The Nation November 15, 2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Nigeria needs N10tr for roads, others

Benue, Akwa Ibom polls battle for retrial •Supreme Court rejects verdicts

BUSINESS

Page 11

NEWS

•IFC to build second Niger Bridge

Page 8

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1945 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•DAY OF HONOUR: From left: President Goodluck Jonathan congratulating the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who received the GCON award, Akwa Ibom State Govenror Godswill Akpabio, who got CON, and Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who also got CON at the 2010/2011 National Honours Awards in Abuja ... yesterday PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

N257.8b for capital projects in Lagos N485b budget

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday presented a N485.292 billion budget proposal for 2012 to the House of Assembly.

The proposed budget is

By Miriam Ndikanwu

7.66 per cent higher than this year’s revised budget of N450.18 billion.

About N227.47 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure and N257.821 bil-

lion for capital expenditure.

The presentation was attended by former Governor Lateef Jakande; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) State Chairman Henry Ajomale; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; members of the Traditional

Council, led by Oba Rilwanu Akiolu of Lagos; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; members of the State Executive Council; and former members of the House of Assembly, among others.

Fashola said the deficit financing requirement proposed in the budget is N59.781 billion, which is 1.19 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The total revenue expected

is N399.834 billion, which comprises Ordinary Revenue of N289.676 billion and Federal Transfers of N110.158 billion.

The total overhead cost, Continued on page 2

EFCC probes loss of N3b by ex-CBN boss, others Two suspects held in alleged fraud against ex-governors

H

•Mrs Waziri

OW did four suspects, including a lawmaker, pull off a N3 billion fraud against a former Central Bank Governor and two former governors?

This is the puzzle the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is battling to resolve.

The other victims of the syndicate are a Senator, a top official of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and a member of a state House of Assembly.

The two former governors are from the Northeast.

Two of the suspects have been detained by the EFCC. Another suspect, a member of the House of Representatives, has been invited for questioning.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

But the fourth suspect, who was recently seen in Gombe State, is said to be on the run.

The anti-graft commission yesterday invited the House member for interrogation over his alleged role in the fraud.

The House member may face a five-man panel of the EFCC this week.

The Nation learnt that all the highly-placed persons became victims of the Advance Fee Fraud perpetrated by the syndicate between 2007 and 2011.

It was gathered that the top official of the FCTA, who lost a hefty sum of money to the fraudsters, blew

the lid off the scam by alerting the EFCC. The arrest of two of the suspects led to more revelations on those they had defrauded.

An EFCC source said: “We have conducted preliminary investigation, which was personally coordinated by the chairman of the commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

“The two suspects in detention confessed to have extorted over N3billion from their victims.

“One of the suspects revealed other instances where members of his syndicate defrauded other unsuspecting members of the public.

“He listed the names of their victims to include a former CBN Governor, two ex-governors, a Senator,

a member of a state House of Assembly and an official of the FCDA. “One of the members of the syndicate, who was part of the conspiracy that was successfully carried out on a former governor from the Northeast in 2007, is now a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) because he is now a member of the House of Representatives.

“It is evident that the two suspects in detention belong to a syndicate of fraudsters who have been duping unsuspecting members of the public for quite some time.

“It is believed that if they are made to face justice, it will go a long way in ridding the polity of such miscreContinued on page 2

•ENERGY P15 •SPORT P23 •PROPERTY P25 •POLITICS P37•AVIATION P50

2

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

NEWS

N257.8b for capital projects Continued from page 1

estimated at N145.960 billion, includes: Overhead cost, N79.797 billion; Dedication Expenditure, N25.595 billion; Subvention, N28.668 billion; Staff Housing Fund, N0.050 billion; Debt Charge (External), N1.050 billion; Debt Charges (Internal), N6.958 billion; and Debt Charge (Bond), N3.842 billion.

Capital Receipts are put at N25.677 billion and made up of: Grants, N3.468 billion; Investment Income, N0.289 billion; and Other Capital Receipts, N21.920 billion.

The Capital Expenditure of N257.821 billion consists of: Core Capital, N222.868 billion; Capital Development (Dedicated), N21.920 billion; Grants, N3.468 billion; Counterpart Funding, N3.465 billion, Special Expenditure 6.000 billion; and Risk Retention Fund, N0.100 billion.

Sectoral Allocations are as follows: General Public Service, N108.526 billion (22.4 per cent); Public Order and Safety, N13.849 billion (2.9 per cent); Economic Affairs, N154.419 billion (31.8 percent); Environmental Protection, N44.227 billion (9.1 per cent); Housing and Community Amenities, N42.812 billion (8.8 per cent); Health, N39.754 billion (8.2 per cent); Recreation, Culture and

•Fashola (left) with Ikuforiji ... yesterday.

Speaker urges governor on councils

L

AGOS State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to pay more attention to governance at the local governments.

This, he said, would ensure that the successes recorded at the state level are replicated at the grassroots.

Ikuforiji spoke yesterday at the presentation of the proposed budget for next year by Fashola.

The proposed budget is estimated at N485.292 billion.

He said being the closest tier of agovernment to the grassroots, the local councils could enhance development at the lowest ladder of the society.

Ikuforiji said: “Local governments across the country are not only neglected, but often treated

Religion, N5.989 billion (1.2 per cent); Education, N72.346 billion (14.9 per cent) and Social Protec-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

with levity and ignominy. This sore point must be promptly addressed in Lagos State, so that we can again serve as torchbearers for others to emulate.

“Development is a continuous process. The process of transforming, modernising and developing Lagos can never be a finished business; rather any attempt to uplift Lagos will always be work in progress.

“Although Lagos is bedevilled by many encumbrances, our governor has performed excellently and exceptionally in making the state a better place.”

The Speaker said the House would work assiduously to ensure quick passage of the budget.

tion, N3.370 billion (0.7 per cent).

Fashola said: “This will be a most challenging budget to

implement. It is the first full budget in this term of great expectation, when we must begin to ful-

fill new electoral promises and meet citizens’ expectations at a time of enormous economic and security challenges.

“For a start, let me assert very clearly that our purpose and commitment towards delivering the greatest good for the greatest number is not in doubt.

We have a clear plan, informed by a progressive manifesto of the fastest growing political party, the ACN. “We are concerned about the quality of life of working and middle class people, and those who are vulnerable. This has led to many strategic policies aimed at making life better and less challenging.

“These policies are administrative and legislative. Three of such that readily come to mind are the recent laws to create the Office of Disability and review the Criminal and Tenancy Laws.

“The law creating the Office of Disability gives legal backing to some of what we are doing already, to recognise that physically challenged people require special provisions to make them lead as normal as possible lives, in spite of their disabilities.”

He said this year’s budget has achieved significant goals, such as the inauguration of a 10 megawatt IPP on Lagos Island, which services the State House in Marina, General Hospital, Lagos, Island Maternity Lagos, the Lagos High Court and Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, among others.

The government is to increase rates it is charging on land use, starting from January.

Fashola said it was agreed that the rate charged for land use, should be reviewed up in 2009,

but “at the peak of the global financial crises, the state government refrained from doing so”.

“So for nine years, we have kept the same rate of Land Use charge without review, even though all the variables of the economy like the inflation, interest, and exchange rates, have increased.

“I must now necessarily announce an increase of 0.05% in the rate of Land Use Charge effective from Jan 1, 2012,” he said.

The governor also approved the recommendation to reduce the rate of Governor’s Consent by two per cent, the gross costs for perfecting title from a total of 15 per cent to 13 per cent.

EFCC probes loss of N3b Continued from page 1

ants as well as serve as deterrent to others.

“This is necessary because the confession by the second suspect has indicted the member of the House of Representatives.”

The source added: “We have invited the lawmaker for interaction on our preliminary findings.

“He is expected to appear before a team on Tuesday or Wednesday.”

When contacted on Monday, EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi, in a terse sms reply to our enquiry on the report agreed that the Commission is investigating some “OBT cases but I will need time to crosscheck and confirm the details of the particular case you referred to”.

Policy, process and procedure of PDP nomination

T

HE quest for nomination as governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State by 11 aspirants has thrown up questions on the procedure adopted by the party. In this, the most valid poser is: What is the process prescribed by the Electoral Act 2010 and the party’s constitution? What are the powers of the national and state organs of the party in the nomination?

Where the 1999 Constitution clearly prescribes a policy or procedure for any act, it takes precedence over any other law or rule. In this case, Section 177 allows only candidates who belong to, and are sponsored by political parties to participate in the governorship poll.

The Electoral Act 2010 provides in Section 87 (4) (b) that: “In the case of nominations to the position of governorship candidates, a political party shall, where it intends to sponsor candidates, hold a special congress in the state capital with delegates voting for each of the aspirants at the congress to be held on a specified date appointed by the NEC of the party.”

Section 87 (7) mandates political parties to outline procedures for conduct of such elections in their constitutions.

The PDP constitution stipulates that the National Executive Committee of the party takes all decisions related to nominations at all levels. To assist it is the National Working Committee that is empowered to act for and implement decisions of the NEC between meetings (Article 12.63). Article 12.72 stipulates that the

How PDP used security report to shut out Sylva

S

ECURITY reports caused Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva’s disqualification for the primary election, sources said yesterday.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disqualified Sylva, Timi Alaibe, Ben Murray Bruce and Amb. Godknows Igali.

The party is also said to be pressurising Sylva to apologise to the Presidency and the PDP. Besides, he must back whoever emerges the governorship candidate to pave the way for his “soft landing” from power, it was learnt.

The seven aspirants cleared for the primary election will be given clearance certificates tomorrow.

A top member of the NWC, who spoke in confidence with The Nation last night, said: “The NWC was given security reports on Sylva before it took its final decision to disqualify him.

“The truth is that the security reports were overwhelming and there is no way he could participate in the primary election with such reports.

“As a party, we felt for him, but we could not clear him with such baggage.

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

NEC that meets quarterly shall “make party electoral regulations to govern the conduct of elections to all party offices at every level and regulate procedure for selecting the party candidates for elective offices.”

Article 17.3 says: “The decisions of the NEC shall be binding on all organs and members of the party.”

By convention, too, the NEC and NWC have always taken the final decisions in all matters pertaining to selecting flag bearers in all elections.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

It is only when we are pushed to the wall that we can make the security reports public.”

Responding to a question, the NWC member added: “Some of our leaders have been pressurising the governor to apologise to the Presidency and the party over the security reports and back whoever may emerge as the party’s candidate.”

As at last night, all the disqualified aspirants have been placed under security surveillance to avoid any breach of the peace in Bayelsa State.

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said: “All the disqualified aspirants are under surveillance of the security agencies to avoid any breach of the peace.

“If there is any disruption of the primary election, they will be held accountable. That is why we are monitoring their activities closely.

“We are not trying to intimidate any of the aspirants but we owe it a duty to ensure peace in Bayelsa State.”

The PDP will on Wednesday present

clearance certificates to the seven aspirants.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, in Abuja said: “Following the successful clearance of aspirants for the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) wishes to invite all the seven cleared aspirants to the National Secretariat of our great Party on Wednesday, 16th November 2011 to receive their final clearance certificates.

Those invited are: I. Orufa Justine Boloubo; II. Dickson Seriake Henry; III. Enai Christopher Fullpower; IV. Kalango Michael Youppele; V. Francis Amaebi; VI. Ekiyegha Francis Korobido; and VII. Austin Febo “They are all expected to arrive the National Secretariat at 12 noon for the formal handing over process of the final Clearance Certificates to enable them return to base quickly in order to go ahead with their preparations for the primaries.”

Prior to last April’s General duct of 2010/2011 party priElections, the NWC issued maries. Extracts from the minutes of that meeting guidelines that governed the process. Ar- SEE ALSO show that rerun ticle 17.1 invests in PAGE 10 primaries were ordered in Kano State NEC “the final authority for resolving all dis- in respect of the governorship putes relating to the choice of primaries, elections in six candidates for any election senatorial districts and 11 fedand for confirming the names eral constituencies. Panels to or lists of names of candidates conduct the primaries and the for the party in any elective rerun were sent from the public office in the federa- Abuja headquarters and funds released through the tion.”

This, the NEC did mainly office of the National through the NWC in January. Organising Secretary, Prince On January 14, the NWC met Uche Secondus.

In all matters relating to pre to consider “petitions by aspirants arising from the con- and election matters, the party

was represented in the courts by the National Legal Adviser in accordance with Article 13.16 of the party’s constitution.

However, friends and associates of the governor, especially Senators and House of Representatives members from the state have faulted the procedure adopted by the party as faulty and contrary to the PDP constitution. They argued that the powers and functions of the NWC as stipulated in the party’s constitution do not include screening and clearance of candidates. They argued that

the powers inhered in the “Gubernatorial Screening Committee” headed by Brigadier-General Idi Adamu (rtd) sent to the satte by the national leadership. The three Senators and four HOR members said the Adamu panel that cleared Governor Sylva derived its power from Article 17 (1) of the PDP Constitution and paragraph 16 of the Electoral Guidelines for Primaries 2010.

The guidelines, however, also make provisions for appeals from aggrieved candidates. The question is, in this case, with the screening panel approving of Sylva’s aspiration, could the Abiodun Olujinmi Appeal Panel have taken petitions from any other source? How credible were the petitioners? Who has locus to raise issues on an aspirant’s eligibility?

The party insists that flag bearers are handed flags by the party. They obtained their nomination forms from the National Otrganising Secretary who acted on behalf of the NWC. The organ set up the screening process and panels to which the NWC delegated its powers had to report to it for retification and final decision.

On the only other occasion that the PDP denied Clement Mbadinuju, a serving governor, its ticket in Anambra State in 2003, the matter was not referred to the courts for adjudication.

It is not yet clear if Sylva would take the matter to the judiciary. Would the governor, arguing that he has been shabbily treated opt for a political, rather than a legal option? The drama continues to unfold.

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

3

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

4

NEWS 2011 NATIONAL HONOURS

‘A welder, electrician can be

•Jonathan presenting the award to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

•Jonathan presenting the award to Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison -Mdueke

•Jonathan presenting the award to Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji

•Jonathan presenting the award to Governor Adams Oshiohmole

•Jonathan presenting the award to Nollywood star Osita Iheme

•Jonathan presenting the award to Mr Jim Ovia

PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

5

NEWS 2011 NATIONAL HONOURS

honoured by the president’ P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said national honours could be given to any class of Nigerians, once they are found worthy.

The President spoke in Abuja at the presentations of the national honours to 355 Nigerians.

Jonathan justified why business mogul Aliko Dangote got the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON), the second highest honour, despite not being a political office holder .

The president said Dangote deserves the honour because of all his contributions to the growth and economic development of the country.

Beside the Vice-president, the senate president and Chief Justice of the Nigeria, who by virtue of their position hold the award of GCON, the second highest in the land, Dangote is the first individual outside government to have received the honour.

He said: “You can see today that we have recognised Aliko Dangote with the highest on the GCON series because we must recognise enterprise. This is a man who has been able to employ thousands of Nigerians as we heard it from the citation.

“Today I am having the GCFR the highest in the land by virtue of the fact that I am the President of this country, but if I am not the president, another person must be the President of Nigeria, but if Aliko did not have that business acumen to build that empire; probably, we wouldn’t have had

The awards by numbers

38

74

The no of GCON recipient

65 No of people who got CON

Number of recipients of CFR

Number of recipients of OFR

69

71

28

2

Number of people who the MFR

Number of recipients of OON

Number of recipients of MON

Number of recipients of first class medal

1

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

somebody to employ thousands of Nigerians. So, those who by their innate abilities and creative energies have been able to make impact in our society, even deserve more honour than those of us holding political offices.

“A welder, electrician or anybody who by virtue of what you do, you’ve done it with much dedication and impacted society significantly can be honoured by the president.”

Jonathan continued: “One thing I am aware of is that there have been criticisms of the National Award nominations and selection process. I have since directed the appropriate departments to note the concerns that have been expressed and to take steps to ensure further improvement so that the National Honours

award can continue to serve its purpose.

“National Honours are not merely decorative; they remind us of an important part of our responsibilities as citizens. We must always endeavour to do the best for our country even as we realise with deep humility that all human beings are fallible, we must look forward with confidence and hope that our country through each and every one of us can indeed put its God given endowment to the best possible use.

“Let me re-emphasize again, how some of the people are selected because there are comments from very young people who are a bit confused about how people are selected for National Honours.

“As I have mentioned even the most celebrated Nobel peace prize is being criticized to definitely you will expect criticisms.

But in Nigeria you have three awards, two are parallel, and we gave two today, the GCFR and GCON series and of course the Nigerian National Merit Award.

“The Nigerian National Merit award is meant for scholars and not just scholars but scholars with distinction and the committee that will select those who will receive those awards are among the eggheads.

“The President plays almost no role in selecting who wins the merit award, because that is for academic division. The President plays the ceremonial position of just decorating or presenting the award to those scholars.

“But the National Honours criteria are different. It is based on what an individual has contributed to his community, his state, his country and how you have projected this country outside. It does not depend on how many certificates you have, it does not depend even on the size of certificate you have and it does not even depend on the status you have in the society and I need to mention that.

“The traditional birth attendant that probably works in area where there is no doctor and successfully delivers hundreds of babies can be awarded and recognized by the president. So is a sports man who is illiterate, but a good footballer, wrestler or a boxer and projects the image of this country globally and wins laurels and bring us to lime light could be recognized in this hon-

ours series.

“So the position you occupy does not give an automatic award except for some positions like the GCFR which is given to anybody who becomes the President of this country or the GCON given to anybody who becomes the vice president or the head of the National Assembly or the head of the Judiciary.

These are given by virtue of their positions, but others are given by virtue of what you have contributed to the society not necessarily because of the office you hold.

“So you can also see that some of our traditional rulers by virtue of their hard work done by their ancestors. For you to be recognized and honuored we will want to see what you have used that position to achieve for us.

Do you use that office to destroy us or do you use it for the development of your domain. “So also is a youth leader, a woman leader or an elder do you use that position to bring development and peace to your people at your community level, local government level, state level and the national level or use it to bring crisis or destruction to our people. This is what guides the selection of this award and that is why you see a mixed group of people being recognised.”

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dangote said the award has thrown up further challenge on all recipients to do more for the country.

Shortage of medals mars ceremony

S

HORTAGE of medals married yesterday’s presentation of the national honours to 355 distinguished Nigerians.

The shortage of medal was attributed to large number of recipients.

Those who could not get their mrdals at the programme were told that they will receive the award in the next one week.

This is the second time in the last one year that such an occurrence is coming up. The first was during the Nigeria @ 50 celebration, where some 50 dignitaries were honoured. On that occasion, the president was left transfixed while waiting to dec-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

orate one of the last two recipients but for the timely intervention of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federalism (SGF), Ahmed Yayale, who whispered to the president that there was a shortage.

To avoid similar embarrassment for the president this time around, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim announced the shortage at the beginning of the programme.

Anyim said last year’s event could hold because of preparation for 2011 general elections.

He attributed the large number

of awardees to the cancellation of the 2010 event.

He said those honoured were rigiously screened.

Yesterday’s investure on 355 dignitaries bring to 3,924 the number of awardees, since it began in 1963.

Top on the list of the recipients are Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON), Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal 38 CFR recipients, the governors of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Rivers and Jigawa states and nine former governors were among the 65 recipients who got CON.

•Jonathan presenting the award to Governor Peter Obi

Group hails award for monarch

M

SERVICE CHIEFS @ THE CEREMONY From right: Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sa’ad Ibrahim, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Muhhamed Dikko Umar and Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

EMBERS of Princewill’s Political Associates (PPA) has hailed the inclusion of King (Prof.) Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill, the Amachree XI, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom and Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Council of Chiefs among the National Merit Award honoures.

King Princewill is a Professor of Medical Microbiology.

He served as Head of Department of Microbiology University of Port Harcourt from 1982 to 1984. He was Dean of Students Affairs of University of Port Harcourt from 1985 to 1986, Dean, School of Graduates Studies, University of Port Harcourt, 1987 to1990; Dean, Faculty of

Science, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt from 1991 to 2000.

President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi were his students.

The National Co-ordinator of PPA, Dr Ikanya Ibiamu, described the award for the King as well deserved.

Prince Tonye Princewill, the PPA leader, described the award as a splendid gift to his father, the Kalabari Kingdom and the Rivers State.

The monarch expressed his gratitude to President Jonathan and Amaechi for the honour.

He urged the authorities to accord the traditional institution its duea.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

6

NEWS Motorists to pay toll on Lekki road

Fuel subsidy removal ’ll set Nigeria ablaze, NLC warns Jonathan L

ABOUR talked tough yesterday on the government’s plan to reMOTORISTS plying the Lekki-Epe Expressway would move subsidy on petrol.

It said the action will lead soon begin to pay toll on the road redeveloped by Messrs to an open result by the citizens and that the Nigeria LaLekki Concession Company bour Congress (NLC) will be (LCC), it was learnt yesterthere to lead the people. day.

Labour was apparently reLagos State Governor sponding to President GoodBabatunde Fashola has lifted the January 3 suspension on luck Jonathan’s declaration at the Nigeria Economic Sumtoll collection by the concesmit last week that there is no sionaire. going back on subsidy reThe governor stayed moval. action on the collection in In a statement entitled: the wake of demonstration and criticisms by stakehold- “Those who have ears let them hear!”, the congress also ers on the Lekki corridor. pointed out that four months Fashola spoke at the presentation of next year’s budget after signing an implementation agreement with the laestimates to the House of bour movement, the Federal Assembly for approval.

Government has refused to He said the lifting of the implement it. suspension has become NLC President Comrade imperative because the state had lost N4billion to the non Abdulwahed Omar said: “It appears that elements within implementation of toll. government with suicidal inJustifying the action, the governor said: “The political- stincts want to provoke a ly motivated resistance to the general strike and mass procommencement of toll collec- tests on this issue.”

Omar, who advised the tion on the Eti-Osa, Lekki-Epe government not to ignite any Expressway means that your government had to part with fire in the country, noted that there is no force in the counN4 billion for year 2011 try greater than the Nigerian which could have been used people who are the source of to provide more schools, inner roads, hospitals and social needs in Eti-Osa, IbejuLekki and Epe areas.”

He described the development as a sensible and necessary decision in order to maintain the much-needed and growing investor confidence in the Lagos economy, maintain credit rating and reduce credit risk.

“It was critical to maintaining the stream of emerging investments required to create business opportunity and jobs for young people.” he added.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

•Threatens strike as govt refuses to pay minimum wage From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

all powers.

His words: “We again appeal to the Jonathan administration not to toy with the prices of petroleum products as this will definitely lead to a conflagration in the country. The Congress advises the Federal and state governments to realise that there can be no force in the country greater than the Nigerian people from whom all power must flow. Those who have ears, let them heed this advice.”

The NLC President spoke at the opening of the 2011 Harmattan School in Kaduna, but the statement was made available in Abuja.

He accused the government of deliberately devaluing the naira in order to devalue the N18,000 National Minimum Wage as part of the povertyinducing measures.

Besides, he noted that the government’s insistence on hiking fuel prices by 120 per

cent will further complicate matters for a hungry citizenry that has to cope with growing mass unemployment and a non-existent social security.

Omar said: “This will be an invitation to open revolt by the citizenry and the NLC will be there to lead the people. The on-going repression of the Nigeria Youth Council and students by President Jonathan’s security goons, and attempts to suppress their protests against the IMF/World Bank—dictated removal of fuel subsidy will fail. In fact, a resort to dictatorship will spell doom for this administration.”

On the devaluation of the minimum wage, Omar said: “The President Goodluck Jonathan administration is also deliberately devaluing the currency in order to devalue the N18,000 National Minimum Wage and as part of its poverty-inducing measures. As we have stated else-

where, government’s insistence to hike fuel prices by 120 per cent will further complicate matters for a hungry citizenry that has to cope with growing mass unemployment and a nonexistent social security.

The NLC described the proposed 100 per cent electricity tariff hike and the re-introduction of toll gates for unmotorable roads as calculated attempts to allow constitutional amendments that will annul the minimum wage.

He said: “NLC will never allow this to happen”.

Omar also criticised the Federal Government for deploying armed military men to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Corporate Headquarters and other power stations in order to forcibly privatise the company.

The statement stressed that there are ongoing negotiations between the govern-

Unity Bank boosts BRT with N981.1m

U

UI scholarship for 75 first class students From Joseph Okwuofu, Ibadan

IT was cheery news yesterday for some 75 first class graduating students of the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State as the institution offered them automatic postgraduate scholarship.

They are at liberty to pursue courses of their choice.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, dropped the hint at the opening of the institution’s four-day graduation ceremonies.

He said the gesture was in pursuit of the university’s commitment to developing a 21st century workforce for the country.

Adewole said 1,647 candidates graduated from the Faculties of Art, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Pharmacy, Public Health Technology and Law. He also said 496 graduands also made second class honours in the upper division in various disciplines.

The vice-chancellor said the university was working hard to restore the institution to its role as a player in the provision of requisite education in the 21st century.

“The university has never relented in its efforts at ensuring proper training of students so that they can compete favourably with their counterparts globally,’’ he said.

•Director (Procurement), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in the Presidency, Mr Ayo Aderibigbe (right), Mr. Ajibola Ariyibi, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Lagos State, President, Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and Mr Fatai Akinsanmi, a lawyer at a sensitisation and elightenment lecture on Public Procurement Act for stakeholders in the Southwest zone at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday

EFCC re-arraigns 40 suspects over alleged N4.56b pension scam T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re- arraigned 40 suspects before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N4.56billion pension scam.

Those facing a 24-count amended charge are a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, nine other accused and 30 companies.

Apart from Shuaibu, others are Mrs. Phina Ukamaka, Chidi Aliyu Bello, who was a Personal Assistant to Dr. Shuaibu. Other accused are Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, and Abdullahi Omeiza, Others are Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWing

ment and the Electricity workers on the power reform in the country with the next meeting scheduled for November 22.

Warning on the implication of the government’s action, Omar said: “To send armed soldiers to occupy electricity installations is, therefore, a calculated attempt to stall the negotiations and impose a pre-determined solution that will see the power sector sold as scrap to serving ministers and other cronies of the Federal Government. The industrial relations system must be made to work rather than government and employers resorting to brute force.”

Continuing, Labour said on the frequent deployment of armed forces against the civil populace portends danger to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy. He said the armed forces should be used only as a last resort, but never in an industrial relations matter.

The NLC said it has already instructed electricity workers to vacate their installation if the combat ready troops sent to their installation resort to any form of brutality.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Procurement Services Ltd, Woodland Industries NIG Ltd. Others are Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Ltd, Fafama Estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum.

According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the commission had “at the resumption of hearing of the case before the trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello sought leave of the court to withdraw the earlier charge and replace it with a new 24-count charge which included names of companies used to perpetrate the fraud. This request was

‘After approving the prosecution’s request, the 24-count charge was read to the accused who pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Prosecution Counsel then asked for a date for the commencement of trial’ granted.

The statement said: “Counsel to the EFCC Emmanuel Egweabu from the Chambers of Godwin Obla, thereafter applied that the charges be read to the accused who were all present in court for their plea to be taken pursuant to Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Act. “After approving the pros-

ecution’s request, the 24count charge was read to the accused who pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Prosecution Counsel then asked for a date for the commencement of trial.

“Shuaibu and his co accused were admitted to the same bail condition they earlier enjoyed.

“The bail conditions include the provision of N10 million each, with surety in like sum, the sureties must have properties in Abuja; and such properties must be verified by the court, the value of the property should not be less than N10 million.

“Beside, the accused travel documents which are with the EFCC should be transferred to the court.

The statement said Justice Adamu Bello adjourned the matter to February 13 and 14 next year for the commencement of trial He ordered that those newly added to the charge should also fulfill the same conditions as Teidi Shuaibu and others.

NITY Bank Plc is financing the purchase of 100 BRT buses for S6.3 million dollars (N981.1 million).

Its Managing Director Mr. Ado Wanka stated this during the celebration of Unity Bank Day at the ongoing 2011 Lagos Trade fair.

He said the bank also provided another N215 million to ensure the buses were cleared from the port, registered, kitted and have parking spaces.

According to him, in this way the bank is participating in the Lagos State Government’s efforts to make Lagos a Mega City .

Wanka said:“Let me remind us of peculiar challenges of transportation in Lagos. . Simply put, movement in Lagos can be tricky.

“That is why Unity Bank financed the purchase of 100 42 Seater buses by HFZ Transport Services at $6, 330,000.

“Moreover, to ensure port clearance, proper vehicle registration, kitting and provision of parking spaces for the buses we also provided a further financial outlay of N251, 000,000.

“In this way, we are participating in the steps being taken by the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola to reshape Lagos into a model city of the 21st century,” he said.

Wanka said the bank would continue to partner with the government to transform Lagos positively, adding this was being demonstrated by its participation in collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said the bank had 36 branches in Lagos and 18 in Kaduna parading latest information Technology infrastructure, adding that this underscores the importance which the bank attached to Lagos .

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

7

NEWS NERC okays decentralised power generation From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki •Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) being welcomed by Qatar’s Minister of Energy, Dr Mohammed Saleh Ibn Al-Sada (middle) and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, to Doha for the forthcoming first gas summit of Heads of State.

T

HE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said the decentralisation of electricity generation would enable the country to have a stable power supply.

The NERC chief said the removal of metre maintenance charge from electricity bills would begin from the end of this month.

Amadi addressed reporters at the 42nd convocation of the Federal Collage of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.

He noted that though the Federal Government is making effort to achieve its target on steady power supply, he added that the time frame could be abridged with the decentralised policy as well as integrated power generation mechanism.

Amadi said the grid system operated in the past allowed the power generated in any part of the country to be channelled to one source.

According to him, a new process has been evolved by the present administration whereby small grids or power stations and dams can be built by individuals and states for electricity electricity to a particular state or area.

He regretted that Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is not connected to the national grid, saying it showed the extent of malfunction and lack of capacity for the expansion in the power sector.

Why we support Oshiomhole, by Edo Labour leaders

L

ABOUR leaders in Edo State yesterday said their leadership was aware of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s good intentions towards workers.

They said their “leadership was in solidarity with the government, especially as the state approaches an electioneering year”.

The union leaders spoke an interactive session hosted by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe.

At the event were top officials of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS), and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

NLC State Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun said: “I thank you for dispelling the rumour that the government would retrench teachers who have put in 25 years into the service and 55 years in age, after winning the 2012 election and after the ongoing teachers’ screening is concluded.

“The rumour is not among the teachers alone. But I am happy the rumour has been cleared.”

NUT Chairman, Comrade Patrick Ikosime, praised Oshiomhole, saying: “It is true the rumour has been going on.

Today’s meeting is timely. I want to thank you that this meeting was called. All our members would join in carrying out the government’s side to our people. I also want to thank the government that

something is being done about the 2010 promotion and I want to assure you that the leadership of the NUT is in solidarity with the government because of the new era.”

Imuekemhe, who represented Oshiomhole, said: “This interactive session is called to assure teachers in the state of their job security. An evil message has been going round the state and among the teachers that the ongoing screening is intended to retrench those who have served for 25 years and civil servants who are 55 years old. We believe that as leaders of this professional group, we should allay your fears.

“Oshiomhole would be the last to retrench workers because he said the ticket he has today was made possible by the workers. The screening is only at the level of the local government, without the postprimary teachers. Let me remind you of how this screening came about. The government and Labour leaders met and reached this decision to clarify the issue of irregularities in the minimum wage and Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) in the pay system.

“We took a joint decision that the local governments do a screening but the news in town now is that it was aimed at retrenchment. This is evil and not the intention of Governor Oshiomhole. By now, all the teachers would have been paid, but I want to assure you that any teacher who has not got his pay would definitely get it before Wednesday (tomorrow) becuase the governor has said it should be paid manually.”

Court okays suit against Mark •Fixes Nov 28 for hearing From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

A

N Abuja Federal High Court yesterday approved a suit filed by a businessman, Onoja Igoche, against Senate President David Mark.

Granting the leave in his chambers, Justice Abdul Kafarati fixed November 28 for hearing in the matter.

Igoche is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of Mark vacant following his appointment as Chairman, Governing Council of the National Institute for Legislative Studies.

The plaintiff, through his counsel, Ifeanyichukwu ObasiNweze, is seeking a judicial review to determine whether or not the Office of Mark had not become vacant by the provisions of Section 68(1) (e) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 3 (3) (a) of the National Institute for Legislative Studies Act, 2011.

Igoche is contending that by virtue of Section 68(1) (e) of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate President is expected to vacate his seat following his appointment as the chairman of the board of a federal parastatal.

The Section provides that “a member of the Senate shall vacate his seat if he becomes a member of a Commission or other body established by the Constitution or any other law”.

Witness denies applying for N9b loan at Bank PHB A

WITNESS in the alleged theft case against former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, Mrs Elizabeth Ebi, yesterday denied ever applying for about N9billion loan from the bank.

The witness was giving evidence at the resumed hearing at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, in the case of the alleged theft of N3.7billion belonging to the defunct bank brought by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against Atuche.

Atuche is facing a 27-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing, with his wife, Elizabeth, and Ugo Anyanwu.

Led in evidence by the counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Mrs Ebi, who is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Offficer (GMD/CEO), Future View Financial Services, denied applying for about N9billion loan from Bank PHB in the name of her company and its subsidiaries, including Extra Oil Limited and Trajek Oil Limited.

She told Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court

•Gives evidence against Atuche

By Adebisi Onanuga

that one of her companies, Future View Securities Limited, which was used to contrive a loan from the bank, had ceased to exist since 2006, when its name was changed to Future View Financial Services Limited.

The witness said the documents presented to her, including the application letters for the purported loan and another one asking for the restructuring of the loan, board resolutions, among others, were not on the letterhead of her companies.

Mrs Ebi added that she neither sign any application as the GMD/CEO nor forwarded any application to the bank for any loan.

She said sometime in August 2009, Atuche visited her office and pleaded with her that Future View Financial Services Limited should assist them to warehouse some shares of the

bank during its Initial Public Offerings (IPO) but that she turned down the request.

According to her, in October of the same year, an executive director of the bank and Uzoma Okoro apologised to her on behalf of Atuche for using the names of her companies to book shares for some investors.

She said the visitors told her that they booked facilities of about N9billion in the names of her companies and that she queried why they did so without necessary documentation from her.

“The whole thing came as a shock. I could not understand what was happening. But they told me not to panic and that everything was under control and that nothing would go wrong,” Mrs Ebi said.

She added that they pleaded for her cooperation in the matter.

The witness said the bank

officials wanted her to take responsibility for the loans, adding that she turned down their pleas, including those of Atuche’s, that she should sign the documents.

During a cross-examination by counsel to Atuche, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Mrs Ebi said she placed a publication in the newspapers that her companies were not indebted to Bank PHB, in reaction to a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) publication, which made public the names of individuals and companies that were owing the bank.

She denied entering a deal with Atuche, saying she took the witness stand because of the collapse of prices of share in the capital market which could have fetched her big money, if the alleged deal had pulled through.

The witness said it was incorrect to say there was a deal between her and Atuche and that if the values of the bank’s shares had continued appreciating, she would not have been against him.

Justice Okunnu adjourned further hearing till November 25.

Lagos ACN to PDP: we’re vindicated by your revelations

T

HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said the revelations from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have vindicated its position that the PDP was into blackmail after losing the October local government election.

Insisting that PDP is dead in Lagos, ACN advised members of the opposition party in Lagos to “free themselves from the bondage of thieving leaders who are out to satisfy their personal greed”.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe, ACN noted that Lagosians have demonstrated that the

‘We are aware of the desperation of the party, right through its national leadership, to “capture” Lagos as an added cash cow to its national treasure cove’ PDP, “which has led a historical wreckage of Nigeria in 13 years of unceasing waste”, has no place in Lagos.

It said the revelations from PDP members showed that the party “exists on the type of blackmail with which it want-

ed to con out some local governments in the last election and will continue to fail with such plot”.

The statement reads: “The revelation from Senator Seye Ogunlewe that the national leadership of the PDP released N50 million for the (Lagos) local government election, which he claimed was misappropriated by the Bode George faction of the party, has vindicated our stand that the PDP is just a money-sharing cabal that does not believe in the interests of Lagosians or those of Nigerians. We, at Lagos ACN, were not fooled by the manner the Lagos PDP organised a syndicated demonstration against the conduct of the La-

gos local government election when it became obvious it has lost the election. We state that what the PDP was doing was mere childish blackmail that would not be allowed to endure and we are happy that Ogunlewe’s statements have proven us right on the tactics of the PDP. “We are aware of the desperation of the party, right through its national leadership, to “capture” Lagos as an added cash cow to its national treasure cove. This was the reason its National Publicity Secretary jumped into the fray to condemn the conduct of the election when they are presiding over the worst cases of electoral roguery in PDP states.”

Fed Govt’s failure to implement pact irresponsible, says ASUU

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday said the failure of the Federal Government to implement its 2009 agreement with the union is irresponsible and provocative.

The Nsukka Zone of the union, comprising six universities, has urged the government to implement the agreement or face another strike after the expiration of the oneweek warning strike which ended on September 30.

Addressing reporters in Awka, the Anambra State cap-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ital, after its executive meeting, the executive of Nsukka Zone of the union said the failure of the government to fulfil its side of the agreement amounts to a criminal breach.

ASUU Chairman at the University of Nigeria (UNN) Dr. Aloysius Okolie; the Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Moses Chendo; Branch Chairman, Ebonyi State Univeristy (EBSU), Agu Gab. Agu; Branch Chairman, Abia State Univerity (ABSU), Dr David Chikezie; Branch

Chairman, Anambra State Univeristy, ANSU), Dr Jaja Nwaanegbo; and Branch Chairman, Ebonyi State University, (EBSU), Dr. Emeka Nwakpu, attended the briefing.

Okolie told reporters that the union had tried to resolve the issues amicably, adding that it should not be blamed for any crisis that happens before the next executive meeting later this month.

The union noted that the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement had four major components

on conditions of service, funding, university autonomy and academic freedom.

These, Okoli said, provide a benchmark for the improvement of the standards of teaching and learning in the nation’s university system and repositioning of Nigerian Universities.

The Nation learnt that of the 26 per cent recommended by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural OrganiSation (UNESCO), only about seven per cent has been implemented.

8

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 2011

NEWS Reps to hold Town Hall meetings From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

I

N its bid to bring governance to the people, the House of Representatives has concluded plans to meet with the ordinary Nigerian in the six geo-political zones.

The leadership of the house said the Town Hall meetings would afford Nigerians to present their views of government with a view of promoting good governance.

The Nation gathered that the lower chambers of the National Assembly is not comfortable with the negative public perception as a result of some fundamental events that occurred in the 6th Assembly.

Some of the events include; the N2.3billion car loan scandal, the N10billion loan used for enhancement of lawmakers’ allowances as well as a former Speaker Patricia Etteh’s house renovation/upgrading scandal among others.

In a chat with The Nation, Chairman of Media and Public Affairs comittee, Zakari Mohammed stated that the meeting which is likely to begin from the South West before the end of the year.

He said: “It is a known fact that the National Assembly has a negative image with Nigerians and that is what is driving the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives. We are poised to be open and transparent in all our dealings with Nigerians.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring good governance to all Nigerians and in our view, the most effective way is to feel from those that are directly involved. How best can we achieve that if not by interacting with the ordinary Nigerians?

“We intend to let Nigerians know our intentions, and as we engage other arms of government in the discharge of our duties, we will also engage Nigerians to feel the plight of Nigerians.

By so doing, to legislate for good governance would be easier to do,” Mohammed said.

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left); Oba of Lagos Riliwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prince Henry Ajomale and former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande at the presentation of next year’s budget by Governor Babatunde Fashola at the House of Assembly...yesterday.

Supreme Court orders re-trial in Benue, Akwa Ibom • ACN candidates Ugba, Udoedehe get another chance

T

HE Judiciary yesterday gave a ray of hope to the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) governorship candidates in Benue and Akwa Ibom states.

The Supreme Court ordered the retrial of the election petition cases in the states which the tribunals dismissed on technical grounds.

Prof. Steve Ugbah, the CAN governorship candidate is challenging the election of Governor Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue.

In Akwa Ibom Senator John Akpanudoedehe is challenging the election of Governor Godswill Akiabro of the PDP. In a unanimous verdict by the five-member panel, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher upturned the decisions of the Court of Appeal which dismissed the petitions on technical ground.

The apex Court held that the petitions could not have been

No cause for alarm, say Akpabio, Suswam

G

OVERNORS Godswill Akpabio and Gabriel Suswam yesterday said there is no cause for alarm over the Supreme Court’s decision that their election petition cases be retried.

Both of them expressed optimism that they will triumph.

Suswam appealed to his supporters and members of the PDP to remain calm, saying his lawyers are ready to take up the issues at the Tribunal.

He said he will remain the governor of Benue state till 2015 because the people of Benue State massively voted for him and he is still holding their mandate in trust.

He restated his confidence in the judiciary and From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

dismissed on mere technicalities pointing out that prehearing notice can be done orally.

Ordering that the petitions should be heard on its merit, Justice Musdapher said “the justice of the matter is that the appeals be remitted back for

HOSPITAL VACANCIES LOCATION: Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos State.

1) POST - NYSC Medical Doctors with Surgical Experience 2) STAFF NURSES / MIDWIVES 3) HOSPITAL MANAGER Please apply with C.V. and scanned credential to elmaspecialisthospital@yahoo.com within 2 weeks Tel: 07069708815, 08089061340

hearing on their merits. I don’t know why judges should go on with the basis of pre-hearing conference alone to dismiss a petition without hearing it on its merit. Matters must be decided on their merits.

“It is too early for me to start losing my head, what is the difference between a letter or ex-parte motion? Everybody is watching us, I am begging you in the name of justice matters should be decided on their

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as miss Okporua Glory Oluwatoyin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebowale Glory Oluwatoyin.

NYSC and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE GARDEN CITYYABACOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for Registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Ademola Denloye 2. Chief Mrs. Queenie A. Wusu Adeniji 3. Chief Akinwale Okuyiga 4. Mr. Yomi Pearse 5. Mr. Bankole Amu 6. Mrs. Stella Modupe 7. Mr. Olufemi A. Akinbola 8. Mr. Olaniyi Maxwell Olowoshoke THE ASSOCIATION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1. To promote love, peace and social interaction among neighbours 2. To mobilize members towards the development of the community.

3. To solicit funds through lawful means and accept legacies for the community.

4. To contribute financially to the socio-economic development of the community.

5. To do all that will improve living standard of community members.

Any objection to the rsgistration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi street , Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I Chief Joseph A. Awoyinka of 44 oduduwa way ikeja declare that Mr. adeoye Olajide,my cousin, was issued the relevant documents to block 3,Flat 14.

Ogunmola Close Surulere by LSDPC but these got lost in transis.LSDPC and the general public please take note.

commended the Supreme Court for the judgment.

Last night in Abuja, Akpabio said there was nothing to worry about the Supreme Court verdict.

He said the retrial of the case would enable him show that he did not win the election on technical ground.

Akpabio said he was initially worried when the tribunal dismissed the ACN petition on “ground of technicality”, adding that he would have preferred that the case be heard on merit to enable him prove he won the election.

“If we need to retry; let’s retry. If we contest 10times, we will win 10times”, he said at the Akwa Ibom House in Abuja where he hosted a reception for national awards recipients from the state. merits and not technicalities.

“Our responsibility to whoever comes before us is to do justice without technicalities.

Where is justice after the tribunal itself issued the prehearing notice the same tribunal has fixed hearing and after some days somebody brought an application for the dismissal of the petition where is the justice in that situation?

“They just want to take an easy way out to finish the matter, we will say no to it.

Democracy is the number of people who vote for A or B, let justice be done.

The CJN who presided over the panel said counsel to the

respondents failed to convince the court on why the court should depart from its last week’s ruling on the Kebbi governorship election petition.

According to him, the appeal is limited to whether section 47[1] applies in the appeal adding “the appeal succeeds and it is hereby ordered that the tribunal should hear the appeals on their merits Denovo (afresh).

It will be recalled that the Courts of Appeal sitting in Makurdi and Calabar dismissed the petitions of Ugbah and Akpanudedehe on the grounds that their pre-hearing notices were filed ex-parte without the leave of the tribunal.

Ogun begins demolition

T

HE Ogun State Government yesterday began the demolition of some buildings in Ita–Eko, Abeokuta, the state capital, to pave the way for a six– lane Ita–Eko/Totoro road.

The contract for the 2.4km road was awarded to a Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), for N1.3 billion.

Those affected by the demolition complained that they were not given enough time to evacuate the buildings.

Commissioner for Works Olalekan Adegbite said res-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

idents were served 30 days notice before the demolition.

Adegbite said Governor Ibikinule Amosun also met with those affected before the demolition.

He said: “This is part of the urban renewal programme of this administration. Individuals were adequately involved and served notices of demolition. Those affected will be adequately compensated. We are going to rebuild some of the buildings, because we don’t want slums.”

Ex-Oyo CJ Ayorinde dies at 79

T

A FORMER Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Timothy Ayorinde, is

dead.

He died in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday, after

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

a brief illness. He was aged 79.

Burial arrangements would be announced soon.

‘Age is nobarrier to my aspiration’

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

ACTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship aspirant in Ondo State Dr Jayeola Ajatta yesterday said that he is fit and healthy to rule the state at 72, stressing that age is not a barrier to his aspiration.

Ajatta, a former member of House of Representatives told reporters in Lagos that older politicians have made more impact in politics and governance in the ‘Sunshine State’, citing the examples of the late former Governors Adekunle Ajasin and Adebayo Adefarati.

He said: “I am not too old to serve as governor of Ondo State. Age is not a barrier for anybody who wants to work for the people. Age is about counting of years; productivity is what the body can do. I have the strength. For 30 years, I have not been admitted into any hospital. For eight years, I was in the House of Representatives. I have the strength and God has blessed me with good health. I can cope with the rigour”.

Ajimobi mourns Olamiti’s mum OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has commiserated with the spokesman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Folu Olamiti, on the death of his mother, Madam Julianah Oluwawemimo Olamiti.

In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi said: “The deceased was an epitome of motherhood and a pillar of support to her immediate and extended family. She never looked back since the death of her husband 22 years ago. She brought up her children in the way of the Lord and ensured that they developed their potentials.”

He prayed that God would grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

9

NEWS

12 killed in Benue road crash

T

WELVE persons have died in a motor accident in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred when a Hiace bus belonging to a travel company carrying 15 passengers collided with a truck at 4.30pm.

It was learnt that the Hiace bus was heading to Vandeikya from Makurdi, while the truck was going on the opposite direction.

The bus driver was said to have attempted to overtake

O

another vehicle, but could not.

The oncoming truck collided with the passenger bus, killing 10 passengers on the spot. Two others were said to have died later.

It was gathered that the dead included students and civil servants, but their identities could not be immediately ascertained.

When The Nation visited the accident scene, there were mangled bodies of the victims scattered near the road.

The Federal Road Safety

Commission’s (FRSC’s) Sector Commander in the area, Mr Sunday Othenekaro, confirmed the accident. He blamed it on excessive speeding and wrong overtaking.

He cautioned drivers against excessive speeding, saying the “ember months” witness heavy traffic on highways.

“The end of year is here; the weather is bad; and there is increased volume of traffic. So, there is need for drivers to exercise maximum caution while driving,” Othenekaro said.

Aircraft’s tyres burst in Kano

VER 500 pilgrims returning from Saudi were scared Arabia yesterday when the tyre of the aircraft conveying them got burst at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

The Max Air Boeing 747 jumbo jet was said to be heading to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, when the incident happened.

The aircraft’s tyre reportedly got burst but the pilot managed to land it safely for

T

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

•500 pilgrims on board

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

the passengers to disembark.

It was gathered that the frightened pilgrims were grateful to God for escaping unhurt.

As at the time of filing this report, the airline’s engineers were replacing the damaged tyres.

The Media Consultant to Max Air, Alhaji Dahiru Ibra-

him, said the aircraft did not make an emergency landing.

He said: “The aircraft lost four of its rear tyres while landing. It was not an emergency landing as being speculated. The pilot decided to land at the Kano Airport because air planes cannot land at night at the Yola Airport.”

He said the passengers would be flown to Yola during the day.

Fresh trouble rocks Kogi PDP

HERE is fresh trouble over the nomination of Captain Idris Wada as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.

A chieftain of the party, Mr. Emmanuel Abalaka yesterday asked an Abuja Federal High Court to disqualify him from the December 3 governorship election.

In an originating summons brought pursuant to sections 31 (2), 31 (5) (6) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the plaintiff asked the court to declare that Wada’s nomination by the PDP is null, void and of no consequence.

He is asking for an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Wada as a candidate in the poll.

The respondents are the PDP, INEC and Wada.

