hiphop artise Omawunmi Megbele flanked by Chief Executive Officer, Konga.com Sim Sgagaya (right) and Head of Marketing, Onyeka Akumah when Omawunmi visited the Konga office in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Dana bucket, Mop holder, Dustpan and brush: N300 each.

Two tone black and white coffee mug and assorted Ice cream bowls: N400.

Hand- painted dinner set 16- piece and Binatone hair clipper set: N2,000.

Home Stainless Steel Vacuum Jug , Home Essential cutlery set 16-piece, Essentials 10 cup coffee maker, Vacuum cleaner wet and dry: N3,000.

Torch set with five super power Batteries and Assorted Hand Towels: N1,000.

Premium car mat set, 16-piece dinner set, BBQ Grill, Blender, Essential Twin solid hot plate: N4,000.

A Square Dinner set 20-piece, Wine Glass of 18-piece, Cooler box, 4-slice sandwich box: N5,000.

Pressure cooker, Cookware 12- piece, Platinum cordless glass kettle: N7,000.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

37

SOCIETY

The wife of a Lagos lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo, Osas, has celebrated her 40th birthday in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was at the Church of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Lekki, Lagos venue of the event.

F

OR Mrs. Osas Uwaifo, wife of Lagosbased lawyer, Hannibal, attaining 40 is a blessing.

She was full of smiles last Tuesday during the birthday bash organised for her.

At the thanksgiving mass that began at midday, many thanked God for all He has done in her life.

The birthday ‘girl’ was surrounded by family and friends. Though a week day, the church was almost filled to capacity.

Assistant priest of the parish Revd.

Damian Alozie took the Bible reading from Luke 17:12-19, on the parable of the 10 lepers who were cured of their ailments but only one came back to thank Jesus.

During the homily, the Parish Priest of Divine Mercy, Lekki, Rev. Fr Anthony Fadairo, admonished the celebrator to look back at her past; check how well she has fared and see how she can do better. The cleric urged her to devote her life to God and not to let her love for God wane.

Soon after the service, guests moved to the hall beside the church for the reception, where the Police Band played.

MC Whiskero, who compeered the event, dished out rib-cracking jokes to the delight of guests, many of who were the celebrator’s friends from the Sterlings School Lekki, where Mrs Uwaifo serves as the chairman of the Parents Council; her schoolmates at the Federal Government Girls College, Bakori, Katsina State and the University of Benin. Also present were members of the Christian Men Organisation (CMO) of the parish headed by her husband.

Mr Uwaifo praised his wife for her doggedness and devotion. He described her as honest and diligent.

The lawyer urged those preparing for marriage not to see the institution as an easy journey, but a long one.

Many described the birthday ‘girl’ in superlative terms, saying she is a detribalised woman from Ondo State, but born in Lagos and married to an Edo man.

Counting her blessings •The celebrator Mrs Uwaifo assisted by her husband Hannibal and children to cut the cake

On May 18, ministers and members of the Archbishop Timothy Olufosoye Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos opened their new church auditorium. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE reports

T

HEY were gaily dressed and full of joy. They were members of the Archbishop Timothy Memorial Anglican Church (ATOMAC), Ogba, Lagos and their guests who thronged the church last Saturday for the dedication of its new auditorium.

Besides a few vehicles parked on the road close to the church and the big banner hung on the wall of the edifice welcoming visitors to the place, there was nothing to indicate that a big ceremony was taking place there.

Yet, inside the auditorium were gathered the crème de la crème of the church.

The opening of the service was as memorable as any other aspect of the event. As the processional hymns were being rendered, the bishops marched in; they were followed by their junior colleagues. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially as the priests were decked in their pastoral apparel.

Welcoming the guests and the church members, Bishop of the Diocese of the Lagos West of the Anglican Communion Revd James Odedeji thanked them for coming. Specifically, he thanked and prayed for his predecessor Bishop Peter Adebiyi, who he said, “has contributed to the growth of our diocese and the church.”

He also thanked the family of Mrs Teju Akindolire, whose family hosted the church for six years before it moved to its permanent site. He praised the Olufosoyes, whose father, the church was named after, saying the senior cleric worked for the growth of the church.

“The Lord will take care of the Olufosoye’s family,” he prayed.

Speaking on the theme Why God move people to build for Him, Bishop Odedeji listed six reasons for this.

They are, he said, need for unity among Christians; to get them a place for prayer and worship; need for a place where His name will be hal-

•Rev Odedeji flanked by Bishop Adebiyi (third right) and Rev Dahunsi (third left). Others are: Ven Owoyele (left); Rev Adeniji (third left); Mrs Elizabeth Adeniji and Justice Babasola Ogunade (right) at the event.

Anglicans open House of ‘Faith’ lowed and the need for the brethren to exalt Him, among others.

Warning that the church is not a place for quarrelling and bickering, he said: “The church is the hope of this generation. People must leave here and go to heaven. It is not my property and yours. We must look for the good of the house of God. At ATOMAC, you must cherish your unity, shun nepotism and disunity.”

He urged them to imbibe what he called the three Fs: Firmness, fairness and friendliness.

The choir led by Brother Omoniyi Odunsi gave a good account of themselves as they displayed their dexterity both in songs and use of the organ.

The high point of the ceremony was when the keys of the new House of God were handed to Rev. Adeniji. Performing the ceremony, Bishop Odedeji said: “You will not be tired, sick, or bedridden. It shall be well with your soul, your family. You will grow from strength.

Each time you preach, the word of God will fill your mouth. May the

CONJUGAL BLISS

•Hakeem Towose and his lovebird former Miss Tawakalitu Bamdele during their wedding in Owo, Ondo State

Lord bless you,” the congregation chorused a loud Amen.

In his response Rev. Adeniji, who was overjoyed by the event, said the foundation of the church was laid in July 2011. The land, he said, cost N25million while the total cost of construction was between N85 million and N90million.

Against the background of the small population of the church, its lean purse and the fact that the multi-million naira edifice was built within two years, he called it

the wonderful work of God based on faith.

Going memory lane, Rev Adeniji, a former staff member of Chevron, said at the beginning of the construction, some members of the church left and had not returned. He thanked the members who stood by him and the project, especially the Band of Faith, noting that their assistance was tremendous.

Guests at the event included Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Bishop of Idoani Rt. Rev Ezekiel Dahunsi; the Archdeacon of Ikeja Archdeaconry, Venerable Israel Tunde Owoyele.

UNION OF LOVEBIRDS

•Oluwaseun Ajayi and his wife former Miss Maria Oyonya

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

38

SOCIETY

I

T was a two-in-one event when the Olu of Mushin, Oba Abdulfatai Ayinla Aileru, celebrated his 75th birthday and 35th coronation anniversary.

Many of his subjects turned out in purple Ankara Aso Ebi for the occasion. They also showcased their fashion and style with the way they sew their dresses.

The women complemented their dressings with headgears, necklaces and earrings.

The expansive Mushin Sports Centre venue of the event brimmed with activities. Those who were not allowed in defied the scorching sun, the armed personnel, and other risks to climb the walls and watch through the fence.

A large white tent was erected in the middle of the field. A dozen more stood at other corners of the arena. Posh cars were orderly parked and there was decorum throughout the event.

The organisers left no stone unturned to ensure a hitchfree ceremony.

Present were some of the celebrator’s fellow traditional rulers, chiefs and members of his club, the Eko Suprimus Club.

Kaabiyesioooo the people kept chanting. The proud birthday ‘boy’ waved his horsetail and smiled at his loyal subjects.

On the band stand was King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe (aka KWAM 1) who entertained guests.

Primate Jacob Akinsilo said the opening prayer.

Chairman of the occasion, Hon Michael Akindele, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), congratulated the monarch for his years of on the throne.

There were cultural displays and dances from the three major ethnic groups. The Igbo troupe was led by the Asiwaju Eze Ndigbo of Mushin, Eze John Nwosu. The Yoruba Ayelewu Theatre Group performed a dance drama and the Hausa did theirs with the flute.

Oba Aileru thanked his chiefs and subjects for their love over the years. He promised to ensure that peace continuous to prevail in his domain.

Oba Aileru’s son Prince Yahaya described his father as one of the few noble men he has ever known. He praised his father for his humility and selflessness.

“He is a rare personality and an embodiment of everything it means to be a father. I am really proud to be his son and I wish him many more years in life and on the throne in good health,” he said.

At the event were Justice Adedotun Onibokun; member of Local Government Chieftaincy, Chief Olaseeni Lamina; Onifako of Ifako Oba Taofeek Fatusi; Baale of Matori, High Chief Sesan Akintunde; Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire; Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Oba Olaleye Moses; Onijale of Ijale in Abeokuta, Oba Michael Ajibola; Onitire of Itire land, Oba Lateef Dauda; Ologudu of Ogudu, Oba Waheed Fashola and Oba Mudashiru Salawudeen.

‘He is a rare personality and an embodiment of everything it means to be a father. I am really proud to be his son and I wish him many more years in life and on the throne in good health’

Penultimate Saturday, a crowd of admirers gathered at the Mushin Sports Centre (formerly ArchBishop Aggey Memorial School), Lagos, to celebrate with the Olu of Mushin, Oba Abdulfatai Aileru, who marked his 75th birthday and 35 years on the throne, NNEKA NWANERI was there.

A monarch’s double celebration

•Oba Aileru flanked by his Oloris Temitope (right) and Safuratu

•Alagodo of Agodo Oba Mudasiru Odejobi and his Olori Rubby

•From right: Oniju of Iju Oba Elijah Adisa Olanire; Onitire of Itire Oba Lateef Dauda and Ologudu of Ogudu Oba Alhaji Waheed Fashola

•Hon Akindele (right) and Hon Lai Olawale

•From left: Justice Onibokin; Olori Bolajoko Aileru, and Alhaja Abeni Adepeju

•Mr Eso

•Alabiran of Ikaare Kingdom Dr Kayode Akinyemi (right) and Ojoola- Ojon of Ejigbo land Oba Moruf Adetoun PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Sasi of Lagos Chief Olaseni Laminan

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

39

C ELEBRITY

He will be 75 tomorrow but Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch decided not to speak on his life times,but rather on the increasing degrading environment. He spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO at his residence in popular but filthy Campus Square, Lagos Island.

‘This is not our Lagos’

Great Deeds Versus Great Events

H

H

E lives in a building not up to half a plot of land but his popularity overshadows those living in mansions and big houses in the vicinity. A mention of ‘Big Daddy’ is all a visitor needs and in no time he is at his abode.

“Hello, are you guys from The Nation? ” He spoke with a loud voice. “Yes Sir,” this reporter replied.

“Come over here,” he said with hand gesture.

“Sir, are you…” “Yes,” he interjected. “Journalists are not difficult to identify,” he said.

Not that we did not get the place as directed by a filling station attendant but we could not believe a man of such calibre could live in such a place.

Trust Lagosians, especially the elderly ones; they are contented with such environment.

Welcome to 101 Bamgbose Street, the house of Pa Ekundayo Alabi Wright, former Editor of The Punch.

He did not allow us entry before pointing towards the side of the popular Campus Square. He told the photographer to take some shots there.

“That is where your work here begins; look, after that car, there are some things dumped there. Afterwards, take pictures of the drainage and the surroundings,” he said.

When the photographer returned, he asked rhetorically: “Do you like what you have just seen? Is this place habitable for human beings? These and many ugly things are parts of nonsense people subject themselves to around this area. Let’s go inside.”

The small sittingroom room is full of books and newspapers. Various art crafts of his youth age pictures and a topless woman adorn the wall.

“My name is Ekundayo. I will be 75 years old next Saturday. I am a journalist, partially retired because I still do consultancy and editing for some people. Life goes on,” he introduced himself before the interview started.

Fondly called Dayo Wright, he lamented the sorry state of the environment.

He recalled the Lagos of yesteryears with nostalgia.

“The Lagos I used to know is not the Lagos that exists now, he said, everything is upside down, inside out, which is a shame. In the Lagos that we had then, sanitation was one of the major priorities. Then, we had people who were called Fokota Fokota they were those who cleared the drainage.

“Aside that, when you woke up in the morning, my house then was at Igbosere Road, we used to sweep the front of our house. Officials from the state and local gov-

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Pa Wright

ernments will come to clear the rubbish and take them away. Today, when you clear the drains and put it by the roadside, it will be there in the next one to three weeks.

Things have changed, nobody cares.

“We are spending millions of naira on campaigns to kick out malaria while there has been stagnant water in the front of houses for a long time.

All the drainages are not cleared. Now the gutter that leads to the canal, not too far from PHCN Road is blocked.

All the drainages in the neighbourhood are stagnant already. In the course of sand filling Lagos, all the exit to the Lagoons, where we used

‘

to play with a small boat carved out of matchbox, they are all blocked. If you put one of such small boat outside there, in the next one year, it will still be there because the water is not flowing. Is this the way to go on? No, we can’t go on like this. It’s wrong.”

“Today, everyone is talking about environment. Children are falling sick with diarrhea, typhoid, malaria. How can we eradicate all these diseases without clearing the drainage.

I have just shown you a pile of rubbish thrown down the road by a neighbour after his party. The debris is still there, one week after. If I were around, I would have told them to pack it in front of his

In the course of sand filling Lagos, all the exit to the Lagoons, where we used to play with small boat carved out of matchbox, they are all blocked. If you put one of such small boat outside there, in the next one year, it will still be there because the water is not flowing. Is this the way to go on? No, we can’t go on like this. It’s wrong

’

house.”

He recommended China’s method of dealing with people who debase the environment.

“Our government makes the law but they do not enforce it. In China, if you spit on the street, you will probably go to jail. If you ease yourself on the street, you will probably be shot. It is when people stopped caring fors their environment that it degenerates to what it is today. We got into this mess from the moment we stopped caring for our environment. So, we need to do something. Not next week, rather, we have to start now. We need to have an environment monitoring unit, just like the CBD, KAI people, among others, and get them working. Not just towing vehicles unnecessarily, especially in a residential area like this. I cannot park my car outside. So, where do I park? I once said if the government does not want people to dump cars on the streets, let them introduce stickers/tags that will show who is a resident and who is not. But that is not in place.

So, what do we do? Absolutely nothing. If you park your car outside for a while, you are going to be called that your car will be towed.”

AVE you ever expected so much from something but when you finally got it, the satisfaction was not there? Have you ever loved the advertisement of a product but your experience of using that product was not favourable? Maybe you have held someone in high esteem, but after a close contact, you were left disappointed? All of these are AMODU LANRE OLAOLU symptoms of the same prob(Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. lem- overrated packaging.

07034737394 We work so hard to create an impression that we neglect to build a reputation. Please take note of the word "build" because it implies a process of developing something from a foundation.

Glamour seems to have become the definition of success; so, a less glamourous activity is considered less successful.

When you meet a friend you have not seen in ages, you spend the first few minutes assessing each other to determine who is more successful. You compare your jobs, cars, families, etc.

It is not surprising, therefore, that some people find it difficult to attend reunions because they don't "feel" successful enough.

The reason people think they are not making progress or that they are not successful is that they focus on great events instead of great deeds. Great events are characterized by crowds and glamour and they involve public displays. On the other hand, great deeds are valuable contributions made without deliberate need for publicity. Great deeds can even be done in secret and to a single person.

Many people want to be celebrated, but not everyone that is celebrated deserves it. Let us consider a few differences between great deeds and great events: •Great events without great deeds are but a mirage, but great deeds always result in great events. Burj Khalifa is reputed to be the tallest building in the world; standing at 2, 722 ft. The building has 163 floors and has won not less than 17 awards with respect to its height. The design of its fountain system cost Dh 800 million (US$217 million), which is illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors.

The official launch ceremony featured 10,000 fireworks, with light beams projected on the building. That was a great event! But do you know that several great deeds went into the building, that were less glamourous? There were several bits here and there such as plumbing, electrical fittings etc. But let's talk about the foundation. While I will not go into the technical details, over 58, 900 cu yd of concrete, weighing over 120, 000 short tons were used in constructing the concrete and steel foundation. The construction took about 22 million man-hours. That, I believe, is the great deed. As we celebrate the building, we are quick to forget the foundation, without which the building cannot stand.

Invest in great deeds and your great events will be guaranteed.

•If you focus on the multitude, you will miss the individuals; yet, every multitude is a collection of individuals. Imagine a great shop that has thousands of customers; a lot of efforts must have been put into making it that great. Now imagine that a new manager is appointed who is unpleasant to customers. In his mind, he thinks there are several customers, but once a customer leaves due to dissatisfaction, then another one will leave, then the next, until the business closes up. Treat multitudes as one person and one person as a multitude. Your niceness to one customer (a great deed) may save your business (a great event). When great deeds are sacrificed for great events, you will stand before a crowd and be celebrated by paparazzi, but be condemned by individuals who know you.

•We wait for great events but neglect great deeds, so we wait forever. If you have never been employed in your life, yet you refuse 'low paying' jobs because you are waiting for the million dollar one, you may wait forever. That is because the job that pays well will require years of experience, which you refuse to acquire because you are busy waiting for the money.

•Many people believe they need great events as opportunities to showcase their great deeds, but only great deeds create great events. You may dream of what you will do when you become the president of your country, but I suggest that you should start doing something in you ward or local government. Imagine you have never taken time to be trained as a public speaker. You have never spoken to a group of children not to mention adults. Yet, you are hoping to be invited to deliver a speech in an international gathering or world leaders! If that hope ever becomes a reality, the outcome may not be desirable. I once heard a speaker say that he spent several years practicing and making mistakes, now he speaks like a professional. People didn't see him practice, but they were available to celebrate his excellence.

•The relationship between great deeds and great events is a continuum. First you start to engage in great deeds, after a while, you are recognized and celebrated. Then you begin to do great deeds at another level, and you are celebrated again.

That is how the great become greater and the greater become the greatest.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

40

SOCIETY

The Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, hosted eminent personalities when his younger sister, Princess Adetoun, a medical practitioner, and her heart-throb, Oluwaseun Adebule, tied the nuptial knot. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN reports.

• Oba Akiolu and Hon Ikuforiji

• The couple Princess Adetoun and Oluwaseun

A royal wedding T

HE Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi (Kusenla III) was the cynosure of all eyes as he did his thing on the dance floor. His heavily embroidered Agbada was no hindrance as he moved his legs in perfect response to traditional drumbeats.

It was at the reception of the wedding of his medical doctor younger sister, Princess Adetoun and Oluwaseun Adebule, also a medical practitioner.

