The Nation November 12, 2014

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

APC furious as Jonathan says: I’ll run again

NEWS

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News Oyo compensates landlords Sports Eagles set for Congo tomorrow Business Foreign reserves now $37.9b

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VOL. 9, NO. 3030 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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•INSIDE: EFCC ARRESTS SUSPECT FOR $1M FRAUD P6 EKITI BANKS TO SHUT DOWN P7

Principal: how suicide bomber killed 36 pupils One more die in hospital Father relives last moments with son EU: it’s appalling

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NE more pupil died yesterday, following the suicide bomb attack at the Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Yobe

ALL THE VICTIMS •Yakubu Ibrahim •Abdullahi Mohammed •Lawam Mohammed •Ali Umar •Abubakar Ibrahim Mai •John Haruna •Umaru Mohammed Masaya •Zakariya Hashimu Garba •Abdulsalam Isah Yusuf •Musa Muhammed Babasi •Mohammed Abubakar •Musa Shaibu •Abubakar Idriss •Abdulrahaman Umar •Abdullah Ibrahim Ali •Mohammed Ibrahim Amshi •Musa mohammed •Ibrahim M. Baba •Abubakar Umar Mohammed •Umar Ali Gambo •Mohammed Samaila •Abubakar Umar Mohammed From Duku Joel, Damaturu and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

State.

The school’s principal, Mr. Buba Sanda Mustapha, who relived Monday’s attack, said

INEC suspends 30,000 polling stations plan

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•Babangida Saleh •Rabiu Ali •Abdullahi Musa •Umar M. Saleh •Mohammed Lamido •Ibrahim Usman Adamu •Isah Mohammed •Abubakar Umar Mohammed •Adamu Abdullahi •Mohammed Abdullahi •Abdullahi Adamu Saleh •Umar Ali Gambo •Bukar Mohammed •Mamman Ibrahim •Sani Musa •Lawan Mohammed Sani •Abubakar Abubakar •Ishaku Ahmed Adamu •Abubakar Mohammed •Sani Musa •Lawan Mohammed Musa •Abubakar Ibrahim Anga

the bomber struck as the pupils prepared for the morning assembly. He said yesterday’s death raised the toll to 36 and not 47 as police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu an-

•Yakubu A. Adamu •Ahmadu Mohammed •Usman Usman •Garba Isah •Abubakar Ahmadu •Sadiq Mohammed •Al-Amin Abdukadir •Mohammed Musa •Abdulahi Garba •Sani Adamu •Mohammed Musa •Abdullahi Garba •Ahmed Idriss •Rabiu Ado •Usman Alhaji •Abdullahi Mohammed •Mohammed Saleh •Mohammed Abubakar •Umar M. Dauda •Musa Sani Ibrahim •Usman Mohammed •Yahaya Isah

nounced on Monday.

The principal, who said a boy died at the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi State where he was referred to for better treatment because his

•Saleh Suleiman Adamu •Abdullahi Usman G. •Abdullahi Suleiman •Yakubu A. Adamu •Adamu Idi •Ibrahim Adamu •Abubakar Mohammed •Yakubu Ibrahim •Ahmed Abdullahi •Mohammed Haruna Gosi •Mohammed Mohammed •Suleiman Baba •Mohammed Adamu •Adamu Garba Tikau •Zaiyanu Abdullahi •Died •Patient attended in Hospital •Referred •Admitted in Hospital

35 116 41 69

•Figures supplied by Ali H. Lawan, Potiskum General Hospital Secretary

condition was critical, noted that no teacher died.

He said: “The incident took place at exactly 7.48 am when the pupils were waiting on the assembly ground. All of them

were in front of this place, waiting for us to come to assembly. All of a sudden, we heard a heavy sound and our students started shoutContinued on page 4

KIDS OF CRISIS

By Wale Ajetunmobi

PPONENTS of more polling units before next year’s elections may have won their battle.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its plan to create additional polling units.

The commission yesterday said the exercise would wait till after the general elections.

The decision was taken after a meeting.

A statement by INEC Secretary Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu reads: “The Commission met today, Tuesday, November 11th, 2014, and reviewed reports sent in from States by Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on reconfiguration of the polling unit structure and creation of additional polling units.

“Taking everything into WILL THE consideration – especially CHIBOK GIRLS the controversy over creKIDNAPPED ation of additional polling ON APRIL 15

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EVER RETURN?

Continued on page 4

•A HOME IN THE OPEN: Children at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P24 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •LIFE P43 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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NEWS

ABC of J P

•From left: Managing Director/Chief Executive of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola; Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo and Company Secretary Mrs. Justina Lewa at the Extra-ordinary General Meeting of the bank in Lagos... yesterday.

•From left : Abimbola Gold Oladipupo, Manager ,Youth Segment, MTN; MTN brand ambassador, Tiwa Savage and Shodeinde Zainat Afolashade, a student of Federal College of Education, Akoka, at MTN Season of Surprises Tour held at the Federal College of Education, Akoka ...yesterday.

•From left: Exective Director,Small & Medium Enterprises,Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju,Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry,Rasheed Olaoluwa,Director Genetral,National Youth Service Corps,Brig,Gen,Johnson Olawunmi and Director,Skills Acquisition & Enterpreneuships Development NYSC,Mrs. Mary Dan-Abia at the visit of the DG to Bank of Industry in Lagos... on Monday.

PHOTO BOLA OMILABU

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya (right) receiving Airtel’s award as Best Company in Education CSR from Business Development Manager, Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria Plc. (PCMN), Mr. Greg Williams, at The SERAs Awards 2014 in Lagos.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration speech at the Eagle Square on Tuesday can hardly be classified into any distinguishable pattern that leaders are identified with. The verbosity of the President’s missive appeared to have robbed it of hitting the desired target, as issues were jumbled and juxtaposed, even as he lisped some of his words. Thankfully, Jonathan proved an inch smarter than his speech writers by skipping a sizable number of paragraphs in that long narrative. He started by stating the calamity that befell the nation the previous day in which about 37 innocent school children in Potiskum, Yobe State, were killed during a morning devotion on the school’s assembly ground. He did not forget that the incident was just one of the instances of mindless blood-letting campaign launched against the nation state by the Boko Haram insurgents. However, Dr Jonathan failed to state categorically, measures being put in place by his administration to stop the insurgency and a definite time frame for curtailing the monster.

Jonathan’s promise to free the over 200 Chibok school girls abducted by the insurgents since April 14 sounded hollow. The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, had told the world repeatedly that the girls had long been married off to his fellow terrorists scattered in hideouts and cells across the country.

“We will free our daughters and defeat terrorism”, the President stated, raising false hopes here. “We are equipping the armed forces and deploying special forces to engage the terrorists and end this senseless war. We must protect our country.

We must save our people. I will do everything humanly possible to end this criminal violence in our nation”, he stated again.

But many are of the view that the President and the armed forces have been sufficiently faint-hearted in the counter insurgency campaign. He then launched into the various measures put in place to ameliorate the harsh socio-economic situation of the terror-ravaged Northeast.

“To ensure the long term stability and development of the affected areas, government has launched three programmes: The Presidential Initiative for the North East, the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative. The Presidential Initiative for the Northeast is focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region.

The Safe School Initiative is centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in the communities to acquire education. The Victim Support Fund, a partnership with the Private Sector, has raised about N60 billion, which will help to empower and rehabilitate victims of terror. I promise the victims of these dastardly acts that we will continue to stand with you”.

He never mentioned the botched ceasefire agreement with the insurgents and why the agreement, if there was any, collapsed. In the main, the entire presidential narrative was a regurgitation of the trite his spokespersons and campaign hirelings have been inundating members of the public with in the past few months. On his part, he garnished the entire narrative with superfluous details, sector by sector: Privatisation of the power sector with increased in megawatts of electricity, resuscitating of the railway, improvement in access to potable water, increased road networks, construction of bridges, increased food production etc. it was an exer-

Jonathan... yesterday From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

cise in pedestrianism that ought to have been taken up through inter ministerial briefings.

The President however, hit the nail in the head by admitting, for the first time in his public discourse, that besides insurgency, corruption remained a great challenge to his administration. “My dear people, corruption remains a big challenge in our national life. It corrodes our efforts at development and at motivating competence in critical sectors of our national growth. We have eradicated it in the agricultural sector and we will surely eradicate it in other sectors of our economy”, he stated. But he failed to tell Nigerians how he wants to go about caging the monster if he gets elected again. He prided his administration with the building of universities across geopolitical zones but was silent on the plethora of problems bedeviling tertiary institutions in the country and the vanishing employment opportunities for graduates of the nation’s institutions.

“My brothers and sisters, our economy is heading in the right direction and our efforts are yielding positive results. Our economy continues to grow at the rate of 6 to 7 percent annually, one of the highest in the world. Our country is now the top investment destination and the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of 80trillion naira (510billion dollars) as well as the 26th largest economy in the world”, Jonathan announced. He continued: “Our efforts to create an enabling environment for job creation in different sectors of the economy including the MSME sector, agriculture, housing and manufacturing have yielded results. Between the third quarter of 2012, when we started tracking jobs created and the end of 2013, 1.9 million jobs were created.

To deepen our success in this area, I have created a Presidential Jobs Creation Board headed by the Vice

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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NEWS

Jonathan’s declaration speech

A victim of the Yobe suicide attack on the hospital bed ... yesterday.

President with the mandate to create at least two million jobs a year”.

Boasting of 1.9 million jobs in a year, in a country of about 170 million population leaves much to be desired. But the 6-7 percent growth in the economy, as it’s being celebrated by the President and his Finance Minister, has not reflected positively in the lives of the masses and living standards have been in steady decline. The current fiscal challenges presented by falling oil prices did not catch the President’s attention, even as Nigerians expected him to tell them the measures and mechanisms being put in place by his administration to address the fiscal uncertainties ahead.

State governments have raised the alarm, warning of the devastating effects of shrinking allocations from the Federation Account.

The ongoing massive oil theft in the Niger Delta, which has conspired with falling oil prices in the international market to undo the national fiscal profile, did not also get any mention. Also, what appeared a disservice was the President’s celebration of the defeat of the deadly Ebola virus without giving credit to a number of health workers that risked their lives to ensure that the nation did not have to carry the burden of Ebola pandemic. Among others, he failed to give the desired credit to the late Dr. Folashade Adadevoh, the medical doctor that sacrificed her life for country by preventing the Liberian Patrick “Ebola” Sawyer from spreading the Ebola virus in Nigeria. Rather, the President gleefully celebrated the efforts of his administration in curtailing the spread of the deadline virus in the country, forgetting that it would have been an entirely different scenario if the likes of Adadevoh had not chosen to pay the supreme price. It was an act of patriotism that no conscientious leader would fail to acknowledge.

Now this: “Dear Compatriots, I

Nigeria under Goodluck Jonathan Key dates in Nigeria since President Goodluck Jonathan, who announced yesterday his candidacy for the February 14, next year presidential election, first came to power in 2010.

•2010 •May 6: Interim president Jonathan is sworn in, a day after the death of Umaru Yar’Adua following a long illness.

Yar’Adua had disappeared from public life for more than five months, during which Jonathan stood in.

•2011 •April 9: The first of a series of key election dates is marred by deadly bomb blasts.

•April 16: Jonathan, a Christian from the south, wins the presidential election against his rival Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north. More than 800 die in post-electoral violence, according to Human Rights Watch.

•November 4: At least 150 are killed in a series of attacks claimed by extremist Islamist group Boko Haram against police stations and churches in its northeastern stronghold.

•December 25: A wave of attacks claimed by Boko Haram targeting churches during Christmas services and police leave nearly 50 people dead.

defections and riven by months of in-fighting, is dealt a fresh blow, when one of its most senior figures, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, says he has joined the main opposition.

•April 6: Nigeria becomes Africa’s biggest economy, leap-frogging South Africa, after the government announces a re-basing of the country’s gross domestic product.

•April 14: At least 75 people die in a bomb blast in a bus station on the outskirts of Abuja — the deadliest attack yet to strike the city. Boko Haram claims responsibility.

Two other attacks, in May and June, leave at least 40 dead in the capital.

- 276 teenage girls are seized from their school by Boko Haram gunmen in Chibok, a remote corner of Borno state.

Fifty-seven of the girls manage to flee, while 219 are still captive.

• 2012

•May 7: Jonathan hosts the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja, an event aimed at highlighting the continent’s growing economic strength, but is overshadowed by the Chibok hostage crisis.

• January 9-16: A nationwide general strike called to protest against a doubling of the price of petrol, which the government had previously set at about $0.40 (0.32 euros) per litre. Jonathan ended the strike by agreeing to a subsidy that fixed the price at $0.60 per litre.

•August 24: Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau says in a video he has created an Islamic caliphate in the northeast town of Gwoza. The group has taken control of several dozen towns and villages in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

•January 20: Coordinated attacks by Boko Haram against the symbols of power in the northern city of Kano leave 185 dead.

•October 17: The army and the presidency announce a ceasefire with Boko Haram and an accord for the release of the schoolgirls. Boko Haram denies the accord and says on November 1 the schoolgirls have converted to Islam and been married off.

• 2013 •May 16: The army launches an offensive against Boko Haram in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, where Jonathan declares a state of emergency.

• 2014 •February 2: Nigeria’s ruling party, weakened by mass promised as President, that we would sanitise and restore integrity in our electoral process, by ensur-

• November 11: Jonathan announces he is standing for re-election.

He has been heavily criticised for having not stamped out the Boko Haram •Cmputed by AFP

ing that our votes are not only counted, but truly count. We have gone to great length to ensure

transparent, free, fair, and credible elections. Elections have been conducted across the country with lo-

cal and international election observers testifying to their transparency”. In fairness to President Jonathan, elections conducted by his administration so far, have been adjudged, and fairly too, as an improvement over previous elections superintended by administrations before him. But there is still room for improvement. For instance, deploying armed military, police and other security personnel at polling stations on election days is an anomaly. Intimidating the voting public and arresting opposition figures at election time cannot also be said to add credibility to the process. The entire gamut of free, fair and credible election must come without these glaring acts of intimidation and oppression of opposition elements. The Ekiti and Osun elections are classical examples here.

Now, hear the most memorable parts of the President’s address: “I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done. History has shown that the path of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges. We must stand together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development. We must defend our future, for the sake of our children. While serving our people, I will always ensure the rule of law. I do not intimidate, I expand the democratic space. I give voice to the voiceless and uphold the weak, for the nation belongs to us all. Fellow Nigerians, as we build our democracy, leaders must show temperance at all times. That is a virtue, one which I treasure, and will always uphold”. But has the President walked the talk? That should be left for Nigerians to judge.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

TUC, EU, Aregbesola lament killings

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•From left: Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Education, Mr Fatai Olukoga; Best Teacher (Secondary Category), Mrs Bose DejiOderinde; Best Teacher (Primary Category), Mrs Funmilayo Akinlade; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye and Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolola Erugbogbo, at the presentation of a car each to the teachers, at the 2013 Lagos Education Merit award in Lagos…yesterday.

APC furious as Jonathan says: I’ll run again

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has promised to fight insurgency and corruption - if re-elected next year.

Before a crowd of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters and leaders at the Eagle Square in Abuja – put under tight security – Jonathan said: “I, Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan, have accepted to present myself to run.”

The declaration, which came barely 24 hours after 36 pupils of Government Science Secondary School in Potiskum, Yobe State, were killed in a suicide bombing in the morning assembly grounds was criticised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “insensitive and callous”.

A one-minute silence was observed for the dead kids at the ceremony.

All the organs of the PDP have endorsed Jonathan’s candidacy, making it impossible for another aspirant to emerge. A group – the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) - held rallies across the six geo-political zones, claiming to have collected millions of signatures of endorsements of Jonathan’s candidacy.

Jonathan said: “This labour of love for ordinary Nigerians has increased my labour of love of your solidarity, your trust in our joint destiny and all we have achieved together these past years. Therefore, after seeking the face of God and consulting

T

‘Declaration insensitive, callous’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as utterly insensitive and absolutely callous the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his second term ambition a day after almost 50 students were killed and about 80 injured in a suicide bombing in Potiskum, accusing the President of dancing on the graves of the students as well as of all the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency. ‘’Since this President has chosen to celebrate a national tragedy, Nigerians should also be ready to celebrate his electoral failure next year,’’ the party said in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ‘’Today, the three Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are in danger of being overrun by Boko Haram and over 650,000 Nigerians are internally displaced in those states by the insurgency. Yet, President Jonathan says he puts Nigerians first. Lies have never worn a bolder face.

The truth is that for President Jonathan, it is Jonathan first, Jonathan second, Jonathan third, From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

my family and to the call of all people nationwide to run, I have accepted to present myself to run.

“So many things have inspired me in the journey to this moment. I want to appreciate ordinary Nigerians, especially young people, for the solidarity shown me by contributing their meagre resources to enable me arrive at this point.

“I appreciate the kind gesture of the Miyette Allah, the market women association who encouraged me by committing some

Jonathan always!’’ it said.

APC said by his latest act of blatant hardheartedness, President Jonathan is only continuing along his well-trodden path of acting without deep introspection. ‘’When about 60 students were killed in the terror attack on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, in February 2014, President Jonathan never visited the scene to commiserate with the families of the victims. When over 80 people were killed in the first Nyanya bombing in April 2014, President Jonathan went dancing ‘Azonto’ in Kano less than 48 hours later. And when almost 300 girls were freshly abducted in Chibok, President Jonathan neither acted fast enough to rescue the girls nor visited the village. His Administration even denied anyone was abducted, until 19 days after! ‘’This President has therefore established a pattern of putting his political interest above the security and welfare of Nigerians who voted him into office. This President has trampled upon

funds to support me. In the same vein, I’m touched by the widows who also encouraged me by giving me their widow’s mite. I promise to work with all.”

The President reeled out his administration’s achievements in the past three and half years in roads, transport, housing, job creation, anti- corruption battle, anti- Ebola Virus Disease, among others.

He promised that his administration will do everything possible to defeat terror.

Lamenting the effects of corruption on the nation, Jonathan said graft remained a stain in the

Continued on page 57

nation’s life.

He vowed to fight corruption headlong and prosecute those found wanting.

According to him, his administration saved over N162 billion from the discovery of over 56,000 ghost workers in the system.

The ghost workers’ case, Jonathan said, has been referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.

He also pointed out that his administration promoted freeContinued on page 57

HE Trade Union Congress also condemned the killing of the Potiskum schoolchildren.

A statement by TUC President Bobboi Kaigama, and Secretary, Musa Lawal charged the perpetrators to repent and allow peace to reign.

“The TUC sees this latest onslaught on innocent schoolchildren as senseless, misplaced and wicked. We deplore the reprehensible attempt to deprive Nigerians total peace and security and make us live in fear everyday.

“The Congress insists that the perpetrators and masterminds of these crimes be made to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign willy-nilly.”

The congress urged the Federal Government to speed up action on the $1bn loan facility approved by the Senate for procurement of arms and ammunition to counter insurgency in the country.

TUC asked political leaders, the military and other security agencies, to re-strategise on ways to effectively rout the insurgents and end their gruesome reign of terror, “especially now that the ill-fated ceasefire has been con-

firmed dead-on-arrival.”

The European Union (EU) in a statement by its spokesperson reads: "The latest act of terror perpetrated by a suicide bomber targeting a Government Senior School in Potiskum, Yobe State, killing at least 36 children and leaving over 79 injured is appalling.

“The killing and abduction of innocent school children is always abhorrent. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the students killed, extend our sincere wishes to those injured for their full and speedy recovery, and call on the Nigerian Government to make a concerted effort to stop the insurgency and to bring those responsible to justice.

“The EU is committed to supporting the fight against extremism and violence of this kind in accordance with the rule of law and respect of human rights. It stands ready to support the full range of policies necessary to address both the attacks and the underlying causes of this insurgency."

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola questioned the emotion of Nigeria as a nation with

Continued from page 1

tions.

The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA), with the like of former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, former Federal Commissioner for Information Edwin Clark and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi as members, accused Jega of implementing a northern agenda.

The Southeast zonal chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described INEC’s plan as a great disservice to the unity of the country and demanded its reversal.

Jega said the distribution of the Polling Units was based on the existing voter’s register and was driven by the Commission’s desire to reform the electoral process for free and fair elections in 2015.

“There is not sectional or parochial agenda in this decision and there will never be any under this Commission,” Jega said.

His words: “The basic aim of the exercise we are presently undertaking is to ease the access of voters to the ballot box in the 2015 general elections and beyond by decongesting overcrowded PUs and dispersing voters as evenly as possible among all the PUs.”

units that has been overheating

the polity, and the apparent inadequacy of time for the exercise – the Commission took a decision to suspend the exercise until after the 2015 general elections. “ The Commission, nevertheless: Will continue with the use of Voting Points, where necessary, to mitigate population pressure in overcrowded polling units during the forthcoming elections; relocate polling units from unsuitable locations; and “As much as possible ensure that polling units are located in enclosures such classrooms, rather than in open spaces. “ The electoral body had announced over 21,000 extra polling units for all the states in North, and a little above 8,000 for all states in the South. This would have brought the number of polling units to 150,000.

The ratio brought INEC’s chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, under immense criticism from the three geo-political zones in the South.

The Senate also directed the commission to discontinue the plan until after the general elec-

Principal: how suicide bomber killed 36 pupils Continued from page 1

ing and running in all directions.

“Immediately I saw this, I tried to inform the police and the JTF. I called for my car and we used it to convey the children to the hospital. Other people came in with their tricycle, packing both the dead and the wounded to the hospital.

“We thank God that the hospital is very close to the school; if not, it would have been very difficult. We spent the whole day in the hospital, trying to know the condition of the boys.

“The first casualties that we took to the hospital were given first aid. Those that sustained multiple fractures were referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare in Bauchi State and the Federal Medical Centre in Nguru.

“The casualties as at yesterday were 81. 41 of them taken to the two medical centres; others were left here. Only one of those admitted here is left now.

“According to our statistics, as at yesterday, we had only 35 dead. Today we got a report that one of our pupils at Azare could not make it; so we have 36 dead now.

“No teacher was affected because all the teachers were in

M

Continued on page 57

INEC suspends polling units plan

Day: My son died a few minutes after leaving me

ALAM Ali, a mechanic in Dogo Table Ward in Potiskum metropolis, lost his son, Kasim in the at-

tack.

He said: “The incident is very tragic.

Kasim, my 17-year-old son, came to bid me farewell as he left for school. After just a few minutes, I heard a terrible sound and in a short while, his friends rushed home with stains of blood on their body and I then asked after Kasim. They told me they left him in school as everybody ran after the blast. We went to the school to check, only to find him dead. He has been buried and we pray for the repose of his soul.”

front of my office waiting for us to proceed to the assembly when it happened.”

The General Hospital, Potiskum also insisted that the death toll was 35 before yesterday’s death.

Hospital Secretary Alhaji Lawan said the hospital received 32 bodies brought from the blast scene. Three pupils, he said, died during treatment.

Lawan explained that the hospital attended to 116 and referred 41; 69 were admitted in the hospital.

Minister of State for Education Prof Viola Onwuliri condemned the attack.

Ibrahim Alhaji Ali Gaba was lucky not to have lost his son Ibrahim. The boy has survived two successive Boko Haram attacks, the first at his former school, the Federal Government College (FGC) Buni Yadi where 40 pupils were massacred.

His father said he took Ibrahim to Daura where he came tops in his class and later gained admission to his current school to pursue his ambition of becoming a scientist.

One of his Garba’s Ibrahim Babari, who was with his sick brother at the hospital, also escaped by the whiskers the attack on the Collage of Agric in Guijba.

In a statement in Abuja, Mrs. Onwuliri described the incident as callous, inhuman and satanic wondering the crime the innocent pupils would have committed to deserve such atrocious act.

She said: “My condolences go to President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and good people of Yobe State, most especially to the families of the bomb blast victims, I pray God Almighty to grant your families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, may the good Lord receive their souls and may they rest in perfect peace.

“It is a pity that we have some evil-minded people among us

The worried but determined father of 15 children still believes that “parents should not be deterred by the senseless attacks on innocent pupils”.

He said: “My advice to all parents is that they should not be discouraged to send their children to school because if you don’t send your children to school because of these senseless attacks by these useless people, your children would be left behind.”

Ibrahim is the only pupil lying at the Potiskum General Hospital after undergoing a successful abdominal surgery. The rest have been referred to Azare and Nguru Federal Medical Centres.

and it is a greater pity that innocent children are targets in such evil and dastardly menace. Light will surely prevail over darkness.

Mrs. Onwuliri appealed to all Nigerians to rise to the challenge of the security situation in the country and urged courage among compatriots. “We must never surrender our collective values and sanctity of human life to the enemies of the nation”, she said.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) frowned at what it described as the inability of the Federal Government to secure schools.

The NUT lamented that innocent pupils are vulnerable to heinous activities of insurgents.

National President Comrade Michael Olukoya said the union was outraged with the suicide attack.

Olukoya, in a statement, recalled that the incident made it the fifth of such gruesome attacks on schools, leaving so many pupils dead and scores of others maimed and injured.

He said: “The leadership of NUT is outraged by the inability of the nation’s security operatives to sufficiently address the frequent bombing incidents in

•Olukoya schools which has again occurred at Government Science Technical School Potiskum, Yobe State in the morning of 10th November, 2014 with over 50 fatalities and over 70 injured.

“This incident makes it the fifth attack on school in the state within the last one year and the Union strongly demands for coordinated actions to protect our children and the school environment.”

Signed by the NUT Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Hwande, the statement noted that teachers were greatly trauContinued on page 57

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NEWS ‘Jet carrying Munroe crashed into shipyard’

Kwankwaso blames ‘massive corruption’ for insurgency

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ANO State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso explained yesterday why there is insurgency in the Northeast.

It is the product of massive corruption, he said.

Kwankwaso, who spoke while inaugurating his national campaign office in Abuja, noted that corruption had crept into every facet of life.

He said the situation in the Northeast was a clear indication that the country was facing very serious challenges.

Condemning last Monday’s suicide attack in Potiskum that killed 36 pupils he said: “What we saw yesterday and similar insecurity incidents, which we have seen, especially in the Northeast, showed to all of us very that this country is facing a serious challenges, the magnitude of which we have never seen.

“As we are sitting here today, over four million people are being internally displaced mainly in the Northeast.

Many of them are here in Abuja and other parts of Northern Nigeria, especially in Kano, where we have a refugee

•Former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu (middle) inaugurating the campaign office in Abuja...yesterday. With him from left are APC member Sir Olisaemeka Akamukali and Kwankwaso.

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

camp with so many people from the affected areas living with their friends and relations.

“Before then, we saw a similar thing in Gombe and Bauchi states. Unfortunately, in the last few days, we have seen fresh attacks in Gombe and Bauchi and this showed clearly that the battle line is moving this way. Instead of the three states where we have emergency situation, we are now seeing it extend to five

states.”

He urged to those concerned, especially the security agencies, to do whatever they could to protect lives and property.

He said: “As far as we are concerned, things are getting out of hand and we have to know that the country is sick and therefore, something has to be done and must be done quickly.

“All this in our opinion, is a product of massive corruption that we have seen from the

highest level to the bottom in this country. Corruption is a big decease, which this government has to get a way of tackling because the general belief is that they encourage it.

If they are not encouraging it, they don’t have the capacity to stop it.

“That is why we have this issue of insecurity because corruption has crept into all sections of our community. We have also seen, as a result of corruption, very high level of youth unemployment; we have seen serious

collapse of the educational sector to the extent that our children, especially in the Northeastern part of the country, cannot go to school today.

“Those who have the determination to go to school are being followed and killed in their schools. We saw it yesterday and in the past, especially in the Northeast where our children are being killed in their dormitory and in their class rooms. This is a very serious matter especially for our future”, Kwankwaso said.

INEC begins voter registration in Lagos, six others today

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin the Continuous Voter Registration ((CVR) today in Lagos, Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo and Adamawa.

The CVR, which INEC said was for eligible persons who were not on the biometric register, would end on Monday.

The commission advised the electorate to check for their names before participating in the exercise to avoid double registration.

INEC, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu,

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

enjoined “residents of the affected states who are yet to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to first check the register and ascertain whether or not they are already on it.”

INEC explained that those whose names appeared on the register, but yet to collect their PVCs should not present themselves for the CVR. “The way to check if they are on the register of voters is simply to send an SMS to dedicated lines with the following information: Name of state, surname, the last five or six digits of the VIN (i.e., Voter

Identification Number) on their Temporary Voter Card (for example: Lagos, Salama, 06782”.

Idowu advised those concerned to ensure that they put coma in-between the required information before sending it to 08171646879.

The statement also reads: “Alternatively, someone doing the checking could preface the short message with INEC (e.g.: INEC, Lagos, Salama, 06782) and send to 20120.

“The interrogator will get an instant response giving his / her full profile on the register and the polling unit number, if the person is actu-

ally on the register; or an advice to the contrary if the person is not.

“If a person is on the register and has not been able to obtain his/her PVC, he/she should go to the relevant local government office of INEC, where distribution of the cards will continue daily till the end of January, 2015.

“For avoidance of doubt, only those who the SMS service shows are not on the register need to present themselves for CVR, in addition to persons who are registering for the first time .”

The statement added that the exercise would “be effi-

•Jega

cient and far-reaching”, if only the people who genuinely needed to register present themselves for the CVR. Idowu noted that the SMS facility was also available for people who want to check the voter register from other states.

ORE information was released yesterday on how a private jet carrying the late prominent Bahamian pastor, Dr. Myles Munroe, and eight others en route to a religious conference in his Caribbean country crashed.

A top Bahamian official said the plane struck a shipyard crane and crashed into a recycling centre about four miles from the airport.

Munroe and his wife, Ruth - co-leaders of the Bahamas Faith Ministries - were among the nine people on board the plane that crashed Sunday evening.

It was speculated that the plane was making a descent around the time of the crash.

The private Lear Jet plane struck a shipping container crane as it tried to land in heavy rain, The Bahamas’ Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell added that a commercial airline taking the same route as the private plane had turned back shortly before the accident because severe weather and heavy rain made it too dangerous for them to continue.

As investigation into the fatal crash begun yesterday, the Grand Bahamas Shipyard confirmed the site of the crash in a statement.

It said the plane crashed at a recycling facility just east of the shipyard that was used to collect “recycled waste material, scrap metal and construction debris”.

Bahamas Faith Ministries International has released the identities of six of the other victims, three of whom were leaders in the church. The group’s senior vice president, Dr. Richard Pinder and two newly installed youth ministers - Pastors Lavard and Radel Parks and their son, Johannan - died in the crash.

One other passenger is yet to be named.

Other victims included pilot Frakhan Cooper and Munroe’s longtime personal pilot, Stanley Thurston, and Farkhan Cooper.

Munroe was scheduled to give the opening address at the conference and Pinder was also slated to speak to the hundreds of followers gathered in Freeport for the fourday event.

Dangote Foundation gives $3m to AU’s Ebola Fund

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HE Dangote Foundation has pledged $3 million to a fund established by African business leaders at containing the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa.

The pledge is in addition to previous interventions in Nigeria, where the foundation owned by the business mogul, Aliko Dangote, had spent about $5 million to evolve a two pronged strategy that directly support the Federal Government’s Ebola containment efforts, through investments that strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

The fund was set up in response to the African Union (AU) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s call for $30 million from Africa’s private sector to support the continental organisation’s initiative at tackling the EVD’s out-

By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor

break in the West Africa.

The initiative is titled: AU Support Mission to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA).

The President of African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Donald Kaberuka and Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Dr. Carlos Lopes, joined the AU and the business leaders to establish the fund.

The initiative is poised to send 1,000 African health workers, including doctors, epidemiologists, nurses, and lab technologists, to join ongoing efforts to stop the devastating EVD outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The shortage of professional and trained health workers on the ground is widely ac-

•UBA commits $1 million knowledged to be one of the key factors limiting containment efforts in the three countries.

Dangote praised fellow business leaders for their speedy response to the AU’s call. He encouraged more business leaders and the general public to contribute. He said: “Ebola continues to devastate and take away lives in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. There must be no letup in urgently matching solidarity and moral support with faster and more strategic actions.

None of us can sleep easy until Ebola is contained.”

He hailed those working on the frontlines to contain Ebola the healthcare workers, those tracking and tracing contacts, those ensuring that Ebola victims receive dignified burials, and others.

“I want to use this opportu-

nity to thank each and every one of you around the world for playing heroic roles. I commiserate with the families of your colleagues who have made the supreme sacrifice while fighting Ebola. I thank and applaud all the African volunteers who will be part of the AU initiative.’’

The fund, to be managed by the ADB, will enable immediate deployment of medical workers to the three affected countries.

The business leaders present at the meeting agreed to encourage their colleagues to contribute to the fund and also lend inkind support to the pan-African initiative.

As at Friday November 7, 2014, about 13,241 people were said to have contracted the EVD while 4,950 had lost their lives

worldwide.

Also, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Board Chairman, Tony O Elumelu, announced yesterday the donation of $1million, to assist the fight against Ebola.

The UBA has branches in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

The bank, in a statement, explained that the money would be distributed through the UBA Foundation – the UBA’s corporate social responsibility arm. He added that it would be shared equally among the three affected West African countries.

The remaining $100,000 is to be contributed ASEOWA. Elumelu said. “Africa is our home and our destiny and Africans need to place themselves at the forefront of the campaign to overcome this tragedy. This donation is

an affirmation of our unshakeable commitment to the continent - and a message that Africa can triumph over this terrible affliction.

“I would also take this opportunity to commend our courageous UBA Africa staff, in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, who have kept every branch and ATM open throughout this testing time.

“They have demonstrated our corporate value of resilience and commitment that the business and progress of Africa must and should go on”.

He stated that the money will be directed immediately to strengthening capacity in the fight against the further spread of the disease.

In August, The Tony Elumelu Foundation donated $600,000 to the Ebola response institutions, designated by the presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

NEWS

EFCC arrests suspect for alleged $1m fraud From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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•Oyo State Abiola Ajimobi (left) addressing the people of Eruwa in Ibarapa area at the distribution of appointment letters into the teaching service.

Boko Haram: Judge says Fed Govt ‘unserious’ on Ndume’s trial

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USTICE Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has expressed displeasure over the unserious manner the Federal Government was handling the prosecution of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

The judge, in a ruling yesterday, refrained from dismissing the case, but warned the prosecution not to take “the patience and magnanimity being shown by the court” for granted.

Ndume, a serving senator from Borno State, is facing terrorism related charges before the court.

He was arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 12, last year, on a four-count charge by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He was accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect and failing to provide information about the sect’s operations.

Yesterday, the prosecution, which had called about three witnesses in the trial, was absent.

It was to call more witnesses in continuation of the case.

The development prompted lead defence lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), to apply that his client be dis-

From Eric Ikhiilae, Abuja

charged and the case dismissed on the ground that it seemed the state was unwilling to proceed with the case.

Tarfa contended that if the accused person and his lawyer could make it to court despite the transportation crisis created by the blockage of most roads in Abuja yesterday over President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign event, the prosecution, whose office was next to the court house, has no excuse staying away.

Ruling, Justice Kolawole said:”The prosecution team was in court on the last date when this case came up for ruling and were aware of today’s adjournment. Surprisingly, they are not here today and no letter was addressed to the court to explain why none of the state counsel, who have been appearing in this case, was in court today.

“Although I acknowledge that virtually all roads that lead to the Federal High Court have been blocked by security operatives on account of an event which is scheduled to hold at the Eagle Square, but the accused person and counsel are in court.

“The Federal Ministry of

Justice, where the prosecution comes from, is the next building to this court complex. By this fact, there is nearly no justifiable reason why the prosecution is not in court today.

“The case is already part heard and it is the prosecution that is still fielding its witnesses. That is, there is no way any meaningful proceedings can be undertaken without the prosecution and any of its witnesses.

“Let me put it on record that I am not satisfied and pleased with the lackadaisical attitude of the prosecution in this case.

If the prosecution no longer has any witness to field, it can apply to close its case and may even throw in the towel, if for any reason, the will to further prosecute the charge against the accused person is no longer there or has waned.”

He refrained from either closing the prosecution’s case or dismiss the charge, as prayed by the defence lawyer.

Instead, he warned that “the patience and magnanimity being shown by the court should not be taken for granted, as the court has the obligation to do justice to all the parties; fair trial to the accuse person and fair hearing to both parties.

“In this circumstance, the

date earlier fixed for this week, are hereby vacated. Case is adjourned to January 29, 2015, for continuation of trial.”

Meanwhile, court activities were disrupted in most parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja yesterday owing to the inability of lawyers, litigants and court officials to access courts in view of the transportation crisis caused by the campaign event held by President Jonathan at the Eagle Square, located in the heart of the city.

As early as 7a.m, movement on most major roads leading to the city centre was restricted by a team of gun-wielding soldiers, policemen and other security men.

Most courts within the Federal High Court complex, located on the same Shehu Shagari Way that leads to the Eagle Square, could not conduct proceedings because most court officials could not access their offices.

Similar scenario played out at the nearby headquarter building of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Most lawyers and litigants, who could make it to court, were disappointed on learning that courts would not sit.

Jonathan accepts Mohammed’s nomination as CJN

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has accepted the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) recommendation of Justice Mahmud Mohammed’s appointment as successor to retiring Chief Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

The Nation learnt yesterday that the President has written to the NJC on his acceptance.

Justice Mohammed is now left to cross the hurdle of the Senate’s confirmation before assuming office.

The exercise before the Senate may come as a mere formality as past recommendations had always been ac-

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From Eric Ikhiilae, Abuja

cepted.

NJC last week recommended Justice Mohammed to the President for the post.

The NJC’s recommendation followed the nomination of three most senior Justices of the Supreme Court by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

Justice Mukhtar will retire on November 20 when she will have clocked the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

She was born on November 20th 1944.

Justice Mohammed, who

hails from Jalingo in Taraba State, was born on November 10, 1946.

He studied for his Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1970, after which he attended the Nigerian Law School, in Lagos and was subsequently called to bar in 1971.

Justice Mohammed began his career in public service with the ministries of Justice of the defunct Northeastern state and Gongola State. He also worked with the judiciary of the defunct Gongola State.

In 1991, he was appointed the Acting Chief judge of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

tion base at Igbokoda and the Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS) lmeri.

He said the visit was part of efforts at maintaining peace and to assess the ongoing “Operation Awatse,” which was designed to curtail the activities of vandals from lkorodu, Lagos to Ondo State.

According to him, “Operation Awatse” was put together

by the command under the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Usman Jibrin.

He said a naval base may soon be established in Ikorodu.

The FOC noted that some criminals have been arrested by the naval officers, in collaboration with men of the Nigerian Army.

Admiral Alade also attributed some of the successes recorded by his men in the oil rich Ig-

Minister seeks directory for approved institutions in Africa

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From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

HE Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has advocated the creation of a directory for African universities for easy identification of approved institutions.

He made the call in Abuja at the opening ceremony of ECOWAS Ministers of Higher Education’s meeting.

Shekarau, who was represented by the Minister of State, Prof.

Viola Onwuliri, said such directory would enhance the quality of learning at African universities.

“We need a directory of approved African universities so that our children will find the appropriate institutions to acquire quality education.

“Most of the universities Africans attend abroad are mere business centres and fall short of the standard of the schools citizens of such countries attend.

“They cannot employ graduates produced by such universities. So, why should our children study in such schools?”

He praised the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for always having an updated directory of approved universities in Nigeria and also making public the illegal ones.

According to him, other West African countries should emulate NUC to improve the quality of education in the sub region.

Sheakarau said the essence of the meeting was to take stock of higher education and research in the region with to improving in access and quality.

Expert urges varsities to lead innovation’s growth

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•Dr. Jonathan

Taraba State and later confirmed the substantive in the same year.

‘We ’re set for total clampdown on vandals’

HE Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Real Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade, has said the Nigerian Navy was set for a total clampdown on activities of pipeline vandals and other criminal elements operating in the Nigerian territorial waters.

Alade spoke with reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when he visited the opera-

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fraudster, Adekunle Balogun a.k.a Malam Salihu, for alleged fraudulent $1 million deal.

The suspect was also said to have impersonated the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

A statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said investigation into the case was still in progress.

The statement said: “The 44- year- old Ordinary Diploma certificate holder in Textile and Polymer Technology was picked up by operatives of the commission in Lagos for allegedly duping one Precious Chukwuma Emelue of N100 million by deceiving him into believing that he would assist him in retrieving $1million from a Pakistani bank: Kan-Cern Limited, which payment was allegedly stopped by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Emelue claimed that, in 2012, he met one Mr. Perry Kandoharty (a Diplomat with the Pakistani High Commission) in Lagos.

In the course of their discussions, Emelue told Kandoharty that he was widely experienced in deep-sea fishing. And after much deliberation, they both agreed to work together on a business.

“Emelue would provide land for a fish processing factory in Nigeria and space for the development of fish ponds. Emelue claimed that Kandoharty sent him a mail informing him of a deposit of $1,000,000.00 into Kan -Cern Limited.

“It was this fund, allegedly stopped by IMF, which Balogun made him believe he could pull out for him.

“In the course of his dealings with Emelue, Balogun allegedly obtained money in different installments from him “to obtain certificates from authorities” handling drug, anti-terrorism and money laundering issues.

The suspect was also alleged to have impersonated the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde and used his name to extort his victim.” But Balogun denied that he impersonated the EFCC chairman.

“I didn’t call myself Lamorde. What I told him was that Lamorde was a lion and I’m the only tiger that can approach him”, he said. The statement added that several items were recovered from the suspect during a search of his house.

They included documents bearing the names of the State Security Service (SSS); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); and Insurance companies among others.

“Balogun would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded”, the statement added.

bokoda area to the good working relationship existing between them and the local residents.

He added that the Nigerian Navy, with the support of other sister agencies and stakeholders, is also ahead of militants.

He, however, promised that officers of the command would not relent until they rid criminals from the Nigerian territorial waters.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

N economic expert, Prof. John Adeoti , has urged the nation’s universities to be agents of innovation for inclusive development to boost the economy.

Adeoti spoke yesterday at the Nigerian institute of Social Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, while deliverying a lecture tittled: “Innovation for Inclusive Development: The Role of Nigerians Universities” .

He said Nigeria’s economy is the biggest in Africa, adding that lack of inclusiveness remained the challenge facing the nation’s economic growth.

Adeoti said: “Our growth as a country has remained commodity-export based and dominated by poverty. Our growth must be knowledge-based and innovative-driven and that is why the universities must be agents in this regard”.

The don listed common constraints hindering innovation’s development in Nigeria’s universities as including “inadequate funding of interaction, lack of policy on interaction and inadequate reward for interaction”.

The expert recommended a national policy on university’s interaction with external social partners and encouraging nonpercuniary contribution by communities to tackle the constraints.

He addedthat there must be provision for funding of interaction activities and research infrastructure.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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NEWS

Don’t be frustrated, Fashola tells youths

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola challenged thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) youths yesterday not to allow the “frustration in the system” deter their desire for a new Nigeria.

Fashola, who spoke at an APC Youth Summit, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, said it was important to crave a new Nigeria, where the leaders would place more value on human lives.

Speaking on ‘A New Nigeria

by New Nigerians’, the governor said Nigerians deserved a country where security, good health delivery system, public accountability and probity, good educational system, power supply and good roads are guaranteed.

He said: “Each one of us will have a unique idea of the type of Nigeria we want, because we are different in many ways, but I think that because of our reality all of us can agree on a framework that allows our expectations to be met.

“A new Nigeria is the one that is safe and secured. It is the one that children and their parents are not kidnapped. A new Nigeria is the one that is better governed, where government gives account of how its resources are managed.

“The Nigeria of our dream is the one where the people are more important than any other projects or services that government wants to execute. A new Nigeria should be a better governed Nigeria, we expect our government to account for our re-

•Governor calls for a new Nigeria

By Musa Odoshimokhe and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

sources and the billions of dollars that go missing will stop, and public funds are no longer lost to boyfriends and girlfriends.”

Fashola added that government should make the interest of Nigeria the corner piece of its foreign policy, stressing that Africa and other interests could come later.

He said it would be wrong for the people to be suffering while it engages in protecting others. He said charity must begin at home. “We must love ourselves, offer service to the people that is when we will be respected outside.”

The governor said local manufacturing industries folded up in Nigeria due to lack of power.

“When power supply could not be guaranteed, some of these companies were exposed to stiff competitions from the foreign ones. Like you have it, the imported goods from the foreign companies were cheaper and patronised by the people. The companies folded up because they could not meet up due to alternative power supply.”

He stated that up till now the Federal Government has not demonstrated the capacity to tackle the power problem facing the country.

“Government should show

us just one state, where it has provided stable light to the people, not even Abuja. If we can just see one state, where power is guaranteed, we will believe that government is providing electricity.

“In Lagos, we have made efforts to provide independent power supply which now powers most of the street lights, some public and private institutions.

“Like I said a new Nigeria of our dream is the one that can guarantee electricity supply to the people of this country.”

A youth leader, Ikem Isikwena, a discussant, said Nigeria had retrogressed, noting that over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below N200 per day.

He said: “If the situation is not checked more harm will be done, even to the children yet unborn, not to talk of the present ones whose future have been blighted by leaders, who only believe in their pockets.

“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, yet with appalling records of inequal-

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Ekiti banks protest insecurity

ANKS in Ekiti State may boycott service by shutting their doors from today as a result of insecurity.

Armed robbers in the last two months have robbed banks in Ikere and Ifaki with the attendant loss of cash and property by the banks.

It was gathered that authorities of the banks are insisting that until the issue of security of their branches in the state are taken seriously, the branches might remain shut.

Verification continues at Osun tribunal D EFENCE counsel devoted yesterday to vetting, sorting and verifying of Certified True Copies of documents tendered before the Osun Election Petition Tribunal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the August 9 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The legal team of the respondent, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the election, went through all the documents presented by the petitioner, who was challenging the re-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

sults in 17 local governments.

Kemi Pinheiro was joined by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Femi Falana on the side of the respondent.

Alex Izinyon led Titus Ashaolu, and Nathaniel Oke for Omisore.

Akin Olujinmi and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu later arrived to join Aregbesola’s legal team.

The exercise, which was typi-

fied by lighter moments and exchange of banters between petitioners’ and respondents’ lawyers, moved to Ola-Oluwa Local Government.

Security was tight as only lawyers and reporters were allowed inside the court; politicians were kept at bay.