The Plaintiff is contending that Wada was not a card carrying member of PDP by the time he was nominated by the party as its governorship candidate.

“The defendant (Captain Wada) has occasioned a mischievous and violent insertion of his name in the membership list of the 2nd defendant (PDP) in ward 1,

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

contrary to the Electoral Act 2010, as amended”, he stated.

The plaintiff alleged that Wada made false declarations in his affidavit in support of personal particulars adding that he also forged the membership card of PDP to participate in the primary election.

He further alleged that Wada forcefully obtained the membership register of

PDP in Ward 1 and fraudulently inserted his name; an action he noted cannot confer membership of the party on him.

Besides, he alleged that Wada made false declaration that he attended Federal Government College Sokoto between 1969 and 1970 and the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology in the same period.

Assembly worried over insecurity in Ilorin

T

HE rising incident of attacks of innocent persons in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital by unknown assailants has become a source of concern to the House of Assembly.

Accordingly, the House has directed Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Peter Gana, to urgently nip the menace in the bud.

The Speaker Razaq Atunwa handed down the directive while reading out the resolution on a matter of public importance raised by the member representing Oke-Ero Constituency, Abraham Asahaolu on what he called “the incessant secret killings of people in Ilorin metropolis.”

The House directive came

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

just as the police command confirmed the arrest of four of suspects, who were found in possession of cutlasses and a stick.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dabo Ezekiel said “we have arrested four suspects: two from A Division and 2 from Adewole, three of them were found with cutlasses, one with a stick. We have charged them to court.”

Narrating her ordeal one of the victims, a member of Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Yemisi Arigbede said she was attacked penultimate Sunday around Tanke area in the metropolis.

Tribunal withdraws senator’s certificate for Aliero

T

HE Kebbi State National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal yesterday declared the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate, Senator Adamu Aliero, winner of the April National Assembly election.

Aliero, the former governor of the state, and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contested for the Kebbi Central Senatorial District. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Bagudu winner and issued him the certificate of return.

But tribunal Chairman, Justice Aliero EdodoEruaga, yesterday reversed the verdict and ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Bagudu and give it to Alerio.

She said on July 30, the court entered judgment against the first and second respondents

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin-Kebbi

(Buguda and PDP) for disobeying a pre-hearing order; being substantially unprepared; and for failure to participate in good faith pursuant to Paragraph 18[11] of the First Schedule ofthe Electoral Act. According to her, the judgment was also entered against the third, fourth and fifth respondents for being “substantially unprepared” and for disobeying a pre-hearing order.

Justice Eruaga noted that subsequent to the judgment and in pursuance of paragraphs 18(11),(12) and (13) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act,2010 (as amended), Section 36 of the Constitution (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the tribunal, the respondents filed Motions on Notice praying the tribunal for reliefs.

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 2011

NEWS

Bayelsa PDP crisis deepens

Two ‘pastors’ in police net over kidnap From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

T

WO ‘pastors’ and their accomplices have been arrested by the Delta State Police Command over complicity in the kidnap of Mrs. Grace Odibo.

The victim, who lives at Orhuwhorun road in Ovwian-Aladja, Udu Local Government of Delta State, was abducted on her way from church.

Police spokesman Patrick Ebokah, who confirmed the arrest, said the victim was kidnapped by a five-man armed gang.

Ebokah said the victim, who was with Miss Ufouma Apkejohwo in her car, was held in the home of ‘Prophet’ Jeffery Awaniki.

He said the victim was held for days before she was rescued.

Other suspects include ‘Prophet’ Martin Umueku, Ufouma Odejewho and Kenji Egan.

Ebokah said the anti-kidnap squad, acting on a tip-off, stormed the hide-out, arresting the suspects and rescuing the victim unhurt.

He said the suspects would be charged to court soon.

Uduaghan condoles with Delta NLC

D

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed shock over the death of the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mike Akusu, who died last week.

Uduaghan, who spoke at the signing of the condolence register, described the deceased as a resourceful unionist.

He regretted that people misunderstood the late NLC Chairman because of the feat he achieved, especially the welfare packages he garnered for his constituency.

The governor said: “This loss is a big one and it is difficult to say anything. Indeed he was clearly misunderstood and his death is painful.”

Uduaghan urged the NLC, NUT and the family to sustain his legacies, especially what he stood for.

F

OUR days to the governorship primary in Bayelsa State, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from over.

Members of the State Working Committee (SWC) are divided over the ward congress.

Ten of the 13-member committee are allegedly supporting Governor Timipre Sylva, who has been barred alongside three others from participating in the primary.

Armed security agents have taken over the PDP secretariat ahead of the primary.

The Momod Wakili–led Committee, including some members of the divided state executive council, came into Yenagoa and left unannounced.

The committee members said the ward elections took place, but 10 SWC members led by the state legal adviser, Michael Emiemokumo, disagreed.

They said ward elections

Leadmode inducts 35 students

L

EADMODE Resource Centre, in collaboration with its partner universities, will hold its 36th induction event on Saturday in Lagos office and on November 26 in the Abuja office.

Thirty five students will be inducted into various United Kingdom universities.

The programme is designed to give the students the best start to the distance learning programmes as they are introduced to an international standard of knowledge acquisition and its expectations.

•SWC members divided Aspirants to collect clearance certificates tomorrow From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed the seven aspirants cleared to take part in the Saturday governorship primary in Bayelsa State to report to the party’s national secretariat to collect their clearance certificates personally tomorrow.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, requested the aspirants to report at the secretariat at noon to enable them return to Bayelsa early enough to begin preparations for the primary.

The seven aspirants so listed are: Orufa Justine Boloubo; Dickson Seriake Henry; Enai Christopher Fullpower; Kalango Michael Youppele; Francis Amaebi; Ekiyegha Francis Korobido and Austin Febo.

T

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

were not held in the state.

Emiemokumo said the national delegation arrived at the secretariat and told them to wait.

“They said they were going to visit the Commissioner of Police, State Security Service (SSS) Director

and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“But we waited from 1.30 pm till 5pm at the secretariat; but we did not see any of them, we called the Chairman’s line but it was switched off.

“There was no ward election of any sort conducted.

“Their action showed they came here for a different mission and not for the conduct of the ward elections.

“They did not carry out the exercise.

“Contrary to their promise they did not even visit the Commissioner of Police, the SSS, and the governor, they condoned off the secretariat with policemen from outside the state. This is wrong.”

Sylva also said the committee never visited him.

“No. They never showed up; I waited all day for them,” the governor said.

But a member of the Wakili –led Committee, Ene Ketebu, insisted that materials were distributed and the ward elections were conducted.

“We have evidence to prove, we monitored most of the wards,” he said.

An aspirant, Seriake Dickson, commended party faithful for the massive turnout for the congress.

“I thank party faithful for massive turnout for the ward election,” Seriake said.

2,000 houses for demolition in Rivers

T

O pave the way for a new major highway from Mile 1, Diobu to Port Harcourt International Airport, the Rivers State Government has said it would demolish 2,000 houses on the route.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Governor Rotimi Amaechi spoke at a thanksgiving service at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt.

He said the exercise would begin in January.

Amaechi said the road would run from the Elechi Beach axis of Diobu through the State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) to an overhead bridge before it terminates at the airport.

The governor said the project is the only solution to the rising gridlock in the city.

He said: “The truth is, among these roads we are constructing there are no new roads.

“The only new road we have in place is the road from Eastern-bypass to EastWest Road. So we need to open new roads because no matter how much we expand the old ones, we still

need a fresh access.”

He pleaded with residents of the affected areas, especially in Diobu to cooperate with government as compensation would be paid before the buildings will be demolished.

“So if you live around there don’t worry, we will pay compensation, we will not just mark your houses and demolish them. We need to do that, so that all of us can move about freely”.

Amaechi hinted that two major roads under construction, the Ada-George Road and G. U. Ake Road, would be completed by March, as the government has released funds to the contractors to hasten work during the dry season.

Also speaking at Christ Church International denominational, Port Harcourt, the governor further hinted of plans by the government to begin another phase of demolition to restore sanity in the city centre.

Amaechi, who spoke during a thanksgiving Service in

•Amaechi

honour of Madam Atile, said his administration was poised to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.

He said the exercise would be two-pronged covering sanitation and urban development.

Amaechi said he had directed the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (GPCDA) to relocate the Ikoku Spare Parts Traders within six months.

Police shoot suspected car snatcher in Rivers

A

SUSPECTED car snatcher has been killed in a shootout with policemen in Rivers State.

Five robbery suspects were also arrested.

It was gathered yesterday that on Tombia Road, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, three armed men attempted to snatch a Vento car from their victim, Adamu.

In the resulting exchange of gunfire between the car snatchers and policemen from Olu Obasanjo Divisional Police Headquarters patrol, one of the hoodlums was killed and the car recovered.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam,

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

who confirmed the incident, said the search for the fleeing suspects would continue.

Three of the five arrested suspects forced open an Infinity Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) a new generation bank on Aba Road and removed N600,000 belonging to Pastor Godwin, which was recovered from them.

A raid was also carried out in the Pipeline area of Rumuokwurushi, Port Harcourt, by policemen from Elimgbu Division, leading to the arrest of the two other suspects, Aniefiok and Aken.

Six mobile phones were recovered.

Youths threaten to disrupt Shell’s projects

Y

OUTHS under the auspices of Udu Youths Council, Udu Local Government of Delta State, yesterday threatened to stop construction work at Shell’s Utorogun NAG2 gas plant.

The youths alleged that the community which Shell made a chief host is a customary tenant to one of the

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

Udu communities.

The group, in a letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan, said the ongoing gas plant is located on Owhrode and Otor-Udu, two Udu communities.

It added that despite series of representations to Shell, Shell has refused to act on.

They urged Jonathan to look into the complaints of the Udu people with a view to putting an end to the impending crisis between the company and the communities.

The youths decried that the company had consistently kept silent, thus brazenly violating their communal dignity over their land.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

As at the end of October 2011, the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has generated a total of N602b into the Fed Acct. By the end of the year, we hope to have generated bonus revenue of over N100b into government’s coffers.

-Comptroller-General, NCS, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi

Naira weakens on forex demand surges

Soldiers, Police to guard PHCN facilities nationwide

T

HE naira eased mar ginally against the Unied States dollar on the interbank market yesterday after demand for the greenback outweighed supply at a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bi-weekly foreign exchange auction.

The naira, according to Reuters News, closed at N158.90 to the dollar on the interbank market, weaker than N158.60 per dollar on Friday.

“The naira weakened mainly because of the gap between demand and supply at the bi-weekly auction and the initial delay in the release of the results of forex auction, which created uncertainty in the market,” one dealer said.

At the bi-weekly auction, demand surged to $694 million, but the CBN sold only $250 million at N154.50 to the dollar. The regulator sold $100 million at N152.82 to the dollar at its last auction on Wednesday.

Dealers said the outlook for the naira depended on the willingness of the apex bank to sustain direct dollar sales to the market and ensure support for the local currency.

The CBN accounts for more than 80 per cent of dollar supply to the domestic foreign exchange market, giving it substantial influence over the exchange rate in Nigeria.

“The market is looking up to the Central Bank to sustain its direct dollar sales to the market to ensure stability in the market, otherwise the naira will depreciate further in days ahead,” another dealer said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.3/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $32.820b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.2958 206.9 242.1 151.8 1.9179 238 40.472

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

S

• Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr Kennedy Uzoka; Head, Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Obidike Ngozika and Divisional Head, Retail Banking of the bank, Mr Chidi Okpala, at the launch of UBA Lion King Savings Rewards Promo, in Lagos ... on Monday

Okonjo-Iweala:Nigeria needs N10.63tr for infrastructure • IFC to build second Niger Bridge, three others A

BOUT $67 billion (N10.6trillion) would be required to fix Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit in the next four years, it was leant yesterday.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed this yesterday at the opening session of the Africa Regional Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Conference in Lagos, said the funds would be used to upgrade roads, fix bridges, channeled to the energy sector, the ports, hospitals and schools. The Information Technology sector also needs more investment among others, to create jobs and attract foreign direct investment.

Okonjo-Iweala, who was represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerimas Lawan Ngama, said the budget alone cannot finance these projects and, therefore, called for PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP).

“We need cheaper capital to support our growth. We expect such funds to come through PPP,” she said.

The Finance Minister said the construction of the Second Niger bridge, LagosIbadan Expressway, the

By Collins Nweze

Abuja International Airport and the Benin-Shagamu Expressway top government’s priority list in infrastructure financing.

She said the private sector is willing to enter into partnership with governments on PPP investments, but doing that will be dependent on returns on investments on those projects.

Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria needs clear institutional framework for the implementation, management and assessment of PPP projects within the government, which would set clear roles and responsibilities for regulation, preparation, assessment, supervision, and final monitoring and evaluation.

She said the projects also need to be bankable. “The private sector is looking for bankable projects. The reason Indonesia is not working as well as it should is because of the failure to get good bankable projects to market as such would promote more PPP in the economy,” she said. Okonjo-

Iweala noted that PPP takes a long time to mature even in the best of times and that the more a project is spread out, the complex it becomes.

She regretted that in Nigeria, PPP projects take twice the time needed to complete them in other countries, noting that this has to be addressed to attract investors.

Besides, she said that Nigeria needs a transparent private sector and the understanding development partners to get the PPP working.

Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, also announced it will provide Advisory Services for a new public-private partnership to build a hospital in Cross River State, and that it will explore the financing of a second Niger River bridge project at the request of the government.

IFC will also consider the feasibility of a public-private partnership that would lead to investment for a second Niger River bridge crossing.

The IFC Country Manager Nigeria, Africa Department, Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor,

said the preliminary assessment and technical consultations for the Second Niger bridge will be done in January 2012.

The two conferences, sponsored by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, seek to bridge the gap between PPP theory and best practices to create new opportunities for increased private infrastructure in Nigeria and other countries.

The World Bank estimates that Africa requires more than $90 billion annually in investment in maintenance and new projects, but is spending less than half of that. The banks estimates that the Nigerian manufacturing sector must bear additional indirect costs amounting to 16 per cent of sales because of bottlenecks in the business environment, much of it related to infrastructure. Losses due to power outages alone amount to 10 per cent of sales.

OLDIERS will be de ployed soon to join po licemen in guarding facilities of the Power Company of Nigeria (PHCN) across the nation, it was learnt yesterday The deployment, according to informed sources, is sequel to recent advice by the intelligence community to the government to enhance security of critical infrastructure. This stemmed from the threat to national security by the extremist Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram, which wants the introduction of Sharia law in the country and regards western education as forbidden.

Troops from the Army, Navy and Airforce are to guard PHCN’s transmission and generation facilities, said sources in the office of the National security Adviser, General Andrew Aziza (retired), who was Director of Military Intelligence and Chief of Army Staff.

The Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, according to his Special Adviser, C. Don Adinuba, was on Sunday night informed of the Federal Government’s decision to deploy troops to protect the facilities and the workers. He added that the minister has accordingly informed the PHCN Managing Director, Hussein Labo, and the chief executive officers of the 18 PHCN successor companies, as well as stakeholders such as the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and the National Union of Electricity Employees of the development.”

It was also gathered that soldiers, who have been guarding high profile places in the Federal Capital Territory, such as Sheraton and Hilton hotels in the wake of the Boko Harem attacks, are now deployed to large churches and mosques during service.

“It was soldiers,” stated a prominent worshipper who craved anonymity, “who provided security during yesterday masses at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church at Asokoro, Abuja.”

BA, Aviation ministry officials meet in Abuja over slot

O

FFICIALS of the Min istry of Aviation yes terday met with British Airways officials on how to resolve the reduction in flight frequency for the carrier.

The ministry had slashed BA flight slots from seven to thrice weekly from London Heathrow airport into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The one week extension granted British Airways by the Federal Government to allow for discussions on the issue expires today.

As at press time, it was not

• Minister insists carrier must comply

BY Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

clear whether both parties reached a compromise on how to resolve the impasse amid high wire intervention by the British Minister, David Cameron, who it was learnt, had appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to assist.

But Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on media, Joe Obi, disclosed that the status quo remains, as BA will have to comply with the new directive to only operate three

weekly flights out of the MMIA. Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, has insisted that there is no going back on the review of the air pact between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Speaking through Obi, she said: “As the controversy surrounding the reduction of British Airway’s slots into the MMIA rages, it has become imperative to make certain clarifications as the issues are

being muddled up for various inexplicable reasons, some certainly bordering on the selfish interest and agenda of those making the insinuations and nuanced interpretations.

“While the Minister of Aviation maintains that Arik Air, a Nigerian Flag Carrier has not been fairly treated by the sudden denial of its slots from Abuja into London Heathrow, the main issue at stake here is not about Arik Air, but about the need to respect the spirit and letter of BASA Agreement, which is predicated on the principles of equity, fairness

and reciprocity.

“Those who argue that the fate of Arik with regard to the loss of its slots into London Heathrow was a consequence of purely independent, commercial decisions by ACL, which is in charge of slot allocation into Heathrow are missing the point, if not being entirely mischievous. The British authorities are under obligation as far as BASA is concerned to ensure that whatever ‘independent’ and ‘commercial’ decisions are taken by its corporate citizens do not infringe on bilateral agreements.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

12

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

• New owners get assets today

By Emeka Ugwuanyi and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

target production of 50,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) by 2015.

The Chairman of NPDC and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Austen Oniwon and the Managing Director of the NPDC, Abiye Membere, okayed the deal for NPDC, while the Chairman of FHN, Mr Egbert Imomoh and Chief Executive Officer FHN, Mr Labi Ogunbiyi signed for FHN. Speaking at the sale completion ceremony, Oniwon said Shell, Total, NAOC and NNPC ensured that the divestment was successfully prosecuted.

The NNPC chief said NPDC has the resources to support the venture. He said the company is on track to achieve its target of production of 250, 000 barrels daily by 2015.

NNPC’s internal system has been significantly enhanced providing the company with unpar-

alleled autonomy and a new board of directors had been inaugurated to support the company’s growth. This will, undoubtedly, enable a very quick turnaround of the company.

Oniwon said: “We (NNPC) will not interfere with the business of NPDC. We will always support the company to achieve its set target of becoming an international E&P company.”

The Managing Director of Shell, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, expressed confidence that FHN and NPDC would partner as a team to develop the block successfully. The divestment of the IOC’s interests in the block brings to a closure a thorny issue that has been with us for some time.

Imomoh said the vision of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) entered into with NPDC a few years ago is being realised with this partnership on OML 26 and FHN would seek for more opportunities jointly with NPDC.

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

HE Nigerian National Petro leum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture has completed the sale of its two oil blocks.

The deal on the oil blocks located at Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 26 and 42 were sealed on Sunday in Abuja.

The First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN), owned by Afren bought Shell’s 45 per cent shareholding in OML 26 while Neconde Energy, a consortium consisting of Nigeria’s Nestoil, Aries and VP Global and Poland’s Kulczk Oil Ventures bought Shell’s 45 per cent stake in OML 42.

The assets will be handed over to the new owners today in Abuja.

The NNPC, which holds 55 percent shares in the oil blocks, transferred its shares to its exploration and production subsidiary – Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

In the NNPC/Shell JV oil blocks, Total owns 10 per cent stake, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, owns (five per cent stake) while NNPC and SPDC own (55 per cent and 30 per cent stakes).

According to the NNPC, Oil Block 26 bought by Afren, has a

12.15 12.45

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

1. Dana

NNPC, Shell JV complete sale of two oil blocks T T

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Air Nigeria tackles strike

08.00 18.00

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

• From left: Chief Executive Director, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Lawan Ngama and Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, at the NSE Essay Competition Awards, in Lagos.

Nigeria’s debt is N6.1tr, says DMO

N

IGERIA’s total public debt (domestic and external) stands at N6.1 trillion, the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, has said.

He said debt stock represents about 19.6 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that it is sustainable.

Speaking at the start of training for its first set of medium-term debt strategy experts in Abuja, Nwankwo said even though the total debt stock has been growing over the past five years, the debt to GDP ratio has remained almost stable below 20 per cent.

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

Noting that Nigeria’s GDP over the last five years has been growing very significantly, he appealed to Nigerians to appreciate that “you do not consider debt stock in isolation of GDP and economic activity.”

The objective medium-term debt strategy training, Nwankwo said, is to prepare a medium-term debt strategy to help Nigeria’s debt profile address the issue effective risk management.

Nwankwo challenged the trainees that at the end of the

programme, the DMO should boast of a medium-term strategy for Nigeria and the skills to undertake the process without external technical support.

He noted that even though the DMO had wanted the mediumterm strategy to be part of its portfolio of skills and documentations, “the need for it has become more imperative giving the developments in the global economy, and given that in the next few years, the global economy will be dominated by concerns about public debt management and national debt management in general.”

Fed Govt frets over N4.5b MDAs’ ICT budget

T

HE Federal Government has expressed worry on the pro posed N4.5 billion to be spent on the installation of ICT infrastructure by some selected Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which could have been deployed at a lower cost and higher standard by Galaxy Backbone, the government’s IT agency.

This came on a day the National Assembly said the mechanism will be put in motion to ensure the passage of the cybercrime bill to advance ICT in governance and economic development in Nigeria.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Omobola Johnson, expressed concerns about the proposed ICT budget in Abuja at the Fifth public sector ICT Infrastructure forum and the public presentation of ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Certification by Galaxy Backbone.

The Minister, while frowning at such frivolous spending on the deployment of IT in the MDAs, noted: “There are still too many instances of individual MDAs deploying ICT infrastructure that is better deployed

through a more effective pooling of financial and human resources.

Johnson stressed that the role of ICT in governance and national development with specific reference to one of the mandates of the Ministry is to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality of public service delivery.

She noted that the Federal Government has invested significantly in the deployment of ICTs in MDAs, evidenced in ICT projects by MDAs and central projects, such as IPPIS, the ongoing GIFMIS and UTIN projects among others.

BY Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

HE management of Air Ni geria has intervened in the strike embarked upon by its engineers.

Flight operations of the carrier were yesterday disrupted at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Terminal Two, Ikeja, Lagos by the strike of engineers over the alleged sack of their Head of Maintenance.

But the Media Relations Manager of Air Nigeria, Mr Sam Ogbogoro, said efforts were being made to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

The Chairman of Air Nigeria, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, who is abroad, also told The Nation in a telephone interview that the matter was being resolved by the management of the airline.

Ogbogoro said the dispute stemmed from a management change within the airline’s Maintenance Department, which did not result in any loss of jobs.

“We have been informed that the Nigerian Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has reacted to this change and raised other issues regarding the welfare of the engineers in the airline’s employment,” he said.

He said the airline continuously adopts world class standards in the execution of its flight operations and maintenance, including maintaining a pool of required spares and other tools required for the maintenance of aircraft in its fleet.

“The airline also strives to ensure that the conditions of service of its personnel are at par with best practices in the industry,” Ogbogoro added.

NAAPE National President Isaac Balami said the grounding of flight operations of the airline became imperative because the sacked head of maintenance said the aircraft he was asked to release for operations was due for maintenance.

He explained that it amounts to cutting corners for the management to prevail on the engineer to release an aircraft for flight, when indeed it is due for maintenance.

The Media Assistant to the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Mr Sam Adurogboye, explained that the regulatory agency had been briefed on the issue.

Jagal, firm’s JV to boost local content

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

T

HE local content develop ment has received a boost with the formation of a joint venture company between Jagal, a Nigerian firm and Subsea 7 - one of the largest offshore oil servicing companies in the world.

The firm known as Niger Star7 would boost the capabilities of Nigerians, who are working in NigerDock, a fabrication company; and subsidiary of Jagal and those working with Subsea7, who are also skilled in the oil and gas industry.

This relationship is based on the requirement of the Nigerian Content Act, which emphasised the need to build the nation’s industrial capability in the oil and gas industry.

It is expected to create thousands of jobs and increase capacity capability. For the first time, an indigeneous company will have access to better technology, people, and resources in a tough marketplace. Nigerstar 7 said it would create more value in the country through investment in long term development through training of people, deployment of world class equipment and access to leading facilities in Nigeria both in Warri and Lagos operations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

13

14

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

15

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Local content: a question of capacity The long-awaited local content boom has yet to materialise. There remains a myriad of barriers to secure full indigenous capacity in the oil industry, writes Daniel Essiet.

S

INCE President Goodluck Jonathan signed the local con tent bill into law last year, local operators have not gotten enough business from oil and gas sector as projected. The transformation is taking longer than observers would have hoped. While some areas dominated by foreign companies before are now into the embrace of some local operators through strategic partnerships, there are still some places multinationals have not let go.

Experts in the industry believe that capacity remains weak at all levels, leaving the country’s resources vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous investors.

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board ( NCDMB) has big ambitions. So big, that its plans, if realised, will make the sector fully indigenised in the near future.

Regulators’ perspective

The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwapa, said the government is supporting local capacity, and utilisation of local facilities in the execution of jobs in the oil and gas sector.

Represented by a senior executive of the board, Mr. Taiwo Elegba at an oil and gas trainers workshop in Lagos, the NCDMB boss noted that with the development of new oil fields and production of natural gas is rising, there was need for investments in pipe infrastructure to deliver oil and gas across destinations. He urged local operators to take advantage of it.

Nwapa noted that the nation is sitting on vast energy resources but regretted that local operators were not tapping into it.

While some contracts have been awarded to Nigerian entities, Nwapa noted that the jobs get executed abroad with tools leased from foreign companies, thereby exporting most of the spend. He said the board intends to regulate oil and gas exploration, development and production to ensure they are executed as provided within the requirement of the local content law.

He also rued the low patronage of indigenous marine vessels by the IOCs, noting that the industry spends approximately $4billion annually, but nearly 80 per cent of the spend end up abroad.

The industry, Nwapa said, should commit to the Vessel Replacement Strategy developed by the Board, which will see Nigerian-owned Anchor Handling Tug Supply, AHTS, and Platform Supply Vessels, PSVs, replace foreign owned vessels.

To ensure the success of the Offshore Rigs Acquisition Strategy, Equipment Components Manufacturing Requirements and the Establishment of Line Pipe Mills policies, Nwapa challenged operators to brace up to the 2015 target.

Clearly, in some areas, foreign and local partnerships hold the potential not only in mobilising capital but also helping transfer technical and managerial expertise.

Stakeholders believe foreign and private partnerships have advantage of instilling discipline be-

tween all the project partners at every stage of the design, construction and operation of the infrastructure concerned. Some operations have a large slice of political risk attached to them, and brokers now point to questions about the viability of insuring it. But as the risk goes up, it becomes more prohibitive.

To watchers, the emergence of local private equity interests don’t meant an upward swing for the industry because of the huge capital outlook required to start some fairly major projects such as developing a number of liquid and multi-purpose terminals, storage facilities or even purchase an Floating Production and Storage (FPSO).

There are a number of ‘hot’ projects that do need large slices of foreign investment, by virtue of its strategic importance.

Local operators need money to be able to provide offshore drilling activities. Oil majors own drilling rigs in operation throughout the country.

On the average, the exploration well cost between $40-$60 million and there is a one in four chance of discovering a commerciallyviable oil field that could contain reserves of up to 450 million barrels. The costs of an exploration well, in an offshore environment, frequently exceed US$20 million (•16.6 million) and can be much higher for deep reservoirs and at times of high rig rates. The cost of finding and tapping new oil and gas reserves is on the rise while the appetite for energy is getting bigger. Drilling accounts for a major proportion of oil industry expenditure.

Experts’ perspective

According to experts, If the exploration well is successful and oil or gas (or both) are found, then one or more appraisal wells may be drilled to get a better understanding of the reservoir. These wells help to decide how (or if) to develop the field. Exploration drilling is a high risk proposition; most exploration wells do not result in commercial developments.

If a find is promising and commercial conditions are right, the field will be developed and brought into production. It takes

•From left: Prof Mike Onyekonwu, Chairman/President, Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN); Vassily BarberoPoulos, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Local Content (MANLOC) group and Afe Mayowa, Chairman, OGTAN, Lagos zone at a workshop by the association in Lagos.

between three and seven years from discovery to production.

This period particularly is long in environments such as deep water, remote locations and in new basins with little infrastructure.

In general, the supply costs associated with resource exploitation includes capital costs related to exploration, development, production, operating costs, taxes, royalties and producer rate of return.

He said indigenous operators need to be financially capable to take partial control of these activities to ensure their survival in the industry.

Nwapa said his organisation has conducted a manpower planning exercise, which identified the number and level of capabilities required in step with each stage of the exploration plan. According to him, there are other kinds of diversification afoot, as operators are getting increasingly “supply chain” minded and starting to look at bringing added value services into the sector.

Stakeholders’ perspective

In his address, the chairman, board of Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria, (OGTAN), Prof. Mike Onyekonwu said new technologies have changed the way reserves are identified, developed and produced.

He said continuous innovation and technological development have made possible new ways of producing more oil and gas from a field.

Onyekonwu said local operators need to be allowed to play a

major role in the oil and natural gas markets.

Consequently, he said the industry needs skilled workers who know how to best use new technology.

Onyekonwu said it is essential the government recognise the need to make definite progress in fulfilling the many already existing commitments to capacity building and transfer of technology.

He said they have identified the required competencies for oil development and understand the particular technical challenges in developing and exploiting the oil fields.

The chairman said the association is determined to establish training standards that will be accepted by the oil and gas Industry.

He said OGTAN is ready to work with International Oil Companies (IOCs) to identify the training requirements .

Onyekonwu said developing local content will contribute to employment, raise national income and improve the balance of payments. It spills over into much of the rest of the economy through demand for local products and serv-ices, and by improving transportation, infrastructure, and utilities, inter alia. Oil and gas sector, with Nigerians in control , he noted will become an important driver of growth and prosperity, and it can also play a role in poverty reduction, particularly within developing countries.

The Chairman ,Manufacturers

Association of Nigeria Local Content Group(MANLOC ),Mr Vassily Barberopolous said developing the industry requires that the government opens employment and business opportunities in all large oil and gas projects to indigenous firms.

He said Nigeria is far away from achieving its dream since the nation got the local content legislation last year.

Brazil,he noted, is very developed today because it enforce local content policy way back in the 1970s and in the year 2000 they enforced a local content bill for the Oiland Gas Industries and today they have become one of the major playersin the world economy.

Barberopolous said if the country want to grow its economy, adequate support should be given to support local industries.

He said the mandate of the group is to support the Nigeria local content bill for the petroleum industry and ensure compliance to increasing standards.

He urged the government to improve its domestic refining capacity to meet the increasing demand for liquid fuels.

To view of some stakeholders is that the nation embarks upon a balanced process of local content development and modernisation of the sector.

To some of them, combining home grown know-how with outside expertise could provide a winning formula for the country’s long-term sustainable development through oil and gas.

Govt urged to review taxes on petroleum products

T

HE Federal government has been advised to reduce taxes on petroleum products to keep fuel price down in the country.

Speaking during the fifth Oil Trading and Logistics Downstream Expo in Abuja , the National President Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN) Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, emphasised there were too many taxes levied by the government on petroleum products .

Presenting a paper, on Petroleum retail and the customer as King, Abdulkadir, said reducing taxes on petroleum products will reduce the impact of the price hike on the com-

mon man.

He said the effects of fuel price hike are enormous to the economy and an individual person.

“This include inflation where life becomes a burden to majority of citizens as costs of living increase rapidly, increased transport costs, rising prices of food and industrial goods as well as electricity,” he said.

He said the government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has the monopoly of DPK (Kerosine) supply for retailing.

He said diesel supply to independent marketers was not adequate, urging the government to allow marketer import it on subsidy to

reach the masses .

Abdulkadir hinted, however, that supply of premium motor spirit (PMS) to marketers for retailing was adequate.

He urged the government to review the regulations to enable other firms to import petroleum products.

He said this would further help control the price of the commodity in the market.

On other challenges, he pointed out that lack of sufficient storage capacity was the main reason for insufficient supply of petroleum in the country.

Abdulkadir called on the government to take measures for sustainable pricing of petroleum products.

The IPMAN boss said inadequate and unreliable supply of power is a chronic problem and adversely affects fuel supply by disrupting pipeline and refining operations.

He said the nation would have been well positioned to expand the share of petroleum products if the rail were working and the roads were better for movement of trucks .

The situation, he noted, would deter professional fleet management committed to safety and ontime delivery.

He said trucks require much better road surfaces. He said greater use of rail can reduce costs, which requires rehabilitation and expansion of existing lines in some cases.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

16

ENERGY

‘Liquefied Petroleum Gas can generate N37b yearlly’

T

HE Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market in the country can generate N37 billion annually with a 50 per cent rate of return on investment.

The Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC) Haruna Momoh disclosed this at a conference organised by the Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Association (NLPGA) in Lagos.

He urged the government and other stakeholders to take advantage of the enormous opportunities in the industry .

Speaking on the theme: Exceptional Energy:The role and importance of LPG in Nigeria’s economy,Momoh said because energy plays a very vital role in a country’s economic and industrial development, LPG as an exceptional form of energy can help boost the economy if and when properly harnessed and developed.

He recalled with nostalgia how the demand for LPG grew rapidly from 34,000MT in the eighties to about 129,000 MT in the nineties and further plunged downward to 43,000 MT in year 2001. He attributed the decline in LPG consumption to decades of instability in the sector and recurrent scarcity of the product.

According to him, the current LPG consumption put at 120,000 MT may be a remarkable improve-

By Bidemi Bakare

ment considering the dismal level of consumption before this time but argued that with the right drive, passion and policies LPG consumption can be increased steadily for the economy to be positively affected.

He said if the projections are anything to go by, it is obvious that the country still has an excess shortfall in consumption that potential investors and the government must have to address.

“If from the projections that Nigeria with a population of about 150 million people has about 5 persons per household then we will have an approximate 30 million households in the country. And assuming a projected 9 million households consume a minimum of 150kg per annum,this translates to about 1.35 million MT per annum.When this is compared to the country’s consumption of about 120,000 MT last year ending, we are still left with a market balance of about 1.23 million MT per annum.From this analysis it is obvious that there is a substantial untapped LP market available in the country if only we can leverage on the available opportunities and tap into the wealth of LPG utilization to boost our economy, he stated.”

He urged the government, the

private sector, the regulatory authorities and other stakeholders to collaborate in order to articulate robust policies, strengthen regulations, improve standards and ensure a level playing ground in the sector.

He listed areas where collaborative effort is needed to include; regular supply of LPG at affordable prices, cylinder and appliances acquisition scheme/in-country manufacture and rehabilitation of all abandoned gas plants.

Others include aggressive awareness campaign, standardisation of LPG appliances and training of technicians.

While advising the private sector to promote investments in primary/coastal depots, trucking/ transportation, and manufacturing of cylinder accessories, cylinder importation and manufacturing and depots/filing plants, he promised that the NNPC/PPMC on its part will continue to pledge unflinching support, leadership role, viable partnership and full participation in all progressive gestures until the country maximizes its full LPG potentials.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Yomi Awobokun said the government and the private sector would have to collaborate and engage themselves in mutually beneficial roles to enhance adequate supply, dis-

• From left: Saidu Mohammed, Managing Director, Nigerian Gas Company; Venkataraman Venkatapathy, Managing Director, NIPCO and Rajesh Prahbu, General Manager, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Projects at NIPCO’s stand during the just concluded OTL Downstream Expo in Abuja.

NIPCO assures stakeholders of sufficient fuel supply

N

IPCO Plc, a downstream player in the nation’s oil and gas industry has assured stakeholders of availability of petroleum products during the ember months and beyond.

The company’s Managing Director, Venkataraman Venkatapathy, gave the assurance at the Oil Trading & Logistics Conference/Exhibition in Abuja.

Venkataraman said the company makes petroleum products available through the 5,000 outlets of its partnering members and the over 100 Nipco dealer stations across the country.

According to him, no efforts will be spared to ensure that the company remains in the forefront of making sure that fuel scarcity does not rear its ugly head again in the country.

Venkataraman told Ibrahim Shehu Njiddah , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Energy Partnership during the conference that Nipco remains committed to

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

steady and uninterrupted supply of fuels to all parts of the country with special attention given to the northern part of the country.

He noted NIPCO’s pioneering role in making motorists use compressed natural gas to power their vehicles as against petrol adding that the company through a joint venture scheme with Nigerian Gas Company, has completed six CNG stations in Benin ,Edo State and well over 250 taxis are now running on CNG with all the attendant benefits .

He said: “Aside inaugurating the CNG stations in Benin, some incentive schemes were also introduced alongside to reduce the burden of installing the kits in vehicles. Cars running on CNG enjoys 50 per cent savings in fuel in addition to making the city of Benin greener and environment

friendly.”

Venkataraman said that installation kits at no cost to all the taxis currently running on CNG in the city of Benin is boosting use of gas.

On liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the NIPCO chief said the company has improved the infrastructural landscape of the nation with the inauguration of the state of the art 4500MT plant in Apapa Lagos.

He explained that the company has also put in place a robust transportation scheme of well over 20 trucks to deliver LPG to bottling plants across the country.

In his remarks, Njiddah said the lofty heights the company has attained within its few years of operation is highly commendable and worthy of emulation by other operators. “Your efforts in championing use of CNG and LPG as auto fuel is promising and your expansion programmes in the industry should be made realizable and a reality in no distant future,” Njiddah added.

tribution, retailing and of course consumption of the product.

Awobokun, who was represented by the LPG Manager, Yemi Oreagba disclosed that the government needs to continue to place special priority on how to provide uninterrupted supply of LPG from the refineries to those private sector players with the required infrastructure.

Besides, he stated that the government through the NLNG must ensure that the product supplied for local consumption is made available at a competitive price while taxes

and import tariff on LPG infrastructure would have to be suspended to enhance growth. The private sector on its part, he said should invest in storage, logistics, distribution and retail assets to enhance the value chain.

He added that the private sector in conjunction with the FG should also introduce a solution targeted at the lower class group that is currently an untapped segment.

This solution, he said could be a smaller cylinder scheme that is portable, easily stored and affordably refilled for this segment.

Siemens records 9.1b euro profit S

IEMENS ended its fiscal 2011 year with record operating results and begins the new fiscal year in a position of strength.

In a statement by the Business Development Manager, Siemens Limited Nigeria, Toyin Abegunde, Siemens’ total sectors profit climbed by 36 per cent to 9.1 billion euro, income from continuing operations by nearly two-thirds to 7 billion euro. Revenue and new orders also increased. While revenue from continuing operations grew seven per cent to 73.5 billion euro, new orders rose 16 per cent to 85.6 billion euro.

Peter Löscher, President/chief executive officer of Siemens AG stated: “With a strong fourth quarter in a turbulent economic environment, we ended fiscal 2011 with record operating results. With our new organisation in four Sectors, we have aligned our business even more closely with our customers.

“Siemens has a strong portfolio and stands for stability and confidence in troubled times. We are well positioned for moderate revenue growth in fiscal 2012 and surpassing the •100 billion revenue threshold in the medium term.” In particular, the Industry and Energy Sectors had an outstanding year. At the Industry Sector, revenue grew by nine percent to •32.9 billion and new orders climbed 24 per cent year-over-year to •37.6 billion. The ICx order from Deutsche Bahn, worth •3.7 billion and the biggest order in the company’s history, contributed a large share of the order volume. The Industry Automation and Drive Technologies Divisions also posted double-digit growth rates in both revenue and orders. Sector profit rose 36 percent to •3.6 billion.

The company said that at the Energy Sector, revenue grew eight percent to •27.6 billion and new orders climbed 15 percent to •34.8 billion. A highlight of the year was winning the Ras Az Zawr power plant project in Saudi Arabia, a contract worth over one billion U.S. dollars. The Sector’s high profit of

•4.1 billion – up nearly one-quarter year-over-year – was attributable in particular to the strong performance by the Fossil Power Generation Division. Profit was burdened by impairment charges resulting from an assessment of the solar power business. The Renewable Energy Division, among others, also made a significant contribution to order growth. For example, Siemens received its first order for an offshore wind farm in China this year – marking the company’s entry into the world’s biggest wind power market. In Germany, the first commercial offshore wind farm was inaugurated.

The statement noted that a major stimulus to business could also come from Siemens’ domestic market in the future: The company is ideally positioned to accompany and serve Germany’s new energy policy. The picture for the Healthcare Sector was mixed. A strong development in the imaging business contrasted with ongoing operative challenges in the diagnostics business as well as in the pioneering field of particle therapy. Revenue and new orders were slightly above the prior year’s level, at 12.5 billion euro and 13.1 billion euro. Sector profit doubled to •1.3 billion. In the previous year, impairments in the Diagnostics Division had burdened profit. Environmental Portfolio and emerging countries drive growth Revenue with ecofriendly products and solutions showed gratifying growth. Revenue generated by the Environmental Portfolio contributed around •30 billion to the company total. Siemens aims at exceeding the •40-billion revenue mark with green technologies by the end of fiscal 2014.

Products and solutions that contribute to the abatement of greenhouse gases as well as environmental technologies for clean air and water are included in the Portfolio.

South African Energy Ministry to audit refineries

S

OUTH African Energy minister Dipuo Peters is planning to conduct an audit of the country's oil refineries to establish their reliability in the face of increasing unplanned refinery shutdowns.

The Ministry announced that the audit will establish the reliability, availability, and capacities of different facilities. This comes after the country experienced severe shortages of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and bitumen as a result of planned and unplanned shutdowns at four of the country's six refineries.

Last week, national oil company PetroSA recommenced production at its 45,000-b/d Mossel Bay refinery, while both the 125,000-b/d Engen and 180,000-b/d Sapref refineries remain shut. The Chevref refinery's bitumen plant has also lately been experiencing problems, exacerbating the bitumen shortfall.

The recent shortfalls are illustra-

tive of the tight fuel supply-demand balance that exists amid government projections that South Africa may have to import about 8.5 billion litres of fuel per year by 2015--the equivalent of 150,000 b/d--if no investment in additional refinery capacity occurs. Progress on making a decision on whether or not PetroSA's greenfield 360,000-400,000-b/d Mthombo refinery will go ahead has been slow, while the government has also been putting pressure on refiners to upgrade refineries to meet new fuel specifications and improve capacity.

The high cost of upgrading South Africa's current six refineries, however, has long been causing concern across the industry, with the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) estimating the total cost will amount to 25 billion rand (USD3.7 billion).

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

17

ENERGY Chris Spear is the Vice-President of New Emerging Countries for Honeywell Process Solutions. He is responsible for managing business growth in seven countries, including Nigeria. Prior to his current role, Spear served as Vice-President for Global Government Relations. He was in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities and fielded questions from reporters. EMEKA UGWUANYI was there.

‘Honeywell to invest in Nigeria’

H

ONEYWELL is a $35 billion conglomerate and in about 100 countries. What motivated you to come to Nigeria for business considering some of the challenges and what made you choose the Anyiam Osigwe Group as your Nigerian partner?

Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country and holds the continent’s largest oil and gas reserves.

Development of Nigeria’s natural resources will permit the nation’s economy to positively evolve. Enabling Honeywell technology in support of Nigeria’s economic development will ensure that the best global solutions are used to increase and maintain production, ensure efficiency and generate profit. That sounds relatively simple, but Honeywell’s ability to enter Nigeria’s market requires a fundamental, local understanding of its challenges.

To do this, a reputable partner was needed. We chose the Anyiam Osigwe Group and believe this decision will allow us to enter and grow in the market more quickly.

In what ways will your products and technologies create value in of wealth creation and human capital development for the Nigerian market?

Honeywell is a global technology manufacturer, supporting customers with best-in-class solutions throughout the world.

We understand the demands our customers face to compete and succeed in this environment. It is this standard and expertise Honeywell brings to Nigeria, more specifically, Nigerians. We plan to recruit, hire and train local Nigerians with the skill set required to support the oil and gas industry. This is not only an investment in Nigeria’s economic future, but in Nigerians themselves. As part of our entry into the country, we have already hired local graduates and supplemented their knowledge with international training.

It appears your focus in this market is to play within the oil and gas sector for now going by your new business with Total?

Our initial focus will be in support of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This is a core competency of

Honeywell and one we believe will allow us to grow quickly.

Beyond that, Honeywell offers a much broader suite of technology, including energy efficient solutions for buildings, homes and transportation; security solutions for critical infrastructure, airport and air traffic management; and, the personal safety and protection of employees. It is our intention to make the entire Honeywell technology offering available to Nigeria.

Before coming to set up in Nigeria, some of your products and services have been in use in the oil and gas, petro-chemical and aviation sectors. How do you intend to harness the advantage to be a company of choice for your clients and potential clients?

Yes, our expertise is derived from decades of support to customers globally. During this span, we have witnessed vast changes in the markets and customer requirements, and changes in technology as well.

We also know how to deliver the customer’s requirements on time or ahead of schedule, and always place employee safety as a priority. It is this experience, coupled with having the best available technology that makes Honeywell the ideal partner of choice.

Nigeria as the sixth largest oil producer in OPEC, still imports large chunk of its petroleum

products. How can Honeywell expertise in refining help make Nigeria refineries optimally operational?

Honeywell is positioned to support upgrades to existing refineries and if a decision is made to expand production at these facilities, we are able to integrate and automate such changes with existing capabilities. Automation provides the operator with an optimal view of increasing and maintaining production levels, improving efficiency and generating more profit. We believe Honeywell is uniquely qualified and positioned to improve Nigeria’s refineries. Our recommendation to the refining challenge in Nigeria is to optimise the existing assets before investing in the construction of new refinery.

Gas is still largely flared in Nigeria with the attendant environmental consequences.

Aside the country has a huge gas reserve.

How is Honeywell positioned to key into the Gas Master Plan of the Government?

Honeywell offers several technologies key to the gas industry, including metering, valves and the ability to address flaring. In addition, Honeywell automation technology provides connectivity and communication among gas stations, ensuring greater efficiency and productivity.

In the oil and gas value chain, what are Honeywell capabilities from production to processing to storage and distribution?

In well development, pipelines, offshore platforms, refineries and to storage, Honeywell offers technology solutions for the broad supply chain. We have built this offering over decades of supporting the oil and gas sector globally and believe this expertise and automated solutions will serve Nigeria’s industry well.

In the aviation sector globally, there is movement towards upgrading infrastructure and security, due to rising threat of terrorism. How do you intend to partner with the authorities here to intervene in the sector?

Yes, we are interested in understanding Nigeria’s needs in this area. Honeywell technology is over 200 major international airports worldwide, including environmental controls, integrated security and fire and gas detection solutions. Honeywell technology is also found on the aircraft as well, allowing improved safety and performance through air traffic management systems.

We would want to learn more about Nigeria’s plans in this area, but we believe these are requirements we understand well and could support.

Double honour for Alison-Madueke

I

T was a day of double honour for the family of the AlisonMadueke as the Federal Government recognised the contributions of the husband and wife to the development of the country.

Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (retired), former Chief of Naval Staff and his Diezani AlisonMadueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, were conferred with the National Honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

They were honoured by the President, Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja.

For the family, 2011 would remain remarkable in their matrimonial life. Within the last 10 months, the couple has bagged two honorary doctorate degrees from two prominent institutions in the country.

Rear Admiral Madueke in Feb-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

ruary, was the awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by Nigeria’s indigenous indigenous institution - the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and his wife’s award of Doctorate in Management Sciences by the Nigeria Defence Academy followed.

Aptly described as a brilliant officer and a gentleman, Rear Admiral Madueke’s award is coming more than 17 years after quitting the public space as Chief of Naval Staff.

Born in 1944 in Oji River, Enugu State, Madueke studied at the Nigerian Defense Academy from 1964 to 1967 where he emerged as the second officer to be commissioned by the prestigious defence institution. He also attended the Britannia Royal College, Dartmouth England and the School of Maritime Operations, Southwick.

NSE gives awards on local content

T

HE Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Owerri branch has con ferred awards on some outstanding companies for their achievements in engineering and compliance with the Local Content Act. One of the recipients, Chimons Gas Limited, got the NSE Star Award while its director, Chibuike Achigbu, was presented a personal award for his achievements in engineering innovations, practise and entrepreneurship.

The company got the award for recording major achievements within the purview of the local content initiative.

Some of these achievements include the construction of an LPG bottling Plant of 88Mt storage capacity, 1500 cylinders daily filling capacity at Navy Town, Alakija, Lagos State and man-

By Bidemi Bakare

agement of LPG bottling plants at Onitsha, Sango and Abuja.

Others include the launch and implementation of the ‘Chimons Dealership Scheme’, which encourages business people with some capital to start retailing of LPG in cylinders with over 15 distribution outlets established so far as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Front End Engineering Designs (FEED) of Petroleum Products Terminal for Koko in Delta State The company is also involved in the distribution of about 10,000 units of 12.5 and 6.25kg cylinders and over 25,000MT of LPG moved into the Nigerian market since 2007.

• Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and her husband, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke at the event.