“I never knew Oba Elegushi was this good a dancer,” a woman wondered aloud. But she got an answer from another guest, who replied: “You should not be surprised; he so much loves ‘Toun (the bride).”

He was again, a spectacle when he rose to dance with the bride. His dance steps were simply graceful. His fellow monarchs joined on the dance floor and a naira rain followed.

Captains of industry, politicians and other eminent personalities exchanged banters at the Ruby Garden, Lekki, venue of the classy reception. They were resplendent in embroidered Aso Ebi and other traditional attires which were combined with yellow lace fabrics.

The reception kicked off with tunes from the Disc Jockey (DJ); then, guests waltzed in. All that was required to get into the venue, was for a guest to appear in the Aso Ebi for the occasion. The security arrangement also ensured that there were no gate-crashers.

The arrival of Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos caused a stir. Virtually everyone was on his feet to catch a glimpse of the stylish monarch, the Olowo Eko Baba Fuad, as he was ushered in by Oba Elegushi, alongside his delectable wife, Olori Sekinat.

The couple’s entry into the reception arena was grand. The bride wore a wedding gown; the groom was on suit.

From his mien, it was a moment long-awaited by the groom’s father, Dr Gbolahan Adebule, a former Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.

Tee A emceed the reception. When the venue became hot, no thanks to a power surge at the beginning of the reception, his rib-cracking jokes came to the rescue.

The cake-cutting and signing of the dotted lines over, another dance spree began. Members of a musical ensemble, Faith Band, gave good account of themselves. It was then the couple and their parents knew how much they were loved. Seats became empty as everyone took to the dance floor. Oba Elegushi’s chiefs were not left out.

The wedding was consummated at the Chapel of The Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Mushin, in the presence of a huge crowd.

Personalities present at the holy solemnisation include: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Ajoke Orelope-Adefulire; her predecessor, Mrs Sarah Sosan; Senator

•From left: Mrs Orelope-Adefulire, Dame Fashola, Olori Sekinat Elegushi and Oba Elegushi

• Groom’s parents, Dr and Mrs Adebule

Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Others are: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi; Olu of Itori, Oba

PHOTOS: DADA ALADELOKUN

Fatai Akamo and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

Clerics took turns to admonish the couple to make the fear of God the pillar of their marriage.

While Oluwaseun gleefully described the day as “a very special one for me,” an elated Adetoun said: “It is a moment I have for long, waited to see; I thank God for this day with my God-chosen man.”

42

Friday, May 31, 2013

POLITICS

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

43

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

How has the judiciary fared since 1999? JOSEPH JIBUEZE examines its role in sustaining democracy.

T

HE effectiveness of the judiciary depends to a large extent on the public’s confidence in the ability of judges to fairly and impartially do justice.

Since 1999, Nigeria has had to grapple with one form of judicial corruption or the other, which has devalued and debased society’s most fundamental mechanism for conflict resolution.

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher never hid his disdain for the rot in the judiciary. Even the incumbent, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar at her inauguration and in other fora, has vowed reposition the judiciary.

A professor of Law, Okechukwu Oko, summed up the state of the judiciary in Nigeria when he said: “That so many judges are willing to ignore their oath of office and distort the legal process for personal and monetary gain remains one of the most pernicious impediments to a fair trial in Nigeria.”

When democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999, Justice Uwais was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, having been appointed in 1995 by the military government. In 2006, Justice Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore succeeded him and served for one year. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi served from 2007 to 2009 and handed over to Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu in 2011. Justice Musdapher was CJN between August 29, 2011 and July 16, 2012, before the incumbent, Justice Mukhtar assumed office as first female CJN. But how has the judiciary fared under them?

Correcting electoral/ impeachment injustices The judiciary played a crucial role in restoring stolen mandates, especially in the 2003 and 2007 elections. For instance, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Dr Chris Ngige as winner of the governorship election, the Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal, on August 12, 2005, held that the Peter Obi won the election, a decision which the Court of Appeal later upheld.

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan, on November 1, 2006 nullified the impeachment of Oyo State Governor Rasheed Ladoja after he was impeached following a power struggle. The court held that the impeachment process was faulty, illegal and therefore unconstitutional.

Also restored to power after an unjust impeachment was former Plateau State governor Joshua Dariye, in which the court held that his impeachment did not strictly follow constitutional procedure.

The court would further role in stregthening democracy after the 2007 elections. Notable among those whose mandates were restored are Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (who retrieved his stolen mandate from Engr Segun Oni of the PDP); Oluesegun Mimiko of Ondo State, who floored Olesugun Agagu in court; Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who used legal means to retrieve his stolen mandate from Prof Oserheimen Osunbor of the PDP and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, who the court declared winner of the governorship election, while sacking Olagusoye Oyinlola.

The judiciary also removed Celestine Omehia as Rivers State governor and replaced him with Rotimi Amaechi. The latter had gone to court to challenge his substitution with Omehia as PDP’s candidate after a primary election he (Amaechi) won.

A history of executive control With the scramble and eventual demarcation of Africa at the Berlin Conference, the English legal system was imported into the territory known as Nigeria as a potent instrument of consolidating and legitimising colonial rule. Then, the judiciary was not separate from the executive but was in fact a department of and controlled by the executive branch of government.

The exercise of its jurisdiction was also controlled by the supervisory courts outside the country as appeals from Nigeria went to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which was the court of last resort.

The judiciary began to have a chequered history in 1966 (with the first military coup), enduring eight military interventions out of 52 years of post-Independence.

The typical behaviour of the military juntas was, namely, the suspension of the constitution,

• Justice Mukhtar

• Adokie

Tragedy of temple of justice proliferation of ouster clauses, fusion of the executive and the legislature - thereby undermining the independence of the judiciary; and the flagrant disobedience of court orders by the executive in what became known as “executive lawlessness.”

To emasculate the judiciary further, the military enacted decrees with ouster clauses that sought to deprive the court from looking into acts which were considered as contrary to the tenets of democracy, against the rule of law and offensive to acceptable standards of modern society.

Faced with these challenges, the judiciary was heavily constrained. Some judges, who were apologists to the military government bowed to the pressure. However, courageous judges went out of their way to preserve the observance of the rule of law.

The practice of undue executive and disregard for rule of law was carried over to the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, which for instance, refused to release Lagos State Local Government funds despite a Supreme Court judgment to that effect, as well as subjected court judgments to further executive interpretations.

Questionable judgments The judiciary has received severe criticism due to questionable judgments. One of the most notable is the James Ibori case. In 2007, the Metropolitan Police raided the London offices of lawyer Bhadresh Gohil. Hidden in a wall behind a fireplace, they found computer hard drives containing details of a myriad of off-shore companies, run for Ibori by Gohil, fiduciary agent Daniel Benedict McCann, and corporate financier Lambertus De Boer. All of these men were later jailed for a total of 30 years.

As a result of these corruption allegations, the United Kingdom courts froze Ibori’s assets valued at about £17 million ($35 million), in early August 2007. His wife, Nkoyo, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on 1 November

2007, in connection with the probe of the assets of her husband, particularly in the United Kingdom.

She was released after being questioned. In an exclusive interview with CNN, Ibori denied allegations against him claiming they were politically motivated. He accused then Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Nuhu Ribadu and the UK Courts of playing politics.

On December 12, 2007, EFCC arrested Ibori at the Kwara State Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

Ribadu additionally alleged that Ibori attempted to bribe him to drop the charges with a cash gift of $15 million, which Ribadu immediately lodged in the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. On December 17, 2009, A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, presided over by Justice Marcel Awokulehin discharged and acquitted Ibori of all 170 charges of corruption brought against him by EFCC. In April 2010, Ibori’s case file was reopened. A new allegation that he embezzled N40 billion ($266 million) was pressed against him. Attempts to arrest him were unsuccessful.

On April 17, last year, Ibori was sentenced to 13 years by Southwark Crown Court for his crimes. Among possessions confiscated were: A house in Hampstead, north London, for £2.2m; a property in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for £311,000; a £3.2m mansion in Sandton, near Johannesburg, South Africa; a fleet of armoured Range Rovers valued at £600,000; a £120,000 Bentley Continental GT and a Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62 bought for •407,000 cash, that was shipped direct to his mansion in South Africa Another ruling which has been severely criticised involved former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili. Short after the expiration of his tenure in 2007, he obtained a perpetual injunction against arrest or prosecution by EFCC for corruption. The injunction has remained in force.

Why EFCC has not got the perpetual injunction vacated remains unknown.

‘For observers, judicial authorities played into the hands of the politicians in the executive arm by referring the case to the president. The president’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was the beneficiary of the alleged involvement of Justice Katsina-Alu in the case’

Also criticised was the sentence handed former Managing Director of defunct Oceanic Bank Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, who faced on a 25-count charge of fraud. Ibru pleaded guilty to three of 25 counts.

On October 9, 2010, she was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to return over $1.2billion in cash and assets in a plea bargain reached with the prosecutors.

Ibru’s six months sentence on the three count charge ran concurrently, but the banker did not even see the prison walls as she ended up spending the jail term in a private hospital.

EFCC arraigned former Edo State Governor Chief Lucky Igbinedion, before the Federal High Court, Enugu on a 191-count charge of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement of N2.9b in 2008.

In a plea bargain arrangement, the EFCC reduced the 191-count charge to one-count. In line with the plea bargain, on 18 December 2008, the court convicted Igbinedion on the one-count charge and ordered him to refund N500million, forfeit three houses and sentenced him to six months imprisonment or the option of paying N3.6m fine.

The former Governor paid the fine and walked.

EFCC later said the option of fine was not part of the plea bargain arrangement, but its effort to bring fresh charges failed, as a judge of the Federal High Court, Benin dismissed the case, arguing that Igbinedion cannot be tried twice over the same allegations!

The most recent is that involving now suspended Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. He sentenced police pension fund thief, John Yakubu Yusuf to two year imprisonment but with an option of N750, 000 fine after the accused pleaded guilty to stealing N32.8 billion from the Police Pension Office.

The NJC also recommended to the president the sack of Justices Charles Archibong and Thomas Naron for acts unbecoming of judges. Justice Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement over his handling of the case involving Erastus Akingbola, CEO of the defunct Intercontinental Bank.

Justice Archibong was also indicted for issuing a bench warrant on some officials of PDP for contempt even when the counsel who was directed by the court to serve them an affidavit had not been able to serve the contempt application.

He was accused of making unfounded and caustic remarks on professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria. NJC also said there were glaring procedural irregularities which showed that Archibong did not have a full grasp of the law and procedure of the court in the manner he granted the leave sought in the originating summons that had no written address of the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier overruled the preliminary objection.

For Justice Naron, NJC said there were constant and regular voice calls and exchange of mms and sms (text) messages between the judge and Kunle Kalejaye, (SAN), the lead counsels to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola during the hearing of Osun State 2007 gubernatorial petition.

Salami-gate Analysts see the Justice Ayo Salami case as casting a blight on the judiciary. The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) was recommended for suspension by the NJC in August 2011, for allegedly failing to apologise to Justice Katsina-Alu whom Salami claimed strongly intervened in the Sokoto election petition in a manner that suggested he had more than a passing interest in the matter.

For observers, judicial authorities played into the hands of the politicians in the executive arm by referring the case to the president. The president’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was the beneficiary of the alleged involvement of Justice Katsina-Alu in the case.

Therefore, referring the fate of Justice Salami to him (the president) was an indication that the NJC at the time was willing to sacrifice the integrity of the judiciary and invest in the president a power he clearly lacks.

Legal experts have argued that nowhere in the 1999 Constitution is the president empowered to discipline a President of the Court of Appeal.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

44

POLITICS Have the political parties added value to democracy? MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the challenges confronting the platforms.

PDP, ACN, ANPP: Where is internal democracy?

A

T the blast of the whistle in 1999, three political parties the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Peoples Party (APP), which later became the All Nigerian People Party (ANPP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) contested the first general elections.

However, the number of the parties later increased to 63.

In the 2011 elections, only 10 of the parties won seats in the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly, a development which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) explained, was not good enough.

INEC said it was no longer wise for some of these parties to be sustained on tax payers’ money without making impact in the polity. This led to the axing of 28 political parties on December 6, 2012 and went ahead deregistered another seven later.

Though the decision was criticised, INEC went ahead to justify the action based on the provisions of Section 7 of the Electoral Act, 2011. And currently INEC has not more than 37 political parties in its kitty and more are likely to go as 2015 draws nearer.

While the INEC is mopping up the political climate to make it healthier, three major political parties; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) decided to form a mega party the All Progressives Congress (APC), in order to wrest power from the ruling PDP. As theAPC formalises its registration process, another association, All African Congress (APC), said it has forwarded an application to the INEC for registration as a political party.

Although INEC has explained that the association had not met the re-

• Tukur

quirements for registration, the association had gone to court over the matter and the outcome is being awaited. This and other challenges have dogged the polity and how they would be resolved is generating more interests.

ACN Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the use of his party acronym by another association though in court, would not in any way affect the registration of APC. He said: “I think Nigerians should be properly educated on this matter.

As at today, there is no political party that is known with acronym of APC. There is a political association with the name African Peoples Congress (APC) whose application has been received by INEC and INEC says that it had not met certain conditions. Now that the party had gone to court to challenge the power of INEC, I will not want to comment any further.

Defending its credibility, ANPP

• Chief Akande

chieftain, Mallam Ibrahim Sekarau explained that issues of internal democracy is far from what APC will contend because the party came up in the first place to salvage the country and would not be drawn aback by such narrow interests.

He said: “APC will fill vacant party offices and those that will contest 2015 election based on geo-political zones.

No region or zone would be given the chance to dominate others just for the sake of political domination.”

Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the Golden Jubilee of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, lashed out at the major parties for lack of internal democracy.

He accused them of promoting politics of god-fatherism and dictatorship since the country returned to civil rule in 1999.

The lack of internal democracy in some of the parties has snowballed

• Onu

into legal battle. For instance, the composition of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) made some members to inevitably go to court to challenge its composition with the electoral umpire saying the PDP did not comply with laid down regulations.

But the party’s National Vice Chairman Southwest, Ishola Filani debunked the INEC claim.

“Our party has maintained internal democracy and there is no crisis that we cannot handle. We sit together and discuss matters. Those who went to court have not really come out with any report to justify their position.

Anyway, why does it take INEC over One and half year to say that NEC was not properly constituted? Was it not there when the election was conducted?, “ he querried.

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is thorn apart by factions. And except this is resolved within reason-

14 years of elusive federalism

By Leke Salawudeen, Assistant Editor

• Obasanjo

W

HEN the founding fathers of Nigeria opted for a federal system of government in 1954, as opposed to a unitary system, it was a conscious decision designed to protect the diversities and identities of the federating units. The leaders agreed to establish a central government that unite them while at the same time the federating units retain their independence in order to preserve their respective diversities.

Federalism is therefore, an arrangement whereby powers within a multi-national country are shared between a central authority and a number of regional governments in such a way that each unit, including the central authority, exists as a government separately and independently from the others. The fundamental and the distinguished characteristics of a federal system is that neither the central nor the regional governments are subordinate to each

other, but rather the two are coordinate and independent. However, this autonomous entity is missing in Nigeria federalism which has continued to threaten the political stability of the country.

Before the attainment of independence in 1960, the federating units – Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria and Western Nigeria-were in all intents and purposes independent entities. The fact that the three federating units attained their independent at different times (Eastern and Western regions 1957 and Northern region in 1959) bore testimony to their respective sovereignty. The independent status of the regions was further entrenched in the 1963 Republican Constitution that clearly defined the jurisdictions of the federating units.

Each of the regions had its own constitution, one of the major fundamentals of federalism.

Despite the introduction of federalism by the colonial administrations, Nigeria political system has been characterised by series of instability simply because the nation is not upholding the federal principles. Thus, Nigeria operates federal system on paper. The reasons are obvious. The Federal government under the military always assume superiority over the state governments. As a result of long stay of military in power and the fact that military federalism was more common than the civilian federalism, this model made the federal government the master in relation to the dependent state governments.

‘Despite the introduction of federalism by the colonial administrations, Nigeria has been characterised by series of instability simply because the nation is not upholding the federal principles. Thus, Nigeria operates federal system on paper’ At independence, the autonomous regions possessed the residual powers and functioned almost independently. The regions had independent revenue bases, separate constitutions, and foreign missions. All these changed under the military rule. Attempts by the state governments to reassert their autonomy during the Second Republic were aborted by the return of military rule. Some state governments that were controlled by parties other than the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) took the NPN-controlled federal government to court on many occasions over matter of jurisdiction competence.

This trend also reoccured in this dispensation when the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, dragged the Obasanjo-led federal government to court over the issue of local government creation in Lagos state. This act where the federal gov-

ernment sees itself as superior to the state governments is anti-thetical to the principles of federalism.

Another major feature that makes federalism works is financial autonomy. This has never being achieved in Nigeria federalism. The high level intervention of the federal government through national financial policies, grants-in-aids among others, increases the power of the federal government and makes the federating units subordinate to the central government. The increased revenue from oil boom has made the federal government to be more financially powerful over the state governments than before. As a result of this excess liquidity, the federal government embarks on some projects which were meant to be in the state residual list. The Universal Basic Education project is an example.

Similarly, the increased in revenue earning from oil enables the federal government to give financial support to the state governments. Any state that proves stubborn or a state not controlled by the party at the centre is not likely to get any form of financial support or assistance from the federal government.

The issue of autonomy for local governments is also considered as a problem of federalism in Nigeria.

Currently, the local governments are controlled by the state governments.

But the federal government is making moves to severe relationship between states and local governments through direct funding of the third tier of government. The Federal Government intention may be borne out of entrenching the autonomy of lo-

able time, analysts believ it could undermine its chances in future elections.

Former governor of Kaduna State and the Chairman of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balabe Musa, said leadership crisis in these parties is pervasive because of self interest. He noted that the leaders of the political parties have not looked beyond personal aggrandisement.

“Let me say the formation APC is just one step now. They are now moving to the harder part which must also entail party discipline. We must learn from the previous political parties like PPA, PPP and SDP.” “Some of these political parties like SDP under Chief Tony Anenih could not muster sufficient courage to stand

by Chief M.K.O Abiola who won the 1993 presidential election. He was not declared winner and was killed in the process. It was expected that the leadership of the party should stand by him but that was not the case.”