It was learnt that this followed a directive by the tribunal members through the registrar.

Anti-bomb and metal detectors were deployed at the venue by a special police unit; cars were screened while lawyers were made to go through the metal detector.

Ajimobi distributes more letters •Eruwa campus becomes full polytechnic

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YO State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has said his government’s understanding of “stomach infrastructure” was to make citizens employed so that they can feed their families.

He spoke at Obaseeku High School, Eruwa, on his tour of Ibarapa area to distribute letters to applicants from the zone, who were part of the 5,300 applicants employed in the state’s teaching service.

According to the governor, the Yoruba were too sophisticated to be doled alms to in the name of stomach infrastructure.

Ajimobi illustrated his statement with the biblical encounter of Jesus Christ with Peter and how Christ had promised to make him

fisher of men.

“The philosophy of our government is to make fishers of men by giving them jobs and making them productive citizens,” he said.

The governor recited the famous Yoruba poetry “Ise loogun Ise” (work is the antidote to poverty) to which the crowd applauded in admiration.

“We decided to localise the selection and employment of teachers so as to give opportunities to qualified teachers to teach in their communities.

“Unlike past administrations which deployed teachers to various zones from Ibadan. We consider this unfair.”

Ajimobi also announced that his administration had upgraded the College of Agriculture, Igboora, to include

ity and insecurity.

“If you must travel to the Southeast or Southsouth, you have to make provision for extra security device.

“I must say the youth must stop complaining because they can right the wrongs through their votes. We must all participate in the election and vote out leaders who have wasted away our future,’’ he said.

Another discussant Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot said Nigeria must effect a change by ensuring that a party with social welfarism rules in Lagos and at the centre.

He said the APC was the only party capable of providing the changes the youth sought for.

“We must move from doorto-door in our campaign to get a better Nigeria, APC has credible leaders who have been tested in public service and they can do it again.”

Elliot said the entertainment industry had not been well integrated compared to those in other climes, noting that if well harnessed it could guarantee reasonable income for the national treasury.

the teaching of technology, and the turning of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Eruwa campus into an autonomous polytechnic.

At the palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Ajimobi said the most significant thing the government had done for the people was to bring peace and order into the state.

The monarch, Oba Samuel Adegbola, praised the administration for its achievements, especially the teaching appointments given to Eruwa indigenes.

“We are proud of you, especially your spirit of tolerance which is also commendable. T “o maintain peace, even among the different political persuasions at the House of Assembly is in itself a great achievement.”

Oyo health workers begin strike

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

EALTH workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health Care Professionals in Oyo State yesterday began a three-day warning strike.

A statement by the Chairman, Teslim Olawuwo and Secretary Femi Olabisi said:” The CONHESS salary struggle in Oyo State began in 2010 after the approval and implementation of CONHESS by the Federal Government.

“Nothing happened until workers went on strike in January/February 2011, and this led to the implementation of the 80 per cent CONHESS. “Since then, all efforts by the leadership of health workers and promises by the government to pay the balance of 20 per cent CONHESS and the salary withheld have been futile.

“We can inform this assembly that uncountable correspondence to the government on this subject matter has not yielded results.

“If our requests are not granted by tomorrow, we will begin an indefinite strike.”

Ekiti: ‘Don’t put justice in chains’

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GROUP, Ekiti Youth Vanguard (EYV), has condemned the “endless” complaints of bias against the judges handling the perjury case instituted by E11 group against Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.

It said this portends great danger to the administration of justice in the state.

Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi, who is the fourth judge to quit the case, alleged threats to his life and his family.

EYV’s spokesman Charles Fakunle said: “The Chief Judge, Mr. Justice Ayodeji Daramola, was the first to handle the case. Fayose complained that Justice Daramola was biased.

“The case was transferred to Justice Abodunde, yet it was the same complaint before it was transferred to Justice Ogunyemi. Again, the same allegation was raised against

the third judge.

The group wondered why all the judges in Ekiti State should be biased against an indigene, if that individual do not have problems with his integrity.

Fakunle added: “Fayose’s supporters disrupted Ogunyemi’s court when he assumed jurisdiction to try the case. The judge was roughhandled by thugs; windows and furniture in the court were smashed.

“A few days later, thugs were led to the court where Mr. Justice Adeyeye, lawyers and other court officials were beaten. Official records in the Chief Judge’s office were torn and his secretary beaten.

“This is intimidation of the judiciary to be followed by blackmail of the judges to escape justice. Is it in the Mars that an unbiased judge will be found to try this criminal case in Ekiti State? “

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

NEWS Fayose sends three names to Assembly

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has forwarded the names of three commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for approval.

They are Owoseni Ajayi (Attorney General), Kayode Oso (Works) and Toyin Ojo (Finance).

The Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, read the governor’s request as contained in a letter to the Assembly.

The Assembly has passed a resolution mandating the government to participate in the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) N220billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund.

Lawmakers unanimously supported the request, following a motion by the Majority Leader, Churchill Adedipe, which was seconded by Tope Agidi, Ekiti South West I. Adedipe said the CBN fund was meant for all states and Ekiti eligible to access only N2billion.

The lawmakers urged the government to judiciously utilise the fund when finally assessed.

Fire guts monarch’s palace

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OYAL apparels, insignias, artefacts and other valuables were destroyed when the palace of the Olu of Oke-Odo in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Mustau Akindele, was razed.

The cause of the fire, which began around 4am, could not be ascertained.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Oba Akindele told the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muyiwa Oladipo, who came to inspect the palace, that he suspected a power surge resulting from the restoration of electricity to the community.

•Aregbesola (second left); Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Alake Adeyemo (left); Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole (second right) and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emilolorun Ajelari, at the event...yesterday.

PHOTO:FEMI ILESANMI

Aregbesola insists on regionalism

Eight Ogun lawmakers join PDP, SDP From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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IGHT members of the Ogun State House of Assembly have joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, read the letters of the defection during plenary.

He said: “I received a letter announcing the defection of Joseph Adegbesan (Ijebu North II), Salmon Adeleke (Imeko Afon), John Obafemi (Remo North), Remmy Hazzan (Odoogbolu) and Obafemi Olowo-Oloja (Ijebu East) to the PDP. “I also got three letters this morning from Olufemi AllenTaylor (Abeokuta South II), Oludaisi Elemide (Odeda) and Elizabeth Anifowose (Obafemi -Owode) announcing their defection to the SDP.” This brings the number of APC lawmakers in the 26-member Assembly to 13, PDP 10 and SDP three.

After inauguration in 2011, there were 17 APC lawmakers, PDP six and the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) had three.

Adeleke, Obafemi and Adegbesan were elected on the platform of the PPN floated by former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said for true federalism to thrive, Nigeria must advocate regional government to enhance development.

Aregbesola said this while delivering the convocation lecture of the University of Ibadan (UI) entitled:” Federalism, Democracy and the future of Nigeria”.

He said though Nigeria practises the federal system of government, it lacks federal structure as a major property of democracy.

He maintained that democracy and federalism are Siamese twins.

“We can have democracy

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Man, 40, charged with rape

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40-YEAR-OLD man, Wahaab Lawal, has appeared before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a nine-yearold girl.

The prosecutor, Fagboyinbo Abiodun, a police inspector, told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 4 at 8am in Enidori compound, Ifon-Osun.

According to him, the accused forcefully raped the girl, when the child’s parents were

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

not home.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of rape and assault.

The defence counsel, Okobie Najite, applied for bail for his client.

The Chief Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, granted the accused bail of N50,000 and two sureties.

He adjourned the case till December 22.

Special status sought for Lagos

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CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Ope, has said the state has been shortchanged by the Federal Government and deserves to be rewarded and recognised with a special status.

Ope, who spoke when he formally declared his intention to contest the governorship election, said the state deserves recognition for the burden of catering for all Ni-

By Raymond Mordi

gerians and for its contribution to the economic prosperity of the country.

He said the state’s facilities have been overstretched because people come to Lagos in search of greener pastures daily.

The aspirant said he would consolidate on the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola, if given the opportunity to govern the state.

Ibadan

without federalism but it is unthinkable to have federalism outside of democracy.

“This is because federalism requires the properties of democracy for it to be practicable.

“These are constitution, rule of law, restraint on government powers, respect for and observance of the rights of citizens, independence of the judiciary, respect for minority rights and so on.

“Nigeria has experienced the best era between 1952 and 1966, a period when regional government was practiced, which made Chief

Obafemi Awolowo hold sway as the best performing politician.

“We need to reawaken ourselves to how the prevailing anti-federalist attitude is precipitating problems for our democratic growth and national development.

“The best period of our nationhood was when federalism thrived. Chief Obafemi Awolowo presided over the phenomenal development of his region, broke many firsts and established a 50-year education gap between the West and the rest of the country.”

For the nation to attain true federalism, the governor listed some criteria which

include: restructuring the federating unit; devolution of powers; fiscal federalism.

“My take has been and still remains that each geo-political zone should control its resources with certain percentage paid as tax to the central government as was the case in the First Republic.

“Each state or region should have its own appellate system up to its own supreme court.

“The court system is unitary and not conducive for genuine federal practice. There is need for fundamental restructuring of the military.

There should be a regional based army but with central control, just like in India.”

Remember Ekiti people, APC tells governor

Oyo pays compensation HE Oyo State government has begun the payment of compensation to those whose property were affected by the dualisation of roads.

Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey Ajiboye Omodewu said the payment was to bring succour to the people, who sacrificed their property for the government’s urban renewal programme.

The commissioner said the payment had been grouped into two batches; the payment of the first batch would begin

by Monday.

The government had begun lease and allocation of lands in Iseyin, shaki and Ogbomoso to interested residents.

From Tayo Johnson,

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has called on Governor Ayodele Fayose to remember the welfare of Ekiti people as he promised during his campaign.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, the party said what Ekiti people had experienced in the last three weeks amounted to throwing the people into a dark plain of hopelessness that

holds no promise for their economic and social wellbeing.

“In the last 14 days, Ekiti State has been thrown into darkness, even though the governor promised to ensure 24-hour electricity supply during his inauguration.

“Instead of improving supply, the government has been insensitive to the plight of Ekiti people by stopping all the assistance by former Governor Kayode Fayemi to improve electricity supply.

Oyo HIV/AIDS cases rise

“The excuse that electricity is under Federal Government is untenable as a responsible and sensitive government is supposed to do the needful to make life easy for its citizens.

“This did not happen under Governor Fayemi who purchased over 120 transformers and cables. This ensured steady supply of electricity.

“Instead of Fayose to take a cue from his predecessor,

Ondo lawmaker joins APC

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HE lawmaker representing Akoko From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan NorthEast/NorthWest 1 YO State has the highest number of people living at the House of Representawith HIV/AIDS in the Southwest with about six per- tives, Ganny Dauda, yesterday sons in every 100 people having the virus. dumped the Peoples DemoThe Executive Director, Initiative for Integrated Commu- cratic Party (PDP) for the All nity Welfare in Nigeria (IICWIN) Dr Ebunlomo Walker, Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker, who defected said this yesterday at a conference of key stakeholders to promote access health services at Budget Hotel, Ring Road, with Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party Ibadan.

Dr Walker said the high rate of prevalence of HIV/AIDS (LP) to PDP few weeks ago, in the state became manifest few years ago due to what she expressed his interest in the Ondo North senatorial seat. described as “avoidable complacency”.

Dauda, who stormed the APC She said “In Oyo State, it is six of every 100 persons. And we are still working and we are hoping that it will come secretariat, with scores of his down. The government is actually working, the State Ac- supporters, said his decision to tion Committee on AIDS (SACA) is represented in the meet- join the progressives train was ing, the state agency for the control of AIDS and it is very to be part of the change Nigerians were yearning for. active.

“I did not come to APC as an “I think they say there was some complacency. At a stage, it was said to be two, so people thought it was down and individual, but with the Ganny not much was happening but now that it has gone up there Dauda Movement that cuts is a lot to be done, so there should be no room for compla- across various segments in the state. cency.”

The lawmaker was received Speaking on the likely reason why Oyo has a high rate of HIV/AIDS, the Acting Project Manager of SACA, Bolarinwa by the party Chairman, Isaac Kolawole, said many people have been educated and are Kekemeke.

He said more members of coming out to know their status .

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he has remained insensitive to the plight of the citizens as the total lack of power supply has taken a toll on businesses of artisans with attendant hardship.”

He said streetlights that lit the state capital had become epileptic and now at the mercy of the scarce public electricity supply, adding that street sweepers had been sacked from their duties, leaving the state capital littered with waste.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the National Assembly from the state would soon join the party.

Dauda said the on- going wind of change informed his decision to dump his former party and pitched his tent with the party of progressives in the state.

Alaafin, Ajibola, others for award LACK Heritage Magazine will on Friday hold its leadership award and gala nite.

The awardees include Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo; Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Prince Bola Ajibola; Iyalode of Yorubaland Alaba Lawson; Prof Solomon Badejo and others.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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NEWS

Court adjourns Orji’s son’s case From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

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SUIT instituted against The Sun and one of its reporters, Ebere Wabara, by the eldest son of Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, Chinedu, has been adjourned till December 15.

The case is before an Abia State High Court sitting at Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government. It was adjourned for preliminary hearing.

Orji, an engineer, filed the suit on April 8, claiming N5billion damages for alleged libel, saying he was called a terrorist.

He also wanted an apology to be published in the newspaper.

Orji sought an order restraining the defendants or their agents from further writing, printing and publishing “the libellous matter or a similar one against him until the case has been determined.”

Ruling on the request by the counsel to the claimant for an adjournment, Justice Amanze Chikwendu Chioma granted it to enable the claimant’s lawyer reply to the preliminary application.

Addressing reporters after the adjournment, counsel to the claimant, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), said the defence lawyer served his team the application inside the court at the last sitting, which necessitated that they should reply to the application.

He said they would have responded to the application within seven days, but for the Federal Government declaration of public holidays, which made his team unable to respond.

Uzoukwu said: “The public holidays affected our time to reply. We were unable to do it until after seven days when they filed their reply. This is why the case cannot continue today, while they prefer an adjournment.”

The court, however, dismissed an application for the award of N200,000 costs against the claimant because of the adjournment.

Controversy over APGA’s electoral guidelines From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HERE is a controversy over the electoral guidelines of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

The party’s former secretary and a lawyer, Chief Okoli Akirika, described its guidelines as unconstitutional, undemocratic and exclusionary.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, Akirika, the excommissioner for Lands, said that the majority of APGA members opposed the guidelines, adding that the situation was worrisome.

According to him, “APGA members are kicking against the guidelines because it is a clear and an unpardonable conflict with the party’s constitution.”

Quoting Article 10 Paragraph 4 of APGA’s constitution, which deals with the composition of state congresses, Akirika said the section created the state congress and spelt out its composition, adding that there was nowhere in it that mentioned governorship aspirants, women, youth leaders, among others.

Said he: “The APGA constitution has stipulated the composition and functions of the organs. It says 10 delegates from each ward, but in the guidelines, it is three.”

Ex-Diamond Bank chief Otti dumps PDP

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HE former Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and picked the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) nomination and expression of interest forms for the governorship poll in Abia State.

The party has rescheduled its programmes for the governorship primaries.

Picking the forms after paying N10million and N2million at the APGA national secretariat in Abuja, he said his decision to join the party was borne out of his belief in the party’s ideology and his determination to rescue Abia from collapse.

Otti said: “I have left the PDP. Coming to APGA is like a home coming for me. I want to use this opportunity to thank you for

•Picks APGA’s nomination form •Party amends schedule for primaries From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

welcoming me to your office and welcoming me home. I have always said APGA is not a party but a religion for Nigerians. Some of you will recall that when our national leader died, we did everything to make sure that he was given a befitting funeral. I was the chairman of the finance subcommittee.

“I am very happy to be back home. We have a mission to take back our state and put it on the path of progress and industrialisation. We have started the journey.”

APGA’s National Chairman

Chief Victor Umeh, welcoming Otti to the party, assured aspirants on the party’s platform of a level-playing field, noting that it was determined to win more seats in next year’s elections.

His words: “Dr. Otti has, after consultations, decided to come to APGA, the party on whose platform he can win the governorship election in Abia State. Let me once more welcome you to our national secretariat. I saw you at the PDP secretariat not long ago. Are you still in the party? Their loss should be our gain. We are delighted to have you here, and not only that, announcing your resignation from the PDP and

joining APGA, a party you have described as a movement for Nigerians.

“I assure you that APGA is happy to have you as a member. You are a distinguished Nigerian, who made Diamond Bank one of the strongest banks in the country. Coming to us to contest on our party’s platform is a relief, as Abia needs a man who has the ability. We have been reading about the dilapidated infrastructure in the state, especially in Aba. “With you, APGA is close to the Government House in Umuahia. We are happy that you have the contacts to mobilise funds to fix Abia. When this news spreads that you are now in APGA, your co-aspirants will return to the drawing board.

“Abia votes are there for APGA to grab. You are a man

of impeccable character. We shall give you the support and opportunities you need to succeed.”

Umeh urged unity in the party.

APGA, in a statement, said its ward congresses to elect ad hoc delegates, scheduled to start on November 12, was postponed till November 25.

The House of Assembly primaries fixed for November 20 was shifted to December 3.

House of Representatives primary election scheduled for November 26 would now hold on December 4.

The Senate primaries slated for December 1 would hold on December 6 and the governorship primary election fixed for December 6 will hold on December 8.

CJ sets up panel to probe council boss From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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•Abia State governorship aspirant Dr. Uche Ogah submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms to the National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, at the party’s headquarters in Wuse, Abuja.

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Council boss jailed three months

HE Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Chigozie Awugosi, was yesterday jailed three months by a High Court at Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government.

The court was presided over

by Justice Chudi Peter Obiora.

Awugosi was sentenced for disobeying a court order and would serve the imprisonment with hard labour.

Justice Obiora said after reviewing the case and the defence of the counsel to Awugosi, he

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

had no doubt that the conduct of the respondent/appellant was contemptuous.

Said he: “The result is that I find the appellant/respondent guilty of contempt.

“I, accordingly, sentence him to three months with hard labour.

“There shall be no option of fine.”

Justice Obiora said the court had inherent power under Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Consti-

tution to make consequential orders.

“Accordingly, I hereby order the convict to refund the money collected and/or received by him by way of salary and allowances from June 19 to date to the Anambra State Government.”

The local government tribunal on June 19 nullified the council election held in January, which produced Awugosi as the chairman.

The tribunal also ordered the Anambra State Independent

Suspected thugs invade Speaker’s home

State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got worse yesterday, as over 50 suspected thugs invaded the home of the embattled Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku, beating up his relations, aides and security personnel.

The Speaker was allegedly impeached by 16 members of the House on Monday.

But the “impeachment” came after a 10-man faction loyal to the Speaker had allegedly suspended two members of the Assembly, Ogbonnaya Ikoro and Oliver Nwachukwu, after which they went on recess till December 15.

The suspected hoodlums, who came in three buses, re-

Abakaliki

portedly carried sticks, stones and other weapons.

Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu said the thugs were arrested by men of the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) while ransacking the Speaker’s official residence.

He said a stalwart of the PDP, who led the suspected hoodlums, was also apprehended, adding that the command was investigating the incident and would arraign the suspects soon.

Also yesterday, the state government accepted the impeachment of Speaker Nwazunku and election of his deputy, Blaise Orji, to replace him.

The Supervising Commis-

Okorocha cries out over ‘plot to rig’ elections

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•Relatives, aides, security men beaten up HE crisis in the Ebonyi From Ogochukwu Anioke,

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Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to conduct a fresh election based on the application brought by Mr. Golden C. Iloh.

Awugosi, however, appealed to the state High Court, which upheld the decision of the tribunal, but he did not vacate office as directed by the court, hence an application of contempt of court by Iloh’s counsel.

•Elechi

sioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike, described the impeachment as purely the business of the 24 members.

A coalition of youth organisations in the state said it was in support of the impeachment.

About 1,000 youths spoke at a rally in support of the government.

Spokesman for the youth and Commissioner for Education, Mr. Chibueze Agbo, said they came to support Speaker Orji and Governor Martin Elechi.

NAMBRA State Chief Judge Justice Peter Umeadi has inaugurated a seven–man panel to investigate allegations against the embattled Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Lady Ann Chukwuneke.

She was impeached last week by councillors over allegations of gross misconduct.

Lady Chukwuneke was removed by the councillors when she was away on official duty.

She is the only woman council chairman in the state.

Inaugurating the panel yesterday at the Judiciary Quarters in Awka, Justice Umeadi urged them to give every party a fair hearing.

He told the members that they had three months to do their job.

The panel is led by Mr. Linus Nweke, an engineer, while Peter Ogudebe will serve as the secretary.

Other members are Ifeanyi Nnaobi, Emeka Ogugua, Anselm Aforka, Charles Okafor and Paul Orjiewulu.

Twelve councillors of the 17 in the council signed the notice of impeachment, listing six offences allegedly committed by her.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has cried out over the alleged plot to rig the general elections by “mischievous politicians, who are manipulating the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the registration exercise.

The governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “Those who do not believe in free and fair elections, but strongly believe in rigging elections and the distortion or manipulation of other democratic processes in Imo State have not repented. They have refused to repent.

“It has become necessary to inform the indigenes, residents and lovers of democratic ideals of the activities of this group of persons, who have refused to heed the appeals by the governor against the sabotage of the exercise.”

According to him, “during the PVCs collection exercise last weekend, the home of a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ideato South Local Government was converted to polling units, where hired people signed papers for the collection of the voter cards of others.

“The exercise went on until residents got wind of the illegal polling units and stormed the place with security operatives. A good number of those involved in the illegal act were arrested with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervisor in the area. They are in custody at the police headquarters.

“The Rochas Campaign Organisation wishes to inform Imo people of this development and to urge them to be ready to prevent rigging and other malpractices.

“When they boast how they will win the general elections, they do so because they believe in their widest imagination that they can rig the poll.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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NEWS ‘Gun-running DSP killed to cover up evidence’

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USLIM Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has decried the arrest of a suspected gun runner and an armament’s officer, Nanbol Audu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

The police officer was said to have died in a Kaduna police detention to prevent him from revealing incriminating evidence.

MULAN’s Kaduna State Chairman Muhammad Etubi addressed reporters yesterday in Kaduna on the officer’s death.

He called for a thorough investigation into Audu’s death to uncover how he was killed.

Etubi said: “The thorough investigation must cover how Audu was killed and all those behind it should be apprehended and brought to justice. We believe he was silenced so that he would not reveal incriminating evidence.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

“We are, therefore, watching with keen interest subsequent development on the case, particularly as we gathered that the suspect was selling the arms and ammunition to people in Plateau State, where it is noteworthy that the state is one of the flash points of crises in the country.”

The late Audu and two others - Zingkur Joseph and Samuel Adamu - were arrested over alleged arms deal.

The lawyers, who also spoke on national issues, frowned at the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for withdrawing the security detail of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwwal.

He urged the police to perform their functions without fair or favour so that the ordinary man would not lose confidence in them.

Boko Haram: Military awaits presidential fiat to declare war T

HE fight against Boko Haram may soon take another shape following the renewed insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

The military is awaiting a presidential fiat to declare “total war” on the insurgents in the Northeast.

The fiat will enable the military to strike at insurgents without minding any collateral damage.

Troops have been exercising restraint because of the

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From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Adamu Aliyu, addressed reporters yesterday in Dutse, the state capital, after a stakeholders’ meeting.

Aliyu said the lawmaker had just announced his defection, adding that the formal declaration would be held soon with his supporters.

He said: “We also have in our midst a personality

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TAKEHOLDERS in the Borno State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed Governor Kashim Shettima for a second term in next year’s election.

The stakeholders, comprising over 2,500 members with Federal and state legis-

APC today. He is Alhaji Barau Gabasha from Buji.

Already, we have given him an automatic ticket to contest for the House of Assembly seat for Buji.”

An APC stalwart in Jigawa State announced that the party would continue to receive PDP bigwigs to protest Governor Sule Lamido’s alleged dictatorship and bad policies in the last eight years.

Two Jigawa APC aspirants agree on consensus

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WO governorship aspirants of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Jigawa State, Faruk Adamu Aliyu and Pharmacist Hashim Ubale Yusufu, have resolved to go for a consensus candidate for the party’s unity ahead of the 2015 elections.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Dutse, the state capital, after a meeting of the aspirants and their supporters, they agreed to go for a consensus arrangement before the primaries.

Aliyu said the arrangement was part of APC’s strategies to take over the administration of Jigawa State from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

He said: “Due to our concern for the situation of the nation and the poverty among the people in this state, we feel that we should do everything democratic to save our people. That is why we resolved to go on consensus. We hope there will be others to join us later.”

Aliyu added: “We had resolved not to go into primaries. I should either step down for Hassim or he will step down for me before the time of the primaries.”

On Dutse International Airport built by the PDP government, he said: “If APC forms the next government in Jigawa State, we

will sell the airport to private operators and collect the N18 billion claimed to have been spent on it by the governor.

“If we get this money, we will use it to develop agriculture, improve our hospitals and water supply, especially in Dutse metropolis and other areas that would touch the lives of our people positively.

“The people of Jigawa State do not need an airport at the moment. That’s because there is a difference between needs and wants.

So, if we sell the airport, it is not going to be taken out of Dutse. Rather, the private operators are going manage it here.”

Makurdi stands still as Jime picks APC form

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HERE was a traffic gridlock yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Emmanuel Jime, picked his nomination form to contest next year’s governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jime is highly favoured to clinch the APC governorship slot and challenge any candidate presented by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker, who arrived in Makurdi at 1.30pm, was received by a huge crowd of supporters at Agan toll gate. The long convoy

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

drove through the North Bank, crossed the new bridge to Wurukum before going to the APC secretariat.

APC State Chairman Abba Yaro, who presented Jime to the crowd, said the lawmaker had been tested and trusted.

The chairman said the aspirant would deliver to the people of Benue real development in all sectors.

He promised to chair the conduct of transparent primaries to strengthen the party’s preparation for a clear victory in next year’s elections.

Jime’s motorcade drove through the streets of Makurdi to IBB Square, where he addressed a crowd

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“ceasefire” agreement between the government and the sect, it was learnt yesterday.

Besides, troops have been cautious about going all out against the insurgents because Boko Haram used

A top security source, who spoke in confidence, said troops could confront the insurgents, if so authorised.

The source said: “We have reached a point that a presidential fiat is necessary to declare a total war against the insurgents. We were al-

Borno APC endorses Shettima for second term

Reps’ committee chair Nakudu dumps PDP for APC HE Chairman of the who just left the PDP for the

House of Representatives Committee on Customs and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Birninkudu/Buji of Jigawa State in the National Assembly, Sabo Nakudu, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with thousands of his supporters.

An APC governorship aspirant in the state, Faruk

•Sect using child-soldiers, women as child-soldiers and women as shields shields.

most at this point when the ‘ceasefire’ negotiation with the insurgents began.

“We had no choice than to abide by the decision of the government to give the negotiation a chance.

“It may become inevitable that collateral damage may be recorded, if we get the order, especially because Boko Haram elements are using civilians as human shields to continue to gain undue advantage in the battle in the Northeast.”

of supporters from the 23 local government areas in their distinctive canopies.

Besides the large turnout of APC members, market women, students’ groups and youth organisations, dignitaries from parts of the state also attended the occasion.

They included the former member of the House of Representatives representing Buruku Federal Constituency, Orker Jev and a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 elections, Prof Steven Torkuma Ugba.

Jime is the third APC governorship aspirant to have paid and picked nomination forms.

Others are: Akange Audu and Prof Steven Ugba.

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

lators, former and serving local government chairmen, party executive at state and local government levels, “unanimously” urged the governor to seek a re-election as the party’s candidate in the 2015 governorship election.

The APC faithful met at the Government House Multi – Purpose Hall in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Thousands of the governor’s supporters attended the occasion. They urged him to run the state for another four-year term under the APC. House of Assembly Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan noted that Shettima’s effective service delivery earned him

the “unanimous endorsement”.

The 28 legislators in the Assembly, last week, bought the APC governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for Shettima to run for the February 28, 2015 poll.

Leader of the State Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, Kadiri Rahis, who also hairs Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), said: “It will be great injustice if Shettima does not continue in office for a second term.

“The governor has performed far beyond the expectations of his critics. The infrastructure and human development, particularly in the area of education, are visible for all to see.

“Only brave and coura-

•Shettima

geous leaders who truly have the interest of the masses at heart can perform like Governor Shettima under a very challenging security situation. We, therefore, unanimously endorse the candidature of the governor for a second term in office.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

NEWS PDP makes u-turn on Enugu ward congresses

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HE controversy surrounding the November 1 ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has taken a dramatic twist as counsel to the national leadership of the party told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the elections to elect the three-man ad-hoc delegates from the 260 wards in the State, did not hold.

The party’s position was contained in an affidavit and a written address it filed in its defence to a suit brought by three persons claiming to be suing on behalf of “themselves and all delegates elected on the 1st of November, 2014 at the ward congress held in Enugu State”, in which they are asking the court to prevent the PDP from changing the “result of the congress”.

They had joined the National Chairman of the PDP, the National Secretary, the National Working Committeee of the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants in the suit.

The party, however, in the counter affidavit filed by Fredrick C. Olisa, a counsel in the chambers of its solicitors, A.A Ibrahim and Co, contended that no ward congresses took place on the 1st of November, 2014 in Enugu contrary to the claims of the plaintiffs.

It stated that due to a misudnerstanding “ that almost involved fistcuffs”among the members of the electoral committee set up by the national leadership of the party who were to conduct the ward congress in Enugu State, the materials for the election did not leave Abuja but were deposited by mutual consent at the Wuse Police station for safe keeping.

The party further asserted that contrary to the claims of

the plaintiffs, the result sheets for the congresses were still in its custody, adding that none of the plaintiffs “won any election and were never issued with the official result sheet in form PD/004.

While admitting that “there have been allegations and counter allegations in respect of the ward congress in Enugu State,” the party declared that it had not accepted any list of ad-hoc delgates from the contending parties since “the National Working Committee is addressing the issue.”

The PDP, therefore, averred that the suit was “ a subterfuge by the plaintiffs to foist their ambition on the party as the 1st defendant’s (PDP) delegates”.

Also, the party, in a written address further urged the court to dismiss the suit since the plaintiffs had from the evidence before it, failed to establish that they won the election, neither have they adduced any evidence that the congress allegedely conducted was in compliance with the constitution and the electoral guidelines of the party.

The party further contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to choose or decide on which of the party members are delegates as “ the issue is purely political and not justiceable.”

It will be recalled that the both the ward and Local Government congresses in Enugu State have been the subject of intense controversy between factions loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime and Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate.

Whereas the governor’s camp has continued to insist that no congresses held in the state, the David Aja-led faction loyal to Ekweremadu insisted that the exercise held, and even came up with the list of delegates so elected at the congresses.

My eight-point agenda for Lagos, by Pitan

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AGOS State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Leke Pitan promised yesterday to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders.

He spoke before a large crowd at the declaration of his ambition held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

The aspirant presented an eight-point agenda his administration would implement if he wins the primary and eventually elected governor next year.

He served as Commissioner for Health and Education for eight years under the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu.

Pitan said: “The journey that brought us together here today commenced with a call from the members and leaders of our great party and the eminent citizens of our dear state, for me to rise to the occasion, lead the charge for the consolidation of our inheritance, and ensure the delivery of the Lagos Promise to our people”.

The former commissioner told the cheering crowd that: “If given your mandate, I make a solemn pledge today

By Leke Salaudeen, Assistant Editor

before God and man, to ensure the continued delivery of these Lagos promises by running a government that is focused on human capital development and driven by socio-economic investments in our people and physical environment re-engineering”.

His eight-point programme include: economic empowerment programmes construction of shops for marketing women; healthcare reforms; educational reforms and security of lives and property.

Others are: food security and agricultural expansion programmes; affordable housing schemes and new towns development; inner city road construction and multi-modal transportation schemes; and water works and power generation.

To achieve all this, Pitan said: “I will use our investments in the human capital development of our people to create a paradigm shift on revenue generation for our dear state by broadening the state’s tax base while simplifying the state tax drive to expand our internally generated revenue.”

TUNDE BAKARE @ 60

•BIR THD AY BO Y : General Overseer, Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare (middle) being assisted by Ogun State •BIRTHD THDA BOY Governor Ibikunle Amosun (second left) and former Federal Capital Territory Minister Nasir El-Rufai to cut his 60th birthday cake at the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Ogba, Lagos...yesterday.. With them are Bakare’s wife Olaide (second left) and former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

•Pastor Bakare (left); National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo;Oba Kehinde Gbadamosi and Osile Oke Ona-Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho PHOTOS: TAIWO OKANLAWON

Bayelsa PDP aspirants insist on primaries

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ENATORIAL aspirants on the platform of the Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have restated their calls for fair and credible primaries.

Some of the aspirants warned the party against giving automatic tickets to incumbent senators.

Irked by the decision of the national leadership of the party and President Goodluck Jonathan to pacify senators with automatic tickets, the aspirants said the move would lead to protest votes.

Some angry aspirants, who spoke in confidence in Yenagoa, the state capi-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

tal, stressed that the decision should immediately be reversed in the interest of justice and democracy.

They described the plan to give automatic tickets to the senators as the highest level of deception by the party which collected their hard-earned money in exchange for forms.

Insisting that the decision would spell doom for the party, the aspirants described most of the senators clamouring for automatic tickets as possible electoral liabilities.

They challenged the senators, whom they said

had failed their constituencies, to a fair primary election and vowed to defeat them.

The Coordinating Secretary of the Southsouth Peoples Assembly and a leader of PDP in the state, Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey, described the decision as undemocratic.

Whiskey, who is aspiring for Bayelsa West, said the decision contradicted the principles of democracy, which allow the people to choose their leaders freely.

The aspirant noted that the PDP, by the decision, would only succeed in narrowing the political space and present misfits to the

electorate.

He recalled that in 1999, the PDP lost the Bayelsa West senatorial seat to the Action for Democracy (AD) because its leaders presented an unpopular candidate.

Whiskey said: “Therefore, the decision to give half of the seats to serving senators - whether they have performed creditably or otherwise - will lead the party to many problems.

“The elections do not end with only party members.

Candidates will certainly face the best from other parties, and where a party imposed a non-performing candidate, there could be protest votes.”

Aspirants seek cancellation of Cross River PDP congress

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OME leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State have urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to discard the result of the November 6 congress which they said is fraught with irregularities.

Governorship candidate Sylvester Ugbo and senatorial candidate John Enoh insisted at a media

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

briefing in Abuja yesterday that the state chapter of the PDP had suspended Senator Ndoma-Egba and Mr Jeddy Gody-Agba. They said their suspension remained in force.

Ugbo and Enoh accused them of causing disaffection that could jeopardise the electoral fortune of the party. They urged Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu to intervene.

They said: “A few moneybags, using their ill-gotten wealth, are attempting to subvert the will of the majority of our party members by switching the results of the delegate election.

“We support the actions taken by the State Working Committee (SWC) against

disloyal members for the purpose of ensuring party discipline and cohesion.

“We urge the National Working Committee (NWC) to equally punish all disloyal party members within their disciplinary purview.

“On our part, we will continue to encourage the use of legitimate means to address internal party issues.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

NEWS

Nigerians jailed in London for black magic Brothel madam jailed for trafficking women into UK and scaring them into prostitution with black magic ceremonies where they were forced to eat live snakes

A

BROTHEL madam has been jailed for trafficking woman into the UK and scaring them into prostitution by making them eat live snakes in an African black magic ceremony.

Lizzy Idahosa, 24, and her husband Jackson Omoruyi, 41, made more than £70,000 out of the Nigerian women, who were terrified with voodoo and made to see a witch doctor for a sinister ‘juju’ ceremony.

Heavily pregnant Idahosa was sentenced to eight years at the weekend and broke down as she was told she would be separated from her child when it is born.

Omoruyi was sentenced to two years behind bars.

Judge Tom Crowther told Idahosa she was the scheme’s ‘prime mover adding: ‘You targeted vulnerable young women, offering them the hope of new lives, all the while knowing you would keep them in a kind of hell, from place to place at your whim, forced to pay an entirely arbitrary debt with their bodies, day in, day out over a period of years.’

Idahosa was convicted of trafficking the women, inciting them to become prostitutes and transferring criminal property, while Omoruyi was found guilty of money laundering.

During the couple’s trial at Cardiff Crown Court, the jury was told that the two victims, aged 23 and 29, had their pubic hair shaved and forced to eat live snakes and snails as part of the ritual, and then flown to Britain in the belief that they were going to find a better life.

Speaking about her horrific ordeal the 29-year-old said: ‘It was not a big snake, but it was alive.I just closed my eyes and put it in my mouth.

She added: ‘They told me if I messed if up, I would get sent back to Nigeria and Lizzy would kill me.

I wanted to stop. I was ashamed of myself and I had no life.’

When the women arrived in the UK they were put to work as prostitutes, working in brothels at massage parlours across England and Wales.

They were told they had to give all the money they earned to Idahosa, and believed the black magic curses would make them go insane or die if they refused.

‘The couple were involved in the exploitation of two women brought into the UK from Nigeria to work as prostitutes,’ said Caroline Rees, prosecuting, during the trial.

‘They were bound to this by something called a juju ritual. It was a ceremonial ritual used to full effect to terrify both women into doing what was demanded of them.

‘It was used to ensure compliance, secrecy, and they believed if they broke the bond dire consequences would follow: illness, madness, infertility or death.

‘They genuinely believed the powers would work.’

The offences came to light after police arrested a 23-year-old Nigerian woman at the Ambassador Suite brothel in Cardiff, in June 2013.

She told officers she had been living rough in Nigeria after her mother died and had wanted to travel to the UK to find her father.

She had then met a woman, claiming to be Idahosa’s sister, who promised to make arrangements for her to travel to London, and as part of the agreement had to take part in the ceremony.

‘She did not know what was expected of her,’ said Ms Rees, who said the woman had been able to pass through immigration at Heathrow.

‘She was taken to a premises full of women dressed in their underwear. There was no explanation as to what was going on but it soon became clear.’

The woman started to work as a prostitute and was forced to have sexual intercourse with seven or eight men every day, working in brothels across the UK, including in Cardiff and Swansea.

When interviewed, she claimed she had given Idahosa £45,000.

The second victim told the court she had paid the defendants £31,400 over two years after working in brothels in Cardiff, Swansea, Barking and East Croydon, and said she had worked in South Wales for a year and eight months.

The woman, who like her fellow victim cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had stopped working and changed her sim card so Idahosa could not contact her.

However, within a month she received a phone call from her mother in Nigeria.

‘I had a call from my mum who told me Lizzy’s people had been to her house and threatened her,’ the victim told the jury.

‘Lizzy said if I did not pay her she would kill my mum and make me go mad.’

Idahosa and Omoruyi, who were arrested at their home in London, denied any wrong doing.

But police checked their bank accounts and found a series of transfers with Omoruyi acting as a ‘financial middle man’.

Idahosa had denied forcing the women to take part in a black magic ceremony, but claimed that she herself had been trafficked into the UK and forced to work as a prostitute.

She told the jury she did not know the two women had been trafficked.

‘It was only when I told them I was trafficked into the country that I found out they were trafficked,’ she said.

Idahosa, who is heavily pregnant, said she made an oath with her trafficker before leaving Nigeria and was forced to eat the roast heart of a cockerel.

She said: ‘I wouldn’t do the things they say I did because I’ve been

•End-of-the End-of-the -Road: Idahosa

•Omoruyi

‘

You targeted vulnerable young women, offering them the hope of new lives, all the while knowing you would keep them in a kind of hell, from place to place at your whim, forced to pay an entirely arbitrary debt with their bodies, day in, day out over a period of years through it.’

The jury was told that cash payments of several hundred pounds a time had been deposited into Omoruyi’s account from locations all over the country, including Glasgow, Sheffield and Southampton.

He had claimed that money came from his friend.

‘I am the kind of person who likes clothes and shoes and I’m known for that - I like to find bargains,’ he said.

‘It is not that it is any fraud money or anything. My account has not been used for anything like that.’

During an interview with police, he said: ‘I am here to say I do not even know the people you are talking about - I have never seen them.

‘I have never involved myself in that kind of activity in this country, even before this country. I have not and I would not,’ he had claimed.

Christopher Drew, representing Omoruyi, of London, said: ‘Since coming to this country, he has demonstrated a willingness to work honestly.’

But Judge Crowther said he was ‘certain’ that Omoruyi knew the money was illegal and where it was coming from.

‘

Idahosa was convicted of a total of eight counts including trafficking two women into and around the UK, inciting them to become prostitutes and transferring criminal property.

Omoruyi was convicted of two offences of money laundering.

A jury at Cardiff Crown Court took just five hours to find them guilty. Both were remanded in custody today to be sentenced next month, but judge Tom Crowther QC warned them they will face lengthy custodial sentences.

Speaking after the verdicts had been given, Ms Rees said: ‘This was a despicable and callous crime.

‘These two defendants were involved in an elaborate deception, taking advantage of cultural and financial issues in order to gain a devastating hold over their vulnerable victims.

‘Once the victims had entered the UK, they were exploited and abused in the most brutal manner. Human trafficking is totally unacceptable in our society.

‘I hope today’s convictions will send a clear message that those who seek to degrade and demean others

for their own personal gain can expect to be pursued and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

‘It took an immense amount of courage for the victims to come forward and seek to break free from their ordeal. I hope that their courage will act as an inspiration for others who may find themselves in a similar position.

‘Whilst we cannot undo what has already happened to these victims, we can hope that today’s convictions will help them as they try to move on from their ordeal.’

A spokesman for the Home Office, which led the investigation, said: ‘Trafficking is an appalling crime that has no place in today’s society but, as this case has shown, it is taking place here.

‘That is why we are taking action on a number of fronts.

‘We are working with law enforcement overseas, the law is being strengthened and the Modern Slavery Bill, one of the first of its kind in the world, will make it easier to prosecute the criminals behind trafficking and improve the protection of victims.’

15

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Crisis is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State over succession. YUSUFU IDEGU examines the battle for power in the Northcentral state.

2015: Succession battle tears Plateau apart P

LATEAU State Governor Jonah Jang will bow out of office next year after completing two terms. But, the succession battle is tearing apart the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor has kept a sealed lips on the vexed issue. When he was accused of anointing a candidate, he refuted the allegation, saying that God will choose his successor.

Few weeks to the governorship primaries, the coast is not clear. There is a bitter competition among the three senatorial districts.

The three zones-Plateau South, Plateau Central and Plateau North- have produced governors under an unwritten rotational system. Now that the zones have taken their turns, the competition is stiffer.

Ahead of the election, the ruling party is polarised. The political players are divided by ambition. Some are agitating for the implementation of the for zoning formula.

Some are against zoning. The governor is believed to be leading the anti-zoning crusaders. he has explained that merit should not be displaced by zoning. In his view, zoning is good, but competence should not be sacrificed on the alter of zoning.

The former National Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, coordinating the battle for zoning. Specifically, he is agitating for power shift to to the South District.

However, sources said that Jang has endorsed a young Berom politician form Plateau North, Senator Gyang Pwajok, as his successor. “As a matter of fact, Jang will simply swap position with his anointed successor,” said the source, who added that the governior is eyeing the Senate.

Pwajok is representing Plateau North in the National Assembly. He will complete his first term next year. Already, the governor has picked the senatorial form for the district. Also, the senator has obtained the governorship form.

However, stakeholders from the South are not happy with these developments.

They believe that the governor is trying to shortchange them. They argue that, since Jang is from the North and his deputy is from the South, the South should produce his successor.

Two partisan groups have emerged to lead the agitation for power shift and zoning. One of them, which is led by Mr. Nuhu Gagara, is called the “Redemption Integrity Group.” This group comprises of former commissioners, former council chairmen, former legislators and senior politicians. The second group, the “Justice and Equity Group,” is led by Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama. Both groups, whose membership cut across the three zones, said the existing zoning formula must be allowed to take its course in 2015 elections.

Makama said: “The necessity for zoning the governorship in Plateau State has been an enduring principle and practice, and it is because of it that Governor Jonah Jang had tremendous support across the three zones in the 2007 and 2011 elections.

“Majority of the people felt that, after Southern Plateau produced the late Solomon Lar and Fidelis Tapgun and the Central Zone produced Joshua Dariye, it was time for Northern Zone to have one of their own as our governor. To say now that there is no zoning is to attempt to wish away zoning and breach the existing practice and you cannot justify that breach.

“Plateau North has had a full tenure of two consecutive terms of four years each.

It is only fair that another part of the state should be allowed to have the governor in 2015.

The politician added: “The anointing of Senator Pwajok, a Berom from Plateau North, makes it clear that one ethnic group wishes to perpetuate itself in power. The implication is that Plateau, being a highly heterogeneous state, made up of over 50 ethnic groups, not even a combination of

‘Those calling for the emergence of a competent flag bearer are now working for Pwajok.

Those who insist on zoning are working for the deputy governor, Ignatius Datong Longjan, to succeed his boss. The succession battle is on.

No fewer than 20 aspirants are in the race. Who wins at the primaries?

Time will tell’ •Map of Pleteau State

• Jang

• Pwajok

two or three ethnic groups can dominate the other ethnic groups put together. Anything suggesting that the powers that be want to remain in power will generate mistrust and bad blood amongst the ethnic groups.

“Each of the three zones has people with the qualities to be governor. You can find people from each zone that can even do better than Governor Jang. They only haven’t be given the opportunity. Zoning, I must say, is ingrained in the hearts of the people.

“If you look at those currently aspiring to be governor, there is a preponderance of those from the southern zone. There are just a couple of aspirants from the central zone and only one from the northern zone (before Governor Jang indicated Senator Gyang Pwajok as his choice) and it was only in the last few days that the aspirant (Bitrus Bako Nabasu) came out. This shows you that the people of the northern zone know that after it would be eight years in power by 2015, another zone should have the governor.

Former Commissioner for InformationMr. Nuhu Gagara, who is the spokesman for the Redemption Integrity Group (RIG), said: “Majority of Plateau people believe that

power should shift to Plateau South and it will be difficult for an individual within or outside Plateau state to change the mindset of the people. Anyone who tries that will fail woefully. Power has been rotating between the three zones and it will continue to rotate. Any attempt to stop the rotation will attract the wrath of Plateau people. The rotation is the secret behind our unity as a people. Any change in this direction will not be in the interest of our people.”