ExxonMobil, Chevron, others get WPC BDULLA Bin Hamad Al Excellence Awards Attiyah, Deputy Prime

A

Minister and Chief of Amiri Diwan of Qatar will be presenting the prestigious awards to the World Petroleum Council (WPC) Executive Awards winners on December,5, the first day of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar. This is the first time the congress is coming to the Middle East and it is already setting new records with 5,000 delegates, 500 chief executives and 50 ministers expected.

Pierce Riemer, Director General, of the World Petroleum

Council, was delighted with the high standard of submissions: “We recognize companies engaged in the oil and gas industry for promoting or operating with high excellence standards with the WPC Excellence Awards and we have been impressed with the high level of the nominated projects. With over 100 submissions, the independent judging panel had an extremely difficult task selecting the best projects.”

Recipients of Excellence awards include Hunt Oil Company of

Peru, Qatar Petrochemical Company, Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Statoil Canada Limited.

On Technological Development, the recipients are Maris International Limited, Qatar Petrochemical Company, Exxon Mobil , Shell Global Solutions International and Siemens Nederland.

According to the statement by the council, projects for which the companies were selected for the awards, would be showcased during the Congress.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

18

ENERGY

Firm acquires two depots

T

HE Managing Director, SPOG Petrochemicals Plc Adekunle Ajala, has revealed the company has acquired two depots with a combined storage capacity of about 30,000 metric tonnes in Lagos, to boost its capacity.

In a statement, he said negotiations by the company have also reached an advanced stage for the acquisition of two more storage facilities with a combined depot capacity of 45,000 MT to be strategically located in other parts of the country.

He also stated that as part of a sustained programme for technical infrastructure development, the company hopes to command in the long run a total storage capacity of over a 100,000MT , adding that the strategic goal of attaining the status of the preferred integrated energy solutions provider, compelled the company to develop an optimum framework to harness and integrate the web of values and synergies that are available.

He added that the organisational structure was also deliberately de-

By Bidemi Bakare

signed on the platform of optimum performance to satisfy growing customer satisfaction, and to achieve cost-effectiveness and incremental shareholder wealth regeneration.

To sustain its dominant role in the sector by servicing its large market share adequately, he said the company plans to retain a consistent stock of between 20,000MT and 30,000MT of all refined products at any point in time.

According to him, the demand pattern in the market provides strong indications that this volume of supplies is sustainable within the trading cycle.

Incorporated in October 2005 as a private limited liability company, SPOG’s core operations cover energy marketing and consultancy comprising sourcing, procurement, importation, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products.

The company has secured authorised dealership in the downstream sub-sector, in anticipation of full deregulation and liberalisation of the sector.

ConocoPhillips oil spills caused by negligence

C

HINESE authorities said Friday that negligence by a ConocoPhillips COP-N subsidiary caused recent oil spills in Bohai Bay that have drawn intense criticism from marine authorities and environmentalists.

The State Oceanic Administration said in a statement on its website that an investigation found there were shortcomings in ConocoPhillips China's systems and management and that the company failed to take necessary preventive measures after signs of a problem emerged. The oil spills began in June in Penglai 19-3, China's largest oil field.

These factors led “to a major oceanic oil spill pollution accident occurring due to negligence,” the statement said.

ConocoPhillips China operates the Penglai 19-3 oil field with state-owned partner China National Offshore Oil Corp.

Houston-based ConocoPhillips did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

ConocoPhillips had said in September that it would set up two funds to pay compensation and address environmental problems resulting from the spills.

The government has already ordered the company to stop all production pending a full cleanup and review to ensure no more oil seeps into the sea.

The administration said Friday that the oil spill covered 2,400 square miles (6200 sq. kilometres) of water surface. It said that the company violated requirements that had been laid out in an environmental impact assessment report reducing the ability to respond to emergencies, causing oil spill from one side.

It was not immediately clear what measures the government would take, or the response it expected from ConocoPhillips, but the Oceanic Administration has said it plans to pursue legal action over the spills, including losses to regional fisheries.

China's maritime authorities contend that ConocoPhillips failed to meet an Aug. 31 deadline for permanently staunching and cleaning up the spills. The company says it met the deadline and has contended that any oil still seeping from the wells, which have been sealed, is residual from the earlier spills, which released about 700 barrels of oil and 2,500 barrels of mineral oil-based drilling mud — used as a lubricant for drilling.

Environmental experts say measures to cut back on effluent from factories and mining and to expand sewage treatment have failed to keep pace with the fast expansion of industries and oil drilling in the Bohai Bay, leading to the decimation of seafood and fish stocks and frequent red tides.

• An oil rig

Eni to invest $50b in Mozambique gas field

I

TALIAN oil and gas company, Eni, plans to invest $50 billion to develop its Mozambique natural gas field to export the gas to Asian markets, the company’s Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni, has said.

Eni’s recent discovery of 22.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Mozambique, and earlier discoveries in Tanzania, are part of the transformation of East Africa into a fast-growing gas hub, and confirms the region’s growing importance as a launch pad for exports to gas-hungry Asia.

“We aim to have several liquefiers working for Southeast Asia,” Scaroni told Dow Jones Newswires. The gas is targeted for Asia.”

Eni will employ 40,000 people at a new facility in the country’s north, near its gas find, Scaroni said.

Eni said it planned to build two or three liquefiers in Mozambique,

• Country to consult Nigeria, Angola and that the first gas could be liquefied in 2016.

Scaroni said it was too soon to talk about income levels from the Mozambique gas field. “We are still drilling four more wells,” he said.

Tanzania, where UK gas giant BP is already operating, has a head start, but Mozambique is catching up quickly and has more gas than its northern neighbour.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation also recently reported a major find in Mozambique, and has begun planning at least two liquefied natural gas facilities capable of exporting to China, South Korea and Japan.

Scaroni met with Mozambique President Armando Guebuza in Maputo last week to discuss Eni’s investment plans. “We have to

China’s Sinopec buys $5.2b stake in Galp’s a stake in the Brazilian assets of INOPEC, China’s biggest oil Brazil assets ofRepsol YPF last year. Sinochem, the refiner by amount of oil re Chinese chemicals company,

S

fined, has signed a $5.2-billion (U.S.) deal that will give it a 30per-cent stake in the Brazilian assets of Galp Energia, the Portuguese energy company.

The deal is the latest in a string of Chinese oil investments in Brazil, where rich oil resources lie offshore in deepwater areas that require a lot of capital to develop.

BNN Market Call's top picks Galp Energia, which has a market cap of $11-billion, started a bidding process earlier this year looking for a partner to help finance its Brazilian projects, which include four offshore blocks in the pre-salt Santos Basin.

State-owned Sinopec on Friday said it would pay $3.5-billion for the 30-per-cent stake in Petrogal Brasil and Galp Brazil Services,

which are both subsidiaries of Galp, in addition to $1.6-billion in capital expenditure, bringing the cash transaction to a total of $5.2billion.

“The acquisition has further expanded Sinopec’s overseas oil and gas business operations, which will make major contributions to the company’s oil and gas output growth in the 12th and 13th fiveyear plan periods,” the Chinese group said in a statement.

Galp shares fell 11 per cent in Lisbon on Friday morning on the news, their biggest decline for three years.

Chinese companies have been major investors in Brazil’s offshore oil fields, with recent deals including Sinopec’s $7.1-billion purchase

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

65.00

160.00

140.00

AP

65.00

160.00

140.00

Total

65.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

65.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

65.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

65.00

160.00

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

87.40 110.78 87.22

1.33 -0.10 1.92

1.55% -0.09% 2.25%

10/21 10/21 10/21

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

301.75 268.46

-1.26 0.91

-0.42% 0.34%

10/21 10/21

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

140.00

Nymex Henry Hub Future 3.63 Henry Hub Spot 3.55 New York City Gate Spot 3.69 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 28.42 3.18 12.60% 10/21 Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 33.46 0.26 0.78% 10/21 BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 36.75 3.00 8.89% 10/21

INDIGENOUS

0.00 -0.05 -0.12

-0.03% -1.39% -3.15%

10/21 10/21 10/21

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

Energy

65.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

65.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

65.00

160.00

140.00

build a new town, and we discussed the location with him,” said Scaroni. “It has to be near the discovery, but we all have to agree on where. We had a broad discussion about Eni’s investment in the country and what it will mean.”

Scaroni noted that as the recent gas discoveries have catapulted Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, into the ranks of newly-rich hydrocarbon producers, President Guebuza plans to send advisors to Nigeria and Angola to get familiar with oil and gas operations there.

Scaroni said he also visited South Africa to talk to President Jacob Zuma about exporting some of the Mozambique gas to South Africa.

“We spoke about what the impact of this new gas find will be on the region,” he said.

• Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

bought a $3.1-billion stake in the Peregrino oil field from Statoil last year.

Sinopec and other oil groups were also in talks over BG’s Brazilian assets in recent months, although those talks have since collapsed, a person with knowledge of the matter said.

In 2009, the Chinese government inked a $10-billion oil-for-loan deal with Brazil, under which Sinopec is guaranteed a certain amount of crude supplies over a decade.

Chinese state-owned oil companies have done more than $20-billion in deals this year, making China one of the world’s top acquirers in the oil and gas sector, alongside the US and the U.K.

NAPE holds conference, exhibition Nov. 27

T

HE Executive Committee of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has postponed the 29th Annual International Conference and Exhibition earlier scheduled for the International Conference Centre, Abuja from November 1317 to November 27-Dec. 1.

In a statement signed by NAPE President, Jide Ojo and NAPE Publicity Secretary, Olusola Bakare, the committee noted that the postponement is necessitated by several unforeseen exigencies regarding the venue and date of the event.

The conference and exhibition will hold at the Expo Centre of the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Nice twist

T

Now, Italy

Community protests as two steel plants lie in waste five years after privatisation

W

HAT pathetic paradox it is that businesses transferred to private ownership because governments were unable to run them well are now all but abandoned, desolate and overgrown with weeds? This is the sad story of many a conglomerate owned by state and federal governments in Nigeria which were privatised in the last two decades. A few days back, a nice little twist crept into the sad saga that the privatisation of public concerns in Nigeria has turned out to be; a community in Osogbo, Osun State, chose to raise placards against this privatisation scourge in their land.

Osogbo is home to two gargantuan steel plants: the Nigerian Machine Tools (NMT) and the Osogbo Steel Company (OSC). These two firms were sold in 2006 to private owners and, according to the

‘This is why the stirrings in Osogbo, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is to be commended. We urge other people who harbour such wasting assets in their communities to draw attention to them by embarking on sustained peaceful protests near the facilities. We must begin to realise that the failure of public policies and even governments are by extension, the failure of the people to show enough interest in public affairs’

protesters, were supposed to have started operating at full capacity by 2009, with high expectations of attendant benefits both to the country and community. But up till a few days ago, the two plants remained cold and dormant, moving the indigenes to march to the plants on a peaceful protest. The protesters demanded that the Bureau for the Privatisation of Public Enterprises (BPE) reverse the sale of the companies as the new owners had failed to meet the stipulations of the terms of sale.

The Osogbo plants are just two more unsavoury examples of the scam that the much vaunted privatisation exercise in Nigeria had turned out to be, as revealed by a House of Representatives’ panel set up mid-year to investigate the activities of the BPE. Though the panel’s report is yet to be released, the nation was regaled with a foretaste of what to come during the hearing, with cases of under the table deals, insider biddings, fictitious companies registered overnight and even nonpayment for won bids. This explains why huge concerns which were national patrimony were virtually handed out to fronts and cronies of people in power.

Emergency companies which had no pedigree, expertise or even resources grabbed massive national institutions.

Examples abound across the country of many of such companies that never took off since their sale nearly 20 years ago.

Many have been stripped of their assets with the land parceled and sold. Surely, this was not the objective of the

privatisation. It was an economic policy designed to relieve governments of the awkward burden of trying to manage businesses which it had neither the competence nor temperament to manage. It was believed that, put in the hands of private business people with expertise and acumen, the businesses would compete well both at the local and global levels, employ more people and induce a lot of positive effects on the economy. More importantly, privatisation was to eliminate the huge subvention governments sunk into running these concerns.

On the other hand, the exercise has proved to be doubly tragic for Nigerians.

While they have lost their national patrimony to unscrupulous individuals for little or nothing, most of these concerns have at best been stripped and in the worst cases, they are in ruins. This is why the stirrings in Osogbo, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is to be commended.

We urge other people who harbour such wasting assets in their communities to draw attention to them by embarking on sustained peaceful protests near the facilities.

We must begin to realise that the failure of public policies and even governments are by extension, the failure of the people to show enough interest in public affairs. So much will be different if people show enough interest in the affairs of state and community. We commend the indigenes of Osogbo and urge them to be persistent with their peaceful agitation until the right things are done by the NMT and OSC.

Thumbs up

N

•Prison service, NOUN deserve applause over admission of 44 prisoners into the varsity EWS about the country’s prisons

is usually about the bad and the ugly. It is almost always about prison congestion, the inhuman condition under which the prisoners are kept; poor feeding, lack of adequate healthcare facilities, etc., all of which combine to make most of the prisoners look pale and abandoned whenever they have any contact with the outside world. Rather than serve as corrective centres as in the developed parts of the world, our prisons cut the picture of jail houses where most of those who have the misfortune of getting there end up becoming even more hardened than they were when they were incarcerated.

All these explain our joy on the admission of 44 prison inmates into the National Open University (NOUN). The inmates are from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos; the Enugu Security Prison and the Port Harcourt Prison.

The Comptroller-General, Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Mr. Olusola Ogundipe, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of NOUN special study centre at the Port Harcourt Prison said that the Lagos Prison has 11 inmates in the university while Enugu and Port Harcourt have 13 and 20 inmates, respectively.

This development is heart-warming and both the NPS and NOUN authorities deserve commendation for the initiative.

The NPS deserves to be commended for making education of inmates one of its focal areas of interest over the years while the NOUN deserves kudos for establish-

ing special study centres in prisons across the country.

Being a prisoner or an ex-convict is not the end of the world; there is life after prison and this is why ex-convicts need to be armed with the requisite tools that would make them relevant in the society after serving their sentences. According them the privilege of university education will increase their propensity for selfdetermination that can make them survive legitimately and thus keep them away from crimes.

But provision of university education for prison inmates is only one of the many challenges that inmates face in the country. We still have the problem of congestion in most of the prisons that should be addressed. And one of the factors responsible for this is the huge number of awaiting trial suspects in the prisons. We need a faster and more efficient system of justice delivery that would reduce the number of people awaiting trial in the prisons. There is also the need to improve other facilities like feeding and access to healthcare. The impression should not be given that convicts must die in jail. Rather, they should be seen as a part of the society and as people who are only taken out of circulation temporarily as a punishment for the crimes they committed.

Equally important is the need to enlighten members of the public on the need to accept and reintegrate the prisoners after serving their sentences. In most cases, the society still regards them

as outcasts. It is as if prison term is a contagious disease. This is wrong. Therefore, deliberate efforts have to be made to change this perception.

All said, we implore the prison authorities not to make the issue a mere media show. They should ensure that the prisoners get all the necessary support and facilities to make their academic career memorable, notwithstanding that they would be attending school from prison.

Prisoners ‘minds are like every other person’s mind, they must be kept busy, lest their hands become the devil’s workshop. Those of them who do not possess the necessary qualification for university education should be assisted in vocational training as well as other programmes relevant to their skills.

‘This development is heartwarming and both the NPS and NOUN authorities deserve commendation for the initiative. The NPS deserves to be commended for making education of inmates one of its focal areas of interest over the years while the NOUN deserves kudos for establishing special study centres in prisons across the country’

HERE was nothing unpredictable about the financial crisis now threatening to engulf Italy and perhaps bring down the euro. Economists and analysts have been writing about it for months, but Italian politicians, starting with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, did almost nothing to head it off. And European leaders like Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France did far too little to prepare for it.

This week, the long predicted storm broke, sending Italian interest costs above 7 percent and triggering stock market sell-offs around the world, Wall Street included. Italy, the eurozone’s third-biggest economy, after Germany and France, is too big to be rescued by the European bailout fund and too big to fail without, most likely, taking down the euro itself. Italy’s essential problem is not high deficits, or even high debt, but years of dismally slow growth, which makes the debt harder to pay off and investors more skeptical about its continued ability to repay. That’s why interest rates are rising, compounding the repayment problem.

The only European institution still potentially capable of halting this cascading crisis is the European Central Bank. Only the central bank can print euros in unlimited quantities and use them to buy enough Italian bonds to bring the interest rates down from more than 7 percent to more sustainable levels. Essentially, the bank must become the lender of last resort, printing as much money and buying enough Italian debt to stabilize the situation to allow time for longer-term remedies. While such a move cannot guarantee an end to the panic selling of Italian bonds, it is perhaps the only option left.

Until now, the bank has hesitated to play this role because it has no clear authority under European Union rules, but there are no clear prohibitions against action. Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy, having failed so miserably to prevent this crisis, should be publicly urging the central bank’s new president, Mario Draghi, to take these necessary steps. Yet they are still making electoral calculations that will be beside the point should Italy succumb to the debt crisis and the European Union slide into deep recession. Their refusal to think and act responsibly is having a damaging effect on world markets.

Even as European leaders preach hard-line austerity, it has failed miserably. The only way debtors will be able to repay their obligations is through faster growth. For Italy, that means quickly passing next year’s budget and installing a government able to enact reforms that encourage growth, like liberalizing labor markets, reducing bureaucracy and making public companies more efficient.

Mr. Berlusconi’s most likely successor, Mario Monti, a well-regarded economist and former European commissioner, will have to sell these reforms to Italians, who have lost trust in the Berlusconi government to do anything.

In this emergency, the European Union needs leaders capable of learning from past mistakes and changing course before it is too late to save the euro and the European Union itself. A disastrous outcome is not inevitable, but is not beyond imagination, either.

– New York Times

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu

•Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi

•Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga

•Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi

•Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: I read an article entitled At 20: Anambra Still Crawls by one Emmanuel Obe. The article xrayed Anambra State since creation, and noted that many things are still wrong with the state. He was, like many people from Anambra, unhappy about the indiscriminate use of siren by some prominent citizens of the state. He also picked holes in the fact that most people honoured during the 20 th anniversary of the creation of the state were based outside.

Let us take the piece seriatim.

On the issue of indiscriminate blaring of siren, he was right. By law, only the governor and his deputy, the Speaker and the Chief Judge are entitled to the use of siren.

The Governor recently reiterated the ban on the use of siren by people not entitled to it. He has instructed the police as well as other security agencies to monitor its abuse. The writer should have said that the situation is now under control.

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

Still on Anambra State at 20

It is bad for people to use sirens against the provisions of the law. It is infinitely worse when those that are hungry to become governors are at the forefront of this condemnable act. How can one explain that a serving senator, for example, who should be conversant with the law, insists on using siren whenever he is in the state? It is even more perplexing that the governor, institutionally permitted the use of siren, does not use it.

“Created on August 27, 1991, Anambra is the only state among the nine created in the same year that has not built its own Government

House and the official Governor’s Lodge. The Government House still operates from a site abandoned by the construction company that constructed the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway more than 31 years ago.

It was only three year ago that the first phase of the Secretariat complex was completed,” thus wrote Obe. Again, I agree with him. Part of the problem Governor Peter Obi is experiencing today is that he inherited a state without any foundation for growth and development. Indeed, before him, no secondary school in the state had a functional library. Apart from the

one built in 1966, the new Kenneth Dike library was built by the Obi government. Until Obi became governor, no public secondary school owned buses, computers, connected to the internet. Some local governments did not have a single network of road, no water scheme was functional, and no teaching hospital was built.

Today, Obi has laid the foundations. He has completed two mini stadia, built over 500kms of roads, built business parks, SEMA building and many more. That he has not built the Government House, which he said he would do,

cent of the nation’s population. How come that the current government is doing everything possible to assist the rich but doing nothing to assist the poor?

It was reported that this administration recently reached an ‘unholy’ agreement with some companies owing the federal government over N170 billion in unremitted tax.

Rather than allow the full weight of the law to be brought to these defaulting companies, the administration reportedly negotiated with them to pay only N22 billion. How

come the federal government is providing tax subsidy to rich company owners but is threatening fire and brimstone to remove fuel subsidy which ought to benefit very poor Nigerians?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as contained in Article 22 states that social security is a human right. Section 16[1][b] of the Nigerian constitution also provides for social welfare for Nigerians. what the removal of subsidy on petroleum products will bring about to the majority of Nigerians

who are poor include among others, more poverty, high cost of transportation, unprecedented misery, frustration and may increasingly push more Nigerians into crime.

Ever imagined why Nigeria is not spending anything to cater for the poor populace even when the United States is spending huge amount to take care of the vulnerable members of their society?

Social protection, not subsidy removal

S

IR: Nigerians have faced a barrage of threats from government officials including President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the subsidy the government pays for the petroleum products sold to Nigerians. Officials of the current federal administration have also used most public events in the last few weeks to urge Nigerians to be ready to make more sacrifices.

The psychological and media war waged by political office holders against the Nigerian people started some few months ago when the Minister of Finance Ngozi OkonjoIweala presented to the National Assembly, the Federal Government‘s medium term expenditure framework (MTEP) under which the government plans to withdraw the subsidy on petroleum products from January 2012.

In all of these submissions made so far by government officials, the interest of the very poor citizens did not feature just as it is now clear that the current government is anti-poor, anti-people and therefore does not care about providing social protection, social security and social welfare to the greatest percentage of the citizenry who are obviously poor, unemployed, homeless and bombarded by the current unprecedented state of insecurity.

Most people are worried that this administration which rode on the back of popular mandate to come to political power in April has now become a friend of the extremely rich who are not even up to one per-

• Emmanuel Onwubiko HUMAN Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Abuja

does not mean that government has not been functioning. Obe talked about the first phase of the secretariat, but the second phase has also been completed.

Obe also said that most of those honoured during Anambra at 20 celebrations came from outside the state. If you have followed the numerous presentations of League of Anambra Professionals, they have consistently linked Anambra problem to “demographic distortions”. That is, the best of the people are living outside the state.

The award recognized the best of Ndi Anambra, and I do not think the Governor is to blame if the best are outside. After all, they are still Anambrarians or are they not?

Part of the reason for the award is to bring closer home, some of the best scattered all over the globe. This was the secret behind the development of India. Most Indians who travelled to the West, wedded to Shiva, Krishna are averse to western education. With the benefit of western education, these beliefs were shattered. Consequently, they came back with the pollen of development. Government aided this by being close to them as Obi is doing now.

When Obi took over as governor, Awka had three hotels; now it has more than 50. Does that not indicate that development indices are on the ascent? On Awka being a glorified local government headquarters. I will only challenge him to tell us what it used to be under previous governors; perhaps, a glorified clan?

• Azubike Cajetan Awka road, Onitsha

Oshiomhole’s holistic approach to governance

S

IR: Edo State citizens must have heaved a sigh of relief that the pace of development under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor has gathered momentum. Before now, virtually every public infrastructure had broken down; roads were dilapidated and impassable; schools were broken down and not conducive to learning; health centres were a shadow of their glorious past and many parts of Benin-City, the state capital, were ravaged by erosion.

Today, virtually all the 18 Local Government areas of the state have an imprint of governance-in-action.

In the beginning, citizens were impatient because they wanted immediate results.

Governor Oshiomhole has proved that it is better to plan carefully and do

quality jobs.

Already, over 100 schools have been renovated. In the area of roads, major roads in Benin-City, the state capital are being worked on with some already completed and inaugurated. In the health sector, the 5-Star 120-bed Complex in the Central Hospital, Benin-City is a wonder to behold, even as work is ongoing on the Women and Children Hospital, Ewohinmi; Women and Children Hospital, Otuo; General Hospital, Sabongidda Ora and General Hospital, Igarra.

At Five Junction, one can easily see people in the neighborhood who never expected that the government could come up to fix the environment and they can now see the impact of development which is going on in the area.

There is no doubt that Edo State

people are the winners for taking their destinies in their hands by placing their faith in the former number one labour leader.

In Etsako West, there is the Usogun Primary School in Auchi, which was reconstructed by the state government, the Jattu-Auchi road, Jattu-South Ibie road, Jattu-AfowaIyora-Apana road, the Iyamho-Iyora road and the Jattu Ayua roads, as well as the Iyamho Primary School.

To be rehabilitated are Iyobosa Street off New Lagos Road, James Watt Road, Ibiwe Street and Giwa Amu Street in Government Reservation Area (GRA) all in Benin City.

Water treatment plants have been installed at Ekpoma and Iruekpen just as construction of water distribution network and provisions of other ancillary facilities are in

progress at Jattu, Iruekpen, Eguaholor, Usen Township and Iraokhor. Also, drilling is in progress at Usen Polytechnic and a second borehole at Iraokhor.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has proved that clean water is accessible in Esan-West. Water was struck in the place after drilling more than 1500 feet. He achieved these by deploying one of its newly acquired drilling rigs to the zone for the purpose of providing water to Edo people.

Governor Oshiomhole has by these efforts, reassured the people that his administration will ensure that development spreads across the 18 local government areas of the state and that no local government is discriminated against.

• Onaivi Oziotu Igarra, Akoko Edo, Edo State

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

F

AST losing the stale arguments over fuel subsidy removal, Bros Jona, president of the Federal Republic, is lapsing into a jeremiad: critics of his fuel subsidy presidential booby trap want to undermine his government! So typical of Bros Jona’s rather simplistic thinking!

But before that jeremiad becomes the new propaganda din,

R

epublican ipples

lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please)

President Goodluck Jonathan, whose good luck appears to have vanished with his roller-coaster election and the country is left with the hard luck of his uninspiring presidency, must know this: those who wish to “topple” his government are not his so-called critics but the IMF and Breton Woods contractors who now run his economic team.

The musically immortal Fela once dismissed in Ikoyi Blindness, a number he waxed in the early 1970s, the highbrow Ikoyi in Lagos; and the uppity elite that populated it.

Were Fela to be alive today, and this umpteenth debate about “subsidy” grated on his ears, he probably would have released a follow-up, IMF Blindness, as a cruel put-down of the Breton Woods wizards now sworn to making a presidential fall guy of our simple Jona!

Only those lost in the amazing maze of Breton Woods, and totally blind to the grim nitty-gritty out there, would dare suggest the removal of the so-called subsidy, at this

Olakunle Abimbola

Jona’s jeremiad time when the land rocks with bombs and threat of bombs

by Boko Haram. Boko itself gains so much notoriety and wrecks so much havoc because it is spoilt for choice in the brimming pool of hopeless Nigerians. To these wretched of the earth, their lives have become such drudgery that terminating others’ is most satisfying game.

To be sure, Jona did not create the poverty and hopelessness crisis that fuel Boko Haram. His presidential “crime” is that he has done pretty little about ameliorating the parlous situation. Yet, taking false counsels from his IMF wizards, he is bent on unleashing more hardship.

The president is not unlike the Biblical Rehoboam, and his

Baba Suwe, su didun: the joke is on Ripples! (Feedback)

L

AST week’s piece, “Baba Suwe, su didun”, was about Baba Suwe the comedian, who himself became a comic in the court of antidrug czars, NDLEA, using a Yoruba folktale as parallel. But Ripples got the folktale wrong, and became yet another comic in the bathetic drama. All thanks to Dr. Deji Ekundayo (+2348033951445) who first sent a text, and later phoned from Lagos, to alert on the mix-up. But also, Judge Bola Ajibola, SAN, former federal attorney-general and later Judge at the International Court of Justice (IJC) at The Hague, wrote to give the correct account of the tale. Thank you, sir, Judge Ajibola. Excerpts: “Reading The Nation newspaper (November 8) gave me the nostalgia of my early life, when our parents, particularly our mothers, used to tell us fables. I refer to Republican Ripples, by one Olakunle Abimbola, who wrote a brilliant and quite fascinating story wrapped round the bizarre episode of one Babatunde Omidina, alias Baba Suwe. He started the story by linking it up with one of the fables of the ‘notorious tortoise’. Though my own story is at variance with that of the writer, it is still centred around the ‘notorious tortoise’.

“Tortoise, while passing by a monkey busy with his daily chores, greeted the monkey and said to him: ‘May we not be saddled with other people’s cases or problems’. He urged the monkey to say ‘amen’. But the monkey refused and told the tortoise to go and mind his own business.

“Thereafter, the tortoise went straight to the tiger and claimed that the sweetest delicacy on earth was the excreta of monkeys; that it was sweeter than honey. The tiger urged the tortoise to take him to any monkey and, of course, the tortoise took him to the monkey, who earlier that morning refused to say ‘amen’. The tiger then seized the monkey and commanded him to ‘Su didun!’ But what came out of the monkey, to use Olakunle Abimbola’s words, was ‘smelly shit bitter as gall’. When it dawned on the tiger that the monkey could not excrete sweet faeces, even after a thorough beating, it annoyingly flung away.

“So, the following morning, when on the same spot the monkey met the tortoise who repeated his request of the previous day, the poor monkey, just continued screaming “amen!” “amen!”; and till today, goes that folktale, it continues to say so!”

F

OR a security establishment that have done little else than mumble endlessly – even if unintelligently about “doing something” ever since the Boko Haram emerged on the security radar, the horrific attacks in Damaturu, Yobe State and Maiduguri, Borno State Friday November 4, which left a record 150 Nigerians dead, has given the catch-phrase “on top of the situation” a new meaning.

Merely by the standards of previous attacks staged by the Boko Haram on Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigeria Police in June, and later at the United Nation’s building in Abuja in August, the attacks may not have been particularly strategic although it qualifies, arguably, as the bloodiest and perhaps the most coordinated ever by the dreaded group.

Of course, if we ignore the side-attraction that has come in the most nauseating rationalisation of the appalling helplessness of the security agencies in foiling the plot, or even the most ridiculous finger-pointing by the security establishment which accuses the Press and other unnamed Nigerians of “magnifying” the capacity of the Boko Haram; the feeble attempts to explain the attacks away as “isolated pockets of crisis” comes across as the most irresponsible understatement of a national crisis by a national security team.

It is worth reminding that the terror group said to have been founded in 2002 by the late Mohammed Yusuf, has actually proclaimed itself as de facto alternative government. They have stated it repeatedly that they do not recognise the authority of the Nigerian state let alone the government. To drive whatever point they have sought to make, they have embarked on a killing spree that has left the securities agencies confounded.

Despite official denials, the existence of their governance structures, discipline and cohesion has remained redoubtable. Again, despite the operations of the military task force and their intelligence network, the command and control apparatus of the group have largely remained intact, if not impenetrable.

Once upon a time, the group was content to stage lowintensity operations involving police stations and prisons. In one single attack in Maiduguri, 2009, an esti-

‘Don’t ask me if I feel secured by the sight of the legion of gun-toting security-men dotting every mile on the nation’s highways. That is their idea of security’

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

‘On top of security’ mated 100 lay dead. Since then, the choice of targets has been rather strategic just as the death toll has been mounting.

Two high-profile attacks and the latest with the record of being the deadliest one, all within the year, the string of the psychological advantage the group has managed to gain over the security agencies continues to lengthen.

Today, the fear of the Boko Haram isn’t just the beginning of wisdom; it is the daily reality of living in parts of the far North.

The group has become more brazen, dangerous in their precision. They know when and where to attack to gain maximum advantage. Conversely, they know when and where to run to hide. Potential squealers such as the likes of Babakura Fugu are taken out with clinical precision as if to serve the lesson to the authorities on the group’s capacity to rung rings around the security establishment.

Their chief weapon is surprise just as they have mastered the psychology of fear and terror. Now, the ordinary citizen requires no tutorials to know who indeed is winning the war on terror. With most parts of the federation already caught in massive security lock-down, there is hardly need for reminders on the pervasive power of the Boko Haram.

Lest we forget, this year’s anniversary celebration – the traditional parade – had to be held behind closed doors. The official reason given was to save some money.

The citizens, of course know better.

Last week, the government, which insisted that we believe its fairy tales of being on top of the situation was itself caught in a security scare: power outage at the venue of the 17th session of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group

soon-to-be-doomed kingdom. When harassed Israelites asked for relief from the harshness of the Solomon era, the Bible said the king shunned wise advice for the cavalier counsel of “worthless young men”: My father flogged you with whips; I will flog you with scorpions! It was unforced tragedy foretold! So, let Jona beware: lest the IMF cowboys (and girls) make a cow of him and his presidency!

Since 1986 when the perennial madness to “remove” a phantom “subsidy” started, it has been the same crass illogic: the state is powerless against those who troubled its Israel; so it must pounce on others who have nothing to do with the distemper.

Since NTA’s Chris Anyanwu, then a television reporter but now a ranking senator of the Federal Republic, started the campaign that a litre of fuel cost far less than a bottle of Coke, that strange logic has remained unchanged.

Back then, the Babangida state cowered before the big fuel thieves that smuggled the products in mighty tankers to neighbouring states to sell at a premium. Now, the Jonathan state cowers before the big corporate fat cats that clear the “subsidy” gravy. Yet, the state, in both cases, is too eager to pounce on the rest of the people. Chinua Achebe was right: when a bully sees whoever he can beat up, he becomes hungry for a fight!

But that is not even the height of the deceit. The Jonathan presidency, just like Obasanjo’s; and the Babangida military one before it, reels out stats about the proverbial huge costs of sustaining the “subsidy”. During the IBB era it was the huge costs fuel-smuggling cost the economy. Now, it is the un-sustainability of the “subsidy” bill. To boot, it is the unrelenting release of stats to scare and subdue: by the time this year ends, N1.3trn would have sunk down the subsidy black hole!

But no matter the “subsidy” cost, whose fault is it? A government’s that deludes itself with a wrong energy policy, that “deregulated” petroleum downstream by liberating fuel imports instead of building refineries? Or the people who are only victims of this wrong policy?

One thing the government has succeeded at though is setting debaters to bawl over whether or not there is subsidy, and therefore throwing up all sorts of scare-mongering scenarios. It is sterile exercise, deliberately fashioned to chase shadows.

Rather, the discourse ought to have been: who pays for this brainless energy policy? Government must, not the people.

So, let Jonathan and his IMF wizards invest in new refineries and hand them over to whoever can efficiently run them. Then they can sit back and withdraw their socalled subsidy – which, after all, is no more than the humongous sleaze from the failed policy of deregulating fuel supply by importation.

with the theme “Attracting Foreign Direct Investment through Global Partnerships” sent officials scampering for cover.

Pat downs after, and with sweats still running down the brows of scared guests, President Jonathan, under tight security, mounted the pulpit to declare Nigeria the investors’ choice destination. Why should anyone disagree with the President? As if anyone needed proof, our President, in some carefully staged photo-ops later found good company in some money-miss-road investors from the kingdom of Saudi! That was supposed to be a PR coup designed to teach the Americans and the Canadians a lesson for their well-timed travel advisory to their citizens to stay away from the nation of Boko Haram!

Can anyone fail to notice the massive security ring thrown round Abuja – at great inconveniences to the people, all because the federal government wanted to honour its friends? That is security!

I go back to the point about the claim by the security establishment being on top of the situation. I guess they are. With a bourgeoning, money-spinning security-industrial complex, we may finally be seeing the face of the true winners in the security nightmare if only we would care to pay attention.

For a princely N10 billion naira, the security fat cats have promised to get the nation all wired up under the so-called National Public Security Communications system. That done, we can expect per second response from our legion of security services. Of course, for the sundry contractors – the suppliers of security equipment and their commission agents, theirs is boom time.

As it was in the past, so shall it be now and forever more. Welcome to their contracto-cracy world.

I have often wondered if indeed those charged with the business of security appreciate that the notion of security begins with the ordinary citizen; his knowledge of what to do whenever there is a likelihood of a breach, the internalisation of the basic values necessary to guarantee the survival of one and all, and the readiness to assist the state maintain the peace.

Don’t ask me if I feel secured by the sight of the legion of gun-toting security-men dotting every mile on the nation’s highways. That is their idea of security. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is doubtful if anyone remembers how the nation got to this point not to talk of substantially addressing the material conditions which provided the nursery-bed for the Boko Haram and other social malcontents. The situation reminds me of the Yoruba proverb: a child sworn to ensure that his mother does not catch a wink has simply sentenced himself to sleeplessness. They are on top alright; but see who is paying the price!

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

‘L

AGOS is working, Fashola is working’. This slogan was central to the campaign for second term bid of the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Indeed, to reinforce the firm belief of Lagosians in the slogan, he was given an overwhelming mandate to office and continue his good works. This, of course, is not surprising as the first term in office of the governor brought about commendable infrastructural renewal effort, visionary leadership, human capital development, improved security, environmental regeneration, among numerous others. Lagos was given a new lease of life during Fashola’s first term in office such that it became a reference point in the country and indeed the continent of Africa. This, no doubt, explains the enthusiasm with which Lagosians, and indeed, all Nigerians look forward to the governor’s second term in office.

However, there have been doubts in several quarters with regards to the pace of work being done by the governor since he began the journey into his second tenure in office.

These days, it is not unusual to hear cynics saying Lagos has stopped working.

But, is it really true that Fashola, the ‘workaholic governor’, has slowed down? Is it true that Lagos has stopped working? Is it really fair to say Fashola has gone to sleep?

Can it be really substantiated that the Lagos transformation agenda has nosedived?

One thing that I know that is absolutely true is that Lagos is facing difficult challenges but that is equally true of every major city of the world. Recently London had to grapple with a riot that nearly made a mess of its famous security system. In the same vein, renowned cities of Australia, Europe, Asia and America have had to battle with flooding disasters of varying degree in recent time.

Presently, many cities in Italy and Greece are experiencing tough economic conditions, occasioned by the crippling debt crisis in both countries. But it is heartwarming to note that Lagos is not only coping with its challenges, it is equally putting up concerted efforts to surmount them and move on. It is not every city of the world that survives over seventeen hours torrential rain as we had in Lagos on July10 and still has its banks, industries and other institutions open for business the

Is Lagos still working?

By Lateef Ibirogba following day.

Some major areas of development on which Lagos state government has focused its attention on since the beginning of the second tenure include Law and Order, Health (with particular emphasis on maternal and childcare), power generation, security, creation of sustainable enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) , housing programme, and education among others. The power and mineral resources, programme is indeed a very vital one that the administration holds very dear for obvious reasons. The programme, which is being coordinated by the newly established Ministry of Energy and Water Resources represents a strategic initiative through which the state government plans to fully attend to the power needs of residents and explore the hydrocarbon, oil and gas potential of the state.

The government, in its resolute posture, has started powering some parts of the state through IPP projects. The Island Power Project, for instance, has been delivering 24 hours uninterrupted supply of electricity to some public institutions located in central Lagos such as the Island Maternity, Lagos General Hospital, and the Lagos High Court in a bid to increase their efficiency and bring down their operational cost. What this means in essence is that when some parts of the state are on IPP, whatever the state is getting from the national grid would be sufficient for other parts. Presently, the government has completed the power audit for the Shomolu area, regarded as the headquarters of the printing business in Nigeria. Equally, government has completed the power audit for the Lagos State secretariat, Alausa and Matori Industrial Estate. The project would reduce by 46 percent what the state spends on diesel monthly as well as reduce poverty, as many, who were into small- and medium-scale businesses, would be able to do their jobs.

In a bid to address the housing deficits confronting the state, the state government in

September, 2011 formally handed over 362 housing units at the Odoragushi Housing Estate in Epe. In order to ensure that the less privileged could also access decent accommodation, provision was deliberately made for room and parlour and one bedroom units in the estate. Similarly, the government recently handed over another 80 units of 8-in-1 three bedroom flats at the Olaitan Mustapha Housing Estate, Ojokoro 11 in the IjaiyeOjokoro Local Council Development Area.

The handover of the units, made up of 42 units and 38 units n came barely two weeks after the Governor handed over the first 362 units of one and two bedroom flats at Odorangushin in Epe as part of the series to form the pool of houses to kick start the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme (Lagos HOMS) due to be launched soon. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are to pay 30% of the cost and pay the balance spread over 10 to 15 years. In the build up to the formal launch of the scheme, the state government has launched a website to provide information platform that will ensure its transparency and competitiveness.

It is equally gratifying to note that the redevelopment of the Badagry Expressway into a world class highway to include 10 lanes, light rail, BRT lane, among others has continued to record considerable progress. Indeed, Fashola was one of the governors in the country to quickly disregard the celebrations that accompanied victory at the April poll to move on to more useful things. It is on record that, after the election, the governor immediately traveled to Canada in continuation of his mission to ensure that the Badagry Light Rail project becomes a reality. On his return from Canada, he commissioned the Lagos Island 10 megawatts Independent Power Project that guarantees 24 hours un-interrupted power supply to some public institutions and street light in 20 streets on the island. In same vein, the governor recently commissioned the Falomo on Ramp Bridge which has been in

helping in no small measure to reduce traffic pressure in the area. It is also important to reveal that the coaches to be used for the Badagry Light Rail project are already here in Lagos.

Recently, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, while delivering a lecture on “Aid, Trade and Democracy” at the Pan African University, Ajah, Lagos State, declared that Fashola had demonstrated that true democracy and accountable leadership was possible in the African continent, adding that his visit had made it possible to give a personal testimony about how Lagos is working under Fashola. Equally, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his team, recently visited Lagos to find out why Lagos is working. According to the minister, it was President Goodluck Jonathan that instructed ministers ‘ to go, understudy and learn the art of good leadership and governance from Governor Fashola of Lagos’.

On a final note, however, it is important to empahasise that Lagos is a part of a larger polity called Nigeria. For Lagos to continue to be a work in progress, Nigeria as a country must equally be seen to be moving towards the right direction. Imagine a Nigeria with 24 hours of un-interrupted power supply!

It is no longer news that there is so much pressure on Lagos because of its status as the commercial melting point of the country. The state spends more on infrastructural upgrading and provision of other basic life necessities than any state in the country. In order for the pressure on the state to be reduced, it is important that governments across the country embrace good and creative governance.

It will also not be out of place if the state is given a better deal in the revenue sharing formula in the country. The need to accord a special status for Lagos is a non-political project. There is hardly any Nigerian that doesn’t have a stake in Lagos. An investment in Lagos is, therefore, a necessary blueprint for the development of the country since Lagos remains the window through which the world sees Nigeria.

• Ibirogba is the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

Tax: partnership between Ogun and Lagos

F

ROM time immemorial, the issue of tax has been a touchy one, especially when the taxpayers cannot identify the social amenities on which the taxes are expended.

In the matter of imposition of taxes in the Britain of old, King John stood out. He was recorded to have increased tax 11 times during his 17-year reign as against the same number of increments in about three and half decades preceding his monarchy. Popular protests, spearheaded by the barons, led to the granting of Magna Carta or the Great Charter of Freedoms in 1215. An excerpt from the Charter reads: “No scutage (feudal payment to an overload replacing direct military service) or aid shall be imposed except by the common consent of our realm, except for ransoming our person, knighting our first-born son, and for the marriage of our eldest daughter.”

It is interesting to note that taxation has since become the exclusive preserve of the British Parliament, indeed the elected representatives of the people in democracies across the world, including our dear country, Nigeria.

Generally, people - in Britain, Nigeria, etc are not averse to paying tax once the money will be used to provide social amenities and not stolen or misappropriated by the authorities. One can recalls the roles played by our fathers and mothers in the development of the Western Region. It was a win-win situation for the government and the governed; the people paid their taxes and they saw the result of that in a buoyant economy, in free primary education, in good roads and public utilities.

Lagosians have testified to the good works of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But other states in the Western Region had not been that lucky until recently when the Action Congress of Nigeria swept the polls in the region, and immediately set in motion the machinery to recover the heritage of the South West.

The people who live in Sango-Ota, for instance, can testify to the completely dilapi-

By Idowu Abraham dated road network in the area. Majority of the people in that axis work in Lagos State.

My friend once told me of the harrowing experiences such workers were subjected to in the last eight years. The only durable state road in that axis was constructed during the administration of Olusegun Osoba. In contrast, the Itele Road constructed by Otunba Gbenga Daniel collapsed within two years; indeed, no one can believe that road was ever tarred.

Still in Sango Ota, the story of Animashaun bypass is even more incredible. That road failed completely in less than 18 months of its construction by the previous government.

Visit that place today and you will not see a grain of tar as proof that a road was once constructed by the Daniel administration in that area.

This is how a writer (who lives in Sango but works in Lagos) in 2008 captured the traumatic experiences of the people in Sango-Ota axis: “You’ll have to wake up by 4am in the morning in order to beat the traffic chaos.

Sometimes, at that early hour of the day, there was no guarantee of a smooth ride or stressfree passage. You returned home by midnight because the entire roads in Sago Ota were in appalling condition. You turned to the right, you were caught up in a heavy traffic. You changed to the left, the situation was worse.

And during the rainy season, your woes were compounded. Your car could be submerged by one of the ubiquitous craters on Sango Ota roads. Those in commercial buses would have to complete their journeys by trekking.

On the day a trailer broke down, the entire Ado/Odo Ota Local Government came to a standstill. You could see people cursing here and there. You could see sulking women swaddling their children on their backs as they waded through the puddles; they could not afford Okada fares that would suddenly go up by about 200 per cent…”

I do not know which is worse or more sobering, the story of Sango-Ota or that of IshasiAkute, where majority of the dwellers also

work in Lagos?

I really empathize with the governor of Ogun State because the challenges are enormous. The Senator Amosun-led administration met a state that was practically mortgaged by his predecessor. Virtually all the assets of Ogun State were sold out by the previous administration. Indeed, I ask myself from time to time what has come upon us as a nation or as a tribe. For how can one man singlehandedly sell out the collective wealth of a whole state, and what is more, left behind a humongous debt of close to N100 billion, in real terms? Did we learn this from Chief Obafemi Awolowo? Little wonder that Gbenga Daniel is today standing trial for allegedly stealing and misappropriating N58 billion of taxpayers’ funds.

What Amosun met in Ogun State was a house in ruins. That’s just the simple truth.

He has been doing all he can to win back the confidence of the people in their government so that they can believe that there are still politicians in Ogun that can, in words and deeds , follow in the footsteps of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and re-enact the development witnessed in the Western Region in the state.

From what we read in the papers and obtained from highly informed sources, Senator Amosun has, in an unprecedented scale, slashed the salaries of political appointees in the state. Most of the political office holders are driving their own cars; the governor has not spent a kobo from the purse of Ogun State to buy a car for himself. He is also paying above the minimum wage. All this in an effort to encourage indigenes to cooperate with the government by fulfilling their civic obligations such as payment of tax in accordance with the law, as was the case in the Western Region, so that money will be available to rebuild the state. And the message appears to be sinking, as majority of indigenes are gradually appreciating the sacrifices being made to recover the heritage of our state.

The people living in Sango-Ota, Agabara, Arepo, Ijoko, Agbado, Ojodu-Abiodun, Lambe, Ibafo, Mowe, Ishasi and other border

towns, who essentially work in Lagos, are, from reports in the press, making frantic calls to Governor Amosun to provide social amenities for them, even as their population in the areas continue to grow, thereby putting more pressure on the little infrastructure available. But I completely agree with the governor that they need to pay their Income Tax to Ogun State (in accordance with the Personal Income Tax Act) so that they can put the harrowing experiences of the eight eight years behind them.

The forward-looking governor of Lagos equally understands that when you sleep well in your place of residence, have good schools for your children and drive to your offices on good roads, your productivity in Lagos will increase. He has therefore shown tremendous understanding of the situation. It’s a win-win situation for Lagos and Ogun.

Therefore, it is imperative for employers of labour in Lagos to remit the income tax of their workers who reside in Ogun to the state instead of Lagos as used to be the case. This is the requirement of the law. In Ogun and Lagos are governments that hold aloft the banner of the rule of law.

• Abraham, a public affairs analyst, writes from Isara, Ogun State.

‘Lagosians have testified to the good works of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But other states in the Western Region had not been that lucky until recently when the Action Congress of Nigeria swept the polls in the region, and immediately set in motion the machinery to recover the heritage of the South West’

Falcons’ Job: Mmadu backs Omagbemi, Akide

NFFtohonourYobo Nation Tuesday, November 15, 2011

•Super Eagles striker, Ike Uche (r) against a Botswana defender

PAGE 23

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

Dream Team can fly, says Inyama

N

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee member, Emeka Inyama on Monday expressed assurance that the U23 National Team, Dream Team V, will pick one of the available tickets for Africa at the London 2012 Olympics’ Men’s Football Tournament.

The former Commissioner for Sports in Abia State is the leader of delegation for the team’s camping programme ongoing in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco, which will serve as the qualifying tournament.

“I have seen a lot of discipline and commitment in the players and I make bold to say that we have nothing to fear.

The players all appear very dedicated to the task at hand and they realise that the whole nation is looking up to them to give us the ticket to London.

“They have played a couple of friendly games and did not do badly in any of them. I see a team that knows what it wants and will go a very long way to get it. The ticket is what is on every player’s lips and they are very much determined to conquer.