It is held by analysts that one of the ways to encourage internal democracy in political parties is to allow independent candidature. Political observers noted that if independent candidate s are allowed to contest elections, some individuals who do not believe in the ideologies of the existing parties, would have the chance to serve the country.

But Professor Abubabar Momoh who teaches Political Science at the Lagos State University (LASU) in his view explained that the system would be hijacked by money bags which will make the exercise a jamboree.

“All the parties we have now have the same ideological stand. They are not fundamentally different. The same people are moving from one party to another emerging parties and all they are interested in is just to have power”. and not that they have some fundamental principles or ideas they want to put forward.” cal government as a tier of government. This move contradicts what obtains in countries where true federalism is practised.

To the opposition, the federal government’s move is a political sleight-of-hand to weaken those state governments controlled by the opposition parties. According to Senator Tinubu, the plan is an attempt to pull the rug from under the opposition state governments by allowing the ruling party in Abuja to gain financial remote control of the local structures that underline state institutions. He said: “The federal plot would make local governments beholden to Abuja for its survival. Coordination of economic development activities between states and local governments will be overridden by the federal insertions. Local government will take direction to Abuja, meaning they will begin to act in cross purposes with their state governments.”

Another issue is resource control which is threatening the peaceful coexistence of the federating units in the country. Nigeria has witnessed and is likely to witness more interethnic group crises if states are not granted the right to rule and control their resources. Pre-1966 coup, regional governments control the resources generated within their domain. For instance, the Western regional government was responsible for the production and exportation of cocoa, the major cash crop in the region, to foreign countries. It only pays taxes to the federal government as stipulated in the constitution. Similarly, the Northern Nigeria government and its Eastern counterpart handled the exportation of groundnut and rubber produced in commercial quantity in their territory.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

45

Taps run again in Plateau

R

ESIDENTS of Jos, the Plateau State capital, are singing new songs as dried taps run again after several decades. Thanks to the commitment of Governor Jonah Jang administration to revive moribund water schemes and treatment plants.

Before now, residents of Jenta Adamu, Rukuba Road, Angwa Rukuba, Tudunwada, Wholshe, and Nasarawa, among others had never drunk pipe borne water.

Some other areas that used to have the pipe born water have long forgotten about it due to non-availability of potable water.

Expressing his appreciation to the government of the state for making water available to the people, one of the residents Abel Dung, who lives along Rukuba Road, Jos said: “We in this area are planning a thanksgiving service in the church. This is because we regard the availability of clean pipe water here as a miracle. It calls for thanksgiving because water is life. At the same time, we know it’s Governor Jang that made it possible. We are praying for him. God will solve his own problem as he solves ours.”

A resident of Tudunwada, Martha Dogoyaro said: “With the availability of water in our community now, we no longer have problem. Before now, we experienced numerous challenges associated with water scarcity.

You know we used to boil well water before we drink. Now, we

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

no longer do that since we have treated water through the pipes.”

Severe water scarcity has been one problem citizens of Plateau State had to contend with. Of the 3.6 million people in Plateau State, only those in Jos, the state capital, could boast of access to potable water, even though not all residents of the city have access to drinkable water.

Water projects constructed about 40 years ago when the state was created are no longer capable of providing enough water for the ever-growing population.

•Jang inspects the rehabilitated water scheme

The citizens have been relying majorly on two sources of water: well water and rain water. These two sources have their season.

They are only available during rainy season. This explains why residents of the city go through water crisis on yearly basis; espe-

cially between January and May. At the inception of Governor Jang’s administration in 2007, serious appraisal of water supply in the state was undertaken. It was realised that the state water project constructed to provide water to the citizens since the creation of the state in 1975 can hardly supply

•The motorcycles

Taraba SURE-P lifts 6,000 youths •Continued from Page 17 The acting governor warned the beneficiaries not to sell or transfer ownership of the motorcycles or tricycles to any other person until repayment is completed. “The motorcycles and tricycles are to be used only in the local government areas where they were allocated.

No motorcycle is to be operated in Jalingo the state capital,” he said.

Governor Danbaba Suntai had, two years ago, banned motorcycle operators from operating in

Jalingo metropolis as a result of security challenges in the state. The ban became necessary based on allegations that motorcycles were commonly used by terrorists and criminals to unleash mayhem on residents and security operatives, particularly the police.

Umar said the programme, which is targeted at the youth “is borne out of the need to arrest the negative trend of youths’ involvement in social vices, violent crimes and conflicts.

“Also through the SURE-P, 1,200 youths are receiving training as ‘Taraba Marshals.” Upon completion

of training, the state would engage them as security agents, environmentalists and traffic marshals.

The acting governor had, before the flag-off of programme, inaugurated the distribution committee, with a ‘desk officer’ for each of the 16 local government areas; including Yangtu Development Area.

Another team was put in place by Umar to monitor and evaluate the progress of the programme in the three senatorial districts of the state.

“With these preparations, SURE-P will successfully be implemented in Taraba State,” Lau said.

more than 20 per cent of the total water supply needs of the people.

This is because the water project has not been expanded since 1975 to serve the ever-growing population. To worsen the situation, water pipes laid for distribution of water since 1975 have gone rusty.

The implication of the rusty pipes is that any time water is pumped through the pipes; it is mostly wasted because the pipes are leaking.

To tackle the water problem in Jos metropolis, government decided to rehabilitate the moribund water treatment plants; construct more water treatment plants; change the rusty water pipes and to extend water supply to new settlements. Previous administrations had always avoided venturing into water projects due to the huge amount of money required to fix the water problems in Plateau State. This had compounded the water crisis in the state for decades.

The state has three dams from where water is sourced, treated and distributed to citizens. They are Yakubu Gowon Dam, Laminga Dam and Yelwa Dam. Each of the dams has water treatment plant. All the plants at these dams collapsed because of the inability of the state government to power and maintain them.

However, Governor Jang refused to be intimidated by the huge cost of fixing water problems on the Plateau. The governor rather said: “With prudent financial management and government savings, the state government can finance the state water projects and bring an end to this perennial water crisis.

If we failed to do it now, we may be putting lives of our citizens at risk; we may be attracting cholera epidemic that can cause loss of lives. So, a stitch in time saves nine.”

The state government, in its bid to expand water supply within Jos and Bukuru metropolis, provided fund for the rehabilitation of the ailing treatment plants. The contract was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited in 2009.

According to the state Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development Idih Waziri

Ibrahim, the overhaul of the three water treatment plants was predicated on the total breakdown of all the three. They could hardly provide 20 per cent of the water requirement of citizens.

The commissioner said: “The rehabilitation of the three water plants were completed in 2011 and since then their production capacity has increased tremendously. The water plants can now generate over 10 million gallons of water per day instead of the less than two million it was pumping before this government came in. So, pumping water is no longer our problem but how to extend water supply to new settlements like New Abuja in Dadinkowa, Sabongari in Tudunwada, Quang, Shen, Dwei and others.

“The state government recently took major steps to change the old and rusty pipe network in Jos city.

It went for a bank facility of N8 billion. Of this amount, 55 per cent was used for water reticulation and network expansion. Water meters are also made available and installed in every household.

Sanitation and hygiene policy is currently being developed to improve the sub-sector. The funds will also help in the construction of additional treatment plants and dredging of dams to increase the sources of water in the state.

Continuing, he said: “In the current fiscal year, the governor has allocated over N2 billion to further enhance water supply to citizens.

The focus this year is on rural water supply.

“For instance, it will take care of Mangu water supply network distribution and pipe lines phase 1, rehabilitation of ground water supply schemes at Barkin Ladi, Foron, Mangu, Dengi, Wase and Yelwa, extension of NESCO and PHCN to Bokkos and Yakubu Gowon Dam, rehabilitation of Yakubu Gowon-Shen-Yelwa Bukuru and Laminga treatment plants as well as funding Water Aid/UN Habitat project, among others.

“In the 2013 budget, Jang has allocated about N140 million for the provision of rural water and sanitation in the state, Idih Waziri said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

46

T

HE global workforce has been estimated to be 2.8 billion of the world’s population. Yet, in a recent survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), about 2.3 million people die annually due to workrelated diseases. How can we safeguard the health of the Nigerian worker? This was the point of discussion at a stakeholders’ forum held to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a day set aside

by ILO to remember victims of work-related hazards and how best to safeguard the health of workers worldwide through advocacy, enlightenment campaigns and policy formulation.

The programme was held at the Tom Associates Training Centre in Lagos with the theme: ‘’The Prevention of Occupational Diseases.’’

In a welcome remark, the National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Kadiri Shamusideen, said occupational safety should form a key aspect of our corporate culture. He promised that SAEF would continue to partner other organisations to assure safety and health of the Nigerian worker.

Delivering a lecture entitled The Prevention of Occupational Diseases, National Secretary of Safety in Occupational and Environmental Health Practitioners of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr Okon Agiba, called for preventive and interventionist programmes for managing occupational health hazards in the country. He noted that this can be achieved through pre-employment medical evaluation, integration of ergonomics into the design of new projects by engineers, and availability of medical emergency response programmes. He added: ‘’There must be effective collaboration among occupational and environmental health physicians, safety officers, academics and researchers for the delivery of optimal occupational health services to workers in Nigeria.’’

Speaking on the same theme, First-Aid expert and Managing Director of Rely Supply Limited, Mrs. Fayo Williams lamented that despite the avalanche of policies on job creation, occupational safety has not been given appropriate attention. She advised policy-makers to shift their focus to occupational safety. She said: ‘’Employers need to improve the level of compliance to occupational safety and health standards. We need to have good working conditions for our workforce. We need local health facilities like first aid and relief packages for workers who are

•Participants at the event

‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

By Wale Ajetunmobi

sick or injured and a proper occupational disaster management system.’’ While calling on governments and stakeholders to speed up legislation on occupational health, she added that our factory laws need to be reviewed to reflect current realities.

Executive Director of SAEF, Jamiu Badmus commended the recent Corporate Manslaughter Law and urged the Federal Gov-

ernment, lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure a speedy passage of the new bill on occupational health. This, according to him, would revolutionise corporate health management in Nigeria.

In her address, representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Mrs. T. Salami advised individuals to make safety a key element in their daily practices.

She said: ‘’Safety must be made a habit and part of our daily culture. This includes our handling

Safety must be made a habit and part of our daily culture.

This includes our handling of home appliances and respect for conventional safety instructions

Imo to complete roads

I

MO State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has reinstated his administration’s resolve to complete all ongoing road projects in the state before the expiration of his tenure in 2015.

Governor Okorocha made this pledge while inspecting some ongoing projects in Owerri the state capital.

While inspecting the Ring Road that spans from Egbu Road through Imo State University that also connects Works Layout with Orlu Road, Governor Okorocha said that the dual-carriage way, on completion, would ease traffic congestion in the municipality.

Governor Okorocha therefore called on Imo citizens living

within the urban cities to de-silt their drainage to avoid flooding; adding that the forecast by meteorologists that many states, including Imo, will witness heavy rainfall and flooding should not be ignored.

He said that his administration embarked on tackling flood problem at Works Layout by constructing drainage system that will take care of the entire flood from Orji and Mbieri so as to give the residents of Works Layout a lease of life.

Governor Okorocha disclosed that Egbu/IMSU/Orlu dual carriage road which is about 11.5 km will cost the state N1.7 billion.

•Governor Okorocha

of home appliances and respect for conventional safety instructions.’’

While explaining the dynamics and relevance of the 2010 Compensation Law to the Nigerian worker, Director-General of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Toyin Ogwara pledged the readiness and commitment of the agency to compensate injured workers, irrespective of who caused the industrial accident. She, however, urged participants to make safety their watchword.

On his part, occupational health and safety consultant, Ehin Iden said organisational policies need to be tailored towards occupational safety and health of employees. He advised human resources managers to be wary of the medical state of their recruits to reduce health liabilities of their organisations. He added: ‘’ A lot of organisations are coming into the country courtesy of foreign direct investment effort by government. That is remarkable. But we must ensure we protect Nigerians who work for these corporations.’’

During the programme, awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations. A special award of excellence was conferred on Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State for his giant strides in making Lagos safe for all.

Other recipients were the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris; Nigeria Red Cross Society; Lagos State Driving Institute; Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON); National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN); Society of Occupational Health Organisation of Nigeria (SOHON) and Mrs. Fayo Williams.

An occupational safety outfit, Hybrid Consulting offered free

•Mr Badmos

training opportunities for three participants through a raffle draw. They included Joshua Jewola who won NEBOSH Oil and Gas Training; Sanni Anibire (NEBOSH International General Certificate) and Tayo Badmus (Environmental Management Training), alongside Olusegun Ogunsanwo and Semiu Adesina both from the Lagos State Fire Service. In his acceptance remark, Tayo, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, thanked organisers of the event, even as he pledged to maximise the opportunity.

In a chat with Newsextra, a participant Dolapo Adeosun said the programme exposed her to the realities of corporate hazards and the role of the employee in occupational health and safety. ‘’Today, I learnt that the security of my health as an employee does not lay solely in the hands of my employers. Employee safety is a right and never a privilege. So, I have a role to play by seeking redress whenever my rights are trampled upon,’’ she said.

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

48

All I know is that I was whisked away by some men and before I could notice it I found myself in a forest blindfolded and my legs and hands bound.

I told them I had no money to give anybody

Doctor relives ordeal in kidnappers’ den

F

OR a medical doctor, Pius Manyike, the latest victim of kidnapping in Ebonyi State, May 5 will remain indelible in his memory and that of his family.

When he left his residence for his private clinic in Abakaliki, the state capital, around 12:30 pm, to respond to a distress call from one of his patients, nothing warned him that a nasty ordeal was afoot.

As soon as he got to the clinic he began to attend to his patients. A few hours later, a group of armed men came into the hospital premises, shot one of his security guards and abducted him.

While there is comparative peace in the state, kidnapping has lately become a constant feature. The abominable act which used to be alien to the peaceful and agrarian state, is fast gaining ground in the state while its practitioners respect neither status nor gender nor age. In the past, adults from very rich families were the main targets.

Despite the passage in 2010 of the anti-kidnapping law by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly which prescribes the death penalty as punishment for kidnappers, the vice has continued unabated in the state.

These days, even children and toddlers from very poor families and middle-class homes are not left out.

Between last December and February this year, about nine children were kidnapped in Ishiagu and Akaeze communities, both in Ivo Local Government Area of the state. Some of the children who were still being breastfed, were dragged from their mothers’ bossoms. Out of

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

these, only two have so far been found by the police.

Also, the wife of the Arch- diocesan Lay President of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and former aide to the former governor of Ebonyi State, Lady Roselyn Okoye, was also abducted in May last year by unknown gunmen numbering about six at Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. She was later released after the family allegedly paid an undisclosed amount in ransom.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ebonyi State, Mr Christian Umoke was also kidnapped last year and also later released unhurt, though he denied that any ransom was paid to secure his release.

Another permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Steve Orogwu as well as the elder brother of the wife of the state governor, Senator Chris Nwankwo, were also kidnapped in 2010 and 2011.

However, while some of the kidnapped victims lived to tell the tale, most times after payment of ransom, others were not so lucky as they lost their lives.

Last year, a retired Permanent Secretary in the State, Chief Cletus Nweza, the father of Mr Lawrence Nweza, a former Special Assistant to Governor Martin Elechi on ICT was brutally murdered after the family had paid N1million ransom.

A top business mogul in the state,

Mr. Godwin Nwosu was also in September last year, abducted by unknown gunmen and later killed and the corpse dumped in a forest near the State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after a ransom of N2million was reportedly paid by the family.

It is against this backdrop that the family of Dr Pius Manyike, a Consultant Pediatrician with the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), have every reason to thank God for his release after spending two weeks in the kidnappers’ den deep inside a forest in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Manyike, who narrated his ordeal to our reporter, said his abductors treated him with respect during the period he was in their den even though he was blindfolded all the time with his hands and feet tied up to prevent him from escaping.

His words: “Throughout my stay with them, they treated me very well and with respect. They were giving me beer of different types.

They also gave me pieces of biscuits and sachet water. But I was still not comfortable, even though I was treated that way because there is nothing like freedom and you can imagine what it means to be held hostage without freedom”.

“Even till the day they released me, they gave me beer and bought a shirt for me to change the clothes I wore which I refused. On that day they told me that they were going to release me.”

He narrated how his ordeal started.

He said: “I saw my security man struggling for the rifle with the hoodlums. I was inside the hospital watching and was helpless as I did not know what to do. After shooting him, they forced me into the vehicle and zoomed off”.

“I think why this kind of thing persists is because there is youth unemployment and I want to call on the political class to provide jobs for the youths. When the youths are employed they will not have time to engage in criminal activities.

“The kidnappers bought me new clothes to change into when they released me. They said they didn’t want me going back wearing dirty clothes. It was they who untied me, not the villagers or security agents.

Dr Manyike said no ransom was paid to secure his release.

“All I know is that I was whisked away by some men and before I could notice it I found myself in a forest blindfolded and my legs and hands bound. I told them I had no money to give anybody. They even gave me some money for transport.”

After he was untied, the doctor said he met a villager who took him to the house of the development centre co-ordinators.

“From there I contacted my brother who came and picked me up and brought me back to my house in Abakaliki.”

Manyike lost 8kg of weight as a result of the kidnapping, saying he would soon go back to work as soon as he was strong enough even as he regretted the death of some child patients in his hospital while he was away. He also said he has forgiven

‘Our kids need better education, welfare’

his abductors.

“It is a pity some of them lost their children. I really don’t know how to console them or what to say. We are always told to thank God in every situation but when it involves lives, you begin to wonder how you can give thanks to God which is why I am appealing to government to please create jobs for our people though I know that it is not easy” “I thank the NMA, the state government and the security agencies for all the efforts they all made to secure my release and for standing by my family during the trying period of my kidnap as well as members of the general public.”

Five persons have been arraigned before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ court on a four-count charge and later remanded in prison custody over the kidnap of the paediatrician.

As the future leaders of this great country, it is our constitutional duty to see that our children are adequately taken care of in every facet of life

“I

N order to have a good future, we need to pay more attention to our children’s education and welfare.”

That was the challenge thrown to Nigerians by the chairman of Oto-Awori Local Development Area, Hon. Kayode Robert.

The council chief was speaking at at Anglican Primary School, Ijanikin, Lagos State, where the council celebrated this year’s Children’s Day. He said: “As the future leaders of this great country, it is our constitutional duty to see that our children are adequately taken care of in every facet of life.