Also, the ‘Plateau PDP Youths of Conscience’ has declared that the attempt by certain forces to tamper with the zoning arrangements of the state is an attempt to set Plateau people on coalition course.

He said: “In the interest of peace and unity, the governor and stakeholders should allow the next governor to come from Plateau South.”

Former PDP chairman, Professor Dakum Shon, also said the succession crisis is unnecessary. He said: “There is zoning in Plateau State.The governor is a beneficiary of that zoning. But, after enjoying two terms

as governor based on the zoning, he now says there was no zoning. It is very unfortunate.

“But, Plateau people have spoken. The people are already looking towards the Southern zone to pick the next governor. It will be so disappointing for Jang to now work against the interest of those who supported him for two terms.”

House of Representatives member from Jos East/Jos South Constituency, Hon Bitrus Kaze, who also lent his voice to the controversy, said: “There has been zoning in Plateau State before the establishment of the PDP. The PDP believes in zoning because the party constitution provided for equity, justice and fairness. The constitution also provided for zoning. It is reflected in the federal character principle. “ If you remove zoning and the federal character from the constitution, there will be dominance by a particular section of the society. That dominance will lead to oppression. There will be chaos and anarchy in the society. So, for the sake of peace, let zoning remain. It is the turn of Plateau South to produce the next governor.

A PDP chieftain, Da Bulus Dareng, said: “Plateau people will not support any governorship candidate from Plateau North.

The people know that it is the turn of Plateau South. I am a Berom from Plateau North. But, I will not be part of any arrangement to get another governor from Plateau North. We have been in power for two terms. In fairness to other ethnic groups, we should allow the power to rotate.”

However, other groups believe that zoning is anti-democratic in practice, adding that it does not allow room for a levelplaying ground. Those who believe there should be no zoning are advocating for a competent governorship candidate.

A PDP chieftain, who spoke on the contition of anonymity, said: “All we are saying is, we want the best for Plateau people, so let there be open contest and allow plateau people to select the best quality from all the aspirants. You can get the best political candidate if you zone the contest.

We are only advocating for quality governor who will build on the foundation already laid by Governor Jang in the last seven years.”

Those calling for the emergence of a competent flag bearer are now working for Pwajok. Those who insist on zoning are working for the deputy governor, Ignatius Datong Longjan, to succeed his boss.

The succession battle is on. No fewer than 20 aspirants are in the race. Who wins at the primaries? Time will tell.

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

RACE TO 2015 Nick Oparandudu, a banker, recently resigned as the Commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue and Pension Matters in Imp State. He is aspiring to represent Imo East Senatorial District in the Senate on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).In this interview with BOLA OLAJUWON,he speaks on his agenda for the district, achievements of the Okorocha Administration and the chance of the party at the poll.

Oparandudu: APC is party to beat in Imo

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HAT informed your decision to run for Senate in Imo East District?

My decision was borne out of the passion to serve my people and because it is a place I have always desired to be a part of. That was what led to my foray into politics in 2011. I was privileged to run for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ticket, to also represent the party in the senatorial election. Unfortunately, a couple of things happened and that ambition was not realised.

What really happened?

While some ran for the progress of the party, it wasn’t clear to us that some process were being run underneath to keep the incumbent in the National Assembly. While those of us who were interested in the APGA’s ticket were busy discussing the senatorial processes, going from one local government to the other, we didn’t know that we were merely wasting our time as it were. At that time, on the day of the primary election, the materials were taken away and the primaries were declared inconclusive. Few days later, we learnt that the National Working Committee of the party had settled for Mrs. Chris Anyanwu as the party’s candidate for the Senate. Coincidentally, on the day we were having the primaries, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was having their national convention to confirm Dr. Jonathan as the party’s flag bearer for the presidential election. And right there on the podium, the person, who subsequently became the candidate of the APGA for the Senate, Senator Chris Anyanwu, was there participating. It was an irony of such. But, that is history. Few days later, she was no more part of the PDP; she joined the APGA and was handed over the ticket on a platter of gold.

From that time till now, I have always nursed that ambition. My involvement with Imo State Government was also to learn about politics and also to know about the politics of Imo State. Often times, people make the mistakes of wanting to contest for positions without being used to the local environment. In my own case, I felt it was important to make that sacrifice and, having been involved over the past three and half years, it has been a very rewarding experience. Not just that, it’s something that has also prepared me for my intention to pick the ticket of the party. I also believe that God’s time is the best.

What are the chances of your party?

Regardless of the misinformation, the APC is the party to beat in Imo State. The exemplary and extraordinary achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha are clear to the Imo people that governance could deliver dividend of democracy and not just lip service. You can go to Imo State and see what the governor has put in place actually. The people of Imo State are beginning to see that 12 years of the PDP made no sense, in terms of accomplishments. Over the past three and half years, Imo has been enjoying free education right from primary to the university level. Every family in Imo State has beneficiaries. Comparing the infrastructural work of the PDP for 12 years, you will realise it is insignificant to what the present administration has done; the records are there to be verified.

We have constructed over 600 kilo-

•Oparandudu

metres of roads. The administration is dualising the road from Owerri to Orlu.

From Orlu to the boundary in Anambra State, it is being done by the present administration, even though it is a federal road.

Same applies to education. It is on record that the government is constructing 305 schools in the 305 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wards. For healthcare, the government has almost completed 27 general hospitals in the 27 local government of Imo State. There are some ultra-modern diagnostic facilities put in place by the same government. Three to four years ago, all this were not in place. The total transformation is all over the state, including the rural areas. Good roads are everywhere. It bothers one seriously that people still use propaganda to mask victorious achievements. What they are seeing today is real progress and development in Imo State for benefit of the people. APC remains the best platform and it is the platform, by God’s grace, I intend to run for office and I am certain that, with the relationship at the grassroots level, we are going to succeed.

What are your chances of winning?

My chances are good in the primaries.

I have served Imo State for more than three years. There are four other contestants in this race - one is a serving Commissioner like myself. He has been in the cabinet for close to 20 months.

There are two former legislators in National Assembly as well. I know that what I have been able to achieve under the present administration, my chances are very good. It shows that I am the candidate to beat, as far as APC is concerned in the primaries. This is something you can find out, because the people are beginning to hear about fresh

‘Regardless of the misinformation, the APC is the party to beat in Imo State. The exemplary and extraordinary achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha are clear to the Imo people that governance could deliver dividend of democracy and not just lip service’

ideas on how to do things differently.

And not even just experience, people are beginning to talk about ideas and I have a very good chance. I believe by God’s grace, November 29, I will emerge in the APC, and by God’s grace, I will win the Senate seat, because I don’t think there is any party that can match up with APC in the election.

How has transformation taken place, in terms of economy in Imo? You will discover that the rate at which people are moving into Imo State is much now. People are trying to move their businesses into Imo State, because Imo is now being recognised truly as the heartland of the nation, and I believe that having worked for the state government through the ministries that I worked, with all due respect, the little I have been able to do has been acknowledged by not just the government, but by also the people at large. So to that extent, I think this government has done well and those of us who would be privileged to run on its platform will get better advantage and most likely to succeed in our endeavours.

What should be the focus of National Assembly members?

It is believed that everyone who goes to the National Assembly, there should be effective representation. There is nothing extra ordinary about that.

Every representative at the National Assembly is entitled to some projects for his or her constituency. You are not doing anything unusual or extraordinary. But, I think what Nigerians demand now are transformative ideas.

We have failed to embrace ideas that have worked in other places. That is the more reason why I am going to the Senate.

What happens, if you don’t get the ticket?

I will continue with my support for the present administration, in the transformation process, taking place in Imo. But I am quite optimistic that I will get the ticket, because I believe that even within our party in Imo State, they are looking for people who have fresh ideas that will change the course of our history for the better. It is not a matter of people who have been there before, I think Nigeria is in need of people who will make a change, which is the most important thing and I believe people are beginning to reason along that line.

What impact is the low oil revenue affecting the development of the state?

It is affecting all the states. For example, if we were receiving N5 trillion and suddenly it reduces to N8.5 billion, all the frameworks being supported by revenue profile would be seriously affected. That is what the state government is currently experiencing; it is a very serious matter. We have to start looking elsewhere. The resources on ground will determine what could be done, thereby affecting the infrastructure that should be put in place.

In Owerri, we will have close to 300 factories in the next three to five years, just like Lagos. Something has to be done for us to create industrial infrastructure across the states, so as to create means of livelihood for the people. We must create opportunities for our people. Outside of government, we have the most important assets, we need the enabling environment, we need to tap into our natural resources and utilise the population we have to make these businesses thrive.

‘

I believe by God’s grace, November 29, I will emerge in the APC, and by God’s grace, I will win the Senate seat, because I don’t think there is any party that can match up with APC in the election

‘

Kwara PDP explores consensus option From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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WARA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant and scion of the Belgore family, Kale Belgore, has said that he will embrace consensus candidacy, if it is the party decides to explore the option.

The former Commissioner for Lands and Housing thanked Kwarans for giving him and his brother, Dele Belgore, the opportunity to aspire under the PDP. Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Kale Belgore said, as a committed member, he would abide by the decision of the party.

The architect-turned politician said: “The party is supreme. If the party believes in consensus, the consensus has different interpretations. It could mean that there is a zoning; it could mean that one or two persons would be shortlisted.

It could mean that one particular person has been decided upon.

“There could be a basis for arriving at this decision and, if the party and my interpretation of the party is that majority members of that association, feels in a particular way, any loyal member, anybody who is committed to the ideals of the party, would abide by the decision and I have always been a dedicated and loyal member of the party.”

On the aspiration of the Belgore’s, he said: “First of all, I must thank Kwarans for the honour they have given the Belgore family; that two members of one family have decided to run for the governorship of Kwara under the PDP and not a mushroom party. It is a big honour for the family and for the two of us.

“The interpretation of who is best suited to run the race differs from one person to another and I feel that that decision would be taken by the party during the congress. The delegates may decide that somebody, who has never run an election or somebody who has never played politics before, is the one they want to choose. If you believe in democracy, then, you submit to that

Group warns Bayelsa PDP against imposition From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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GROUP, the Niger Delta Youth Forum (NDYF), has warned the Peoples Demicratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State against the imposition of can didates for next year’s elections.

The group disclosed that it got wind of moves by some party leaders to impose anointed candidates on the party.

In a petition to Governor Seriake Dickson, it alleged that plans were underway to field nine House of Assembly members for the poll through the back door.

Its National Coordinator, Mr. Mike Olomu, also objected to zoning, saying the move would deny the right to participate in the primaries.

He alleged that the party has concluded arrangment to impose some members of the governor’s cabinet on their respective constituencies.

In the petition, Olomu allged that some chieftains were plotting to impose former Commissioner for Education Salo Adiekumo, and the Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Mr. Foster Oguola, during the election.

Also, he complained that the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Ben MurrayBruce, who is vying for a senatorial ticket, has been annointed by the party.

Olomu said while Dickson has the right to support the parliamentary ambition of his aides, he should have also carried the stakeholders along.

He said the head of the scholarship board should prove to the people that he has performed well in office.

He said: “All Bayelsa students in Malaysia have not been paid and those that graduated have not been cleared and handed their certificates.

“Foster Oguola and Salo should be asked to drop their ambition and pursue the scholarship problem of Bayelsa students.

“These people have failed to ensure the payment of bursary to Bayelsa Student in Russia since the inception of the present administration.We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene.”

“It is also unfair and unacceptable the alleged endorsement of nine out of the 24 members of the State House of Assembly to return in 2015.

“Out of the 24 members that served in the House of Assembly, only Tonye Isena served meritoriously. The review of their performance showed mass failure. They do not deserve the party’s ticket.

•Dickson

Stakeholders back lawmaker’s third term bid

By Musa Odoshimokhe

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GROUP, the Ifako League of Professionals, is supporting the third term ambition of the Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Dayo Fafunmi. Its leader, Frank Awode, said the lawmaker has lived up to expectation in his first term.

He said:”Ifako League of Professionals disagrees with those suggesting that the lawmaker is self-serving and should quit. It is out of place and inimical to the growth of the constituency for him to quit now. It appears that the proponents of this feather weight argument are not cognisance of the issues.

“The parliament, unlike the executive arm, does not have a ceiling to the number of terms lawmakers could vie for their seat. Therefore, the legislator can re-contest.

A member of the group, Victor Nzewi, said: “You cannot change a winning team. The lawmaker is delivering. He is tested and would do more if given a another term.

“If given four more years, the constituency will be better for it. We are impressed by his performance and it would be good for him to spend four more years to consolidate on the gains made.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

17

RACE TO 2015

‘

The state has grown in leaps, especially in the last seven years. And our recent growth has been based on our philosophy of ‘Delta beyond oil’. I have been a part of the people who designed that programme.

I was well positioned to continue, to sustain in and expand it, for the greater benefit of our people

‘

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Sir Tony Obuh, who visited The Nation’s Corporate Office in Lagos, explained his mission in politics, his agenda for the Southsouth state and preparation for the primaries. Excerpts.

‘Why I want to govern Delta’ W

HY are you contesting for the gover norship of Delta State?

Having served for 32 years, some will wonder why not the mandatory 35 years before retirement. I retired, not because I was tired or because it was mandatory for me to go, but because I wanted to serve in a higher capacity. I saw that vacancy in the position of the governor of Delta State and, looking at the array of person that have offered themselves for the position, I have an opportunity to serve my people. I have the qualification, experience and exposure to offer something of greater value to the people of Delta State. Putting my experience side by side with theirs, and because I have had the privilege of knowing quite a number of them, I thought that I was well positioned to take over from the present governor and contribute my own quota, to the growth and development of the state. The state has grown in leaps, especially in the last seven years. And our recent growth has been based on our philosophy of ‘Delta beyond oil’. I have been a part of the people who designed that programme. I was well positioned to continue, to sustain in and expand it, for the greater benefit of our people. And so, I decided to leave the service, seek the permission and agreement of my people, consequently upon myself to serve. That is where we are today, so far I had gone round the state meeting different opinion groups both those in the political party the PDP, those outside the political party, students, market women, traditional institutions and other individuals who are critical stakeholders in the life of Delta State.

The response that we had, had been very encouraging. So, far our activities have been very well received. What we have used as our campaign materials have been produced and donated freely by people of different classes, groups including civil servants, even the unemployed person. For those who do not have money to spend, they have offered physical labour to support us. It has been very encouraging; we are on that path to pursue the mandate of the people of Delta State, to render service in the capacity of the governor.

We believe we have the support of our people and the blessing of the Almighty God, so that we can add values to the lives of our people. We believe that by December 29 when we have our primaries, that will be a great day we will write a greater ‘WAEC’ and collect our result for the big one.

You have been a civil servant and not a politician. How do you accomplish this?

Let me answer directly. W,e have come to a stage where the people of Delta State are very discerning to what happen to their future. What they do in political, I think is the physical thing.

How much has it added to the lives of the people in the last 20, 30 years? I have had the opportunity of being available to the people of Delta State for 32 years, and I believe the people are aware enough to know what I can do in terms of managing the affairs of the state. So, being in politics for donkey’s years for me is not the qualification for good governance.

So, you are saying that the people of Delta State will prefer a technocrat to a politician?

They will prefer a technocrat to a politician, at least, somebody who understands the environment, somebody who they accept and believe will be available to serve them the way they want. I want to say that, 14 years after the political class came to the saddle; we know the level of their performance. We have made some significant progress but equally there is the need to try some other persons who have found to be credible in terms of public service.

So, you are saying that what the politicians have offered in the last 14 years seems not to be good enough...

I have seen people work in general terms, there are average work, there are above average work and we do know that there is room for improvement. I am a technocrat, have being in the civil service for 32 years. I may not have been on the position of declaring policies or making policy pronouncement. That does not mean that I do not have the kind of experience, which they have.

But I have what I considered an added advantage, because I have been right inside. I have been there helping them to build policy and implementing budget. Having served as a civil service for 32 years, I have also been part of the political process.

Are you coming out because it is the turn of Delta North?

I am from Delta North, from Agbor in the Southsouth, but the truth is that I am not coming because I am from the Delta North. It could be an advantage, but for me, I want to be a candidate for the whole people of Delta State, because Delta State is my constituency. If I am a candidate of Delta North, that will not be enough for me to win an election as the next governor of Delta State. Then the issue of being a civil servant, Permanent Secretary and the opinion peo-

•Obuh

ple have that civil servants are against politicians, I dare say that ,for more than half of my career, from 1999, I had cause to be with the political class.

What about the rancorous PDP ward congress?

Well, rancorous? I am sure you may have heard of what happened in Delta State. We did the first part of election of delegates last week. If you listen to the outcome of that election, you will find that Delta State is really peaceful. All the delegates have expressed happiness at the outcome of the election, which is a critical aspect of preparing for the primaries. It was so free, less rancorous. I believe that the primaries will not only throw up the best candidates and that is what we are working for.

What support have you been enjoying from the out-going governor?

I will tell you that all the contestants, including myself, have been canvassing for the support of the governor. So far, no declaration has been made. If it is done today, I will celebrate it. I am still working hard to get across to my people based on my past achievement as a civil servant.

What support have you been receiving from the people?

I will say the support has been overwhelming.

I have come to see that all classes of people now have my telephone number. Even those who will send me text to ask for a recharge cards have my number. But notwithstanding, they still want to see me, to express their support for you. They have something they will always want to refer to about me, in term of knowing me for who you I am. And what they think can do for them.

At the grassroots level, I have the overwhelming support. Within the civil and public service of Delta State, the support is overwhelming. I am very confident on the support I get from the grassroots. This is also a prelude to our philosophy of Delta Beyond oil. I was a part of the transition committee that ushered in the present government. And like you know, the philosophy of Delta beyond oil enables us open up our

economy. Even when oil will no longer generate the kind of revenue, we need to build on agriculture, expand on skills acquisition of our people and improve on job generation. So, far the present administration has been working very hard. But then if at the end of eight years, this philosophy is abandoned, and the government of the state is taken over by somebody who does not have the same attitude to this philosophy, I am sure we will witness drawback in development. So, mine is to build and expand on what is already on ground.

What is your position on the derivation formula in the country, particularly as it affects your state?

If you know what has been happening, all the states of the Southsouth have always have some increase in the derivation fund. For me and like every other person from that area, we want a situation where we take control of what is produced from our region. But the laws of the federation will not let us do that for now. Everything has to be coordinated from the centre. They decide what is given to us constitutionally. Since we cannot determine what come to us that is why we are looking beyond oil. We are looking at other aspects where we can generate revenue to grow our economy. We have seen that what is happening which we have no control over, until the oil is finished. But before it is finished, we have to open up other areas, apart from the revenue we get from oil. I think that is really what Delta beyond oil is all about.

You said, if you get the endorsement of the governor, you will do a thanksgiving. Why? I still stand on what I said. I can also tell you that if you visit or have interaction with other contestants, you see the faces of people who work with the present government or past government. And they don’t have a monopoly over who becomes the governor, so if I get his endorsement I will celebrate.

Aspirants in the party are saying that you are being imposed; they are seeing an umbilical cord from the last administration to the present...

Even the prominent participants in the present dispensation that is the contestant all belong to the family of this cord. If you say you want to break it I should be the first person that should be thrown up to contest for the position. If you look at all of contestants, they had either they served as commissioners or members of the National Assembly of State Assembly and so on and so forth. I am the only one who is coming from outside the family because I have been a civil servant.

Do you see a consensus candidate emerging in Delta?

Let me state from the fact that, we had something similar to what you are saying. We are talking of governor for an entire a state, north a governor for Delta North. The choice is being decided by the three senatorial districts. So, what they can do is to ensure that they encourage everybody that is from Delta north origin, to be thrown into the market and let people decided for them.

When did you join the PDP? People said you joined in disguise...

I joined as a free Nigerian, the law of the country permits me to join any association, including the political party of my choice. I joined PDP formally in 2011.

As a civil servant?

Yes, the law allows that very well.

Akwa Ibom: Aspirant unfolds programmes

By Emmanuel Oladesu

•Okoko

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KWA Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Mr. Benjamin Okoko has urged the party to provide a level-playing

ground for contenders during the primaries.

He said, if there is a free and fair shadow poll, he will emerge as the flagbearer.

For almost one year, he has been holding consultations with stakeholders. Many PDP chieftains perceive him as a popular aspirant, who is fit to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio. He is a foundation member of the party.

Also, party chieftains believe that he will continue with the “uncommon transformation agenda” of the administration.

He has been vying for the governorship since the days of the military rule.

Okoko, who spoke with report-

ers in Uyo, the state capital, promised to make “uncommon sacrifice “ for the state.

He said: “It has to do with my own value of life. How do I see life?

What do I want in life? For me, great societies are built on the sacrifices of people, at some point in time, who determines that the cause of history must go this way.

“If water is flowing towards a specific direction, you can say no, let it flow this way and change its cause. I like to go into history as the poorest man that left the Akwa Ibom Governor Lodge after my tenure as governor. What does that mean? I will give my own to the service of the people.”

Okoko promised to preside over a prudent administration, if elected as governor. He said:

“Government will never have enough resources to do everything it should do. One hundred per cent resources of Akwa Ibom I will commit to the development and wellbeing of the people of the state.

“I hope that my personal sacrifice and stewardship will help the cause of our people and inspire others, who will come after me, to truly see that there is greatness in giving your own and greatness in poverty; that there is greatness in contentment.

“After my tenure, if I leave office with a pair of trousers, I will wear it and I will be a happy man; very satisfied man. I will be a true soldier and die at my post, provided the needs and welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom are met and that is why I have christened my aspi-

ration “uncommon sacrifice.”

The aspirant urged the people not to relent in their support for his aspiration. He added: “They should support Benjamin Okoko as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State so that, together, we will be able to build a state that will meet the needs and aspiration of the future generation.

“I will unite the state, reconcile all groups, bring down political pressure, tension, contain insecurity, restore peace and reach out to everybody.

“I will not leave anybody behind because Akwa Ibom needs us now more than before. The issue of unemployment, creation of wealth in the polity and industrialisation will be addressed through the provision of constant power supply during my tenure.”

THE

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

New cement price regime •The fall of cement price is salutary but...

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HE latest euphoria in the nation’s construction industry is understandable. Just recently, Dangote Cement Company, a major significant player in the sector reportedly crashed the price of cement in the country. Hitherto, a bag of cement was being sold for N1,800, but now reportedly goes for N1,000, courtesy of the latest Dangote Cement gesture.

The initiative could not have come at a better time than now when buildings are collapsing due to inadequate deployment of required cement in concrete mixing for construction. This reality was underscored by the theme of the just-concluded conference of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE): “The Effect of Cement Strength on Concrete Performance.” Indeed, we agree that cement plays a critical role in construction work anywhere in the world and Nigeria is not an exception, except that being a cement producing country, it had, until the reported announcement of the new price regime, one of the most expensive cement prices in the world.

Going by this development, we are not surprised that stakeholders in the industry have been commending this initiative, describing it as a good omen for the industry and the country in general. For instance, Abdulsamad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, described the gesture as a ‘patriotic initiative’ on the part of Dangote Cement.

Also, Dr. Samuel Ilugbekhai, National President (NIStructE), sees it as ‘an achievement which would benefit many, directly and indirectly.’ Kunle Awobodu, President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild and third vice president of Nigerian Institute of Building reportedly hailed the price reduction since it would reduce

sharp practices because ‘cement is capable of causing building collapse due to its exorbitant price as builders may be tempted to cut corners.’ Ayo Adejumo, immediate past Secretary-General, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), equally describes the move as one that will ‘boost the overall economy and also lift the manufacturing sector.’ We see these experts/ stakeholders as who should know the inner workings in the industry and we do hope that they have considered all variables before applauding the reported price reduction.

However, despite the avalanche of panegyrics heaped on the initiative, which no doubt has a tinge of populism attached to it, we hope that other cement manufacturers in the country were carried along.

We appreciate the fact that Dangote Cement has contributed so much in raising the stakes in the cement sector. We recollect that the backward integration policy in the cement industry that commenced barely 12 years ago is one huge investment drive that has not only consumed tens of billions of dollars in direct and indirect investments but has purportedly increased national productivity from a mere 2.2 million tonnes to over 30 million tonnes. The salient role of Dangote Cement in achieving this feat cannot be downplayed.

But we have fears about the effect of the reported new price regime on other cement manufacturing companies. More importantly, we have been trying to find out under what rule it has become so easy for a single company to crash the price of that product, or any product for that matter. The implication is that the same manufacturer may also unilaterally raise the

price whenever it feels. It is bad for an entire country to be in a situation where it has to catch cold simply because a manufacturer sneezes. If the price reduction can happen now, why did it not happen before? This is why we have been hammering on the need for an antitrust law in the country. We would have been more comfortable with the latest development in the cement sector if it had happened in a situation where such law existed.

Anyway, we can only hope that important production variables such as the price per bag of cement, cost of diesel and others had been duly put into consideration before the announcement of N1,000 per bag price of cement was made. Otherwise, this popular price reduction would just amount to an undue corporate power play that would ultimately make consumers the puns in the chessboard of cement companies.

‘We can only hope that important production variables such as the price per bag of cement, cost of diesel and others had been duly put into consideration before the announcement of N1,000 per bag price of cement was made. Otherwise, this popular price reduction would just amount to an undue corporate power play that would ultimately make consumers the puns in the chessboard of cement companies’

Haba!

•IGP Abba’s confirmation was an endorsement of impunity

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O many Nigerians, the confirmation of the appointment of the former acting Inspector-General of Police, Mallam Suleiman Abba, at a time he was involved in a crisis of confidence arising from his embarrassing incompetence in handling Aminu Tambuwal’s case, was rather hasty. At the meeting of the Police Council headed by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa on November 5, Abba was confirmed as substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and thereafter admitted into the Council of State. This was followed by the meeting of the council where the appointment was ratified.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, said Abba was confirmed after his curriculum vitae were reviewed by the council. According to him, “we reviewed his CV, his level of compe-

‘We doubt if he, like many others before him, has the required guts and conscience to serve the nation rather than his benefactors. He should be reminded though that he has not started well and if he continues along the path of the impunity that earned him his confirmation, then he should know he has failed, ab initio’

tence by those who have worked with him and the council was unanimous that the acting IGP be confirmed as a substantive IG and the president was accordingly advised and he accepted the advice and appointed Mallam Abba as the substantive IG of Police”.

Here was an IGP who appeared completely ignorant of his constitutional role as a law enforcement officer and the man to supervise effective policing of Nigeria so that the protection of lives and properties could be guaranteed. But he appropriated to himself the constitutional role of the judiciary which he brazenly sidelined to single-handedly deliver his own “judgment” that Tambuwal had lost his position as Speaker in the House of Representatives as a result of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for which reason he withdrew his security details. The general outcry that greeted this act was such that his boss, President Jonathan, could not utter a word to defend an indefensible act.

On the heavy criticisms that trailed the withdrawal of the Speaker’s security details and his alleged partisanship, Abba said, “Well, that is a matter before the court and it is prejudice for me to comment on it. I wouldn’t want to have any problem with the judiciary”. Haba! Abba suddenly realised he would not want to have problem with the judiciary he had defiled by his impunity. This is medicine after death. But he has not acted alone.

His impunity derived from the impunity of the president who, out of desperation, might have given orders to deal with

Tambuwal who is legally and constitutionally the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria until the court pronounces otherwise, or is impeached by the people who elected him as Speaker.

This is why one wonders why President Jonathan should have facilitated the confirmation of the appointment of someone whose act of impunity was still in court and therefore subjudice. This is another case of impunity and disregard for the rule of law. Why should the president not wait for the court’s verdict on the case against the AIG to know whether or not he deserved confirmation or recrimination that may lead to his non-confirmation as a substantive Inspector-General of Police?

Even the Council of State did not help matters as it appeared to have danced to the tune of the president by merely rubber-stamping this suspicious confirmation. In this matter, the council may be charged with connivance and thereby guilty by association.

While we congratulate Mallam Abba for his appointment as IG, we would like to remind him that he is the IGP of Nigeria and certainly not the IGP of the ruling PDP or President Jonathan’s. But we doubt if he, like many others before him, has the required guts and conscience to serve the nation rather than his benefactors. He should be reminded though that he has not started well and if he continues along the path of the impunity that earned him his confirmation, then he should know he has failed, ab initio.

Tambuwal: Double dipping

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IR: In Nigeria, nothing sells like unnecessary drama. Aminu Tambuwal who emerged from the clear blue and became the Speaker of the House of Representatives has decided, all on his own, to drop us in it again.

From the word go, Tambuwal was refused full fraternisation by the core Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Because he wasn’t the candidate of Obasanjo and of the PDP for the Speaker’s position, and because of the way he initially conducted himself, Tambuwal was never granted full access into the inner sanctum.

The man never recovered from that slight. To get the attention of his mates, Tambuwal began flirting with other parties and with the opposition. He was ignored.

It is like your skinny girlfriend trying to get your attention by hanging around openly with other men.

But Tambuwal was diligently scorned and that stung.

So in the end, a few days ago, he finally jumped into the arms of the All Progressives Congress.

As per our current laws, we vote for political parties and not individuals. Consequently, any elected official who crosses over to another party ought to automatically resign or lose their post unless they can show cause that their action was necessitated by a merger of their original party with another, or that their original party fragmented or split. So, some of the governors who have switched parties ought to have left their various State Houses but only God knows what our courts are doing these days.

Tambuwal went into the House of Representatives by the grace of the PDP. He contested and was elected its Speaker as a PDP member. He of course has absolute right to decamp to any party he so desires even if there is no split in the PDP. However, he must then do the ‘Honourable’ thing – resign the Speakership and his membership of the House of Representatives.

If he had done that, Tambuwal would have been widely applauded and be held up as an example of a younger generation, and his stock would have risen nationally. Instead, this short-sighted chap is doing what unprincipled politicians across Nigeria do; he is clinging inelegantly like a dying man to a seat he should have graciously vacated.

To compound matters, the Federal Government also opted to join him in the illegality unpleasantness.

They have, typically, chosen to steal defeat from the jaws of an easy victory.

Whilst it is true that the executive arm is responsible for the provision of security details to sundry officials and persons and that the Police cannot wait every time for the courts to make formal pronouncements before it carries out its mandate of enforcing laws and obeying orders given it by the Executive, there is a clear case of jumping the gun here. Tambuwal is still the Speaker of the House of Representatives until he formally resigns the post or his colleagues give him the heave-ho.

The executive (and the PDP in general) cannot seem to get around its penchant for acting with impunity.

Nigeria is littered with double standard. As I write, there’s a Speaker of the House in Ondo who has all security details intact despite having recently defected from the Labour Party to the PDP – although the Labour Party is going through a painful osmotic death.

Having said all that, I think Tambuwal has done himself no favours at all. I gathered that Tambuwal wants to contest the governorship of Sokoto State under his new party. I would imagine the demands of the Speakership would pretty much curtail his movements and make him stick around more in Abuja rather than free him up to pursue his dream in far away Sokoto.

No sympathy for Tambuwal, none at all. He’s made his bed. What we have here is a small fall by another small man…

• Michael Egbejumi-David demdem@hotmail.co.uk

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY,NOVEMBER 12, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Even without an empirical research, many will readily agree that of the chunk of the problems facing Nigeria today, corruption and bad leadership, save the security crisis, stand out. In a sane society, and Nigeria is one, solutions will be sought and men of strong and incorruptible characters will be sought for, if only to champion the fight against economic and moral indiscipline. In social science terms, corruption is an independent variable to which the solutions to several other problems bedeviling the country are dependent upon. Eliminating corruption to its barest minimum would imply simultaneously solving those several other problems.

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerians and fear of change Decoding this solution is nowhere near rocket science complexities.

It is also very visible like daylight that corruption has not only grown unabated, it has reached a stage where it cannot get any worse. I wouldn’t bet on it not getting even worse though. The amount of money at the centre of a single scam these days would make the leaders

of the previous three previous republics nauseous. It has become increasingly clear that the little or staged attempts to tackle corruption have failed woefully and that there is the need for a shining example of a disciplined and incorruptible figure in the most coveted office of the federation – the presidency. If there is a general agreement among peo-

ple in virtually all the geo-political zones of the country, it is that General Muhammadu Buhari stands for discipline and principle.

Moreover, of all the adjectives used to describe this veteran ‘political customer’, incorruptible and disciplined always stick to him.

This should be easy then, isn’t it?

The voters should simply troop out

Open letter to Nigerian media

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IR: In a game of chess there are different pieces, each with its own significance. The King is the most important piece as when it is captured the game is lost. By analogy it can be said that this same truth applies to a country. When a country’s king is captured all is lost for that country. A king is selected by the people he governs. This is true even when the throne passes by birthright, as no king can rule over people who persistently and wilfully refuse to be his subjects.

That said, we as Nigerians have since our very formation have either chosen to live oblivious of this fact or have mistaken the true identity of our rightful king.

If there are no people then there is no country. It follows then that the generations which are yet unborn are the true kings of any country. This is why countries who invest in infrastructure, the development of laws and institutions, and most importantly research and education continue to thrive and flourish. These things outlast individuals, offices and directly benefit those that were not born when they where created. Invariably as in our current situation, when the future generations are captured or trampled upon (as evidenced by wanton and brazen corruption, disregard for law and good governance, an outright failure to protect citizens backed with nonchallance etc) the result is a failure

in governance and wide spread poverty.

Nigerians are about to enter a year when we have the opportunity to exercise our right as kingmakers.

We have the opportunity to let our opinions be known to ourselves and the rest of the world as to whom we consider to be our true king. Chief among this committee of kingmakers are the ones have the opportunity to shape our opinions through their words. Everyday thousands of articles, pictures and stories are presented through the internet, the newspapers and television. Our thoughts are shaped by what we hear, read and see. These thoughts form our words and actions and ultimately our culture and society. The

irony here is that it appears that everyone of us in this king-making committee have forgotten just how powerful we are. Every four years for the past 16 years through our passiveness we let our true king be kidnapped and raped by a political elite hellbent on ensuring our grandchildren won’t meet a Nigeria.

We are where we are because we have failed to act and more importantly to act in good conscience.

The only way anyone or party can rig an election is if the voters let him. If everybody who can vote turns up to the polling booth with a camera phone, where are they going to get the opportunity to snatch or stuff ballot boxes? If eve-

ryone waits for counting even if not at the venue but nearby and each party’s official is there when the votes are counted who is going to turn 100 to 1000? If the media keep the pressure up on INEC to register voters and conduct exit polls after every election then how will they disenfranchise us?

We cannot continue like this. We can decide for a change or if this is what we want then at least it should be our decision. Let us crown our rightful king, these people who are supposed to be our servants have made us suffer for too long.

• Kolawole Olaomoju, olachesscoach@hotmail.com

and try to change the nation’s fortunes by voting for a corrupt-free Nigeria. But that has failed to happen, on three occasions. The status quo was maintained and now we are here. But why? Some will be quick to point out ethnicity, rigged polls, religious bigotry and also the controversial ‘divide and rule’ tactic. While all these have a bearing on the reason for the failure of the retired general in securing the electorate’s mandate, the other truth, when viewed from another prism is that we (most of us at least) are afraid of change. Change would mean that corrupt leaders will be apprehended and monies will be recovered. Change would mean that ‘who you know’ syndrome will be eliminated. Change would mean drivers must be licensed and driving a road worthy car without the option of a bribe. Change would mean that examination malpractice would be history. Change would mean that oil theft and bunkering would be frowned upon. Change would also mean a whole lot of other things that a lot of Nigerians are used to, and seemed normal, but would have to drop to avoid prosecution. In this light, one would see another reason why the mass sympathy for General Buhari and the yearning for change have failed to convert into votes. We are afraid of what would become of our lives if this ‘change’ materializes.

Whether we have had enough of the status quo, the poll results of February next year will tell.

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• Sulaiman Aliyu Gwagwalada, Abuja

Dikko’s exemplary model at Customs

S

IR: The administration of Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Abdullahi Inde Dikko has provided an excellent model of how one man can direct men and materials to unleash growth and development. The service under Dikko has experienced a lot of advancement and development that is unprecedented since its inception in 1891.

A recent study conducted by Sunday S. Ifah- a Professor of Social Psychology reveals that the condition of the Customs has never been

this salutary. An overwhelming percentage of stakeholders were satisfied that the service under the leadership of Dikko has been on point.

Dikko’s six-point agenda has not only been implemented, but has brought the desired change badly needed to reposition the organisation as a formidable revenue generating institution of government and facilitator of international trade.

In terms of improved welfare package of staff, the survey shows

73.9% of stakeholders as satisfied.

In terms of training, retraining and capacity building, 73% to 89% of stake holders lauded Dikko’s effort.

Again, in terms of understanding between the service and its various publics, 86.6% of the polled stakeholder’s agreed that the NCS under the Dikko administration has upped its ante.

The survey reveals many sterling achievements of the Dikko administration, not to mention his consistency in meeting revenue targets.

However, what is important is that

all these achievements is the lesson in public administration. “Where two or more people gather to roll a stone, the rudiment of administration has taken place”. However, when one man with vision, character, dynamism and capability is in their midst, the aim of rolling a stone becomes outdated. What is in question is how to build a castle?

This is the story of Dikko. And I dare call it a model.

• Achum Valentine, University Of Calabar.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; Victims and poor access to Victims Fund; More sports opportunities; INEC/ PVC ‘

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UR Girls’ are still missing since April 15.

Words fail to describe the emotional upheaval of both the girls and the families they were forced to leave behind.

Tony It defies explanation that Marinho they have not been rescued. Even slaves get rescued. For some reason the purported ceasefire and impending release of the precious girls has turned into a somewhat mysterious tale of mistaken ‘discussions and conclusions’ just as, back in the day, 1967, ‘On Aburi We Stand’ was subject to similar misinterpretation and innuendo which eventually led to our Civil War costing over one million lives. The Boko Haram menace casts a dark shadow over the joy of every Nigerian, especially the refugees and their families and the families of victims.

The press is reporting that most of the victims of previous bombings are neglected for non-payment of bills for extensive surgery by the authorities who had promised to do just that and this is in spite of the huge sums of money, N58 billion, collected recently. It is very important to treat this matter urgently, perhaps give hospitals a start-up fund as credit against the names of registered refugees and victims of such attacks. This fund can be topped up as it is depleted by payment of bills for investigation, surgery and equipment for hospital and home care. The fund should be retired under medical accountancy guidelines. A country which looks after its bomb victims on the pages of newspapers and not with drugs, tests and necessary investigation is not a country worth dying or dying in.

Nigeria is notorious for its poor heath care of those who seek its services. However on behalf of victims of war violence we deserve and demand more, better and comprehensive medical care and urgent attention to their needs. They are targeted war victims, not accidental or collateral damage. They expect and deserve expert modern

W

HILE the Nigerian political authorities and the military establishment continue to harp on the existence of an imaginary ceasefire, Boko Haram terrorists remain unrelenting in their onslaught against hapless Nigerians, particularly in the theatres of war in the Northern part of the country. In recent times, the terrorists have kept up their ‘winning streak’ by effortlessly overrunning several communities in the war-ravaged areas. In several instances, the communities are ‘captured’ as Nigerian troops that could have checked the terrorists’ advance, vote with their feet instead of offering any form of resistance to the rampaging terrorists.

The latest in a series of success stories for the terrorists is the recent attack and eventual capture of Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State. Perhaps, it is not the attack on Mubi that should be of more alarm to followers of events in and around Nigeria’s northeast geo-political zone. More alarming, instead, is the ease with which the terrorists ‘walked-over’ the security forces stationed in the town. Buoyed by this spectacular success, the terrorists demonstrated that they, indeed, meant business by unilaterally changing the name of Mubi to “Madinatul Islam,” meaning, the “City of Islam”. Not only this, as a further confirmation that they were in total control of the town; they introduced Sharia rule and followed suit with the amputation of 10 people for perceived contravention of the Sharia law.

The first sign of Boko Haram’s expansionist tendency came in August this year, with the capture and occupation of Gwoza, a hilly town in Borno State, now rechristened “Darul Hikma” or “House of Wis-

medical support by medical professionals trained in both the physical and psychological aspects of war wounds. There will obviously be many more victims of violence and war as the elections approach and Boko Haram demands wider ownership of territory in Nigeria –something that must be resisted with every bone in our body. The president has rightly pointed out that ‘not a drop of blood should be spilt, not a life lost for him or anyone to get ‘elected’. But Southern Kaduna is in particular turmoil following the activities of rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

My country, na wa O. My friend, returning from Kenya says we should bury our heads in shame, like ostriches, as we have nothing to boast about in Nigeria. As the Non Sovereign National Conference ended recently there is no answer or solution to the onslaught of ‘Suspected Fulani Herdsmen’, SFH, onslaughts against thousands of farmers in five states including Benue and which claimed many lives and displaced thousands. Is it just a bloody and murderous tiff between kissing turned killing cousins? Is it solely economics of demands for commandeered and unpaid for cow feed and destroyed farm produce? In that very secret war, thousands have been killed and millions displaced, more than in the Boko Haram War (BHW) which has for political reasons seized the headlines. It seems it is more convenient to accuse nonspecific foreign agents than solve the problem of Nigerians we can see. If the BHW is both external and internal, the Fulani Herdsmen War is strictly an internal Nigerian affair? You cannot ignore the killing 20-100 people a day in a cow grazing-rights conflict and then raise $200m from the USA to fight a virus which has killed less than 10 people. In the Niger Delta the target was not the people.

In the Fulani Plateau/Benue/Kaduna/Nassarawa War and the Boko Haram War, the target is always the people and their land. And be assured that the executions are equally vicious in both wars. There is no easy way to die and death in Nigeria’s current wars is particularly gruesome. It is strange that only the outcry is that there may be a famine from unplanted fields and no outcry about the dead.

The happy pictures of Nigerian girls and boys competing in many other sports across the world are heartening and a credit to coaches and handlers who often use personal funds.

Come on youths. Companies, donate your CSR products to children to make them the Olympians and para-Olympians of tomorrow. Time to choose the next generation and support them by scholarships, grants and sponsorships in academic and athletic pursuits like wrestling, shooting, swimming, cycling, archery etc. Any single ‘bonanza’ or reality show or mega billboard featuring a ’sporting hero’ would have paid for many games and Sports Camps.

INEC’s distribution of Permanent Voters Cards, (PVC) was inadequately prepared for and left much to be desired. It was poorly planned and with a grossly inadequate time frame. It was pathetic to see the INEC official sifting through 600+ cards one by one each time a person appeared. I had to give up my wait in the queue to give a public lecture and I could not return the following day. Now I have to go to the local government secretariat to try the get the card. This is unfortunate. For time saving and easy retrieval the cards could easily have been placed in a box divided into 10-20 sections covering A-Z and given more days at the booth.

‘INEC’s distribution of Permanent Voters Cards, (PVC) was inadequately prepared for and left much to be desired. It was poorly planned and with a grossly inadequate time frame. It was pathetic to see the INEC official sifting through 600+ cards one by one each time a person appeared’

The festering Boko Haram war dom” by the terrorists. There, they swiftly hoisted their flag and immediately converted the town to their operational headquarters.

Since then, they have continued to dig in and propagate their own version of Islam. A major military offensive at the onset of the emergency rule in May 2013, had appeared to put the terrorists on the defensive by flushing them out of their strongholds, but the military seemed to have failed to sustain the momentum and allowed the relentless hoodlums to retake some of the areas they had initially abandoned.

The matter was made worse by widespread refusal of troops deployed to confront the terrorists to engage them because of lack of adequate firepower. This has led to the institution of various army court marshals to try the allegedly mutinous troops.

With Boko Haram’s unprecedented gains in recent weeks, the group appears to be inching closer to achieving its goal of carving out a strict Islamic state across northern Nigeria. They have killed no fewer than 13,000 innocent people, displaced several others and destroyed hundreds of schools and churches in a wave of terror aimed at carving out an Islamic state in Nigeria. It is quite unfortunate that these terrorists seem to be waxing stronger in this war. This is attributable to lack of seriousness and commitment on the part of our leaders - the politicians and the military top brass.

Apart from this, the endemic corruption in the country has taken a toll on the government’s ability to effectively prosecute the war. The

‘The only thing that matters to Nigerian politicians right now is the 2015 elections through which they hope to continue to perpetuate themselves in power willy-nilly, to the detriment of the peace, progress and development of the country’

reality is that, rather than throw everything into the fray, our defence planners appear to be engaged in cutting corners for pecuniary gains.

It has been insinuated that some of the armoured vehicles recently brought into the country and branded as new ones, have constantly developed problems of overheating, while no fewer than 20 of them, may have been captured by Boko Haram.

Perhaps, the most nauseating aspect is the inability of our military leaders to accept that things are not really going the way they should be in the ongoing war. Rather, the military has been consistent in defending the indefensible. Soon after Boko Haram terrorists overran Gwoza and made a huge capital out of it, Chris Olukolade, the first Major-General to be produced by the Public Relations Corps of the Army and Director, Defence Information, DDI, had this to say: “The claim is empty. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact. Any group of terrorists laying claim to any portion of the country will not be allowed to get away with the expression of delusion and crime…” The DDI’s braggadocio has since paled into insignificance as the terrorists have remained undeterred in trying to realize their badly-craved Islamic Caliphate.

As the terrorists conquer one village and town after another, so also do they increase their war arsenal as they move on. The conquest of Gwoza fetched them at least 200 AK 47 assault rifles belonging to the police which they allegedly carted away following their attack on the Police Academy in the town. Those arms are certainly part of what Boko Haram is now using to wreak havoc all over the place. Similarly, the attack on Mubi not only boosted the armoury of the group, but it also enriched its stock of food items and overall war chest. Report has it that food items, money and weapons seized by the terrorists in the town,

will be enough to sustain their activities for a year. The resources seized so far, the reports say, are exclusive of contributions to the terrorists from like-minded jihadist groups and their non-combatant members who are wealthy business moguls.

The truth is that five years after the emergence of Boko Haram, Nigeria does not seem to have an effective strategy for dealing with these misguided elements and their deep commitment to waging war against the country and its people.

It is a shame that almost two years after a state of emergency was declared in the three North-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the government and the military, have not been able to contain the menace of these terrorists. Nothing illustrates this obvious helplessness than the inability to rescue the Chibok school girls who were violently removed from their school premises in the Chibok community, Borno State, on the night of April 14. Since then, except for various permutations and apocalyptic guesswork, no efforts have been made to secure their release. They have, therefore, remained marooned in a strange environment where they are constantly tortured, abused and dehumanised.