“The NFF has been giving the maximum support to the team. The camp is excellent and everything works. The availability of friendly matches is also good. When the team flies to Morocco on November 17, it will be well prepared and will only need to acclimatise and get going with the job”, said Inyama.

The Dream Team V has been at the Lizzy Sports Complex in East Legon, Accra since Saturday, November 5 to prepare for the CAF U-23 Championship.

The NFF will on Wednesday transmit to CAF the final list of 21 players who will represent Nigeria at the tournament.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Igiebor’s appearance still uncertain From Tunde Liadi, Owerri ESPITE his willingness to play for the Olympic Eagles at the CAF Under 23 Championships in Morocco, Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel midfielder, Nosa Igiebor has stated that his hands are tied because of his club’s reluctance to release him.

Igiebor disclosed that he still had to travel to Israel and try to convince Hapoel to allow him represent his fatherland.

“I am willing to represent my country in the Olympic Qualifiers but my club is yet to approve my participation.

“I will still have to go back to Israel and try to convince them of the importance of my going there.

It is still a bit dicey but I still intend to do my best to convince them,” Igiebor stressed.

D

NATION SPORT

NFF to honour Yobo F OR his immense contributions to Nigeria football and particularly his recordequalling senior team cap, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will today in Kaduna honour the Captain of the Super Eagles, Mr.

• Yobo

Falcons job: Mmadu No prize backs Omagbemi, Akide money for

Joseph Yobo.

Yobo will receive an all-glass plaque from NFF President Aminu Maigari for his record-equalling feat, as his appearance today in the international friendly match against the Chipolopolo will be his 86th for the Senior National Team of Nigeria, matching the previous achievement of Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal and Christian Nwankwo Kanu.

“We have deep respect for Joseph Yobo’s outstanding contributions to Nigeria football, his patriotism and his humility”, NFF President Aminu Maigari said in Abuja.

Today’s international friendly against Zambia means so much to Yobo, who will not only equal the previous record but will also look to breaking it in his very next appearance for the Super Eagles.

The opposition is also, coincidentally, Zambia, against which Yobo made his first senior team appearance in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Chingola on March 24, 2001.

The NFF also honoured Yobo in the month of March when he marked his 10th year on the road for the Nigeria senior team, in the Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

Today’s match against the Chipolopolo will kick off at 5pm at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

• Rues London 2012 Olympics miss

E

X-INTERNATIONAL Maureen Mmadu has added her voice in the clamour for the appointment of former Falcons’ captain Florence Omagbemi as coach of the women senior national team, the Super Falcons.

Mmadu told NationSport that with her experience and leadership skills, Omagbemi can ensure success for the Falcons in the nearest future.

“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should be careful in selecting a new coach for the Falcons. For me I will prefer they look in the way of Florence Omagbemi. This is not because she was my teammate, but she is very experienced and has what it takes to achieve a lot with the Falcons.

“Mercy Akhide is another person I will recommend for the Falcons job. She might not be as experience as Omagbemi, but her fame and

Commander storms Calabar Carnival unveiling, set for title defence

U

Keshi: Eagles’ attacking football will return

S

UPER Eagles new handler, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has assured that very soon Nigerians will begin to see their senior men’s football team begin to play the kind of attacking football that the country was noted for in the past.

The former Togo and Mali national coach also told Supersports.com that despite the Super Eagles’ failure to win against the Zebras of Botswana last Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin; he is satisfied with the performance of the boys.

Keshi stated that he did not even expect the players to put the quality of play they displayed on that day due to lack of training the players had as a team before the encounter.

“No, no, no I am not disappointed.

I was a little bit doubtful because we only had three training sessions before the game and we did not even complete the first of the three sessions.

This was because the synthetic pitch at the Abuja National Stadium was very hot and I was forced to call it off.

“I then asked the boys to move to the main pitch of the stadium, that was where we trained on Wednesday afternoon and it was only then that we trained properly.

“I am happy that the boys responded the way I wanted; we created chances but we didn’t score.

That’s part of the game but at least, the players are beginning to know the style of play that I like and that is good.

“The Super Eagles were previously known for their quality as an attacking team and we need to bring that back, but we will require time to make all these things return to the national team”, the former Super Eagles Captain stated.

He also spoke on the need to retain the country’s national football team structure that made Nigeria a household name in African football in the past; stressing that he would build a strong team for the country and also qualify her to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I think we need to bring back the usual structure we used to have in the national team.

By that, I mean great team spirit, the mentality of winning and the aggressiveness of winning the ball on time.

“Westerhof was very lucky to have had great players at his disposal and a captain that the players listened to and I adore those players too because without them, I wouldn’t have been able to qualify the team for the World Cup and also win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.

“But I will try to do the same, build a very strong team for Nigeria and qualify the team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup”, he concluded.

Victor Moses yet to agree to Wigan contract

N

IGERIA international Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega have yet to agree new contracts with the club.

Both Moses and Rodallega have been in talks with the club over the past few months about different increases in salary and staying at the club. As of the current time, the club are finding it hard to get both players to agree a deal.

That is according to new reports during the week.

Rodallega has said over the past few days, that Italian club Juventus are interested in signing the player in the January market if a deal can not be reached by the club. Jonathan Jackson remains optimistic of the club’s chances of getting Hugo to sign a new deal before the window opens in January.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported this week, that the club have made an offer to Moses, yet the players has turned it down. The reported deal said to be in the region of a fouryear contract, with the player receiving £15,000 a week is reportedly under the valuation that Victor’s agent is looking for.

•Super Eagles during training session

N

EW Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi will be hard pressed to win his first game in charge of the Super Eagles against Zambia today after a barren draw with Botswana at the weekend.

“Zambia are a good team and we will approach the game with the right attitude,” promised Keshi.

“We won’t be complacent in our approach to this game. I know what our people want and we will definitely not disappoint them.”

Nosa Igiebor, who made his full international debut against Botswana in his hometown of Benin City, said the Eagles aim to win today.

“We won’t settle for a draw against Zambia even though we reckon they are a better team than Botswana,” Igiebor said.

“We were unlucky not to score from the many chances we created and also our opponents’ game plan was not to concede any goal.”

Assistant coach Daniel Amokachi insisted on carrying on at the weekend despite suffering a personal bereavement when his nephew was killed by armed robbers Friday.

“It is a big tragedy for me, but I had to get myself together and focus on helping the chief coach in his first

BIG BOSS’ PROMISE

Zambia won’t get a draw match,” said Amokachi.

“It is a sacrifice I have to make for my country.”

Defenders Ugo Ukah and Gege Soriola and NPL leading scorer Jude Aneke could well make their debuts against the Chipolopolo after warming the bench against Botswana.

Keshi was satisfied with the overall team performance against The Zebras, but he also knows that he will continue to draw comparisons with

predecessor Samson Siasia, who got off to a flying start when he took over the team last year.

Zambia coach Herve Renard, whose return to the team has not received wide acceptance, will equally be under pressure to win back the hearts and minds of the fans back home with a result in Kaduna.

Renard’s departure in April 2010 to take up a lucrative but short-lived

We’ll make up with Zambia—Okonkwo

S

• Moses

By Innocent Amomoh antecedents will help the team as well. I think both of them should be given the responsibility of piloting Falcons’ return to glory,” she said.

The Norway based player said further said that the world over, female ex-internationals are being appointed to take over the women national teams. She added that Nigeria should not be an exception especially with the sex scandals rumours around the male coaches these days.

Though she rued the London 2012 loss to the Lioness of Cameroon, Mmadu however expressed confidence in the ability of the team to return to winning ways, but cautioned that for this to happen, the NFF must take the right dcisions.

UPER Eagles right full back, Chibuzor Okonkwo has said they will make up for the barren draw against the Zebras of Botswana with the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

The Eagles under new manager, Stephen Keshi battled AFCON debutants, Botswana to a goalless draw in an international friendly on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles face the Zambians in Kaduna today.

Okonkwo who did not get playing time in the encounter against Botswana told SuperSport.com that the Zambians will be beaten roundly.

“We’ll make up for the draw against Botswana with a win against Zambia in Kaduna.

“We played very well against Botswana, we created chances only that we didn’t convert the chances into goals.

“It’ll be a different ball game

against Zambia. Every country in Africa wants to beat Super Eagles but from now on no country will escape defeat in our hands and it will start with Zambia,” he said.

The Heartland strong man informed SuperSport.com that he is comfortable playing under Keshi.

“Yes, I played under coach Siasia, I don’t have any problem with the new coach Keshi.

“I will continue to work hard, and once I get a playing chance I will always give my best,” he said

deal with Angola didn’t go down quite well and his personal view last September on Zambian local politics too left a very sour taste.

Furthermore, Renard’s decision to follow his predecessor Dario Bonetti’s approach not to recall Jonas Sakuwaha to the team despite the striker’s good form with 18 goals in Sudan with league leaders Al Merreikh has been unpopular.

The Frenchman has been greeted at stadiums to chorus of “Sakuwaha!

Sakuwaha!”

The French coach said he expects a tough match against Nigeria.

“Nigeria is good opposition, it will be very good for me to see the players and how they are responding. They (Nigeria) are a good side and playing them at home will be difficult,” Renard offered.

However, Renard will be without Dutch-based striker Jacob Mulenga of FC Utrecht, who is out for at least six months after undergoing knee surgery last Wednesday.

And so Renard will be banking on his China-based duo of captain and striker Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga to lead in attack.

NIVERSAL Wrestling Professionals (UPWF) world heavyweight champion, Osita Offor, also known as ‘De Ultimate Commander’ was one of the major attractions during the unveiling of the 2011 Calabar Carnival programme at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, over the weekend.

De Commander, who stormed the venue with such Nollywood artistes as Paul Obazele, and Zak Orji, among others, was at the event in continuation of his title defence scheduled for Calabar in December.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with the carnival organisers, De Commander said he was delighted to be part of the programme that would feature some of the biggest wrestlers in the

world, adding that he was grateful to the Cross River State government for leading the quest to rebrand Nigeria.

The National Assembly Ambassador for Sports and Peace said: “we are very excited with our involvement with the Calabar Carnival, which has in so short a time been a good tool in the rebranding efforts of the Federal Government.

“The Calabar Carnival is an event that draws tourists from all over the world and while here they see the real Nigeria, a Nigeria that is peaceful, colourful and conducive for investment. That is why we are partnering with the state to show the world that Nigerian youths are hardworking people, who can be best in whatever they do.”

20 11/20 12 SEASON 201 1/201

NPL picks January date

T

HE new Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season will kick off in the first week of January, according to the NPL chairman Victor Baribote.

“We plan for the new season to commence in the first week of January,” Baribote disclosed.

The contentious title sponsorship of the league is also expected to be resolved by the end of the month, Baribote said.

The 2010/2011 season ran for a year due to leadership tussle at the NPL as well as a clash of programmes with the Nigeria federation Cup organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

This season finally ended Sunday

with Dolphin with Dolphin of Port Harcourt emerging champions on 73 points from 38 matches. They and runners-up Sunshine Stars will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League.

Warri Wolves, who finished third on 66 points, will feature along with Federation Cup winners Heartland in the CAF Confederation Cup. Champions Dolphin, Sunshine, Warri Wolves and fourth-placed Kano Pillars will play in a preseason Super Four Tournament next month in Lagos.

JUTH FC, Crown FC, Zamfara United and Plateau United finished in the bottom four and have thus been relegated.

Dolphins

D

OLPHINS FC are unlikely to get any prize money for winning the Nigerian Premier League title.

The Nigerian Premier League, without a sponsor, have been running the league on a shoe-string budget, and were forced to borrow from the NFF to prosecute the last four fixtures of the season.

No prize-money was announced at the start of the competition, and none has been paid out for over six years despite previous sponsorship to the tune of nearly N1 billion.

Acting Executive Secretary Tunji Babalola told KickOffNigeria.com that the board will decide what the champions will get.

“The board will have to meet and decide what the prize money will be considering our current situation and the fact that we have to also pay prize money to the winners of the Super Four,” he said.

Previous winners like Enyimba, Ocean Boys and Bayelsa United were all told they would get a prize money of N5 million, out of the sponsorship fee of around N900 million paid by Glo. Only Ocean Boys were paid, back in 2006.

Agent: Taiwo won’t leave Milan

L

IVERPOOL and Newcastle target Taye Taiwo will not be leaving AC Milan in the January transfer window, according to his agent Fabio Parisi.

The Nigerian has not impressed since moving to the San Siro from Marseille in the summer and was reported to be on his way out of the club in January.

But Parisi insists his client will not be leaving and says he is determined to stay and fight for his place under boss Massimiliano Allegri.

"There is no truth in this," said Allegri about a player who has also been linked with a move to Benfica.

"It is not part of Taye's plans to leave Milan in January. The player is relaxed and has no problems with the coach.

"It's normal that he would want to play more minutes like any player, but I repeat that there is no contact with any other club."

• Taiwo

Amokachi loses nephew to robbers

A

• Amokachi

nephew of Super Eagles assistant caoch, Daniel Amokachi was shot and killed in a robbery attempt on Friday in Kaduna.

Tekimbe Amokachi was minding the business premises of his uncle, Daniel’s father when the robbers struck.

Unknown to the 21-year-old Tekimbe, the hoodlums were armed, and as he chased after them, he was shot in the thigh at point-blank range with a shot gun.

He died from the bleeding a few hours later.

A distraught Amokachi was forced to put the tragedy behind him to help new boss Stephen Keshi prosecute his first official assignment.

“It was really sad for me to hear about it. The incident happened on Friday and my father is really feeling it as Tekimbe was the one who was always around to run little errands and take care of him,” Amokachi said.

“It is a big tragedy for me, because he was more like a brother as he has been with us for so long.

“But I had to get myself together and focus on helping the chief coach in his first match.

“It is a sacrifice I have to make for my country.”

Amokachi is now in Kaduna with the Super Eagles preparing for Today’s friendly against Zambia, but will join his family immediately after.

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

•Ore-Benin expressway

Should toll gates return?

T

HE Federal Government seems bent on re-introducing toll gates on the highways after they were scapped seven years ago. Ordinarilly, most Nigerians would not mind paying to ply good roads, but they take exception to paying for services not rendered.

The government’s decision seven years ago to scrap the toll gates was tied to the increase in fuel price. The underlying ar-

Seven years after toll gates were scrapped, the Federal Government plans to re-introduce them next year. The proposal has drawn the ire of the people, who say the move demonstrates the government’s insensitivity to their plight, given the dilapidated roads. OKWY IROEGBU writes.

gument then was that part of the proceeds from the fuel price increase would be used to fix the roads.

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen’s remarks, at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Works on the planned toll re-introduction, has added another twist to government’s pronouncement and implementation of policies.

It was former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration that abolished toll gates, following its planned removal of fuel subsidy.

The administration then felt that removing fuel subsidy while still retaining toll gates would have sparked mass protests across the country. It, therefore, scrapped toll collection on the highways with the intention of devising other means of rais-

ing funds for the rehabilitation of federal highways.

Unveiling government’s plan on the toll gates, Onolomemen told the Senator Ayogu Eze-led committee that the move was part of plans to reverse the deplorable state of roads across the country.

He said: “The future of the road sector •CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

• Go back to site, Orji orders •Surveyors canvass govt’s support • Senate wades into FCT for private infrastructure land allocation crisis contractors - PAGE 26

- PAGE 39

- PAGE 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

C

Go back to site, Orji orders contractors

ONTRACTORS in Abia State have been directed

by Governor Theodore Orji to go back to site or face the wrath of the people who expect them to perform.

Speaking in Umuahia at a meeting with the contractors, Orji told them that the dry season would soon start so they should make use of the period which does not last for more than three months.

Orji stressed that the government has set aside some funds from the local government joint account.

“We are setting aside some money for the contractors which will be given to them to work for the people during the dry season,” he said.

The governor noted that roads are essential for the development of the state, adding that there are many things the government was doing, including housing, agriculture and others, “but when nothing is done on the roads, the people will grumble and we do not want them to do that as it is their right.”

He decried the condition of state and local governments’ roads, stressing that the people value good roads better than any other thing the government was doing for them.

Orji said the people want good roads and not what he called

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Dubai roads that do not stand the test of time, urging them to do a good job.

He urged them to work even when funds were not available, saying no government would have money and not want to pay contractors.

“You contractors should show some understanding of the state, local and Federal Government as every strata of government wants to excel for its people,” Orji said.

He told them that they have the capacity to raise funds to work on the contracts they have been given.

“Government would pay later and all the money you would be given would be tied to a particular road project, with specified time of delivery.”

Orji said the state government wants to build one road in each local government. “By so doing, in the next three years, roads in the state and the local government areas will be better than they are right now.”

Responding on behalf of other contractors, Prince Okechukwu assured the governor that they would obey his directive and that any of them

•A dilapidated road in Aba, Abia State commercial nerve centre

that found wanting would be dealt with.

Okechukwu also said there

was no room for shoddy jobs .

He sympathised with the state government over the lean re-

•Continued from Page 25

Should toll gates return? cannot be shouldered by the Federal Government alone. We will soon start work on some of these roads. By 2012, we will introduce toll gate policy to rehabilitate our roads. Beyond this, we need a major reform of the sector.

“We need an enabling framework for the collation of all fines collected on the roads so that it can be channelled to road maintenance. We are going to raise a bill to introduce a policy that would gradually lead to the rehabilitation of our roads because it is one of the ways we can guarantee sustainable development of our road network.”

Reacting to the planned toll gates, Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Lagos State chapter, Ayotunde Jaiyesimi, said the concept of tolling was not new, but that the government was going about it the wrong way.

He said: “The sad thing about the whole thing is that it may just be an avenue to enrich a few people in the society. Here, people turn public property into personal use. What any reasonable government should do first, is to fix the roads before ever talking of tolling. They were collecting tolls some years back and decided to change from that. Has the scenario changed from what it used to be, why the sudden re-think?” he asked.

He wondered how people will pay toll on roads and still spend fortunes fixing their cars due to the bad roads. It just doesn’t add up, he stated.

Jaiyesimi said the planned toll was half-thought out, given the planned fuel subsidy removal without any concrete plan on

•Ondememen

ground to cushion their after effects.

The NSE boss advised the government to think its policy through rather than coming up with ill-planned policies. He noted that people pay tolls on good roads in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world and not on dilapidated roads as the government wants to do here.

President, Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPDA), Chief Anthony Ughagwu, in a chat with The Na-

•Senator Ayogu Eze

tion, regretted the path government is toeing on toll gates for the highways.

He pointed out that tolling the highways should not be any reasonable government’s priority with the myriad of challenges facing the country.

“Toll gate is not our problem for now. Government should look into our major problems as a nation. Why most Nigerians are not excited about the idea is that the toll can be collected and not deployed to good use. The road, to start with, are in very bad state.

Personally, l think President Goodluck Jonathan means well for the country, but it looks like his advisers are advising him wrongly.

“Whatever happened to all the monies budgeted for roads? If their plans sail through, it will mean more burden on transporters and the masses who are forever burdened with taxes. It will make inflation to bite harder on the ordinary people. Governance should be people oriented and not hurting economic policies that are not people friendly,” he said.

‘The sad thing about it all is that it may just be an avenue to enrich a few people in the society. Here people turn public property into personal use. What any reasonable government should do first, is to fix the roads before ever talking of tolling’

sources available, adding that, in the next two months, there would be changes on the roads.

In Enugu, while some applauded the decision, others kicked against it as not being the most needed project to improve the living standard of the masses.

A commercial driver, Kingsley Ezeadim, said the government should first rehabilitate the roads posing as death traps to travellers before thinking of tolling. He added that the reintroduction of the toll gates would contribute unnecessarily to hold-ups in view of the sluggish manner in which the ticket sellers attend to motorists.

An educationist, Nkemdili Eke, said the reintroduction was not necessary as Nigerians were looking up to the Federal Government to reduce the economic hardship and not add to the stress of the people.

Eke noted that the establishment of the toll gates would only enrich the pockets of privileged Nigerians without the roads being maintained.

She advised the government to put in place necessary machinery to forestall the diversion of funds generated from the tolls if they insist on it.

However, a Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Chimezie Iloduba, said the return of the toll gates was long overdue, suggesting that the management of the gates should be handled by reputable firms that will maintain such roads with funds generated.

“It will assist the government to easily maintain federal roads in the six geo-political zones without waiting for inclusion in the budget or being subject to release of funds.

“When this fund is generated, the firm will urgently repair damaged portions of roads before they escalate to unmanageable proportion,’’ he said.

Onyekwelu Nwankwo, another respondent, said the toll gates would also act as security posts and provide succour for motorists whose vehicles might develop faults.

He, however, cautioned that the toll-gates could be converted to mechanic villages or loading bay for articulated vehicles and long distance drivers, as was the case in the past.

27

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) is the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

Born in Aba, Abia State, he studied Law at the University of Lagos and was called to the Bar in 1980. He obtained his LL.M and Ph.D from the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) in 1983 and 1986. In 1991, he was appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Four successive Ministers of Justice retained him. During this period, he was part of Nigeria’s legal team at the International Court of Justice at The Hague on the Bakassi Peninsula dispute. Azinge was appointed Professor of Law by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and made the Director of Research in 2000, a position he held until 2006 when he became the Director of Studies. He is a leading professor of Constitutional Law and, undoubtedly, Nigeria’s foremost authority on electoral law. He has to his credit 20 authored and edited books, and over 70 published papers in learned journals. He has presented 250 papers at conferences in Nigeria and 20 countries, spanning virtually all continents. In May 2009, Azinge was appointed Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the legal Think-Tank of the nation and the apex legal institution for research and advanced studies in law and related disciplines. In this interview with JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on why the legal profession should be divided, judicial reforms and sundry issues.

Wanted! A divided legal profession •Prof Azinge (SAN)

•See page 29

•Kudirat: Judgment day beckons - P.32 •Teslim Elias’ portait missing at ICJ - P.35

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

28

LAW REPORT

Amendment is invalid where initial notice of appeal is held as incompetent IN THE COURT OF APPEAL (Lagos Judicial Division) On Friday, the 15th day of July, 2011 Suit No: CA/L/490/2006 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS KUMAI BAYANGAKAAHS ....... Justice, Court of Appeal IA’AFARU MIKAILU ....... Justice, Court of Appeal ISAIAH OLUFEMI AKEJU ....... Justice, Court of Appeal BETWEEN NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATIO

...APPELLANTS

AND ROVEN SHIPPING LTD (OWNERS OF ýMT VENTURERý) DIGNITY SHIPPING LTD (OWNERS OF “MT DIGNITY”) .

“T

HE case of Okafor v. Nweke (supra) which was cited by the learned senior counsel Mr. Sowemimo, is the classical locus authority wherein the learned jurists of the apex court in an unequivocal pronouncement interpreted the provision of sections 2(1) and 24 of the said Legal Practitioners Act which reproduction would be necessary for better comprehension and appreciation thereof: “2(7) subject to the provisions of this Act a person shall be entitled to practice as a barrister and solicitor if and only if, his name is on the roll. 24.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise following requires, the expressions have the meaning hereby assigned to them respectively that is say- “Legal Practitionerý means a person entitled in accordance with the provisions with Act to practice as a barrister and solicitor, either generally or for the purposes of any particular office proceedingsý By the combined effect of the two sections supra, for any person to qualify as a Legal practitioner within the meaning of section 24, he must have attained the status of having been called to the bar. In other words, his name must be on the roll of legal practitioners. It follows therefore that no name or person outside the designated and recognized ýrollý would be competent to qualify.” Per OGUNBIYI, J.C.A (P. 9, paras. A-G) - read in context APPEAL - NOTICE OF APPEAL: Whether an incompetent notice of appeal confers jurisdiction on the court “It is elementary and a trite law to state that an incompetent Notice of Appeal does not confer jurisdiction on the Court. In other words, where the initial notice of appeal is held as incompetent, there would be no foundation upon which an amended notice of appeal is to ground or stand. The acceptable and laid down principle which is trite still holds true that you cannot put something on nothing and expects it to stand. The two put together would both crumble. The initial notice predicating the subsequent amendment is the foundation and which must therefore be competent.” Per OGUNBIYI, J.C.A (P. 8, paras. C-F) - read in context CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The background genesis of the facts leading to this appeal arose from a dispute between the appellant and the respondents as to the proper construction of certain clauses in a time charterparty entered into by the parties in November 1995.

The Respondents who are the owners of a tanker vessel named MT Venturer hired same to the appellant for the carriage of petroleum products from refineries overseas to ports within Nigeria and Nigeria from to other locations named by the appellant in several other ports of the world. The Charter party was to regulate the relationship between the parties.

The Charterparty was to expire on 31st February extended by a letter 1996 but was of 1st February 1996 on a month basis, By an Addendum dated December 2, 1996 the said Charterparty concerning “MT Venturer was amended by substituting the “MT Venturer” with, MT Dignity” and the effective date for

...RESPONDENTS

the substitution was the 1st day of August 1996. Upon the determination of the Charterparty the respondents submitted their final invoices which included claims for interest on hire payments, which interest they alleged began to accrue after 90 days from the due date of payment, at the rate of 126 per cent per annum.

The Appellant disputes the Respondents’ entitlement to interest in view of the provisions of Rider clause 15 of the charterparty.

The respondents contend that they are entitled to interest payments under clause 18 of the charterparty. In consequence of this dispute, the parties agreed to refer the matter to arbitration.

Three arbitrators, namely Prof Kumado from Ghana, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) and Mr Babatunde Fagbohungbe were appointed to determine the dispute and thereafter the issue of the respondents, entitlement to claim interest, based on a construction of the relevant provisions of the charterparty, was put to them as a preliminary issue for determination.

On March 31, 2004 a Partial Award was made by the Arbitrators though the reasons for the Award were given only on 23rd June 2004. A perusal of the reasons given for the Award revealed that the Award was a split decision of 2-1 whereby the majority arbitrators upheld the claimants/Respondents contention that interest was payable on delayed of payment of hire fees. The Reasons for the Award did nor the minority arbitrator nor did it contain the terms of the minority or dissenting opinion. Also no dissenting

opinion was attached to the majority Award.

Being dissatisfied with the terms of the partial appellants Award, they applied to the Federal High court to set aside the said Award. The application was predicated on the fact that the arbitrators had misconstrued the provisions of the charterparty by adopting principles of construction which the law does not countenance, that the construction put on the Charterparty was tantamount to rewriting the contract for the parties and that this had occasioned a miscarriage of justice.

A page 3 - 6 of the record is in evidence.

The court however dismissed the application: in a Ruling delivered on February 6, 2006 by Justice G.C. Okeke, the trial judge took the view that once specific questions of law are referred to an arbitrator and he decides it, the court cannot intervene notwithstanding that the court itself may have come to a different conclusion. A page 91-102 of the record is in reference.

Again the appellant was dissatisfied with the Ruling of the Federal High court, and hence the filing of a Notice of Appeal against same which is the subject Matter now before us.

The said Notice and grounds of appeal as well as their particulars are contained at pages 105 - L07 of the record of appeal which same was filed on May 4, 2006 and containing four grounds of appeal. The appeal was entered in this court on the 12, July, 2006.

The notice of appeal with leave of this court sought and obtained was, on 15th March 2008 amended and parties in accordance with the Rules of court did file their respective briefs of arguments.

On January 19, 2011 counsel were invited to address the court on the competency or not of the Notice of appeal which at pages 105 - 107 was signed by MESSRS’ SEYI SOWEMIMO & Co., as the appellant’s counsel. Before us on June 1, 2011 respective counsel submitted their arguments as directed by the court. Also on the application by the senior counsel Mr. Babatunde Koku, SAN, representing the respondents, leave was granted by this court that the substantive appeal be argued following the submission the competence on or not of the notice of appeal.

This’ the learned senior counsel argued is convenient as it will serve a prelude to allow the taking of the competence of the notice of appeal first as a preliminary issue serving as the gateway for the determination and disposal of the entire appear. The procedure the learned senior counsel further affirmed is in consonance with the decision in the case of Tanko v U.B.A. Plc (2010) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1221) 80.

I have considered the foregoing authority wherein their Lordships of the apex court approved the duty on this court while deciding appear on preliminary point of jurisdic-

tion to proceed in the alternative to decide the appeal on the merit. In other words and as rightly sought by the learned senior counsel Mr Koku, it is within reason that the appeal was argued even while the competence of the notice of appeal was hanging in the balance and yet to be determined.

Submitting comprehensively therefore, the learned senior counsel Mr. Sowemimo reiterated the competence of both the original Notice of Appeal in question as well as the amended Notice of Appeal filed March 18, 2008. The learned senior counsel in grounding his submission informed the court of a certificate of registration of their law firm for confirmation of due registration. The counsel also cited the case of Ogundele v.

Agiri (2009) 18 NWLR (pt. 1173) 219 and in particular the pronouncement at page 246 by Ogbuagu JSC. The learned senior counsel further argued that the evidence of registration, will serve an exception to the case of Okafor v Nweke (2007) 10 NWLR pt 104 p.521.

That at best, the defect is not fundamental and counsel urged the court in the circumstance to hold therefore that both notices of appeal are competent. Further and final reference was also made to the case of Cole v.

Martin (1965) 1 ALL NLR P. 161.

For purpose of the judgment at hand, it is apt that the competence or not of the notice of Appeal in question be determined. It is elementary and a trite law to state that an incompetent Notice of Appeal does not confer jurisdiction on the Court. In other words, where the initial notice of appeal is held as incompetent, there would be no foundation upon which an amended notice of appeal is to ground or stand. The acceptable and laid down principle which is trite still holds true that you cannot put something on nothing and expects it to stand. The two put together would both crumble. The initial notice predicating the subsequent amendment is the foundation and which must therefore be competent.

At page 107 of the record for instance, the Notice of Appeal in question was signed by “MESSRS SEYI SOWEMIMO & CO.” being the Appellant’s counsel. The issue at hand therefore is to determine whether the signature made in the name of the law firm is competent and in accordance with the provisions of sections 2(1) and 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act. The case of Okafor v. Nweke (supra) which was cited by the learned senior counsel Mr Sowemimo, is the classical locus authority wherein the learned jurists of the apex court in an unequivocal pronouncement interpreted the provision of sections 2(1) and 24 of the said Legal Practitioners Act which reproduction would be necessary for better comprehension and appreciation thereof: •To be continued

•From left: Former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Chibudom Nwuche; Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; Senator Joy Emodi; former Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Dr Kole Abayomi; Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Mrs Nkechi Mba, at the Nigerian Law School Class of ‘88 Alumni Dinner, at the Motor Boat Club, Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

29

LAW COVER CONT’D

Wanted! A divided legal profession •Continued from page 27

W

HAT is your experience as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) like?

With due respect, I think it is immodest and inappropriate for a public servant to appraise his performance in office. It is for the public and members of his immediate constituency to do so. All I can say is that I have endeavoured within the limits of human frailties to do my best as the Director-General of Nigeria’s apex Legal Research Institute. Perhaps, I draw inspiration from positive comments and commendation from people of all works of life.

At the airports, hospitals, churches, courtrooms, local and international conferences, people walk up to me to commend me for the good works we are doing at the institute.

How do you view the commendations?

Similarly, I receive innumerable phone calls from international agencies abroad seeking to collaborate with us on our programmes. In all instances, they are amazed with the quality of work we do, the depth and breadth of scholarship demonstrated by the consistency of our publication, the ground-breaking research findings, the intimidating credentials of our faculty and, more significantly, our commitment to the Nigerian project and the transformation agenda. If these are indicators that we are doing well, then I am truly humbled. I can only assure you that as long as I remain in office I will continue to accelerate the rhythm of the establishment of the institute. But I can tell you that today, the institute is generally acclaimed as a world class institution.

What are your greatest challenges in running the Institute?

My greatest challenge is to remain continuously focused on my goal and not to be distracted by successes recorded so far. The vision of attracting participants from francophone countries is one that has not fully materialised. I am committed to achieving that in the not too distant future. The strategies are already in place to actualise that objective. Running two offices in Abuja and Lagos has not been a pleasant experience. Our dream of having a permanent site in Abuja does not appear to be realisable at the moment. Even at that, we are determined to push along through our initiative of raising funds for building our permanent site.

How do you plan to go about it?

We propose to have an endowment fundraising ceremony in March 2012. Perhaps we can attract sufficient funds to start with our administrative and library blocks. I hope that all friends and admirers of the Institute will support us when the time comes. Like any other government agencies, it will not be out of place to say that we can do better with enhanced funding. Many will marvel at what we have been able to achieve with our mea-

gre budget. Indeed, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been very supportive in this regard. So also are members of the National Assembly. I hope that in 2012 this position can be improved upon for a more effective service delivery.

You are a strong advocate for making Chapter Two of the Constitution justiceable. How far have you gone in the advocacy?

Yes, I am a strong advocate of justiciability of Chapter Two of the Constitution and I remain so. Nothing has changed to necessitate my shifting grounds on the issue. Indeed, public interest demands that we fast-track the process for the greatest happiness of in this country. My position is that the level of poverty and its attendant consequences can best be addressed by making chapter 2 justiciable.

You will recall that in April 2010, I had the distinct privilege to invite Honourable Justice Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India and an acclaimed apostle of justiciability of socio-economic rights to Nigeria under the umbrella of the Institute. Not only was he inducted into our Hall of Fame (the first ever), he also delivered a lecture on public interest litigation. His visit was sufficient to educate the college of judges in attendance on the significance and urgency of implementing the justiciability principles.

What was the response?

It is not in dispute that he was able to convert many of the Supreme Court Justices in attendance. What this means is that a test case is required to activate the courts and give them the platform and basis to address the issue. My mandate does not extend to providing candidate for the test case. That is for the legal community to handle. All I have done is to sufficiently sensitise the public on the possibility of the courts making chapter 2 justiciable through the principle of “harmonious construction” as well enunciated by Justice Bhagwati in India. In addition to this we have published a ground breaking book entitled: “Justiciability and Constitutionalism: An economic analysis of Law”. The book is a pathfinder and a veritable companion for any lawyer eager to navigate through the uncharted terrain of justiciability doctrine. This is a clear demonstration of the level of advocacy that I have made in this regard.

There is a clamour for judicial reforms.

What is the contribution of the institute?

The Institute as a catalyst of change sets the agenda and not the other way round. We do not join the bandwagon. Long before the Institution of Judicial Reform Committee, the Institute together with UN conducted a Judicial Integrity Research which I was privileged to co-ordinate. That was in 2004. The report is available for all to see. Also, in 2009, the Governing Council of the Institute approved the establishment of M.L. Uwais Centre for Judicial Integrity and Performance Evaluation. We have held series of Roundtables under the aegis of the Centre and Communiqués issued.

These are far-reaching efforts made by the In-

stitute in this regard. However, as you are aware I am a member of the Judicial Reform Committee and that gives the Institute a platform to play its part in the exercise. I cannot say more on this.

What are the institute’s programmes for 2012? Are you introducing new ones or modifying some your existing ones?

Yes, of course! As you are aware, we have already advertised our courses for 2012. That is the measure of seriousness we attach to our work. Law is very dynamic and it is a cardinal sin to imagine that you remain static and remain relevant.Consequently our programmes are continuously updated to meet the challenges of contemporary times. Apart from legislative advocacy which we have introduced, we have also introduced the following: Training workshop for Judicial Officers and case load Management; Digital forensic advocacy; Workshop on International Investment and Investors State Arbitration; Legislative Strategic Planning and Management; International Seminar on Comparative Legal System; Training Course on International Borrowing and Debt Management; Training Course on Consumer Protection Law and Competition Policy; and Training Course in Intellectual Property Law. These are the new courses introduced for 2012 and they form part of 30 courses we proposed to audit next year.

As you know, it does not include the Public Lectures, Roundtables and Policy Dialogue which are ordinarily designed to formulate policies for government.

Any major international conference?

It is critical to use this forum to indicate that we have introduced the African Moot Court Series for Law Faculties in Africa. We want to use the Moot Court to encourage African Law Student to sharpen their advocacy skills and more significantly, deepen the Institute’s agenda of refocusing the attention of young African Law Students on African Customary Law and Values. Our major international conference for 2012 is on Human Rights Norms and Customary Practices. Again, scholars from all over the world will assemble in Nigeria to interrogate the issues of how customary practices affect Human Rights Norms. It is obvious that the institute is never short of ideas and never shy of setting the stage for scholars to engage.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has continued to emphasise the need for Continuing Legal Education for lawyers. Does NIALS have any role to play in this regard?

From the statute establishing the Institute, its functions are clearly defined. No one is in doubt that the major role of the Institute is providing continuing legal education. We have done this admirably well in the past 30 years and we hope to continue to grow from strength to strength. We have a strong partnership with the NBA and President J.B. Daudu is quite supportive of the activities of

the Institute. He has already assured us that the Institute will be pivotal in refocusing lawyers for continuing legal education. It is an honour for us to shape the thoughts and minds of members of the legal profession.

How do you react to criticisms that the Institute runs a restricted Ph.D programme?

This is misconceived. The statute establishing the institute enables us to run a course of study leading to award of diploma and post graduate degrees in legislative drafting. That is in law. We only run Ph.D programmes in legislative drafting and nothing more. Anyone who is not comfortable with this should seek amendment of our law. For now, we have no apologies and refuse to be distracted.

What is your reaction to the warning by US to her citizens to avoid hotels in Abuja?

American Government owes a duty to its citizens of protecting, defending and providing security of life and property. The information from the US Embassy can, therefore, be seen as in the course of the duty. The Nigerian Government should be expected to do likewise if the need arises. What the American Government, however, fails to bother about is the effect such information will have on Nigeria and its people. Certainly, the information has created a lot of tension in the country and the ripple effect will surely be felt in many segments of the society. But I like to believe that this information could have been better handled without necessarily creating tension amongst our people. How would it have sounded if Nigeria had requested or advised Nigerians publicly to be wary of travelling to New York because of 9/11 or to avoid all America’s Embassies because they are targets or American Airlines for the same reason? It would definitely have been in bad taste. This is exactly what many think about the approach of US as regards the purported threat to three leading hotels in Abuja. It is, however, gratifying to observe that in spite of the warning, activities in these hotels never abated and Mr President made a bold statement by attending the Economic Summit meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

You are a strong advocate of a divided legal profession. Can you explain what you mean?

Yes, I am. The fused profession we have today was necessary in yester years when there were just a few lawyers in Nigeria. Today, we have about 80,000 lawyers and still counting. While it can be argued that for a country of 170 million people, the figure does not suggest we are “over-lawyered”, there is, however, every need for us to plan for proper and effective utilisation of the lawyers we have produced so far. That is the basis for a divided profession argument. I think a lot can be achieved in terms of specialisation, in terms of focus, capacity building and personal assessment of innate talents and capabilities.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

30

FROM THE COURT

Salami, Abdullahi, Osinbajo, others for Benson lecture F ORMER Lagos AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) will deliver this year’s yearly Chief Babatunde O. Benson lecture. It has the theme: The rule of law: The foundations are shaking.

It is organised as part of the activities to mark the law week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch.

The week, which began last Thursday, will end on Friday.

The branch Chairman, Mr Kazeem Adebanjo and the Chairman of the Law Week Committee, Akin Duyilemi, said it would afford lawyers opportunity to give back to the society.

Former Court of Appeal President, Justice Umar Abdullahi, will chair the event to be held at the Ikorodu Town Hall on November 16, by 10am.

Expected guests include President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami; Life Bencher, Chief Hairat Ade-Balogun; former Lagos Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba S. Oyefusi; and Yeye Oge of Lagos, Dr Opral Benson.

Also expected are Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Inumidun Akande, Lagos AttorneyGeneral, Mr Adeola Ipaye and former Lagos Attorney-General, Chief

Wonuola Folami, among others.

The week will end with a bar dinner on Friday. Last Saturday, the branch members visited the monarch in Ikorodu and held a variety night afterwards. They visited the motherless babies home and rehabilitation centres yesterday.

A motivational talk/career talk for students at the local government secretariat as well as the inauguration of zebra crossings at designated locations within Ikorodu will be held today.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will be given the Excellence in Leadership award at the dinner.

Adoke to speak at conference on terrorism O help deal with the challenges of violence, plans have been concluded for an international conference on terrorism.

Jointly organised by the Centre for Criminal Justice Reform and Citizen Awareness (CCJRCA), the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), and Access Bank Plc, it has as theme: Challenges of terrorism in the 21st Century global community.

CCJRCA spokesman Mr Rotimi Asher said the conference is aimed at bringing stakeholders together in the march towards preventing

T

and tackling terrorism in Nigeria.

It will hold from November 29 to December 2, this year at the NIIA Conference Chamber, Victoria Island, Lagos. Security experts from across the world are billed to attend.

“The event will not only provide all stakeholders an opportunity to interact with field officers from various security agencies, but will also provide policy makers and law enforcement administrators useful insights, regarding the most appropriate measures to adopt, in addressing terrorism challenges in Nigeria.

“Latest technologies on security

monitoring and surveillance, information gathering , tracking, Access control and advanced Metal detector systems, crowd control, vehicular barricade systems, among others, will be exhibited at the conference venue,” Asher said in a statement.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) is expected to lead discussions on review of the existing legal framework designed to tackle terrorism in Nigeria.

AT THE CHURCH SERVICE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUSTICE OMOBUSOLA OGUNLESI-ADIO’S TRANSITION AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, SAGAMU, OGUN STATE

•From left: Lady Ebun Omotoso, Sir Remi Omotoso and Otunba Tunji Lawal-Solarin

•From right: Seni Adio, his wife, Solape, Mrs Kehinde Jibodu and Toyin Jibodu

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Executive ways and means

T

HOSE who came up with ways and means as the appropriate slang when dealing with financial exigencies in government surely used a rich vocabulary. As a matter of fact, I guess it would be appropriate to define governance as simply, ways and means, applying it literally. For young and flagging democracies, it assumes elasticity and in some instances even duplicity in actions and statements, all under the democratic banner. Our President and many of the state governors are now ardent at offering ingenuous ways and means to meet their every day challenges. But I shall come to that.

So in our kind of democracy, laws are interpreted to suit each peculiar circumstance and if need be, in the image of the interpreter. Indeed those who make the laws also have that in mind, as holes and moles are left in the work, for ways and means as may be needed. For instance, those who crafted the 1999 Nigerian Constitution surely are lovers of ways and means as law. They love the tendentious and the nebulous, as it gives them the latitude to maneuver. Chapter Two of the constitution is a fantastic and clever example of ways and means as law.

It provides an incredible amount of fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy for the benefits of the citizens of Nigeria. It started incredulously from hindsight to say in Section 13, “that it shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government and all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this chapter of this constitution.” Coming shortly after the definition of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constituent powers and authorities, any student of constitutionalism would be enthralled by the provisions detailing the social contract between the people and the state, especially if the student missed out section 6(6)(c) of the same constitution providing the crater to trap the so called duties and responsibilities.

The horned skills on ways and means may well explain President Jonathan’s increasing attempt to portray those opposed to his proposal for single seven year tenure as the bad guys. Each time it appears to him that the controversy has been laid to rest, he will seek an opportunity to steer up the issues to the front burner. While hosting the French foreign minister last week he said those who oppose him on this issue do so based on the erroneous impression that he wants an extra seven year term. The press report I read did not quote him as saying without equivocation that he will not seek an extension of his current term. But even if he won’t, what can we make of this kind of his regime lasting for seven years at a stretch.

The same ways and means is applicable in the President’s treatment of the fuel subsidy palaver. He simply ignores those asking questions as to why the state cannot reign in those racketeers he has confirmed as existing in the industry. He also ignores queries concerning why the refineries are comatose, despite the huge resources expended in recent times to do the so called Turn Around Maintenance. The political ways and means he has adopted is to choose the easiest economic ways and means; raise more taxes from the people. To spice his stand, at every opportunity he labels those opposed to his adopting the quickest and least tasking means of raising more money.

Many state governors are also engaged in ways and means to deal with challenges in their state economy and politics. Somebody who claims to know sent me what he claimed is Governor Sullivan Chime’s ways and means in dealing with the minimum wage wahala. He sent me an alleged comparative chat of what the governor has made of the minimum wage bill, claiming that in all states, labour signed an agreement with the government except in Enugu where the Governor imposed what he wanted to pay.

According to the representations there is serious disparity between what is paid in many states and what is paid in Enugu state. Using level 7 step 9 of that data, the National approved minimum wage is N55,660; while we have in the listed states the following, Benue N49, 766; Delta N52,651.52; Edo N41,716.32; Ogun State N47, 922.96; Taraba N47, 315.68; and Enugu N26,390.00. The chart at level 16 step 9 has as approved national minimum wage N241, 681.08; while for Benue N228, 782; Delta N220,227.92; Edo N163,800.98; Ogun N271, 596.26; Taraba N205, 428.21 and Enugu State N98,200.

It calls the Enugu State chart the evil chart; but l will rather call it, Governor Sullivan’s ways and means. While evidentially the governor is doing well in infrastructural development, he appears to have a short fuse for democratic ethos. If the above chart is credible, it is difficult to appreciate how he came by such huge disparity as what he would pay to the state workers, when others are paying much more. I am told that the ecclesiastical enfant terrible in Enugu State, Reverend Father Mbaka has waxed a song demanding that the governor should pay the national minimum wage, and asking rhetorically whether the money he is paying, is his money. Another ecclesiastical social crusader in the state, Father Obodo also rails every now and then from the pulpit against the untoward ways and means in government.

No doubt as many of the 36 states fall within the radar of insolvent states, there would be increasing ways and means, even when they border on extra constitutional measures.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

31

LAW & DEVELOPMENT Text of the lecture delivered by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher at the Fellows’ Day Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Judiciary as bastion of constitutional democracy I CONSIDER it a great honour to be entrusted with the privileged task of delivering this year’s Fellows’ Day Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Nigeria’s apex institution for cutting edge research and advanced studies in law. I am grateful to the Management of the Institute, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of its Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), for counting me worthy of this honour.

I am extremely delighted by the reasoning of the institute to dedicate this year’s Fellows’ Lecture to the most critical challenge facing the judiciary and the legal profession in Nigeria today. Permit me to reiterate that this issue is my utmost priority and I crave your indulgence in allowing me to repeat my views and perceptions on it at every opportunity. I urge you all to realise the need for engendering a sense of urgency relating to these issues; and further hope that our joint efforts in this regard will be crowned with success for the benefit of all.

However, before going into the “thick of things” it is worth recalling the fact that the institute was established in 1979 to, inter alia, (a) “conduct research into any branch of the law or related subjects with a view to the application of the results thereof in the interest of Nigeria”; (b) “provide information, supervision, guidance and advice to postgraduate students and other researchers who are working for post-graduate degrees of any university in the field of law and related subjects”; (c) “to conduct courses of instruction in legislative drafting leading to the award of post-graduate diploma or a post-graduate degree”; and (d) “co-operate with Nigerian universities, the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and such other bodies (whether in Nigeria or elsewhere) engaged in any major field relating to law reform, development or research in the mobilisation of Nigeria’s research potentials for the task of national development and dissemination of research findings for the use of policy makers at all levels”.

With particular reference to the institute’s mandate relating to legislative drafting, it is instructive to note that the institute is the only institution in Nigeria statutorily mandated to offer postgraduate training in that coveted and specialised area of law. At the moment, the institute runs postgraduate programmes leading to the award of postgraduate diploma, Masters and Ph.D in legislative drafting.

I have followed the activities of the institute with keen interest, particularly in my capacity as the Chairman of its Governing Council, and I can state, without any fear of contradiction, that the institute has, over the years, justified its existence. Consistent with its motto, “knowledge that makes the difference”, the institute has raised the bar of result-oriented research, expanded the frontiers of knowledge in a very profound manner and concomitantly made substantial contributions to the development of Nigeria. I am, therefore, confident that its founding founders must be basking in the euphoria of its accomplishments.

As a measure of my confidence in the institute, I have mandated it to prepare various draft amendments to all the laws that are critical to repositioning the Nigerian judiciary for optimal performance. In a similar vein, the institute’s Director-General is one of the distinguished Nigerians that were invited to serve on Stakeholders Forum, to chart an agenda for the reform of the Nigerian Judiciary. I assure the institute of my resolve to continue to support its efforts at transforming the landscape of legal research and impacting “knowledge that makes the difference”.

The mandate of the Nigerian judiciary

The mandate of the Nigerian judiciary, as encapsulated in Section 6(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), “extend[s], notwithstanding anything to the contrary in [the] Constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law” and “to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all

•From left: Prof Ignatius Ayua (SAN), NIALS Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), Justice Musdapher and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), at the event

actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person.”

Furthermore, as a measure of the importance that the Constitution attaches to the role of the judiciary, Section 4(8) thereof forbids the legislature from enacting any law “that ousts or purports to oust the jurisdiction of a court of law or of a judicial tribunal established by law”.