Robert provided details of his administration’s efforts in lifting the profile of children.

“Our administration has put in place modalities to ensure the smooth running of the all the schools within the LCDA. Aside from the construction of the new schools and renovation of the old ones, we have been able to respond spontaneously to the entire requests we have had from our schools because we are so passionate about the welfare of students.

“We have given out bursary awards to many of our indigent students in various tertiary institutions as we always do every year.

In order to boost the pupils’ aca-

•Dr Pius Manyike

•Hon. Robert (right) presenting a bursary award to a beneficiary at the event

By Emmanuel Udodinma

demic performance and to improve on the successes recorded last year, our team has re-strategised by organising a comprehensive extra mural classes for our students so that we can have better performances during this year’s General Certificate Examination (GCE).

“Our adult learners are not left out as the council is running a literacy adult leaner’s programme for them in the five wards of the council.

“We have made provision for a

fully equipped e-library at Community Nursery and Primary School, Ilogbo, Elegba.

“Today, we are equally celebrating two of our pupils, Master Ndubuokwu Solomon and Mariam Popoola, both of L A Community Primary School, Ilogbo-Elegba for doing us proud during the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Spelling Bee competition. These two students brought honour to us by their brilliant performances. They have demonstrated that our children can compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the

country and excel.”

The chairman enjoined other children to “emulate these two worthy ambassadors. Be diligent and committed to your studies and know that hard work pays. Aspire to be the best in everything you do. Do not indulge in vices that can mar your future. Endeavour to be the pride of your family and the society at large. Emulate outstanding role models who have distinguished themselves and were able to affect their generations positively.

The chairman hailed teachers in

the council for what he called their “ingenuity, dedication and commitment in ensuring that you raise students who are academically sound and morally grounded. Your efforts are being appreciated and highly commended by this administration.”

Robert also pledged to continue to improving “the living standards of the people,” adding that “together, we shall have a brighter rewarding future.”

The Supervisor for Education, Hon. Waliu Ashafa, praised the council chief for his quick response to the needs of pupils in public schools in Oto–Awori LCDA. The pupils thrilled the audience with a march past as well as cultural display.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Momodu Ashafa.

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INDUSTRY

NACCIMA seeks cut in import waivers

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HE Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has urged the Federal Government to reduce or abolish import waivers, (NACCIMA) President Alhaji Muhammad Badaru said at the chambers’ 53rd Annual Conference in Kano that many of the waivers granted to individual companies have not made any meaningful effect on the economy.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN current lending rate was deepening the poverty level in the country.

He said NACCIMA members should take the advantage that abound in the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), sub region especially along the trans Saharan trade route.

Another area he pointed out , is the need for the private sector to invest more in agro allied industries especially food processing sub sector of the Industry.

Senate President, Senator David Mark, who was represented by Senator Ibrahim Gobir said inadequate Infrastructural development has hindered the required rapid development in Nigeria .

He added that waiver is not good for development of the economy.

He said granting of waivers shall be abolished to save the over N500 billions lost annually which could be utilised for development of Infrastructural facilities .

He said NACCIMA should spearhead the private sector involvement in the ECOWAS business chain hubs development.

“There should be an urgent stakeholders meeting of the leadership of the Chambers of Commerce movement in Nigeria, comprising past and present National Presidents of NACCIMA, as well as Past and present Presidents of City/ states Chambers of Commerce for discussions on the way forward,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank Plc, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye said the development of adequate infrastructure in Nigeria is key for growth and development.

He added that the newly restructured Infrastructure Bank is now poised to assume a niche position in the Nigerian financial services landscape interlacing between the market for public sector lending and private sector infrastructure projects.

He said the bank should receive more support of the government in its bid to transform the infrastructural landscape.

Fed Govt okays railway for Akwa Ibom •Hilton opens 4000 hotel U YO, the Akwa Ibom State capital, will soon start enjoying train services, courtesy of the Federal Government.

Governor Godswill Akpabio said trains would soon be running in Uyo following the Federal Government’s extension of railway to the town.

He spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Hilton Group for the management of the

D

Uyo Hilton Garden Hotel.

The Uyo Hilton is the 4000th facility in the world to be opened by the group.

The group’s Vice President, Development, for sub-Sahara Africa, Mr Michael Cooper, said before the Uyo project, the group had 3,999 hotels worldwide.

Akpabio said the pact would

open opportunities for the group in the Gulf of Guinea.

The group, he said, was a brand known worldwide, which has not suffered any business loss before.

Akpabio said: “This is happening in Uyo and in our time.

It marks a major step forward in our effort to bring about uncom-

mon transformation in our dear state and also bring about transformation in Nigeria. We believe that this hotel would boost tourism in the Gulf of Guinea and would add to the transformation potentials highlighted by Mr. President’’.

He said the hotel might be one of the most profitable because Uyo is a small, virgin capital that has become a conference destination for organisations in the country.

Customs drums support for local goods

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•From left: Mrs Azeez; Chairman, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Adedotun Sulaiman and Dr. Ezekwesili, at the event.

Govt urged to encourage women in private sector

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HE Federal Government has been urged to encourage and empower women entrepreneurs and those operating in the private sector by abolishing trade barriers inimical to their interest.

Speaking at the Vital Voices Global Partnership and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference in Lagos, former Minister of Education Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili called on African governments to help women entrepreneurs.

She said the government should also make more provision for women in the private sector to occupy political positions, stressing that more women in power would reduce corruption and increase accountability.

“We should ensure that women are economically empowered to follow issues of public policy and

SMEDAN calls for young vibrant entrepreneurs

IRECTOR-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, has canvassed for young vibrant entrepreneurs to spur the country’s economic growth.

Masari spoke at the inauguration of Network of African Student Entrepreneurs, NASE and the University Entrepreneurship Development Programme, UNEDEP in Abuja.

He said the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sub-sector was in dire need of youths who could brave the stormy business environment through hard work and evolve ideas that would stand the test of time.

Masari who noted that the sub-sector is key to sustainable economic development in Nigeria, said that the only way to get the youths involved in entrepreneurship was to catch them young.

th

He said the youth entrepreneurship initiative was coming at the time when the nation was facing serious unemployment and youth restiveness.

The scheme, he added, was aimed at catching young entrepreneurs and moulding them into future captains of industry who would establish companies, create jobs and develop communities through social entrepreneurship.

He said the launch of NASE would enable the participating universities to look through the window of business opportunities and take advantage of the various programmes that would emerge thereafter.

His words:”It is an opportunity for the institutions to boost the entrepreneurial knowledge and education of their faculties and students.

“The business plan competition is particularly of interest as this will bring out the capabilities of our students as well as the potential of the university communities.’’

Stories by Toba Agboola

given the space to participate and engage as responsible citizens in governance at the local, state and national levels. When you look at countries like South Africa and Rwanda, what they have done in terms of women empowerment is commendable.

“Africa’s women are the secret weapon for the countries’ greatness and empowerment of women is smart economics” she said.

Chief Executive Officer and President Vital Voices, Alyse Nelson said: “Vital Voices recognises that women are powerful engines of economic growth and social change.

Through SPARC, Vital Voices and partner businesswomen’s associations are working together to enable women to fully participate in their economies”.

Chairperson, WIMBIZ, Mrs Adeola Azeez said the SPARC programme through WIMBIZ is using advocacy tools to sensitise the general public and seek possible legislative change to deal with on the issue women representation on the socio-economic decision making processes in Nigeria.

She said WIMBIZ will partner other advocacy groups, media and consultants who would support the expansion of socio-political and economic space for women in Nigeria.

Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading non-governmental organisation that identifies, invests in and brings visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities.

HE Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘A’, Lagos, Mr Victor Gbemudu has advised the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods at the 2013 Lagos International Trade Fair.

Gbemudu, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

“We believe so much in trade facilitation. This regime has been canvassing for the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

“We want to encourage the Lagos Chamber of Commerce to support the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan through the coming trade fair.

“I also encourage the organisers to use the trade fair to create a forum where Madein-Nigeria goods will be displayed abundantly,’’ he said.

Gbemudu said the service was ready to partner with LCCI to ensure there was high demand by foreigners for locally manufactured goods during and after the fair.

He said that the Nigerian Export Promotion Council had been working hard to ensure that duties on exports were greatly reduced.

According to him, it will be a source of encouragement if more local manufacturers are able to export their goods.

The 2013 Lagos International Trade Fair will hold from the November 1 to November 10 and the chamber has been calling for local and foreign exhibitors.

New tariff regime for industrial sector coming

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HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, has inaugurated a 12-member committee to work out appropriate tariff for the implementation of the country’s industrial policies . The move is aimed at repositioning the manufacturing sector and increasing its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from four to 10 per cent over the next four years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Aganga said the right tariff must be proposed and implemented in order to move the manufacturing sector forward.

He said: “Members of the Committee have been selected to serve on account of their relevance to the development of manufacturing in our country.

“They are expected to use their experience and skills to add value to the important work that they are called upon to perform as part of

our ongoing efforts to reposition manufacturing in our country and increase its contribution to GDP from its four per cent to 10 per cent over the next four years.”

Aganga noted that the need to have a manufacturing-friendly tariff regime was borne out of the realisation of the fact that the growth and development of the sector depends, to a large extent, on the use of appropriate tariffs.

“No nation can move from a poor country to a rich one without a viable manufacturing sector. In the same vein, the manufacturing sector cannot survive without the use of appropriate tariffs to support the implementation of our industrial policy and various sub-sector policies aimed at repositioning manufacturing in our country,” he said.

The Committee, which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr.Dauda Kigbu, also

has the President , Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Kola Jamodu; Executive Secretaries of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), as well as the Directors-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Automotive Council (NAC).

Their terms of reference include: to propose strategies and measures that will increase the capacity utilisation and contribution of the industrial sector to GDP in line with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan; propose tariffs for every sector under the purview of FMITI, especially the sectors where Nigeria has competitive and comparative advantage, identify major gaps between existing tariff regimes and the Common External Tariff (CET)regimes and propose solutions so as to discourage smuggling.

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MOTORING

•From left: Managing Director Stallion NMN Ltd, Mr Parvir Singh; Project Manager Sub Sahara Africa, Nissan South Africa Mr Michael Lester; Director Sum Sahara Africa Nissan South Africa, Mr Jimmy Dandon; Head, Sale and Marketing, Stallion NMN Ltd Mr Amit Sharma at the International Press Conference to inaugurate Stallion Nissan Motors Nigeria (SNMN) as the New Nissan Sale Company in Nigeria PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: Public Relations Officer Ford Motor Ms Laura Oloyede; Mr Tuniz and Senior Manager Eugene Prinsloo PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Ranger, Escape drive Ford’s market

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HE all-new Ford Ranger and the Escape are Ford’s bestselling vehicles in Nigeria, Mr Ezio Tuniz, Ford Motor Company Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) said.

Tuniz with four others spoke during an interactive session with reporters in Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria is a significant market in Ford’s SSA region and accounts for a solid percent of the regional sales.

Sales in Nigeria, Tuniz said, grew more than 40 per cent from 2010 to 2011 and another eight percent in 2012 – despite overall challenges in the Nigerian auto industry.

He said: “So far, our sales performance for the first four months of 2013 has been impressive showing

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ter-sales service of vehicles up to four years or 120,000km, whichever comes first through Ford’s major dealers till the end of August this year. The offer is available on new Ford Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Escape, Explorer or Expedition, FSeries trucks, and E-Series vans.”

Tuniz restated Ford’s commitment to Nigeria stronger than ever.

“We expect to see continued growth in the market as we move forward with plans to launch new products in key market segments, increase customer satisfaction with increased service outlets and parts availability, strengthen our connections and communications with consumers, and increase our community involvement and overall presence in the market.”

Auto awards hold today

HE 8th edition of The Nigeria Auto Awards (TNAA) will hold today at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the organisers, Jabez Aina-Scott, publishers of On Wheels magazine, the awards is a time-tested and value driven event, introduced eight years ago to celebrate people and industry practitioners who have made strenuous efforts to distinguish themselves both in brand building and market leadership.

He said nominations in the various car, SUV, truck, tyre and corporate categories haven been com-

I

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

a 38 percent increase in comparison to the first four months of last year.

Total sales through April were 1,264 compared to 914 units sold during the same time period of 2012. The growth in sales was led by the high demand for the All-New Ford Ranger; its sales were up 31 percent through April 2013.

“The driving factor for the increase in our sales, so far, can be attributed to stock of more vehicle choices from the new product lineups at our dealerships, our extended warranty programme, as well as, our continued focus on strengthening dealers’ parts and service departments. The ongoing extended warranty programme tagged the ‘Extended Service Programme (ESP)’ is offering customers free af-

WANT the Nigeria Police to enrol for some lessons with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to learn how people conceal contrabands in vehicles with transparent glasses. It is only fools that will keep dangerous weapons openly on the seats or booths of vehicles. What happens to the delivery vans that have no window at the back? What happens to container vehicles and other trucks completely sealed up?

Should they now cut open the sides and back of the vehicles and containers to fix transparent glasses to enable the policemen to see the contents? Wait a minute, have we not heard of policemen that trailed and robbed motorists of their valuables after discovering cash and other properties in the process of searching their vehicles? What shall we do about this? How did the so-called dangerous weapons enter into Nigeria? Can’t something be done about this?

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

pleted and nominees informed.

The nominations thrown up one of the following brands; Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus as the likely one to be adjudged the winner of the Car of the Year crown.

Also concluded at the nomination level are several other segments that include trophy for the Best cardesign among the Honda Crosstour, Ford Taurus and Hyundai Sonata.

Aina-Scott said the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Auto Awards

has been re-vamped to include representatives of regulating authorities in advertising – APCON and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

This, he said, is in an attempt to bring in higher level of credibility and recognition by the industry players, the discerning public and the regulatory authorities.

“Winners of the award will more than ever before be able to utilise the criteria used in adjudging the competition in claiming the unique selling propositions of their brands in the advertising materials and copy,” he said.

Illegal parking delays reconstruction of Oshodi-Apapa road

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HE Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Godwin Eke, has said that illegal parking of trucks on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway is delaying reconstruction work on the road.

Eke, in charge of Section I of the highway, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that parking of trucks and petrol tankers constituted nuisance on the highway.

“Last month, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, we removed the tankers, but they came back after one week.

“Aside the tanker drivers, we started receiving threats from commercial motorcyclists who just come and park in Sunrise area, but the police helped to remove them,” Eke said.

He said both the ministry and the state government could not sustain the war against the trucks and tanker drivers because there was no place to park the impounded vehicles.

Eke said that when the Presidential Monitoring Team and Navy intervened, it only gave a temporary relief as the drivers returned shortly after.

He said that the level of work done on the section was about 12 per cent with the lining of drains in progress up to Cele Bus Stop.

The deputy director said also that excavation work was being slowed down by the rains.

He said that about two kilometres of road had been done to binder course level, adding that asphalt would soon be laid on the portion.

Abuja Board sanitises Utako Park

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HE Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) on Saturday carried out clean off exercise at Jabi motor park, Abuja.

The exercise was a jointly carried out by the Police, Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the exercise, illegal structures, shacks and make-shift restaurants, which had taken over the parks, were removed.

Deputy Director, Environmental Health and Safety of the board Mr Uche Agbanusi, said the exercise became necessary as the illegal

structures had taken over the park, meant for buses.

According to him, the board noticed an abnormal situation whereby motorists had to load in front of the parks.

He said the board had planned to dislodge the motorists in front of the park but discovered later there was no space within the park for the vehicles.

“Our survey showed that illegal structures had taken over the park, thereby, forcing the vehicles owners to park outside.

“The space meant for public cars and buses going in and out of Abuja have been taken over by abandoned cars and trucks, illegal kiosks, restaurants and other structures.

SAFE DRIVING

The tinted glass law (2) •The Joint Tax Force in the North use a method which I think the Nigerian Police Force can borrow a leaf from. As the motorists are approaching the checking points, they must wind down all their glasses whether tranparent or tinted to enable them see the occupants clearly. Is this not better than placing a ban on factory fitted glasses?

•Now that factory -fitted tinted glasses is the new technology, should the government place order for Nigerian specs with transparent glasses so that the automobile manufacturers can dedicate special lines of production for Nigerian vehicles alone.

•It is expedient for THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to do a brief study of the difference in the level of transparency between the factory- fitted tinted and manually filmed glasses

•The fact that there is an act on tinted glasses does not mean that the law is perfect in view of the fact that we don’t have Nigeria - made vehicles .This is another testing ground for the National Assembly, the civil rights activists and the Labour unions .In a matter of days,we shall know the caliber and intersts of the Assembly men ,Labour unions and human right activists we have in this Country.Nigerians are waiting to hear their views.

•What is the difference between a vehicle with transparent glasses that moves in the night and a vehicle with a tinted glass that move in the day or night?

•Should I say that our IGP should take an official trip to any of the countries using tinted glasses such as the United States or Benin Republic near

us here to study how they have been controlling their crime rate?

I also want to suggest that officers of the NPF should be properly exposed to the right training in security, surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques.It is not a matter of tinted glasses but having the requisite skills for crime control.Gullotine (cutting of the head)is not the best prescription for headache.

I hereby suggest that the new directive on tinted glasses be suspended and be subjected to professional brainstorming and public debate.The National Assembly should also seat to review the Act to reflect the realities on vehicle technology.

After the law, there is commonsense .Whenever a law is made ,we should not always take it as it is ,but merge its implementation with the realities of life.For example,the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) should not have anything to do with training of drivers of Organisations.The role of

Jide Owatunmise •Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety

FRSC should purely be as that of DSA in Britain and ADTSEA in America which design curriculum of driving schools, set standards and monitor the driving schools for compliance to ensure the accomplishment of the objectives.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-05-13

Equities hit N12tr as Nestle crosses N1, 000 N IGERIAN equities crossed the N12 trillion mark yesterday, returning to the range it attained before the market recession started in 2008. Equities rallied N210 billion on the back of widespread gains and impressive performance of highly capitalised stocks to close at N12.152 trillion. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities had opened at N11.942 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI), the main index that tracks prices of all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also crossed another threshold to 38,016.80 points as against its opening index of 37,358.74 points.