Rather than confront them headlong militarily, the government is shamelessly willing to dialogue at all costs even though it is clear that nothing from what Boko Haram wants to achieve is Islamic. So trying to dialogue with them is a waste of time as they would only agree to do so if they were losing the war.

For now, they don’t seem to be.

Hence, they have turned down requests for dialogue and even amnesty. Certainly, the solution is in the battlefield. Therefore, Nigerians should be security conscious and give useful information to the security agencies. To win this war, the security agencies need the cooperation of all.

If there is to be any silver lining

Dele Agekameh in the horizon any time soon in the country’s so-far disastrous handling of Boko Haram, it must start with the re-awakening of our security apparatuses and perhaps, even the President himself, to the need for a profound rethinking of our strategy to contain and combat this scourge.

The alternative is to accept the victory of genocidal, murdering religious extremists, over a vast territory that they intend to use to propagate their jaundiced version of Islam. The most important aspect about any purported Islamic State in such an atmosphere as Boko Haram rules over is that it is easily a vector for attracting training and funding from terrorists all over the world. Surely, Nigeria needs a new analysis, a new language and new strategies that relate to defeating a viral system that spreads across national boundaries.

Sad enough, the politicians aren’t giving a damn. The only thing that matters to Nigerian politicians right now is the 2015 elections through which they hope to continue to perpetuate themselves in power willynilly, to the detriment of the peace, progress and development of the country. At the rate we are going, if care is not taken, we might wake up one day and discover that Nigeria is no more. A stitch in time saves nine!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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COMMENTS

T

HE PDP veteran of governorship candidate in Lagos State, Musiliu Obanikoro, has indulged in online self-advertisement for some months now.

Not many Nigerian active Facebook patrons would have missed his celebration of the military as Minister of State of the Defence Ministry. Whatever Obanikoro has claimed the military has done are questions that will be asked later here.

‘Koro’ as he is popularly called, has since commenced the campaign for the Lagos State governorship office. The Texas, United Statestrained Obanikoro has flaunted the recent honour done him by his alma mater in the United States. The grounds of the award were not quite explicitly presented though, but as usual a good photo opportunity was not missed. How much Koro’s supposed learning experience has impacted on the opportunities availed him in government is what is not known. Koro missed sharing this with the world through the reach Facebook availed him.

The former high commissioner to Ghana has since begun to complement his online adventure with the conventional campaign exercise. The bogus campaign secretariat in the elite GRA of Ikeja is unmistakable for neighbours and any passer-by. It is adorned with the bold message of the love for the government house in Alausa. The message: Greater vision for Lagos. And one begins to wonder if Koro could not do better than just echo one of the numerous APC bidders for the same office. For the APC aspirant, specifically, Adeyemi Kuforiji, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, it is a legitimate claim. After all, he has been part of the chorusing crowd of the eko o ni baje catch phrase of his party. And they all seemed to have collaborated to demonstrate their belief in that philosophy. But what is the justification for Koro’s almost plagiarist’s copy?

Unknown to Koro perhaps, his campaign copy displayed on the wall of the campaign secretariat is defeatist. As a student of language, I was struck by the fact that Koro volunteered to endorse the sitting government. As a result, he seems to have rather mounted a campaign for the APC as a party no matter whoever emerges the governorship candidate. To many Lagosians however, including this writer, Koro is only being factual even if willy-nilly.

S

PORADIC gunshots are rampaging.

Fierce fury flying and cross fires crisscrossing the caves and camps; an enclave of the gate that leads to socioeconomic and political sophistication is turning a theatre of the absurd. No thanks to the ongoing witless war weaved and waged by politics against progress in Ogun State, as the clock ticks towards 2015. A war that gives a prize of truth to Richard McKay Rorty's pragmatic advocacy that crushed the absolutism and timelessness of truth.

When the American professor of Philosophy opined that there was no ahistorical truth, that the truthfulness or falsity, validity or invalidity, of an idea, principle, value or worldview depends on changing times and changing peoples of varied orientations, minds and motives, no direct or subtle thoughts of politics in Nigeria, let alone Ogun State, motivated his reasoning. But, the seeming contextual differences in the mental images conveyed by the eight-lettered word, politics, so far, in what come across as two worlds apart of same state suggests that the famed post-analytic epistemologist had Nigeria, specifically, Ogun State politics, in mind.

Erstwhile domain of dynamic politics now seems a den of mediocrity which holds progress and development in bitter contempt.

Scornful kudos to the great chameleon of all ages. Politics is the mystery with the unrivalled potency of changing itself as well as altering, blinding or blunting the psychology, eyes or sensitivity of the human.

When the crime of a governor is his 'effrontery' to embark on massive infrastructure development; when the pitfall of a governor is his 'wicked' judicious use of the public wealth; when the undoing of a governor is his 'foolish' faithfulness to his electoral promises to the people; when the 'suicide' of a governor is his refusal to play the self-appointed godfather's puppet-in-power, definitely, meaning has metamorphosed. Good no longer good and bad no longer bad because foul is the fair weapon now being deployed by political foes - enemies-within, enemieswithout - against the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in the current battle for Ogun soul.

If anything, politics of conscience, rather

Obanikoro’s campaign of self- indictment

By Tunde Akanni While trying to settle down as the governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had left no one in the dark about his ambition to emulate Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a pro-people politician. He actually installed a public spectacle within the government secretariat displaying a bold photograph of Gandhi, Awolowo and himself wearing similar eyeglasses to convince whoever was still in doubt. Clearly, Koro, like this writer, has been a living witness to the great turn-around Lagos has recorded under Asiwaju and his successor.

Prior to Tinubu’s governorship era in Lagos, the movement of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja notwithstanding, the traffic situation had become hellish, routinely manifesting lockdown. The preceding administrations could not think through it at all. The odd-even number separatist policy for vehicles going to the Island achieved only very little. Tinubu smartly sprang into action to start what has become a model for all fast growing cities in Nigeria in the form of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA. Today, even as LASTMA has been infiltrated by a few bad eggs, it has done so well restoring sanity to the congested Lagos roads. And if there is any convincingly demonstrative case of the need for continuity in government, it resides in the APC legacy in Lagos State. Tinubu charted further path of sanity for transportation in Lagos with the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). And now, road sweeping culture initiated by the APC in Lagos has since extended to Kwara and even beyond. The greatest global testimony to Tinubu’s vision for Lagos is perhaps is the emergence of Lagos as one of the three cities in the world selected by the Ford Foundation as priority cases for its about to be launched Just Cities Programme.

But Koro was part of what has transformed into APC family for some time, some may wish to note. He seemed to be an irregular though while his romance with the group lasted. He was a beneficiary of that old group’s popularity. He was a commissioner and even a local government chair. However,

Koro would rather want Lagosians to delete their memory of his supposed service years in these two offices. He is probably best remembered as the chairman of Lagos Island Local Government when the imposing secretariat got burnt in controversial circumstances. The great Lagos Koro is now implying in his campaign therefore bears no iota of his imprint in spite of the uncommon opportunities.

Rather unashamedly, like the proverbial lord of misrule, he was Minister of State in the Defence Ministry when soldiers let hell loose on his fellow Lagosians, burning the BRT buses that have availed them with a great deal of relief. Worse, Koro was a party to the official denial of the soldiers’ rampage documented by many in this age of affordable cameras in different shapes and sizes. But the same state the army of occupation had ambushed has continued to be well nurtured to be great, defying all attacks and manifest with the blessings of the eko o ni baje prayers of the well wishers.

Does Koro fit into the group of these well wishers? Yet, the Sambisa forest of shield for Boko Haram remains impenetrable for these same soldiers who swore to reverse the greatness of Lagos duly recognised by their minister.

Unfortunately for Koro he has a most shiny parallel in the fellow islander and ageless Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele who has flaunted his all-time socio-political relevance. Until very recently he was Sports Commissioner in the government of Fasola.

Clearly, the popularity of street soccer which has gone a long way to liberalise access to opportunities for the grassroots in Lagos State is the initiative of this democrat.

Though a much earlier chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government, the pleasant memory of Adeniji-Adele’s reign as chairman still lingers. He has since remained a darling of many Islanders, indeed many Nigerians. Who will forget the most daring hosting by Adeniji-Adele of the historic Epetedo victory declaration

by Basorun MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election? Though a prince, Adeniji-Adele left no one in doubt that he had a deep understanding of the

social challenges in his immediate environment. The area boys perceived as wild miscreants could be tamed as far as he was concerned so the society could be the better for it. He started trade learning schemes for them and initiated several other reform measures. The Prince turned chairman also introduced a transportation system that provided for free rides for senior citizens. The Gold grade coaster buses introduced by Adeniji-Ademola also had air conditioners to provide for the comfort of passengers in line with the world’s best practices. Koro and his other successors did not seem to find the legacy sustainable.

Adeniji-Adele’s interventions to the unique challenges of Lagos Island have remained unmatched several years after. He still remains a loyal faithful of the party in the state.

PDP will perhaps do APC a lot of favour by fielding Obanikoro, currently its most visible candidate. His campaign is clearly dead on arrival as he never seemed to realize the need to cultivate and nurture a supportive platform for his governorship aspiration. If only Koro knew he would need the people again for some personal ambition…

•Akanni is a Lagos based development consultant.

‘The great Lagos Koro is now implying in his campaign therefore bears no iota of his imprint in spite of the uncommon opportunities.

Rather unashamedly, like the proverbial lord of misrule, he was Minister of State in the Defence Ministry when soldiers let hell loose on his fellow Lagosians, burning the BRT buses that have availed them with a great deal of relief’

Ogun: Between politics and progress

By Rasheed Olokode than politics of combat, had defined the past of Ogun State.

The shape and colour of governance under the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo was good not just because it heralded progress and development in all spheres, but particularly because politics and progress were then synonyms. Those were the nostalgic days of yore, when the meaning of politics had a single, unified real life reference in the legendary Obafemi Awolowo. A public trust that entailed nothing but services that created the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of the people at every point in time.

Similarly, politics meant Ogun progress in 1993. To think that the people veered off their accustomed tradition of choice by merit to massively queue behind MKO during the June 12 saga, simply due to his being a son of the soil or his ever fat purse, is to delude none but oneself.

The underlying motive has never been perfection of leadership by a people in an endless quest for excellence, which seems the surname of the average indigene, be it in the laboratory, on the football pitch, in courtrooms, chalk holding or in pen pushing.

In fact, it was pen-pushing that groomed and garbed the iconic journalist of all times, Chief Segun Osoba, in an exotic bridal gown laced with magnetic accessories. Alas! The same thirst for excellence that made the journalist a two-time Ogun CEO eventually made him an 'ex' till date.

Truth be told, the 2003 ouster of Governor Osoba was never the making of the federal windstorm that uprooted many South-west trees. This piece, a pill bitter, even to its administrator, can't but be served and swallowed as a necessity of the moment. The traditional disdain of Ogun for mediocres and averagers signed and sealed the heroic reporter’s ill-fate.

The next inheritor of the Ibara baton came with sparkling 'ingenuity' that set it apart in a world of its own. Most mouths soon turned

minstrels singing the panegyrics of the new helmsman whose trademarks were the automated smiles. Every day became a festival of celebration. Celebration of invisible giant strides aesthetically projected by day-byday billboards, attention-arresting jingles, future-picturing calendars and truth-twisting image makers.

Impunity begat impunity as cosmetic development spread across the state, heralding peripheral happiness and contentment in nearly everybody. A couple's clash climaxed as the ageless marriage between politics and progress in the Nobel Laureate's state got dissolved. Hence, politics served the powers, severed the people to stagnancy and sent progress and development on exile, only to be heard of in the nearby state of the lagoons.

Horror became a regular match played on the Kuto turfs – stadium that was an irony of its revered title. Place of play turned place of pain. Pain unleashed by horror of daily human rituals. The morning becoming incomplete without a new set of corpses cascading the neighbourhood gutter. Daybreak harvest of headless, limbless, armless or organless cadaver outputs of moonlight abattoirs.

Sporadic and rampant, the Ita Oshin wars were but pet drama of daylight bloodsheds at the central motor park that added up to naked horrors on the bridge. The long bridge!

Where cautious driving killed retired Brigadier General Sylvester Iruh and countless others wasted by armed robbers for daring to stop and fix their coughing cars, in defiance of robbers, perpetually on rampage.

2011! When the skyscraper-cap sauntered into the centre for a fight against the anointed heir of Governor Daniel, not a few saw it as yet another of the Bola Ige’s conceived five fingers of a leprous hand. The challenger was, after all, another typical Nigerian politician, who, once upon a time, dined and wined with friends-turned-foes.

But! Alas! Amosun has 'disappointed' the vast majority. A man hitherto underrated as incapable of making a makeshift hut that

ends up erecting a palatial mansion.

Within a twinkle of an eye, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Ota and virtually every other erstwhile village-like city started evincing the glitz of genuine modernity that have now spread like wildfires.

The Owu-born started out with ravaging caterpillars and bulldozers that discriminated not.

Caterpillars which fuel and power was the people's approving smiles; smiles that melted people’s pain into pleasure and morphed sours into songs. Not the consolatory cash, but inborn spirit of excellence pacified the enlightened mass.

Kings and commoners, princes and paupers, the mighty and the meagre turned to the workforce of Amosun the future builder, through their crucifixion of good of the self for the resurrection of the good of all. Together, they succeeded in recalling progress from exile, at a time the hibernating assailants and expellers of progress never expected.

Over their dead body! Never again must the shadows of progress reflect on the Ogun River, let alone its reincarnation on the land, air and sea via massive, never-seen-before state-wide roads, listless bridges, modern schools, markets, and, above all, snoring sleeps of the masses that murdered their own sleep! Here lies the provocation of the stinging bees on the prowl.

Attacking to defend selfish political interests appears the lonely and veiled logic beneath the current propaganda, deceit and manipulation that tie people's prosperity to the inglorious, future-destroying chop-make-I-chop politics of yesterday.

The ultimate victims and vanquished would ever be the all-time vendors of deceit in a market of wise people that now know better. Wise and intelligent people that are sure that nurturing humans like hens with sumptuous meals ahead of slaughtering is an antic of the wicked.

Hence, silent vigilance remains the impregnable shield against rampaging political vultures.

• Olokode, a media consultant writes from Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Smile eyes coverage of 60 cities

By Lucas Ajanaku

S

MILE Communications, a broadband service provider, plans to extend its services to about 60 cities across Nigeria by the end of next year.

Its Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Alero Ladipo, who spoke in Lagos, said the firm had rolled out services in Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, adding that it hoped to increase this to 13 by the this year’s end.

According to her, the firm plans an accelerated roll-out, stressing that by next year, “we are working to ensure that we reach 60 cities across the federation.”

She added that in the firm’s quest to provide quality services to its customers, it has set up a customer service hotline that will take care of customers’ complaints. She also said the firm will also ensure that it added more base stations to achieve the milestone effectively.

She said: “After we have done the 6o cities, we will also ensure we do highway plug-ins as well so that as people travel on the high-ways connecting one city to another will be seamless.”

According to her, though the firm does not have a fibre optic cable of its own, the firm is currently, “renting facilities from companies that already have fibre optic cables laid including MTN,Phase3, MainOne and others. With this arrangement, we know that our network will always be up and running in our quest to deepen broadband penetration in the country,.”

She said as CMO, her focus would be on product development; research and analysis to ensure that customers get what they want on Smile network.

Smile, having come to the market as a brand, will also ensure that it changes the face of internet services provisioning through provision of services bearing reliability, access, quality and speed in mind.

According to her, the efforts of the firm align with that of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications Technology to achieve a five-fold increase in broadband penetration of 30 per cent in the country by 2018.

She promised that Smile will continue to use its licensed spectrum to provide services for the generality of Nigerians.

Its General Manager, Sales, Mr Ken Esenwa, said the company also plans to be visible in the area of social investment by focusing its corporate social responsibility (CSR) on education through e-learning.

He said: “As part of our CSR activities, we have provided free internet access to 25 public schools each in Lagos and Ibadan and the facility is up and running. The same thing is going to be done in A buja and Port Harcourt and Abuja.”

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

NSE may delist five firms over T listing status

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may delist five firms for failing to restructure their operations and improve their corporate governance.

Reliable sources told The Nation that the Exchange would this month delist five companies that have consistently failed best corporate governance practices stipulated in the post-listing requirements.

The sources said the Exchange was irrevocably committed to the weeding out of companies with poor corporate governance, a reference to companies that have consistently failed to submit their periodic and annual operational and financial reports to

By Taofik Salako

the Exchange.

The Exchange had in June this year issued a three-month notice of compulsory delisting to 24 companies. Out of the list, one company had fully complied with the NSE’s listing status while 14 companies had taken some steps to redress their situation.

On October 14, the Exchange issued a one-month final delisting notice to nine companies that so far failed to regularise their listing status after the initial notice of compul-

sory delisting.

The nine companies included Investment and Allied Insurance Plc, Pinnacle Point Group Plc, Afroil Plc, West African Glass Industry Plc, Nigeria Wire & Cable Plc, Starcomms Plc, Mtech Plc, Big Treat Plc and Jos International Breweries Plc. According to the October notice, the nine companies had failed to take any appropriate steps to regularize their listing status and were subsequently issued a one-month final delisting notice.

Sources in the know how-

ever said some of the companies have reached out to the NSE after the final delisting notice with a view to avoid the impending delisting.

The NSE confirmed to The Nation that four out of the nine companies have since taken some steps to regularise their listing status.

According to the NSE, with the final notice of delisting, the Exchange will proceed with the delisting process for the remaining listed companies after the expiration of the month of this notice unless they take appropriate steps to effect compli-

ance with their post listing obligations.

The delisting from the official list of the NSE will foreclose trading of their shares on the Stock Exchange. However, their shares may be traded on the Over-the-Counter market.

The Exchange stated that it would continue to engage companies that have taken steps towards regularizing their listing status with a view to bringing them into compliance with their post listing obligations.

The initial list of 24 companies included Investment and Allied Insurance Plc, Goldlink Insurance, Pinnacle Point Group, Adswitch, Afroil, Rokana Industry, IPWA, West African Glass Industry, Nigeria Wire and Cable, Starcomms, Daar Communication, Mtech, Big Treat, G.Cappa, FTN Cocoa Processing, UTC Nigeria, Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Jos International Breweries, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea.

All the companies slated for delisting had been dormant and mostly at their nominal values. Companies, such as Big Treat, Starcomms, Capital Oil and Afroil have been subjects of regulatory investigations.

‘Nigeria, others’ economic growth not shared’

By Lucas Ajanaku

NEW report has shown that while Nigeria and other countries in Africa have witnessed economic growth, such a growth has not translated to shared prosperity as poverty still ravages the continent.

The report, the Africa Prosper•From left: Manager, Social Performance and Planning, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Esimaje Brikinn; General Manager, Deji Haastrup and Manager Communications, Sola Adebawo, when AWARES Class 14 of ity Report, launched in Kigali at the annual African Leadership Pan Atlantic University, paid a courtesy visit to the company’s headquarters at Lekki, Lagos.

Network conference, confirms great successes across the continent in terms of economy and entrepreneurship and

By Lucas Ajanaku ernment is investing you must work hard; work opportunity.

AGOS State goverHowever, it unveils serious nor, Mr. Babatunde cause it believes it holds the youths ducation not only to first and then pray. That is problems in health, education Fashola said waste promise of lasting happiness catch up with those other what the scripture says.” management has become a for all. countries but to also overResponding to questions and safety & security underlining big business, adding that asked by the students, Gover- the challenges that are faced According to him, waste take them. the famous Olusosun waste management has become an He advised the students nor Fashola said he is moti- across the continent that are dump in Ojota is capable of imperative in view of the to take their studies seri- vated to work because of the impacting long-term developgenerating N5million daily. damage the activities of man ously, arguing that hard belief he has that Nigeria is yet ment and shared prosperity.

The report is designed to shed The governor, who spoke has done to the environ- work makes them fulfilled. to attain its full potential. He during the closing ment, adding that the govHe also enjoined the pu- said he also beleives in Lagos light on the issue and inform ceremony of this year’s La- ernment has completed a pils to ensure that they al- State that had provided him the better policy making.

Speaking on the report, gos State Science and Tech- sorting and recycling plant locate one hour daily to se- opportunity to serve. nology (LASSTECH) Week in Alimosho which would rious studies after the norOn challenges, he told the Programme Director of the at the Main Auditorium, be commissioned for use mal school schedule, stress- students that being entrusted Prosperity Index, Nathan Alausa, Ikeja, said the state soon. ing that adherence to such with the responsibility to look Gamester, said: “Prosperity government had intervened Addressing the pupils, he a tight schedule does not after the welfare of 21million is not just about having a in the business by provid- said there was no substitute only enthrone self-disci- people itself is a huge chal- strong economy; it is about having great education, ing hand gloves and face to hard work, promising pline in them but also lenge. masks to people who do that the state government makes them to inculcate He said he does not beleive healthcare, and freedom to business at the place to re- will continue to invest in the habit of planning. he has enemy, adding that peo- choose among other things.

“As African economies duce the risk of contacting their future by providing He said: “Work hard, ple with strong opinion about disease. the infrastructure necessary never be afraid. Nothing is what they think should be grow, a chief concern for many governments is how to He told a group of for them to acquire knowl- impossible because every- have the right to do so. students drawn from public edge. thing that was said to imHe however said his ensure that the fruits of primary and secondary According to the gover- possible before are now administration always wel- growth benefit a majority of schools in the state that the nor, other nations have possible. Hold on to your comed constructive criticisms, the population and contribgovernment is investing gone ahead of the country, dreams. Every dream you arguing that it makes the gov- ute to true long term prosperity. “ massively in education be- stressing that the state gov- have must come to pass but ernment to do more.

A

Lagos waste dump worth N5m daily income, says Fashola

L

N976b AMCON bond: Holders want 30% proceeds in cash - P 25

Lagos Water Corporation pensioners lament nonpayment of benefit - P38

Living on waste - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

N976b AMCON bonds: Holders want 30% proceeds in cash H OLDERS of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Series V N976 billion Zero-Coupon Bonds due last month opted to take about 30 per cent of redemption proceeds in cash, a report by the FBN Research, an investment and research firm, has indicated.

It said the holders’ choice of repayment has created an additional liquidity overhang since the maturity of bonds on October 31.

“There has been an additional liquidity overhang since the maturity of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds, totaling close to N900 billion on October 31. The holders opted to

Stories by Collins Nweze

take about 30 per cent of the redemption proceeds in cash,” the report said.

AMCON had last December redeemed its issued Series I, II, III and IV Bonds. The bad debt lender has fully retired over N1.8 trillion of all bonds issued since inception.

AMCON’s Head, Strategy & Communication, Kayode Lambo, said the step put it ahead of its planned redemption schedule, as all its publicly held bonds have been re-

deemed before the end of its fourth full year of operations.

The Corporation had issued zero coupon bonds with a face value of N5.67 trillion as Series I, II, III, IV and V, between December 2010 and December 2011.

The Series V redemption was financed utilising AMCON’s internally generated cash flows and the Banking Sector Resolution Trust Fund (the Sinking Fund).

Lambo said the Sinking Fund is funded by the yearly contributions from the Nigerian Deposit Money

Banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that the collaboration and support of the apex bank was critical to the success of the process.

AMCON’s Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services/CFO, Mrs. Mofoluke B. Dosumu, said: “The Redemption represents a major milestone in the reduction of AMCON’s obligations, as it signifies the retirement of all AMCON bonds held by the public markets.

“We will continue to make good progress with respect to our obligations to the Central Bank of Nigeria, presently the sole holder of AMCON’s outstanding debt obliga•AMCON CEO Mustapha Chike-Obi tions.”

N7.5b SDF: FGN bonds cushion banks’ revenue drop

D

EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) are becoming buyers of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds, particularly at the shorter end, as they sought to replace the diminished revenue stream from the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF).

The total bid in October fell to N116 billion, its lowest level for more than one year, but attributed to a delay in the monthly distribution by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). This time, however, we expect a rebound following last Thursday’s Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) circular.

The circular stipulates that banks and discount houses only

earn the 10 per cent interest rate under the CBN’s SDF on placements of up to N7.5 billion.

“Already, today’s monthly auction of FGN bonds by the Debt Management Office, looks to raise N65 billion, and offers the same issues as the four previous months: 13.05 per cent August 16, 14.20 per cent March 2024 and 12.15 per cent July 2034,” the FBN Research said in an emailed report.

The CBN pegged the SDF for banks at N7.5 billion, remunerated at 10 per cent per annum.

Standing facilities are aimed at providing and absorbing overnight liquidity, signal the general stance of monetary policy and bound overnight market interest rates.

CBN Director, Financial Markets

Department, E.U. Ukeje, said the apex bank observed that banks and discount houses have preference for keeping their idle balances in the CBN as SDF, thereby constraining the process of financial intermediation.

He said the guidelines for the operations of the SDF were reviewed to encourage banks to increase lending to the productive sector of the economy.

The review, he said, entails that the remunerable daily placements by banks and discount houses at the SDF, shall not exceed N7.5 billion. This shall be remunerated at the SDF rate of 10 per cent per annum.

Ukeje said any deposit by a bank or discount house in excess of N7.5

billion, shall not be remunerated, pointing out that “these provisions are without prejudice to the subsisting Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) corridor.”

For the avoidance of doubt, he stresed, “the SDF remains operative as a monetary policy tool, but patronage of the facility shall be subjected to the above modifications,” he said.

The MPR corridor remains at plus or minus 200 basis points round MPR. Continuing, he said: “The SDF shall attract an interest rate of MPR minus 200 basis points, 10 per cent per annum up to the limit of N7.5 billion, while any deposit over and above the maximum will attract zero interest rate”.

•From left: Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Foluso Phillips; out-going Director-General Mr. Frank Nweke II; Vice-Chairman Mr. Kyari Bukar; Managing-Director, Shell Nigeria Mutiu Summonu and Minister for Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka, at a dinner in honour of Nweke in Lagos.

Financial crimes’ body tightens rules on company ownership

N

EW guidelines by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on preventing the misuse of corporate vehicles to hide true company owners, has been inaugurated.

A report obtained from The International Banking Operations, quoted crime prevention specialists as saying the new guidelines will help countries struggling to meet international standards on anti-money laundering and terrorism financing.

The FATF last year removed Nigeria from the list of countries identified as jurisdictions with significant deficiencies in their AntiMoney Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/

CFT) regimes.

The action was taken following the country’s full implementation of the mutually agreed Action Plan and the exhibition of a clear political commitment to continue the development of its AML/CFT regime.

In a statement in Paris, France, the FATF expressed satisfaction with the political will displayed by Nigeria in improving its Global AML/CFT compliance. Accordingly, the FATF voted unanimously to expunge Nigeria from the list of jurisdictions.

The Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force headed by Stephen Oronsaye, said the FATF took the decision at the

end of its plenary meeting held in Paris, France, between October 14 and 18, last year.

Oronsaye noted: “In the recent past, Nigeria has received technical assistance from the IMF to develop a risk-based approach to AML/CFT supervision. This has resulted in the development of similar procedures across all regulatory authorities as well as the financial intelligence unit, namely the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Insurance Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.’’

Nigeria issued the Terrorism Prevention (Freezing of International Terrorist Funds and Other

Related Measures) Regulations 2011.

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) said Nigeria has also addressed a deficiency relating to Recommendation five of the revised FATF Standards.

This criminalises terrorist financing, including the financing of a terrorist organisation and an individual terrorist, and covers issues relating to terrorist funds, use of funds, intentional elements of the terrorist financing offence, location of the offender, ancillary offences, predicate offences of money laundering, liability of legal persons, and sanctions.

UBA, MasterCard partner on e-payments

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ASTERCARD and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc have completed a multi-country licensing project that will see the lender accept and issue MasterCard prepaid, debit and credit cards in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Through the partnership, 14 of UBA’s 19 subsidiaries across sub-Saharan Africa, will gain access to MasterCard payment solutions, and by so doing, enjoy the security and convenience of electronic payments.

A statement from the bank said MasterCard will leverage its footprint to enhance the adoption of cashless payments in a wider geographical region across Africa.

The UBA is licensed to accept and issue MasterCard products in Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Prior to the completion of the deal, United Bank for Africa was licensed to issue MasterCard payment products in Nigeria.

Deputy Managing Director and CEO, UBA Africa, Kennedy Uzoka said: “This collaboration is a reflection of our vision, which is to be Africa’s bank of choice for the provision of innovative financial products and services.

We understand the significance of partnerships, and what we have with a global player such as MasterCard, is an integral part of achieving our vision for Africa.”

Division President, sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Daniel Monehin, said: “MasterCard’s commitment to Africa means that we continue to work with various partners in the financial services sector to continually develop products that help consumers make the shift from the use of cash, to the adoption of electronic payments, which hold numerous benefits for them.

“We are proud to partner UBA, whose growing footprint in subSaharan Africa, also means that the financially underserved will be brought into the financial services fold owing to the development of diverse and relevant products and services.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

27

MONEY Analysts expect a naira devaluation of about 15 per cent in the weeks ahead, which would be around half the scale of the 27 per cent devaluation that occurred in November 2008. But the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seems determined to protect the currency against all odds, including a sharp drop in oil prices and foreign exchange reserves. Will it succeed in this elusive task? COLLINS NWEZE writes.

Naira devaluation: Controversy rages T

HE naira is under pressure in the interbank market, owing to strong dollar demand, the recent sharp fall in Brent oil prices (down by 23 per cent since late June), and uncertainty over the effect of the normalisation of United States’ monetary policy.

The currency has continued to depreciate against the dollar since November 2008. From N118 per dollar in November 2008 to about N172 last week, the naira has, no doubt, fallen from Olympic heights. It has, so far, lost close to seven per cent of its value this year.

Currencies Analyst at Ecobank Nigeria Olakunle Ezun said recent developments suggest an implicit devaluation has taken place but this needs to be confirmed based on developments this week.

He explained that due to the bearish outlook for oil prices, the CBN is under pressure to continue supplying dollar to support the plus or minus three per cent N155 exchange rate band.

Until recently, market participants were confident the CBN would step in to strengthen the naira if it weakened much below 165 against the dollar, Ezun said.

“In the last couple of weeks, once the naira got to 166, we were sure they’d come in and calm the market to send it back to about 165,” he said. “They seemed comfortable around 165.”

The naira was last devalued in November 2011 by lowering the midpoint of the target band to 155 per dollar from 150 to support growth in the economy.

Since mid-September this year, the CBN has used reserves to sell dollars outside of regular auctions held Mondays and Wednesdays, according to the Standard Chartered Plc. The absence of CBN intervention last Friday exacerbated the currency’s decline.

“They seem to be trying to tiptoe through this period. I expect they will be back in the market when conditions are more favorable for them and it looks less like they’re panic selling.

The market would soak up every last dollar if they did that,” an analyst at Johannesburg-based ETM Analytics, Gareth

Brickman, said.

Also, the Chief Investment Officer at Global Evolution AS, Morten Bugge, said the CBN has enough foreign reserves to defend the naira and will probably avoid devaluation before the general election in February. While foreign-currency reserves dropped to a three-month low of $38.3 billion, it is still enough to cover about seven months of imports, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg.

“The chance of devaluing it now is close to none,” said Bugge, who oversees $2.3 billion emerging-market assets, including naira-denominated bonds.

“The market is testing the central bank. The ball is in their court.”

The CBN, last week, banned paying for some imports, including electronics, generators and telecommunications equipment, using foreign-exchange bought at biweekly auctions. It also issued rules to lenders on accessing its standing deposit facility, according to a separate notice.

“We’re seeing more foreign-exchange flexibility. Perhaps they do not want to burn FX reserves unnecessarily. It’s a risky strategy though as the market will now look for the topside of dollar-naira and also because the lower rates will reduce the incentive to hold naira fixed-income assets,” head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered in London,” Samir Gadio said.

Investors’ apathy persists Foreign portfolio investors fearing heavy losses on the currency have pulled out with the Nigeria Stock Exchange Index hitting a 16-month low and the yield on government bonds rose 10 basis points last Wednesday.

Foreign reserves fell rapidly from a peak of $48.9 billion in May 2013 to just $36 billion in June. They have since rebounded slightly and are currently around $38.3 billion.

Despite these losses, analysts say that devaluation before the elections, when President Goodluck Jonathan will seek a second term, would be so unpopular that it’s unlikely unless oil prices, now at $82 a barrel, tumble further and force the bank’s hand.

‘The naira was last devalued in November 2011 by lowering the midpoint of the target band to 155 per dollar from 150 to support growth in the economy. Since mid-September this year, the CBN has used reserves to sell dollars outside of regular auctions held Mondays and Wednesdays, according to Standard Chartered Plc. The absence of CBN intervention last Friday exacerbated the currency’s decline’

•Emefiele

‘Analysts said a gradual appreciation of the currency will require building confidence in the financial system and price of crude oil in international market. This is what is going to drive the exchange rate now and beyond. We cannot isolate what is happening in the global economy like the issue of diversification of energy sources’ “It will take some time of relatively low prices ... before you see foreign reserves really being gobbled up,” Matthew Searle, senior African analyst at Business Monitor International, said.

“If oil prices fall further to the $60s or $70s a barrel, then the central bank will become the main source of dollars,” and will have to decide for how long it can keep up the fight.

Alan Cameron, London-based economist at Nigeria’s First City Monument Bank, thinks reserves would likely have to slide to close to $30 billion before a “last resort” devaluation would be considered.

Complex crises get worse The misfortune of the naira seems complex. The thinking is that massive inflow of forex from surging oil prices and the boom in the capital market were responsible for the appreciation of the naira in the past few years.

Unfortunately, oil prices have nosedived and Nigeria capital market is in shambles. The fall in the price of oil has major consequences on government revenue, aggregate output, capital

formation investment, employment, trade and fiscal balance.

The 2008 global financial meltdown also contributed to the naira’s freefall. Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer, Financial Derivatives said that Nigeria was unprepared for the shock. “The Nigerian economy believed to be one of the most resilient in the world was caught unawares by the global crisis,” he said.

Analysts said that a gradual appreciation of the currency will require building confidence in the financial system and price of crude oil in international market.

“This is what is going to drive the exchange rate now and beyond. We cannot isolate what is happening in the global economy like the issue of diversification of energy sources”, they said.

Failed promises?

The misfortune of the naira began early November 2008, when it first crashed to N120 to the dollar, down from N118. By the middle of the month, it fell to about N134 to the dollar. The free fall continued in the New Year. By

the end of the first week of January 2009, the naira had fallen to about N144 to the dollar and the inter-bank foreign exchange market.

The situation became even worse at the parallel market as the currency exchanged for N147 to the dollar. It later fell to N160 to the dollar, causing greater shocks for international trade.

In its assessment of the Nigerian situation, Goldman Sachs described January 2006 to December 2008 as a period dominated by a stable trading and appreciation of the naira. It, however, warned that past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Against all odds, former CBN Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, said he was taking full charge to bring stability to the economy and restore the glory of the naira.

“I can tell you that those who have bought up dollars and are stock-pilling them in anticipation for profit will regret because it will soon bounce back,” he said.

His successor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, believed strongly on exchange the stability. Under his leadership, the apex bank consistently pursued a policy aimed at achieving exchange rate stability, banking sector stability and single digit inflation target.

The CBN supported the naira by selling foreign currency at twice-weekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to keep the naira within a range of three per cent around 155 per dollar. An average of $600 million is used weekly to support the naira.

Sanusi’s successor, Godwin Emefiele, also promised to sustain his legacy on exchange rate stability. He said his administration’s key goal would be to maintain exchange rate stability. “In view of the high import-dependent nature of the economy and significant exchange rate pass-through, a systematic depreciation of the Naira would literarily translate to considerable inflationary pressure with attendant effect on macroeconomic stability.

“Therefore, under my leadership, the CBN will continue to focus on maintaining exchange rate stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency,” he said in his inaugural speech in June.

Emefiele said he would sustain the float regime in the management of the exchange rate, as this would allow the CBN to intervene when necessary to offset pressures on the exchange rate. To support this strategy, we will strive to build-up and maintain a healthy external reserves position and ensure external balance.

He admitted that reducing the interest rate and maintaining the exchange rate were very daunting twin goals. However, he said the CBN would work assiduously with all stakeholders to device countervailing measures that would ensure that these goals are mutually achieved.

So far, successive CBN regimes seem to have failed to protect the local currency from the value erosion, and this portends grave danger for the economy.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Companies reconsider new capital raising over T declining share prices HE bearish market at the Nigerian stock market is forcing companies that had planned to float new offer and raise new funds to reconsider their plans, a development that could reverse the modest level of activities at the primary market.

Nigerian equities lost N1.44 trillion last week as foreign portfolio outflows exacerbated a downtrend that had seen the market mostly with month-on-month negative performance this second half. In spite of the marginal average gain of 0.03 per cent on Monday, most equities opened yesterday at their lowest values in a year.

Investment banking sources said many companies that have recently launched new offers were reconsidering their pricing in the face of the bearish market at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

They said some companies were favourably disposed to delaying their new issues because of the significant undervaluation of their fundamentals by the losing spree.

Not less than seven companies have new issues in the pipeline including Access Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Sterling Bank, Presco, Vitafoam, RT Briscoe and

Cement Company of Northern Nigeria.

Presco Plc, which had initially indicated it planned to raise some N3 billion at a price of N35 per share opened yesterday at the NSE at a low of N24.82 per share, significantly lower than its proposed offer price.

Also, Sterling Bank Plc, which held an extraordinary general meeting on a planned new issue yesterday, opened yesterday at N2.31 per share, lower than its planned offer price.

Also, RT Briscoe opened around its nominal price at 66 kobo per share while UBA and Access Bank are trading around their lowest prices in a year.

Presco, a palm oil plantation and processing company, has already commenced the process to raise some N3 billion new equity funds from its major core investor and other minority shareholders to reorganize its highly leveraged capital structure.

The shareholders of the company had in July this year approved the supplementary share issuance at their annual general meeting in

Benin, Edo State. At the annual general meeting, shareholders had also approved the increase in the authorised share capital of the company from N500 million to N550 million through the creation of 100 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Managing director, Presco Plc, Mr. Uday Pilani, confirmed the commencement of the rights issue noting that the board had decided to undertake the new equity raising to give the company financial flexibility and reorganise its capital structure.

According to him, the net proceeds of the rights issue will be used to reduce the company's debt and foreign exchange exposure.

Directors of the company had expected the rights issue to receive overwhelming support noting that it presented an excellent opportunity for existing shareholders to increase their investment in the company.

While the current details of the rights issue are sketchy, initial check

by The Nation indicated that the rights issue will be pre-allotted to shareholders on the register of the

company as at July 4, 2014 on the basis of one new share for every 10 shares held as at the qualification date. Directors of the company had also earlier indicated the rights would be offered at N35 per share.

However, initial outlined had indicated that in the event of undersubscription of the rights issue, shareholders will not have any preemptive right, paving the way for other investors to acquire the unsubscribed shares. The underwriter to the rights issue will be able to acquire the unsubscribed shares, subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.

Also, Sterling Bank yesterday held an extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders in furtherance of its plan to raise about N50 billion in a new round of capital raising. Sterling Bank plans to raise about N20 billion through a special placement to identified strategic investors and more than N30 billion in another yetto-be-specified instrument.

According to the resolution, the bank plans to issue about 7.472 bil-

•From left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chairman, Omoluabi Savings & Loans Plc and Commissioner for Finance, Osun State, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and CEO, Omoluabi Savings & Loans Plc, Mr Babatunde Alao at the listing of Omoluabi Savings & Loans at NSE

lion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.65 per share to Messrs.

Silverlake Investments Limited or such other identified strategic investor. However, the opening price of N2.31 yesterday represented a discount of about 13 per cent to the planned offer price.

In another resolution, the board of the bank sought to raise additional capital up to $200 million or its equivalent in Naira. The fund could be raised through any or a combination equity, global depository receipts, quasi equity, convertible loans, medium term notes, bonds and any other debt instrument.

Head, research and investment advisory, Sterling Capital Markets, Mr. Sewa Wusu, however said that in as much as the changing price dynamics at the NSE will affect pricing of new issues, some offers may come at premium to the market prices since the prices were based on fundamental valuation.

Jamodu returns as PZ Cussons chair

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HE Board of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc has appointed Chief Kola Jamodu as the chairman of the company. He succeeds Professor Emmanuel Edozien who retired from the board after 11 years as the chairman.

Jamodu is assuming the position of chairman with a portfolio of diverse experience from both the private and public sectors. He was an employee of the PZ Cussons group from 1974 and served in executive positions for 24 years rising to the position of chairman/chief executive officer until he retired in 1999. He thereafter continued as chairman until 2001 when he became the Minister of Industry.

Jamodu is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants, Nigeria (ICAN), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, London and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries.

He is Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and Director United Bank for Africa Plc and Ashaka Cement Company Plc. He is also the immediate past president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

The board of PZ Cussons stated that it was convinced that with his appealing credentials, Jamodu is well positioned to provide effective leadership for the board and that the company will benefit tremendously from his wealth of experience.

Caverton raises dividend expectation over improved earnings

T

HE management of Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG) Plc has expressed optimism that the aviation and maritime services provider would build on the momentum of its third quarter earnings to deliver better performance in 2014.

Third quarter report of Caverton for the period ended September 30, 2014 showed that turnover rose by 31 per cent to N18.7 billion while operating margin improved to 23 per cent as against 10 per cent recorded in comparable period of 2013. Profit before tax rose from N2.5 billion in third quarter 2013 to N3.1 billion in third quarter 2014. Earnings per share stood at 56 kobo in 2014 as against 45 kobo in comparable period of 2013.

Chief executive officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Bode Makanjuola said the directors of the company were confident that their cost control measures combined with the roll out of the company’s strate-

Stories by Taofik Salako

gic growth plan have positioned it to improve profitability and create better returns to shareholders.

According to him, the steady implementation of the company’s strategic plans is yielding good results as topline growth was driven by growing demand for helicopter charters that complemented recurring revenues from fixed contracts.

“As part of our strategic plan to diversify our income base, our plan in partnership with CAE to build and operate the first aviation training centre and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services in Nigeria remain on course. Furthermore, we shall continue to explore our options for opportunities to increase our market penetration in other sub-Saharan African countries,” Makanjuola said.

He added that the company would continue to progress with its fleet expansion plans in the marine sector with the aim of supporting local and

international oil and gas companies as they take their exploration and production activities further into the deep offshore.

He reiterated the commitment of the company to achieving the national content development targets as more indigenous pilots, engineers and seafarers get the required training to enhance their competence.

Makanjuola outlined some of the milestones behind the company’s performance to include the contract signed with CAE, a global leader in the provision of flight simulators to operate the first commercial aviation training centre in the sub-Saharan African region as well as the CavertonRK -a joint venture between RKOffshore of Singapore and Caverton Marine Limited – which was awarded a contract to supply two Anchor Handling Tug supply vessels (AHTS) to Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited (SEPCOL).

Caverton is embarking on new busi-

ness initiatives namely the Aviation Training Center (ATC) and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility. It will be recalled that at its last annual general meeting which was held in Lagos on June 5, COSG announced plans to build a 40,000 square metres facility at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos for in-country training of pilots and engineers and aircraft maintenance, two areas that have serious implication for national capacity development, efficiency and safety in the aviation sector.

In furtherance of this plan, on June 10 in Montreal, Canada, Caverton Helicopters signed a landmark agreement with CAE, a global leader in the provision of flight simulators, for training centre operation services at Caverton’s flight simulation training centre in Lagos. Expected to take-off next year, the facility will be the first commercial flight simulation training centre in Africa. CAE will provide a turnkey solution that will in-

clude the start-up, maintenance and operation of the centre for a specified period pending the full transfer of knowledge and skill-sets to Nigerians.

Caverton transited fully into a publicly quoted company with the listing of its entire issued share capital on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in May. Caverton listed 3.35 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N9.50 per share, which added N31.8 billion to the market capitalisation of the Exchange. Caverton was listed in the support and logistic subsector of the service sector in line with its core business of on-shore and off-shore logistics to oil and gas companies.

On the heels of the listing, Caverton has won a two-year contract extension with Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and is expecting a brand new AW139 helicopter which will be devoted to its long-term contract with Shell Petroleum Development Company.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

PAGE 29

Sagamu, a once-beautiful city, is fast relapsing into slum-like community. The smooth, sleekly administrative headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area lacks roads and other amenities that enhance the well-being of the residents. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports that the government is working hard to fix the roads and other infrastructural facilities to make the city regain its lost glory.

•The flyover constructed by Governor Amosun

Regaining Sagamu’s glory T

INSIDE

O some, it seems Sagamu, the administrative headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area and the royal home of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonarinwo, may relapse into a slum-like if the roads and other facilities are not improved upon.

What they didn’t take into account is the efforts being made by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration to regain the seemingly lost glory of Sagamu as a city. It is not the fault of the gov-

Foundation’s compassion for the poor

PAGE 30

ernment as most of the problems people are complaining about are as a result of actions of the residents.

For instance, nowhere cuts this gloomy picture better than the seedy and boisterous Sabo and its surrounding.

Aside the congestion and filth, the area is routinely flooded whenever it rains as a result of poor drainage.

The roads leading to it, such as the Ode-Lemo, GRA; Sabo-Oja cow sellers’ roads respectively and the adjoining ones have remained in bad shape.

To worsen the situation, roadside traders and hawkers make the roads get narrower, even as the trend makes vehicular and human traffic more challenging. Noise pollution emanating from grinders and blaring speakers of music sellers are also troubling to first time visitors.

The fly-over constructed at Sabo as well as the Oba Akarigbo Road

by Senator Ibikunle Amosun is the first modern road construction in the area in recent decades. Unfortunately, they are also being defaced with bizarre graffiti, dirt, fluttering

Free eye treatment for Oyo community

junk banners and posters by the residents. Underneath it and even with the dirt, it serves as shelter for both the sane and insane.

Our correspondent sited four lunatics-three males and a female— who had turned portions of it as their homes even as few others were roaming the area unkempt and scavenging for food.

With regard to the economy of the state, the Igbo, Edo, Ibibio and Ishan, among other ethnic groups are making tangible contributions; but it seems the Yoruba and the Hausa are

about the most active and commercially-inclined ethnic groups in Sabo.

The nearly-a-century-old Oba Akarigbo Market in Sabo, which was founded by hunter-farmers (Agbekoyas) lacks water and toilets despite its size, economic importance and strategic location.

A resident, Mr Sunday Adebayo described the market as one bustling and commercial nerve centre of Sagamu with admixture of the good and the ugly.

Adebayo, who sells electrical materials, said the only driving principle in Sabo seemed to be

‘Give automatic job to the needy’

PAGE 32 PAGES 35

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

30

THE SOUTWEST REPORT Christ Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was established in 1993 by the late Professor and Mrs. Joel Adeyinka Adedeji, to help physically-challenged persons to realise their latent potential. Since its inception, it has brought hope to many who wouldn’t have been forward-looking through the collaboration of public-spirited Nigerians. In this report, OSEHEYE OKWUOFU examines the activities of the NGO.

Foundation’s compassion for the poor T

HEY are everywhere, and their story is the same. They are physically-challenged and often neglected. They are not restricted to a particular geo-political zone. From the East to the West and from the North to the South, you find them.

In the circumstances therefore, it is not uncommon to find handicapped persons on the streets of Ibadan and other major cities soliciting for help. Like bees, they have invaded Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

For every visitor, the first sight on entry into the city is some men and women running after cars, asking for help to feed. Some of the disabled beggars go into this trade in an effort to make a living.

Apart from brandishing plates, they also offer prayers for wouldbe helper to win their sympathy.

Benevolent passersby would, in turn, drop money as almsgiving.

Most often, most of them behave in a manner that depicts any assistance rendered to them is their right. The state and local governments have been making frenetic efforts towards ameliorating their problems by establishing rehabilitation centres where they could learn some trades for self-sustenance.

Unfortunately, most of the physically-challenged persons seem to prefer life in the street and bowlbearing to being self-reliant as some of them leave the skill acquisition centres for the streets to continue the act of begging.

Not only helps from governments are available to them. Kindhearted individuals also render helps to them. Through their kind gestures, some of the physicallychallenged persons have received succour and have gotten off the streets for a while, even though some of them find their way back to the streets later.

The trend became a source of worry to members of the Christ Foundation. But recently, the activities of some physically-challenged persons have attracted the attention of government at all levels. Some concerned individuals and organisations are not left out in the quest to better the lot of the downtrodden. They have shown commitment to give ray of hope to these hitherto hopeless and neglected young Nigerians.

Some had reasoned that instead of giving cash gifts to the physically-challenged persons, who would go back to the streets to beg for alms, empowering them to be self-reliant would be a better option.

In this instance, many of the physically-challenged persons had not only been encouraged to acquire some skills, they have also been trained in some professional trades so that they could be useful to themselves and the society.

For instance, since inception, Christ Foundation has helped hundreds of disabled persons to leave the streets as beggars. Many had been rehabilitated and have better future.

With enthusiasm and commitment of the trustees of the foundation to help the needy, the vision of the founders is still alive. It is still impacting positively on the lives of many less-privileged individuals in the society. In collaboration with well-meaning Nigerians, organisations and partners, there is a new vista in the lives of the physically-challenged as they undergo

•Mr Akinlosotu.

•A cross section of the physically-challenged persons playing on the ground

•Some of the physically-challenged persons

training programmes organised by Christ Foundation.

In a chat with our correspondent on the activities of the organisation, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mrs Phoebe Ajayi-Obe (SAN) said: “We invite them to our centre to let them know that God loves them and that they can turn their disability to ability.

We help them discover their latent potential and capability. Then, we train, establish and integrate them back into the society.”

Continuing, Mrs Ajayi-Obe said “some of those we have rehabilitated are now graduates, businessmen and women, tailors, cobblers, computer scientists, and are doing well in their chosen enterprises.

Some are gainfully employed in the private and public sectors.”

The foundation, which is solely dedicated to the rehabilitation and integration of talented physicallychallenged, has assisted in the construction of two mobile shops to enable the physically-challenged persons move their goods to wherever they find a market for their products.

“We are hoping that people will place order for some of our products. This will not only help us move forward but will also enable people who are physically-chal-

•A member of the Voices of Hope, a visually-impaired operating the piano

‘We invite them to our centre to let them know that God loves them and that they can turn their disability to ability. We help them discover their latent potential and capability. Then, we train, establish and integrate them back into the society...Some of those we have rehabilitated are now graduates, businessmen and women, tailors, cobblers, computer scientists, and are doing well in their chosen enterprises’ lenged to live comfortable lives,” she said.

Noting that it is not only the disabled ones that benefit from the training programme, she added that the foundation has embarked on teaching sessions not only for people who are physically-challenged but also for parents of physically-challenged persons who may experience some difficulties in taking care of them. They are taught how to make poff-poff, fish rolls, egg rolls and buns, among other items.

Mrs Ajayi-Obe said: “This will be followed by arts and crafts. Our in-

structor is a member of our board, Mrs. Taiwo Oluwasanya. Some of those who attended our programmes have started their own small businesses based on what they have learnt.”

The items produced by the physically-challenged persons are on display on some supermarkets and shops and are in high demand because of their durability and beauty.

The Assistant Coordinator of the group, Mr. Oluwasegun Ayotunde Akinlosotu praised the foundation’s contributions to the lives of the physically-challenged persons, say-

ing it has succeeded in transforming the lives of many in the society.

He said the foundation, through its various activities, has helped millions of people to appreciate the physically-challenged persons in their midst and also appreciate that there is ability in disability.

Akinlosotu, a father of two, is a member of a musical band known as Voices of Hope, an arm of the foundation where some of the physically-challenged have discovered their talents as musicians and entertainers.

He said: “We have performed and thrilled many spectators in many cities such as Abuja. In most cases, some people broke down in tears while watching us perform. They could not believe that a visuallyimpaired man could operate the piano very well. It’s because we learnt it like every other person, but more importantly, a physically-challenged person is very much gifted.”

He appealed to Nigerians to support the foundation in uplifting the less-privilege in the society so that the society will be a better place for all.

“We count on you the public to encourage us by placing orders for our products. Patronise and help us in giving publicity to our quality products,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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Council inaugurates health care centre B EFORE the expiration of his tenure in office, the former Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Abdlefatai Oyesanya inaugurated a public health centre for the people of Idera Ajegunle in Owode area of the council.

The council chief said improvement in the health sector in the council was part of the fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promises.

According to him, health issues have been his priority, even as he said it informed the inauguration of free drugs, free delivery packs for pregnant women and proper documentation of health records in the council.

He said the free medical treatment was available in different locations across the council, adding that drugs and medical personnel are on ground to attend to patients at all time.

“The provision of health care for the people is one of the major promises to the people during our electioneering campaigns before we came on board. Today, we have provided more than enough health care centres across the council and we promise to do more,” he said.

Oyesanya therefore called on the people of the community to maintain the facilities at the centre so as to sustain it for the future generation.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Onikosi of Ikosi land, Oba

•The council chairman and others at the inauguration.

Samuel Alamu Kehinde said the chairman had been contributing to the development of the community ever since he came on board as the council chairman.

Describing the chairman’s

achievements as giant strides, the monarch said he was not surprised that the council chief constructed the health centre for the people of the community because he has been working hard to improve the living stan-

Teaching hospital status for FMC, Ido-Ekiti

By Emmanuel Udodinma

I

•Aare Babalola

By Adegunle Olugbamila

the training of medical students and allied health professionals of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

The letter of approval with reference number HMH/ABJ/450/Vol. IV/152 was dated October 15, and was signed

by Prof. Chukwu.

In the letter, Prof. Chukwu said the approval will be for a period of 10 years as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and the management of ABUAD. A similar letter to the Chairman, Board of Management of the FMC, IdoEkiti, by Prof. Chukwu urged him (the Chairman) to “kindly ensure that all necessary actions are carried out to actualise Mr. President’s approvals.”

This informed ABUAD’s embarking on massive infrastructural development of FMC valued at over N2 billion. Such facilities include threestorey hostels for male and female stu-

people when they leave office.

“I want to advise other council chairmen to imitate him so that their names will not be forgotten as soon as they leave office,” the monarch said.

‘We’re committed to our people’s well-being’

I

N line with global best practices where universities use established hospitals as training centres for their medical students, the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), had applied to the Federal Government for the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IdoEkiti for use as training centre for its medical students; just as University of Ibadan and Gombe State University use Adeoyo Hospital and FMC Gombe as their training centres for their medical students respectively.

To this end, the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu put machinery in motion to authenticate the plausibility of such upgrade. He mandated the National Universities Commission (NUC), the country’s regulatory body for tertiary institutions to find out how probable the proposed upgrade would be.

After the initial visit, NUC was convinced that there was the need to upgrade the facilities at the FMC to meet the standards of a teaching hospital for the training of medical students.

Having satisfied the NUC’s requirement, ABUAD obtained NUC’s and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s (MDCN) approvals to commence medical programme in the hospital.

After these approvals, Prof Chukwu set up a committee to assess the suitability of the facility for clinical studies. The committee discovered the place suitable for training of medical students, after which the minister recommended an approval of the said MoU. Based on this, the minister made recommendations to President Goodluck Jonathan for approval of the facility to be upgraded to a teaching hospital.

In the circumstances, President Jonathan approved the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IdoEkiti, to a teaching hospital, even as he approved the use of the hospital for

dards of members of the community.

He urged other council chairmen across the country to bequeath landmark achievements in their respective domains so that their names will be etched in the minds of the

dents, dining hall, library, four fullyequipped laboratories, well-furnished classrooms, auditorium and sporting facilities. In the circumstances, the FMC wears a very distinct and appealing look.

Reacting to the approval, the founder of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) said: “We are pleased and excited to receive the approval of the MoU between the FMC, Ido-Ekiti and our university. We are indeed very grateful to President Jonathan, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu and several others who made this work.”

Continuing, he said: “The achievement is indeed historic and groundbreaking feat. We are able to achieve in less than five years what it took some other universities between 15 and 20 years to achieve.

“We will continue to set enviable records, and within the shortest possible time, we will give to Nigeria and Nigerians the best medical college in Nigeria which competes favourably with others in the global space...”

N its commitment to better the living standards of the people of OtoAwori Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, under the leadership of the former chairman, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert has inaugurated two modern primary health care centres, even as it distributed some empowerment items to members of the community under its poverty alleviation programmes. The event took place at Ijanikin, Oke Ijewu before the tenure of the council’s leadership elapsed.

This, the council chief said, was in line with the vision of the council to provide quality health care system and sustainable income for the people in a bid to reduce the poverty level among the people.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Robert said: “As our tenure in office draws to an end, since all earthly things are temporary and finite, and all things born or made of man is transient, I am bold to say that the promises I made when I assumed office have been kept.

“By the grace of God, together with a dynamic team, we have made Oto-Awori a better place than we met it. We have been able to simplify the art of governance and give the people a new lease of life.

“Our LCDA has witnessed excellence in governance in the past six years of our administration, with life-changing programmes and projects which had raised the standard of living of our people .We have been able to turn around the fortunes of Oto-Awori LCDA in all sectors through selfless and wholehearted commitment to service.

“We all desire a society where things work, where the environment is clean and hygienic, where lives and properties are safe and secure, where education and health care services are available and affordable. These have been our targets and we have not disappointed you, as you all testify to the astronomical growth experienced by the LCDA. “Today’s inauguration is another promise kept. After the construction of our modern secretariat, we realised that the old PHC was not too befitting, as it was too small for both the health workers and the nursing mothers. Our administration is so passionate about the health of our people and we would not compromise in any way when it comes to quality health care delivery. ‘‘We are equally going to launch three ambulances as well as other health equipment for the smooth operations and adherence to international best practices. It is the people’s right to enjoy all the health benefits that accrue to them as at when due. ‘‘Aside from the inauguration, we are going to distribute poverty alleviation equipment to our people. Or approach to poverty eradication is to teach our people how to fish and not giving them fish always. This policy was well demonstrated through periodic distribution of poverty alleviation equipment and materials.’’

Robert’s administration also inaugurated council hall and donated three ambulance buses to boost health care delivery.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE SOUTWEST REPORT

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THE SOUTWEST REPORT

•Members of the community who came for the eye screening and some NYSC officials

•Some Corps members at the seminar

‘Until recently, residents who had eye problems had no access to health care services due to lack of facilities and qualified personnel...As a result, those in dire need of health care services travel to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, the Bowen Teaching Hospital both in Ogbomoso, or the University College Hospital, Ibadan’

Free eye treatment for Oyo community O

NE of the objectives of establishing the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1973 was to help in the accelerated growth of the nation’s economy.

In order to make this objective workable, corps members were made to belong to various Community Development Service (CDS) groups through which they would reach their host communities in terms of rendering services that would impact positively on their lives.

In the course of carrying out this aspect of the assignment, one of the youth corps members who studied medicine has been applying the cognitive skills and training for the benefit of Oyo town, her host community and its environs.

A batch “C’’ Corps member, Dr. Esther Irabor Agbator’s state code is OY/2013C/2345 and NYSC/ BEN/242612. She is serving at OyoEast Local Government Area and her pri-

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

mary assignment is at the state hospital Oyo. She is carrying out personal community development project which aims at enhancing the wellbeing of the people and further the objectives of the NYSC. The project which being carried out in three phases include equipping and reviving the moribund eye clinic in the hospital, providing eye test and distribution of frames and lenses to residents who are suffering from eye problems.

Until recently, residents who have eye problems had no access to health care services due to lack of facilities and qualified personnel.

As a result, those in dire need of health care services travel to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, the Bowen Teaching Hospital both in Ogbomoso, or the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

However, Dr. Agbator resusci-

•Corps members at a seminar before the eye screening exercise

tated the eye clinic by procuring needed equipment, after which she organised an awareness campaign programme for the residents. This

singular action went a long way in saving the lives of people who have eye problems from endangering their lives along the deadly Oyo/

•Screening exercise in progress

Ogbomoso Road.

The humble, caring, dedicated and dutiful Optometrist, who hails from

Ekpoma in Edo State, resumes work on or before 8:00 a.m. waiting for the patients to come for either eye test or treatment.

To the surprise of patients, Dr. Agbator consults and provides eye tests free of charge.

Frames and lenses were also dis-

P

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Akindele said the choice of Ondo State as the host state for the peace retreat is commendable as the state is reputed as most peaceful in the Niger Delta region.

The Speaker further said the state government has placed priority on peace, security and development by promoting means of livelihoods to all categories of people and working with security agencies to secure lives and property in cities, towns and villages.

Princess Akindele said the forthcoming general elections will be peaceful, even as she described the people in the Niger Delta as law-abiding, lovers of democracy and supporters of good governance which is openly demonstrated by their active participations in the political process and activities.

She, however, warned against political violence, hooliganism and intimidation of law-abiding citizens during the coming elections.

The Team Leader of Partners for Peace, Mr. Michael Gonzalez of the Fund for Peace, Washington D.C., said the aim of the peace retreat was to share experiences and capture the success stories and challenges on peacebuilding activities, as well as mapping election conflict assessment sce-

nario and make the youth shun violence during election processes.

He noted that the peace retreat is also aimed at examining the achievements of Partners for Peace and ratify the Charter of Partners for Peace in Niger Delta. While highlighting the background of the project, Mr. Gonzalez said Partners for Peace began its activities with engagement of some people already involved in peace-building across the states in the Niger Delta region last year, during the Peace Camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Partner for Peace Network Coordinator, Peace Ambassador (Chief) Africas Lawal revealed that state chapters of P4P are now working on peace initiatives based on the lessons from conflict assessment training. He said the P4P has constituted a central working committee (CWC) to drive the initiative.

The Field Project Manager of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Mr. Sylvester Okoh said the initiative’s goal is for the Niger Delta area in Nigeria to continue to prosper as a peaceful place for economic growth.

He said the strategy is to identify and strengthen conflict resolution initiatives within the Niger Delta region and to enhance a more en

The youth corps member is also an ardent crusader of Educating a Rural Child (ERC), a pet project of

Monarch advises Nigerians on patriotism

Peace retreat for stakeholders in Niger Delta ARTNERS for Peace in Niger Delta (P4P), a network of civil society groups that are in the forefront of peace-building activities, in conjunction with Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND), has evolved a new strategy aimed at mainstreaming peace and conflict resolution as core values during the forthcoming general elections.

To this effect, a five-day peace retreat has been organised in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for stakeholders in the nine states of the Niger Delta ahead of next year’s general elections.

Participants were drawn from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states where resource persons, including the Partners for Peace Technical Advisors from the Fund For Peace, United States of America (USA), Nate Haken and Patricia Taft, Team Leader of Partners for Peace, Mr. Michael Gonzalez, Network Coordinator, Peace Ambassador (Chief) Africas Lawal and Dr Austin Onuorah who spoke on issues of peace-building, conflict management and resolution.

Declaring the peace retreat open, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Princess Jumoke

tributed free for hundreds of indigent residents. Her fellow corps members were also not left out.

the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Ajimobi.

Two of the patients, Mr. Nuru Ola-Oluwa and Mrs Lydia Ojoayo shed tears of joy after their eyes were tested and provided with eye lenses and frames free.

Both women in their middle-age explained that they had spent a lot of money so much so that they are indebted to some hospitals where they visited for eye treatment.

In a chat with our correspondent, Dr. Agbator said the personal effort provides her opportunity to contribute positively to the development of the ancient town and its environs, even as it enables her to appreciate other Nigerians.

“You can do your CDS either individually or in groups. It is allyear-round, just like the primary assignment. Individual corps members also carry out personal projects as a means of extending their love to their host communities and state of deployment at large.

“I observed that a lot of people are really suffering from abject poverty and cannot afford the cost of their health care. We can’t watch them dying with the ailment but to show concern and assist even where government is seen to be lacking,” she said.

T

•Former Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh (left) presenting Eko Gas to the Chairman, Community Development Committee of the Council, Alhaji Rasheed Alamutu (second right). With them are former Vice-Chairman, Timothy Daisy (right) and representative from Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources at the event

HE Asiwaju of Ipokia Kingdom, Otunba (Chief) Babajide Titus, has urged Nigerian leaders to remain focused and let the love of the country be uppermost in their minds.

He said the greatest hope of the country is to be on same pedestrial with advanced countries such as United States, Britain, London etc, and can be achieved through shunning and avoiding politics of crisis, bloodshed and assassination.

Otunba, made the appeal while celebrating his birthday at his country home, Ajegunle, Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State.

Important dignitaries from far and near both within and outside the country stormed his residence in exotic cars in Otunba Titus Babajide (JP) Street, Idiroko, to rejoice with him and his household for the event.

Speaking with The Nation, he said "All glory and adoration returns to the Lord, for added another year to my life and for keeping me and family alive in sound health.

He gave thanks to the God, and however, pledged his loyalty to Him for the rest of his life.

Babajide, appealed to Nigerian leaders to shun do-or-die politics, noting is practical demonstration of

‘Nigerians should learn how to support whoever becomes winner of any election and contribute our quotas to build an enduring nation...Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for constructing and rehabilitating roads in the state, he is working for everyone to enjoy dividend of democracy’

By Olalekan Ayeni

love that can lift the country "Nigerians should learn how to support whoever becomes winner of any election and contribute our quotas to build an enduring nation," he said.

He urged youths to avoid being used by politicians as a ladder to grab powers during the coming elections.

He urged them to say no to lawlessness, thugerry and all forms of violence in 2015 election."

As a member of Special Marshal in Ogun State, he advised motorists to always check their vehicles before embarking on a journey to avoid preventable accidents on the road.

He thanked Ogun State Governor,

Senator Ibikunle Amosun for constructing and rehabilitating roads in the state, he is working for everyone to enjoy dividend of democracy.

He urged drivers to maintain discipline while on the wheels and ensure safety of every road user.

The Lagos and Ogun Zonal Commanding Officer, Mr Godwin Ogagaoghene, thank the Otunba for his support for FRSC. Present at the event were: Idiroko Unit Commander of FRSC, Mr David Irunoje, the Zonal Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Unit Public Education Officer/ Protocol, Mr Niyi Niniola, Director, Ogun State National Tax Force, Alhaji Fatai Isiaka and many political stalwarts.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE SOUTWEST REPORT

Nigerians advised on nation-building

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IGERIANS have been urged to exhibit good character that could help in building a virile nation. They have also been enjoined to imbibe the virtue of righteousness that can withstand temptations and positively impact on the behaviours of individuals in leadership positions.

These were the pieces of advice from the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan to the Wise Men Conference of the Christian Pentecostal Mission International in Ajao Estate, Lagos. It was delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr Sarah Jubril.

The First Lady said as individuals with no other country than Nigeria, it is important that Nigerians should come together and build a virile nation that will be the pride of all. This, she said, will be achievable through good character and discipline.

“Parents must live exemplary lives and bequeath enviable legacies to their children. They must affect their work places in a way that will build the nation, even as they must evolve a dress code that commands respect from their children particularly, the girls.

“Also, they must cultivate a culture of righteousness and decency that can withstand corruption, nepotism and ethnicity and place collective interest above personal and parochial ones,” she said.

Earlier in his message to the con-

APC’ll provide genuine transformation, says aspirant From Damisi Ojo,Akure

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N aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo North Senatorial District, Nathaniel Adojutelegan, has appealed to the people to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections. Adojutelegan is aspiring for a seat in the Senate.

Adojutelegan spoke at Iwaro Oka Akoko while concluding his tour of all the 72 wards in Ondo North Senatorial District.

He said: “With the warm reception I received during my interface with the youths, women, elders and opinion leaders across the nook and cranny of Ondo North Senatorial District, I am optimistic that the APC is now the party to beat.

“I have no doubt in my mind that our great party will clinch majority of the seats in the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate come February, 2015.”

The Arigidi-Akoko-born lawyer and philanthropist had impacted positively on the lives of many people in the area.

One of the major amenities he had provided for his people was in the area of water supply. He single-handedly sunk boreholes in various parts of the district.

He expressed his optimism that, with support of the people across the country, the APC would form the government at the centre after the 2015 general elections.

According to him, the APC is the only party that has people-oriented programmes that could bring genuine transformation to the citizens.

The aspirant lamented the spate of corruption in the country, noting that unemployment, insecurity and other social vices that bedevilled the country currently are issues the Federal Government should show serious commitment to curtail.

Adojutelegan urged the electorate to support his mission to enable him to provide quality representation for his constituents at the National Assembly.

•From left: National/International Coordinator, Christian Pentecostal Mission International Inc. (CPM), Rev (Mrs.) Mercy Ezekiel, Chairman of Pentecostal Action Team (PAT), Mr. Humphrey Igwilo, presenting a trophy to Mr. Cyprian Idoko (CPM) Abia State whose team won a prize at the event.

By Bode Monogbe

ference, the General Overseer of the church, Dr Obiora Ezekiel, said Nigeria would outlive every politician; so it is necessary for them to live the kind of life that would encourage and build others.

In line with the theme of the conference which was “Understanding the Times”, Dr Ezekiel said as the

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country grapples with some challenges such as insecurity, youth unemployment and kidnapping, politicians and individuals should come up with workable solutions to these myriad of problems instead of scathing criticisms.

“We must always think of how to get out of our problems instead of engaging in open criticisms that will make us sink deeper. God has been

wise to place us in this mightily-endowed country. We must not destroy ourselves, rather we must encourage our leaders always to do the needful,” he said.

He advised participants at the conference to discuss salient issues that will sustain faith in times like this, saying “we beseech each and every conferee to remain steadfast and focused, eschewing all forms of distrac-

Union seeks local government autonomy

HE leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ondo State has urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure the quick passage of bill on local government autonomy by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The union noted that sections 3(2) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, gives recognition to local government administration which should be a legal entity distinct from the state and the Federal Government.

Besides, NULGE said the third tier administration should be administered by democratically elected officials and have specific powers to perform a range of functions assigned to it by law.

At a news conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, President of state NULGE, Dr Bunmi Eniayewu praised President Goodluck

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Jonathan and the National Assembly for the passage of the bill on local government autonomy.

At the briefing were the Deputy National President (Southwest) of the Union, Oludare Famofo and other top officials in the state.

Eniayewu noted that if local government is adequately funded, the poverty level in the country, especially at the grassroots, would be reduced.

He thanked Nigerians for making their views on the need for local government autonomy known, stressing that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Ondo State House of Assembly are “workersfriendly.”

The NULGE chief said Mimiko’s administration has not been using funds meant for the local government as erroneously believed, stressing that the state government

is workers-friendly.

He, however, decried the failure of most states in the country for not conducting elections in the local government and install democratically elected officials since 1999.

The NULGE President noted that if the council officials are elected, such people would have been held responsible for any lapses in the third tier government. He said it is wrong to appoint sole administrators or chairmen of caretaker committees.

He emphasised that people should be committed to the enthronement of democracy at the grassroots because of its closeness to the masses.

Eniayewu further said the era of frauds in the local government administrations is gone; assuring that a well-focused local government system would soon emerge for the benefit of all.

Former Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon Hakeem Bamgbola opening blocks of classroom at Animashaun Primary School, Ijeshatedo. With him are Education Secretary, Surulere, Mrs Yetunde Fatoke and former council Supervisor for Works Femi Odekunle.

tion throughout this conference.”

The conference, which is an annual event of the church, aimed at reawakening, strengthening and repositioning Nigerians to be able to withstand and surmount challenges facing the end-time church.

Highlights of the programme included award of prizes to representatives of the church from different states of the federation.

Aspirant promises quality representation

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NE of the aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ojo Federal Constituency, Mr. Mubashiru Hassan has been described as the right person to represent the constituency in 2015 general elections. He is contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Members of the party who trooped out in large number to welcome Mr. Hassan during his visit to Ojo Local Government Area and two other local council development areas of Iba and Oto/Awori praised his past activities as a Permanent Secretary/Auditor-General for local government of Lagos State, adding that as a “round peg in a round hole” he stands a better chance to bring the deserved development to the constituency.

Speaking at Ijanikin, the chairman of the party in the local government area and former council chairman for Ojo Local Government Area, Hon. Musibau Ashafa described Hassan as the best man for the job in this dispensation.

He said: “The era of mediocrity is gone, we are now in the dispensation of excellence and credible and reliable representation. Mr. Hassan is a better choice.”

Similarly, one of the ward chairmen from Iba local council development area, Mr. Habeeb Hassan opined that with Hassan as the representative of the people of Ojo and its environs at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, development which has been a mirage in the area will be experienced by the community.

Mr. Habeeb pledged the support of all APC loyalists in the LCDA for Hassan.

Other APC leaders who praised the intension of Mr. Hassan included Mr. Awesu Quadri from Oto-Awori LCDA and the chairman for the 15 wards chairmen forum that make up the three council areas, Mr. Alayaki Sheidu from Ojo local government.

Responding, Mr. Hassan assured the party supporters and the entire people of the constituency of a speedy development and total execution of all his good plans which he tagged “the contract.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE SOUTWEST REPORT Group plans workshop on women empowerment

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ORRIED by the pitiable plight of the physicallychallenged persons in the society, especially in terms of unemployment, a philanthropist and President of Kilbra Islamic Propagation Centre (KIPC), Arigidi-Akoko, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Kilani has advised the state government to give priority attention to the physically-challenged persons in Ondo State.

He gave the advice in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while presenting some empowerment materials to some people living with disabilities through the Kilbra Islamic Propagation Centre (KIPC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that caters for the wellbeing of the hearing impaired, visually impaired, the dumb and other physically-challenged persons.

The state government is recruiting 2,000 new teachers to fill existing vacancies. The prospective candidates who applied for the teaching positions are anxiously waiting for the outcome of the exercise.

He expressed his displeasure over the neglect of such people, particularly in the area of employment after they had graduated from various tertiary institutions.

According to Kilani, the establishment of special schools for the physically- challenged in Ikare, school for the visually impaired at Owo, deaf and dumb school at Akure and school for the mentally retarded at Okeigbo would be meaningless if they obtain degrees and could not secure gainful employment with their degree certificates.

“Are we expecting this category of people to become street beggars even when they are well educated?” he queried.

The Muslim leader appealed to Governor Olusegun Mimiko to

By Olalekan Ayeni

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•Alhaji kilani presenting a sewing machine and certificate to an HND graduate, Victoria Alamudun

‘Give automatic job to the needy’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

evolve emergency employment process for the physically-challenged people in a bid to absorb those that have academic qualifications.

He also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the bill on condition of service for the persons with disabilities into law.

Among the dignitaries that attended the event was Prof. Ishaq Amoo of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who praised the NGO for alleviating the suffering of the less-privileged in the society.

Amoo urged well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the government to provide succour for them.

•Imam Shuaib (right) assisted by ZSF Operations Manager, Mallam Ma’aruf Ahmed to present a cheque for empowerment to a visually impaired person, Mr Momodu Kazeem.

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FAITH-BASED humanitarian organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) has distributed cash and items worth N1.4 million to no fewer than 20 people.

The gestures, according to ZSF Executive Director Imam Abdullahi Shuaib was meant to tackle the educational, medical, economic empowerment and accommodation challenges of the beneficiaries who have almost lost hope due to frustration and despair.

Speaking at the 2nd mini-Zakat Distribution Ceremony for the year 1435AH (2014), Imam Shuaib said the mini distribution is one of the strategies adopted by the foundation to touch the lives of humanity positively.

The Executive Director said: “Having sought for the intervention of the foundation, most of the beneficiaries did not believe that their requests would be granted

Present at the event were the Olubaram of Ibaram-Akoko, Oba Segun Atibioke, the Regent of Akungba-Akoko, Princess Omosowon, the Amirah of FOMWAN in the State, Hajia Fausat Aliu, the Secretary, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Akoko Northwest, Alhaji Sule Olaniyi and a host of other dignitaries.

•ZSF Board of Directors Chairman, Prince Sulayman Olagunju presenting a cheque to Mrs Lateefat Hamzat for accommodation.

Foundation gives succour to the poor

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

because majority of them have gone to other places and have been disappointed.

“Today, I wish to bring the good news and message of hope from the foundation to the beneficiaries gathered here who will benefit from the total sum of one million three hundred and seventy thousand naira (N1, 370, 000) meant for disbursement as zakat. As you may be aware, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation is poised to helping the rich to enrich the poor, care and touch peoples’ life and bring lots of benefits to humanity in general without discrimination on ethnoreligious ground.

“We are deeply moved by the sordid state of life some Nigerians, especially those wallowing in abject poverty, the indigent students dropping out of schools, people living in urban

slums or unhygienic places thereby compromising their rights to self-dignity and respects simply because they are incapacitated financially. It is against this deplorable situation that ZSF is motivated to intervene by providing succour to those suffering from socio-economic deprivations.

“We are paled and saddened each time the poor and less-privileged cry out their hearts when they are unable to meet their basic needs due to financial constraints.”

The foundation, he said, has become a beacon of hope and the voice for the voiceless.

Imam Shuaib stated: “We are pleased to inform you that six (6) persons among the beneficiaries will be empowered economically to commence food vending/food stuff business; two (2) will be sponsored for medical surgery; namely, replant of

femur and correction of chronic cough/nasal; three (3) people will be provided decent accommodation while an octogenarian woman will benefit from the welfare/feeding facility of the Foundation.

“At Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, we are motivated by our faith and the concern for humanity and the well-being of Nigerians believing that ‘whoever alleviates (a suffering) from one, Allah will alleviate his lot in this world and the next…’”

He appealed to Nigerians to join hands with the foundation to touch the lives of the poor and needy positively with zakat fund and also help the less-privileged to be self-reliant and attain economic freedom.

The beneficiaries were full of appreciation to the foundation, prayed Allah to continue to uplifts it and bless those who paid Zakat to the foundation.

OMEN across Africa under the aegis of Women Building Communities (WBC), are coming together in the UK, to chart a new cause for the development of individuals and communities within the continent.

The event, according to the Media/Public Relations Director of Women and Youth Empowerment Network (WOYEN), Mrs Rashidat Hassan, the event will hold from November 24 and 28. The event, she said, is jointly organised by WOYEN and Network for Development, a development training facilitation partnership between ICONNECTUK Limited and Mulirahd Group in Dubai and Nigeria respectively.

WBC is a development intervention project with an initial five-year plan aimed at mobilising and enhancing the capacity of women and other stakeholders in building African communities through increased and effective women involvement.

The group said: “The goal of this five-year plan is to achieve community development in Africa led by inspired and skilled women.”

The organisation, along with other partners, shall work hard to inspire 20 women across Africa yearly for them to take up development initiatives. The intention is to develop them the needed skills and capacity for embarking on effective projects within their communities.

The group will also empower the women by creating avenues for networking and collaboration with those in the Diaspora. It will establish links and provide information on how to harness opportunities both within and outside their localities. Part of the strategies is to achieve this will be to bring together three major stakeholders in community development, community women and leaders, the Diaspora and international development organisations for the building of community development capacity among women in Africa. It will motivate the women by celebrating their achievements and awarding deserving individuals within the African communities through the organisation of a yearly award as part of the WBC event tagged Mother Africa Award (MAA) for Community Development.

“The campaign hopes to spread to many parts of communities in Africa through our train-the-trainer toolkit. Participants would be trained to use the WBC capacity building to train the trainer,” she said.

The toolkits are expected to train at least additional three women in their own local community.

The programme, which has been strategically scheduled to debut in London, United Kingdom, is a strong indication of how Africans, particularly women of African origin, in the UK are determined to use the opportunity of their exposure in the UK and other developed parts of the world, to take Africa out of the shackles of under-development and bring about sustainable community development in African countries.

WOYEN reiterates that the WBC is part of the organisation’s commitment to the advancement of women and youths wherever they are across the globe. This is because the world can only enjoy peace and unity when people’s lives and existence within communities are enhanced and valuable.

The organisation, therefore calls on all stakeholders and people interested in African development to join in the campaign of building African communities through inspired and skilled women.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE SOUTWEST REPORT NGO empowers 1,000 youths From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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S part of its efforts to reduce the rate at which youths are lured into thuggery, particularly during election periods, the Great Elevation Care Initiative (GECI), a non-government organisation (NGO), has empowered 1,000 youths in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The beneficiaries were selected from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the National Coordinator of the NGO, Pastor (Mrs.) Grace Abebi Aruwajoye emphasised the need for all to be actively involved in the development of the state, adding that government alone cannot provide all amenities needed by members of the community.

She decried the civil service-driven orientation of the people, even as she said other sectors are left unattended to, thereby suffering neglect.

“We discovered that a lot of people are working for the government; it is only civil servants that you can get in Ondo State. Everybody depends on the government and this leads to an increase in the rate of unemployment,” she said.

Aruwajoye said such state of affairs informed the initiative’s training of the unemployed youths in the state by giving them the necessary skills and available resources to be self-reliant in order to be useful to themselves and the society.

As a result of her commitment to community development, Pastor Aruwajoye had to relocate to Nigeria from the United States of America.

She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians in the Diaspora to come back home and improve the living condition of the people, adding that there is the urgent need to complement government’s efforts towards reducing the rate of poverty among the people and to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.

“Now that elections are fast approaching, we have to do everything possible to engage the teeming army of unemployed youths so that they will not be engaged as thugs by some unscrupulous politicians for their selfish interests. It will be very difficult to engage someone who has something doing,” she said.

She, however, enjoined other sister organisations not to give out money to the people but make it basically a training and empowerment programme.

She assured that the gesture would be replicated in the three senatorial districts and 18 local government areas of the state.

Chairperson on the occasion, Mrs. Solape Elegbeleye, wife of the Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC), urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the training programme.

‘We discovered that a lot of people depend on the government and this leads to an increase in the rate of unemployment...Now that elections are fast approaching, we have to do everything possible to engage the teeming army of unemployed youths so that they will not be engaged as thugs by some unscrupulous politicians for their selfish interests. It will be very difficult to engage someone who has something doing’

•One of the modern roads in Ogun State

Regaining Sagamu’s glory •Continued from page 29 business of “buying and selling” as people pay less attention to orderliness and cleanliness.

He said: “Once you can get a foothold to display your wares; whether such a place is on the road or atop sewage system is secondary.”

The Asiwaju of the market, Alhaja Falilat Awolaja (Omo Apelogun), who spoke to our correspondent on behalf of the Iyaloja, Bintu Sonnubi, said basic facilities are conspicuously lacking in the market.

The market boasts a borehole facility for water provision. Mrs Awolaja, who sells in the market, said the facility functioned only for six months before it packed up.

She said the Ode-Lemo Road, which traversed through the market requires urgent reconstruction as it leads to other places like Emuren (Sagamu), Agbowa and Imota in Lagos.

Sabo’s peace and long years of ethnic harmony were ruptured in July, 1999 as the area erupted in violence. The mayhem was between the Yoruba and the Hausa over cultural issues.

The violence, believed to have been caused by a young Hausa lady who came out during the observance of rituals of the Yoruba Oro traditional festival in the area. But the crisis was eventually resolved and normalcy returned.

In 2012, Sabo-Sagamu was also the theatre of incessant robbery attacks and cult violence. The situation compelled commercial banks and other businesses to close down for weeks.

Chief Olumuyiwa Sonuga, a civil engineer and President of the Sagamu Development Association (SDA), said the Sagamu people aren’t “crying wolves” over roads in the town “as the condition of the roads get worse by the day due to lack of maintenance.”

Sonuga, who praised Governor Amosun for making Akarigbo Road a dual carriage way and the fly-over at the Sabo area of the town, urged him to also pay attention to internal road network. He also praised him for combating robbery and

•A busy street in the state

‘We are the problems behind the condition of the roads. Residents keep dumping refuse on the drainage which blocks them. When it rains, the water forces itself into the roads and washes them away....That is why you see gullies and craters here and there. Although there has been shortfall in money that accrues to the local government from the Federation Account, we will do some palliative measures when the rains subside’ other vices in Sagamu with the provision armoured personnel carriers (APC) and other operational vehicles to assist police and other security agencies in carrying out their jobs.

There is a ray of hope that palliative measures would soon begin on the roads as the rainy season subsides. The Secretary to the Sagamu Local Government Area (SSLG), Mr Isiaka Salami has promised that facilities that will improve people’s well-being will be rehabilitated, even as he blamed the deplorable condition of the roads on the residents.

He said: “We are the problems behind the condition of the roads. Residents keep dumping refuse on the drainage which blocks them. When it rains, the water forces itself into the roads and washes them away.

“That is why you see gullies and

craters here and there. Although there has been shortfall in money that accrues to the local government from the Federation Account, we will do some palliative measures when the rains subside.”

The Commissioner for Physical and Urban Planning, Olugbenga Otenuga, said what obtains in Sabo and some areas of Sagamu is a reflection of the state itself.

Otenuga said Ogun State is an ancient state and residents had built in ancient way without making provisions for today’s challenges, resulting from development, increased human activities on the environment and population surge.

The commissioner noted that some of the challenges such as poor road network, flooding, lack of

drainage facilities in some places and inadequate space being experienced can’t be corrected immediately by the state government. He said steps are being taken to stop people from compounding the problem by discouraging them from building structures haphazardly.

Otenuga further explained that the state government has designed programmes meant to “up-grade slum-like areas,” build pathways, gutters and toilets to enhance sanitary conditions as well as encourage residents to give their buildings face-lift.

Governor Amosun had promised that Sagamu would be broken into two or three local governments in the planned creation of local council development areas (LCDA).

Senator Amosun also said splitting Sagamu would not only bring governance and development closer to the people, but will be a thing necessitated by its land mass, size and population.

The governor also assured that the Sabo-Emuren-Ode Lemo Road would be constructed once the rainy season subsides while the state’s proposed light rail project will also begin and will pass through Sagamu.

But how far this can change the face of Sabo and its environs would be a matter of conjecture if the people do not abide by the physical planning regulations or take decency and cleanliness of the environment as a way of life.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Investor Protection Fund to compensate fraud victims

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HE Investor Protection Fund (IPF) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may compensate investors who are victims of fraudulent activities by unscrupulous stockbrokers.

The NSE on Monday said it has referred unresolved complaints against an expelled stockbroking firm to the IPF. The IPF rules allow the NSE to submit complaints made to it to the IPF while investors can also directly petition the IPF. The Nation had on Monday reported exclusively that the Exchange had revoked the licenses and expelled two stockbroking firms- Gosord Securities Limited and Lakesworth Investment & Securities Limited over fraud.

While confirming the news report, the Exchange stated that the unresolved issues of settlement and restitution of investors who were victims of Gosord Securities has been referred to the IPF. “The unresolved complaints against Gosord which were either brought to the Exchange by complainants or referred to The Exchange by the Securities and Exchange Commission have been referred to the Investor Protection Fund,” the Exchange stated.

The Nation had recently reported that IPF may soon begin payment of compensations to investors as the board of trustees of the scheme was finalizing operating groundwork to ensure smooth and continuous operations.

An impeccable source in the know of the activities of the IPF had told The Nation that the board of IPF was rounding off operating structures and framework for the scheme and would roll out its maiden compensation soon to announce the commencement of effective operations.

According to the source, after the approval of the IPF rules by the Securities and Exchange Com-

Stories by Taofik Salako

mission (SEC), the board of trustees of IPF had gone back to the drawing board to ensure that it fashioned effective operating structure and framework that will sustain the scheme.

SEC had in January, this year approved the rules for the NSE’s IPF. The rules empower the board of IPF to make payment of compensation based on the claim submitted to the NSE and verified by the NSE or claim submitted to the board of IPF and verified by it, according to relevant sections of the ISA. The IPF rules empower the board of IPF to have at anytime a written policy on the maximum compensation payable to an investor who has suffered a loss. The board can review this maximum compensation limit from time to time according to prevailing circumstances at the market.

Compensation would be paid subject to conclusive decision of the board on the basis of evidence that the investor has a claim against a dealing member, duly applied for settlement of its claim from the dealing member; the dealing member was unable or likely to be unable to satisfy the claim within a reasonable period and the investor then, duly applied for compensation from the Fund.

The board of IPF is also empowered to invest the funds with a view to grow the capital base of the IPF. Part XIV of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 requires the Exchange to establish and maintain an investors protection fund to compensate investors with genuine claims of pecuniary loss against dealing member firms resulting from insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of a dealing member firm of a securities exchange or capital trade points; and defalcation committed by a deal-

ing member firm or any of its directors, officers, employees or representatives in relation to securities, money or any property entrusted to, or received by the dealing member firm in its course of business as a capital market operator.

The IPF rules indicates that an investor whose claim is within the maximum limit may be paid the full amount of the loss, after deduction of any amount or value of all monies or other benefits received or receivable by the investor from a source other than the Fund in reduction of the loss.

Besides, where the board is satisfied that in principle compensation is payable but considers that immediate payment in full would not be prudent having regard to other applications for compensation, or to any uncertainty as to the amount of the investor’s overall net claim, the draft empowers the board to pay an appropriate lesser sum in final settlement or to make a payment on account.

The board may also determine to make a payment on account or to pay a lesser sum where the investor has any prospect of recovery in respect of the claim from any third party or through an application for compensation to any other person or authority.

Compensation would be paid subject to conclusive decision of the board on the basis of evidence that the investor has a claim against a dealing member, duly applied for settlement of its claim from the dealing member; the dealing member was unable or likely to be unable to satisfy the claim within a reasonable period and the investor then, duly applied for compensation from the Fund.

According to the rules, an application for compensation may be rejected if it is not promptly made and in any event within the periods stipulated in the ISA or where the

investor is responsible for, or has directly or indirectly profited from, events relating to the dealing member firm’s business which gave rise to the firm’s financial difficulties.

In the event of multiple claims, person who claims in a double capacity for himself and as the personal representative of a deceased investor will be treated in respect of the representative claim as if he were the deceased investor without prejudice to his own personal claim.

Also, where a person claims for himself and as a trustee, he will be treated in respect of the latter claim as a different person.

But where two or more persons in partnership have a joint beneficial claim, the claim will be treated as the claim of the partnership; otherwise each of them would be taken to have equal shares in the claim unless the contrary is proved to the satisfaction of the board.

According to the rules, where an agent has a claim for one or more principals, the principal or principals are to be treated as having the claim, to the exclusion of the agent.

According to the Exchange, the two expelled stockbroking firms, which were indicted for “unauthorized sale of clients’ shares”, failed to restitute the shareholders as directed by the disciplinary committee, which investigated the two firms.

Head, Legal and Regulation Division, Ms. Tinuade Awe explained that of all the penalties, expulsion and revocation of dealing license is usually viewed as a last resort where a dealing member fails to engage in conduct to rectify wrong doing or comply with the directives of the National Council of the Exchange.

“NSE is committed to restoring investor confidence in the Nigerian capital market. NSE will not hesitate to bring the full weight of its regulatory powers to bear on any dealing member that commits regulatory infractions and does not

take steps to address them as appropriate even after being given sufficient time to do so,” Awe said.

NSE had received several complaints of unauthorized sale of clients’ shares against Gosord. The National Council among others found that Gosord breached Article 59(v) of the Rules and Regulations Governing Dealing Members of NSE by engaging in unauthorized sales of clients’ shares; Gosord failed to buy back clients’ shares and resolve all complaints against it, as directed by the Disciplinary Committee and that Gosord’s conduct was dishonorable, disgrace-, ful, unprofessional and detrimental to the interests of NSE by destroying investors’ confidence in the market and eroding the goal of NSE to operate a fair, transparent and orderly market.

NSE also received one complaint of unauthorised sales of a client’s shares against Lakesworth. The National Council found that Lakesworth breached Article 59(v) of the Rules and Regulations Governing Dealing Members of The Exchange by engaging in unauthorized sales of a client’s shares while the firm also failed to buy back the client’s shares and resolve all complaints against it, as directed by the Disciplinary Committee.

“The general public should not deal with the expelled firms in relation to any transactions on NSE. Investors who hold stockbroking accounts in Gosord or Lakesworth should transfer their stocks to any active licensed stockbroking firm that is a Dealing Member of NSE,” the Exchange stated.

The Exchange urged investors or clients of either of the two expelled firms who may have deposited funds or securities such as share certificates with Gosord or Lakesworth to go and collect such assets directly from the expelled firm.

IOSCO reviews price formation process for commodity derivatives

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HE International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has launched a research into the potential effects of storage infrastructure on the integrity of the price formation process of commodity derivatives in member jurisdictions.

IOSCO is asking its members to respond to the questionnaire and to encourage other relevant entities in their jurisdictions-storage and market infrastructure providers, market participants and end users, to do so as well. There are no restrictions on who can answer the questionnaire.

IOSCO believes that the questionnaire is a fundamental part of its work in this area, as it will inform its thinking going forward.

IOSCO had recently also set up a work agenda to strengthen and foster the roles of capital markets as trusted sources of capital with a view to encouraging greater use of capital markets as financing channels for transactions.

The board of IOSCO, which met recently in Madrid, discussed progress on a number of key initiatives to support the G20-FSB efforts to restore stability in the global financial system and build economic growth.

The board, which included Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), also looked into methodologies for identifying nonbank global systemically important financial institutions or activities in the areas of asset management and market intermediaries.

IOSCO also discussed the role capital markets and securities regulators can play in supporting long-term finance, including infrastructure investment and small and medium en-

terprises (SME )financing.

The meeting also considered the implementation of IOSCO Principles on Financial Benchmarks, the IOSCO Principles for Oil Price Reporting Agencies and the IOSCO Principles for the Regulation and Supervision of Commodity Derivatives Markets.

Chairman, International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Greg Medcraft said capital markets are emerging as a key source of the finance needed across the globe to drive economic growth.

“Through a work agenda focused on fostering markets as a trusted source of capital, IOSCO is playing an important role in supporting that growth,” Medcraft noted.

The IOSCO board also discussed audit quality and important initiatives to build confidence in global securities markets and to reduce the reliance of asset managers and market intermediaries on credit ratings as well as promote effective credible deterrence as a key element in improving investor protection and confidence in markets.

Members discussed the results of the IOSCO research department´s latest market survey on market trends, which emphasizes the growing leverage in securities markets, the impact of cross-border capital flows on emerging markets, financial risk disclosure, collateral management, and potential counterparty risk in central clearing houses.

Board members also examined policy measures aimed at building capacity in emerging markets and supporting the creation of strong regulatory frameworks for sustaining growth in both emerging and developed markets.

•From Right: Teacher, Demonstration School/ABU, Zaria; winner of first position in Kaduna State accepting a gift from Mal Husseini Dauda, Head Kaduna Zonal Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria after the state level competition of the on-going 5th National Quiz Competition on Capital Market on Monday

SEC to impose more penalties in municipal fraud cases

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HE United States’ (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to impose penalties more frequently in the $3.7 trillion municipal securities market.

“An enforcement model with no penalties was not sustainable,” Andrew Ceresney, the SEC’s director of enforcement, said during a panel discussion at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s conference in New York. “The most effective deterrent

is individual liability, so we need to be focused on that.”

Ceresney’s comments come as the SEC has been stepping up enforcement efforts against state and local governments that defraud investors by making false or misleading statements in bond documents. Recent settlements have included penalties against individuals and municipal borrowers.

The former mayor of Allen Park, Michigan, agreed last week to pay $10,000 to settle an SEC claim that

he oversaw fraudulent bond issues for a movie studio project that was supposed to revitalise the city. Last year, the SEC fined a public agency in Washington $20,000 for misleading investors about the feasibility of an ice-hockey arena, the first such fine against a municipal borrower.

Bloomberg reported that SEC has also extended an offer of leniency to underwriters and local governments that voluntarily report cases in which misleading disclosures were made to investors

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

38

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

Lagos Water Corporation pensioners lament non-payment of benefits R

ETIREES of the Lagos State Water Corporation have cried out over the non-payment of their several benefits amounting to about N1 billion that is owed them since 2010 by the corporation under the leadership of Mr. Shayo Holloway.

The retirees, numbering about 150, have been demanding payment of the benefits since a few years ago. They have now drawn the battle line with the corporation and have petitioned the Governor Babatunde Fashola, stating that the management plotted them out of all forms of benefits, which amounted to about N1 billion as at 2013.

The Chairman, Association of Retirees, Lagos State Water Corporation, Mr. Leo Onayemi, who made this known in Lagos, said the amount, which includes bonds and other emoluments started accumulating since 2010.

“There is this lump sum that has been there since 2010 and as at 2013, it amounted to about N1 billion and we have been doing everything to get the attention of the group managing director but it has not been successful,” he said.

He alleged that the management of Water Corporation had failed to maintain the life insurance policy in favour of the employees for a minimum of three times the annual total emolument of the employees as enshrined in Section 15 of the Lagos State Pension Reform Law. He said: “It is glaring that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Lagos Water Corporation has no regard for the Lagos State Pension Reform Law. He has dismissed the law with impunity. He has refused to budget for all the staff of the corporation on a yearly

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

basis as regards staff bonds, insurance, taxes, among others, which naturally would have been approved by the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola, who has never defaulted in paying as at when due, the retirees that are directly under the state government.”

He also alleged that the GMD had resorted to reengaging some retired management staff of the corporation as a ploy to scuttle any form of collective agitation by the embittered members of the association.

“We all say ‘No’ to this reengagement, especially that of the management team. The GMD should allow the young ones to grow in the system and contribute their own quota to the development of the corporation,” he added.

On the way forward, Onayemi recommended that a dedicated or consolidated fund should be created and managed by a special committee to ensure funds for the corporation workers yearly; direct deduction from statutory allocation or subvention due to the corporation; using the corporation’s Group Account Revenue to offset all the backlogs of entitlements of the retirees in payments of their bonds, insurance and five per cent redemption fund to the relevant authority as at when due including paying the pension deductions of staff to the appropriate Pension Fund Administrator.

Responding to the petition, the governor, through the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said he would look into it and other grievances of the corporation.

He stressed that the corporation’s problem was peculiar because it did not fall in the same group with other organisations, which enjoy full retirement benefits.

Lagos State has been well disposed to regular payment of benefits to all its retirees across board. Recently, Fashola disclosed that the Contributory Pension Scheme had imposed a huge financial burden on the state’s finances.

He said before the pension reform by the Federal Government in 2004, the state’s pensioners faced the risk of a life of penury due to the unfunded nature of the Pay as you Go Pension Scheme in the public service and the lack of provision of pension arrangement for employees in the private sector.

He said: “The risk of the elderly not having financial independence and dying in poverty was real and to eradicate this risk, the Lagos State Government subscribed to the fully funded Contributory Pension Scheme.

“It imposed on us a huge liability as we needed to pay of 7.5 per cent of basic salary, housing and transport allowances as monthly pension contribution; fund the Retirement Bond Redemption Fund Account with five per cent of employees monthly total emolument figure to provide for accrued pension rights, being entitlements for years spent in service before the commencement of the contributory pension scheme. We pay the annual premium to guarantee the life assurance cover as stipulated in the law and which is intended to provide a death benefit of at least three times the annual total emolument of each employee.”

New PRA 2014 is game changer for Nigerians, says Adedeji

•Mrs Adedeji

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HE new Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 is a game changer that has come to save Nigerians from the problem of inability to save by using part of their savings as equity towards getting mortgage facilities, Managing Director, Leadway Pensure PFA, Mrs. Ronke Adedeji, has said.

Adedeji, a member of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), stated this while speaking with reporters in Lagos on the benefit of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) under the new law at a media retreat organised by PenOp in Lagos.

Highlighting other notable changes in the PRA 2014, she said employers can no longer hide behind the fact that some workers are casual or contract staff.

She noted that the new law states that any worker under any form of employment is entitled to a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) because whichever account an employer uses to pay salary is portable.

She stated that casual or contract workers who decide to spend their working career under contract from one employer to the other are entitled to have RSA account that employers can remit pension contributions into.

She noted that Group Life Insurance remains mandatory but employers who don’t provide life insurance for their employees will no longer get away free. She said: “The new development is that the law now specifies that if an employer does not provide life insurance, he is liable to pay the deceased beneficiary the entitlement or be sued.

So peradventure, an employer decides to save money rather than obey the law and pay life insur-

ance premium, the beneficiary has a right to sue the deceased employer.

“Proceeds of life insurance can now be directly paid to the deceased beneficiary. Before now, the life insurance company has to pay proceeds of life insurance to Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) who will credit their RSA account and the burden was on us to track the beneficiary. This was a source of challenge for us. Very often, because the deceased did not update his or her information after registration, it is difficult for us to find the beneficiary. But the new law now places that burden on the insurance company like it was before the 2004 PRA. So when someone passes on, it is the responsibility of the insurer to look for the beneficiary and pay the life insurance proceeds.”

Adedeji also said the previous law only mentioned participation by public service of the federation and private sector and left out state and local government adding that the state and local government felt they were at liberty not to comply.

“The new law has clearly included the state and local government. The law has also expanded coverage from minimum of three employees to five employees. Another interesting thing is that anyone who is not in any of these three categories can still have a RSA through voluntary contribution.

Other notable change is clear mention that contributions, income and benefit payments are tax free.”

She described the provision of mortgage as a game changer for every Nigerian noting that people have been clamouring for accessibility to their pension savings before old age.

Contributors usually lament lack of access to their RSA account when they have needs. With the new law, an individual can use part of his balance in his or her account as an equity contribution towards getting a mortgage facility. We as the PFAs are only waiting for the guideline by the National pension Commission (PenCom) to implement this aspect of the law, she added.

CIIN holds seminar

T •From left: Chairman, Sub-Committee on EPCCOS/Managing Director/CEO, UBA Pension Fund Custodian, Bayo Yusuf; Susan Oranye, PenOp Executive Secretary; Head Manager Business Process Outsourcing/ Portal Management Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Samuel Oluyemi and Portal Manager NIBSS, Mr. Prosper Ofualagba, at the just concluded media retreat for journalists organised by PenOp in Lagos.

Japan Pension Fund Will Double Local Stocks to 24%, says survey

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APAN’S $1.2 trillion pension fund will double its allocation target for local stocks, according to analysts, who’ve ratcheted up expectations for equity buying while sticking with projections for a reduction in bonds.

The Government Pension Investment Fund will increase its

domestic equity allocation to 24 per cent of assets from 12 per cent, according to the median estimate of 12 fund managers, strategists and economists polled by Bloomberg over the past two weeks. That’s up from 20 per cent in a similar survey in May. The Topix index soared four per cent

on October 20 on a Nikkei newspaper report that the fund would set a 25 per cent local-share target.

Speculation about the behemoth’s new strategy has held Japan’s markets in sway since a government-picked panel said almost a year ago that GPIF was too reliant on domestic bonds.

HE Chartered Insurance Insti tute of Nigeria (CIIN) is hold ing a seminar in Benin City from today till Friday.

The institute’s Director, Corporate Communications, Joseph Obah in a statement, said the seminar’s theme is: ‘Maximising channels of distribution for insurance penetration’.

It stated that the event would engage the participants to seek the avenues for actualisation of the Financial Inclusion Strategy (FIS) of the Federal Government geared at making financial services available to the grassroots population with minimal hindrances.

It further read: “The two-day seminar will be attended by insurance operatives whose roles can make insurance count more in the national economy.

“These include branch office managers, product lines managers, mar-

keting executives, agency managers and research and development managers among others.”

CIIN’s Director-General, Kola Ahmed, said the institute’s seminar would feature sessions, which would enable participants maximise the opportunities for sharing networth experiences on the evolution of a strategic action plan for exploring the full market potential of the insurance industry in tandem with Government’s vision for an insurance industry that could turn its fortunes around to rank amongst the 20 largest markets in global ranking by 2020.

Chief Yemi Soladoye, CEO, Risk Guard Africa, would be the main speaker.

He would be joined by other eminent speakers in X-raying the seminar theme.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

In most developing countries, waste management has remained a hydra-headed problem, defiling all solutions. But in the midst of this challenge, enterprising Nigerians are capitalising on the situation to earning not only a living, but also becoming employers. Now, female entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge and setting up their own recycling businesses and creating employment. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Living on waste WO women’s success stories show how green entrepreneurship could be an answer to both youth unemployment and environmental degradation. One is Bilikiss-Adebiyi Abiola, co founder, Wecyclers, a Lagos based waste management company. The other is Chief Executive, T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited, Mrs.Titilola Cynthia Saka.

Mrs. Abiola is the one-woman dynamo who is taking the waste business world by storm. Her life started in what seemed to be an ideal situation. She holds a B.Sc in Computer Science from Fisk University and an M.Sc in computer Science from Vanderbilt University in the United States.

After graduation, Mrs Abiola worked with the IBM Corporation, United States, on a social media platform for the Enterprise. While there, she had the inspiration to form a waste management company. She felt Nigeria needed a lot of support with waste management and recognised there were a lot of opportunities within the sector to be explored. An MBA graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management,United States, she moved back to home to set up WeCyclers.

On her return to Lagos, she confronted a city with a major waste management crisis, producing 10,000 tonnes of refuse daily, much of which clog the city streets and leaches chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

To solve the problem, she launched the social enterprise, Wecyclers, to incentise low-income households to hand off their recyclable goods to a fleet of low-cost cargo bikes.

The company uses a fleet of custom made low-cost cargo bicycles to offer convenient household recycling service in densely populated low-income neighborhoods.

A fleet of specially outfitted cargo bicycles pedals through the dense

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neighborhoods to pick up the recycling on a regular schedule. Families are motivated to recycle plastic bottles, plastic sachets, and aluminum cans through its innovative SMS-based incentive programme.

For every kilogramme of material that families recycle, they receive redeemable Wecyclers points over their cell phones. These points are then redeemed for goods such as cell phone minutes, basic food items, and household goods. Families receive collection reminders and rewards updates directly on their mobile phones making the benefits of recycling immediate.

The company aggregates the materials into different level of wellsorted, high quality recyclable material to processors alleviating their supply constraints.

Since its launch, the company has collected more than 200 tonnes of waste from more than 5,000 households.

As they’re recycling, they see the other benefits, from the cleanliness, the reduction of flooding, reduction in diseases.

Though the Wecyclers business employs about 30 people, the social enterprise plans to expand to more than a 100 and increase its reach across Lagos. She said her company is capable of creating 500,000 jobs for the economy. This is becaus it engages tailors that sow the bags, painters, carpenters, graphic designers and people that support at the hub. They are machinists, drivers and cleaners and so on.

Right now, WeCyclers is increasingly becoming a household name in waste collection and recycling.

The company has generated over $20,000 in revenue and now owns 15 wecycles in operation.

WeCyclers works closely with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and aims to educate and equip people about the need for better waste management.

The company also won this year’s Sustainia Award. The award se-

•A staff member of Wecycler at work

•Mrs Abiola

•Mrs Saka

lected by the Sustainia Award Committee, was chaired by former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mrs Saka’s story is an example of how the combination of entrepreneurship and green jobs could be one solution for many unemployed youth, while combating the challenges facing the environment.

Thousands of plastic bags and bottles litter the streets. She is one entrepreneur who recognised the

potential of plastic waste recycling.

While in school, Mrs Saka learned to reuse wastes in a productive way. She retrieves recyclable plastic materials from households, businesses, streets and dump yards.

She then sort the materials, and use them to produce plastic products.

Right now, her company has been able to create packers and slippers out of unwanted plastics items that would otherwise be destined for landfill. The company converts the

waste into durable, affordable, cost effective and environmental friendly plastic products. To help the business, she has set up a collection system of waste plastic.

For her, a constant supply of raw material to the factory is of utmost importance for the existence of the business.

So far, the project has created employment opportunities. She employs 20 individuals and creates other indirect jobs for waste collectors and garbage sorters.

As part of expansion plans, she has purchased machines for plastic products and they are planning to increase processing capacity, as well as introduce new products lines.

According to her, market development, which includes the design, manufacturing and marketing of plastics products, is required to close the recycling loop and stimulate the underwhelming recycling rate.

For this reason,she said the gap between potential and realised recycled materials represents a lucrative opportunity for innovative small and medium sized businesses.

Notwithstanding, Mrs Saka is happy that consumers are lending their support to stimulating the domestic recycled market. Promising signs have surfaced. For this reason, a host of small businesses have emerged to heed their call.

On the whole, she believes that recycling helps turn trash into cash and promotes a healthier economy, society and planet.

This is why disused car bumpers, old paint pot lids, dashboards and swathes of agricultural plastic wrappings are like gold dust to her company.

She is also determined to build a business built on driving the need to reuse plastic so that this would reduce the amount dumped in landfill sites.

One waste material, according to her that has potential is polyester fibre because of its several uses in many industries and also for its use as packaging material for beverages, food products, pharmaceuticals, consumer and industrial products.

Mr Oluwasunmisola Francis is the President, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE), a group committed to empowering young entrepreneurs in Africa . Recently, it made All Progressives’ Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu its Grand Patron. Based in South Africa, Francis tells NNEKA NWANERI about AYE and its forthcoming empowerment event.

Our aim is to help new businesses grow

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HY was AYE formed?

It was about my personal business frustration. I began AYE in 2010 to meet with other entrepreneurs with similar business frustrations striving to go into businesses. They may have adequate knowledge about the business but there are no funds available.

Since you began, how has it been?

It’s been great. We started with the grassroot and for two years, we have been building the foundation.

In 2012, we implemented all the ideas and we have grown to millions of members. We are fast growing because Africa has a huge number of talents.

What is the aim of your empowerment programme?

We support good business ideas.

We are giving them an opportunity to be funded and empowered towards completing their initiatives.

How do you reach intending participants?

We are getting participants through the social media, news and through the website on www.ayeonline.org, where they can apply. That day, we will be flying in experts from Canada, United States and Johannesburg, and we will iden-

tify young entrepreneurs doing business.

What is the criteria for selection?

It is just about the idea. No idea is too big or small. The applicants could either be a farmer or one who has built one of the biggest applications online. They might be limited by capital and no idea should be looked down as too small. It should be identified and we are giving aspiring entrepreneurs a good platform to berth that dream.

How do you source your funds?

Our honorary members support us.

They are our major funders and they empower these entrepreneurs.

Through the International Business Platform (IBP), the participants will be able to showcase their ideas to thousands of investors from across the globe.

What is the Web campaign about?

The WBC-Web Business Campaign is an avenue for entrepreneurs to have a five-minutes video where they can air their ideas on YouTube to others who can buy into their ideas. So, the site is one where investors can meet with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs meet with investors.

When will the event hold?

The event will hold from Novem-

ber 27-29 at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja. It’s called the Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) 2014. Those who want to enrol should be those with businesses that need funding or mentorship. There is a twitter handle to this effect and there is a group they can join on facebook.

What other platforms do you have?

A social business platform, called AYE Connect will be launched in January. When anyone applies for the AYEEN 2014 programme, they will be given a J18 form and they will write the EAR- Estimated Amount Required. There, the prospectors will fill the amount they need to bring their ideas to limelight.

What will the process be?

From what is explained during the audition, the business will work with the said amount and could be reviewed and is subject to change by the organisers. If less, it is reduced and if they need more, more will be added with discretion. The investors will fund the business idea directly. AYE has been able to connect with a lot of business giants across the continent, and has good relationship and given a platform for them to get smart ideas. That is

why we are assisting in funding brilliant initiatives.

Is the programme only for Nigerians?

AYE is open to everyone in all African states. This programme is happening in Nigeria for entrepreneurs between the ages of 14-45 years. Subsequent editions will hold in Ghana and Algeria.

How will it benefit Africa?

When we decide to empower entrepreneurs across Africa, we are one way or the other moving Africa forward. If you give a million dollar to people in Kogi State to eat and they are given food and grains, next year, they will call you because the food will finish.

But if such money is given to entrepreneurs in such state, they will not buy the grains, but grow their own grains and will even employ people to grow grains and they will not come to you again. When we empower these entrepreneurs financially or mentally, there is no way Africa is not moving into prosperity.

What is your advice for entrepreneurs?

I advise growing entrepreneurs to start somewhere and begin their

•Francis

initiative instead of waiting for someone to come and fund their businesses. No matter how small the idea is, start somewhere. Give your business a name; register it, identify the brand, use the brand power.

With time, they would have started their business with a few employers and they would have realised that they began without any capital or money in the bank accounts, and from there, maybe, it could be funded by investors.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Economy ‘not scary’, says China president

‘Accenture ‘ll keep enhancing Africa’s digital transformation’

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CCENTURE, a global management consultancy firm and Oracle’s first diamond partner, has promised to continue to enhance digital transformation and business efficiency through the application of relevant solutions in Nigeria and Africa.

Oracle Alliance Lead, Accenture, Olatunde Olajide who spoke in Lagos said the firm has been at the forefront of the digital disruption process with innovative solutions that has helped telecom companies and other organisations to transform their businesses through effective customer interaction and also to make profits.

Olajide said the Accenture works with all the major companies in the world as its clients offering solutions that help these organisations to improve on customers’ relationship, know their profile, their data plan, how much usage has been made, and then be able to discern a product that meets their needs based on data that has been harnessed as well as the interactions made.

He spoke at this year’s Oracle Day with Digital Disruption as it’s theme.

He said Accenture is a co-innovator with Oracle which it has partnered with for about 30 years and that the company is very close to its clients globally, understands what they want and together with Oracle addresses needs of these customers. While making a presentation on digital transformation, he stated that in any given technology revolution, changes enabled by technology propagate too many aspects of economic, political, business and personal life.

On how technology would enhance

economic activities, he said the firm has made labour less important as production capital, led to collaborative consumption, and a rise in the role of internet protocol and a shift from venture capital to equity and public funding with examples in the area of fiber optic deployment and smart cities.

Olajide said emphasis is now on data, new sources of value: attention, identity, reputation, social graph, machine intelligence, robots, genetic modeling, new buyer values, change in control points and a winner takes all phenomena.

And on institutional changes, he said digital disruption has led to new types of competition among countries, changes in concepts of employment, approaches to work, privacy and identity concerns as well as educational learning pattern with the help of the Internet.

He said digital technologies are already beginning to affect many aspects of social life through social media interaction, and online shopping and buying processes.

According to him, platforms such as Twitter, Google, Facebook, and others constitute a paradigm shift ading that what gives them power is their ability to grow, specifically, in speed to scale.

He said even politics is also increasingly being transformed by digital capabilities adding that the banking sector is not left out in the digital disruption process as GTBank, through the social media introduced has its ‘social banking’ service on Facebook.

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HE risks faced by China’s economy are not that scary and the government is confident it can head off the dangers, President Xi Jinping told global business leaders to dispel worries about the world’s second-largest economy.

In a speech to chief executives at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, Xi said even if China’s economy were to grow seven per cent, that would still rank it at the forefront of the world’s economies.

China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, has had a rocky year. Growth slid to a low not seen since the 2008/09 global financial crisis in the third quarter dragged by a housing slowdown, softening domestic demand and unsteady exports.

Xi said: “Some people worry that China’s economic growth will fall further, can it climb over the ridge? There are indeed risks, but it’s not so scary.

“Even at growth of around seven per cent, regardless of speed or volume, (we) are among the best in the world,” he said, noting that China’s economy remained “stable”.

The remarks from Xi came a day after data showed annual growth in Chinese exports and imports cooled in October, in another sign

of fragility in the economy that could prompt policymakers to take further action to stoke growth.

To shore up activity, policymakers have loosened monetary and fiscal policies since April to ensure that the economy can grow by around 7.5 per cent this year.

Regional governments have accelerated spending on some infrastructure projects and abolished limits on the number of homes that Chinese can buy. The central bank has also injected short-term loans into banks to increase credit supply, and cut mortgage rates for some home buyers.

Yet the results yielded have not been as good as some had hoped, fuelling speculation that China may have to cut interest rates or the reduce the amount of deposits that banks set aside as reserves – moves Beijing has denied are on the cards.

Xi, who would sign off on any interest rate cut in China alongside the country’s elite decision-making Politburo, did not comment on the policy outlook, but stressed that his government was focused on reforms and that China was open for business.

Underlining the country’s growing clout as an exporter of capital, he said China’s overseas direct investment was expected to hit $1.2

trillion in the next decade.

After three decades of almost uninterrupted double-digit growth, China’s economy has lifted several hundred millions of Chinese from abject poverty, but also polluted the country’s air, land and waterways.

The destruction of China’s environment and a yawning income gap has led Chinese authorities to promise to enact sweeping social, financial and economic reforms in the country that would be the most ambitious in three decades.

“These reforms are gradually being put into effect project by project,” Xi said. “Once the bow is drawn, the arrow cannot be put back in the quiver; we will resolutely deepen reform.”

Xi also sought to address concerns that China’s growing economic and diplomatic prowess could constitute a threat beyond its borders, saying that China is willing to have friendly relations with its neighbours.

China has territorial disputes with many of its neighbours and has been much more aggressive in enforcing its claims in recent years.

“China’s development brings enormous opportunities and benefits to the Asia Pacific and the world, and the business opportunities are lasting and limitless,” he said.

Binatone unveils trade fair package

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LOBAL Appliances Nigeria Limited, the sole distributor of Binatone products in Nigeria, says it will unveil end of the year package for its customers.

In a statement signed by the its Managing Director, Mr Gurumoothi Sridhar, Specially branded gifts, such as T-shirts, caps, irons, hot plates and rice cookers will be available for its teeming customers during the fair upon the purchase of any of the full range of Binatone products during the Trade Fair which will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square complex, Onikan Lagos.

The full range of Binatone products that will be on display during the fair include inverters, fans, irons, blenders, rice cookers, pressure cookers, electric hot plates, oven toasters, kettles, stabilizers and UPS, sandwich makers, water dispensers, generators and vacuum cleaners.

“Another opportunity awaits

members of the public to buy Binatone’s top of the range products at the Lagos International Trade Fair. GANL is geared up to exhibit the wide range of cooling, power and appliances products in the fair,” it said.

This apart, he said also disclosed that customers will have the rare opportunity of buying products at special discounted prices just as they will win several free gifts at the trade fair ground.

“Binatone is the leader in the electronics market offering value for money. All Binatone products come with warranty and effective after sales service. Binatone wants to use the opportunity of the Trade Fair for our teeming customers to shop for the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” he stated.

NB Plc bags CSR award

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IGERIAN Breweries (NB) Plc has been named the Best Corporate Social Responsible (CSR) Company for this year. The company emerged overall winner of the award amidst stiff competition from other listed corporate organisations at this year’s edition of the annual Social Enterprise Report and Awards in Lagos at the weekend.

It bagged a total of four awards in categories including: Best Company in Infrastructure, Best Company in Supply Chain , CSR Practitioner of the Year and the overall Best Company in CSR. Its Managing Director, Mr Nico Vervelde said: “Nigerian Breweries will continue to pursue innovative social programmes aimed at lifting the society and enhancing the living standards of the citizenry.”

Receiving award, its Corporate

Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, said Nigerian Breweries Plc is delighted and humbled to have been voted the socially responsible company in Nigeria.

He said: “We are delighted to receive this award in recognition of our humble effort in putting something back to a society we are very proud of. More importantly, we are humbled to have been voted the most socially responsible corporate citizen by the very articulate and critical jury of SERAs. This is a worthy recognition and an incentive to encourage us to do more.”

Nigerian Breweries received the overall award as the most socially responsible corporate citizen in Nigeria in recognition of the company’s numerous CSR projects and undertakings across the country.

• Country Managing Director, Adebayo Sanni (speaking) and Vice President, AFTA-Africa, Turkey, Central Asia, Janus Naklicki, during Oracle Day in Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Crude fuels spike in port revenues

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RUDE oil continues to sail through the Port of Corpus Christi at a record pace, but at least one economist believes the area’s fortunes can get even better once America’s 40-year ban on crude exports is lifted.

A total of 63.3 million tons of petroleum and chemicals made their way through the port in the first nine months of the year, according to a recently released audit report.

That represents a 12.4 percent increase over last year’s third-quarter haul, which totaled 56.3 million tons.

Much of those materials likely came from Eagle Ford Shale, the energy play that spans 3,000 square miles and has created massive economic growth for South Texas.

Operating revenues: The port received $59.7 million, compared with $58.1 million for the same period in 2013, a 2.8 per cent increase.

It budgeted $56.4 million.

Strong investments: As of Sep-

tember 30, the port had $145.5 million invested in local government investment pools, money market accounts, agencies, certificates of deposit and securities.

More bulk: Total cargo tonnage moving through the port so far in 2014 has been 72.9 million tons, up 11.3 per cent from 65.5 million for the same period in 2013.

The audit, written by Dennis J. DeVries, the port’s director of finance, covers the nine months of the year that ended September 30.

The port commission’s audit committee discussed at the weekend.

Wharfage and dockage fees also are strong revenue streams for the port. Together, they generated $42 million from January to September, compared with the $40.9 million budgeted for the same period and the $34.5 million actually collected during those months in 2013.

Jim Lee, the chief economist at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, said the prospect of even-

tually exporting oil and natural gas to other countries widens the port’s potential.

Recent downward trends in oil and gasoline prices is a reflection of Congress’ oil export ban that went into effect after the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s. With the Nov. 4 elections now over, many analysts have speculated Washington may consider relaxing the restrictions this year or next.

One company, BHP Billiton, a mining and energy company with its headquarters in London and Melbourne, Australia, has gone so far as to announce last week it plans to sell Eagle Ford Shale to foreign buyers without getting permission from the U.S. government.

“If that … ban is lifted, then U.S. oil and gasoline prices will rise modestly as oil producers will be able to ship the excess supplies to countries at higher prices,” Lee said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

Life

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

43

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

WORLD TOURISM MARKET 2014

‘I courted my wife for 66 days’ – Page 44

When culture drives tourism – Page 47

‘90 per cent of Nollywood artistes have no business there’ – Page 48

•Nigeria’s stand at WTM

‘Nigeria‘s tourism project is worth billions’

The multi-billion naira Kashimbila Dam was top on the list of tourism projects marketed at the 35th World Travel Market (WTM) in London, that attracted over 50,000 travel executives from across the globe. At the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)’s stand at the four days event, 20 indigenous firms exhibited, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, who was in London.

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OR four days, a documentary on the construction works at the ongoing multi-billion naira Kashimbila multi-pur-

pose dam in Taraba State was screened.

The documentary showed, among others, the dam’s airstrip, hydro power capacity, height, length, reservoir’s capacity and irrigation area.

At the far end of Nigeria’s pavilion

were some demonstrations of the production process of Adire by artists of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The Ogun team, led by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan, demonstrated how Adire (tie and dye) is produced to encourage the younger generation.

These and many other groups’ presentations lured tourists and visitors to the Nigerian stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) held in London between November 3 and 6. It attracted over 50,000

senior travel executives. You want to ask what dam has got to do with tourism.

According to Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Reginald Ikpeawujo, aside the main economic benefits of energy, water supplies and job creation, the Kashimbila Dam project is incorporating the development of tourism sites - Wildlife Park, water sports and a tourism vil-

– CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘I courted my wife for 66 days’ A retired Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) official, Chief Abiola Fadayomi, will turn 80 on Friday. He relived his experiences, with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN

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HIEF Rufus Abiola Olafusi Fadayomi was born in 1934 to the family of Pa Theophilus Fadayomi by Madam Dorcas Osegbolade Fadayomi. He grew up in the family compound in Odosida Loro area of Ondo Town in Ondo State.

He had his primary education at Saint Stephen School, Odosida, Ondo after which he travelled to Sapele, Delta State where he attended African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) Technical School, where he trained as an electrical engineer.

Fadayomi relived his working career thus: “I worked at AT&P for some years after which I came down to Ibadan and took up a job with K. Chellerams. From there, I joined a reputable construction company called Nigersol. After that, I came down to Lagos and picked up a job with the Nigrian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) now known as Radio Nigeria, Ikoyi. I was transferred to Voice of Nigeria (VON) which was located in Ikorodu. I was later brought back to Ikoyi. I served in Radio Nigeria for 12 years before i resigned. That closed the chapter of my work experience in public service.

I set up my own business together with my wife. First, we started with supplying of building materials.

Thereafter, I floated a company called FADS Quality Concrete Industry. We got a plot of land where we were moulding blocks. Later, we branched into hotel business.

Our hotel, FADS Hotel located on 13, Bola Fadayomi Street, Ojota still functions till today. My family is planning to establish a branch in Ondo.

I must confess to you that hotel business is very lucrative. It was through hotel business that we were able to train our children here in Nigeria and abroad. Thank God, the children are doing well in their chosen careers.

Marital life

I got married to Oluwasinmidele Layole (nee Lawal) on June 26, 1966 at Ondo. Her father was a prince from Ilorin, Kwara State. She was very beautiful and young when I met her. You can still find the traits of her beauty despite her age. The first day we met, I fell in love with her. I asked my mother to find out about her parenthood. Luckily enough, my mother and her senior

LIFE STYLE aunty were friends. That was how we started. Initially, she turned down my proposal. The reason for this was the age gap. I was more than 10 years older than her. But with perseverance, she finally accepted my offer.

One thing that was very unique about our association is that our courtship lasted 66 days. Til today, we don’t quarrel, nobody has settled quarrel for us. We operate joint bank account, we use the same towel and tooth brush. To me, I don’t think long courtship has a role to play in marriage life. If a couple are compatible and they love each other, there will be no problem. The marriage ordained by God last long.

The marriage is blessed with five children, three boys and two girls.

They are Mrs Omolara Ete, a business tycoon, Henry Olanrewaju who manages the hotel, Olubunmi Olayemi, an advertising and marketing executive, Oluseyi Olayiwola, a businessman, and Olubusola Abisoye, a lawyer and the last born of the family.

Christian life

I thank God my parents were Christians till their last day on earth.

They made sure all their off springs were brought up in line with Christian doctrine. When I was young , I used to attend Saint Stephen Cathedral Church, Ondo, together with my parents. Despite the fact that I attend the church once in a while whenever I travel to Ondo, I still play a major role towards its development. For instance, I was a member of the committee that organised fund raising for the renovation of the old Ondo Cathedral which is now being used as hall for social events. We formed a society called Christ Youth Followers (CYF) in Lagos that raised fund to build a nursery and primary school for the church.

In Lagos, I was chairman, Harvest Committee of All Saints Anglican Church, Ikosi/Ketu for many years and Fund Raising Chairman for nine years. We built a new Church.

My first daughter, Lara, was the first to do her wedding in the new church despite the fact that it was not fully completed then. The Reverend insisted to conduct the marriage as a honour and in recognition of my activities towards the

construction of the new church. Despite the fact that I don’t go to church regularly because of old age, the priests come home to feed me with Holy Communion from time to time. I and Cheif Olawale Cole were doing church work together. He is the external chairman for fund raising while I am internal chairman.

Chieftaincy titles/ awards

In recognition of my contribution to the development of the society, I was conferred with three chieftaincy titles in Lagos. Before accepting such offer, I used to tell the conferring authority that the chieftaincy should be honorary not involving traditional rites. Secondly, I always make it as a condition of acceptance that my wife should also be honoured with a title along with me.

My wife and I have been privileged to have been considered worth of the following titles: Bobagunwa of Agboyi and my wife Iyalaje of Agboyi; Jagunmolu of Mushin and my wife Yeye Bobagunwa of Mushin; Mayegun of Ojota and my wife Iya Oge of Ojota.

I have also received awards from Rotary Club, Ikosi Central, All Saints Anglican Church, Ikosi, Police Community Relations Committee and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to mention a few.

Memorable event

The day I can never forget in my life was when my first daughter had her first child. She married late and it took long before she had an issue. That day when the news came that Lara gave birth to a baby boy, I was rolling on the ground, praising God in appreciation of his kindness to me and my daughter. As the news filtered around, people came in large number to celebrate with us. It was a big occasion. It was on Saturday evening. We left people at home celebrating when my wife and I left for church the next morning.

Friends and contemporaries

Many of my friends have died.

The only person I could remember very well was Mr Awosika. We were good friends. We met at Ibadan. Both of us used to ride one machine called Rabbit in those days.

It was possible to locate ourselves in those days because only two of us had such machine. In those days people used to call me Babaleje because when they greet me I will reply them Babaleje, sir.

•Chief Fadayomi

Outreach to enrich less privileged

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HE National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, means different things to different people. To most Lagosians on the Island, it is a mix-home of antiquities and relaxation spot. But, for some privileged pupils of elite schools, it is a centre to learn about Nigeria’s history and heritage.

To provide a level playing field for many young ones to learn about their heritage, a team of education officers at the museum, led by Mrs Victoria Okolagu, went on an outreach to schools far away from the museum. Their first destination was the Local Education Council of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area where most schools have not visited the museum in a very long while.

According to Mrs Okoloagu, the initiative was borne out of the findings that public schools in Lagos State, especially those in the outskirts, rarely visit the museum on excur-

• Members of the team at one of the schools in Ibeju Lekki

PROGRAMME

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

sion. She blamed this on lack of fundsd and distance.

“But, more importantly, we also found that arts subject in junior secondary school cur-

riculum contains topics on Nok Terra Cotta, Igbo-Uku, Benin Bronze, Ife Bronze, among others which cannot be taught effectively without the material objects which are found in the museum. In tandem with this year’s International Museum Day theme, Museum collections make connections, the team designed the outreach programme. At Ibeju

Lekki, there are 11 junior secondary schools and due to logistics, it was difficult to visit all of them. As a result the team visited some schools in the local government area,” she said.

For four days, the team took an average of 300 pupils of each of the five schools on the educational, economic and social relevance of the artifacts, their origins and the role of the museum in the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s heritage among others. Objects, such as Igbo-Uku, Benin Bronze (Idia head), Nok terra cotta, Ife bronze, Owo Terra Cotta head, Esie objects and some post cards, were instruction items used during the exercise.

The schools included Iwereku Community Junior High School, Ibeju Community Junior High School, Debojo Community Junior High School, Magbon Alade Grammar School and Orimedu Community Junior High School.

According to Okoloagu, “most of the pupils and their teachers did not know about National Museum. Some have heard of it but did not know exactly what goes on there. The outreach was really an eye opener”.

There are indications that the next local council the team will be visiting soon is the Badagry Local Council Area.

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The Midweek Magazine Advocating women’s rights through Connections

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CHAY Chima and Jimmy Nwanne are women’s rights advocates. Their ongoing art exhibition focuses on gender equality, girl-child education and

security.

The show of 37 fascinating multi-media artworks, titled Connections, which is still on at Temple Muse in Victory Island, is not just to give an overview of such social issues, but to also advocate for the “voiceless”, especially women who have no medium to state their mind and those who speak, yet, no one listens to them, according to the two artists.

As the world has become a global village where people are connected via the internet, the artists are also connecting women and the world through their beautiful works, Connections. They seem to know almost the unspoken words, thoughts, motion and emotions of women and girl-child, and insecurity of all sorts, which they presented in this show.

“I am interested in social and environmental issues, and my work revolves around these. I have often questioned the issues of social crisis and inequality around the globe and have looked for ways to promote oneness and equality through my work. How could the playing field be leveled so that women as well as people with any kind of gender orientation have equal opportunities to realise their rights and desires? It is my belief that everyone is needed and is equal, regardless of colour, tribe, background, gender or language.

“In the past, women have not been treated right but with the campaign that is going on around the world, I think there is a good future for women when it comes to gender equality, which is why I did this particular piece: Forgetting the Past. Let us forget how women were treated in the past, let women be treated better in the coming years and we are going to continue the campaign for women with our works,” Chima said.

“As a person I want to speak to people and my means of doing that is through my art. I try to talk about things that are familiar to us and bring things that are not familiar to us to our attention. Things that we don’t really choose to talk about, like the issue of girlchild education. I have three works in this exhibition to advocate for girl child education. I feel everybody has the right to be educated. Malala, the Pakistani girl’s story triggered me to do these pieces. Even though I am a man, I don’t see any reason why a girl should not be allowed to go to school or drive a car,” Nwanne added.

In their pursuit to advocate for women and promote girl-child education through works,

•Amogu

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

IRST it was the indefatigable and ever-cheerful T-Mac (Toyin Makanjuola). Then came news of the departure of Emmanuel Ekpenyong.

Not quite long after, another Iroko fell and this time, our most beloved GOC, (Ebhohon Ikhuriona). I would not know now whether he left before or after Maurice Achibong because death and the news of it,

•Nwanne explaining his work

By Udemma Chukwuma

EXHIBITION most of Chima and Nwanne’s pieces in this show consist of female subjects, who are mostly young ladies. Chima have been a fulltime studio artist since 2005. He has 13 solo exhibitions to his credit. He is known for his massive sculptures that focus on environmental and social issues, also into installation, sculpture, video art.

He studied painting at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu State, and has had numerous successful shows and art residencies in Canada, the United States and Europe. His works have been featured at the Museum of African Culture in Maine, USA and many other international auctions, including Bonhams in the United Kingdom (UK).

You can call Nwanne a new comer because Connections is his first exhibition in Nigeria.

He is based in Germany. He studied Fine and Applied Arts at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State.

Chima’s major works for this show are connected with strings as Chima chose to draw with strings rather than pencil, even though he titled one of the works: No String Attached.

“When I do works that have to do with relationship of human connections, I look for materials that I believe are synonymous with the notions of bonding, togetherness, intimacy, entanglement and oneness. These materials include strings, ropes and thread along with painting materials. I believe that the resonance of my preferred materials infer a need to revaluate and, more importantly, to strengthen our relationship with those

around us, in the interest of supporting one another through current global difficulties.

We are very much attached to one another with strings regardless of our differences,” Chima explained.

Many may not know him with this medium, however, Chima decided to revisit this medium (drawing with strings) as some people, according to him, have the notion that he cannot draw.

While the exhibition curator Sandra Obiago said the works are not on display because of this notion. “Connections presents two artists whose subtle lines and texture, kinetic colours and unique materiality bring the vibrant Lagos art scene closer to the global need to keep connected, lined and inter-dependent for life. It is important for him to bring his delicate strings and artistic style. I think a curator should pick something slightly unusual about an artist and present it to the public. I felt that these works were phenomenonal, they have not been exhibited in Nigeria, may be abroad, but people don’t think about string drawing when they think Chima,” she said.

His ability to capture feminine beauty, their hair do, the contours, and their body movement with delicate strings is fascinating. The drawings are richly done with colour background in dynamic mood and tone, which are appealing to sight. You cannot but wonder about his innovation and skillful string drawings. “The ultimate beauty or the ultimate part is the female figure and if we see the female figure as the ultimate art, that means there is something about womanhood that you need to celebrate. Instead of putting women down, I think we should celebrate them,” he said. Most of the works in this cat-

egory are nude subjects.

A look at Chima’s A village Was Burnt Down, a mixed media of newspaper, charcoal and paint, one is immediately plunges into the world of torture, cruelty of Boko Haram, Chibok village and the kidnapped Chibok girls; and all the recent bombing in the country, a burning issue in the hearts of many.

“What inspired it was when Boko Haram struck and the newspapers said over a hundred people were burnt in Borno. I used charcoal to depict the houses and the newspaper represents the message.”

Other works on display are Ashes of Yesterday, Spire, and Allure.

On his part, Nwanne works are connected in a way. His creativity and craftsmanship are presented in a mature way in this show, even though he is presenting his works for the first time in Nigeria. One astonishing thing about his paintings is that they are accompanied with texts, which are very faint but readable on a closer look. Nwanne’s Liberation is an inspiring work because of the message behind it. His other works are Fed Up, Tomorrow, Nation Building, Songs of Tomorrow, Step by Step, Giving it a Thought, Obscure and Written in the Skies.

Connections is supported by Ruinart, which is a proud sponsor of many international art events including Masterpiece London, Art Basel Hong Kong and Miami, MiArt, and PAD Paris and London.

“We are proud to showcase Chima’s amazing experimental art and host Nwanne’s first exhibition in Nigeria,” said Temple Muse Director, Avinash Wadhwani, whose design and fashion concept store is gaining international recognition with recent coverage in the New York Times and Vogue Magazine.

In memory of ex-Daily Times man especially of loved ones, often leaves one with a feeling that one wants to banish fast in order not to erase the fund memories of such departed loved ones.

And so when a week ago the news came that another beloved one has gone, I made desperate effort not to accept it. Nnate Amogu (call him Nath or Nathoque and you are right) was not just a friend. He was a confidant with whom I shared so many secrets and had so many happy moments. He was always in his elements especially in the company of friends; and he had the gift of making new friends at first meetings, I mean very devoted and lasting friendships. An extrovert to the extreme, Nathoque had no secrets and no enemies. He had a deep-seated hatred though for indolence and dishonesty. In the many years we were together in the then Daily Times, he never told me a lie and he held back no secret from me.

When I said just now that he had no enemies, what I mean is that he had no time for making enemies. If anyone hated him at all it must be as a result of his extrovert nature. For example, he would sometimes say things that might offend some peoples’ sensibilities but at such

TRIBUTE times he never realised he was offending anyone. He never went out of his way to offend anyone and he would apologise, as he did several times in my presence, if he realized he had offended someone. I recall, with deep feeling of nostalgia the several times I visited him in his residence at Ojota some years ago. He always made me feel more important than I really felt. I always met him in company of friends and/or relations. If I met Nath at home alone, then be sure that I won’t be alone with him for long. Either some people would come or he would lead me to them. He would introduce me to them and he would promote me before them sometimes to a point I would feel a little embarrassed. But it was all to make me feel at home; and I was always at home with him.

The question that has been agitating my mind since I heard the news of his death is what I would have done, probably a year ago or even early this year, if I knew Nathoque would die this year. He was in my office at my request in June. I had to call him on phone

when I did not hear from him for a long time.

Now, that was unusual because no week passed without us exchanging calls. But for many weeks I did not hear from him. So I called him and he told me he had challenges with one of his legs but promised he would come and see me which he did. He showed me the left leg which was slightly swollen. He said the swelling started soon after his return from home after the 2013 Christmas. According to him, he had undergone several tests which diagnosed nothing. He told me someone advised him to pour warm water in a bucket and add some quantity of salt then put the affected leg in the bucket; he did that and the swelling began to subside. I never saw that as a threat unto death.

Before we parted ways that day, he promised to visit again the following week. But he never did and I never heard from him again until last month when a lady colleague of ours visited me in the office and told me the swelling had affected his other leg and he could hardly walk. I was alarmed. I called him the next morning and a female voice, I believe his •Continued on page 50

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WORLD TOURISM MARKET 2014

‘Tourism project is worth billions’ •Continued from page 43

lage.

The dam is located between the towns of Kashimbila and Gamovo on River KatsinaAla in Taraba State.

Unlike last year, Nigeria recorded an improved performance with about 15 private firms showcasing different tourism products and services’s at this year’s World Travel Market.

Nigeria’s leading airline Arik Air, Eko Hotel and Suites, Skye Bank, Treavan Limited Travels and Tours, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism led the pack of exhibitors at the NTDC’s stand at the event.

NTDC Director-General Mrs Sally Mbanefo described this year’s outing as a greater improvement on past editions, saying the success of the corporation’s efforts was a function of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to the growth of tourism. She said the corporation was also enjoying the support of the private sector, especially the financial and aviation sub-sectors.

“Private sector must be involved in the promotion and development of tourism. Already, we have the support of key players in the sector, such as Arik Air, Skye Bank and Eko Hotel and Suites. In fact, transport is a very critical element of tourism development.

We are also in partnership with some state governments and parastatals, which is why the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism are showcasing at this year’s World Travel Market in London,” she said.

Managing Director, Treavan Limited Travels and Tours, Mrs Ifie Ezenwa-Ugwoke said there are lots of good things many do not know about Nigeria, which she said, is part of the Dream Nigeria package the company is championing. She noted that since the launch of Fascinating Nigeria last year, the tourism sector has been making progress, adding that ‘’we cannot make great impact overnight it must be gradual.’’

Despite reported cases of Ebola disease in some parts of West Africa, experts at the WTM 2014 have expressed optimism in the future of tourism and travel business in the continent, saying Ebola will not affect the growth of travel and tourism.

Head, Travel and Tourism Research, Euromonitor International, Caroline Bremner said that despite the numerous challenges, the continent has recorded a three per cent increase in the influx of tourists into Africa. According to her, the percentage growth is not a very bad development.

She said: “At the moment, there is a three per cent growth in the influx of tourists into Africa. This is not very bad considering the outbreak of Ebola and conflicts in the continent. However, Ebola is an isolated health challenge in West African region.

“There are always diseases but travellers will always adjust. Ebola has so far a minimal impact on travels and tours in Africa”, said Travel and Tourism Futurologist, Ian Yeoman.

Bremner noted that for Africa to further boost its tourism industry, governments in the continent need to work towards promoting health and safety measures; and the messages have to be very positive.

She added that African governments must also engage potential visitors on different media platforms, including social media while ensuring that they provide warm welcome when they come. She, however, identified transportation as a critical element in building capacity and encouraging influx of tourists to destinations. She regretted that the aviation industry in Africa is faced by competitive restrictions.

“There are good aviation operators in Africa but there seems to be restrictions that serve as impediments. Governments in Af-

• From left: Amusun, Mbanefo and Eyo Masqureaders at the Nigeria stamd

• From left: Oyinaya Kalu Oka, Oladimeji Adisa,Hanatu, Mbanefo and Adjare

rica should encourage competition in the aviation business”.

In his remark, Senior Exhibition Director, WTM, Simon Press, stated that this year’s outing will facilitate deals worth about £2.5 billion in travel industry contracts between exhibitors and buyers from WTM buyers’ club. This figure is against the sum of £2 billion recorded last year.

He also informed that WTM Portfolio, which comprises Arabian Travel Market, WTM Latin America and WTM Africa, is the catalyst for deals worth almost £4 billion.

“Despite this clear desire to conduct business, the industry faces many huddles, but I am pleased to see that report finds the high level of industry optimism for 2015”, Press added.

According to WTM 2014 industry report, UK holidaymakers predicted the end of physical passports, which will instead be replaced by the use of fingerprint technology at customs and visa controls. “Nine out of 10 senior industry executives said that this was likely by 2049, as did almost two-third of UK holidaymakers,” the report added.

One of the panellists at the opening session

‘Private sector must be involved in the promotion and development of tourism. Already, we have the support of key players in the sector, such as Arik Air, Skye Bank and Eko Hotel and Suites. In fact, transport is a very critical element of tourism development.

We are also in partnership with some state governments and parastatals, which is why the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism are showcasing at this year’s World Travel Market in London’

of the WTM, Ian Yeoman, a Futurologist, shared his thought on where he sees the travel industry going: “The concept of biometrics has been around since the 19thcentury when Alponse Bertilon developed the concept for French police and today it is the central concept for securing personal identity. Biometrics goes beyond passports; it is the central feature of facial recognition systems that will appear on Google glasses. Disney is already using fingerprint scanning to fight against forged resort passes.”

Travel industry is confident that recent high-profile sporting events will see an increase in bookings to those destinations. “Almost seven out of 10 industry executives believe Rio, as one of the host cities of the 2014 Football World cup and also where the 2016 Olympics will take place will see an increase in bookings. And 15 percent of UK holidaymakers agreed, saying they were likely to visit Rio following the World Cup,” the report said. On space tourism, 34 per cent of industry executives believe that despite the recent Virgin Galactic crash, space travel will be in place by 2024.

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WORLD TOURISM WORLD MARKET TOURISM 2014 MARKET 2014

HE bright light from the adjoining Egypt’s and Tanzania’s stands lit up the twin cylinder-shaped designs hanging over other structures. Each corner was equipped with white chairs, tables and relevant literature on Nigeria for discussants. It was an ideal setting for the business of the day.

By 4pm, all of that have started giving way to arts and culture, especially when two groups, Osun Foundation Troupe and a nineman band, Wale Salter, mounted the stage at strategic corner of the stand.

First, it was Osun Troupe backed by Eyo masqueraders. When Salter took his turn, the performances reached a crescendo and Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creativity Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare took to the dance floor with the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.

Welcome to AF560, South Hall (Nigeria’s stand), Excel Centre, London, last Wednesday during Nigeria’s Day at this year’s World Travel Market. For the next two hours, there was a ceaseless influx of tourists of diverse race and colour to the stand, despite that African countries, such as Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal and Egypt, also held theirs same day.

With over 100 exhibiting nations and 82,213 visitors in attendance, Nigeria stood tall, using the country’s music, dance, food and indigenous fabrics, not only to draw global attention to its tourism potential, but also to buttress the fact that arts and culture remain the major drivers of Nigerian tourism.

Mbanefo listed reasons tourists should visit Nigeria as a destination of choice. She spoke on the warm weather, friendly and hospitable people, amazing natural and historical sites, booming entertainment industry as well as cultural festivals, to the delight of listeners.

A Colombian tourist who was among visitors to the stand believed that Nigerian culture remains one of the best in the world.

“I love the musical rhythm. You people have amazing culture. Your food, your dance, your dresses are wonderful. I am a Colombian but I love Nigeria,”he said.

For Mbanefo, the day was a fulfilling one for Nigeria. “It has been quite interesting.

The inflow of visitors to Nigeria’s stand is encouraging and it is an indication that there is still hope for Nigeria. People have besieged the Nigerian stand since the beginning of the fair to get information about the country’s business climate. They have also asked about Ebola and how we conquered the virus. They want to know how secured the country is now and we are restoring their confidence about Nigeria.

“Not just Nigerians alone that have been coming here, other nationals have been coming too and are also very interested in the things we have to offer in the tourism industry. We have availed ourselves the opportu-

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CBAAC holds cultural festival

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• Mbanefo (middle), Ikpeawujo (left), Amusan (right) flanked by representatives of Arik Air.

When culture drives tourism

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts), who was in London

nity of influx of people to our pavilion to showcase our tourism assets, to tell the world that our people are our most cherished assets- warm, friendly and hospitable people.

Our tourism sites, entertainment industry and festivals all join to make Nigeria as a destination of choice.

“This year’s outing is another wake-up call for Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora as well as potential investors in tourism. It was an opportunity to showcase all the tourism assets that Nigeria has and the reason tourists should make Nigeria their destination choice. We would want those who do business in Nigeria to also enjoy leisure and we would also be excited to receive you all in Nigeria”, she said.

Publisher of Come To Nigeria Magazine and an artist, Mr Oladimeji Adisa whose company was among the cultural troupes that performed for Nigeria, was honoured by NTDC for his contribution towards the promotion of Nigerian culture and tourism abroad.

Based in Liverpool, Adisa has been promoting Nigeria, using indigenous music and dance. Also, Come To Nigeria Magazine’s focus is to further showcase the culture and tourism potentials of the country.

Representative of Ogun State at the fair was the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan who marketed the state’s festivals, cultural and historical sites.

She also led a team of textile artists to dem-

onstrate the production process of the local fabric, Tie and Die (Adire). Amusan praised NTDC for the insight and opportunity given to Ogun to showcase its culture to the world.

“I commend NTDC for giving us the opportunity to attend this kind of event. What we are doing is keying into the vision of what the Federal Government is doing and I can say on behalf of my governor that the state is also committed to tourism development. We have so many products and destinations but this year, we have chosen to concentrate on the Adire industry. We have come with adire makers who will demonstrate what it takes to produce the fabric.

“Of course, we have a traditional way of making it but we are complimenting it with commercial method. We are trying to make people know the different uses of adire but it begins with appreciating the fabric. With that, we can get the younger generation interested in making a living out of it. It is the first time NTDC is partnering with our state in this regard and it is very rewarding. Guests to Nigeria’s stand, Blacks and Whites, were lavishly entertained with indigenous cuisines,” she noted.

There were lots of arts and crafts on display throughout the four- days fair, which also had about 20 private sectors exhibitors such as Arik Air, Keystone Bank, Eko Hotel and Suites, West Africa Tourism, EFTAN, Treavan Limited Travels and Tours, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, among others.

ENTRE for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Nigeria, will host the CBAAC 2014 International Cultural Festival and Colloquium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The Cultural Festival/ Colloquium with the theme: Using Culture to Drive Transformation of Africa and its Diaspora in the New Global Order will hold between November 26 and 28 at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. CBAAC is hosting the event in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Ijaw Affairs and the Niger-Delta University, Amasoma.

The programme, the organisers say, is open to global Afro-centric organisations, universities, students and individuals of African descent.

It would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan. It would feature performances and presentations on issues and subjects of importance to Africa and the African Diaspora with focus on the instrumentality of culture in the transformation of Africa and the Diaspora.

The renowned Prof Sule Bello, Chairman Africa Research and Development Agency, Kano, Nigeria, is expected to give the keynote address. It promises to have participants from global Afro-centric organisations, the diplomatic community, universities, students and individuals of African descent in Africa, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, America, and the Americas.

The festival would, among other things, feature colloquium; cultural parade, open theatre events; drama; dances and masquerade display; and exhibition.

• DG CBAAC

Nigeria flaunts containment of Ebola in London

OP government tourism officials from three West African countries – Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal rose in unison to reiterate the region’s strong resolve to fight against Ebola.

They also used the forum to tell the world why Ebola should not scare tourists from the region.

Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo reassured the global community that the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in West Africa would not stall the growth of tourism in the region.

She stated that in the heat of the battle against Ebola in August, Nigeria held some of its major festivals such as Osun Osogbo, Ojude Oba, New Yam and Sango festival. Theses festivals recorded thousands of foreign tourists as well as locals.

She noted that the success of Nigeria in containing Ebola disease was because it had a committed and focused government where everybody is his brother’s keeper. She also identified the vibrant private sector support, volunteer groups, effective and committed medical officials, effective media campaign and artistes’ community awareness drive as some of the contributing factors. Speaking on how big is the problem of Ebola in Africa for tourism, Mbanefo, said Nigeria was proactive enough in confronting the challenges posed by Ebola diseases saying, Ebola has been consigned to history.

Ghana Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creativity, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare said though Ghana did not experience any Ebola case, it is not unmindful of any preparing for

•Groups launch unite4westafrica

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts), who was in London

PROGRAMME any outbreak. She said Ghana has been able to equip its hospitals while deploying health officials to respective borders to prevent entry of suspected Ebola victim. “Ghana is safe to visit and it is an ideal destination for tourists to Africa because what you need in other African countries are in Ghana. Ebola will not afflict Ghanaians now and in future,” she said.

Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan said part of the measures taken by Ogun State government to tackle Ebola were to procure health equipment, establishing of isolation centres, border monitoring, aggressive awareness drive/volunteer works and creation of hotlines for information gathering. She said though Ogun State shares many borders with Lagos and Benin Republic, it never recorded any Ebola case.

Director, Marketing and Communication, Senegal Tourism Promotion Agency, Houma Mbaye Dia lamented the stigmatisation of West Africans in where there are no cases of Ebola, saying Africa is not a country, but a continent bigger than Europe and America put together.

She recalled that the only Ebola case reported in Senegal was on August 29 of a student from Guinea.

In response to the Ebola outbreak and its con-

sequences on West Africa, four travel and tours organisations have launched a campaign forum, unite4westafrica, to raise fund and pledge commitment to continue sharing the stories of West Africa’s beautiful land, culture and people with emphasis on the most affected countriesGuinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The launch was held at the World Travel Market in London, last Wednesday during a session on How big is the problem of Ebola in Africa on tourism. The four organisations are West Africa Discovery, Overlanding West Africa, Another World Adventures and Barefoot Liberia.

The campaign will raise funds in part, for Medicins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) who are leading the way in saving lives.

U4WA will also raise funds for a group of selected grass roots non-profit organisations that have been identified as leaders in community awareness, education and health services in the most affected countries.

According to Founder, Another World Adventure, Larissa Clark, the fundraising would be done through social media, concerts, and events geared at sharing the beauty of West Africa to fight against Ebola and encourage a more positive story of West Africa-one of hope, fascinating cultures, and breathtaking landscapes.

“We want to remind the world that West African countries are known for being friendly, beautiful, exciting and colourful places where hospitality and the arts rule, and where adven-

ture and cultural experiences lay around every corner.

Part of our mission is to encourage travel and exploration of West Africa, as well as the entire continent, to areas that have been deemed safe. Africa is a continent, not a country. Only Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been significantly affected by Ebola outbreak.

“There is currently no reason why other countries in West Africa such as Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Benin and Burkina Faso should not be visited, let alone countries on the other side of the continent like Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. And of course to resume travel to the affected countries as soon as it is safe to do so. The campaign is meant to ask friends in the industry and all those searching for a means to help this unfathomable crisis to support our efforts by assisting in our fundraising goals and helping us o share a positive story of West Africa,” she said.

She disclosed that groups such as Africa Travel Association, Intreprid Travel, G Adventures, Explore and Dragoman Overland have joined the campaign.

Continuing, she said: “Ebola has demonstrated to the world that there is a massive need for some counties on the African continent to develop their industry and economy faster.

Without it, many African countries remain prone to disease and war. By helping support these economies through tourism, the arts and other industries and by encouraging a global understanding of Africa by looking past the headlines to the true heart of its people, we believe that U4wa can make a difference.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Remember epic movies like Nneka: The Pretty Serpent, Onome that graced the screens in the 90s and 2000? Veteran journalist and awardwinning filmmaker, Joe Dudun is the brain behind them and over 20 screenplays and sitcoms. With over 20 years experience as a journalist, filmmaker and creative writer, Dudun has added another feather to his cap. He is out with a poetry collection, Waiting for Sanity. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, bares his thoughts on his voyage, Nigeria and more.

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NCE a journalist, then an award-winning filmmaker, who is credited for writing, producing and directing over 30 epic screenplays, such as Ripples, Onome, Nneka: The Pretty Serpent, and now creative writing. Could share the journey from the newsroom to the behind the camera?

As an undergraduate, I wrote a play, Princess Owumi, which was stage by my department for the university, Ambrose Alli University, and was later in other universities. That was the background I came from. Upon graduation, I started worked in The Punch newspaper. Incidentally, the day I got my employment letter from Punch, that same day I got a letter from the Pep Repertory Theatre founded by Prof J.P. Clark where I had first gone for an auditioning before I got the job in 1987, inviting me to come for casting of Adrian VII. I was just fresh from Youths Service in Bauchi and went for that audition. That left me in a state of dilemma. When I showed the two options to a senior cousin that I was living with then, he said: “Wetin be play, for this kind Nigeria, go to Punch”. So, I did not go for casting, but chose the Punch’s option. I spent a couple of years there, rising from Staff Writer to Assistant Features Editor.

But because of my background, I showed more interest on the Arts desk, reporting art, book reviews, stage plays, television drama, and so on. I began interacting with some my role models, like Wole Soyinka; J.P. Clark; Chinua Achebe, I was in Enugu when he presented Anthills of the Savannah; and the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti. But while working in Punch in those years, I realised I was no longer writing because of headlines and deadlines - so many pages to fill in the Features Department and once you are done, you are thinking of how you are going to fill them next week. I couldn’t write one word. It got so worse that I decided to call it quit. And the entertainment industry was my first point of call because of my involvement in the sector and Ripples. I ended up writing scripts for the screenplay. That was actually how I learnt to write for screen. Imagine getting money writing a few scripts that strengthened my resolve to do it for a living. But it was a hard decision to take.

How so?

Hard because I got married not quite long; my first child was barely a-yearplus. In journalism as an Assistant Editor of a national daily at that time laid a bright future. This was in 1992. After voluntarily resigning from Punch, I still had some doubts about the move. So, I asked some friends, who had started a magazine then for a job, and was offered the post of a Copy Editor. It looked rosy at the time, and I thought I would use the magazine as a place of transition. I did it for about four months; still, the fulfillment was not there. I dropped a letter for them and left; and started hanging out in Zeb Ejiro’s office. There was no Nollywood then. What made me leave a paid employment to one where you are not sure of where your next money will come from wasn’t the money because I come from riverine areas where I could easily gets employment, especially in oil companies, but was the love and desire to express arts. One day, Okechukwu Oguejiofor who did Living in Bondage, walked into Ejiro’s office, looking for a writer. With my exposure as a journalist with an M.A in English, naturally I was picked. So, the next day, I met Oke and he asked that I give him, any kind. At that time, I have never written a full length features, just the short ones for soap operas. I decided to do a story on the myth in the riverine areas where I come from, such as a woman with an influence from the water. That gave birth to Nneka: The Pretty Serpent. And for the first time I was paid N100,000. This was around 1994.

•Dudun

‘90 per cent of Nollywood artistes have no business there’ VISUAL ART My salary in Punch then was N22,000 per annum. That wow me and it was the beginning: I started getting lot of clients from then on. And I have not looked back since then. It is not by accident that one is a poet.

How has been the experience?

It has been fulfilling all the way. That I left journalism to filmmaking, I have no regrets. But, once a journalist, always a journalist. Looking back, the experience shaped and prepared me for the journey ahead. It was wonderful meeting those writers. A most memorable experience for me was when after I did a review of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa’s book, Basi and Company, he invited me to his office, praised my review. We became friends; and he

began inspiring me from then on. I even wrote my Master’s thesis on him. The question most folks have asked since I published my collection is “How come I am coming back to art?”

For me, it’s been a journey and every aspect of my voyage, be it journalism, filmmaking and creative, are closely-knitted. Interestingly, I am still practicing – I was the head of The Leadership newspaper team that covered the national conference. However, the same reason that made me leave Punch for lack fulfillment as an artist was the same reason I delved into creative writing. I have done the much I can do for Nollywood and productions. I felt the time has come for me to begin to take my art seriously. And so, in 2010, I published a play, Uwale, which I entered for

‘I decided to do a story on the myth in the riverine areas where I come from, such as a woman with an influence from the water. That gave birth to Nneka: The Pretty Serpent. And for the first time I was paid N100,000. This was around 1994. My salary in Punch then was N22,000 per annum.

That wow me and it was the beginning’

the NLNG Prize for Literature. I became a member of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) Delta State Chapter because of my interests in the arts. Students of the university’s Department of Theatre Arts in AAU are studying three of my plays – Princess Owumi, Uwale and Break of Dawn, which was written during Youths Service. And recently I‘ve published my first poetry collection, Waiting for Sanity, which is a collection of my 30 years’ experience. It is in three parts: the first called Inspired, focuses on my Inspirations; the second is Place and the third, The Waiting, touches on diverse issues.

What is the thrust of your collection, Waiting for Sanity?

It is a collection of the history of Nigeria featuring diverse events, such as the Ikeja bomb blast, the Ejigbo plane crash and Boko Haram. From Independence till date, the country is where it is today because of bad leadership. Waiting for Sanity calls for sanitisation of the system, and tries to identify few persons today who have some traits of leadership that are worthy of emulation. Hence, some poems are inspired by people who have done great feats – some are well-known personalities, like President Barak Obama, who is change exemplified; Governor Babatunde Fashola, who changed Oshodi; Governor Kayode Fayemi; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole; Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who has created an atmosphere for peace, security and the urban transportation scheme; Kalu Nwankwo and the wife of Mr Timi Alaibe, the late Alaera Alaibe that set up an NGO to empower girl child with education.

Dedicating some poems to prominent Nigerians, as a veteran journalist and activist, don’t you think you run the risks of being accused of praise-singing?

It is a question that has come up over and over again. If we need to move forward, we must learn to celebrate greatness by way of setting the right values for posterity. You have heard that I dedicated a poem to certain personalities, go look at the poem - what did the poet say, if there is any truth in it, then, before you conclude.

What was the experience like covering the CONFAB? My thoughts on the CONFAB are expressed in the poem, CONFAB, which dedicated to Justice Idris Kutigi. However, I believe the CONFAB is actually a step to the right direction; and my poem highlights my reason. It is something that is moving us towards sanity which is part of what the collection is preaching.

There were a couple of decisions taken then, which when implemented would actually transform Nigeria. Given the various interests, when the CONFAB started, the first challenge was voting pattern. And the President had given them a challenge that every decision they would arrive at must be as a conscientious. And although from the South, I was representing a paper, Leadership that has Northern interest. You can’t imagine the dilemma I found myself in being there as a journalist. For instance, there were certain decisions taken that as a southerner, I probably, would say was the best decision, but then, once a northern delegate says something else, the paper one represents would prefer that you write what he says. But the chairman was able to steer the conference and manage the different interests. Hence, the poem was inspired by his leadership style and the need for unity, occasioned by his wife, Maryamu’s burial that brought together delegates in unison - we were just Nigerians, consoling a fellow Nigerian.

In it, I expressed hope that the CONFAB would bear much fruit than those of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late General Sanni Abacha.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

49

The Midweek Magazine

M

R. Reuben Chinedum Onwubiko has gone through the ladder of life from its rude beginnings. He knew how to live in lack and struggle to achieve financial freedom. He worked his up the corporate ladder to hold very senior management positions in six multinational corporations in over 20 countries across three continents. He is currently the Africa Marketing Director, Glaxosmithkline Plc. In this unique treatise, he unveils biblical secrets to multiple income streams.

The end of a thing is far better than its beginning (Eccl 7:8). Take that from the mouth of the wisest man, Solomon. Reuben has digested the wisdom of Solomon more than most. His time travel has yielded these 7streams of income. These are no theories, but time-tested principles juiced by the writer from the fruits of ancient wit. Onwubiko has done better than most theologians by telling us how to turn the gold mine of Scripture into real gold. Drawing heavily from Ecclesiastes 11, the writer insists that each one of us must have a minimum of seven (7) incomes to achieve financial security the Bible way, no matter the winds that blow.

The writer combines good story-telling skills with wholesome humor and punch lines to communicate business wisdom, encapsulated.

By helping us to develop keen and razor-sharp foresight, this book is determined to save us from the pain of hindsight after a depressing financial fall. The writer’s conviction and passion literally jumps at you from the book.

If you have only one source of income, you will have several queries awaiting you from the Master of thousands of cattle on thousand hills; who gives us the power to get wealth.

Onwubiko posits that it is not God’s plan that we live in penury. The only way for God to promote His work is to bless His people who would in turn sponsor the gospel. Once your life is in line with His and you live for God’s glory, God will trust you with silver and gold.

The author begins by attacking long-held paradigms and mental chains that have held generations of people down in the financial dumps. Many are prisoners of their wishful thinking, assumptions, cherished, superstitions, misconceptions, fears, and blinding bias.

Many indeed, are perishing for lack of knowledge. He echoes prophetically: “The greatest undoing of mankind is not poverty or disease but ignorance” (Onwubiko, 2014, xxix). This financial doctor has diagnosis this disease of Ebolaic proportions as ROTS, Running on the Spots.

The author argues eloquently that God does

T

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

7Streams: God’s original wealth creation plan BOOK REVIEW Title:

7 Streams: God’s Original Wealth Creation Plan Onwubiko Reuben

Author: Reviewer: Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole Publisher: Brand Crafts Year of Publication: 2014 not expect you to have only one source of income. Many government tax forms also expect you to have up to 14 sources of income in the categories of “earned income,” “portfolio income,” and “passive income.” The axiom “do not put all your eggs in one basket” also indicates that you have multiple streams of income.

The author’s creativity is amazing as he gives practical examples of areas people can make money. His illustrations, charts, tables, and diagrams bring clarity to his teaching. Examples include his pillars of income generation and the streams and tributaries of income. He also employed African proverbs and maxims as an ardent practitioner. As a true Sabbatarian, the author seems fascinated with sevens: 7 aspects of discipline for financial success; 7 deadly sins that ruin; 7 divine bases for 7 streams; 7 heavenly virtues for successful living; 7 steps to income generation; and 42 ways of hearing from God. One of the unique features of this book is the review mechanism at the end of each chapter to ensure digestion of the life principles he spoon-feeds readers with. The writer artfully provides an avenue for quizzing the readers, forcing them to find practical life applications relevant to each reader’s unique situation.

The author emphasises the importance of perseverance. He agrees with Stephen Richards’s mantras: “When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything.” “The only thing limiting your aspiration is your imagination.” “If you do not have persistence then no amount of education, talent or genius can make up for it.”

The author believes you can achieve anything by ignoring your limitations. “The re-

alization that limitations are imaginary will make you strong and overpowering” (Richards, 2011, n.p.). “You are essentially who you create yourself to be and all that occurs in your life is the result of your own making” (Richards, 2011, n.p.). Tommy Lasorda agrees: “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination” (www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/ 395665.Tommy_Lasorda).

Onwubiko’s clarion call is to take control of your life now. Start today. “Inaction creates nothing. Action creates success,” agrees Stephen Richards (Richards, 2011, n.p.). You cannot afford to do nothing. Richards concurs further: “Happy people produce. Bored people consume” (Richards, 2006, 93). He continues: “Our souls sparkle brightly with creative en-

ergy, our beings are as complex as the universe, and at the same time we help make up a higher body of energy” (Richards, 2006, 93).

To strengthen the groundbreaking ethos of this literary piece, I would suggest the following: Ideologically, the book suggests that everyone could become financially self-sufficient in life. The Bible says the poor would always be with us. Some would also not be able to carry this out because of extenuating circumstances of health or disability totally beyond their control. The tendency may be for some to mistake the thrust of this book as advocating the “prosperity gospel.”

Exegetically, the book is bereft of thorough exegesis of the main chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes on which it is based. Not enough word-study was done outside of the English language. Examining the nuances of the key words and terms of Ecclesiastes 11 in the original language could further strengthen this book.

Contextually and thematically, the book of Ecclesiastes is about: “vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” The book, 7Streams of Income, does not key into the general themes of the book of Ecclesiastes as a whole.

In biblical accuracy, one can only conjecture the income streams of some of the Bible characters. There is no strong biblical support that Apostle Paul harnessed all the possible income streams suggested by this author.

Spiritually speaking, it could really be that some people are called to fully dedicate their entire lives and carrier to emotionally and spiritually enrich the downtrodden, like Mother Theresa. Love and acceptance are the most valuable means of exchange there is in the world. Money does not pay the highest role in kingdom building.

In conclusion, Onwubiko has made a unique contribution to poverty alleviation by teaching these grand Bible-based and research-supported ideas. Charles H. Spurgeon advocates: “Poverty is no virtue; wealth is no sin” (Spurgeon, 2014, 99). Samuel Johnson backs: “Resolve not to be poor. Poverty is a great enemy of human happiness” (Boswell, 2001, 128). Adam Smith concludes: “No society can surely be flourishing and happy; of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.” Onwubiko’s book attacks poverty like a plague. It is an antidote to the disease of low productivity, meager achievement, not thriving, colorless dreams, intelligent and talented people living below their potential, and minimalist and mediocre tendencies. It is a must-read for all religionists and all wanting to take control of their future.

The revolutionary legacies of Customs boss HE achievements of the Comptroller-General of the Customs (C-G-C), Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi has been documented in a compelling new

book.

The book entitled: Witness to a Revolution: The Nigeria Customs Service Under the Leadership of Inde Dikko Abdullahi is a commendable effort at documenting the achievements of the CGC who has been hailed as an unprecedented performer, in the last five years at the helms of Nigeria’s biggest non-oil revenue generating agency.

Written by an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (AC) Musa Omale, a lawyer and personal aid to the CGC, the 304-page, 43-chapter book captures in a detailed analysis, the strides taken by the current CGC to ensure a radical turn-around in the operations and productivity of the Customs right from his time as an Area Controller at the Seme Borders, prior to his appointment as CGC. Abdullahi was appointed as CGC by the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on August 18, 2009. On resumption, he flagged off a Six-Point Agenda as the road map for his intended reform agenda.

In five years, his administration has taken the agency to unprecedented level. Among the many accomplishments documented include a 100 percent salary increment and capacity building programs extended to all levels of officers and men across and beyond Nigeria as part of human capital development and motivation program. Added to that is an aggressive infrastructural development which saw the building of new barracks, rehabilitation/upgrade of old ones, construction of office buildings, printing press, hospitals, schools among others across the country in addition to the magnificent Regional Training Academy in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Besides the purchase of a jet to ease Customs operations, the revenue profile of the Customs also shot to an unprecedented high, with the agency raking in a record N150 Billion a month at a point as

BOOK REVIEW Title: Witness to a Revolution: The Nigeria Customs Service Under the Leadership of Dikko Inde Abdullahi

Author: Dikko Inde Abdullahi Reviewer: Betty Abah Publisher: Pensrule Communications Ltd Year of Publication: 2014 against monthly average of N30 Billion in past administrations.

His supplying of the officers and men of the Customs with hundreds of vehicles, arms and equipments, heightened awareness of importers, and community-based programs in border communities also helped in reducing incidences of smuggling and arresting leakages and corruption as well as conscientious efforts at revamping the image of the agency. His women empowerment program via the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) was also touched. These strides among others, earned Dikko as he is popularly called, two National Awards namely the MFR and MFR by both Yar’Dua and the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government respectively. The Nigeria Customs also, in a historic accomplishment, hosted the 66th session of the World Customs Organisation (WCO)’s Policy Meeting in Nigeria in 2011.

The 54-year-old Bulgaria-trained economist who is known to enthusiastically encourage scholarship also vigorously pursued the ECustoms project in ensuring fast clearance of goods and the general Customs and Exercise procedure so as to meet up with global standards. Under him the Customs also entered bilateral agreement s with Customs bodies of several countries.

Witness to a Revolution is truly a page-turner with rich photo illustrations of the various infrastructure, facilities and activities of the Customs under the current CGC and spanning five eventful years. A potpourri of a book, the 43 chapters are divided into various segments on a wide variety of issues ranging from “The Dikko I know” which profiles the subject’s life and attainments as well as the author’s study of his life in about six-year acquaintanceship, starting from Dikko’s time at Seme where the author served as the command’s Public Relations Officer (Pro). There is “Emergence of a Revolutionalist” which chronicles his achievements in transforming the Customs. Then there is The Rise to Global Acclaim which documents the entrance of the Nigerian Customs into international highlights and accolades following the signing of bilateral agreements with other countries, the hosting of the WCO’s Policy

meeting in Nigeria among others. While ‘The Importance of CEMA’ contains articles dealing with the Customs and Excise Management Act and related issues, “Other Customs Matters” takes on topics such as smuggling, money laundry, economic terrorism, Trans-National Crime, revenue generation, 48-hour clearance among others. A few officers also contributed few other related topics under the ‘Other Informed Articles’ section. The elaborate photo session is aptly tagged ‘Images of a Revolution”.

The book, bounded in hard copy with a combination of green and the Customs’ grey colour, is quite a commendable effort, first for minimal typographical errors and then for the sheer size of issues discussed. The photo session serve as an appetizer that would help hold down a bored reader considering the intimidating size.

Perhaps the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Hon. Sabo Nakudu, sums up the essence of the book when he wrote in its Introduction: “I appreciate the honour to introduce this priceless book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to… officers of the Customs, students of the Customs systems, and just about everyone interested in studying the dynamics of leadership.”

The book’s subject, Abdullahi, who penned the Foreword to the book himself noted that it is an attempt to document an ongoing history as well as preserve the spirit of industry.

“This book therefore should be seen beyond the pictorials of the realities on ground, the accomplishments which have won us accolades far and near. It should be seen as the triumph of the human spirit, the fact that we can achieve all we set our hearts while leaning on various sources of support, “he wrote.

The author, Omale, an Ahmadu Bello University-trained lawyer with two previous books to his credit, has succeeded in this book of words, statistics, colourful pictures and analysis, in portraying Dikko as a man on a clear mission to change and whose continuing legacies are held up before the mirrors of History.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

SHOWBIZ

Film marketing: Why filmmakers need publicity budget

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ILMMAKERS have been advised to earmark adequate budget for publicity, as part of their film production plans.

The issues about poor publicity budget for the marketing of films came up during an industry session on film marketing, presented by Uzoma Onwuchekwa, Managing Director, Maverick Equinox at the popular Marina Resort, Calabar, Monday.

It was the first in a series of workshops at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where actors, filmmakers, film marketers, distribution houses, and various professional guilds in the entertainment industry gathered to discuss issues of benefits, and chart a new course for the African cinema.

According to Onwuchekwa, a marketing expert, adequate publicity will go a long way in ensuring they make remarkable returns on their investment.

Speaking on the topic 3 Questions on Movie Marketing,

By Victor Akande

Onwuchekwa noted that filmmakers do themselves a lot of harm by not including enough money for publicising their works right from the pre-production stage.

He said; “Filmmakers rarely plan publicity not to talk of orchestration. It appears we don’t understand that a consumer is a potential, a yet to be converted viewer hence we need to budget appropriately for publicity to woo that viewer.

“Even when we do campaigns, they are too short and end too soon. There is also the tendency to indulge in ‘Ekocentrism’ where attention is focussed only on the Lagos market, neglecting other parts of the country.

“Movie makers also fail to use appropriate media for appropriate tasks hence robbing themselves of profit. Creativity is your forte; bring it into your publicity.”

Continuing, Onwuchekwa

cited the examples of Chineze Anyaene, producer of Ije who spent about N21 million to publicise the movie and made over N56 million from box office.

Corroborating the guest speaker, Anyaene confirmed that she indeed spent seven million to publicise Ije for cinema release and N14 million to publicise it prior to its release on DVD, “because the DVD came out two years after the cinema release.

“Your poster has to be orchestrated to attract people.

In fact, I haven’t returned to set because I’m still planning publicity for my next work. If you don’t have publicity budget, go back home,” she said.

Ije remains the highest selling Nigerian film till date, followed by Tango with Me,

by Mahmood Ali-Balogun.

The industry sessions continue with other topics, including Acting laboratory – Acting with Integrity, being hosted by notable producer/director,

BBA Hotshots: Queen of Malawi wins head of house

Mildred Okwo and Adapting African literature for screen- A cinematic goldmine by an army of industry bests such as Jude Idada, a screenwriter, playwright and novelist; Tunde

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F

•Tayo and Sipe

start. This was interesting to note as Sipe had told Biggie twice that Nhlanhla was deliberately stepping on her toes.

The Malawian lady who had been saved from this week’s eviction ‘threat’ because of her new title, playfully shouted that the boys would cook all week. She however told Macky2 later that he would spend time with her as HoH. Perhaps fuelled by the outcome of the HoH competition, Tayo appears to be showing signs of pressure of the entire game even without being put up for possible eviction this week. He broke down in the diary room, telling Big Brother that he was just trying to be himself and was not playing any games yet he could not tell who else was being sincere.

His depression was sparked by the drumming incident with Macky2, and he tried to iron out the situation with the Zambian rapper, with Trezagah acting as their go-between. Although the fists did not fly no one could see eye to eye.

Macky2 tried to impress upon Tayo that housemates could not run away from the fact that people in the house would play one another in order to frustrate them. He added that when one tried to distract other housemates from their game, they were

playing a dirty game.

Although others viewed him as short-tempered, Tayo said he was not playing any games and he wished they could sit down and try to understand cultural differences, as maybe this was where misunderstandings were coming from. He highlighted that whatever he said to fellow housemates was what he would have said to them, whether or not they were in the house.

Mr. 265 joined the conversation, which did not help matters as he soon started psychoanalysing Tayo’s character, which was not easy for the latter to take.

Tayo was so absorbed in the disagreement and disparagement that he did not even leave his seat when Butterphly was put through yet another lap dance.

As the night wore on, Tayo vented his frustration about being in the house and how much he missed his family.

Sheillah comforted him and advised him, in moments of frustration, to find a corner and let out his feelings in private instead of risking lashing out at others.

Sheillah was clearly affected

by Tayo’s mood being down, sharing her concern with Nhlanhla about Tayo being viewed as a bully.

Nhlanhla said it was not bullying, but merely intimidation tactics.

Kelani, foremost cinematographer; Yemi Akintokun, a movie director; Jane Maduegbena, a lawyer and mobile application expert, and Jeremy Weate of Cassava

Republic publishing outfit.

Other film students and filmmakers alike are also engaging in trainings as part of the capacity building initiative of the festival.

Tetuila’s political ambition in jeopardy ORMER band member of Nigeria’s music group, the Remedies, Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye popularly known as Tony Tetuila, may begin to have second thoughts about his political ambition.

According to information, the singer is developing a volteface, as political powers in his Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State where he is gunning for a seat in the State House of Assembly are not willing to allow a political green horn and ‘mere singer with blond hair’ to win the ticket to represent them.

Insiders reveal that the All

• As Nigeria’s Tayo breaks down again HE Malawian princess, as Biggie sometimes refers to Sipe, was absolutely elated to have been named the Head of House (HoH) for this week, in the ongoing social reality show, Big Brother Africa 9, tagged the Hotshots edition. She jumped up and down in celebration, while Tayo, the Nigerian housemate she competed with for the title, made obvious, his disappointment.

Idris too, was in the fray, but didn’t feel bad, probably because he had been HoH last week.

In the garden, Sipe, Tayo and Idris were each harnessed to a rope that ran the length of the course in the garden. Once all three of them were hooked onto the rope, the buzzer sounded, marking the start of the game.

The three housemates had to move according to the numbers on the course and untie the rope from point one to point three. After each rope was untied, the clip had to be unhooked and reattached to the next rope on the course. The method was to be followed until the knot was completely unattached from all the rope.

At the end of the course, the first housemate to unhook themselves from the course, grab the hotshot flag and hold it above their head, would be the ultimate winner of the HoH title – this was Sipe, and Idris had to hand over the HoH medallion.

Chatting with Sheillah, she said that Nhlanhla’s advice helped her as he told her at which point she should

• Filmmaker Mahmood Ali Balogun, AFRIFF's Founder, Chioma Ude and FilmHouse MD, Kene Mkparu

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

Progressive Party (APC), on whose platform Tony is running, are said not to be happy at the turn of events, as opposition parties are using his blond hair to campaign against him.

Indications are rife that he could lose the seat to the opposition, hence the need for him to step down and get grounded in politics, and to try another time.

The APC elders and stakeholders are said to be urging the You Don Hit My Car crooner to keep his aspiration on hold and await his turn so that they would not lose out and he may just have to succumb to voices

Stephanie Okereke to premiere Dry in UK

By Medeme Ovwe

•Stephanie

A

CTRESS and ex model, Stephanie Okereke-Linus has revealed that she will be holding the private premiere and partners screening of her new movie, Dry, on Novem-

T

ber 29 in Wales, United Kingdom.

The filmmaker made the revelation via her Facebook page when she stated that she has worked on the movie for a very long time, and as such couldn’t wait to share it.

“This is a project I have put so much into and have been working on for such a long time. I can’t wait to share it with you. So if you are gonna be in the United Kingdom on the 29th of November, you should make it a date with me,” she stated.

According to the actress,

Olaribigbe Sarumi gets endorsement

ALENTED Yoruba actor cum producer, Olaribigbe Sarumi who has featured in great indigenous flicks, such as, Ireti Oseyitan, Latorunwa, Ojo Aje, Alaye Oro and more has added a brand endorsement to his portfolio.

The actor has been endorsed by Ti2 Concepts Limited, a fast growing brand company which specialises in bespoke men’s native attires, as face of its clothing sector.

The two-year deal was signed few days ago by the actor who recently released his top selling movie titled,

•Tony Tetuila

of reason if he wants to go far in the political field.

Tony is not the only entertainer to go into politics in recent time as the like of Abolore Akande, aka 9ice is also contesting to represent Ogbomoso North constituency, Oyo State.

By Medeme Ovwe

Oke into the market.

Expressing his delight over the recognition by the clothing line, Olaribigbe who just flew back into the country after gathering professional knowledge as a filmmaker from the New York Films Academy said it’s a sign that better things are coming his way.

“I’m excited to be recognised by Ti2, they are well known for quality, so they associate themselves with people of class and quality too. I believe this is the just beginning of better

the private premiere/partners screening takes place at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales, UK and it is being put together by Aberystwyth University in partnership with Next Page Productions.

•Olaribigbe Sarumi

things to come my way. This year is indeed ending in good note. My journey to New York is beginning to yield awesome fruits in my life. I’m working on more movie production soon. I have lots to offer to the industry, but it’s one thing at a time, he assured.

Olaribigbe joined the movie industry eight years ago as an apprentice with a popular caucus called ‘Odunfa’, noted for popular actors such as Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan, Abbey Lanre, Kehinde Adeyemi and many others.

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA

• From left: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye; Special Assistant to Governor on Budget, Mr Bade Adesina and Deputy Managing Director, Infinity System Enterprises, Mr Bode Oluyemi, during the unveiling of Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (E-TCT), at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, the state capital.

• From left: Managing Director, FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe; Chairman, Board FBN Capital Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Guest Speaker, Dr. Anil K. Gupta -International Expert on Strategy, Globalisation and Emerging Markets; and GMD/CEO FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya at the FBN Capital Annual Investor Conference yesterday.

Court throws out suit against Excess Crude Account

Ilorin, Aba, Kaduna, others embrace Glo Xchange

A

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday dismissed a suit filed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and four other members of the House of Representatives, challenging the legality of the creation of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the Federal Government.

Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati, in a judgment, held that the suit was an abuse of court process because about five similar suits were currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The judge, who upheld the defendants’ objection, noted that the Attorneys General of Taraba, Abia, Niger, Bauchi and Oyo states had filed similar suits, which are now awaiting the determination of the Supreme Court.

As against the argument by the defendants, Justice

T

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Abdulkafarati held that the plaintiffs have the locus standi to institute the case. He held that the suit, being a public interest case, could have been instituted by any Nigerian.

The defendants had queried the plaintiffs’ locus standi (the right to file the suit).

The suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/30/2014 was filed

by Gbajabiamila, Samson Osagie, Ismaila Kawu, Garuba Datti and Chairman of the House of Reps’ Public Accounts Committee, Solomon Adeola. It had President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.

The plaintiffs had, in their originating summons filed on January 22 this year, challenged Federal Government’s crea-

tion of a separate account, outside the Federation Account, for the country’s excess oil revenue earning.

They argued that the creation of the ECA was a violation of the provision of Section 162(1) of the Constitution.

Section 162(1) states: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. “

Shell JV eyes 80% gas flare-out by 2015

HE Shell Petroleum Development Corpo ration Limited (SPDC) Joint Venture (JV) has stated that it will achieve more than 80 per cent gas flare-out from its operations by next year from the current 60 per cent.

Its Director, Gas, Mr. Ubaka Emelumadu, stated that the gas flare-out would be achieved with three new gas projects being carried out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)-SPDC JV, which will come on stream next year.

He said Shell has designed a methodology that is channelled towards ending gas flaring and also put the gas that would have been flared to better use.

Emelumadu spoke yesterday at the ongoing 32nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos. He said the new gas projects are in Forcados Yokri, Adibawa and Otumara/Saghara.

In his presentation titled: “Obstacles to Developing Gas Infrastructure in Nigeria,” Emelumadu stated that SPDC JV has made good progress by successfully reducing the volume of gas flared as well as gas flaring intensity by 60 per cent over

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the last decade.

He said: “While this means less threat to the environment, it also means more gas infrastructure for the country and increase in gas sales to the domestic economy.

“In the next one year, more of SPDC JV gas flares-out projects (Forcados Yokri, Adibawa and Otumara/ Saghara) will come on stream as we intend to achieve more than 80 per cent reduction by 2015.”

He said Nigeria ranks next to Russia in countries with the highest volume of gas flared, adding that since 2000, there has been progress made in flares reduction. He said the industry has seen a year-onyear reduction that trails SPDC who has been reducing flares 12 per cent faster than the industry average.

He said past focus on small associated gas gathering infrastructure proved expensive and presented some challenges because the rate of return on investment was not competitive compared to development of huge reserves or oil development.

He noted that it must be acknowledged that Nigeria and other stakeholders have

made considerable progress in reducing gas flaring in the past decade, surpassing countries such as Russia and Iraq, with Shell playing a key role despite the challenge of executing such infrastructure.

He said one of the key elements of achieving gas flareout agenda in any country is availability of backbone gas infrastructure to produce, process, transport and distribute gas to final customers. He pointed out that lack of commercially attractive and sustainable investment model is another obstacle because governmentled investment in domestic gas infrastructure is no longer adequate. He said government being at the commanding height of the gas value chain will continue to stifle the required investment by the private sector.

According to him, this does not necessarily mean zero presence of government in the chain because best practices models on how government can play role of investment stimulator through private public partnership (PPP) and ensuring conducive business environment abound with specific examples in Norway’s GASSCO and Netherland’s GASUNIE.

M

ORE Nigerians across the country are daily embracing the newly launched mobile money super agent network, Glo Xchange, as the town hall meetings, now concluded, recorded huge turnout of small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs).

The agents’ training sessions which were held in Aba, Kaduna, Ilorin, Osogbo and Akure saw Nigerians in their hundreds at the venues where Glo and partner banks enlightened the public and prospective agents on the basic principles of the Glo Xchange agent network.

Speaking during the training sessions , the Mobile Money Specialists described Glo Xchange as a very safe business, a quick and easy

way of making money with minimal risk.

Addressing the participants in Osogbo, Mobile Money representative, Alex Muia stated that Glo Xchange, in collaboration with Mobile Money Operators, is a reliable and convenient platform for sending or receiving money and paying for goods and services, using their mobile phones.

He informed the participants that Glo Xchange agents have the opportunity of making up to fifty thousand naira initial profit monthly, adding that this will increase as more people use the platform for transfers, He added that as the business grows, agents will graduate to the level of recruiting other agents, sub

dealers and dealers.

In Ilorin and Aba, the mobile Money Specialists James Kogie and Basil Mutisya harped on the importance of Glo Xchange to Nigerians in their daily business transactions.

They described Glo Xchange as a Mobile Money agent Network aimed at accelerating mobile money revolution and financial inclusion in Nigeria.

According to the two Specialists, Mobile money agents will get commission on every transaction in addition to attracting clients to purchase other merchandising items in their shops as well as carrying out transfer of money anytime of the day and throughout the week.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014

54

NEWS

E

Edun, Dare congratulate The Nation for awards’ haul

NCOMIUMS have been pouring in for The Nation since last weekend's awards haul at the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) in Owerri, Imo State.

This newspaper's reporters won eight awards ___ the highest by any newspaper ___ at the colourful ceremony.

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Mr Wale Edun and a respected Mass Communications teacher, Dr Olatunji Dare, yesterday congratulated this newspaper for its exploits.

The NMMA held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where The Nation’s reporters won eight awards topping the winners’ chart.

Dare, in a message from his base in the United States, said the newspaper’s achievements deserved commendation.

His message reads: “Con-

By Wale Ajetunmobi

gratulations to you and through you to management and staff on the harvest The Nation took away from this year’s NMMA. “You deserve high praise for creating and sustaining the work environment in which such first-class journalism can flourish.

“Please pass on my compliments to all who won awards and urge them to continue to strive for greater accomplishments.

“I am ever so proud of my affiliation with The Nation as columnist and Editorial Adviser.”

Edun said: “Hearty congratulations to the awardees and indeed all at Vintage on an evening of stupendous success at the NMMA. You have made the board and shareholders very proud. We thank God.” The newspaper proved that it parades some of the best com-

mentators in the industry, with Editorial Board member Steve Osuji emerging the Columnist of the Year. Editor Gbenga Omotoso was runner-up in this category.

Investigations Desk head Adekunle Yusuf won the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tradition Reporter of the Year and the Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year. He won the Culture and Tradition Prize with a story titled “Help, Nigerian languages are disappearing!” published on November 13, 2013. His story, “How Nigeria lost $11b to vandalism and theft” won the Oil and Gas Prize.

Yusuf, who joined this newspaper last year, also won a third prize as the Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year with an entry published by his former employer, TELL. His sterling achievements caught the attention of the host

governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who rewarded him with an additional N500,000 cash.

Yusuf, earlier in the year, won the Promasidor Prize in the Industry reporting category and was sponsored for a course on Digital Journalism at the PanAtlantic University.

Okorocha also rewarded Assistant Editor Muyiwa Lucas with N500,000 cash for winning three awards with stories published by his former employer, Tell.

Serial award winner and Associate Editor Olatunji Ololade, who a fortnight ago won the CNN African Journalist of the Year award in the health and medical reporting category, got two awards.

His “Kalakuta Republic: A decade after” published on October 26 won the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year. He also won the Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Hu-

man Rights Reporter of the Year with his “Fractured lives”, published on September 14, 2013.

A Senior Correspondent on the Judiciary Desk, Joseph Jibueze, was runner-up to Ololade.

The reigning Golden Pen Reporter of the Year, Seun Akioye, also did this newspaper proud, emerging winner in two key categories. Akioye emerged the Alex Ibru Investigative Reporter of the Year, with his entry, “Money, money everywhere, yet flood pains remain”, which traced how donations made by governments and philanthropists after the last major flood in the country were spent. He also emerged winner of the NAFCON Prize for Environment Reporter of the Year. His entry, “Even the rich envy us the way we live”, was published on April 20, 2013. Akioye won the Golden Pen Reporter of the Year with the same story.

In August, Akioye emerged

the winner of international environment award, the WASH Media Award organised by the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

The Nation also clinched the Maritime Reporter of the Year Award. It was won by Oluwakemi Dauda.

This newspaper’s reporters were also finalists in other categories. Collins Nweze was runner-up in the Banking and Finance category. Innocent Duru was runner-up in the Feature Writing Category.

Assistant Editor Lucas Ajanaku was also runner-up in the Telecommunication Reporter of the Year category.

A senior cartoonist with this newspaper, Muyiwa Adetula, was also runner-up in the Nnamdi Azikwe Prize for Cartoonist of the Year.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

CBN redeploys workers for breaches

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has embarked on movement of workers across its 37 branches following observed breaches in one of its branches.

A statement from the bank yesterday said the malpractice was discovered by its internal audit exercise.

The apex bank said necessary control measures have been taken while detailed investigations are on-going with a view to identifying the cause and extent of the breaches.

The movement, it said, became necessary in order to ensure unfettered investigations in the matter.

The bank’s management has however, assured its stakeholders that the matter would not in any way affect its services.

The mandate of the CBN is derived from the 1958 Act of Parliament, as amended in 1991, 1993,1997,1998,1999 and 2007.

The CBN Act of 2007 of the Fed-

Stories by Collins Nweze

eral Republic of Nigeria charges the bank with the overall control and administration of the monetary and financial sector policies of the Federal Government.

The objectives of the CBN are to ensure monetary and price stability; issue legal tender currency in Nigeria; maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency; promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; and act as banker and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government.

Consequently, the bank is charged with the responsibility of administering the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Act (1991) as amended, with the sole aim of ensuring high standards of banking practice and financial stability through its surveillance activities, as well as the promotion of an efficient payment system.

Forex reserves in $37.9b four-month low

N

IGERI’A foreign exchange (forex) reserves fell to a four-month low of $37.9 billion as of November 7, down 3.99 per cent month-on-month after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold dollars to banks to prop up the value of the naira.

Data published by the CBN yesterday showed that the reserves were at $39.55 billion on October 10.

In July they stood at $37.89 billion.

The CBN last week said it will continue to defend the local currency, which has fallen six per cent so far

this year on concerns about lower oil prices and an exit from the local debt and equity markets by offshore investors.

The apex bank said the decrease was driven largely by the increased funding of the foreign exchange market in the face of intense pressure on the naira and the need to maintain stability.

The CBN said the pressure on external reserves was deemed to be consistent with the seasonal annual payment of dividends to foreign investors.

Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2241 1.2855 0.8238 1.0941

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

O/PRICE 17.85 17.50 9.57 5.46 1.60 4.71 2.71 3.12 2.64 184.55 22.00

C/PRICE 19.67 19.28 10.54 6.01 1.76 5.18 2.98 3.43 2.90 202.65 24.15

CHANGE 1.82 1.78 0.97 0.55 0.16 0.47 0.27 0.31 0.26 18.10 2.15

LOSERS AS AT 11-11-14

Union Bank takes products to Lagos fair

U

NION Bank of Nigeria is showcasing its products and services to visitors and exhibitors at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair.

Organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the fair is the largest in the West Africansubregion and attracts more than a hundred thousand business visitors over a ten-day period.

Its Head, Corporate Affairs &Corporate Communication, Mrs. Ogochukwu EkezieEkaidem said the bank is participating in the fair to demonstrate its commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and meeting

its customers’ financial needs through simple and accessible banking services.

She said: “Union Bank has been attending the Lagos Trade Fair since its inception and has found it to be a forum where we can showcase our products and services to existing customers and prospects.

“This year, the bank is showcasing its innovative Bank of the Future platform which will enable attendees open accounts instantly.

“Our presence at the fair also supports the participating SMEs and ensures that they are able to perform their banking transactions conveniently and

CHANGE

Transaction Dates 20/10/2014 15/10/2014 13/10/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: October

8.1%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

Foreign Reserves

$37.9b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

Tenor

11.00

10.917

1M

12.464

12.393

3M

13.281

13.201

140.60

.205

RTBRISCOE

0.66

0.60

-0.06

6M

PORTPAINT

5.23

4.82

-0.41

14.110

179.11

170.16

-8.95 -0.24 -26.76

FLOURMILL

58.33

55.42

-2.91

AGLEVENT

1.37

1.31`

-0.06

REDSTAREX

4.00

3.83

-0.17

VITAFOAM

4.06

3.95

-0.11

15-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 17-10-14

Overnight (O/N)

-1.07

4.56

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

9.94

508.53

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

C/PRICE

4.80

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

11.01

535.29

effortlessly.”

Visitors and exhibitors at the Fair will have the opportunity to carry out a variety of banking transactions using the bank’s highly secure platforms including: account opening on the bank’s innovative Bank of the Future Platform, as well as, money transfers through Union Bank MoneyGram Naija Sends, for those who wish to send money abroad.

In addition, they will have access to professional financial advisory services, especially on Agriculture and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) financing.

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 350m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 349.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES November 11, 2014

$83

Money Supply (M2)

O/PRICE

SEPLAT

In addition to its core functions, CBN has over the years performed developmental functions, focused on all the key sectors of the Nigerian economy (financial, agricultural and industrial sectors).

Overall, these mandates are carried out by the bank through its various departments.

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

SYMBOL

CWG

• CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

business and on the maritime industry. It will focus on the PAAR scheme, which was introduced by the NCS last year to fast-track the clearance of cargo and reduce costs at the nation’s ports.

The forum also provides FCMB with an opportunity to connect with its customers, enlighten them and deepen their knowledge on international trade business as well as the initiatives being implemented by the bank that will take their businesses to the next level. These initiatives are in line with the government’s international trade policy.

The maiden edition of the Customers’ Forum took place in Lagos on September 11, 2014. It brought together key stakeholders from the NCS, customers of FCMB and other stakeholders in international trade as well as the nation’s maritime sector.

DATA BANK

CHAMPION

DANGCEM

T

HE commercial city of Aba, in Abia State Nigeria, will play host to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited and its international trade business stakeholders tomorrow at the second in the series of Customers’ Forum being organised by the bank nationwide.

The interactive session, which is themed, ‘’ ‘Taking Customers Trade Business to the Next Level’’, will have the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, as the guest speaker. He will speak on ‘Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) – Challenges: Present and Future’. The forum will also have in attendance top executives of the bank.

The FCMB customers’ forum is aimed at further sensitising stakeholders in international trade

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2163 1.2855 0.8089 1.0941

GAINERS AS AT 11-11-14

SYMBOL OANDO PZ FBNH DANGSUGAR UBCAP UBA AFRIPRUD TRANSCORP IKEJAHOTEL FO ASHAKACEM

FCMB’s trade forum moves East

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

US Dollar

154.78

155.78

Pounds Sterling

247.6944

249.2947

Euro

193.4286

194.6783

Swiss Franc

160.4104

161.4468

Yen

1.3617

1.3705

CFA

0.2764

0.2964

228.0521

229.5255

Yuan/Renminbi

25.2949

25.4592

Riyal

41.2582

41.5247

SDR

228.8113

230.2896

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 28, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

56

CITYBEATS LEAP’s change makers T HE Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa, will announce the names of finalists at the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) in Lagos on Thursday.

Through the SIP, LEAP, a leading non-profit-making organisation in the country, is promoting youth-led social entrepreneurship by supporting the innovators with trainings and award to enhance delivery, maximise the impact and sustainability of their initiatives with each project currently benefitting hundreds of families in several communities in Nigeria.

The Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Iyadunni Olubode, said: “The SIP Fellows are faces of social change in Nigeria, a crop of emerging social entrepreneurs challenging the present status quo to advance our communities.

The SIPA is bringing together individuals and organizations from six geopolitical zones of Nigeria and hosting them in Lagos to celebrate diversity, creativity and excellence of these young change makers shaping our society.”

LEAP Fellows initiatives, she explained, cut across all

sectors such as agriculture, health, education, business, economic development and technology.

“Their initiatives and impact have been further enhanced through the programme where LEAP’s partners worked with the SIP Fellows with a focus on developing these change agents, equipping them to lead and create sustainable initiatives. Ten out of these Fellows will be announced as finalists to receive Social Innovators Awards for their outstanding contributions at the Social Innovators Programme and Awards, 2014.

LEAP will also be inducting emerging social entrepreneurs into the new fellowship programme year,” Olubode said.

Billed to speak at the event is Mr. Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & M a n a g i n g Di r e c t o r , V i acom International Media Networks Africa.

He is said to be a tireless s u p p o r t e r o f i n i t i at i v e s that motivate, empower and educate Africa’s youth-driving force behind pro-social campaigns that have impacted the social and cultural landscape of urban Africa.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

ADEDOJA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedoja Abidemi Kemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinlabi Abidemi Kemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

MONDAY

I formerly known and addressed as Blessing Monday now wish to be known and addressed as Akpan Blessing Eka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SHOYEMI

I formerly known and addressed as Shoyemi Patience Ime now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuella Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORIRE

I formerly known and addressed as Orire Oluwafunmilayo now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwafunmilayo OrireAderinkola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

By Sampson Unamka

We the administrators of the estate of late Dr Ajibola Orekoya state the that original title documents registered as no 74 in page 74 of volume 1298 at the lands registry Alausa is missing.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I Agbede Thank God Ebijoweri wish to inform the general public of a lost of letter for change of registration number from PP/NCE/2828 TO PP/ GRD/3528 issued by the Defunct Post Primary Teaching Service Commission.Ikeja dated 15th November.1996 and all effort made to trace it proved abortive.General Public take note

•From left: Zonal Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Province 37, Lagos, Adeoye Samson; Pastor in charge, Babatunde Olugbuyi; Medical Officer, Meiran Primary Health Centre, Kofoworola Fashola and Provincial Pastor, Ajayeoba Benjamin, during the presentation of electrical appliances to the centre ... yesterday.

Appeal court dismisses Bamaiyi’s application T

HE Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed an application filed by former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi challenging the ruling of a Federal High Court.

A panel presided over by Justice U.I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu struck out the appeal for want of diligent prosecution because none of the parties had attended to the matter since its institution.

Bamaiyi and three others had approached the appellate court seeking the overruling of late Justice R.O. Nwodo’s decision which struck out a Fundamental Human Rights (FHR) suit he instituted alongside three others against the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Other appellants are: former Lagos Police Commissioner James Danbaba (rtd), former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza alMustapha and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammed Rabo Lawal.

The appellants were about 13 years ago charged with attempted murder of The Guardian Publisher, Alex Ibru before Justice Augustine Ade Alabi of a Lagos High Court, but in the course of the trial, they alleged that the trial judge demanded $10 million bribe from them.

In a petition to the NJC, they claimed that the judge had caused delay in hearing motions; refused to supply record of proceedings in the

I

By Precious Igbonwelundu

case as well as threatened and bullied their lawyer severally in court.

The appellants had demanded that the trial judge should disqualify himself from the case but the body, after investigating their allegations, concluded that they were baseless and frivolous.

A three-man panel headed by Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin was set up and tendered a 44-page report which cleared Justice Alabi of all allegations.

Describing Bamaiyi’s claims as malicious, the panel dismissed the bribe allegation against Justice Alabi.

Dissatisfied, the appellants

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who said they were not given fair hearing, approached a Federal High Court presided over by Nwodo, challenging the procedure leading to the panel’s findings.

They had also prayed the court to enter judgment against NJC, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Justice Alabi, AG of Lagos State and one Magistrate D.T. Olatokun for bridging their FHR. But in her ruling of September 26, 2002, Justice Nwodo dismissed their application for want of jurisdiction, prompting the appellants to approach the Court of Appeal for an overrule.

Through their lawyer, Yakubu Maikau Bamaiyi

and others urged the court to set aside Nwodo’s decision and grant them leave to enforce their rights.

They prayed the court to hold that the trial judge has jurisdiction to entertain their application, arguing that Section 158 of the Constitution does not preclude the trial court from enquiring into an alleged breach of fair hearing against the NJC. The appellants sought a declaration that from the proceedings in charge LCD/ 108/99, the 3rd respondent (Justice Alabi) no longer possessed the independence and impartiality required

by Section 36 of the Constitution to continue to preside over the proceedings in the said charge.

When the appeal came up yesterday, none of the parties or their lawyers was present in court.

Student jailed for fraudulent documents

STUDENT of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Akinyele Akintayo, has been sentenced to nine-month imprisonment for being in possession of fraudulent documents.

The convict was sentenced

by Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, after he pleaded guilty to the crime.

He was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for be-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ing in possession of the said documents used to facilitate Internet fraud.

Akinyele, who entered a plea bargain deal with the EFCC, was found guilty on a three-count charge under Section 318 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The judge sentenced him to three months in prison for each count without an option of fine.

Counsel to EFCC, Olubun-

mi Bosede told the court that the convict was arrested on March 21 in Lagos while being in possession of an electronic mail address with the name Susan Alexander.

The commission alleged that the convict had intended to use the document to perpetrate Internet fraud, adding that he sent messages to one Love Betsey, claiming that his father had deposited $5.6 million dollars in a hidden box with an insurance company.

Court dissolves 40-year-old marriage

T was a touching scenario before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos yesterday when the 40-year-old marriage between Samuel Ogunleye and his wife, Wuraola, was dissolved.

The 61-year-old woman had on the first hearing, alleged that her husband was fond of constantly attacking and raining curses on her.

“From the outset, we constantly fought over trivial issues. Each time he offends me, he apologises but it has

By Basirat Braimah

not changed his unruly behaviour. On several occasions, when my husband brings women to the house, I excuse them without uttering a word. My husband is in the habit of telling neighbours each time we make love,” she said.

She further told the court: “His attitude is repulsive. He slaps me each time I talk. I first brought the case before the court in 2004, but it was struck out

because he failed to appear.

He says I am not useful but I have been responsible for settling our rent since 2006.

Our children are in support of our divorce because he rains curses on them whenever they complain bitterly about his attitude. I am getting older. All I want is peace of mind. If I still love him, I won’t be saying all this.”

Ogunleye (67) caused a stir when he prostrated, pleading:”I love her and I have also stopped beating her. She has failed to give

our children proper upbringing. I am ready to vacate the house since she is fed up.”

The marriage produced four children - Funmilola (39), Sunday (37), Bukky (31) and Seun (26).

The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered that the couple should cease to be husband and wife adding that Ogunleye must vacate his wife’s house.

They were, therefore, advised to go their separate ways “without hindrance.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

NEWS

Principal: how suicide bomber killed 36 pupils Continued from page 4

matised by the spate of attacks on schools and wanton killing of students and teachers by the terrorists.

The NUT said it was worried that it is now about 212 days since over 200 Chibok schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko

Haram without hope of their rescue to continue with their education.

The NUT President urged the government to expedite implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative as to improve the security situation in the nation’s schools, especially those in the

Northeast, making schools safe and the students protected.

Olukoya called on all wellmeaning Nigerians urge the insurgents to leave children alone and allow them to live their lives. “The children are ignorant hence their lives should be spared.”

APC furious as Jonathan says: I’ll run again Continued from page 4

dom of speech.

He said: “We must continue to hold the tempo all high in our country. I am proud to say that there are no political prisoners in Nigeria today. No Nigerian has been driven to exile, no one and I repeat no one will be driven to exile.

“It is in furtherance of a peaceful participatory and inclusive democracy that I signed the Freedom Of Information Bill into law to expand the frontiers of our fundamental freedom. Let me reaffirm that under a Jonathan presidency, your views no matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or to exile.

“I am convinced that I have served my part with Nigerians and its now time to look into the future. With your tremendous support, you have collectively done so much in the last three and a half years. But to take our country to the next level, there is still more work to be done.

“History has shown that the part of honour of a true leader is not to walk away from his people in the face of challenges. We must stand together in adversary and overcome the threat to our development. We must defend our future for the growth of our children.

Jonathan went on: “In taking this decision today, I promise that we cannot go back to the era where our terminal buildings were an eye sore, importing food, where women were deprived from holding sensitive position. I promise to work with you.... I see a different Nigeria that will take us to outer space.

“I see a Nigeria that you can hold any office not based on ethnicity, I see a Nigeria that our young men and women will have work to do.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo said that having worked with the President in the past three and half years, he was certain that Jonathan is a blessing to Nigeria.

He said: “I have satisfaction working with him and I know others in the presidency will say the same. Under Mr. President, our country has witnessed great progress.”

Speaking on behalf of PDP state governors, PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio said: “The PDP governors are in 21 states of the federation. We were robbed of about three states. We used to be about 25 or 26. We the field commanders will work very hard in 2015 so that we will not be less than 29 states in 2015.

“We decided not to contest against you in order to give you the second term to continue your good transformation work. We will not be intimidated. You are like David in the Bible.”

More stakeholders from the six geo-political zones spoke on behalf of their people.

Chief Bode George spoke for the Southwest Alhaji Hassan Adamu spoke for the Northeast.

Alahji Attahiru Bafarawa spoke for Northwest, Dr. Peter Odili spoke on behalf of Southsouth. Prof. Jerry Gana spoke on behalf of the Northcentral, former Senate President Ken Nnamani spoke for the Southeast.

Hardly had the national anthem been rendered to close the ceremony when party supporters started to scramble for almost everything in sight.

They tore down and took away all the green, red and white umbrellas used to decorate the podium.

Most part of the red rug placed on the floor from the state box to the podium, which is about 50 meters, were fought for and taken away by the supporters.

The red and white silk fabrics used for the decoration of the podium arena were also not spared. The supporters brought out razor blades to cut them.

gerians to re-elect him when he has wasted the mandate given to him in the first instance, adding that nothing shows the President’s incompetence and cluelessness more than the failure of his administration to provide security for the citizenry. ‘’This is undoubtedly President Jonathan’s biggest and most fundamental failure. At times it goes beyond incompetence to perhaps even collusion, or how else does one explain that the rate and intensity of attacks have increased in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe since they were placed under a state of emergency last year? ‘’How does one explain that more lives are being lost to the insurgency at a rate that is directly proportional to the increase in spending on defence and security? From 5.07 billion US dollars in 2010 to 7.12 billion US dollars in 2014, the Boko Haram Insurgency has fuelled increases in security spending to around 25% of annual federal government budget. In light of the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP (put at N80.3 trillion or $509.9 billion), the yearly average for 2010-14, which is $6.58 billion, is equal to 1.3% of GDP, while the total for the 5 budget years amounts to 6.5% of Nigeria’s GDP. ‘’Instead of asking Nigerians to vote for him again, President Jonathan should be apologising to Nigerians for wasting their mandate and explaining

why, since his Administration has increased security spending; declared and renewed emergency rule, issued propaganda claiming the capture and killing of Boko Haram members (including the leader Abubakar Shekau), destruction of Boko Haram camps, and countless assurances of improving security and winning the battle against Boko Haram, the empirical realities over the same period are that Boko Haram has become more daring and audacious in its attacks,’’ it said.

The party said instead of the transformation that President Jonathan promised Nigerians, he has delivered transmogrification, with unprecedented corruption, runaway unemployment, erasure of hope, total darkness even with millions of Naira sunk into the power sector and trains that are grinding their way to a long-forgotten past of locomotives in an era of bullet trains. ‘’President Jonathan, the Nigerians who turned up at the Eagle Square on Tuesday to witness your declaration may have looked vibrant and happy. Indeed, they were, because they have come to celebrate your imminent departure from office on the strength of their votes. While saying publicly that they will support you, there is no doubt that they are saying to themselves: Never Again!’’ it said.

‘Declaration insensitive, callous’

Continued from page 4

the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which makes the security and welfare of the citizenry the raison d’etre of the government’s existence.

It is time for Nigerians to respond in kind by trampling on his political ambition and sending him back to Otuoke,’’ the party said.

It wondered what purpose the so-called Safe Schools Initiative of the federal government is serving when over 70 students were killed and more than 100 maimed within a week in two separate attacks targetting schools in Potiskum alone, saying: ‘’The Safe Schools Initiative will remain a mere tokenism until the fundamental problem of insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives, is conclusively addressed. Mr. President, what Nigerians want is not an isolated Safe Schools Initiative, but a Safe Nigeria Initiative.’’

APC said it is usually the practice for leaders who seek re-election to tout the achievements that will justify their return, adding, however, that in the case of President Jonathan, there has been nothing but blood, tears, sorrow and the gnashing of teeth by Nigerians since he assumed office, hence he has nothing to showcase but lies!

The party wondered how President Jonathan could, in all good conscience, even ask Ni-

TUC, EU, Aregbesola lament killings Continued from page 4

its indifferent posture towards the deepening security crisis.

Aregbesola who spoke during the Convocation Lecture and 66th Foundation Day Ceremony at the University of Ibadan said: “It is unfortunate that even if we should ask ourselves what the mood of the nation should be now, we do not know. Nigeria should be mourning by now.

Nigeria’s flag must fly at half mast now. We should be wear-

ing mournful look and ask ourselves how we got to be where we are now.

“Fifty of our schoolchildren and teachers were killed in a suicide attack yesterday (Monday) in Potiskum and we act as if it is normal. We don’t even have the feeling anymore, the conscience, the emotion and the fact that the only thing we have is life.

“I will not be where I am today if I had been slaughtered like that in school. That is just one of

the statistics. In the same Yobe, some students were slaughtered at night while in Borno, schoolgirls were taken away and yet to be found or returned.

“Territories of Nigeria are being paraded by lunatics, mad men, who could not be called normal human beings. Yet, we carry on as if all these do not matter. We have forgotten that whatever is happening to a neighbour is a sign of what could come to others.”

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FOREIGN NEWS

At least 57 killed in bus-truck collision in Pakistan AT least 57 people were killed and 20 others injured yesterday when a bus collided with a truck in southeastern Pakistan, authorities said.

The bus was carrying passengers from Swat district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province to the seaport city of Karachi when the accident happened in Sindh province, said Ahmed Chinoy, the head of the citizen-police liaison committee of Sindh.

Zambia President Sata given state funeral THERE was a deafening wailing when the coffin came into the stadium Zambia is holding a state funeral for President Michael Sata, who died last month in a UK hospital at the age of 77.

Tens of thousands of people are attending the Catholic Mass at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital, Lusaka.

Regional leaders are amongst those who have come to pay their respects.

Known as “King Cobra” for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia’s president in 2011.

The country is now being run by an acting president, and fresh elections are expected in January.

APEC leaders back China trade pact

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SIA-Pacific leaders meeting in China have agreed to move towards a new free trade zone strongly backed

by Beijing.

The Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) is seen by some as a rival to a US trade pact, which excludes China.

The Apec summit near Beijing agreed to launch a study into the FTAAP. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who earlier urged Asia-Pacific nations to accelerate economic ties, described the endorsement of the pact as a “historic” decision.

The US is currently negotiating a separate Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is considered part of Washington’s “pivot” towards Asia ensuring continued US influence in the region in response to growing Chinese power.

The TPP involves 12 countries, but not China or Russia.

Mr Obama has rejected suggestions by Chinese commentators that the TPP

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is a way of countering Chinese influence.

In an interview with China’s Xinhua state news agency, he said the US was in no way trying to contain China.

In its final communique, Apec - the 21-nation AsiaPacific Economic Co-operation forum - said the study into the establishment of the FTAAP would last two years.

“Currently, the global economic recovery still faces many unstable and uncertain factors,” the Chinese leader said earlier.

“Facing the new situation, we should further promote regional economic integration and create a pattern of opening up that is conducive to long-term development.”

Mr Obama and Mr Xi later began talks at a garden compound near Beijing’s Forbidden City.

“When the US and China are able to work together effectively, the whole world benefits,” Mr Obama said.

Trans-Pacific Partnership •12 Pacific Rim countries

•The US and China pushed separate wide-reaching trade agreements at the summit Rival pacts

•Backed by US, includes Japan, excludes China and Russia •Could account for more than a third of world economic output Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific •Longer-term project, first proposed in 2004 •Backed by China, includes major economies •China says would provide greater economic boost than TPP

Separately, the US and China said they had made a “breakthrough” on eliminating tariffs on their technology products.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters in Beijing that the deal could lead to the “swift conclusion” of wider talks on global cuts in technology tariffs. This could lead to a drop in the price of products such as GPS devices, semiconductors and medical

equipment.

Mr Froman said the agreement in Beijing “shows how the US and China work together to both advance our bilateral economic agenda but also to support the multilateral trading system”.

On the sidelines of the summit, Australian PM Tony Abbott met Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane in eastern Ukraine in July.

Angola to host Africa urban infrastructure forum

NGOLA will host the Second Africa Urban Infrastructure Investment Forum (AIIF) from January 19 to 20, 2015.

The event is being organised by the African Business

magazine, IC Events and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) with support from the UN-Habitat.

The organisers said the forum is apt since there are

over 50 cities with more than one million inhabitants in Africa with Angola having 60 per cent of its population living in urban areas.

According to the UN, the population of some cities in the continent will increase by up to 50 per cent by 2030.

“This is both an opportunity and a challenge. What is certain is that planning is needed to turn these cities into economic powerhouses, and make them fit for the 21st century”, the Media Relations Strategist, IC Publications, London, United Kingdom, Ishara Bhasi Callan, said.

As part of the conference, the Angolan Ministry of Planning and Urbanism will

organise site visits to the country’s “New Centralities”. Also, field trips will be organised to the major urban and housing projects around the capital, Luanda.

The capital, the organisers noted, is a great case study in post-conflict urban development and the Forum will discuss issues faced by African countries, mainly those who have suffered decades of conflict and civil war.

Over 350 guests are expected to attend the forum, including heads of state, government officials, funding agencies, think-thanks, academics, urban planners, designers, developers, and potential investors will be

brought together to participate in the discussions.

There will also be a strong representation of the private sector, especially construction, urban planning, infrastructure and funding related companies.

On the forum, the Angolan Minister of Urbanism and Housing, José António M. da Conceição e Silva, said: “This is a great opportunity to debate fundamental questions about infrastructure development in the continent and also for Angola to showcase the efforts done for the creation of a solid base for sustained development and the raising of living standards of its citizens.”

Uganda planning new anti-gay law

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GANDA plans to introduce a new antigay law that will withstand any legal challenge, a government minister has told the BBC. It will not explicitly refer to homosexuality, but will rely on the penal code which prescribes a life sentence for “unnatural acts”, he said.

Activists say the plan is more draconian than anti-gay legislation annulled by the courts in August.

The US and other donors cut funding to Uganda in protest against the law.

Uganda is a deeply con-

servative society where homosexual acts are already illegal.

Gay rights activists still manage to hold an annual gay pride march in Uganda This year, they celebrated the striking down of the antigay law.

However, many political observers wonder whether the bill, known as The Prohibition of Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill, will see the light of day because of the huge pressure the government is facing from Western governments not to further criminalise gay peo-

ple, she says.

It will clarify what constitutes the promotion and funding of “unnatural” acts, he said.

Gay-rights activist Frank Mugisha said a leaked copy of the bill suggested that it would be harsher than the previous legislation.

Some gay Ugandans have fled the country, saying they are being persecuted The Anti-Homosexuality Act was annulled by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that parliament lacked a quorum when it was passed.

South Korea ferry captain jailed 36 years

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HE captain of the South Korean ferry which sank in April has been found guilty of gross negligence and sentenced to 36 years in prison.

The Sewol ferry was carrying 476 people when it went down. More than 300 died, most of them school students.

Lee Joon-seok was among 15 crew members on trial over the sinking, one of South Korea’s worst maritime disasters.

Prosecutors charged him with homicide and called for

the death penalty, but judges acquitted him on that charge.

Lee is in his late 60s, and he accepted in court that he would spend the rest of his days in jail, according to the BBC’s Steve Evans in Gwangju.

The judges said that he was clearly not the only person responsible for the tragedy and they accepted that his negligence did not amount to an intent to kill.

The disaster was blamed on a combination of illegal

redesigns, the overloading of cargo and the inexperience of the crew member steering the vessel.

Crew members did not secure cargo which moved when the vessel took a tight corner, toppling the ferry, and Lee was filmed leaving the sinking ship while many passengers remained inside.

During the trial, Lee apologised for abandoning them.

Fourteen other crew members were jailed on a raft of charges.

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SPORT EXTRA

Full house as Eagles tune up for Congo clash

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KIPPER Vincent Enyeama of Lille Metropole of France and Villareal of Spain Ikechukwu Uche were the last players to hit the Super Eagles’ Bolton White Apartment abode ahead of the crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Congo next Saturday in Point Noire.

The two players effectively missed out in the day’s evening and only training session but should be available for Wednesday’s session that will again be conducted by Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. Before then all invited players like Elderson Echejile, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo,

• Big Boss happy with players’ fitness John Mikel Obi, Austin Ejide, Raheem Lawal, Godfrey Oboabona, Hope Akpan, Omatsone Aluko, Sunday Emmanuel and Aaron Samuel and Ogenyi Onazi all had lunch with the technical crew before the team set out for the Goal Project site of the National Stadium for the day’s business.

The training proper lasted from 4-6pm with Keshi taking charge of affairs. Home based stars, Chigozie Agbim,Azubuike Egwuekwe, Christian Osuaguna Ighodalo, Friday Edjidegborie, Solomon Kwambe, Kingsley Sokari, Emem Eduok and Gbolahan Salami were all in full flight dur-

ing the session.

After some tactical sessions, Keshi chose to play the probables against the possibles to the delight of a sizeable number of fans at the arena. Aaron Samuel was the star of the possibles as he scored a classic goal against Agbim in goal for the probables but goals from Emmanuel ‘Ogbunigwe’ Emenike and Mikel Obi eclipsed his efforts before Keshi called a close to the session. Preparations for the game against Congo continues Wednesday in Abuja with Keshi saying he was totally satisfied with the fitness level of his players and hope it continues like that till match day.

• Coach Fatai Amoo instructing the players that came for screening yesterday at the Goal Project.

Siasia can lead U- 23 team to success — Amoo

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IRST Assistant Coach of the Nigeria’s U- 23 football team, Fatai Amoo has exclusively told NationSport that the Chief Coach of the team Samson Siasia has the wherewithal to repeat the Beijing, China 2008 Olympics silver winning feat and he and the other assistant coaches would help Siasia to achieve this ambition.

“I agreed to serve my nation because it is a great honour to be appointed as one of the coaches of this great team.

When you are given a national assignment it is always an honour to serve. So the Nigeria Football Federation must have seen that quality in me to assist Coach Samson Siasia to mould a good team that would achieve success and I am ready to serve in the team.

“I am ready to assist the Head

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Coach to achieve the needed positive results. The Chief Coach (Samson Siasia) has performed brilliantly well when he last haudles this same team. He led this team to the final of the last Olympics but lost narrowly (10) to a great side Argentine side by football star Lionel Messi, It means he had done a good job when handling the team as at that time.

“So if I have to come in to assist such a coach I think it is a great honour and I thank the NFF for giving me the platform to serve the nation. I really appreciate the NFF for this privilege. So we will work really hard to ensure that we achieve success with this team.

“The task ahead of us is tough but surmountable when you

have a quality Coach like Siasia as the leader of the team. The U23 team is like the senior national team because it is always comprised of national team players who falls within that age bracket and that is what makes the job a herculean task but surmountable when you have a coach who has done it before.

“As regards the screening exercise this is the second day (Tuesday) running and as I speak with you now we have already screened over 500 players from the academies around the country. We have been able to do elimination by substitution and by the time we would have concluded this exercise certainly we would have laid a befitting foundation for a team that we hope to be a pride of all with God on our side”, Amoo summed up.

KESHI APPEALS TO EAGLES

Play robust African style against Congo

S

UPER Eagles’ handler Stephen Keshi has told his players to play like Africa Champions and drop the European play

• Keshi

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja and mentality as they engage the national team of Congo Brazzaville on Saturday in the make or mar 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Big Boss as he is fondly called said that that is the only way the Super Eagles can beat Congo Brazzaville on their ground.

“I have told my players to play the African way when we meet Congo Brazzaville on Saturday. We need to play hard to get the result we crave for and we should drop the European style or method and play the Afri-

can way”, he disclosed.

Keshi also expressed confidence in the ability of his players to weather the storm in Congo, while declaring that the spirit was high in the camp which points to victory for the Nigerian team.

“My players have really stepped up the gear and the spirit in camp is very high.

The boys have been showing the hunger and urge to get victory against Congo and by the grace of God we will get victory. Nigerians should also rally round this team and support the team with prayers and we will come back with victory”, Keshi disclosed.

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THE

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.3030

‘The only thing that matters to Nigerian politicians right now is the 2015 elections through which they hope to continue to perpetuate themselves in power willy-nilly, to the detriment of the peace, progress and development of the country’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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HREE years ago this month, November 23, to be precise, I expressed fears on these pages that the country was waging a war against the insurrectionist Boko Haram that seemed to have no end in sight. The war, I said, seemed to be turning our politicians, soldiers, security agents and their contractor friends into agents of war rather than of peace.

The title of the piece was “Boko Haram: ‘War’ with no end?’ It was a title, I pointed out, I’d borrowed from that of a 2007 collection of essays by left-wing writers of various nationalities, including Naomi Klein, whose common cause was an abhorrence of the way the West had imposed itself on the rest of the world as a violent global police.

Klein was a journalist, writer, film maker and author. In her 2007 best seller, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, she argued that the neo-conservative forces that had taken over America and much of the West have used, in the words of the book’s blurb, “public disorientation following massive collective shocks – wars, terrorist attacks, natural disasters – to push through highly unpopular economic shock therapy.”

In her own contribution in the collection in question entitled “Building a Booming Economy Based on War with No End; The Lessons of Israel”, Klein provided what she believed was the answer to the puzzle of a booming Israeli economy in the midst of the chaos and carnage in its region.

Israel’s economy, she argued, boomed because “perhaps more than any other country, (it) has learnt to build an economy based on never ending war”. That is, a war that fed on constant fear which, unlike oil, the main resource of its hostile Arab neighbours, was “the ultimate renewable source” because it created “a bottomless demand for devices that watch, listen, contain and target suspects.”

I am tempted to reproduce the article in the light of the recent resurgence of Boko Haram’s insurgency, which is clearly a direct consequence of President Goodluck Jonathan’s apparent much greater concern with plotting his return to power in next year’s presidential election unopposed - at least within his party - than with securing the lives, limbs and property of his compatriots.

Space, more than anything else, however, makes it impossible for me to succumb to the temptation. Suffice it to say the sentiments I expressed in that article – sentiments which, I believe, are shared by millions of Nigerians – seem, alas, to have been borne out by recent events running up to the President’s declaration yesterday that he would, after all, run for reelection next year, thus ending the make-believe that he had remained undecided all this while, which hardly anyone, possibly even himself, ever believed.

If the Israelis, as Klein argued in her essay in question, have learnt to use the global war on terror as a strategy for building a thriving domestic economy in the midst of the chaos in the region, it seems our President has learnt to wink at his men and women as they used Boko Haram insurgency to divide Nigerians and whip up

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

As President Jonathan declares his 2015 bid...

•Dr. Jonathan

support for him in his bid to get re-elected next year. He seems to have even learnt to use the insurgency to get the National Assembly to do some of his biddings – witness, for example, the speed with which the federal legislators approved his dubious request for a $1 billion loan from abroad, ostensibly to fight the insurgency. Dubious, because this country never borrowed one kobo to fight its more devastating three-year civil war between 1967 and 1970.

This divide and rule strategy, using mainly Boko Haram, has manifested in many forms, notably as claims by some of his spokesmen and those of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is an Islamic party and a vote for one of the leading contenders for its presidential ticket, General Muhammadu Buhari, is a vote against Christianity. For those who make these claims, it obviously does not matter that, as the President himself has said occasionally in what were perhaps Freudian slips, more Muslims than Christians have been killed and attacked and their livelihoods destroyed

by Boko Haram since 2009 when its insurrection took its present deadly turn.

Of all such claims, however, the one that takes the prize for outrage and bigotry must be the most recent one by the controversial President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a member of President Jonathan’s innermost kitchen cabinet, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Only last week he claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commis-

sion (INEC) has been scheming to disenfranchise Christians for next year’s elections. As he is wont to, the man did not offer one shred of evidence to support his claim.

Recently, two other leading clerics, one Muslim, the other Christian, called on the President to sacrifice his presidential ambition in what they said was in the interest of the country’s security, peace and unity. The first, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the well-known Kaduna-based Islamic preacher, said in an exclusive interview with Sunday Trust last month (October 19) that both the President and Buhari should sacrifice their ambitions because they have become highly divisive and a win by anyone of them next year will only lead to bloodshed worse than we saw following the 2011 presidential election.

Last Monday, Reverend Chris Okotie, a leading Nigerian televangelist and pastor of the chic Household of God Church in Lagos, published what looked like an open letter to the President pleading with him to emulate Lyndon B. Johnson.

Jonathan, he said, like Johnson, became President after his principal died in office. Like Johnson, Okotie said, Jonathan also inherited a war. The two, he also said, mismanaged their wars.

Jonathan, he argued, should therefore emulate Johnson by honourably declining to contest his party’s presidential ticket, just like Johnson did in 1968 as a result of his mismanagement of the Vietnam War. After he declared yesterday at Eagle Square that he had sought God’s face and consulted with his family and had therefore decided to seek reelection, it is obvious that the calls by the two clerics had fallen on Jonathan’s deaf ears.

I have some reservations about calls on both Jonathan and Buhari, but even more so in Buhari’s case, not to contest next year’s presidential election. Both may have become divisive, but the divisions in this country will not end simply because they decide to sacrifice their ambitions.

Buhari, I believe, is even less of a divisive figure than Jonathan because the negative emotion he triggers in people is more by default, thanks to the country’s generally anti-Islam media, than by choice as, I believe, is the case with the President.

And now that it is, in any case, obviously too late to ask the President not to contest, one can

HARDBALL

B

URN if you must, o Rome, but I must fiddle and make merry, said old Nero.

Bomb all schools, leave a heinous trail of blood, heave off Nigeria’s territory under Islamists’ flag, but I must declare in peace, so says Goodluck Jonathan — or so it seems.

In fairness, it is doubtful if President Jonathan, with his ill-fated declaration, would want the rather unflattering comparison with the notoriety of Nero fiddling even as Rome burned. But the sheer insensitivity of the event, its brainless timing and its unconscionable braggadocio make that comparison inevitable.

Just look at the build-up: on the eve of the so-called declaration, Boko Haram struck at a Potiskum, Yobe State, boys’ secondary school.

At the end of the carnage, no fewer than 35 innocent school boys lay dead, and another 79 injured, with grim omens of further deaths.

The President’s reaction? The usual empty assurance that the anarchists would be found and brought to book. But not even that great tragedy could unhinge the all-important declaration.

And Nero declares ...

O yes, presidential spin doctors could even go ahead to claim the bombing was deliberate enemy sabotage to abort the declaration. In any case, the plans were already on — which sane mind would put it off, with the huge logistics put in place? Which sane mind, indeed?

But again, it’s only the language of power, hardly of reason, for which Jonathan and his gang have become latterly notorious, to explain away their obduracy.

A day or two before the Yobe blast, Boko Haram released a video which, were Jonathan and friends to have any shame, thoroughly mocked the President’s claim as commanderin-chief. In the video released by AFP, Boko Haram artillery, with its crazed zealots wielding small arms, did a triumphant drive round an unnamed town. To boot, Ibrahim Shekau, three times killed but three times alive leader of the band unleashed a paternalistic sermon, his face even breaking into some satanic benevolence, looking at his captives, hapless Ni-

gerian citizens Jonathan is heftily paid to protect!

But all those are immaterial, Nero (sorry, Jonathan) must fiddle and declare!

And a week or so before the video, the Jonathan Presidency, through Air Marshal Alex Barde, announced it had signed a ceasefire with Boko Haram, the news everyone wanted to hear: that the release of the Chibok girls was imminent with the sweetheart deal. Well, all came to naught!

But the additional pain was that, before the so-called ceasefire, the military appeared to have seized the initiative and, for once, bloodied Boko Haram. But the fatal stop reversed everything. By the time Boko Haram reopened the front, after the ceasefire dummy, it was to go on a roll of annexing towns, including Mubi, Adamawa State’s prized jewel of commerce, and giving it another name!

Now, a shamefaced Jonathan Presidency

only hope and pray that he will spend the rest of his current term focusing on bringing an end to the Boko Haram insurgency, rather than playing politics with it, even if only by proxy.

Monday’s suicide bombing of a secondary school in Potiskum, Yobe State, in which no fewer than 47 young men lost their lives – this was just a day before his declaration jamboree - only underscores the need for the President to demonstrate that his heart and mind are in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country.

The President should know that his vow on Monday to deal decisively with the insurgents can only ring hollow in the ears of most Nigerians, given his many previous broken vows, and given also the fact that he seemed so eager to convince the world he was winning the war against terror as he prepared to end his pretence at not making up his mind to get re-elected next year, that he allowed himself, as commander-in-chief, to be suckered into a false ceasefire.

If the President sincerely wants to end the insurgency, the things he should do have always been obvious. First and foremost, he must end the longrunning neglect of arming, training and providing for the care of our troops. He never needed the Americans to tell him, as they did recently, that all the billions that had been pumped into fighting the war since 2009 had ended largely in the pockets of the senior hierarchy of our military and he needed therefore to audit those expenditures in order to identify and bring the culprits to book.

Last Monday, Nigeria’s ambassador in the US, Professor Ade Adefuye, ticked off the Americans while receiving a delegation of the US Council on Foreign Relations, for refusing to sell arms to Nigeria in its fight against terror. Nigeria is right to express its disappointment at America’s holier than thou attitude on the abuse of human rights by our soldiers. But then it’s not as if the Americans have a monopoly of the arms we need to fight terrorism. When the West, including America, initially denied Nigeria arms during our civil war, we turned elsewhere. We can do the same today if we manage our economy well and stop trying to buy arms under the table, using dubious proxies.

Second, the President needs to reign in those key elements of his kitchen cabinet whose favourite pastime is to abuse and threaten anyone or any group that disagrees with him, no matter how slightly or genuinely.

Not least of all, his next budget should demonstrate that he is ready to address the huge gap that exists between the socio-economies of the country’s geo-political zones. And it’s no use talking about such things as building schools for almajirai. Such talks only insult the intelligence of Northerners because those schools have made little or no impact, and are unlikely to ever do so, on the region’s poverty.

As the President prepares to campaign for next year’s presidential election, he should know that nothing he does would earn him votes like bringing an end to the insecurity that has pervaded the country. The first step in achieving this is to end the politicisation – and commoditization - of Boko Haram, something that has been the stock-in-trade of many of his closest friends and aides – with, of course, more than a wink from the man himself.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above realised too late it had been had! But really, is this government still capable of being shame-faced?

Now, after all the frills of the so-called declaration, what is Jonathan saying? Another four years of slobbering about government house? Another four years of rank insensitivity? Another four years of Boko Haram enslavement and cruel slaughter of Nigerian citizens he swore to protect? Another four years of a bumbling government, the butt of universal jokes? Another four years of new set of Chibok girls capture and the carnage at Federal Government College, Buni-Yadi?

Indeed, at his Abuja declaration carnival, Jonathan and friends exuded the satanic triumphalism of Shakespeare’s Macbeth after his killing of King Duncan. But who does not know, as Macbeth tragically found out, it was only a calm before a terrible storm?

The so-called declaration only secured the vacuity of the Jonathan political essence, and its racketeering hangers-on. The sweetest revenge? Hefty punishment with the vote. After all, those the gods want to destroy, they first make mad!

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