The judiciary’s mandate is not an end in itself. It is a means to a higher end. The thrust of the judiciary’s mandate is the cause of justice. Therefore, in interpreting the law, all Judges must always reckon with the imperative need to engender justice. As My Lord, Justice Kayode Eso, JSC, aptly puts it “without justice, law labours in vain.”1 In the perceptive words of Iyer, “Law, without justice, is legitimation of tyranny; justice, without law, is fraught with anarchy; justice riding law, with a mission and a vision, arrives at destination.”

In executing its mandate, the judiciary is not beholden to the apron strings of any political party, pressure group, religion, racial or ethnic group, sex, geo-political entity, etc. Consistent with the symbol of justice, which is depicted as a blindfolded person holding two even scales, the judiciary’s mandate is to dispense justice to all manner of people, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

As Lord Atkin admirably puts it in Liversidge v. Anderson: ...amid the clash of arms, the laws are not silent. They may be changed, but they speak the same language in war as in peace. It has been one of the pillars of freedom, one of the principles of liberty... that the judges are no respecter of persons and stand between the subject and any attempted encroachment on his liberty...alert to see that any coercive action is justified in law.

Under Nigeria’s constitutional scheme, “only a court of law has the power and the right to say authoritatively and conclusively what the law is…And once a superior court of record has spoken, then, its pronouncement, however, perverse or blatantly wrong it may appear to be, establishes the law unless and until it is reversed on appeal by a higher court.” As Lord Radcliffe points out in Smith v. East Elloe Rural District Council: An order, even if not made in good faith, is still an act capable of legal consequences. It bears no brand of invalidity upon its forehead. Until the necessary proceedings are taken at law to establish the cause of invalidity or otherwise upset it, it remains as effective for its ostensible purpose as the most impeccable of orders.

My Lord, Justice Iguh, JSC, captures the rationale underpinning the presumption of validity of judicial decisions in the Nigerian case of Josiah Cornelius Ltd & Ors v Chief C. K. Ezenwa:6 In this regard, it cannot be over-emphasised that a judgment or order of a court…remains

valid and binding unless and until it is set aside by an appellate court or by the lower court itself, where it acted without jurisdiction, and there is an unqualified obligation on every person against whom it is to obey it unless and until it is so set aside. The rationale is that to hold otherwise will be to clothe a party against whom a judgment or order is given with the discretion to decide, in his own wisdom, whether the judgment or order is invalid and not binding on him; a situation which rightly has been described as amounting to an invitation to anarchy.

In the discharge of our responsibilities, all judges must be conscious of the fact that, as Lord Denning, in characteristic fashion, puts it “[t]he English language is not an instrument of mathematical precision”; 7 in consequence of which “a judge should not be a ... mere mechanic in the power house of semantics. He should be the man in charge of it”.8 This, in turn, reinforces the need for Judges to subordinate technicalities to the overarching need to engender substantial justice. In the words of My Lord, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, JSC: The picture of law and its technical rules triumphant and justice prostrate may no doubt have its admirers. But the spirit of justice does not reside in forms and formalities, nor in technicalities, nor is the triumph of the administration of justice to be found in successfully picking one’s way between pitfalls of technicality. Law and all its technical rules ought to be but a handmaid of justice and legal inflexibility (which may be becoming of law) may, if strictly followed, only serve to render justice grotesque or even lead to outright injustice. The court will not endure that mere form or fiction of law, introduced for the sake of justice, should work a wrong, contrary to the real truth and substance of the case before it.9 My Lord, Justice Kayode Eso, JSC, echoes the same message, reinforcing the need for judges to approach their constructionist task with an eye on substantial justice: It would be tragic to reduce judges to a sterile role and make an automaton of them.

I believe it is the function of judges to keep the law alive, in motion, and to make it progressive for the purpose of arriving at the end of justice, without being inhibited by technicalities, to find every conceivable, but acceptable way of avoiding narrowness that spells injustice. Short of being a legislator, a judge, to my mind, must possess an aggressive stance in interpreting the law.10 It is important to appreciate the fact that this does not mean, however, that the law is, as Thomas Jefferson cynically puts it, “a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please”. 11 Indeed, as Benjamin Cardozo cautions: ...a judge is not to innovate at pleasure.

He is not a Knight-errant, roaming at will in pursuit of his own ideal of beauty or of goodness. He is not to yield to spasmodic

sentiment, to vague and unregulated benevolence. He is to exercise a discretion, informed by tradition, methodised by analogy, disciplined by system and subordinated to the primordial necessity of order in social life.12 As Judges, we are conscious of the fact that we are human beings with mortal frailties but, unlike most human beings, the nature of our training and professional calling imbue us with specialised skills to dispense justice according to the dictates of the law. As Judges, we do not profess perfection. Neither should any human being. As Justice Frankfurter of the United States of America rightly points out in Cooper v. Aaron, because a court of law is “composed of fallible men, it may err. But revision of its errors must be by orderly process”. My Lord, Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, JSC, succinctly expresses the same sentiment, in the specific context of the Supreme Court, in the following terms: We are final not because we are infallible, rather we are infallible because we are final.

Justices of this court are human beings capable of erring. It will certainly be shortsighted arrogance not to accept this obvious truth. 14 It is important to keep this admonition in mind in order to better appreciate the role of the Nigerian judiciary as the bastion of constitutional democracy; an issue to which we shall now turn.

The Nigerian judiciary as the bastion of constitutional democracy

At the special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the new Legal Year on September 20, 2011, I underscored the role of the Nigerian judiciary as the bastion of constitutional democracy in the following words: We fully appreciate that the success or failure of our young democracy largely depends on our judicial system; and we shall do our utmost to improve our capacity to perform our constitutional responsibilities, enhance protection of democratic values, and entrench the rule of law.

Given the history of our political odyssey, one need not look far to appreciate the fact that the success or failure of democracy or a democratisation agenda depends, in large measure, on the judiciary.

I am happy to note that the National Judicial Council, which I am honoured to chair, has over the years taken, and will continue to take, decisive disciplinary measures against judges who abuse their office – ranging from those engaged in corrupt practices (whether in the context of political cases or otherwise) to those who are lazy, delinquent and unproductive.

On the other hand, even the most trenchant critics of the judiciary would concede that our judges have, through several ground-breaking decisions, bolstered and deepened our democracy.

•To be continued

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

32

FROM THE COURT

For al-Mustapha, Sofolahan, judgment day beckons

I

T had seemed elusive. But today, judgment day is now visible. Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere last week, chose January 30 for judgment in the trial of Hamza al-Mustapha and Lateef Sofolahan for their alleged complicity in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. al-Mustapha was the Chief Security Officer of former Head of State General Sani Abacha, until his sudden death in June 1998, while Sofolahan is described as an aide to the late Kudirat who was murdered in the early hours of June 4 , 1996.

For about 11 years, the state strove to ensure the deployment of judicial process in resolving the misery behind the murder of Kudirat. Much as the state tried, those accused of being behind the crime equally fought to frustrate the wheel of justice by employing various antics.

The journey began in 2000 when, the state, acting on the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), initiated charges against al-MustapHa, Abacha’s son, Mohammed, former Head of the Police Mobile Force, Aso Rock, Unit, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rabo Lawal and Sofolahan. They were arraigned on a two count charge of conspiracy and murder.

And like other similar cases - the attempted murder of former Internal Affairs Minister, Mr Alex Ibru and attempt on the life of the deceased former leader the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Abraham Adesanya – proceedings were held at dawn due to antics mainly on the part of the defence.

Despite the several hiccups, the trial progressed until sometime in July when the court closed the case of the prosecution owing to its inability to procure its fourth witness, Ahmend Fari Yusuf (a Commissioner of Police) to attend court and conclude his testimony.

As the case progressed, the Supreme Court freed Mohammed. Sometime in July, and while ruling on a no-case-submission by the defence, Justice Dada acquitted Lawal on the ground that the prosecution could not establish his involvement in the crime.

Before then, the trial had witnessed unusual developments as the state’s key witnesses, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (aka Rogers) and another soldier, Mohammed Abdul (aka Katako) recanted.

They had also told the court that Sofolahan, acting as Kudirat’s aide, gave them information on her itinerary, which aided them in accomplishing their task of eliminating her.

Jabila was a member of the special security outfit established to protect Abacha and his family, while Abdul served as the personal driver to Mohammed.

In his evidence-in-chief, Jabila narrated how he was, some days before Kudirat’s assassination, summoned by al-Mustapha to his office in Aso Rock, handed some bags containing guns, and briefed on “ a special assignment”.

He also told the court that Sofolahan provided them with information about Kudirat’s movement and even led them to her residenece after which his team planned strategies for the operation.

“Jabila said Sofolahan’s information aided them in trailing Kudirat until he shot her on June 4, 1996 in the car driven by Abdul.

Abdul, who acted as the prosecution’s third prosecution witness, corroborated Jabila’s testimony. He said he once worked with Mohammed’s late senior brother, Ibrahim, but had his service transferred to Mohammed at Ibrahim’s death.

He told the court, in his evidence-in-chief, how they (himself and Jabila) went out the day after meeting Sofolahan, trailed a white Mercedes Benz car from Ikeja to the old Lagos toll-gate and how Jabila shot at the white Mercedes and directed him to drive back to Dodan Barracks where they were staying.

Both witnesses stunned all later when strangely, they recanted during crossexamination, denying all their earlier evidence. They blamed their strange decision to summersault on their allegation that the state reneged on its promise to compensate them materially after the trial.

They alleged that the state failed to honour its wards, under the witness protection programme, to reward them and their families for acting as prosecution witness.

The fourth prosecution witness, Yusuf , who obtained statements from al-Mustapha during investigation, midway into his

•The late Kudirat Abiola

•al-Mustapha

By Eric Ikhilae

testimony, refused to further cooperate with the prosecution. He allegedly refused to attend court, a development that compelled the court to close the prosecution’s case in July.

Testifying for himself as the first defendant witness, al-Mustapha denied all the allegations against him. He particularly, denied sending anybody to kill Kudirat. .

Al-Mustapha denied involvement in the killing of Kudirat, but the prosecution confronted him with a statement by Mohammed Abacha, contained in the Supreme Court’s judgment in an interlocutory appeal

by Mohammed, and upon which he was freed.

In the statement, part of which was read to the court by the lead prosecution lawyer, Lawal Pedro (SAN), Mohammed admitted witnessing where al-Mustapha gave Jabila (Rogers) a bag containing guns.

Lawal read from the last paragraph of page 19 to the middle of page 20 (a portion of the judgment where Mohammed Abacha was quoted as claiming to have been present when al-Mustapha allegedly handed a bag containing

•Sofolahan

guns to Rogers). al-Mustapha, who earlier testified not to have tortured anyone in his life, later, admitted during cross-examination that he tortured one Turner Ogboru. He also admitted that as trained military personnel, he could take lives for public interest.

The defence also called a retired Army personnel, Kyari Gadzama, who worked as an aide to al-Mustapha and who testified in his favour. He admitted knowledge of Kudirat’s assassination, but said he heard of it from the media.

He denied always accompanying his exprincipal to all his engagements and meetings.

In his testimony on August 17 as the third defence and last witness, Sofolahan, who testified for himself, denied involvement in the offences for which he was standing trial.

He denied knowledge that she was shot dead on June 4, 1996, but said he only learnt she died in her car. He also denied ever working with any member of the Abiola family.

He spoke on his relationship with the Abiola family, saying it never went beyond serving as a Protocol Officer in the late Chief Abiola’s

campaign organisation in 1993.

Sofolahan accused of acting as an informant to the late General Sani Abacha’s government, told the court how he worked for the transmutation agenda of the late General Sani Abacha while Abiola was in custody. He also said he later worked in 1998 with the campaign organisation set up by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.

When parties adopted their final written addresses on November 10, the prosecution said it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and urged the court to convict the accused accordingly. The defence led by Olalekan Ojo urged the court to acquit his clients on the ground that the prosecution has failed to satisfactorily discharge the burden of proof placed on it by law.

He argued it was impossible for the court to reach a verdict of guilt against his clients, based on the bunch of contradictory and unreliable evidence provided by the prosecution, particularly by its star witnesses, Jabila and Abdul.

On its first issue of whether it has proved the charge of conspiracy, the prosecution argued that it has convincingly proved that the accused persons did conspire to murder Kudirat, despite the defendant’s claim that they never met until their arrest in 1999.

Lawal argued that in proving conspiracy, it is immaterial that there should be direct communication between each conspirator and every other. He added that the court could also reach a decision of conviction based on inference as against relying solely on direct evidence.

“All that needs to be established is that the criminal design alleged is common to all of them. Proof of how they connected with themselves or that the connection was made is not necessary for there could even be cases where one conspirator may be in one town and the other in another.

“It is settled law that conspiracy can be inferred from the conduct of the parties. It does not necessarily have to be by direct evidence of agreement. The proof of conspiracy is generally a matter of inference deduced from certain criminal acts of the accused done in pursuance of an apparent criminal purpose in common between them,” he said.

Lawal argued that though Jabila and Abdul recanted, having earlier admitted carrying out the murder on the order of al-Mustapha, the court could still establish the accuseds’ culpability from the available circumstantial evidence.

On the second issue of whether the prosecution has proved the charge of murder, Lawal, relying on Section 7 of the Criminal Code, contended that the accused needed not to have been present where Kudirat was shot nor participated in the shooting for them to be guilty of the offence.

He contended that despite the argument by the defendants that prosecution’s key witnesses, were inconsistent and unreliable, the court could still convict the accuseds based on circumstantial evidence before it.

In his 112 page defendants’ written address and another 27-page reply-on-point of law, Ojo riased five issues for determination.

First was whether or not Jabila and Abdul were credible and reliable witnesses, whose evidence could be accepted and relied upon by the court having regard to the contradictions and inconsistencies evidence. Ojo, who cited instances of inconsistencies in their evidence, urged the court to disregard them in view of their unreliability.

Second was what evidential value the court could attach to the extra judicial statements made by the defendants and the extent to which they could be used by the court in the determination of the suit.

Ojo urged the court not to attach any significant value to them on the ground that they could not pass as confessional statements.

On what evidential value the court could attach to the testimony of PW4 (DCP Ahmed Yusuf) who did not conclude his evidence in chief and who could not be cross-examined by the defence before the case of the prosecution was closed, Ojo urged the court to discountenance same.

On whether or not the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt having regard to the quantity and quality of the evidence it adduced, Ojo urged the court to hold in the negative.

He prayed the court to dismiss the charge against his client and discharge and acquit them accordingly.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

33

NATIONAL BAR NIGERIA LAW SCHOOL CLASS 88 ALUMNI DINNER AT LAGOS MOTOR BOAT CLUB, LAGOS

•Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State presenting a Plaque the Former Director-General of Nigerian Law School, Dr. Kole Abayomi (SAN)

•President, Commonwealth Lawyer Association, Boma Ozobia (left) and Moji Rhodes.

From left: Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Pamela Akhigbe, Christie Ray-Okoye, Senator Joy Emodi and Mrs Iheoma Chidi Odinkalu

•From left: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, Iniabasi Udobong and Justice Okon Akpang

•Mrs

•From left; Prof A. D. Badaiki,Gabriel Ojikhandu, Mrs Edna Akande, Sylva Ogwemoh and Andy Igbokwe.

•Ike Ofuokwu (left) and David Nwaezeapu

•Chief M. Alison Ikeagwu, Awwal Tukur, and Sina Sofola (SAN).

•Olu Ogundare (left) and Babatunde Aiku (SAN).

Chief Henry Ojuola (left) and Innocent Umar

Solape Adio and former Executive Secretary,National Human Rights Commission, Roland Ewubare

PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

34

NATIONAL BAR

Family sues church, others over land T

HE Jinadu Olowu Family, Lagos, has sued the Celestial Church of Christ, Akiode Parish and six others at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly taking over its land and building on it.

The claimants – Alhaja Seratu Onikoyi, Alhaji Abdul Taoridi Adams, Mr Muse Giwa and Mrs Mujibat Yussuf (suing as head and principal members of the family) – said their father (Jinadu Olowu) bought the land from Obawole Family on May 3, 1934.

They said following their father’s death, they inherited the land located on Akiode Street, Omole, Lagos, which has been allegedly encroached on.

The defendants are Chief Fada Moses Emeya, Mr J.A.Olaleye, the Registered Trustees of Celestial Church, Akiode Parish, Alhaji Jamiu Awofolaji, Alhaji Abdul Fatai

By Joseph Jibueze

Gambari and Olarewaju Akinduro.

The applicants said they were entitled to the land’s Certificate of Occupancy, and sought a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants “from staying on or remaining on the land or performing any act that may

violate the claimant’s right of ownership.”

According to them, “the defendants are a church and persons who have entered the family land of the claimants without consent or permission of the claimants and have failed and refused to quit the land despite repeated demands.”

Alleging that each of the defendants took

‘The defendants are a church and persons who have entered the family land of the claimants without consent or permission of the claimants and have failed and refused to quit the land despite repeated demands’

portions of the land and “hurriedly” built on it, the claimants prayed for N500,000 damages against them.

But the fifth defendant, Awofolaji denied “every allegation of fact contained in the cliamants’ statement of claim.”

He said: “There is nothing like Jinadu Olowu Family land again since the descendants of Jinadu Olowu have since partitioned the family land over 40 years ago.”

According to him, he bought his portion in 1976 and has been living on it for over 30 years, adding that while he was building on it, there was no complaint from anybody.

“The action of the claimants is mere golddigging and should be dismissed with punitive cost,” he defendant said.

The case will come up before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on November 21.

Speech by Director-General of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at the Fellows’ lecture held in Abuja

‘We are fulfilling our statutory mandate and dreams of our founding fathers’ I AM indeed extremely delighted to welcome you all to the Fellows’ Lecture and Conferment of Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The Fellowship of the Institute is a highly prestigious award conferred only on members of the bar and bench adjudged by the Governing Council and Management of the Institute as having contributed substantially to shifting the frontiers of law. A major factor in the choice of nominees is the level of participation and identification with the activities of the Institute.

May I publicly acknowledge and pay tribute to the Fellows’ of the Institute for their support and encouragement at all times. Let me also warmly congratulate all the nominees for today’s conferment.

A measure of the quality of the fellows’ of the Institute finds expression in the depth and breadth of scholarship and experience placed at the disposal of the Institute by them. This is why the Fellowship of the Institute is not an honorary award but a call to service to the Institute and the legal commu-

nity.

It is against this backdrop that a Fellow of the Institute is selected annually to deliver what is popularly known as the Fellows’ Lecture of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Cast in the mould of Chorley Lecture of the London School of Economic and Political Science.The Fellows Lecture provides a platform for incisive and penetrating interrogation of issues of contemporary relevance and further invites the lecturer to make far reaching recommendations for the growth and development of Law. Today we are privileged to have my lord, Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher, GCON, Chief of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies deliver the Fellows’ Lecture. This lecture is significant in many respects. For the first time, a serving Chief Justice of Nigeria is invited to deliver the Fellows’ Lecture. Secondly the topic is one that commands public attention. We are

therefore proud to provide the platform for my lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria to speak to the world on a subject that will clearly define his career on the bench.

My Lord, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to use this forum to acknowledge with gratitude the massive support of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bellow Adoke, (SAN). As the supervising Minister of the Institute, his interest in the affairs of the institute has gone beyond the normal of duty.

The leadership of the NBA also deserves our thanks and appreciation. The Institute over the years has benefited immeasurably from the wise counsel of successive Chief Justices of Nigeria. Since it is customary that Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute ultimately emerges as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Institute can be adjudged a veritable grooming ground for would be

Chief Justices of Nigeria.

Events like this afford us the opportunity to take stock of our activities in the year under review. Perhaps it can be likened to a State of the Institute’s Report. My Lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, with all modesty and sense of responsibility, I can report that the State of the Institute is very strong.

When President Bill Clinton used thus expression in reference to the State of the Union in Ameria, he was obviously referring to the economy of United State of America. I wish I can use it in that context. But I am rather fortified in the belief that the State of the Institute is very strong with respect to fulfilling the dreams of its founding fathers and its statutory mandate. I guess that this position will be better buttressed by the slide we shall be presenting on the State of the Institute.

Our greatest strength however lies in the friendship we have built over the years – friendship of each and every one of you in this arena. We hope we can continue to draw from this friendship as we steer the ship of legal scholarship in this country.

ment was enforced.

“The time has come to properly integrate these courts and their activities in the curriculum of our education for Law, politics and Diplomacy. This is what we have been doing since 2007. We have taken students to different locations.

“We were at the ICJ on October 14 and the ICC on October 20. We also attended a lecture organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Amsterdam on October 17. The lecture was entitled: International Responsibility for violations of International Law committed by Peacekeepers.

“We also visited famous museums, such as

the Van Gough, Nemo and Historic Museum and so on. This was essentially to expose our students to cultures other than ours. The experience was so so pleasant’.

“At the ICC we observed the ongoing trial of Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo, alleged President and Commander-in-chief of the Mouvement de libération du Congo (Movement for the Liberation of Congo) (MLC), now facing charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Chamber III at the ICC. “At the ICJ we had a very interesting time under the guide of Boris Heim, an eloquent and intelligent Information Officer.”

Teslim Elias portrait missing at ICJ

T

HE portrait of Nigeria’s foremost jurist, academic and former president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Justice Teslim Olawale Elias is reportedly missing in the chambers of the ICJ. This was disclosed by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Prof Chris Ohuruogu in a chat with The Nation. Said he: “We noted while in the ‘red room’ that the Portrait of Judge Teslim Olawale Elias, who was president of the Court was missing.

“This was attributed to the fact that the family and the Nigerian Government have not sent any portrait of the man who served as President of the World court from 1982-1985.

“We hereby call on the family of the late sage, the Government of Lagos State and indeed the Nigerian Government to as a matter of urgency, send a befitting portrait of Judge Elias to the ICJ so that when next we visit the Red Room in March/April 2012, we want to report that the portrait of Judge Elias has now taken its pride of place among the former presidents of the world Court’ Speaking on the reason for the visit to the ICJ.” Ohuruogu said the university has a policy of exposing its students to the world. “The world is now ‘a global village’ hence the decision that we will strive to ensure that our students are exposed to the same environment which their colleagues in Europe and America are accustomed to.

“Many Africans study about the United Nations Organisation (UNO), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC) etc, without the prospect of ever being able to see these Institu-

•BIU students at the ICJ

By John Austin Unachukwu

tions in their life time.

“How many Nigerian scholars know where the Peace Palace is? Africans may never have the opportunity to observe proceedings in the Hague. How many are engaged in internship there?

“These are some of the reasons we decided to take our students to visit that court. As for the ICJ, we know the role Nigeria played in promoting the mandate of the world court.

Our dear country not only resolved our dispute with Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsular amicably, we also ensured the judge-

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

35

LAW REPORT

•From left: Justice Walter Onnoghen of the Supreme Court; Chief Chimezie Ikeazor (SAN), Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), Prof Isabella Okagbue and Prof Karisu Chukkol at their conferrment of Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Strange injunction against Ogun Truth Commission

T

HERE is something patently incongruous, to say the least, in the injunction granted by Justice Paul Onamade against the Ogun Truth Commission on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, had approached the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta to restrain his successor, Senator IbikunleAmosun, from probing, through the Ogun State Truth Commission, the reports of killings, maiming, kidnapping, disappearance of persons and wanton destruction of properties between January,2003 and May, 2011, with a view to determining whether the acts “involved the abuse or misuse of power by any person or persons holding public office or by any person or persons acting under the control or authority of such public office holder.”

For the sake of the ordinary readers, some points need to be clarified here.

Generally, there are no restrictions or limitations on the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court or any court of records on Administrative Tribunals and Inquiries (inferior courts) such as the Ogun State Truth Commission, especially on points of law. Such supervisory jurisdiction is exercised by means of prerogative orders otherwise known as certiorari, prohibition and mandamus. However, it must be clearly underscored and understood that these orders are not available to any applicant AS OF RIGHT but only granted AT THE DESCRETION OF THE COURTS. In order words, they can be denied by the courts.

Any governor of Ogun State, according to Section 2 (1) of Ogun State Commissions of Inquiry Law, has the power to set up a Commission of Inquiry or in the instant case, the Ogun State Truth Commission. “The Governor may, whenever he shall deem it desirable, issue a Commission appointing one or more Commissioners, and authorizing such Commissioners, or any quorum of them therein mentioned, to hold a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of any officer in the public service of the State, or of any chief, or the management of any department of the public service, or of any local institution, or into any matter in respect of which, in his opinion, an inquiry would be for the public welfare…”

Order 40 Rule 3 (4) of the High Court Rules provides that “The Judge shall not grant leave unless he considers that the applicant has a sufficient interest in the matter to which the application relates.”

It is definitely clear that the applicant, Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel,was one of the many thousands of public office holders in Ogun State in the years under review. There is no evidence that he will be called upon by the Truth Commission, which had not even held its first sitting as at the time of the injunction, to testify. Nobody has even, before the Commission, accused him of any offence.

He could therefore not be said to havedemonstrated “sufficient interest in the matter”.

By Segun Adegbuyi

Justice PaulOnamade said: “Since the Applicant is seeking the leave of this Court and coming under Order 40 of the Rules of this Court and since such leave is required by law before the Respondents can be served with the Motion on Notice for the determination of the matter on the merits, I hold the view that the application should succeed and it is hereby granted as prayed.”

It is clear from the above that Justice Onamade never considered Order 40 Rule 3 (4) before granting Daniel the leave to apply for judicial review. This is a monumental error of judgement and raises serious question on the exact intention of the judge. From the exact words of the judge above, it is clear that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could come forward to pick up the leave of the court once such fellow is “coming under Order 40 of the Rules of this Court.” It does not matter whether the Tom, Dick, or Harry has the locus to approach the court for a leave. We really have a long way to go in this country!

Justice Onamade also left himself open to serious criticisms in his decision to further restrain the Ogun State Truth Commission from sitting “until the final determination of the Motion on Notice”. Let me quote the exact words of the judge.

“By the provisions of Order 4o Rule 3 (6) (a) of the Rules of this Court, this grant of leave shall operate as a Stay of Proceedings on the Ogun State Truth Reconciliation Commission until the final determination of the Motion on Notice.”(Emphasis supplied) Now, Order 40 Rule 3 (6) says “Where leave to apply for judicial review is granted, then: (a) if the relief sought is an order of prohibition or certiorari and the Judge so directs, the grant shall operate as a stay of the proceedings to which the application relates until the determination of the application or until the Judge otherwise orders.” (Emphasis supplied) It is patently clear from the provision of Order 40 Rule 3 (6) (a) that the grant of leave does not automatically operate as a Stay of Proceedings as Justice Paul Onamade erroneously believed. It would have been preposterous for ‘a grant of leave’ to be synonymous with ‘a Stay of Proceedings’. The grant of leave is one event, however wrong it is - in the instant case. But if the Judge so directs, a Stay of Proceedings can be granted. In order word, it was Justice Onamade that, of his own discretion, stopped the Ogun State Truth Commission from ‘further/any’ proceedings.

At the risk of repetition, I must make it unambiguously clear that Justice Onamade has read into Order 40 Rule 3 (6) (a) what is completely against the intention of the framers of that provision. If he exercised his discretion to grant the Stay of Proceedings, he should have stated it clearly. There should be no room for any sleight of hand in the construction of his order. He has therefore laid himself open to allegation of bias, as it will now be justifiably suggested that he has sufficient interest in the case.

Now, even if the judge had correctly interpreted the provision of Order 40 Rule 3 (6) (a) by putting it on record that IT WAS HIS VIEW that

the leave granted should ALSO operate as a Stay of Proceedings on Ogun State Truth Commission, the exercise of such discretion could still be seen as not in public interest.

First, former governor Gbenga Daniel, the applicant, was not about to be arrested by the respondents.

Second, Section 10 of the Ogun State Commissions of Inquiry explicitly provides that, “No evidence taken under this Law shall be admis-

sible against any person in any civil or criminal proceedings whatever…”

Third, the inauguration of the Truth Commission was done by the appropriate authority, the freely elected governor of the state, who is equally empowered by Law to set up a Commission to look “into any matter in respect of which, in his opinion, an inquiry would be for the public welfare.”

•Adegbuyi, a legal practitioner, writes from Okota, Lagos.

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Respirators (5) 5. Cluster (5) 8. Cereal (3) 9. Stroll (5) 11. Speck (3) 13. Nothing (3) 14. Without End (7) 16. Broad (4) 18. Faulted (6) 21. Unfortunately (4) 23. Radio Device (5) 24. Get With Difficulty (3) 25. One (2) 28. Final (3) 29. Before (3) 31. Capital (4) 33. Ourselves (2) 34. Run (3)

1.Skinny (4) 2. Illustrious (5) 3. Woman (3) 4. Precipitous (5) 5. Unite (5) 6. Naked (4) 7. Headgear (4) 10. Center (6) 12. Willow (5) 15. Metal (4) 17. Relax (4) 18. Trade Mark (5) 19. Production Factor (4) 20. Create (4) 22. Similar (4) 26. Robe (4) 27. Newt (3) 30. Flee (3) 32. Perform (2)

WORD WHEEL Form as many words as you can with the letters in the wheel. Every word must make use of the letter at the center, i.e. the letter T. 2-letter words and proper nouns are not allowed. Hidden in the grid is a 9-letter word meaning ‘forward in manner’. This is the star word.Words from forty score excellent.

Wanted Urgently: UNDERTAKER

ShoWBitZ

Behind the Phrase

Denzel Washington stars in ‘Flight’

Life’s not all beer and skittles Meaning ‘Beer and skittles’ is shorthand for a life of indulgence spent in the pub.

Origin Skittles, also known as Ninepins, which was the precursor to ten-pin bowling, has been a popular English pub game since the 17th century. The pins are set up in a square pattern and players attempt to knock them down with a ball. It is still played but not so much as previously.

The game was referred to in Footman’s History of the Parish Church of Chipping Lambourn, 1894, which reprints a piece from 1634: “William Gyde... for playing at skittolles on Sunday.”

Citations of beer and skittles and variants appear in literature from the 19th century. For example, Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, 1837: “It’s a reg’lar holiday to them - all porter and skittles.”

Thomas Hughes’ Tom Brown’s Schooldays, 1857: “Life isn’t all beer and skittles.”

ROCKY MARCIANO

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington starred in director Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming film “Flight,”.

The film, written by John Gatins, is began production in October in Atlanta Georgia, Paramount Pictures said in a release.

The story follows “Whip,” played by Washington, a commercial airline pilot who manages to fly a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight, the release said. The pilot then struggles with his newfound hero label as an investigation brings into question his behavior the night before the flight.

Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald produced the feature along with Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, and Jack Rapke.

Pep Talk

WEIRD WORLD Crash throws marijuana into the street Police in California said a truck crashed and many of its bags of illegally carried marijuana were snatched up by bystanders before officers arrived.

San Jose police said the crasshed truck wound up on its side nearOakridge Mall, was abandoned by the time police got there and many large bags of marijuana were taken by pedestrians and motorists, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Investigators said the remaining bags were rounded up by officers and they found a loaded handgun inside the truck.

Police said they were searching for the driver of the truck and the people who picked up the bags of marijuana.

HUMOUR Maid Talk “Hey, Mom,” asked Johnny “Can you give me twenty dollars?”

“Certainly not.”

“If you do,” he went on, “I’ll tell you what dad said to the maid when you were at the beauty shop.”

His mother’s ears perked up and, grabbing her purse, she handed over the money. “Well? What did he say?”

“He said, ‘Hey, Marie, make sure you wash my socks tomorrow.’ “

Entertaining Guests After dinner one evening a the president was entertaining their house guest by playing the piano.

At one point he turned to the visitor, a fat conservative talk show host, and said, “I understand you love music.”

“Yes,” murmured the guest politely. “But never you mind. Keep right on playing ...”

If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade

when we are old. – Lord Chesterfield

37

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State is is immerged in a crisis over its choice of a candidate for next year’s governorship election. Other parties appear non-plussed and ill-prepared. Correspondent ISAAC OMBE reports that the terrain is very slippery.

How prepared are the political parties?

T

HOUGH enmeshed in internal crisis over the choice of its candidate for the 2012 governorship election in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State remains the most visible of the political parties in the state. The process started yesterday even as four of the major aspirants, including Governor Timipre Sylva, Mr Timi Alaibe, Mr Ben Murray Bruce and Dr Godknows Igali were finally dropped on Sunday. The ripples are affecting the other political parties, especially the Labour Party (LP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Prior to Sunday’s decision by the PDP National Working Committee, (NWC), most of the aspirants in the race, both in the ruling party and others, were banking on President Goodluck Jonathan’s support.

Besides, some of the governorship aspirants who were hitherto close to, and even fought for the making of Jonathan as the then governor of the state, see him as one who would back their respective ambitions this time around.

The feeling is that since they have assisted and fought for his eventual emergence as governor of the state and later President, they are of the opinion that it’s payback time.

The only peculiarity in the race so far is the ongoing frenzied battle over the re-election ambition of Governor Timipre Sylva who has the party’s leadership in the state to placate among other things in order to have his political prayer answered. Interestingly, against all odds, the governor rolled his ambition off the ground on Saturday. The decision on Sunday was hinged on that rally . He has not accepted the verdict.

In an interview, the new chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr. James Dugo, assured that the party was very much prepared for the primaries, even as he hinted that seven aspirants had been cleared as at Friday.

He disclosed that there would be Ward Congresses early this week to elect three delegates to represent each ward. According to him, they would comprise one woman and two men in all the 105 wards in the state.

He said security arrangements were in top gear to ensure hitch-free ward congresses. Dugo added that the state secretariat of the party would be open to party members who would want to buy delegates’ forms which he said would be sold at N200 each.

He said further that the party would provide level-playing ground for all aspirants, stressing that PDP as a family, would come together and move forward at the end of the elections.

Dugo said: “PDP as a family will come together after the elections to ensure that there is no victor nor vanquished. Everybody will be carried along,” noted the new party chairman.

Waiting game in ACN However, the chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Mr. Theodore Disoua,who spoke on the party’s preparedness for the 2012 elections, said the state was still awaiting for instructions from the national leadership of the party, saying that sales of forms of intent for governorship aspirants had not

• Alaibe

•Jonathan

•Sylva

Forces at play in Bayelsa

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

C

AN it be said that, with the formal disqualification of Governor Timipre Sylva from the Bayelsa State governorship race by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his political sun has set at noon? This may not necessarily be so as sources have hinted that he would fight back.

Analysts of the political scene in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan say the governor has not given up even on the PDP ticket. He is said to be considering approaching the court of law to prove that due process was breached as he had been cleared for the race by the screening panel set up by the national leadership of the party.

He is banking on the steadfast support of some critical groups. The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), seven of the eight representatives of the people in the National Assembly, majority of members of the state House of Assembly and local party structures have all come out to identify with the troubles governor. All through last week governors and members of the National Assembly from the state were holding meetings with the President and national leaders of the party to pave the way for the governor’s participation in the party’s primaries starting today with ward congresses. Now, the governor has lost the battle in the PDP. If the courts could not save him, his associates are considering movement to another political party to test his popularity. He is not the first governor to be so treated. In 2003, Dr. Clement Mbadinuju was considered so unpopular by the PDP lords in Abuja that he had to be stopped in his tracks. He was denied the party’s flag and had to defect to Alliance for Democracy (AD) to contest the governorship. He lost.

The same year, in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Borno State Governor Malla Kachalla was

started.

“We are waiting for directives from the national secretariat”, said Disua who assured that the ACN would conduct governorship primaries in accordance with Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) directives.

denied the ticket that would have enabled his to return to office. His political mentor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff decided one term was enough for the governor and chose to offer himself in Kachalla’s stead. Sheriff effortlessly displaced the governor with the support of the state structure of the party that he had put in place.

He went on to win the governorship election despite the participation of Kachalla on the AD platform.

The two earlier cases were a little different. Mbadinuju had lost popular support at the time of his travails.

Schools had been shut for months while civil servants and activists portrayed the governor as an enemy of the people. In the context, everybody understood that any party fielding him would probably lose the election.

More importantly, he did not have much support from the state and local branches of the party. In orno, the decision was not taken by the Abuja lords of the ANPP. The godfather to whom he had submitted when he wanted the ticket in 1999 got fed up with him and chose to effect a change.

In Sylva’s case, the national leaders ignored the voice of the people. However, the main factor against the governor is President Jonathan. He hails from the state and is determined to take over the structure from a governor who, reportedly, has refused to submit to presidential order. In this, the President has the full support of the National Working Committee of the party.

Former leaders who stood in Dr. Jonathan’s way were swept away under one guise or the other. Besides, many key members of the NWC are acting and seeking election as substantive leaders. They cannot afford to incur the wrath of the National Leader of the party. On the home front, there are some elders who had earlier declared support for Seriake Dickson, the man believed to enjoy support from the President and his men.

The disqualification of Sylva, Ben Bruce, Timi Alaibe and Godknows Igali has brought up the point once again that democracy is yet to take root in the country.

The only ACN governorship aspirant who has made open his ambition is Mr Kemela Okara. He had made noticeable impacts in the last aborted governorship elections in the state.

Another governorship aspirant who, according to sources, intends

to leave the PDP for ACN soon is Mr. Maxwell Morris. But he has confirmed the report.

Morris who has 10 tacles in three areas of the state including Ogbia, Yenagoa and Nembe, said that aspirants in the PDP were numerous, adding therefore that the best way

for him to have the chance to rule his people was to go to the ACN which is more appealing to the grassroots people.

“I have consulted round all stakeholders and I will soon declare for the ACN,” said Morris who disclosed that as an active member of the PDP, he would decamp to the ACN with all his supporters.

The ACN governorship hopeful who is into oil, gas and real-estate businesses added: “I hail from every part of Bayelsa State. My father is from Yenagoa area; my mother from Ogbia (President Jonathan’s area); my step father is from Nembe while my godfather is from Ekeremo area.

“You can see that I am a true Bayelsan and I hope to get votes all over state,” he added, exuding confidence.

He said there was need for Bayelsans to speak with one voice in times of elections, noting: “Bayelsans will not vote for party but the personality.”

Is LP still relevant?

The Labour Party (LP) led by Comrade Bobo Atari-Adou as chairman, would not divulge the number of aspirants that would contest for the party’s ticket. The party’s governorship primaries, according to him, would hold in the last week of November.

Pressed to know if Mr. Ndutimi Alaibe who left the party for the PDP would be accepted into the LP, he replied that the party was always prepared to accept anyone who would want to come back, stressing: “If he (Alaibe) decides to come back, the party will accept him. Party candidates can come and go but the party remains.”

Atati-Adou, however, said that he would not let the cat out of the bag till the time of the party’s primaries later in the month.

As would be expected whether Sylva survives the storm or not, the PDP will present its candidate next week. How well the emerging candidates will fight their battles at the polls next year will be seen in a matter of weeks.

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

POLITICS Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) House of Representatives member for Ogun Waterside/Ijebu North/Ijebu East Constituency Hon. Abiodun Abdul-Balogun spoke with DELE ANOFI on the politics of remocval of fuel subsidy and other issues.

‘Removal of subsidy is ill-advised’

I

S the cry over the proposed removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the government justified?

Like I have always told people, I equally ask the question whether there is a subsidy and if there is, what have we been subsidising? From my experience, almost all successive administrations, be it military or civilian, have always claimed removing fuel subsidy. During Babangida’s time, it was the same story, Abacha came, and it was the same story up to Obasanjo’s time. That is why I am asking if there is a subsidy?

If you have been removing this subsidy over the years, when are you going to finish removing it, if you have not finished removing by now? I don’t even believe anybody should be talking about removal of subsidy. Don’t forget that we as elites, as people governing this country, have failed the nation, the masses and the poor. Now, you are talking about the removal of subsidy. The question is: what are you subsidising? As a country, you are not able to manage ordinary refinery. NNPC gets allocation of crude oil, ships them abroad, refines them and ships them back to Nigeria as refined product incurring all the costs attached to itshipping, demurrage both to and fro and all these add to the cost of these refined products and then you now want to pass the burden to Nigerians. Is that the way we should run as a country? Is that good governance? Let’s tell ourself the truth, we as government have failed and if we have failed, it is not the people that should pay for our ineptitude.

But, the problem, as they have explained, is that the products are imported and prices are not stable in the international oil market...

What stops us from having good refineries in Nigeria? All we need is to take our crude oil from Port Harcourt to Warri, refine them and we have them in the market. Our failure to do the basic things is now being shifted to the masses, telling people to come and pay more for your incompetence. In the first instance, what are you subsidising? Is it the cost of shipment? Is it the cost of demurrage over there? Is it cost of landing? Should Nigerians pay for these? Is that what you call subsidy? I personally don’t agree to the subsidy. I believe that the government has failed and we cannot allow the people subsidize such failure.

We should not make them suffer for our failure. Not quite too long ago, I raised the issue of kerosene scarcity in this country that led to the summonning of the Minister of Petroleum Resources- Diezani Allison-Madueke, MD of NNPC, DPR and all the top echelon of the oil industry including the marketers, oil majors and minors and the PPMC. I remember that day when the minister came with her crew, after her presentation and contributions from the House, I pointed out after her comments on profiteering, diversion, hoarding, cartel and all, I said madam, I am sorry, where is this kerosene, should you come here to tell us stories, is that what will give kerosene to our people? We are saying people should not fell trees, we as a government, as those in authority cannot provide kerosene for people to cook and you say they should not fell trees to make firewood, they would cut all the trees in this country and they will finish it and then we have the problem of deforestation again. So if we as a government, as a country, cannot provide kerosene for our people to cook, then what are we saying about subsidy? You forget that the kerosene we are talking about is imported by NNPC because we cannot refine in Nigeria.

Could it be that it takes so long to build one?

Right from the time I finished secondary school, what I have always heard is Kaduna Refinery, Warri refinery and the one in Port Harcourt, we have not added any new one and I probably left secondary school 20 years ago. So if successive governments have been adding refineries, we should not be relying on these three refineries.

How have we been maintaining the ones we have? The Minister came on the floor of the house and told us for the first time, they have gotten the original builders of the refinery to now come and undertake the maintenance. We then asked her what has been happening to past maintenance contracts? She said she was not the minister but accepted the responsibility stating that the former contracts had been rip-off. She said it was better for her come on the floor of the House of the honourable to tell the truth instead of hiding the facts. She accepted that day that the turnaround maintenance terms we have been hearing over the years had not turned anything around.

Fashola: Grappling with challenges of second term Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the challenges Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) should confront in his second term to earn public accolade as a model administrator and symbol of good governance.

O

•Balogun

Is there a way to expose the so-called cabal by the House?

As legislators, we have very clear line of duties separate from the executive and the judiciary and part of the duty of the executives is security as represented by Police, the Army, Air Force.

We told her that she has all the powers in the world, all the security machineries at her beck and call to arrest the trend and so coming to tell us about cartel is not what we want to hear. We, as the House cannot do that because we are not to enforce, we are to make laws. So that takes me to what happened recently with The Nation, see how a government cannot arrest cartels that are diverting our fuel products, those that are threatening our security, but ordinary journalists that were doing their work legitimately are being harassed. For God’s sake, the press is not our problem in this country and they have contributed to the development of democracy in this country more than any group.

So if anybody should be talking of arresting somebody for breach of security, the IG should chase the cartel that is disturbing the petroleum industry, get them arrested, prosecute them.

So, as legislators, what are you doing to restore confidence in the people?

As the Deputy Chairman of Internal Security Committee, I am aware that additional measures to safeguard the lives of workers and members of the parliament as well as the institution have been put in place. It is going to be a disgrace of the century if the National Assembly of a country like Nigeria is bombed and that is why a lot of security measures have been put in place. By and large, what I have been saying is that the IG instead of chasing shadows should face the major problems in this country, arrest the so called cartel in the industry and the security breaches.

NE of the achievements of Tinubu Administration in Lagos State was the handing over of power to a worthy and competent successor, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in 2007. Many believe that the governor has built on Tinubu’s legacies and distinguished himself as a remarkable, visionary and dedicated chief executive.

However, observers contend that Fashola’s second term would not be assessed based on the monumental achievements of the first term. The first term belongs to history and success of the second term would be premised on the administration’s novel achievements across the sectors.

Building on those previous feats is a huge task. This is based on the perception that governors only work effectively for two years in their second term and use the remaining period playing politics of succession. An economist and chartered accountant, Isiaka Ibrahim, who spoke on the “challenge of continuity” in Lagos highlighted public expectations about Fashola’s government, in the light of the constraints on ground.

Ibrahim observed that, as the city of first choice for all Nigerians, his government will continue to shoulder enormous national and even sub-regional responsibilities. This will lead to greater pressure on the infrastructural facilities available.

Fashola was given an overwhelming 1.5 million votes in the last general election. Observers contend that the endorsement was in recognition of his infrastructural renewal effort, visionary leadership, human capital development, improved security, and environmental regeneration.

This, no doubt, explains the enthusiasm with which Lagosians, and indeed, all Nigerians look forward to the governor’s second term in office.

In recent times, there are reservations. Cynics have been wondering whether the governor has slowed down.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba acknowledged that the administration is facing difficult challenges. But he said this is not peculiar to Fashola’s government. “Lagos is not only coping with its challenges, it is equally putting up concerted efforts to surmount them and move on”, Ibirogba added, stressing that “It is not every city of the world that survives over seventeen hours torrential rain as we had in Lagos on July10 and still has its banks, industries and other institutions open for business the following day”.

The commissioner objected to the view of those who think that the governor has gone to sleep. He highlighted key areas of development currently receiving priority. These include law and order, health (with particular emphasis on maternal and childcare), power generation, security, creation of sustainable enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) , housing and education.

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Lateef Raji disclosed that government has completed the power audit for the Shomolu area, which is the headquarters of the printing business in Nigeria. Equally, government has completed the power audit for the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa and Matori Industrial Estate. The project would reduce by 46 percent what the state spends on diesel monthly. It will reduce poverty and create a conducive atmosphere for the operators of small and medium-scale businesses.

In a bid to stem the housing deficit in the state, government commissioned 362 housing units at the Odoragushi Housing Estate in Epe two months ago. Housing Commissioner Bosun Jeje said an important component of the housing scheme the “one bedroom and parlour” provision, which gives opportunity for low income earners to benefit from the programme.

Similarly, the government recently handed over another 80 units of “8-in-1” three bedroom flats at the Olaitan Mustapha Housing Estate, Ojokoro 11, Ijaiye-Ojokoro Local Council Development Area. Jeje explained that these would herald the kick-off of the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are to pay 30 percent of the cost and pay the balance spread between 10 and 15 years. Now, government has launched a website to provide information platform that will ensure its transparency and competitiveness.

Works Commissioner Dr Obafemi Hamzat told reporters that the Badagry Expressway, which is a world class highway consisting 10 lanes, light rail, and BRT lane, is a core priority.

Recently, Fashola commissioned the Lagos Island 10 megawatts Independent Power Project.

Hamzat said this guarantees 24 hours un-interrupted power supply to some public institutions and street light in 20 streets on the island. In same vein, the governor has commissioned the Falomo on Ramp Bridge which has reduced traffic snarl in the area.

Health Commissioner Dr Idris said the various health missions sponsored by the administration have continued to attend to the health needs of people across the state. “We will reinvigorate the primary health care at the grassroots”, he added.

Recently, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, while delivering a lecture on “Aid, Trade and Democracy” at the Pan African University, Ajah, Lagos State, declared that Fashola had demonstrated that true democracy and accountable leadership are possible in Africa.

But are the council chairmen complementing the efforts of the governor across the councils?

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye assured that the 57 councils would be repositioned for effective service delivery at the grassroots.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (middle); representative of Olubadan of Ibadan, who is also the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye (second left); Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Adeolu Akande (left); the Asipa Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin (second right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle when the Olubadan in Council came to rejoice with Ajimobi on his victory at the tribunal at the Government House...at the weekend

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

39

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Building Issues

Tips on how to save money

B

•Heavens Gate, Lekki, Lagos

Quantity surveyors canvass govt’s support for private infrastructure

T

HE President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Survey ors, Mr Agele Alufohai, has called on the Federal Government to initiate a policy which backs infrastructure finance through Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Mr Alufohai made this call in a paper he delivered at a two-day seminar organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).

In his paper entitled, Private Finance initiative as a veritable tool for infrastructure development in an emerging economy, Alufohai canvassed for government’s investment in developing the capacity to convince all Nigerians that PPPs are critical to the country’s aspiration for economic diversification and growth.

He said: “We won’t have investment in agro-processing in the Middle Belt if the communications network to transport and evacuate input and products to Nigerian and

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

international markets are lacking.

“Financiers and investors won’t regard us as serious people if we carry buckets about to flush toilets in sweaty airports”.

Alufohai said the private sector is ready to invest in tackling Nigeria’s infrastructure estimated at N30 trillion, but only if the appropriate environment and incentive are put in place by the government.

To underscore this, he cited the yearly educational spend by Nigerians in Ghanaian universities which stands at N155 billion. This figure, he noted, was more than the N122 billion which is used to fund Nigerian universities.

Against this backdrop, the NIQS President said. “What this tells us is that investors in Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria, whether Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) or Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) concessions are investing in solid assets because the need for infra-

structure is acute and users possess the means to pay for using the assets,whether airports or toll roads.”

He decried the government’s penchant for constant reviews of concessions or PPPs and called on the private sector to send the message to the government that such probes will not serve any national good.

“Reviews and probes tend to give the impression of policy unreliability and inconsistence, that a deal you sign in Nigeria is as good as the tenure of the incumbent minister,” he added.

The private sector, he said further, is interested in solid plans to identify big infrastructure projects that are critical to the functioning of the national economy rather than the current scenario where 70 per cent of the national budget of N4.5 trillion goes to consumption and other expenses to maintain the state apparatus.

Group wants Umuahia master plan restored

A

SOCIO-cultural organisation,Umuahia Premier Club (UPC), has called on the Abia State government to review the city’s master plan and promote good governance.

It expressed concern that several projects launched by the administration, such as the new modern market, road projects and housing schemes, which would have changed the face of the Umuahia, the state capital, have remained a pipe dream.

While commending Governor Theodore Orji for reducing the insecurity and incessant cases of kidnapping in the tate, it urged him not relent in its efforts in protecting lives and property.

The organisation’s President, Chief Kamdi Ehighibe, in a statement on the Sixth induction planned for Saturday, lamented that some communities in the state capital, suffer for infrastructure decay and experiences most of erratic power supply in the Southeast while potable water has become a rare commodity, making the sale of borehole water lucrative.

He said the state should liaise with the Imo State government to resuscitate the water treatment plant in Umuopara, built by the late

governor, Chief Sam Mbakwe.

The UPC chief said the state government should also partner with its local governments to bring relief to communities, through the opening of rural roads and tackling erosion menace.

He said meaningful rural development enhances living standard of the people and check urban drift.

Ehighibe urged the state government to establish industrial parks in the state capital and revive the Golden Guinea Breweries, which has remained comatose.

He said the group is ready to assist in developing road map for

‘The government should team up with the private sector, corporate organisations and World Bank to redevelop some of the dilapidated schools’

industrialisation of Umuahia and the state. He further stated the group has established a scholarship scheme for indigent students in tertiary schools.

The group advised Governor Orji to transform Umuahia to an enviable state capital, through the formation of traffic management authority to sanitise the city centre as motorists face hard time driving through some of the major streets.

UPC said its high time, the tricycles are properly managed and more taxis introduced to augment the transportation within the metropolis.

On public infrastructure, the group said some primary and secondary schools need renovations. The government should team up with the private sector, corporate organisations and World Bank to redevelop some of the dilapidated schools.

The group lauded the Federal Government for the reappointment of the Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance, but observed the insignificant federal presence in Umuahia and lack of recognition of past leaders, who made contributions and sacrifice for the country, such as the late Head of State, Maj.-Gen J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi.

UILDING and owning a

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor house remains a major in vestment and achievement in Government regulations: If a man’s life - so it needs to be apthere is specific city or state requireproached with caution and care. It ments that must be followed as is, therefore, necessary that one reyou’re building your new home; members the following money savdon’t forget to factor these costs into ing tips. You don’t have go broke your estimate. For example, if you because you want to have a roof live in Lagos where there is strict over your head. town planning regulations and imBe realistic. Unless you’re plementations, high cost of land, blessed with substantial savings, definitely these will impact the fidon’t try to recreate a home you’ve nal price of your new home. seen in a home and architectural Although estimating the cost of magazine. Getting caught up in the your new home is often difficult, fantasy of creating a home that reyou should still attempt to create as sembles the paramount ruler or accurate of a budget up front. If you Oba’s palace is guaranteed to land are using an architect and a quanyou in some serious financial troutity surveyor for the project, they ble. You wouldn’t want to do that will be a valuable resource in your to yourself quest to make your home as affordBe practical. If you have a choice able as possible. In fact, an experibetween a kitchen faucet that costs enced quantity surveyor will have N1, 500 or one that costs N8, 000 ask numerous tips on how to save yourself what benefit you’ll be getmoney building a house. ting if you choose to purchase the Another great way to help estimore expensive model.

Keep it simple. mate the cost of your Logically, a home home is to ‘Keep it simple. new that’s basically a box cruise through local is going to be less Logically, a home building developexpensive than one ments and take note that’s basically a of similar-sized that features odd angles and custom with the feabox is going to be houses windows. If you’re tures you want. Eiless expensive concerned about ther ask the homesticking to a budget, owner for a cost estithan one that feachoose the simplest mate or make a design possible. tures odd angles rough calculation by Build up, not out. the cost and custom win- subtracting Typically, a twoof the land from the store home costs home’s asking price. dows. If you’re less than a similar Of course, if you’re concerned about extremely sised one-story concerned home. When you about the high cost of sticking to a build up, you avoid new construction, it’s budget, choose the additional cost a good idea to keep associated with creyour estimates on the the simplest deating a larger founhigher side of what sign possible’ dation. you expect a particuSkip the pentlar item to cost. If you house. I have nobuild your budget ticed the craze for having a pentwith room for error, you’ll be able house by some group of people. to cope more effectively with any Some of them end up using it for unexpected expenses that may arise. what it is not intended. I have seen The cost of your dream home it used to spread clothes or some doesn’t have to very expensible. By other awkward things after much planning ahead, seriously considmoney have been spent building it. ering the benefits of more expenExcept you really need it, a pentsive items and keeping an eye on house isn’t an absolute necessity. If your long term housing needs and it won’t serve any practical function, wants, you can build a perfect home consider eliminating it to help cut that falls within your budget. If you costs. ever feel that your spending is getTake it in stages. If your proting out of control, sit down and caljected budget doesn’t accommodate culate the current cost of the house. finishing off a penthouse or an launIf you find that you’re nearing the dry right away, keep in mind that end of how far your bank account you can always have a “phase two” can stretch, speak with your builder of your project next year. about cutting back. Some people Obtaining an accurate estimate for associate building cheaply with inhow much it will cost to build your ferior building materials but that’s new home can be a tricky task. There incorrect, if you do your study propare three main factors to consider: erly before you rush off to keep with Labour: Finding skilled workers the joneses you can come up with a to build your home is very imporcheaper alternative building matetant, but it’s also quite costly. In arrials. By so doing you cut a substaneas affected by high unemploytial cost of the cost of construction. ment, however, you’ll be much You don’t want to be like the more likely to find affordable lafoolish man in the bible who didn’t bour. count the cost before embarking on Materials: Fluctuations in the a housing project, which in the failprice of materials can make a siging analysis became an abandoned nificant difference in the price of the project. your home. For example, wood is Be wise, count the cost, and be priced according factors such as derealistic, strict to what you can acmand, quality, standard, logging commodate. Before you know it restrictions, and the distance the you are a landlord! wood must be shipped.

‘Some people associate building cheaply with inferior building materials but that’s incorrect, if you do your study properly before you rush off to keep with the joneses you can come up with a cheaper alternative building materials’ •Contributions, questions? e-mail: quichi3cities@yahoo.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

40

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT BUILDING MATERIALS PRICES

•Akure automart

•Falomo roundabout, Ikoyi, Lagos

Senate wades into FCT land allocation crisis

T

HE Senate has expressed displeasure over vari ous lingering land allocation crises in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), promising to dialogue with affected authorities to resolve matter.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who disclosed this during a visit to some estates in Lugbe area of the FCT at the weekend, expressed worry that development in the real estate sector in the FCT have depreciated to an all-time low following complaints against land title documentation.

FCDA had several times said some estate developments in Lugbe, Bwari and other area councils of Abuja were without FCDA approvals.

The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) had also claimed that its members have lost their investments due to apathy caused by the FCDA’s proclamation.

However, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was accompanied by some officials of REDAN led by its National President, Chief Olabode Afolayan, said his committee will liaise with relevant bodies - the FCDA, REDAN and

other stakeholders - to find a lasting solution to the matter.

Ibrahim said: “I can’t understand why there are such increasing issues of land title problems, especially in the FCT. Nice estates are built to such a completion level as this, and in a country where we are still talking about shortage in housing, yet developers of estates are being threatened with demolition, no, it unacceptable. It doesn’t make sense to me.

“We must call them to thrash out whatever the issues are. Also, I have observed that developers are the ones providing infrastructure by themselves. This is wrong. ‘’We must immediately sit down with them to call them to order. No meaningful development can be achieved under this circumstance. I have been told by your national president how much developers and estate owners have lost since the threat was issued by FCDA. “I am sorry for those whose

estates have been demolished.

I don’t know if any of you has taken legal action. But for these, we would get to the root and make sure business returns to normalcy,” he assured.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Afolayan, who noted that the lingering land allocation crisis has made the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, (FMBN), to stop funding estate projects whose papers are AMAC allocations, further appealed to the FCDA authorities to immediately end the crisis by harmonising existing structures in its newly created layouts.

“Real estate business, especially in Abuja is experiencing a downturn and, indeed, lull.

We, as informed practitioners, had warned of the adverse effect of perceived inconsistencies on the part of the authorities. I know how many complaints I receive almost daily regarding the various issues of land allocation crisis, which are our members,” he said.

‘I am sorry for those whose estates have been demolished. I don’t know if any of you has taken legal action. But for these, we would get to the root, and make sure business returns to normalcy’

Materials

Market Prices

Blocks 9x9 6x6 Cement per bag Cement per tone (20) Doors 33x81 Malzonia 33x81 Teak 33x81 Omo 33x81 Unpolished Omo 33x81 Maliana Polished 33x81 Maoghany Earthwork wash gravel (5tons) Unwashed gravel (5tons) Granite per lorry load(30 tons) Sharp sand per lorry (5tons) Sharp sand per lorry (10 tons) Laterite filling sand per lorry (15 tons) Hardcore per lorry load (30 tons) Electrical cables 1mm 2 single core per roll 1.5mm 2 single core per roll 2.5mm 2 single core per roll 4mm 2 single core per roll 1mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 three core per roll 2.5mm 2 three core cable 4mm 2 three core cable per roll Galvanised Mild Steel/Electrical Conduct Pipes 20mm diameter pipe 3.60m length (dignity) 25mm diameter pipe 3.6m length (dignity) Glass 6x24 plain 5mm 6x36 plain 5mm Louvre carrier UNIC 8 blade carrier UNIC 6 blade carrier Nails 1" Ordinary per bag 11/2 Ordinary per bag 2" Ordinary per bag 4" Ordinary per bag 5" ordinary per bag 1" UK per bag 2"UK per bag 3" UK per bag 5" UK per bag Plywood ¼ white imported plywood ½ white imported plywood ¾ white imported plywood ¼ Mahogany veneer plywood ½ Mahogany veneer plywood ¾ Mahogany veneer plywood ¼ particle board ½ particle board ¾ particle board PVC Electrical Conduct pipes 20mm diameter pipe per 3m length 25mm diameter pipe per 3m length Reinforcement 25mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 20mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 16mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 12mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 10mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton Roofing and ceiling sheet Super light weight 31/2x8feet Super light weight 31/2x6feet Super light weight 21/2x6feet 31/2x8 feet s.t.

31/2x6 feet s.t.

Tiles 20x30 Viaeny wall tiles 20X30 wall tiles (carton)

N 150 130 1700 32,000 15,000 4,000 7,000 5,000 7,000 12,000 27,000 25,000 165,000 17,000 26,000 23,000 200,000 2,000 1,900 2,800 4,800 2,000 4,000 6,000 7,500 18,000

K 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

150 160 90 140 600 450

00 00 00 00 00 00

6,000 6,000 4,600 5,000 5,500 6,000 4,600 4,600 5,500 1,200 2,300 3,400 1,700 2,700 3,750 700 1,500 1,900

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

100 120

00 00

165,000 155,000 150,000 145,000 145,000

00 00 00 00 00

1,200 1,500 800 2,000 1,600

00 00 00 00 00

700 1,500

00 00

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

New technology for treating cholera, dysentery, others unveiled •LASUTH gets equipment

A

LL hope is not lost for those suffering from gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease, with the coming of capsule endoscope for their treatment.

GIT diseases include cholera. dysentery which kill thousands of people every year in the country.

The capsule endoscope is a advanced technology for treating these diseases.

It is based on the visualisation and detailed analysis of the GIT in real time and non-real time by the use of a capsule size unit equipped with LED light, camera and intelligent micro-chip electronics, efficiently fitted to take motion pictures as the capsule travels in normal sequence within the GITChinese Government, Chongqing Jinshan Science and Technology (Group) Company Limited and Coscharis Medical and Foods Limited have donated the equipment to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

The donors also trained some doc-

By Wale Adepoju

tors from the Gastroenterology Unit of LASUTH on how to use the new technology.

According to the Sales Manager, of the company, Jeans Yang, the equipment has simplified the treatment of GIT (small intestine) problems.

Yang said the equipment is already in use in 60 centres across the world and would support the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Managing Director, Coscharis Medical and Foods Limited, Dr Charles Akujobi, said his company, Chongqing Jinshan and the Chinese government would collaborate further to improve health care in the country through skill acquisition of capsule endoscopy technology in medical application and training.

Akujobi, represented by the company’s Treasurer, Mrs Regina Ewendu, said the capsule endoscope is the gold standard, routine

•Yang presenting some of the equipment to Prof Oke, while Mrs Ewendu watches procedural innovation in the diagnosis of GIT diseases.

On the application of the technology, he said: “It’s safe, capsule size, and has capsule formulated but with indigestible protein film coating. It is swallowed like any other capsule and is monitored through a portable viewer from a control observation with images transmitted through the use of wireless electronic chip. The capsule is excreted by the patient after duration of eight to nine years and the videos and pictures taken are replayed and analysed through the workstation.”

Akujobi said Nigerians would benefit from the advanced non-invasive diagnostic procedures of the capsule. The equipment is sup-

ported with 100 units of endo-capsules worth N15 million, he added.

He urged the hospital to make proper use of it to ensure lasting services to the patients and training needs.

Akujobi called on other foreign governments to support the sector by providing hi-tech equipment.

“The government should also explore the benefit of public-private partnership (PPP) to achieve total medical solutions that would stop revenue drain of the sick on medical trip abroad,” he added.

Responding, LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof Wale Oke thanked the collaborator for their kind gesture, saying the hospital would make the most of the equipment.

Why brain drain persists, by doctors

Global Fund welcomes Clinton’s support •Secretary Clinton calls for AIDS-free generation

T

HE Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has welcomed U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s call for an AIDS-free generation and her resounding support for the Global Fund and its work.

In a speech at the National Institutes of Health, Mrs Clinton said.

“HIV may be with us well in the future, but the disease that it causes need not be”.

“Creating an AIDS-free generation has never been a policy priority of the United States government – until today,” she added.

The United States is the largest single donor to the Global Fund which, together with PEPFAR (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), supports programs providing treatment for more than 6.5 million living with HIV in developing countries.

“With significant support from the Global Fund, nearly half of the people eligible to receive antiretroviral treatment in Malawi were receiving it last year, whereas almost nobody was on treatment in 2004, said Secretary Clinton. “This kind of progress deserves our support,” she said.

Mrs Clinton identified three in-

T

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

terventions that could help achieve an AIDS-free generation: pursuing a global plan to eliminate new infections among children by 2015; extending male circumcision, a low-cost procedure, which reduces female-to-male transmission of the virus; and scaling up antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV. Recently published research has shown that effective treatment of a person living with HIV greatly reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to a partner.

In his response, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Prof.

Michel Kazatchkine, said “I welcome Secretary Clinton’s wholehearted expression of U.S. commitment to fighting AIDS and to the vision of achieving an AIDSfree generation”. He added: “I also warmly welcome her strong affirmation of continued U.S. support for the Global Fund, even in these challenging economic times. All of us at the Global Fund are working hard to ensure that the Fund remains worthy of that support. As PEPFAR and the Global Fund are the main funders of the global response to AIDS, I

He said the hospital would train more doctors to use the equipment, adding that it is the hospital’s ambition to overtake other teaching hospitals in the country and beyond.

“This equipment would further enhance research works of the hospital,” he added.One of the trainees and Head, Gastroenterology Unit, Dr Charles Onyekwere said the technology would enhance service delivery and patient care.

“It is capable of making a lot changes in the health care delivery system of the country. The problem of small intestine would be picked up easily through the technology,” he added. Second kidney stone breaking machine lands in Nigeria.

•Michel Kazatchkine

look forward to our continued close collaboration so that together we help make the vision of an AIDS-free generation a reality.”

Mrs Clinton appealed to emerging and resource-rich countries to support the Global Fund at a time when some existing donours are thinking of cutting their contributions. “Some emerging powers and nations that are rich in natural resources can afford to give, but choose not to. To sit on the sidelines now would be devastating,” she said.

She also said she supported reforms at the Global Fund to ensure the most effective use of its resources and to catch any misuse of funds. “It is the Fund’s responsibility to root out these abuses and end them as quickly as possible.

But let’s remember: uncovering problems is exactly what transparency is supposed to do. It means the process is working.”

HE former Deputy ViceChancellor of the Enugucampus of the University of Nigeria, (UNN), Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, has called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector.

He said it is an embarrassment that Nigeria, which ranks among the richest oil-producing countries, has no government hospital with stateof-the-art equipment, while some less endowed neighbouring countries have.

Prof. Ohaegbulam said unless the Federal Government takes urgent steps to improve the remuneration of medical doctors and equip its hospitals with modern facilities to enhance their performance, the brain drain that has hit the health sector, will continue.

He said that with poor welfare package, insecurity, deplorable infrastructure in the hospitals and an un-conducive learning environment, most Nigerian doctors will continue to be tempted by the juicy carrot offered abroad.

In a paper entitled: Your future in your hands which he presented at the swearing in of medical graduates of the Faculty of Medicine, UNN, Ohaegbulam, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Memfys International for Neurosurgery, Enugu, regretted that after spending huge sums of money to produce sound doctors, developed countries

From Chris Oji, Enugu

lure them away with their superior facilities and better pay.

“Just think of the number of Nigerian doctors in the United States (US), Europe and Asia, even those we send abroad for further training are reluctant to return because they know that they will not be able to put into practice most of the knowledge they have acquired due to poor facilities in our hospitals” he said.

He said the gathering might be surprised to learn that his clinic had the only functioning CT scan in the entire eastern states between 2002 and 2006 and the only MRI machine in the region and part of Northern Nigeria until recently.Commenting on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ohaegbulam blame government for the scheme’, saying it had not pursued it with the Marshall plan of action it required.

“In other countries, citizens are made to understand that they must pay for food, shelter, health and education, in fact, families allocate their resources appropriately to satisfy these essential needs, but here in Nigeria, we seem to believe that citizens are unwilling to pay for the health care of their family members, while back in villages, they constantly pay levies for community development, funerals, weddings, religious obligations and taxes.”

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVE MBER 15, 2011

HEALTH

Stakeholders canvass support for IVF Health

S

TAKEHOLDERS in In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) have moved to address some ethical issues. Leading the pack, the Bridge Clinic, sinitiator of the concept, held a meeting with others in the sector.

The participants, who included gynaecologists, psychiatrists, midwives, clerics, and other health practitioners, appraised ethical issues surrounding IVF treatment.

The event saw the participants deliberating on 10 key questions on ethics and regulation of IVF. They include: Is IVF ethical? Is ICSI ethical? Is gamete donation ethical? Is gamete donation with the spouse partner’s consent ethical? Is surrogacy ethical? Is treatment of couples infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) ethical? Is treatment for the purposes of sex selection ethical?

Is treatment of unmarried couples ethical? Is treatment of single women ethical? Is treatment of same-sex couples ethical?

At the end, a White Paper was released. It covered the deliberations of the diverse group of stakeholders who were tasked with developing and submitting positions to guide decision making within the moral frameworks

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

of the society.

Most of the participants, except the Catholic Church, agreed that IVF is ethical based on various grounds mostly because it presents families with the opportunity and satisfaction of procreation, although the need for legislation, statutory regulations and enforcement of compliance by IVF practitioners would empower and protect patients’ rights. It was also concluded that gamete donation is ethical as long as it has been established that the couple have no chance of achieving a pregnancy with their own gametes and with the consent of the partner.

On the surrogacy debate, all participants concurred on the complexity of surrogacy arrangements and concluded that surrogacy is not unethical, but the legal and social implications must be addressed to protect the rights of the commissioning couple, the surrogate and the child. For these reasons, surrogacy should be purely altruistic and not based on financial remuneration.

On whether it was ethical to

treat HIV infected couples, medical practitioners concluded that treatment of infected couples was ethical as science had enabled procreation at minimum risk of transmission of infection to the child; highlighting the need for proper counseling of discordant couples.

On sex selection, the unanimous submission was that sex selection for social reasons was unethical.

For treatment of unmarried couples, it was unanimously considered to be unethical. However, although it was recognised that many single mothers have successfully brought up their families and even within polygamy played significant roles, participants differed on the treatment of single mothers, adding that it was unethical because it would support a position that challenges the sanctity of the matrimonial union.

Addressing the last question, the response was that it was extremely unethical and unacceptable in the context. The need for both maternal and paternal figure in a child’s life was buttressed to protect the child’s psychological as well as mental development.

Aregbesola urges mothers to protect children against killer diseases

M

OTHERS have been urged to protect their children from preventable killer disease by taking advantage of government qualitative health care policy and inoculate them at appropriate time.

The call was made by the wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola while flagging-off the second phase of this year’s maternal, newborn and child health week at Ipetumodu town hall in Ife-North Local Government Area.

According to her, we cannot afford to fail our children at a crucial time like this. All parents and guarding must sacrifice time, energy and go extra mile to ensure the wellbeing of the children.

She appealed to mothers to endeavour to make their children, who are the primary target for the programme, available to benefit from it.

She reminded the gathering that one of the six points’ integral action plan of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration would restore healthy living to the people, especially women and children.

The administration, according to

her, has shown the political will to deliver on its promises through procurement and distribution of drugs, to be given free to expectant and nursing mothers, to medical centres in the state and free distribution of eye glasses (Jigi Omoluabi) to people earlier in the year.

The first lady also assured organisations that partnered with the state government on the success of the programme, saying the administration would not renege in its pledge to improve the lots of the teeming populace of the state.

She then called on wives of local government chairmen in the state to support her call for increased support for the welfare of women and children across the state.

“I appeal to government at various levels to increase their support and political commitment towards health sector. This is the most fertile ground to sow your seed because the beneficiaries are the helpless and God would reward you abundantly”, she pleaded.

In her keynote address, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori disclosed that though

maternal mortality rate is low in the state, she stressed that the state would not relent in its efforts at eliminating the scourge totally.

“The current mortality rate in the state is 165 per 100,000 lives delivery, while under five mortality rate is 113 per 1000 live births, the rate is among the lowest in the country. This is still unacceptable because no woman should die because she wants to bring another person to life and because every life is sacred”, she added.

Dr Ilori further said that the reason for bringing the programme to IfeNorth is to surpass the past achievement of the programme, saying the council area has been lagging behind others in the state in previous programmes.

She lauded partnering organisation for giving mothers and children in the state the opportunity to improve their health status.

The event after the flag-off is to be followed by a week-long activities including administering multi-vitamins supplement and distribution of hygienic kits to expectant women and nursing mothers across the council area.

•From right to left: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Femi Olugbile; Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina and Chairman, Primary Health Care Board, Dr Olayinka Abosede during a lecture on hypertension and diabetes in Lagos.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Paediatric orthopaedic surgery in India •The best care for your child

P

EDIATRIC orthopaedics is the division of orthopaedics that cares for children’s issues. Caring for kids is very different from the care of adults.

Pediatric Orthopaedics includes study and treatment of growing bones, joints and muscles. Pediatric Orthopaedists use many techniques, including observation of growth, physical therapy, braces and splints, and occasionally surgery to treat various conditions such as congenital deformities, injuries, neurological disorders and scoliosis.

Frequently, young children and adolescents have conditions that are variations of normal anatomy.

These include children who toe-in or toe-out excessively, children with “bad posture” such as roundback or sway-back, and children who are delayed in learning to walk or have unusual patterns of walking, such as “toe walking”.

Often these problems are variations of normal developmental patterns and do not represent an underlying disease. In such cases, the child’s growth and pattern of walking, posture and muscular development need to be observed over time in order to establish whether the child’s growth pattern will return to normal spontaneously.

Dr Bojwani said:“Bone, joint and muscle problems in children require specialised, expert care – to ensure your child has the best chances for healthy growth and development. At the top orthopaedic and paediatric hospitals in India, you’ll find team of experienced orthopedic specialists trained to provide the full range of treatments for your child. Each year, thousands of patients ranging in age from infancy through adolescence come to India to seek specialized medical and surgical care for a variety of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.”

Diseases treated Children have their own unique set of orthopedic conditions that require specialised treatment to correct. Following are some of the major orthopedic diseases that can be treated in children.

• Brachial plexus injuries • Cerebral palsy •Congenital Foot and hip deformities • Metabolic disorders • M e t a c h r o m a t i c leukodystrophy • Scoliosis • Spina bifida • Spinal deformity • Traumatic injuries • Intoeing, outtoeing, bowlegs, knock-knees, and leg-length discrepancy (one leg longer than the other) • Common hip problems in the older child Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons in India Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons

are medical doctors who have had: • At least, four years of medical school • One year of a medical or surgical internship • At least five additional years of residency training in orthopedic surgery • At least two additional years of fellowship training in pediatric orthopedics Paediatric orthopaedic surgeons treat children from the newborn stage through the teenage years.

They choose to make pediatric care the core of their medical practice, and the unique nature of medical and surgical care of children is learned from advanced training and experience in practice.

Children are not just small adults.

They cannot always say what is bothering them. They cannot always answer medical questions, and are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a medical examination. Paediatric orthopaedic surgeons know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative. In addition, pediatric orthopedic surgeons often use equipment specially designed for children.

Most paediatric orthopaedic surgeons’ offices are arranged and decorated with children in mind. This includes the examination rooms and waiting rooms, which may have toys, videos, and reading materials for children.

Paediatric orthopaedic surgeons of India surpass the expertise required to support special programs in the areas of: pediatric spine surgery, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for cerebral palsy, limb lengthening, limb deformity correction techniques, modern day management of clubfoot and orthopedics tumors treatment. Indian paediatric orthopaedic surgeons are trained in the latest techniques and advance procedures to provide the best care possible.

Pediatric orthopedic hospitals in India Top Paediatric Orthopaedic Hospitals in India specializes in the care of musculo-skeletal problems in children. Most of the top Pediatric Orthopaedic Hospitals in India have team of highly trained, very caring professionals including orthopedic technicians, physician assistants, orthopaedic residents and fellows, along with a large number of nurse coordinators, and support personnel ready to assist patients and their families at all times.

When a child needs orthopaedic surgery or a diagnostic procedure, India’s top and best paediatric orthopedic hospitals will provide its patient a team of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, pediatric radiologists, and pediatric anesthesiologists who specialise exclusively in the care of children.

This creates an environment that is comfortable and safe for your child.

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

45

HEALTH A pharmacist, Bimbo Owolabi is the Managing Director, Vital medix, a pharmaceutical company. Owolabi, who is a governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, speaks with YUSUF SANNI on the pharmaceutical industry.

‘There should be death penalty for fake drug dealers’ I

S Nigeria producing enough drugs for local consumption?

No. I will say that 80 per cent of the drugs we are consuming today in the country are imported .The factors responsible for these are too many. I believe the Federal Government hasn’t got certain things right.

It wants to start to dance to the tunes of the World Trade Organisations (WTO). This body, as far as I am concerned is an aberration. China protected its market for close to two decades. Did you know what happened? China’s economy went through the roof. You can’t bring anything into China anyhow. Even the United States that preaches the gospel of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), does it not give substitute to their farmers? Nigeria needs to protect her industries. Let me give you an instance. If a particular drug is scarce in Nigeria, as a business man would I not produce it? It is just that time lag. And that time lag is not the end of life. It is those bitter pills that we need to swallow. Today, Nigeria is still importing multivitamins, pain killers. And I have a machine that can produce 60,000 capsules per hour. If I needed a machine that can produce much higher number, I can bring them in because I know there is a demand for it. We need to practise protectionism. Everybody protects his industries. We are working at a disadvantage, even now that most of our infrastructure are not working, how can I compete with someone in Mexico for example. I used to do an analysis, that if the average money I spent on feeding per day is N300 and there is protectionism for our farmers and we say nobody can import rice, are we going to die within such short period?

When do we even start eating rice. It used to be as Christmas meal. So, if you protect your industry do you know how much you are gaining, do you know how many jobs

you are going to create? There is a saying that if the desirable is not available, the available becomes desirable. Above all, if we have a government that really has the interest of the people at heart and it says this is what I think is good for my country’S short term pains, long term gains, do you know how much the country would gain if we ban rice?

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo banned juice, people were crying but guess what, do you see imported juice in the country anymore. No. It is because the local industry is so strong and vibrant. So, if the country can do away with those things that are not essential, we shall get it right.

For example, if I become the governor, I will present the farmers with three direct sources, because I am one of those who believe government does not have anything to do with business. But we shall assist the farmers by buying from them at the time of surplus. Do you know that, there used to be price differential of between 30 and 40 per cent from the beginning of the harvesting season till the end?

Nigeria doesn’t have any reason to import simple technology.

How does the menace of fake drug affect your business?

One, it affects everybody. If I can determine what a fake drug looks like, my driver, or my parents might not be able to.

What, if I am not around and my wife goes to buy drugs and she buys fake drugs

for my children. So, in a way it affects, but in terms of business, it does affect us, because if I put 200 miligrammes in my product and another man puts 100 miligrammes, naturally it has a price advantage. The negative economic impact is not something we can imagine. I have an idea. I would rather spare a drug dealer than spare a fake drug dealer, you know. Nobody can force you to use cocaine or be a drug dealer. Remember that the Kano incident where they have a good idea to set up a foundation. They brought doctors and they were operating on some children. The drug that is used to wake them up was fake, but there is a time line you need to wake the child. So, if you give the child the medicine, which is supposed to bring him back, thinking that it will work. You give the fake drug unknowingly and you take your eyes off thinking that the child will wake up. Before you know it, the child dies. This shows how bad a fake drug is. If you remember, I told you I am very passionate about fake drugs because I think we lost the system because of them. Still, as far as I am concerned, I would advocate death penalty for fake drug dealers while I will suggest life imprisonment for drug dealers.

Taking cocaine is a choice. Nobody can force you to take it, but when it comes to fake drugs, you are talking what we don’t know.

‘I would rather spare a drug dealer than spare a fake drug dealer, you know. Nobody can force you to use cocaine or be a drug dealer. Remember the Kano incident where they have a good idea to set up a foundation’

Lagos to decongest mortuary

T

HE Lagos State government has planned to decongest the Isolo General Hospital mortuary through mass burial of unclaimed and unidentified corpses who have been at the morgue for three months or more as a result of motor accident, ritual killings, among others.

State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that this became necessary to allow for their proper burial before they are decomposed and in line with the belief that dead bodies must be accorded dignity.

“This is why we wish to inform the public that all unclaimed and

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

unidentified corpses in the mortuary for a period of three months or more will be given mass burial,” he said.

He urged members of the public to check the Isolo Mortuary to identify and claim their missing or dead loved ones and arrange for their burial before the scheduled date.

The Commissioner, while reiterating the commitment of the state government to ensuring a healthy environment, urged members of the public to observe and maintain a strict personal and environmental hygiene, stressing

that this is one of the ways disease can be prevented.

“There is also the need for members of the public to avoid indiscriminate disposal or dumping of refuse into drainages, canals and waterways. Clearing of drains in front of their houses, safe disposal of human wastes and observation of the monthly environmental sanitation will also ensure a healthy and hygienic environment and prevent outbreak of communicable diseases, Idris averred.

He further advised members of the public to patronise primary health care centres nearest to them if they feel sick.

•From left to right: National President, National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, Dr Chinomoso K. C. Nnebue; Managing Director, Flying Doctors Nigeria Limited, Dr Ola Orekunrin and Secretary, National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, Dr Afoik Essieh, at the yearly General Meeting of the association in Abuja.

•Owolabi

How do you evaluate NAFDAC? NAFDAC is trying but the issue of fake drug is beyond them. Their work is too much. They have to regulate water. They have to regulate food. We know how big Nigeria. Recently, we had an issue whereby we had a guy who went to impersonate me. He doesn’t know we have started producing. He went to America to impersonate my business. He lied that our business has gone down. We are even thinking of collaboration with the NAFDAC. If you go to NAFDAC, you will hear that the bad people are faking medicines; they are faking Guinness. The day I went to report our case to NAFDAC, they said some people bought Wilfort and pour it in Guinness and sell it to the public. They do this because of the price differential. America is going to have that kind of problem. Anytime we have a depressed economy, it brings out the worst in people. We are not giving them excuses, but you know in a good economy, the consumer is always looking for the best bargains , b u t I a l w a y s s a y o n e t h i n g , the most expensive drug in the world is the one that doesn’t work, because you have just paid something for nothing. And that is what d r u g d ealers do and if your sickness doesn’t go, you will take another one.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is doing a wonderful job.

Unilever fights tooth decay

U

NILEVER Plc is leading a crusade against tooth cavities with Pepsodent, its new brand of toothpaste.

Unilever, the makers of Pepsodent toothpaste, has championed the crusade to fight oral cavities with The Great Walk to fight Cavities, which witnessed over 1,000 people walking from Idowu Street to National Stadium in Lagos.

The Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this during a symposium to mark the World Oral Health Day in Abuja.

He quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO), saying: “The oral disease burden in African Region (Including Nigeria) follows a pattern of deterioration closely associated with poverty and economic growth.”

Also, Unilever has introduced a new Pepsodent anti-cavity toothpaste that not only gives fluoride, but offers over 50 per cent more calcium in a form (active micro-calcium) that easily fills the tiny, weak, invisible holes, reduces the effects of acids produced by bacteria on teeth, repairs signs of tooth decay, prevents teeth sensitivity and prevents the forming of cavities.

Speaking on the occasion the Great walk to fight cavities, the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr Thabo Mabe, said Unilever Oral Care has over 40 year’s experience in producing toothpaste that provides anti-

cavity systems and technology.

Pepsodent Anti-Cavity Fighter fluoride toothpaste “offers over 50 per cent more calcium in a form (active micro-calcium) that easily fills the tiny, weak, invisible holes, reduces the effects of acids produced by bacteria on teeth, repairs signs of tooth decay, prevents teeth sensitivity and prevents the forming of cavities.”

He added that mothers, who have consistently stood for the rights of the child as well as for proper and adequate development of the child, are pleased to have a toothpaste that contains calcium. Unilever feels greatly honoured to champion the campaign and movement to protect the Nigerian smiles by saying “No to Cavities.”

Pepsodent’s introduction into the market, according to the Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme, is to address the gap in the market as well as meet the consumers’ need for stronger cavity free teeth. This, he said, is line with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Health to improve the Oral Health of Nigerians.

“Pepsodent is a breakthrough technology which contains both fluoride and active micro calcium system. It is an anti-cavity technology, which not only delivers effective fluoride, but also delivers 50 per cent more calcium to the mouth and helps repair the early signs of tooth decay,” he said.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVE MBER 15, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

48

MARITIME

How oil majors milk Nigeria M

AJOR marketers are depriving the country of multi-billion dollars revenue at the port because of the noninvolvement of the Customs in oil lifting, The Nation has learnt.

Maritime operators believe that the government should be blamed for the lapse.

Industry players, who spoke with The Nation, said the government’s failure to empower the Customs resulted in oil majors milking the country of revenue.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the Managing Director, Micks Integrated Oil, Mr Michel Abel, decried the exclusion of Customs officers from crude oil export terminals and called on the government to change the process.

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala to set up a staff training college for officers of the Nigeria Customs, where they can be trained on the required capacity for effective presence on the various off shore platforms, to handle calibration and save the country of revenues lost through the oil sector.

Abel said the training is important because of the prospect of accurate calibrations of expected earnings from the premium commodity.

Apart from involving the Customs in oil lifting, Abel said officers and men of the Service need to be equipped adequately to enable them to carry out their duties efficiently.

He stressed the need for the government to provide Customs with helicopters and patrol vehicles.

The country, he said, cannot con-

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

tinue to be at the mercy of oil companies that are providing these facilities.

“If you visit any of these oil companies working in the Niger Delta, you will find out that officers and men of the Customs Service are still carrying out their official responsibilities at the mercy of major oil companies in the area. But the question is: must these be allowed to continue and government would be crying that it has to remove the oil subsidy every year? The truth of the matter is that the Customs must be equipped. They must have helicopters. They must have patrol and operational boats that will allow them to put these calibrations out of their duty, because they cannot be at the mercy of the people, they are checking,” he said On alleged calibration distortion by the oil companies, the Chairman, Solar and Oil Energy, Mr Yinka Oguntulu, urged the Federal Government to put measures in place to uncover and expose those behind the illegal act.

Oguntolu said: “The Nigerian Customs Service has just witnessed a major re-organisation.

The next issue on the agenda of the Service should be the handling of calibration for the oil companies, importing and clearance process under destination inspection. ‘’Despite obvious limitations, the Federal Government must strive to infuse competition and transparency in the management of national resources so that opti-

• Tanker ship

mal value would be earned for the maximum benefits of our people.

Ensuring that strategic institutions like Customs are operational efficient is, therefore, very essential for the government. ‘’Customs authorities are statutorily empowered to supervise exportation, importation and clearance of goods that pass through approved entry points.”

However, a maritime operator, Mr Sesan Awobajo, implored officers and men of the Service and Nigerians to contribute to the overall desire of the nation to rebrand itself and realise Vision 20: 2020.

“Without doubt, the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have been less than optimal and have been source of serious concern to the Federal Gov-

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

ernment over the years to the extent that several reform efforts were initiated by the authority to address their inadequacies. But on distortion in oil calibrations, the government should be blamed for not equipping the Customs.

Awobajo, however, charged the Customs to ensure a reversal in the loss of trade and investment in the country, especially to neighbouring West African countries.

He said the Customs need to do its job professionally, live up to its billing as the prime agency at the nation ports, by seeking solutions to the challenges facing the country and advise government proactively on them.

The country, he said, can not afford to keep losing revenue to oil companies.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala

Rivers seeks Niger Deltans’ participation in maritime

I

NDIGENES of the Niger Delta have been urged to take part in the maritime sector.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who made the suggestion, said at the moment, only few of them are in the sector.

He spoke at the inauguration of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Training Centre, Port Harcourt.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Energy, Mr Okey Amadi, said the centre would assist in meeting some of the development challenges facing the state, especially in capacity building and provision of employment opportunities for youths.

He expressed the readiness of the government to support the centre to fulfil its set goals.

He said there was need to encourage the centre to fulfil its objectives.

He called on the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly River State to embrace the maritime sector so that they can take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

He praised the Chairman/Managing Director of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Training Centre, Port Harcourt, Sir Charles K. Wami, for taking what he described as a ‘bold step’ in capacity building in the maritime sector.

Impressed by the quality of facilities at the centre, the governor called on other indigenes of the state to emulate Wami by coming up with initiatives that will complement state

Rail and port development

T

HE Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Branch, has said the operation of an efficient rail system is strategic to the development of the port system.

President of SSACTAC, NPA Branch, Comrade Umar Jimoh, stated this in Lagos. He said linking the nation’s seaports to the rail system network will not only enhance the movement of cargoes from the port but will help in the improvement of the port system in general.

He called on the Federal Government to channel its effort in the development of the country’s inland waterways.

“No maritime nation can move

forward without the seaports connected to the rail system. Cargoes are not to rest at the ports, ports are not meant to be warehouses”.

It is when the ports are connected with the rail system that goods are moved in and out of the ports and that will ease congestion. It will reduce the turn around time, which will lead to more money to the government and more jobs for Nigeria.

“We must also develop all modes of transport which should be complementary in nature. Our roads get spoilt due to the heavy traffic. If we have the rail system and inland waterways working, the road maintenance will become minimal and the nation as a whole can tackle unemployment,” Jimoh said.

government’s efforts in the sustainable development of the state.

Wami had in his welcome address said the centre was the first private sector initiative maritime safety training establishment ap-

proved by the Federal Government, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the International Association Safety and Survival Training (IASST), United

Kingdom.

He explained that its establishment was born out of the need to provide middle level manpower for the oil and gas industry, as well as the maritime and auxiliary sectors.

Firm to promote Local Content Act

T

HE management of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS) has stepped up efforts to boost capacity building and to meet the provisions of the Local Content Act 2010.

This is coming on the heels of the concerted effort to implement the provisions of the Act and the teaming up with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as well as the management of Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

At a forum tagged the First practical Nigerian Content Conference, which took place in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, the manage-

ment of the firm said the occasion was an opportunity for in-country capacity building through its implementation imperatives.

Describing the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone as a natural location for investments as a result of the cluster of industry stakeholders within the area, it said the conference was used to showcase the success of Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone as a example of Nigerian content.

Firms, which were showcased during the guided tours include Tenaris, a leading supplier of tubes and related services for the world’s energy industry; Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited (PCN), a Nigerian leader in pipe-coating, which has developed

first class facilities at the Oil and Gas Free Zone at the Federal Light Terminal (FLT); Cameron Offshore System, a firm that specialises in incountry calibration of “Christmas Trees” for offshore installations, as well as the West Atlantic Shipyard Limited, Nigeria’s first shipyard facility for the construction of aluminium hulled vessels.

INTELS won the concession for the Federal Light Terminal (FLT), Terminal B, Federal Ocean Terminal A, Warri old port, Warri new port, and Calabar new port terminal A during the Federal Government concession programme, which was supervised by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) in 2006.

Group expresses worries on high port charges

A

MARITIME pressure group, under the aegis of ‘Save Ni geria Freight Forwarders’ has called on the presidential taskforce to ensure that it looks into the areas of extortion and humiliation of port users by the various shipping companies in Nigeria.

National coordinator of the group, Chief Chukwu Osita Patrick, disclosed this in Lagos at its one-day colloquium entitled: Brainstorming on the recent visit to the Nigerian port by the Minister of

By Uyoatta Eshiet

Finance and transport, the presidential taskforce and economic team on port reform, the way forward.

Osita promised that the group will not fold its hands and allow foreign investors to rip off Nigerians in the area of port charges.

“Nobody in this country will allow foreign investors to rip us and not do the job that has been agreed upon according to the laws of the country’’.

He said the arbitrary increase in charges by shipping companies and the dwindling in the deposit given to them is a major disadvantage of port operation.

He said the group was set up in order to bring sanity to freight forwarders at the port with a vision to address ills that surround the port environment.

Osita said there is need to bring uniformity among freight forwarders and importers as most of them are not sincere.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

49

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

50

AVIATION

Aviation transformation agenda sparks row Since her appointment, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, has initiated policies and appointed key professionals to head some agencies as part of her road map for the sector. Her agenda has, however, been generating reactions from stakeholders.

KELVIN OSA- OKUNBOR reports.

S

INCE the unveiling of the transformation agenda including the six airports remodelling projects announced by the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, there has been a flurry of activities in the sector.

The unveiling of the projects has, however, provoked reactions from players, operators and stakeholders caught in the implementation.

With the disengagement of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Richard Aisuebeogun, the Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Adebayo Araba, and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo and their replacement by through-bred professionals, the industry has been abuzz with talks, some bordering on allegation of ethnic cleansing by the minister.

Mrs Oduah-Ogiemwonyi named Mr George Uriesi, as Managing Director of FAAN, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, NAMA boss, and Captain Chinyere Kalu, rector of NCAT. Their appointment has, however, set the stage for controversies. The minister is being accused by some of favouring some ethnic groups against others in an industry that is globally regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICAO places competence above other considerations.

It is against this background that some stakeholders have continued to appraise the

policies, programmes and projects embarked upon by the minister, as she grapples with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government, part of which is the remodelling of some airports, as well as the review of concession agreement, which she said does not protect the interest of the average Nigerian.

As the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), rejigs its airport remodeling strategy expected to cost N19 billion, stakeholders have continued to express reservations over the modality for the exercise, which they say must be sustainable and not cosmetic.

Uriesi said last week that the government has reduced the initial budget for the remodeling from N90 billion to N19 billion, which he said is meant to address basic issues at the major airports including the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, and the Port Harcourt Airport.

Mr Chris Aligbe, a member of the Vision 20: 2020 committee, explained that uncertainty still hangs over what manner of remodelling the minister has promised to carry out for the sector.

He said: “The minister is talking about remodelling of 12 airports with some amount of money, do you think that is what Nigeria needs now?

“I don’t know and that is why for me, I think we must know what is being re-modeled. It is time they make it public. I was at the Enugu Airport the other day and I saw the place they have cleared for international

terminal. Nobody knows the structure of the international terminal; nobody has seen it, except those who are handling it. So, what is the projection for that airport?”

According to the former chairman of the board of NAMA, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, professionalism and experience were major criteria used by the Federal Government in making the recent appointments in the industry.

According to him, ‘’what the Federal Government is trying to do now is to look inward by appointing professionals and dedicated management staff with experience at the helm of affairs’’.

Baraje explained that the changes in management that brought in Mazi Nnamdi Udoh as managing director, stated that appointment of such a person should engender stability and promotion of industrial harmony in a sensitive agency like NAMA. Speaking on the alleged ethnic coloration, the President, Aviation Round Table, Capt.

Dele Ore, said nothing points to ethnicity in the appointments made by the minister.

He explained that inasmuch as their successors are Nigerians and qualified personnel in the industry, there was nothing wrong with their removal. He said those disengaged had contributed their quota to the development of the industry.

He said: “For those who are reading ethnicity into it, they must have seen something, but as for me, I’ve not seen anything of such so far. Those removed were Nigerians and they have been replaced with Nige-

• Mrs. Oduah-Ogiemwonyi

rians. So, what is the problem? This issue of ethnicity brings us back to our constitution.

I think those things are dividing us as Nigerians and we should try and play down on those things.

“If Nigerians are removed and they are replaced with Chinese, what would we be saying by then? Those who are reading meaning to it may see something of such, but I’m not seeing anything of such at all.”

He emphasised that continuous removal of helmsmen would not solve the problems in the industry, and urged the government to create structures that would make chief executives perform, which he said would further enhance stability in the sub-sector.

FirstNation makes debut

A

NEW airline, FirstNation has made its debut, flying over 200 passengers between Lagos and Abuja on November 3.

Some of the passengers were thrilled by their experience on board the Airbus A320, describing the flight as above average.

Flight 0101 departed the Muritala Mohammed Airport (Terminal 2) at 11 am and arrived at the Nnamdi Abuja International Airport (NAIA) at noon.

The return flight departed at 13:30 hrs and arrived in Lagos at 14:30 hours.

The flights were not advertised

as the airline is still awaiting all regulatory approvals.

However, FirstNation airport staffers, dressed in the airline’s green and white colours (with a red neck-scarf for the women), were at the ticketing and checkin counters attending to customers.

A one-way ticket costs N21,400, but the airline is offering promotional fares from N9,800 to give passengers an opportunity to experience the premium service on offer.

The airline’s website was swamped and had to be immediately upgraded.

DANA clocks three • Chairman, Nigerian Aviance Handling Company (NAHCO), Maj Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (middle) and Managing Director, Mr Kayode Ojo (left), during a visit to the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, at Aviation House, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

South Africa airline’s top job for Nigerian

S

OUTH African Airways (SAA) has appointed a Nigerian, Ohis Ehimiaghe as its Regional Manager SAA, North, West and Central Africa.

The appointment followed the airline’s restructuring of its Africa and Middle East region which has now been split into three sub-regions.

With this move, Ehimiaghe has relocated from Luanda, Angola where he was country manager for over two years to Lagos with jurisdiction covering Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Congo,

Gabon, Cameroon and Benin Republic.

Ohis has been with SAA for over four years, with an additional 10 years experience in aviation having worked in Lagos, for various airlines and travel management companies.

Before his elevation, he had been country manager Nigeria from where he was transferred to Luanda, Angola to function in the same capacity.

Prior to joining SAA in September 2007, Ohis also worked for three years with Kenyan Airways as country manager Nigeria.

SAA Regional General Manager: Africa & Middle East, Aaron Munetsi described him as an asset to the airline for always meeting set criteria for measuring performance as well as his ability to raise future leaders.

“He had critical areas mapped out for him and he knew exactly what was expected of him. He knew that he was going to be measured.

He knew what the measurements were and the implications for either meeting them or not. I must say he has always surpassed our expectations of him.”

A

S Dana Air celebrates three years, its Chief Executive Officer, Jacky Hathiramani, has pledged the airline’s commitment to improved travel experience for passengers and an expansion of its route network.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, Hathiramani expressed appreciation to the airline’s patrons, partners and other stakeholders for their patronage and support since Dana Air begun operations on November 10, 2008.

His words: “As we celebrate our third year anniversary we say thank you to all our esteemed guests and partners. We also appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government, the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njeze, the serving Minister, Mrs Stella Oduah-Ogiewmonyi, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Harold Demuren and other aviation regulatory bodies

for their efforts towards creating a viable aviation sector in Nigeria.”

“We will not relent in our efforts but continue to strive to improve on our services and offerings. We are aware of the demand for extension of our worldclass services to more Nigerian cities and the west coast, and wish to state that plans are underway to expand our route network in the first quarter of 2012 in line with our growth plan,” Hathiramani said.

Dana Air’s vision is ‘to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline’ and her mission is ‘to earn the loyalty and respect of our customers by consistently demonstrating our commitment to service, and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence’.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

51

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVE MBER 15, 2011

53

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-11-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 150 75.00 150 75.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 4 7

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 7.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 94,500 47,250.00 15,000 7,500.00 54,000 411,980.00 163,500 466,730.00

Quotation(N) 1.90 5.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 323,000 624,300.00 245,033 1,262,381.40 568,033 1,886,681.40

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.54

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 27,636 13,818.00 119,056 176,802.92 146,692 190,620.92

Quotation(N) 4.95 3.13 1.95 4.07 1.64 9.71 15.00 8.03 4.89 1.19 2.94 0.62 0.56 12.29

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 13,749,430 67,480,806.33 1,618,173 5,076,382.40 415,171 812,430.67 2,746,024 11,160,290.90 2,636,530 4,408,537.10 20,341,529 196,836,521.34 17,208,807 257,016,930.86 3,375,812 27,164,676.78 1,572,640 7,626,055.04 995,003 1,193,889.34 41,902,091 118,744,813.28 5,240,434 3,104,490.38 787,865 439,445.82 47,965,805 589,781,195.00 160,555,314 1,290,846,465.24

Quotation(N) 210.00 6.00 91.60 0.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 285,454 59,354,984.39 5,900 33,630.00 3,195,059 292,410,774.80 1,796,662 1,670,895.66 5,283,075 353,470,284.85

Quotation(N) 14.69 5.01 103.50 37.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 943,269 13,805,301.86 1,194,608 5,989,915.64 114,975 11,899,540.10 106,539 3,926,153.57 2,359,391 35,620,911.17

Quotation(N) 2.86 9.00 15.16 10.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 65,000 185,900.00 68,688 597,893.40 153,129 2,436,029.69 22,104 229,660.56 308,921 3,449,483.65

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 42 48

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 12 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 177 36 21 61 67 483 519 34 71 21 269 50 19 293 2,121 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 72 3 169 2 246 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 38 21 18 26 103 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 21 2 35

Market Cap dips by N54.5b as NSE delists NBC, UNTL’s

T

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) yester day lost two of its oldest companies with the delisting of Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc and United Nigerian Textiles (UNT) Plc following requests from the firms for voluntary delisting.

Beside reducing the number of quoted companies, the delisting shaved off N54.5 billion from market capitalisation, leaving the aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies down at N6.428 trillion in spite of the overtly bullish market situation.

The two delisted companies had been on the main board of the NSE for four decades. UNTL was listed on the NSE in 1971, while NBC followed in 1973. At the point of delisting, NBC had market capitalisation of N53.66 billion while UNT was valued at N818 million.

The majority core investors in the two companies had sought for voluntary delisting, on ground of financial reengineering and need for new capital investments.

NBC had on July 22 secured the necessary majority approval of its shareholders to buy-out the minority investors and delist the shares of the company from the NSE.

No of Deals 35 35

Quotation(N) 2.02

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 512,900 1,060,763.50 512,900 1,060,763.50

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200 1,774.00 2,403 7,064.82 2,603 8,838.82

LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 5.89 30.00 0.55 29.51 26.48

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,000 16,800.00 1,066,927 31,938,229.67 3,148,767 1,692,241.17 215,417 6,370,614.79 231,153 6,097,259.54 4,665,264 46,115,145.17

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

CONGLOMERATES Company Name JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 47 50 54 44 196 CONSTRUCTION

Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 16 1 17

Quotation(N) 38.43 7.17

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 48,920 1,840,956.35 1,000 7,520.00 49,920 1,848,476.35

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 1.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,000 8,500.00 5,000 8,500.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 22 39 92 73 53 9 13 33 1 335

Quotation(N) 48.00 13.30 5.00 4.89 62.00 3.09 4.07 401.00 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 125,016 5,983,459.12 201,760 2,668,724.50 920,946 4,627,404.27 1,902,870 9,408,913.14 725,070 44,956,350.00 42,690 135,330.00 216,000 882,647.20 378,245 151,615,826.00 80,000 40,000.00 4,592,597 220,318,654.23

No of Deals 20 11 15 5 51

2 1 6 6 1 6 2 140

No of Deals 9 9

No of Deals 1 34 35

No of Deals 105 105

No of Deals 1 1 9 11

No of Deals 1 1

No of Deals 1 1

No of Deals 3 3

No of Deals 35 7 5 1 1 66 1

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 75,500 58,135.00 75,500 58,135.00

Quotation(N) 0.65

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,208,689 3,971,343.74 6,208,689 3,971,343.74

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200,000 100,000.00 200,000 100,000.00

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 800 400.00 800 400.00

Quotation(N) 1.54 2.78 13.28

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,051,171 1,668,721.86 84,311 234,384.58 5,559 73,823.52 1,141,041 1,976,929.96

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIGERIA) PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 30 5 1 36

PETROLEUM(MARKETING)

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 597,389 770,631.81 41,900 1,092,290.00 197,680 450,710.40 335,875 527,323.75 1,172,844 2,840,955.96

Quotation(N) 7.13 2.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 400 2,852.00 1,442,740 3,899,109.00 1,443,140 3,901,961.00

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,250 13,250.00 10,940 415,610.60 120,000 669,600.00 132,190 1,098,460.60

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 31 9 11 16 157 14 239

Quotation(N) 0.50 35.00 3.82 11.61 141.00 27.30 200.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 5,000.00 40,628 1,384,693.67 67,634 252,409.54 69,590 807,939.90 31,135 4,263,963.31 1,526,774 40,299,310.02 17,523 3,330,095.00 1,763,284 50,343,411.44

PRINTING & PUBLISHING

Quotation(N) 11.15 36.19 5.87

No of Deals 1 7 8

Quotation(N) 4.97

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.92 2.68 0.50 0.57 1.50 0.50

Quotation(N) 2.24 3.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,000 11,200.00 32,271 118,642.65 37,271 129,842.65

Quotation(N) 12.90

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 35,310 448,899.75 35,310 448,899.75

REAL ESTATE

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 5,210.00 1,000 5,210.00

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC.

Quotation(N) 0.81

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 1.29 27.00 2.40 1.57

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name e-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Sector Totals

41,010.00 1,000.00 85,497.00 444,000.00 250.00 128,638.00 122,975.00 30,206,463.63

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC Sector Totals

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

82,000 2,000 170,994 888,000 500 124,850 245,950 22,976,622

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.03 0.50

LEASING

Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-11-11

Quotation(N) 8.45 3.09

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

The majority core investor in NBC, Coca-Cola Hellenic (CCH) was estimated to have spent about N20.4 billion or $136 million on the buy-out. CCH, the world’s second-largest bottler of Coca-Cola, had held 66.4 per cent equity stake in NBC. CCH, said it planned to invest about N45 billion in NBC to expand operations over the next two years to fend off competition.

The core investor, said the buy-out and subsequent reversion into a wholly owned private subsidiary of CCH, would enable NBC to fully leverage the financial strength and resources of its parent company UNTL had cited its precarious financial position and dwindling business as well as urgent need for business reengineering as reasons for quitting the stock market.

UNT posted net loss of N1.31 billion in 2010. It had recorded net loss of N1.69 billion in 2009.

Market operators, shareholders and quoted companies’ chief executives, have however criticised the regulatory environment and lack of incentives for quoted companies as underlying reasons for voluntary delisting

by companies.

Meanwhile, the stock market reopened yesterday on a bullish note as increased demand for blue chip stocks nudged the overall market situation. The All Share Index rose by 0.05 per cent to close at 20,426.19 points compared with its opening index of 20,416.10 points.

Oando Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.30 to close at N27.30 per share, followed

by Forte Oil Plc with 55 kobo to close at N11.61 per share.

Ikeja Hotel Plc gained 13 kobo to close at N2.75 per share, while Transcorp Plc added 2.0 to close at 55 kobo per share. ABC Transport Plc rose by two kobo to close at 56 kobo per share.

On the downside, Airline Services Plc lost 10 kobo to close at N1.90 per share, while African Paints Plc shed 15 kobo to close at N2.86 per share.

Neimeth Pharmaceutical International Plc dipped by eight kobo to close at N1.57 per share, while Studio Press Plc declined by 14 kobo to close at N2.78 per share. Fidelity Bank Plc depreciated by eight kobo to close at N1.64 per share.

Aggregate turnover stood at 215.05 million shares worth N2.06billion in 3,843 deals yesterday.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,586,559 1,319,663.57 225,568 207,857.56 123,000 327,240.00 4,000 2,000.00 1,000 570.00 18,520,201 27,524,762.50 2,000 1,000.00

No of Deals 9 9

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRU Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 8

Quotation(N) 50.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 5,000,000.00 100,000 5,000,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.56

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 75,000 42,000.00 75,000 42,000.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 20 20

Quotation(N) 11.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 351,979 4,025,407.85 351,979 4,025,407.85

3,837

214,928,030

2,059,441,051.88

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

Cashless banking: CBN, VISA move to reduce fraud

By Collins Nweze

T

HE drive for cashless banking has prompted VISA Incorporated, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to find areas of strengthening payment platforms that would help minimise fraud and protect cardholders in the country.

For instance, VISA in collaboration with the apex bank has introduced a National Fraud Forum to ensure the safety and integrity of the local card payment system infrastructure.

“Tackling potential fraud is critical to the success of any market. We are able to call on global experts to come

to Nigeria to, not only share their experiences, but also to start an ongoing conversation as part of the constant battle against fraud. The Fraud Forum is a vehicle to ensure that the entire market benefits from collaborative efforts.” said Ade Ashaye, Visa Country Director, Sub-Saharan Africa.

He said some of the initiatives that Visa implemented, five or six years ago have resulted in Nigerian Visa cards now having lower fraud rates, both in the region and the global average.

while respond means to monitor and manage fraud to ensure we effectively address issues and minimise impact to stakeholders, including cardholders.

As Nigeria continues to be an important market to Visa, it is employing a rigorous payment risk strategy to protect cardholders and their data.

“Visa employs multiple layers of security that work together to help manage fraud. From anti-counterfeit features, to network-based fraud detection, to data security standards and to help keep sensitive information secure, Visa is committed to leading the industry toward a more secure, trusted payment system,” said, Bryce Thorrold, Head of Visa African Country Risk Management Team.

He added that while payments fraud remains at historic lows, the country must stay vigilant to protect cardholder data from misuse. To do that, both regulators must protect each link within our system and work with others to maintain and enhance trust in Visa as the most secure way to pay and be paid.

He said: “Visa’s approach is to

“Ensuring we continue to work to global best practices is the best way to maintain consumer trust in the system as we grow card usage,” he said, adding that Visa’s approach to security, includes strategies to “prevent, protect and respond.”

Prevent, means minimizing fraud in the payment system by building policies, tools, technologies and strategies that help eliminate fraud before it happens; protect, equates shielding card data wherever it is stored, processed or transmitted throughout the payment system,

UBA to give out N130m in promo NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) has commenced the Lion King Promo that would enable it reward its customers. The bank said yesterday it would give out N130 million to lucky winners in the promo that will involve 23 weekly draws, one grand draw and one super grand draw. A total of 1, 038 customers will be rewarded during the campaign to ensure maximum impact.

Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Chidi Okpala, said prizes to be won at each draw range from N50,000 to N5 million.

“The Lion King promo seeks to reward our loyal customers, compliment current initiatives aimed at growing savings, increase average balance per savings account and to serves as incen-

tive for reactivation of accounts by customers with dormant and inactive accounts as well as increase number of profitable savings accounts,” he said.

The promo, he explained, is also expected to help the bank deepen its ebanking service enrolment in support of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless banking policy.

Also, the promo is a pilot and would be for a period of six months with a subsequent roll-over for another period of seven months.

Opara explained that the promo will be open to existing and new customers. The existing customers are expected to make a one-time minimum fresh deposit of N10,000 for a minimum of 30 days to qualify for the weekly draws.

“The more a customer saves, the

N

authorised by Financial Services Commission, Financial Services Board and Global Board of Trade. A director of the company, Rashad Hussain, said the firm is a leader in online forex and commodity trading, offering an array of products and instruments to traders.

Hussain, said the firm is already being accepted in the market by traders, investors and other stakeholders. “For

U

higher the chances of winning. Every multiple of fresh N10,000 saved increases the customers chances of winning. For both New and Old Customers, make a one-time minimum fresh deposit of N25, 000 for a minimum of 30 days to qualify for both the weekly draw and the grand draws. The more a customer saves, the higher the chances of winning,” he said.

Deputy Group Managing Director, UBA Plc , Kennedy Uzoka, said savings is key to the bank and that the product is one of several means of rewarding customers.

He said by the CBN cashless banking policy, would help the bank make the best use of huge investments it has made in information technology.

Bank CEO, entrepreneur win award

T

HE Managing Director of Ac cess Bank Plc, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, has won the Master Category Prize in the maiden edition of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Also, the Managing Director/CEO, Notore Chemicals Industries Limited, Onajite Okoloko, won the Emerging Segment Prize for the year.

The Access Bank boss, will be flying the West African flag at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Monte Carlo, in June next year. Shortly after receiving the award, Aig-Imoukhuede remarked: “To be the first winner in the first edition of the programme in West Africa, is a true humbling experience.”

Onajite, on the other hand, said he was very happy to have won the

South African firm enters forex trading

IGERIA’S forex and commod ity trading business is to be boosted with the entrance of South African based ACM Gold.

The firm which promises to simplify trading and make it more appealing to interested investors, is a major player in the global daily forex trade estimated to be about $4 trillion.

ACM Gold Nigeria, a certified partner of ACM Gold, is regulated and

too long, I feel Nigeria has had to play into a monopoly of ‘take it or leave it’ trading.

We are here to break that hold and expand through Nigeria and provide real forex and commodity trading to the masses,” he said in a statement.

Chairman ACM Gold Nigeria, Ayoleke Adu, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Capital in Lagos.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 14-11-11 SYMBOL OANDO FO IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCORP ABCTRANS WEMABANK UBA UNITYBNK FLOURMILL GUARANTY

O/PRICE 26.00 11.06 2.62 0.53 0.54 0.54 2.84 0.60 60.00 14.90

C/PRICE 27.30 11.61 2.75 0.55 0.56 0.56 2.94 0.62 62.00 15.00

CHANGE 1.30 0.55 0.13 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.10 0.02 2.00 0.10

LOSER AS AT 14-11-11 SYMBOL AIRSERVICE AFRPAINTS NEIMETH STUDPRESS FIDELITYBK PRESTIGE DIAMONDBNK FIDSON BAGCO NAHCO

O/PRICE 2.00 3.01 1.65 2.92 1.72 1.08 3.28 1.35 1.61 5.33

C/PRICE 1.90 2.86 1.57 2.78 1.64 1.03 3.13 1.29 1.54 5.11

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

Emerging category award, while paying glowing tribute to Ernst & Young for the initiative. The duo were selected following a successful exercise presided over by a nine-man panel of judges.

Thirteen finalists from Nigeria and Ghana, including Fidelis Ayebae, Group Managing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Tonye Cole, Director, Sahara Group, Layi Fatona, Managing Director, Niger Delta Exploration & Production, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO),UT Bank, Ghana, Edward Effah, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Limited, Ghana, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO, Zoom Lion Ghana Limited and Deji Akinyanju, Chief Executive of Food Concepts Plc, as well as a host of others, made it to the final.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

minimise fraud in the payment system by building policies, tools and technologies that will help prevent fraud before it happens, protect vulnerable card data wherever it is stored, processed or transmitted throughout the payment system as well as monitor and manage fraud to ensure prompt response to issues and minimise impact to stakeholders, which include, cardholders.

Meanwhile, the CBN explained that it has assisted in the building of secured technology that makes it difficult for fraudsters to hack into, especially with migration to Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) which is a more secured platform needed to prevent frauds.

He said EMV is a global standard for inter-operation of integrated circuit cards or chip cards which can be used on point of sale (POS) terminals and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), for authenticating credit and debit card transactions.

It is a joint effort to ensure security and global interoperability so that Visa and MasterCard cards can continue to be accepted everywhere.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 100.28 0.77 1.03 0.89 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,251.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 99.71 0.74 1.03 0.88 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.10 0.15 0.08 0.14 0.08 0.05 0.15 0.06 0.07 0.22

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

57

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

Mr Kingsley Ogechukwu Chukwu known as Chukwu Kingsley late of 18/19, Momodu Beda Street, Lagos who died intestate on 8th day of June, 2011, Lagos.

Mohammed Aminat Ajoke late of 16, Fadare Street Kosofe Mile 12, Lagos who died intestate on 2nd August, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs. Akinpelu Folake late of 7, Odeniyi Street, Agbede Town Ikorodu, Lagos, who died intestate on 3rd day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Obafemi Adegoke late of 20 Ricca Street, Lagos who died intestate on 28th day of June, 2004 at Lagos.

Mrs. Felicia Kikelomo Adetunji known as Adetunji Felicia Kikelomo late of 3, Jones Omotosho Street, Egbe, Lagos who died intestate on 6th day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr. Ekarika Johnnie Jackson late of 321 Road E Close House 24 Festac Town, Lagos who died intestate on 18th November, 2010 at Lagos.

Nduneseokwu John Ndigwe known as Ndigwe Nduneseokwu Shaga late of Omeke-Umuchi Village Anambra State who died intestate on 20th February, 2011 at Anambra State.

Mrs. Mary Nse Etim Udo known as Mrs. Mary Etim Udoh and Udo Mary late of 24, Aluko Street, Owode Ikorodu Road Lagos who died intestate on 5th April, 2011 at Lagos.

Ketimu Alasa (Mrs) known as Alasa Ketimu late of 22, Odo Street, Obalende, Lagos, who died intestate on 31st July, 2011 at Lagos.

Olaomotowo Maria Sonaike known as Sonaike Towo late of 17, Capt. Martin Uzor Street, Area One New Abeokuta Express Way, Lagos who died intestate on 27th September, 2077 at Lagos Mrs. Beatrice Abimbola Afolabi known as Afolabi B.A.T. late of Olu-Aina Street, Mushin, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

Barr. John Amadi known as Bar Amadi John late of 31/33 Jemtok Street, Okota Lagos, who died intestate on 15th July, 2007 at Lagos.

Malam Sule Ali late of N.R.C. Minna Niger State who died intestate on 7th January, 2007 at Minna.

Azubuike Joy late of 14, Rabiu Ojora Street, Alaba, Lagos who died intestate on 10th June, 2011 at Lagos.

Ogunade Adebimpe late of 15A Omololu Street, Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on 12th May, 2011 at Lagos.

Miss Petty John late of 457 Ikota Estate Ajah Lagos who died intestate on the 18th January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs. Rafiat Adetoun Adedeji late of 4, Ogunbule Street, Bariga Lagos, who died intestate on 3rd day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

Julius Amor late of 11, Omololu Street, Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on 8th day of August, 2007 at Lagos.

Ebi Amor late of 19, Omololu Street, Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on 3rd day of November, 2007 at Lagos.

Mr. Ukpe Ime late of 42, Obiadia Street, Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on 7th day of December, 2008 at Lagos.

Ganiu Biliamin Okanlawon known as Okanlawon Ganiu late of 3, Balogun Street, Gbara, Lagos who died intestate on 25th day of September, 2007 at Lagos.

Alhaja Risikat Abeje Seriki late of No. 5, Doherty Street, Lagos, who died intestate on 11th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Ihieri Victor Chukwumelu known at Ihieri Victor C. late of 10, Popoola-Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Akinbisehin Folake Comfort late of 1, Maiyegun Street, Ijegun – Egba Satellite Town, Lagos who died intestate on 4th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Odunwasor Lambert late of 39, Iga Idungaran Street, Lagos who died intestate on 26th day of May, 2009 F.C.T. Abuja.

Ayotunde Kasim known as Kasim Ayotunde late of Plot 12, Fiyidami Street, Magodo Isheri G.R.A. who died intestate on 26th day of December, 2005 at Sagamu.

Iyabode Zainab Alapafuja known as Alapafuja Zainab late of 60, Karimu Street, Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on 13th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Michael Adatso late of 19, Sanni Street, Shasha Dopemu, Lagos, who died intestate on 3rd day of November, 2008 at Lagos.

Chief Charles Onwujekwe Odikpo late of No. 5, Shiro Street, Fadeyi, Lagos who died intestate on 7th day of September, 2010 at Lagos Mr. Akintunde Ogunkoya known as Mr. Ogunkoya Akintunde Akanni Ogun late of 5A, Apostle Rufai Street, Egbeda Lagos who died intestate on 21st day of October, 2009 at Lagos.

Chief Etim Okon Eyokunyi Isong known as Eyokunyi Etim Okon late of Uboro, Urue Offong/Oruko Akwo Ibom State who died intestate on 16th day of February, 2006 At Akwa Ibom State.

Azeez Moriliat Ronke known as Mr. Azeez Morili late of 7,Alhaji Ajala Str, Orile–Iganmu Lagos,who died intestate on Folake Adebesin late of 26,Fagbenro Street, Idi Araba Lagos, who died intestate on 10th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Meshack Enyinneya Uchechi late of 7, Akinsiku Close Ajangbadi, Lagos, who died intestate on 26th June, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Matthew Osieme late of 25, Ayodeji Street, Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd July, 2010 at Lagos.

Victor Itam known as Itam Victor late of 122 Isolo Road, Isolo who died intestate on 15th August, 2007 at Lagos.

Deaconess (Mrs)Jegede Unice Fehintola late of 12, Olusaibu Street, Aberonje Ikotu Lagos who died intestate on 12th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

John Chidi Wah late of 29, Aiyetoro Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on 21st day of June, 2011 at Aba. Mrs. Ramotalai Nurudeen known as Mrs. Nurudeen Ramotalai late of 6, Jegede Street, Ajangbadi Lagos, who died intestate on 12th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Subair Abudullateef Ambelorun Ishola known as Alhaji Subair & Co. late of Block 16, Flat 6, L.S.D.P.C. Estate, Isolo, Lagos who died intestate on 26th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Eletu Tajudeen late of 14, Macarthy Street, Lagos who died intestate on 9th October, 2007 at Lagos.

Adekoya Adebisi Musemilu late of 109D Alakoro Street, Marina, Lagos who died intestate on 1st December, 2009 at Lagos.

Mike Oladipo Boyede late of 6, Oloje Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, Lagos who died intestate on 30th April, 1994 at Lagos.

Jonathan Opotie Adenih known at Jonathan Opotie Edemi late of 1, Oke Close Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos who died intestate on 16th September, 1998 at Lagos.

Rasaki Saheed late of 54, Obadina Street, Lagos, who died intestate on 3rd day of March,2008 at Lagos.

Johnson Balogun known as Josin Balogun late of 12, Akosile Street, Ijora Badia, Lagos, who died intestate on 25th March, 2009 at Lagos.

Paul Edison Djakpo Umukoro known as Umukoro Paul Edison Djakpo late of 19, Unity Street, Oke Odo Abule Egba, Lagos who died intestate on 21st day of September, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr. Olanrewaju Timothy Ishola known as Mr. Ishola Olanrewaju late of 56, Alhaji Amao Street off Ogudu, Ojota, Lagos, who died intestate on 13th November, 2010 at Lagos.

Oyekola David late of 10, Adegoke Ajayi Street, Ojodu who died intestate on 10th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs. Olabisi Adunni Ligali known as Mrs. Olabisi Ligali late of House 29, Road 12 V.G.C. Ajah Lagos who died intestate on 19th day of September, 2007 at Lagos.

Matthew Ayodele Elusogbon known as Elusogbon Matthew late of Block 11, Flat 4, Ijaiye Medium Housing Estate, Agege, Lagos who died intestate on 17th September, 2010 at Ibadan.

Mrs. Beatrice Abiodun Peters late of 845 Tolu Road Ajegunle Lagos who died intestate on 2nd day of June, 1983 at Lagos.

Alhaji Akande Salimon Adeleke Known as Adeleke Akande late of 8, Shodeinde Close Oshodi Lagos who died intestate on 14th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Kadiri Mojeed Araba known as Alhaji Mojeed Araba late of 116, Adeniji Adele Lagos Island, who died intestate on 10th day of June, 2002 at Lagos.

Mr. Paul Neburagho known as Mr. Paul Amajuoritse Neburagho and Neburagho Amajuoritse Paul late of Block 5F Cross River Crescent NNPC Complex Warri Delta who died intestate on 30th day of November, 2010 at Warri Delta State.

Mrs. Linda Oghagbon late of 156, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on 5th August, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Rasheed Alade Buraimoh late of 12A Bank-Olemoh Street, Surulere, Lagos who died intestate on 13th day of March, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr. Adetola Fatai Kadiri Olugbule known as Pa. Fatai Adetola Kadiri Olugbule late of 10, Oduduwa Crescent, Ijaiye Ogba, Lagos who died intestate on the 11th day of October, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs. Comfort Aina Olayinka Ogunleye known as Ogunleye Comfort Aina Olayinka late of 23, Eric Moore Street Wemabob Estate, Ikeja who died intestate on 10th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs. Mulikat Oluseye late of 10, Ibadan Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos who died intestate on 24th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Kadiri Ganiyu known as Quadri Ganiyu late of 37, Sadiku Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos who died intestate on 15th December, 2010 at Lagos.

HRM. Timtiniko Papaudo Enodien known as HRM Enodien Timtiniko late of 159 Idua Road Eket Akwa Ibom State who died intestate on 16th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Oke Ayinde Fatai late of 56, Makinde Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, who died intestate on 13th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Simon Dede Nwaogu known as Dede Simon Nwaogu late of 46, Mba Street, Ajegunle Lagos, who died intestate on 25th day of December, 2007 at Abia State.

Pa. Adolphus Jaiyeola Olaofe known as Pa. Olaofe Adolphus Jaiyeola late of 5, Oshineye Street, Pedro, Lagos, who died intestate on 16th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Dominic A. Yankyaa known as Yankyaa Domic A. late of Macarthy Police Barracks who died intestate on 22nd day of February, 2011 at Gboko.

Mrs. Margaret S.A. Adeoye known as Mrs. Magaret Adeoye S.A. late of 9, Alhaji Raimi Street, Ojo, Lagos who died intestate on 6th day of June, 2008 at Lagos.

68. Henry Ukwanya late of MTD Barracks Block 1, Flat 17, Ijora Olopa (NPF) who died intestate on 30th July, 2007 at Lagos.

69. Pa. Joshua Olufemi Aderemi Agbejule late of 11, Tijani Street, off Moricas Agege, Lagos who died intestate on 25th day of December, 2000 at Lagos.

70. Ogunleye Michael Oladunjoye late of 89, Otunubi Road Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 23rd day of August 2010 at Lagos.

71. Otukelu Julius Akanbi known as Mr. Julius Akanbi Otukelu late of 36A Abate Street, Orile, Lagos who died intestate on 7th day of December, 2006 at Lagos.

72. Aduki Adejumoke Kosoko late of Block 317, Flat 2, Jakande Estate, Lekki, who died intestate on 23rd day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

73. Williams Aghedo known as Aghedo Williams late of 27A Olumonti Street, Gbagada, Lagos who died intestate on 30th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

74. Mr. Taiwo Bamgbose known as Bamgbose Taiwo late of 4, Kelani Street, Olosha Mushin, Lagos, who died intestate on 7 5 . Emmanuel Macamekor late of 34, Modele Street, Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on 11th July, 1978 at Lagos.

76. Victor Akinola Agbesoyin known as Victor Agbesoyin and Agbesoyin Victor late of 109A Ikeja Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos who died intestate on 28th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

77. Eseugbe Hycinth Aigbokhaevbo late of 12, Babatunde Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on 7th day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

78. Cindy Ayebapreye Phillips late of 1, Imazobi Street, Badagry, Lagos, who died intestate on 11th day of September, 2011 at Abuja.

67.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

S/N

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mrs. Florence Uche Chukwu and Miss Precious Ekeoma Chukwu both of 18/19 Momodu Bada Street, Ikotun, Lagos. The widow and younger sister of the said deceased.

Gbenga Frederick Orukotan and Gbolahan Orukotan both of 16, Fadare Street, Kosofe Mile 12, Lagos. The two children of the said deceased.

Mr. Olaniyi Akinpelu, Mr. Akinola Akinpelu and Mrs. Olubukola Jolayemi of 58, Odunfa Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The widower, only son and sister of the said deceased.

Mrs. Funmilayo Adegoke and Mr, Abayomi Adegoke both of 21, Ibadan Street Oworo, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the children of the said deceased.

David Olu Kola Adetunji and Olubunmi Adekemi Adetunji both of 3, James Omotosho Streeet, Egbe, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Agnes Ekarika and Mr. Imoh J. Ekarika both of 321 Road, E, Close House 24 Festac Town, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Nduneseokwu Ndubuisi H, Nduneseokwu Johnson I, and Nduneseokwu Christiana A. all of 53, Tapa Street, EbuteMetta, (East) Lagos. The three of the children of the said deceased.

Peace Emem Udoh, Stella Uwem Udoh and Dorathy Inyene Udoh all of 24, Aluko Street, Owode Ikorodu, Lagos.

The three children of the said deceased.

Okhumoya Alasa and Saidat Alasa both of 22, Odo Street, Obalande, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Adetomi Anthonia Imhogieme, Sodeinde Sonaike, Soyemi Sonaike and Sotunde Sonaike all of 16, Olufemi Oluladi Crescent Pupoosola Oko oba, Agege, Lagos. The four children of the said deceased.

Mr. Taju Afolabi and Miss Funmilayo Afolabi both of 19, Olu-Aina Street, Mushin, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Esther C. Amadi and Mr. Raymond Amadi both of 31/33 Jemlok Street, Okota, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Florence Ali of No. 14 Reeve Road Block D Ikoyi, Lagos. The widow of the said deceased.

Mr. Michael Azubuike and Mr. Gabriel Okoro both of 10, Rabiu Ojora Alaba, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mr. Adewale Ogunade and Mrs. Elizabeth Fasasi Obana both of 12, Ifelodun Street, Amukoko, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Negbelehin John and Mr. Friday John both of 457, Ikota Estate Ajah Lagos. The father and younger brother of the said deceased.

Mr. Lateef Olatunji Adedeji and Mr. Abdulrahman Abdul –Quadri of 4, Ogunade Street, Bariga and 2, Adekeye Street, Bariga, Lagos. The widower and Elder brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Mercy Amor and Mr. Christian Amor both of 11, Omololu Street Amukoko, Lagos. The widow and son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Mercy Amor and Mr. Christian Amor both of 11, Omololu Street Amukoko, Lagos. The widow and son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Patience Ime Ukpe and Mr. Kubiat Ime Ukpe both of 42, Obiadia Street, Bariga, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Shakeerat Tiamiyu (Mrs) and Zainab Okanlawon of 6, Oyebola Compound Ikota and 3, Balogun Street, Gbara.

Two of the children of the said deceased.

Adekunle Moruff Seriki and Mrs. Modupe Kafilat Amao both of 5, Doherty Street, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Ihieri Chinma Paulina of 10, Popoola Banjoko Street, Sholuyi Gbagada, Lagos. The widow of the said deceased.

Aklinbisehin James Kayode and Bukola Ruth Kayode both of 1, Maiyegun Street, Ijegun Egba, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Blessing Odunwasor and Mr. Ifeanyi Odunwasor both of 39, Iga- Idunganran Street, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Olubukunola Olajumoke Kasim and Abdulrasak Damilola Kasim both of Plot 12, Fiyidami Street, Magodo Isheri G.R.A. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Asibiallau Alapafuja and Aminat Yetunde Alapafuja both of 60 Karimu Street, Surulere, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Elder Adatso and Blessing Adatso both of Block 3, Flat 3, NITEL Quarter Oshodi, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Chidi Abigail Nwakaego Odikpo and Mr. Aloysius Achebe Odikpo both of 5, Shiro Street, Fadeyi Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Risikat Fadeke Ogunkoya and Mr. Omotayo Oluwaseun Ogunkoya both of 5A, Apostle Rufai Street, Egbeda, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Clara Ugioro Asemota and Mr. Eyokunyi Kokoete Isong of Benin Edo State and Leeki Lagos State. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Waidi Azeez and Azeez Mosunmola Fatima both of 7, Alhaja Ajala Street, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Miss Abosede Ajao and Mr. Eniola Adebesin of 17, Folarin Street, Idi-Araba and 26, Fagbenro Street, Idi- Araba, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Joyce N. Uchechi and Mrs. Uzodimma Ndinele both of 7, Akinsiku Close Ajangbadi and 51, Agbe Street, Ajegunle.

The widow and cousin of the said deceased.

Mr. Karo Oghene Osieme and Mrs. Elohor Osieme of 783 Saka Jojo Street, Victoria Island Lagos and 25 Oyedeji Street, Apapa, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Nella Victor Itam of 20 Iyella Street Alausa Ikeja. The only surviving Child of the said deceased.

Jegede Solomon Olaniyi and Jegede Oladolapo Abimbola both of 12, Olu Saibu Street, Abaranje Ikotun, Lagos. The widower and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Joy Kounasso of 24, Ilamoye Street, Ijesha Surulere, Lagos. The sister of the said deceased.

Alfa Taofik Aliu Ishola and Mrs. Khadijat Ayinde both of 6, Jegede Street, Ajangbadi Lagos. The brother and sister of the said deceased.

Babatunde Ganiyu Subair, Rasheed Abiona Subair and Adebisi Rasaki Lasaki all of 13, Hamzat Idewu Street, Owodo Addo –Ajah, Lagos. Three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Felicia Eletu and Miss Wosilat Eletu both of No. 5, Tokunboh Street, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Ibiyemi Adedokun and Mr. Kehinde Adekoya both of 109D Alakoro Street, Marina Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Boyede Olasanmi and Boyede Olanike Esther both of 6, Oloje Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Anthony Edenih and Gloria Ademih both of 1, Oke Close Oregun Ikeja, Lagos. The two of the children of the said deceased.

Abiola Saheed and Tosin Saheed both of 17, Anu Oluwapo Str. Ipaja Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Adenike Owolabi, Oluwanishola Balogun and Ademola Balogun all of Akosile Street, Ijora, Badia, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Fidelis Edafe Umukoro and Charles Ephraim Djakpo of 19, Unity Street, Oke Odo Abule Egba and 2 Akinyemi Bolude Street, Agiliti Mile 12, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Abosede Comfort Ishola and Oyewole James Ishola of 56, Alhaji Amao Street, off Ogudu Ojoto and 13/15 Adedoyin Street, Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos. The spouse and brother of the said deceased.

Chief (Mrs) Adeola Oyekola and Mrs. Oyelola Morenike Afolabi both of 10, Adegoke Ajayi Street, Ogudu. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Gbade Ibrahim and Rafiu Ebiti of 4, Maconi Road Palm Groove Estate, Lagos and 165 Herbert Macaulay Way Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The Family Relation of the said deceased.

Mrs. Florence Bosede Elusogbon, Mr. Olufemi Phillips Elusogbo and Mr. Olusegun Nathaniel Elusogbon all of Block 11, Flat 4, Ijaiye Medium Housing Estate, Agege, Lagos. The widow and two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Thomas Abiodun Peters and Oluwakemi Oguntimehin both of 84, Tolu Road, Ajegunle, Lagos. One of the children and Grand daughter of the said deceased.

Mr.Akeem Adeleke, Mr. Sunkanmi Adeleke, Mr. Taofeek Adeleke and Mr. Adedayo Adeleke all of 8, Shodeinde Close Oshodi, Lagos. Four of the children of the said decdeased.

Olakunle Koya, Mrs. Funmilayo Koya and Mr. Babatunde Araba of 5, Adedoyin Street, Kosofe Mile 2 and 16 Olatunji. The daughter, grandson and nephew of the said deceased.

Mrs. Patience Zilaifa Neburagho and Miss Alero Neburagho both of 5, Adetoyese Olagunji Street, Ajah, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Felix A.A. Oghagbon and Godwin Fekeregha both of 156, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. The widower and brother of the said deceased.

Babatunde S. Ibrahim and Kudirat Ibrahim of Block 144, F.J. L.S.D.P.C. Estate, Iponri Lagos and 12A Bank–Olemoh Street, Surulere, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Fausat Kadiri Fatai and Tawa Fatai both of 10, Oduduwa Crescent Ijaiye Ogba, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Olakunle Ogunleye and Mrs. Olabisi Adeoti both of 67, Oduduwa Way, G.R.A.Ikeja, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Rafiu Oluseye and Rasak Oluseye both of 10, Ibadan Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Rafiu Kadiri, Moriamo Kadiri and Muinat Kadiri all of 37, Sadiku Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos. The widow and two of the children of the said deceased.

Ekpo Etete Enodien and Comfort Enodien of I 143 Road V.G.C. Lagos and 159 Idua Road, Eket. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Oke Tajudeen Oluwafemi and Oke Ibrahim Olawale both of 56, Makinde Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Ibeabuchi Nwaogu and Chimamkpam of 97, Abukuru Street, Ajegunle and 46, Mba Street, Ajegunle Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Jaiyeola Olaofe and Abayomi Olaofe both of Block 485, Flat 4,Abesan Ipaja,Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased Mrs. Ngohenba Yankyaa and Donald T. Yankyaaa both of Block 1, Flat 15, Macarthy Police Barrack. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Ms. Heleen Kemi Olowo and Mr. Bolaji Fashola both of Flat 26, Block 31, Bonny Cartonment Victoria Island, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

James Henry Ukwenya and Comfort Owill both of MTD Barrack Block 1, Flat 17, Ijora Olopa, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Agbejule Oludare Adeniyi, Tapere Olufunke Kikelomo and Agbejule Oluboye Oluwasegun all of 11, Tijani Street, Agege, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Oladunjoye Ogunleye Alice, Mr. Oladunjoye Ogunleye Olalekan and Miss Oladunjoye Iyabode both of Otunibi Road Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and two of the children of the said deceased Mrs. Comfort O. Otukelu and Miss Oluwaseyi M. Otukelu both of 36, Abata Street, Orile Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Wasiu Kosoko, Mrs. Sherifat Olusheyi, Mr. Babatunde Kosoko and Mr. Azeez Kosoko all of Block 317, Flat 2 Jakande Estate, Lagos. The widower and three of the children of the said deceased.

Miss Uwaila Williams Aghedo and Pastor Itua Ighodale of 25, Adeyinka Balogun Ikosi, Ikota and 18 Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mr. Adamson Bamgbose and Mr. Wahab Bamgbose both of 280, Borno Way E. B. Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased

Engr. Joseph Ejeye and Mrs. Orihomisan Agomi both of 1/3 Joel Ejeye Street, Jakande Oke –Afa Isolo, Lagos. The son and sister of the said deceased.

Mrs. Agbesoyin Olaokin Anthonia and Baye Abraham Yatcheem both of 23 Road T. Close House 38, Festac Town, Lagos.

The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Agbokhaevbo Esther, Igbodale Emily and Aigbokhaevbo Ehi Jane all of 12, Babatunde Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

Three of the children of the said deceased.

Forbery Noel Suoteigha and Maria Noel Suoteigha both of No. 1, Amajobi Street, Badagry Lagos. The father and mother of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

58

NEWS

Tribunal rules on Akunyili’s petition tomorrow

T

HE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu will tomorrow deliver judgment on the appeal filed by the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra Central, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Mrs Akunyili is challenging the election of Senator Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Justice Abdulkadir Jega fixed the date after Ngige’s and Akunyili’s counsel had adopted their written briefs.

Mrs Akunyili challenged the election of Ngige at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra State.

But the tribunal struck out her application on October 20 because of her failure to file vital documents.

Not satisfied with the verdict of the lower tribunal , the former Minister of Information and Communications challenged the decision at the Appeal Court.

Ngige’s counsel Emeka Ngige (SAN) yesterday prayed the court to ignore the appeal as it lacks merit. He said the appeal was not filed within the given time frame.

He told the tribunal that supplementary records relat-

•Mrs Akunyili

•Ngige

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ing to the suit were transmitted to the court on Friday as granted by it.

He had prayed the court to adjourn the appeal on the ground that some vital information contained in the proceedings of October 13 was incomplete.

The counsel argued that continuing with the application filed by the appellant without comprehensive documents from the lower tribunal may not give his clients fair hearing.

He asked the court to give

him 24 hours to enable him provide some of the documents missing in the records of the tribunal. Ngige insisted that the three- man panel may not be properly guided if the documents were not provided.

But Akunyili ‘s counsel, Obiorah Bianwu, opposed the application for adjournment, insisting that the missing documents did not justify the adjournment of the appeal as canvassed by the first respondent.

The panel chairman granted Ngige 24 hours to file the supplementary records.

Nursing mother, daughter die from kerosene explosion

C

OOKING fuel suspected to be adulterated kerosene has caused the death of a 35- year- old Mrs Nkechi

From Chris Oji, Enugu

while Mrs Ozoku was pouring the kerosene into a lamp.

Ozoku and her five- year- old daughter, An eye witness said the light in the lamp was Nnenna. too faint while Nkechi was pouring the killer Mrs Ozoku hailed from Nze, Udi Local kerosene.

Government, Enugu State.

The incident took place in the one- room Nkechi and her daughter, Nnenna, died apartment of the victims at 12, Aguabo Hill, yesterday following a mysterious fire that was Iva Valley, Enugu. ignited by the fuel at their apartment.

Emmanuel’s brother, Francis Ozoku, said he The husband of the nursing mother, advised his brother’s wife to put on the lamp to Emmanuel, and her four- month- old baby, enable her see what she was doing.

Chinemerem are on the danger list at the Ozoku confirmed that Nkechi and Nnenna Emergency Unit of the Federal Orthopedic died yesterday, adding that the adulterated Hospital, Enugu. kerosene was bought from a filling station in The incident reportedly took place at 9.30 pm the area.

Ndigbo seek support for Lagos

T

HE IGBO in Lagos have been urged to cooperate with the state government in its efforts to transform the state.

The Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Dr Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, who spoke during the 2011 New Yam (Iri-Iji) festival at the weekend, urged them to pay their taxes regularly.

Nwachukwu appreciated the challenges before the state government in the provision of amenities.

He advised Governor Babatunde Fashola to create the office of a Special Adviser on Ethnic Community Relations to enhance inter- ethnic peace and harmony.

“I will ensure that the existing cordial relationship between Igbo people and the good

people of Lagos State continue to be peaceful because Ndigbo are peace -loving people who are desirous of contributing to the socio-economic development of Lagos through commerce.

“That is the reason we are calling on Governor Fashola to create the office of Special Adviser on Ethnic Community Relations so that Ndigbo and all non- indigenes resident in Lagos can have a sense of belonging,”he said.

The Eze Ndigbo hailed Fashola on the reappointment of Ben Akabueze as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget and the opportunities given the Igbo in the state.

“This portrays our amiable governor as a friend of Ndigbo,” Nwachukwu said.

Abia prepares for population census

A

BIA State government has begun preparation for the forthcoming population census , with the inauguration of a committee to sensitise the people on the need for appropriate population data.

The committee is headed by Uloma Uruakpa.

Inaugurating the committee in Umuahia, the

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Executive Secretary, Abia State Planning Commission, Uloma Uruakpa, urged the members to come out with a policy direction that would enhance the development plan.

Uruakpa said the committee would ensure the registration of all births and deaths in the state.

Church holds women conference

T

HE women conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 2, will hold from Wednesday to Saturday at the Provincial Headquarters,

Dominion Sanctuary,1 Vori Close, off Acme Road, IKeja.

The theme of the conference is: Maximising Your Business Potentials”.

Guest speaker include the First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs

Kemi Mimiko; Managing Director, Goals and Ideas/ Edumark, Mrs Yinka Ogunde, among others. Mrs Folu Adeboye and Lagos Province 2 are the conveners of the conference.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

59

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased.

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

Victor Akinola Alphonso known as Alphonso Victor Akinola Idowu late of 4,Shackleford Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 3rd day of March, 2007 at Lagos.

Deborah Eregha late of 805, Northrop Lane, Middle River M.D. 2122D, USA who died intestate on 4th October, 2009 at U.S.A. Morenikeji Idowu Oduba known as Idowu Oduba late of 44, Akinwunmi Street, Yaba, Lagos, who died intestate on 6th May, 2010 at Lagos.

Panuel Ebenezer Njeku Malafa late of Republic of Cameroun who died intestate on 27th April, 1998 at Tiko.

Mrs. Ann Nwaobasi known as Mrs. Nwaobasi Ngozi late 11, Oredola Street, Ijesha Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate 7th May, 2009 at Lagos.

Shitta Mukaila Ishola late of 8, Isikalu Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, who died intestate on 8th day of December,2009 at Lagos.

Omokpo Theresa late of 107, Orodu Street, Ajegunle Lagos who died intestate on 1st April, 2008 at Lagos.

Shobowale Ajasa late of 7, Ajasa Close Offin-Ile Igbogbo Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 20th January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr. Samuel Okechukwu Okoronkwo late of 36B, Fagbenro Street, Idi-Araba, Lagos who died intestate on 25th February, 2009 at Lagos.

Felix Rowland Ozoemena late of 11, Kumuyi Street, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, who died intestate on 7th January, 2006 at Lagos.

Ngozi Odia late of 12, Opeoluwa Street, Amukoko, Lagos, who died intestate on 25th November, 2010 at Umunede.

Babalola Adebisi Olatunji known as Adebisi Olatunji Babalola late 43, Akinwowo Street, Akowonjo, Lagos, who died intestate on 21st November, 2009 at Lagos.

Ojetokun Timothy late of Block 1, Flat 2, Ministry of Communication Quarters Ipaja, Lagos, who died intestate on 4th August, 2009 at Lagos.

Vincent Ajetu known as Vincent Obidimma N. Ajemba late of Umusiome Village Anambra State who died intestate on 16th July, 2005 at Lagos Olaoye Olawuyi known as Olawuyi Olaoye late of Oke-Oba Eruwa who died intestate on 22nd December, 2010 at Eruwa.

Adamu Danladi Mainasara late of 8, North Avenue Apapa G.R.A. Lagos who died intestate on 8th August, 2008 at Jos Mr. Ogundiya Olusina late of 14, Adebayo Street, Isawo Ikorodu, Lagos, who died intestate on 25th November, 2010 at Ikorodu.

Mr. Joseph Metieh known as Mr. Metieh Joseph late of Block 10, Flat 21A Mellilium House Estate Ewu- Elepe Ikorodu Lagos. who died intestate 10th November,2008 at Lagos.

Pa Agboola Famakinwa late of 34, Omowunmi Street, Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos who died intestate on 7th December 2009 at Lagos.

Basil Ejefonye known as Ejefonye Basil late of 14, Kadiri Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 20th July, 2005 at Lagos.

Mr. Emmanuel Ngueche late of No. 11, Okebere Street, Sangotedo Lagos who died intestate on 28th January,2011 at Lagos.

Mr. John Chinedu Chibeya known as Mr. John C. Chibeya late of No. 3, Oshiga Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos who died intestate on 26th September, 2009 at Port Harcourt.

Engr. Ezekiel Biodun Tunbi known as Engr Abiodun Ezekiel Tunbi late of 8, Calabar Street, Surulere, Lagos who died intestate on 21st March, 2011 at Lagos.

Miss Ogunyemi Oluwabusayo known as Ogunyemi Olubusayo Ajoke late of 2, Shoyede Street, Ikotun, Lagos who died intestate on 26th day of April, 2010 at Ogun State.

Esther Bamidele Osuji (Miss) late of Festac Town, Lagos who died intestate on 27th April, 2008 at Lagos.

Ajibona Olakunle late of 15, Abatan Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, who died intestate on 11th May, 2011 at Lagos.

Augustine A. Okere known as Mr. Augustine Okere late of 32, Abata Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos who died intestate on 6th June, 2006 at Lagos.

Alabi L.O. Akintunde late of 97, Ezeagu Street, Ojo Road, Ajegunle who died intestate on 28th January, 2011 at Lagos.

Adeshina Modupe known as Adesina Modupe late of 7, Bab-Shokehinsi Street, Dopemu Agege Lagos who died intestate on 22nd July, 1979 at Lagos.

Adeshina Michael Olutunbi known as Adesina Michael Olu late of 7, Bab Oshokehinsi Street, Agege, Lagos who died intestate on 24th November, 1981 at L agos.

Madam Folasade Adesina known as Mrs. Folashade Adeshina late of 7, Bab Shokehins Street, Akowonjo, Lagos who died intestate on 21st October, 2010 at Lagos.

Onuchukwu Emeka Jones known as Onuchukwu Emeka J late 36, Iya Agan Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on 5th May, 2011 at Lagos.

Ogunkoya Femi late of Plot 9, Block K, Psychiatric Hospital Estate Igbolenu Ikorodu Lagos, who died intestate on 10th August, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Sulaimon Owolabi Rahmon known as Sulaimon Rahman Owolabi and Ramon late of No. 8, Owolabi Sulaimon Street, Shibiri Ekunpa, Lagos who died intestate on 25th December, 2010 at Lagos.

Ibrahim Adamu Wase late of 17/32 Simpson Street Lagos who died intestate on 14th September, 2009 at Lagos.

Chibuzor Nnaji Michael known at Michael Nnaji and Chibuzor Nnaji late of 17, Sikiru Otun-Oba Maza-Maza, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd July, 2008 at Lagos.

Ayeni Adebukola Risikat known as Bukky Ayeni late of 10, Adebare Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos who died intestate on 28th July, 2010 at Lagos.

Madam Ogun Adeshola Victoria late of 18, Ogidan Mushin, Lagos, who died intestate on 31st October, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs. Roseline Dede Boboe known as Mrs. Roseline Dede Erinle and Mrs. Roseline Erinle Dede late of Block 356 Jakande Estate Mile 2,Lagos who died intestate on 6th March, 2011 at Lagos Edwin Erivradhe known as Edwin O. Erivradhe late of 47, Ago-Hausa Street, Ajegunle, Lagos who died intestate on 28th November, 2005 at Lagos.

Alhaja Wosilat Abeni Kalejaiye known as Kalejaiye Wosilat late of 24, Oluye Street, Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 29th May, 2011 at Lagos.

Adeoye Adekunle late of 13, Adeyinka Osijo Street, Akoka, Lagos who died intestate on 15th February, 2005 at Lagos.

Mr. Michael A. Atseyinku known as Mr. Atseyinku Michael late of 32, Ikosi Road Ketu, Lagos who died intestate on 27th November, 2010 at Lagos.

Silvanus Igbri late of 14, Abudu Street, Abule-Oja Akoka, Lagos, who died intestate on 17th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Olabode Nojeem Longe known as Olabode Nojeem late of 9, Bayo Street, Aradagun Badagry, who died intestate 24th February,2011 at Badagry, Lagos.

Hassan Ibrahim known as Mr. Ibrahim Hassan late of Block 241,Flat 4, Jakande Estate Lekki, Lagos who died intestate on 15th February, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs. Deborah Adefunke Folarin Omidiran known as Omidiran Deborah late of 14, Ayanbude Street, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos who died intestate on 18th February, 2010 at Lagos.

Pius Murphy late of 174, Battalion Odogunya Barracks Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 24th February, 2011 at Lagos.

Ogidan Adedoyin late of 26, Fadare Street, Mile 12 Ketu, Lagos who died intestate on 7th December, 2005 at Sagamu.

Igwemeke Eseagu late of Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri, Apapa who died intestate on 13th November, 2010 at Oleh Delta State.

Adejumo Sunday Oyedokun late of 13, Ajegbongbola Street, Opeilu Agbado Station, Lagos who died intestate on 30th March, 2009 at Lagos.

Ruth Olatokunboh Ibrahim known as Mrs. Tokunboh Ibrahim and Ibrahim Tokunbo late of Block B, House 6B Oba Oyekan Estate Lekki, Lagos who died intestate on 8th July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs. Margaret Ansley Edet known as Edet Margaret late of NQ NAF Camp Block A22 Victoria Island, Lagos who died intestate on 17th January, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaja Abiodun, Silifat known as Alhaja Isiaka Silifat late of 34, Turner Eradiri Street, Ajegunle, Lagos who died intestate on 10th January, 2011 at Lagos.

Aikienede Daniel Enahoro late of Uromi Agbasilo Local Government Area who died intestate on 26th April, 1979 at Kano.

Archibong Ikang Prince known as Ikang Prince Archibong late of 6, White House Street, Ilaje Ajah, Lagos who died intestate on 21st February, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs. Margaret Stephen Nta late of 13, Comfort Oboh Street, Kirikiri Lagos who died intestate on 23rd March, 2008 at Akwa-Ibom.

Nwachukwu Queeneth Osinachi known as Nwachukwu Queeneth O. late of 31, Akabueze Street, Majek Bus stop Lekki –Ekpe Express Way, Lagos, who died intestate on 26th June, 2010 at Lagos.

Adekoya Gabriel Kayode known as Kayode Gabriel Adekoya late of 17, Mabinuori Close Opic Ext Isheri who died intestate on 18th July, 2010 at Abuja.

Mrs. Ebun Moriamo Idukor known as Idukor Ebun Moriamo late of 111, Goriola Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on 8th April, 2011 at Lagos.

Adeshina Paul late of 4, Ayoka Street, Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on 19th December, 2009 at Edo State.

Olowosusi Florence Yinka known as Olowosusi Florence late of 4, Olabode Akinyemi Street, Ipakodo Ikorodu, Lagos, who died intestate on 14th January, 2011 at Abuja.

Mr.Aphonsus Ndubuisi late of 25, Adisatu Street, Sari Iganmu, Lagos, who died intestate on 29th April, 2008 at Lagos.

Mrs. Elizabeth Atim Udoh known as Mrs. Atim Udoh and Udo Elizabeth Atim late of 7, Tairu Onigbanjo Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on 17th June, 2007 at Lagos.

Otoide Julius Ebediale known as Julius Ebediale Otoide late of 35, Onipede Street, Lawanson Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on 2nd August, 2002 at Lagos.

Lucky Osai Nwabeze known as Nwabeze Lucky late of 5, Sinatu Kosoko Close, Akesan Lagos who died intestate on 11th September, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Sylvester Audu known as Mr. Audu Sylvester late of Ascon Quarter Agokumeh Topo Badagry, Lagos who died intestate on 12th October, 2007 at Badagry, Lagos.

Elder R. O. Akinyemi known as Reuben Olabode Akinyemi & Akinyemi Reuben Olabode late of 17, Adetokunbo Street, Abule-Egba Lagos who died intestate on 16th February, 2011 at Lagos.

Ajibade Oladeinde known as Musili Ajibade Oladeinde late of New Jersy U.S.A. who died intestate on 25, September, 2008 at U.S.A. Kasim Adesola Opoola known as Opoola Kasim Adesola late of Sadiku Street, Odo-Kekere Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on 5th June, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Ariganjoye Saheed known as Oba Saidu Alao late of 46, Ricca Street, Lagos who died intestate on 3rd June, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr. Sarafa Amuda known as Mr. Amuda Sarafa late of Yewa Road New Site Odo Egiri, Epe, Lagos who died intestate on 22nd November, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs. Ogechi Chukwueke known as Chyukwueke Ogechi late of 41, Olorunfunmi Oworo, Lagos who died intestate on 19th July, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs. Esther Modupe Alaba Akinsanya known as Mrs. Esther Modupe A. Akinsanya late of 43, Adebisi Street, Yaba, Lagos , who died intestate on 15th February, 2004 at Lagos.

Kamorudeen Olalekan Ogunyemi known as Ogunyemi Kamorudeen Olalekan late of 43, Bajulaiye Road Shomolu, Lagos who died intestate on 25th March, 2007 at Lagos.

Mr. Thomas O. Osunrinde known as Osunrinde Thomas (Mr) late of 5th Avenue 511 Road Block 1, Flat 6, Festac Town, Lagos who died intestate on 19th December, 1996 at Lagos.

Stephen Sunboye Ademakinwa Ajibade late of 13, Paul Hendricks Street, New Bodija Ibadan who died intestate on 29th October, 2004 at Ibadan.

Ifinwa Albert known as Albert Chukwuka Ifinwa late of 3, Ahmed Polo Road Liberty Estate Okokomaiko Lagos who died intestate on 19th December, 2010 at Lagos.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mr. Babatunde Alphonso and Mrs. Funmilayo Situ both of 4, Shackleford Street, Ebute-Metta, West, Lagos Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Onajite Eregha of No. 479 Ikorodu Road, Ketu, Lagos. The widower of the said deceased.

Michael Fafowora of 44, Akinwunmi Street, Yaba, Lagos. The only surviving son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Nene Lemuga Malafa of Dimbe. The widow of the said deceased.

Mr. Obinna Nwaobasi, Mrs. Chinyere Onyeakusi and Mrs. Caroline Nwawuru all of 11, Oredola Street,Ijesha Lagos. The widower, mother and sister of the said deceased.

Shitta Kofo and Olaiya Ajibodu both of 8, Isikalu Street, Ikorodu, Lagos. The daughter and brother of the said deceased.

Edward Omokpo of 47, Shebioro Ajah, Lagos. The son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Sarata Ajasa and Mr. Ajasa Habeeb Olawale both of 7, Ajasa Close Offin – Ile, Igbogbo Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Rebecca Okoronkwo and Miss Mirria Chimezie Okoronkwo both of 36B Fagbenro Street, Idi – Araba, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Chima Ozoemena and Henry Ozoemena of Block 137, Flat 3, Zone B Iba Housing Estate, Lagos and 19, Ejire Street, Ijesha, Lagos.

The children of the said deceased.

Ifeose Chinwendu and Odia Godwin both of 12, Opeoluwa Street, Amukoko. The daughter and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Abosede O. Akinsanya and Mr. Oluwarotimi Babalola both of 29, Ile –Ileri Street, Isot Command Ipaja, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Ojetokun Samuel and Ojetokun Oluwakemi both of Block 1, Flat 2, Ministry of Communication Quarters Ipaja, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Caroline Ajetu and Christopher I. Anwaegbu both of 38, Alhaji Nurudeen Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos. The widow and cousin of the said deceased.

Faith Iyabode Olawuyi, Victor Olajide Olawuyi and Barnaby Ephraim of 2, Charles Street, Owode Otta and 293 Boronu Way EbuteMetta, Lagos. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Museh Adamu and Mrs. Tina Adamu both of 8, North Avenue Apapa G.R.A. Lagos. The widow and son of the said deceased.

Mrs. Ogundiya Shade Aina and Mr. Ogundiya Babatunde Olakunle both of 14, Adebayo Street, Ishawo Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Josephine Omude Metieh and Mr. Ignatius Ogbenekuwe Metieh both of Block 10, Flat 21 A Millelium Housing Estate Ewu Elepe Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and child of the said deceased.

Mrs. Grace Omotayo Odetayo and Mr. Sikiru Abimbola Famakinwa both of Block 180, Flat 4 Jakande Estate Meran, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mr. Kenneth Ejefonye and Mr. Nonso Ejefonye of 58, Ifelodun Street, Amukoko and 46, Unity Close Satellite Town, Lagos. The elder brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs. Justina Ngueche and Miss Joy Ngueche both of Odinawu Street, Lakowe . The mother and sister of the said deceased.

Mr. Ifeanyi Chibeya and Mr. Euzebius Chibeya of 3, Adedoyin Street, Ijesha Surulere and 16, Lemon Street, Jakande Estate Isolo, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Yewande Oyinlola Tunbi, Mr. Kayode Tunbi and Miss Jumoke Tunbi all of 8, Calabar Street, Surulere, Lagos. The widow and two of the children of the said deceased.

Ogunyemi Adebayo and Ogunyemi Oluseye both of 2, Shoyode Street, Ikotun, Lagos. The brothers of the said deceased.

Barr Silva Ugo Osuji and Onyeukwu Helen K. (Mrs) both of 2nd Avenue 201 Road, B Close Block 4 Festac, Lagos. The brother and sister of the said deceased.

Mudirakat S. Ajibona and Rasheed O. Ajibona both of 15, Abatan Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Christopher Okere and Onyekachi Okere both of 36, Bola Street, Ebute-metta, Lagos. One of the children and brother of the said deceased.

Aminat Alabi and Lukman Alabi both of 97, Ezeagu Street, Ojo Road, Ajegunle Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olabisi Odubanwo and Toyin Odubanwo both of 7 Bab-Shokehinsi Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos. The sister and niece of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olabisi Odubanwo and Toyin Odubanwo both of 7 Bab-Shokehinsi Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos. The daughter and grandchild of the said deceased.

Mrs. Olabisi Odubanwo and Toyin Odubanwo both of 7 Bab-Shokehinsi Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos. One of the children and grand child of the said deceased.

Onuchukwu Philip and Damian Nwajuo both of 36, Iya Agan Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The brother and cousin of the said deceased.

Miss Oyindamola Ogunkoya and Mrs. O. Ogunkoya both of Psychiatric Hospital Estate Igbolemu Ikorodu Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Asikpata Oluwayemi and Miss Sulaimon Shola Bunmi both of 61, Baruwa Street, Agboju Amuwo, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Halima Adamu and Ahmed Adamu Wase both of 17/32 Simpson Street, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Patience Nnaji and Mr. Sunday Raymond Okonkwo both of 17, Sikiru Otun-Oba Mazamaza, Lagos. The widow and cousin of the said deceased.

Mrs. James Olaitan and Ayeni Samsideen Oluwaseyi of 11 Oduntan Street, Mushin and 10, Adebare Street, Oworo, Lagos. The brother and sister of the said deceased.

Abolanle Florence Ogun and Abosede Adedoyin Ogun both of 18, Ogidan Street, Mushin, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Fakeye Funmilayo and Mrs. Adefioye Madue of block 356, Jakande Estate Mile 2, Lagos and 4, Atere Street, Lafiaji Lagos. One of the children and sister of the said deceased.

Margaret Erivradhe and Faith C. Ehiguese of 47, Ago-Hausa Street, Lagos and 14B, Prince Oscar Iba, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Yemisi Kalejaiye and Mrs.Mobola Ameen both of 24, Oluye Street, Ikorodu, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Iyabo Aina Adeoye and Mr. Kunle Adeoye both of 13, Adeyinka Osijo Street, Akoka Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Veronica Alero Adeniji, Engr Kingsley Atseyinku , Atseyinku Tunde Stephen and Atseyinku Omayemi All of 33, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos. One of the children, niece and nephew of the said deceased.

Mrs. Alice Igbri and Mr. Dominc Igbri of 14, Abudu Street, Abule Oja, Akoka Lagos and 28, Oradetu Street, Aga- Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Adejoke Olabode and Olabisi Olabode both of Bayo Street, Aradagun, Badagry. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Fatimoh Ibrahim and Taofeek Ibrahim both of Block 241, Flat 4, Jakande Estate, Lekki, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mobolaji Oyedele, Miss Omolara Omidiran and Ms Olaide Omidiran all of 14, Ayanbadejo Ikosi Ketu, Lagos. Three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Florence Murphy and Miss Amara Nike Murphy both of 174, Battalion Ikorodu, Lagos. The widow and sister of the said deceased.

Adebayo Ogidan and Segun Ogidan both of 27, Irepodun Street, Agiliti Mile 12, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Ozumma Georgi and Mr. Ugboko Godfrey both of Medium Sec Prison Kirikiri, Apapa Lagos. The sister and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Foluke A. Adejumo and Samuel A. Adejumo both of 13, Ajegbongbola Street, Opeilu Agbado Station, Lagos.. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Moshood A. Ibrahim and Babatunde D. Ibrahim both of Block B, House 6B Oba Oyekan Estate, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Nathaniel Ansley Edet of HQ NAF Camp Block A22 Legico Victoria Island, Lagos. The only surviving child of the said deceased.

Rukayat Isiaka Oloruntoyin and Modinat Isiaka both of 34, Turner Eradiri Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr. Louis Idanagha Enahoro and Miss Frances Adesomo Enahoro both of 126, Ekenwean Road, Benin City. The son and daughter of the said deceased.

Archibong Godwin and Regina Owolo both of 6 White House Street, Ilaje Ajah, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Emeka Stephen Nta and Owen Stephen Nta both of 13, Comfort Oboh Street, Kirikiri Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Nwachukwu E. Ernest and Onyema Glory both of 31, Akabueze Street, Majek Bus-stop Lekki, Lagos and 8, Waipe Apesin Street, Lagos. The widower and sister-in-law of the said deceased.

Adekoya Mary Idewu and Adekoya O. Oluwatobi (Miss) both of 17, Mabinuori Close Opic Extention Isheri. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Majiya Aisha Quadri and Mrs Husseina Nafisat Tairu both of 111, Goriola Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Adeshina Isaac Osagie, Tony Isaac and Ajayi Erobayo All of 4, Ayoka Street, Bariga, Lagos. Two of the children and brother of the said deceased.

Olowosusi Shola Oluseyi and Olowosusi Yetunde Bunmi both of 4, Olabode Street, Ipakodo Akinyemi Street, Ipakodo Ikorodu, Lagos.

The children of the said deceased.

Mr. Ifeanyi Chrissantus Ndubuisi and Rita Chikodi Ndubuisi both of 25, Adisatu Street, Sari Iganmu Lagos. The children of the said deceased.

Emmanuel Godwin Udoh and Precious Kufre Udoh both of 7, Tairu Onigbanjo Street, Itire, Surulere, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Victor Otoide and Mercy Otoide both of 35, Onipede Street Lawanson Surulere, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Peace Odume Nabeze and Mr. Goddey Nwabeze both of 5, Sinatu Kosoko Close Akesa, Lagos. The widow and brother of the said deceased.

Mrs. Lilian Audu of Ascon Quarter Topo Badagry, Lagos. The widow of the said deceased.

Mrs. Abimbola Akande, Miss Oluwakemi Akinyemi and Miss Olayinka Akinyemi all of 17, Adetokunbo Street, Abule-Egba Lagos.

Three of the children of the said deceased.

Segun Oladeinde of 7, Dele Akare Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, who is authorised to administer the estate of the said deceased.

Mrs. Alimat Opoola and Mr. Idris Opoola both of Sadiku Street,Odo-Kekere Ikorodu, Lagos.The widow and brother of the said deceased Mrs. Limota Salami and Mr. Akeem Ariganjoye both of 46, Ricca Street, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Funmilola Amuda and Ayodele Amuda both of Yewa Road Site Odo Egiri Epe , Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Dr. E. C. Nna and Mrs. Edna O. Nna both science E. Tech University of Lagos. The father and mother of the said deceased.

Dr. Babatunde St. Mathew Daniel and Mrs. Clara Taiwo Juba both of 57, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Adenike Ogunyemi and Ibrahim Oluwaseun Ogunyemi both of 43, Bajulaiye Road, Shomolu, Lagos. The widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs. Patience O. Osunrinde, Mr. Olubunmi Ogunrinde, Abimbola Adeleke and Mr. Ayodeji Olutunde all of 5th Avenue 511 Road Block 1, Flat 6, Festac Town, Lagos. The widow and the children of the said deceased.

Funmilayo Iyabode Ajibade, Adewale Adebayo Ajibade and Dayo Ajibade All of c/o Their Solicitor, Akinyele Sanyaolu Rebenni Chambers, Barracks Building Bodija, Ibadan. The widow and children of the said deceased.

Chukwunalu Ifinwa and Patrick Chukwudum Ifinwa both of 3, Ahmed Polo Road Liberty Estate Okokomaiko, Lagos, One of the chidren and brother of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Opposition reject Equatorial Guinea’s ‘sham’ referendum

E

QUATORIAL Guinea’s main opposition have dismissed as a sham the referendum on limiting presidents of the oil-rich nation to serving two terms.

Pablo Mba Nsang of the Convergence for Social Democracy Party told the BBC it was a way for the president to stay in power for another 14 years.

The government says that, with more than threefifths of votes counted, 99% of voters have backed the referendum.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been in power for 32 years.

It is unclear whether President Obiang, Africa’s longest-serving president, will have to step down when his current term ends in 2016, the AFP news agency reports.

Critics say the changes to the constitution, which include the creation of the post of vice-president, will allow him to hand-pick his successor.

“There clearly is a worry that his eldest son Teodoro is being groomed to become the next president of the country,” Joseph Kraus, who works for the Washington-based rights group Equatorial Guinea Justice, told the BBC’s World Today

programme.

Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who currently serves as the country’s agriculture minister, has been accused of using his ministerial position and his father’s influence to plunder his nation’s wealth.

Last month, the US government said it was seeking to recover assets worth more $70m (£44m) from him.

The Convergence for Social Democracy Party withdrew its agents from polling stations on Sunday, complaining of irregularities.

Mr Nsang said there was evidence of ballot-stuffing during the referendum.

“It’s not a secret ballot,”

he told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

“People were voting for absentees. People will vote for their [dead] relatives.

People will vote many times.”

Information Minister Jeronimo Osa Osa Ecoro told AFP the vote had passed off peacefully.

President Obiang, 69, seized power from his uncle and has so far served four seven-year terms.

Since the mid 1990s when multi-party politics was allowed - the former Spanish colony has become one of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest oil producers.

But few people have benefited from the oil riches and the UN says that less than half the population have access to clean drinking water while 20% of children die before reaching five.

Oyo approves repair of 50 roads

T

HE Oyo State Government has approved the repair of 50 roads across the state.

They include: Elebu Market Road; Adelabu Shopping Complex/Odo-OnaElewe/Apete Road; Ibadan/ New Eruwa Road; IresaApa/Iresa-Adu/Ajaawa Road; and Ogboora/Saki/ Okeho/Ilero Road.

Commissioner for Works and Transport Alhaji Yunus Akintunde spoke with reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, after the State Executive Council meeting.

Akintunde said the newlyapproved roads are different from those being repaired by the State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and would be awarded to various contractors.

Also, Commissioner for

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Health Abdullateef Olopoenia said water and electricity supply would be restored in Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, in the next one week.

Olopoenia said the hospitals were accorded priority attention due to the influx of patients. He said the gesture would be extended to other hospitals soon.

Commissioner for Education Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun said extension classes for SSS III students have begun. She said the unified mock examination is being organised to prepare the students for the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination.

REC aims for polls without tribunals

By Joseph Jibueze

C

ROSS River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr Mike Igini yesterday said Nigeria should aim to conduct elections without recourse to tribunals for the outcome.

Speaking at the opening of a course for heads of departments of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Southsouth Zone, in Tinapa Free Trade Zone, Calabar, he said the processes that ensured credibility in the last general election must be institutionalised through training.

He said: “We must strive to reach that point where the votes of the Nigerian people are determined finally and conclusively at the polling stations without recourse to election petition tribunals.

This is a task that we must achieve.

“Now is the time to perfect our processes and procedures by institutionalising them through training and re-training, so that we can build enduring institutions that can truly guarantee the future of any society and not to rely on the credibility of men whose journey will come to an end one day.

“The latter issue is important so that the vote of the people will continue to count, to give meaning and purpose to elections, so that there will be no need for recourse to tribunals processes.

“In places such as the United kingdom, where the people’s vote have counted for decades, for a period of 99 years, there had been no judicial interventions until last years elections.”

According to him, Nigeria should move away from the practice where a judicial panel relying on the rules of procedures determines elections in which millions had already voted.

He praised the participants for their role on conducting an election that was “a marked departure from previous elections; in terms of electoral mileage and a measure of credibility and acceptability of the elections.”

“I want to thank you for a job well done. It will not have been possible but for your untiring efforts. But while we are encouraged by that outcome, we still have so much to do to raise the bar electoral credibility desired by the Nigerian people.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

61

NATION SPORT

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Suarez eyeing long Liverpool stay I

N FORM Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has spoken of his desire to remain at Anfield beyond the length of his current five year contract.

The Uruguay striker, who scored all of his country’s goals in their 4-0 win over Chile, has settled in well to life on Merseyside scoring 7 goals in all competitions since the start of the season.

Speaking after the Chilean rout the former Ajax Striker said: “I’ve just started a phase of my career which I always

•Suarez

dreamed about and wanted to do, which is to play for Liverpool.

“I have five years left on my contract and I think beyond that, I’m already thinking about staying many more years at Liverpool.

“It’s a club I like. I feel very good about being here, about being in the city.

“I feel very pleased. It would be difficult to match the atmosphere, hunger for success and glory that this club has at another team.”

•Nani

Sturridge defends Blues oldies

T

HE west London club have dropped out of Premier League title contention and find themselves nine points off the pace after defeats to QPR and Arsenal.

Blues skipper John Terry, midfielder Frank Lampard

‘Tevez heading for self destruct’

M

ANCHESTER City will attempt to head off any potential move by Carlos Tevez to have his contract cancelled by asking FIFA to regard the Argentina striker as a special case.

The next instalment in the Tevez saga will occur soon when he is due to return to City's Carrington training ground after an unauthorised trip to Argentina last Monday.

But the club are concerned that he could apply to use Article 15 of the FIFA regulations, which allows a player who has been banished from the first team to terminate his contract under 'sporting just cause' if he appears in fewer than 10 per cent of his club's games in a season.

To avoid that, City could be forced to pick Tevez for

another four full games this term if they are not to lose him for nothing, despite manager Roberto Mancini's insistence that the player was finished at the club after he refused to come off the bench to warm up during a Champions League match at Bayern Munich last month.

City will defend themselves with the contention that, by being absent from training last week without permission after flying to Argentina, as well as missing other sessions, the striker has left himself short of the fitness required for him to be considered for selection.

As a result of the Munich transgression, Tevez was found guilty of five serious breaches of contract and was suspended for a fortnight, fined six weeks' wages (later reduced to two after

Spurs injury scare for van der Vaart

T

OTTENHAM are anxiously waiting on news of star man

•van der Vaart

Rafael van der Vaart after the Dutchman limped out on Holland's friendly draw with Switzerland.

The midfielder lasted just over an hour of the match before suffering what manager Bert van Marwijk called 'probably a mild strain'.

Spurs will hope to have Van der Vaart back for the Premier League clash with Aston Villa on November 21, with his international boss having ruled him out Tuesday's clash with Germany.

But the news raises concerns about the former Real Madrid man's fitness with this his second hamstring injury of the campaign.

The 28-year-old tweeted his disappointment at a return to one of his former clubs: 'So very disappointed I won't play Germany in Hamburg on Tuesday, hope to be back real quick!'

intervention by the players' union) and ordered to train by himself and then with the reserves.

Mancini indicated the situation could change if the player apologised for his behaviour, but Tevez has said nothing, although he did decide not to appeal against his punishment.

Gordon Taylor, the players' union boss who supported Tevez at his tribunal, has indicated that the player is making more problems for himself.

'He is in danger of burning bridges rather than reconciliation,' said Taylor.

'This now leaves him very vulnerable. He's diminishing his value by his actions at the moment. You just hope he will soon try to get to a place of reality, otherwise he's on a self-destruct route. It could be a very difficult and complex legal situation.'

and striker Didier Drogba have all been criticised this season for inconsistent performances.

However, the 22-year-old Sturridge has praised Andre Villas-Boas' old guard, saying the younger players look to them for guidance in difficult matches.

"The disrespect I've seen towards the likes of JT and others is ridiculous. When times get hard, these are the sort of players who step up to the plate," the England international told the Daily Star Sunday.

"It's not just the younger players people should be looking at, thinking they're the exciting ones.

"Ashley Cole, JT, Lamps, Didier - these are the players which keep the team going.

They are the heart of the team.

He added: "They have been here a lot longer than I have, or any of the younger guys coming through have.

They're the ones who are paving the way for us. I can only look up to them right now.

"The younger players wouldn't be able to perform when faced with adversity because we're not used to it.

It's a big change for us.

"But the older players have been through it. To have those players around the club makes your job so much easier."

•Tevez

Nani wanted by Milan, Juventus

M

AN United midfielder Nani is wanted by both Milan clubs and Juventus.

The Portugal winger has improved dramatically over the past two seasons at Old Trafford but United could be tempted to sell at the right price because of the emergence of their youngsters and sensational form of new boy Ashley Young.

Nani, 24, like his big friend Cristiano Ronaldo before him, took quite a while to get into his stride for the Red Devils but is now a key player in the squad.

But it the transfer bid is right boss Sir Alex Ferguson will do as he has before and part with a star who has just under two years left on his contract.

Inter have also been linked with Arsenal midfielder Alex Song.

Arsenal faces £4m Premier League fight over MLS star

A

RSENAL face competition from

West Bromwich Albion in the race to sign New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream.

The MLS star confirmed the interest of the Gunners last week, with former club legend Thierry Henry reportedly recommending his teammate to former manager Arsene Wenger.

However, the Baggies have made their intentions clear, inviting the USA international for a trial at the Hawthorns ahead of a possible loan move during the American off-season.

With seven caps to his name already, international manager Jurgen Klinsmann has advised Ream to gain some domestic experience in Europe in an effort to develop his game further.

German outfit Salzburg are also thought to be keen, but it's the interest of Arsenal has caught the imagination in the player's homeland, and which the defender was forced to speak on.

"I guess its public knowledge now and there have been others [teams]," Ream said.

"It's good to have teams tracking you but it can't be a distraction either.

If something comes of it, so be it. It would be a chance of a lifetime."

The Metro reports that Arsenal aren't just interested in a loan move for the player, with a £2.5 million claimed to have been made by the Emirates outfit already.

And, the report goes on to claim that Wenger is considering a £4 million January bid for the centre back, with the Frenchman looking to strengthen his Arsenal defence in the transfer window with support for Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen.

It's unclear if Roy Hodgson will be willing to match his Barclays Premier League rivals should Arsenal table a concrete offer, but a decision will have to be made before Christmas over the player's short-term, and possibly longterm future in England.

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

62

NATION SPORT

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...

Inzaghi ponders Milan exit F

ILIPPO Inzaghi says he does not know whether he can still be important for AC Milan.

Filippo Inzaghi says he does not know whether he can still be important for AC Milan.

On Wednesday the 38-yearold former Juventus forward said he still had what it takes to be a key player at San Siro.

But his opinion changed when he was asked whether a January exit was on the cards after being linked with Udinese.

"I want to end my career here,

but we have to see whether Milan still need me," Inzaghi said.

"If I am made to feel important then there will not be a problem, otherwise we will see."

"The most important thing for me is to have returned to being a footballer after the long-term knee injury."

"We will see what happens in the next two months, after that we will see what happens."

Inzaghi's contract at the club expires at the end of the 2011/ 12 season.

F

O

Takashi Usami is the object of interest from 2.Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf, according to a German newspaper.

On-loan Bayern Munich forward Takashi Usami is the object of interest from 2.Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf, according to a German newspaper.

As reported last month by Munchner Merkur, Usami loaned out from J-League side Gamba Osaka - has expressed his displeasure with a lack of playing time at Bayern.

He has six goals in nine matches with the reserves, but just 39 minutes with the first team including a goal in a recept DFB Pokal (German Cup) match.

He has also reportedly received inquiries from

Augsburg, who are struggling near the bottom of the Bundesliga table, as well as Nuremberg.

A move to Dusseldorf would allow Usami to play with two of the second division's top scorers Maximillian Beister at right wing and Sascha Rosler at attacking midfielder.

The transfer could also be of benefit to the starlet as he adjusts to life in Germany.

Dusseldorf has a large Japanese community and Usami would be closer to fellow Japanese players Atsuto Uchida at Schalke and Shinji Kagawa at Borussia Dortmund.

The move would not be without difficulties, however; in order to facilitate another loan, Bayern would have to exercise their option to buy Usami's contract from Gamba.

•Usami

ORMER Paris SaintGermain striker Pauleta has advised the French giants to attempt to sign the best players in the world, starting with Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Parc des Princes side were taken over by the Qatari Investment Authority in the summer and have since spent considerable sums of money to sign the likes of Javier Pastore, Jeremy Menez and Kevin Gameiro.

The club's resurgence has delighted Pauleta, 38, who believes they must continue to use their financial clout to bring the game's top names to Paris.

"The arrival of the investors from Qatar is a good thing.

Everybody is happy that they're at PSG. They have the money to sign the best players in the world, and I advise them to go after Cristiano Ronaldo," Pauleta was quoted as saying by RMC. "I am very happy to see Paris Saint-Germain top of the table again. The fans deserve this success. The arrival of

•Inzaghi

Dusseldorf keen on Usami N-LOAN Bayern Munich forward

R

reporters at the airport.

"It will all depend on how I feel. That will be an important factor to know whether I will be able to play that match.

But I hope that my recovery will go well."

The former Porto striker, who has so far scored nine goals for Atletico, will thus sit out the club's next La Liga match, against Levante.

"It is a shame that I got injured in such a crucial moment in the league," he added.

"It is also troublesome for Atletico. But you have to deal with it.

"These things happen in football. There have been many players who have had to return from their national teams with injuries."

•Cristiano Ronaldo

competent people like [sporting director] Leonardo is a great thing for this club."

PSG currently sit first in the Ligue 1 table with 30 points from 13 games and hold a three-point lead over second-placed Montpellier.

Pauleta made over 200 competitive appearances for Paris Saint-Germain between 2003 and 2008.

Robben recovering quicker than expected

B Casillas impressed with Hart

S

PAIN goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted how impressed he was with England's Joe Hart.

Casillas had never come up against the Manchester City shot-stopper until Saturday's friendly at Wembley.

And now the Real Madrid legend has faced him, he admits he was impressed after England's 1-0 victory.

Hart is yet to be on the losing side for England during his 15 caps to underline how impressive he has been for the Three Lions to date.

"It was the first time I have seen him and I was quite impressed," said 30-year-old Casillas, who has amassed an incredible 126 caps for Spain so

far.

Serious player "England have struggled to find the right keeper but he is a serious player.

"It is important for Fabio Capello to have the confidence in the keeper for the whole side.

"Hart has proved himself in the Premier League with Manchester City. He is a very confident boy and he uses that in a positive way."

And, in assessing the performance of a new-look England outfit, Casillas can see similarities.

"I would consider England to be where Spain were six or seven years ago," he said.

"They have a good mix of experience and youth."

Falcao: I‘ll do everything to play Madrid derby ADAMEL Falcao says he is working hard to regain full fitness in time for Atletico Madrid's league clash with capital-city rivals Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old striker suffered a strain to the abductor muscle in his left leg in Colombia's training session on Wednesday, a problem which ruled him out of the national team's World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Argentina.

Falcao arrived in Madrid from Bogota on Saturday evening, and upon landing in the Spanish capital, he admitted he is setting his sights on a return against the Santiago Bernabeu outfit in two weeks' time.

"It is true that we do not have a big margin, but I will do everything possible to be at the Bernabeu," Falcao told

Pauleta: PSG should sign Ronaldo

AYERN Munich have been boosted by the news that Arjen Robben has not picked up another injury after pulling out of training on Friday, according to Telegraaf.

The Dutch winger has been stepping up his recovery from a pubic bone injury that has been causing him problems for the majority of the season.

After an examination from the Bavarian club's medical staff, the former Real Madrid man has been given the allclear to resume his rehabilitation from the troublesome injury.

The pain Robben experienced on Friday is said to be a natural reaction after not training for over a month.

Bayern face champions Borussia Dortmund next weekend in the Bundesliga, yet

•Robben

it is unlikely that Robben will feature in the game, despite being told he is fine to continue training.

Hiddink rejects Ajax move

T

URKEY boss Guus Hiddink says he will not leave his current job in order to accept the vacant position as director of football at Ajax.

The Eredivisie champions have long been linked with the former Netherlands national team coach, but Hiddink has always insisted he will respect his contract with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Turkey's 3-0 loss to Croatia in the first leg of their Euro 2012 play-off further fuelled

speculation that Hiddink could be on his way to Amsterdam but the 65-yearold has ruled out the move.

"I will not move to Ajax," Hiddink told NOS. "This is something of the past and it's not going to happen anymore. There's always a lot of unrest at the club, which is typical for Ajax and Amsterdam."

Hiddink will discuss his future with the TFF after Tuesday's Euro 2012 play-off second leg in Croatia.

Panathinaikos targets Porto winger Rodriguez

T

•Falcao

HE Uruguay international has been strongly linked with a move away from Portugal after becoming a bit-part player over the last two seasons.

Panathinaikos coach Jesualdo Ferreira is an admirer of Rodriguez after coaching the 26year-old during his time at the Estadio do Dragao, and it is

believed he wants to take the player to Athens.

Portuguese sources suggest that Porto are willing to accept just •3 million for the Uruguayan, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

Rodriguez, who joined his current club from Paris SaintGermain in 2008, has made five appearances so far this season.

63

THE NATION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

NATION SPORT

•Venus Williams

Venus Williams changes her diet T

HE lifestyle change follows the revelation that the American has Sjogren's Syndrome, a chronic disease where white blood cells attack moistureproducing glands and can cause disfunction of organs and body systems.

And Venus is hoping the

new approach will propel her back to the top of the women's tennis rankings.

'I changed my diet completely, so lots of vegetables,' the 31-year-old former world No 1 told a sports conference in Qatar on Sunday.

'I (altered) my mind frame

completely because I was the person who always ate their steak first and their salad second.'

The seven-times grand slam champion suffered with fatigue and swelling because of the illness and has slipped to 103rd in the rankings.

'My goal next year is to play

PacMan retains title after beating Marquez

M

ANNY Pacquiao won a majority verdict against Juan Manuel Marquez to retain his WBO welterweight title.

The Filipino had beaten his Mexican opponent in similar fashion in 2008, four years after an epic draw between the pair, and he narrowly claimed victory once more as the trilogy was completed.

Both fighters attempted to strike a victorious pose after the conclusion of the 12 rounds, but Pacquiao was controversially awarded the fight 115-113 and 116-112 by judges Dave Moretti and Glenn Trowbridge, with Robert Hoyle scoring it as a

draw. The verdict drew boos from the Las Vegas crowd.

'I got robbed,’ blasted Marquez. 'I don’t know what else I can do to win. I'm really, really frustrated. I don't know what I have to do for the judges to win this fight. It's hard when you're fighting your rival and three judges too.

'The result of this fight has me thinking of retirement. This fight was the biggest of my career. I prepared so hard. We wanted the judges to score this fight the way it happened, not how they scored it.

On the back foot: Marquez took the bout to Pacquiao and was unfortunate to be on the

•Pacquiao

losing side 'I was preparing for somebody in my corner to raise me and take me around the ring.

But I was surprised again, surprised by the judges.'

When asked about the crowd reaction, Pacquiao said: 'My fans are very happy because they thought I won.

'The fans of Marquez of course are very disappointed. I understand how they feel. But I blocked a lot of his punches.

He's a counter puncher. He headbutted me a lot."

a full schedule. It will take some work to get there, but I'm no stranger to hard work,' she said.

'I love the game. The racket feels right in my hand and I'm planning on going right back to where I was at the top of the rankings in the singles and doubles sometime within the next 12 months.'

Williams' last grand slam singles triumph was her 2008 Wimbledon crown.

Since then, younger sister Serena has won a further five grand slams to take her tally

to 13, although she has struggled for form after suffering health worries of her own, such as a pulmonary embolism earlier this year.

'Her achievements over the last years have been monumental and even with health issues she's been able to continue to be great, right now I think she's one of the best players in the world,' Venus said of her sister, the world No 12.

Five-times Wimbledon champion Venus said she had

no time for anything outside tennis and her business interests, which include a fashion label and an interior design company, 'It's so much fun being single - at some point I'll be mature, but it just hasn't happened yet,' she said. 'I'm shocked at myself by my inability to settle down and to commit to anything besides tennis and work.'

She added she would never date a fellow tennis player.

'Those are my colleagues,' she said. 'Handshake, that's it.'

Boltsetshimselfanewchallenge

T

HE WORLD’S fastest man has set himself a new challenge for the London 2012 Olympics.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, 25, says he will run the 4x400m relay for the first time, as well as defending his Olympic titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

He said: "I will probably be in good shape and I know the guys are really stepping up the 400m level in Jamaica."

He retained his 200m crown at this year's World Championships in Daegu, where he also helped Jamaica defend the 4x100m relay in a •Bolt

new world record time of 37.04 seconds.

However in South Korea, Bolt also surrendered his chance to defend his world 100m crown when he was disqualified from the final for a false start, allowing compatriot Yohan Blake to succeed him.

www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7

NO.1,945

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘If there were proper PHCN revenue drives aimed at the ‘connected but not paying’, ghost PHCN customers, PHCN would be awash with legitimate extra billions. PHCN would then not need to cheat its customers by deceptively introducing extra charges like rent and ‘maintenance charges’ for the prepaid meters’’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

S

O Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s supreme leader for 41 years is well and truly gone?

His end was not pretty. Dislodged from the capital Tripoli by a rag-tag coalition of armed insurgents who had little in common beside their hatred of his person and the determination to oust him, he ran from pillar to post, taking refuge, finally, in his home town Sirte.

Even there, he was not safe. Relentless NATO bombing —no need to sanitise it by calling it “air strikes” – pulverised building after building and structure after structure, leaving Gaddafi with fewer and fewer places to hide. He was on his way to seek another hideout when NATO planes bombed his convoy, reducing it to a smouldering heap of mangled metal. The scorched remains of persons who were fully alive moments earlier were barely recognisable in the carnage.

Injured and distraught, Gaddafi summoned the presence of mind to seek refuge in a drain pipe, from which he was pulled out by armed insurgents, mocked, taunted, beaten and shot in the leg. By the time they delivered him to the new authorities in Tripoli, he was dead.

He had been shot in the head. His body was laid out for the public to view, a grisly reminder of the instability of human greatness.

Everything seems to have followed the NATO script, in which the United States and its allies wrung from the United Nations authorisation to use force to protect those challenging Gaddafi’s rule, and then parlayed it into a licence to carry out regime change in Libya. The United States took the matter further when, just a few days before Gaddafi met his doom, it issued a fatwa on Gaddafi, per Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

In a televised interview heard around the world, Mrs Clinton declared that Gaddafi should be “captured or killed.”

In the West, a great deal of hand-wringing, a good part of it no more than sanctimonious mush, has followed the extra-judicial killing of Gaddafi, and there has been a call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Will they indict Hillary Clinton as an accessory?

In the past two decades, Gaddafi, who had entered our consciousness two decades earlier as a dashing revolutionary hero, antiimperialist, and champion of the people’s cause, had become a bore at last, and a cartoon character to boot. He ruled like a feudal lord. He was the law and the Constitution. He built a cult around himself and his children. He locked up the political space and hid the key in the family vault.

These, plus his many eccentricities, occluded appreciation of his sterling achievements in transforming Libya from a back-

RIPPLES Youths urged to imbibe reading culture – News

They read ooo... ask them how many GOALS RONALDO scored LAST SEASON

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Gaddafi and other matters arising

•The late Gaddafi

water of Italian colonialism into a frontline Arab and African state, with welfare programmes that Nigeria, an oil-rich country like Libya, has never seriously contemplated.

Even if he was completely degenerate and had no redeeming grace whatsoever, inciting his adversaries to kill him would still amount to ordering an extra-judicial killing, which municipal as well as international law categorically forbids.

If an official of one state can in the context of a domestic uprising in another state order the killing of the head of that state, who then is safe?

In whatever case, the American-sponsored intervention that led to regime change in

Libya points up some jarring discontinuities in U.S. policy, having regard to other developments in the region.

For months on end, hardly a day has passed without another grim harvest in Syria of unarmed protesters killed by the rampaging forces of President Basher al-Assad. The Syrian government is at war with Syrian citizens and unleashing on them with impunity and in full view of television cameras virtually all weapons of war. The scale of repression is far greater and more deadly than anything Gaddafi deployed against those bent on ousting him.

Yet, all that the United States and its allies have done is to condemn the brutal repression and call for sanctions, sanctions and tougher sanctions.

They say that is the way Israel wants it. Israel does not know what regime change in Syria will produce and does not want to take any chances. And so, the regime change in Libya that was advertised as a triumph of freedom over tyranny and democracy over autocracy is ruled out of hand; so also, apparently, is any serious effort to halt the daily carnage in Damascus and other major cities in Syria.

Even as it was coordinating air, land and sea strategies to topple Gaddafi and plant freedom and democracy in Libya, the United States found it necessary to warn that it would block Palestine’s application for United Nations membership, in furtherance of its right to self-determination.

Peace talks too numerous to count, and United Nations resolution after United Nations resolution, have failed to end forty years

HARDBALL

N

O Italian leader, indeed no European leader, has been as buffeted by European and American media for displaying poor leadership as Mr Silvio Berlusconi, aka Il Calvaliere (The Knight). Three times prime minister of Italy from 1994-1995, 20012006, and 2008-2011, he was investigated 19 times in his 17 years as top political leader for various offences ranging from perjury, corruption, tax fraud, and sexual indiscretions. Considered one of Italy’s wealthiest men, and, by some ratings, the 118th richest man in the world, charismatic Berlusconi spent about nine years in office without any spectacular achievement worthy of the reputation of being the third longest serving Italian post war prime minister.

Though he came close in recent years to losing power on account of his sexual escapades, sometimes with minors, and at other times with prostitutes, his extensive media interests, deft political touch and ability to connect with the electorate shielded him from electoral and parliamentary disgrace. It will be recalled that many leading European newspapers and magazines had unsuccessfully campaigned for either his resignation or repudiation by the electorate. He was not finally undone until the Eurozone debt crisis overwhelmed him. He is the second scalp to be taken by the debt problem, after the Greek financial tragedy (caused by a combination of the world financial crisis and uncontrolled government spending) led to the resignation of George Papanderou and replacement by

of occupation and ravenous land grabs by Israel, and the indignities that come with that condition.

But despite all the ringing declarations about its commitment to liberty and democracy and all that, the United States has found itself in the incongruous position of vowing to block the Palestinian people’s quest for self–determination through UN membership.

The application for UN membership is now being discussed. But the recent meeting in Paris of the General Assembly of UNESCO, the cultural arm of the world body, provided an inkling of just what the United States will do when the application comes up for the vote.

When Palestine’s parallel application for membership of UNESCO came up, the United States warned severely that it would, in keeping with American law, withdraw from the body and withhold its contributions, roughly 25 per cent of UNECSO’s budget, if Palestine was admitted, as it had done in the 1980s at the height of the debate on a New World Information and Communication Order.

UNESCO’s General Assembly voted to admit anyway, stating that to deny the application would be inconsistent with its Constitution.

Article 1 of that document enjoins UNESCO to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture “in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.”

Self-determination is one of those fundamental freedoms.

Foreign policy is highly nuanced. A nation can, without discomfort, enunciate one policy on one issue at one moment and enunciate the precise opposite on an identical issue at another moment. Nations, it has been said, have no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.

Perhaps one day, every nation will embrace the advancement of liberty and human rights and the right to self-determination as permanent interests. Until then, we must continue to invoke the poet Stephen Spender’s admonition that unless you care about freedom and justice everywhere, you do not care at all about freedom and justice.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Emblematic and enigmatic Berlusconi Lucas Papademos.

As far as triggers go, the Eurozone financial crisis was caused by the cost of government borrowing surging beyond the acceptable limit of seven percent. Greece, a country of about 11 million people, owes about 340 billion euros. Because it is in the euro, it can neither go to its central bank to borrow money nor devalue its currency. Italy, on the other hand, owes about 1.9 trillion euros (about 120 percent of GDP), and faces nearly the same problem as Greece, except that the cost of government borrowing, which had surged above seven percent, has fallen to the barely manageable level of a little over six percent after Berlusconi announced his decision to step down.

Beyond the mere mismanagement of the economies of both countries, however, the Eurozone debt crisis is a reflection of the poverty of leadership in many parts of the world. For instance, as Greece was about to receive a second bailout from the European Union, its dithering former prime minister was planning to subject the austerity measures imposed by the bailout to a referendum, as if the country had a choice. Europe was horrified by the lack of leadership character displayed by Papanderou. With debts nearly five times that of Greece, Italy’s Berlusconi was distracted by his personal foibles, some

of them subjects of criminal investigations or prosecution. In addition, he underestimated the looming debt crisis, suggesting that there was no one in Italy who could respond better than he to the troubles of Europe’s third largest economy. His legendary hyperboles are matched only by his equally legendary weaknesses.

The fact, however, is that few Europeans trust Berlusconi to show the kind of leadership Italy should be proud of. Angela Merkel of Germany and Nikolas Sarkozy of France, according to some reports, privately scorn his leadership credentials. Many Italians hide their heads in shame at their former prime minister’s serial gaffes, corruption trials and frivolous and obsessive engagements with wild soirees called bunga bunga in Italy. Berlusconi, who was described in 2003 by The Economist magazine as unfit to lead, is by no means the worst leadership failure we have seen. There have, indeed, been countless thousands before him. But he has become a contemporary emblem of disastrous leadership, the kind that brings nations to their heels. His resignation may not be the end of his political career, considering he is still in parliament, it would, however, be a shame if Italy ever welcomed him again to the office he has dishonoured times without number.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO