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VOL. 7, NO. 1939 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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Boxing legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier dies at 67

•SEE ALSO PAGE 24

•Muhammed Ali’s conqueror loses battle to cancer

H

E beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, battled him nearly to the death in the Thriller in Manila.

Then Joe Frazier spent the rest of his life trying to fight his way out of Ali’s shadow.

That was one fight Frazier never could win.

He once was a heavyweight champion, and a great one at that. Ali would say as much after Frazier knocked him down in the 15th round en route to becoming the first

man to beat Ali at Madison Square Garden, New York, in March 1971.

But he bore the burden of being Ali’s foil, and he paid the price. Bitter for years about the taunts his former nemesis once threw his way, Frazier only in recent times came to

terms with what happened in the past and said he had forgiven Ali for everything he said.

Frazier, who died Monday Continued on page 4

Boko Haram: Detectives to grill suspects in Abuja EU, France, HRW condemn attacks Arewa pleads for peace From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

D

ETECTIVES yesterday began the grilling of the nine Boko Haram members arrested over last weekend’s bombing of Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State.

The suspects, whose arrests The Nation reported exclusively yesterday, were said to have made “useful” statements, which could lead to the tracking of others on the run.

Also yesterday, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Boko Haram (Western education is sin) sect has killed about 425 people so far.

The HRW urged the SEE ALSO Federal Government PAGE 57 to act swiftly to bring those behind the killing of about 150 people – the number said to have died in the Yobe attacks – to justice.

According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the nine suspects are being quizzed at a highly-fortified security post in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State.

He said: “We have started interrogating Continued on page 4

•The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, at the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode ... yesterday

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledging cheers at the festival ... yesterday

•MONEY P17 •SPORT P24 •LIFE P29 •POLITICS P45 •INVESTORS P47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

2

NEWS Three months after it was launched with fanfare, thousands of Nigerians complain about the cost and scarcity of the new number plate and driver’s licence. The scarcity, it is feared, may encourage sharp practices, report OLUKAYODE THOMAS and JOKE KUJENYA

Nigerians grumble over cost, scarcity T

HEY did not bargain for what they encountered.

Their enthusiasm was informed by the Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC’s) assurance that the process of getting the new number plate and driver’s licence is easier than the previous one.

Emmanuel Ekereuwe, Emeka Olisah, Alhaji Jimoh Owonikoko, Richard Essien and Mrs. Jumoke Oyegun said getting either the new number plate or driver’s licence is not as easy as the commission promised when President Goodluck Jonathan launched the new policy three months ago.

Ekereuwe said he has been subjected to a traumatic experience in order to get the new number plate. He said: “Now, for over three to four months, there has been an acute scarcity of vehicle number plates following the announcement by FRSC that it will commence production of new vehicle number plates and will start the issuance on October 1. To the consternation of Nigerians, the FRSC is yet to issue a single plate number due to the inconsistencies in policies that have characterised governmentowned agencies. Lagos State had to stop production since September in order to comply with this obnoxious directive.

Why put potential vehicle owners through this mess again? If FRSC had issues that needed to be resolved before the issuance of the new number plates, why not resolve it first? Why not maintain the status quo until all necessary and relevant logistics are put in place? Do we need to privatise FRSC for it to be productive? Why embark on production of new number plates when there is nothing wrong with the old one? In other words, what is the rationale behind this new policy?”

Olisah is still struggling to get a number plate for his new car. After buying the car, he had approached the FRSC appointed centre at Ojodu, Lagos. It was shocking to learn that the new number plate launched with fanfare was not available at the centre.

Olisah said: “I took my new car to their office to get the necessary documentation. After that, it was time to get the new number plate. I had initially learnt that it was going to cost

APPROVED RATES Driver’s licence •Vehicle driver’s licence 6,000 •Motorcycle licence 3,000 Vehicle Number Plates •Motorcycle 3,000 •Standard Motor Vehicle 15,000 •Articulated 20,000 •Out of Series 40,000 •Fancy 80,000 •Dealer 30,000 •Government 15,000 •Government Fancy 40,000 N15, 000. So, we got there and we learnt the new numbers are not yet available. I said okay, but let me have the old one so I can at least have a number to take the vehicle around; that was how we began from one month, and now, it is three months; we are still on it, I am yet to get the number. ‘’I then made a call to someone else to go and get the new number plate for me in Abuja, they told him it was now N46, 000. So, you can see it is like there is racketeering going on with the licensing and number plate.”

A staff of the National Sports Commission (NSC,) who just bought a new vehicle but could not register it, blamed the FRSC for poor implementation of the new policy.

He said: “The transition process is very poor; they should have ensured that the new ones

Number plate, driver’s licence in other countries

T

HE Fede r a l R o a d Safety Commission’s decision to centralise the issuance of vehicle number plate and driver’s licence is not the norm globally.

In the United States of America, licence plates of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are issued by an agency of the state or territorial government. In the case of the District of Columbia, the District government issues number plates. Some Native American tribes also issue plates. The U.S. Federal Government issues plates only for its own vehicle fleet and for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats.

Until the 1980s, diplomatic plates were issued by the state in which the consulate or embassy was located.

In Germany, car number plates show the place where the car carrying them is registered. Whenever German citizens change their main place of residence in Germany, they are required to buy new number plates.

In Canada, licence plates are issued by an agency of the provincial or territorial government. South African number plates are unique in each of the provinces. Each province has its own number plate design and colours, as well as numbering scheme. Number plates are available in plastic or metal. Plastic is the

are available before they stopped the old ones. I am disappointed in the FRSC, and those supporting this mess at states level, they are just taking us for granted, government all over the world make life easy for their citizens, but here it is the other way round.”’

Owonikoko, a commercial bus driver, said the price of N15, 000 for a number plate and driver’s licence at the cost of N6,000 is exploitative.

He said: “If the primary concern of the FRSC is security, why charge such an exorbitant fee. What is the actual cost of producing a number plate? It can’t be more than N2,000. I believe the whole idea is just to exploit Nigerians. We do not need unnecessary imposition of fees on the people.’’

Owonikoko cannot understand why owners of registered vehicles who paid over N20,

•The elusive new number plates preferred material used by majority of the motorists.

They are also more common than their metal counterparts and are issued as standard plates by car dealerships.

The story is not different with driver’s licence. In the United States, nearly all driver’s licences are issued by individual states (including Washington, D.C. and territories), rather than the Federal Government.

Drivers are normally required to obtain a licence from their states of residence, and all states recognise one another’s licences for temporary visitors subject to normal age requirements. A state may also suspend an individual’s driving privilege within its boundary for traffic violations. Many states share a common system of licence classes, with some exceptions, and commercial license classes are standardised by federal regulation.

000 to register their cars now have to pay another N15, 000 to register afresh. “Why should the government want us to suffer and bear the cost of their inefficiency? It is unfair,” he said.

Essien, who is an insurance broker, described the introduction of the new number plate as FRSC’s way of ripping off Nigerians. “The one that they are phasing out was introduced not long ago. The FRSC talks of security and this is false, because the current one has the security features they are claiming that the new one will have. Secondly, it is not the duty of FRSC to secure our cars or Nigerians; that is the duty of the police and other security agencies. The whole idea of a new number plate is to rip off Nigerians. It is unnecessary and a waste of resources,” said Essien.

Oyegun said he cannot understand why the FRSC decid-

ed to increase the cost of driver’s licence to N6,000 from N3,000. She called on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and review the planned rate.

She said: “This new rate is a great burden on already impoverished Nigerians. The fee is outrageous. The FRSC should rescind its decision on the planned new number plate and driver’s licence. It is not in the interest of Nigerians, and if they feel it is in our interest, then we should do a referendum.’’

Another lady, who craved anonymity, said the idea is not about safety but money making. “The FRSC told the world that the nation loses billions yearly under the present arrangement. How did it come about the figure? Who told it that the present vehicle owners are not paying for the number plates? The Commission must

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

3

NEWS

•From left: Unregistered cars - registering them has become Herculean; FRSC boss Chidoka; and FRSC chairman Gwadabe and Jonathan during the launch of the new policy

of number plates, driver’s licence ‘New number plate policy meant to fleece Nigerians’ Human rights activist and lawyer Jiti Ogunye spoke with OLUKAYODE THOMAS and JOKE KUJENYA on why he took the Federal Roads Safety Commission to court and related issues

W

HY did you sue the FRSC over the new number plate and driver’s licence?

The action that I filed against the FRSC, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Government, National Identity Management Commission, the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the National Assembly is a public interest action.

The National Assembly has no constitutional powers to grant the FRSC, through the FRSC Establishment Act, the powers enabling it to be the exclusive authority which issues driver’s licences and the power to issue and design vehicle number plates. There are two SANs and some other lawyers representing them in court as we speak.

In any federation, it is not the duty of the Federal Government or its agencies to issue driver’s licences, it is not so in the United States, it is not so in Germany. It is the responsibility of the state government to do that. The Federal Government is insisting that its agents have the right to build plants all over the country, issues drivers licences to

drivers in the country and issue plate numbers. Even if it has the capacity, there will be hoarding just to escalate the cost and fleece Nigerians.

The Commission says the new policy is for the security of Nigerians…

They are not telling Nigerians

have calculated how much it will make from the exercise.

This shows that its priority is not road safety but money making. Already, Nigerians are living below the poverty line, yet they want us to pay N15, 000 for a number plate and N6, 000 for driver’s licence in a country where workers are still fighting to be paid N18,000 monthly as minimum wage.”

But the Zonal Commander of the FRSC in Ojodu, Lagos, Danjuma Garba, said people are being unfair to the Commission.

He said: “Go to any of the FRSC Licence Centres in Ogun State or any other parts of the country and you will get them.

As for the Lagos Centre, there are issues that they said they would inspect the facilities we have. And we have opened our doors for them to inspect those facilities. The moment they are through, I believe these issues

would be resolved and the drivers’ licence in Lagos would commence fully.”

Garba said FRSC had to take over licensing and issuance of number plate to bring sanity into the system.

“If you look at history, the issue of drivers’ licence as a tripartite arrangement has been on since about 1991 and ‘92. It is not just starting. So, for anybody to bring it now, I think he is not being fair to the system.

What necessitated this template is in order to bring sanity. FRSC’s invlvement in the renewal and review of driver’s licence for release is in order to guide against faking and all kinds of imitation. And you find out that this licence is credible. You can assess it and if, for instance, you process the licence and you want to check if actually your licence is authentic, you can log on the Internet to find out.”

•Ogunye

the truth. The whole arrangement is driven by the craze for internally generated revenue. The FRSC feels that every agency of government is generating money and let us generate money also and pay ourselves very well and all that . When we have a conniving joint tax board, they are escalating the price of that service.

They are not conceiving it as a service, they are seeing it as platform for generation of revenue and why most of the states are in support of this drive is that what they are generating hitherto by this new policy will put more money in the pocket of the states.

What are the core responsibilities of the FRSC? Are they the police force? Are they the ones that are supposed to track down criminals? And are they the ones to provide security? Why all these talks about security features that will help us? Are they the Central Motor Registry, which is still functioning in the police force? When you buy a car, they will ask, where is your CMR report?

Some people complain about men of the Commission operat-

ing on non-federal roads. The Commission says it is empowered to do this…

They are lying if they say they are empowered by the Constitution. There is even a court judgment banning them from state roads. They know they are lying.

We have availed them of that judgment. If I have a road in my house, they can come there. Is that not silly? The Court of Appeal has interpreted the provision and says you are only restricted to the federal highways.

They are even appealing against the judgment at the Supreme Court right now.

They know all these, but because they are eager to generate revenue on a Sunday, you see them everywhere on Allen Avenue, Ikeja and other state roads.

And the state government because of internally generated revenue does not care. When they see you, they size you up and once they see that you are enlightened, they will say this one is likely to cause trouble, they will let you go; that has been my experience, but if it is a bus carrying marketers or traders , they will be compelled to pay.

Garba went on: “There are lots of features in the new number plates...The number plate is even tied to the driver’s licence and to your insurance so that whatever insurance benefits you want to get from the licence, you get it. And then in the event of theft, you can easily recover your vehicle. So, these are few of the new things that have been brought into the system. The old one has been so loose, sort of. And we found out that there were often duplication of number plates and parallel production of same.”

Garba said the production of the new number plate and driver’s licence has started. “It depends on the states you go to for purchase. It is cash-andcarry. In the Lagos plant here, you will see loads of the new number plates that have been produced.”

The CEO of Minimum Com-

fort, Jadesola Ogunbanjo, who believes the Commission is out to milk Nigerians, said the FRSC needs to straighten the rough edges. Ogunbanjo said: “There is no doubt that the process of acquiring the new licence or renewing an old licence is going to be the most cumbersome procedure ever embarked upon by any government agency. For the project to achieve its objective, the FRSC should establish on-line Internet facilities at various locations in big towns so that possessing the new driver’s licence would be easy. This will reduce middlemen from making quick money from both literate/illiterate applicants. Also, the FRSC should establish more driving schools instead of the existing 324 country-wide. The Federal Government’s desire to make N200 billion annually should not be the primary fo-

cus of the scheme.”

For the government, the money has already started rolling in. The Kano State government has released N100 million to the Internal Revenue Board for the procurement of 20,000 number plates. Check by The Nation shows that the Federal Government hopes to make over N200 billion from the new policy.

Available data shows that 12 million drivers’ licences and eight million vehicles are available nationwide.

It was learnt that the allocation of number plates would yield N120 billion while N72 billion would accrue from the issuance of driver’s licences.

The Commission’s Corps Marshall, Osita Chidoka, had, in a paper presented at the Dance/Award Night at the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Abuja Branch on December 18, 2007, stated that 12 million driver’s licences were in circulation.

Entitled: “The Role of the Driver’s Licence in State Building”, the paper had stated: “Despite the acceptance of driver’s licence as one of the most acceptable form of identity in Nigeria currently, it is appalling that of the 12 million driver’s licences in circulation, only two million of them have the correct records of the holders in our database.”

Although the figure would have risen tremendously about three years after, if 12 million drivers are to replace their licensces at N6,000 each, the government would earn about N72 billion.

While receiving the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, in his office in April, Chidoka stated that about eight million vehicles currently ply Nigerian roads.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport had, in a statement in October 2009, revealed that more than seven million vehicles operate on Nigerian roads everyday, while answer.com, an on-line publication, put the figure at five million.

Going by the estimate given by the FRSC chief, the Federal Government would realise about N120 billion if eight million vehicles owners purchase the new number plates at N15,000 each.

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

NEWS Boxing legend Joe Frazier dies at 67 Continued from page 1

•From left: Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, one Bishop Nicholas Okoh; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Achbishop of Kaduna Province, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Edmund Akanya singing during the revival hour, one of events of the Divine Commonwealth Conference organised by the Anglican Church at the National Christian Centre, Abuja ... yesterday

night after a brief battle with liver cancer at the age of 67, forever will be linked to Ali. But no one in boxing would ever dream of anointing Ali as “The Greatest” unless he, too, was linked to Smokin’ Joe. “I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration,” Ali said in a statement.

“My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”

They fought three times, twice in the heart of New York City and once in the morning in a steamy arena in the Philippines. They went 41 rounds together, with neither giving an inch and both giving it their all.

In their last fight in Manila in 1975, they traded punches

Boko Haram: Detectives to grill suspects in Abuja the suspects. They have made EU, France condemn Yobe killings useful statements that could Continued from page 1

assist security agencies in determining the motive behind the deadly attacks and assist in tracking down those still fleeing.

“Security agencies are already on the trail of other suspects, who were also central to the bombings in Damaturu and Potiskum.

“For security reasons, we may relocate those arrested suspects to Abuja, any moment from now, for a more comprehensive grilling because the sect could be out for reprisals.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Intelligence reports have shown that the Boko Haram sect is desperate to free all its members in the net of security agencies.

“We have, therefore, provided water-tight security in all the formations where those previously arrested are being kept.”

The bombings that killed about 150 people are an indefensible attack on human life, HRW said yesterday.

Since the beginning of the year, Boko Haram has been implicated in attacks that have killed more than 425 people, including police officers, soldiers, community leaders, politicians, Islamic clerics, Christian pastors, and church members. Last weekend’s attacks recorded the highest death toll in a single day since Boko Haram began its campaign of violence in July 2009.

“Boko Haram has once again demonstrated its utter disregard for human life,” said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at HRW. “The authorities should act swiftly to bring to justice those responsible for these terrible crimes and for earlier attacks that left hundreds dead.”

The latest attacks, including

T

HE European Union (EU) yesterday condemned the Boko Haram attacks in Yobe and Borno states.

In a statement by spokesperson Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, the EU said it will continue to support Nigeria to overcome the security challenges.

The statement reads: “High Representative Catherine Ashton strongly condemns the brutal attacks in Borno and Yobe States in Northern Nigeria, which left more than a hundred innocent people dead and many wounded.”

“Such mindless and heinous acts cannot under any circumstances be justified.”

“The High Representative expresses her

an apparent suicide car bombing, targeted the police state headquarters in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, as well as police housing, government buildings, banks, and at least six churches. The group also same day, carried out several attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and a suicide car bomb attack on the headquarters of the military task force, and attacks in Potiskum, Yobe State.

HRW has documented dozens of attacks by suspected Boko Haram members in the last one year including attacks on police stations, military facilities, prisons, banks, beer halls, and churches.

On August 26, a suicide car bomb attack at the United Nations headquarters in Abuja killed 24 people and left more than 100 injured.

Alleged Boko Haram members have gunned down many police officers in the streets and outside their homes, or dragged them out of their cars and killed them in front of their families.

Many others have been killed during attacks on police stations or while guarding government buildings, banks, and churches. These attacks have

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

condolences to the bereaved families and her solidarity with the Government of Nigeria.

“The High Representative continues to support the government of Nigeria in its efforts to address the challenge of Boko Haram in respect of human rights and rule of law, through appropriate political and security means,” she stated.

France also condemned the attacks.

A statement by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “France condemns with the foremost strength, the terrorist attacks in various cities of Borno and Yobe states.”

“France expresses its solidarity with the Nigerian Government in its fight against terrorism and commiserates with the victims and their families.”

killed more than 70 police officers so far this year. Most of these incidents took place in Borno State, but attacks have also been carried out in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto.

Violence associated with Boko Haram (Western education is a sin) can be traced to five days of clashes in July 2009 between the group and members of the security forces in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kano states that left more than 800 people dead, including about 30 police officers.

HRW has also documented serious abuses, including extrajudicial executions, by the police and military in response to the Boko Haram violence. It said: “The police, and in some cases the military, have carried out extrajudicial executions of suspected members of the group, including those who were publicly executed at the police state headquarters in Maiduguri. Those summarily executed included Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf on July 30, 2009, and Yusuf’s 72-year-old father-inlaw, Baba Fugu Mohammed, the following day. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that both men were shot by

the police officers outside the police headquarters.

“The Borno State High Court in April last year found that the killing of Baba Fugu Mohammed was “illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of his right to life,” and ordered federal and state authorities to pay N100 million in damages to his family, exhume his body for proper burial, and apologise for their “reprehensive and unconstitutional” acts. Although the government did not challenge the facts of the case at trial, it has appealed the ruling. The appeal has not yet been heard.

“In July last year, the attorney general’s office filed criminal charges against five police officers, including three assistant commissioners of police, for the killing of Mohammed Yusuf and his followers.

“The Nigerian authorities need to ensure that all law enforcement operations in response to Boko Haram are conducted in full accordance with international human rights standards,” Dufka said. “The most effective way to counter the abhorrent tactics employed by groups like Boko Haram is to scrupulously adhere to respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

with a fervour that seemed unimaginable among heavyweights. Frazier gave almost as good as he got for 14 rounds, then had to be held back by trainer Eddie Futch as he tried to go out for the final round, unable to see.

“Closest thing to dying that I know of,” Ali said afterward.

Ali was as merciless with Frazier out of the ring as he was inside it. He called him a gorilla, and mocked him as an Uncle Tom. But he respected him as a fighter, especially after Frazier won a decision to defend his heavyweight title against the thenunbeaten Ali in a fight that was so big Frank Sinatra was shooting pictures at ringside and both fighters earned an astonishing $2.5 million.

Bob Arum, who once promoted Ali, said he was saddened by Frazier’s passing.

“He was such an inspirational guy. A decent guy. A man of his word,” Arum said.

“I’m torn up by Joe dying at this relatively young age. I can’t say enough about Joe.” Frazier’s death was announced in a statement by his family, who asked to be able to grieve privately and said they would announce “our father’s homecoming celebration” as soon as possible.

Don King, who promoted the Thrilla in Manila, was described by a spokesman as too upset to talk about Frazier’s death.

Though slowed in his later years and his speech slurred by the toll of punches taken in the ring, Frazier still was active on the autograph circuit in the months before he died. In September he went to Las Vegas, where he signed autographs in the lobby of the MGM Grand hotel-casino shortly before Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fight against Victor Ortiz.

An old friend, Gene Kilroy, visited with him and watched Frazier work the crowd.

“He was so nice to everybody,” Kilroy said. “He would say to each of them, ‘Joe Frazier, sharp as a razor, what’s your name?’ “ Frazier was small for a heavyweight, weighing just 205 pounds when he won the title by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round of their 1970 fight at Madison Square Garden. But he fought every minute of every round going forward behind a vicious left hook, and there were few fighters who could withstand his constant pressure.

His reign as heavyweight champion lasted only four fights - including the win over Ali - before he ran into an even more fearsome slugger than himself. George Foreman responded to Frazier’s constant attack by dropping him three times in

the first round and three more in the second before their 1973 fight in Jamaica was waved to a close and the world had a new heavyweight champion.

“Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend. George Foreman” read Foreman’s Twitter page.

Born in Beaufort, S.C., on Jan. 12, 1944, Frazier took up boxing early after watching weekly fights on the blackand-white television on his family’s small farm. He was a top amateur for several years, and became the only American fighter to win a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo despite fighting in the final bout with an injured left thumb.

“Joe Frazier should be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time and a real man,” Arum told the AP in a telephone interview Monday night. “He’s a guy that stood up for himself.

He didn’t compromise and always gave 100 percent in the ring. There was never a fight in the ring where Joe didn’t give 100 percent.”

After turning pro in 1965, Frazier quickly became known for his punching power, stopping his first 11 opponents. Within three years he was fighting worldclass opposition and, in 1970, beat Ellis to win the heavyweight title that he would hold for more than two years.

Frazier in his later years had financial trouble and ended up running a gym in Philadelphia.

He celebrated the 40th anniversary of his win over Ali earlier this year with parties in New York. He said he no longer felt any bitterness toward Ali, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is mostly mute.

“I forgive him,” Frazier said. “He’s in a bad way.”

•The late Frazier

PHOTO: AFP

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 2011

5

NEWS

Why private refineries project crashed If the 18 private firms granted licences in 2004 to build and operate refineries by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration had taken off, the current debate over fuel subsidy would not have arisen. But, seven years down the line, the refineries have been unable to take off because of the government’s failure to provide the enabling environment, reports LEKE SALAUDEEN

I

T was planned to end dependence on fuel importation. If it had succeeded, the current quagmire over fuel subsidy would not have come. Seven years ago, the Federal Government granted licences to 18 private firms to build and operate refineries. Since then, not a single private refinery has been bult.

The licensed private firms paid $18million to the Federal Government, being the mandatory one-million dollar each deposit as stipulated in the guidelines.

Their licences have been revoked by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for failing to meet the 18-month deadline to build the refineries.

One of the prospective refinery operators, Union Atlantic Petroleum Limited, spent $3.7million on the project. The 100,000 barrels per day refinery is to be located in Badagry, Lagos State. Its chairman, Justice Samuel Ilori, told The Nation: “Nearly all resources I have have been wasted in pursuing the activation of the licence. I have been to as many countries as possible, looking for investors. I have been to the United States three times, England, Spain, Iran and India. There was a day we spent Easter in India, talking to Petroleum India International (PII). In fact, PII prepared the feasibility study we are using when we met them. All they want is a guarantee from either a Nigerian bank or the Federal Government on their investment.”

Similarly, Orient Petroleum Resources (OPR) Plc made some attempts to build its 55,000 barrels per day refinery in Nsugbe, Umuleri, Anambra State. Promoted by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Orient Petroleum had completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which enabled the company to source for funds to begin construction. It signed an agreement with Nerida International of Geneva, Switzerland for the project to be executed on a contractor-finance basis. Part of the agreement was that the foreign partner would provide facilities outside the production lines, such as staff housing and an airstrip: Beijing Petrochemical Design Institute, the contractor, would provide the other components, such as process units, storage and loading facilities.

The plan, according to the OPR

Private refinery licences revoked 1 Akwa Ibom Refining &Petrochemical 2 Amakpe International Refinery 3 Chasewood Consortium Ltd 4 Clean Water Refinery 5 Niger Delta Refinery 6 NSP Refineries 7 Ode Aye Refinery 8 Orient Petoleum Resources Ltd 9 Qua Petroleum Refinery Ltd 10 RIVGAS Petroleum & Energy 11 Sapele Refinery Ltd 12 Starrex Petroleum Refinery 13 Total Support Ltd 14 Union Atlantic Petroleum Ltd 15 Southwest Refinery & Petrochemical 16 Badagry Refinery Ltd 17 Resources Petroleum Ltd 18 Obat Refinery Ltd

Hurdles before private refineries, by ex-CJ Ilori FORMER Chief Judge of Lagos State Justice Samuel Ilori is the chairman of the Association of Private Refinery Owners of Nigeria (APRON). He blamed the misfortune of the private firms licensed to operate refineries on the government’s refusal to guarantee the loan provided them by foreign partners. He spoke of other frustration encountered in the process of activating their licences. LEKE SALAUDEEN spoke with him.

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HAT is the situation with the private refineries?

The situation is that many things were impeding getting the final licence to build the refinery. The first constraint is fund, building a refinery required so much money. For example, a 24,000 barrel per day refinery will cost about $350million. Whereas a 100,000 barrels per day refinery will gulp about $2billion. Getting money has not been easy. In the first place, at the time the 18 licensees went to the money market, the Nigerian banks had not recapitalised. The shareholders’ fund of each bank was much more less than what we required for even a 10,000 barrels a day refinery.

After recapitalisation of the banks, it is impossible for anyone to approach a bank for a guarantee of $2b. The total value of shareholders’ funds is not up to $2 billion. It is against the law to give more than what is stipulated. Even it is not possible for a consortium of banks to put $2 billion together. I have with me documents where a loan of $1.9 billion was approved for my company- Atlantic Refinery- with a disbursement schedule that we find a bank guarantee for the loan. Which bank will guarantee that in Nigeria. It’s impossible. The only way is to get a solvent guarantee from the government.

A lot of the foreign investors insist on government taking shares, because we have not been able to get solvent guarantee, this is the reason why the refineries were not coming up. Not because we have not made sufficient effort. Each licensee has gone abroad, spent a lot of money but they won’t get money unless they get the guarantee required by foreign partners.

Are the licences given to the 18 firms still valid or have been revoked by the government?

The word revoked is not correct. They have lapsed or they have expired. The validity of the approval to build is 18 months, after which it is expected that activities on the site must have commenced.

Otherwise, revalidation of the approval will be necessary. There are well spelt out guidelines for revalidation. But you can’t even go forward for revalidation without showing that you now have the funds to build the refinery.

Why can’t government extend that kind of policy to the private refineries?

If you have private refineries in this country today, the pump price of petrol per litre is not going to be much different from what it is now. Because the cost of transporting crude and the cost of bringing the refined products back will no longer be there, the congestion at the port will be off. The back-hand business will be out of it, the cost of production is going to be about 25 per cent of fuel. When you get all this thing together, Nigeria will be grateful that you removed subsidy and that you have put another alternative means of getting fuel at reasonable price on ground.

What are the economic losses that Nigeria has suffered as a result of the failure of private refineries to come on stream?

It’s obvious. Part of the economic loss is the instability of the naira.

The foreign exchange that would have supported our naira is being used to import fuel from abroad instead of paying in naira for your petroleum products here. The money would have been used to provide infrastructure in Nigeria. The private refineries would have created jobs for Nigerians. Each refinery would have employed at least 1,000 people. The private refineries will turn around the economy of their host communities.

Managing Director, Mr Nnaemeka Nwawka, was to install civil work in 2008 to begin production in 2009. All efforts to make it the first full conversion private refinery failed due to financial constraints and inadequate incentives put in place by the Federal Government.

Another private initiative aimed at putting a stop to fuel imports by Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil (Nigeria) was the 360,000 barrels per day Green field Oando Lekki Refinery promoted by Oando Plc. The company, based on the 16,000hectare Lekki Free Trade Zone of Lagos, had secured equity and technical partners to work with it in developing the project. The feasibility study covering both the marketing and technical aspects of the proposed refinery was conducted by Wood Mackenzie and Foster Wheeler, renowned global energy solutions companies that affirmed the viability of the project. The study also reviewed long-term demand and supply projections, including capital cost estimates, an economic evaluation and projected a positive outcome for the

performance.

No firm has indicated interest to invest in the private refinery business since the revocation of the licences last year. The global financial crisis has become a stumbling block to the funding of such a long term venture, which requires a huge capital outlay. The crisis has eroded the funding capabilities of banks and financial institutions expected to provide long term funds for the refineries.

The firms and the banks are also uneasy about the instability of government policies on the pricing of petroleum products, which may prevent them from making quick returns on their investments. This places the private refinery business into the category of a high risk business venture, which most banks are not willing to undertake.

The private refineries were to complement the four ailing four state-owned refineries, which, despite a combined production capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, remain unable to meet the nation’s petroleum products demand.

Analysts have contended that increasing local production of fuel

implementation plan of the project.

The group, according to its former chairman, General Mohammadu Magoro, began the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of the terminal that would have been completed in the third quarter of 2009. The entire project would have been inaugurated in the first quarter of last year.

A source at the DPR told our correspondent that licences granted to the private investors for mini refineries had been revoked following the inability of such licensees to begin construction, years after the Federal Government granted them licences.

The Federal Government gave licences to 18 companies to build private refineries but none of them began construction before the expiration of the stipulated two years in the agreement.

The source hinted that those who had their licences revoked due to non-compliance with the guidelines could reapply only after meeting the conditions. He said the agency, after due consideration, would issue them new licences, if satisfied with their

remains the only solution to the frequent hike in fuel prices.

A former director of the NNPC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the investors, demands stemmed from the fact that the Nigerian market is regulated by the government. Under such circumstances, the owners of the refineries are at the mercy of the regulators because they are not free to fix prices according to the dictates of the cost of production.

He said: “For instance, in the circumstance where either a volatile situation in the Middle East or a sudden upward swing in demand pressure pushes the price of crude oil to the roof, operators of the Nigerian private refineries would either have to shut down their plants or arm-twist the government into subsidising pump price of products to ensure continuity of production”.

To assist the prospective private refineries operators to mature and recover the cost of investment, he urged the government to introduce new incentives that will include tax holiday for five years, allocation of crude at discount rate as well as provision of a conducive environment to operate.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

NEWS Tribunal upholds Edo lawmaker’s election

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HE Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin, Edo State, yesterday upheld the election of the only woman in the House of Assembly, Ms. Elizabeth Ativie of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ms Ativie represents Uhunmwonde Constituency.

Johnbull Asemota of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a petition before the three-man tribunal, urging it to among others, nullify Ms. Ativie’s victory on the grounds that the April 26 election was fraught with irregularities.

The petitioner alleged that there was electoral malpractice in the 10 wards that constitute the constituency.

He claimed that 6,114 invalid votes were added to Ms. Ativie’s votes which assisted her to be returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as winner.

Justice Olayinka Gbajabiamila said the petitioner failed to prove the case of irregularity as pleaded in his petition.

Justice Gbajabiamila also said the tribunal refused to believe the evidence of the petitioner since all the agents, including his agents signed the result sheet in compliance with the Electoral Act. On the allegation of ballot box stuffing and thumb-printing, the tribunal ruled that because the allegation was criminal in nature, the petitioner also failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case so alleged.

He, therefore, ruled that the tribunal had no option than to uphold the election of Ms. Ativie as the candidate who won the April 26 election and dismissed Asemota’s petition for lack of merit.

Ex-service men threaten violent protest EMBERS of the Nigerian Military Pensioners Welfare Association (NMPWA) have said they would embark on a violent protest, if their allowances and pensions are not paid.

They said they should not be regarded as toothless.

The pensioners spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, through their National Chairman, Maj Danjuma Kibo, and National Secretary, Capt Don Pedro.

The duo said the ex-service men have been neglected and left to suffer and are running out of patience.

The military pensioners said despite the promises made by President Goodluck Jonathan, they are yet to receive the arrears of their pensions and harmonisation.

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•Allege non-payment of pension From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

They said: “If Boko Haram attackers, who are not as well trained as us, can be terrorising the country, we can wreck more havoc, since we are aware of the vulnerable nature of Nigeria’s security and can take anybody by surprise.

“Ex-service men are more than the serving ones. President Jonathan should remember that his political opponents are seeking every opportunity to bring more calamities to his government.

“The President’s opponents have been meeting with us, with the intention

of instigating us to wreck more havoc, but as law abiding citizens, we expect the President to fulfill his promise, before the end of November. We are ready to die. A hungry man is an angry man.

“We are watching what the President and other politicians are doing, especially the vulgar display of wealth, leaving almost 80 per cent of Nigerians in abject poverty.

“Niger Delta’s ex-militants are being paid N65,000 monthly, but ex-service men, who were either maimed or amputated during service, are being paid N20,000 monthly as pension.

“Families of soldiers killed are never compensated.

“The repentant militants are sent overseas for more training to empower them, but the retired military pensioners have nothing and are looking for what to eat, sending their children to school is difficult. We are watching.

“Our counterparts in other countries are properly taken care of.

“They are paid attractive pension allowances, provided with good accommodation, better hospital care and scholarships for their children, among others, but we have nothing in Nigeria.

The era of revolution is creeping closer.”

They urged the Federal Government to pay them their entitlements, to ensure lasting peace and stability in Nigeria.

‘Emulate Amaechi’ From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HE lawmaker representing Ahoada West in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Sam Eligwe, has advised youths of the state to key into the developmental initiatives of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He appealed to youths, especially those in his constituency, to be productive and shun social vices that are inimical to the state’s development.

Eligwe spoke yesterday at a Town Hall meeting in Ubeta community, Ahoada West Local Government.

He said government would only record tremendous achievements in an atmosphere of peace. He urged the people, especially youths, to give peace a chance.

The lawmaker also assured Ubeta people that he would work with other leaders to ensure that youths are given their fair share in the distribution of opportunities at the state level.

Eligwe said a committee would be set up to come up with a road map on addressing the issues affecting the youths of the area.

•Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva (second left); Deputy Governor Werinipre Seibarugu (second right); Seibarugu’s wife Iyorozite and the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Isreal Ege during the “Bayelsans fast and pray for peace” programme organised by CAN in Yenagoa

Delta refutes allegation

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HE Delta State Government has refuted an allegation of non-performance levelled against it by the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). It denied that the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan-led administration has abandoned some projects.

In a statement yesterday, the government listed some of its on-going projects.

It said: “Thirty two primary schools, 14 secondary schools, one teacher’s institute and a special school are being renovated and reconstructed.

“Ten primary schools are being constructed. Government will also build a school of marine technology, school of engineering and a senate building for the State University at Abraka.

“Other projects include the independent power project; Warri Industrial Park; an international events centre, Asaba; installation of street lights in Asaba and Warri; Osubi Airstrip project; Asaba International Airport, Effurun Water Project and Oghara Specialist Hospital.

“A N50 billion bond has been disbursed to construct major projects, including the dualisations of the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway and the Effurun-Eku Road.

“The money will also be utilised to build township roads in Asaba, Warri, Agbor and Sapele as well as a bridge at Abigborodo.”

Pope appoints Umorem as Auxiliary Bishop From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

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OPE Benedict XVI Joseph Ratzinger has appointed Rev Father Anselm Umorem as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

Rev Father Umorem was until his appointment the Superior General of the Missionary Society of St. Paul in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

In statement yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Rev Father Patrick Alumuku stated that the Vatican Ambassador to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja announced the appointment yesterday, adding that the new position has been published in Rome.

Umorem, who is now the “Titular Bishop of Scampa”, was born in Ukana Nto, Ikot Epene, Akwa Ibom State, on April 14, 1962. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the National Missionary Major Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada and was ordained a priest on June 18, 1988.

Alumuku said the auxiliary bishop would be made holy in three months.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole commissioning a water project in Ekpoma

Why Lagos won’t cancel sanitation, by ministry

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HE Lagos State Government yesterday explained why it relaxed the restriction on movement during last month’s environmental sanitation.

Its explanation came in the wake of concerns by residents who mistook the October 30 decision, as a cancellation of the exercise.

Some residents, who decried the reported cancellation, said the government was suspending sanitation for the “second consecutive time”.

They said such a step was not good for the state’s effort towards a cleaner and sustainable environment.

Praising the resident’s concern, Environment Ministry spokesperson Mrs Funmilayo Salami said such passion coming from residents “gives

one the hope and assurance that government’s efforts to sanitise Lagos are yielding results.”

She urged Lagosians to cooperate with the state on its many advocacy and enlightenment programmes to ensure the attainment and sustenance of a cleaner environment.

A statement by Mrs Salami reads: “This is a cause which the state is committed to and will not shirk in its responsibility to ensure that we attain this goal.

“It is also our resolve to build a new Lagos that will be the pride of the black man as well as make Lagos the cleanest city/state in Africa.”

She, however, stated that government had at no time approved the cancellation of sanitation “and does not in future intend to cancel it be-

cause of its numerous advantages that are evident for all to see.”

According to her, Lagos has become the pride of the country, saying that the Centre of Excellence recently won an award of the cleanest city state in Nigeria.

Stating that the modest achievement was still not the best and that the best was yet to come, she said the maxim -“The Reward for hard work is more work”, of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, remained the watchword of the ministry.

Mrs Salami explained: “We are indeed committed to more work, as such; we cannot cancel the product of good work which is the sanitation.

“This is an initiative of the state that is being replicated in other parts of the country.

“ We in the Ministry of the Environment are always conscious of our choice of words and the likely implications and wrong signal the use of the word cancellation is likely to send to the public.

“In the few instances where situations had necessitated cancellation, rather than cancel, we had not, but merely suspended the restriction of movement, while the exercise went on; the public is often advised to clean the environment and surroundings.”

“Even in the instances where restriction of movement was suspended, the government had always urged Lagosians to carry out the exercise in their communities and immediate environment.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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NEWS Attack threats credible, says US diplomat

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•Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu (left) addressing members of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar (second left) when the governor hosted them to an Eid-el-Kabir celebration in his home in Minna...yesterday. Story on Page 9.

Tinubu reiterates Southwest’s commitment to regional integration •At Ojude Oba, Awujale calls for creation of Ijebu State

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday said there is urgent need for regional economic integration of the Southwest.

He spoke in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, at the annual Ojude-Oba Carnival, hosted by the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The ACN National Leader said the regional integration is critical to the survival of the region under the lopsided federal arrangement.

He paid tribute to Oba Adetona, whom he described as a honest, steadfast, committed and patriotic ruler, recalling his support for the pro-democracy crusaders agitating for the restoration of civil rule during the military era.

Urging other traditional rulers to emulate the Awujale, Tinubu said the monarch has not been in the league of traditional rulers playing bread-andbutter politics.

At the ceremony, which was witnessed by Gover-

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By Emmanuel Oladesu.

Deputy Political Editor, Ernest

Nwokolo and Tajudeen Adebanjo

nors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chief Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; and Obi of Onitsha, Offala Okagbue.

Oba Adetona called for the creation of Ijebu State from the present Ogun State, urging the people to remain united and peaceful to enable the area make further progress.

Noting that the Southwest is marginalised, Tinubu, who was the guest of honour, opposed the mainstream politics canvassed by the conservative bloc in Yorubaland. He noted that the region could take its destiny in its hand.

Tinubu said: “Yoruba must come together as a united nation and be the symbol of development.

We must build our regional economy. Nobody will give us any handouts. There is a gap between poverty and wealth. Our graduate youths are unemployed.

The cost of living is no

more bearable.”

To achieve the goal of integration, Tinubu urged the people of the Southwest to shun the antics of the Peopled Democratic party (PDP) and cooperate with the ACN governors, whom he described as the symbol of new hope and progress.

He said: “Yoruba is not lazy. We can make it. We need encouragement so that our Moses will not return to Egypt after crossing the Red Sea.” The ACN leader congratulated Amosun, who was attending the carnival for the first time as governor, assuring the residents that he would take the state to greater heights.

Tinubu stormed the Ojude Oba arena, a mini-stadium opposite the Awujale’s palace at 9am. He was received

by ACN faithful, led by the Lagos State Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, an Ijebu indigene.

Tinubu was accompanied

by Chief Pius Akinyelure; Alhaji Afolabi Salami; Lagos State Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji; Commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye; his Hous-

ing and Information counterparts - Bosun Jeje and Lateef Ibirogba; Ojuwoye council chairman, Yemi Ali; his Amuwo and Ojokoro counterparts - Ayodele Adewale and Benjamin Olabinjo; Tunde Braimoh; Bayo Osinnowo; Dele Alake; and Toyin Hamzat.

Other dignitaries at the festival were Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun, former Ogun State governor, Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, Ounba Subomi Balogun, Alhaji Rasak Okoya, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Chief Osca Ibru, Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Justice Oguntade (rtd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Judge of Ogun State Justice Tokunbo Olopade, Head of Service Mrs Iyabo Yusuf, Commissioner of Police Nicholas Nkideme, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Bisi Rodipe, Hon. Lanre Oduote, Hon. Ipoola Omisore, Hon. Ade Famurewa, Mrs Modupe Oguntade, Adetola Hassan, Mrs Sina Williams and Mrs. Tade Okoya, among others.

Kogi poll: Forum petitions IGP over alleged arms build-up

HREE weeks to the December 3 governorship election in Kogi State, a group, under the aegis of Kogi Conscience Forum (KCF), has raised the alarm over alleged acquisition of dangerous weapons by politicians.

In a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, the group alleged that over 500 AK-47 assault rifles have allegedly been procured by a party for distribution to thugs to unleash mayhem during the election.

The petition was signed by the KCF President Joseph Adama and General Secretary Abdullahi Usman.

The group said the party has produced many fake Army and police uniforms to be used by their thugs to im-

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

personate genuine security agencies on election duty.

The petition reads: “The plan on election day is that these thugs would invade some strategic polling booths, earmarked for the operation, with guns, fire sporadically and, in the ensuing melee, threaten voters with axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, hold Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) workers and other party agents hostage while snatching ballot papers and boxes, thumb-printing and stuffing the boxes.

“The result of the rigged election will then be

forced on the INEC workers and other polling and party agents to sign under duress. The crime will be successfully carried out, if not nipped in the bud, as was witnessed in past elections.

“Our findings have shown that the level of insecurity that reached its peak in Kogi State in recent past is attributable to the circulation of such dangerous weapons, such as guns, machetes and the likes, which were distributed to thugs by politicians and heartless self-styled leaders during previous elections dating back to 2003, 2007, and 2008 during governorship elections.

“Our fear is that not only will the weapons be used to achieve malpractices during the election, in the aftermath of the elections, the distributors of the guns (politicians), may not be able to mop them up as the case in previous elections.

“The result is that motorists plying highways in the state become victims of armed robbers, who terrorise, kill and maim these victims in their dozens, making Kogi one of the unsafe states in the country.

“This alert has become necessary to enable you use your good offices as the IGP to stop these dubious and callous politicians who take pride in spilling the human blood in their quest to assume political offices.”

United States warning of possible attacks on hotels in Abuja was based on specific and credible information, an American diplomat said yesterday.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, would not say where the information regarding potential attacks by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, originated from, but said the US Embassy had no choice but to warn its citizens.

Its unusually specific warning was issued in the wake of Friday’s coordinated gun and bomb attacks in Nigeria’s Northeast claimed by Boko Haram. The attacks left some 150 people dead and was among the deadliest attributed to the group.

“We certainly took it very seriously,” the diplomat said of the information included in its advisory according to the AFP. “Given the specificity and the credibility of the threat, we really felt we had no choice but to give our best counsel to Americans.”

Security has been put on high alert as no incidents have occurred. Government has dismissed the advice as ‘no news’.

The diplomat spoke of Boko Haram’s increasingly sophisticated and deadly attacks in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer.

“I think it’s a trend which we’ve seen over the past year,” he said. “The group has become increasingly sophisticated, increasingly lethal.”

“There’s no indication that Boko Haram has linked up operationally with any other extremists beyond Nigeria’s borders,” he said.

“The evolution of the group unquestionably though has made it clear that we need to step up our security procedures.”

Mark mourns as Plateau senator dies at 70 HE Senator

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representing Plateau South, Silas Janfa, is dead. He was 70.

The senator died yesterday morning in a private hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital, after a brief illness.

Governor Jonah Jang has sent a condolence message to the Janfa family over the senator’s death.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Yiljap Abraham, the governor said Janfa’s death “is not only a loss to the family but also to Plateau State”.

Jang noted that the late senator lived a worthy life and served his fatherland in many areas.

Senate President David Mark yesterday lamented the death of Janfa, saying: “The nation has lost a distinguished senator and a man of proven integrity.”

Mark noted that the late lawmaker was a man of high moral standing, who stood to be counted as a patriot when it mattered.

He said: “We have lost yet another icon, a staunch politician, a reliable and

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos, Onyedi Ojiabor (Assistant Editor) and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

dependable ally. He was a true statesman, a political genius of firm figure and tested over the years.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, the Senate President regretted that Janfa died when his wealth of experience and steady hands were needed to steer the ship of the nation.

Mark said: “We shall miss him. We shall miss his humour, blunt and frank disposition to issues, especially as it affected the nation and the citizenry.”

He noted that the late Janfa used his position as a politician and industrialist to uplift the people in his community and beyond.

“The late Janfa represented Plateau South Senatorial District in the Senate between 1999 and 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals,” Mark said.

Governor’s wife to parents: child trafficking is inhuman

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IFE of the Osun State Governor Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, has urged parents to stop using their children for revenue generation.

She noted that doing so is another form of child trafficking.

Mrs Aregbesola spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, when she hosted Muslim children to a special Eid-el-Kabir party.

The governor’s wife lamented that some parents send their children or wards into slavery or use their house maids to make money.

She said: “It is very important that parents should stop using their children as house helps as this is against the law. It is an act of child trafficking and it is illegal.”

Mrs Aregbesola urged parents to take advantage of the free education policy of the state government and send their children to school for a better future for them.

The governor’s wife said the government might be forced to wield the big stick against erring parents, reminding them that those who refused to send their children to school are acting against the law of the state.

She said: “The best way for parents to bestow an enduring legacy to their children is by sending them to school regularly.”

Mrs Aregbesola noted that bringing up children from different socio-economic backgrounds together would promote unity and cooperation among them, saying such a gathering would help to develop their mental alertness.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the children to remain dedicated to their education.

Reading from the Holy Qur’an, the governor urged the children to always acknowledge God first in their endeavours.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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NEWS

Baby girl abandoned in Ekiti

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TWO-week old baby girl was yesterday found abandoned in a carton in AdoEkiti, theEkiti State capital.

The carton was dumped in front of a compound on Ekeolere Close in Moferere, Ajlosun.

A source said residents started hearing cries around 11pm on Monday, but never suspected that a baby had been abandoned in front of their home.

She said: “We all got to know when the wife of a former State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Ekeolere, went outside the compound at about 5am and found the baby dumped beside the fence.

“She alerted others in the compound and we contacted the police, who came to

NEMA ends operation

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

take the baby to Erelu Adebayo Children’s Home at Iyin Ekiti.

“The baby was so beautiful that I pleaded with them to let me take care of her.”

The source said the date of birth of the baby was written on a sheet of paper found in the carton.

Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi confirmed that the baby had been taken to the Motherless Babies’ Home in Iyin-Ekiti.

She said: “I do not have the detailed history of the baby, but I have been contacted that a baby was dumped on that street.”

When The Nation visited the Motherless Babies’ Home around 12pm yesterday, the baby was fast

•The abandoned baby...yesterday

asleep.

The Assistant Matron of

the Home, Mrs. Yetunde Rachael, said the baby was

Group seeks management ethics

SAN, TMG advocate special courts for corruption cases

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HE Southwest Zone of Grooming Enterprise Leaders (GEL) has urged the Federal Government to make it mandatory for all businesses to undergo ethics and management training.

It said ethics and management training should be made a prerequisite for company registration and renewal.

The group spoke at the end of its three weeks training, hosted by the University of Ibadan Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The 62 trained enterprise leaders from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun states thanked the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration for the GEL initiative.

They described it as the beginning of a revolution that would improve Nigeria’s economy.

The trainees also thanked the facilitators from the Lagos Business School and the four states, noting that the information passed on to them would help build strong organisations that will create jobs.

The GEL members urged the Federal Government to expedite action on its promise to grant loans to small and growing business owners through the Bank of Industry (BoI).

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire presenting an award to the Coordinator, Technical Niger Wives, Mrs. Jean Obi, at the annual Luncheon and Humanitarian of the year Awards organised by the International Women Society of Nigeria (IWS) at Landmark Village in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos... on Sunday

FERMA advises states on roads From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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brought around 7:30am by the police.

THE 2011 Operation Eagle Eye, a programme of the Southwest office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), aimed at reducing risk during festive periods, will end today.

It started on October 31 with a refresher training on casualty handling for participants from the Civil Defence Corps, Red Cross, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and the fire service.

NEMA’s Zonal Coordinator Mr. Iyiola Akande said the agency, under the leadership of DirectorGeneral Sani Sidi, has shifted from a responsebased organisation to a disaster prevention body.

The Eagle Eye Operation involves stationing emergency response teams at strategic and accident prone areas in the zone.

HAIRMAN of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Mr. Jide Adeniji has advised state governments to establish road maintenance agencies to complement FERMA. Adeniji spoke with reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He said many accidents were caused by the deplorable state of roads across the country and everything must be done to reduce carnage on Nigerian roads.

Adeniji said since states have 34,000 kilometres of road to maintain, as against 90,000 kilometres belonging to the Federal Government, they should be prepared to complement the Federal Government’s efforts.

He pledged to improve the agency’s services, adding that it would no longer be business as usual.

Adeniji said: “There will be new agenda to make our roads accident-free, because most of the carnage on our roads are as a result of bad roads. I want to assure you that by next month, our roads will be better.”

N Ibadan lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday backed the proposed creation of special courts to try corruption cases.

Fagbemi said it would speed up the dispensation of justice.

The lawyer spoke with reporters yesterday at his home in Onireke, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the Sallah celebration.

He said the problem with the nation’s judicial system is that we have bad people administering good laws.

Fagbemi said corruption has eaten deep into our society and to curb it, the proposed special courts must be manned by people with untainted records and high integrity.

He suggested that names of such people must be publicised for people to assess them.

Fagbemi said: “The problem is not really in setting up the special courts, but the people who will man them.

Going by the population of Nigeria, we need special courts to try such cases.

“We have turned out many lawyers and as far as I am concerned, the Nigerian economy is not yet saturated with law graduates or lawyers. To have such courts must reflect our young aspirations and the future. But it must not be a political matter.

ACN members protest in Ekiti

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EMBERS of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, yesterday protested the alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate for the coming local government polls .

They said some party chiefs were trying to impose a former House of Assembly member, Mr. Rotimi Ajidara, on them.

The protesters stormed

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the ACN Secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, singing solidarity songs.

They urged the party to recognise their candidate, Mr. Kayode Idiowo and respect the zoning formula in Omuo-Ekiti.

Idiowo threatened to sue the party, if it fails to recognise his candidacy.

He said: “As a loyal party man, I cannot challenge the

supremacy of the party or work against its interest, but the party must be fair, just and maintain equity in this issue.”

The Secretary of Ward 8, Mr. Femi Jegede, who spoke for the group, said Ajidara had been boasting that he had the support of the party chiefs.

Jegede urged the party to select a candidate from ward 8 or 6, which, he said, has never produced a chairman.

From Oseheye Okwuofu and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

“It should not be a case of somebody has practised for 10 years (as stipulated in the Constitution that if you have practiced for ten years, you are qualified to be a Judge).

“We have to know how many cases such a person has conducted; the opinion of the people in the area he comes from about his character; and the view of the people must be acted upon.

“People need to know that you are above board and are a special breed, so that you can man the special court.”

In a statement, TMG Chairman Comrade Mashood Erubami said: “Though the decision is coming a bit late, as many corrupt governors and individuals have used corruption to build mansions and security around themselves, without strong deterring measures to make it a punishable act, the creation of special courts will make the courts concentrate on financial and economic crimes, and speed up ongoing trials.

“The outcome of the court processes will send right signals to would-be offenders about the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, and they would realise that corruption is no more business as usual.

“Corruption is a very big offence that should attract harsh punishment, as is being practiced in China and Bangladesh.

“When the courts are created, we recommend that no corruption cases should be adjudicated beyond six months, as the special courts should not tolerate foot dragging on technicalities.

“The Special courts should base their processes on substantial justice. Such processes should be beamed live through media coverage to convince Nigerians on the transparency of the cases.

“Those found guilty must be made to serve the first year of their sentence cleaning their family compounds of debris on environmental sanitation days.

This would deter public office holders from corruption.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

9

NEWS

16 die in Kogi road crash

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IXTEEN people died on Monday in a motor accident on the Okene-Auchi road.

The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Sunday Maku, said the crash involved two Toyota Hiace buses with registration numbers (Lagos) XT911FKJ and another Toyota Hiace bus XJ700USL. According to Maku, the

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

accident occurred at about 13 kilometres from Okene.

He said the bus coming from Benin recklessly overtook another vehicle and collided with the bus coming from Abuja.

The 16 people died on the spot.

The Sector Commander said of the 30 people involved in the accident, 16

died, 10 were injured and four escaped unhurt.

The injured, Maku said, were taken to the Okene General Hospital for treatment.

The dead have been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

Attributing incessant accidents to dangerous overtaking, Maku urged drivers to avoid reckless driving and excessive speeding.

Power project: Kaduna land owners demand compensation WNERS of the land, which the Kaduna State Government reportedly acquired for the Federal Government’s 215MW power project in Kaduna, yesterday urged the government to pay their compensation or return their land.

They urged the state government and the Federal Ministry of Power to pay the compensation and fulfill the promises they made before the land was ceded to them.

In a statement in Kaduna by their Chairman and Secretary, Garba Haruna and Opara Joachim, the land owners said the state government has reneged on its agreement.

The statement said the government had agreed to relocate them to another land and pay compensation.

The land owners said: “As law-abiding citizens, who also want the development of our dear state, we peacefully allowed the government to take over the land for the power project despite our very huge investments.”

The statement reads: “Many of us are wid-

O

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ows, retirees and pensioners. Many of us used our life’s savings, some even borrowed to buy the land sold to us at the average cost of N350,000.00 per plot.

“Some of us had started developing their plots of land before the State government’s interest in the land. The initial interest was in the first phase of the land close to the River. Later it extended to the second phase, the official reason being that the Federal Government needed the 2nd phase also for the power plant.

“We put up initial resistance; organised some peaceful protests and several times stopped the people who wanted to carry out assessment of the site. Subsequently, we held several meetings with the representatives of the government, Maxlock Consultancy Nigeria Limited, the traditional rulers, officials of the Ministry of Lands and the local government.”

STF commander praises Muslim leaders for peaceful Sallah in Jos

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HE Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, Maj.-Gen. Oluwaseun Olayinka Oshinowo, yesterday praised Muslim leaders in the Plateau State capital for their peaceful conduct during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Oshinowo addressed reporters at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Jos. He said: “There was a lot of apprehension in the city as the sallah approached and we appealed to leaders of religious organisations to control their youths. I must confess they did not disappoint us.

“I have become like a

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Nollywood star as a result of the peaceful Eid-el-Kabir festival that was recorded in Jos and environs. There were initial fears when the residents alleged that a fresh crisis would erupt during the celebration.

“The peaceful outcome of the festival can only be attributed to the role of religious leaders and the media, alongside all stakeholders in the peace process.

“I thank you media men for your hard work. I thank you for everything you have done for the STF, the residents and the state.

When you report the truth,

only truth can set us free from crises.

If all stakeholders continue with this spirit, we are sure the current peace will be sustained.”

The NUJ state Chairman, Comrade Kadapba Gogum said the NUJ was committed to the return of peace to Plateau.

He praised the STF media officer, Captain Charles Ekeocha, for ensuring that reporters have access to information on the activities of the task force.

Gogum urged him to be open to reporters, saying it is by so doing that accurate information would be obtained for the public.

Aliyu seeks monarchs’ support for oil subsidy removal

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ESPITE the public outcry against the proposed removal of oil subsidy as from next year, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday wooed traditional rulers to support the Federal Government’s plan.

Addressing the Council of Traditional Rulers, led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the monarchs’ visit to his home for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the governor noted that non-functional refineries caused the planned subsidy removal.

He said over the years, members of the oil cartel have been feeding fat on the subsidy.

Aliyu said the cartel specialised in importing refined

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

petroleum products and collect the subsidy at the expense of the ordinary Nigerians that it was meant to help.

The governor said: “It is shameful that Nigeria produces crude oil but imports refined petroleum products from other countries that have no crude oil deposits, instead of our refineries to be functional.

“It may soon come to a situation whereby Nigeria will be importing refined oil from small countries like Chad and Niger, if urgent steps are not taken by the government to address the prevailing problems facing the oil sector.”

The governor noted that

subsidising petroleum products was characterised by corruption, saying the economy would collapse if steps are not taken to check corruption that oil subsidy causes.

He also sought the support of the traditional rulers at retaining Niger State’s poliofree status.

Aliyu lamented that despite past efforts, the country is still among the four countries with high prevalence of polio virus.

Expressing concern over violent killings and bombings in the country, Abubakar urged the government to restore normalcy in Nigeria.

The monarch urged Nigerians to be security-conscious, adding that protection of life and property is a collective responsibility.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

NEWS Conference on co-existence holds in Abuja

OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL

By Musa Odoshimokhe

TO foster a culture of coexistence and mutual understanding, the Fountain Magazine and Ufuk Dialogue Foundation are holding a conference in Abuja from November 18 to 19.

According to a statement by the magazine editor, Hakan Yesilova, the conference would restate the possibilities of co-existing and living in peace as contemporary neighbours.

The statement reads: “Today we face many question and challenges as to how we coexist in peace, neighbours who are now greater in number than before yet less familiar with our culture and beliefs.” ‘’The conference, which is expected to harness and transform human encounter with one another into enriching experience rather than hatred, would seek the sincere understanding of participants in achieving the objective. ‘’It would also pose some questions on how generations respond to the rise of global dynamics, local identities and cultural riches with a view to know the impact of education and culture on them.

“Considering the risk and challenges that accompany these questions, it is crucial to delve into the thought and action of Fethullah Gulen, who s pioneered educational and cultural initiative frequently referred to in the 21st century.

“Nigeria set an interesting stage for the conference not only because of its cultural and religious diversification but because it was inspired by Fethullah Gulen’s ideas during the past 15 years.”

The conference will feature distinguished scholars and intellectuals from around the world.

Scholarship scheme THE Wisdom Group of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (City of David Parish, VI) will hold a fund raising dinner in support of its scholarship scheme for bright, talented but indigent Nigerians.

The event is scheduled for Friday on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Group Managing Director/ CEO, First Bank Plc Mr.Bisi Onasanya will chair the event.

According to the Chairman of the Scholarship Board of Trustees, Mr Adebisi Omoyeni, the idea is driven by the growing number of applicants.

He said: “The Wisdom Group thought it wise to invite other noble and endowed Nigerians outside of our fold to share in the joy of helping young Nigerians fulfil their dreams and Godordained destinies by helping to raise the next generation of leaders (who without support may just waste away).

“We trust many leaders in corporate Nigeria will join us to grow seeds of Nigeria’s tomorrow, our tomorrow.

We believe that as many youths as we can pull away from the streets and turn into useful citizens, the better for Nigeria.’’

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left), his Ekiti State counterpart Kayode Fayemi (right) and Oba of Lagos Riliwan Akiolu at the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State…yesterday

•Chairman, First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun (left), Ogun State Deputy Speaker Tola Banjo and Speaker Suraj Adekunbi

•Ogun State Governor’s wife Mrs Funsho Amosun (left) presenting a N1 million cheque on behalf of Globacom to representatives of Bobagunte Akile Obirin – winner of Regberegbe parade.

•Obi of Onitsha, Ofala Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (left), former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun

Fed Govt insists on slashing British Airways’ flights M

INISTER of Aviation Mrs Stella Oduah said yesterday there is no going back on the slot reduction for British Airways flights into Lagos.

The ministry has given one week before implementation of the reduced frequency from seven to thrice weekly.

She said the reduction was taken to demonstrate the courage of government in reviewing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with many countries, which have not given fair share of the market to Nigerian carriers. According to her, government is set to bring to an end discriminatory air fares for Nigerians on many routes by the British carrier.

Mrs Oduah, who spoke through her Technical AssistantVictor Oche, said the one week window was given to allow for negotiations.

She said: “Beyond the issue of BASA, the government is also worried over the discriminatory ticket pricing, where British Airways fares are higher in Nigeria than other countries in Africa, including Ghana and South Africa. This is unfair to many Nigerians. Those are some of the discriminatory issues. We need to defend the right of Nigerian passengers, drive the process, and tell them that enough is enough. It has not been a fair deal with British Airways.

“Even the services of British Airways is not unusual.

‘Nigerians have been ridiculously treated, we want to grow the local market and defend Nigerian operators’

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Nigerians have not been fairly treated by the British Airways. They have been ridiculously treated, we want to grow the local market and defend Nigerian operators.

There is no going back, Nigerians need to get what they deserve.

“Basically, our clamour is that the frequency and slot allocation must be reciprocal for both Nigerian and British carriers. It is important to commend the minister of aviation for the courage and political will to carry out this directive. Former ministers lack the political will to do it.

“She has insisted that the review of the bilateral air services agreement is beyond the British Airways.

We are going to look at the nitty-gritty of the whole agreement and negotiate on

how it will favour Nigerian carriers.

“We have to grow own airlines to make them strong and competitive, so that local airlines can fly international routes. This is one way to check the excess capital flight out of Nigeria to the tune of billions of naira. We wish to know that BA makes over N32 billion on ticket sales in Nigeria.

“Enough is enough, there must be reciprocity in the agreement. We are not at war with the British government, we are just sorting out issues, that is why dialogue is necessary, the colonial strategy where the BASA is lopsided against Nigeria is not a healthy strategy. ‘’Negotiations are still ongoing, before now, we lacked the political will, that is why we will not be intimidated or coerced to buckle under any pressure. What is signed must be agreed upon. ‘’We graciously sat with the British High Commissioner, to ask for what is Nigeria’s entitlement, after the extension, there will be to shifting of grounds.

“We only gave the one week grace because of the political diplomacy and high calibre calls. They begged for one week to comply, we are still looking at it.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, also reiterated the resolve of government to ensure that the in-

terest of Nigerian carriers are protected.

He said: “What we have with the United Kingdom (UK) is a weak bilateral air services agreement which stipulates that Nigerian carriers have 21 flight frequencies to be utilised on the UK route, which should also apply to their airlines.

Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi explained that the acquisition of British Midland International

by British Airways giving the British carrier over 53 per cent of slots at Heathrow Airport, London, contributed to the ouster of Arik Air from the Abuja - London route.

Uriesi said: “There is some royalty that accrues to Nigeria from the Bilateral Air Services Agreement for every frequency but that is nothing compared to the cost incurred by Arik Air. Having to buy slot at such exorbitant rate into London is unfortunate, it is not ideal.

“It is selfish for them to have disrupted the operations of Arik Air. All the talks about British Airways operations being affected by the action of government is unacceptable.

“We need to look at the balance of the whole deal, as a result of the action that has been taken, I am sure there will be some accommodation. This will be resolved without having to impact on everybody’s travel plan.”

Council makes case for toll gates

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HE Council for Infrastructural Engineering and Development yesterday called for the return of toll gates to ensure steady stream of income for roads maintenance.

Its Director-General Alexander Ekwunife, made the call in a statement made available to The Nation.

According to him, Since 1989, we have remained a persistent voice and major stakeholder in the development of road infrastructure for the country.

“As contractors and consultants for government and the Federal Ministry of Works, our fears were alleviated by the recent moves at reforming the road sector by government. We support the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen and congratulate his courage and political will in bringing back toll gates to Nigerian roads so that the nation can be well assured of good motorable roads through sustained maintenance that can only be guaranteed by revenue from toll gates.”

Ekwunife said: “Over the past years, the Council for Infrastructural Engineering and Development has been particularly peeved by the derelict remains of what we call Nigerian roads. Nigerians have grown into a habit of providing infrastructures for themselves such as water, electricity, among others but not roads because of the huge cost of provision and maintenance.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is a potent tool of investment capital that will fast-track economic growth and development.

-Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment

Fed Govt to support maize production

MAN chief decries illegal mining

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ATIONAL President, Miners'Association of Nigeria (MAN),Alhaji Sani Shehu, says Nigeria loses billions of Naira in revenue yearly to illegal miners who do not pay taxes and royalties.

Shehu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on yesterday in Jos that genuine owners of mining titles were also losing billions of Naira to the illegal miners, who usually carry out illegal mining on titles when the owners were not around.

“These illegal miners mine on titles that do not belong to them, either in the night or whenever they will not be seen by the owners of such titles.

“They then take the materials to illegal buying points scattered all over the country and sell at attractive prices; that serves as an incentives since they know that the trade is very attractive.

Shehu said these illegal mine centres bought the mines from the illegal miners at very attractive prices because they did not pay anything to government as royalty.

According to him, such chain of illegal engagements right from the illegal miners to the illegal mine centres are frustrating the development of the country’s solid minerals sub-sector.

The president decried the indiscriminate opening of illegal mining centres which competed heavily with legal title owners and blamed it for the high incident of illegal mining in the country.

“People open shops and start buying minerals at very high prices from illegal miners; the incentives the illegal miners got by way of patronage from the illegal buying centres serve as incentives to them.''

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.3/barrel Cocoa -$2,738.75/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,789/troy ounce Rubber -¢146.37pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -5.49% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $32.8b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.2963 208 245.00 150 1.9181 237.6 39.9152

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

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• From left: Chairman, Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL), Emeka Onwuka; Governor, Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank Limited, Ahmed Kuru, when the bankexecutives paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Abakaliki.

Why we auctioned PHCN containers, by Customs boss C

OMPTROLLER-Gen eral of Nigeria Cus toms Service (NSC) Abdullahi Dikko has said the Service auctioned the containers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) when it failed to clear them from the ports after many reminders.

He told the Senate Committee on Finance that the issue was being blown out of proportion by some interested parties.

Dikko’s explanation followed inquiries by the Senator Bassey Otu-led Committee on the decision of the Customs Service to auction PHCN equipment at the ports.

The Customs boss said the fact of the matter was that the containers over stayed in the ports, some of them having been imported into the country in 2000.

Dikko noted that he wrote a letter to Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, Minister of Power and Steel and the Managing Director of PHCN, urging them to pre-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

vail on PHCN to clear its goods.

He noted that the letters, which he repeated when the first batch failed to elicit any response, did not move PHCN to take action to clear the containers.

He told the committee that the containers did not bear PHCN as its owner (consignee), saying the containers had the name of various contractors who imported them into the country.

He said it was the same agents who bought the containers when they were auctioned.

Dikko said it was after auctioningthe containers that the NCS discovered that they were being sold in the market.

He assured that the Service was on the trail of those who took the containers to the market, saying those involved would be prosecuted.

The letter written to the

Managing Director, PHCN, Abuja obtained by our correspondent was entitled Abandoned PHCN equipment and parts at our ports: Unfair blame on Nigeria Customs Service overtime committee.

It reads in part: “I wish to notify you that our ports are littered with consignments allegedly belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria , (PHCN). Some of these consignments have been at the ports for more than three years and seem abandoned.

“It is worthy to note that majority of the consignments do not have PHCN as consignee. They are imported by various contractors for power projects and hence bear their names other than PHCN. “In the course of carrying out our function under the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) regarding port decongestion, we have had series of discussions with your organisation and its contractors to promptly clear their cargo

out of the port to avoid falling foul of the law.

“In the current exercise, we have again identified various consignments belonging to your organisation which were abandoned.

“In view of the above, you are invited to liaise with the Nigerian Customs Service to ensure that consignments belonging to PHCN are quarantined and cleared out of Customs control, in the interest of the nation.”

Another letter on the issue addressed to the Vice-President was entitled: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) overtime containers at the ports.

It reads in part: “May I invite the attention of Your Excellency to the attached on Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN) overtime containers lying at the Apapa port and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in Lagos.

“While forwarding this for further directives, Your Excellency may wish to accept assurances of my highest regards and esteem, please.”

N200b SMEs fund: Entrepreneurs repay N11b

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NLY N11billion has been repaid by the beneficiaries of the N200billion loan for small and medium scale enterprises, the Director, Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Paul Nduka Eluhaiwe, has said.

He said more cash is still being expected.

Eluhaiwe told The Nation that the beneficiaries have been responding positively to their loans’repayment.

By Akinola Ajibade

He said the apex bank has finally disbursed the fund, adding that investors are asking for more loans. He said N199 billion out of the N200billion has been disbursed as at the end of the second quarter, noting that the balance was disbursed to the owners recently.

According to him, efforts would be made to ensure that more small and medium scale enterprises own-

ers benefit from the scheme.

He said: “As soon as appreciable progress has been made on the issue of repayment of loans, we would work out an arrangement with the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria on how to make more SMEs’ owners benefit from the scheme. We want to see a situation whereby entrepreneurs who have not benefitted from the intervention, are giving the opportunity.”

CBN had channelled the

fund through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and some participating banks to galvanise the operations of the owners of SMEs.The banks include Sterling Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc. The banks were charged monitoring the funds’ use to reduce the rate of defaults.

Through this means, over 500 enterprises and manufacturing companies are believed to have benefitted from the fund.

A company is entitled to a maximum of N1billion and repayment of 15 years.

HE Federal Govern ment is to support the Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in the production and distribution of drought resistance maize seeds in West Africa.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, gave the assurance during a-Maize Seed Policy Workshop, organized by the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project in Abuja.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Agriculture in the Ministry, Mike Ene, acknowleged that maize is a major source of carbohydrate, which serves as an important raw material for the industrial sector, especially the flour mills, livestock feed mills and confectioneries.

In a statement, signed by Mrs. Idowu Jokpeyibo, the minister, however, attributed adverse climate change, poor productions as well as weak sub-sector insurance policy as some of the challenges facing its development in the country.

His words: “Weatherdriven crop failures have been identified as a major course of recent global food shortage and rise in prices of Agricultural commodities.”

NRC to start haulage of petroleum, food

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HE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is to start the haulage of petroleum products and agricultural produce in the country, the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, has said.

The minister said this in Ilorin on Tuesday at the twinflag off of Ilorin-Lagos weekly passenger train service and the launch of Ewekoro-Ilorin weekly cement haulage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flag-off recorded the haulage of 600 metric tonnes of Lafarge cement from Ewekoro, Ogun State to Ilorin.

The minister, who was represented by Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, Director of Transport, Planning and Co-ordination in the ministry, said the government’s initiative was designed to enhance the economic development of the country. ``The haulage activity of the NRC is to cover every aspect of our economy. The Lafarge/ WAPCO Cement Company only partnered with the corporation. ``We are going to embark on the movement of petroleum products and agricultural produce among others,'' he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS Dangote Cement plant for launch

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HE new Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese, Ogun State, which is expected to produce six million metric tons of cement yearly, will soon be inaugurated.

A source at the Dangote Group said production at its Gboko plant will soon be increased as the firm has almost concluded its expansion of the plant to hit four million metric tons per annum as against its current capacity of 3.5 million metric tons.

With four million tons in Gboko, about 10 million in Obajana and another six million in Ibese, the Dangote cement production is expected to hit about 20 million tons by the end of this year as against the country’s demand of 17 million metric tons of cement per annum.

What Dangote Group will be producing will be far more than the country’s demand, giving room for the Group to start exportation of cement to other African countries.

By having cement plants in 14 different African countries, Dangote Cement has emerged as African’s biggest cement manufacturing company.

Among others, Dangote is in Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Congo (Brazzaville), Ethiopia, Cameroun (Grinding), Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana and Senegal.

The move, according to the company, is to ensure that Africa remains self-sufficient in cement production and making the products easily available and at highly affordable costs to the end users.

The expansion of the group will be of benefits to the shareholders.

The Special Adviser to the President of Dangote group, Joseph Makoju, has said the increased production would lead to more revenue for the company and the shareholders will be better for it, noting that investment in Dangote stock is the best investment decision made by the shareholders so far.

Senate meets NNPC, PPPRA, oil majors over cost, transparency

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ENATORS are consulting with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and some multinational oil majors on bringing down the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

The meetings are also said to aim at driving reforms in the oil and gas sector, ahead of the awaited consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The passage of the controversial PIB is stuck in the National Assembly since 2008. Former President Umaru Yar’Adua sent the PIB to the National Assembly, in a bid to reform the oil and gas sector.

A source said the Senator Emmanuel Paulker-led Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) convened the meetings.

The committee met with some oil majors in the upstream sector, including Shell, Agip and Total, before the Senate went on recess.

Though Senator Paulker declined comment on the meetings, he, however, said the committee was mandated to ensure that the cost of doing business in the oil and gas sec-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tor was drastically reduced.

The lawmaker added that the Senate was determined to remove the secrecy attached to operations in the oil and gas sector.

He said: “Let me state two major issues, which our committee shall pay serious attention to. The first is the issue of industry cost. My committee is aware that over time, the cost of doing business in our petroleum industry has grown to become one of the highest in the whole world.

“This is in spite of the fact that the factors often cited to justify such higher cost are no longer in existence.

“The committee is aware that the industry is traditionally considered to be opaque, secretive and guarded. This is so especially with regard to the operations of the policy and regulatory agencies as well as even major oil companies both foreign and indigenous.

“I will, therefore, urge everyone charged with regulatory, policy or operational responsi-

bility to co-operate fully with this committee in the discharge of its functions.

“Let us wave goodbye to hide and seek, to disobedience to lawful requests for information and invitations and to such other irritable attitudes that often generate rancour and acrimony.

“Let me state categorically that unlike any other time, the petroleum industry is at a crossroads.

Paulker noted that as the backbone of the country’s economy, the oil and gas industry is expected not only to generate huge proportion of government revenue, but also provide adequate power supply and employment of the country’s teeming youths.

He said, however, that the challenges facing the industry were enormous.

Some of the challenges, he added, include widespread uncertainty about the state of the ongoing reforms in the industry with the non-passage of the PIB, slowdown of investment in all aspects of the industry and impediments to the vigorous implementation of the Nigerian Content Act.

U

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

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

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Continental begins Houston-Lagos flights NITED States-based Conti nental Airlines plans to start daily non-stop flights between Houston and Lagos.

This brings to three American airlines operating directly into Nigeria.

The others are North America and Delta airlines This will be the first daily scheduled service between Texas and Africa by any airline.

According to the airline schedule in Washington DC, the inaugural flight will take-off on November 16 from Houston airport.

The North American Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline plans to have Prof.

Adebowale Adefiuye, Nigerian Ambassador to US on board during the maiden flight.

It said the envoy would fly in from Washington earlier in the same day to participate in the scheduled launch.

On its schedule for the arrival in Lagos on November 17 at 1:40 p.m., the airline expects the Nigerian envoy to make remarks at the evening reception taking place in Lagos at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah-Ogienwonyi, Joseph D. Stafford, US ConsulGeneral in Lagos and Dr Harold Demuren, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), are expected at the reception.

Flight Schedule

• From left: Head, Marketing KFC Ltd, Mr Vikram Varma; wife of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Florence and Chief Executive Officer, Chellarams Group, Mr Aditya Chellaram, during the opening of KFC’s new business outlet at Ring Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Firm to buy Nigeria’s crude oil

• Petroleum Minister Mrs AlisonMadueke

I

NDEPENDENT energy trader Vitol has entered into a longterm purchase agreement with Sterling Oil Trading and Sterling Oil

Exploration for their new Nigerian Okwuibome crude oil production, the company said.

The deal includes a pre-payment and long-term purchase agreement with Sterling Oil Trading and Sterling Oil Exploration, part of Sterling Global Oil Resources.

Vitol said the deal is estimated at 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) and is expected to grow to 25,000 (bpd) by the end of next year.

The company has a licence to explore and produce crude oil from four onshore blocks with a total acreage of almost 2,000 square kilometres in Nigeria.

Sterling Global Oil Resources

is part of the Sandesara Group, a diversified company with interests in oil and gas and oil trading, among others.

Nigerian crude for December loading remained in ample supply on Monday, traders said, suggesting further downside for premiums from current levels.

Increasing supply of light, sweet crude, partly due to the restart of supplies from Libya, has been weighing on Nigerian differentials. The Angolan crude, by contrast, traded out quickly for December and is mostly sold.

“I think there has to be more downside,” said a trader of Nigerian crude with a European oil company.

Airlines record huge passenger traffic at Sallah

D

OMESTIC airlines yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos recorded huge passenger traffic as the public holiday declared for the Sallah celebrations ended.

The new domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos was busy as passengers were in long queues to purchase tickets for their destinations, with airlines

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

adjusting their flights to meet up with the available capacity.

At the departure hall of the new terminal, passengers were moving over from one airline’s counter to the other to ascertain the available fares and schedules that will suit their travel plan.

Airlines that operated several in-

clude: First Nation Airways, Aero Airline, Associated Aviation, DANA Air, IRS Airlines , Air Nigeria and Arik Air, which operates from the old domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Major routes that airlines operated include: Lagos-Abuja, Lagos -Kano, Lagos-Port Harcourt, Lagos - Kaduna as well as Lagos-Benin and others.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

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

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

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

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

13

ISSUES

• Insurers’ gross premium income chart for 2009

Unethical practices among insurers have negative impact on the end-of-year results. Many are counting their losses. CHUKS UDO OKONTA examines the development and the regulators’ efforts to check the menace.

How insurers undercut rivals U to stay afloat NHEALTHY competition among insurers is a major challenge to the growth of the industry. Though operators consider the act a game, which the smartest win, the consequences on their financial performance are harmful.

The industry, which has been facing problems, such as poor public acceptability, influx of fake operators and low penetration, among others, has failed to live up to expectations, hence it is regarded as the poor cousin of the banking sector.

With over N500 billion capital base, the industry’s gross premium over the years has remained stunted, hauling in around N200 billion, a development, which stakeholders consider awful.

According to the industry’s 2009 gross premium income chart, life business generated 20 per cent of the N200 billion, fire, nine per cent, motor, 20 per cent workman’s compensation, seven per cent, general accident, 15 per cent, marine and aviation, nine per cent oil and gas, 13 per cent and miscellaneous, seven per cent.

Market agreement To ensure operators engage in healthy competitions, their umbrella body the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), initiated a market agreement under which mem-

bers are expected to adhere to stipulated rates. But many insurers undermined the pact by issuing lower rates to edge out rivals.

The level of unethical practice in the industry is said to have reached the crescendo as operators now attribute their poor performance to the menace.

Operators’ perspective Group Managing Director, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mr Anthony Aletor, who expressed misgivings on the impact of unethical practices, said the menace is having negative effects on his com-

pany operations.

He noted that the reduction of premium rates by operators against the stipulated rates has made business difficult for operators who uphold the tenets of the industry.

He said: “The group business terrain remains unchanged during the year under review as the usual pricing problem and stiff competition continue to have significant effects on our operations. Ordinarily, one would have expected the premium rates to increase in line with the high risks being assumed but, sadly, the market continued to push premium rates down with the re-

sultant effect of high mortality experience.

“In accordance with our usual leadership roles, we have already started a strong campaign for sound underwriting in the market and we hope that the industry will collaborate to ensure that proper pricing takes place on group business.”

Aletor said the company made a marginal gross premium of N1.89 billion last year as against N1.80 in 2009.

Group Chairman, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr Edward Leigh, whose company posted N2.04 billion gross premium last year as against N3.30 billion in 2009, said the result was due to loss of businesses to stiff competition • Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

14

ISSUES • Continued from page 13

and discounted rate cutting in the industry backed with the global economic meltdown.

Companies such as Royal Exchange posted N3.2 billion gross premium last year as against N3.6 billion in 2009.

Staco Insurance Plc recorded a gross premium income of N5.248 billion compare with N5.058 billion in 2009.

Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc recorded a loss of N2.72 billion in 2009, while its 2010 result is yet to be released.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc recorded N4.76 billion gross premium as against N4.4 billion in 2009.

How insurers undercut rivals to stay afloat

Regulators’ perspective Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, said attempts made to enable insurers regulate their activities and uphold ethical practices have failed. He added that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) had mellowed down its regulatory measures to allow the various associations in the industry regulate activities of their members. He noted that efforts made to ensure self discipline failed as most operators subvert the rules enacted by their associations.

Daniel said the level of misconduct in the industry has reached a crescendo, adding that NAICOM would no longer tolerate such misdeeds. He called on the NIA and Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) to call their members to order.

“I want to ask you as professionals to do a rethink and consider whether our industry is developing gracefully or otherwise? We have mellowed down to allow selfregulation and upholding of professional principles, but it appears they are not working. Rather some are emboldened to continue the way they have been doing.

“It is disheartening that some of our underwriters and insurance brokers have turned the industry into a profession of anything goes,” Daniel said.

He said most operators have thrown caution to the wind in their bid to secure businesses especially government accounts, adding that misdeeds perpetuated by operators have drastically reduced public confidence on the industry.

“At the time of budding prosperity, I am dismayed to hear us being called disparaging names – “these people who share money” – at the highest levels of government.

“These unprofessional actions are most prevalent in government accounts and if the NIA and NCRIB are not willing to call their members to other, the commission will.

“With respect to market conduct, there is an urgent need to address the challenges posed by improper conduct. Unarguably, our products are under-priced and serious undercutting by operators that reached its climax.

“The cost of these misbehaviours to us is enormous – loss of business, diminished goodwill and confidence of the insuring public,” he added.

He expressed misgiving about the market agreement reached by insurance companies, adding that before the ink with which the agreement was written had dried a portfolio that a group of companies had underwritten and the cover running was purportedly poached by another company, without just cause.

Daniel noted that the operators cannot continue to do the same thing all the time and expect a different result, adding that the future is bright for the industry if only operators could be more professional in their approach to the business.

He also berated insurers over their N200 billion premium in-

key in. Since the investors are now attentive and also now almost reading riot act to the management of their companies, I believe they would not want to be pushed.

“We have opened a lot of windows, it is just for them to walk in and tap the opportunities. We are not going to sell insurance products as regulators. What we are going to do is really to create opportunities, which we have created. We have created many opportunities through the MDRI; the Federal Government also has created opportunities through the instrumentality of the Nigerian Content Bill. And the bill is a multi-million dollar, pounds, euro businesses.

When you translate that to naira, you would see that the trillion premium target is achievable,” Daniel added.

Shareholders’ perspective

• Ladipo-Ajayi

• Fola Daniel

• Insurers’ income chart for 2009 come, which he said is far below the industry’s capital base of about N500billion.

Daniel said the industry over the years has been moving at a slow pace, adding that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has embarked on measures to reposition the industry to meet public expectations.

He said the latest action taken by the commission to improve the income of the industry was the arrest of fake insurers. Daniel urged insurers to leverage on the opportunities created such as Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) programme created by the commission to contribute to the economy development.

He said the government through

the Nigeria Content Bill, which empowers insurers to underwrite 70 per cent risks in the country, has also paved way for insurers to improve their operations.

“We have a capital, which is in excess of N500 billion and the industry is not generating the capital, which means that we are under-trading. The operators have been trying to jog, but now, we are no longer going to jog but run.

“We have moved very slowly as an insurance industry, we have been walking and in the last four years we attempted to jog. Now we are no longer going to jog but we are going to run. The N1trillion target, which we have variously stated, I believe it is achievable for we have huge opportunities and

potentials; all we need to do is to harness the available opportunities.

“I am very glad that in the last two months several companies had their annual general meetings, and many of the boards expressed disappointments over the performance of their companies. They did that against the backdrop that they know that there are huge opportunities. So, management of various insurance companies will have no choice than to key in to our developmental effort. What we have done in the last three years is not really regulating the industry, but we have concentrated more on developing the industry. We have laid a solid foundation for development, so, it is for companies to

‘Ordinarily, one would have expected the premium rates to increase in line with the high risks being assumed but, sadly, the market continued to push premium rates down with the resultant effect of high mortality experience’

Former Chairman of NIA, Mr Wole Oshin, whose regime initiated the market agreement, said it was introduced to enthrone best practices in the conduct of business by members companies, adding that the pact represents the modest efforts by the NIA to encourage professionalism, sound ethics and best practices.

He appealed to members to adhere strictly to the agreement to ensure quality service delivery to stakeholders.

Chairman, NIA, Mr Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi, said the association is committed to stalling the menace, adding that as a voluntary organisation, it can only persuade members to adhere to stipulated laws “Do not forget that the NIA is a voluntary association of people that are competing. We still have competition as a free market where individual members are suppose to compete with one another, but that competition has to be with bounds. The NIA is not a tariff company where everybody is mandated to issue a particular rate. The insurance industry allows for discrimination to punish bad features of a risk and compensate good features of a risk, so that there would be deviation of average rate,” he said.

Chairman, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr Michael Ade-Ojo, said the pruning down of the numbers of firms will help curb unethical practices in the industry.

He noted that the number of firms in the industry is too large, adding that this is responsible to the unethical practices companies engage in to stay afloat “To move the industry forward, I think the number of insurance companies has to be reduced, for the misdeed that is observed in the industry is due to the large number companies operating in the sector.

“Another thing that will make the sector progress is stopping banks from having underwriting and brokerage firms. Allowing professional insurers to manage the affairs of companies will really improve the industry,” Ade-Ojo said.

According to the 2009 Nigeria Insurance Digest, only four firms control the industry, which is made up of 56 companies. These firms have the largest market share leaving others to struggle for few businesses, a development industry watcher believe breed unethical practices.

The leading industry operators are Leadway Assurance Company Limited, Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc and Intercontinental WAPIC Insurance Plc. Leadway Assurance has the largest market share of 14.45 per cent, IGI with 5.61 per cent, AIICO, 4.97 per cent and Intercontinental WAPIC, 4.09 per cent.

About 65 per cent of the operators possess less than one per cent of the industry’s market share.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

17

MONEY

CBN, MTN, Glo partner to bridge cashless infrastructure gap T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged the services of MTN and Globacom to bridge the infrastructure gap in the implementation of cashless banking policy.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, said the apex bank pertnered MTN and Glo to enable it get dedicated lines for electronic-backed transactions in delivering services to the people.

Speaking during the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) 45th Bankers’ Dinner in Lagos, Lemo said the target of the apex bank is to achieve 95 per cent Point of Sale (PoS) availability in

Stories by Collins Nweze the course of implementing the cashless banking policy. He said the telcos will be viable and reliable partners in the implementation of the cashless policy.

Lemo said CBN intends to deploy 150,000 PoS machines by the end of December 2012, which would be scaled up to 375,000 PoS machines by the end of 2015. It also plans to attain a benchmark for PoS penetration of 2,200 PoS per 100,000 adults. Currently, the penetration is 13 PoS per 100,000 adults. The apex bank is using Brazil as a benchmark and hopes that by 2015, it

should be able to get to the Brazilian standard of 2200 PoS machine per 100,000. Also, 40,000 PoS will be deployed in Lagos before December 31, to make Cashless Lagos a reality.

“The CBN is also mindful of the infrastructural and the security challenges posed by this ambitious programme. We have there gone into partnership with some telecommunication companies with the approval of the NCC while ensuring that structural impediments such as interoperability of payments, among others are addressed,” he said.

Moreover, the CBN has consistently explained that government sources are not enough to finance infrastructural development, and therefore, is exploring other options, such as Public, Private Partnership (PPP) and Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT). The apex bank has also approved a Development Finance Department that will work with stakeholders in the finance and infrastructure development sectors, to draft an Infrastructure Finance Policy for the country.

It said the initiatives taken so far have in no small measure addressed the huge challenges con-

• CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

fronting the nation, adding that such pro-activeness has provided a roadmap for resuscitation of critical infrastructure.

Pilot scheme for e-clearing implementation

T

HE Nigeria-Inter Bank Settlement Payment System (NIBSS) is working out modalities for the take-off of e-clearing.

The firm has started a pilot scheme on the e-clearing project being undertaken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks and other payment companies.

Under the scheme a cheque is dematerialised by the bank where it was initially presented under a set time. Dematerialisation is the conversion of physical cheque to electronic copy needed for online clearing.

Also, the clearing house acts as an intermediary for data and image flow between the presenting and the paying bank. The NIBSS is the Central Image Warehousing Agency (CIWA) for storage and certification of cheque images.

The NIBSS General Manager, Operations, Niyi Ajao, explained that the firm is at the centre of e-payments and is partnering with banks and the CBN to achieve a seamless clearing system in the country.

The e-clearing guidelines were issued by CBN a week ago to assist banks clear their cheques online.

The CBN acted after due consultation with the banks. The policy is expected to provide for the regulation and management of cheque truncation to reduce cost and days of clearing instruments. It is also meant to articulate the rights and responsibilities of presenting and paying banks in the Cheque Truncation System.

A circular from the CBN said the policy would provide minimum technical and operational standards for cheque truncation and facilitate the implementation of an effective and efficient payment system.

Speaking during NIBSS 2010 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Ajao said: “Since 2002, we have been running the Automated Clearing System (ATS) in our office. That brought all the banks together for automated clearing of instruments – cheques and other non-paper instruments. The system we are going to use for cheque truncation, where the paper cheque would not come to the clearing house anymore, has already gone live since August this year.”

According to him, NIBSS has already started a pilot scheme, even as all the parties in the project are ready to see a seamless implementation. “We have been on a pilot scheme. The system is ready, the clearing houses are ready and the banks are also ready. Hopefully,

by January, we would commence cheque truncation. With that, we would be able to reduce the num-

ber of clearing days of cheques from the current three days (T+3) to two days (T+2), as part of the cashless Lagos policy,” he said.

Ajao said the e-clearing and the proposed cash policy would make people have other options of making payments as cash should not be the only payment option.

E-Clearing otherwise known as cheque truncation involves stopping the physical movement of the cheque and replacing the physical instrument with the image of the instrument and the corresponding data contained in Magnetic Character Ink Character Reader (MICR) line. The cheque details are captured, typically by the bank presenting the cheque or its clearing agent and electronically presented in an agreed format to the clearing house for onward delivery to the paying bank for payment.

Unlike the more common form of presentment where a cheque is physically presented to the paying bank, a truncated cheque is typically stored by the presenting bank electronically.

• From left: Jaiyeola; Lemo; President, Nigeria Bar Association, Joseph Daudu and CIBN Vice President, Mr Segun Aina, at the event.

‘Ogun loses N24b yearly to wrong tax remittance’

• Mrs Adeosun

O

GUN State is losing between N18 billion and N24 billion yearly to wrong tax remittances, its Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has said.

She said the states lose between N1.5 billion and N2 billion monthly to other states where the taxes are wrongly remitted.

She said the state would continue to take appropriate measures to improve on its Internally Generated Revenues (IGR), adding that under the federal system of government, the only variable under

the direct control of the state is its IGR base.

“Clearly, we will always fight hard for our fair share of the federal purse but I will spend more of my efforts facing the IGR challenge where there is considerable low hanging fruit,” she said in a statement.

She explained that one key asset working in the state’s favour is its proximity to Lagos.

Mrs. Adeosun said the state is attracting companies and factories that wish to relocate optimally for the Lagos and pan-Nigeria market.

“Ogun State has more space and cheaper land, the unfolding scenario is sure to create more job opportunities for our people, and government will continue to ensure that there is a business and investor-friendly climate in the state,” the statement said.

According to her, Nigerian businesses ought to exploit this geographical location to gain access to the Lagos and other West African markets.

“Another key area we will leverage on is our traditional strength in agriculture. We are growing our agro and agro-allied sector and reviving activity in cash crop production, mainly in cassava, oil palm and even modern poultry farming,” she said.

Mrs Adeosun said people should comply with the Personal Income

Tax Act 2004 which stipulates that such taxes are payable to the tax authority where the person resides and not where he or she is working.

The state, she said intends to make more money by applying the residency rule in taxation. This will allow people living in boundary

towns and villages like Sango Ota, Akute, Ibafo, Magoro, Mowe, Ojodu-Abiodun and Aiyetoro – Ayobo among others to pay taxes to Ogun State. She said many employers remit taxes of their employees in these areas to Lagos State government contrary to the Personal Income Tax Act.

IMF boss warns of EU liquidity squeeze

I

NTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde has warned that eastern Europe may face a credit squeeze as western European banks mired in the euro-area debt crisis withdraw liquidity from the region.

“Big fault lines”remain in the former communist bloc’s financial systems, adding to its high dependence on exports to western Europe, Lagarde said in a speech at Moscow’s State University of the Ministry of Finance after meeting President Dmitry Medvedev.

The risks include a high share of external debt and loans in foreign currencies, both funded by western banks, she said.

Banks that bankrolled Eastern Europe’s boom before the 2008 credit crunch are being squeezed by deteriorating loan quality and slowing economic growth. The region was the world’s worst-hit in

the aftermath of the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. three years ago and may face the threat of another sharp slowdown as the euro area’s troubles spread.

“The issue of availability of liquidity may very well come back as we see some of those western banks withdraw, reduce their activities, reduce their exposure,” Lagarde said, diverging from the text of the speech released by the IMF. Lagarde’s remarks echoed the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which warned last month that regulatory pressure on euro-area banks to raise capital ratios may result in less support to local units.

About three-quarters of eastern Europe’s banking industry is owned by western lenders such as Italy’s UniCredit SpA (UCG), Austria’s Erste Group Bank AG (EBS) and France’s Societe Generale (GLE) SA.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

18

MONEY

Customers complain as more banks raise minimum savings deposits

T

O enhance their liquid base, banks are raising thier minimum savings deposits. Their deposits have been raised by between 100 and 1,000 per cent, The Nation learnt. The development has provoked fears among depositors, many of who believe that it is a ploy to push them out of the banking system.

First Bank Plc has increased its minimum savings, it was learnt, deposits from N1,000 to N2,000; Diamond Bank Plc, N250 to N500; Intercontinental Bank, N1,000 to N5,000. Sterling Bank Plc, N1,000 to N2,000 for depositors using Sterling Plus. Sterling Plus is one of the numerous products of the bank.

Wema Bank Plc, however, still maintains its N250 minimum savings deposits. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has zero minimum savings deposits, meaning customers are free not to leave anything in their accounts.

First City Merchant Bank, Access

Stories by Akinola Ajibade Bank Plc, and Skye Bank Plc, raised their minimum savings deposits from N500 to N1,000. Only United Bank for Africa (UBA) increased its to N25,000, signifying its willingness to move its customers to highincome brackets.

Depositors are blaming the banks for causing them untold hardship.

They said they are not comfortable with the development, arguing that it would affect them.

They argue that the bulk of banks’ customers are those in the lowerincome segment, querying the rationale behind the increment.

An account holder with Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mrs Oluyemi Alimi, said the bank had in 2009 sent a text messages to its customers informing them about the decision to increase the minimum savings deposits from N1,000 to N10,000. She said the issue discour-

aged many customers, even though the bank later reduced the minimum savings deposits to N5,000.

A former General Manager, First City Merchant Bank Plc, who spoke under cover, said the banks are gradually moving their customers to high-end of the market to lessening their burdens. He said the banks’ actions suggest that they are not ready to continue with customers that keep small money with them. He said banks are seeing lowend customers as burdens they want to let off, hence the decision to continuously reviewing their minimum savings deposits.

There is, however, the fear that other banks would follow suit, thereby sending a majority of bank’ customers that cannot afford the amount out of the system.

When this happens, the perennial efforts of the regulating authorities to decrease the amount of money outside the banking industry would be frustrated.

Reforms crucial to growth Stories by Collins Nweze

A

NALYSTS have said full implementation of three key reforms embarked upon by the government will lead to economic transformation.

Renaissance Capital, an investment and research firm, said banking and capital market reforms, agricultural reform, the Petroleum Investment Bill (PIB) and the removal of the petrol subsidy will determine the level of growth in the economy.

It said the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala;Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Trade and Industry Minister, Olusegun Aganga; Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh and the Agriculture Minister Akin Adesina will be key drivers of the reforms.

The firm said if any one of these can be pushed through, it is expected that Nigeria’s outlook will be much improved. “If all the reforms succeed, it wouldn’t surprise us to see global investors falling over themselves to invest in the country. But the removal of the petrol subsidy, which is increasingly seen as fostering corruption rather than achieving the goal of helping the poorest in society, is the most crucial,” they said.

According to the report, there is however, fears among the grassroots of possible rise in the retail price of petrol from N65 per litre, to potentially around N140 per litre as they would need to be convinced that the billions saved would be spent effectively.

“Power reform, and infrastructure spending in general, would be the most effective way to redistribute government spending. The power minister has highlighted that electricity output has risen from 2,500 MW to 4,000 MW over the past year. What investors want to see is the privatisation of generation and distribution companies – expressions of interest are already in,” it said.

FirstBank supports varsities

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IRSTBANK of Nigeria Plc has, through its endowment in professorial chairs in 12 universities across the country, provided platforms for scholarly research, academic excellence and economic development, its Group Managing Director, Mr. Bisi Onasanya has said.

Represented by the Group Head of the Bank’s Public Sector in Enugu, Mrs Nwanneka Okolo, at the public presentation of the bank’s sponsored research report at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Onasanya said the endowments are meant to promote capacity building and complement the efforts of the Federal Government in educational development.

The report of the research entitled: “Fifty years of Banking Sector Reforms in Nigeria (1960 to 2010), Past Lessons and Future Imperatives” was presented by Prof Francis Okafor, chair of the bank’s endowment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

In a welcome address read on his behalf, Onasanya said the report would become a resource tool for enhancing professionalism, regulation and grooming of future leaders for the sector.

“FirstBank is proud to be associated with projects that enhance human capital and economic development in the nation. To date, we have endowed N420 million in 12 professorial chairs in universities across the nation and we have also strengthened the scheme with infrastructure development. Our vision is to generate sustainable manpower development to drive rapid growth of the national economy,” the Bank’s GMD said.

MSMEs get N25b • From right: National President, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chuku Wachuku and former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa, at Sofee Investment, Entreprenuer and Job Creation workshop in Lagos.

CBN may use post offices as mobile payment centres

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OST offices may serve as mobile payment centres, if talks between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) sail through.

Under the plan, CBN and NIPOST will share facilities to promote the mobile payment initiatives.

A senior official, Shares Services Office, Governor’s Department, CBN, Mr Chidi Umeano, said the apex bank had discussed with the management of NIPOST on the possibility of using its offices nationwide. He said CBN task the decision because NIPOST has several abandoned offices that can be upgraded for mobile payment needs.

He said if the arrangement worked, NIPOST’s offices would play key roles in the growth of mobile payment services.

Umeano spoke at a capacity building workshop for microfinance bank(mfb) operators.

He said: “Instead people buying stamps in NIPOST offices, they would be going there to buy e-values, and later convert it to cash across the country.”

Umeano said provisions had been made for payment options, such as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, Point of Sales (POS), Web Banking, among others.

He said depositors who withdraw over N150,000 across the counters in

Lagos would be sanctioned as from January 1, while those in other states would be penalised as from June 2012.

He said errant depositors would lose 10 per cent of the amount they withdraw in excess of N150,000, adding that the development would make people to use electronic payment terminals provided by the banks.

Also, the Deputy Post MasterGeneral of the Federation, Mr Yashin Bitiyong, said NIPOST has initiated discussion with the CBN and the twenty three banks to promote mobile banking services in the country. Bitiyong said when the discussion sails through, NIPOST‘s customers would be able to key into networks provided by the banks and the e-payment service providers to get the services they are looking for.

“The banks and the e-payment service providers would provide networks that would facilitate mobile payment services. NIPOST would key into networks to ensure that its customers wherever they are, link up and get the services they are looking for”.

He said NIPOST is not only discussing with CBN and the banks, but its building relationship with technology providers to achieve the desire results. Bitiyong said the agency would use its relationship

with the Universal Postal Union (UPN) to advantage by opening its own software soon.

“We are opening our own software based on the relationship we have with other countries at the Universal Postal Union. UPN is an association of countries tasked with the objective of developing postal services globally. Being the Nigerian representative at the Union, we would ensure that we open our own software. We would bring the software to Nigeria, and we would use the software at the most backward end. I’m talking about rural areas. We would find telephone, especially handsets useful in this regard. We want to open our network to receive messages from the telephone, in order to enhance the growth of the mobile payment services,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the cashless banking programme is feasible in the country.Babajide said microfinance banks have important roles to play in mobile banking, in view of its strength and objectives. He said the microfinance sub-sector has a market size of over 50 million, representing about 65 per cent of the unbanked population in the country.

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IAMOND Bank Plc has dis bursed N25 billion to em power the micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the last two years.

The Head of Proposition for MSMEs of the Bank, Mrs. Chidinma Lawanson, who disclosed this at the “Diamond BusinessXtra Enterprise Series,” said henceforth, the bank will focus on creating value for businesses that fall within this sector because they are largely ignored within the banking industry and the economy at large.

She said that as part of plan to restructure the MSMEs sector to contribute immensely to the economy, the bank has developed a guarantee focus by creating a current account product that makes it easy for over 85,000 entrepreneurs with the bank to gain access to loans without being charge com-

mission on turnover (COT).

According to her, beneficiaries of the current account product for MSMEs have grown from 7,000 customers to more than 85,000 customers within a period of two years and it is still growing.

“So far, we have given loans of over N25 billion to over 7,000 customers in Nigeria since the inception and these loans are strictly between N1 million to N10 million.

Most of these customers utilise the loans in buying fixed assets or stock of tradable goods and they do pay back. The repayment levels have been very high,” she said.

Lawanson said that although there are more than 10million registered MSMEs in Nigeria but those accessing the bank’s loan have continued to contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Finance chiefs consider $1.4tr bailout

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UROPEAN finance chiefs returned to Brussels on Monday on a mission to convince global leaders that they can shield countries such as Italy and Spain from the spreading debt crisis.

As political turmoil envelops governments in Athens and Rome, finance ministers from the 17-member euro area will work on the details of plans to increase the muscle of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Leveraging the fund would aim to ramp up spending capacity to one trillion euro ($1.4 trillion).

European leaders’ failure to resolve the two-year-old debt crisis threatens to drag down the global economy and trigger another financial downturn. World leaders at a Group of 20 meeting last week demanded euro governments do more to staunch the turmoil including fleshing out how an expanded EFSF would work before they commit fresh cash to the region.

Italy’s 10-year borrowing costs approached the seven per cent level that forced Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek bailouts. The euro fell against the dollar, extending last week’s 2.5 per cent drop. It traded at $1.3710 in Frankfurt, from $1.3792 on November 4. The currency has dropped seven per cent since May 2, when it reached a 2011 high, based on closing prices.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Naira’s free fall

•The issue boils down to one thing: the need to diversify the economy

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HEN the International Monetary Fund (IMF) opined in February that the naira was “overvalued”, Nigerians could not have imagined that the proposition would turn a self-fulfilling prophecy eight months after. Today, the prophecy has come to fulfilment; worse, the signals are that naira – courtesy of the unbridled demand and the relative dip in crude prices – is set on a prolonged free fall. That, at least, was the indication given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi last week, while hinting at an imminent trading of the naira within the N155/6 band as against the current N150.

Coming right after the CBN governor had stated emphatically that devaluation

‘Coming right after the CBN governor had stated emphatically that devaluation was off the table in response to the IMF prescription, it seems the dawn of a new realism; a revelation of how hollow the current growth path has been ... Are we surprised? Hardly. If anything, there is a certain, inevitable logic in the latest development which merely reflects the economy’s outer dependency – its reliance on oil for most of its foreign exchange earnings, and its unbridled appetite for anything foreign.

was off the table in response to the IMF prescription, it seems the dawn of a new realism; a revelation of how hollow the current growth path has been.

According to the CBN governor, “the CBN has been struggling to keep the naira within a band of three percent above or below N150 as oil prices declined and demand for imports surged”. Time therefore, for the devaluation pill.

Are we surprised? Hardly. If anything, there is a certain, inevitable logic in the latest development which merely reflects the economy’s outer dependency – its reliance on oil for most of its foreign exchange earnings, and its unbridled appetite for anything foreign.

The matter is, the nation’s capacity to earn foreign exchange at this time is constrained by how much crude she is able to pump and how many dollars it fetches at any given point in time. The implication of a slump in oil prices – no matter how modest, is that government’s’ fiscal calculations are almost automatically altered as a consequence. The inexplicable desire for foreign exchange, either to finance all manner of imports or to stash away illicit wealth merely adds fuel to the fire. Those factors chiefly explain the current wave of pressure on the naira.

We appreciate the dilemma faced by the CBN governor in seeking to maintain a healthy value for the naira. It seems however clear to us that the efforts are doomed to failure without tackling the problem at the roots. These go far deeper than merely manipulating the national currency to maintain some semblance of respectable

parity with other currencies. It goes right to the heart of the failure to diversify the economy. The choice, therefore, is hardly one of keeping some artificial currency values but ensuring that the engine of the economy is primed to deliver.

Just as the danger of maintaining an artificially high naira value is real, the problems associated with devaluation in a poverty-stricken, import—dependent economy can be quite deleterious as well.

We do appreciate that keeping the naira unreasonably strong may serve to further encourage unbridled importation with grave consequences to the nation’s foreign reserves. The bitter pains of devaluation, however, are serious to the extent that it raises the spectre of further deepening the poverty level, just as it offers no guarantee that the nation would reap benefits of export boost – now or in the future.

The CBN will therefore need to tread cautiously. We suggest that the apex bank take time out to study the forces behind the current surge in forex demand. It might yet learn a lesson or two about all that is wrong with the current style of foreign exchange management.

Sanusi’s membership of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Economic Management Team offers him the unique opportunity to push for holistic approach to the issue; the bottom-line is that the solution lies in the diversification of the economy.

The strategy has the dual advantage of curbing imports while also growing the national pie – both of which are vital to giving the naira, strength.

Musical chair • The problem with football in Nigeria is beyond mere appointment of coaches HE bug of confusion bedeviling most facets of the country’s lives has not left out her football sec tor. What gave confirmation to this reality is the sack of Samson Siasia as coach of the Super Eagles, and his replacement with Stephen Keshi, former Nigerian international, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Siasia failed to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2012 Nations Cup to be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for the first time in 25 years.

Hence, Keshi as the new soccer helmssman has been saddled with the task of qualifying the Eagles for the 2014 Nations Cup in South Africa, and eventually that year’s World Cup coming up in Brazil.

The turnover of coaches, especially in the senior national team has become a problem that must be addressed quickly. Something must be wrong with our process of appointing and relieving coaches. In some cases, it is not only performance that leads to this but other considerations.

For instance, Siasia was hired in November 2010 and was surprisingly sacked barely a year after, for failing to fulfill salient terms of his contract, including that of qualifying Nigeria for the coming Nations Cup and qualification for at least the semi-final of the same continental competition.

Also, Keshi, the newly appointed coach assisted Shuaibu Amodu in 2001 to qualify the country for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. But

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they were dismissed before the World Cup finals notwithstanding the fact that the duo led the nation to a third place finish at the 2002 Nations Cup in Mali. Another Swedish coach, Lars Lagerback who was appointed to replace them gave the nation one of her poorest outings in that year’s FIFA World Cup. We are curious to know whether this latest appointment will give the nation the breath of fresh air it urgently needs for her soccer to develop.

Whatever Siasia is guilty of; Keshi could not be completely exonerated of.

Siasia’s era was riddled with rifts with star players like Peter Odemwingie, Vincent Enyeama and John Mikel Obi while he was trying to instill discipline in the team. During Keshi’s first stint as coach of Togo too, his rift with that country’s star player, Emmanuel Adebayor eventually led to his sack, despite qualifying Togo for the World Cup for the first time in its history.

The NFF, under the leadership of Aminu Maigari must engage in serious retrospection so as to be able to find out what is amiss with the nation’s football. We are appalled by the erroneous official impression being given that the appointment of a new coach will mark the beginning of a new era in soccer in the country.

Terms and targets can be set to be met by the new coach but we have had enough of that in the past. The questions to ask are: Is there an enabling environment for the coach to operate?

Why is it that most coaches of the senior national team usually get frustrated from the job?

The issue of management of players is something that must be accorded significance by the NFF. The country’s football ruling body should forthwith come up with a Code of Conduct booklet that would guide players’ conduct and attitude while in camp, to prevent a recurrence of past misdeeds.

We are not averse to NFF’s decision to give Nigerian coaches the chance to manage the affairs of the national team once they have the requisite experience and technical competence to win laurels. But can Keshi give the nation the long elusive soccer renewal that has forced Nigerians to look abroad for soccer satisfaction that is lacking at home? Time will tell.

‘We are not averse to NFF’s decision to give Nigerian coaches the chance to manage the affairs of the national team once they have the requisite experience and technical competence to win laurels. But can Keshi give the nation the long elusive soccer renewal that has forced Nigerians to look abroad for soccer satisfaction that is lacking at home? Time will tell’

The Court’s GPS test

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HERE were no GPS tracking devices when the framers wrote the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches. But that does not mean this sometimes intrusive technology can be used against Americans without meeting constitutional standards.

In United States v. Antoine Jones, scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, the Supreme Court will review a ruling by the Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which found that police officers violated the Constitution when they hid a GPS device on Mr. Jones’s car without a valid warrant and tracked his every move for 28 days.

Reversing Mr. Jones’s conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine because of the illegal search, the appeals court persuasively argued that this powerful technology requires thinking differently about reasonable expectations of privacy and what is unreasonable for law enforcement officers to consider public. Surveillance that “reveals an intimate picture of the subject’s life that he expects no one to have — short perhaps of his spouse,” the court wrote, violates those expectations.

The government contends that a person in a car driving on public roads has no reasonable expectation of privacy and has exposed his movements to observation by the police.

Such surveillance, it argues, is the same legally whether police officers follow in another car or track with a beeper, which the Supreme Court has allowed without a warrant.

A beeper, however, does not provide the police with an uninterrupted picture of everywhere an individual goes and nearly everything an individual does. As the appeals court noted, “A person who knows all of another’s travels can deduce whether he is a weekly church goer, a heavy drinker, a regular at the gym, an unfaithful husband, an outpatient receiving medical treatment, an associate of particular individuals or political groups — and not just one such fact about a person, but all such facts.”

In its brief to the Supreme Court, the government asserts: “Law enforcement has not abused GPS technology. No evidence exists of widespread, suspicionless GPS monitoring, and practical considerations make that prospect remote.” But that is not a constitutional standard, and is no guarantee the technology will not be broadly abused in the future. Unless the Supreme Court requires the government to get a warrant for GPS tracking, the police will be free to monitor a person’s movements without limit 24 hours a day.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: According to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, the contribution by our four dilapidated refineries to the national PMS/petrol consumption stands at between four percent and 20 of which total national daily consumption stands at 35 million liters daily,meaning that at least 28 million liters of petrol daily consumed in Nigeria is imported.

In the November edition of Sweetcrude, Phil Chukwu, Group Executive Director, Refining & Petrochemicals, NNPC revealed the true state of our refineries and the structure of the downstream petroleum sector in Nigeria and said that a lot of problems associated with the refineries come with the availability of crude oil.

To quote Phil Chukwu, “PPMC buys the crude from government at international market price, sends this crude to the refineries, the refineries process it for the PPMC, which takes its products and sends it to the market. For the refineries, what they earn is the processing fees from PPMC. That is the structure on ground today. PPMC also has a lot of issues; pipelines are vandalized, they lose a lot of the crude before it gets to the refineries and same thing when the products are produced before it gets to the end user.

Phil Chukwu was also honest enough to admit that NNPC was not equipped for a deregulated petroleum products sector when he said as follows: “The question has been asked that can we survive deregulation. And the answer is that the way we are today, no. For us to survive we must look at how we can make the refineries efficient” The Nigerian market is the biggest

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IR: The average Nigerian youths’ tendency towards sordid and crummy lifestyle which has smeared the country’s image internationally has been a source of worry for most Nigerians.

To remedy the situation, focus must be directed to the grassroots.

Truly, if we take a cursory look at the social unrest in Nigeria today, youths are the mostly the perpetrators. I mean all occurrences that are condemnable. The youths must have a complete change of attitude, embrace our traditional ethical values and tap practicable morals from the western world.

This is no time for the youth to

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Fuel subsidy: deregulation is the way to go in the region and everything that happens to the Nigerian market impacts on the surrounding zone. So when things are working properly in Nigeria it will have a positive impact in the whole region. One of the biggest problems at the moment is that of logistics; when you have a large market and you can't get the products to that market then you have a problem.

The current situation is that with the refineries not working anywhere near the required level, the product

is imported and this causes some problems especially in terms of congestion.

In the main import area of Lagos there is the problem of inadequate draft at the Apapa jetties to receive goods from the laden ships which means that on daily basis there are many ship to ship operations that would have to take place offshore.

Smaller ships coming to the shore therefore cause further congestion and this causes demurrage which finally goes into the cost build up which

ends up with the government paying it or the consumer bearing the brunt.

Thanks to Phil Chukwu, I am further convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that the Federal Government is the real problem.

Until the Federal Government is kicked out of the petroleum products business and assumes only a regulatory role, such as happened in the telecommunications business, our economy stands in grave danger of being bankrupted by the monopolistic role played by government and

the increasing cost that is attendant on this monopoly.

Phil Chukwu, is right when he says that NNPC refineries will not be able to survive in a deregulated petroleum products environment due to their inefficiencies; and I want to add that the NNPC petroleum products structures including PPMC, PPPRA, and the refineries should be allowed to die the way NITEL has now died.

Deregulation in petroleum products sector will eliminate the interfering roles of the Federal Government, NNPC, PPPRA, NUPENG, PENGASSAN, Petroleum Equalization Trust Fund, and Ministry of Petroleum Resources thus leaving the Department of Petroleum Resources to play its regulatory role and genuine refiners and marketers of petroleum products to emerge.

• Kingsley Omose, Lagos

VP Namadi’s ambitious detractors

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IR: Of late no issue has been as vexatious as the sensational reporting and attendant commentaries woven around the sighting of one of the old 2007 campaign vehicles of Vice President Namadi Sambo at a PDP event in Kaduna, still carrying the discarded slogan of “Namadi Project”.

This was promptly pounced upon by the thriving merchants of political mischief and chicanery to brew the outlandish disinformation on the Vice President’s “presidential agenda”. That such an innocuous incident can be converted into an editorially improvised explosive device targeted at Vice-President Sambo reveals the alarming hazards of an unfettered Press. It is even worse that

another batch of accomplices will then devote themselves to the premeditated “analysis” of a pseudoevent in order to render it convincing to the public.

Even if the Vice President harbours the vaulting ambition his detractors contrived, would he be revving up campaign vehicles to launch his ascribed “agenda” barely five months into his unsolicited elevation to the nation’s Vice Presidency? Vice President Sambo has never been associated with vaulting ambition in his illustrious political career. Back in Kaduna State before he became governor, he was a successful professional businessman at the head of a leading firm of architects and engineers undertaking major projects for

an impressive array of national and international clients.

It was when, in the twilight of the Makarfi tenure as governor of Kaduna State, there was concern about the caliber of successors waiting in the wings for the imminent transition that the options converged on the competence and electability of Sambo to succeed Makarfi.

Throughout his brief but eventful tenure as governor, he made a name for his oft-repeated determination to stay put and work hard for the progress and development of Kaduna State.

The events following the sudden death of President Umaru Yar’Adua also proved that Sambo had no ambition to become vice-president at a

A clarion call on youths hurl streams of invectives or vituperations on the government or elders or engage in brickbats because of the rot in the society. They should critically study the past to know why things are this way. We should shun wriggling out of our responsibilities and shifting the blame to the generation before us. It is preposterous to claim that the problems created by them can’t be solved.

If Nigerian youths can do their work efficiently, go to work punctually, reject, expose and condemn any form of illegality; bribery, robbery, terrorism etc this country will be better than we ever thought and imagined. Today, many youths do

not have dreams; they are cynical. I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther ‘’I have a dream’’. Without a dream, life is vanity.

Currently Nigeria is labelled the most corrupt, fraudulent in the world. Is this assertion true? Youth! let us unanimously, through our changed attitude reject and prove the world wrong. Sincerity and patriotism should be our watchword and common goal.

In this country? That would be many readers’ response. And my answer to the pessimists is ‘’yes’’. It is not a mirage. Nigerian youths can do it. Youth is life. This is the age we can work, research, produce and

plan for a better tomorrow. Youth is the most important segment of the society to carry out change or transformation. Love of the country comes naturally to young minds. The dream of Nigerian youths should be how to unravel the existing menace, not complicating and compounding them through internet fraud and unrest.

Nigeria will be a giant in the world not only in Africa if all and sundry contribute his or her quota towards transiting to a better and changed tomorrow.

• Adeyeye Adewale Nigeria Orientation Agency, Abuja.

time when several of his governorcolleagues were crisscrossing the country to get nominated as vicepresident. At the end of the day it was then acting President Goodluck Jonathan who chose Sambo based on his own intimate knowledge of his capacity and competence from their previous working relationship.

It would be naïve to believe that the detractors are not up to some hidden agenda of their own in cooking up such a cock-and-bull story. The support the detractors received from the likes of Lawal Kaita in fuelling the propaganda with tailored pseudo-analysis provides sufficient clues on the obnoxious political agenda and the dramatis personae.

Their ulterior motive is to contrive the “ambition” story around the Vice President in the first salvo for causing distrust, dissent and disaffection or the semblance of it in a plan to destabilize the Presidency.

Even a novice in national politics knows that the massive political realignment and redefinition of geopolitical interests that saw to the success of the Jonathan-Sambo ticket in the 2011 elections is tantamount to a quit notice to a whole battalion of old denizens of regional and primordial politics who must by now be biting their fingers at the sudden but total loss of relevance and clout.

As for Vice President Sambo, let it be known that he is better known by his enviable credentials rather than the vaulting ambition associated with undesirable leaders.

• Abdullahi Garba Abuja.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 , 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Should All NYSC Members teach SS3?; Wanted: A Sworn ‘Anti-Corruption/ Honesty Certificate’

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HOULD All NYSC members teach SS3? If Nigeria wants to reverse the 20% Pass recurring in 2012 NECO, she has six months to make a difference to the millions of students who will be do-

Tony Marinho

ing 2012 NECO. To do this at minimum cost, we must use our prepaid ‘Weapon of Mass Education’. Instead of allowing many of our new batch NYSC to be deployed to the private sector where they benefit that sector in a reverse of the usual Public Private Partnership, we should think. If we send all our current batch of NYSC who have the remotest connection to education into SS3 to back up the efforts of the teaching staff, offer extra classes and special coaching to every one of the SS3 students soon to be doing mock exams. The students need our help now because we have failed them so far. This is redemption for us. The students deserve Nigeria’s maximum effort and maximum coaching.

The NYSC is an army for development, often employed for selfish ends by corporate Nigeria. The most urgent development needed by Nigeria now is to present a better prepared exam candidate to NECO. Nigeria with its NYSC Army for Development could make a difference in the lives of these children who have been badly prepared by a failed education system which does not provide adequate education tools like text books and poster learning aids. All governors should encourage this NYSC-as-first-choice deployment particularly to SS3 as an emergency rescue attempt to help our youth.

Perhaps some professionals, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, architects et cetera will be needed outside education specialties and should be deployed outside education. However accountants and bankers could offer mathematical support especially because ‘fear’ of mathematics has resulted in a less than 20% pass in Mathematics at NECO. A good friend, fluent in the bad language and body-politik of Nigerian politics made a suggestion to me which I have developed and will expand on now. We all know that corruption comprises contract and services hyper-inflation and non

execution and outright bribe giving and taking. It is still consuming more than half of every budget from Federal to LGAs. Yet we are supposed to be a religious people if not a holy people. The question is ‘Can we make a ‘Religious People’ a ‘Holy People’?

Perhaps we can. Perhaps the heads of the religious bodies, CAN and the Supreme Islamic Council should agree to recall their adherents in public and political office for such a cleansing exercise.

Can we get Nigerians, especially those in public service, to renew their vows to God in a public, God fearing and binding manner? In Nigeria we question the obvious huge value of the Post JAMB UTME! Following the lethal ‘cult epidemic’ in tertiary institutions, do you think that ‘Cult Renunciations’ in Nigerian tertiary institutions with public ‘Denouncements’ had any effect in reducing cults? If so, then let us try that method on our ‘wayward adults’ holding sway in public life to fight the other scourge after cults –corruption?

Let every single person with access to public funds submit an annually renewable ‘Anti-Corruption’ I will be Honest Certificate’ signed by the authorities from church, mosque or traditional group. After ablution, anointing with holy oil or water, laying of hands of the church hierarchy, the civil servant or politician must swear before the religious authority and the assembled congregation of the faithful.

‘Anti-Corruption or Honesty Certificate 201..’

‘I Mr, Mrs, Miss, Chief, Dr, Prince, Pastor, Mallam, Alhaji, Senator, Representative................... today ..-..-2011, swear before this assembled group of my family, friends and servants of God, that I will not commit a corrupt deed, give or demand or receive any bribe, gift or other service which may be misconstrued as corrupt inducement. Should I do so, may I be removed from office and disgraced.’

Such a swearing, at an elaborate Annual ‘Anti-Corruption Service’, ideally around Christmas or New Year, would bring the ordinary Nigerian to ‘lay hands’ on the public servant and politician and may create the needed momentum for change by reintroducing the ‘fear of God’. Such an honesty certificate can be withdrawn if the religious authority deems necessary. No certificate, No Work! The fear of God must be restored.

We Nigerians must also reduce our religious social and financial demands on civil servants and politicians to sup-

port events and activities. This forces them to provide funds beyond their legitimate needs. But even churches invite NASS members in the hope of getting some of the ‘filthy lucre’ they amass as allowances.

Our schools are empty of libraries and school text books and science instruments. The irony of this is lost on Nigerians as we boast that we are new members of UNESCO’s Executive. UNESCO is dedicated to science education and knowledge-which need simple, non nuclear physics items available in Nigeria. Nigeria has no science expertise or science education track record. Pray we will not ruin UNESCO during our tenure.

Did such a Nigerian delegation as we saw in Paris for the election ever visit St Anne’s, Government College, Queens College or University of Ibadan to assess their science?

The monumental hole in the brains of Nigerian children manifest by the 20% performance will be solved, here, not in Paris UNESCO. Toll gates, again? Now federal government will take ‘poor man’s money’ raised on expressways and divide it every Friday while continuing to neglect expressways! Crazy abi?

‘Let every single person with access to public funds submit an annually renewable ‘Anti-Corruption’ I will be Honest Certificate’ signed by the authorities from church, mosque or traditional group. After ablution, anointing with holy oil or water, laying of hands of the church hierarchy, the civil servant or politician must swear before the religious authority and the assembled congregation of the faithful’

NNPC: The more you look…

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HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is in the news. This time, again, for the wrong reason. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, audit report on the activities of the corporation recently indicted it of unauthorised and illegal deductions from crude oil proceeds accruable to the federation account between 2004 and 2008, to the tune of N862 billion, as against the reported N450 billion. Zainab Ahmed, Executive Secretary of NEITI, made the revelation last Wednesday before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance, Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) and Gas Resources investigating the non-remittance of N450 billion by the NNPC to the Federation Account.

Ahmed told the bewildered audience who converged at the National Assembly that the fresh debt profile of NNPC to the federation account was arrived at based on the documents supplied to it by the corporation in the course of its auditing within the period under review.

She alleged that when the illegal deductions were discovered, NEITI demanded to know from the NNPC who authorised such deductions and whether there was a subsisting government circular to back it up but the corporation refused to provide any authority to back up the deductions.

The NEITI boss further disclosed that the agency discovered, during the course of its assignment, discrepancies in the accounts of the corporation on the proceeds of crude oil and the amounts remitted into the

federation account.

To get the real gist of the matter, the committee reminded Ahmed that Elias Mbam, chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAC, had earlier told the committee that the NNPC was owing the federation account about N450 billion within the period under review. She was also told that Funsho Kupolokun, a former Group Managing Director of the corporation, denied that the corporation owed a dime. Ahmed stood her ground and rubbished the claims. According to her, “based on our auditing reports, the NNPC is owing the federation account to the tune of N842 billion, as of December 31, 2008. We have the details of what the NNPC is owing on monthby-month basis; we are ready to provide the committee the necessary documents if need be.”

Ahmed did not stop there. She also confirmed that the exchange rates being used by the NNPC for the payment of domestic crude oil proceeds had been used to shortchange the Federation Account up to about N12 billion within the last nine months. She said that the federation account was at a disadvantage and that, henceforth, the prevailing rates must be paid at the point of transaction and not deferring payment. She also recommended that adequate measures be put in place by the government to restrict any unauthorised deduction from the crude oil proceeds, while the NNPC should also increase the frequency of remitting the proceeds into the federation account so as to avail the government of available

‘Nobody can deny the fact that the NNPC and its subsidiaries have been the honey pot where influential government officials and their cronies derive free money to sustain their extravagant lifestyles’

funds at all times. Ahmed further recommended that the government should make efforts to collect the outstanding amounts due to it but not yet paid by the corporation.

The disclosures by NEITI and RMAFC were mind-boggling and capable of raising the level of adrenalin in many Nigerians who have been sentenced to a life of permanent want by lack of transparency in the Nigerian system.

Expectedly, the corporation tried hard to explain the latest scandal away. The attempts saw two people who should know better disagreeing on facts about the debts. While Austin Oniwon, Group Managing Director of the corporation, admitted that NNPC had been painfully paying back only N450b it owed the federation account, Kupolokun disagreed. Surprisingly, Oniwon said that there was no debt in real terms but that the corporation was being forced to admit a non-existent liability. In his own argument, Kupolokun said that the withholding of some domestic crude sales proceeds which began during his tenure was not an arbitrary action but a formula designed to recover some amount of money which the Federal Government owed the NNPC. In the view of Kupolokun, “unless we liberalise, unless we deregulate and adopt appropriate pricing”, the matter will continue to rear its ugly head.

Not even the testimony by Diezani Madueke, the Petroleum Minister, which alluded to the fact that NEITTI’s report was obsolete, was enough to sway people’s belief that there is more than meets the eye in the NNPC debt saga.

Nobody can deny the fact that NNPC and its subsidiaries have been the honey pot where influential government officials and their cronies derive free money to sustain their extravagant lifestyles.

Whether you talk about allocation of oil blocks, lifting crude oil or

importing fuel, the people who benefit from all these are privileged Nigerians, including a sprinkle of Niger Delta indigenes, with high connections all over the place. The appalling thing here is that the few Niger Deltans among them still use the proceeds to oppress their own people, and pretend that nothing is happening. In some cases, they even use the ill-gotten money to sponsor disturbances in their locality.

Undoubtedly, account books are not that tidy in NNPC. Remember Remi Babalola, one-time Minister of State for Finance? His disclosure that the NNPC was insolvent sometime ago was refuted by government. This later led to his surreptitious removal and transfer to the less visible, almost irrelevant Ministry of Special Duties. But like a bad dream, the NNPC tale of sharp practices will never go away, no matter the spirited denials and official cover-ups.

Now that the country is talking about removal of oil subsidy, many people have expressed the opinion that, in the first instance, transparency must be the watchword. Perhaps, it is in that regard that Senator Bukola Saraki fired his own salvo recently when he said that Nigerians ought to be told how the subsidy was being applied. In other words, why did the government exceed its budgetary figures on subsidy and who are those benefiting from this jumbo fund running into trillions of naira?

We have been told again that more than a hundred federal agencies have not had their accounts audited for several years, and nobody is talking, at least from official quarters. I am sure NNPC is one of these agencies whose accounts have not or never been audited. I do not think that anyone is fooled by the soothing words always employed by NNPC top shots to sweep this important issue under the carpet, each time it is raised. For how long will

Dele Agekameh this go on?

Transparency and accountability in NNPC’s operations should be the concern of every Nigerian. Why do we lay claim to an oil-producing nation, a natural resource that is the artery of the economy of the country, when its finances and operations are shrouded in secrecy? It is this lack of transparency and accountability that sustains corruption in the system. What stops the NNPC from publishing its financial balance sheets at the end of every year for all to see? The truth is: Nigerians’ perception of NNPC is that the corporation is a haven for corruption. Those in government surely know this. But because they are benefitting from the perfidy going on there, they have chosen to turn a blind eye.

Today, the need to properly and painstakingly probe the operations and audit the finances of the corporation has become more demanding and compelling than ever before. Even if we must exonerate the recklessness of the military era, Nigerians should know how the finances of the corporation have been run since 1999 till date, except that on the issue of the NNPC, the whole thing could boil down to the more you look, the less you see!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 , 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘I hope the President will be reminded that governance in this modern time should be based on scientific and empirical approaches rather than the forecast of the future based on blind eyes operating from a beclouded mind and brain. My concern is this:Will Dr Jonathan read this article?’

• Baba Suwe

For Olatunji Dare I read your article, it was quite well written. The concluding paragraphs were absolutely brilliant! Keep it up. From Asaima, Uyo Removal of oil subsidy is better than the heavy taxation and extortion in Lagos with dirty environment and unregulated transport fare, which you do not see. From Ogbonna, Lagos.

Please, tell the President we did not vote for him to remove fuel subsidy. Let him tell Nigerians what they have done with the money since 1986. From Rachael Ekeke (Mrs) Sir, how can we help President not to impose the ‘scorpion tax’? Can we increase gas tax marginally to put the government in good stead to carry the transformation programme? From Dagogo, PH. Good day, fuel subsidy should remain, that is where we the proletariat benefit from, fill the impact of government. Thanks. From Edobor Monday, Bida N/S. Your piece “A rocky road to transformation” is the best of recent. Dr Goodluck should not take Nigerians for granted. Please continue with the truth. Anonymous.

Thanks for your article. I hope the President will be reminded that governance in this modern time should be based on scientific and empirical approaches rather than the forecast of the future based on blind eyes operating from a beclouded mind and brain.

My concern is this:Will Dr Jonathan read this article? From Bayo Babalola,Ado Ekiti.

Barrister Owolabi Salis, I am sorry you are still swimming in the ocean of adulterated illiteracy. The President’s PhD or whatever is absolutely immaterial. “Education that is not leading the educated to meaningful economic contribution is a practical waste of resources”. The poor Nigerians will not go to bed by eating Jonathan’s PhD certificate.

“Education must be the gateway to the economic emancipation of the Nigerian society.” Educated leaders must make sure that they deliver the dividends of governance to the poor by impacting positively on thier lives. Anonymous.

Dare, your paragraph 29 Ask them...to per capita income sums it all. Let Dr Jonathan ask them for every one barrel of oil when refined. How many litres of Kero, Jet A1, PMS Diesel Condensate et al do they get as finished products? Until Nigerians know these, our FG economic managers should stop abusing Nigerian sensibility. In Libya, PMS sells for N22 per litre with better GDP and better living conditions. OBJ removed oil subsidy and invested in ghost provision of 10,000 MEGAWATTS of electricity only to find out that contractors did not dig the soil. Nigeria and Nigerians will survive inept leaders. From BMA Obafunso, Abeokuta.

I’m sorry to learn that your brother went with Dele Giwa. God has kept U alive to keep our consciences alive. May your founts continue to run at full spurt in Jesus’ name.

Amen. Justice never fails - the humanly determined and enforced, and the divine which is usually awesome. God will revenge. God is unfailing. Regards, your former student, From Kellas Agbasi, UNILAG Mass Comm Class of 1988.

I salute the courage and transfomation attempt of President Jonathan to re-build our rail systen. What a big stride! Paradoxically,

let those who are close to him in the corridor of power tell him the truth that the removal of the so-called oil subsidy will over strech the elasticity of the masses. The Yoruba has an adage that says if you push a goat to the wall, it will bite you. The removal of the oil subsidy may provoke a rag-tag socioeconomic revolution in Nigeria, the result of which nobody can tell. The Tunisia and Egypt uprisings should be a case study for our rules. From Omobulejo.

Generation of liars. I watched on CNN the birth of the seventh billion human being on earth. How did they arrive at that figure upon all the disaster happening around the world lately, claiming human beings? What about people giving birth at home without going to hospital? The CNN report could be understood because those parts of the world have accurate data to evaluate their population. But whoever brougth the report of the 167th million Nigerian is an ogbologbo. They too want to tell the whole world that they have the accurate population data of Nigerian. When will Nigerians stop lying about important things. Very shameful. From Gabriel Olanrewaju.

Dare, based on your factual submissions on national issues, you are, no doubt, qualified to be one of Jonathan’s think- thank.

The president should listen to the voice of reason and tread softly on the removal of oil subsidy, otherwise, its aftermath may bring his tenure to an abrupt end. From Olasunkanmi Oyewole, Olomi-Ibadan.

For Gbenga Omotoso Your piece on Baba Suwe (A comedian’s fate) is more humorous than Baba Suwe himself. Anonymous The Kogi saga shows how unprofessional some of our law enforcement agencies are and how they violate human rights at will.

In fact, those behind it should be brought to book. From Lekan Let’s not rule out the possibility of the object inside Baba Suwe’s stomach being an ‘Ado’. You know the little fetish gourd may have been swallowed for spirtual powers! Abi? From Yinka Ajayi, Ado-Ekiti.

Thank you for your impactful and educatng publication. God will be with you in all your undertakings. I will report an issue in Kogi State University to you soonest. I am taking my time to gather unspurious details. Thanks. Anonymous.

I believe Baba Suwe should be let off and the agency needs to apologise to him and the nation for purchasing a fake equipment.

From Egboche, Kaduna.

Your comment today has really shown the comedian in you. From Akinlabi Victor.

Hello sir, your write-ups inspire me a lot.

The truth is that GOD is GOD; that’s why he can never put our prayer on voice mail. Keep up the good work. From Francisca, Ikotun Good day editor, I think you should be named Professor Emeritus of Anatomical Medicine with specific responsibility for supervising PhD students. Wonderful piece.

Cheers. Anonymous.

The case of Baba Suwe is a good example of “African Power”. It is common to see “babalawos” holding pregnancies of women for as long as they desire and, except countered, such pregnancies remain. Since NDLEA has now power to authorise a surgery on Baba Suwe, the suspected foreign body in his stomach remains. If however he is allowed to go free, it’ll open a new chapter in drug trafficking. Drug traffickers will now look for the “babalawo” for patronage.

From MomyG from Kano.

A comedian’s fate would forever be a living masterpiece of an essay! From Demola Adejumo Ibadan.

Thank God Baba Suwe is is a popular co-

median. Only God knows the number of Nigerians held falsely by the NDLEA. What a country we leave in! Anonymous.ww You are truely a comedian, I’m sure you are holding brief for Baba Suwe. Thank God he doesn’t have a voice mail. From Tim Ngbejume, Benin City.

Beautiful write up. NDLEA is being held by the jugular. They need to prove this one, else they should stop to exist. I only fear for Suwe’s life. What a shame of a nation. From Chris, Umuokpu, Awka.

Re:A comedian’s fate: Something is awfully wrong with men and machine of the NDLEA! The NDLEA should realise they cannot in all honesty use western technology to prosecute local technology. “Abinibi”, they say, is different from ability. If NDLEA is sure Babatunde Omidina ingested hard drugs under the influence of “kurube”, NDLEA should ‘annoint’ it’s men and machine in spiritual counter measures else, they’ll be seen as a bunch of fine-grained comedians entertaining Omidina and the rest of concerned humanity. For now, the actor is being punished for nothing and the onus is on him to seek redress. From Kayode A, Abeokuta.

Re:A comedian’s fate: Baba Suwe, it is more devastating to grant him bail than to infringe on his constitutional right. Remember that that type of testing machine can’t lie. He might be holding back the substance with the help of juju. Pls, subject him to more rigorous test or operation. The drugs in him if used, can kill 10 Baba Suwes outside there.

NDLEA, do your best and be ever ready to pay any compensation in an event nothing is found on him after possibly two months and make sure he eats enough food. Thanks.

From Osabo, Nasarawa State.

Re: A comedian’s fate: Grammarians can be smart indeed. Perhaps you should try your hands on comedy too. Nice write-up. From Taiwo Oketogun.

You’re a comedian yourself – in the mould of Grandmaster Baba Sala, Papi-luwe etc and now it’s Papa Suwe! Please, ride on. From Kobla Egwuatu PH.

For Segun Gbadegesin I am one of your ardent admirers. I love your Opalaba friend too, we are missing him.

Please get in touch with him as we want to know his view on oil subsidy. How I wish all the progressives, activists, the older Afeniferes and the Afenifere Renewal plus our radical intellectuals in the Yoruba nation can read and act on your piece entitled “ The battle for justice”. Let Pa Bisi Akande, Fasoranti, Olu Falae, Adebajo, GOK Ajayi, Ayo Fasanmi and others come together. I appreciate you and God bless you. From Pastor Esan Ajibola Jp. I agree with all your comments and analysis. It’s rather unfortunate that our governmemt always turns very serious issues into comedy. I hope Nigeria will not soon be called a comic nation. From ‘Wale Ola, S/L, Lagos.

I must commend you for your piece on the back page of The Nation, 4-11-2011. If I get you right, the labour, CLO need grassroots people, the market people and others, than fighting on the pages of newspaper, to get their support against subsidy removal? From Andrew.

Prof,”Navigatng the global vilage” referred. Please note that the world in which we live is divided between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Therefore, divination in whatever guise is trafficking wth the forces of darkness. The end result is Hell. Period. Anonymous.

You got it all right, Prof? divided we fall but in our unity lies the freedom of our people. Thanks a lot, sir. From Yomi Egunjobi.

Ado Ekiti

•Jonathan

Sir, Re: The battle for justice: The explanation for why the fight appears difficult is that we have consistently refused to draft in and rely on the Arm of Omnipotence. God is also interested in the freedom of the oppressed, much more than we mere mortals. Sir, kindly refer to Isaiah 59: 10 to 16, New Living Translation for an “Ode” from God on freedom for the oppressed. Nigeria as presently structured? Well, with God all things are possible. I am, as a Christian pilgrim, eagerly looking forward to the day I will be invited to join such a realistic group. The not-so-pure are already on board in parts of the Southwest.

Each time I am stirred by similar powerful write-ups from your column, no response or feedback is received when the all-important guidance is needed. Anonymous.

Sir, the name is John Rabiu Jimoh from Ijebu-Ode. I guess I have to leave my address just in case you want to check. No. 9, Osunlaja Street, Molipa Estate, near Molipa Clinic, Ijebu- Ode. I not only read your column but I also meditate on it and dream of the day I will meet you in person. Thanks a lot sir.

Anonymous.

Sir, I still want to dwell on why it has been so difficult. The not-so-pure have not only been drafted in but are in-charge in the progressive camp as presently constituted. At the kick-off to unseat the reactionary mainstream apologists, I was unceremoniously outwitted and left in the cold. I couldn’t make it into the fold of the so-called progressives. May be you mean some other progressives other than the politicians in power now. If they are, then you have a good student ready to listen attentively. Anonymous.

I read your article today. You hit the nail on the head - education of masses. Can you please write on practical step-by-step guide on how to begin to do this. Anonymous.

Nice masterpiece you wrote today, but it’s not about the grammar and adages. Sir, at your age, with your knowledge, if you champion a cause for what you believe, WE WILL FOLLOW you. Anonymous.

I so much cherish your realistic assessment of the pitiable situation of our country which needs a radical but collective approach. I hope this piece can enlighten Nigerians and spur everyone to start thinking of how to make the “Nigeria of our dream” a reality.

From Dr. Perry, 400L physiology student, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.

Nice article, however, it failed to look at the great challenge of religious and ethnic sentiments that has made it all the more difficult to flush these vermins out of power.

Aluta continua, victoria asserta! Anonymous.

You know what, our real misconception is the notion that those of us who profess the true ancient values are “the conservatives”, when, indeed, we are the true progressives.

Tolerance or acceptance of homosexuality is the evil and conservative. Anonymous.

Your two articles today miss a deep truth.

In fear we pacify the wicked with amnesty and encouragement. Now what “amnesty and encouragement” do good people (some of whom you mentioned) get rewarded with.

The problem we have is that we don’t think deep, so we applaud even that which will ultimately do us more evil. Anonymous.

The battle for justice is rather instructive than its tempting persuasion. I know the last paragragh is for an ‘Iroko’, better strategy than others’ blackmail. Anonymous.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Mayweather offers to pay Amokachi promises for Frazier’s funeral Ujah Eagles’ chance • As Mainz block Ujah from U23 Eagles

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• Frazier (l) and Ali in the epic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975

T

HE boxing world suffered a big loss Monday, as former heavyweight Joe Frazier died at the age of 67.

Grand Rapids native Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay his respects by covering the cost of the funeral services for Frazier, best known for being the first man to defeat Muhammad Ali. “My Condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. #TheMoneyTeam will pay for his

Funeral services,” was posted on Mayweather’s Twitter account Monday night. “RIP Smokin Joe. My thoughts and prayers go out to to the Frazier family. We lost an all time great tonight.”

The gesture isn’t uncommon for Mayweather. Earlier this year, he paid for the funeral services of Genaro Hernandez, the opponent for his first title fight in 1998, after Hernanez had succumed to cancer.

Lennox lauds ‘unique’ Frazier

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ENNOX Lewis has paid tribute to a boxing icon in Joe Frazier whose style he feels may never be seen again.

• Lennox

“There is some great history in the past, him and Muhammad Ali,” Lewis told Sky Sports News.

“Without Joe Frazier you would not get the Thrilla in Manila and other great fights that he had.

“Joe Frazier had great heart, he showed it in his fighting ability.

He was the first man to really show that ducking style so when Muhammad Ali threw a punch he would always be ducking.

“Muhammad Ali described him as a man that when he was in the ring with him you could almost cheat death.

“It was a deep era, an era filled with great men and strong-willed men and unique boxing styles. It was a part in history when there was a lot heavyweights, whereas now people want to know where all the heavyweights have gone.”

AINZ striker Anthony Ujah will get his chance at full international level, new Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi has promised.

Ujah netted a brace at the weekend against VfB Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga and Amokachi said he was impressed with what he saw.

“He’s a good player. With the way he played (vs Stuttgart), he will most certainly give the other strikers in the national team a run for their money,” said Amokachi.

“I’m sure the manager (Stephen Keshi) watched him in that game and I can assure you he will get his chance in the Eagles soon.”

Ujah has already been capped at Olympic level and last week told MTNFootball.com he is looking forward to star at the final qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics to be staged in Morocco from November 26.

Amokachi said he is also excited by another young striker Edward Ofere of Italian club Lecce.

“I love the physical presence that Ofere brings to a team. He’s a big centre-forward,” he remarked.

Ofere is one of several uncapped players in the squad for the matches against Botswana and Zambia by the weekend.

Amokachi equally hailed the clearance by FIFA of Wigan Athletic winger Victor Moses to star for Nigeria, saying he is another great addition to the Eagles.

However, German Bundesliga side, FSV Mainz, appears to have baulked at the idea of releasing striker Anthony Ujah for the 2012 Olympic qualification.

Ujah, 21, told SuperSport.com that his employers have grown cold on the matter.

The former Lillestrom man said he will press further by explaining the importance of featuring for the Nigerian Under23s at the Olympic qualification in Morocco but will not

V

Axel Schulz said he had met Frazier in New York once and called him a ‘’funny guy.’’ ‘’He marked the gigantic era of heavyweight in the 1970s. The news made me incredibly sad,’’ Schulz told the German news agency dapd. ‘’I was shocked by how fast it all went.’’

•Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko

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IGERIA’S head coach, Stephen Keshi has told SuperSport.com why he settled for his four assistants and his reason for calling up top scorer with 20 goals in the country’s Premier League, Jude Aneke.

Keshi, 49, named the quartet of Daniel Amokachi, Sylvanus Okpala, Valere Houandinou and Ike Shorunmu as his assistants.

“Yes I have picked Daniel, Sylvanus Okpala, Valere Houandinou and Ike as my assistants,” Keshi confirmed over telephone on Tuesday morning while heading to Abuja from Kaduna.

Amokachi is making a return to the Super Eagles just over a year when he assisted Swede coach, Lars Lagerback to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Okpala also known as Quicksilver is remembered for being a team member of the Eagles that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations under Brazilian Otto Gloria while Shorunmu is the only surviving backroom staff from the Samson Siasia era.

Houandinou’s relationship with Keshi dates back to the 1980s when he

played alongside with the ‘Big Boss’ at defunct club, ACB. The Togolese has become not just a friend of Keshi but a close confidant and has worked with Keshi during his days at Togo and Mali.

Back then at ACB, Houandinou was known as Rivelino.

Keshi explained that the choice of his backroom staff is based on merit and without favour.

“I have picked these men based on the quality they will bring to the national team considering their wealth of experience over the years. And also let me show you that they are men of honour who are ready to win things as coaches having done so as players,” said Keshi.

Daniel Amokachi The Super Eagles’ head coach said he opted for Amokachi also known as ‘The Bull’ due to the winning mentality that the football television pundit possesses.

“Daniel is someone who wants to win and also looks for perfection,” said Keshi. “That is the kind of character we need in this process of putting back Nigeria’s football on the world map

Mike Tyson: We should celebrate Joe Frazier

• Ahmed Musa

Klitschkos ‘sad’ over Frazier’s death ITALI and Wladimir Klitschko, who hold all the major heavyweight belts, paid respect to Joe Frazier on Tuesday as one of the great heavyweight champions. ‘’My brother and I are very sad about the death of Joe Frazier,’’ said Vitali Klitschko, the elder of the two brothers and the WBC champion. ‘’He was one of the really great heavyweights. He was a great champion and Joe did a lot for the sport of boxing through his social engagements.’’

Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir is the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion.

Frazier died at 67 of liver cancer on Monday night.

Former German heavyweight

force the issue.

"I spoke with my club officials after the (Under-23) coach (Austin Eguavoen) came here to speak with them. That was two weeks ago before the cup game against Hannover.

"But I think my recent performances for the team may have brought about a re-think. They (Mainz) are not saying anything and I feel they need me now (to stay back) after I scored my first goals against VfB Stuttgart last week.

"Seriously I can't do more than I've done because they have the right as my employers to keep me. They've been very good to me since I arrived here and I have to be very professional in doing my job too.

"I really will love to play for my country but my club is also struggling right now and need me so badly. But I'm still hoping that they will give me a chance to add more to my caps," Ujah said.

Nigeria's Under-23 Eagles have been drawn in same group with hosts, Morocco, Algeria and Senegal for the 2012 Olympic qualification.

Keshi speaks on Aneke, Eagles’ assistants

• Tyson

M

IKE Tyson has issued a statement about the death of boxing icon Joe Frazier -- calling Joe's passing a "sad day" ... but saying we should "honor him by celebrating his accomplishments."

Tyson went to Twitter ... and wrote, "Frazier and Ali were quintessential, the apex of pedigree fighting in which each man would not give an inch until they were dead. Their era was competitive fighting at the highest level."

He added, "As a young fighter it has always been an honor to be compared to Frasier. My family and I are sending our sincerest condolences to the Joe Frazier family."

• Keshi again.”

Sylvanus Okpala The former Togo coach remembers Quicksilver as being a teammate during their days in the camp of the Nigerian Under-20s many years ago. Keshi said Okpala, now 50 years old, made his backroom staff for the main reason of knowing how to “psyche up” players apart from other qualities he has.

“Myself and Okpala grew up together and we were pioneers of the Flying Eagles. He knows how to psyche up players too,” he said.

Valere Houandinou The Togolese has come a long way with Keshi and the other backroom staff must be prepared to listen to him speaks French with the Nigerian coach at some point.

And Keshi said of him: “Valere has been with me for a few years. He has been my assistant when I was coach of Togo and then Mali. He is a very intelligent man, whose decisions are respected even in his own country. He will bring a lot of quality into the team.”

Ike Shorunmu Keshi said he has decided to retain the former 3SC goalkeeper in his backroom team following his impressive dossier on handling the Super Eagles’ goalkeepers.

“I want to continue with him because of the good job he has done with the goalkeepers,” said Keshi.

Keshi also overlooked claims that Shorunmu is partly responsible for Nigeria's failure to make the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations when Dele Aiyenugba kept goal in the 2-2 draw against Guinea last month.

“We all make mistakes and it is from those mistakes that we learn from to become better persons and better managers in life and all of our endeavours," he said.

Jude Aneke And Keshi rounded off on Aneke saying: "For a player who is highest goal scorer in the league I cannot ignore him. I want to give him the opportunity to see if I can handle him, and I pray he fits into the team because it will be a plus for the league."

Jenas hails Agbonlahor, Bent

J

ERMAINE Jenas has hailed Aston Villa strikers Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor.

The on-loan Tottenham midfielder made his Villa debut in victory over Norwich City.

He told Villa's website: "Gabby was on fire. When he's in that type of mood and that form - which he's been in for several weeks - he's simply unplayable.

"He's strong, he's quick and I don't think there's a centre-half in the country who wants to play against him at the moment.

"Darren was great as well. He is one of those players who knows where to be at the right time. It's as simple as that.

"He makes good runs and when he's in with a chance of scoring, he's lethal.

"He's shown that again - two poacher's goals in the six yard box. It was exactly what we need."

DREAM TEAM V

AFN: we are ready for Obudu

Otubanjo,Worgu to A lead early arrivals

O

LAITAN Otubanjo will lead the pack of early arrivals to the Accra camp of the Dream team V, as some European clubs on Tuesday confirmed the arrival date of their players.

Otubanjo who has featured in only one game for the Olympic Eagles, will hit the Lizzy Sports Complex, tomorrow as Coach Austin Eguavoen reiterates that “invited foreign-based players who are not regulars in their clubs must come prove themselves to earn a place in the Dream team V, squad to the inaugural CAF U-23 championship billed to kickoff on the 26th of this month in Morocco”.

El-Merreikh of Sudan striker, Stephen Worgu arrives Accra on Thursday followed by Torino of Italy midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi whose arrival date is on the 13th of this month while Victorial Setubal defender, Terna Suswam joins the team 24 hours later.

FC Parma of Italy Midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo, Orelesi Nurudeen (Skenderbeu, Albania); Uchechi Daniel (Sheffield Wednesday, England); Micheal Babatunde (Kryvbas, Ukraine);

Olarenwaju Kayode (ASEC Mimosa, Ivory Coast) and Lawal Raheem (Atletico Belares, Spain) are all expected next week.

All invited foreign based players have until the 12th of this month to notify Coach Austin Eguavoen of their arrival dates.

Meanwhile the Olympic Eagles gaffer has issued late invitations to Tochukwu Dimaku (Hapoel Akko, Israel); Daniel Agbakwu (Free State stars, South Africa); Biobaku Taofeek (Atletico Belares, Spain).

First day of action at the Lizzy Sports complex was around fitness test for players while the technical crew of the team engaged the administrative support staff in a 5 aside warm up game which ended 3-1 in favour of the Coach Austin Eguavoen led technical crew.

Line up.

Technical team: Eguavoen, Iroha, Alloy, Eguma and Taofeek (small manager) Admin team: Dr. Sam, Abdulsalam (physio) Arafat (media) Zakari Sule (equipment manager) Anthony Jibunoh (Camp Commandant)

England call thrills Ameobi

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EWCASTLE United striker Sammy Ameobi is thrilled with his first call-up to the England U21 squad.

He said he was still in a state of shock after being told of his call-up following training on Monday.

Ameobi told The Journal: “I’ve always wanted to represent my country, so to get the opportunity is an excellent thing and I won’t take it for granted if I get a chance to play.

“I’d heard a few people say that Stuart Pearce was looking at me but I had no idea that I would be in the squad. I just got told after training on Monday. I was told ‘you’re in the squad’ – that’s how I found out.

“Then I had to rush home and get everything packed!

“It’s been a good time for me.

Getting the opportunity to play for Newcastle and show what I can do means I’m getting noticed a lot more, which is good. Hopefully if I keep on doing what I do, I’ll keep getting opportunities to play.”

The promise of a senior call – and besting his older brother – are clear motivating factors for the young forward.

"He’s played for England under21s so I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity to do so as well,” he said. “And hopefully I can go even further than he has.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are preparing a shock bid for Newcastle United youngster Sammy Ameobi.

The People says Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is plotting a shock move for Ameobi.

But Chelsea will face a fight to tempt the Geordies into doing business, with boss Alan Pardew on Monday night insisting Ameobi will not be going anywhere.

“Sammy is a bit different. He offers – especially with Gabriel Obertan at the moment being injured – something different.

We’ve got to see how bad Obertan is but Sammy isn’t going anywhere.”

THLETIC Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) secretary general, Maria Worphil has revealed the federation's preparedness to organise the best mountain race in the world when the seventh edition of the Obudu International Mountain Race and the third African Nations mountaining running championships hold later this month at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu,Cross River state.

Worphil, a former national handball star said at the weekend in Lagos that the federation,saddled with the technical organisation of the 3-in-1 event has put all logistics in place for another flawless championships.

'The AFN is ready to organise the best mountain race ever when the seventh edition holds later this month in Obudu.We have put all the neccessary logistics in place and the federation is blessed with men and women who can hold their own in terms of the technical organisation of events of the magnitude of Obudu mountain race',says Worphil who was recently elected into the women's committee of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Fondly called Maria in athletics circle,the AFN accounting officer pointed to the commendation her federation received from Bruno Gozzellino,the Italian who heads the world governing body for mountain running,the world mountain running association as proof that the AFN is truly ready to host the world again.

'The WMRA president has severally commended us for the perfect organisation of past editions of the race inspite of the fact that the art of mountain running is new in Nigeria.Seven years on now,we have really come of age and that is why I make bold to say that the federation's best will certainly come to the fore later this month'.

'We have sent out entries and the response has been very encouraging.What I can guarantee is that we will have far more nations than the number who participated at the second edition of the championships last year',she assured.

The Obudu International Mountain Race is organized by the Cross River State Government,in conjunction with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).It enjoys tremendous support from the African Athletics Confederation(CAA),the World Mountain Running Association,(WMRA) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

UACN restates commitment to development of FTER a successful second a platform for yachtsmen to sailing sport providing edition of the UAC Trophy showcase and sharpen their sailing

A

Race, the sponsor of the championship, UAC of Nigeria Plc, has reiterated its commitment to the development of the game in the country.

At this year’s edition of the sailing competition held at the Lagos Yacht Club over the weekend, Mr Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc, said his company would continue to support sailing as part of its efforts to develop the game in Nigeria.

“Sailing as a sporting and recreational activity has enormous benefits to human life and as a result, it will continue to receive our backing,” Ettah assured. He commended the participants who turned out in large number for their spirit of sportsmanship.

The tournament featured some of the best yachtsmen in recreational sailing who displayed great skills despite the challenging weather. After hours of rigorous sailing exercise, Lloyd Crisp emerged winner in the Hobie Category, while Eder Avy and Phil Claxton came second and third respectively.

In the Mixed Monohull Category, Carol Khouri beat all contenders while, Peter Kolev came second and Martin Foley won the third place. The Lightning Category produced Mike

Barnes as the winner. Helmut Braun came second and Gary Schwanil was third.

Winners in the different categories were presented with trophies and also went home with attractive prizes.

In his remark during the prize presentation, Mr Mike Barnes, Commodore, Lagos Yacht Club, commended the sponsor of what has become the foremost recreational sailing championship in Nigeria for

skills.

“UACN will certainly occupy a prime place when the history of sailing sport in Nigeria is written. Its immense support is very encouraging,” Barnes said. He urged the company not to relent in its efforts to promote the game.

Participants at the event expressed satisfaction and rated the championship high as it featured the three most difficult categories in sailing competition.

•R-L: Mike Barnes, Commodore, Lagos Yacht Club; Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc; Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, TBWA Concept; Anna Edris, Crew Member and Lloyd Crisp, Winner of the Hobie Category, at the 2011 UAC Trophy Race at the Lagos Yacht Club.......

Saturday.

ADMONITION

CAPACITY

SEMINAR

‘Put the people first’

A boost for girl-child education

‘How to save the environment’

Lagos

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Kano

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Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Page 25

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OMMUNITIES in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State are wearing a new look.

Potable water is now available in places that lacked it. Dilapidated schools are being rebuilt and retooled. Farmers are receiving incentives that usually eluded them. Residents are excited.

But perhaps the best thing that has happened in the council is the provision of electricity in its communities.

The development has lifted the profile of the council chairman Hon. Danjuma Abdulahi Usman Gar. The council chief’s developmental efforts are in keeping with the state governor David Jonah Jang’s directive to all local government chairmen to prioritise the transformation of the rural grassroots.

In Kanam, that transformation faced initial challenges. Dr. Saleh Kanam, its chairman, grappled with many internal crises, and has been suspended. Gar stepped into his office.

That setback was momentary, as the new helmsman rolled up his sleeves to work, saying that it is imperative for every council chair to provide basic social amenities for his people at the grassroots. He said it also wise to listen to the state governor who has stressed that emphasis be placed on the development of rural areas.

The chairman took particular took interest in electricity, and in installing it in villages where it was least expected.

He spoke on his efforts. “My administration embarked on the provisions of electricity to support small-scale businesses of the people,” he said. “I achieved this by providing and installing solar light on the streets of Dengi, the local government headquarters. I also procured four electricity trans-

•Electricity transformers provided for Kanam residents

Plateau local govt lights up communities Solar power installed From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

formers as well as 350 electric poles for the electrification of communities along AmperDengi Road.

The council boss also spoke on the incentives his administration provided for farmers in the council.

He said: “Majority of the peo-

Residents cheer

ple of my local government are farmers and at the time I came, crops were not mature for harvest and there was high cost of food items in the market, so much so that these people could not afford them. So the council purchased grains and I distributed them to the people. This is a deliberate action that forced the price of foods in the market to fall

and everyone was able to afford food to feed their families.

Gar said he came into office amid security concerns.

“The major challenge I inherited was that of peace and security of the area,” he said. “The local government, particularly Dengi, the council headquarters, was a ghost of itself because the entire area was in crisis when I

came in. The last leadership of the local government was in conflict with the local traditional council; this conflict even led to an attack on the palace of the paramount ruler.

“Political thuggery and brigandage was the order of the day, hence there was loss of confidence on the last council administration. In the face of all this internal conflict, the •Continued on Page 26

Kebbi spends N482m on scholarship

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•Dakingari

EBBI STATE government has spent N482 million on scholarship for its students in several higher insitutions of learning across the country and beyond.

Deputy Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu said it was part of the government’s efforts to scale up the capacity of its people in order to boost their productivity.

Aliyu said the government is determined to eradicate poverty and boost employment.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on poverty alleviation and em-

From Khadijat Saidu, Kebbi

ployment opportunities held at the Presidential Hall, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Aliyu added that the administration of Governor Saidu Dakingari is sponsoring Kebbi students in India, Sudan and Great Britain.

One of the ways the state is tackling poverty and joblessness is providing what it calls Health Sector Nutrition Centres.

Those centres, Aliyu said, were set up in 10 local governmnet ar-

eas over the past three years, leading to a 50 per cent reduction in malnutrition across the state. Malnutrition is seen as a major factor in poverty.

He also said that the government has since come up with a malaria control policy, involving the provision of up to 1.5 million free mosquito nets for its people.

The deputy governor added that free anti-malaria drugs worth N400million have also been distributed to women and children under five years of age.

In the agric sector, Akiyu said, the state has acquired improved

seedlings for farmers in addition to various incentives. Some of those incentives are water pumps and boreholes, as well as soft loans. The loans are repayable after harvest.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ahmed Muhammed Sama said the government has set up a committee comprising government officials and technocrats to advise it on how to further tackle unemployment and other challenges.

He said the workshop was organised to provide answers to these concerns.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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Plateau local govt lights up communities •Continued from Page 25

crime rate was on the increase, cattle rustling and other social vices were rampant. However, having assumed office as the head, the responsibility fell on me to tackle the inherited security challenges.

“Knowing full well that no development can take place without peace, I moved promptly to engage all the stakeholders in dialogue. This includes the youths, women groups, chairman and members of the traditional council, religious and community leaders. All of them accepted my appeal to give peace a chance. Particularly, the youths were convinced that they were being used, and agreed to give me a chance to restore peace in the area. This brought to an end the trend of disrespect for constituted authority that characterised the activities in the area as well as the rising wave of political thuggery in Kanam.

The council boss added, “The challenges I faced on resumption never discouraged me, after all man is made to handle challenges. But I did not just tackle challenges; the period was also used to try to provide some social amenities for the benefit of the people of the area.

“One of such areas was my intervention in education of our children and youths. My administration organised summer classes for school children of primary and secondary school level during the holiday. This was designed to help the school children while on holiday and to keep them alive to their academic activities. The summer classes were run free of charge. We procured and distributed to them exercise books, mathematical sets and other writing materials.”

Gar spoke on his efforts in providing Kanam communities with water.

“Water is one basic need of man and its lack means a lot to people especially those in the rural communities,” he said. “In respect of this, my administration has sunk at least 45 boreholes to serve as sources of potable water for the people. It was a deliberate action con-

•A drainage in Kanam Local Government Area

sidering the fact that most of our rural communities have no access to potable drinking water.”

The council chief said he also moved to improve the health profile of his people.

“I tried to construct more primary health care clinics so as to alleviate the suffering of our people in accessing medical facilities. I have provided beds and beddings for those clinics. We have also provided cholera vaccines for our health centres so as to effectively tackle any epidemic in the area. And recently I have released the sum of N2.5 million for the purchase of drugs to the existing clinics.”

Gar said he embarked on a number of developmental projects, including the construction of 40 lock-up shops equipped with water and conveniences, as well as the provision of blockmaking machines, helping to provide jobs in the council.

The provision of electricity will even provide more jobs. Hitherto under-utilised youths across the sexes in the council are finding the electricity useful in their

trades. Hair-dressers, vulcanisers, corn and tomato millers are especially thrilled.

The locals say Gar has done well, but the council boss would rather give the credit to the state governor.

“I want to use this opportunity to commend Da Dr. Jonah David Jang for giving me this opportunity to contribute my own quota to the development of my local government,” he said. “That we

have achieved this much, I also owe my gratitude to the staff of the local government for all the support and co-operation.”

Gar also commended the Kanam Local Government Traditional Council for the fatherly role the traditional rulers gave him and his team. He singled out the chairman of the traditional council, His Highness Babangida Muazu for praise, for especially helping to retore peace and se-

curity in the council.

He said: “My heart goes to the entire peace-loving people of Kanam Local Government for their co-operation; without them we would not have overcome our recent challenges. And I wish to state that given this level of cooperation witnessed in the last 100 days, I can assure the people that in the next 100 days we will together take the local government to the next level of development.”

Agency urges speedy trial of environmental ment becomes lesser.”

HE Director-General of the offenders While noting that inadequate National Environmental funding and equipment are some

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Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. (Mrs.) Ngeri Benebo has said that the delay in the trial of environmental offenders in the courts are working against the operation of the agency.

She made the remark in Abuja while speaking at a pre-conference roundtable for former Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Environment as part of the fifth anniversary of the agency.

•Representative of Bauchi State first Lady, Mrd Hope Egwu donating food supplements to a motherless babies home to mark Edi-el kabir

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Though Benebo said that since the inception of the Agency in 2007, Nigeria’s profile in environmental protection has improved, she maintained that the prosecution of environmental offenders has become more rigorous and taxing.

She assured, however, that efforts are being intensified to strengthen the surveillance of the environment in order to improve on Nigeria’s achievements and ensure that it does not slip from its current status in global sphere regarding environmental issues.

Reeling off the achievements and challenges of the agency in the last five years, the DirectorGeneral said: “Incessant delay of cases in prosecuting environmental offenders in our law courts have remained the greatest challenge NESREA continues to experience. Most times, it drags on for too long so much so that even when judgment is given, punish-

of the challenges facing the agency, she maintained that rivalry and refusal by other regulatory agencies to pass relevant information to NESREA in good time have adversely affected the operations of the agency.

Also speaking at the occasion, the former Minister of Environment and now Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Helen Esuene promised that the National Assembly will continue to enact legislations that will strengthen the country’s environmental laws.

According to her, no stone will be left unturned in the National Assembly to promote the new spirit of green economy currently being championed globally as she urged the agency to be ready to do more in the emerging environmental challenges.

Among the former ministers that were present at the occasion included Ime Okopidoh; Col. Bala Mande (Rtd), Halima Taiwo Alao, and Chuka Odom.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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Put the people first, council boss tells lawmakers

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HE Chairman of OtoAwori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert has urged the newly inaugurated legislative arm of the council to consider the interest of the people first before their own.

He also told them to concentrate on their jobs in order to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate who voted them into office.

“Your job is to follow one by one the relevant provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a councillor, “Robert said.

He commended the councillors for their steadfastness and ability to overcome the challenges that beset them.

The council chief said gone are those days when elected persons cared little about their responsibilities or the expectations of the people who elected them. He added that leaders should take the business of serving the people very seriously in order to bring the benefits of democracy to them.

Robert said: “You are to desist from making yourselves too clean, or trying to tarnish the image of the chairman; it is not possible for you to spend your salaries on projects in your wards because it will never be enough. You are

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HURSDAY, November 3, 2011 marked another milestone in the history of Oriade Local Council Development Area.

It was when the council’s third legislature was inaugurated by the chairman of the council, Hon. Ibrahim Babatunde Sanusi at the expansive Alhaji Yinusa Akinlola Memorial Hall at the council’s secretariat.

The hall was filled to capacity as parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws, friends and well-wishers of the elected councillors converged to witness the event which some described as significant for good governance that would further move the council to an enviable height.

While inaugurating the newlyelected councillors, the council chairman congratulated them on their victory at the just-concluded local government election, even as he expressed his gratitude to the people of the area for electing him as the chairman of the council for the second time.

Noting that the legislature is the third arm of government, Hon. Sanusi stated that it has the primary responsibility of making good laws that will engender good governance while the executive arm is saddled with the responsibility of implementing or executing such laws.

He reminded the councillors of the fact that they are the representatives of the people and are closest to the grassroots. He added that the grassroots is an important segment of government which he described as a service delivery organ.

He said: “Majority of Nigerians lives in the rural areas where most of these local governments exist.

They cannot be effectively integrated into national development unless there is genuine and committed mobilisation. If the grassroots is properly mobilised, it can engender a political culture for the progress of the nation.”

Continuing, he said: “A mobi-

•Bolaji Robert

here to serve and not to be served.

I owe you your salaries and allowances; your turn is to proffer necessary laws and bills so that the local council can move forward.“ He enjoined them to fulfil their primary obligations to their wards and to evolve policies that will ensure that the overall interest of the council is served. The chairman urged them to make appropriate laws and as quickly as possible.

He sought for their co-operation and commitment. He also promised to create a virile and enabling environment that will aid their legislative duties so that they can consolidate on the successes and achievements of the first tenure.

Robert dismissed the notion

•Alhaji Jubril Aliyu, House Clerk (left) assisting House Leader Azeez Kareem at the swearing in ceremony

that the council is a platform for self-aggrandisement, stressing that only people with zeal, vision and determination can make a difference.

He appealed to party leaders not to influence the administration negatively in order not to discourage the people who are willing to serve the people well.

“This time around, I need more Joshuas and more Gideons so

that we can move the LCDA to greater heights,” he said.

After the first session of the legislation arm, Hon. Kareem Abiodun Azeez, representing Ward C emerged the leader of the House, while Hon. Moses Olaleye became the Deputy Leader; Hon. Rufus Reuben Osoja became the Majority Leader, as Hon. Moses Idowu assumed the position of Chief Whip. Hon. Ajose Musibau

was elected the Minority Leader.

Azeez promised that the legislative arm will support the executive in order to develop the LCDA. He also requested that the council lawmakers will be carried along by the executive. He urged contractors handling ongoing projects in the council to speed up work so that people can benefit from the laudable projects.

Council chief inaugurates councillors

•Sanusi

•Agbelega

By Chinaka Okoro

lised society has political consciousness that can generate active participation and remove ignorance. It has been proved that political achievement can be realised in a highly mobilised grassroots population. Some of the organised and well managed local government system emerges as people become mobilised and consequently integrated into the system.

“With huge population and highly diverse linguistic groups, there is urgent need for a well run or managed local government system where communication and information are decentralised at family levels. Through these levels, policies, programmes and actions could be adequately publicised and explained to the people.

“By so doing, the people will have

a better understanding of the prospects and challenges of the council.

This responsibility falls within the ambit of the honourable councillors.”

The council chief urged the elected councillors to be mindful of the fact that the local government system is so important that if well utilised; it could be a medium of grassroots mobilisation so that issues concerning good health, education, corruption, among others could be understood by the people.

In order to move the council forward, Hon. Sanusi appeal to the councillors to “ensure a cordial working relationship with the executive arm of the council so that it will be able to deliver the desired dividends of good governance to the people of Oriade LCDA. You are expected to feel the pulse of the people you represent in terms of

their needs and expectations and then feed the council with these pieces of information in order to key them into government’s policies and programmes.”

Noting that “the honourable councillors are the eyes, mouthpiece and ears of their respective wards, the council chief urged them to see their election into office as a call to service,” even as he admonished them to avoid the temptation of serving their interests first before giving consideration to the needs of the people they represent.

On maintaining cordial relationship among the elected councillors, Hon. Sanusi said: “I implore you to shun unnecessary rancour, especially on monetary issues. You should also avoid rumour mongering. As leaders, you should crosscheck your facts before reacting to issues. You should also uphold the dignity of your exalted office and take the oath of office that you will swear to as sacred.”

He solicited the understanding of the councillors. He said: “I wish to solicit your understanding and cooperation as we embark on the journey of providing dividends of democracy for the people of Oriade. I assure of my listening ears to ideas

that will ensure the success of our administration.”

Highpoint of the event was the swearing-in of the Legislative council by the council chairman after which there was the first plenary session of the third legislative council during which it elected its principal officers who were later sworn in by the Clerk of the legislative council.

Hon. Alhaji Akeem Adesina Agbelega was elected the Leader of the Legislative council. Hon. Aregbe was elected the Deputy Leader while Hon. Rita Arobomen, the only female councillor was elected as the Majority Leader.

The Leader, in his acceptance speech expressed his gratitude to his colleagues electing him as leader of third legislative council of Oriade LCDA and for the confidence they reposed in him. He promised not to disappoint them and the entire people of Oriade.

In a chat with Newsextra after the event, Hon. Agbelega noted that governance is a continuous process, even as he disclosed that during his first tenure as a councillor, he was able to render some quality services to his people which included construction of some roads. He promised to bring more succour to his people.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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K

•Kwankwaso

Arewa to hold peace meeting

Kano boosts girl-child education ANO State Governor Rabiu Musa with 27 buses Kwankwaso has launched 27 new 60seater buses to convey female students

to and from their respective day secondary schools.Thi is part his administration’s measures to boost girl-child education in the state Speaking at the combined launch of the 60seater buses, inauguration of 255 traffic attendants and 100 satellite dish technicians as well as passing out of 340 fire services fficers, held at the Government House in Kano, Governor Kwankwaso stated that “the move was part of deliberate efforts to ease the transportation problems of the students and enhance the enrolment of female children.”

Kwankwaso maintained that his government attached greater importance to the education of the girl–child, in view of her position in the society, pointing out that the initiative tagged “Kwankwasiyya Girl-Child Buses”, would encourage female students to acquire education and make more meaningful contributions to nation building.

According to him, the rationale behind the school transportation scheme is predicated on the realisation that most of the female students are from economically challenged back-

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From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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HE former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau says the Arewa Consultative Forum is to convene a two-day peace and unity conference in Kaduna between December 5 and 6.

Gusau, who disclosed this to journalists in Sokoto on Monday, explained that the conference would address the recurring ethnoreligious crises, pandemic poverty and unemployment in the region.

“These and many other factors have become threats to peace and unity of the region and Nigeria by extension. ’’The North is a critical factor in ensuring the sustained peace and unity of Nigeria and the region is now at war with itself.’’

Gusau, who is the Chairman, Contact and Planning Committee of the conference, added that peace and unity in the north must always have a telling impact on the entire nation.

“The key stakeholders, including women and youths, will have heart- to- heart discussions with a view to redressing the ugly trend.’’

Gusau, who is also the Chairman of the forum’s standing Political Committee, said other problems to be discussed include the ‘almajiri syndrome’ and the dwindling fortunes of agriculture.

According to him, the region’s industries have also collapsed while the northerners are fighting themselves.

“In this 21st century, the north is getting out of passion. The ‘almajiri syndrome’ is a big problem although the Federal Government is trying its best (to tackle it).’’

Gusau said the conference also aims to restore the lost brotherhood and good living for progress and development to thrive in the country.

“We want these to be sustained, not only in the north, but in the entire Nigeria. We should catch up with the remaining parts of the world, ’’he said.

Emir advises farmers on preservation culture

Kano

ground, and as such usually find it difficult to get to schools on time.

He, therefore, appealed to parents in the state to support the government to ensure the success of the transportation scheme for the girl–child as well as other initiatives of the administration aimed at resolving the problems of the education sector.

The governor also cautioned school principals to maintain the vehicles for transporting the students properly rather than using them for personal purposes, stressing that any school administrator found misusing the vehicles would be sanctioned appropriately.

Turning to the trained Firemen, the governor charged them to remain diligent in view of the strategic nature of their job, even as he advised people of the state to install fire extinguishers in their homes and premises to prevent fire outbreaks.

•Permanent Secretary , Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture ,Dr Louis Mandama (middle) declaring open a two-day capacity building worshop for extension officers of the ministry in Mayo, Belwa Local Government Area of the state

Kebbi embraces joint security patrol

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HE Kebbi State government is to give more support to joint security patrol to curtail cases of armed robbery and banditry in the state.

Acting Governor Ibrahim Aliyu, made this known in Birnin Kebbiy in his EidEl-kabir message to the people of the state.

He said that matters related to the security, welfare and peaceful coexistence of the people would be given the priority they deserve.

Aliyu enjoined the people to assist security agencies with necessary information about the undesirable elements in the society for possible arrest and prosecution.

He reminded workers in the state that their welfare and entitlements would be given special attention, adding that their

•The Elewu of Ewuland, Oba Sakirudeen Kuti congratulating the newly elected chairman of Oshodi/ Isolo Local Governement Area, Hon. Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh at the council secretariat

Council chair promises to do more

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HE Executive Chairman Badagry West Local Council Development Area,Hon Bambgose Hontonyon Joseph, has expressed gratitude to market women, students, youths, religious leaders, royal fathers and various political leaders for making it possible for him to deliver on his campaign promises as set out by his party-the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during his first term.

Bamgbose also thanked all for his re-election, describing same as the belief of his people in his ability to do more.

He said: “Let us thank God for the journey we started three years ago. We saw the chal-

•Bamgbose (right) congratulating Rebecca Hennuyon Hunsu the councillor representing Ward B after the swearing-in

By Adegunle Olugbamila

lenges ahead of us and faced them with great determination. I solicited for the support of all stakeholders and the entire citizenry of Badagry West so as to make our council a model to emulate.”

At the swearing-in of the newly elected councillors last Thursday, Bamgbose recalled that so far, the ACN has impacted on every ward in the council with various projects ranging from opening of rural road and rehabilitation of the existing one to fixing of public toilets at Owode and Seme border axis; overseeing intensive environmental sanitation and regular observance of the monthly and weekly environmental cleaning exercise; effective and qualitative public health system at the council various health centres; reconstruction of L.A Primary School Apa with provision of potable water, generator, and modern toilet, with books, desktop computers and stationeries as well as purchase of a school bus to ease pupils transportation problems.

The administration also procured 24 official vehicles for political office holders and some key management staff in addition to two patrol vans donated to the Nigerian Police Joint Border Patrol and Seme Area Command and placing high premium on sporting activities.

Other projects, Bambgose added, include additional distribution of free uniforms and exercise books to complement state government effort, initiating skill acquisition centre at Gethrome; provision of canoes to fishermen; construction of ultra-modern secretariat at Kankan; gainful employment of youths in the LCDA; as well as various beautification projects in the council among others.

At the combined event which also featured the inauguration of first legislative house, Bambgose assured that just like before, his new administration will operate an open door policy, democratic governance and separation of powers.

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Kebbi support was relevant in resolving the contending N18,000 minimum wage issue being discussed by both parties.

There was no incidence of lawlessness in the state during the Sallah celebration as security agencies were on red alert.

Community adopts N50,000 as bride price

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HE Kutep Community in Tatum Local Government Area of Taraba has adopted N50,000 as the bride price to be paid on any marriageable lady regardless of the tribe or custom of the suitors.

Speaking at the first Kuteb Nation Worldwide Thanksgiving Service in Takum, the

Crowds at FCT recreation centres

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HE Recreation centres in the Abuja metropolis recorded high patronage on Sunday as the Muslim faithful celebrated the Eid-el- Kabir in the Federal Capital Territory.

Some of the centres, including the Millennium Park, Wonder Land, Maitama Amusement Park, were jam-packed with many merry makers, holding picnic baskets to celebrate the occasion.

Parents who came with their children were seen chatting while watching their children playing.

Mrs Amina Audu, a mother, who visited the Wonder Land Park with her two children, said that she brought them for a treat.

She prayed that God should sustain the peace and unity in Nigeria.

For Inuwa Bala, an Abuja resident, the Sallah

was a signifcant festival in the lives of Muslims.

He said he had already slaughtered two rams.

Miss Hassana Dogo, 20, said the recreation centres provided her the avenue to unwind with her friends and love ones.

“The Sallah is an occasion for me and my family and friends to relax and chat.’’

Only a few of the popular ‘’Keke NAPEP’’ vehicles were seen plying the roads,with stranded commuters waiting to go to places of worship.

The streets were almost deserted in the morning hours as the usual hustle and bustle which charaterised the FCT was absent.

The general mood in FCT was calm, peaceful and quiet.

Traffic in the FCT has significantly reduced as many residents took advantage of the long public holiday to travel out of the territory.

Fashola assures on crime control

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola has reassured residents of his administration’s commitment to their adequate security.

He gave the assurance at the 2011 annual Lecture and Award ceremony of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), held in Ikeja last week. The lecture was entitled: How private security practitioners can assist in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.

Those in attendance include, the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers Ltd, Mr Sam Amuka, Mr Ikeddy Isiguzo, Chairman Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Olumide Wole Madoriola, Mr Suleiman Abbas Ahmed, Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service Lagos Command, Mr Habila Joshak, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Rivers State Command, Mr Tunde Sobulo, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations Lagos Command, Mr Ikpedeme King, Assistant Comptroller Nigerian Immigrations Service, Mr Wilson Uwujaren of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ngozi Isintume, Public Relations Officers, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Chief Boniface Aniebonam, Chairman of New Nigeria Peoples Party and Sir Gabriel Amadi.

HE Emir of Mubi in Adamawa, Alhaji Abubakar Isa, has called on farmers to imbibe preservation culture and ensure proper application of agricultural chemical on farm produce.

The emir made the call in a Sallah message to the people of the emirate at the weekend.

It will be recalled that farmers in the area recorded bumper harvest, following appreciable rain recorded this cropping season.

Isa said it was imperative for the farmers not to sell all their produce to guard against exposing their families to hunger.

“We recorded bumper harvest this season.

I call on you not to sell all your produce, it is good to preserve some for your households.

“It is disheartening to see that farmers have nothing to eat few months after harvest,” Isa said, noting that the trend was exposing them to difficulties.

He warned Fulani herdsmen against indiscriminate grazing in farmlands to check Fulani, farmers clash in the area.

The emir also called on Muslims to pray for peace and unity in the country, adding that such prayers were necessary in view of the serious security challenges in the country.

“We should pray Allah for peace, progress and prosperity for the country,” he said.

He admonished Muslims to emphasise on the teachings of the Eid-el-Kabir and support the needy to enable them celebrate the festive season in a happy mood.

By Jude Isiguzo

Others are Mr Toney Ubani of Vanguard Newspapers, Nollywood superstar, Mr Kanayo O Kanayo, Mr Akin Olaniyan of Zenith Bank PLC, and Mr Frank Mba, former Lagos State Police Command spokesman.

Fashola, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Remi Igbirogba, said the issue of crime is the responsibility of everyone.

He explained that the state government is working hard to ensure that the state is properly secured by providing the required facilities.

“We still welcome contributions from members of the public to ensure that crime is brought to the lowest level in the state. And for those who wants to commit crime, we can assure you that you cannot break the law and go away with it because everything to checkmate crime in the state has been put in place”, he said.

He advised journalists in the country to be cautious of how they report some sensitive issues particularly those that bother on crime.

The governor noted that anything reported in the media can cause a lot of damage to the integrity and security of any nation.

President of RCCN Church, Rev. Risae Yakubu, said that the policy was aimed at ensuring that ladies from the area were made affordable.

Yakubu said that the rule applied to all irrespective of the tribe of the suitor or the background of the lady.

“People who used to fear marrying Kutep ladies because of the high cost of bride price can now come.

“With the minimum wage already implemented by Governor Suntai, your one month salary can finish it,’’he added.

He said that the thanksgiving was in appreciation of the fact that God had restored relative peace, prosperity and glory of the Takum Chiefdom.

According to him, people of all races could come to Takum and do their normal business and leave in peace.

He noted that among other things, God had restored love, trust and friendship between the Kutebs and the neighbouring tribes.

Dasuki urges good governance

T

HE former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, has urged traditional and religious leaders to govern the people with fairness and honesty to ensure peace in the state.

The Sultan said this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.

He appealed to the leaders to preach peace in their various communities, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved in a state of rancour.

Also, the Chief Imam of Government College Mosque, Sheikh Shuaibu Jubril, appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy.

Jubril explained that the removal of fuel subsidy would bring hardship to many Nigerians, especially the poor.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Samaila Yakawada, has assured the people that measures had been taken to ensure security of lives and properties in the state.

Yakawada stated this in his goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah as they celebrated Eid-el- Kabir.

He further urged them to use the festive period to pray for peace and unity in order to achieve sustainable growth and development in the state.

Thousands of Muslims in Kaduna observed the Raka’at prayers at different prayer grounds.

“We must abide by the teachings of Islam and give out alms to the needy,” he added.

In a sermon, the Chief Imam of Mubi, Mallam Muhammad Lawal, admonished Muslims to dedicate themselves to the service of Allah, observe piety and live a simple life in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

The emir hosted a durbar as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Thousands of Muslims including children dressed in colourful dresses, had earlier observed a prayer at the praying ground in Mubi.

•Governor Nyako

Muslim cleric preaches love, tolerance

A

S the Muslim faithful across the country celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir, Sheikh Badamasi Tijjani, the Acting Chief Imam of Dutse Central Mosque in Jigawa State, has called for love and tolerance among Nigerians.

Badamasi,who gave the advice in Dutse during a sermon to mark this year’s Sallah festivities, admonished the Muslims to always show love to other fellow human beings.

He said that no nation would prosper and develop without love and tolerance among its people.

The Chief Imam also lamented the incessant maiming and killing of innocent citizens across the country and called for concerted prayers from all and sundry for divine intervention.

Badamasi urged Muslims not to consider the celebration as an occasion for merry-making only, but also a period for sober reflection and rededication of themselves to the service of God and humanity.

He appealed to wealthy Muslims to extend their hands of fellowship to the less-privileged members in the society by assisting them with food, drinks and other necessities of life.

In a related development, the Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Malam Bala BabanInna, has praised Governor Isa Yuguda for curtailing the excesses of political thugs in the state known as “Sara-Suka”.

In a sermon shortly after leading the Eid-ElKabir prayers, the Imam said the threat posed by the notorious group had reduced drastically.

Bala said: “The people of Bauchi State are saying thank you for addressing the problem of Sara-Suka.

“They are also appreciative of your assistance to Bauchi pilgrims and they are wishing you God’s guidance.

“We are, however, calling on the security agents to intensify efforts in ensuring that there was no breach of the peace from whatever quarters.’’

Bala also appealed that justice be done to those awaiting trial in our prisons.

“Some of them had been in prison custody for long. This brings about congestion of the prisons. There is the need to decongest the prisons,” he said.

‘Be ready to assist the needy’

N

IGERIANS have been urged to imbibe the spirit of philanthropy and be willing to always assist the poor and

needy.

Mrs. Bridget Usifo Osakwe gave this advice at the weekend while speaking during her investiture as the 13 President of the Lagos Achievers Lions Club, District 404A, Nigeria.

She would be in the saddle for the 2011-2012 year.

A social worker, Lion Osakwe currently serves as Programme Manager, Women in Peace building programme with the West African Network for Peace Building (WIPNET) Nigeria.

Lion Osakwe who highlighted some humanitarian programmes she intended to execute, assured members of her commitment to serve humanity. She assured them that she would not betray the support they have accorded her by electing her as their president.

Lion Osakwe, who pledged to engage in aggressive membership drive as part of her programmes, pledged to raise the club membership by 50 per cent. She urged members to always be willing to help humanity by do-

Lagos

By Eric Ikhale

nating to the club and its activities.

The guest speaker, Mr. Edetaen Ojo of the Media Right Agenda (MRA), stressed the benefit of the Freedom of Information (FOI)Act to the nation’s socio-economic development.

He expressed delight in the huge acceptance of the law accented to by the President earlier this year by Nigerians.

Ojo, who expressed optimism about the law’s ability to change the way government’s activities were conducted, said it was still too early to assess it effect on the nation’s life.

He urged Nigerians to avail themselves the opportunity to be educated about the law and the rights and privileges it provides for their.

Ojo assured that his group, which was in the forefront of the mobilisation for the emergence of the law, would continue to collaborate with other rights groups and government agencies to propagate the message and spirit of the FOI Act.

From left: District Governor 404A Nigeria Kola Oyekanmi, Past District Governor 404A Nigeria and ex-Aviation Minister, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Anthony Okpere, President Lagos Achiever Lions Club Lion Bridget Usifo Osakwe, Immediate Past President Lagos Achievers Lion Club, Chief Ejike Conti, Past District Governor 404A Nigeria Alex Irotume and Past Multiple Council Chairman, Tope Tycus at the investiture of Lion Osakwe at the weekend PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Bamako Photo Festival: Vote ote for a V sustainable world

Lagos lawmaker seeks honour for Afrobeat king Fela

– Page 32

– Page 33

‘I loved my work but… I decided the most important thing was to have a family and not a bunch of tapes. I can’t be rocking a bunch of tapes’

‘CNN experience was special but important’’ family is the most important

• SEE PAGE 30

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Former Cable News Network (CNN) Inside Africa presenter, Femi Oke, 45, is a British-Nigerian broadcaster with a robust career. Her career started at 14 as a junior reporter for the United Kingdom’s first talk radio station LBC. She worked for commercial radio all through school.

Successful as her career was, making a family is more important. She was one of the resource persons at this year’s Garden City Literary Festival, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. In this interview with OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor, Arts, she speaks, among other issues, on why she left CNN, her documentary project, why Niger Delta is a must visit, and her regret for not learning Yoruba early in life. Excerpts: Career at CNN

I

READ all kinds of stuff on the Internet on, why I left CNN. In the absence of a reason, people just make up their own story. My job was based in Atlanta and my other half was based in New York. Anyone who knows the geography of the United States will know they are two different states, and to have a relationship is difficult. If you want to take it to the next level, someone would have to move closer to someone else. So, I thought about my career and realised I had an established one. I loved my work but thought if I want to leave behind a bunch of tapes and no family or do I actually want to have a relationship, a family and all of those things? So, I decided the most important thing was to have a family and not a bunch of tapes. I can’t be rocking a bunch of tapes.”

Leaving 24-hour news network, Inside Africa It was very personal but when I left I still went back to do other reporting for them. I didn’t feel I had to say this big goodbye to everybody. It is a 24-hour news network and there’s no way to say goodbye to everyone anyway. I just felt it’s my family. It was the best job I ever had in my entire career and the best career choice I ever made in terms of those I met during that time and since that time. It was a hard decision to make, especially leaving Inside Africa. I felt like I was leaving behind my child because I had worked on that show from day one. I was a reporter on that show, helped build that show. I was a fill-in host and then the host. It was a show I loved so much. I used to fight for the stories. That was hard to leave but I don’t think one TV programme should shape your entire life. You have to make a contribution and look for what else is out there in the world. Nigerians are always shocked that I left though.”

New job I am based in New York and work for National Public Radio, which is very similar to BBC. It is the equivalent of the BBC in America. I am a senior editor, which means I get to be in charge of major editorial decisions that are made, and the show I work for is the Morning New Show. I get up in the morning but also finish by 10am and can do other things. We are partners with the New York Times and BBC. Sometimes I am reporting, sometimes I am writing but the attraction was that it was a brand new show.

When I was leaving CNN I knew I could create something new and different. At National Public Radio, in New York if I finish early I can file stories for the BBC. I also consult for UNICEF and I am making a documentary. I wanted to do things I could not do at CNN. It was an amazing place to work but I worked for a boss. If I wanted to do my ideas individually, I can’t do that and work for a major corporation. Now I am starting small but these are things I want to do. I spent 10 years in the BBC too. Now, I want to see how the Femi decade is like. For true success you have to take the risk. I‘m too old to do weather report now. I’ll be like an old lady crawling across the screen. It is an adventure.

This is the only job you go to interview someone you have never met. You ask questions and they answer you. They show you things and what other job does that? It is an amazing job and I have another 20 years to go. Probably, more because I don’t plan to retire.

Interest in books, Garden City Literary Festival I love book clubs and reading. I don’t turn people down but it was nice to be surrounded with so many people interested in plays, literature and writing. Now, there are more people to read. I would love it to be taken to Hollywood with some Nigerian actors and it will connect. The Niger Delta is a foreground for drama and we have it without trying here. I met people and was inspired. This is somewhere we cover in our news all the time. If you do not come to places like this, how will you be informed?

Often people exaggerate things from the reality. When I was a kid we used to come to Nigeria for the whole summer. I keep contemplating living here but I also know there are so many things I need to do and want to do. I would have a bigger platform doing it internationally than locally. It is something I wrestle with all the time. I have concerns about being based here all the time because of very simple things like the way business is done, not just in Nigeria but many places across Africa. There are certain business ways of operating, which I would be uncomfortable with, but it is just the reality of how we live and have to live. For me it is the big sacrifice.

Living in Nigeria I would not last five minutes in that kind of Nigeria. My parents brought me up to be a very good girl who bows when greeting. But the idea that equal rights for women is a threat or that you go to work as a lawyer and come back to make dinner, make me wonder what kind of woman I would be if I grew up in Lagos. Would I be the same person? If someone tells me that I had to have a man who would at least have one other girlfriend, that is not happening to me in New York but if I were in Lagos it would probably happen even if my beautiful man said I am just the only one. Nigerian women have coping mechanisms for that but it is not on my list of things to cope with. So, if I live here I will probably get kicked out for being a radical. I see brilliant Nigerians all over the world but the

•Oke

‘CNN experience was special but family is the most important’ gender policy thing, absolutely not.”

Coping with learning Yoruba language late I could do it. My accent would be a foreign one. When I was young and I spoke Yoruba my parents laughed at me.

Also they did not want to teach me Yoruba because they did not want me to have an accent. This was in the sixties and early seventies when there was racism in the UK and they did not want people to pick on me or pick me out as having a Nigerian accent. But really, when children are bilingual they do not have an accent. They speak everything with a perfect English accent but my parents did not know that. It makes it hard for me because I have Yoruba courses at home. I have trouble reading my one book for the club talk less of doing my courses. It is really upsetting that my parents didn’t teach me at a time when it would be game and fun. I understand the meaning when people talk to me, but it is a lot in the Diaspora. The third generation are not speaking Yoruba, which is sad because their kids are also not speaking it. For all my kids not to speak would be embarrassing. I want to learn to be fully fluent so when people are talking I can listen to them. Just for that excitement.

Membership of Genius Book Club I am hosting the next meeting. There are about 10 of us and every two months, we have a meeting. The host of each meeting picks the bill. It has to be someone in New York because I cannot fly anyone into New York for it. Our jobs are really crazy and I cannot remember the last time I actually read a novel. So, every two months I have to read something that is just pure enjoyment of reading. I realised that how can I be a journalist and not read so I read a lot and that is how we started the book club. It is full of intelligent people. We call it the Genius Book Club. It is very tongue and cheek but we read tough things and it is enjoyable.”

Career option outside journalism I would just be a journalist. I love theatre and did act when I was younger. But it is a profession where you could work all you want and still be unsuccessful. I wanted to use my skills to communicate with a lot of people. If I am doing a report I reach a lot of people and it is not just about my enjoyment but communicating with a lot of people.

But to be honest, I think it would have been broadcasting because if I were not a producer I would be the director.

Memorable experiences on the job I wanted to go to those places. At some point I told my boss to allow me go to Southern Sudan, but he said no. The United Nations wanted to take me to Sudan and I wanted to go but he said no because if anything happened to me he didn’t want the responsibility of calling my family or telling people something bad had happened to me. After that time that he said no some terrible things happened so I could not really argue with him.

For me, the stories of how people survive in these extreme situations are not what people hear on the news. You always hear the big dramatic things, not how people survive every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and parts of Sudan. I m interested in people’s stories. It is exciting for me and an adventure.

Parental influence In some ways, they are very strict, and in others, they are very liberal. The strictness was that we all had to go to the university. That was non-negotiable. But what we studied was our choice. They did not really understand what I was doing until they saw me on CNN. My extended family would be calling my mum and dad to say they saw me. So, at that point they understood what it is I actually do. I had been on the radio as a kid, but it was just something that Femi does. Now, they are more aware but not in the best sense impressed because it is about study and hard work. They like to hear the compliments, especially my mum. You can tell she is very proud of me.

ut

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Lasisi takes poetry to another level It was a gathering of media people. Journalists, educationists, music artists, poets, presenters and enthusiasts in poetry trooped to the 1960 Hotel, Lagos to witness the public presentation of Akeem Lasisi’s Wonderland (Electure) musical-poetry album.

OSAS ROBERT AND TOLULOPE OGUNKANMI were at the event.

I

T was his day and Akeem Lasisi took the stage to celebrate it. Fans, who had listened to his musical-poetry album, were on hand for the reading of the lines at the formal presentation of his album entitled: Wonderland (Electure) penultimate Saturday in Lagos.

Three hours before the scheduled time for the event, many guests were already seated and waited anxiously to see Lasisi, who has become famous for bringing poetry and music together in concert.

Throughout the event, Lasisi kept guests on their feet, dancing, each time he took the stage, sometimes with his songbirds. It was a show to behold. They danced to his Pekere Mesi, which is a satire on fuel subsidy.

For the guests, the album is a good innovation in the artworld. Many who find it boring listening to poetry recitation can now enjoy this new form of musical poetry as Lasisi has gone from the stereotype recitation of poetry to performance poetry.

Present were Chief Francis Olaniyan, who chaired the event; founder Omoba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Foundation (OYASAF), Prince Yemisi Shyllon; the Director, Providence Group of Schools, Mr Ademola Oduyemi, Ben Tomoloju; The Nation’s Olakunle Abimbola; former president Women Writers Association(WRITA), Mobolaji Adenubi; founder, Foxhole, Pa Omo Uwaifo; the Ayo of Osun Osogbo festival, ace film producer Tunde Kelani; award-winning author Tony Kan; the renowned Beautiful Nubia; ace theatre-artiste Ropo Ewenla;Jumoke Verrissimo, Funmi Aluko; Evelyn Osagie of The Nation and Adunni Nefretiti, among others.

While some said he is a journalist, others felt he is more of a poet. His former employer, Chief Olaniyan saidLasisi was as good a teacher as he is a poet.

“Everybody has described him as a poet and a writer, but none has mentioned that he was a teacher. He has been a very successful teacher, teaching English and literature. He established a school magazine in 1993 and the magazine is shining till today” he said.

Lasisi, a Chief Correspondent with The Punch, has written many books and poetry collections, but with Wonderland, the poet has conceived a product that would compete favourably with contemporary musical acts by blending poetic and rhythmic language.

In the review, Abimbola described Lasisi’s attempt as “a worthwhile experimentation in pairing traditional Yoruba and English poetic forms”.

He said: “The album is laced with first-class poetry, brimming with social commentary, served with piquant satire, and rippling with humour and particular with what the Yoruba call efe. It is reassuring that social commentators, in varied forms, are not about to hang their booming guns.”

Prince Shyllon, the chief presenter, praised Lasisi for his interest in African culture. “I have been benefiting from Akeem’s writing skills in The Punch. I was stunned when this young man came on stage. I am sad for this country. I must tell you I respect people who go back to our roots and bring back the essence but the country will not recognise you now until when they give you a Nobel prize. Chinue Achebe and Wole Soyinka were not recognised until they were appreciated outside the country. It is sad that Nigeria does not have a system where they can harness talent. In a country with common sense, they would tap into the youth and develop their talents. I hope Nigeria will have leaders one day

•Lasisi (right) and the songbirds, Ewenla and Edaoto performing Wonderland

‘Writing for children requires special skills’ • Pa Uwaifo and Prince Shyllon

•Chief Olaniyan and Mr Oduyemi

•Osagie

‘The album is laced with first-class poetry, brimming with social commentary, served with piquant satire, and rippling with humour and particular with what the Yoruba call efe, reassuring that social commentators, in varied forms, are not about to hang their booming guns’

“The album is largely a reflection on what is happening around us. It is a commentary about my fatherland as in Eleleture. The poem in Wonderland is about the current crisis... the endless cries for the removal of subsidy that has always been on over the years,” Lasisi said.

Many artists thrilled the audience, with scintillating musical and poetic performances. Beautiful Nubia said Lasisi inspired him into African poetry. Nubia drew Lasisi and his wife, Shola and other guests to the dance floor when he performed two of his songs. Osagie’s Voyage to Wonderland in honour of Lasisi’s launch drew applause from the audience.

that will think of developing talents,” he said.

Lasisi expressed his joy that a lot of people are passionate about African culture like him, saying he intends to take performance poetry to the next level. “I’m happy that you are here promoting our culture. The next step, for me, is to

keep on promoting performance poetry not just at my own level. I want to harness the energy and the dream of the younger upcoming performance poets. I want us to come together and develop what we do as individuals and collectively.

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

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•In memory of Goddy Leye at the Memorial Modibo Keita, Bamako

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Untitled by Lekan

Global warming and sustainable development have always been central to most debates by world leaders. At this year’s African Photography Biennale, entitled: Bamako Encounters, in Mali, 45 African photographers, 10 videographers from 27 countries are using their works of art to draw attention to perceived obstacles to having a sustainable world. OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor (Arts), who was at the festival, reports.

Bamako Photo Festival: Vote for a sustainable world

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MAGINE a collection of photographs and video slides showing global warming, deforestation, exhaustion of mineral and food resources and water shortages are mounted on the walls of a hall housing world leaders’ conference.

The impact of such an encounter will not be far-fetched. Little wonder the organisers of this year’s Bamako Encounters chose the theme For a sustainable world.

Of the 45 photographers who featured at the biennale, South African photographer, Pieter Hugo won the Seydou Keita prize- the highest at the ninth edition of Bamako Encounters. He was presented the award during a brief ceremony in the gardens of the National Museum, Bamako Mali on Friday.

Nigeria’s Uche Okpa-Iroha won the 2009 edition.

Other winners include Nyaba Léon Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) and Nyani Quarmyne (Ghana) who jointly emerged winners of the European Union prize. The Jury prize was won by Jehad Nga (Libya), and Khalil Nemmaoui of Morocco got the Francophone International Organisation prize, while the Casa Africa prize went to Élise Fitte-Duval (Martinique). The Fondation Blachère prize was picked by Khaled Hafez (Egypt).

Hugo, whose work entitled Permanent Error swayed the five-member jury comprising Elda Harrington (Argentina), Abodoulaye Konate, Hassan Kouyate, (Mali), Yacouba Konate (Cote d’Ivoire) and Antonio Pinto Ribeiro (Portugal), with extremely engaging pictures from a slum in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

“I am delighted for receiving the highest award of the biennial - it’s a magnificent event with astounding works that are full of breathtaking creativity”, Hugo managed to say as he rushed to the Senou International Airport to catch a flight shortly after receiv-

•Hugo wins Seydou Keita 3,000 euro grand prize ing his prize.

Characterised by somber skies and smoky backgrounds, his photos depict youngsters at a digital waste dumpsite in Agbogbloshie - a sprawling slum nicknamed Sodom and Gomorrah - two biblical towns noted for their impudent sins. They portray a groove of massive health and environmental hazards for residents, community and undeniably, the city as a whole.

Hugo questions the continuous dumping of digital waste on poor communities by advanced countries with alarming images that are moving and quite agonising. They depict a poverty-ridden community, indeed one that is almost ignored, neglected and despised for all the wrong things in the city - crime, prostitution, drug peddling and its use.

‘As the exhibits have travelled around the world, they have contributed towards establishing an international image of African photography in all its creativity and dynamism. The Bamako Encounters have also promoted the emergence of national and regional photography events.

And so, little by little, the work done has raised photographic creativity to the level of one of the most talked about contemporary forms of artistic expression’

His works are widely collected; these include Daimler Art Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, ?Bass Museum (USA), ?Deutsche Börse Group, Frankfurt?

Ethnologische Museum, Berlin?FNAC (Germany), France?FOAM, Amsterdam?Folkwang Museum (The Netherlands)?and Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio (Italy).

Others are Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris?Margulies Collection France), Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (USA),?Musée de l’Elysée (Switzerland),?MUSAC_Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León (Spain),?Newark Museum, New Jersey?Progressive Art Collection, Cleveland/San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (USA) and Cape Town?The Walther Collection (South Africa).

He is the recipient of diverse award including Discovery, Rencontres d’Arles Festival, KLM Paul Huf, Standard Bank (South Africa), Young Artist for Visual Arts, First Prize of Portraits Section, World Press Photo and?Getty Images Young Photographer Awards.

Earlier, the General delegate of Bamako Encounters, Mr Samuel Sidibe, described the annual photography festival as a major player in the cultural life of Mali and the continent of Africa, saying it has developed into an essential Pan African event for photographers in Africa and the Diaspora.

He said the biennale has constantly being offering artists exceptional opportunities to meet not just one another but also photography professionals-collectors, gallery owners, curators and journalists from around the world.

“As the exhibits have travelled around the world, they have contributed towards establishing an international image of African photography in all its creativity and dynamism. The Bamako Encounters have also promoted the emergence of national and regional photography events. And so, little by little, the work done has raised photographic creativity to the level of one of the most talked about contemporary forms of artistic expression,” he added.

Sidibe disclosed that three sites have been opened for this year’s edition to ‘promote the emergence of African art curators and critics. Given the fact that few exhibition curators invited to the major international events live and work on the continent, we wanted to encourage access to this profession for African exhibition curators by offering carte blanche to a young African curator chosen from a call for candidates.’

He noted that this year, organisers would welcome proposal from Ruth Belinga of Cameroon with an exhibition devoted to the late Goddy Leye, who passed away early this year.

“To promote a policy of conservation and promotion of the African photographic heritage, which this year was initiated by the National Museum, Mali; to contribute to the development of the art market in Africa, the Bamako Encounters, after introducing two artists from South Africa’s Micheal Stevenson Gallery in 2009, will host a section of photographs from the Sindika Dokolo collection, with Simon Njami as curator. Contemporary African creativity will be honoured at Paris Photo, which is inviting the Bamako Encounters to Paris this month.

Rich, but poor Niger Delta •Continued on page 33

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Bamako Photo Festival: Vote for a sustainable world •Continued from page 32

One of the six Nigerian photographers at the Biennale, George Osodi is featuring Oil Rich Niger Delta, curated by Michket Krifa as one of the five expositions that opened at the Memorial Modibo Keita, Bamako on Tuesday. Other Nigerian photographers exhibiting at the festival are Akintunde Akinleye, Uzoma Anyanwu, Charles Okereke and Adolphus Okpara. Abrahma Oghobase featured in Witness, (an Off ) at the Galerie Medina, Bamako alongside Monique Pelser, Sammy Baloji, Michael Tsegaye, Sabelo Mlangeni, and Calvin Dondo.

Osodi exhibited alongside the likes of Nyaba Leon Ouedraogo, Kiripi Katembo and the duo of Faten Gaddes, (Tunisia) and Khaled Hafez Egyptian artists who presented Le Printemps Arabe. Also on display is homage to the late Cameroonian artist, Goddy Leye, But what separates Osodi’s collection from his colleagues is not the medium, but the complex nature of the environmental issues he raised in photographs and slides.

Osodi showcases 10 still photographs and 200 slides, a collection that mirrors the environmental issues of the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. Up till this moment, the art, particularly photography has always been one critical window through which the degradation in the region and its attendant socio-political issues are being exposed for the world to understand. This year’s theme of the African Photography Biennale, Bamako Encounters, no doubt, fits appropriately into the age-long campaigns of

•Hugo receiving his award.

Niger Delta people for an equitable and sustainable environment.

The collection reflects degradation, pollution, poverty and anger that characterise the life of an average person in the region. It also shows how insensitive the oil companies and past administrations are towards the people’s health and their sources of livelihood, which are fishing and farming. For instance, in Gas Flare at Night and Shell Gas Flare, the photographer captures the radiation from the

Ghanaian woman sculptor’s love for Nigerian art, artists

heat of the gas flaring that is constantly hitting hard on the people. Also, Utorogu Gas Flare is another scene that reveals the many risks and health hazard posed by gas flaring.

In the photograph, a woman is shown drying her cassava flakes in the open unmindful of the air pollution from the flaring gas behind her. This is a common scene in most communities in the region, who go about their normal duties irrespective of the thick clouds of toxic smoke hanging over their heads all day

and night.

Oil Pollution Ogoni is a piece that depicts the hopelessness of the people. It shows a young man holding his rubber slippers and gazing helplessly the entire landscape before him being overrun by the thick oil spillage.

Osodi’s photo documentary will remain a critical tool for effective social change- the realisation of a dreamland for the Niger Delta region, if the authorities have the political will to redress the situation.

Lagos lawmaker seeks honour for Afrobeat king Fela

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By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

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HE vibrancy and competitiveness of the art scene are among the attractions that lured young Ghanaian woman sculptor, Constance Swaniker, to Lagos.

She is exhibiting at the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, Lagos. She said it is amazing the kind of talent that is coming from Nigeria, noting that there is so much competition in the sector, which brings out the best from the artists.

She observed that Nigeria is in the forefront of everything in the continent to reach the world, and that she chose Nigeria because of its vibrant art market, which she said is more than that of Ghana.

She stressed that she realised that to grow as an artist, one must move out of his comfort zone. This, she said, informed why she is entering into the Nigerian art market as a stepping stone to world market.

“Nigeria is in the news always with lots of media presence too. In fact, South Africa is my next stop,” she noted, adding that her country’s culture ministry was very excited about her coming to Nigeria for exhibition.

Swaniker’s second solo art exhibition, entitled Justaposed: Light and Shade opened last Saturday at the Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Lagos and will run till November 14. She held her debut, Passage of discovery in Accra, Ghana early this year, which she described it as well attended and successful.

She is exhibiting 34 pieces of artwork and sculptures that celebrate female forms. “I use this opportunity to appreciate the softness of women,” she said adding that the issues raised in the works are about happenings around her. Notwithstanding her passion for sculptures, Swaniker, a graduate of the Kwame Nkruma University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, said she loves painting, but that it is too restrictive a medium because sculpture allows her to torch and feel the art.

According to her, art in Ghana has been dormant for some time and artists of her generation are looking outside the art industry for livelihood. “Unfortunately, many people no longer believe in art as a source of livelihood. For me, I cannot imagine doing anything else,” she further said.

Her works though focus more on female

PHOTOS: OZOLUA UHAKHEME

•Swaniker

forms, she still depicts the beauty of nature and environment. One of such pieces is that on aquarium. “I love things from nature. I am very much in tune with nature and the environment. When I wake up in the morning, whatever images that are in my mind, until I translate them visually in a metal form, I will not be fulfilled,” Swaniker hinted.

She described her collection as personal and that the works should not be seen as Ghanaian art ‘but what I felt around Africa.’

Among the works on display are Walk a mile in my shoes, which reflects her feelings about a relationship she walked out of, and Progress unexplained that talks on the need to leave one’s comfort zone. Others are Weapon of mass destruction, Killing fields and Pretty Wings.

‘Nigeria is in the news always with lots of media presence too. In fact, South Africa is my next stop... I use this opportunity to appreciate the softness of women’

HE Lagos State Government has been asked to immortalise the late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo.

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe 2 constituency, Hon. Segun Olulade is pushing a motion for Fela’s immortalisation.

The motion enjoys the support of his colleagues as they all spoke glowingly of the Abami Eda. The House later passed a resolution calling on the government to give the musical icon a posthumous award and build monuments in his honour.

Olulade said: “Having considered Fela’s contribution politically, socially, philosophically and in all aspects of the society that he touched, he deserves to be immortalised. He has touched so many lives through his music, he has been able to showcase a lot of things that we have in Africa; he is an icon of the afro beat music industry. He has released so many albums to sharpen our reasoning in terms of several social, religious and moral issues; he has touched nearly every aspect of life. Through music he has been able to reach out to so many people, in fighting the injustice that we find in our land and Africa, the military incursion into politics, anti corruption crusade that he stood for and all sorts of issues he touched”.

Olulade said what Fela did, many musicians being celebrated worldwide today have not done half of it. He said: “He faced a lot of intimidation, victimisation and brutalisation, yet he was committed to the cause of the masses, and I feel such a man can not just go like that without being immortalised. That is not all he also exported the culture of the black man abroad, he was an ambassador of the black man abroad.

“Even in death, Fela still lives in the people.

The Afro beat is still very much alive and whenever his music is being played, you want to listen to his lyrics; those messages that he passed across about two decades ago are still very relevant today. If you look at his ambassadorial role in propagating the culture, beauty of Africa in his music, showcasing what Africa is and should look like, we need to celebrate him more than what is being done to other musicians in the world who have not done even half of what Fela has done in Africa and Nigeria in particular”.

Olulade said manygovernment functionaries then saw Fela as antiestablishment, but whatever Fela was saying

•The late Fela

By Oziegbe Okoeki

then was to build and contribute his own quota to the development of this country.

“We are all shouting about corruption today, Fela started the crusade even before some of our social critics. He has touched every aspect of the nation’s life, government, family, community, religious bodies, private sector, corruption etc. He has his shortcoming no doubt, but he has done a lot in contributing to the development of Nigeria through his music and we need to do something about him”, the lawmaker said.

Immortalising him, Olulade said, will encourage those who are there now and those who are coming behind to do more or better than what has been done. “The upcoming artistes will know that there is nothing good or bad that you do now that will not become issue for people to talk about later. If it is good you will be celebrated, we need to reward good work and encourage people to know that whatever they are doing now somebody is watching and that will motivate them to do good things and this is very important for upcoming artiste,”he added.

He, however, advised Femi and Seun to look at the best part of their father and try to emulate him.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti was born on October 15, 1938 and died August 2, 1997.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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Arthouse Contemporary holds auction

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•Participants at the workshop

Setting roadmap for systematic evaluation

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ONITORING and evaluation have become a major discourse at all levels of government, it was learnt.

This is coming from the need for the actualisation of desired infrastructural developments and programmes by the authorities.

These formed the major thrust of the fourday workshop organised by the Ministry of Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Lagos State in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The resource persons included Mrs. Binta Isah-Ismail, Dr. Abdulkareem Lawal, speacialists from UNICEF, and the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation (MEPB), Mr Ajibola Ariyibi, among others.

Oftentimes, according to the Deputy Director, Development Partnership Department, Mrs Folashade Owolola Faseun, who represented the Lagos Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ben Akabueze, programme managers and other state officials from relevant departments lack the requisite skills to either set up monitoring or evaluation systems. In the same vein, some skilled evaluators engage ineffective monitoring and evaluation activities. In addition, states with existing structures for 'Project Monitoring' lack 'Evaluation Systems'; and existing ones were weak.

Mrs Isah-Ismail corroborated her, saying: "Many go for monitoring, but evaluation is usually left out." She noted that every evaluation must have a baseline. On evaluation, she said: "It provides evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful, enabling the timely incorporation of findings, recommendations and lessons into decision-making."

Lagos State MPEB was applauded for having

Stories by Evelyn Osagie

a viable evaluation system in place alongside Osun State.

Mrs Faseun said the effective monitoring and evaluation directorate has contributed to the infrastructural development in the state.

She noted that monitoring and evaluation plays an indispensible role in attaining projects' goals and objectives. She explained: "While monitoring can be said to be a continuous assessment of functioning of project activities in the context of implementation schedule and use of project input, evaluation criteria are usually set to give necessary road map to measure implementation."

Mr Ariyibi said Performance Management Report (PMR) is used by Lagos State in evaluating its programmes, adding that with it, the government can identify some crosscutting issues by which synergy is created across sectors and agencies.

The media, he said, has a major role to play in the evaluation and monitoring process, noting that it promotes transparency.

On his part, Dr Lawal spoke on the need for a workable social policy that would cater for the well-being of citizens, noting further that social protection has gained prominence as dominant approach for social policy. His papers were entitled: Issues bordering on Social Policy and Protection and Relevance of Statistic in Social Development Planning.

He said: "Social Protection involves policy interventions which invest in the capacity of individuals and households to reduce risk and vulnerability. The interventions are social security, child benefits, delivery mechanism, and social assistance to the poor, among others."

Other papers presented were Evaluation Design; Basics of impact evaluation; Five organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECDDAC) Evaluation criteria; Managing Use of and Fundamentals Evaluation; and Human Result Based Approach to Programming (HRBA), among others.

At the end of the workshop, a communiqué was signed. It reads: “States should put in place evaluation policy; state governments should establish functional Monitoring and Evaluation structures in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); bureau of statistics should be established in states to co-ordinate, analyse and harmonise all Sectoral Statistical data in order to ensure reliability for effective decisionmaking; there should be a legal framework for sustenance of states social protection programmes of previous administrations; UNICEF and other development partners should intensify their efforts on state-led evaluation capacity development and advocacy; there should be an effective collaboration between relevant MDAs and the media for virile evaluation process."

Participants were drawn from four states under the UNICEF B-Field office (Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Edo) received trainings on effective monitoring and evaluating tools.

It was attended by permanent secretaries, general managers, directors, and senior officers from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including media representatives. With 'evaluation' as the main focus, the facilitators from UNICEF and Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Lagos State, took participants through series of capacity building sessions on evaluation theory and practice and supporting coalition building for evaluation policies and more.

Group promises to support child rights NGOs

RTHOUSE Contemporary will auction some of its works come Monday, November 21 at the civic centre, Victoria Island, Lagos by 6pm.

Arthouse Contemporary is an international auction house with its greatest level of expertise resting in the Art of West Africa and its greatest effort focused on the parity of international recognition towards the talented artists who are from or are based there.

It was founded in Nigeria in mid-2007. It is made up of a working team of administrators and a Nigerian-based Board of Advisors.

Since April 7, 2008, it has held six editions of its public sale of art works. It held one early this year in May 9.

In this edition which is its seventh. It will be auctioning about 103 lots that include Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu; Brothers by Kolade Oshinowo; Ijaw wrap around by Olusegun Adejumo; Diseye Tantua’s Africa must unite; Akinola Lasekan’s Portrait of a man, among works.

IZAFEST holds in Ibadan

By Evelyn Osagie

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BADAN will witness the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Ijaw (Izon) people as Izon Arts Festival live (IZAFEST 2011) kicks off on Friday.

With the theme: Boosting the Izon artistic life in Ibadan, the two-day event organised

by Ebiks Theatre Salon will hold at the Alliance Francaise, Ibadan, Oyo State, by 10am daily.

It would feature Izon music, captivating waist dances, dazzling dress parades and fabulous masquerade show, among other events.

Indeed, the IZAFEST holds refreshing moments for the great pleasure of artistes, arts administrators, culture activists, arts and culture enthusiasts. It will be chaired by the Director-General of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma. The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) Director, Prof. Tunde Babawale, will present the keynote address on the festival’s theme. High Chief Alloy O. Obi (Onyendu Ndi Igbo of Oyo State) will be guest of honour, while High Chief G. O. Edobor, the Obazughanmuren of Benin), the father of the day.

According to the organisers, IZAFEST, which is in its maiden edition, is aimed at projecting the rich cultural heritage of the Izon people. It is supported by CBAAC, Lagos.

The festival Director, Mr Ebika Anthony, said: “This festival will not only provide a platform for Izon and non-Izon people to interact with one another socially and artistically and exchange cultural ideas, it will also serve as a forum for unity, love and peaceful coexistence. This, no doubt, will help Izon people outside Izonland to keep abreast of their culture.”

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HE United Kingdom-based child rights non-governmental organisation, Stepping Stones Nigeria, has launched an initiative to support Nigerian child rights organisations across the Niger Delta known as the PACT Coalition.

The PACT Coalition, which is a part of the PACT (Prevent Abuse of Children Today) campaign, is meant to bring together over 30 child rights organisations from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers states, the organisers said.

Lynda Battarbee, Campaigns Officer for SSN, in an online chat with The Nation, said PACT also offers financial and training support to assist these groups to carry out essential child rights work.

It was launched last week in Calabar.

According to Battarbee, the event was witnessed by representatives of NGOs across the

•Participants at the event

region and a presentation from the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice of Cross River State. Delegates received free training sessions on child rights law and litigation, child protection, fundraising, monitoring and evaluation techniques.

A Small Grants Scheme (SGS) specifically for PACT Coalition members was launched at the event.

"Supporting Nigerian child rights NGOs to carry out their work is one of the most important ways in which we can bring about positive long-term change for the children of the Niger Delta. SSN is hugely proud to stand with such passionate and committed people and we take inspiration from their efforts," Battarbee said.

•Prof. Babawale

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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The challenges of spinsterhood

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IGERIA is still very much a conservative country in which marriage is seen as the completion of a man or a woman. You may earn all the degrees in the world and grab all the money to boot, but once you are not married, you are seen as being hollow. It is even worse for a woman because society somewhat compels her to be more of a sitting duck without the rights to propel her own life.

She has to wait for a man to propose to her; and if she decides to do the chasing on her own she becomes an object of caricature.

Given the menace of the ever-ticking biological clock the single Nigerian woman lives on edge every day. It is akin to suicide going past her sell-by date. Chioma Obiefuna brings to light the challenging phenomenon of the single woman in Tales of the Single Woman with consummate understanding and considerable humour.

This untidy state of affairs recalls some words from Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah: “Better to marry a rascal than grow a moustache in your father’s compound; better an unhappy marriage than an unhappy spinsterhood; better marry Mr Wrong in this world than wait for Mr Right in heaven; all marriage is how-for-do; all men are the same…”

Obiefuna’s Tales of the Single Woman bears the insightful subtitle: “A humorous encounter with The Single Nigerian Woman”.

The encounters in the book happen to be many as the author uses real life tales, with fictionalised names of course, to depict the multiform experiences of the singles in the midst. The interesting aspect of the matter is that our author is by no way single, being married to the eminent structural engineer, Ralph Chudi Obiefuna, who is acknowledged in the book as “a very strong neutral

BOOK REVIEW Tales of the single woman

Author:

Chioma Obiefuna

Reviewer:

Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Date of Publication: 2011 Pagination:

– who contributed ideas to this project.” It takes courage for a securely married woman to do work on single women in lieu of the fact that she may be seen as gloating.

Obiefuna cannot be thus accused as her treatment of the subject is candid and very objective. She adroitly uses the stories of the single women to paint a contemporary picture of the sundry stereotypes and ill-assorted perceptions towards the mature single

Timely peace campaign

72

women in the conservative society such as Nigeria is.

Armed with a degree in Mass Communications and a Masters in Business, Obiefuna has a soft touch in telling her story, shunning undue affectation. All she demands of her readers is the requisite open-mindedness to deal with the salient issues. She starts out with the Biblical creation of Adam and the concomitant need to create a helpmate in Eve. She ups the ante to contemporary times when in the film Shall We Dance the Susan Sarandon character says: “We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet, what does anyone life really mean?

But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything…”

From her findings through interactions with the mature singles, it’s obvious that there are few eligible bachelors available due to the decrease of economic power of the male population. She supplies the interesting fact that only in five Nigerian states, namely Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun and Plateau, are there more females than males!

Her remarkable case studies includes

BOOK REVIEW

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T a time the government is seeking ways to curb inter-tribal and religious violence in some cities in the north, Shehu Sani’s The children of Jos is both timely and apt for the campaign for peace in the region.

The 120-page lavishly illustrated book calls attention to the upshot of violence on a nation.

It paints a picture of how violence negatively affects every sphere of the society. It is written to educate the public on the need for promoting peace in the society.

Sani uses Jos’s scenario as a case study in his book. The reader comes faced with what many have experienced in the past crises that hit the city. While the book is meant for readers of all ages, the style, illustrations and language shows the author has children and youths in mind when writing the book.

The author corroborates this on the page on his motivation for writing the book, stating: “the book is written to educate the young children (and the young at heart) on the issue of peace and the need promote peace in the society.”

He added that it is meant to see how children can be trained, inculcated within the ethics of peace, to make them “a vanguard of peace”. And he uses simple everyday incident to do drive home this point.

Indeed, one can say that the author is not far from achieving his aim, given his method of presenting his thematic preoccupation which is hinged on peace, and especially the way the book is packaged.

It is no surprise that the author has put together this peace campaign given his commitment to human rights issues as the president of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN) who holds an international award on child rights.

Sani begins his campaign in his book by stating the definition, importance, consequence of the absence of peace. He also gives a list of those he regards as the ‘enemies of peace’, stating that they are the ones who incite, support, preach violence; plant mischief; hate people of

Title:

other religions and their neighbours; and injure and kill others.

As playwright, the author’s knowledge in activism and drama is brought to bear in his method of campaign in the book. The illustrations make it easy for readers to absorb the thematic preoccupation.

The reader would find the dramatic cartoons backed by a sentence in his words summarising the cartoon at the bottom of each page and inspirational quotes by icons – such as the late George Washington, Indira Gandhi, and John Kennedy, among others – who have distinguished themselves across the world on top of each cartoon page.

In addition, he backs his campaign with quotes from religious sacred books such as the Bible, Quran, Hadith, and so on. This comes on the next page after each cartoon page. One unique feature in the book that the reader would find interesting is the similarities in some off the quotes on peace from the different religious books that the author employed to push his peace campaign.

An example is seen in pages 86 and 88. Both quotes call for decisive efforts malicious t On Page 86, the quote from Timidh Hadith 5:9, “Son, if you are able, keep your heart free from malice toward anyone;” while biblical extract from Hebrew 12:14 states: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and

Title:

The children of Jos

Reviewer:

Evelyn Osagie

Author:

Shehu Sani

Date of Publication:

2011

Pagination:

120

be holy.”

The above quotes show that the concept of peace is supported by religions across the globe, particularly the two major religions practiced by Nigerians.

The book should be a must read for everyone, including religious people, in particular those living in troubled spots within and outside the country. One cannot but imagine the kind of calamity a book such as this in hand of youths in such spots could prevent from happening.

By blending of cartoons, author’s note, and inspirational and scriptural quotes, the author emphasises the preoccupation. There are some that blends in together such as those in Page 61 and the second scripture on Page 62; pages 63 and 64; pages 85 and 86, among others.

On Page 85, there is a cartoon that shows an empty street, with damaged houses (perhaps one of the houses is a school) as result of crisis. The author states below it thus: “Schools will be closed”. On the next page is a quote from Timidh Hadith 5:9, “Son if you are able, keep your heart free from malice toward anyone.”

However, in spite of its laudable preoccupation, it is noticeable that although each cartoon and author’s statement, religious and inspirational quotes have a message on peace and sometimes against violence, they do not all convey same line of thought on the issue.

An example can be seen on Page One where the cartoon shows some men attempting to burn another and the author states at the bottom of the page: “There will be more killings.” And on top of the page was a quote from William Ury of the US Army, stating: “We tend to think the problem is that human beings have this tendency to kill, and yet in the middle of a hot war, WWII, ‘a good war,’

Sandra’s story in which the gold-digging Obinna eventually dumps Sandra even after introducing her to his parents as his wife-tobe. In the case of Nene, she ceded her position to her friend Eky as she was not satisfied with the sexual prowess of Mike, who had a very small member. Bene’s fate was that of forever hearing from her mother: “Go and marry!” Etta’s woe is that her socialite mother wants her to marry so that she can don aso-ebi with her million friends.

There is the unrelieved comfort of fellow singles that see in others that they are not alone. The matter gets more complicated with married peers who view the mature singles with “Mixed feelings of pity, relief and sometimes envy.” Chioma Obiefuna depicts some characters as “Concerned Citizens” who are unsolicited matchmakers forever on the lookout for potential husbands for the mature single ladies. A breed of men that the single ladies can do without gets labeled as “Lazies”, who must do no work but eat off the hands of successful women.

Obiefuna delineates the types of single ladies thusly: “Sad Single (SS)”, “Nonchalance Feigners (NF)”, and “High Headed Singles HHS”. She makes a case for living as a new single by adopting principles such as selfacceptance, cultivating healthy personal relationships, building spiritual relationships, striking a good balance in work and career, being open-minded and enjoying a good laugh. She cheekily suggests a sexual revolution among married women such that they would conspire to give birth to more boys, which would eventually lead to so many men competing for too few women!

Obiefuna has in Tales of the Single Woman written a very topical book for this age and time. It is highly recommended not just for women, but men as well who want to gain fruitful insight into contemporary Nigerian society. as it were, the US army was astonished to learn that at least three out of every four riflemen who were trained to kill and commanded to kill, could not bring themselves to pull the trigger when they could see the person they were to kill.” And on the next page was a biblical quote from the Book of Proverbs Chapter 13 Verse Two: “From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.”

It is evident that the four convey three separate line of thought. Perhaps the author feels that conveying same message in the sections may bore the reader. It could also be taken as a stylistic display of the author.

However, to drive home each line of thought on peace, it is advised that in subsequent editions or volumes, the author should seek to convey the same train of thought or preoccupation in the four sections.

For instance, the cartoon and message at the bottom would have blended in with the first scripture on Page 10 that is gotten from 1 Samuel 25:3: “May you be blessed for keeping me from bloodshed vengeance.” Or the Hadith on Page 12 that states: “The person is nearest to God, who pardons, when he has someone in his power one, who would have injured him.”

That would also blend nicely with the quote at the top of Page 17 by Thch Nhat Hanh, which states: “The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital qind artistic of human actions.”

He takes his reader into a peace campaign that climaxes with quotes on peace by great men, such as the late Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, the late Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Carter; Desmond Tutu; Alfred Noble; Mohammed Ali; including the late Mother Theresa, among others.

Readers would find the quotes educative and inspiring. Most striking of these is the quote

by Mother Theresa that states thus: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other…”

An equally stirring one is by Mandela, stating: “I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself. If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

Indeed, Sani’s The children of Jos remains an essential tool for social change. The authorities and relevant agencies may partner with the author to have the book distributed to across the country as a reorientation drive for peace.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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PHOTO NEWS

Life is worth celebrating

...Thrilling scenes from the 25th Lagos International Trade Fair

•PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

38

E

DO State government has said job creation remains a major policy thrust of the Adams Oshiomhole administration.

It said jobs are the only panacea to curbing crime, poverty and youth restiveness.

The Secretary to the State Government Dr. Simon Imuekemhe stated this in Benin City at a training programme for organised for youths. The workshop was organised by I. O. Farms Training Institute.

He said students will be self-

‘Job creation is panacea to crime, poverty’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin City

employed upon completion of the training as government will ensure that land is provided for their businesses.

Imuekemhe said: “This is a great idea; when you have your own job, and there is work for you to do, the crime rate will drop. When you are established

When you talk about solving the problem of poverty, this is the solution. I want to assure you all that the state government will take this training seriously and the issue of money to start your own farm is not a problem

and you have your fish farm, what time will you have for any other thing or crime?

“When you talk about solving the problem of poverty, this is the solution. I want to assure you all that the state government will take this training seriously and the issue of money to start your own farm is not a problem. For government, there are three areas where there is money already.

“I’m sure you have all heard of FADAMA 3; funds are provided through this for farmers who have formed themselves into cooperatives and the governor has approved the state’s counterpart funding for this programme and the money is with the state Ministry of Agriculture but all you have to do is to train and form yourselves into co-operatives

and the money will get to you.

“Secondly, Edo State government also put aside the sum of N250 million with the bank of Industry’s N250 million, making N500 million and the money is there for those who have formed co-operative and the third one is the small-scale industries.

“What I am seeing here today is a very big encouragement. [Regarding] the request you are making, government will provide a very large parcel of land across the local government areas for those who have graduated and I want to advice you not to use the money meant for farming for marrying more wives. This is the kind of thing the governor likes and I want you to take this serious.

“However, you all must make

sure you support your friend and governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for him to be able to do what he wants to do to better the lot of the people. Support the governor and do not listen to what other people tell you. They are like mosquitoes that will suck your blood; you must not allow them to confuse you and by the grace of God, we will give you all you need to be self-employed.”

The former Secretary to the State Government and facilitator of the training programme, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said the training institute which has participants drawn from the 18 local government areas in the state, is geared towards exposing participants through practical farming skills.

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HREE people who emerged winners in the much-publicised Star Mega Promo have revealed how they worked their way to victory.

From October, when Star lager beer commenced this consumer reward programme, nine winners of brand new Toyota Corolla 2011 cars, which is the promotion’s grand prize, have already emerged. The recent batch of three: Odoh Ikechukwu; Ogunlade Gbenga Olawale and Ogunbanwo Oluwaseun Omotolani, each gave an interesting account of the intrigues and secrecy, and possessiveness with which they guarded their ambition to the point of victory.

Odoh Ikechukwu, a provisions dealer from Enugu State had hidden the crown corks four times in his father’s goat barn. Recounting his experience, Odoh said; “I drank a lot of bottles of Star. The first one I drank, I saw ‘R’ under the crown cork. I threw it away. People kept talking about the promo. I heard about the promo and the prizes, but I never saw any of the cars being won by anybody. So I went to meet a sales representative of Nigerian Breweries that covered Oaba side, which is near my village in Enugu.

He told me that I should be drinking it, that people were winning cars. I drink another bottle of Star, I got ‘T’. I drank another bottle of Star, got the ‘A’. Remember I threw away the ‘R’ that I first saw. So I went for an occasion and I saw letter ‘R’. I wrapped these crown corks in nylon and kept it in a corner in my house. I kept on drinking Star, but I couldn’t find ‘S’ on any of the crown corks. Then I called the Sales representative and told him that I have started drinking Star beer, but I was yet to win anything. He told me that I should continue drinking Star; that it will take luck to get ‘S’, that ‘S’ is the major factor that will win me the car and that ‘S’ is very scarce.

So I attended ere was a day, I went to a place where a wedding occasion was taking place”.

Where was this place? Odoh was asked. “Inside our village, Horn Primary School in Enugu”, he said. Adding that when he got there and sat down, the people serving asked him what he would like to drink. “I told them Star. The first bottle of Star that the people gave me, I opened the Star. I removed the foil under the crown cork.

Then I found letter ‘S’. I just sipped my Star beer a little bit and I left the drink there. I didn’t finish it. I just left with my bottle of Star. I reached my house, then I brought out the earlier crown corks I kept”.

The initial corks read T.A.R and he needed just an ‘S’ to sing a song of victory. “I arranged it and I said to myself, is this real? I went to one side and sat down. I was just by myself. I didn’t tell anybody. I just went to a place that my father rears goats, I dug the ground and I kept it there.

After two days, I went to the Sales Representative again. I told him that I have found alphabet ‘S’ o. He said seriously? I told him yes. He said I should go and bring it that he wants to see it. So I entered my machine, went to my house, and I brought the crown corks”.

Still, Odoh couldn’t believe it was real until he was being handed his car key. “The Sales Representative gave me back the crown corks. He advised me that I should be alert, that any call that comes to my phone, that I should answer it. So one day, I received a phone call. I heard a lady’s voice. She said that I should go to the airport in Enugu. She said that they’ve arranged for a plane ticket for me to come to Lagos. That by the time I get to the airport in Lagos, Nigerian Breweries staff will be there waiting for me. I said okay.

And since I was born, I have never entered a plane. So I went that day. The people gave me the ticket. I entered a plane and came to Lagos.

And since I was born, I had never come to Lagos.

•Ogunbanwo Oluwaseun Omotolani

•Ogunlade Gbenga Olawale

•Odoh Ikechukwu

‘How we became promo winners’

By Victor Akande

It was yesterday that I came to Lagos. That’s how I saw that the thing is true. So I am the owner of a brand new car now. That’s how it is. I’ve seen the thing that the Star promo is true”.

Odoh is married with a son. He had dug the ground and kept the crown corks there. Such prank that his son would have played. He thought that if anybody knew or saw the ‘S’, they could send kidnappers after him. For that reason, he didn’t tell anyone, not even his wife. He did not trust the earth too, to preserve the corks. “After I dug the hole in the ground, I covered the crown corks with something that will protect it; perhaps from rain washing away the ‘S’ imprint.

There was a demarcation there. So even people that were going to the goat barn to feed the goats, they won’t know that there’s something there”.

So what would he do with the car now? “I’m very happy o! I will go with the car now, if I drive it a bit, I will go and park it. I will create a car park for it in the village, because I have motorcycle already. But if I have an occasion, like a wedding ceremony, I will go there in the car with my wife. Then when I return home, I will park it at the car park, then continue using with my machine (motor bike).

Ogunlade Gbenga Olawale’s story is not too different. He too had hidden the information from his wife. Even though he is a beer seller, he will be eternally grateful to his friend who initiated a drink for them both that evening. “I was sleeping in my room. Then one of my friends called me that he was in my restaurant. I sell beer, bush-meat, fish and some other things. It’s located in Okuku, Osun State. So when I was there, we requested for two bottles of beer. He took Gulder, I took Star. By the time I looked under the crown cork, I won a biro. I kept the

crown cork in my pocket. Later on, I requested for two bottles of beer. When I opened one of the bottles, I saw the letter ‘S’ under one of the crown corks. When I got the crown cork with ‘S’, I just used my phone, as if I want to call someone. I then told my friend that someone was expecting me in the family house, that I want to go and meet him. I just ran away. I didn’t want him to know that I got an ‘S’.

Ogunlade’s secrecy was also mixed with fear and uncertainty. Also because he knew that ‘S’ is the most difficult to come by. “Yes, ‘S’ is scarce”.

He noted. “I had already gotten alphabets ‘T’, ‘A’ and ‘R’ under the crown corks. So early on Thursday morning, I just called Chinedu, one of the sales representative around our area that I have found the ‘S’ crown cork, and I have spelt S-T-AR. I asked him the necessary steps that I should take. He said I should come and meet him in Osogbo. He just took a picture of the crown corks.

Later on, I just received a call that I should come to Lagos on Tuesday that by Wednesday, I will be given the car. It was unexpected. But since the day I won the car, I hadn’t been able to sleep.

Although, I slept during the day, but in the night, I could not sleep. In fact, I wasn’t able to eat. I was thinking, is this real or not? I wasn’t even sure whether I would get the car or not. In fact, when I got the ‘S’ crown cork, I did not tell my wife about what occurred, but she just noticed that I wasn’t eating or sleeping’.

He had been looking for letter ‘S’ since the promo started a few weeks back. Although his brand of beer is Star, he had drank more than his usual quantity sine the promo began. Like Odoh, Ogunlade too had hidden the ‘S’ from friends and family for security reason. “I don’t want people to kidnap me or kill me. It’s not easy”. He said.

Even after winning, Ogunlade still felt he

should make it a surprise to his wife. “Initially, I didn’t tell my wife. I just snapped the picture of the billboard with the new cars. I snapped it with my mobile phone. I showed it to her. And she said that it was the picture of a car, that where did I get it? I said I met a car dealer in Oshogbo and I liked the particular car, which was why the picture was on my phone. But by the time we reached Ibadan, there is a billboard like this. I told her, see o, see that car o; maybe that is the reason we are going to Lagos”.

Ogunlade admitted that the new car has indeed changed his life for better. “It has changed my life now. Everything has changed. The Lord is good!”

For Ogunbanwo Oluwaseun Omotolani, the blessing came with his birthday. “I found ‘S’ crown cork on my birthday. I feel happy, I feel glad”. He said with excitement.

It was on his birthday, and because there was no money to celebrate it in a big way, he had called five of his friends to join him in his mother’s shop.

The day was October 11. “I went with five of friends. They called me. They asked me to celebrate my birthday for them. I agreed since I didn’t have anything to do. So I brought out a crate of Star and we started drinking. I kept the crown corks with me, because I saw the Promo advert.

Then when I got home I looked under the crown corks and saw the alphabets ‘S’, ‘T’, ‘R’”.

For him, the ‘S’ alphabet came without tears. “I didn’t know the ‘S’ was scarce. I just saw it, I said well, let me see what will happen. So later, I heard from my friend that ‘S’ was scarce, that he had about 40 ‘T’, ‘A’ and ‘R’ crown corks”.

Ogunbanwo who is still seeking for admission into the university is optimistic that this victory will change his life in a lot of ways. But how this will turn out, the guy who is still in shock could not tell yet.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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Fed Govt to curb post-election violence

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HE Federal Government has initiated a community involvement initiative to curb post-election violence in Kaduna State.

Concerned about the spate of violence that followed the conclusion of the April 2011 general election in some parts of the country coupled with the volatile nature of Kaduna State, the Federal Government has engaged the Department for International Development (DFID), a UKdevelopment assistance agency and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to evolve effective initiative against future occurrence.

The adopted initiative, known as Community Dialogue Programme involved the mobilisation of the people for community development through dialogue has commenced in

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

the state and has been identified as a module recommended by the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu-led post-election panel.

According to Dr Lanre Adebayo, an expert who participated in the programme reiterated the essence of dialogue in the resolution of issues.

“The Project is primarily aimed at addressing the challenges faced by communities as a result of the recent post- election violence in the country and to establish an inclusive community structure that will promote cooperation, collaboration and mutual support and a focus on joint solution to common community problems.

“The project would establish a self-sustaining mechanism for par-

ticipatory community governance and development as well as establish a sustainable peace-building framework in the communities for mutual support, early warning and early response. This will provide a forum for state institutions to collaborate and interact with communities on issues of peace and community governance.”

Adebayo further said that the aim of the programme was to tap the traditional strength of brotherliness that bonded Nigerian communities in the past.

“By its structuring, the Community Dialogue Programme will provide lasting platform for intra-community peace as the it addresses the problem of economic, political and social exclusion which the LemuPanel warned as the tinderbox that must be diffused to avert catastro-

phe.

Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa who described the programme as novel in peace building efforts in Nigeria, noted that it addresses important issue critical to the future as a state and as a country.

“It focuses on the community as a foundation to addressing the problem of violent conflict in our country. This is a major paradigm shift and a holistic approach towards conflict management and peace building.

“This appropriately situates conflict mitigation within the wider context of solving human problems such as poverty, under-development and its attendant consequences. My government sees in the programme a window of opportunity to engage more effectively with our communities.”

•Yakowa

Rep donates classroom to Lagos school

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HAIRMAN House of Representatives committee on Treaties and Protocols, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, has said it is criminal to deny any child right to qualitative primary education.

He stated that qualitative primary education remains the key to brighter future for youths.

Alebiosu spoke during the inauguration of a block of classroom at the Expressway Primary School, Ikosi-Ketu area of his constituency which he facilitated.

He said, ‘’ if the youths of today must contribute to the future growth of Nigeria, there is the need to have un-fettered access to primary education which provides the foundation for a total development.

“Education is a debt which we all owe our children, if we are genuinely passionate about achieving equal opportunities and advancement in our pursuit to providing brighter future for the country.” ‘’ As today’s leaders, we must not lose the sight of the fact that we bear a primary responsibility to children not only to give them a brighter future but also to prepare them well to

A

S the Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, Christian women in Jos under the aegis of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) have donated food items and rams to their counterparts in Islam who may not have

By Sunday Oguntola

thrive and prosper in a competitive globalised World’’.

Alebiosu, who handed over benches and chairs to the pupils and teachers of the school under the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Quickwins Project for the Federal constituency in 2010, said schemes will complement government’s efforts.

He pledged not to rest on his oars to ensure other areas and sectors within the constituency receive more developmental projects.

The school’s Head teacher, Mrs. Babasola Bose-Josephine, commended the gesture of the Federal Lawmaker.

She said several initiatives of Alebiosu will remain indelible in the minds of the pupils who have been uplifted with the new block of classrooms.

An elated member of the ParentTeachers Association (PTA), Mrs. Anjorin Lawal, said the assistance will go a long way in help teaching in the school.

•Bush-Alebiosu with the elated pupils of Expressway Primary School, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos after the commissioning

Christian women donate to needy Muslims at Sallah From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

the wherewithal to celebrate with their families.

Presenting the items to the Jos

branch of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), the National Coordinator of CWEENS, Dr. Olufunmilayo Para-Mallam said

•Mrs Busola Jegede (left) receiving the Top Elegance Magazine Award on behalf of Ekiti governor’s wife Mrs Bisi Fayemi. With her are the state Head of Service, Sir Olubunmi Famosaya, (second left), his wife, Mrs Kehinde and the publisher of the magazine Mr Olabode Ajayi (right) in Lagos

the gesture is a show of love Muslim mothers in need of resources to cater for their families especially during the festivities.

She said: “We the members of CWEENS bring warm greetings at this time of celebration of Eidel-Kabir. We ask that you accept this token of two rams, four bags of rice and a carton of sugar which we present to needy members of the Muslim Ummah who may not be able to fulfil the necessary requirements for the celebration.

“Of particular concern to us are those women, youths and children who have lost their breadwinners and other loved ones in the course of violent crises. We wish to convey our deep concern to them. This token is an expression of hope that as adherents of Christianity and Islam, we may be able to minimise our differences and maximise our numerous similarities”.

Para-Mallam said the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir offers the opportunity for forgiveness and peace “as we recall the significant sacrifice of Abraham who for the love of God was willing to sacrifice his son.”

She reminded residents of Jos that Christians and Muslims share the divine injunction of

peace, love and forgiveness and called on Muslim sisters and other peace-loving women of Plateau State to be in the vanguard of peace and reconciliation so that Plateau could reclaim its lost glory.

Receiving the items on behalf of the beneficiaries, the National Legal Adviser of FOMWAN who is also the immediate past President of Jos Branch of the Association, Hajiya Nafisat Musa, said her association was moved by the gesture.

Musa reiterated that women, irrespective of tribe and religion, should unite to bring lasting peace in the state.

She said, “We are deeply touched by this show of love and concern by CWEENS. As women, we do not yearn for anything but peace because we are the vulnerable group during crisis.

“We give and nourish lives so we cannot partake in destroying the very thing we nurture. We need to unite for peace and ensure that we caution our men especially the youths against violence”.

Both women groups however resolved to continue to work together to ensure that lasting peace is returned to Plateau State.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

In Oyo State the idea of starting from primary school is a noble one because this is the formative age of our children and they need to be encouraged and adequately taken care of in order to prepare them for the future

Council provides exercise books for pupils

A

CTING Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ibadan North East Local Government of Oyo State Mr Lukman Alatise has distributed thousands of free exercise books to pupils in the 80 primary schools across the council.

Alatise, who disbursed the books at the council secretariat along Iwo Road last week, said the project is one of the initiatives of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration to revive education in the state. He added that under the current administration, no pupil will be allowed to roam the street, hawk or work during school hours.

The council boss further disclosed that the new administration has revived the Child Rights Implementation Committee at the local government level. He advised parents to complement government’s efforts by taking good care of their children and wards.

Alatise emphasised that the new administration at the local govern-

T

HE role of physical planning system should be critically examined as a tool for mitigating the effect of climate change.

This was the consensus of experts during the commemoration of this year’s World Habitat Day where issues concerning the ravaging effects of Climate Change were discussed. The experts gathered at the Adeyemi Bero Auditrorium, secretariat, Alausa Ikeja on Thursday, October 20 under the theme “Cities and Climate Change: the challenges facing Lagos Mega City.” The event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The World Habitat Day which has been an annual event since 1986 is celebrated all over the world under the auspice of UN Habitat to draw the attention of governments, policy makers and stakeholders to contemporary issues affecting our cities.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

ment would enforce child rights to ensure that children get a better deal at all times.

“It is generally believed that education is the bedrock of development in any given society, therefore, the importance of education cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

“In Oyo State the idea of starting from primary school is a noble one because this is the formative age of our children and they need to be encouraged and adequately taken care of in order to prepare them for the future.

“On this note, the local government is soliciting the active involvement of parents and guardians to ensure that our children are well fed, well clothed and generally adequately taken care of. The local government has not been failing in her statutory responsibilities to the primary schools and the council will leave no stone unturned in

•Alatise presenting the exercise books to one of the beneficiaries making sure that our children are given quality education.”

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Tokunbo Fayokun, said

the Ajimobi administration would continue to take meaningful steps that will restore the quality of education in the state as well as quality

of life of residents in general. She also advised the pupils and their parents to make the best use of the free exercise books.

How to save the environment, by experts

By Osas Robert

In a welcome address by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde said Climate Change should be given much attention because, he said, apart from being the most talked about challenge to human existence,

the strategic location of Lagos once again brings it into the front burner for attention.

“Today, over half of the world’s population are living in urban areas and more than a third in the largest cities. Lagos as a mega city with a population of about 20 million remains the hub of Nigeria’s economy. While the state government is addressing the challenges

the threat from effects of climate change is becoming overwhelming not only to the city but to the whole world. The fact today is not about the reality of climate change but the level of preparedness of the world in tackling the devastating effects of climate change

•Mrs Adebule (middle) assisted by former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and wife to cut the tape. With them are Mr Ayinde (second left) and Professor Olowokudejo

of urbanisation, the threat from effects of climate change is becoming overwhelming not only to the city but to the whole world.

The fact today is not about the reality of climate change but the level of preparedness of the world in tackling the devastating effects of climate change,” he said.

Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, the guest speaker, in his taught provoking lecture said that “climate change is a long-term significant change in the average weather and average weather may include temperature, precipitation and wind patterns. It involves changes in the variability or average state of the atmosphere over a duration raging from decades to millions of years.

Changes caused by dynamic process on earth, external forces including variations in sunlight intensity and more recently by human activities.”

He noted that it has been observed that our world has continued to get warmer and warmer. He further said that examples of observed climate changes are increase in global average surface temperature of about 1oF in the 20th Century, decrease of snow cover and sea ice extent and the retreat of mountain glaciers in the later half of the 20th Century, rise in global average sea level and the increase in ocean water temperatures, likely increase in average precipitation over the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere and over tropical land areas.

He suggested the following measures to be adopted if global warming could be curbed: reducing the use of fossils fuels, cutting back on car use, investing in energy efficiency, implementing energy conservation measures, utilising renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar and hydro power and implementing forestation programmes.

The impact of these changes are

felt by most cities and they will experience more heat waves, air pollution, and warmer temperatures will extend the range of some disease and increase risks from diarrhea diseases, city economic will suffer as agriculture in surrounding areas is affected, flooding and mudslides, glacial retreat will reduce water availability.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Idiat Adebule representing Governor Fashola, said the objective and aim of designating a special day for the event was for the world to focus necessary attention to the state of our towns and cities to emphasise the basic necessity and rights of all to adequate and decent shelter.

“We are confronted almost daily by the deadly natural disasters and adverse weather leading to droughts, hurricanes, floods, extreme heat and cold, landsides and sea erosion among others. Of recent, we had our own share of these disasters in the flash of July 10, 2011, where properties and lives were lost to flooding of our city. Our neighbouring states of Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti are also counting their losses as a result of flooding.

“Effects of Climate Change exposes organisations, governments and individuals all over the world to weather risks and uncertainty.

“On the part of the government, we have taken bold steps in the crusade to create awareness and taken action against the effects of climate change. You are all aware of the ‘Lagos State Summit on Climate Change’ of which the 3rd edition was concluded recently.

The topic for discussion today ‘The challenges of Climate Change on Lagos Mega City’ is apt and most appropriate. Lessons drawn worldwide from this theme will go a long way to provide direction on proactive ways to tackle the problems,” she said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

As the countdown to the December 3 governorship poll in Kogi State approaches, Prince Abubakar Audu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has emerged a major contender. Today, the fear of the Aloma Prince is the beginning of wisdom for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). In this interview with some journalists, including the Managing Editor, Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, Audu spoke on his agenda for the state. He said he had served the PDP quit notice.

• The crowd at a rally addressed by Audu in Lokoja ... last week.

‘Power shift must in Kogi’ Y

OU are on the turf again. I know it is a familiar terrain. You’ve contested elections before. You have led the state before. But now, it is a different ball game.

How are you doing on the campaign front this time?

As you said, things have changed a great deal. The technique of campaign in 1991, my first time in politics, was completely different from that of 1999. 1999 was different from 2003. From 2003 to 2007, at first everybody in Nigeria believed that it was completely the same ball game. It was not the politics we were used to know or hear of because of the complete departure from the democratic norms that we were used to or read about. I think all the elections midwifed by the military, that is the one that took place on 14th December, 1991, and the other one of January 9, 1999 had a lot of democratic imbibements, unlike what it is now. You go and campaign, you have a very beautiful manifesto, you make promises, and you try to win the hearts of the electorates. That does not play any important role in politics in our present democracy. That cannot assist you in winning the election. Because what happened in 2003 that was very very strange in our political arena, is that the electorates were very ready to vote but unfortunately were not afforded the privilege of voting at all. For the first time I saw Air Force men, Navy men, and soldiers at the polling units and they were chasing people away.

Some were maimed, tortured, and a lot killed.

Very many dehumanized. That is what happened during the 2003 election. And it is a

common knowledge in this country and all over the world without any iota of exaggeration.

There was a slight modification in 2007, while in 2003 (let me go back to that) the military played a very important role in conducting the election, by chasing people, torturing, maiming, and dehumanizing, killing a lot of people, and stuffing ballot boxes, that of 2007 took a different turn, a different shape, a different method. The methodology is something that beats my imagination. I never expected that in country like Nigeria that you think people are civilized, highly educated people, highly exposed people, people with broadened horizon. As a candidate of that election, I stood on the line to cast my vote, but before I took my turn to cast my vote, the results had been announced. And it is true. It was ridiculous. One of my security men drew my attention to this.

He asked if I had heard the radio announcement And when I asked which announcement, he replied that the result of the election had been announced. Results were collated in INEC Centre in Abuja, courtesy of Professor Maurice Iwu, and distributed to constituencies for announcement. It was indeed very strange. Never heard of that anywhere in the world. When you challenge the veracity of the election figures, they say go to court, that they were waiting for you. They allow you to spend all your little resources and five minutes conversation will do the magic. That is the end of the whole thing.

Why did you decide to contest the election

on the platform of a different party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)?

As you will readily appreciate, I was a founding member of ANPP, initially APP then later ANPP, but the electoral fortunes of ANPP kept dwindling with every passing election and there was not any serious action taken by the prime movers of that party to arrest the situation. And since I am still interested in politics, I will always be in search of where my votes will count and be counted, where people take the business of election very seriously, the party that is dynamic and pragmatic, and I got those qualities in ACN. Their unity of purpose is most fascinating and unbelievable. That is the first attraction. And each time they are going into election, they go into election with all seriousness. But ANPP did not even want to win any election. They want just to participate. And that is ridiculous on the part of every serious politician. For instance initially, ANPP started with nine states, later they degenerated to six states, and today have only about three states. So I am not sure that in future elections that it will not come down to zero.

So I better leave the ship before it finally sinks.

So those are the compelling factors.

You had been the Governor of Kogi State before, one would have expected that you would move beyond the level of the gubernatorial to the Senate. Why don’t you pick someone to run for the governorship of Kogi State instead of going there yourself?

You see the snag is that a lot of people jump into conclusions without taking into consid-

• Audu

eration the factors, the fundamental issues.

First, I am constitutionally qualified to re-contest. Intellectually I am qualified. Mentally I am qualified. Physically I am qualified. So what is the barring factor? I do not know what factor would debar me from the contest.

That is one aspect. The second aspect, during my tenure in office between 1999 and 2003, Kogi State was rated by all Nigerians, through the media tour as the best performing state in Nigeria in terms of the provision of infrastructural facilities and human empowerment and a testimony to that is that after the media tour that took place in 2001/2002, all the thirty six Governors were assembled at the International Conference Centre on the 22nd of January 2002 where every Governor’s confidential report was given to him.

I was rated as the best performing Governor in Nigeria. I won seven trophies out of twelve.

And I think I did a lot of honour to the electorates of Kogi State and they were very proud of me. But from 2004 to 2011, the present administration has destroyed all the things that we put in place that gave us that glory. The only failed state in Nigeria as of today is Kogi State.

Because even for the infrastructural facilities that we put in place, maintenance was a problem.

They have not been able to maintain them. I could recollect that during the recent visit of media men to Kogi State, when they accom• Continued on page 38

Militancy stems from frustration, says aspirant

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• Okara

OVERNORSHIP aspirant in Bayelsa State, Kamela Okara, has described the 12 year of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as wasteful.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, Okara said it was unfortunate that the government had made it difficult for the people to reap dividends of democracy over the years, a development to which he attributed the upsurge of militancy in parts of the country.

Okara, who is contesting on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), noted that, despite the huge allocation from the federation account, infrastructural development still took the back seat in most states.

He said: “This year alone, Bayelsa State received over N103 billion as revenue from the federation account allocation committee, Abuja. In June they received N32 billion as revenue, if you put that side by side what is on ground, it is unfortunate. We are talking

By Musa Odoshimokhe

of a state which is the smallest in Nigeria with a population of about 1.7 million; put that side by side with what is on ground, we have not made progress.”

He explained that it is based on the decaying infrastructure in the state that he joined the race on the platform of the ACN whose progressive manifesto is currently making waves in the states that it is controlling. This he promised to bring to Bayelsa if voted for in coming election.

Okara said: “Even though I am from the state that has had 12 years of unbroken rule

by PDP, I took that decision to contest, not because I am power hungry but because I believe that if I seek Bayelsans support on the progressive platform, we can actually bring a change.”

He added that “When you look at the

number of people who actually complete their primary or secondary school education in Bayelsa, you feel sorry. Again, when you look at amnesty programme, majority of those who undergo training under the scheme are from Bayelsa State. In essence majority of them are from the smallest state in Nigeria. This is because most of them don’t have access to basic employment.”

Okara said that it was due to frustration that most of them had to take to militancy just to express their anger but instead of opening up opportunities for these young and vibrant men they are made to rely on government handout instead of providing basic need and education that will make them employable.

The aspirant maintained that if given the opportunity to serve the people, education, health and infrastructural development receive the urgent attention it required.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

46

POLITICS

‘Power shift must in Kogi’ • Continued fromn page 37

•From left: Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, Governor Peter Obi, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma andChief Ralph Uwazuruike... at the ceremony.

The celebration of the 78th birthday of Igbo leader Chief Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu last weekend in Enugu saw politicians of various political persuasions jostling for attention, reports CHRIS OJI.

Ojukwu’s birthday: Politics at play?

I

T was a befitting celebration of the 78th birthday of former Biafran leader Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu last weekend. It was at his Casabianca country home in Enugu, Enugu State.

The organiser and sponsor of the event, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who is also the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), had earlier warned politicians not to play politics with the celebration.

Uwazuruike, who at a pre-birthday press conference had said that Ojukwu’s name is an asset to any Igbo politician, and warned that the celebration should not be turned into an arena for political negotiations, advised that the occasion should be seen as spiritual with a view to offering prayers for his quick recovery now that he is lying ill outside the country.

To live up to that pla, interdenominational services were held simultaneously in all the South East and South South states. The home of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leader, was swarmed by clergy men of different Christian denominations. There were no fewer than 40 men of God, including bishops and Monsignors who struggled for space at the makeshift altar.

The MASSOB leader enjoined eminent personalities, particularly the governors, irrespective of their political leanings, and to all Ndigbo all over the world to join in the 78th birthday celebration and offer prayers for Ojukwu. He also enjoined those who may be indisposed to contribute their prayers wherever they are from 12 pm to 12.15 pm on Friday November 4, 2011 to offer just 15 minutes prayers for the ailing former Biafran leader.

Uwazuruike also tried not to reduce the celebration to an all MASSOB affair as he disclosed that Ojukwu is a great son of Ndigbo and “is a different Igbo leader. Unlike other Igbo leaders, he has a platform, he has Biafra, he has MASSOB and he has Uwazuruike.”

The birthday was a success as almost every inch of space in the vast compound of Casabianca Lodge was occupied by humans. Those outside, far outnumbered those within. One of the most popular gospel musicians in the South East, Felix Ndukwe, provided live renditions of new songs of Biafra and Ojukwu which he said, would be released before the end of November.

Various traditional dancers were in attendance; prominent among them were the popular war dancers common among the people of old Bende Division in Abia State and the acrobatic Nkpokiti dance from Umunze, Anambra State. Everybody present was ecstatic as they simultaneously provided musical entertainment.

However, with the exception of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, it appeared that members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the occasion. At least, all the five Southeast governors were expected to grace the occasion as the chief hosts. And the presence of Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State and Imo’s Rochas

• Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Okorocha made it look like an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) affair.

The other governors were absent. None sent in a representative. The scenario provided a cheap platform for the APGA governors to score major political points, but they never took the advantage. Obi who spoke only dwelt on the pitiable position of Ndigbo in present-day Nigeria as he recalled the position of Ndigbo in the past and asked where the place of Ndigbo in Nigeria is, at present. He insisted that Nigeria, today, stands on the past achievements of Ndigbo, adding that it was the Igbos who spearheaded the independence of Nigeria.

He recalled that in academics, the Igbos excelled, recalling that the first Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Kenneth Dike, was an Igbo, and that of the University of Lagos then, Prof. Eni Njoku.

Obi also recalled that the first president, vicepresident, senate president of Nigeria were all Igbos including the first Army General and military Head of State. He added that the first Nigerian graduate soldier was an Igbo “and that is the man we are celebrating today.”

Obi further posited that the first man to live in Ikoyi was an Igbo and that was the father of Chief Ojukwu, adding that it was his Rolls Royce car that was used in driving around Queen Elizabeth of England when she visited Nigeria in the 50s. He urged Ndigbo to rise up and take a pre-eminent position in the country.

Obi finally threw in an innuendo, ostensibly to those who “shied” away from the birthday of the great son of Igboland: “We should not be ashamed of Ojukwu. If he is not the greatest son of Igboland, at least, he is one of the greatest.”

According to him, it was Ojukwu who saw the threat of extinction facing Ndigbo and rose to the occasion to halt it, adding: “Every true Igbo

must be proud of Ojukwu.”

One significant thing about the occasion was that Chief Victor Umeh was presented as the authentic chairman of the APGA. Other claimants to the control of the party were “unavoidably” absent. Umeh was seen taking control of everything while relating well with two APGA governors present.

The organiser of the celebration, Uwazuruike, did not make any comment at the occasion, lest it be seen as a MASSOB affair. Rather, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma brought Uwazuruike to the rostrum and declared him the Okenwa (great son) of Igboland.

The bishop told the large crowd of how Uwazuruike saved Ojukwu’s wife from being driven out of Casabianca Lodge by some elements who once declared Ojukwu dead. The persons, whom he did not name, arrived and asked Ojukwu’s wife to pack her bag and baggage because they “were the heirs to Ojukwu.”

“But Uwazuruike got the wind and immediately mobilised and dispatched MASSOB members who came to the rescue of the woman and secured the house. You people have not heard this story. I am just telling it to you now,” said Bishop Chukwuma amid thunderous applause.

And when Uwazuruike was asked to give a vote of thanks, he insisted that it was Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca who should do that. Bianca climbed the rostrum, Uwazuruike stood beside her as she addressed the crowd in an unblemished Igbo dialect. Bianca continually praised Uwazuruike all-through. Always referring to him as Okenwa, she told the crowd that comprised the publisher of Champion Newspaper, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; former governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige; former governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim; former Central Bank governor, Prof. Charles Soludo and Umeh, that it was Uwazuruike who single-handed planned and organised the 78 th birthday celebration of her husband.

She told the cheering crowd that “Ezeigbo (Ojukwu) is home-sick. He is eager to come back home because he loves Nigeria and his people.

It is a miracle that after almost one year, Ezeigbo fought and said no to death.

“He has shown that he is a true General by his determination to live. Even the hospital workers in London refer to him as General whenever he visits for routine check.”

Bianca gave praises to God for keeping her husband alive and submitted that it was through the prayers of the people that God mercifully granted him life up till this day.

She said: “If my husband were to be here and see this crowd, he would definitely jump out of his sick bed. He would have been totally healed.”

She thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife for their concern over the health of Ojukwu by keeping in constant touch with them in London. More of the thanks went to Governor Obi whom she said, sponsored the London trip and was always in London to see the ailing leader.

panied the President on a presidential tour, when they came back to Abuja, I heard on AIT (Political Platform) when it was brought to the public knowledge that Kogi State is the dirtiest state in Nigeria. And not only that, that Kogi Government House is also the dirtiest Government House in Nigeria. That is a big shame! Many things have fallen apart.

The people are impoverished. Because of screening and retrenchment, civil servants are not paid salaries. Many have been retrenched without their emoluments paid to them. There have been no leave bonuses, no employment, no promotions, pensioners are not paid. Similarly, infrastructural facilities have gone into total decay. The roads are bad.

You have served twice, why do you seek a third term?

Constitutionally, I am still qualified because I have not completed my term. Under the 1999 constitution, I have done only one term. I have just one term to go and that is a term of four years. I will reorganize the state. I will make sure that the state regain its lost glory. My ambition is to make sure that there is power shift or power rotation in the state that virtually everybody in the state has been clamouring for, especially our brothers and sisters from the west and central senatorial zones. It was a gentleman agreement in 1991 after the creation of the state that power should rotate and now, I want to actualise that. I have been a proponent of power shift in Kogi State and I want to actualize it. I want to be the first person to practicalise it because at times it is very dangerous to solve practical problems with theoretical concepts. We want to live in peace with each other. Under the banner of Kabba province, Kogi State consisting of Igala, Ebira, and Okun, lived together in peace for many many decades. Therefore we want to ensure that that is sustained. But that cannot be sustained if power does not rotate among the three major ethnic groups and including the minor ones. So I feel that what happened to Igalas in Kwara and Benue that made them to be moving from one state to another in search of where they would present a governor because of marginalization, that we should not use the same theory to victimise other people. Igalas are people with balanced judgment and outlook and very considerate and the only way we can demonstrate this is to ensure that power rotates among other ethnic groups who are also stakeholders in Kogi State. So it is my ambition that as an elder statesman, that that is implemented so as to bring everlasting peace and love among the various ethnic groups in Kogi State.

But, it has been said that Kogi is one of the poorest states...

Nigeria is a mono product country. Crude oil was selling as at that time between 10 to 12 dollars per barrel. That occasioned minimal allocation to various states, including Kogi State. But between 2004 and 2011, there has been tremendous improvement in crude oil price and the price of crude oil gravitated between a hundred and a hundred and fifty dollars per barrel in the stock market. That translates to an improved earning for Kogi State and that in effect occasioned Kogi State getting between 15 and 20 billion naira every month as its statutory allocation from federation account every month compared to the 400 million we were getting every month. And during that time that I was getting a very small amount of money, I was able to build one of the best universities in Nigeria. I built a five star hotel. I handed it over to Sheraton to manage. I was instrumental in the building of the Obajana Cement Factory, that was my brainchild. The largest cement factory in the whole of Africa! I dualised so many roads. Over two thousand communities were provided with potable water. Over nine thousand kilometres of road was build and asphalt dress or surface over laid and so many others. That translated into me winning the first prize in terms of performance among 36 governors in Nigeria. Now that the statuary allocations has improved and no pari passu improvement in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities, you know that the state is in danger. Instead of improving, the state is sinking every passing year. The nine years of the present administration in the state was a wasted nine years.

My achievements of four years, with even the small allocation I was getting, is far more than if they had been given 30 years to spend in office. I am not trying to praise myself. This is not political rhetoric. The facts are there on the ground for you to find out.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

47

THE NATION

INVESTORS SEC may adopt privatisation model for NSE conversion T HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may adopt the Federal Government's privatisation model in the bid to convert the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from a private entity to a public quoted company.

Those close to the ongoing talks and reviews of the demutualisation said the adoption of the privatisation model topped the options for the conversion process.

Under privatisation, the government preallots equity stake to each of the 36 states alongside sale of certain percentage to core investors. Investors from each state will buy up to the limit of the pre-allotted shares, while the government may choose to buy unsubscribed shares on behalf of the people. In case of under-subscriptions, these are subsequently spread over oversubscriptions from other allotments. This ensures that the shares of the privatised companies are spread across the country moderated by investment appetites.

Market sources said SEC may adopt a modified form of the privatisation model to encourage popular participation and avoid the allegations of hidden agenda and vested interests that have dogged the demutualisation process.

Under this arrangement, institutional and individual members of NSE, who owned the self-regulatory organisation (SRO) would be given opportunity to own to a certain percentage of the proposed share capital. The larger equity stake would be sold to the investing public, with priority given to smallstake investors and widely spread across the federation.

Sources said NSE is considered a national asset of strategic importance because it is the country’s only equity exchange market.

While some critics described SEC's active involvement in the demutualisation of NSE as meddlesome, the Commission believes its oversight and supervisory roles entail such crucial issue as the demutualisation of the NSE. On September 22, SEC inaugurated a Demutualisation Committee to jumpstart the process of demutualising of the NSE. The committee, headed by Mr Asuelime Ighodalo, a leading commercial lawyer, is expected to

By Taofik Salako

review the process of the demutualisation, the timeline and approach for the demutualisation and necessary changes preceding the conversion among other issues that would lead to the conversion of the Exchange.

Demutualisation is the process by which a member-owned entity is converted into a joint stock company or public limited liability company. Demutualisation will allow the

shares of the NSE to be quoted on its floor and widely available to all interested investors. NSE is a limited by guarantee company owned by its members including capital market operators and entrepreneurs.

Demutualisation of the NSE has been on the agenda of the Exchange for several years but it has been dogged by controversies on allegations of vested interests and undue interference.

The Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke-led management of the NSE had suspended the proc-

ess, after SEC indicated that it would oversee it.

Demutualisation would lead to improve corporate governance and infrastructure at the NSE, but there could be complications out of conflict of interests and pressure for returns on investment.

Demutualisation will open up access to new capital by allowing the NSE to raise funds from the investing public. Also, the competitiveness of the Exchange can be measured in terms of returns to shareholders.

Many Exchanges have converted from being mutual member-owned entities to limited liability companies. These include the Singapore Stock Exchange, Japan's Nikkei and New York's NASDAQ.

•From left: Mr Collins Onwochei; nollywood actor Mr Femi Branch; Mr Tayo Olatunji of CBM Coffee, Nestle Nigeria Plc and Brand Manager Mr Kayode Oladapo, at the launch of Nescafe Magic Mug flight in Lagos.

‘Stiff penalties may undermine capital market growth’

A

N expert has warned against imposing stiff penalties on public quoted companies for what he described as minor “infractions” in the stock market.

The imposition of such sanctions, Dr Ajulu Uzodike, the founding, Chairman of Cutix Plc, may lead to the delisting of companies from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Uzodike said the imposition of heavy fines on minor infringements was a counterproductive measure for a developing market, advising that regulators should

By Taofik Salako

work on a more collaborative framework that encourages problem-sharing between quoted companies and regulators.

His comments came in during the recent wave of voluntary delisting from the NSE. About five companies have sought voluntary delisting mostly on the grounds of corporate and financial restructuring. They include Nigerian Bottling Company, United Nigerian Textiles and Nampak Plc among others.

"I would recommend that rather

than resorting to fines, the regulators should work with errant companies to overcome the problems that cause their inability to comply with the rules and regulations. The regulators should also avoid setting very tight deadlines and conditions which require herculean efforts to keep to," Uzodike said.

He called for a rethink of the 2012 deadline for all quoted companies to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to avoid possible financial chaos that would result from the blanket adoption of IFRS.

NSE absorbs NAHCO's N2.15b Bond THE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week listed the N2.15 billion Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc Fixed Rate Bond Series 1 2011/ 2016 on its Daily Official List.

The N2.15 billion is under the NAHCO N5 billion Debt Issuance Programme.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Kayode Ojo, had told investors during the road shows that the proceeds of the bond will be used to refinance/repay for existing facilities; procure new ground support equipment; build addi-

By Tonia Osundolire

tional warehouse; and to augment Information Communications Technology(ICT) and working capital needs.

According to him, the money was to finance its projects and provide top-level services and expand business to other parts of Africa.

"Cargo is a significant aspect of the company's business and so, modernisation was introduced to clear out bottlenecks and also to enhance easy flow of transactions. Cargo proceeds will in-

crease in subsequent years for reasons that Nigeria is an importdependent economy," he said.

He said the company's due diligence in the aviation industry revealed huge untapped opportunities, which would be exploited to increase shareholder value.

NAHCO's Board at its recent Extraordinary General Meeting got approval from its shareholders to transfer assets to NAHCO aviance FTZ, its subsidiary.

NAHCO was founded in 1979 to provide comprehensive ground handling services for airlines operating in the country

According to him, most companies are having problems complying with adequately with the current less-complicated accounting standards and have continued to earn severe fines for minor violations. The blanket conversion to IFRS would worsen the reporting situation and do more damage than good.

He noted that most accounting firms, which were supposed to be the guiding hands in the implementation, were not conversant with the IFRS. Citing the example of United States, Uzodike said many coun-

tries have declined to comply fully with the IFRS, describing Nigerian financial services' position on full compliance as hasty and ill-conceived.

He urged regulators to consider the interests of companies and the state of their operations before deciding on policy issues.

Uzodike decried the lack of fiscal discipline by government and poor state of national infrastructure noting that political rather than economic considerations dominate budget planning and implementation.

with the Federal Government holding 60 per cent of its shares while the remaining 40 per cent was held by four foreign airlines.

However, the structure changed in 2005 following the Federal Government's divestment of its holding. The company is currently owned by about 80,000 Nigerians, three foreign airlines and Rosehill Group, a Nigerian firm.

The company is to handle about 70 per cent of both domestic and foreign airlines that operate in the country with branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Uyo airports.

Forecasts Q4 Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc: Turnover N18.658 billion Profit after tax N1.016 billion Longman Nigeria Plc: Turnover N3.0 billion Profit after tax N521.6 million Alumaco Plc: Turnover N285.0 million Profit after tax N3.1 million AFROMEDIA Plc Turnover N900.21m PAT N90.56m HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS Plc Turnover N27.640b PAT N2.147b

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

48

THE NATION INVESTORS CIS: SEC task operators for more information T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the spirit of reviving the market to profitability after the recent world financial meltdown has continued to examine possible avenues to amend the workability of an effective collective investment schemes (CIS).

CIS, also known as unit trust schemes or mutual funds enable low income investors to contribute to a pool of funds, which eventually allow them to spread their risks and have access to services of professional fund managers.

In the past many investors lost money to such schemes that were not properly managed. However,

By Tonia Osundolire

SEC has strengthened its regulation of CIS given its determination to encourage more patronage of that sector of the stock market.

Accessing the performance of the CIS, the Head, Asset Management, FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Michael Oyebola, said last week that the apex regulator had done well in the regulation of CIS. According to him, SEC has asked for enough information that was needed to regulate the market, adding that such information had made

them to put in place strategies that would ensure that investors do not lose their money.

His words: "Regulators are now doing a fantastic job. They have asked for enough information they need to regulate the market. They have told the fund managers to submit weekly Net Asset Value and how they came about the calculations. The regulators now ensure that Annual General Meetings (AGM)are held and that professional managers now manage the funds. They are doing a fantastic job

FACTS

M

OBIL Oil Nigeria Plc and Total Nigeria Plc are the two dominant multinationals in the downstream sector.

With nearly six decades of operations in Nigeria, both companies have etched their brands and stocks as blue chips. Total Nigeria leads the capitalisation table as the most capitalised petroleum-marketing company in addition to an enviable position as the second highest-priced stock at the Nigerian stock market. A subsidiary of French multinational and Europeleading oil company-Total S. A, Total Nigeria is a company of considerable influence and size in Nigeria and globally. With more than 500 retail outlets, five Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plants, three lubricant blending plants, four aviation depots and many other facilities, Total Nigeria is undoubtedly a leading oil-marketing company.

Mobil Oil Nigeria doubles as the third most capitalised petroleummarketing company and third highest-priced stock at the stock market. The earliest petroleummarketing company to be incorporated in Nigeria, Mobil this year clocked 60 years of operations in Nigeria. Mobil Oil Nigeria is a subsidiary of Mobil Oil Corporation of the United States of America and it runs a nationwide network of outlets that make the company a household brand throughout Nigeria.

Interestingly, both companies were listed in the same year, on the same month and within the same week. Beside their similarities as multinationals, the two companies share the same operating challenges as two leading members of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigerian (MOMAN). As such, they adequately represent the variables in the downstream oil sector.

The petroleum-marketing business is a precision business that requires high level of appropriate mix of often-difficult variables.

With relatively low margin and little product differentiation, the downstream oil business depends largely on management foresight, capacity-building investments and proactive understanding of the uncontrollable external factors including the global oil price and resultant import variables. Besides, in the sluggishness that sometime characterised the partiallyderegulated downstream oil sector, profitability depends more on the efficiency of the internal controls rather than volumes, though both are important.

This scenario played out in the recent audited report and accounts of both Mobil Oil Nigeria and Total Nigeria. While Total Nigeria has shown more resilience against the sluggish industry-wide sales outlook, Mobil fell back on cost management to make the best of its falling sales.

Sales Generation The petroleum-marketing industry has rather been sluggish in recent years. Sales have hovered be-

TO

and they are doing everything to protect unit holders."

The Director-General of SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh had said recently that there was a great opportunity for growth in that sector of the market given the experience from other countries.

According to her, current statistics revealed that only about five million Nigerians out of a population of 150 million people invest in the capital market. She explained that further that of this total, only 230,000 people, representing 0.15

per cent of the total population, invest in CIS. "We believe that there is great opportunity for growth in this aspect of the market both for the investor and the managers of such funds. In anticipation of the expected growth, the Commission has intensified efforts to strengthen the market including examination of fund managers and trustees of such schemes and recently encouraged the establishment of an industry trade group for the fund manager," Oteh said.

There are about 26 CIS funds listed on the memorandum sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) where their prices are displayed on daily basis for investors.

FACTS

Mobil Oil Nigeria vs Total Nigeria: Contest of multinationals

By Taofik Salako

tween marginal increase to stagnation and decline. For the second consecutive year, Mobil witnessed decline in sale in 2010, which pushed average sales decline over the past two years at 6.5 per cent.

Sales had dropped by 7.1 per cent and 5.9 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Total Nigeria's turnover growth, which was almost flat in 2009, contracted by 10 per cent in 2010, indicating average decline rate of 4.7 per cent over the past two years. On the average, Total's top-line performance was better than Mobil's.

Profitability Mobil however showed greater efficiency and profitability in terms of year-on-year stand alone analysis as well as peer comparison.

With average pre and post-tax profit growths of about 51 per cent over the years, Mobil made more profit form every unit of sales than its competitor. Profit before tax had risen by 60 per cent in 2009 and trended further upward to 41 per cent in 2010. Profit after tax also grew consecutively by 65 per cent and 37 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Pre-tax profit margin had improved from 6.6 per cent in 2009 to 9.8 per cent in 2010, indicating average margin of 8.2 per cent over the years.

On the other hand, Total Niger-

FACTS TO FACTS Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

• Mobil Oil Nigeria, Chairman and MD, Mr Adetunji Oyebanji

• MD, Total Nigeria Dominique, Thiolon

ia's gross profit dropped by 4.5 per cent in 2010 and subsequently trickled down to 6.2 per cent decrease in pre-tax profit, the second consecutive decrease in pre-tax profit.

Average pre-tax profit growth thus stood at negative 5.8 per cent in recent years. Net profit was also flat in 2010, though a better performance than decline of 9.7 per cent recorded in the previous year.

But Total Nigeria also showed improved underlying profit-making capacity in the immediate past

year. Gross profit margin had risen from 12.3 per cent in 2009 to 13.1 per cent in 2010 while pre-tax profit margin improved from 3.4 per cent in 2009 to 3.6 per cent in 2010.

Actual Returns Mobil Oil Nigeria also generally won the contest in terms of returns to stakeholders, although Total Nigeria made considerable gain in the immediate past year. Average annual return to shareholders by Mobil stood at 67 per cent over the

Total

twp-year period while return on total assets averaged 15 per cent.

Return on assets had grown from 13 per cent in 2009 to 17 per cent in 2010. Return on equity however fell from 68 per cent in 2009 to 65 per cent.

Total Nigeria has meanwhile continuously improved its returns, although the quantum of returns fell below that of its competitor.

With two-year average returns on assets and equity of 9.0 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, Total Nigeria had improved return on total assets from 8.0 per cent in 2009 to 10 per cent in 2010. Return on equity added four percentage points in 2010 to 61 per cent as against about 57 per cent in 2009.

The Bottom-line With the protracted reform in the petroleum sector and continuing controversy that exacerbate global oil variables, Nigerian petroleum companies require deeper foresights and cushions to sustain sales and profitability. There is no doubt that the petroleum-marketing industry faces a major constraint in the area of sales generation. Oil-marketing companies would need to explore ways to activate sales growth given the limitation of internal efficiency in driving long-term profitability, especially in the face of a contracting top-line. Partial deregulation of the industry meanwhile remains an obstacle to the realisation of the true potential of the oil majors as many companies trade on the basis of short term strategy rather than long-term investment strategy.

Mobil

2010 %

2009 %

Average %

-10.1 -4.5 -6.2 13.1 3.6 0.1 10 60.9

0.7

-4.7 -2.25 -5.8 12.7 3.5 -4.8 9 58.9

-5.4 12.3 3.4 -9.7 8 56.9

Pre-tax profit margin (Total)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2010 %

2009 %

Average %

-5.9

-7.1

40.9

60.2

9.8 37 16.9 65.2

6.6 65.1 13.1 68

-6.5 0.00 50.55 0 8.2 51.05 15 66.6

Pre-tax profit margin (Mobil)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

49

THE NATION INVESTORS CORPORATE SCORE BOARD

U

NITY Bank Plc returned to profitability in the immediate past year as the bank's growing non-core banking incomes supported a strong top-line performance that trickled down to the bottom-line. Audited report and accounts of Unity Bank Plc for the year ended December 31, 2010 showed a stronger bank with positive profit and loss and balance sheet positions. With equity funds 77 per cent above minimum capital requirement for the bank's national banking category, improved cost management impacted on profitability reversing from loss position to profit. Key performance figures and indices reflected the bank's aggressive business growth strategy and better cost management. Although its core banking incomes shrank, three-digit increase in non-interest incomes and appreciable reduction in expenses impacted positively on both the top-line and the bottom-line with 37 per cent growth in gross earnings and a reversal of N21billion loss to N13billion profit. However, the bank's liquidity position slipped, albeit marginally.

Capital adequacy Unity Bank's capital adequacy position improved considerably in 2010 with better equity coverage for risk assets and general operations. Compared with 2009 when equity funds was barely three per cent of total assets, the proportion of equity funds to total assets rose to about 15 per cent in 2010. Shareholders' funds could also finance about 40 per cent of loans and advances in 2010 as against some 8.2 per cent in 2009 while assets tied down in fixed assets represented about 54 per cent of equity funds in 2010 compared with 2009 when these overwhelmed equity funds at 219 per cent.

Unity Bank: Rebuilding the fundamentals

By Taofik Salako

Unity Bank had sourced new capital through issuance of new shares, which increased paid-up share capital by 109 per cent from N7.98billion in 2009 to N16.64billion in 2010. Shareholders' funds jumped by 519 per cent from N7.2billion in 2009 to N44.28billion in 2010, 77 per cent above the minimum capital requirement of N25billion for national banking licence chosen by Unity Bank. Total assets stood at N305.5billion in 2010, 18 per cent above N257.94billion recorded in 2009. Total liabilities had inched up by 4.2 per cent from N250.8billion in 2009 to N261.2billion in 2010.

Asset quality Unity Bank achieved appreciable improvement in assets quality in 2010 with 72 per cent reduction in non-performing loans.

Gross loans and advances dropped from N140.29 billion in 2009 to N128.60 billion in 2010.

Non-performing loans, however, dropped from N52.47 billion in 2009 to N14.63 billion in 2010.

With these, the proportion of bad loans to total loans portfolio improved significantly from 37 per cent in 2009 to 11 per cent in 2010.

Bad loans, which had overwhelmed shareholders' funds at a ratio of 733 per cent in 2009, reduced to 33 per cent of equity funds in 2010.

Profitability Unity Bank returned to profit in 2010 as strong growth in the topline and more efficient cost management strategy changed the N16billion net loss position in 2009 to positive net earnings of

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2010 %

•Unity Bank, Chairman, Alhaji Nuuman Danbatta

N12.5billion in 2010. Both the bank's core banking profitability and overall corporate profitability improved considerably. Net interest margin improved from about 53 per cent in 2009 to 57 per cent in 2010 while pre-tax profit margin turned from -46 per cent in 2009 to 21 per cent in 2010.

Gross earnings rose by 37 per cent from N46.4billion in 2009 to N63.5billion in 2010. Top-line performance was driven largely by non-interest incomes, which doubled by 133 per cent from N14.72billion in 2009 to N34.33billion in 2010, representing 54 per cent of total earnings in 2010 as against about 32 per cent in 2009. Core banking interest incomes however dropped by 7.8 per cent from N31.6billion in 2009 to N29.2billion in 2010. With interest expense dropping by about 17 per cent from N15billion in 2009 to N12.5billion in 2010, net interest income was positive at N16.7billion in 2010 compared with N16.6billion in 2009. Oper-

2009 %

Asset Quality Gross Loans and Advances (Nm) Classified loans (Nm) % of classified loans Loan Loss Reserves/Classified Loans Classified Loans/Equity Stock

128,602.000 14,627 11.4 NA 33.0

140,290 52,468 37.4 NA 732.9

Capital Adequacy Equity/Total Assets Equity/Loans and Advances Permanent Assets/Equity

14.5 38.9 53.7

2.8 8.2 219.3

Liquidity Ratios Loans & Advances/Total Assets 37.3 Cash & Bank Balances/Total Liabilities 18.8 Loans & Advances/Total deposits 51.4

34.0 24.2 40.9

Profitability ratios Pre-tax Profit Margin Return on Total Assets Return on Equity Net Interest Margin Interest Income/Loans & Advances Interest Paid/Total Deposits Operating Expense/Total Revenue Non-Interest Income/Total Revenue Pre-tax Profit Per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs per Employee (Nm) Staff Costs/Gross Revenue Earnings per share (basic)(kobo) Dividend per share (kobo) Dividend cover (times)

-45.5 -8.2 -225.1 52.5 36.0 7.0 82.3 31.7 -7.0 8.1 52.5 -1.0 NA NA

21.1 4.4 28.2 57.1 25.6 5.6 48.5 54.1 4.5 5.2 24.4 37.7 NA NA

ating incomes rose from N31.32billion in 2009 to N50.99billion in 2010. However, operating expenses dropped by 19 per cent to N30.8billion in 2010 as against N38.2billion in 2009.

The bank's bottom-line thus turned positive from a loss before tax of N21.1billion in 2009 to a pre-tax profit of N13.4billion in 2010. With this, earnings per share stood at about 38 kobo in 2010 compared with net loss per share of a kobo in 2009.

Other underlying profitability indices showed a generally positive outlook. The proportion of operating expense to total earnings dropped from 82 per cent in 2009 to about 49 per cent in 2010.

Returns on total assets and equity were 4.4 per cent and 28.2 per cent in 2010 in contrast with -8.2 percent and -225.1 per cent respectively in 2009. Cost of fund dropped from an average of 7.0 per cent in 2009 to 5.6 per cent in 2010. However, average interest rate dropped from 36 per cent in 2009 to about 26 per cent in 2010.

The bank has also not recommended any dividend payment, as it appropriated all net earnings to statutory and general reserves.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the bank remained adequate, although the coverage reduced within the year. Cash and bank balances stood at N49.11billion in 2010 as against N60.7billion in 2009 but short-term investments, mainly in government treasury bills, doubled from N9.5billion in 2009 to N20.72billion in 2010. The proportion of cash and bank balances to total liabilities stood at 19 per cent in 2010 as against 24 per cent in 2009. Loans and advances/total assets ratio closed

2010 at 37 per cent compared with 34 per cent in 2009 while loans and advances/total deposits ratio stood at 51 per cent in 2010 as against 41 per cent in 2009.

Governance & structures The board and management of the bank remain stable. Alhaji Nu'uman Danbatta chairs the board of director while Alhaji Ado Wanka leads the executive management team as managing director and chief executive. A successor to nine banks, Unity Bank is owned by highly diverse shareholders. The bank has a robust corporate governance structures including succession plan, whistle blowing channel, code of ethics and requisite board and management committees. The bank has broadly complied with codes of governance issued by financial services regulators.

Analyst's opinion The gradual comeback of Unity Bank as indicated by the general performance outlook in 2010 is reassuring, particularly with the congruence between a healthier balance sheet and profit and loss performance. Unity Bank appeared to have weathered the storm and its stability is more certain now. However, Unity Bank needs to continue driving its income generations on both sides- interests and fees and commissions, while maximising potential by reducing costs.

Meanwhile, latest interim report and accounts for the third quarter 2011 underlined the need for caution and stable growth strategy. Unity Bank needs to step away from the shadow of the past and emplace a sustainable strategy that defines its growth and steadies performance over the years.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31 Nmillion

2010 12 months

2009 % change 12 months

Profit and Loss Statement Gross Earnings Interest Income Interest expense Net Interest Income Total Non-interest income Total Non-interest expense Profit before tax (loss) Profit after tax (loss)

63,492 29165 12503 16,663 34,326 30,784 13,409 12,487

36.8 -7.8 -16.8 0.4 133.2 -19.4 -163.6 -177.5

46,420 31619 15,022 16,597 14,720 38,183 -21099 -16113

49,111 20,722 113,975 281,691 23,787 305,478

-19.1 118.1 29.8 16.3 51.5 18.4

60,683 9,500 87,823 242,238 15,698 257,936

221,701 261,193 16,642 44,285 305,478

3.1 4.2 108.7 518.6 18.4

214,986 250,777 7,976 7,159 257,936

Balance Sheet Assets: Cash and balances with other banks Short-term investments Loans and advances (net) Total earning assets Fixed assets Total assets Liabilities and capital: Total deposit liabilities Total liabilities Paid-up share capital Shareholders' funds Liabilities and Equity

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

50

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

For the jobless, wealth-creating from home O

NE of the biggest challenges workers have is where to invest for the future. Many Nigerians have become devasted after losing their jobs. They find it difficult to live comfortably after such experiences.

Pastor Jacob Agitan spent a greater part of his life in accountancy practice before going into the ministry. He saw many talented workers lose their jobs to restructuring. He had a good job, but there was no certainty it would be there for ever. This uncertainty, combined with his desire to be his own boss, were motivating factors for him to move in style. He did lot of research, looked at many options, took into account the capital investment, and eventually decided that he wanted to be in the computer service industry.

As a cleric, he enjoys dealing with members of the public. He is satisfied that he has trained many people in laptop repairs who are doing well today.

His philosophy is that there are opportunities in every neighbourhood for people to make money.

But what is the money making secret in every neighbourhood?This is what he

Stories by Daniel Essiet

wants to share with Nigerians.

Agitan is looking out for young and workers facing the uncertainty of the job market and need guidance on what to do to prepare for the unexpected.

His target are Nigerians with a dream of starting a business, but they are afraid of losing the hefty startup costs.

The cleric wants to teach Nigerians businesses that can be started something with smsll capitalHis strategy is home-based ventures , with savings on overheads. He has created manuals to teach budding entrepreneurs how to do it and do it right.

His money making manuals teach the fundamentals of starting profitable and easily-operated home-based business. Things people can do from home on weekends and week days. He has so many revenuegenerating businesses.

Agitan wants to promote lucrative business opportunities for people working full

time, convenient for moms and shut-ins and for beginners with no business experience.He has detailed wealth building kit that explains the whole business.

He recognised the potential of the computer services industry and realised there was an abundance of business from that market alone.Paramount in what he teaches is starting a business which allows flexibility in schedule and something that is not inundated with competition.

Agitan believes the strength of every business is getting repeat business and also referrals.

He leaned towards the book keeping side of business with more than a decade of experience in payroll and accounting.

He sees potential for Nigerians in a variety of fields and is ready to teach people how to explore opportunities in every industry. Generally, the market potential for growth is enormous.

Agitan wants more Nigerians in the doit –yourself market. For this reason, he said his church is holding a free seminar to encouraging Nigerians to take advantage of existing business opportunities and find sources of livelihood.

•Agitan

He said he could continue operating his business at its current level and make money ,but that he visualize opportunities for others to make money and succeed.

Going into mobile banking with ease

T

•Akorede

O enable Nigerians take advantage of mobile banking, an entrepreneur is set to organise training programmes for prospective agents and customers.

Zakariyyah Akorede, the Managing Director of Hasbunalahu Success Links Enterprise, believes the country has what it takes to make a success of the model.

He is crusading for young Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity and make a living.

Akorede said branchless banking, enabled by mobile, is the only practical way many Nigerians can make money from providing services to the unbanked as

agents.

He said there are a lot of services which brings money including mobile money transfers, remittances, mobile bill payments, micro savings and pre-paid cell phone service top up services Akorede noted that mobile phone technology has demonstrated how financial inclusion can be leapfrogged on a major scale and in short time span using appropriate technology platform.

Under the service, people can transfer money without having a bank account by simply transferring the money in form of talktime, which could be redeemed at the nearest centre. He said the service that would allow subscribers

make various transactions including paying of bills and shopping using their mobile phones.

The increase in mobile phone banking on the financial market, he said, would help overcome the longstanding challenge of reaching out to the unbanked population in the country.

Akorede, the owner of www.mobilemoneywealth.blogspot.com said mobile operators are positioning themselves for a significant share of the market.

Market uptake, he noted, shows that there is a need forconvenient and affordable remittance service.

According to him, m-banking and mobile phone business contribute directly to economic devel-

Association commends govt for opening up gas sector to welders

T

HE Esit Eket branch of the Nigerian Welders Association (NWA) has commended the Akwa Ibom Government for opening the oil and gas sector to private investors.

The branch Chairman of the association, Mr Robert Okpo, commended the state government for partnering with foreign investors in facilitating the Central Gas Project at the Uquo Marginal Field in Esit Eket.

He said the initiative would

ensure that available resources were optimally harnessed for the benefit of the state government and the host communities.

Okpo also commended the state government for involving members of the association in the execution of the project, which, he noted, had provided them with income generating opportunities.

“We appreciate the state government, project contractors and stakeholders for recognising the capabilities of the

union members to execute jobs that meet approved specifications obtainable in the industry.”

He said the project had attracted socio-ecenomic development to the area and created job opportunities for the teeming youths and impacted positively on the economy of the state.

Okpo assured the government of smooth execution of the project which would provide enough gas for the generation of uninterrupted power

supply.

“Considering the importance of gas to power generation, the association wishes to restate its commitment to partner with contracting companies handling various construction projects.

“We will ensure available gas within the field is channeled toward the generation and supply of steady electricity as envisaged by the current leadership at both the national and state levels,” he added.

opment by creating opportunity for income generation. Buying and selling of airtime has become a considerable job creator, in particular in urban areas.

He said the market is willing to adopt technologies to facilitate Mtransactions.

The advantage is that retail banks and their branches stayed close to financial centres where it has made sense to operate.

He said his organisation is engaged in market education and awareness campaigning. As the market matures and users’ conditions improve, he said more advanced user needs will evolve and a deeper understanding of which services really are relevant to users will be important.

Income from printing declines, says German

T

he printing sector is facing earnings decline, the Managing Director German Engineering Federation Markus Heering, has said.

According to him, Internet and other new media pose adverse economic challenge for printing business and it is affecting the earnings.

Speaking ahead of the 2012 Drupa Fair holding in Germany, Heering said the printing industry has been going through hard times because of the continued impact of the global economic crisis and overbearing influence of the Internet.

He explained that the youth and business community are turning more and more to the new media, even as companies are spending less on advertising in the classic media.

He said while the Western Europe and North America makets are saturated, emerging markets, such as Asia, Nigeria and among others, have a huge amount of catching up to do. He estimated that from 2003 to 2009, turnover in the Western European print market shrank from 149 billion Euros to 135 billion Euros while the print market in Asia swelled from 133 billion Euros to 168 billion Euros. In China alone, it doubled to 49 billion Euros and is projected to hit 70

billion euro by 2014, although demand in China is not growing at the same rate for every print product.

He said the key words today remain digitisation, automation, digital media and social media although many applications now combine classic print methods with digital media. Also, given the change in media usage habits among their customers, more Internet, less newspapers, many companies have rethought their marketing strategies.

This is true of all age groups.

Worldwide, the catalogue is by far the most important sales channel in the mail order industry, accounting for 62 per cent in 2008.

German printing machine manufacturers began to respond early and fast to changing industry trends and have developed a whole raft of products and methods to help their customers meet rising and shifting demands. This includes fast set-up of machines in order to meet the growing number of requests for small and very small print runs. An essential prerequisite for this is, of course, data on demand.

Here too, manufacturers are profiting from the megatrends of automation and digitisation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

51

INSURANCE

NAICOM seeks power to prosecute fake insurers T O curb the menace of quacks, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is seeking to prosecute them without recourse to the police.

Commissioner for Insurance Fola Daniel said NAICOM has written the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, praying for its lawyers to handle the prosecution.

Daniel told The Nation that such power would enable NAICOM’s lawyers prosecute fake operators without engaging the police.

He noted that the fake operators arrested in Lagos, Abuja and other cities are being investigated by the police – a development he frowned at.

Daniel noted that the prolonged investigation, which the police said it was undertaken uncalled for as

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

the fake operators were caught in the act.

He said: “People were apprehended and handed over to the Nigerian Police; we had follow ups and the response we got from the police was that they are still investigating when the investigation was open and close. But we have had a rethink over our method of operations. We discovered that we need to do more ground work.

“We have reached at a decision to prosecute the culprits through private prosecutors. We are looking at using our prosecutors to prosecute the fake operators and we have applied to the Attorney General to give us fiat to carry out the exercise. With this approval our lawyers can charge somebody

to court.

“We are trying to ensure that we have good working collaboration with the police. We would be expecting that the Inspector General of Police would issue instructions to all states commissioner so that when these people are arrested they would be prosecuted urgently to serve a deterrent to others.

“We are also looking at the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who also is a stakeholder in the fight against fake operators.

Of all the strategies, we need the collaboration of the state governments. The State governments are the employers of the Vehicle Inspection Operators (VIO), whose offices constitutes where large amount of fake insurances are sold.”

Daniel said the move to arrest and

prosecute the fake operators is to sanitise the industry and restore public confidence, adding that the activities of quacks potent danger to the industry’s growth.

He noted that no person shall transact business as an insurance agent unless he/she possesses a certificate of proficiency issued in the name of the individual applicant by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and be duly appointed by an insurer and licensed according to Insurance Act 2003.

“A person who transacts business as an insurance agent without having been duly appointed commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or to imprisonment of three years or to both such fine and imprisonment and in addition, the court

may make an order requiring the person to refund any sum collected by him/her. ”Any insurer who knowingly or recklessly transacts any insurance business with any person mentioned in sub-section (4) of the Insurance Act commits an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 and the court may make such additional order as to the refund of the sum involved as specified under sub-section (4),” he said.

Daniel warned that any insurer who knowingly or recklessly transacts business with a fake operator is liable to a fine of N500,000 or be jailed.

He said in case of a firm or other combination of persons, each officer of the firm would be fined N250,000 or imprisoned for two years or both.

Risk management vital to firms’ survival

R

ISK management is a potent tool for organisational survival during economic crisis, the President of Risk and Insurance Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON), Mrs Effiom Ekaha, has said. Speaking at the 2011 National Conference of the society in Ibadan, Oyo State, she debunked the notion that risk management was only relevant for addressing downside risks, Mrs Ekaha was also invested as RIMSON president at the ceremony.

Mrs Ekaha said risk management is not only employed by pro-active organisations to address downside risks of man- made and natural exposures, which are insurable alone, but also for addressing upside risks to take advantage of opportunities and benefits in business and investments.

Underscoring the pivotal place of risk management, Mrs Ekaha noted that “today more than ever before, risk management is generally recognised as a potent tool for survival in turbulent times and circumstances. Businesses are faced with myriads of operational risks which, if not properly managed, could impair their survival and continuity”.

She said the theme of the RIMSON National Conference, “Nigeria’s economic growth: Value creation during economic down

turn” was apt in view of the need to prepare professionals and policy makers for the eventuality of impending economic down turn that may affect global economy and business growth.

While delivering the theme paper, Dr Akintola Owolabi of the Lagos Business School (LBS) traced the path of the nation’s economic development and disclosed that after the global economic downturn, the country was being confronted with the dilemma occasioned by the need to save costs and restructure expenditure on one hand and the need to invest and innovate to create conducive environment to alleviate the suffering of the masses on the other.

As a way out, Owolabi emphasised the need for the country to monitor expenditure more closely and for government to undertake its activities efficiently, as well as devise strategies for a clear identification of the key value drivers in the economy.

In his paper on “Pension Challenges and Solution”, Mr Adeniyi Falade, Managing Director of Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited, applauded the Pensions Act in view of its multifarious advantages on the plight of workers, but emphasised that the scheme was still being confronted with problems such as inadequate coverage

•President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mrs Laide Osijo (right) with Mrs Ekaha after the investiture.

of the informal sector of the economy which constitutes more that 40 per cent of the nation’s work force as well as the need to build capacity to address the wide knowledge gap.

Delivering a paper on “Management of Security Risks in Nigeria”,

Dr Nat Cole of the Forensic & Compliance Institute identified some of the risks faced by Nigeria to include financial crimes, militancy or terrorism, unmitigated corruption, cybercrimes, piracy and decaying infrastructure.

Dr Cole underscored the need to

for the nation to embrace appropriate risks management strategy to address evolving security risks faced by the nation and have a change of orientation from what he referred to as the “adaptation syndrome” to urgent national security issues.

Firm pays N1.1b claims

I

NTERCONTINENTAL Wapic Insurance Plc settled claims totalling N1.1 billion last year, its Chairman, Mr Hyacinth Enuha, has said.

Enuha, who spoke at the company’s 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said the firm recorded a profit before tax of N269.29 million last year.

He said despite inclement environment, the year under review, the company posted a profit before tax

of N269.29 million, indicating over 200 per cent improvement on the pre-tax loss of N576.06million in 2009.”

The 2010 performance he said, was driven largely by a deliberate diversification of revenue sources through the creation of new businesses. This, the Chairman stated was responsible for a more robust balance sheet position necessary to guarantee sustainable levels of profitability and shareholders’ return.

IEI backs TV series on leadership

I

•From left: Commissioner for Insurance Mr Fola Daniel and Deputy Commissioner, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Mr Ibrahim Hassan, at a workshop organised for reporters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

NTERNATIONAL Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc, has thrown its weight behind the call for good leadership by co-sponsoring “ The Dialogue of Leaders”, a television series that is aimed at creating a new generation of successful leaders in business and life.

Its Managing Director, Mrs Roseline Ekeng, said the company is pleased to collaborate with the organisers of the programme (Ficomms International), as a demonstration of its contribution towards shaping a more economically robust Nigeria.

She noted that the programme promises to look at the best way

to inspire and involve the younger generation in developing more successful strategies in business leadership.

She said: “supporting this programme lends credence to our business intent, and that is to constantly re-invent ourselves by placing tomorrow before us so as to deal with it. The Dialogue of Leaders television series is one initiative that we see as a very viable means of molding 21st century leaders in Nigeria. Learning from those who have done it before, will afford the younger generation the opportunity to avoid the mistakes of yester years”.

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-11-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES

CSCS undergoes rating review

C

ENTRAL Securities Clearing and Settle ment (CSCS) Limited, the securities depository for the Nigerian capital markets, would undergo a critical evaluation of its technologies, processes and human resources to determine its rating within the context of global standards.

CSCS is currently rated Aby Thomas Murray, a specialist custody rating, risk management, research and information provider that specialises in evaluation of the safety nets in the global securities services industry.

Officials of Thomas Murray are expected in Lagos in the first week of December for the rating review of the CSCS. Confirming the rating review, Executive Director, Bayo Egunbiyi, said CSCS has improved on its infrastructure and processes and would look forward to improvement in its rating.

He said the rating of the

By Taofik Salako

Nigerian depository would further enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian capital market.

He said the strength of a central securities depository would reflect on the performance and perception of the entire securities market, as a systemic disturbance in the depository could lead to disruption of securities settlements and other payment systems.

Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), Egunbiyi explained, are now established as an essential component of a modern securities market infrastructure in all but a handful of countries.

However, their structure, ownership, responsibilities and capabilities vary widely between markets, making it more difficult for CSD managements to know whether their own organization is achieving best practice.

Thomas Murray was estab-

lished in 1994 and now provides reports on over 250 custodians, 130 central securities depositories and 100 markets globally.

It provides analysis of the post-trade processing as well as public and private ratings and risk assessments on global custodians, domestic custodian banks and capital market infrastructure.

Thomas Murray advises CSDs on how to raise their operational effectiveness to international standards, and remain in line with them once they have reached that level.

The ratings prepared by Thomas Murray, whether they are published or not 3, enable CSDs to benchmark themselves against other leading depositories.

They also serve as an independent and objective assessment of the capabilities of a particular CSD for users of the services.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-11-11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

CBN, Visa establish forum to tackle electronic payment fraud

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), deposit money banks and Visa International have established a fraud forum to curb incidence of electronic payments fraud in the industry.

The forum would discuss issues relating to perpetration of electronically-induced frauds, help in blocking loopholes, and guarantee the security of investment.

A senior official, Shared Services Office, Governor’s Department of

By Akinola Ajibade

the, CBN, Chidi Umeano, dropped the hint yesterday. He told The Nation that the three institutions held a meeting last week in Abuja on how to check financial scams and further restore confidence in the industry, adding that the meeting resulted in the establishment of a fraud forum to check cases of financial sharp practices perpetrated through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and

internets, among other electronic devices.

He said through the forum, banks would be able to provide information on what is happening to them in the area of fraudulent electronic payment transactions.

He said the need to establish a fraud forum became imperative, in view of the usage of automated teller machines (ATMs) and other payment cards.

He said the banks were well rep-

resented at the meeting, adding that the development underscores their intention to get rid of scams and subsequently bring sanity into the industry.

Umeano, stated that the CBN has reduced ATM’s related frauds by about 90 per cent by ordering banks to change 4from chip cards to strip magnetic cards.

“Frauds have been perpetrated through the use of Automated Teller Machines. The development resulted in the changing of chip cards to strip magnetic cards by deposit money banks. Today, fraud has reduced by 90 per cent.

CBN played an important role in this regard by establishing a core centre through which complaints on the use of ATM are routed and actions taken within twenty four hours or a maximum of five days,”

IFRS: Compliant banks to benefit from improved reputation

B

ANKS that have adopted the International Financial Re porting Standard (IFRS) in their financial reporting, will receiving better rating by both local and international business partners.

They will not only enjoy improved rating from their business partners, but will be seen as being committed to transparency, accountability and sound corporate governance.

Chairman, IFRS Interpretations Committee, at the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), Bob Garnett, disclosed this during the IFRS conference in Lagos last week.

He said the IFRS is not meant to stop crooks or fraudulent bank managers from executing their plans, but is simply a statement and commitment by a firm to abide by international laws, adding that it was wrong to think that by signing into the IFRS operational modalities, frauds and malpractices in the system would be eliminated.

“The IFRS does not stop fraud and malpractices in the system, but represents a significant improvement by the firm to abide by international laws. The standard does not stop crooks. It is simply an acceptance to adhere to international laws and best practices,” he said.

Garnett explained that IFRS is a "principles based" set of standards, in FGN BONDS

By Collins Nweze

that they establish broad rules as well as dictate specific treatments for account statements. According to him, the IFRS are principles-based standards, interpretations and the framework adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

This is happening at a time that deposit money banks (DMBs) are appointing consultants to enable them tidy up loose ends to enable them migrate from local standards to the IFRS by January 2012. The IFRS expert explained that the banks have to step up their internal processes to ensure compliance because of adverse implications of default.

However, he admitted that accounting has become less risky than it was before the introduction of IFRS, adding that global knowledge and expertise reduces the risks of getting things wrong.

Garnett said that banks are also putting other finishing touches, including cost of migration to ensure compliance by set date.

He said the adoption of the IFRS will further enhance transparency and facilitate the restoration of investors’

confidence in the on-going efforts to sanitize and rebuild the financial services sector.

He further stated that the adoption of the IFRS will enhance transparency and improve reporting standards that would help prevent or reduce systemic risks.

He said that investment in infrastructure is also key in ensuring that foreign direct investment (FDI) is attracted into the economy.

Garnett said that Nigeria, ranked 34th among 142 largest countries in the world adding that the country needs to pull more levers to improve its global competitiveness. He explained that aside infrastructure development, IFRS implementation can affect positively the quality of reporting in the financial system.

He further explained that Nigerian banks embarked on massive asset growth and capital raising sprees in the wake of a round of consolidation in 2005 which cut the number of financial institutions to 25 and subsequently 24, fiercely competitive firms from 89. But reporting standards have failed to keep pace with the explosive balance sheet growth, much of it involving higher levels of unsecured risk, and analysts say far higher levels of disclosure are needed to restore confidence.

FITC canvases capacity building for bankers

M

ANAGING-Director/Chief Executive Officer, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Mrs Lucy Newman, has said there is need for regular training for bank staff to enhance efficiency and productivity in the sector.

The centre, which recently marked its 30 years of existence, has within the time trained 45,000 bank workers.

Newman said the centre has contributed to manpower development in the country.

Speaking during the anniversary in Lagos, Newman, said there is every cause to mark FITC’s 30 years of successful operation and growth.

“The board, management and staff of FITC feel that this is a period of reflection, stocktaking and appreciation of stakeholders that have con-

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

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

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 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 4-11-11 SYMBOL NCR IKEJAHOTEL CUSTODYINS AIICO WEMABANK UAC-PROP STERLNBANK NASCON FIRSTBANK ABCTRANS

O/PRICE 8.05 2.27 2.78 0.51 0.58 11.95 1.26 4.28 10.00 0.51

C/PRICE 8.45 2.38 2.91 0.53 0.60 12.35 1.30 4.40 10.25 0.52

CHANGE 0.40 0.11 0.13 0.02 0.02 0.40 0.04 0.12 0.25 0.01

LOSER AS AT 4-11-11 SYMBOL CONTINSURE JOHNHOLT MULTITREX CILEASING JAPAULOIL CAP TRANSCORP ETERNAOIL GTASSURE DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE 1.00 6.19 1.47 0.89 0.75 16.56 0.61 4.34 1.40 5.15

C/PRICE 0.95 5.89 1.40 0.85 0.72 15.95 0.59 4.20 1.36 5.02

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

tributed in one way or the other, to making the firm successful,” she said.

According to her, this is time to restrategise for the future, in context of current and emerging sector specific challenges within the domestic, regional and international arena.

She said the agency will be training the new management of the banks to acquaint them with the new developments in the industry, stating that many of the trainees have become top managers and leaders in the financial services industry.

She said there is urgent need for bank managements to send their staff for regular training. FITC is a professional services firm owned the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee as composed of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), all the deposit money banks and Discount houses in the country.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

he said.

Umeano, said CBN is committed to the issue of cashless economy and would ensure that banks’ customers make use of the various payment terminals.

VISA International, the world’s leading electronic payment card company has interest in Nigeria.

The company has developed electronic payments and the card market in the country, thereby bringing to the economy the significant benefits of a cashless economy. VISA had in 2004 partnered with ValueCard Nigeria Plc to develop the electronic card payment system.

The alliance is aimed at facilitating the development of the infrastructural base necessary and required to introduce VISA products and services in Nigeria.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 100.28 0.77 1.03 0.89 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,251.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 99.71 0.74 1.03 0.88 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.05 0.30 0.37 0.04 0.03 0.61 0.02 0.14 0.04 0.13

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

57

NEWS Obi to sack erring contractors

Berlusconi to resign

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

TALIAN Premier Minister Silvio Berlusconi said for the first time yesterday that he would resign once parliament approves economic reforms, and Greek politicians said they were close to agreeing on a new government to lead their country through painful cutbacks.

Both governments are under heavy pressure to reassure financial markets that the 17-country eurozone is moving quickly to reduce crippling government debts before those debts break apart the monetary union and plunge the world into a new recession.

Berlusconi’s promise to resign came during a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano after the premier lost his parliamentary majority during a routine vote earlier yesterday.

In a statement, Napolitano’s office said Berlusconi had agreed to step down once the economic reforms have passed parliament. A vote on the measures is planned for next week.

Wealthier European countries including Germany and France have already bailed out struggling Greece, Ireland and Portugal, and Greece will get another •100 billion ($138 billion) of debt relief as soon as it resolves its political crisis.

IN its bid to ensure speedy execution of projects, the Anambra State Government will review the contractual agreement with non-performing contractors, Governor Peter Obi has said.

The governor spoke yesterday while inspecting the Majuo-Okolobo road being rehabilitated by the state government in Awka, the state capital.

Obi expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the road and cautioned the residents not to turn the culvert into a refuse dump.

He said the House of Assembly would soon pass a law to checkmate indiscriminate dumping of refuse and promised to provide basic amenities in Awka.

“Since the creation of the state, my administration has done in Awka what no other government did since its creation.

“We did the two secretariats, Teaching Hospital, Chief Judge’s Quarters, Court of Appeal and SEMA buildings.

“We completed the ASUBEB building and are upgrading the Ekwueme Square. In terms of road, we dualised Zik’s Avenue, Inner Awka Ring road, Court Road, roads within the GRA and Agu Awka-Nibo-NiseEnugu-Ukwu Ring road,” he said.

Awka community leader, Chief Mike Nwobu, hailed the governor for the gesture and pledged the peoples support for his administration.

Another community leader, Chief Ogugua Nwosu, also hailed the governor for giving Awka a face-lift.

Okorocha promises N150b investment From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has promised to invest over N150 billion in the state.

The governor spoke at the Government House in Owerri, the state capital.

He promised the transformation of the state, saying he has come to offer selfless service to the people.

The governor said his administration would complete all projects started by the past administration and build general hospitals in three zones of the state.

“This government means well and we must succeed in entrenching a legacy for our people. We must make a mark and be able to satisfy the aspirations of the people who voted us into power,” he said.

Okorocha said his administration has succeeded in cutting down the cost of governance, through the reduction of security votes.

The governor stated that work has begun in the 305 primary schools in the state.

He explained that the state government has increased the subvention of Imo State University from N70 million to N100 million to assist the university to operate effectively.

I

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi welcoming Rev. Emmanuel Monsigna to his office when members o the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) visited him. With them are Chairman, Pastor Johnson Olabisi (middle) and Mrs Abigael Adelana

Ebonyi Speaker, Rep back withdrawal of fuel subsidy T

HE member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Tobias OKwuru, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ikechukwu Nwankwo, have backed the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

The lawmakers urged the government and people of the state to support the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy by January next year.

The lawmakers noted that the withdrawal was necessary in view of the impact of the recent economic recession on the nation’s economy.

Addressing reporters in

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Abakaliki, Okwuru said the withdrawal would save the country from imminent collapse.

“I urge every well meaning Nigerian to support the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy. I also advised the Federal Government to work out practical benchmarks with which Nigeria can track the application of the subsidy funds, the completion of the over 11,800 abandoned projects, the im-

plementation of subsequent capital projects captured in our budgets and the recovery of our economy.

“The impact of the economic recession on Nigeria’s economy is hydra-headed, culminating in unemployment, collapse of the capital market, about 11,800 abandoned federal projects, low-life expectancy, among others,” he said.

The lawmaker however described Federal Government’s approach to the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector as contradictory, add-

ing: “A situation where the same Federal Government who issues investors’ licenc es to build private refineries goes round to also issue other persons licenses to import refined petroleum products is not acceptable, it should be stopped”.

He regretted that the over 60 private refinery licenCes issued by the Federal Government had not improved the living standard of the people.

Speaker Nwankwo urged the Federal Government to manage the controversy surrounding the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.

Varsity student escapes from abductors KIDNAPPED female student of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Precious Ukachukwu, has escaped from her captors after five days.

The daughter of Prof. Nwabueze Ukachukwu of the same institution was abducted by unknown gunmen and kept in a forest for five days.

She escaped from her abductors unhurt, after five days of being transferred from one bush to another in an effort by her abductors to evade arrest by security operatives stationed at Ariam in Ikwua-

A

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

no Local Government.

Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, Precious said four gunmen in a black Mercedes car abducted her while she was returning from her younger sister’s school.

Precious, whose father is a Professor of Animal Science, said providence was on herside.

She said the kidnappers demanded N50 million, which they later reduced to N20 million, when the university don told them that he

could not raise the money.

She said her abductors threatened to kill her because of her father’s failure to pay the money. “They decided to kill me and sell some parts of my body to ritualists,” she said: adding:“It was at that point that the kidnappers started quarreling among themselves that it was not their initial plan to kill me, but to get money from my father. In the ensuing confusion, I escaped into the bush in the night.”

Ukachukwu expressed gratitude to God for saving her daughter and commended the

university community and security agencies for their support.

“The soldiers were wonderful as they quickly swung into action in search of my missing daughter. We met soldiers on their way on another assignment and informed them of the missing child. The soldiers joined us at once and started ransacking the whole environment; they volunteered their vehicle to search for my daughter, moving up to Isiala Ngwa and Ubakala,” Ukachukwu said.

CLO urges Enugu govt to release activist

T

HE Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) yesterday called for the release of the remanded human right activist, Comrade Osmond Ugwu. Ugwu is the Enugu State Chairman of CLO. He condemned Ugwu’s incarceration, saying it was reminiscent of the days of military dictatorship.

Anambra State Chairman and Secretary of the CLO Comrades Aloysius Attah and Justus Ijeoma noted that Ugwu was remanded in prison custody on spurious allegations of attempted murder and felony.

The CLO said; “We view the clampdown on Osmond as the highest height of government rascality and desperation on the part of Enugu State Government to silence the voice of reason. Incarceration of Osmond was

From Adimike George, Onitsha

a calculated attempt to silence him and depress his spirit on his unrelenting

quest to ensure better living conditions for workers in Enugu State.

“Ugwu’s fate is not unconnected to his running battle

with the State government since the time the incumbent government recalled workers of the state disengaged during Chimaroke Nnamani’s era.

Arewa pleads with Boko Haram

T

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday appealed to members of the Boko Haram sect to listen to the words of the latepremier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and stop violent attacks on innocent people.

The ACF urged members of the sect to “sheath their swords” and stop further bombings and killing of innocent people.

These include those the United States alleged the sect wishes to kill in planned attacks on some hotels in Abuja.

A statement by the ACF in Kaduna reads: “As regards the threats of planned attacks on hotels and public places in Abuja by Boko Haram and the following warnings

by USA, ACF wishes to appeal to the religious members to sheath their swords.”

The statement by the forum’s national

spokesman, Anthony Sani, said: “Our great leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, was not wrong when he said way back in 1952 that our achievements were results of our ability to make compromises and our capacity to make friends with former foes.” It reminded members of the sect that the time for compromise has come.

“This is because over the long history of nations and long lives of individuals, wars and ethno-religious violence have never brought about peaceful co-existence. Only constructive dialogue brings about genuine reconciliations that go with genuine forgiveness.

“To resort to endless killings of innocent people in the name of revenge of perceived injustice of the past ignores God’s injunction that we forgive each other as He forgives our transgressions,” ACF said.

CJN, Mark for lecture tomorrow

C

HIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, will tomorrow deliver this year’s fellows’ lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

The event, to be held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, by 11.am, will include conferment of NIALS fellowship. It has the theme: The Nigerian Judiciary: Towards Reform of the Bastion of Constitutional Democracy.

The fellowship nominees are Justice Walter Onnoghen, Justice Crabbe of Ghana, Chief Chimezie Ikeazor (SAN), Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), Prof Frank Wang of USA, Prof Karisu Chukkol and Prof Isabella Okagbue.

Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal will be the special guests of honour.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke (SAN) is the chief host.

Body holds workshop INSTITUTE of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) will hold its 14th mandatory training and workshop on November 15 and 16 in Lagos.

IPAN Registrar/ Chief Executive Prof. David Oluleye said the theme of the workshop is ‘Role of Public Analysts Towards Achievement of the Millenium Development Goals.’

Health Minister Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu will preside at the opening ceremony while Prince Julius AdelusiAdeluyi will present the key note address.

New members are also to be inducted.

“It is, therefore, still the position of the ACF that the sect should embrace dialogue by shelving any further infliction of violence.

“This would address any perceived injustice and bring about peace for national interest and common good. Afterall, in all human affairs, there is time to stay the course, there

58

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS Tunisian court orders ex-Libyan PM extradited

A

TUNISIAN appeals court on yesterday ordered former Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi extradited to Libya.

Al-Mahmoudi was convicted of illegally crossing into Tunisia and imprisoned there in September, but the conviction was later overturned.

Tunisian authorities have continued to hold him, however, following an extradition request from Libya.

The Tunisian government has the final say on whether to extradite al-Mahmoudi. Justice Ministry spokesman Kadhem Zine El Abidine told The Associated Press Tuesday that Tunisia’s president must issue a decree to order the extradition.

Lawyers for al-Mahmoudi say he is in danger because of the many secrets he knows about Moammar Gadhafi’s regime.

Mabrouk , the coordinator for the Prime Minister’s big legal team, has said that with Gadhafi’s death, al-Mahmoudi is the “sole holder” of internal Libyan secrets and “relations between Libya and certain powers.”

Appeal Court upholds Obama’s health care law

A

CONSERVATIVEleaning panel of United States appellate judges yesterday upheld President Barack Obama’s health care law as constitutional, helping set up a Supreme Court fight.

A panel of the US court of appeals for Washington issued a split opinion upholding the law. The court agreed to dismiss a Christian legal group’s lawsuit claiming the requirement that all Americans get health insurance is unconstitutional and violates religious freedom.

The requirement has been the subject of several lawsuits, with some judges across the country ruling it unconstitutional and others upholding the law. That means the Supreme Court is sure to decide

the fate of Obama’s signature law.

The high court is expected to decide soon, perhaps within days, whether to accept appeals from some of those earlier rulings.

The suit in Washington was brought by the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal group founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. It claimed that the insurance mandate violates the religious freedom of those who choose not to have insurance because they rely on God to protect them from harm.

But the court ruled that although the requirement is an encroachment on individual liberty, Congress had the power to pass it to ensure that all Americans can have health care coverage.

Michael Jackson’s family hails verdict

T

HE family of Michael Jackson reacted with satisfaction after the verdict that found Dr Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter over the singer’s death.

Jackson’s mother Katherine and elder sister Rebbie cried silently as the guilty verdict was read out in the Los Angeles courtroom.

Later, as she left the court, Mrs Jackson was asked if she was pleased and her answer was simply: “I am.”

Michael Jackson’s older brother Jermaine said: “Justice was served. Michael is with us.”

The Thriller singer died in June 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of sedatives and the surgical anaesthetic propofol, which Murray, his personal physician, administered as a sleep aid for insomnia.

Other family members including father Joe Jackson, and siblings La Toya and Randy were whisked away from the court building in chauffeur-driven cars.

A sombre-looking Randy Jackson said he was relieved but missed his brother.

“It’s a comforting feeling but he is not here,” Randy Jackson said.

When asked by a reporter about comforting his mother in the courtroom he said: “She’s alright.”

Surrounded by uniformed officials as she departed court, sister La Toya was the most vocal in her reaction to the verdict against Murray.

UN says 3,500 dead in Syria rebellion

T

HE death toll in the bloody repression of an uprising against the government in Syria has now risen to at least 3,500, according to the United Nations.

The news came amid reports of a fresh crackdown on the city of Hama in which several people are said to have been hurt.

Witnesses reported shelling and heavy gunfire in several neighbourhoods and tanks and armoured vehicles were seen rolling towards the centre of the city.

The city has been the scene

of some of the worst violence seen during the country’s seven-month uprising.

In August, hundreds of protesters were killed when troops stormed Hama in an attempt to crush the rebellion.

Regime forces stationed around the city have since come under attack by armed opposition groups amid growing signs of an organised insurgency.

Last week it was reported that 15 government soldiers were killed in an attack on a military convoy.

59

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62

SPORT EXTRA

Heartland faces Enyimba in rematch

P

RIDE, not points will be at stake when Heartland host Enyimba in a rematch of the recent Federation Cup final.

Both regional rivals will finish outside the top four of the Nigeria Premier League this season, but that will not diminish the rivalry between the two Eastern teams.

Enyimba are seventh on the table with 58 points, while Heartland are four spots below on 49 points.

Heartland defeated Enyimba 1-0 to lift the Federation Cup in Lagos two months ago and not long after, the Aba outfit were also eliminated in this year’s CAF Champions League.

Heartland have insisted they will not take ‘The People’s Elephant’ lightly.

“This game is only about the show of supremacy as both teams do not really have anything at stake. So, it will be to entertain the fee-paying spectators who will come to cheer us to another victory,” skipper Chinedu Efugh told MTNFootball.com.

“We know Enyimba will be coming to prove a point here

that they are continental champions but we are in no mood to give them the room to operate. We are playing this game to prove that our victory over them in the Federation Cup was no fluke.”

“We cannot take them for granted. We will make sure we approach the game as if the Federation Cup never took place. It will be foolhardy for anybody to take them lightly,” added Heartland spokesman Cajetan Nkwopara.

“Enyimba could still be dangerous so, we have to come out in our best form because we need the three points at stake.”

Super Eagles’ right fullback Chibuzor Okonkwo shone like a million stars in the 3-1 win over Rangers but missed the Federation Cup final due to a thigh injury.

He said he will follow-up on his goal against Rangers last week.

“I hope to continue from where I left off in the Rangers game and punish Enyimba with some good goals to show that we are the king of the Eastern region this season,” said Okonkwo.

“Any day, anytime, all games

involving both sides have always been explosive even when nothing is at stake but pride as is the case in this match but we are motivated to nick this one.”

However, coaches and officials of Heartland are at a loss why they did not receive their own share of the one million naira promised by the state governor to every member of the team after their Federation Cup triumph over Enyimba.

Players received their own share of the cash gifts Friday, but there was nothing for the coaches and officials.

A bitter official told MTNFootball.com, “This is not too

fair to us. This divide and rule will not take us anywhere. How can they fulfil the promise to the players and leave out coaches and other officials? Is it because the players have been agitating more?

“Let them bring out the cash and share for the sake of honour.

It is a promise made and people have already started calling me to have a share of this promise without knowing that we have been left out. It is quite embarrassing.”

Champions Enyimba have been unbeaten in their last three league games, winning two games at home and then forced to a 1-1 draw by Lobi Stars in Bauchi.

Zambia picks 17 pros for Eagles

Z

AMBIA have finally picked 17 overseasbased pros for Tuesday week’s friendly against Nigeria Super Eagles in Kaduna. Green Buffaloes midfielder Felix Katongo, defenders Thomas Nyirenda of Konkola Blades and Nyambe Mulenga from Zesco United are the only home-based players in the final 20-man party.

I n f l u e n t i a l midfielder Rainford Kalaba of TP Mazembe in DR Congo has been recalled after he missed Zambia’s last 2012 Africa Cup Group qualifier against Libya on October 8 at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola due to suspension.

And six players from South African Premier Soccer League dominate the team led

by Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa.

Collins Mbesuma of Golden Arrows has been handed a chance to gain favour with Herve Renard after he was frozen out of the main team for most of the Frenchman’s first term as Zambia coach.

Meanwhile, the team will gather in Johannesburg on November 10 at the

Milpark Garden Court and depart for Kaduna three days later.

Zambia final squad: Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (TP Mazembe, DR Congo) Defenders: Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Davies Nkausu (Super Sport United, South Africa), Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows, South Africa),Emmanuel Mbola, Stoppilla Sunzu, Francis Kasonde (All TP Mazembe, DR Congo) Midfielders: Thomas Nyirenda (Konkola Blades), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), William Njovu (Hapoel Ironi Kiryat, Israel), Noah Chivuta (Free State Stars, South Africa), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Christopher Katongo (Henan Jienye, China) Strikers: Emmanuel Mayuka (BSC Young Boys, Switzerland), Collins Mbesuma (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Holland)

Ogbonna wants Italy chance

T

ORINO’S Angelo Ogbonna is hoping to make his international debut for Italy this month. “I actually want to play against Poland and Uruguay.”

The defender has again been called up to Cesare Prandelli’s national squad, but he has yet to make an appearance for the side.

“I’m here to play for a place in the team,” the Serie B stopper stated on Tuesday afternoon at Coverciano.

“When I am given that opportunity then I hope to take it in the best possible manner. I hope to play in both games…

“I’m honoured that I have this possibility of wearing this shirt. I have to thank Prandelli

for the faith he has been showing in me for quite a while.”

Balotelli, a 23-year-old who won five caps at Azzurrini level, was also asked for his opinion on Italy’s striking problems after the side lost Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi for the next six months.

“I hope they get well as soon as possible,” the former Crotone man added.

“However, I think Mario Balotelli has the ability to guide this side in the European Championship, even if the team as a whole is the fundamental element.”

The Azzurri face Poland on Friday, while they will entertain Uruguay in Rome on Tuesday evening.

• Ogbonna

First Bank claims CBN Cup

F

OREMOST Nigerian Bank, First Bank of Nigeria PLC, lived up to its billing not only in the banking hall but on the football pitch last weekend, when it won the All Financial Institutions Soccer Tourney, otherwise known as the CBN Cup in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

About 20 banks participated in the highly explosive tourney, that was held at the MKO

Abiola Stadium in the Rock City, and at the end of the day, First Bank won all its five games to come away with the trophy.

The tourney, which was conceived in mid-October, saw some scintillating displays by footballers from all the banks that took part, and at the end of the day the Coach Gabriel tutored side dwarfed all others to win the tourney.

2011/2012 cricket season declared open in Nigeria

C

LUB Cricket Committee League Champions BRFCC cruised to a fifty-seven runs win against President's X1 on Saturday 29th October 2011 to mark the opening of the 2011/2012 Cricket Season at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

Sean Phillips claimed 5-10 while his efforts was complemented by Spinner Varun Behani who claimed 2 wickets for 5 runs in 2.3 overs as the opponents were reduced to a meagre 84 runs in 28.3 overs.

The Ibeju-Lekki-based team won the toss and elected to bat first posting 141 run in 34 overs with Captain Sean Phillips scoring 36 runs, Bejide Jide (27 runs), Endurance Ofem (19 runs) and James Chukwu (13 runs).

Despite efforts by the President's X1 bowlers to dislodge their opponents it was only Femi Oduyebo and Oluwaseun Odeku who had 2 wickets each.

Facing a 141-run deficit from the first innings,The President's X1 did not live up to expectation as the trio of Emmanuel Okwudili who was the best batsman for his side with 31 runs

had the duo of Balogun Taiwo (13 runs) and Oluwaseun Odeku (12 runs) found it uncomfortable to cope with the bowling onslaught of BRFCC led by Sean Phillips and Varun Behani who reduced them to sixteen runs short of a century.

Having won the season's opener BRFCC against star studded President's X1,The Club Cricket Committee League Champions can look back with pride on a successful year after winning both the Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League and GTAssur TwentyTwenty competition unbeaten against surprise package Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club and Former Champions Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club in the 2010/2011 Cricket season.

Captain Sean Phillips said: "I'm really pleased that we put up a sterling performance today despite missing some key players like Femi Solebo,Leke Oyede and some other youngsters but we have managed to complete what we set out to do. We've played really positive cricket out here.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

NATION SPORT

63

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Arteta — Gunners on a roll

Aguero: Tevez’s problems at City a ‘shame’

M

ANCHESTER City striker Sergio Aguero feels sorry that teammate Carlos Tevez has been unable to settle his differences with manager Roberto Mancini.

“Unfortunately, the club and Carlitos (Tevez) haven’t reached an agreement and it pains me, as an Argentine and a teammate, it makes me sad,” said Aguero, who is in the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Bolivia and Colombia.

Tevez, left out of the Argentina squad, provoked a scandal in September when Mancini believed he refused to come on as a substitute during City’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.

Tevez has insisted he was misunderstood and never refused to play.

“I can’t get involved in defending Carlos or the club because I don’t know what happened,” Aguero said, “Only they know. It’s a shame for everyone.”

Mancini says he is willing to forgive the striker if he says he’s sorry, but Tevez has not yet apologized and hasn’t played for City since the incident.

Aguero was in the starting lineup for City’s 3-2 win against Queen’s Park Rangers on Saturday, with Tevez again absent.

As well as being sidelined

by City, Tevez’s last match for Argentina was during the 2011 Copa America in July, when he missed a penalty in the 5-4 shootout loss to Uruguay.

Argentina opened World Cup qualifying with a 4-1 home win against Chile, but lost 1-0 at Venezuela in its second match.

Bolivia will visit Buenos Aires on Friday, with Argentina traveling to play Colombia four days later.

Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella has added Boca Juniors duo Agustin Orion and Clemente Rodriguez and Estudiantes pair Rodrgio Brana and Leandro Desabato to the squad for the two matches.

A

RSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are hitting their best form following a woeful start to the campaign.

The north Londoners have quickly climbed the table following their appalling start and are now just three points off fourth-placed Chelsea following a fifth win in six league games against West Brom on Saturday.

The Gunners were slow out of the blocks and were crushed 8-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season, whilst they are also the only

•Aguero

B

B

•Anton

were not the only Premier League club interested in the Belgian youth international with a Brazilian background, he said.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool were also in the market to sign the player, who is considered one of the biggest talents of his generation, but despite some hesitation Pereira preferred to join United.

“PSV knew that I was talking with some clubs and they respected my choice. I had some doubts but at the end Manchester United is my dream team to play for,” he added.

Pereira has spoken with United boss Alex Ferguson already and will join the Under-19 side when he moves to Manchester in January.

Pardew happy to let Newcastle fans dream of CL LAN Pardew is happy for Newcastle fans to dream of Champions League qualification following the club’s good start to the season.

The Magpies are currently third in the Premier League, and remain unbeaten after 11 games following their 2-1 victory over Everton at St James’ Park.

The club have conceded just eight goals, the fewest in the league, and Pardew can understand the increasing excitement among fans.

"I don't want to dampen expectations. I am not here for

A

Redknapp told to rest for five weeks

T

ELGIAN teenager A n d r e a s

Hoelgebaum Pereira will sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester United on January 1 when he turns 16, he said in an interview with the Dutch daily De Telegraaf on Monday.

The 15-year-old playmaker is at PSV Eindhoven, where he has been part of the youth academy since he was nine.

Pereira started playing football at KVSK Lommel in Belgium before moving to PSV. “I am an offensive midfielder, a real 10. Setting up my team mates, scoring and a good shot are my qualities,” the youngster was quoted as saying.

The English champions

being investigated by the English FA and the police.

Terry was called up by manager Fabio Capello when he named his squad on Sunday for England's friendlies against Spain and Sweden later this month.

O T T E N H A M Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp could be away from the club for five weeks after his heart surgery.

The 64-year-old initially said he aimed to be back on the touchline in two weeks after the minor procedure to unblock coronary arteries.

But he told Sky News: "[The doctor is] telling me I shouldn't even think about [returning] for at least four to five weeks. I hope to be back before then."

The manager was released from hospital on Thursday.

He had two stents inserted, while the treatment is known as a coronary angioplasty and is classed as a routine procedure.

Redknapp initially predicted he would return for his side's match against Fulham, but later said he would try to remain calm while watching the game on television.

He did not travel with Tottenham to Russia for their midweek Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan - and firstteam duties in his absence have been taken up by assistant manager Kevin Bond and coach Joe Jordan.

He is not the only top-flight manager to have undergone coronary angioplasty.

West Ham boss Sam

•Arteta

United to sign Belgian teenager

Police probe death threat to Ferdinand RITISH police are investigating a threatening letter sent to Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand who is involved in a race row with Chelsea and England soccer captain John Terry.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers were called after the letter, which reportedly contained a death threat, was hand-delivered to the west London club's Loftus Road ground on Friday.

The Sun newspaper said the contents of the letter were so graphic that QPR officials decided not to show the letter to the player, who is involved in a row involving Terry.

"We can confirm that officers are investigating an allegation of malicious communication," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Ferdinand, 26, was the victim of an alleged racist comment made by Terry during a Premier League match two weeks ago.

Terry has denied he made any racist remarks but the case is

team Blackburn have beaten in Premier League action this term.

Ex-Everton man Arteta found the back of the net in Saturday's triumph over the Baggies and the Spaniard is hoping to win every match from now on in a bid to catch up with the leading pack.

Allardyce had the procedure after chest "discomfort" at the end of 2009 but returned to work with Blackburn soon afterwards, while former

Liverpool boss Graeme Souness had heart surgery in 1992 but led the team out in the FA Cup final days after leaving hospital.

that," Pardew told Sky Sports.

"I want fans to enjoy this and if they are dreaming of the Champions League, let them dream, it is fantastic, good luck to them."

Newcastle faces a difficult run of fixtures, facing both Manchester clubs away before entertaining Chelsea at home, and the Toon manager is not getting carried away.

"In the dressing room we have to be a little more conservative about our approach,” he continued. "We are a new team, we have done terrifically well and we go to the next game, that's it."

Mata looking forward to playing at Wembley

C

•Redknapp

HELSEA attacker Juan Mata is looking forward to playing at Wembley Stadium with Spain when the world champions face England in a friendly on Saturday.

The 23-year-old revealed that he has already been joking about the match with his club team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard, after settling in well since joining from Valencia in the summer.

"I have already joked about the game with Lampard and Terry and we’ll do it more often as the game gets closer," Mata said on his official YouTube channel.

"For them it’s quite an incentive to play against the

world champions and for us to play against England in their home.

"I have not been to the old or new Wembley. The new one is really nice and a game against England on the mythical pitch, I’m sure it will be a great clash."

Mata is also hoping to be part of the Spain squad selected for the European Championships next summer, though he is wary about the possible group stage opponents.

"We could have a complicated group stage with rivals like England among other strong teams, but that’s the European Championships; every team is strong."

Tomorrow in THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.1939

‘‘When the price of diesel jumped from N50 to N180 after a secret deregulation, they had argued their target was the urban middle class that depend on diesel to run their generators’. ’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

S

IR, Can’t you (Mohammed Haruna) say anything good about Jonathan’s government?

Danlami Baban Takko,Bauchi. +2348030539506

Sir, We alerted Nigerians but they refused to listen. We warned them but they said they wanted good luck but not good leader and they all closed their eyes and voted blindly for Goodluck, not knowing that the good luck will only be for Ebele Jonathan and his hordes of his hangers-on both in government and private sector.

Today reality is staring us in the face and our hands have been scalded by Goodluck’s raging fire that transported him to Aso Rock.

From day one I knew Jonathan Goodluck lacks the will power, like his godfather Obasanjo, to propel this nation to the height that will be beneficial to all Nigerians irrespective of class and status.

Tell me, since Jonathan rode to Aso Rock on the back of millions of dollars used in bribing unsuspecting Nigerians and the Obas, Obis and Emirs what achievement, no matter how small, has he achieved? The day Nigerians failed to vote for (General Muhammadu) Buhari was the day we all failed together to rescue ourselves from the bondage of hunger, hopelessness and poverty. By collectively voting for Goodluck we have unknowingly voted for our bad luck. And it will take us nothing more than two decades before we will get a person with the heart of Gen Buhari to rescue us unless we follow the path of the Arabs.

Falaye Oreoluwa, Abuja. +2348098117071 Sir, Mohammed Haruna’s analyses are correct.

The president can’t shoot his foot. Very clear, he, the president, is a full member of the oil cabal.

J. I. Nwafor. +2348036925729 Sir, Re: “The manipulation of ‘oil subsidy.’” Brilliant analysis. My understanding is that since government knows this cabal and cannot do anything to them even with all the resources available to it, then it logically follows that government is the cabal! End of story.

Kayode A, Abeokuta. +2348073821313 Sir, If Goodluck and his govt are sincere, let the salaries and allowances of both the legislators, executives and other political appointee, both federal and state, be slashed by 50 per cent. Then avoid duplication of office. Use the money judiciously for development. Then there will be no need for subsidy removal.

Enock, Kaduna. +2348057746584 Sir, When Sanusi announced a limit on cash withdrawal in our banking system, people shouted. He explained to the Senate that those who shouted the most were the rich (the so called cabals). For reasons best known to them, the shout ended immediately.

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Re: The manipulation of ‘oil subsidy’ do you think the billions that went the way of our Emirs, Chiefs, Obis, Obas, Imams, Bishops, etc, pursuing his presidential ambition came from heaven? He who pays the piper dictates the tune.

So, he is bound to appease them, else, his 2015 ambition is in jeopardy.

Musa Muhammad Dantsoho.

•President Goodluck Jonathan

Now people are shouting about removal of oil subsidy. How are we sure the rich (cabals) are not the one catalysing the shout against the idea since they will not get what they used to at the detriment of the masses? It’s left for Jonathan to explain his motive to the understanding of the masses. Nigeria MUST move on positively.

Ene. +2348062376972 Sir, I never understood this ‘oil subsidy’ palaver, until I read the article (by Mohammed Haruna) on the vexed subject. Good work! Keep it up.

Prof. Zynab Alkali. +2348036925729 Sir, Re: “The manipulation of oil subsidy.” It is apparent that the government cannot deal with the so called oil cabal and corruption in Nigeria, but has the clout to push and deceive the common gullible people whose votes brought it into being. The president and his advisers are simply not sincere to Nigerians.

God is in heaven hearing our cries. One day their cups will certainly fill up.

Marcus Idoko, University of Calabar, Calabar Sir, Do you believe President Jonathan has the capacity to face a cabal in the oil industry? The answer is a big capital no; his presidential bid as well as his campaign funding was oiled by the major beneficiaries of oil subsidy. Or

Sir, I read Mohammed Haruna’s column in The Nation and Daily Trust of 2nd of November 2011.

In clarity of thought, brevity and morality the column is difficult to better.

Actually the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has maintained that the Federal Government should ensure the four refineries are functional as against the unbridled culture of importation that has made the country import dependent which has brought about the huge cost of subsidy of petroleum products at the expense of employment by the downstream sector.

The government has admitted managerial imperfections in the entire shebang of the management of the petroleum subsidies. Hence the government could describe them as “oil cabal.” But such allegation has never been exclusive preserve of petroleum importers. We often hear Nigerians say fertilisers are scarce and costly and not affordable due to activities of importers of foods. For the same reasons, importers of generators would not allow our power generation, transmission and distribution to work. One can go on and on.

This is where those who favour removal of subsidies come in: that if the government cannot reign in the activities of the importers, then Rambo of oil cabal be let lose. That is the way I also understand CBN Governor’s submissions in favour of removal of petroleum subsidies. He may be right if the situation is truly beyond redemption.

The President’s case has not been helped by the fact that USA has 25 members in its cabinet while France has 15. These contrast sharply with Nigeria’s crowd. What is more, the governors hankering for removal of subsidies employ as many as over one thousand sinecure personnel staff whose only contribution is to bloat the overhead costs of the government. More distressingly, public office holders are the ones more

HARDBALL

I

F there was anyone left who doubted Boko Haram’s viciousness, last Friday’s attack on Damaturu that claimed some 150 lives should dispel his misgiving. The scale of the violence was grand, and the brutality of the synchronised bombings and gun attacks were unprecedented, far in excess of the Abuja UN building dress rehearsal. If the federal government thought it could hurry itself into negotiations with the sect, the militants’ demands and the nature of their violent attacks on the establishment should by now have caused the hearts of officials to sink. But if it is capable of the task, the federal government needs to urgently rethink its approach both to the sect’s activities and the nation’s security policy. Indeed, if it had pretended not to know where the sect and its sponsors were heading, Friday’s attacks should clear any remaining doubt. It is time we looked at the worst-case scenario.

Even though the federal government has talked itself out of panic by making light of

Jonathan’s Appeal Court victory US warnings of future bombings in Abuja, it has, however, worked itself into frenzy by virtually shutting down the federal capital city under the same terrorist threats. Why the government thinks these knee-jerk responses are adequate to counter the grave threats the country faces in the hands of religious extremists is hard to explain. It is not only the US that has issued warnings, even Boko Haram itself has promised, as it has always done, that more attacks would follow.

Sadly, the government seems to have run out of ideas. Under previous governments, when the sect was loosely and mockingly described by the media as Taliban, security officials spurned reasonable solutions by applying heavy-handed tactics. Then when the sect’s leaders were arrested, they were summarily executed extra-judicially. And when the sect responded with its own daring and ferocious attacks, the government became strangely un-

sure whether to negotiate or fight. While it vacillated between strong-arm tactics one day and peace overtures the next day, the militants correctly read the government as weak and ineffective, and applied more violent pressures that culminated in the kind of horrendous attacks we witnessed in Damaturu a few days ago.

We must of course hope that while the government glibly dismisses warnings of future attacks as nothing new, it is secretly formulating intelligent and effective responses. It is clear that Boko Haram is no longer an aberration, or a mere reaction to prevailing economic and social problems. The sect knows how to raise money by suasion or force, and it understands how uncoordinated and inefficient the security services are. It will not negotiate, it says, until all its detained members are set free, and it will not compromise on the declaration of Sharia in the northern states. More importantly, it will not declare a ceasefire, for as it says, it is a fight

JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

cosseted by the Nigeria’s hostile environment, more protected from the consequences of their own actions and more compensated for their inadequacies.

Consequently, President Jonathan is in catch22 situation: to either locate his patriotic courage and political will and confront the all-powerful oil cabal by making the refineries functional and stop the jinx of importation of finished oil that brings about the huge amount spent in oil subsidies, or risk the wrath of the ordinary people that is bound to follow the removal of the oil subsidies.

One way out of the difficult situation Mr President finds himself is for him to allow the findings of the National Assembly to determine his course of actions, considering their seminal roles as representatives of the people who are expected to tell Nigerians the truth about petroleum subsidies.

Anthony N. Z. Sani. sani.anthony@yahoo.com

...and “The Sun’s Nigeria’s Golden Book” Sir, Thanks for pointing out the errors in the Sun’s Nigeria’s Golden Book. Of particular interest (to me) were the languages in Nigeria. The tribe/language of (General Ishaya) Bamaiyi, (a former army chief) is Chlela. A person is a Klela and the plural/collective is Lelna. There are also Lelna in Niger State. Dakarkari, as the Hausas call them (and as Mohammed Haruna described them in his column of October 26), is not cherished.

David Bitrus Ushe, +2348022378747 Sir, I enjoy reading you. Yesterday (October 26) your review of the Sun’s book on Nigeria provided you another opportunity to engage in your favourite pastime – defending the North.

Your reference to Adamu Fika’s treatise on colonial Britain’s fiscal exploitation of Nigeria is a good one, but we need more details. For instance, I like to see an independent audit of colonial Britain’s fiscal transactions in colonial Nigeria; revenue collected and the sharing formula. How much was generated from the regions and how much was shared to the North, South and how much was taken to Britain?

What was the money spent on and in fact the budgets of all those years?

When we have the complete figures, we might know who was parasiting among the three – Northern Nigeria, Southern Nigeria and Colonial Britain.

Now that Governors and the Federal Government are fighting over money, don’t you think we should put colonial history aside, confront our current, frightening challenges and rescue our country from the political class? Don’t you think it is time we defend our poor brothers in the North and South and everywhere, instead of defending hegemonies?

Alabi Williams •For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above in which one side must be defeated.

The first step to defeating terrorism is for the government to even make up its mind to fight.

Then it must follow this with intelligent fighting, not brutal and indiscriminate repression that alienates the local populace, or ganglandstyle executions that ridicule the country. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that the government has promised to publish names of terrorists and their sponsors. Nonsense. Let the government arrest them instead, and leave the publishing to the media.

It is painfully becoming clear that President Goodluck Jonathan has not really assembled a team that can help him govern well and secure the country. Worse, it even appears he is oblivious of this weakness. Yet, from all indications, we are running out of time to tackle the grave issues confronting us, chief among which are security, unity and economic progress. The cold truth is that the president has even much shorter time than the rest of us to put a lid on the madness afflicting the country he was elected to rule.

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