Nestle Nigeria also set a new all-time high for the market with the addition of

N98 to close at N1,088. Total Nigeria placed second on the gainers’ list with a gain of N5 to close at N165. Nigerian Breweries rallied N3.92 to close at N178. Flour Mills of Nigeria added N2.50 to close at N87.50. Cadbury Nigeria rose by N2.28 to close at N54.56. Ashaka Cement gained N1.59 to close at N27.85. Dangote Cement chalked up N1.50 to close at N187.50. Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria gathered N1.48 to close at N97.98.

Guaranty Trust Bank added N1.09 to close at N29.99 while International Breweries rose by N1.27 to close at N26.28 per share.

With 38 gainers to 19 losers, the market was overtly

bullish with few losers and generally less substantial losses. Guinness Nigeria led the losers with a loss of N3.40 to close at N275.61. PZ Cussons Nigeria followed with a loss of N1 to close at N51. Red Star Express and Dangote Flour Mills lost 11 kobo each to close at N4.40 and N9.41 respectively.

Unilever Nigeria, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Skye Bank dropped by 10 kobo each to close at N66.50, N15 and N4.90 respectively.

Turnover stood at 363.33 million shares valued at N3.24 billion in 5,950 deals.

Banking subgroup contributed a turnover of 221.54 million shares valued at N1.50 billion in 2,251 deals.

May & Baker to raise new capital

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AY & Baker Nigeria Plc is considering raising additional capital to support its business expansion and steady the healthcare company against competition, the board of the company has said.

At the annual general meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos yesterday, chairman, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Lt. Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), said the company has started considering various ways of raising new capital and would soon choose the most appropriate means to bolster the capital base of the company.

He said it has become expedient for the company to recapitalise to muster enough liquidity to face the challenges of the business environment.

He said that the huge investments in the world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing centre in Ota, Ogun State,

By Taofik Salako & Tonia Osundolire

the company’s vaccine manufacturing joint venture with the Federal Government, new products and other initiatives will provide a stable base for the company’s growth in the years ahead.

He said the company has rolled out a new five-year strategic plan that would seek to harness all opportunities to increase the group’s earnings and returns to shareholders.

He noted that the company has projected a turnover of N9.6 billion for 2013 based on the optimism on expected increased output from its new manufacturing plant, business restructuring efforts and expected reduction in financing costs following the soft loan received from T.Y Holdings during the last quarter of 2012.

He added that profit is also

expected to increase in 2013 as the company continues to optimise production and cost efficiencies.

“Our company is well-positioned for the future with a lot of potentials from the strategic investment we have made in Ota and other attractive business prospects in our sight. As we vigourously pursue our new five-year strategic plan with all the opportunities it presents, we can only hope for better performance and stronger earnings capacity going forward,” Danjuma said.

He said the company has reached advanced stage in perfecting the renewal of the joint venture agreement with the Federal Government on the local manufacturing of vaccines, noting that the company will shortly after the agreement commence local production of vaccines.

Audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed a turnover of N5.7 billion, 18 per cent increase over its 2011 figure of N4.8 billion. Gross profit also grew to N2.1 billion as against N1.9 billion in 2011.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30- 05-13

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MONEY LINK

Diamond Bank may face challenges in earnings, says RenCap D

IAMOND Bank Plc may have to contend with growth of its earnings this year, Renaissance Capital (RenCap) - an investment and research firm has said.

In an emailed report obtained by The Nation, RenCap said 2013 could be challenging for Diamond Bank, stressing that any positive surprise will depend on what happens to its cost of risk and operating cost growth.

RenCap according to the report, had met with Diamond Bank’s management concerning its capital raising programme and terms of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) convertible loan. The research firm said it was after this meeting that it came out with a verdict that the lender may confront a difficult earnings growth this year.

However, RenCap retained the lender’s hold rating but raised its target price to N7 from N6 previously. ”For 2013, we still think earnings growth could be challenging for Diamond Bank, and any positive

By Collins Nweze

surprise will depend on what happens to the cost of risk and operating cost growth,” it said.

It recalled that in 2012, the bank announced a plan to procure $750 million in additional capital, $200 million of which could be a convertible or equity raise. Diamond Bank however, succeeded in obtaining $100 million in non-convertible tier two capital from the African ExportImport Bank (AFREXIM) and $70 million in convertible tier two capital from the IFC. According to management, an additional $130 million in convertible tier two was to be raised, which would have brought the total to $200 million, but prospects of this being finalised are unclear and unlikely at this stage, RenCap said.

the bank calls the bond, Diamond will raise tier one capital to cover the redemption. We understand that significant shareholders of the bank have agreed to this option, which they prefer to raising, tier one capital in the near term,” it said.

RenCap said the loan conversion price was set at a minimum of N3.50, with a premium ranging from slightly above 10 per cent to 70 per cent. “Also, with the premium increasing each year, the first year of conversion will be at a lower premium than the subsequent years. Therefore, the IFC can convert from year four, which implies any time from third quarter of 2015,” the firm said.

Given that management guided for a minimum premium that is slightly

It noted that during the recent conference call following the 2012 financial result and first quarter 2013 results, management mentioned plans to raise $550 million of the outstanding amount via a combination of debt or equity, including a rights issue. These plans were to be finalised subsequent to the receipt of shareholder approvals at the annual general meeting; these approvals have since been received.

“From our follow-up meeting with management last week, we understand that the total $550 million will now be raised via a seven - or 10-year non-convertible Eurobond issuance, callable after a three- or five-year period”.

“Besides, the decision to call the bond will depend on when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enforces Basel III implementation, and hence capital requirements at that point. If

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By Akinola Ajibade

He said the companies sent a delegation to Nigeria last March to ascertain the economic potential vis-a-vis investment security in the country.

He said a heavy delegation comprising the government officials and private sector operators are travelling to New York next month to consummate the relationship to pave the way for the two conglomerates coming into Nigeria.

He said: “I’m well convinced that the two companies are coming to Nigeria with billions of dollars this year. They are investing in the hos-

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UARANTY Trust Bank Plc has expanded its social banking service offerings on Facebook to include account balance enquiries.

Speaking about the development, the lender’s Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje said it was introducing the service on Facebook because it had noticed that customers spend a lot of time and energy daily, trying to ascertain their account balance(s).

He said:”The banking requirements of today’s customers necessitates a high degree of flexibility, which is why GTBank is instituting value by adding channels that allow people bank 24/7 safely, quickly and conveniently”.

Agbaje confirmed that the bank’s social banking service on Facebook allows people open GTBank ac-

pitality and retail business though, which they would impact positively on the direct invest portfolios to boost the economy,” He said Walmat prefers to invest in Nigeria than South Africa where it is going to face stiff competition from Shoprite. He said the forthcoming ECOWAS forum will bring more businesses to Nigeria and the region in particular.

Also, the Chief Executive officer, Legacy Investment and Management Limited, Dr Enitan ObasanjoAdeleye, said this is the first time ECOWAS is partnering a private company on the forum.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 30-05-13

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

TRANSCORP NESTLE IKEJAHOTEL MCNICHOLS NEIMETH RTBRISCOE UTC JOSBREW NPFMCRFBK UBN

1.20 990.00 0.72 1.88 0.85 1.72 0.76 1.13 1.03 9.50

C/PRICE 1.32 1088.00 0.79 2.06 0.93 1.88 0.83 1.23 1.12 10.30

CHANGE 0.12 98.00 0.07 0.18 0.08 0.16 0.07 0.10 0.09 0.80

JAPAULOIL ABCTRANS REDSTAREX FIDSON SKYEBANK CILEASING NAHCO PZ UNITYBNK DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE 0.58 0.96 4.51 1.79 5.00 0.51 7.70 52.00 0.63 10.46

C/PRICE 0.55 0.92 4.40 1.75 4.90 0.50 7.55 51.00 0.62 10.33

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.03 0.04 0.11 0.04 0.10 0.01 0.15 1.00 0.01 0.13

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 30-05-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

counts, perform account balance enquiries, purchase mobile phone airtime, make money transfers to any third party in Nigeria that has an active mobile phone and get access to 24/7 realtime customer service.

GTBank he said, has over 1.1 million followers on Facebook and also offers GTBank mobile money, a highly secure application that allows customers and non-GTBank customers perform transfers and payments from their mobile phones to any mobile phone subscriber within the country.

Besides, he said the lender’s internet banking platform is robust, supporting a wide array of service offerings that include bills payments, own and third party transfers and foreign exchange transfers to any bank account in the world.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

above 10 per cent, it applied a 12.5 per cent premium on N3.50 to arrive at a conversion price of N3.94 for the IFC loan. This, RenCap said, is 40 per cent higher than its previous conversion price assumption of N2.81, and translates to 29 per cent lower dilutive shares.

GTBank upgrades social banking offering

Marriot, Walmat to invest in Nigeria WO American firms Marriot and Walmat are planning to invest billions of dollars in the hospitality and retail business outfit in the country, President, Nigeria-USA Export and Investment Group, Chief Funso Abiri has said.

Speaking to the journalists in Lagos yesterday on the forthcoming 3rd Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) African Investment Forum, Abiri has said that the two firms had earlier held discussions with Nigerian government on how to unlock the economic potentials in the country this year.

•MD, Diamond Bank, Alex Otti

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.93 141.45 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 161.27 160.20 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.15 1.14 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,823.39 1,815.04 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.39 13.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11,745.35 11,398.85 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

56

CITYBEATS Police on trail of househelp

OPERATIVES at the Bar Beach Police Station in Lagos are on the trail of a 26-year-old house-help, Fatimoh Janet Bukky Ajai, who hails from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

She allegedly made away with her master’s valuables.

The Investigative Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, Dorcas, can be reached on 08033713556 on any information about Fatimoh’s whereabouts.

• Fatimoh

Health officers hold workshop THE Environment Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) is set to hold its 5th Annual Southwest conference/scientific workshop tagged, "Eko 2013" in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State.

The workshop started May 27 and will end May 31.

The theme is: Environmental Disaster, Emergency Preparedness and Management.

The president of the association, Alhaji N.B. Najimudeen commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for beautifying Lagos.

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Tears as fire razes shops in Lagos A

two-storey building at the Abule-Egba end of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos State was on fire yesterday.

No life was lost. The traders were in tears as they struggled to salvage what was left of their wares.

It was learnt that the fire consumed six shops on the second floor, but the 12 shops on the first and ground floors were not affected.

Sources said that Fire Service men did not arrive on time, adding that when they did, they promptly prevented the fire from spreading to the other floors.

Goods worth millions of naira were lost to the inferno, according to the distraught traders.

The fire spread through the roof of the building from one shop. The cause of the fire was unknown, but there were suggestions that it may have been sparked off by an electrical fault.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Safety Service, Razaq Fadipe, said: "The three-storey building

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondant

located at 587, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, contains 18 shops. The fire started around 10:55am from a shop on the second floor and spread through the roof to other shops on the same floor. Furniture, electronics and other items stored for sale were all consumed.

"We got a distress call and we immediately deployed our men from Agege to the scene. We were

told by eyewitnesses that the fire started after an electric fault from one of the shops.

The fire was intense and we sought a backup from Ikeja. After one and a half hour, we put out the fire. There was • Faces of agony: The victims ... at the scene no casualty."

•’Kidnap’ mother for N20m ransom as ‘theft’ of brother-in-law's N43m fails

By Mercy Michael

• Glover

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Four siblings … hooked on crime?

Simba Group rewards diligence AFTER 25 years of grappling with the increasingly challenging business environment in the country, Simba Group, a marketing and distribution company, has thrown a party to celebrate the journey so far as well as reward its outstanding workers with cash prizes. The event held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Lagos State Television (LTV), Agidingbi Ikeja, Lagos.

The fact that the company had undergone various stages of growth and challenges, which it surmounted through determination and strategies, was a key point in the speeches that were given by top members of the company.

The group's Managing Director, Mr. Vinay Grover, recalled: "We have faced challenges in the last 25 years; one of our businesses which - bicycle - was brought to a halt, but I believe it is the challenges that have brought us this far; all our business have done well," Grover said.

Marketing Manager, Deji Olaniyan, said: "The seed was planted, nurtured, the wind came, but could not blow it away and today, the seed of 25 years has grown into a mighty oak."

The event witnessed dance session and chorography. The outstanding ones among the workers were rewarded with cash prizes.

Simba Group, The Nation learnt, had set up two ICT subsidiaries. Simba Technology (Nigeria) Limited provides clients with integrated software solutions, while SimbaNet (Nigeria) Limited offers clients complete communications infrastructure, including all voice/data transmission utilising wireless, broadband and V-Sat solutions.

• The building ... yesterday

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondant

• Manko

W

HY would a child kidnap his mother or father? This is a poser that the police are trying to find an answer for, in a case involving four siblings.

The siblings - and another suspect - were arrested by police operatives attached to Area 'E' Command, FESTAC Town, Lagos. Now, they are struggling to convince them why they should not be prosecuted for allegedly conspiring to kidnap their mother for N20million ransom and stealing their brother in-law's N43million.

The suspects are: Obinna Okezie, Mike Okezie, Chibuzor Okezie, Matthew Okezie and Okechukwu Donatus Uzoma. They were arrested, following a report of an alleged theft by their brother-in-law boss, Mr Nnama

W

Umeagudosi.

Umeagudosi had claimed that they came to his Bureau de Change office at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, carting away 200,000 dollars and N11million belonging to some of his clients. The suspects, he also alleged, abducted his Supervisor, Desmond Amaife, in the process.

The businessman said he collected the money from some of his customers in order to help them procure some goods from China.

It was gathered that after reporting the matter to the Area Command, Mr Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP), Umeagudosi collapsed at the police premises and was later revived at a private hospital in FESTAC. A police source told The Nation that after the suspects absconded with the money with the Amaife, they went into a house beside a carnal in FESTAC, to see someone, leaving Amanfe in the booth of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) vehicle with which they carried out the operation. They were discussing with their host when Amaife jumped out of the vehicle and escaped through a bush path.

"It was from his hide-out that he called to inform his boss about the incident. He also called some other people to tell them what had happened. It was after the call that

With that attempt foiled, the suspects went back to their village and arranged their mother's kidnap on May 5 ... one of them called Umeagudosi , telling him that the kidnappers demanded N20million which, if not paid promptly, the woman stood the risk of being killed Umeagudosi rushed down to the Area Command to report the case. He fainted on sighting his clients who had besieged the Command on hearing the incident," the source said.

The Nation gathered that operatives commenced investigations immediately as ACP Okoro led some operatives to the said house and arrested two persons.

"In the night, one of those arrested, a woman, was interrogated. She was told to call the fleeing suspects or sole-

Ajah traders stages rally for security

ORRIED by the spate of violent attacks by hoodlums in Ajah community, a Lagos suburb, especially last weekend's violence that left no fewer than four persons dead with scores injured, some traders, under the auspices of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men of Ajah Ultra Modern Market, yesterday staged a rally.

Commending the Lagos State Government for its intervention in the crisis, they urged police authorities to ensure adequate security in the area.

The placard-carrying traders, sing-

By Kunle Akinrinade

ing solidarity songs, stormed the Ajah market as early as 11 am for the rally.

They bemoaned their fate in the hands of the hoodlums.

Their leader, who is also the Baba Oja of Ajah market, Alhaji Rasaq Odunlami: "We traders have been the target whenever violence erupts as a result of supremacy battle between the hoodlums, which usually results in looting, robbery and killing."

He commended the steps taken so far by the Lagos State Government

and the police towards containing the crisis.

"The market committee and entire traders of the market express profound appreciation to Governor Raji Fashola for the security beef-up in the market and its environs. We also thank the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko for providing adequate security in Ajah and the arrest of leaders of the warring factions. We urge the state government to find a lasting solution to the perennial breakdown of law and order in Ajah and its environs," he said.

ly suffer what she knew nothing about. She was left alone in the room.

Later, she told the operatives that she had established contact with the suspects and that they had agreed to return the stolen money, which they did in the evening, that same day," the source added.

The money was said to have been stolen on Wednesday May 1 and returned to Umeagudosi's office in the evening of May 3. It was given to Ogechi Mmuoegbulem, one of Umeagudosi's clients who confirmed that it was complete.

With that attempt foiled, the suspects went back to their village and arranged their mother's kidnap on May 5. Cashing in on their relationship, one of them called Umeagudosi the next day, telling him what happened and that the kidnappers demanded N20million ransom which, if not paid promptly, the woman stood the risk of being killed.

Umeagudosi was running around to raise part of the money when operatives arrested three of the suspects.

It was learnt that after the first three suspects were caught, the remaining one in the village called to say that their mother had been released without any ransom paid.

"That was when investigators started to suspect that the kidnap was a plan to further extort money from the victim and operatives moved in and arrested the other two", the source added.

While the matter is still being investigated at the Area 'E' Command, the suspects' cousin, Uche Obi, petitioned ACP Okoro before the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, ordered the case transferred to his office.

Obi said Umeagudosi's company and the money in question belonged to his late wife who died on April 28.

However, after hearing from Okoro and the petitioner, the AIG concluded that the petitioner wanted to truncate the course of justice and asked the Area Commander to continue with his investigations.

Sources at the Area 'E' Command assured that the police would ensure that justice is ultimately done in the matter.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

NEWS

Man ‘kills’, buries lover in shallow grave

Archbishop to be installed today From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

R

EV Joseph Ekuwem would be installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Calabar Archdiocese of the Catholic Church today .

The canonical installation is to take place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Ekuwem was Bishop of Uyo Diocese in Akwa Ibom State until he was appointed to take over the Calabar Archdiocese by the Papacy in February.

He replaces Archbishop Joseph Ukpo, who retired having attained the retirement age of 75.

It was a grand welcome for Ekuwem yesterday as thousands of Catholic faithful drove all the way to the Calabar-Itu bridge, the border between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to usher him to the city.

Thereafter, there was a reception and benediction at the Cathedral.

It was more of a homecoming for Ekuwem, having been ordained as a priest in Calabar in 1979.

Lecturer’s son abducted From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

S

USPECTED kidnappers have abducted the son of Dr Godstime Ogbeoleka, a senior lecturer with Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State.

Thomas Ogbeoleka, 30, was kidnapped yesterday in his father’s compound at Ihuapa, Ahoada West Local Government Area.

His abductors came with four motorcycles, popularly called okada, on which he was whisked away.

A source said: “The four kidnappers stormed the compound on four okadas.

They were unmasked.

“They walked to his father’s house asking for one of the victim’s elder brothers; they were polite.

“When they could not find their victim, they broke into the house and grabbed Thomas. When they were about to leave, they started shooting.

“The kidnappers have contacted us; they are demanding for N15 million.

We have bargained to N1 million but they said we are joking.”

Police spokesman Ms. Angela Agabe could not be reached for comments.

It was a turbulent end to a very tumultuous relationship: the remains of Adaukwu Godspower were retrieved from a shallow grave last Saturday. She was allegedly murdered by her live-inlover, Chinemezu Ewo. PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA, who was at the scene of the murder, reports

I

T was an unfortunate end to a fractious love affair in Okprowo Community of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Friday.

Thirty two-year-old Chinemezu Ewo was arrested for the alleged murder of his girlfriend of many years.

When our reporter visited Okprowo, an uneasy calm pervaded the community.

Residents were seen discussing the matter in hushed tone.

They alleged that the suspect stabbed Miss Adaukwu Godspower with a kitchen knife.

It was gathered that Ewo reportedly dug a shallow grave, where he buried his lover’s remains.

Sources said the two lovers were from different villages in Ahoada East Local Government.

The late Adaukwu was from Edeoha village; Chinemeze is from Okprowo.

An indigene told our reporter that a month before

•The victim with injuries on her back and head

•The victim with a swollen eye

the ‘last fight’, the lovers engaged in an open brawl, which ended with Ewo stabbing Adaukwu on the head with a sharp object.

“If she had taken a firm decision to leave him after that fight, she would still be alive today.

“But she would not listen.

She continued to stay with him until death finally put them apart.”

It was gathered that nemesis caught up with the ‘abusive lover’ when a neighbour allegedly saw him dumping the remains of his lover over the fence before digging a shallow grave.

“It was when he was trying to dig the grave in a swampy forest that he was apprehended and handed him over to the police,” another source added.

The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Jakoja Godpower, who spoke through an interpreter, said in tears: “Since he (Chinemezu) started dating my daughter it has been one quarrel after the other; each time they quarrel he would injure her.

“I pleaded with her to leave, but she refused. They were not legally married, the man has never visited us to say ‘I want to marry your daughter’ but the two of them were living together.

“I decided to overlook this; the man doesn’t listen to me because he feels I am not in support of the relationship.”

“I was not aware of the last fight; I was in the house when I got a message that my daughter is dead.

“I rushed to Okprowo community, where people

took me to the bush where my daughter was buried.

“I was there when the police came and took away the body and till now I am not aware of what police are doing. “ I don’t have money and I don’t know people, but I want the police and the government to teach Ewo and other abusive men a lesson.

“My health deteriorated from the day I saw my daughter’s remains. The doctor said it is high blood pressure. I have not paid for the little medication he gave to me,” she said.

Police spokesman Ms. Angela Agabe confirmed the incident.

She said: “I have contacted Ahoada Police Station and they told me investigation has begun.”

bility and promoter of innovations in the sector.

The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Transport, Ben Igbakpa, said the sevenmonth old idea from its conception, traffic surveys and feasibility studies, topographic surveys, detailed engineering designs, will be followed by the award of contract in July.

The Warri BRT scheme, according to Igbakpa, is an expression of political will and recognition of the strategic importance of public transport to the populace, with its economic impact on the disposable income of the people.

“The project, which is aimed at creating jobs,

would also require personnel and business transactions in the areas of traffic management and enforcement, bus shelters and terminals, segregated lanes construction, public information/enlightenment, traffic signs,” he said.

According to the governor, the project will induce yearly growth rate of five per cent, increase transport infrastructure, boost population demand for more routes, buses, as well as employment.

He said the project would take off on the Warri -Sapele corridor and will be extended to Jakpa, Udu and airport road in the subsequent phases.

Uduaghan said the project

would be financed by a combination of acruals from the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P), bond issuance, statutory allocations and bridge financing.

He said: “This would be the climax of our transport reform programme, which include the delivery of Asaba Airport, introduction of 60 High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), the purchase of 705 mini-buses (for city and inter-city transport).

“Others are the ban on commercial motorcycles, construction of 30 jetties, 30 bus shelters, four mini-terminals, two mega bus terminals, 12 junction improvement works and setting up of the State Traffic Management Authority.”

Uduaghan unveils Warri BRT scheme

D

ELTA State Government has concluded plans to introduce the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme in Warri.

When completed, Warri will be the third African city to develop the BRT initiative, after Lagos and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan broke the news at the 60th Congress of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), in Geneva, Switzerland.

UITP is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry and global advocate of sustainable mo-

Woman emerges PDP candidate

M

57

RS. Edisua Usang Iso has emerged the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The emergence of a female candidate has been attributed to the struggle of the political leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

A source said Mrs. Iso’s emergence was a testimony to the fact that Senator Ita-Giwa enjoys the support of her people.

Senator Ita-Giwa expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the primary, stating that it was a victory not only for the womenfolk but for the people of Bakassi.

She thanked the men, party chairman and executives for their support and the peaceful conduct of the primary, urging everyone to rally round the candidate, who will deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

10 bodies recovered from sunken vessel

E

LEVEN of the 12 crew members of the ill-fated Jascon 4, a vessel owned by West African Ventures, a subsidiary of Sea Truck Groups, have been accounted for.

The vessel sank on Sunday, 30 kilometers off the coast of Delta State.

The Nation gathered that a survivor and 10 bodies were recovered late on Tuesday evening by divers.

The whereabouts and fate of the last man was yet unknown yesterday.

Sources privy to the search-

•Victims include maritime academy students From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

and-rescue operation said two students of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, AkwaIbom State, were in the vessel.

It could not be ascertained if the lone survivor, said to be a kitchen staff, was one of the students.

Our source said the survivor was expected to leave the DCC (Decompress Chambers) today.

Jascon 4 was on a routine tow of an oil tanker at the Single

Buoy Mooring (SBM) #3 owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited, when one of the ropes snapped.

The vessel sank few minutes later.

A source at Chevron office in Warri, who confirmed the discovery, said search has been intensified for the last man.

“Chevron does not want to get involved in this matter because, although the vessel was working for us, it belonged to the contractor and the crew members are not our employees.”

Akpabio’s senatorial ambition okayed From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

STAKEHOLDERS in Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene) have endorsed the senatorial ambition of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The decision was taken at a meeting of stakeholders drawn from the 10 local government areas in the district.

The meeting was convened by Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien and held at Ritman College, Ikot Ekpene, yesterday.

Conveying the decision to Akpabio, the stakeholders, who visited him at the Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, said this was a mark of appreciation for his uncommon performance.

Ibokessien said: “The senatorial district is satisfied with the leadership and performance of our son and hereby passes a vote of absolute confidence on him.”

Akpabio accepted the resolution and noted that the endorsement was a further call to represent the people at the higher level.

He said when elected a senator, he would correct some injustices meted to the state at the federal level.

JTF seizes 36 vessels •2,443 suspects arrested From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

THE Joint Task Force (JTF), ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, has arrested 2,443 suspects for illegal bunkering between January last year and last month.

Its spokesperson, Lt-Col Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the revelation in an exclusive interview, also revealed that 5,049 illegal refineries were destroyed during the period.

He said: “Also destroyed were 133 barges, 1,215 Cotonou (open) boats, 187 tanker trucks, 178 illegal fuel dumps as well as 5,574 surface tanks.

“In addition, 36,504 drums of illegally refined products, 638 pumping machines and 326 outboard engines were seized and scuttled.”

Lt. Col. Nwachukwu said one of the most outstanding successes recorded last year was the seizure of 18 vessels.

He added that one of the vessel owners was so desperate to secure its release that he offered a N10 million bribe to a senior officer.

“He (suspect) was arrested when he brought $30,300 (N4.7268 million) as upfront payment.”

The JTF spokesman said 498 suspects, 18 vessels, 26 barges, 545 assorted boats, were arrested by patrol teams.

No fewer than 748 illegal oil distillation camps were destroyed during the first four months of the year.

Lt-Col Nwachukwu challenged those linking JTF soldiers and officers to illegal oil deals to provide evidence to back their claim.

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

NEWS

Orji: opposition has disappeared

O

PPOSITION has disappeared in Abia State as a result of the performance of Governor Theodore Orji, his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Ben Onyechere, said yesterday.

In a statement, Onyechere said: “It is not surprising to note that what used to be a group of government critics in Abia State has fizzled out.

“They have been overwhelmed by the multifaceted developmental initiatives of the government.”

The statement added that in the past the activities of the group were “sponsored by a well-known sworn enemy of the government”, who made several attempts to derail the government.

He said the government is more than ever before, “motivated in the diversification of its instruments of urbanisation, which has far surpassed the expectation of the contemptuous opposition.”

W • Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha greeting a traditional ruler in Ihitte Uboma, when he laid the foundation stone of the State College of Education (Technical).

Why we stopped Jonathan from spending Borno, Yobe Adamawa cash, by House

T

HE decision by the House of Representatives to stop the President from spending the cash belonging to the states under emergency is derived from the Constitution, the lawmakers said yesterday.

The lawmakers who changed their position after initially agreeing with the Senate that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan should spend the cash belonging to the states to fund the military operations, pleaded for undersigning of their change of mind.

Spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed told reporters yesterday that: “The House derived its power from the Emergency Power Act 1 Sub 1 of 1961. That gives Mr President powers to proclaim to the House or the National Assembly states or parts of Nigeria where issues of unrest are prevalent.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

“That same provision allows us to amend, alter or revoke some parts of those powers given to Mr President. In other words, we can decide to say that the powers given to him, even though it is coming from the National Assembly as a chamber, we can recall some things”.

He however appealed that the situation should not create any form of apprehension on how the two chambers of the National Assembly would resolve the new development.

According to him, reversing their earlier position should not be viewed as impossible as long as it was done in the best interest of democracy.

“There is nobody who is above mistake. The confer-

ence committee members are human beings. You will recall that every issue that has judicial implication clearly, especially the case of the Attorney General of the Federation vs Lagos State Government, the ruling of the Supreme Court there was very clear; that the president of the country does not have any right to expend, suspend or with-hold the monies of a state or local government.

“So, on the basis of that, if in the House we decided that the governors should be given administrative powers to keep carrying on their day-to-day running of government,we are in order.

“To that extent, the steps taken by the House are not out of place.

“We are going to reach out to our Senate counterparts and by the time we reach out to them, the matter will be dif-

ferent from what it is now.”

Zakari also assured Nigerians that the House would debate the Supplementary Budget sent to the National Assembly by the President at the appropriate time.

According to him, too much urgency was not attached to it because the 2013 Appropriation Act is still running.

“The only thing we’re talking about is amendment.

Even the second quarter allocation has been released. If the budget is not being implemented, I don’t think that will happen. I don’t think we should bother too much about the budget.

“At the appropriate time, we will come out with whatever is the position of the House on the budget. But I assure you we will not do anything to put ourselves in a great disadvantage,” he added.

IFE of Ebonyi State Governor Mrs. Josephine Elechi has praised Guinness Nigeria for empowering women in the state.

She spoke at the commissioning of the Guinness Distribution Centre in Ohauku Community.

The Guinness Distribution Centre is a scheme which makes it possible for entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas to be part of the distribution value chain.

Mrs Elechi said women play an integral role in socio-economic development, despite the numerous challenges they face.

She said women, especially in the rural and semi-urban areas, need empowerment to be able to contribute more meaningfully to the society.

The governor’s wife opined that without proper empowerment, women would not be able to give their full potential in contributing to the society and economy.

Gunmen attack monarch

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M

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

lobby are no longer accessible.

This may be responsible for the Assembly’s skeletal sitting lately.

The Speaker’s office and the chamber are not affected but may be flooded as the rains intensify.

When our reporter visited the complex, the dilapidated

structure was deserted.

The ground floor of the two-storey building has been taken over by flood and to access the offices on the second and third floor, one has to wade through the ankledeep flood.

A source described the situation as embarrassing and a reproach to the institution.

The source said the funds appropriated for the renova-

tion of the complex may have been diverted.

“Most of the lawmakers have relocated their offices outside the Assembly premises but still hold their sittings in the flooded chambers,” he said.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Acho Ihim, could not be reached for comments.

Alleged contempt: Ogboru urges court FORMER Democratic to halt proceedings Peoples Party (DPP)

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governorship candidate in Delta State, Great Ogboru, yesterday urged the Federal High Court, Lagos, to stay proceedings in a contempt charge brought against him by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

He is challenging the court’s assumption of jurisdiction to entertain the application and all other processes before it.

Ogboru said the court does not have the legal right to entertain the case, and therefore Justice Okon Abang was in error.

His lawyer, Prof McCarthy Mbadugha said they have lodged an appeal at the Court

By Joseph Jibueze

of Appeal, Lagos, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case.

They, therefore, sought a stay of proceedings.

AMCON alleged that Ogboru violated a court order.

Also cited in the contempt proceedings were Turner Ogboru, Victor Agbenrien, Muibi Sunmonu, Mike Ladesuyi, Roland Ogboru and Raphael Uwhumakpor, all of whom are directors in Ogboru’s company, Fiogret Limited.

The contempt allegation arose from an application in which AMCON claimed it secured a court order empow-

ering it to appoint a receiver/ manager, Kunle Ogunba (SAN) over some of Ogboru’s property allegedly used to secure a loan from defunct Equitorial Trust Bank.

AMCON alleged Ogboru, his officers and some thugs invaded the premises and removed several truckloads of fish contrary to an earlier advice by Justice Abang.

During hearing yesterday, Ogunba, who is also AMCON’s lawyer, urged the court to dismiss the application for stay of proceedings.

“The notice of appeal has not been established to have been filed. We urge your Lordship to refuse the application

•Ogboru

for stay of proceedings.

“It is unwarranted and premeditated,” Ogunba added.

But Prof Mbadugha said it was for the Appeal Court to decide whether the procedure adopted in filing the appeal was right or wrong.

Justice Abang adjourned till June 10 for ruling on stay of proceedings.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

MBATTLED traditional ruler of Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chidubem Iweka, yesterday escaped another assassination attempt –the second in less than two years.

The gunmen wielding AK47 attacked his vehicle, injuring one of his security men.

The Nation gathered that the monarch was not in the vehicle when the incident occurred but his police escort, who was in front, was injured and is responding to treatment.

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

Briefing reporters at the palace, Iweka’s Chief Press Secretary, Okwudi Okwudi Oguegbu, said the monarch who was on his way to Abuja had been dropped at Asaba Airport.

“The driver and the orderly were going back to the palace when they encountered the two assassins, who were operating on a motorcycle.

“At Ugwumba Road, one of the cyclists shot into the vehicle and the bullet pierced through the windscreen and injured the policeman.

“A similar incident occurred on February 27, last year, when gunmen invaded the palace. A guard was killed.”

Accident bureau to submit Dana Air crash report

Leaking roof forces Imo lawmakers out of office

EMBERS of the Imo State House of Assembly have abandoned their offices, following the sacking of their offices by the rains.

The roof of the Assembly complex can no longer stand the pounding rains as a sizeable portion has caved in.

Aside from the putrid smell emanating from wet carpets and books, the offices and

Elechi’s wife hails project

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From: Olugbenga Adanikin and Jane Maha, Abuja

HE Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB), Capt. Muhktar Usman, has said an interim statement on the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash would soon be made public.

He also said the bureau has completed installation of its flight safety laboratory.

The commissioner spoke yesterday at a stakeholders’ forum on Aviation Safety organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja.

Describing the laboratory as the first in Africa, he said the country would no longer rely on foreign support to analyse and interpret data from aircraft when such situation arose.

Usman said: “As required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an interim statement on Dana Air crash is ready for release.

“The safety laboratory will reduce dependence on foreign facilities and cut down on time to deliver quality report. It is capable of downloading and analysing cockpit voice and flight data recorders.

Besides, it can do electronic reconstruction of flight based on data from flight recorders.”

He stressed that the information downloaded through the laboratory would be valuable for accident prevention.

Speaking on wreckage preservation and reconstruction of hangar, Usman noted that the move became significant as it was part of the safety requirements by ICAO to preserve, reconstruct and test wreckages.

He said the facility is under construction at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The Director-General, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh, an engineer and the Acting DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Joyce Nkemakolam, identified needs to support the sector with more funding.

While Udoh aligned aviation safety with funding, Nkemakolam noted that adequate funding would enable local operators acquire new airlines and provide better services.

The Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuoforom, said about 35 per cent of aviation accidents are weather-related.

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NEWS AIPB to present interim report on Dana crash From Olugbenga Adanikin and Jane Maha, Abuja

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HE Commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB), Capt. Muhktar Usman, has said an interim statement on the June 3, 2012, Dana Air crash will soon be made public.

Usman also said the bureau has completed the installation of its flight safety laboratory.

The commissioner spoke yesterday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ forum on Aviation Safety organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Describing the laboratory as first in Africa, Usman said Nigeria will no longer rely on foreign support to analyse and interpret data from aircraft when such situation arises.

He said: “As required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an interim statement on Dana Air crash is ready for release.

“The safety laboratory will reduce dependence on foreign facilities and cut down on time to deliver a quality report. It is capable of downloading and analysing cockpit voice and flight data recorders. Apart from that, it can do electronic reconstruction of flights based on data from flight recorders.”

•Nasarawa State Governor Umaru al-Makura inaugurating Assakio-Adogi Rural Electrification project as part of activities marking his two years in office...on Wednesday

Nigeria’s break-up will be in nobody’s interest, Onaiyekan warns T HE Catholic Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, yesterday said Nigeria’s break-up will not be in the interest of anybody or group.

The cleric also said the Boko Haram insurgency is linked with corruption bedeviling the country.

Also, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to expose sponsors of Boko Haram sect.

Onaiyekan spoke in Abuja during his visit to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta. He said Nigeria needs moral transformation.

Onaiyekan said: “Once things are not done properly, you may think you are profiting. If you take the short-cut, the system is damaged and even-

Oritsejafor to Jonathan: Expose sponsors of Boko Haram From Yusuf Alli and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

tually everybody is destroyed.

“If we push our nation too far to the point of a crisis and we prove right the prophet of doom that this nation will scatter, when it does, who gains?

Even for those who have managed to steal a lot of money and stacked it away somewhere out there, by the time their nation is reduced to rubbish, they are not going to be happy living as exiles.

“Let them go out to the big European capitals and see what kind of life the big men of yesteryears who stole money and thought they were having good time in Paris and London are living. Just go and see the kind of lifestyle they are living, all of

which I think is a very telling demonstration of what my Lord Jesus Christ said that man shall not live by bread alone. And bread could include Naira, Dollars and Euro. There is more to life than those things which people are caring for.”

Oritsejafor, who hailed the military for confronting the Boko Haram crisis in parts of the North, said their exposure will serve as a deterrent to others who might want to toe the same line of action.

The CAN President, in a statement in Abuja by his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, Kenny Ashaka, noted that despite the attempts to end the crisis, several Christians were still being killed.

The statement reads: “The

CAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor, salutes the Nigerian military in the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe for their gallantry in the fight against terrorism in the country since the state of emergency was declared some weeks ago.

“However, while he appreciates the statement by the military high command that more towns are being secured in the operations to rid the nation of terrorist activities, the CAN President is sad by reports from Borno State, where the terror has gone from the horrendous to the tragic, as more Christians are still being killed and churches burnt. These reflected in many distress calls from the state by CAN officials on ground.”

Bauchi Assembly to reinstate woman lawmaker

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BAUCHI High Court, presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Zango, yesterday set aside the indefinite suspension slammed on a member of the House of Assembly, Mrs Rifkatu Samson Danna, representing Bogoro Constituency.

The court also ordered the Assembly to reinstate and pay her salaries and other lawful entitlements from the day of her suspension till date.

The only woman lawmaker in the House was given an

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

indefinite suspension on June 1, last year.

The court, however, refused to grant her the N30 million general damages she claimed to have suffered from the purported indefinite suspension.

Justice Zango said: “For the interest of peace in the House, there is no claim. Besides, the plaintiff has not proved that she suffered embarrassment and damages.”

In the 150-minute judgment delivered in a crowded court, Justice Zango said the indefinite suspension of the lawmaker was illegal, unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the House.

He upheld the submission of Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to the lawmaker, that the House has no power to suspend its member for more than 14 legislative sitting days as contained in the House Rules of Proceedings. He said anything more than that is a viola-

tion.

Mrs Danna was suspended over her comment on the floor of the House on the relocation of Tafawa Balewa Local Government headquarters to Bununu village.

She had told her colleagues that “the relocation of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Council headquarters to Bununu is a breach of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, and it is the responsibility of the National Assembly”.

Disquiet in Benue as PDP chieftain closes HERE is panic among ranks with Akume members of the ruling

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.

A chieftain of the party, Mr Jeo Ikyaagba, is said to have become closer to Senate Minority Leader George Akume, a chieftain ofn the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ikyaagba, a well known PDP chieftain from Vandeikya Local Government, is the brain behind the construction of the multi-billion naira modern Government House in Makurdi and the Benue Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, under current Gabriel Suswam administration.

But his return to Akume is

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

said to be the end of his romance with the ruling party.

The renowned architect is handling the renovation of the Benue Printing and Publishing Company (BPPC). The job has been put on hold because of alleged paucity of funds.

The Nation gathered that Ikyaagba, who was the Commissioner for Works and Housing in the Akume administration, was first sighted at Wannune, Tarkaa Local Government Area, when the Senate Minority Leader donated a magnificent church building

to St. Christopher’s Parish.

The PDP chieftain rode in the same vehicle with Akume during the burial of former Deputy Governor Ogiri Ajene, at Obarike Eto. Both politicians received standing ovation in the presence of Suswam.

Since then, there has been panic in the camp of the ruling PDP, though the architect has not officially defected to the ACN. ACN Chairman Comrade Abba Yaro said the party would be happy to welcome Ikyaagba into its fold.

He said: “We in the ACN are already mobilising ahead

Court orders lecturer remanded

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Wamakko grants five prisoners amnesty

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of 2015 and it will be to our advantage if a big fish like Jeo Ikyaagba joins our party.”

Attempts to reach Ikyaagba failed. But a source told our correspondent that the PDP chieftain has reunited with his former boss in the ACN.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has pardoned five inmates of the Sokoto Central Prisons.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Justice, Mallam Nuhu Adamu, said the gesture was in line with the provisions of the constitution which empowers him to exercise prerogative of mercy.

Wamakko said: “Today is a historic segment of democracy in Nigeria, on which we have to collectively rejoice with one another as well as encourage the hopeless, particularly our inmates, whose character and conduct have improved positively so that they can contribute to nation-building.”

The inmates serving various terms, regained their freedom and were given N30,000 each to begin a new life.

150 widows, aged women get First Lady’s food items

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From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

FIRST Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday distributed food items to widows and elderly women in Abuja through a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Women for Change and Development Initiative (WFCDI).

Mrs. Jonathan, who spoke through the Special Assistant to the President on NGOs, Yemisi Oyewole, said the gesture was to give succour to needy women in the society.

She explained that besides the distribution of food items, the NGO has another programme that employs women into the Abuja beautification project.

Mrs Jonathan said: “The idea behind these projects is to help women who need help and empower those who need empowerment. About 600 women have been employed since the three months’ inception of the programme; more will be employed soon.”

According to her, the distribution of food items is not just in Abuja but also a nationwide project of the WFCDI.

T •Akume

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

N Abuja High Court has ordered that a lecturer at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Dr. Stephen Obekpa Abah, be further remanded pending the consideration of his bail application.

Justice Olasumbo Olarenwaju Goodluck directed that Abah should be held in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until June 4 when his bail application will be decided.

The judge gave the order on Tuesday after Abah was arraigned on a two- count charge of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

In a statement in Abuja, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

“The accused is alleged to have, between August 2008 and March 2009, obtained $48,500 from Udeh Orokpo Godwin under the guise of setting up a joint company but (allegedly) diverted the funds for personal use. The offence is contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same code,” the statement said.

Kwara employs 1,000 youths

HE Kwara State Government said yesterday it has employed 1,000 youths under its Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES).

In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, Alhaji Abdulwahad Oba, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the governor has also inaugurated the flood-prone Ejiba Road in Ilorin as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day. Ejiba Road was repaired with N455,719,409.15 to ease the pains of residents of the area, the statement said.

Ahmed told a crowd at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, during the Democracy Day celebration, that the employment was part of his administration’s commitment to the creation of shared prosperity for the people through rapid economic growth, infrastructural development, agro-reforms and business promotion.

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FOREIGN NEWS

Syria receives Russian missile shipment

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YRIA has received the first shipment of a sophisticated air defence system from Russia, President Bashar al-Assad was quoted as saying, sending a signal of military strength days before an EU arms embargo on the country lapses.

Russia had promised delivery of the S-300 missile system to the Syrian government despite Western objections, saying the move would help stabilize the regional balance at a time of insurgency in Syria waged by Western-backed rebels.

Moscow is a staunch ally of Assad and it has appeared to grow more defiant since the European Union let its arms

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MASSIVE asteroid nearly 2 miles wide will zip by Earth today, in a cosmic event that has grabbed the attention of stargazers, scientists and even White House officials.

The asteroid poses no threat of hitting Earth during the flyby, NASA officials assure.

The huge asteroid 1998 QE2 is the size of nine cruise ships, about 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) across, NASA scientists say. While the asteroid makes its closest approach to Earth on Friday, traveling within 3.6 million miles (5.8 million km), you

embargo on Syria expire as of June 1, opening up the possibility of the West arming the Syrian rebels.

“Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets,” Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar newspaper quoted Assad as saying in an interview due to be broadcast later on Thursday.

More of the missiles would arrive soon, he was quoted as saying.

A source close to Russia’s Defense Ministry said there had been a “bank transfer” in connection with the S-300 transaction but that Russian banks were becoming in-

creasingly nervous about dealing with Assad.

Last year, a source close to Russia’s weapons export monopoly Rosoboronexport said Syria had paid 20 percent of the contract price, but that the S-300 deal was frozen because of the country’s civil war.

The United States, France and Israel have all called on Russia to stop the missile delivery.

More than 80,000 people have been killed in Syria since peaceful protests against four decades of Assad family rule morphed into a civil war, pitting the president’s forces and his ally, Hezbollah, against Syr-

don’t have to wait that long to see it. NASA chief Charles Bolden will host live telescope views of the asteroid today (May 30) at 1:30 p.m.

EDT (1739 GMT) during a one-hour broadcast from the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

In its closest approach for at least the next two centuries, 1988 QE2 will whiz by at a harmless distance millions of miles from Earth.

The space rock was first discovered on Aug. 19, 1998, by MIT’s Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) Program near

Socorro, N.M. The moniker 1988 QE2 was assigned by the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Mass., which names each newfound asteroid according to an established alphanumeric scheme that lays out when it was discovered.

Tempting as the connection may be, the space rock’s name is not a nod to England’s Queen Elizabeth II, or to the famous 12-deck ocean liner that was retired from service in 2008. But to give a sense of the asteroid’s enormous scale, NASA officials pointed out that the QE2 asteroid is the size of nine

ICC : Kenya must prove it could handle HE International courts for trying crimes Criminal Court’s Kenyatta case against humanity.

(ICC) chief prosecutor said on Thursday that Kenya must prove it would “genuinely” conduct proceedings against President Uhuru Kenyatta for alleged crimes against humanity if it wants the court to drop his case.

Kenya has asked the tribunal to refer its case against Kenyatta back to the east African country, a move that has been backed by other African Union nations.

Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, are facing trial at the ICC, accused of masterminding ethnic bloodshed in post-election violence five years ago that killed more than 1,200 people. Both deny the charges.

•Bashar al-Assad

could reach deep into the Jewish state and threaten flights over its main commercial airport near Tel Aviv.

Huge asteroid sails by earth today

•Riot police charge toward unemployed graduate taking part in a demonstration about the lack of jobs, in Rabat ... on Wednesday. The people were also protesting against the Mawazine Festival, as they said that the government could have put the money used for the festival to better use, to build PHOTO: REUTERS new schools and housing.

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ian rebels and a flow of Sunni Islamist militants who have come to help them from abroad.

Moscow says the expiry of the EU embargo complicates U.S. and Russian-led efforts to set up a peace conference between the Syrian government and its opponents, who demand an immediate end to Assad family rule.

Assad said he planned to go to the “Geneva 2” conference, al-Akhbar reported, though he was unconvinced of a fruitful outcome and pledged to continue fighting the uprising.

Officials in Israel, the United States’ main ally in the region, say the S-300

Khmer Rouge leaders apologise to victims’ families

Kenyatta’s trial is due to begin in July. Both he and Ruto have promised to cooperate with the ICC. “A state wishing to conduct national proceedings has to satisfy the judges that it is genuinely conducting proceedings against the same persons for the same crimes,” ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said.

Kenyan officials concede the country has not in the past had the ability to try suspects accused of crimes against humanity, but say its reformed judiciary now does.

The country is in the process of setting up special

“The office of the prosecutor stands ready to engage in any legal debate regarding its ongoing cases in Kenya,” Bensouda said.

The prosecutor’s office has always insisted the ICC trial of Kenyatta must proceed.

The Hague-based court has no jurisdiction over crimes if national authorities are carrying out a credible investigation and trial.

The court was set up a decade ago to hold accountable perpetrators of the very worst crimes against humanity and war crimes, but some feel Africa has been unfairly targeted, making the court deeply unpopular across the continent.

QE2 cruise ships.

It’s unlikely that an observer on the ground will be able to spot 1988 QE2 without the help of a telescope.

Even from a location free of light pollution, the asteroid will be 100 times fainter than the dimmest star visible in the sky, according to the Slooh Space Telescope.

But there are several outlets where you can watch the flyby online.

Slooh, for one, will have a webcast of the approach starting at 4:30 p.m. (about 10:30 pm Nigerian time, it can also be watched live on SPACE.com here.

NASA keeps a close watch on asteroids that could pose a potential threat to the planet, and President Barack

Obama’s 2014 federal budget request sought to ramp up those efforts by including funds to kick-start a new mission to capture a small asteroid and park it near the moon.

Earthlings were reminded of the danger of space rocks this past Feb. 15. On that day, skywatchers were waiting for an asteroid about half the size of a football field (2012 DA14) to pass by the planet at a distance of just 17,200 miles (27,000 kilometers). But hours before its closest approach, a different, 55-foot (17 m) object exploded without warning over Russia, damaging hundreds of buildings and injuring more than 1,000 people.

FORMER leaders of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge being tried by a U.N.backed genocide tribunal apologised yesterday to families of victims of the regime’s atrocities, bringing a rare emotional note to a trial dominated by the detailed recounting of names and dates.

Khieu Samphan, the head of state of the 1970s communist regime, and Nuon Chea, the group’s main ideologist, were responding to questions posed by the so-called civil parties, who are representing the victims’ families at the trial.

The radical policies of the Khmer Rouge, who ruled Cambodia from 1975-79, are generally blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people from forced labor, starvation, medical neglect and executions.

Both men have issued expressions of regret before for the killings, but they have denied legal responsibility and insisted they served with the best interests of their country and its people in mind.

They have also not hesitated to cast blame on their former colleagues and other parties.

The two men are charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture, though their current trial focuses on the forced evacuation of Phnom Penh, the capital, when the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975.

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FOREIGN NEWS

Threatening letter sent to Obama

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UTHORITIES intercepted a threatening letter addressed to President Barack Obama that was similar to ones sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Secret Service said yesterday.

Letters sent to Bloomberg and his gun control group contained material believed to be the deadly poison ricin

and contained a reference to gun control, New York police said on Wednesday.

A Secret Service official said the White House letter was similar but did not elaborate.

The White House mail screening facility turned the letter over to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Secret Service official said on

condition of anonymity.

Authorities have stopped several ricin-laced letters in recent weeks. A Tupelo, Mississippi, man was charged last month with sending poison-laced letters to Obama and two other public officials. Everett Dutschke was being held on charges of developing and possessing ricin and attempting to use it

Ghana’s president warns against terrorism

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HANA’s President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Islamist militancy poses a threat that could destabilise the whole of West Africa.

Mr Mahama told the BBC that although Ghana had not been directly affected, no country was safe if insurgency was allowed to take hold elsewhere.

He said intervention led by France had helped guarantee stability in Mali, but the conflict there was not yet over.

He also backed the African Union’s plan to create a rapid reaction force.

Mr Mahama said there had been a suggestion that it could be funded by a tax on air travel and hotels across the continent.

In January, French forces

spearheaded an operation to drive out al-Qaeda and other allied Islamist groups from northern Mali, where they had seized control in the chaos following a coup last year.

Ghana’s leader said the incident showed how the whole Sahel region had “become an attractive foothold for insurgents”.

“If we allow that foothold to consolidate, then it could affect the stability of our entire region,” Mr Mahama told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

Despite regaining territory from Islamist groups in Mali, he said the crisis was not over.

“There is the danger of asymmetric attacks like we saw in Niger the last few

11 vanish from Mexico City bar, kidnap suspected

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LEVEN young people were kidnapped in broad daylight from a Mexico City bar, just 20 days after the grandson of civil rights leader Malcolm X was beaten to death at a nightclub in the capital, anguished relatives said yesterday.

The disappearances sparked a wave of outrage, with family members blocking a major avenue to demand that authorities investigate.

The city prosecutor’s office said Thursday only five missing-person reports had been

filed. But the mother of one of the missing youths says 11 people in all vanished from the after-hours club about 1 1/2 blocks from the U.S. embassy, on the other side of Reforma Avenue.

The mother, Josefina Garcia, questioned how a mass kidnapping could occur a half-block from Reforma, the the city’s main boulevard, and a few blocks from police headquarters.

Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X, died May 9 in a dispute over a bar bill.

Pakistani Taliban withdraw peace talks offer

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HE Pakistani Taliban withdrew their offer of peace talks yesterday, following the death of the group’s deputy leader in an American drone attack, a spokesman for the group said, a blow to the incoming government of Nawaz Sharif that was elected partly on promises to restore security after years of deadly attacks.

The death of Waliur Rehman, wanted by the U.S. for a 2009 attack in Afghanistan that killed seven people working for the CIA, also focuses attention on the controversial U.S. drone program. Despite President Barack Obama’s sweeping promise last week of new transparency, Wednesday’s strike against a longtime American target shows PUBLIC NOTICE that the CIA will still launch atI, formerly known and addressed as tacks on militants without havAbodunde Abike Owolabi, now ing to explain them publicly.

French president’s vintage wines to be auctioned

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N headier times, some of these wines were served at dinner for French presidents and their guests - kings, queens and other heads of state. In today’s times of austerity, the Elysee Palace is selling off these vintage bottles.

French President Francois Hollande’s palace has decided to dive into its wine cellar and sell some of its treasures, to raise money and replenish its collection with more modest vintages.

wish to be known and addressed as Abbie Delight Raphael-Owolabi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegelu Tayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edun Tayo. All former documents remain valid. Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State Local Government service Commission and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE I, formerly known and addressed as Njoku Ngozi Caroline, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwosu Ngozi Caroline. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

as a weapon, according to the Justice Department.

Authorities also intercepted a letter sent to Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker that preliminary tests showed contained ricin.

Last week, federal authorities arrested a man in Washington state last week on charges of mailing a letter containing ricin to a U.S. district judge in Spokane.

U.N. concerned about North Korean defectors in China

•Obama

Iranian-born man gets 25 years for Saudi envoy murder plot

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•Mahama

days, and so it is a matter that worries all of us in the subregion,” Mr Mahama said.

“And we need to act collectively as a sub-region and a continent and indeed globally to be able to ensure peace and stability.”

N Iranian-born used car salesman from Texas was sentenced to 25 years in a U.S. prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to participating in a plot with an Iranian military unit to murder the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States.

Manssor Arbabsiar, 58, received the sentence at a hearing before U.S. District Judge John Keenan in Manhattan. He had pleaded guilty in October last year to charges related to his seeking to hire Mexican drug traffickers to kill the ambassador. The plot was vehemently denied by Tehran.

He pleaded guilty to one count of murder-for hire, one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and one count of conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.

The supposed member of the international drug trafficking cartel who Arbabsiar offered to pay $1.5 million to carry out the plot was in reality a confidential informant of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

No weapons were obtained and the scheme to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir was not fulfilled.

“I can’t change what I did,” Arbabsiar said in a brief statement in court.

U.S. authorities also brought charges against Gholam Shakuri, who prosecutors say was a member of the Quds Force, the covert unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Shakuri has not been arrested.

A UNITED Nations human rights investigator and the U.N. refugee agency voiced concern yesterday about the fate of nine North Korean defectors, some of them children, who were sent back to China this week from Laos after trying to cross the border.

Chinese authorities are obliged under international law not to return them to North Korea, where they could face persecution and possibly death, Marzuki Darusman, U.N. special rapporteur on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), said.

“I have very real concerns about the penalties and treatment they could face if returned to DPRK and all the concerned authorities have an urgent responsibility to ensure their protection,” Darusman said in a statement issued in Geneva.

He said no one should be forced to return to North Korea where, he said, “they may face persecution or severe punishment, including torture and the death penalty”.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

NEWS

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu (second left); Group Head, Public Sector (Akure and Ekiti), First Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Oladele Bakare (second right); Branch Manager, Ado-Ekiti, Mr Mr Kazeem Owoade (left) and Business Manager, Public Sector Team, (Ekiti), Mr Dele Adefila, when the bank’s team visited the Deputy Governor in Ado-Ekiti, ...yesterday.

•Oyo State Governor’s wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi (second right) presenting toileteries, disinfectants, detergents and food items to representative of Ogbomoso School for the Blind to mark the Children’s Day...on Monday.

•Managing Director/CEO, Katawa Properties, Mr Kadiri Taiwo receiving an award from radio presenter, Yemi Sonde, in recongnition of Katawa’s contributions towards private estate development at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

With them is Head of Marketing, Katawa Properties Ltd, Dolapo Oladimeji

•From left: Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC), Yeye Seyi Aderinokun; Representative of the Chairman, Dr Festus Uzor and Chief of Mission, International Organisation For Migration, Mr Martin Ocaga, at the launch of the 2010 Internal Migration Survey in Abuja ...yesterday

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha (middle) receiving an award of excellence from the National President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos State chapter, Olayinka Abdul at the 2013 Business Launcheon & Award Presentation in Lagos...yesterday. With them is APWEN’s chair Mrs Felicia Agubata PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

•Southeast Divisional Sales Manager, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mr Muyiwa Adeyemi (left); Head, Medical Laboratory Department, St. Charles Hospital Onitsha, Sr. Mary Nwanosike; Head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Dr Chika Ndiokwelu and Sr. Agna Theresa at the Cadbury’s Nutrition Seminar in Onitsha, Anambra State...yesterday.

•Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga (second left) receiving books donated by Julius Berger Ltd to Lagos State Library from the firm’s Public Affairs Manager, Mr Clement Iloba (second right) and Public Relations Officer Suzan Obi...yesterday. With them is Director/CEO, Lagos State Library Board, Mr Tajudeen Lawal.

•Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Mr Ayodele Adewale (middle) speaking at a meeting with restaurant and beer parlour operators in the local government…on Wednesday. With him are Leader of the legislature, Wasiu Bello (left), Vice Chairman, Alhaja Qudrat Dada and Council Manager, Mr Segun Ajayi.

O

PHOTO BOLA OMILABU

Ajimobi writes Jonathan over Ladoja’s activities

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan over an alleged attempt by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to promote violence and brigandage in the Pacesetter State.

Ajimobi accused the former governor of plotting to make President Jonathan to proscribe the special security outfit - Operation Burst in a bid to return Oyo to old ways of violence.

The petition entitled: “Open letter on the plot

by Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja to instigate violence and brigandage in Oyo state” was copied to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS); National Security Adviser (NSA); Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Inspector-General of Police (IGP); Director-General, State Security Service (SSS), the Oyo Commissioner of Police (IGP)and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Mechanised Division, Ibadan.

He described Ladoja’s account of the violence

From: Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

that rocked Olomi, an Ibadan suburb, on May 2, among Accord party members as not only false but a calculated falsehood to mislead the President to proscribe Operation Burst and plung the state into violence for which it was known before the advent of the present administration.

The petition reads: “The true account of the incident is that , on May 2nd , 2013 , the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oluyole Local Government of Oyo State, organised an empowernment programme for its indigent members. As the party erected tents for its activity , the Accord party also started erecting its own, a short distance away, for what it called a reception for decampees from the People Democratic Party and the ACN “.

“Tension began to build up between the two sides. and apparently responding to a distress call, two Operation Burst teams, led by two police

officers arrived at the scene. On arrival, they were ordered out of the vicinity by a superior police officer that led a team of policemen from the Eleyele Police Headquarters, who queried their presence at the scene. They complied promptly. Shortly after, Senator Ladoja arrived at the scene with scores of policemen and party thugs, led by a notorious political thug, who gained prominence in Senator Ladoja’s days as governor. “ The thugs walked across to the tents occupied by ACN members and pulled them down.

The ACN members, who protested the assault were physically assaulted by the thugs. A notorious thug was reported to have walked over to the nearby Olomi bridge and shot sporadically at the ACN members. Two ACN members namely messrs: Tirimisiyu Ajibade and Kehinde Adeyemo, suffered bullet wounds in the attack.

The gunshots created panic and everyone, in-

cluding Senator Ladoja, ran for dear life.

“The leaders of ACN in the area thereafter went to the Olomi Police Station to lodge a complaint but were rebuffed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who said he was pre-occupied with the safety of Accord party members only.”

Besides, the governor reminded the President that Oyo State has lost many prime persons to political hooligalism dressed in the robe of transport union violence, one of whom was a final year medical student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the late Shanono and others .

According to him, since the launch of Operation Burst on December 9, 2011, it has significantly reduced crime and restored law and order in the state.

He therefore alleged that the May 2 havoc was wreacked by members of the rival Accord party and that the Operation Burst was not in anyway connected with the violence.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA •Super Eagles in training

Keshi: Eagles will do well against Mexico

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UPER Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi remained calm Thursday evening ahead of the team’s last training session before the encounter against CONCACAF champions, Mexico in Houston, the United States.

Keshi, who expressed joy that the game will be televised live in Nigeria, says there are no injury worries in the team, promising that the team will not have any reason to falter against the Mexicans. “We will do our best and ensure that we

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• Ideye, Akpala may lead strike force come clean against Mexico, as usual we want Nigerians to pray for us. On our part we will defend the national colours well against any opposition and Mexico is just one of them”, he declared.

Camp sources also revealed that Ukraine-based hitman Brown Ideye and German based Joseph Akpala, may be the preferred strike force to start against the Mexicans as the duo have shown maturity at training sessions.

Big midfielder John Ogu is also said to be pulling his weight and it won’t be surprising if he starts the match against the very tricky Mexicans. “I don’t know who will start and who will not but we have a team that should do very well against Mexico”, Keshi said on Thursday evening.

The match is scheduled for 8pm Houston time and 2am Nigeria time on Saturday morning which will still be Friday evening in Houston.

Pinherio heads NBBF task team

HE Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF held its inaugural meeting in Abuja Tuesday, May 28, 2013 with a resolution to mandate a threeman task team to co-ordinate its on-going activities pending the reconstitution of the working committees.

To head the team is a former national team coach and board member, Agboola Pinherio

who will be supported by two former national team players, Deji Jaiyeola and Lawal Garba while the NBBF Secretary General, Francis Gbiri is to serve as secretary.

President of the newly inaugurated NBBF Board, Tijjani Umar said the team would co-ordinate the DSTV Premier Basketball League, the Zenith Bank National Womens League as well as

preparations for the 2013 Afrobasket for men and women coming up later in the year.

In the same vein, former captain of Team Nigeria and member of the NBBF Board, Olumide Oyedeji has been mandated the federation's International Liaison officer to coordinate all the federation's international activities.

OMOLUABI TALENT HUNT 2013

T/Tennis players get cash prizes, equipment

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HE biennial table tennis championship for secondary schools in Ojo, Iba and Awori local government areas has been concluded with winning schools in various categories being rewarded with sports equipment.

The table tennis championship tagged “Omoluabi talent hunt 2013” organised Ojelabi Sports Foundation was sponsored by the Lagos State commissioner for rural development, Honourable Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi.

The third edition of the threeday inter-school championship was concluded Thursday inside the indoor sports hall of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin and the well attended final had in attendance members of the Lagos State executive council, political party leaders and members as well as royal fathers from the communities.

15 schools from three local council areas participated in the competition which, according to the sponsor, was one of his foundation’s activities aimed at

promoting programmes that are germane to the wellbeing and also enhance accelerated development of the people in the areas of education, health and sports.

Ojelabi explained that the foundation has run a couple of programmes and the table tennis championship was introduced to schools to build people with sound minds and sporting spirits.

“This championship is a veritable platform to hunt for talents that will form pools of participants of the state at local, national and international tournaments,” he said.

The commissioner stated that the tournament has yielded dividends and the vision and investment has been worthwhile.

“Our track records from the last two editions show that Sulaimon Fatai, Toheeb Azeez, Obadiya Benson, Monsurat Ganiyu and Iwaeni Olawunmi have being exposed through table tennis to feature at the Asoju Oba championship, Lagos State sports festival and table tennis sports academy. This is just the beginning; they need to

work harder.

Their educational advancement is being monitored as Olawumi Iwaela now plays for NICEGA Tertiary institutional game”.

Morenikeji Bakare and Rilwan Mustapha, both from Iba Housing Estate Senior Secondary School clashed in the boys’ singles final and the thrilling five set match was won by Bakare who battled back from two sets down to claim a 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 for a 3-2 victory. Kareem Abdulateef of Ilogbo Elegba Senior Secondary School defeated his school mate, Ismail Azeez in the third place contest.

Racheal Olaitan of Awori Senior College won the girls’ singles after she outplayed Abike Ishola from Oto-Awori Senior Secondary School 11-6, 11-3, 112. Aminat Babalola of Government Senior Secondary School beat Imomina Mavis of Ajangbadi Senior High School in the third place match.

The boys’ doubles final was won by Sodiq Folorunsho and Rasheed Lawal of Lagos State Model College. The pair defeated the duo of Abiodun Johnson and Mukaila saka of Ilogbo Elegba Senior

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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HE nation is in crisis and it is not the security crisis that is obvious to all. It is the moral crisis of leadership. It has been simmering for as long as we have the republic but it has now reached its zenith of absurdity with the widely publicized demonstration of pettiness by a section of our political leaders. As the moral compass of the nation continues to drift without direction, it is incumbent on the president, as the de jure conscience of the nation, to rise above the fray, speak truth to power and start writing his personal epitaph in gold.

In offering this plea, I make a number of assumptions. First, I assume that the President is not in any shape or form behind the crisis in his party and in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). Following from this first assumption, I assume that there are individuals in the leadership of the party hierarchy who pledge loyalty to the president and would do anything, including the grossly immoral, to seek his favour but who are actually hurting him, and these are the forces behind the various crises. Finally, however, I assume that even if he has a hand in the crisis directly or indirectly, as a conscientious person eyeing a legacy that is scandal-free, the President is able to free himself of any such entanglements and call his associates to order.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan entered the national scene as a humble man with a background that many of us shared and so we were able to relate to him as one of us. The story of a boy who walked to school without shoes is so familiar to the majority of Nigerians that it was difficult not to identify with the one who epitomised it with such dignity.

Across the land, he was embraced as the symbol of our dreams. He would transform our political landscape and inspire us to rally round the highest ideals. He would make us whole again. It was a refreshing thought, the exciting hope of a new era of civility and robust development.

When roadblocks were put in the way of then Vice President Jonathan to serve as Acting President in the absence of the president, the whole nation (not the Ijaw nation or the Southsouth) demanded that the National Assembly do the right thing. The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) led that effort of national redemption. The effort succeeded and subsequent to the sad demise of President Yar’Adua, Jonathan was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief.

In his campaign for his full term as substantive president, Jonathan tapped into the aspirations of the young and old from North

RIPPLES MY EMERGENCE AS NGF CHAIRMAN WAS THE WILL OF GOD –Jang

Please don’t bring God’s name into this country’s DIRTY POLITICS

VOL.8 NO.2,502

‘The PDP has never been a party with any sense of etiquette and whatever act of dishonour coming from it should not be a disappointMOBOLAJI SANUSI ment to anybody. ’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

What Jonathan must do—NOW

•Dr Jonathan

to South and received the support of the majority. There were the usual electoral anomalies, but the tribunals and the highest court decided in his favour. Under the circumstance, he had the mandate to lead.

With an emphasis on transformational leadership and transformational agenda, the new president rallied the nation to a cause that was supposedly larger than himself or any individual. We all imagined the birthing of a new nation—a national rebirth—in which the old divisions of ethnicity, religion, and sectarianism are superseded. In short, our new president was going to lead us to take our country back.

Let us concede that some progress has been made in some areas, especially in the matter of economic development where the indices have been favourable. The President and his team cannot deny that there is still much work to do in the matter of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities like power generation and distribution and water re-

sources development. Security is, of course, a top priority.

The sordid dimension of the Jonathan presidency, which threatens the legacy of this self-defined transformationist, is the festering sore of a self-inflicted wound, the noxious odour of which is suffocating the polity.

It is ironic but, given its make-up and member motivation, it is not a surprise that the president’s party and a segment of his kinsmen, have presented themselves as the willing tool to derail his agenda and mar his legacy.

According to the Yoruba, alatise nii matise ara re—one is the architect of one’s fortune.

But in the matter of providing strong leadership even within his own party, the President’s performance has been less than inspiring. Here then is an occasion for Dr. Jonathan to show his mettle and demonstrate his strength of character.

The NGF video is damning in many respects. It is an embarrassment to the governors as leaders of their states and character witnesses of Nigerians. Imagine this. A Nigerian is accused in the court of public morality in another land and he has to present a person of dignity to vouch for him. Is it too much to present a state governor? But the accusers are familiar with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s quick thinking and have watched the video. How can any of those caught in such a kindergarten-like behaviour effectively defend the moral uprightness of an accused?

Second, apart from its damning verdict in the matter of decorum, the video also demonstrated to the whole world the deficit of democratic norms in the polity. They were the first citizens of their states; individuals that the young would normally look up to for guidance but who have succeeded in un-

HARDBALL

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HE Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, estimates that foreign airlines operating in Nigeria account for N300bn capital flight. Assuming she can justify that figure, has there ever been a time when foreign airlines were not operating in Nigeria nearly as intensely as they do now? And did Nigeria’s former national carrier not run into trouble in spite of the existence of foreign airlines? Will foreign airlines cease to exist once Mrs Oduah’s dream carrier comes into existence? The minister is bent on establishing a new national carrier, which she believes will be a success where the former carrier, the Nigeria Airways, failed. Again, like her capital flight figure, there is no convincing proof her belief is anchored on fact or reality. And in any case, beyond saying glibly that the new carrier would benefit from the experience and mistakes of the former carrier, she does not feel obligated to convince anyone but the presidency that a new carrier is sensible and worth our while.

Much more importantly, the Aviation minister, according to a report by this newspaper, is proposing to the presidency that a Chinese firm be contracted to manage some Nigerian airports. Going by the impression created by the minister, managing anything, including airports, seems to be beyond our ken. How thoroughly disreputable can we be? According to the report, the minister is proposing that a Chinese firm, FRAPORT, with which she has unilaterally and without due process signed a Memorandum of Un-

dermining the very notion of democracy and confusing the youth. Surf the Internet and browse the various comments on the NGF stories and you will feel sorry for the country and its future. The concept of political morality has become an oxymoron with the action of a few whose purpose in politics is to acquire power to service the self. If you thought that there would be unanimity of moral outrage over the infantile behavior of a large number of state governors, you would be dead wrong. A significant number of our fellow citizens saw nothing to condemn. That is how depraved the political landscape has become.

Third, and still on substance, some of the explanations the governors gave for their position are so illogical and mind-boggling that we are all implicated in the shameless drama. At an earlier meeting, a majority of PDP members had resolved to back one candidate, they informed us. Therefore, they argued, that candidate ought to win the election conducted at a later time and in a different forum! This is an argument from our governors? An earlier resolution must trump an election conducted later and one in which everyone participated without force or duress, and the ballots counted in broad daylight?

If President Jonathan still has the moral fire in his belly; if he still yearns for a lasting legacy, this is the time for him to come off the shell of indecisive leadership and rein in impunity in high places, including his kitchen cabinet. He must redeem himself and the nation.

Even if all my assumptions were wrong, and he was deeply involved in the unwholesome conspiracy against decency, President Jonathan can still do himself a great favour by mounting the podium of integrity and telling the whole nation that his associates were off the mark. He must congratulate Governor Amaechi and support the coming back together of the NGF. This doesn’t mean that he would be friends with the governor of Rivers State. It only means that he is a leader who understands the meaning of servant leadership. And in case he’s so determined to get even with Amaechi, there’s always going to be another opportunity. But truth be told, this one stinks terribly. Assume that he wants the second term so badly that his associates are willing to do anything for him to get it, Jonathan must excuse himself from the road to moral oblivion—NOW. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Aviation ministry’s Chinese craving derstanding (MoU), should take over the operation and management of Nigeria’s “international airports and perishable terminal.” It is unlikely the minister will have her way both in the formation of a new carrier and the appointment of a foreign firm to manage the said airports, no matter how powerful and connected she is. It is bad enough that in some instances substandard materials were used in the renovation of the airport terminals, but to impose major policy decisions on the country so brusquely and recklessly is quite frankly insulting.

What is clear from the Aviation ministry and from the new carrier boondoggle and the FRAPORT MoU is that the minister is getting away with murder. Neither her decisions nor the policies emanating from the ministry are being subjected to thorough scrutiny and debate. They need to be. And not only is the new carrier proposal silly and indefensible, as this column twice argued in this place last year and this year, the FRAPORT MoU gives the impression of a ministry and officials that have run riot. Surely, Mrs Oduah can’t be too powerful to be restrained in the public interest. Or does the government think that any opposition to the feverish experiments in the Aviation ministry amounts to politicking?

The President Goodluck Jonathan government prides itself as transformative. It should,

therefore, not be seen to condone private fancies masquerading as lofty public projects. If indeed the Jonathan presidency is committed to transformation, it must start the change it is advertising by reforming attitudes in order to make Nigerians believe in themselves and their ability to manage great institutions and firms. On more than three occasions, Nigerian rulers unwisely offered our national carrier, one international airport and also the railways to foreign firms. All the efforts came to grief. Are Nigerian rulers so inured to reality and so forgetful of recent history that they cannot even learn lessons from those appalling decisions? The Chinese and Indians have in fact both managed the Nigerian Railway in the past with no concrete result to show for the humongous funds expended on the jamboree. What new things do we expect from the Chinese management of our airports other than showcasing our backwardness and indolence?

If the Aviation minister does not possess the national pride to believe in Nigeria, and the Jonathan government cannot summon the sound judgement and discipline to find Nigerians who can manage our airports, they should be honest enough to advertise their incompetence and ask for help from opposition parties. It is time to stop disgracing Nigerian know-how.

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Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO